Monday, July 2, 2012
My Vocation Story
Out of juvenile mind as a mundane individual living in this world of complexities, during my childhood I did not know what faith is. I presumed that I and my family were living as pious Christians. We attended the mass every Sunday. We recited prayers before meals and before going to bed. We introduced to familiarize different bible stories. These were somehow a manifestation on how we .profess our faith. I did not understand it but I just follow. These somehow contributed a lot in my vocation to grow and cultivated my desire to serve Him for the rest of my life.
Partly, in my elementary days, because of being an active pupil in catechism classes since we do not have religion subject in public school, I had that dream to become priest someday. But it was gone when I entered high school. When I went to college I was uncertain what to take up. However, I imagined myself at that time to become an office clerk and most appealing was to become a seafarer. Because we cannot afford financially to support and to realize my dreams, my parents especially my father wanted me to become a teacher. I took up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English. Fortunately, after 4 years, with the aid of scholarships offered, I finished my degree last March 2008. I did my best and offered all those achievements I got to my family, to my father specially.
After I graduated, I asked myself of where and how I will be going to carry out my mission, to fulfill my plans, my dreams, my goals. Consequently, another trial struck and challenged me that was when my father left me behind, he died. As an eldest, I had an anxiety of what things I must to pursue. I became skeptical. I felt pressured. However, God intervention is a mystery that helped me to overcome despair. One of the priests opened his door to us and extended his hand for our family. He became not just our inspiration but an affectionate father to us. His deeds somehow inspire me and motivate me to enter seminary though he never talked or convinced me about this matter. To move on, I worked as a teacher. For two years of being a teacher, I tried to love my work. I explored, enjoyed and extended financial help to my family. Subsequently, I learned a lot.
As my journey went along, I found myself unsatisfied, unfulfilled, something empty. I felt that it was just like a way to nothingness – meaningless at all. This was the main impetus that motivated me to enter seminary. This led me to leave my family, my career and my love life with consent and believing that God will never abandon them. I never regret upon responding to this initial call of God. Instead, I enjoy being here, striving and learning the life with God. With optimism, I pray to nourish this desire toward priesthood.
Building the Culture of Peace: Shaping the Vision, Living the Dream
by Lo Ivan Castillon
Delivered by: Precious Hope Morante
Delivered by: Precious Hope Morante
I have power that I never dreamed of and I can do things I never thought I could. I can stand almost all adversities and overcome obstacles. These dimensions inflame my enthusiasm. To the respected judges, to all peace advocates here present, my dear opponents, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. And lend me your ears, consider my claim.
At very young age, I already had this thing in my mind of what I can possibly be and do in the future. Since my mother is a teacher, she always reminds me of how important education is. I can still remember when my grade two teacher asked me, what is education? I just answered; education is how kids learn stuff. This is what I believed and this is how I perceived it.
From that time, I had already this disposition that the knowledge I acquired provides means to learn how to live, to believe, to dream. As years progress, I grow, become mature and it corresponds greater responsibility. In my journey as a youth, standing in front of you now, I have so many realizations that sometimes linger me to fears and doubts. I am amenable that I will take the hard road, several leaps and bounds, stumble over to every stone, encounter storms, buffeted by the winds and falter in darkness. In the numerous facets and avenues of sex-laden media, struggle for the ancestral domain issue, environmental destruction, presence of large scale mining, development aggression, corruption, racial discrimination and even unstable peace and order are just some concerns that affect youth formation and I can painstakingly aware of it. Yes, this is the reality. Wake up my dear! Where are we now? Is this what we want to live today and to the day ahead? If then, how do we respond on this predicament?
Thinking of my dreams, maybe your dreams as well, truly inspires me to be optimistic, to be at my best. I don’t want that this dream will just last as a dream. I will not let my world, my dream of peaceful sleep to be swallowed by these tremendous detractors. I will take these as challenges to conquer, as lessons to learn, downs that will teach me to get up and failures that will shape me to be strong and firm. This will guide me to my vision of building a culture of peace.
In our context nowadays, I can say that the government in response to the call of transformation for harmony and peace takes several actions and best efforts in solving this quandary we are in. other facet of peace initiative and formal peace talk made urgent. How does it work? Or the question is, does it work?
Ladies and gentlemen, sincerity is at stake in this sense and will lead this collaboration a success.
