A personal note on our blog....

I wish to let my readership, however small at present, know that despite the seemingly diverse topics covered in the blog, there is one primary intention. This intention is the alleviation of our suffering. I suspect that the diversity, and often incomplete nature of some of my posts, may lend to a feeling of confusion or, at the very least, misunderstanding. However, I wish to convey to you my sincere assurance that, no matter what the content of the various posts, their overall intention remains singular. There is not a day that goes by that I am not deeply distressed by the human faces, considerations, and "world" events that manifest our collective suffering. I am compelled to address this.

I have not provided much information with regard to my background simply because I am basically a private person. However, I will say that I have been trained in and have practiced meditation for over forty-five years. My academic background includes both undergraduate and graduate work at two of the finest universities in the U.S., Stony Brook University and Fordham University, both in New York. These schools provided me with a rather thorough education in both Eastern and Western philosophy as well as the history of religions. I am very grateful that, despite my limited means, I had the opportunity to study at these fine institutions and give back what I learned in my work as a college professor. My meditation background, or shall we say yogic training, began with a woman from India who brought a wealth of insight and compassion from India and built an Ashram in New York that still exists to this day. I was given the opportunity to learn from and work for her for over 22 years. I am forever in her debt for the path that she helped to provide for me. Needless to say, I have been extremely fortunate.

The main point I wish to convey here is that no matter what the blog topic the intention is "write only what is useful in the quest to attenuate human suffering." Whether I am addressing philosophy all the up the abstraction ladder to politics, the intention is the same. How each reader uses the material presented is, of course, idiosyncratic. I will do my best to make each blog entry relevant to my stated intention, but each reader bears the responsibility of "connecting the dots" making it work for their own life. Questions and comments are always welcome, but only if they are in keeping with the blog's stated intention.

Having said this, I welcome your participation.

Thank you,

Gene