It can seem like a duel of fates at times. On one hand, you have the clear high minded self that sages have called "self realized". And on the other hand, there is the addict; the one who feeds off of attention, quick and meaningless highs, and loads of drama. This side of you may be called "the ego". Like a coin constantly being tossed into the air, both sides are of the same origin. Yet, only one can rear its head. The other waits for the opportune moment to shine. But, ironically, the other needs to be exposed for its opposite to come forth and one cannot fade away unless it is present. Both sides of you are interdependent. They give birth to one another and simultaneously take away from the others' power.

Can we be rid of the side we do not want?

The answer is both simple and perplexing. The answer, if you look at it, is a bold no! Remember that you are both sides to this coin, and both sides need one another. It is simply a perspective that you are observing through that makes the difference.

My advice: Instead of being totally usurped by either side, instead of being totally locked in your "ego" or "self realized" state of being, be the coin thrower, the one who can see both sides of the coin and knows and appreciates their being. That state I like to call "Enlightenment".

As someone writing a blog about the matters of mind and body, I tend to observe and report on issues that I notice. However, today I would like to make a more positive contribution. With all of the ignorance, and all of the suffering abound, there is a sort of perfection at work beneath our ground. We are not always privy to see this perfection first hand because often we are caught up in the mix of our myriad of problems. It is hard to see that all that happens is a response to something else when emotion is involved. It can be hard to be at ease when chaos is running amuck in your household or place of work. But, our existence is always a work of perfection; a beautiful blend of connected happenings that we can come to appreciate if we take the time to stop and observe from a distance. No matter your background, no matter your belief or ethnicity, you are a part of this world, and so is every other living creature and inanimate object. We are the body of reality and I for one would like to take the time, at least for right now, and appreciate this thing I call life.

Often I find that when I say that something is, the contrary evidence often rears its untimely head. This, however, is the law of the universe and the principles of opposites. When we say something is so, there will always be a thought or an opinion to come in and challenge it. I find that this happens more internally than externally. A mind that runs in such a manner can be a troublesome mind if it grows a blockade, that is, does not allow what is in front of it to exist. Allowance is crucial to sanity. Our minds are constantly running and constantly trying to grasp on to the ideas that circle through it. However, if you are stuck by some force, say guilt, anger or regret, if there is something your mind is unwilling to accept as reality, you will find that life will reflect that of a wild bull ride, trying terribly hard to throw you off. The best advice available is this: Nature is like a flowing stream. It feeds life only if it is allowed to continue to flow. If it is blocked, the stream will grow stagnant and therefore undrinkable.

Carl Sagan used to say that we are all star stuff warped and changed over time. Biologically speaking, this is true. Particles rehash and reuse themselves over time. But, there is a greater truth in this message. It is funny how the most advanced species on the planet is the only species to harbor anything akin to racism, especially against our own species. I mean, at least lions are at constant battle with hyenas. Because, when you think about it, all humans are so much the same. We all come from the same place and we will all exit to the same destination. Even considering if you are a religious man or woman, all human beings have the same options and so it does not matter where you will ultimately go once your journey here is finished. I don't remember anything in the Bible saying "Love thy neighbor… as long as he looks the same as you, otherwise dehumanize his filthy a$$!" The truth is, no matter what you believe in, we are all in this together. Imagine your cells fighting over the individual differences they harbor within. Your body would not function. Think of our society in this way. We are the cells of society. What would happen if we did not act as one?

It is very easy to fall into the trap of not taking action. So often, playing it safe is a much easier road. But how many times has something come up where you could have acted but didn't? How many times have you wanted to say or do something but fear prevented you from making the move. The desire for safety indeed stands between every great and noble enterprise, and unless we muster up the courage to face our fears we will not know what it is like to experience life the way we truly want to. Standing down or being held down seems like it is a safe choice, but in the end you will see how bad the effects have worn on you. Fear is a strange thing isn't it? It's the one emotion or feeling we wish to avoid but it remains as a cushion for us to fall back on, like a back door insurance salesman waiting to sell you something that isn't there.

