Is Intelligent life a Catch 22?

As we have heard the TAO, the Alien beings who have populated one of my favorite blogs, state previously that the Universe is a dangerous and violent place, filled with wars, an Emperor, Federation and such, I wonder that is violence innate in all intelligent species? As there is a known Universe, as well as an UNknown Universe, the TAO is incapable of answering this question with verified truth. As Darwin stated, it is survival of the fittest. Is this throughout the Universe? Is true evolution driven by struggles for dominance. Is this to say that violence is required for intelligence. In order to further an intelligent sentient specie does intelligence need to give rise to the ability to destroy one’s species. With this said, only through intelligence can one overcome the violence that gives rise to that same intelligence.

As in “The Planet of the Apes” when Cornelius read to Taylor from the 29th Scroll:

Beware the beast Man, for he is the devil’s pawn. Alone among God’s primates, he kills for sport, or lust, or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother’s land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him. Drive him back into jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.

Yet, it seems that the same can be said of all beings, that be sentient beings. Are those same beings trying to pass as sapient beings? This would be the true Catch 22, no?

Breathe...so my Ego can live...

When things begin to seem as though they are running away and getting out of control a good practice is to stop, breathe and exhale slowly. This act is an invaluable practice and simple in process.

If the opportunity is there just sit for a few minutes and listen to a bird sing, or perhaps enjoy the beauty and scent of a nearby flower. This act will revive and rejuvenate you in order to see your world and your situation in it. We tend to spend so much of our time with our Ego state in our modern society. We tend to forget that we and everything we know and see are all matter and energy.

There is nothing different about us and the flower, the bird, or the rock excepting the Ego that is creating the idea that there is a difference. When we are able to slow and allow ourselves to be we can catch a glimpse of our true selves again and our place in this cosmic chaos we have come to know and experience through along with our Ego as, Life. However, remember, that the bird is born, lives and dies. Just as we do. The flowers breath, bend and break just as we do. There is not much difference in it all once we can get past the Ego.

Taking it for granted...

The waking hours this morning brought most thoughts to the poll results to find out who would be the candidates for our upcoming presidential election process. When the news came on it was not those stories dominating the news programs, but that of the devasating tornadoes that ripped through 5 southern states.

These storms came through with enormous amounts of power creating havoc where ever the winds went. We find that FEMA is on the way. A good sign that perhaps FEMA has learned some valuable lessons as to acting in more expedient manners. In Jackson, TN, at the Union University, it seems as though every single building has been destroyed or affected by the storm. Over 3000 students attend classes there.

In times like these I'm sure wall reflect a bit on a what if scenario. We never expect this to happen to us, but it can. It could be as simple as telling your significant other "have a nice day" in the morning as they head out to the car, get into traffic, and find it was their last morning.

What I mean by all of this is not to be a downer, but to recognize all that you have in your life. All of the things that make you happy. The little things. We must remember to take time and reflect daily so as not to lose track of what it is that our life is really all about.

Life is serious enough to be taking it so serious. Take the time to slow down, reflect, ponder, see what is...