20220331 SLLLAVERS FOR THURSDAY - DARE I CALL YESTERDAY "D-DAY?" - we shall see, but I'm guessing that would be premature. So, PPPPFFFFFFFTTTTT!!!!

SILENCE

Silenced brain for 70 seconds, with the exception of imagining numbers, counting to 70

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

196.2  Today's weight

196.6  Yesterday's weight

-0.4

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

NOTE:  Monday (0328), I wrote:

I visualize weighing less tomorrow, through:

1. Eating only 2 meals every day:  1) Smoothie at 10am-11am, and 2) Dinner at 4pm-5pm.
2. NOT eating anything between meals.
3. Exercising every day

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. David's D-Day will likely happen sometime between now and APRIL 11, and I want to be in as good of physical (and therefore mental) shape as I can be.
2. George tells me that if a person can stand on one foot for X seconds/minutes, then s/he will likely live longer.
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly

So, if I lose a pound every 1-2 days, I should be down to approx. 192 by April 4th.

Here's how I've done during the last 24 hours:

1. Yesterday, I had only 2 meals:  1) smoothie & coffee at 10-11am, and 2) Steamed veggies dinner at 4pm
2. I had NOTHING between these meals.
3. I exercised yesterday morning, and I exercised this morning (see below)
4. 
   

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Thursday, March 31, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 12
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36
12. flamingo L36, R36

NOTE:  I wasn't very motivated when I woke up, but reminded myself of my 1-week goal of losing 1-2 pounds per day, down to 192 by Monday 0404, and my fasting goal (16 hours +), and my desire to NOT have joint pain, and my desire to "be ready" mentally for my new life as part of David's foundation.

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He continues his discussion of 2) SOCIALIST HUMANISM, and makes the following points:

• like 1) LIBERAL HUMANISM, 2) SOCIALIST HUMANISM is built on monotheism
• they believe that all humans are equal, and this is a "revamped version" of monotheism (which purports that all souls are equal before God)

NOTE:  DISTURBINGLY, Harari introduces the third sect of humanism, 3)EVOLUTIONARY HUMANISM, within a paragraph in which he is discussing 2)SOCIALIST HUMANISM.  In order to make his messages more easily assimilated by his readers, Harari could well have at least begun a new paragraph.

However, the thread of monotheism weaves through all 3 sects, and so perhaps he is excused.

3)EVOLUTIONARY HUMANISM.  Harari says that the only human sect that has broken away from monotheism tradition is 3)EVOLUTIONARY HUMANISM, and the most noted of this sect are the Nazis of Germany.  Harari adds these notes:

• Nazis changed the definition of "humanity," encompassing aspects of the Theory of Evolution.
• humankind is not something universal or eternal, rather a mutable species that can evolve or degenerate
• man can evolve into a superman, or devolve into a subhuman

Read 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He remembers giving his final convention speech (it went extremely well), and his poll numbers were 5 points ahead of McCain's.  Within minutes of his speech, they heard that McCain had announced his running mate:  Sarah Palin.  BO asked, "Who the hell is Sarah Palin?" - to which I replied to myself, "A few years ago, I might have asked a similar question:  Who the hell is Barack Obama?"

Read 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says, again, that we must no longer isolate our selves as a means to reach reality; rather, today we must integrate our physical AND spiritual beings into the Love of God.

Read 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says (I'm re-reading the passage I read yesterday) that Piaget and Kohlberg introduced the 1) stages of developmental psychology and caught the attention of practically everyone:  grad students pounded out 1000s of papers on moral reasoning.

Kohlberg also introduced 2) (based on his research) a scientific justification for a secular liberal moral order.  He found that the "most morally advanced" kids were those who were able to put themselves into the shoes of another person, and look at their lives from their perspective.

