Ode to Donald Trump To find favor with the kingis no mean thing–for it, we will go to war.We will lay down our livesand sacrifice all we ever loved,and more.But, the king’s broad appealonly manages to be realbecause of those who call him, “Lord.”His great personal powerdisappears in the hourthe enchanted onesperceive the fraud.Good-bye andContinue reading “December 09, 2023 – B”
Author Archives: jimwdollar
December 09, 2023 -A
How many Elder Wands would it taketo straighten this mess out?I’m thinking specifically aboutthe Texas Supreme Court affirming no abortion everunder any circumstances,Mike Johnson declaring himself to be Moses,Donald Trump displaying certifiable traits of insanityon a regular basis, etc.Which leads to the next question:How do we plan to survivethe compete loss of bearingson all sidesContinue reading “December 09, 2023 -A”
December 08, 2023 – A
It comes down to, flows from, revolves aroundperspective,perception,projection,point of view,view point,outlook,opinion,way of looking/seeing,attitude,frame of mind,interpretation,understanding,presumption,assumption,conjecture,…People go to war over differencesin the way they see things.They see things according tothe stake they have in things.According to what they thinkthey have to gain or lose.The most objective facthas to be interpreted/understood subjectively.A cow means one thing toContinue reading “December 08, 2023 – A”
December 07, 2023 – B
Today is Pearl Harbor day.In 1941, The Japanese navy bombed Pearl Harbor.That’s 82 years ago.We will vote next yearfor the next President of the United States.83 years from Pearl Harbor,we could vote to end democracy.I cannot imagine it, but it is real.Donald Trump has boastedthat he will institute a dictatorshipthe day he takes office.Why wouldContinue reading “December 07, 2023 – B”
December 07, 2023 – A
How do we know what needs to be donethat is different from obsession/compulsion?That flows spontaneously/naturallyfrom the situation that arises,like “Bless you!” follows a sneeze?How do we live so attuned to the moment,so aware of ourselvesand what is happening,that we are like a dancerwith the music,or a tennis player with the ball?How do we live withContinue reading “December 07, 2023 – A”
December 06, 2023 – A
The Rites of Passagerequire/enable us to consciouslyadjust ourselves to the here/now-nessof our life as it moves through the stages from birth to death,in a “Here we are, now what?”kind of way.We are regularly asked to let go of what’s goingand let come what’s coming,in adjusting, adapting, acquiescing to what’s what.It is called, “Growing upsome more,Continue reading “December 06, 2023 – A”
December 05, 2023 – B
Aeshylus wrote,He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.Wisdom is the resultof reflection upon experience. The wise are often oldbecause it takes a longContinue reading “December 05, 2023 – B”
December 05, 2023 – A
If you want to engage,evoke,experience,encounterthe Numinous,Ineffable,Transcendent,spend your time in the companyof Art,Musicand Nature,and in the practice ofEmptiness,Stillnessand Silence.These things compose my idea of True Religionand have been seen as suchthroughout the ages.No Theology.No Doctrine.No Dogma.No Creed.The moral,ethical,just and noble foundationof True Religionis lodged in seeing what’s whatand doing what needs to be done about it,inContinue reading “December 05, 2023 – A”
December 04, 2023 – B
Art is religion without the theology,creeds,dogmas,doctrines…without the presumptionthat it is explaining,defining,elucidatingspiritual truthin a logical, rational, reasonable kind of way.Art says with images and metaphors”That Which Cannot Be Said,”as the old Taoists might say.Art communes with,and communicates as well as can be communicatedits encounter with the Numen,the Numinous,the Ineffable…Art is “transparent to transcendence,”and expresses,exhibits,displays,reveals,Transcendent Realityin everyContinue reading “December 04, 2023 – B”
December 04, 2023 – A
If you looked at things differently,you would change your mindabout everything.How do you know that the way you look at thingsis the right way to look at things?How often do you look at the wayyou look at things?Evaluate the way you see things?Examine the way you think about things?Wonder why you see things as youContinue reading “December 04, 2023 – A”
December 03, 2023 – A
Nobody can tell us what’s important.We have to discover/realize that for ourselves.We are all looking for what’s important.The Search for the Holy Grail.The Spiritual Journey.The Hero’s Journey.Vision Quests.All are seeking what is important.What matters most.What guides our boat on its path through the sea.What is it for you?What are you doing to find out?Don’t forgetContinue reading “December 03, 2023 – A”
December 02, 2023 – A
Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, was actively persecuting Gnostics for their beliefsaround 150-180,but there was no official biblefor the first 300 years, or so,following Jesus’ death.The Old Testament was settled around 250and the 27 books of the New Testamentwere deemed to be authoritative by 363-397.Which is to say,it has been a messfrom the start,and executions andContinue reading “December 02, 2023 – A”
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 