In building this world we most aspire of is not just the task of somebody in authority. It is my task, your task, our task. It is my dream, your dream, our dream and we are responsible to work for it, pursue it, live it, do it. As a simple high school student, I try to involve myself in my own little ways. Being faithful to my studies, giving respect to my classmates and being responsible to my duties are my positive response in shaping my vision and living my dream reaching towards the culture of peace I aspire of.
Consequently, it is a challenge to you, to all of us. Never give up as long as we know we are right. Be courageous and optimistic in the faces of the odds. Never surrender to discouragement. Go! You are born to win. Go! Be a doer. Go! Affirm to the truth. Get up and empower yourself in shaping the vision, living the dream towards building the culture of peace.
AT first SiGht
There is some point in our life that we are so envious of what we have and what others have. We keep on comparing ourselves to others. We find ourselves despairing doing such. We try to think of something that we aspire to possess in order for us to be performative.
These illusions may trigger us to be someone we wanted to be where in fact we are not. Discontentment dominates in us. With these actions, it only shows how selfish we are. We are just focus to our own selves not considering other existence. We do not appreciate all that we have which we actually need to do. Accepting what we are, what we possess and what is our role enlivens us to live peacefully in our society. We must live out everything in maximum capacity that god expected us to be. We must be thankful of all these gifts He has given to us.
Upon watching the movie “At First Sight”, I was mesmerized with its twist. From the start, it is somehow an ordinary love story. The plot moves smoothly as I expected it to happen. After the struggle, the couple lives as they should be. The conflict represents the handicap that the protagonist has – blindness. After undergoing the process of surgery, I expected that everything is all right. However, it was not that easy. It led to more complicated situation to the protagonist. It happened that life seemed to be difficult for him in such predicament he was with. I was amazed of his decision to be as he was. Seeing the world with his eyes was not that easy for him. Deceptions may lead him to judge things that surround him. He made him convinced that his sense of touch is more powerful than what he sees. That is why he preferred to be blind again but can see the world as it seems to be. Rather that seeing the world with his eyes but blind with its reality.
From the movie, I learned a lot. I learned to appreciate the gift that I have, the senses that I possess. With these senses, it enables me to relate myself to the world and to all things that surround me. It enables me to appreciate the beauty of nature and make my own perspective as what I can perceive using these sense. I am able to see the life of the earth, the reality of life’s complexities and good things around us. I am able to feel the caress of my friend, the pain of injustices and the heart ache from rejection. I am able to hear the clamor of nature in perilous cause of destruction, the advice of my friend and lessons of my teachers. I am able to taste the prepared dish of my mother, the salt of the sea and the sweet chocolates and cakes during Valentine’s Day. I am able to smell the fragrance of my perfume, the stench of dead animal in the street and the natural fragrance of a baby.
It is indeed, senses make my life more meaningful one. It deliberates us the enthralled experienced of perception and sensation. I also learn that our senses are not an assurance to see the real reality. We may deceive with the things we feel, see, hear, taste and smell. Our judgment sometimes is not necessarily because we sense it. It is something rooted in a more depth of the reality.
What we sense is a form of knowledge, thus it follows that there is an object of knowledge. That object of knowledge we are conscientiously striving to know is not the reality per se but only part of reality. Indeed, what we perceive is what reality looks like not reality appears to be such.
(Lo Ivan R. Castillon September 11, 2011 Reflection Paper)
These illusions may trigger us to be someone we wanted to be where in fact we are not. Discontentment dominates in us. With these actions, it only shows how selfish we are. We are just focus to our own selves not considering other existence. We do not appreciate all that we have which we actually need to do. Accepting what we are, what we possess and what is our role enlivens us to live peacefully in our society. We must live out everything in maximum capacity that god expected us to be. We must be thankful of all these gifts He has given to us.
Upon watching the movie “At First Sight”, I was mesmerized with its twist. From the start, it is somehow an ordinary love story. The plot moves smoothly as I expected it to happen. After the struggle, the couple lives as they should be. The conflict represents the handicap that the protagonist has – blindness. After undergoing the process of surgery, I expected that everything is all right. However, it was not that easy. It led to more complicated situation to the protagonist. It happened that life seemed to be difficult for him in such predicament he was with. I was amazed of his decision to be as he was. Seeing the world with his eyes was not that easy for him. Deceptions may lead him to judge things that surround him. He made him convinced that his sense of touch is more powerful than what he sees. That is why he preferred to be blind again but can see the world as it seems to be. Rather that seeing the world with his eyes but blind with its reality.