(Haidt does not define "most morally advanced" - at least, not here)

He says

• EGALITARIAN relationships (such as with peers) invite role-taking
• HIERARCHICAL relationships (such as with parents & teachers) do not.
• parents & teachers are OBSTACLES to moral development

For example, if you want your kids to learn about the physical world, don't get in their way.  And if you want your kids to learn about the social world, let them play & interact with other kids

NOTE:  Haidt writes (p. 10) "for heaven's sake, don't force them to obey God"   - 🤣

Read 1+ pages in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio. 👌

Read 1+ pages in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault👌

20220330 SLLLAVERS FOR WEDNESDAY - NOTHING SO FAR THIS WEEK (i.e. D-DAY) - PFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!

SILENCE

Woke up to the DAILY STOIC podcast I had left on; I listened for a bit.  Noticed it was getting light outside, so I turned it off, and tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mildly successful.

Had the thought that I might never be able to completely silence my brain, so perhaps I should just fill it, during the 70 seconds, with simply counting.  At least then (if it works), I won't think of anything else.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION 

196.6  Today's weight

197.2  Yesterday's weight

-0.6

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

NOTE:  Monday (0328), I wrote:

I visualize weighing less tomorrow, through:

1. Eating only 2 meals every day:  1) Smoothie at 10am-11am, and 2) Dinner at 4pm-5pm.
2. NOT eating anything between meals.
3. Exercising every day

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. David's D-Day will likely happen sometime within a week of today, and I want to be in as good of physical (and therefore mental) shape as I can be.
2. George tells me that if a person can stand on one foot for X seconds/minutes, then s/he will likely live longer.
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly

So, if I lose a pound every 1-2 days, I should be down to approx. 192 by April 4th.

Here's how I've done during the last 24 hours:

1. Yesterday, I had only 2 meals:  1) smoothie & coffee at 10-11am, and 2) Steamed chicken/broccoli  dinner at 4pm
2. I had NOTHING between these meals.
3. I exercised yesterday morning, and I exercised this morning (see below)

Reasons I am again motivated are:

1. I didn't expect David to call yesterday, and I don't expect it today; I just know that the last update says "sometime this week, at least by Monday 0404"
2. I'm hoping to fight off older age a bit more by adding "flamingo stands" into my exercise routine.
   
3. I can tell when I don't exercise - fingers begin to hurt (in joints), feet begin to tense up (peripherially, mostly right foot)

Results:  I lost 0.6 pounds in the last 24 hours.  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Wednesday, March 30, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 12
10. flamingo R 18+, L 36
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that the 2nd sect (of 3) he's evaluating is the 2) SOCIALIST HUMANISM sect.  Here's how he describes SOCIALIST HUMANISM:

• believe that humanity is collective rather than individualistic
• hold as sacred the species Homo Sapiens, and not the individual inner voice.
• seeks equality among all humans, and not as much freedom as possible for individual humans.
• inequality is the worst blasphemy against the sanctity of humanity, because it "privileges peripheral qualities of humans over their universal essence."
• for example:  when rich are privileged over poor, it means we value money more than the universal essence of all humans.
• universal essence is the same for rich and poor alike.

MY NOTE:  If SOCIAL HUMANISTS define their group as people who value universal essence over "rich and poor,"  they cannot do so unless "rich and poor" already exist.  It seems to me that a logical sequence would be to FIRST define individual freedom, and THEN consider social aspects of our life as humans.  IOW, LIBERAL HUMANISM defines what we ARE; SOCIALIST HUMANISM defines what we are NOT.

But maybe not.  Arguments could be changed to support SOCIALIST HUMANISM as the base, and then selfishness rises to try to change the thinking to a focus on the individual.

Read 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls with great emotional sensitivity his realization that HE, BO, was bringing to collective awareness, the progress that America had made in encompassing Black people in the mix of the American Dream - he was overcome & had to pause to wipe his eyes & wash his face.  The phrase that did it was "We cannot walk alone" from Dr. King's speech.

