My Philosophy as a Lover

For the lovely flower that blossoms amid the storms of my life…

                Love is not mysterious at all. We are all aware of it. How can we not know the ‘feeling’ of love if we somehow find it alien: an enigma that springs from the core of our being? It is a product of intellect and a conscious mind. We seldom think of it as a manifestation of our sense of values – of the worth of ourselves and the people around us. I define love as an outward expression of our ideals and values – a reflection of our personal ethics directed towards others. When we love, we recognize the worth of the objects of our affection. We know how important our parents are to us. Women are fond of watching romantic films, dreaming of the moment when they finally kiss the man – the rightful recipient of their devotion. Whether it be filial, romantic or fraternal, love will always be dovetailed with our definitions of the worth of life, of persons and of ourselves. This is why love should not be separated from our deliberate attempts of gaining wisdom. To love is to think of the most precious and dearest to us – a selfless wish of spending one's limited lifetime with others. It is indeed the greatest of all virtues – an ability that sometimes invalidates our instincts for self-preservation.

                No one has ever fallen in love. The metaphor of falling is a playful way of saying that one is attracted to another – that one sees the beauty within a person. Love is not a solitary idea but a concept connected with others like promises, commitment, honesty, faith and kindness. To know love and to be in love is to recognize the significance of these words. I see it as the sweetest form of defiance against time. It is love that binds a man and a woman to a futile attempt at forever, in spite of the certainty of eternal separation. It is the unfathomable happiness of a father as he witnesses the wonder of a child’s gentle smile. It is the yearning of a lonely soul to reunite with a friend.

               

                The joy of loving is such an experience that has captured the minds of poets for centuries. It can never be described by the metaphor of falling. Rather, it is like vision restored after many years of painful blindness. It is being able to clearly see the worth of others – a celebration of finding meaning in one’s life. We are like jigsaw puzzles completed by fitting in the pieces together. Life tends to become more wonderful when the ones we love help us to form our own conceptions of being alive.

                I myself am in love with a very special woman. I came to an understanding of these things as I ventured into my deepest thoughts of her. This is my humble attempt to contemplate the most potent force that humanity has ever known. I am in love and overjoyed with the reality that somehow, in a particular moment within the vastness of space and time, I had known her. I am a tiny organism, an infinitesimal dot in the grand scheme of things, but I believe that being genuinely in love is one way of experiencing immortality… until death.

Do You Believe That Your Religion is the Right Religion? 10 Questions About Belief

The philosopher Daniel Dennett in his book “Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon,” has made important notes on the numerous ways religion shapes individuals and societies. The book revealed certain features of religious belief that may seem to us as peculiar, precious, even grotesque and distasteful based from evolutionary and anthropological studies. What captivated me, however, is the book’s strong emphasis to the notion that religion and belief must be put to rational scrutiny. Dennett voices out that belief in God (and the question of his/her/its existence) should not be exempt from the lens of natural science. 

I agree with Dennett that there is a deep need to study religion extensively as a form of scientific endeavor. We tend to apply the scientific method to all forms of inquiries everyday: from the type and color of clothes to wear, the brand of shoes to pick and much of the apps we use on our phones. On the other hand, we place little effort in learning about the religion we inherited from our parents. Is there really a God? What is the difference between a ‘God’ and a ‘god?’ Which religion is the right one to follow: Islam, Christianity or Judaism? The list below consists of my personal questions that I think must be answered in light of free discussion and reason.

 1. Is it possible to ascribe meaning to the word ‘God’ that will be compatible with various religious doctrines? (Including Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist etc.)

 2. Is religion a product of natural evolutionary processes or something else? 3. Why do religions of all sorts require faith and shun away doubt -- the baseline for an honest inquiry?

 4. If God created the Universe, then how did he/she/it made the first particles and traces of energy that composed the cosmos? Can the phenomenon of God be explained through an advanced understanding of physics?

