2009.12.04 19:00 - Why We Are Here

The Guardian for this meeting was genesis Zhangsun. The comments are by genesis Zhangsun.

genesis Zhangsun: Howdy!
Calvino Rabeni: Hello, Storm, Genesis
Storm Nordwind: Hi gen. I came just in case you couldn't make it
genesis Zhangsun: thats kind of you
genesis Zhangsun: I was able to get some out to my house this morning to check on the internet
genesis Zhangsun: *someone
Storm Nordwind: So it's fixed now?
genesis Zhangsun: well for the time being
Storm Nordwind chuckles
genesis Zhangsun: the service guy says he didn't get it but it seems like periodically it slows down
Storm Nordwind: I'll leave you two here for a while. By popular request, I've installed an ice rink on my land next to the Pavilion. Follow the passageway of torches to get there later. Must go and finish it off. :)
genesis Zhangsun: :)
genesis Zhangsun: thanks Storm
Storm Nordwind waves
genesis Zhangsun: How's it going Calvino?
genesis Zhangsun: when I see your name it reminds me of Italo Calvino
genesis Zhangsun: Invisible Cities
Calvino Rabeni: I dnn't know the author well - Is that your favorite novel?
genesis Zhangsun: I don't know about favorite but it is a unique book
genesis Zhangsun: a book of poetry about fantasy cities
genesis Zhangsun: that have the flavor of real cities
Calvino Rabeni: There may be some of those in SL, I have heard
genesis Zhangsun: I'm sure Italo Calvino would have loved SL
genesis Zhangsun: so why did you chose the name Calvino?
Calvino Rabeni: It was one of my given names. The middle one.
genesis Zhangsun: are you Italian?
Calvino Rabeni: There are several in the family before me
Calvino Rabeni: No american of english descent.
Calvino Rabeni: But sometimes I think I'd like to live in italy or spain.
Calvino Rabeni: And you, where do you live now?
genesis Zhangsun: hmm someone in your family must have been italian?
Calvino Rabeni: Don't think so.
genesis Zhangsun: calvino doesn't seem english
--BELL--
Calvino Rabeni: I think they were Calvinists, not Calvino-ists :)
Calvino Rabeni: Being american, I feel entitled to assimilate cultures a little
genesis Zhangsun: to answer your earlier question I am also American
genesis Zhangsun: born in Japan but raised in the States
Calvino Rabeni: What part of USA do you find yourself in now?
genesis Zhangsun: California
Calvino Rabeni: I used to live there. Now in Seattle
Calvino Rabeni: Although I like Boston also
genesis Zhangsun: Seattle is a beautiful place
Calvino Rabeni: I must learn not to take it for granted.
Calvino Rabeni: :)
genesis Zhangsun: :)
genesis Zhangsun: so how are you enjoying play as being
Calvino Rabeni: I have been enjoying it fully. It is taking a lot of time, however. :)
genesis Zhangsun: the practice or the meetings? both?
Calvino Rabeni: Meetings. Because I am interested in the 3 workshops - time, pheno, WOK. And they often have homework.
genesis Zhangsun: those are all great
genesis Zhangsun: yes and take up some time
Calvino Rabeni: And I volunteered to scribe.
genesis Zhangsun: how did you get interested in these topics?
Calvino Rabeni: I was born that way :).
genesis Zhangsun: yes I know, I guess you may know you are taking over my scribing
Calvino Rabeni: Yes, I saw your name.
genesis Zhangsun: yes I guess we all were :) what is your particular story?
Calvino Rabeni: :)
Calvino Rabeni: I've had a lot of time to think about things :)
genesis Zhangsun: and why is that?
genesis Zhangsun: most people seem to have the opposite situation
genesis Zhangsun: at least thats the excuse
Calvino Rabeni: I've balanced the themes of consciousness and technology for my adult life.
Calvino Rabeni: I've heard that excuse,
Calvino Rabeni: but it isn't entirely convincing.
genesis Zhangsun: did you study or work with either consciousness related studies or technology?
Calvino Rabeni: However, I'm not a householder, I'm more of a scholar/monk/ronin.
genesis Zhangsun: ah I see
Calvino Rabeni: I realize, if I had family responsibilities it would probably be very consuming of my attention
Calvino Rabeni: Personal choices, I suppose it is.
genesis Zhangsun: so do you have a particular spiritual orientation?
genesis Zhangsun: (sounded like a very PC way to say it)
Calvino Rabeni: :) lol
Calvino Rabeni: I respect all traditions - a good PC response I suppose.
