Category Archives: spirituality

Four years ago yesterday Leonard Cohen passed…

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Has it been that long already since poet/musician/author Leonard Cohen passed away? Yes, four years since November 07, 2016. Time flies when you are having fun…

I never met the man, but listened to his music and read his words like so many did, and continue to do. His spiritual search shone through in his work and added a timeless beauty and richness there.

He was a source of inspiration and encouragement to other writers, often writing personal letters to young writers, like he did with me. I plan to get around to scanning that letter and posting it online.

Tonight it’s a candle burning in his memory and honour, and of course, Leonard Cohen’s music in the air.

Post-pandemic sci-fi story

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I got an idea today for a post-pandemic sci-fi story that’s joyful, and it’s one of the things keeping me going right now: a vision of a better future.

I’ve written some of it at home today, where I usually write. So, not much change for me there. If there’s anything good I can take out of these Covid-19 “stay at home” times, it’s that, with any luck, I’ll be more productive with my writing having to be home more right now. If I can stay off the Internet long enough that is…(a usual battle for those who work at home, and yes I spelled Internet with a capital “I” despite what some recent word-trends would have you do; after all, the Internet is the name for a thing: the world network of computers that is public (used to be just the WWW prefix of the World Wide Web, but has grown). That’s a proper noun. /Grammar rant mode off.  If you think I’m wrong you can get off my lawn 😉

Funny how that works, that staying home and productivity ratio! Writers (and I think this is true for most who work from home) generally get more done during the cold months than the warm months. Too many things to do outside when the weather is nice, pulling away our time and attention, it seems. Then the cooler weather eventually sets in and thoughts go back to word counts rather than vacations,  warm summer nights, and days that never seem to end.

Writing about a possible future can be an important part in creating it. We’ve seen this happen again and again, but unfortunately those futures were mostly dystopias. As much as I have enjoyed such stories and movies that were very artfully done, I hoped such worlds would not come to be, and yet they largely have; I always wondered why there were not more possible futures I’d like to live in. What we choose to write is up to us, but I think it’s time we write about more uplifting possible futures than the current state of the world we are now in. Maybe then we will find we are living in a better world one day.

See my previous entry about The Prescience of Science Fiction Authors for more on this topic, and where writers get their ideas to write about the future.

 

The Prescience of Science Fiction Authors

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The Prescience of Science Fiction Authors
By David Sloma

In his 1981 novel “The Eyes of Darkness” Dean Koontz named the pandemic virus in his story “Wuhan-400” as it starts in Wuhan, China, the same place where the current COVID-19 virus was first found. That’s a pretty big coincidence! Did he know something was going to happen there in the future? If so, how?

Philip K. Dick (PKD for short) predicted “precrime” and coined the term in his 1956 story “The Minority Report” (which was the basis for the 2002 movie “Minority Report”) – now computer models are being used to determine where precrimes will be committed before they happen and assign resources to those areas. Does it ever feel like you’re living in a PKD story? (Also in the “The Minority Report” were the Pre-Cogs who had the ability to predict the future, as “living computers.”)

These authors display what is called prescience, which means foreknowledge of future events; in essence, being able to predict the future. If we look at the word “prescience” we can see it’s made of two other words: pre and science – a natural topic for science fiction writers! Some people scoff at such an ability to foretell the future, while many more pay for fortune-tellers to do this very thing for them, often with real results (and also with fantastic failures). Then there are those people who dream of things before they happen…How is this possible?

One thing is for sure and that is many so-called science fiction or “sci-fi” writers do just that: tell the future. Or maybe they are creating it. Or also, perhaps, they are tapping into some stream of consciousness that tells them the future and they write it down. Whatever the case, the results are impressive.

There’s a theory called “The Morphogenetic field” which talks about ideas contained in an energy field that can be tapped into. This is similar to the “collective unconscious” discussed by Carl Jung, Sigmund Frued, and others. Maybe some sci-fi authors were tapping into such a thing; maybe they were following trends and extrapolating; maybe both.

As a science fiction writer myself, I think it’s been a combination of these things. Sometimes the future trends of technology and society can be easily seen and they allow the imagination to fly; other times the ideas just come and where they come from could be from many sources, both mundane and Divine. I have had the experience of being surprised when something I’ve written comes true in the world, and I’m sure many more authors have had this experience too, not just the ones I’ve listed.

I’ve never quite considered science fiction stories to be purely fiction. It seems the world is quickly catching up to that notion.

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Copyright © 2020 David Sloma. All rights reserved.

http://www.davidsloma.com

Online’s not perfect

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I’ve come to learn over the years that nothing is 100% reliable online. Things happen to put services out, and email doesn’t always get through.

I’ve had people think I am ignoring them if I didn’t respond to their emails within minutes – sometimes I never got the emails. So, I always check in the case of not hearing back from someone, or if it was an important message. Those bits and bytes don’t always make it!