 5. If one day, the world wakes up to the shocking news that space aliens already landed and made contact with earthlings, will our religions (and our views of the Universe) change? Will our visitors from a distant galaxy profess a new kind of religion?

 6. Are there natural and scientific explanations for religious experiences such as alleged apparitions and miracles?

 7. Assuming that we already invented time machines, will the Catholic Church, or any other Christian denomination, permit an expedition back in time to check for the truth of the claim about Jesus’ resurrection? Will we want to extend this search to witness how God (if he/she/it really did) made the Universe?

 8. Do religions make people good or is morality itself an item that can be interpreted using scientific language?

 9. What are the costs and benefits of religious belief? Do these costs outweigh the benefits or the other way around?

 10. Will the world be a better place without religion or will it be rather chaotic and hostile?

...by the way, an interesting countdown of the least known (and very weird) religions around the world.

The Power of Saying “I Can”

You are unique. You are special. You are strong. You may not realize it right now but no one can deny the fact that you started your life as a champion. Just imagine that of all competing sperm cells from your dad, you’re the one who emerged victorious; you outran at least about three million other sperms and made it to your mother’s egg cell. The science of genetics also points to the fact that all possible combinations of chromosomes – from all parents that set foot on this planet – make your birth a kind of chance event of astronomical proportions. That night when you were conceived, millions of individual, aspiring sperms – with all their quirkiness, weaknesses and strengths imprinted in their genetic material – vied to win the race of human reproduction. And voila! You were born. So smile. You are the only person in this world that can be you. You have all the strengths you need to ace the game of life. In times of trouble and despair, remember this important scientific fact – you are unique. You can become what you want to be. Believe in yourself and say: “I can!”

                But what, if there is any, are the powers of the words “I can?” Why say to yourself that you can when you actually feel you can’t? In a world full of failures, betrayals, broken hopes and relationships, will it make sense to deceive oneself about the harsh reality of life? Well, no one’s being deceived! Everyone of us have great potentials to succeed in life no matter how dire the situations we face individually. You and I are strong persons that should seek out for those unlimited possibilities. We can be actors, politicians, singers and professionals. We can be artists, activists, heroes. It is up to us. In our own personal endeavors, however, we might fail a lot. You may be scarred, bruised and beaten as you go along. But you must not lose the will to fight and let defeat defeat you. If you feel that your problems and frustrations seem overwhelming, take a deep breath, hold your chin up, and say that you can. People who commit suicides are those who never believed in their own inner strengths. “I can:” make these two words your personal mantra. Think of the many things you have: your eyesight, your friends and the one you love. Unleash your inner Superman and never be defeated by defeat again. You can. You must.

                I can be happy and so can you. This is what most people forget. The cause of all heartaches and miseries is this: the belief that happiness is a matter of externals. “I can only be happy if she loves me back.” I will only be happy if I pass that exam.” “I will be happy if I already own that brand new car.” We tend to see happiness through a mirage of “ifs.” “I can be happy if the conditions are right.” That’s precisely how sad people see happiness. These people beg and beg from life the things they lack. Ask yourself: aren’t you happy that you’re still able to eat three meals in a day? Can’t you be satisfied with the nice clothes you’re wearing today? Aren’t you proud of the loving people you share your life with? Remember: a million people in this planet desperately want to live in your shoes – people of extreme poverty and hopelessness. Being happy is not about what you have but of what you are. The good thing about happiness is that it’s like a light switch: you can turn it on at will. How? Smile. Sing a song. Play with a pet. Talk with your friends. Just cheer up and be happy. Be happy for no reason at all. It is a matter of choice and you can make that choice. You can!

                We live in a world that’s in great need of men and women who can stand their ground and say to themselves that life cannot bring them down. Right at this moment, say to yourself: “I can.” Have a heart of a lion and be strong for those who are on the verge of giving up.