Read 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says that there is a sort of trap associated with excessive meditation:  the more we meditate, the less connected we are to the physical world - and to the new ocean of the Love of God Vaughan-Lee is discussing.  So...... we need to be mindful of the possibility of becoming trapped in excessive meditation.  OK.

Read 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says that Piaget and Kohlberg brought to light 2 phases of changing how developmental psychology is viewed:  1)  a set of definitions about how humans can develop their sense of morality (these were quickly adopted by 1000s of graduate students writing papers; and 2)  the understanding that humans growing & developing are better off withOUT the restrictions of parental & teacher structures.

I'll need to re-read this passage again, and get a clearer understanding of each term Haidt uses.

Read 1+ pages in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read 1+ pages in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.

20200329 SLLLAVERS FOR TUESDAY; D-DAY NOT EXPECTED TODAY, AND D-DAY NOT RECEIVED TODAY. PFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTT!!

SILENCE

Tried to silence brain for 60 seconds;  Meh.

LLL

Laugh.  Live.  Lover.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 60 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

197.2  Today's weight

199.0  Yesterday's weight

-1.8

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

NOTE:  Yesterday, I wrote:

I visualize weighing less tomorrow, through:

1. Eating only 2 meals every day:  1) Smoothie at 10am-11am, and 2) Dinner at 4pm-5pm.
2. NOT eating anything between meals.
3. Exercising every day

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. David's D-Day will likely happen sometime within a week of today, and I want to be in as good of physical (and therefore mental) shape as I can be.
2. George tells me that if a person can stand on one foot for X seconds/minutes, then s/he will likely live longer.
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly

So, if I lose a pound every 1-2 days, I should be down to approx. 192 by April 4th.

Here's how I've done during the last 24 hours:

1. Yesterday, I had only 2 means:  1) smoothie & coffee at 10-11am, and 2) Steamed veggies dinner at 4pm
2. I had NOTHING between these meals.
3. I exercised yesterday morning, and I exercised this morning (see below)

Reasons I am again motivated are:

1. I didn't expect David to call yesterday, and I don't expect it today; I just know that the last update says "sometime this week, at least by Monday 4/4"
2. I'm hoping to fight off older age a bit more by adding "flamingo stands" into my exercise routine.
   
3. I can tell when I don't exercise - fingers begin to hurt (in joints), feet begin to tense up (peripherially, mostly right foot)

Results:  I lost 1.8 pounds in the last 24 hours.  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EXERCISE

Did my full base 72 routine for Tuesday, March 29, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/2all 12
9. counter stretch 12
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36 (all in 1 set)
12. flamingo stands:  L count to 24, R count to 24
13. Noticed that I'm much better on my L leg than on my R leg.  Wondering why.

READING, WRITING 

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He now discusses various aspects of humanism:

Here are various points he makes:

• all humanists worship humanity, but do not agree on the definition
• humanism has split into 3 "rival sects" that fight over the definition of "humanity" (in a similar way to how rival Christian sects fought over the definition of "God."
• today, the most important humanism sect is:  (1) LIBERAL HUMANISM
• LIBERAL HUMANISM believes that "humanity" is a quality of individual humans
• LIBERAL HUMANISTS believe that the sacred nature of humanity lies in each individual Sapien.
• the inner core of individual humans gives meaning to the world.
• the inner core of humans is the source of all ethical and political authority.
• ethical and/or political dilemmas are addressed by looking into ourselves & listening to the voice of humanity.
• the chief commandments of LIBERAL HUMANISM are meant to protect the liberty of this inner voice against intrusion or harm.
• these commandments are knows as human rights
• THIS IS WHY:  LIBERAL HUMANISTS object to torture and the death penalty.
• LIBERAL HUMANISM santifies humans, BUT..... does not deny the existance of God
• LIBERAL HUMANISM is founded on monotheistic beliefs:  Liberals believe in 1) the free will of each individual and 2) the sacred nature of each individual ---- and these are a direct legacy of the traditional Christian belief in free and eternal individual souls.
• without "recourse" (Harari's term) to eternal souls and a Creator God, LIBERAL HUMANISTS find it difficult to explain what is so special about individual Sapiens.

