Motivation

So, what do boxing and philosophy have in common? That's its own philosophical debate.
The short answer is...me. Boxing taught me how to focus, how to harness what i felt and make
constructive use of it. It taught me humility. It taught me sportsmanship, and through the years
and lives of boxers who came and went, it offered me a intricate look into complex lives.
There are a lot of stigma's associated with the sport and its fighters, much of it often never how
it was presented to the public. There were a lot of great moments and a lot of lives enriched and destroyed.

I came across this short video and it reminded me just how long the road to what one wishes
to accomplish...is, and just how short it can be.

Boxers whom i enjoyed (shout out):

Mike Tyson  (heavyweight)
Evander Holyfield  (heavyweight)
Marvin Hagler  (middleweight)
Shane Mosely  (welterweight)
Arturo Gatti  (welterweight)
Kevin Kelly  (lightweight)
Pernell Whitaker  (welterweight)
Bernard Hopkins  (middleweight)
Jermaine Taylor (middleweight)
Marco Antonio-Barrera (lightweight)

Carl Jung: A short Film

                                         -Short film by Michael Landrio / Moodswing Media-

Jung in 1910
Born	26 July 1875 Kesswil, Thurgau, Switzerland
Died	6 June 1961 (aged 85) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Residence	Switzerland
Citizenship	Swiss
Fields	Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Analytical psychology
Institutions	Burghölzli, Swiss Army (as a commissioned officer in World War I)
Doctoral advisor	Eugen Bleuler, Sigmund Freud
Known for	Analytical psychology
Signature

(Source: Wikipedia)

Two To Create (excerpt)

III. Two to Create

          It is said nothing can be done of self, only through the power of God. It is known among unmolested nature, that only when two join can life be extended. It is only in sharing that it all becomes worthwhile. Understand this, and then try to understand it beyond your current threshold. Life is not partial. It does not revolve around you and yours or for you and yours, until you realize that all is yours and you belong to all. Only then, can it be remotely possible for a true balance. Only then can one hope to find the real questions. Until then you are a simpleton. Embrace this, or you deny yourself. Deny yourself and you deny me, and then God help us both for all is lost. 

       Those who stand alone can only do so for so long, before they are withered down and become a shell. Those who battle anything outwardly battle themselves within tenfold and tear themselves apart from within. Life divided- shall die. If you have considered much, then I ask you to consider more. I ask you to shut your eyes and ears to your left and right, to your up and down and all around you. Look to the one place – within yourself. If you are scared, you should be. The monster you created is an ugly abomination guarding the pristine waters of your life, and like a chained pit bull around a delicate flower – it is only a matter of time before it is trampled. You will die, and all that you left around you in life will also wither and you have done, nothing. In this place, this self , lays the only salvation for yourself and for mankind. It must be found, or we are lost. It must be shared, before you steal it from yourself.

       This is the inner voice whom knows better. This is the child who dared to dream and without the worlds education, simply knew, somehow – all things were possible. Have you noticed the child who speaks his mind? How the adults, blush around him and trot their superiority while being incredibly envious of him? He is the fresh take on old ways. He is the voice that reminds the older ones just how far they have fallen from any grace. He does not condemn or pass judgment; this only arises in his final rebellion of adolescence. He gives you the look as if it speaks in whispers, asking you why you have given up. Just as it took two to create this voice, it takes two to stand as adults and say – no more. 

       Those two must find two more and then repeat these words. The two then must travel one way, the other two, another – and each must find two more. They must know that as they travel in twos, the two they meet are themselves reflected having only journeyed differently, therefore they appear as such. They must understand that they lack nothing the other has. They then understand the nature of all or nothing


~ Minoa

Mankind & The 21st Century

I stumbled upon this series of animated videos recently and this particular one really spoke volumes.
It is definitely worth the 11 minutes to watch and if you enjoy the style,there are dozens more like it which combine this animation style with a core sentiment.