Life Starts and Ends in Bed

Let’s clarify things first: I won’t talk to you about the beauty of oversleeping, nor will I give a magic formula for helping people who find a losing battle against insomnia. However, with absolute certainty and belief – with a plain and strong conviction inspired by the greatest sages of the past -- I am urging everyone to start and end their lives in bed! By this I mean that we ought to cherish life, complete with its joys and sorrows, from the moment we wake up until we hug our pillows for an adventure to dreamland. This is because the major source of worries and anxieties is our ignorance of this simple act. We worry too much about a lot of things and many people suffer from depressions and die with heart attacks because they try to live yesterday, today and tomorrow – all at the same time! We try to squeeze the heartaches of the past and uncertainties of the future inside a small pocket we call “today.” I want you to say these lines to yourself: “I will live for this day only. I’ll not drag with me the dead past and fear the unknown future. I’ll enjoy my life until bedtime.” Keep these words locked in your mind and in your heart today. Do the same tomorrow and I guarantee that you have one of the simplest yet profound truths about living and solving your troubles. As the poet Horace once told a few centuries ago: “Cease to inquire what the future has in store, but take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.”

                But why follow my advice? Isn’t it right to make plans for the future? Will it not make sense to remember the mistakes of the past so that we can avoid committing our most embarrassing blunders? Yes and no. It is important to be prepared and have expectations of a better life. Most of us dream of owning a car, to have a wife from the race of the most beautiful supermodels the world has known, and have the cutest and most adorable children that show the exquisite quality of one’s genes. Common sense should also remind us of our fallibility as humans and that we ought to be cautious in life based from past experiences. But we must not see life as if it’s carried by some kind of an imaginary time machine. Nature does not provide us with remote controls complete with fast forward and rewind buttons. The only option we have is play – to grab and seize the day! Today is the best time to honor the past and prepare for the multitude of possibilities that the generous future may bring.

                A fellow once told me that we are slowly dying everyday. All of us are terminally ill patients waiting for that fateful moment when we will close our eyes for eternity. Maybe you’re saying to yourself right now: “Oh! I’m only in my mid 30’s, I ain’t gonna die yet. I expect to reach 80.” It could be true, but the point I’m trying to make is that we should let go of all our past resentments, regrets, failures etc. Do not hold them like precious little trinkets of gold. Most people do that and they live with a permanent scowl – a mark of sadness that make them close cousins with the Grinch. Most of us fail to welcome a new chapter of life offered by the bright new morning sun. A lot of women right now had given up the search for “Mr. Right” because “Mr. Wrong” had blown their hearts to pieces (and sometimes, their virginity, too). On the other hand, there are some of us who cringe in fear and despair even at the remotest possibility of a pimple on the cheek turning to a life-threatening cancer, or a slight pain in the stomach to a severe form of ulcer. I am not a believer of harboring depressions nor to a deep and destructive obsession to success. Let us think that today is enough. It’s the only day that matters.

                Now let us turn our attention to those who are masters of the no-worry attitude – our pets. Have your ever heard your dog worry of its prospect of bitches? Did your cat complain because it didn’t like the brand of cat food you bought? I haven’t heard of monkeys grumbling and picketing the governor’s office for illegal cutting of banana trees, raging themselves over the possible extinction of bananas. Sounds unreasonable to you? Yes it is absurd! Quite absurd – on our part as humans! You may say that animals are dumb and they do not think like we do. I agree indeed, for that’s precisely the tragedy that humans face. Sadly, unlike our barking and fluffy friends -- despite our superbly developed medulla oblongata and fine quality of our neurons -- we still fail to realize the beauty of a day lived well. We choose to live our lives dreaming of a Never Never Land where we can play with Peter Pan and Wendy. When we’re small children, we say to ourselves: “Oh! When I go to grade school, it’ll be so much fun! I really don’t like kindergarten!” Then as grade school pupils: “I think I should go to high school and college because this school and my teachers suck.” Then as we grow and enter college years: “I can be truly happy if I become a doctor, a pilot or an engineer and get married!” After finding the right job for us and the perfect partner in life: “Maybe I should wait for my retirement and enjoy my life.” Finally, as we enter retirement with all our greying hair and years of hard labor behind us, reason suddenly knocks us face first to the ground with the realization that we had missed it all. The roller coaster of life rode fast, swerved, twirled and spun upside-down while we only watched from afar – dreaming of another roller coaster that will never come. When will we ever wake up from the illusion of chasing happiness? It’s already with us, right here, right now.