(MY NOTE:  I decided to fine-tooth comb review of the last few paragraphs of today's pages because I don't really know much about humanism (even though I think that's what I AM).  Harari has presented the concept of 3 rivals in the arena of Humanism, and so far, has only described 1):  LIBERAL HUMANISM.  Some of the points he makes seem somewhat circular.

TBC

Read for 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls his feelings, thoughts during the week of the Democratic National Convention:  interacting with Biden & family, listening to Michelle's opening speech, and getting ready to deliver his own at the end of that week.

Read for 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says that besides PHYSICAL security, we also need to "give up" on too much SPIRITUAL secuirty.  Too long in meditative mode renders us sterile from the interactions & messages of the rest of the world.  Don't meditate too long.

Read for 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says Piaget and later Kohlbert developed "stages" to describe how moral values come about in children:  pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional; these occur generally between ages 3 and 12 (puberty):

PRE-conventional (3-5):  Younger children judge right/wrong by superficial features (i.e., whether punishment was meted out)

Conventional (5-11):  Children learn how to understand and manipulate social conventions; focus on conformity; have respect for authority; try maneuvering around the rules.

POST-conventional (11+):  Children can think abstractly:  nature of authority, meaning of justice, reasons behind rules & laws; still respect honesty, but add valid reasons for lying; try to work out ethical systems for themselves.  

Read for 1+ page in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read for 1+ page in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.

20220328 SLLLAVERS FOR MONDAY - PFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

SILENCE

Didn't even try.  I'm glad I was at least motivated to do the rest of my SLLLAVERS routine.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

199.0  Today's weight.

I visualize weighing less tomorrow, through:

1. Eating only 2 meals every day:  1) Smoothie at 10am-11am, and 2) Dinner at 4pm-5pm.
2. NOT eating anything between meals.
3. Exercising every day

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. David's D-Day will likely happen sometime within a week of today, and I want to be in as good of physical (and therefore mental) shape as I can be.
2. George tells me that if a person can stand on one foot for X seconds/minutes, then s/he will likely live longer.
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly

So, if I lose a pound every 1-2 days, I should be down to approx. 192 by April 4th.

EXERCISE

I did my full base-72 routine for Monday, March 28, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

Adding:

Flamengo stand 6 sec L, 6 sec R

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that people of the Middle Ages (notably in England) thought that a criminal must be punished by the same crime s/he committed.  People thought that there was justification in doing so, and they "enjoyed" witnessing this attempt to "put things right."

WIthout mentioning it, Harari is describing the OT's "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" doctrine generally approved by Christians in Europe of the Middle Ages.

Today's liberals object to capital puhishment, etc, because it disrespects the humanity that might still be within the criminal; further, you can't rehabilitate a dead person.

NOTE:  In High School, I debated both FOR and AGAINST capital punishment (as a debate exercise); in my innermost me, I have come to believe that EVERYONE can be measurably rehabillitated, so I am AGAINST capital punishment.  If a capital crime were committed against me or my family/friends, I might have a different opinion.

Read for 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  Re remembers his feelings about the preparation days for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.  He compares his feelings to the 2 prior conventions (2000 - he was just a curious onlooker; 2004 - he was the keynote address giver).  This time, he felt like an "expensive prop," waiting till the last moment to be opened and used.

Read for 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says, in this new chapter ("Spiritual Security"), that we are imprisoned by both physical AND spiritual security.  We know that material things come and go, but do not offer any lasting enlightment.  Similarly, spiritual things might offer us a sense of "well being," but also do not automatically linger & improve our lives.  Rather, we must let go of both, he says.

