Weblog of Quests

Category: Off Beaten Track Page 32 of 44

Knowledge transfer

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On December 29, 2003

In Off Beaten Track

There is a Chinese saying: “A house having an elderly person is a house with with a treasure.” The meaning of this saying is that the elderly in generally have acquired more day-to-day knowledge from their longer lifelong experiences, which can benefit greatly the current generation. This is probably more appropriate in the days before the internet!?

It just occurred to me that the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next is rather inefficient. Here I am using the term ‘knowledge’ in the broadest sense.

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Choices

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On December 27, 2003

In Off Beaten Track

Seeing my brother and sister with my little nephews and nieces over this Christmas break has highlighted one subtle secret in upbringing of children. Often, it is best to limit the number of choices presented to the little ones. A multitude of options usually spells chaos, for both the kids and parents.

Are we not faced with the same dilemma daily as well? Are we not at our bravest and most resolute when faced with limited (and favourable), or no choices at all?

Missing links

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On December 26, 2003

In Off Beaten Track, Reading List

(The following thoughts came up while reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail)

All around us, there are patterns to be discovered, some more obvious than others. A pattern may exist as a cause-effect relationship. For example, if I decided not to walk underneath a ladder, and subsequently won a lottery, is it reasonable to attribute my good fortunes to the avoidance of the ladder? Or, alternatively, if after walking under a ladder, I suffered a bout of bad luck, can I then attribute all subsequent unluckiness to that single act?

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Alchemy

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On December 25, 2003

In Films & TV, Off Beaten Track

Just read a series of articles on Sacred Mysteries which attempts to highlight the supposedly hidden alchemical implications in the major films in our era. The two that I read discussed the Tolkien series Lord of the Rings, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The central thesis is that both Lord of the Rings and 2001: A Space Odyssey detail the development of mankind as documented in alchemical traditions. In Lord of the Rings, Middle Earth goes through a series of Ages. With each Age, there is an increase in the prominence of Man, but at the same time, Man also becomes further removed from his natural and spiritual side. This accounts for the diminishing importance of magic and the Elves, hence the inexplicable ending (to some) of the movie.

In 2001, the film also walks the audience through a series of transformations of Mankind, from the vegetarian Ape man to highly sophisticated technological society, devoid of emotions and any spiritual linkages. This climaxes in the ultimate transformation at the end of the film, where we witness a re-birth. read more

Return of the King

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On December 18, 2003

In Films & TV, Off Beaten Track

One and a half hour to go, and counting. Just hope that I will be able to concentrate fully, with no dinner and sleepiness lurking in the background. 😀

Well, anyway, I will be able to get a good rest tomorrow night, as I will be on the plane back to Melbourne for a short break. This may also mean a short hiatus* from blogging…

* Could not resist not using this word, as I have seen it used more than once on other websites in the same context. :p

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