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Steve Harvester's avatar

It’s inevitable that most of our decisions will spring forth from unconscious patterns of thinking developed over many years. The purpose of contemplative prayer (or meditation) is to alter the unconscious to be more in tune with truth. At age seventy I am a beginner, but at least I am a beginner on the right road!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

What an attractive concept. It is very much in line with where I was

going but on a more sublime level. Thank you for your feedback

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Suzanne Beddoe's avatar

I hope, Mark, that you will be collecting your essays for publication as a book.

Also, isn't that you in the photo with your children?

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

What a complement - Thank you . I have a great photo of me spinning my daughter but I don't have any idea where it is. The photo I used was a stock photo, with no name / credit that I could see. I hope life is treating you well

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

It's true that we all have different filters through which we see reality. Our values are important filters.

For me, honesty in personal relationships and in the media I'm willing to consume are crucial. As well respectfulness and concern for the benefit of all regardless of race, class, gender, etc.

We need to know and live by our values, since they aremeaningful filters. I'm not interested in the alternative rabbit holes that we can go down. It's interesting to know and understand them, but they're not where I want to spend my time.

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

Thanks Diana. You make a lot of very good points especially the part about our values being critically important filters.

Encountering people who exhibit respect and concern for all is so refreshing - especially in 2024!

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Thanks, Mark. I think caring and respect are our natural states, and we need to be in touch with them so badly, especially the people making the insane decisions right now to commit genocide, and control the economy so that life is difficult for so many, and by continuing to trash our one and only life support system, the planet we all share.

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

So very true. I'm reminded of a line from one of Billy Joel's old songs - "I only miss you when you're gone." I think of the human decency that is pivotal toward any forward movement of society, and a healthier planet. We're losing our grasp on both of them, and it takes a critical mass of those in power to change that tide.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

I think it will take every tool in the toolbox, since the people in power aren't representing the needs of everyday people. How do we focus our soft power more effectively I wonder.

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

That is the million-dollar question indeed.

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