NOTE:  I'm possibly on the verge of getting some more money; and I know, through David, Jeannie and George, my spirituality is evolving to better places.  Both will greatly enhance my life, as long as I make the effort to manage them in the best way possible.  I.e., give to (or facilitate for) those in need.  This new chapter I'll soon be writing, if properly managed, will lead to a further positive evolution to a better life for me and my family.

Read for 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says that developmental psychology began with the observations (by Piaget) of 3-year olds regarding concepts of conservation and sharing, and then comparing them to 5-year olds, who exhibit very different behavior when it comes to conservation and sharing.

3 years old:  the child does not (cannot) grasp the concepts of conservation (e.g., the 2 water glasses of different heights, holding the exact same volume of water), or of turn-taking & sharing.

5 years old:  the child DOES understand the concepts of conservation & of turn-taking & sharing.

Piaget and Haidt both subscribe to the natural development (i.e., not taught by any parent or teacher - but "naturally acquired") of these concepts.... into what he calls PSYCHOLOGICAL RATIONALISM.

Not taught; just exhibited in younger kids.  Haidt says RATIONALISM is a natural aspect of a human being's development.

NOTE:  Trump (shuddering) was a bully and shoved other dignitaries to get in front of the group for photo opps; perhaps he is still developing his morality.

Read for 1+ page in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read for 1+ page in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault

20220324 Not that it matters if I say it or if I don't. But PPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFTTT!!!!!

20220324 W&W - STILL

 My life is W & W

WAIT (going on SIX years!!)

WONDER (and not in a good sense)

JEEEESSSSE!

What do I have to do to move forward with MY life?  I've waited FAR too long for this dream to come true.

No wonder I don't do my routine regularly any more.

20220317 SLLLAVERS for THURSDAY - ST. PATRICK'S DAY (AND STILL NO D-DAY)

SILENCE

Tried to silence; mostly counted.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

200.6  Yesterday's weight

199.0  Today's weight

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Thursday, March 17, 2002:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that there are

HUMANIST RELIGIONS (v. Theist religions); HUMANIST RELIGIONS focus on the worship of HUMANITY (or HOMO SAPIENS).

HUMANISTS believe

                    that Homo Sapiens have a distinct and sacred nature, distinct from the nature of all other animals, and of all other phenomena.

                    that the unique nature of Homo Sapiens is the most important thing in the world, and that it determines the meaning of everything that happens in the Universe.

                    that the supreme good is the good of Homo Sapiens

                    that the rest of the world and all other beings exist solely for the benefit of H Sapiens

All humanists worship humanity, but disagree on the definition of humanity

There are 3 "sects" of humanism:

                    1)  LIBERAL HUMANISTS believe

                            that "humanity" is a quality of individual humans, and therefore,

                            that the liberty of individuals is sacrosanct

                            that the sacred nature of humanity resides in every individual H Sapiens

                            that the inner core of individual humans gives meaning to the world

                            that the inner core is the source for all ethical and political authority

                            that if we encounter a political or ethical dilemma, we should look inside and listen to the voice of humanity

                            that the chief commandments of liberal humanism are meant to protect the liberty of this inner voice against intrusion or harm.

                            that these commandments are colletively known as "human rights."

(Whew! - I did not realize until now that I could reduce to written difinitions the beliefs that I have evolved over the span of my life)

Read for 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He remembers the challenges of picking Joe Biden as his running mate.  There were pros and cons, but his gut told him Joe was the best choice, and he proved him right.

(That decision on both their parts is what is actually saving America today, IMO)

Read for 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says, again, that we must leave ourselves and sacrifice our former lives/even our spirituality, and give it over to God.  I have the impression that he (Vaughan-Lee) believes that we don't understand what he's trying to say, and so he's thought of a multitude of ways to say the same thing.