From the movie, I learned a lot. I learned to appreciate the gift that I have, the senses that I possess. With these senses, it enables me to relate myself to the world and to all things that surround me. It enables me to appreciate the beauty of nature and make my own perspective as what I can perceive using these sense. I am able to see the life of the earth, the reality of life’s complexities and good things around us. I am able to feel the caress of my friend, the pain of injustices and the heart ache from rejection. I am able to hear the clamor of nature in perilous cause of destruction, the advice of my friend and lessons of my teachers. I am able to taste the prepared dish of my mother, the salt of the sea and the sweet chocolates and cakes during Valentine’s Day. I am able to smell the fragrance of my perfume, the stench of dead animal in the street and the natural fragrance of a baby.
It is indeed, senses make my life more meaningful one. It deliberates us the enthralled experienced of perception and sensation. I also learn that our senses are not an assurance to see the real reality. We may deceive with the things we feel, see, hear, taste and smell. Our judgment sometimes is not necessarily because we sense it. It is something rooted in a more depth of the reality.
What we sense is a form of knowledge, thus it follows that there is an object of knowledge. That object of knowledge we are conscientiously striving to know is not the reality per se but only part of reality. Indeed, what we perceive is what reality looks like not reality appears to be such.
(Lo Ivan R. Castillon September 11, 2011 Reflection Paper)
My Being in the Light of a Candle
It was just like in the midst of my query to think upon my existence. The place was so dark for me to find its fecund purpose, its opulent meaning. I found no place. I found nothing but darkness. I was empty. I was nothing. Do I exist? Who causes my existence to be here and there? What is my purpose? Why do I need to be here and now? What for?
I was bombarded with questions that need tremendous acceptance and plausible answers are true manifestations that I should stop, look and listen to the voice within me. It grants in acceding my power to think of my being, my existence. In the far distant of emptiness, of feeling of nothingness but filled with consciousness, there was a light, a light of a candle. It was a new-fangled mode of hope for me to conquer, lived out and to grab into.
With full of expectation and of vehement spirit, I will try to find this meaning, this marvelous mystery of my existence. As I moved inward, I found myself in the dominance of the light. It seemed that reality came to strike my consciousness, my being because of that light. What bothers me most was the existence of either my being or of a candle, maybe both, due to the essence and existence of light. Which is which?
I am an existing being; my esse manifests my existence towards reality and in avoidance as well as overcoming nothingness and emptiness. This esse is neither a description based on the perception of my existence nor a definition of my being in any other kind of perspective. It gives power of my being to be present here and now. This upholds and continually sustains the act of my real existence in the realm of reality which is real. My act of existence, of being, is not passive, however, it is a dynamic and active presence possessed by this intrinsic power of my being. I dwell here and now, relating myself to other being in existence. My essence puts limitation of my esse. It is essence that determines and recognizes my purpose but more importantly my esse lived out my act of existence as me, as being, present here, to be.
But despite this realization of mine, as a thinking self, I doubt of my existence because of the cause that leads me to think of my entire being. I did not see myself in existence without this object, a candle. That causes me to see and discover my existence. How? From the place of darkness, of emptiness, of nothingness, I moved out and stepped forward towards being, rising into being. On the other hand, this candle possessed an esse as well. The essence of its light makes it to be, being in existence (being does not only refer to human being itself of possessing life but also applicable to any material or immaterial substance). That candle has an essence, thus it affirms that it exists. Its esse makes it to be something real, there, to be present. The flaring flame that keeps on moving gives light to other being including my being which also a manifestation of relating itself to other.
By doing so, other being do exists in real sense. This makes it its essence of being a candle. Ones I blow its flame, it will fade to nothing. The essence disappears and transforms to other kind of essence in other object but the esse remains. That makes essence as the limitation of esse. It is of being, to be, limited by essence. The essence of candle of dwelling itself to other together with its essence is much important. Our judgment of candle still be a candle though its essence will disappear, albeit its material substance will undergo an upheaval or of constant flux.
