In 1992… Congress passed the JFK Records Act, which firmly said, all the records out unless you have a strong reason to protest our national security, all the reasons, all the records out… Oliver Stone. Opening statement at JFK assassination hearing 2025
Logic suggests that our minds can become overwhelmed by a whirlwind of thoughts that often spiral out of control. Reason helps us understand how these thoughts can dramatically impact our lives. Sparks fly when we lose sight of the logic behind our actions, regardless of whether they make sense. Fueled by rumours and various clandestine motives, the rules we normally uphold for others are frequently ignored.
Put me high on a pedestal, cast me down into a dark, damp dungeon, or leave me somewhere in the complex space in between—each possibility holds its weight. The labels we adopt often feel like mere whispers and rumours, leaving us isolated and exposed. This isolation reveals a specific flaw in the protective walls we build around ourselves. Yet, vulnerability is not merely a weakness; it possesses a profound potential. When nurtured and supported within a loving embrace, our openness becomes a valuable asset, inviting us to build trust and seek meaningful resolutions on the ever-challenging, mysterious path ahead.
Even at this late hour, our heightened awareness presents a remarkable opportunity to confront the challenges posed by life’s unpredictable nature. I sit firmly in my chair, facing the undeniable reality of my body’s mortality. I recognise the mind’s relentless desire to find purpose in the fleeting passage of time. Once again, I find myself in a significant moment. I remind myself to hang in there. By being mindful and observing any internal conflicts, we can transform a life filled with conflicting thoughts into meaningful experiences. This transformation enriches our lives and deepens our connection to the world and its universal essence.
If it’s not ongoing battles with our place in the world, the struggle between the mind and body remains a profound theme that significantly shapes our human experience.
We often grapple with such questions as “Why does my back hurt so much?” My stomach tightens when I think of the steps to prove my point convincingly. If not the physical, the head spins. How can I navigate the complexities of life to get ahead in the queue or ascend another rung on the career ladder? What strategies will help me pass the test and earn the genuine respect of my boss, so on and so forth?
When we become fixated on a singular goal, we often narrow our focus to immediate, worldly concerns. These may include the pain we desperately seek to alleviate, the quest for a higher income, the inheritance we hope to receive, or the resources and opportunities granted to us by institutions that shape our lives. Our concerns are often intertwined with our beliefs, which can be deeply rooted in religious or secular ideologies, democratic principles or authoritarian structures. Additionally, our socioeconomic status—whether we are fortunate enough to be affluent or struggle with the challenges of poverty—also plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences and outlook on life.
Focusing too intently on a single thought or idea, regardless of its seriousness or importance, can dull our senses and prevent us from fully experiencing the moments that shape our lives—before, during, and after our time on Earth. This deeply personal realm centres on how we perceive ourselves rather than our true essence. Constantly dissecting the sum of our parts, our projections and perceptions often distract us from the enchanting wonders and profound mysteries found in a child’s laughter, a dog’s loyalty, or the peaceful silence of a library filled with the whispers of forgotten stories.
A wild meadow bursting with vibrant colours and fragrant blooms can be likened to a unique space that allows us to breathe and creates a sense of distance from the chaos of the world. When we refrain from imposing our expectations on these experiences, they can become genuine sources of comfort and redemption. Despite our challenges, these moments and connections remind us that, amid the complexities of adult life, specific uncertainty can lead us to meaning and grace.
As I organise my home and work life, I can inadvertently create a gap between myself and the vast cellular activity, a remarkable force that connects us all, increasingly accepted and described in science as the matrix, the unified field and more. Physically or mentally, separation lessens the richness of my identity and diminishes my ability to resonate with others in this shared sphere.
I can thrive even if I don’t share your tastes, beliefs, or ideas. And I won’t lose sleep if we don’t read the same books, eat the same food, or live in the same place. But isolating myself and comparing myself to others, fixated on success and fearing failure, can quickly make life a struggle, possibly even unbearable.
