I buy - therefore I am

Ever thought about it? We're all exposed to a flood of advertising that crashes down on us. Much of it is passive and unintentional, while others are consciously targeted.

What happens when we're bombarded day in and day out with messages, information, and offers that no one usually requests or that many couldn't afford to give in to and buy anyway?

What this plague of advertising has achieved, however, and long since established, is this feeling of consumerism, of being high just from looking and maybe buying.

Other "values," on the other hand, are increasingly fading into the background, forgotten. You know best what you're missing. And what no one can buy.

From today on, I will no longer smoke

Lung cancer is a devilish disease. Anyone who thinks it comes, a brief illness, and then... we all have to die... is twisted. 

Lung cancer takes its time, claiming its three hundred (300) victims every day in Germany alone. Before the fatal diagnosis is actually made, there are years of torment with shortness of breath, a nasty, persistent cough, and a foul smell from one's own lungs... If that's not enough, ... when I once visited the Heckeshorn Lung Clinic in Berlin, the head director led me to a ward. 

In almost every room lay relatively young men, all bald from chemotherapy. Creepy, I say! And at the end of the ward was the usual glass box. And you wouldn't believe it! Inside were three equally bald men... and they were smoking! 

When I asked the professor, both astonished and shocked, what this meant, he replied: "Oh, you know, why should I forbid these poor devils from smoking now? Everyone you saw today will be dead in nine months at the most."
From today on, I will no longer smoke!

Happiness

There are a significant number of English-speaking readers at this blog, readers from the US, UK, Hong Kong, and even Australia, so I'd like to post some original English texts here from time to time. Mind you, most Germans understand it anyway ;-) Here's a wise quote, found in a small booklet of poems:

"Freud believed that, for anyone who worked hard enough

to understand the why of his conduct,

there can be a reconciliation,

and therein lies personal happiness

or, at least, less unhappiness."

Aus: Time Within, Copyright Prisoner LX6457 2007, HMP Dartmoor

The high song of action - Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is by far my most popular book. Exciting like a thriller, pioneering in all conceivable situations, entertaining, lots of epic and history, philosophy and religion in a way that lets people decide for themselves.

A Koan for you.

Can you half light a candle?

Photo: cover of my 1940 Bhagavad Gita edition

The world's best exercise

The world's best exercise is the traditional push-up. Of course, I know plenty of variations and special exercises for push-ups, too. Yet, the standard classic push-up is not only a good measure of fitness but can also be performed anywhere and is easy to handle.  

Today, I did my 30 push-ups. Let's see how I can improve. My goal for now is 100 minus my age. Anyone thinking of something like the Guinness Book of Records can forget about it. As far as I know, the record is held by a Japanese man, around 1,000. With that in mind, have a great time.

Fat people often have problems

"Fat people often have problems," a teacher at high school used to say to us. It was really crazy. First of all, he was fat himself, and we kids couldn't connect his statement with him. Secondly, he died so quickly at a young age. While his daughter was running for a spot to earn her sports badge, by watching her he collapsed and died of a heart attack.

Which surprises me now. Today I'm reading about the ancient Stone Age figure that was supposedly discovered, and the researchers are so excited. I wonder why the woman depicted is actually overweight. The Stone Age was rather slim and slender. No fast food, binge-watching TV with chips, etc. Does someone want to spread the word that fat, fat, overweight was/is normal? Think! And cleverly packaging it as a sex symbol always works. And researchers and scientists have already told us a lot.

Do your research. The food industry is not your friend when it comes to most of the products they offer. No wonder so many are obese these days. The food industry wants to sell its stuff. Consumers are often after the cheap stuff. The media helps the industry rather than the consumer.

Why is that?

There it is, lying in front of me on the table. Crunch crunch, the first chips are happily removed from the packet, and then I have to repeatedly realize that I'm not eating the last potato chip, meaning the packet is empty. Until then, there's no stopping. Why?

Well, the food industry is "to blame," and probably a weak mind in ourselves. The body needs sugar in the form of carbohydrates, and since sugar is even added to chips, it subconsciously creates this craving for more. The industry is aware of this connection and has tailored its products accordingly. Even artificial sweeteners produce this addictive effect.

Just think of a bar of chocolate. Once opened, there's no stopping until the last bit is eaten. Cocoa powder contains endocannabinoids. These stimulate the body to produce happiness hormones. And then it's just begging for more...

A lighthouse shows the safe way

Terrestrial Life Management (TerLiMa) makes navigating life easy and safe. Just as lighthouses on the horizon guide captains to the right course, TerLiMa stands for precise and reliable positioning in life. I deliberately adopted the term "terrestrial" from the nautical world. So-called "terrestrial navigation," finding one's way using clear, fixed land and sea landmarks, is the safest method for determining one's position. And that's how reliable TerLiMa is intended for determining one's position in life. Anything else will cause us to stray from our course.

 Photo: Inner Passage of the Ile de Ouessant, France, 1982

Everything is transient

It is therefore illusory to believe in the permanence of things in this world. 

In Buddhist Zen, we know that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. 

A beautiful example of this is the "Symondsbury Zen Garden," which I and my students created at a magical place of power in the southwest of England. Have a look...some pictures.

We used the garden for several year as a refuge of peace and relaxation and for meditation. After I left the area for a while, my students cared for this beauty spot another two years and after that the landowner required the plot back.

Hoping for repairs from the doctor

The negative news surrounding current medical care in our country, Germany, is endless.
From a 115 perspective, I can only say that, unfortunately, most of it is self-inflicted. And these self-inflicted illnesses are destroying one of the best healthcare systems in the world, bit by bit.
By self-inflicted illnesses, I mean:

1. Systematically self-inflicted illnesses, such as those caused by smoking, drinking, or excessive obesity.

2. Visiting the doctor as a "hobby" or to have someone to talk to.

3. The greedy influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the healthcare system.

The list goes on and on. More personal responsibility is required! Keep your "boat" in good seaworthy condition! Get involved in health policy before you end up in the hospital yourself!

About Breathing

 It doesn't have to be a self-made Zen Garden, as pictured here.

More than four years ago, my students and I created the Symondsbury Zen Garden. It was meant to be a place for meditation. But you can practice relaxing breathing almost anywhere. When sitting, ensure your back is straight and don't squeeze your stomach. 

I always practice my breathing in the morning before meditation. Or sometimes in the evening, when I'm already in bed. This usually leads quickly to sleep. I strongly advise against practising this kind of exercise while driving. Deep breathing is too relaxing and can negatively affect your driving.