thought book

BOOK EXCHANGE

Today, June the 28th in the year of our Lord 2007, is a day where it seems that the randomness of reality contrived to setup a meeting of an old and interesting friend that would very well change the course of how I see and engage in things. It can be called an intervened moment by Divine Providence but an amazing incident nonetheless. Here are the series of events which led to this magnificent moment that a bewildered human mind would reflectively categorize as an intervention of God. It was a hot but cloudy afternoon when I began to procrastinate on a piece of letter for the approval of SBM GA on a “non-activity” day. It was 12:00 noon. After I would complete this simple task, I would consider this week’s GA target tasks complete enabling me to shift to Phase 2: “The sit, think, talk, and move” phase. Council consensus is now achieved (Phase 1) so the next logical step is to micromanage the working units. All systems are still on track and yes, I accomplished the letters. Well aside from this nitty-gritty org affair, Larah Fermill and I agreed earlier to award ourselves after the overloaded academic week by strolling and enjoying the jewel of Capitalism – Mall specifically Ketkai. After I’ve finally finished all the letters, I went on with the awarding-the-self plan with a school bag pack tightly gripped at my back heading to the mall. I rode a blue colored jeepney and while I settling my mind to an observant/reflective mode watching the people move like water molecules in Cogon, my phone vibrated. I grappled to catch my phone in the seemingly unending black whole called my pocket. I viewed the message and behold! I am going with myself because Larah seemed so attached to her bed. So it’s me and the mall. Finally I arrived, scouting around, walking without any concrete destination just following my impulse. Stopped over at Saint Paul’s, at the different books store, looked at clothes, the normal window shopping protocol. I then decided to spend 20 minutes or so in National Bookstore. It is where I saw a familiar face. It was Jigz, an old friend from the Rotary Youth City Council (He was the Secretary) who was also a curious truth seeker like myself. We chatted a bit but the main topic focused on a book named the 48 Laws of Power. We exchanged thoughts about it because I happened to get my hands on it before. I didn’t quite love the book because it enumerated an anti-thesis of the very Ignatian principle I try to nourish. We didn’t prolong the talk because I felt I need to go somewhere. I exited the Bookstore and tried to extract meaning in why we met (a usual protocol) while I walked away. Then a surge of “right place at the right time” feeling consumed me when I realized there is something more than that petty conversation. I went back to the store hoping Jigz is sill there. He was still there scanning books. I managed to open another conversation with him finally it ended with him offering to let me borrow his treasured books which he is coincidently carrying. He did without any sign of hesitations, a grace I called it. There in my hands, he turnover a total of 3 books namely: The 48 Laws of Power, How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci and Da Vinci Decoded, a collection of books that seems to overflow with intrigue resulting to a curiosity overdose. I thanked him greatly and went on to satisfy this overdose. I ate at the same time read the Da Vinci mind book over at KFC. It was simply an exhilarating as I read word-by-word of a genius’ “modo procedure” and how I could apply it in real life and real time. Much to that, what I uncovered and discovered in those books is another story. The real essence of this marvellous yet simple meeting of souls is the keeping of friendship even time seems too far to bond it and the consistent mindset of never letting an opportunity pass by. Embrace the richest possible potential of every moment. I know I did when I decided to turn back and talk to this interesting soul.

thought book

EXPERIMENT ABOUT A SEED

The first week the school year gave is a week that will surely mark an inerasable imprint in the way I engage in things. As what I prepared for, this week became a living laboratory – a personal and reflective experiment hinged in the context of God, others, self, and school. This personal experiment which I designed to be retrospective in nature aims to let my self see how I manage my moment-by-moment life in an “out-of-the-body” perspective much like an alter-ego – the consul observing and studying his very self. The experience of detachment from the self serves as a major breakthrough in analyzing and eventually nurturing the “seed of infinite” in me. A “seed” that Fr. Chris, my high school Jesuit mentor metaphorically reiterated as the source of the flame – the source of the passion. Why so? Mastering the notion of removing my thought from myself actually sharpens my self-awareness making my personal identity anchored in an alienable and vivid reality which imbeds deeper each time I pause and reflect in an out-of-body-state. This realization is the result of this experiment with the premise of contemplative in action and in this case, the intense action of balancing studies and involvement. As I was sitting in a corner and looking at the clouds looking at myself from another point, a surge of excitement consumed my entirety when a uniquely divine thought suddenly surfaced in my consciousness; that what I passionately do such as “overly” engaging myself is actually an expression of my spirituality; a late notion perhaps but an inspiring one nonetheless. This spirituality grew with time and experience synthesized with daily reflections which ultimately constructed an intangible ATP factory of action inside me operating in maximum capacity each time the seed of infinite is watered and touched by the sun’s rays. This is a seed born through an enriched spirituality and cultivated by God’s hands and others’ bread. Undeniably, this new approach to life or a way of thinking made me feel burdened at the same time humbled that out from a text message having a line “a seed of infinite” I could reap plenty of wisdom. Hence, the technique for us to achieve a heightened sense of self-understanding is to detach our mind from the body and see things with a mighty faculty of wonder.

thought book

1ST DAY HIGH

What really fascinates me every time a new school year begins is the idea of starting a new; starting with a fresh line of empty spaced class records, applying new and innovated approaches to life, knowing new and reenergized personalities, pursuing a new level of a personal philosophy and spirituality and finally experiencing a new set of challenges which ultimately sustains our desire to overcome it and grow. Now, I’m a second year college student with a personal theme of “living out the magna anima in me” ready to engage the world with an open mind and heart, ready to focus on the richest potentials of every moment, and ready to reshape the world one idea, one soul, and one action at a time. I aim this year that I could practice a more reflective mode forming insights that translates into a multidimensional blueprint for action. “IPP in action” – I keep on integrating this in my lifestyle and I hope this school year serves as its strengthening stage fully imbedded in my way of doing things.

