Humankind has now a long history of development and learning. Today’s Western societies in particular have been blessed with benefits that have accrued from the accumulation of knowledge over many centuries. But learning has often been challenged by contrasting ideas that have had to be adjudicated and eventually resolved before adding to the compendium of […]
One of the most compelling questions that philosophers, theologians, psychologists and even neuroscientists have struggled with is, “What is the nature of human freedom?” This is a profound and difficult question. I won’t pretend that I have the answer to it, but I would like to share some thoughts with you that might prove helpful […]
It is amazing how simple things often have a great impact on your life. More than thirty years ago, my HR manager, Roy Evans, told me he had come across a little book that he suggested I should read. The book was called Awareness. It is a verbatim record of lectures Anthony De Mello, a […]
In Puccini’s famous opera, Tosca, there is a tenor aria titled Recondita Armonia which used to be sometimes translated as Strange Harmony of Contrasts. Even allowing for some artistic licence this seems a somewhat absurd proposition. Nevertheless, some differences are, in the scheme of things, trivial and should easily be reconciled. Such inherent differences that […]
Here we are in another Olympic year enjoying the spectacle of some of our most celebrated athletes (and performers as I will explain subsequently) competing for recognition on the world stage. There is no doubt that the Olympic Games is one of the more spectacular international events. But I, for one, have significants concerns about […]
As I write this essay the headlines are dominated by the resignation of Senator Fatima Payman from the Labor Party. No doubt Labor believed they had scored a cultural victory by recruiting a young Muslim woman to their ranks thus demonstrating their “woke” diversity credentials. In retrospect they might come to rue her appointment as […]
In the Four Noble Truths the Buddha reminds us that the origin of suffering is attachment. I am going to try and convince you of the truth of this assertion. You might remember the quote from “A Course in Miracles” that I have referred to in previous essays: I am affected only […]
The case for renewable energy has been promulgated using disinformation and at best half-truths. Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese continue to run the line that that renewable energy, particularly solar and wind installations, are the cheapest forms of generation available. Now, largely because there are no fuel costs, at the point of generation, when this […]
As you would now know from my essays, I tend to read a lot. I don’t read much fiction however. It’s not that I don’t like fiction – I do. Fictional tales can be exciting, moving and very entertaining in many and various ways. Some, using allegorical devices, can also be quite meaningful and didactic. […]
It has been a boast of politicians of various political persuasions that that Australia is the most successful nation on earth regarding multiculturalism. Traditionally we have been able to assimilate migrants into the Australian way of life from very diverse backgrounds. They have contributed productively to our economy, enriched us with their cultural heritages but […]