OTOH, I do not suppose that I DO understand it, even just a little.  I am green and I don't really know much about my life, its meaning and/or purpose.  I do grasp on some level the idea that we should let go of the safety of the shore, and allow the ocean to move us.  It seems fearful, and possibly deadly.  And yet, it IS what Vaughan-Lee is telling us that we need to do.  Reading his book is allowing me to gain a deeper awareness of what my life's meaning might be.

Read for 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says that Piaget (the most successful developmental psychologist) says that kids provide the example of the solution to the question, "How do human beings acquire their moral understandings?"  His answer is that, when they are ready, humans figure out truths for themselves.

His example is with young kids (usually younger than 6):  they do not believe the truth about the conservation of water when it's passed from a short fat container to a tall skinny container.  They think there is MORE water in the 2nd one.  Evenually, they figure out for themselves that no water is lost when it's transfered to a different container, even though it LOOKS like it might be.  And then AFTER age 6, they've generally figured out that water is conserved when passed between containers.

(I expect that Haidt will now liken this phenomenon of developmental psychology to other life lessons, including morality.)

Read 1+ pages in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon & Michael Galluccio.

Read 1+ pages in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.

20220316 SLLLAVERS FOR WEDNESDAY - 4th DAY of doing ROUTINE! YAY!

SILENCE

Tried.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

200.6  Today's weight

200.0  Yesterday's weight

+0.6

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

EXERCISE

I did my full base-72 routine for Wednesday, March 16, 2002:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 1-min set
6. (did NOT do EPLEY MANEUVER today, so see if it makes a diff)
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that I might be uncomfortable calling Communism a "religion."  He says it doesn't make any difference.  Communism is still based on an order that is beyond the human level, just as Buddhism is.  He adds that it would be impossible to draw distinct lines, dividing the various religions and groups of believers.  To summarize what he writes:

*  We can divide creeds into 2 general groups:

1. God-centered religions, claiming to be based on God's laws
2. God-less ideologies, claiming to be based on natural laws

However, we then must necessarily categories SOME Buddhist, Daoist, and Stoic sects as ideologies.

And, some modern ideologies include belief in gods

Further, liberalism (says Harari) makes no sense without belief in gods.

Harari lists the following observations about religion and ideologies:

• We cannot even survey the modern-day religions & ideologies b/c they are too many and they have blurred boundaries.
• They are all syncretic (attempted amalgamation of different beliefs)
• They are at least AS syncretic as monotheism or popular Buddhism.
• A Buddhist could be a Buddhist but also worship Hindu dieties.
• A monotheist could also believe in the existence of Satan.
• The typical American today is    a)  a nationalist, believing that America plays a special role in history,    b)  a free-market capitalist, believing that open competition and the pursuit of self interest are the best ways to reach a prosperous society,    and c)  a liberal humanist, believing that all humans have been endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.

Further, Harari lists his intentions for the rest of this book:

NATIONALISM - Chapter 18

CAPITALISM - Chapter 16

HUMANIST RELIGIONS - the remainder of this Chapter (THE LAW OF RELIGION - Chapter 12)

Read for 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls how he evaluated Joe Biden as his running mate for President.  He discusses Joe's qualities (pros & cons); it's interesting to see how BO felt about Biden.... compared to how Joe Biden has risen to the challenge of his own Presidency.  With men (or women, or course) like BO and JB, our country is in safer and more comfortable hands.

Read for 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says we are ushering in this new era with love (for God).  I get the impression as I read Vaughan-Lee, that he believes we are to enter into the sea of the love of God, and dissolve.  We let go of the safety of the shore (or the walls of the pool), and have the trust in God needed to become completely part of God's identity, and we thus lose our own.  He adds, "what does it matter?"