Once & For All

Copyright: SR 330-546

Verse I

If we can witness it…
Then we can finish it…
If we can sense the bliss…
Then we can relish it…
If we were meant to live…
Then let us find what our purpose is…
If life is a gift, then timing is timeless…

Like the risk, one has to figure
to unravel the riddle
which is life seen in its, simplest
form & rhythm…
man, I’ve been bitten by the mission bug
to give my all & take a little
but all this sitting (still)
has me flippin’
can’t even think when
I sense the spirit ripping at this flesh
& all I witness is ignorance…
with a pit less, center to its existence
I feel for you, but really
I feel myself more
& it’s scary, like starring
at ones destiny, while trailing
by a run, in the ninth inning
& no one is on base…
so, I remember the beginning
in search of errors in well being
yet seeing contradicts, believing
& why really holds no meaning
when thought upon, philosophically
like the anomaly of a sorrowed, being
there’s got to be victory
in defeating the distractions
in which we call ourselves, victims to
before…the…fall…
one can’t ignore, if any hope is left
for sure…
we’re only confined by protocol
our minds believe, like man made law
& if you (truly) saw the light in all awe
you’d be (truly) transformed…
reborn, for what it’s worth…
let’s finish this…
Once & For All

Verse II

If we can change our ways…
Then there’s a better day…
If we have words to say…
Then let’s not hesitate…
If we could pay our way…
There’d be no point, in anything…
If truth is the case, let us plead no contest…

Like the way society, plays G-d
against a higher being
& life it seems & I believe
paves the way to understanding
degrees, vary & sadly
some of us just make up landscape
while failing to (truly) comprehend ones bearing
& nasty is the response,
in which most get when sharing
no motivation, necessary
yet, your motives find you starring
at the very element thought carries…
look into it, while basing all observation
in its purest form
concentrating at the center
while ovulating rays create a spectrum
like cinema…
describing who you are
down to the littlest enigma of existence
now, roll back this verse
because I’m expanding my minds
position to a  different chapter of up-liftment
as we venture toward the ending…
Once & For All…
heed the message…
this ain’t the first, nor the last
script, which this man shall write
or practice..
(Minoa)
My
Intellect
Nullifies
Others
Action
& will remain this way
when all you kids are grandparents…
looking back, in living memory of the call
may you find it for what it’s worth…
& finish it…
Once & For All

~ Minoa

Plato's Allegory of the Cave

So,i was browsing through blogs earlier and one particular post made me think of Plato's Allegory of the Cave.It happens to be one of my favorites and i figured i would share a well done animation loosely portraying it.Enjoy.

On Fate & Free Will

The mind…

Is the single most potent source of

anything in existence. Be aware enough

to understand this, it is not just “human”

mind… but all living, sentient beings

who exist or ever existed.

Man…

Has become pitifully unaware of

not only himself but all things.

The more he uses devices to act,

speak and serve him, the further he

plummets into lack.

We like to believe that our thoughts,

our feelings and our accomplishments

are our own. A good second look will

show the folly in this logic and

a bit of humility will open the door

to things once unknown.

It is my wish that you be mindful

of your thoughts, that is, the thoughts

you have and the actions they lead to.

Only this way can you ever begin to

understand the concept of, all.

Fate.

It is what man has long thought and

believed to be the unseen hand of

time & place that pulls a moment,

a situation together. Since man

usually cannot explain it, it is

given over to fate.

Man has a long history and habit

of attributing things they cannot

describe, or won’t, to “something else”

apparently, apart from them.

Free will.

It is, at some early point

the recognized “right of passage” in

life to where a being has the power

and right to decide for itself

based on a cornucopia of tools,

so lets narrow it to one word.

Perception.

Asking which came first in

history of man, fate or free will

is akin to “the chicken or the egg”

but you have to wonder…

These two concepts are very much like

the concept of yin & yang.

Yin & Yang are closely tied to

the summer & winter solstice,

if you should chart it circularly.

They effect situations, every situation

the same way.

I think the best way I could describe,

or even make sense of it myself would

be to see them as cause and effect.

The only constant would be that one,

in any given situation would play

the role of cause, the other, effect.

Then you have to consider that these

roles and the who, what, when, where

and whys of them are an accumulation

of every single moment, event , thought

and action in not only the individuals life,

but all involved.

Are we having fun yet? Because now

we seem to tread closely to what we

call Karma.

Fate is essentially what we think we

create by our thoughts and actions.

Free will is essentially what we think we

choose via thought and action.

Karma is essentially what we think we

create for ourselves based on a life’s embodiment.

Some would say, that fate and free will

run together and are tied.