                The author Dale Carnegie, in his book “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living,” made this very important remark: “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We dream of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our window today.” Let’s not be dreamers of magical rose gardens and fairylands. Our happiness lies in our acceptance of what the day brings. Forget the dead past – it has been done and it will never resurrect itself to something different. Nor should we worry about tomorrow’s “daily bread.” A good thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. Let’s not forget that today is yesterday’s tomorrow. And how do we start reforming ourselves? Simple: smile and appreciate. Be happy for your good health, your eyesight, the food you ate, your friends and family – all the things you have. Appreciation is the key to a cheerful mental attitude towards life. Why not stop right now and think about the things you’re lucky that you had? Our lives have started and will end as we sleep tonight. This is a new day. Carpe diem! Seize the day. Live it. Love it. Cherish it.

Life: The Greatest Lesson We Ought to Learn as Citizens of the Earth

We live in a world where answers to the most profound questions of existence are manufactured in one place: Google. From self-appointed philosophers to experts of astrology, from science geeks to stock market analysts, from (sincere?) politicians to glamorous couples in showbusiness – all their ideas are contained within the vast expanse of the World Wide Web, making it a giant recipe for omniscience. The world seems to drown in a heartless and cruel ocean of information. We are satiated with images, sounds and varying ideas on anything humans can talk about. But the question remains: Despite all the googling, despite all the fuss about the NBA, Hollywood movies, national politics and alien conspiracy theories, did we already arrive at a full understanding of ourselves? Were we able to fully comprehend life and its innumerable questions that make it a sort of an idealist labyrinth?

            We can say that we are the dominant specie in the animal kingdom due to our thorough grasp of Science and Mathematics. In our younger days, we became familiar with these fields in the classroom – had known the likes of Aristotle, Socrates and Plato – and became active in philosophic thought and discussion with our Philosophy teachers. The internet can be regarded as another type of classroom, virtual and colorful, replete with “quotable quotes” and vague sayings from the anonymous to the famous. However, the availability of information fails to push us even an inch to an understanding of what really life is and how we should see ourselves. It is easier for us to define “water”: a chemical compound composed of a single Oxygen and two Hydrogen atoms and has a boiling point of 100 degrees centigrade. Life, on the other hand, is too tough a word to define and is usually filled with philosophic clichés and scientific confusions. A thinking and feeling person can find it inadequate to say that life is a chemical process brought on by signs of metabolism and growth. If we are individuals with a deep concern for the pursuit of knowledge and happiness, then it is imperative that we solve the challenging conundrums of life.

            Sadly, we find ourselves trapped in a crossfire of opinions and conflicting worldviews about life – and the best thing we did was to ignore the raging war altogether and play Farmville or something else. We became negligent of our existence. We never wake up from our dreams of accumulating millions and travelling to South Korea to meet K-Pop stars. It’s a sad truth but we cannot do something about it -- unless we in ourselves develop a sincere desire to learn about the nature of human life and the true value of our existence. Before we cheer in the talents of American Idol champions, before we taste the sweetness of a comfortable and luxurious life, before we embrace the prestige of hard-earned recognition and titles, shouldn't we give thought about the mystery we call life? Shouldn't we ask ourselves on how must we carry on living in this infinitesimal planet that revolves around a giant nuclear reactor in space?