"You shall earn your living off the sweat of your brow" A noble notion, especially during the days of honest farm work where one could actually use his talents and creativity for survival. Today, you shall earn your living off the sweat of a foreign minor in some sweatshop, while you sit in an office and type. Perhaps that is a bit harsh, and by no means am I saying that this is the way that all Americans live. However, this is the dream or at least the result of it. Our nation produces nowhere near a fraction of what it takes in, and that is scary. Think about it, how many people actually go to college so that they may venture into a field they actually find satisfying and that they can contribute to. Instead, our college students are rushing into fields that pay well, regardless of the contribution. Never mind who and what it affects. Never mind we are enslaving not only other nations through cheap labor, but also enslaving our own. Perhaps not through sweatshops with unbearable conditions, but we are now locked into positions with little to no interest. And by this point the graduates are so bogged down with student loans they have no other options than to start slaving away ASAP. Maybe this is why kids all want to be actors and rap stars.

The universe is a very, very, very large place. It's so large that our minds cannot grasp its depths. And really, to be honest, I think the notion of a place called "our universe" is ridiculous, but that is another issue. What is important, however, is this: we tend to think that everything revolves around us. Thankfully, however, it does not. Humans have a tendency to lock themselves into personal beliefs and separate themselves from the rest of the world (those who do not agree with their beliefs) and become little islands; in America, we a great at doing this. But if there is one thing for certain, we are but tiny a fragment of life's grand spectacle. And with this relation to the infinite awe that is life, we know very little. Religious or not, there is no doubt as to the distance of extra-terrestrial bodies (planets and stars that is). For a brief review of relative size, the sun is about 93 million miles away (that's one long car ride). It takes 8 minutes for the light from the sun to reach us. Keeping in mind how ridiculously large the sun is (one million earths could fit into it) our sun is a relatively small star. There are many that are much larger. Furthermore, our galaxy is home to billions of these stars; that's one galaxy out of the known trillions of galaxies out there. The point is, before we can begin to argue over whose belief is wrong or right, before we begin to fight, it might be prudent to question your own beliefs and ask yourself: Do I really know all the answers? Or at least, a more humbling question: Do I know enough to argue?

At first glance the title of this blog might seem redundant. However, there is a great lesson to be learned here. The way I am using the word "want" is in a fashion that implies logic and careful reasoning. Desire, on the other hand, implies what you are addicted to. An addiction constitutes any driving force in your body (beyond the necessary) that controls your actions. Here is a list of common examples:

1. What you want is a nice woman who has a good head on her shoulders, you find stimulating (both mentally and physically) and is social. What you desire is the sexy chick staring at you from the other corner of the bar, telling you with her eyes what she would like to do tonight.
   
2. What you want is to create a means of living through your creative endeavors, whether that is through mechanics or strumming the guitar. What you desire is to play the lotto with all the money you have and make four million times the amount.
   
3. Want you want is a healthy meal that is both tasty and nutritious. What you desire is that McDonalds grease-ball of a burger that will not only clog your arteries but make your trip to the toilet a plumbing nightmare.
   

Now, the above might not bear much meaning to you, or perhaps there's a slight variation. No matter the list, however, what you truly want will most likely require patience and skillful effort, but will payoff tremendously. What you desire may feel good the second you get it, but may also leave you feeling empty and potentially painful soon after.

I was taking a stroll earlier and began to ponder some very peculiar attributes of the society we live in. It all started when I had to spring a leak; you know, take a whiz. But, I couldn't, not outside, at least. I walked more than five miles and along that entire journey my only options were restaurants. But, who wants to walk into a restaurant (mostly empty), not pay for any food, and use one of their amenities? Yes, you all have been there. Out on a trip, you, a bud, or one of your children needs to pee, but you feel like you'd be taking advantage of the owners by utilizing their restrooms. It can be a hassle. But that's just it. How did we get to such a state where the only suitable place to do what is most natural and necessary is by finding a facility built for it. I thought nature provided plenty of room for that. Clearly, no one wants a lawn full of poop, but the restrictions we have placed on nature, our nature included, are ridiculous.