--BELL--
Calvino Rabeni: There are none I subscribe to, but know a bit about many
genesis Zhangsun: well seems like PaB would be the right place to be in that case
Calvino Rabeni: It works well :)
genesis Zhangsun: and the technology part?
Calvino Rabeni: Yes, I have had both technology and consciousness work all that time.
genesis Zhangsun: and why is that may I ask?
Calvino Rabeni: Because it is my interest and outlook. There is of course some tension between those two world views. Like perhaps Piet's science vs buddhism combination.
Calvino Rabeni: What about you, do you have primary focuses of a philosophical or spiritual or intellectual nature?
Calvino Rabeni: What do you think people are "here for" in PAB?
genesis Zhangsun: From the time I was 12 I wanted to study law, I was very concerned about truth and justice that is probably what led me to this
genesis Zhangsun: I think people are here for different things
genesis Zhangsun: all of them are seekers/explorers
genesis Zhangsun: but the motivation to seek/to explore takes different forms
Calvino Rabeni: Yes, they seek different things accordingly?
genesis Zhangsun: maybe we seek different things but in the end I think we all find the same things
Calvino Rabeni: If we assume that, then it makes it possible to be delighted with the differences.
genesis Zhangsun: the differences in what? impressions?
Calvino Rabeni: I am curious about the connection with Law and justice. I never thought deeply about that connection.
Calvino Rabeni: DIfferences in desires, different ways and means.
genesis Zhangsun: or the appearance of those things
Calvino Rabeni: Like what happens after PC, after a kind of bland acceptance of diversity.
--BELL--
genesis Zhangsun: not sure if I quite understood what the last comment was referring to
Calvino Rabeni: About unity and diversity in human life.
Calvino Rabeni: And whether we understand and respect it.
Calvino Rabeni: There are many political and spiritual ideas about those two aspects of reality
genesis Zhangsun: yes indeed
genesis Zhangsun: and yet many of the core traditions seem to say the same things to
genesis Zhangsun: *too
Calvino Rabeni: That is one perspective, and I think, a good one.
genesis Zhangsun: what do you feel are some notable differences
Calvino Rabeni: There are innumerable distinctions - when choosing one, of course it's a stereotype. People's horizons of awareness differs, their social values differ, they may seek information, knowledge, a heartfelt connection, etc. Some spiritual traditions categorize these different ways. Also for each individual, their concerns are different about living their lives
Calvino Rabeni: OK, one specific example - some seek knowledge, some seek gnosis.
Calvino Rabeni: Or another - some want liberation, others want involvement.
Calvino Rabeni: Some are happy specializing, some want to have a wide angle perspective or unify many perspectives.
Calvino Rabeni: Those are a few interesting differences
Calvino Rabeni: Some people focus on one path
Calvino Rabeni: Some don't
Calvino Rabeni: People who have a heart focus primarily - probably wouldn't be here.
genesis Zhangsun: sure okay
genesis Zhangsun: that is a good observation
Calvino Rabeni: And they use different of their capacities.
Calvino Rabeni: Some - probably all here - enjoy the social connection.
Calvino Rabeni: Some seek help with problems or issues.
Calvino Rabeni: Some seek insights for their life or their work.
Calvino Rabeni: Differences are the spice of life
Calvino Rabeni: But like Pema quoted - for every great truth, the opposite is a great truth
Calvino Rabeni: (or something like that)
genesis Zhangsun: sure so differences are the greatest source of conflict
Calvino Rabeni: Yes
Calvino Rabeni: We constantly dance because of that.
Calvino Rabeni: It makes the world go round.
Calvino Rabeni: DIfferences without a sense of unity, lead to conflict.
Calvino Rabeni: Differences within unity are a dance.
--BELL--
genesis Zhangsun: agreement on what if meaningful provides the unity to dance- the rules of the game- the dance steps if you will
genesis Zhangsun: *what is
Calvino Rabeni: Real dances are good to know
Calvino Rabeni: Some agreement is essential
genesis Zhangsun: how would you define "real" dances
Calvino Rabeni: e.g. doing Tango on a dance floor :)
genesis Zhangsun: ah lol I see, real as in no longer within the metaphor
Calvino Rabeni: Metaphors point at real things
Calvino Rabeni: So the real thing is also a metaphor for the other ideas
genesis Zhangsun: indeed...in some way everything is a metaphor...Calvino I must be going
Calvino Rabeni: A concrete one.
Calvino Rabeni: Thanks for the chat, genesis
genesis Zhangsun: same to you :)
genesis Zhangsun: take care and hope to see you around
Calvino Rabeni: Fare well :) and see you later
genesis Zhangsun: good luck with the scribing
Calvino Rabeni: _/!\_
Calvino Rabeni: Thanks