Reflection on Thankfulness

I find myself today in the midst of an epiphany of great humility. After a couple hours of rewarding discussion with a group of colleagues, I reflected back on what was said, what was implied, and my part in it all:

I'm a taker. I gain so much more than what I contribute in return. For instance, yesterday afternoon I donated red blood cells by plasmaphoresis (what a cool experience and so interesting to watch it all happen up close). I thought I was just going to donate the blood, because for one reason or another, I somehow believe that's the right thing to do. But without a second thought, I accepted in addition to the food, a brand new shirt, a new hat, free drinks at an improv, and two movie passes. All for 503ml of red cells. To me, that just no longer feels like donation.

Today a friend told a story about calling one of his elementary school teachers to thank him - that he was on his way to becoming an M.D./PhD spinal surgeon, and it was that teacher's guidance so long ago that allowed him to be where he is today.

I am ashamed that I am not as appreciative as this young man, as I should be. I had realized before, but it didn't shatter my world until today that I am in extreme debt to those around me my whole life. I too have had several teachers who have been so incredibly influential in my life, and hadn't really understood their full impact till recently. They've never been thanked like they deserve. Others just as much - I disagree with my parents on a lot of things, including those as basic as what's right and wrong, but they've allowed me to forge my own path, to develop better understanding, and have overseen my maturation as an individual in ways I've never let on to them.

I am only now starting to realize how important exchanging knowledge with peers is, and how dependent I am on them, and how grateful I am to them. I have so much to learn from them - a lifetime of experience and knowledge from each one! People have so much to offer each other in ways of which they are unaware. But for those of us with that awareness, we have an obligation to share that knowledge with others; if not for their sake, then for the knowledge and ideas and opinions and insight themselves! This is the whole premise of education - there is a set of knowable things out there that needs to be retained. So those with the power that the knowledge bestows upon them must therefore pass it on to others - disciples, students - so that knowledge may endure history.

I'm realizing that I have no profound original thought to exchange for the vast, towering mountains of what I learn from others. Perhaps I have nothing personal to offer, but I can at least share some Nietzsche, Farmer, Sachs, Tocqueville, Buddha, Petrella, Christ, Stolt or Gildenlow with them instead.

And my sincere humble gratitude because it's such a privilege to know.

Spiritual Misappropriation

So we can feel good about getting drunk and spending $2,000 for organic lube

The marvelous innovations of marketing...

Mindfulness Training

From the Order of Interbeing

Part 2

"Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives."

Zen Buddhism through the scientific method. We need to be mindful that our knowledge is not absolute truth. It is estimated that medical knowledge doubles every five years, including reversal of previously held beliefs and practices. "A scientist with an open mind, who can question the present knowledge of science, will have more of a chance of discovering a higher truth." In our quest for higher understanding, we must constantly challenge our present views of reality, ever incorporating our observations of life around us. The basic teachings of Buddha correlate well with science: nonattachment from views, opinions, prejudices, biases, doctrine, dogma, and ideology is the key technique to understanding. Narrow-mindedness is understanding's nemesis. We must share our observations and experience with others, and share their observations and experiences in order to discover higher truth, gain insight.

Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings

Thich Nhat Hanh discusses the keys to practicing mindfulness from the Buddhist Order of Tiep Hien, "Interbeing"

Part 1
"Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for."

We need to understand that "human life is more precious than any ideology or doctrine." The power of ideology can be too much for human life to bear. "If you have a gun, you can shoot one, two, three, five people; but if you have an ideology and stick to it, thinking it is the absolute truth, you can kill millions." Do the Holocaust or the Crusades come to mind? Peace can only be achieved when we are free from fanaticism.

The scientific mind yields to skepticism, constant re-evaluation and verification. This uncertainty and search for truth leads to modification of currently held and past assumptions and hypotheses. We should apply that same model to other areas of our lives and our world, helping us to defend against dogma, doctrine, and ideology that threaten human life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.