A WHOOPER SWAN'S DIARY: 03/24/23

THE STORY OF JOHNNY WHOOPER SWAN We go to school trusting our parents. We meet a teacher there who stands up front with a big desk, and a pointer. She or he trains us in an authoritative manner. We attach mentally to a life long need for authority in order to live lives successfully. Right so far? In my case, at the age of 25 I was ready to enter the practice of law where I hoped for success and a happy life finally. Very shortly, very shortly, I became anxious. There was a foreboding. I was made more uncomfortable with each experience. Law work is nothing like what I was told it would be. The system is corrupt. But I still cling to my expectation that career success is necessary to my happiness as a man. Each day my grasp of what the fuck success amounts to after all becomes more clouded, murkier. I hear songs on the airwaves and at concerts which describe my life as the life of a fool. What am I becoming? I want to rip off my business suit to run naked in the street with my hair on fire! But I am too afraid. In strange, weird (weird comes from a word meaning wise), fragmented steps I go about a journey of my own believing myself to be the first man to have failed in such a total way which journey works so as to break up my career, end a marriage, and start an entirely new way of relating with my two children whom I love deeply. Almost magically I meet a woman who is a career counselor who asserts a beautiful message that I am made to be joyful in my work everyday and at all levels. This understanding sets me on a completely new course. It is no longer a world of systems to me but an undivided one of unlimited beauty. It reminds me of a painting. A true masterpiece. I am drawn from within to learn the truth about my identity and nobody else can teach me that. From this point onward I will use thinking capacity for mastering mechanical processes and follow my heart, which includes my whole nature, which includes your whole nature and that of every human being for all the rest. I’ll go by the name Johnny Whooper Swan who does not explain itself to anyone. By my fruits shall I be known. Watch me soar!

Friday, March 24, 2023

WHO IS TO BLAME?

There ought not be wars between human beings. But there are wars. Many, in fact. Who is to blame for the wars? Hmm.

There are bands of people who all consider they belong to a named tribe or nation. Were there none of these there could be no wars. And, it is the leader of a band who declares a war. Were there none, no wars would happen. The war would be so long coming about due to argument and indecision that it would become a bore to even speak of it. And even if a king was mad enough to go to war he would look silly unless he had a huge, trained military at ready he could order to war. Or, at least he must have sufficient wealth to raise one and train and arm it or just sit and pout in his office and dream of having such might at his disposal. And it helps to have a band to play music to glorify battle. Oh, and there must be composers, uniforms, and band leaders. Also it is critical to have some method to get the message of the leader why the war is an absolute duty of the citizenry spread all over the land and build it to a crescendo in an outpouring demand that we march! It is a great help to have a religious body or two inside the band with holy priests to convince many of its people that God is on the side of the band about to go to war and will make sure of a victory.

We must not leave out that not only must the leader or king be wealthy but there must be a solid business community at ready to supply all the needs of war. And these must have plenty of laborers to make all the necessary goods of war, including things like food and bandages and medical equipment and drugs and body bags. And don’t forget plenty of alcohol and drugs and sex to help the soldiers forget what just happened.

After the war, in case of victory, there has to be a well organized element of academic and artistic creations of all sorts to glorify the war and its fortuitous outcome and memorialize its fallen fighters. It must be made clear that all humanity is benefitted by the war and the outcome of it and that we would do it all again! Well, Hell, it’s beginning to look like it’s all of us!

War is a fact. “There are going to be times we need to go to war” is a concept. The fact is real and can be dealt with. A concept is not reality and, as such, cannot be dealt with. So, is it possible for humans to deal with the fact of war only? And end it?

Wait. I think I am a band of concepts and ideals separate from every other human. Humans go to war with each other even inside families and nations and religions.

If I ask a woman to go out with me on a date I am shopping. I am shopping for a relationship of my own making. When I shop I am confused and conflicted…this or that. A mind in conflict is a dangerous thing to rely upon. It will always lead to more conflict. As soon as I choose, no, a second before I choose even, the confused mind will say “that’s a mistake”. It cannot help it. It’s confused! The mind is arguing within itself. Clarity is hidden from me. In that state, whatever I do will be confused, so, more shopping. Eventually, another war!

I have a friend. Both of us see that the concept of marriage is not working. We feel strong attraction to one another. It is suggested by a confused mind that we marry and then, once married, we set about to make a relationship we can each be happy within. Sounds good. Must fail. Why? Do we understand yet?

So, is it possible for two to first find clarity together and then let the purity of a clear mind that is not shopping lead? Clarity is a fact- a fact that I am beginning from where I am, as a fact, and not from some concept of where I am wanting to go. See the difference? The future is conceptual. Now, a fact.

The way of committing to a conceptualized future and betting on being able to make it come about through effort of will is not working! I see something! Plasticity! Life already has it! No attaching to mental concepts because they are suppositions and always limited. Who needs ‘em? Come on!