20220604 SLLLAVERS FOR SATURDAY - MODIFIED, since today is a TRAVEL DAY - ALL DAY!

Did my routine, but it was only abbreviated - generally by half for exercising, and no reading.

Not sure what I weighed. 

20220606 SLLLAVERS FOR MONDAY - D-DAY? PPPPFFFFTTTT!!!! - BESIDES, I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!!!!!!

SILENCE

Tried to silence brain for 70 seconds; dismal failure, but I'm gonna keep on trying.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

Bless.  Heal.  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.

1. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
2. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
3. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
4. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
5. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
6. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
7. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
8. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
9. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
10. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

196.0  Today's weight

195.6  Yesterday's weight

+0.4

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. I already have everything I need.
2. The death of Michael Harrington tells me my health is paramount for working with David - SOON!
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly
4. I'm preping for a 1-day drive through to Utah.

So, if I lose approx 0.5 pounds every day, I should be down to approx. 

191.6 by June 13th.  (note:  yesterday, June 3, I weighed 194.4)

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

1. Diet:  I had XXXXX meals yesterday: 1) my smoothie & coffee around 10-11am; and 2) frozen dinner + 2 slice buttered & jam toast + chips + X fig newton (covered with peanut butter & or jam) + pickle & cheese sandwich for dinner at around ALL DAY pm   UTAH TIME; trying to stay close to plan - still, UGHHH!!!!!!
2. I did not eat anything between these meals (approx 10-12 hours fasting)
3. I exercised (full routine - see below)
4. It's June 6th, and I weigh (199.0 (on 0328) - 3.0) 196.0

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Monday, June 6, 2022

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. modified inversion (on bed) 1 2-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
7. flamingo R35, L35
8. ball/wall 15
9. angel/wall 15
10. counter stretches 15
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 1+ page in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says modern-day science is not only trying to cure diseases and heal wounds, but we are now trying to achieve eternal life.  Unthinkable just a short time ago, we are now trying to keep ourselves alive indefinitely.

Hmmmmmm.

Read for 1+ page in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls putting together his team - not just his Cabinet - and they were mainly focused on the economy, since BO was about to be handed a disasterous economy from W Bush.  He points out that he listened to everyone, including junior people, just to be sure he'd consider all ideas.  But the senior people (Larry Summers and Tim Geithner - he ended up hiring BOTH of them) were his key advisors as he formulated his economic strategy.

Read for 1+ page in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says we should consider both the "outer" and the "inner" worlds as we live.  It's sometimes difficult to see the "inner" world's challenges, since we're mostly focused on the "outer."  But over time, we can learn to see the challenges coming in both worlds.

Read for 1+ page in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says (I re-read the page from yesterday) that there are "links" between aspects of living - and these links are facilitated by our own emotion and reasoning, and are influenced to some degree by others.  I will study this again when I have more time (right now, I have to go get Eli from his soccer camp in Provo).

Read for 1+ page in MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor Frankl.  He says the psychological torture was worse than the physical; and had he not later forced his memory of the camp life, he would likely have forgotten all the incidents he now relates.  Apathy took over; he no longer felt any caring or compassion for those who suffered and/or died.

Listened for 20+ minutes in ULYSSES by James Joyce. 

20220605 SLLLAVERS FOR SUNDAY - D-DAY? PPPPPFFFFFTTTTT!!!!! - I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SILENCE

After a mostly restless night (due to Cubby sleeping and thrashing next to me for most of the night), I was VERY groggy.  But he rolled over and said "I love you Papa."  So that melted all my anguish, and I decided to at least try to do my full routine here in Alpine, chez Joe & Chrissy:

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mostly counted.

LLL - BHL

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

Bless.  Heal.  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.

1. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
2. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
3. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
4. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
5. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
6. I, Ken Taylor, alrdedy have everything I need.
7. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
8. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
9. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
10. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

195.6  Today's weight (Joe's scale in Alpine)

194.4  Yesterday's weight (Winnetka)

+1.2

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. I already have everything I need.
2. The death of Michael Harrington tells me my health is paramount for working with David - SOON!
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly
4. I'm preping for a 1-day drive through to Utah.

So, if I lose approx 0.5 pounds every day, I should be down to approx. 

191.6 by June 13th.  (note:  yesterday, June 3, I weighed 194.4)

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

1. Diet:  I had XXXXX meals yesterday: 1) my smoothie & coffee around 10-11am; and 2) frozen dinner + 2 slice buttered & jam toast + chips + X fig newton (covered with peanut butter & or jam) + pickle & cheese sandwich for dinner at around ALL DAY pm    TRAVEL DAY - NO DIETARY RESTRICTIONS.  BUT UGHHH!!!!!!
2. I did not eat anything between these meals (approx 10-12 hours fasting)
3. I exercised (full routine - see below)
4. It's June 5th, and I weigh (199.0 (on 0328) - 3.4) 195.6

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine here in ALPINE, UT:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunchdes 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. modified inversion table back stretch 1 2=min set
6. modified EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
7. flamingo R30, L30
8. ball/wall 15
9. angel/wall 15
10. counter stretches 15
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36

NOTICED:  breathing more difficult due to higher altitude.

READING, WRITING

Read for 1+ pages in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says the oldest myth known is THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH.  In it, King Gilgamesh, the strongest man, loses his best friend to death, so he embarks on a journey to the Underworld, where he fails to find the way to be immortal.  So he returns to his life as mortal as he ever was.

Christianity, etc.  all base their creeds on mortality, and what we must do to be "saved" in the next life.  Harari says we can't imagine the religious beliefs of today without the promise/threat of an afterlife.

Read for 1+ pages in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls details about the decision he would make about who he'd be appointing to Secretary of the Treasury:  Larry Summers (slovenly) or Tim Geithner (elfin).  He noted that Tim Geithner, having lived abroad during his youth, had developed a "reserve" he saw in himself as well.

MY NOTE:  I'm amazed at the attention to detail regarding both skill and personality, that BO brought to his decision making process.  And, I note with some pleasure the observation that BO made about himself and TIm Geigthner that they had a quality of "reserve."  I dare say I have that same quality.

Read for 1+ pages in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says many confusing things, but perhaps the core of his message lies in his statement,

    For the Sufi, His greatest name, Allah, can help allign all of creation with His divine unity, both His immanent and His transcendent nature.

MY NOTE:  "immanence" (a word I've heard, but never internalized specifically) is defined as "the state or quality of a Diety exclusively existing within the Universe, time, etc."

immanence (compared with) transcendence (defined as "the quality or state of being.")

These, when examined closely, are BRAND NEW CONCEPTS for me.  I saw a statement involving both immanence and transcendence:

"A horizontal axis stretches from God's IMMANENCE in the world, on the left, to TRANSCENDENCE of it, on the right."  (this is a concept within Theology)

Read for 1+ pages in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He explains the rider-elephant analogy in detail.  Since this is key to Haidt's philosophy, I will study it in greater detail later (tomorrow, I hope).  But for now, I just am aware that reasoning, emotion, passion are all elements in moral development among human beings.

Read for 1+ pages in MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor Frankl.  He says when death came to moribund prisoners, the others would take whatever items they wanted/needed off the corpse without showing any emotion.  Later, they'd have to remove the corpse, and they did so with almost no emotion, and without any energy.  (OMG!)

Listened for 20+ minutes in ULYSSES by James Joyce.👌

20220603 SLLLAVERS FOR FRIDAY - D-DAY TODAY? PPPPFFFFFFTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!! - BESIDES, I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!

SILENCE

Tried silencing my brain for 70 seconds; groggy success.

LLL - BHL

Live.  Laugh.  Love

Bless. Heal.  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.

1. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
2. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
3. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
4. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
5. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
6. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
7. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
8. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
9. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
10. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

194.4  Today's weight

195.0  Yesterday's weight

-0.6

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. I already have everything I need.
2. The death of Michael Harrington tells me my health is paramount for working with David - SOON!
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly
4. I'm preping for a 1-day drive through to Utah.

So, if I lose approx 0.5 pounds every day, I should be down to approx. 

194.0 by June 3rd.

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

1. Diet:  I had XXXXX meals yesterday: 1) my smoothie & coffee around 10-11am; and 2) frozen dinner + 2 slice buttered & jam toast + chips + X fig newton (covered with peanut butter & or jam) + pickle & cheese sandwich for dinner at around ALL DAY pm  UGHHH
2. I did not eat anything between these meals (approx 10-12 hours fasting)
3. I exercised (full routine - see below)
4. It's June 3rd, and I weigh (199.0 (on 0328) - 4.6) 194.4

EXERCISE

Did my full base-72 routine for Friday, June 3, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. flamingo R35, L35
5. shoulder rolls 72
6. inversion table 1 2-min set
7. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
8. ball/wall 15
9. angel/wall 15
10. counter stretches 15
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36 (+3)

READING, WRITING 

Read for 1+ pages in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that as we evolve into the modern technological age, we Sapiens have figured out how to eliminate poverty in most nations:  there are 2 kinds:  social, and biological.  We have, FAIAP, conquered the biological poverty of the world:  very few people starve to death these days, and most can get medical service when needed.  But we're still working on social poverty.

Read for 1+ pages in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls struggling with his Cabinet appointees, notably Treasury Secretary:  the economy was in shambles:  TARP (= Trouble Asset Relief Program) had not been effective thus far.  BO decided on appointing experience over fresh faces, and I think he planned on Larry Summers (genius but arrogant) as Treasury Secretary.

Read for 1+ pages in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says the magic and color of life is there, we just need to partake of it.  HOWEVER, he adds that the "lowest form of magic" is physical, such as using one's mind to bend a spoon.

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!  James Randi disproved this.  It cannot be replicated, and thus must be confined to fake magic.  It's LOWER than the lowest form of "magic,"  IMO.  I'll need to talk to David about this.

Read for 1+ pages in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He introduces the "rider & elephant" analogy to describe the 2 kinds of human intuition:  1)  Reasoning-why (the rider), and 2)  seeing-that (the elephant).

In this ever-changing world of moral psychology, the terminology gets a bit confusing.  But I get the gist of what Haidt is saying.

Read for 1+ pages in MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor Frankl.  He recalls the horrors of the camp, and how the prisoners gradually became less and less emotional and unfeeling about their plight.

It's hard to imagine such things going on today.  With modern tech, I'm not sure any (many) dictators could get away with such awful treatment of human beings.  I am constantly led to ask "WHY???" when I learn of senseless mass shootings of children, or forcing children to work in horrible conditions.

WHY??????????????????  I am fortunate to have lived every day of my life thus far without being hungry or cold or hot or anything but comfortable.  Harari (in SAPIENS) says that we have practically conquered physical/biological poverty in today's world.  But there are some who seek to destroy that progress, and with combat weapons, they are shooting and killing or hurting innocent fellow human beings.

WHY???????????????????  I have no answer for it.  But I HATE it.

Listend for 20 min to ULYSSES by James Joyce.

20220602 SLLLAVERS FOR THURSDAY - D-DAY TODAY?? PPPPFFFFFFTTTTTT!!!!!! I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; lazy, so didn't do it completely;  but I TRIED, didn't I?

LLL - BHL

Live.  Love.  Laugh

Bless.  Heal.  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.

1. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
2. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
3. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
4. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
5. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
6. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
7. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
8. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
9. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
10. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

195.0  Today's weight

195.4  Yesterday's weight

-0.4

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. I already have everything I need.
2. The death of Michael Harrington tells me my health is paramount for working with David - SOON!
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly
4. I'm preping for a 1-day drive through to Utah.