I recall a similar idea expressed by a Mormon Apostle (M.Romney), to whom I put the question, "What does it mean to be told in my Patriarchal Blessing that I would be....... " (I can't recall the exact phrase used, and I don't want to go look it up.)  Romney's reply was "I know of some people who have that.  But what does it matter?"  At the time, I was disappointed because he didn't specifically answer my question.  But I also sensed the truth of his reply.  It truly DID NOT matter.  It did not matter because the LDS creeds are made-up lies designed to pick the pockets of the unsuspecting, innocent young members.  It also did not matter because we humans are all floating in a sea of uncertainty, and try as we might, we cannot be sure of who we are and why we're here.  Mormons would likely state, "It's in God's hands."  As a post-Mormon, I am still asking the questions "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?"

(enough of all this for today)

Read for 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says, in answering the question "Where does morality come from?" that there are 2 obvious answers:

1. Nature:  A nativist would say that moral nature is native to our minds, put there by God, or evolved moral emotions (Darwin).
2. Nurture:  An empiricist would say that newly born humans are "blank slates" (John Locke), else why are there so many differing moral codes around the world & throughout history?

But, Haidt says, the above is a false choice, since there is a third one:

        3.  Rationalism:  A rationalist would say that kids grow up and figure out morality quetions themselves (Jean Piaget - Haidt calls him "the greatest developmental psychologist of all time.")

Read for 1+ page in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read for 1+ page in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault

20220315 SLLLAVERS FOR TUESDAY - THE IDES OF MARCH, and the 3rd DAY OF CONTINUOUS ROUTINE - YAY!!

SILENCE

Tried for 70 seconds, but did not succeed.  (I'm not sure what "succeed" means.) 

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds. 

VISUALIZATION

200.0  Today's weight

199.8  Yesterday's weight

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base 72 routine for Tuesday, March 15, 2002:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 60-sec set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 60 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that Islam, Buddhism and Communism are ALL religions, since they are based on the belief in human norms, and in a belief in "superhuman values."  Neither football nor the Theory of Relativity is a religion since they do not combine these aspects of belief.

Read for 60 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barak Obama.  He remembers feeling pangs of fatherly desire to be with his family, and how he sacrificed some - a great deal - to be a candidate for President; he was soon faced with choosing his running mate, and it came down to 2 senate colleagues:  Tim Kaine (VA), and Joe Biden (PA).

Read for 60 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says that there are no roadmaps or directives for us to follow as we leave behind the patterns of individual dreams, and partake in the collective dreams of this new age.  Some have always dreamed of the new age; others must go through the process of letting go of our own individual paths, and have faith that the way will become clearer and clearer.  (At least, I THINK that's what Vaughan-Lee is saying.)

Read for 60 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says that his path led him from philosophy.... to psychology.... to MORAL psychology.  He selected a certain Professor Jonathan B to be his mentor, and they began to address the question of HOW we come by our morality.  He also addressed such questions as "how is the decision about where to eat dinner, different from whether to get an abortion."  His thought was that the decision about abortion was MUCH more important, because of the MUCH greater need to provide justification for your decision to other people (! - why is THAT so important?).

Read for 1+ page in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read for 1+ page in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.

**********

Vegetarian?  Moi?  I dunno.  If Jon & Michael Galluccio can do it for their adoptive son Adam, should I then not be able to do it for George?

I dunno.  Not today, anyway.  My fruit smoothie IS vegetarian.  But the creamer in  my coffee is dairy.  I'll see how it goes today.

My fast was 16 hours today.

The Timpsons eat meat.

But what is best for ME?

Dunno.

20220314 SLLLAVERS FOR MONDAY - ANOTHER GOOD DAY!!

SILENCE

Didn't even try this morning.  Don't know why.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

200.2  Today's weight

200.2  Yesterday's weight

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE 

Did my full base-72 routine for Monday, March 14, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 60-sec set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 60 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that it's a valid comparison to analyze both Buddhism and Soviet Communism as "religions."  He explores the similarities.  I'm not sure what the value of doing this is, but to me, it's tedious and laborious, and without any obvious merit.