            I may sound to you as an old grouch complaining about how the world works. But, the point I’m at pains in making is that we should wake up and make an effort to understand and ask the most important questions that bother humanity from time immemorial. What is life? What does it mean to “live”? Life is like the air we breathe: we pay no attention to it but it’s utterly important for an organism’s survival. Life is that something that gives you the capacity for experiencing pleasure, discomfort and the total experience of living. We go on each day with all our cares and no one even stops to reflect and say: “It’s a good day today. I’m glad I still exist. I’m still alive.”Living is so innate in us, so natural that we even forget it’s there. Life must not be neglected nor feared; it is to be understood. As this article’s title states: life is the greatest lesson that everyone (you are no exception) should learn. It is the biggest university and everyone is its student.

            It is not my intention to parade myself as a philosopher in writing this message. I am no member of the academia nor a holder of those MBA’s. PhD’s, ABC’s and XYC’s. I am a mere human being; a sentient organism of this planet we call Earth. It is my firm belief that we will only have but one lifetime. While we’re here, we may accumulate wealth, be a responsible citizen of a particular country, become a professional or even a celebrated statesman. Some of us may choose to be actors, public servants, bank owners and businessmen. We will grow, play, experience the magic of our very first kiss, start a family, enter old age and die. It is my sole aspiration, however, to remain as a student seeking to contemplate and marvel about the depths of our existence. I hope that each of us should ask these questions even once: Why are we here? What does it mean to have a fulfilled life? How must we go on and spend the limited days of our lives in the most meaningful way? What does life have to offer for each of us? These are the questions that I -- as a Humanist and a student of life – will continue to wrestle with until the last of my breath. It is my deepest hope that we can be good classmates of this world.

I do admire the courage and philosophy of Sam Berns, a 17-year-old boy with a case of Porgeria

Humanism 101: The Humanist Manifesto III -- A Glimpse Into the Humanist Perspective

What is Humanism? Do you value life and the welfare of others? Do you feel an appreciation for nature with all its beauty and magnificence? Do you feel that you have the freedom to achieve your own personal goals and happiness in life? Do you base your values and moral judgments from reason without recourse to the supernatural claims of religion and superstition? Then, you are a humanist -- and you are not alone! Check out the video and the full text of the Humanist Manifesto III here as released by the American Humanist Association.

A Blog With a Purpose

                I am a lover of books and a collector of ideas. I never let a day pass without finishing at least five pages and that my day usually ends in contemplation about the truthfulness or soundness of the things I've read. There are even times when I lose track of time just staring at the vastness of the sky, thinking about an ocean of conflicting worldviews, opinions and philosophies pertaining from the smallest scientific fact to the wholeness of life. I made it my quest to seek out for the multitude of meanings that existence possesses in itself. The only purpose I know is to understand life in general and share any understanding I obtain with my fellow citizens of this planet. It is a lifelong quest and a noble one.

                Hence, this blog was born. The internet is the fastest way of exchanging ideas in this modern century. This is my own little way of inviting everyone in this eternal conversation we call Philosophy. We all have our philosophies in life. This is evident in the patterns of behavior that we possess and subscribe to regardless of whether we recognize them or not. Most of us obtain satisfaction and wisdom from religion without realizing the theological assertions that a person makes when he says “I believe in God.” Some of us are apatheists who shun away and ignore questions about the existence of gods and on divinity; while others are simply hedonists who concern themselves with those things that bring them earthly pleasures. This blog is dedicated to everyone with a curious attitude towards life and its many-sided realities.

                I for one am a Humanist. I do believe that the life we have on this planet should be well-cherished for we will only live but once – and that the highest moral ideal is service towards others. We have the capacity for happiness and success in this lifetime and that we must also help others achieve that same realization. Reason, Science and Philosophy are the compasses that guide humanity in an expedition for the ideal Human society. It is my delight to share with you these ideas for this blog is in itself made for ideas. It doesn’t matter whether readers agree or disagree with part or all of my conclusions. Responses, be it positive or negative, are truly appreciated for they can wake me up from my ignorance or further strengthen my own philosophy. This blog was made in light of the democratic spirit.

Thank you and happy reading.