Justin Aptaker

In the beginning was the Word. - John 1:1 In the beginning there was Existence, One only, without a second. Some say that in the beginning there was non-existence only, and that out of that the universe was born. But how could such a thing be? How could existence be born of non-existence? No, my son, in the beginning there was Existence alone—only One, without a second. He, the One, thought to himself: Let me be many, let me grow forth. Thus out of himself he projected the universe; and having projected out of himself the universe, he entered into every being. All that is has its self in him alone. Of all things he is the subtle essence. He is the truth. He is the Self. And that, Svetaketu, that art thou. - Chandogya Upanishad Tell the children the truth. - Bob Marley (Babylon System) Behind the glorification of 'work' and the tireless talk of the 'blessings of work' I find the same thought as behind the praise of impersonal activity for the public benefit: the fear of everything individual. At bottom, one now feels when confronted with work - and what is invariably meant is relentless industry from early till late - that such work is the best police, that it keeps everybody in harness and powerfully obstructs the development of reason, of covetousness, of the desire for independence. For it uses up a tremendous amount of nervous energy and takes it away from reflection, brooding, dreaming, worry, love, and hatred; it always sets a small goal before one's eyes and permits easy and regular satisfactions. In that way a society in which the members continually work hard will have more security: and security is now adored as the supreme goddess..." — Nietzsche can you hear that children's song? can you take me to that place? high above the lamentation up on the desert plane do you hear that children's song? can you take me there? - LIVE, Face and Ghost As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. - Carl Jung (Memories, Dreams, Reflections, 326) Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life . . . not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain . . . that is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition, to be sure, that his suffering has a meaning. - Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning) People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive . . . that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. - Joseph Campbell (The Power of Myth) The way that can be told of is not the eternal Way; The name that can be named is not the eternal name … True words are not beautiful; Beautiful words are not true. A good man does not argue; He who argues is not a good man . . . The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure. - Tao-te ching, 1 & 81 "Can there be redemption if there is eternal justice? Alas, the stone 'It Was' cannot be moved: all punishments must be eternal too." Thus preached madness. - Nietzsche (Thus Spoke Zarathustra, 'On Redemption') Fuck damnation, man! Fuck redemption! We are God's unwanted children? So be it! -Tyler Durden (Fight Club) Good sleep was sought, and opiate virtues for it. For all these much praised sages who were teachers of virtue, wisdom was the sleep without dreams: they knew no better meaning of life . . . Blessed are the sleepy ones: for they shall soon drop off. - Nietzsche (Thus Spoke Zarathustra, 'On the Teachers of Virtue')