God loves you!

thought book

BAWAT ATENISTA, BAYANI

109 years to this day, a nation destroyed an ancient and deep political chain that would later serve as a momentous example for the rest of colonized Asia. Now that the colonial political bond dwindled into mere texts in history books, the very spirit of it remains vividly alive in today’s reality. Today, the flag of our nation’s colonialists may not be waving in our flag poles but still remnants of colonial influence remain malignant in the very nucleus of our society. The bottom of this society is mostly chained and held hostage at the same time exploited even in its dyer state by an eroded structure and by a selfish and indifferent few who runs it. Hence, internalizing this abhorrent context we Ateneans are called to experience this state first hand. Immerse our soul into it and understand injustice’s roots and dynamics. Go back to our very core and reflect on daily actions that contribute to its malignant growth, extract insights and see the aerial perspective of the problem which will eventually serve as a multidimensional blueprint for a committed and compassionate action.

Start it small, start it in school. Know where the battle is, and most of the time, it is from within.

God loves you!

editorial 1

RED ALERT 2

Packed with its own philosophy of history, labelled on the side with a utopian brand, and tightly sealed with dialectical materialism, Marxist communism is still by far the best ideological package great visionaries created in a zealous response to an era where a fast and great revolution is reshaping the very face of the earth.

Who doesn’t want this package? It offers reasons and solutions to almost all questions humanity consequently raised while experiencing a massive socio-political revolution. The ideology offers a utopian vision of an egalitarian future, an understanding of the dynamics of history, and a promise of uplifting the oppressed. With a very appealing aroma of a grand promise, who in the right mind doesn’t sit and think about it? In history, these ideological features which explicitly addressed the need of the time attracted the disillusioned and the oppressed in cities and towns creating a growing movement that soon worked its way up to the echelons of power. How awesome this ideal is, mobilizing the masses for revolution, collectively owning the means of value, and a future that is substantially a paradise where everybody is “equal”. The idea seems close to perfect BUT in my personal opinion the ideology’s vision as extolled by its doctrine is accomplished only through the use of chaos, arms, and tyranny bounded by materialistic philosophy which are incompatible to the moral design set by our God.

Communism emphasizes the need of revolution to overthrow the ruling class. Experience of our own history may suggest that a peaceful revolution is possible but in the case of this ideology, Class struggle is an utmost necessity for the advancement of the oppressed class. Constant revolution utterly means constant chaos. A society which constantly descends into a state of chaos is a failed society. The sanctity of life is ignored thus the society can never reach its fullness rather it crumbles under the weight of its own violence.

Communism reduces the human person merely as an economic unit not a person with inalienable dignity. The value of a man can only be derived from his economic output. Judgement is rendered not in the basis of universal rights rather the productivity the person could offer to the state. A state which engages its people with complete disregard of dignity violates the very purpose of its existence.

Applied communism as what is written in history has deprived the human person of freewill and participation. Confined by fear, intimidation, and a tyrannical leadership, the people in a communist state can’t grow and pursue their right of self-determination. The people are compelled to commit themselves only to the will of the state and in this case the leader. The leader as the personification of the state is absolute. He is the state thus the individual person is emptied to an insignificant individual whose aim is only to follow the leader’s will.

Hence, Communism as a radical ideology is twisted in a way that it neither coincide the social teachings of the Church nor upholds the fullest possible development of the human person in its society.

what i learned today

Conversations with Greats 1
On the art of war
a. He explicitly mentioned the importance to know the enemy its personality and weakness, an aphorism that Sun Tzu extols in his book the art of war. Through that knowledge, you now have the strategic advantage to attack their weakness. But always put in mind, attack not the person but attack their actions or ideas. Attack strategies come in a trinity; the manner, the matter and the method. Use these three as a battering ram.
b. In the context of debate, have the daily practice of mentally arguing with the self. Formulate in the mind the pros and cons of everyday decisions. This practice not only sharpens your critical thinking but also improves your argumentative skills. Its possible negative effect is delaying your decision making especially when the situation demands a quick decision.
On growth
a. Always associate yourself with intelligent people because you can learn plenty from them. Also take note not to patronize a single mind but have a pool of mentors because this shapes you proportionally.
On Leadership
a. A true leader has initiative. He can follow instructions when told and in doing the task, innovates and improves the task which will eventually yield better results.
b. Try to spot the difference between an idea which is “pa-believe” or ideas which is feasible, clear and concise. In idealism, it is always ideal to strike a balance of what is ideal and what is realistic. In my opinion (tonton), that is where magis could be found. Thinking of great ambitious things is not magis per se rather magis shines if the great ambition is accompanied by a realistic plan of action which eventually animates that sparkling ambition into reality.
On public speaking
a. The best way to have substance in your speech is to follow the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm. The “CERAE” (Context, Experience, Reflection, Action, and Evaluation) is a logical and substantive approach in expressing ideas.
On Jesuit Education
a. Being a true blue connotes a higher degree of responsibility. Growing under this Jesuit institution in a longer period of time translates that we have a deeper understanding and a more committed and compassionate response to the needs of others. Being an atenean “since birth” is a title not to brag rather a mission to live up to.