This is where is becomes hazy.

You see, fate seems to place us in a

position in life, the very day we are born.

Free will seems to be “what we make of it”

from that point on. Often the two are

not so easily defined.

To illustrate this, let us say…

“fate” brings you to a certain

place in life. While at this place,

in this moment, you are confronted

by death. Your “free will” wishes to live,

yet death shakes its head and says no,

it cannot be so, you are to die, and now.

You feel and understand what “death”

tells you to be 100% true and certain,

but at the moment, what can you do?

Your free will is compromised and

overridden, even the choice of “how”

you shall die seems to be taken from you.

The only thing you can choose now

is what you will think, how you will feel

and what lasting impression you leave

death, with.

If you can understand this, then you

can begin to understand life.

Events, situation and people will

weave in and out of your life

for the seconds and years within.

It is how you react and interact with

these things that makes you an

individual. Apart from that, everything

is everything and all is one.

Be thankful in your abundance,

by recognizing you cannot compare

yours to another.

Be joyful in your sorrow,

in knowing every second, counts

and you determine your own feelings.

Be mindful in your forgetfulness,

by understanding that your every

thought and action has a great impact

Upon all else.

Above all, we must understand that

somehow our gift of free will in life

creates our fate and we do so far from alone,

but as a collective whole.

Karma governs and guides us

to our destination.

~ Minoa

The 5 W's

Who…

be the we seeking outwardly within

the confines of depth  imagination

is willing and ready to travel.

What…

be the principle, be it learned or un

seen in everyone and everything

in and inside the mask.

When…

be the moment, not yester nor tomorrow

but the precise, spontaneous flash

of thought.

Where…

be the symbol of the previously mentioned

1+1+1 = 3 and where they are

we will also be.

Why…

be the burning…the desire

to comprehend the 4 score

who we are within.

~ Minoa

6,000,000,000:1

She says…
Though the sun still shine
And the Earth still turns
Be it below Heaven -
Above hell.
She’s her own (individual)
With her own mind
Apartheid, segregated, separated.
Washing wounds of thought
With cosmetics to hide
The flaw of perceived beauty.

He says…
Though the sun still shine
And the Earth still turns
Be it below Heaven -
Above Hell.
He’s his own man (individual)
With his own ways
Apartheid, segregated, separated.
Washing wounds of thought
With the body, to hide
The flaw of perceived strength.

I say…
Which (son) does shine brighter
Amidst the endless entity, universally forsaken
In a state of mind.
I am my own keeper, charged
With merely keeping myself light enough
To carry all as self.
Desolate, forlorn, grieved.
Washing wounds of thought
With the mind, to alleviate
The flawed nature of this.


When will we say…in unison…
Something.
Anything.
Please.

Dedicated to my brothers and sisters.

~ Minoa

Death Shall Have No Dominion

As the wind we were

In the breeze which stirred

In a moment of gust

Just passing  through.

And though calm arrived

Elements quelled, like tide

We shall not recede

Nor forget our right

And death shall have no dominion.

Though the man is gone

The woman with, and

The Earth does mourn

Smiling and accepting

The remains of the child

To return to home.

And though they see no more

Bone & flesh reborn

Within the womb

And death shall have no dominion.

The womb tickles, from kicks

Echoing from the past

As future cries with memories

Forgotten yet known

Begging for release and the freedom

Memories once carried on the wind

They wore.

Remembrance of it all

Life somehow comes to show

And death shall have no dominion.

~ Minoa

The Darkness and The Light

The Light & The Darkness

Forerunner:

There is no difference between the two.
The difference, like all else is in its use.
Light & Darkness are both symbolic
& both contain their attributes which,
when utilized via thought, shape the
very life of the one choosing.
Both are of free will, yet the outcomes
of each lead to a very different life.


The Darkness:

This is the symbolic state of mind where most
live by the very thoughts & beliefs
they hold. Darkness is the belief that
whatever thought, deed or word is
done there, can be safely hidden
even if temporarily.
This state is natural only because
it exists in illusionary form in the
minds of all living beings which have
physical shape & form.
Darkness arises from fear. Fear
arises from the unknown,
like light, Darkness has a tree
of its own, its branches are as so…
Fear>Ego>Darkness>Power>Happiness>Perception.