Consequently, my judgment of myself as being powered by my existence still be the same even though things or beings may change. Hence, the elements of our existence differ in accidents, in form, in substances become one in the act of existence. I and a candle are blend together in the act of universality of our existence. We share in the spirit of unity as we discover our own existence from the idea (root of knowledge) of being to others as a manifestation of active presencing. From the moment I thought and self convinced that it is something, its very nature of being per se, it follows that something exists is true.
Thus I exist is true as well. It is the way and the authentic inclination I can relate myself to that being. It is indeed that this esse is perfection itself, the perfection of all perfection. It is also the actuality of all acts. I possessed this but I do not have the monopoly of owning this, hence, every being have such. The perfection comes in as I appreciate my being as well as the being of other being that brought my realization to more concrete reality of understanding its essence and esse.
As the candle will continue to flare its flame, there is hope and rising towards perfection despite our human capacity of imperfection. We may always believe that the Uncaused Cause of this esse is the Light itself, the Being, God.
My Being in the Light of a Candle
(A Metaphysical Analysis of My Being and Other Being from the Perspective of Esse)
By Lo Ivan R. Castillon
I was bombarded with questions that need tremendous acceptance and plausible answers are true manifestations that I should stop, look and listen to the voice within me. It grants in acceding my power to think of my being, my existence. In the far distant of emptiness, of feeling of nothingness but filled with consciousness, there was a light, a light of a candle. It was a new-fangled mode of hope for me to conquer, lived out and to grab into.
With full of expectation and of vehement spirit, I will try to find this meaning, this marvelous mystery of my existence. As I moved inward, I found myself in the dominance of the light. It seemed that reality came to strike my consciousness, my being because of that light. What bothers me most was the existence of either my being or of a candle, maybe both, due to the essence and existence of light. Which is which?
I am an existing being; my esse manifests my existence towards reality and in avoidance as well as overcoming nothingness and emptiness. This esse is neither a description based on the perception of my existence nor a definition of my being in any other kind of perspective. It gives power of my being to be present here and now. This upholds and continually sustains the act of my real existence in the realm of reality which is real. My act of existence, of being, is not passive, however, it is a dynamic and active presence possessed by this intrinsic power of my being. I dwell here and now, relating myself to other being in existence. My essence puts limitation of my esse. It is essence that determines and recognizes my purpose but more importantly my esse lived out my act of existence as me, as being, present here, to be.
But despite this realization of mine, as a thinking self, I doubt of my existence because of the cause that leads me to think of my entire being. I did not see myself in existence without this object, a candle. That causes me to see and discover my existence. How? From the place of darkness, of emptiness, of nothingness, I moved out and stepped forward towards being, rising into being. On the other hand, this candle possessed an esse as well. The essence of its light makes it to be, being in existence (being does not only refer to human being itself of possessing life but also applicable to any material or immaterial substance). That candle has an essence, thus it affirms that it exists. Its esse makes it to be something real, there, to be present. The flaring flame that keeps on moving gives light to other being including my being which also a manifestation of relating itself to other.
By doing so, other being do exists in real sense. This makes it its essence of being a candle. Ones I blow its flame, it will fade to nothing. The essence disappears and transforms to other kind of essence in other object but the esse remains. That makes essence as the limitation of esse. It is of being, to be, limited by essence. The essence of candle of dwelling itself to other together with its essence is much important. Our judgment of candle still be a candle though its essence will disappear, albeit its material substance will undergo an upheaval or of constant flux.
Consequently, my judgment of myself as being powered by my existence still be the same even though things or beings may change. Hence, the elements of our existence differ in accidents, in form, in substances become one in the act of existence. I and a candle are blend together in the act of universality of our existence. We share in the spirit of unity as we discover our own existence from the idea (root of knowledge) of being to others as a manifestation of active presencing. From the moment I thought and self convinced that it is something, its very nature of being per se, it follows that something exists is true.
Thus I exist is true as well. It is the way and the authentic inclination I can relate myself to that being. It is indeed that this esse is perfection itself, the perfection of all perfection. It is also the actuality of all acts. I possessed this but I do not have the monopoly of owning this, hence, every being have such. The perfection comes in as I appreciate my being as well as the being of other being that brought my realization to more concrete reality of understanding its essence and esse.
