What is the mind? (3 July, 2023)

The soul is as a lamp; the mind is its light.

Facts, truth and the power of reason (25 February, 2015)

When we engage in life and choose our course there are at least three realities to consider.

• Facts: scientific evidence (Things that can be perceived. e.g. Sunshine.)
• Truths: understood by thought (Life on earth requires sunshine.)
• Reason: spiritual deductions (not directly indicated by facts and truth, the reason the sun is shining is because it is needed to support life.)

When developing programs for social progress these three factors should be included with reasoning playing the predominating role (i.e. understanding what needs are to be met) with truth guiding the way and scientific fact supporting the endeavour.

(Kelowna, 8 February, 2015) From a reply to F...:

At your behest I'll try to share my ideas on C...'s stated opinions. Don't be surprised if I hold little support for what he says. After all I deem he is writing for public consumption and political objectives, which generally indicates to me an appeal to baser instincts, a dearth of substance, and lack of inclusion of consideration for the poor and weak in the human family (in fact much of the attitude in the media is to treat the weak and poor as a problem to avoid and exclude rather than a challenge to alleviate by inclusion). If we look clearly at human evolution, we all originate in poverty.

There is much to understand by seeing and comprehending the historic development of wealth.

The first thing in his column that raised my hackles was the introductory phrase "... we the taxpayers". I see this as a pejorative that arrogates an interest in the issue to the rich as though the operation of social institutions rightfully exclude the consideration shared by all members of the community. To an unbiased mind, it can be seen that there are many in society whose contributions in intellect, effort, arts and science of a non-monetary nature often exceed the value of money. The contribution of money cannot be allowed to give exclusivity of social influence. In fact there may be treasures he refers to that were brought into existence by destitute persons.

I recognize the problem of the commercialization of public service institutions that he is addressing but he apparently lacks the insight and point of view necessary to clarify a solution; thereby, his impotent statements may aggravate the misunderstanding of the issue and breed a deeper mistrust and hopelessness in the public consciousness.

It strikes me as infusing discord and misunderstanding into our social milieu to portray public, capitalist, private, third parties and such as separate and conflicting interests. In fact to infer that capitalism has an exclusive role in any respect in reality is unjust. We need balanced and inclusive concepts to deal with the community's interests as a family (a healthy family). There is no moral ground on which to maintain a community based on a concept of capitalism or market-driven; in fact not on any concept of ...ism.

Humanity needs leadership with insight and understanding motivated by visions of over-arching principles. Anything less will not do.

His paragraph: "... this is a stupid story. ..." distills the essence of his arguments in an unsophisticated way, but when it comes to resolving serious and vital social problems, actions based on sophistication, dispassionate inspiration and trustworthy character are crucial.

The greatest impediment to the evolution of social understanding and participation that I draw from involvement in this issue is that the social consciousness has yet to be aware of, and directed by, thoughts conceived in global unity, inclusive vision and trustworthy leadership. Until we recognize and elect persons of such nature who work together, we cannot succeed.

We need to develop the desire to appreciate and request inspiring ideals, good will, understanding and trustworthiness from the authors of our public pages.

As for the references to education, I am fortunate to have had opportunities to be immersed in classroom culture of my own creation in China and Korea where having a willing teacher was so vital that I was accepted as qualified by experience and ability rather than institutional approval. I have experienced the progress that students make when learning is a knowledgeable, progressive, joyful, meaningful, disciplined and humour infused experience.

This but touches the surface of the matters that I dwell upon and since the column was but a foray into the fray of political manipulation I shall conclude here.

(Kelowna, 7 February, 2015) From a reply to F...:

Good to hear from you again. Most people seem to fear and be intimidated by administrative observation of their activities. I've learned to welcome it. After all, we need to contribute toward the evolution of a more just and equitable form of social order throughout the world. I have a sincere desire and natural inclination towards friendly relations and non partisan democratic order in which each nation has an equal right to operate and participate in a unified world administration, undivided by conflicting ideological alignments.

What better way to be influential in the minds of people in government than to be observed and held answerable to deeply suspicious and determined officials. After all, I want them to learn how effective a genuine sense of unity of all people can be in relationship building in the world which we now share.

International security is best established by a global social system in which all people have full awareness of the safety and well being of the community in which they live and extensive ties throughout all communities of the world.

Fortunately for me I was born and raised in the Canadian culture where there is a well developed sense of equality and low level of prejudice as well as freedom from domineering national superiority. I have no traditional desire of seeing other nations subjugated to the national interests and established order of Canada; but likewise enjoy the genuine possession an indomitable spirit that relates sensitively with others.

I have met but very few Americans who can appreciate and practice a similar ambiance in their international sensibilities and activities. There are no barriers I'm aware of that prevents an American from the same activities I engage in. In fact the status of an American doing the same things would likely be much greater. However, the number of Americans who can rise above their national pride, prejudice and training and see the future of a very different form of global development remains very miniscule indeed.

I'm as yet unchallenged overtly by people in the security systems but was sent for baggage check on my last entry to Canada from my trip to Asia after being asked why I visited the DPRK. My wife and I were also subjected for the first time to the full cost, or more, for taxes of our purchases on our recent trip to the US. I'll monitor the situation and try to ensure it's not a continuing form of harassment.

It's likely that my programs in the DPRK will last as long as I'm able to continue. As I'm approaching my seventy-first birthday there may only be a small number of years left to engage in such challenges.

It's very hard to present a true picture of my experiences and observations in the DPRK. Even my closest friends and relatives try to negate the positive expressions I offer, and interpret each one in the prejudiced and contrived false atmosphere created by the social engineering of the media on all sides of the relationships. My pictures at http://ellsworth.ca/2014/DPRK2/, http://ellsworth.ca/2014/DPRK1/ and http://ellsworth.ca/2012/DPRK/ are probably the most persuasive evidence of life there that I can produce, but it is little in comparison to what needs to be comprehended. I have yet to develop the communication faculties I need to present a meaningful and effective presentation.

Obviously this missive is long and doesn't address my understanding of the social and private concerns of copyright and intellectual property issues; which I believe are fundamentally flawed (especially in the western nations). Perhaps another time.