The Light:

This is symbolic state of mind where few
live by their thoughts & beliefs.
light is the symbol which brings forth
what is inside one, be it thought
deed or word. It is the place where these
things are taken within & viewed …
recognized for what they are.
When these things are brought to light
self recognizes what is of itself &
what is not of self, but foreign.
It is the gateway to truth, to knowing self
& transcends the physical to the formless.
Light arises from Love & can easily be called
Truth.
Like darkness, Light has a tree
of its own, its branches are as so…
Love>Self>Light>Power>Happiness>Perception.


The Enemy Within:

This is the struggle of mankind.
One can choose to utilize either
Light or Darkness. This is free will.
One can even be in Light & yet utter Darkness
& vice versa. The presence of the two inside
is the cause of eternal conflict.
This is where sorrow lays.
This is where misery remains.
This is where sickness stirs
& where death awaits.


Perception & Free Will:

What we believe we see
reflects how we see ourselves.
What we extend to others
is what we see within.
To extend to some &
Yet not to all, is to remain conflicted
in a self purgatory.
Darkness cannot be fought,
that is a battle surely lost.
Light cannot be taken,
it can only be experienced.
Everything hidden, will be disclosed.
The time is initially up to the one.
One can willingly choose to disclose
to self & then extend to others
after seeing themselves within.
One can also refuse to do so, in vain
for eons & yet as long as they do
the very things they will not disclose
will continue to show themselves in everything
they see & feel.
Do not be fooled by the small moments
of peace. To what degree you bring
your mind to the Light, is to the degree
you will find peace. It is your natural state
& thought is your most powerful gift.
The choice, of when….remains solely yours.


The Tree of Life & Death


LIFE

Love (essence)
    Self (soul)
        Light (truth)
            Power (Realization)
                Happiness (thankfulness)
                    Perception (true perception)

DEATH

Fear (separation)
    Ego (body)
        Darkness (illusion)
            Power (pride)
                Happiness (false sense of security)
                    Perception (misperception)


After Thought:

It does not matter what one believes.
Everyone believes somewhat differently
or differently altogether. This itself is illusion
& when this realization enters the mind & thoughts
of the living, they will begin to understand.
You are rightfully entitled to believe as you wish.
This is free will. Life is about choice.
Every single choice stems from thought
& where that thought originates from
(Love or Fear) determines the outcome
of that choice & many more along the
chain of events.
There is no condemnation to be had.
The judge is you. The sentence carried
out, seen by the events & moments in your life
result from choice. Remember this.
Remember it well.
Then choose.
If need be, choose again & again.

~ Minoa

Gil Scott-Heron:Peace go with you,brother (1949-2011)

I'd be lying if i said anything other then sheer guilt was the catalyst for me starting this blog today.I'd be fooling myself more than i already have in years past if i didn't recognize the sad irony that it took the death of a man, in order to have the desire to speak again.

I woke up this morning to learn that one of the larger influences in my writing and music had passed away.There's alot i could say about Gil Scott-Heron, but over the course of 62 years in life i think he said all one needs to know about him.What i will say about him is that he was very much so mis-understood and his  words were often used to fuel agendas that had little to nothing to do with what he was really trying to work toward.He was no role model in the sense of how to live life and he was in his own words a failure, coward and prisoner in life.The thing is, he was being brutally honest with himself in ways many are far too afraid of, and that... is the beauty of him.

He spent his life pushing for people to raise their level of consciousness and understanding.His songs and poems were penetrating and in a style and passion rarely seen in artistry.As a young man who searched in the deepest levels for...himself, Gil's words always spoke to me and showed me that i wasn't alone this respect.As a person who's own father was addicted to heroin and pretty much abandoned his own family, i often saw many similarities between Gil and my father - valid or not.I think Gil Scott-Heron helped me to understand many of the why's regarding that and gave me a glimpse into my father's situation. In the end, i think it made it much easier for me to not only understand but forgive.It is with great sadness that mourn the loss of Gil today.It is with great appreciation that i had the painful pleasure of journeying with him.

Thank you for your time and effort Gil.Regardless of what may have been your many failures,you are a true warden of humanity.

"What my life really means,is that the songs that i sing,are just pieces to a dream that I've been building" - Gil Scott Heron (Track:Willing,Album:1980)