So, if I lose approx 0.5 pounds every day, I should be down to approx. 

194.0 by June 3rd.

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

1. Diet:  I had XXXXX meals yesterday: 1) my smoothie & coffee around 10-11am; and 2) frozen dinner + 2 slice buttered & jam toast + chips + X fig newton (covered with peanut butter & or jam) + pickle & cheese sandwich for dinner at around ALL DAY pm  UGHHH
2. I did not eat anything between these meals (approx 10-12 hours fasting)
3. I exercised (full routine - see below)
4. It's June 2nd, and I weigh (199.0 (on 0328) - 4.0) 195.0

EXERCISE

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. flamingo R35, L35
6. inversion table 1 2-min set
7. EPLEY MANEUVER 1Ram
8. ball/wall 15
9. angel wall 15
10. counter stretches 15
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36 (+3)

READING, WRITING

Read for 1+ pages in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that after the "Golden Age" of innovation, Sapiens settled into the idea that there was nothing more science could do that it hadn't already done, coupled with the idea that "if Jesus, Mohammed, etc. couldn't stop wars, illness, age, etc., who were we to think we could do so??

In more recent scientific times, Sapiens began to admit that we don't know everything, and that we could be wrong about some things.  Harari gives as the most significant example Benjamin Franklin, who tested the theory that lightning was simply electricity, and not a "hammer of the god," (or whatever people thought).  Franklin disarmed the gods.

MY NOTE:  LDS leaders continue to believe that God is in charge, and that he is allowing science to develop new technology, for the purpose of preaching the gospel of Jesus.  I have no way of knowing if that is really true.  But it seems more and more unlikely.

Read for 1+ pages in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He remembers that the process of selecting his team members necessarily reflected the truth about what was going on in DC.  IOW, each appointee brought his/her baggage (e.g., Immanuel), and in announcing who they were, BO was left with facing the truth/reality of what he stood fore.  His campaign worked because voters were hungry for the change he promised.  And not all of his team wanted the same changes he did.

Read for 1+ pages in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says when Puritans labled the Maypole as "immoral, superstitious" we closed the door on magic.  But now, those doors are re-opening to let us experience magic again - God is the source, he says.  We will again be treated with unexpected pleasures & treasures.

Read for 1+ pages in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He says he eventually became aware that emotion & cognition are not exclusive, rather, there are cognitions IN emotion.  He says emotions IS a cognition, complete with stages, etc.  E.g., hearing footsteps behind you on a dark street produces a series of "fight-or-flight" actions.  They're all emotion, and they're also all cognition.

Read for 1+ pages in MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor Frankl.  He says the camp experience taught him about the emotional responses of a "normal" human being, faced by abnormal circumstances.  His response must necessarily be abnormal, and that is accepted as "normal."

I'll be very glad when I get through the 1st part of this book, when I no long have to imagine the degredation of life in an Auschwitz Nazi camp.

Listened for 20 min to ULYSSES by James Joyce. 👌

20220601 SLLLAVERS FOR WEDNESDAY - D-DAY? PPPPFFFFFFFTTTT!!!! - I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; minimal success.

LLL - BHL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

Bless.  Heal.  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.

1. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
2. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
3. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
4. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
5. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
6. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
7. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
8. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
9. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.
10. I, Ken Taylor, already have everything I need.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

V ISUALIZATION

195.6  Today's weight

196.0  Yesterday's weight

-0.4

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

Reasons I'm AGAIN motivated are

1. I already have everything I need.
2. The death of Michael Harrington tells me my health is paramount for working with David - SOON!
3. I feel better overall when I'm doing my exercises regularly
4. I'm preping for a 1-day drive through to Utah.

So, if I lose approx 0.5 pounds every day, I should be down to approx. 

194.0 by June 3rd.