Still, it quite amazing how reliable online services and emails are, given the volume of online traffic these days! I started going online with BBS’s and dial-up modems, and even that was something incredible at the time. Now, the online experience is far more advanced, and we often take it for granted. But it wasn’t always like it is now…

There is now a generation growing up who have always known the World Wide Web and the Internet as we know it today. That’s pretty wild to think about! I didn’t have that for a good portion of my life, so I can clearly see the contrast to now; both pre and post-Internet.

It really is like a different world with the Internet, but one that still has its imperfections. Which is not surprising, as humans are imperfect – or maybe we are perfectly imperfect, just like we’re meant to be.

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Blog Post Streak Count: Day 11

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Why do I write?

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I’m sure people wonder why a writer writes. It’s often not for the money, as it’s often tough to make money as a writer (not impossible, and the chances are better today than ever, but still, it can be tough, especially during the first few years to the first decade of professional writing).

To be a writer you’ve got to like being alone and using your imagination. Those were two things I enjoyed from a young age, so no problem there.

You have to love words and reading – again, no problem, as I was reading at a young age and developed a love for words and books that is still with me.

And you’ve got to like to tell stories and get into the world of the characters you write about. That seemed to come second nature to me, so good there as well.

In the end though, ask any dedicated and true writer and they’ll often give you an answer like this: I write because I need to. It’s a creative outlet for us, without which we don’t feel as alive. It can even be a spiritual path and experience – I know I’ve felt that way many times.

I just think writing is a wonderful thing, as is reading; the two go hand-in-hand. It was a natural progression from my love of reading to try my hand as a writer. I’m so glad I did, as it brings me a lot of joy! I’m also glad that others enjoy reading what I’ve written – I’m ever thankful for my readers and hope you will come along on many more tales and adventures with me!

And writing is an adventure for me, too, as I often don’t know where it’s going or how it’s going to turn out until I get to the end. That keeps it entertaining for me as well, so you can’t lose with that!
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Blog Post Streak Count: Day 9

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What do you want to do with your life?

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I knew from a young age that I loved writing, reading, and words. So, it’s no surprise that I followed those interests in my life. I knew early on that I wanted to be a writer.

Some people have a hard time figuring out what to do with their lives, and I haven’t really had that problem. I’ve done many things in my life, but it’s always come back to the writing, primarily.

Writing was something I did as a child because I enjoyed it. I would often draw pictures to go along with the stories and imaginings. It was fun! I would see my favourite movies, then make up stories about them. Maybe this was early fan fiction?

Many of the jobs in my life were directly writing related, and I think this was a natural progression. I find writing comes easy to me, usually, no matter the type of subject matter. I guess you can call it a gift; I certainly think it is, a talent I was given. I wrote before I got paid to do it, and I would still do it if I didn’t get paid. So, you can say I found my vocation and passion. I am grateful for that.

I know some people struggle with their purpose in life, and if you are, I would say to follow what Joseph Campbell, author of The Power of Myth series said, and that is to “follow your bliss” and it will lead you to your purpose and passion.

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Blog Post Streak Count: Day 6

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Going with the flow

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The often-said adage/advice: “Go with the flow” sounds good, but how many follow it?

I’m in the flow when I write. Time seems to stand still, and I’ve having a great time. There are other experiences in life that produce this effect too, and it’s always nice to find them. Sometimes the flow can be found in regular events in life, and that’s a special gift, I think. It would be great to be able to live your life that way, or at least more parts of it (I’m still working on living it all that way).

Tonight I had an experience with going with the flow – or not. I was waiting in line in a chain-type food place, getting something mildly unhealthy to eat (but oh, so tasty! Got to treat yourself sometimes; might be the subject of an upcoming blog post), which I tend to do rarely these days, as I’m making better choices overall on what I eat.

It seemed there was only one man working in the store, not just on the counter but getting all the food orders together, too. He said a couple of words to me when I came in, then I watched him run around, putting one item on to cook, then packing up another order, and just rushing around. I was standing there for a few minutes, when he finally came over to take my order, but he wasn’t very clear on things. I asked him some questions, then he ran off again to attend to something beeping! The flow was not going well for me in that place.

It didn’t seem like I was going to get good service there, and the menu items they were offering were not at the prices I was looking for, so I was thinking to leave. But where? I was still hungry! Should I just tough it out and be more patient where I was? I noticed there was a competitor’s store across the street, offering the same kind of food, so I called out and excused myself to the busy man (if he even noticed, as he was in the back at the point), and went across the street.

The other store was calm, and someone met me at the counter right away. They had the item I wanted, at the price I was looking for, and promptly took my order. I only had a short wait until I got my item, and it was great!

So, instead of staying at the first store and trying to put my order in (if I could catch the man at the counter), I was well taken care of in the second store and got better quality food at a better value, plus they had lots of nice condiments the other place didn’t offer.

I’m not saying to give up at the slightest sign of a struggle, but it’s good to gauge if you are in the flow or not, and would be better off taking another approach. From my simple experience tonight, the importance of figuring out whether you are in the flow or not was made clear to me once again, as it has been many times in my life. I’ll be sure to be more observant of it next time.

