“Owen didn’t believe in coincidences. Owen Meany believed that ‘coincidence’ was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design.” ––A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving, pg. 186
I’ve flirted with the idea of taking up meditation for a few years now, and thought this book would be a good introduction given my interest in neuroscience. James H. Austin’s Meditating Selflessly: Practical Neural Zen is a sincere but mediocre explication of Zen meditative practice as interpreted by modern brain science. Austin’s treatment is highly […]
“It’s a no-win argument––that business of what we’re born with and what our environment does to us. And it’s a boring argument, because it simplifies the mysteries that attend both our birth and our growth.” ––A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving, pg. 57 “One common misunderstanding is that happiness always means success, […]
This was my favorite novel throughout my adolescence, and is also probably the only book I’ve ever read three times. After a recent and extremely rewarding rereading of The Grapes of Wrath, I decided it was time to take up East of Eden once again. The book holds many memories, like that handful of albums […]
“Every study of the gods, of everyone’s gods, is a revelation of vengeance toward the innocent.” ––A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving, pg. 7 “To practice Living Zen is not easy. It is to make repeated selfless, skillful, adaptive, behavioral concessions to everyone else with whom you interact in an ongoing relationship. […]
“‘When you’re a child you’re the center of everything. Everything happens for you. Other people? They’re only ghosts furnished for you to talk to. But when you grow up you take your place and you’re your own size and shape. Things go out of you to others and come in from other people. It’s worse, […]
“‘You’re growing up. Maybe that’s it,’ he said softly. ‘Sometimes I think the world tests us most sharply then, and we turn inward and watch ourselves with horror. But that’s not the worst. We think everybody is seeing into us. Then dirt is very dirty and purity is shining white. Aron, it will be over. […]
I came to this book by way of science fiction author Peter Watts, whose excellent novel Blindsight was influenced by Thomas Metzinger’s philosophy. The Ego Tunnel is the best book I’ve read about consciousness since Antonio Damasio’s Self Comes to Mind. Damasio and Metzinger have much in common, but I ultimately prefer Metzinger’s approach; as a neuroscientist, […]
“‘There are many millions in their sects and churches who feel the order, “Do thou,” and throw their weight into obedience. And there are millions more who feel predestination in “Thou shalt.” Nothing they may do can interfere with what will be. But “Thou mayest”! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature […]
“Joe said plaintively, ‘But what will I do here alone?’ Samuel was silent for a moment. Then he said, ‘Joe, do you love me?’ ‘Why, sure.’ ‘If you heard I’d committed some great crime would you turn me over to the police?’ ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘Would you?’ ‘No.’ ‘All right then. In my […]