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

1. Diet:  I had XXXXX meals yesterday: 1) my smoothie & coffee around 10-11am; and 2) frozen dinner + 2 slice buttered & jam toast + chips + X fig newton (covered with peanut butter & or jam) + pickle & cheese sandwich for dinner at around ALL DAY pm  UGHHH
2. I did not eat anything between these meals (approx 10-12 hours fasting)
3. I exercised (full routine - see below)
4. It's June 1st, and I weigh (199.0 (on 0328) - 3.6) 195.4

EXERCISE

Did my full base 72 routine for Wednesday, June 1, 2022:

1. ankle/wrist circles 72
2. toe/finger stretches 72
3. bicycle crunches 72
4. shoulder rolls 72
5. inversion table 1 2-min set
6. EPLEY MANEUVER 1 Ram
7. ball/wall 15
8. angel/wall 15
9. counter stretches 15
10. flamingo R30, L30
11. squats 36
12. push-ups 36

READING, WRITING

Read for 1+ pages in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that the integration of technology and military weaponry did not substantially occur until after 1500-1700.  Until then the victorious armies relied on much the same weaponry for centuries; their victories were a result of strategy.  After 1500 or so, armies began to explore how technology could help them win, and also make them rich.

He explains how gunpowder, likely an accidental discovery in China (circa 1200?), was initially mostly used for fireworks.  The Mongols who conquered China did not use gunpowder/cannons to win.  Even Napoleon resisted the development of rockets, submarines, new weapons, etc.  and relied on strategy and the same traditional weaponry as Louis XIV to win his war against the European powers at Austerlitz (1805).

Read for 1+ pages in A PROMISED LAND by Barack Obama.  He recalls selecting his COS pre-inauguration, and wanting Rahm Imanuel for the post.  He initially said "no" but BO wore him down, appealing to Rahm's desire for participation and project completion and high achievement.  Rahm knew how difficult COS was, and didn't want to subject his family to it.  Stay tuned.

Read for 1+ pages in WORKING WITH ONENESS by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.  He says "Human beings have access to many different levels of reality."  Color and  light need not be reserved for initiates.  ALL of us can partake.   He gives the example of Bottom in Shakespeare's "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream" in which Bottom dreams a dream he calls "Bottom's Dream" since it has no bottom.  I'd forgotten how Bottom used the expected expression "Eye hath not seen," etc., but twists it to "Eye hath not heard," etc.

Two things:  1) our senses can and do deceive us.  And 2) some humans (including moi) tend to reverse the norms, wondering how it would be if everything were opposite to what we're familiar with.  I'm wondering hat that means, and why it happens.  Qui sait? 

Read for 1+ pages in THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt.  He explores the meaning & motivation behind both "seeing-that" and "reasoning-why" responses.  He notes that even if there is no apparent reason for a conclusion about some dilemma, if it "feels wrong" or "feels right" then most subjects retain that conclusion.  E.g., Heinz would still justifiably steal medicine for his sick wife, and most subjects would do it, and most subjects would still say it was wrong.

We are now "prepped" for the analogy of the Rider and the Elephant.

Read for 1+ pages in MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor Frankl.  He says that as an Auschqitz prisoner, he learned from someone he knew before the Germans imprisoned Jews, how to survive.  He advised the group to shave daily, to ignore minor injuries, to avoid being a "Muslim," and Viktor's friend singled Viktor out in the group as the only one who need worry about bing gassed.  This made Viktor smile.

MY NOTE:   I'm reasoning why the friend would single out Viktor as the one who needed to worry about being gassed:  1)  He could have meant it as a motivation for Viktor to do more to look healthy, and thus "save" Viktor from the gas.  or 2)  He could have really meant that Viktor was the most likely to be gassed.  But Viktor's smile makes me thing that 1) above is the reason.  Viktor understood and smiled, knowing that his friend cared about him, wanted him to survive.

Listened for 20+ minutes in ULYSSES by James Joyce.👌