As the candle will continue to flare its flame, there is hope and rising towards perfection despite our human capacity of imperfection. We may always believe that the Uncaused Cause of this esse is the Light itself, the Being, God.
My Being in the Light of a Candle
(A Metaphysical Analysis of My Being and Other Being from the Perspective of Esse)
By Lo Ivan R. Castillon
The Metaphysics of Fire
(A Metaphysical Analysis of Fire from the Perspective of Agere)
By Lo Ivan R. Castillon
If we are going to take a glimpse, how fire being discovered, we may look back and turn the pages of our book history during Old Stone Age. Its magnificent discovery was the greatest achievement of all times. Wow! It’s great, great for they enthralled it with its best usage, reveling purpose pointing toward its essence. Primitive people were able to cook their food, to protect themselves from the cold and wild animals and to have light at night. Thus, it was exhibiting its good natured existence. There were so many available materials or objects to be studied.
However, I find it challenging to take the risk with fire. It is nothing with its sexual connotation rather on its metaphysical element or abstraction. I found it plebeian for it reminds me of everything though it still had rare and queer characteristics to be either object or subject of any study. Basically, most of inventions and new discoveries tend to exist using this very chief element, fire. Fire may represent of something from abstract to even more concrete object.
Notwithstanding, I prefer to focus on its abstract sense. It may be a symbol of love, sexual desire, hatred or war wherein it directs us to the idea or quality of braveness, firm and strong personality. There were times that out of curiosity I meant to lay my bare hands in the flaming wield of fire and abruptly get away from it with feeling of sweltering waking moments that dominates my entire being. A short second of contemplation and somehow became skeptical about its inscrutable existence.
Afterwards, I am convinced that it is real. It is not just an abstract idea but it real in its quiddity of “hotness”. I think it is the way fire present itself in a dynamic presence of being. Within itself the processes of self-communication, self-revealing and self-concealing are manifestations of their inner perfection. The act it overflows into action is the way it acts according to its nature. And it is really true. The action of its act of existence proves its presence relating itself to other being. There is no such thing as fire that causes someone doddering because of its coldness. The fiery fact that fire points forward to its natural self-expression as its way to reach out and influence others thus it manifests its presence to others.
From the point that my being recognizes its rising into being , it affirms that its existence possesses an active and dynamic presence. It is a metaphysical element that something possesses of something that we cannot tangibly identify by our bare senses. It is an infinite speculation and abstraction that is within of being in existence that we alone can understand with our limited knowledge about it. It is somehow an unfathomable experience of understanding what is within a being that exists albeit its confusing and really seems to be out of this world phenomenon , still a worthwhile searching for the reality of what really real is. The nature of fire itself fulfills its ultimate perfection by performing action in accordance to its nature, a being perfects itself.
Through the essence of fire, we may formulate ideas how important it is in our life. Its goodness that brings to my existence as being, leads me to accede in its way of communicating and revealing itself. It is the very nature to communicate its inner perfection as action rooted from its perfect being. This manifestation of acted upon such akin to its being offers my existence with tremendous reasons permeated with convictions and may be psychological condition to believe its mesmerizing existence and essence. Fire as its hotness is concerned, makes it relevant. It is goodness that vouchsafe me on how it made me realized its presence.
Despite these positive perspectives I have had in treating the fire, it somehow also a threatening being or object to other being. I particularly refer to the disorders, catastrophes and calamities made by fire. I addition to that, most probably people may somehow get away or avoid directly if there is something with fire. It is maybe due to the effect it brings after such negative reality it bears. Condition? Somehow, it is true. But, it would not stop in that line. For me, it is something within that being of fire and my being get away with such encounter. That would be the activity or action it obtains. It is a mystery that only an abstract concept or metaphysical argument can fully grasp and understand such predicament. It manifests self-expression in which the richness of existence of such being tends to naturally share perfection with others.