Instead of fully embracing an unknown’s awe and complexity, we often hold steadfast to preconceived beliefs about their life and our cultivated understanding. We strive to meticulously organise and document our intricate existence on this supposition of knowing, hoping to glean insights that may lead to greater wisdom. The term ‘Homo’, derived from Latin, denotes ‘human’ or ‘man,’ while ‘sapiens’ originates from a Latin word that conveys the notion of being ‘wise’ or ‘astute.’ Given this label we’ve been ordained with, how might a person like me, who has a penchant for wandering away from the principles of wisdom, navigate the often-challenging journey back to a place of understanding and clarity?
In context, embracing the intricate rhythms of our internal and external being becomes evident through the quiet observation of our breath. The cycles of inhalation and exhalation connect us to the world around us, allowing us to experience life more fully and vibrantly. Our need for air is immediate and far more urgent than our need for water or food.
While our skin provides protection, regulates temperature, and allows for sensation, it also facilitates a small amount of gas exchange. For example, when we suffer a minor scratch, the air dries the skin, forming a scab that protects the underlying wound. Oxygen is critical for the entire healing process, playing a vital role in cellular energy, collagen synthesis, and the fight against bacteria.
The respiratory system oxygenates our blood, and our circulatory system transports that oxygen to where it is needed most.
On Earth, oxygen makes up roughly 21% of our atmosphere (often approximated as 20%), a level crucial for aerobic respiration used by humans and many other organisms. Gravity is the anchor that binds our atmosphere, including oxygen, to the planet, preventing it from simply diffusing into space.
Oxygen is said to be the third most abundant element in the universe (after hydrogen and helium). Oxygen is a key component found in stardust, primarily locked up in silicates (rocky material) and water ice, which are fundamental building blocks for planets and other celestial bodies.
By becoming aware of our breath, we recognise the constant exchange our bodies require to sustain life, making the invisible ether around us profoundly essential. When we take the time to join in this interaction, the ebb and flow of air, which we often take for granted, becomes a portal to a palpable interconnected universe.
As mindboggling as this seems, every cell in our body reflects a universe intricately connected to an immense cosmological whole reaching realms far beyond our comprehension. This is not just a thought. An angel ponders a prayer. Is this true? Can we experience and feel the celestial pulse, or are we merely products of our concepts and perceptions?
By writing down these thoughts, beliefs, biases, and emotional reactions, I examine why I believe what I believe.
What emerges is a barrage of metaphors, a kaleidoscope of mixed, nonsensical words arranged and rearranged until clarity prevails; internal conflicts that once suffocated me are granted space to breathe, slowly coalescing into a coherent narrative that brings light and cheer even to the lowest of lows. The act of expression compels the story nested within to undergo a seismic shift. Chains of grief-laden missteps prophesy an ill-fated future where fame and fortune become the sole reasons to exist. Once a recipe for chaos and despair, it is now a point of reflection that reveals the futility of merely seeking escape in an endless stream of discontent tossed back into the ether forever.
Mind over body and body over mind—one dominance over the other inevitably leads me to conflict, as two opposing forces rise steadfastly against the other. When the body concedes to a determined mind, turmoil and drama can consume it. If the body engulfs and dominates the mind, chaos is unleashed, revealing the beast lurking within a tainted heart—a belief that holds the heart to ransom or a broken heart that suckers the mind.
I read and read more. I write and rewrite until the grounds for thought turn a corner. Where do specific ideas come from? Are they serving us well? I may take the long way around the block to reach a point, but the key is to observe with genuine interest, not reproach, along the way.
It is said that true wisdom often begins with recognising the vastness of what we don’t know. Acknowledge the limits of our understanding and perspective, then take it from there. This intellectual humility makes us more receptive to learning alternative viewpoints and the sheer complexity of existence.
Some questions elude simple answers, and certain complexities are inescapable. Some say true wisdom often resides in our ability to navigate through ambiguity, embracing it rather than seeking to eliminate it. I’ll do my best in this. Through creative expression, I aim to convey the richness of this remarkable life we’re given that the English language allows me to articulate.
This journey toward understanding is not a linear process. There will be times when I feel confident and times when I feel unsure again. Starting with hope and good intentions, truth emerges from the intricate arrangement of these random letters, which come together like pieces of code. What does this collection of dialectical signs reveal now?
I sense that my psyche is deeply influenced by a need for acceptance, which often distances me from the stabilising pulse of being human, an oceanic rhythm in the play of now. Recognising this challenge is a crucial first step—a chance to connect with the heart, both yours and mine.