Life on the island has taught me much about simplicity, authenticity, and the contrast between calm community living and the noise of the modern world. As I prepare to leave, even if only for a while, I reflect on what quality of life truly means — and the choices each of us must make to live in alignment with our deepest values.
Tag: reflection
A meditation on the nature of the “two minds” — the original, quiet sense that speaks without bias, and the synthetic overlay shaped by repetition, ideology, and control. This reflection traces how the artificial mind mirrors societal narratives, technologies, and cultural conditioning, and points back to the necessity of reclaiming presence and listening to the still, authentic voice within.
Discernment is the ability to see clearly, understand deeply, and decide wisely. It’s more than just making choices — it’s the art of perceiving truth beneath the noise, of navigating life with clarity and purpose. In a world filled with distractions and half-truths, discernment acts as a compass, pointing us toward what is real, meaningful, and aligned with our values. But how do we cultivate such an elusive yet essential skill?
Seagulls, other birds and sea lions call across the misty morning waters. Geese enter from the north. Two herons quietly soar by, not too high over the shore. Silent giants.
The clock in the square strikes a happy chime signaling 10am, then curiously shifts to a monotonous, somber bell to count out the hours. Even the clock seems to be disaffected by the persistent agitation that is covid, sighing as it goes through the motions, perhaps emptied of the usual spirit that would fill the space here with communal bustle and hubbub. The fountain nearby splashes meditatively, layering a touch of white noise onto the atmosphere.