 

WORD:  religion

PHRASE:  buddhism v communism

Read for 60 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He remembers taking his family on the campaign trail to Montana, where his 10-year-old Malia celebrated her birthday; the dismal party took a turn when music was played, and BO danced with his wife & daughters for an hour; the reward came when Malia sat on BO's lap and said "This is the best birthday ever!"  The rewards of parenting, and it doesn't matter who you are!

WORD:  birthday

PHRASE:  my best birthday ever!

Read for 60 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says there is nothing to "do" about this transformation from unconsciousness to consciousness of the many and the one.  It is inevitable, and it is "waiting" for us to become aware.  Love is the motivation/catalyst.

WORD:  love

PHRASE:  love is the lubricant (or catalyst) for ushering in a new period.

Read for 60 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says that we should ask ourselves if there is a moral right/wrong, and ask WHERE our concepts of morality come from.

WORD:  morality

PHRASE:  where does morality come from?

Read for 1+ pages in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

WORD:  baby

PHRASE:  caring for a sick baby has rewards

Read for 1+ pages in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.

WORD:  wound

PHRASE:  a wound leaving a soldier near death, but he survives.

**********

It feels good to have done my routine 100%, 2 days in a row.  With or without a "money day call" from David, I'm in a better place.  I'm a bit in danger of "throwing in the towel" due to the disappointment and stress from a)  no D-Day, and b) Ukraine.  But so far, I'm okay.

I'm glad for:

1)  happy, healthy & safe kids & grandkids

2)  good health at 71

3)  reasonable mental faculty

4)  loving friendships with DT, JT & GG  (also Bill & Larry & Ben & Paul & John & Sandie)

5)  all the things I really need (food, shelter, stuff)  

20220313 SLLLAVERS for SUNDAY - exactly 1 month after I last posted, and STILL...... NO D-DAY or D-ERA (!!!!!!!!!!!)

SILENCE

Did not even try this morning; trying right now:  dismally failed, but hey, I've been awake for 1 hour +, so naturally I have some conscious thoughts floating around already.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 60 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

200.4  Today's weight

I visualize weighting less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Sunday, March 13, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 60-sec set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
7. ball/wall 12
8. angel/wall 12
9. counter stretch 10
10. squats 36
11. push-ups 36

YAY NOTE:  I slept VERY WELL last night, having brushed & flossed & cleared sinus & nasal passages & taped mouth & worn CPAP mask..... for approx. 7 hours, with only 1 bathroom beak.  YAY!!

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that societal trends include, in the last 300 years, a move away from traditonal religious beliefs, and toward secularism.  However, he adds, if we construe a "religion" to be a set of "human norms" (his term), then communism, liberalism, capitalism, Naziism are all religions to which we are "flocking" (my term) with great enthusiasm.

Read for 70 seconds in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls being on the campaign trail in Jerusalem, where he inserted a private prayer into the Jerusalem Wall; but the next day, his prayer was published in a local newspaper:  so much for "privacy," especially when you're a candidate for President.  He also recalls "forcing" some family time in Hawaii, where he reconnected with his wife & daughters.

Read for 70 seconds in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says that as this new awareness of energy continues, both collectively and individually, we become aware of a new spectrum of energy.  If we observe past events (what he calls "crystallized" events), we are focusing on conflict resolution.  But if we simultaneously focus on future events (or "fluid" events), we can anticipate certain paths that could be dangerous, and we can avoid the pitfalls.

I like thinking about past as crystallized, and future as fluid.

Read for 70 seconds in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says "liberal" can mean different things (i.e., libertarianism, progressive, etc.); in this book, it'll mean the US sense of the term as it's used in politics.

He adds that as I read this book, I should "throw off" my "for or against" attitudes, and look at things without bias.  He says I should remove the log in my eye before complaining about the speck in my neighbor's eye.  Not a new concept, but what I will need to absorb the message he's sending about a RIGHTEOUS MIND>

Read for 1+ page in AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Jon and Michael Galluccio.

Read for 1+ page in THE PERSIAN BOY by Mary Renault.