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Blog Post Streak Count: Day 5

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Circles

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Circles.

It seems to me that life runs in circles.

You come around again, to face things you haven’t faced before, then you move on. Well, we move on regardless, but I think we can choose to move forward on the “high road” or on the “low road” – one with more joy or one with more pain. So, which path are you on?

It seems Nature likes circles and ovals (and I am spelling Nature with a big N, as I like to give it the respect it deserves). We came from the circle ourselves, when our father’s DNA mated with our mother’s egg.

Many spiritual paths talk about this “coming around again” and some even speak about reincarnation as the big wheel of life. So, maybe there is something to it, this circle thing. Perhaps the universe is one big circle, or even a donut shape (don’t mean to make you hungry, there).

I have noticed the many circular shapes in Nature, and they make very strong structures. Some people even live in ovals, or dome houses. I think they’re neat and a great idea for many reasons. I’ve been in domes before, and there’s something calming about them; womb-like, even. It can be eerie too, like you are returning to a former, very tiny you inside your mother.

What does it mean when people from your past show up in your life again? It could be for many reasons. Sometimes it’s clear that we should open the door to them again, and it feels right. Other times, we wonder if it’s the right thing to do, and if we want to open up our lives to them again or not (they may have been out of our lives for good reasons). But people can change; not everyone, but I have seen many people change so much for the better that they have surprised me. I just take it on a case-by-case basis when I encounter one of these situations.

Life and Nature have a way of surprising us, and we often are not aware that another “turn of the wheel” is about to come our way and thrust us once more towards issues we have unresolved. I don’t think we have a choice about that. But we have the choice whether we fall in love with the process of growing and learning, or we shut down and try to block it out.

I know which choice I prefer, and I wish you good fortune in your choice of path as well.

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Blog Post Streak Count: Day 4

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Gord Downie’s Change of Cosmic Address/Walk Among the Stars

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Photo: http://www.metronews.ca/content/dam/thestar/uploads/2016/8/17/van-tragicallyhip1jennifergauthier-copy.jpg.size.xxlarge.promo.jpg

It feels like I’ve lost an old friend, one that I never met.

Like many around here, I grew up listening to The Tragically Hip with Gord Downie singing. His lyrics and delivery have rattled around in my head, and on my lips, for decades.

The Hip’s music (and presence on radio/TV, in papers, and in live shows) has been a constant in most of the land known as Canada pretty much since the mid-1980’s – good thing they were a great band and I happened to enjoy them!

And while their music was international in scope, Gord and the Hip helped show us who we were, that it was OK, even cool, to be us – those of us living on the land called Canada, in the shadow of our much larger neighbour to the south, to whom comparisons were often made. We could more readily appreciate that we had things of our own, wonderful and beautiful things, to be proud of and to celebrate, when Gord and the band held them up for us to see more clearly.

People talk about music being the soundtrack to their lives; for a lot of us, the Hip’s music, with Gord on the mic, was just that.

Now, Gord has changed his cosmic address and is gone to continue his walk among the stars.

He was recently honoured at an Assembly of First Nations with the Indigenous name Wicapi Omani, which is Lakota for “man who walks among the stars” for his work in helping to bring attention and healing to the disgrace and tragedy of the residential schools, and other issues faced by the indigenous peoples of Canada.

The tears might never fully stop, all the time, when we hear his music and remember, but we can laugh as well…Let’s not forget Gord’s great sense of humour! Remember The Trailer Park Boys with him in the Hip video for the song The Darkest One? And the many others times he made us laugh, too!

See you later, Gord, and thanks…for the beauty and a lot more. I’ll be singing, dancing, feeling, and thinking to your words and music for a long time to come.

I know I won’t be alone.

Taken north of Toronto a couple days ago.

#GordDownie #TheHip #thetragicallyhip #GordDowniesCanada

Inspiration: David Lynch – Twin Peaks season 3

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David Lynch photographed for GQ magazine, March 2017

David Lynch photographed for GQ magazine, March 2017

David Lynch, the filmmaker, painter, photographer, fine artist, coffee appreciator, and inner peace/meditation foundation founder is a real inspiration.

Later this month (on May 21st for you Peaks freaks, like me), season 3 of Twin Peaks begins which consists of 18 hours of new episodes, picking up from where the TV series left off in 1991 – about 26 years ago!

This new series is quite a feat for anyone to direct (and co-write, with Mark Frost), and more screen time than many directors have for their entires careers! What an accomplishment for David Lynch! And he’s 71 years old, too! Wow, BOB, wow! (Fans of the show will get that BOB reference.)

The date of 26 years ago also makes the prediction of the character of Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks true, when she said words to the effect of: “I’ll see you again in 25 years” – which was when season 3 was being made.

David Lynch has been a source of inspiration to me for many years, in both my creative endeavours and my life in general. So, thank you David Lynch, and I can’t wait to see the new season of Twin Peaks!

Twin Peaks – Official Series Site | SHOWTIME
http://www.sho.com/twin-peaks

The David Lynch Foundation For Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org