Plenitude of Action (Teilhard)

May the time come when men, having been awakened to a sense of the close bond linking all the movements of this world in the single, all-embracing work of the Incarnation, shall be unable to give themselves to any one of the their tasks without illuminating it with the clear vision that their work – however elementary it may be – is received and put to good use by a Center of the universe. When that comes to pass, there will be little to separate life in the cloister from the life of the world. And only then will the action of the children of heaven have attained the intended plenitude of its humanity.

-- Teilhard de Chardin, The Divine Milieu

Heraclitus: Fragment One

All things exist, only by and through the Word;
yet men have no comprehension of it!

They experience the words and deeds that I have set out,
yet still do they not understand.

Truly, mankind is as unconscious of what they do when 'awake'
as when they are asleep.

-- Heraclitus

Goethe on Wonder

The highest to which man can attain, is wonder: and if the prime phenomenon makes him wonder, let him be content; nothing higher can it give him, and nothing further should he seek for behind it; here is the limit.

-- Goethe

Olympics for the Brain at U.N.

The fourth annual "Brain Health, Smile, Peace Olympiad," to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on August 12, will provide a forum for mental competition in contrast to the concurrent Beijing Olympics which began today. The Olympiad is a three-day event culminating at the United Nations with more than 500 children and adults participating in various events. More info at: http://ibreaus.org.

Survivor

The bad news is you don't have any control. The good news is, you can't make any mistakes.

-- Tender Branson

Rant

The future you have tomorrow won't be the same future you had yesterday.

-- Buster "Rant" Casey

The Gita on Devotion

Neither by study of the scriptures nor excessive austeries and sacrifices is it possible to see me as I am; only by tireless devotion may I be seen and known, and may one become united with me.

Bhagavad Gita 11:53-54

Brain Fitness Program for MacIntosh

The "Brain Fitness Program Classic" is a software package for personal computers developed in consultation with neuroscientists. It uses techniques designed to improve the user's cognitive functions in areas such as retention and the production of beneficial neurochemicals. The software package includes various exercises adapted to different cognitive functions and user skill levels. Its creators claim that results have been clinically tested.

Such "brain fitness" style software has become increasingly popular in recent years as popular awareness of neuroscience and the possibility of increasing one's own brain function (neuroplasticity) has increased. As a result, similar software has been developed for other user platforms, including video game systems.

http://www.macworld.com/article/134485/2008/07/brainfitness.html

(Photo: the original MacIntosh design team)

The Gita on Equilibrium

That hero, whose deepest essence stands unperturbed by transient circumstances -- accepting both suffering and pleasure with mental equilibrium -- alone is qualified for the immortality of real illumination.

Bhagavad Gita 2:15

Wii Yoga: Video Game & Yoga

An independent video game creator is developing a yoga program / video game that makes use of Nintendo's popular new "Wii Balance Board" (see photo), an accessory that attaches to its Wii game console and inputs the users weight and position into compatible games.  The publisher of the upcoming yoga game indicates that the concept will introduce young people to the techniques and philosophy of yoga in a fun, dynamic video environment.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=192290