Going outside is gravely underestimated as a remedy for mental dysfunctions and neurotic behavior. The plain and simple fact is: we are cooped up in cages. Our homes, our jobs, and our schools all lock us in very unnatural environments for far too long. There are clear and obvious benefits and advantages to having these structures, of course, but prolonged encasement will inevitably lead to insanity. This is why American dogs are as neurotic as they are. No longer do these creatures have the option of strolling out for a whiz when they need. No longer can they step out into the wind and sniff a few trees at their desire. We humans are not different (though we often think so). Hardwired into our systems are the instinctual drives to feel some fresh air and explore our boundaries.

Basically, what I am saying is this: Nature very easily takes a load off the shoulders. It might not solve it all, but it is a step in the right direction. Next time you have an issue weighing heavily on you, take a walk on the wild-side, or what's left of it, and see if that helps.

Sitting down reviewing one's life can be a rather funny thing, especially in a time of peril. We tend to think we are the victims of the world around us. We tend to believe that we didn't have a choice. Certainly, there are forces beyond us that can do damage, but that is not what I am speaking of. I am talking about the more common forms of infliction.

From an early age you were taught to look around you for the one to blame. From an early age you were taught to accuse. But where was the wisdom? Where was the notion to take a look at your own actions? Instead of trying to correct the world why not correct the one person you have direct control over? Indeed, our teachers need to educate, but education needs application and only you can apply an education. By this I mean that when you understand how you work and why you do the things you do, you will see that it is you who creates most of what you call problems. And at that time a great miracle will have happened, because from that point on, you will have the choice of making more problems or choosing to make something different.

In this day and age it is not uncommon to walk down the street and get bombarded by religious advertisements of various sorts. While in Royal Oak a group of Christians were trying to show those passing by a painted representation of the process of entering Heaven. While on Skype, a random Islamic converter pestered me about my preparations for the judgment of Allah. And, as the newest shocker, whilst walking down the road, I saw a sign on a bus that read: "Don't Believe in God? You're not alone." This was followed by a website to some Atheist organization. And I'm sure a few of you remember the Scientologist's booths set up at the local malls, claiming to know the spiritual path that would relieve your stress.

What the f…… I won't go there. Can't a man walk down the street without someone trying to convert him to his or her beliefs? And, yes, Atheism is a belief; I now even consider it a religion. All the religions of today are like gangs recruiting for the final fight. "What colors are you wearing?" "Whose side are you on?"

What the heck happened to the option of being human and living a human freaking life? You want to know "what" I am? I'm human. You want to know where my loyalty resides? It resides with the survival of the human race and the survival of the planet.

Now, if you are asking "What do I call him." Now's a good time to see the therapist you need.

When the European genocidal settlers "discovered" this great already known land we call America, they manipulated the Native Americans by having them sign contracts that would "sign" over their property. The Native Americans, however, knew nothing of contracts nor did they comprehend the idea of land ownership. And so they were booted off or killed off in the name of real estate.

A logical question would be, "Why have them sign a contract in the first place?"

The contract was used for manipulation and justification. Not really to the Native Americans but to other white settlers. I am not saying that all uses of contracts are bad, but often they carry with them unnatural expectations. Marriage would be a great example. Sadly, people often use their marriage contract (even the idea, not just the paper) as the foundation of their relationship/communication. Instead of working on communication, instead of being honest with themselves and others, they "dedicate" their lives to misery because it is part of the contract. Often, what transpires during these occurrences are resentment, spite, and even hatred.

At all times, it is important to dive into how you feel and what you think you should really do and not blindly follow directions because you signed your name on a piece of paper.