July or August (?) 1995

People don't strive to understand the world around them. Case in point: 
Aristotle's belief that the universe was made of four elements - wood, 
earth, water, and air - existed for nearly two thousand years because no 
one dared question accepted philosophy. To do so would go beyond the 
barriers of what is "known" and enter the frontier toward the unknown. It 
is difficult to completely abandon one's preconceived notions and 
recognize the notions that we held dear in the past as false. It is 
difficult to realize that there are other options, especially when none 
are presented to you on a silver platter. The same holds true in 
different forms today. People have no understanding of the morals, 
philosophies, and social forces that control their lives, nor do they 
wish to understand. It is easier to be unaware of their lack of 
understanding than to be aware. Once awareness is acheived, two options
exist: be aware and not do anything, or actually set out to question the 
fundamentals of society that they hold as sacred. They trap themselves in 
an enless cycle of unconsciousness. Unless they are dissatisfied, they 
never have any reason to justify their actions to themselves or question 
their own way of thinking. They are content with being mediocre and 
justify their actions by replying: "That's just the way I am" or "That's 
the way life goes" instead of striving for something more concrete. 

October (?) 1995

They talk about trivial and meaningless things in hope of covering or 
hiding the void that exists within. Most people associate the void with 
loneliness and emptiness, and therefore view it as a negative thing only 
to be avoided. Instead, they should draw upon the void as a source of 
self-strength.

They cannot doubt themselves. Any concept that might infer that their 
basic philosophies are erred would be a terrible blow to their "ego" and 
"self-respect." If they doubt themselves, then all that gives "meaning" 
to their lives would be lost. Those who are unsure and doubtful of their 
beliefs are inevitably depressed.

2/19/96

Understanding comes from experience. To understand any idea requires 
experiencing the idea. For example, to understand Taoism requires one to 
live one's life by the Tao. I once believed that understanding is what 
gives meaning to life. Now, since experience and understanding are the 
same, experience is what gives meaning to life as well.