Saturday, June 15, 2013

Some Primary Lessons from Some Amazing Teachers

Our personal perspective is a reflection of our influences, i.e., in large part we are a byproduct of our environment and lessons learned from influential teachers, which is why my About Page contains a list of some prominent teachers that I have had the good fortune to stumble upon.

Considering the vast body of work that is represented in this list, I thought it would be a good exercise to try and share at least one primary lesson from each teacher. Below you will find teachings shared by fifteen of those on the list. More will follow, but for now, here is what I have learned from:
I. Terence McKenna: The word “mine” has been the primary destructive force in society as it relates to raising children and building communities.

II. Bill Hicks: “You know what’s wild? You never see a positive drug story on the news, do you? You ever seen one? Isn’t that weird; don’t you think that’s strange? I mean, the news is supposed to be objective. Isn’t it supposed to be The News? But every drug story is Negative?!? Well, hold it! I've had some killer times on drugs! I'm not promoting it, but I'm not denying it. Let’s hear the whole fucking story!” Bill Hicks, “Sane man”, 1989, 25:06.

Bill Hicks ★ Sane Man ★ 1989



III. Alan Watts: Relax. Enjoy it, and don’t let the little things bother you. Note: this is also one of the primary teachings of Bill Hicks: “It’s Just a Ride”.

IV. Amy Goodman: Learn to collaborate with like-minded people.

V. Bradley Manning: Tell the truth.

VI. Robert Anton Wilson: The universe is indifferent, it’s not out to get you, and if it is, there isn’t a hell of a lot you can do about it anyway, so take it easy.

Robert Anton Wilson Explains Everything Part 1 - Life And Times Of RAW



VII. Wilhelm Reich: Most of society’s ills are due to sexual repression.

VIII. Nikola Tesla: If we are able to change the way we conduct business and record and recognize wealth, in essence, redefine our definition of profit, then we may be able to live sustainably. Until then we will be ruled by banks.

IX. Noam Chomsky: Know your fucking history!

Vietnam War: What really happened



X. Nina Simone: Don’t mince words, mean what you say and say what you mean. As well, create a vast library that spans your life which people can reflect upon for generations to come.

XI. Chris Hedges: Do the right thing.

XII. Benny Hill: Appreciate the hilarity of absurdity.

Benny Hill- Funny old world



XIII. Dave Allen: Develop a fondness for the absurdity of comedy.

Dave Allen on Death (funeral sketch)



XIV. Jiddu Krishnamurti: What’s missing from education is true love. Excerpt from “Education and The Significance of Life” (pdf) follows:
“Only love can bring about the understanding of another. Where there is love there is instantaneous communion with the other, on the same level and at the same time. It is because we ourselves are so dry, empty and without love that we have allowed governments and systems to take over the education of our children and the direction of our lives; but governments want efficient technicians, not human beings, because human beings become dangerous to governments - and to organized religions as well. That is why governments and religious organizations seek to control education.”
XV. Howard Zinn: All wars are class wars, so there is never a need for war, only insurrection. Please note, the audio glitch in the following video improves within a few minutes.

Howard Zinn: Myths of the Good Wars (Three 'Holy' Wars)

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