Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Problem With Pilgrimage
Monday, February 15, 2010
Take Me Home
Q: Why do birds fly home for the winter?
A: Because it's too far to walk.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Turning Japanese
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Lost in the Middle
Buddha rocks. About time Buddhism mirrored Christianity and embraced secular corruption. Millions of hypermanic youth can't be wrong. If something more ancient than time itself becomes "uncool," just modify the hell out of it until it befriends your Chuck Taylors and witty graphic T-shirt.
There are many stories of Buddha's origin, but the grossly abridged version is predictably the best. Essentially, there lived a young boy named Sid who was unhappy with the world. Everywhere he looked there were unhappy people chasing impossible dreams and reaching new levels of lunacy like having different iPods for different situations. He quickly realised that people were inherently stupid, pursuing infinite apparitional goals that became less achievable the closer they approached.
He exclaimed loudly "Fuck this!" (or words to that effect). Equipped with the coping skills of a six year old boy, he ran into the metaphorical forest to sit under an equally metaphorical tree and ponder his new predicament. After an elasped three days or so, he became bored and wanted to go home.
At that point, and without any fanfare, he discovered The Middle Way. No, not another pretentious cafe in Perth, rather a realisation that moderation was the key to life. The multiple iPod owner was idiotic but the tree shrouded thinker equally so. Defining something as good or bad was merely a choice made in your own mind, quite distinct from the reality that it was neither.
Quoting The Age's Catherine Deveny (Australia's equivalent to Buddha): "nothing is ever as good or bad as you think it will be."
Or is it? The problem with humans is we're too smart for our own good. Too lazy to walk, we invent a four wheeled device that transports us from home to work whilst perforating the ozone layer along the way. When it comes to choosing one, the smart human has already decided yet still undergoes the arduous ritual of buying magazines laden with bikini clad girls to "read the comparison tests." He painstakingly wades through voluptuous mounds of information sub-consciously ignoring negative reports until he convinces himself of his pre-determined choice.
Reality is no match for the persuasiveness of cognitive dissonance. It's our best attribute - the ability to convince ourselves of truth that doesn't exist.
So why can't we use this for positive effect? That grumpy bastard at work, maybe he's had a fight with his wife. That dickhead in the imported Japanese car, maybe he pulled in front at the traffic light because he's late for the birth of his first child. Yeah right. It would make no difference which way you swung, except if you chose the positive you'd be spared the premature squirt of adrenaline that compresses your lifespan by at least half a day.
Maybe the best choice is neutrality. Take a lesson from Buddha - he went crazy so you don't have to. Not everything in life happens for a reason, bad things happen with surprisingly similar frequency to the good. Apply cognitive dissonance and suddenly "only bad things happen to me." How tragic. With the same effort, you could convince yourself of the opposite. It's a miracle, your life is now filled with rainbows and small leprechauns.
Dishonest? Who cares. Embrace your human flaw and let the pendulum swing in your favour for a change, it's instinctively trying to find the middle way.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Until Death Do Us Part
obligation /obligaysh'n/ n.1 the constraining power of a law2 a burdensome task.3 a binding agreement, enforceable under legal penalty
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Scourge of Self Importance
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Jesus on the Radio
You know the world has changed when Jesus sponsors motor sport.
Well, not Jesus per se (although the advertising makes you think otherwise) but an extraordinary attempt by the Jesus All About Life campaign to perform that well worn cliche: "reach out to the younger generation."
Yawn.
It's a gallant effort though. Disillusioned adolescents everywhere are crying out for a dose of religion to get their formative character-building lives back on track. How unsatisfactory, exposing youth to adversity so they can develop coping mechanisms for the future. The answer surely is to "show them the way." The one size fits all solution to living the perfect Christian life.
Why don't other religions pick up on this theme? Can you imagine - "Muhammad, All About Judgement Day?" It is doubtful our society would be as welcoming of an Islamic youth outreach campaign. Even perfect Australia, the most "tolerant" of nations.
It can't be cheap either, plastering the son of God on utes, touring cars, and Mini Coopers. If you believe the website jesusallaboutlife.com.au, production costs are courtesy of the NSW Bible Society. You have to wonder if this bible society operates from a offshore gas platform or if there's more than is publically declared.
What has happened to religion? Sacred and secular have forever been antonyms, now they are one. Rock bands in Church, Jesus on a race car. What's next - an extra holy McJesus Value Meal at McDonalds?
There are many ways to be a Christian, many ways to have a relationship with God. These campaigns are flawed as they project the one and only way for a Christian to be faithful. They alienate people who cringe at the thought of Jesus on a burger. People who believe religion is sacred and about a personal relationship rather than "getting high on Jesus."
Good God. Jesus must be rolling in his grave.