On the other hand, it is not only the fire that left its richness to us but vis-à-vis to such, fire also enrich itself from the richness of those around it, including my being – for it is indeed an activity of giving and receiving scenario within that being or to other being in existence. I cannot imagine myself to be a fire. Consequently, it may somehow help me to understand and to corroborate a part of its act of existence and action it follows. The sporadic encounter of fire will surely lead to realization of how important and useful they are. Fire itself as its nature per se, not only tend to be dynamic act of existence, to overflow into action but also this action is a self-sharing. Thus, beings inner perfection with others will be attainable to some extent. All beings have that desire towards fulfilling its own perfection. What life would be like if there is no fire? I think chaos environment and primitive way of life would be the realm of our existence. The discovery of fire means a lot to us. Even the negative or positive effects it conveys to us, we cannot desolate and deny the fact that it is one of the focal point of development, of evolving reality , of rising into existence, of being in reality. Its existence possessed action . action as self-revelation of being is the manifestation of both existence and essence of fire. Its mundane flame relates us that its act of existence is indubitable, that I know that, that it is, present , to be in the real world.
Subsequently, it follows the action powers out by revealing or manifesting itself to any potential being. It is in action that the being provides a venue for self-expression of its real image of itself. It is a tangible evidence to have such in affirming the effects from its causes. Through their accidental properties, we may be able to distinguish the image of goodness it reveals to us. In the end, even how mysterious the fire to us, even how prosaic it is on us, the bottom line for us to remember is to know it as real beings reveal its nature through actions. It may somehow a foolish thing for us to deeply scrutinize its existence, somehow the answers seem to be hanging and added for more confusions and doubts, somehow we feel nothing in the end of our pole, somehow we realize that it do not satisfy us, we must try to believe that behind this unknown reality may we discover and may find peace not in ignorance but in overcoming such ignorance.
With passion and deportment of craving for knowledge are worthwhile points to ponder in this very complicated and dense to understand kind of endeavor. Though it is still inexhaustible and limited by our knowledge just like understanding in the presence of God, the Infinite Source, we still believe to such impalpable reality of agree precisely through its manifestations.
By Lo Ivan R. Castillon
If we are going to take a glimpse, how fire being discovered, we may look back and turn the pages of our book history during Old Stone Age. Its magnificent discovery was the greatest achievement of all times. Wow! It’s great, great for they enthralled it with its best usage, reveling purpose pointing toward its essence. Primitive people were able to cook their food, to protect themselves from the cold and wild animals and to have light at night. Thus, it was exhibiting its good natured existence. There were so many available materials or objects to be studied.
However, I find it challenging to take the risk with fire. It is nothing with its sexual connotation rather on its metaphysical element or abstraction. I found it plebeian for it reminds me of everything though it still had rare and queer characteristics to be either object or subject of any study. Basically, most of inventions and new discoveries tend to exist using this very chief element, fire. Fire may represent of something from abstract to even more concrete object.
Notwithstanding, I prefer to focus on its abstract sense. It may be a symbol of love, sexual desire, hatred or war wherein it directs us to the idea or quality of braveness, firm and strong personality. There were times that out of curiosity I meant to lay my bare hands in the flaming wield of fire and abruptly get away from it with feeling of sweltering waking moments that dominates my entire being. A short second of contemplation and somehow became skeptical about its inscrutable existence.
Afterwards, I am convinced that it is real. It is not just an abstract idea but it real in its quiddity of “hotness”. I think it is the way fire present itself in a dynamic presence of being. Within itself the processes of self-communication, self-revealing and self-concealing are manifestations of their inner perfection. The act it overflows into action is the way it acts according to its nature. And it is really true. The action of its act of existence proves its presence relating itself to other being. There is no such thing as fire that causes someone doddering because of its coldness. The fiery fact that fire points forward to its natural self-expression as its way to reach out and influence others thus it manifests its presence to others.
From the point that my being recognizes its rising into being , it affirms that its existence possesses an active and dynamic presence. It is a metaphysical element that something possesses of something that we cannot tangibly identify by our bare senses. It is an infinite speculation and abstraction that is within of being in existence that we alone can understand with our limited knowledge about it. It is somehow an unfathomable experience of understanding what is within a being that exists albeit its confusing and really seems to be out of this world phenomenon , still a worthwhile searching for the reality of what really real is. The nature of fire itself fulfills its ultimate perfection by performing action in accordance to its nature, a being perfects itself.
Through the essence of fire, we may formulate ideas how important it is in our life. Its goodness that brings to my existence as being, leads me to accede in its way of communicating and revealing itself. It is the very nature to communicate its inner perfection as action rooted from its perfect being. This manifestation of acted upon such akin to its being offers my existence with tremendous reasons permeated with convictions and may be psychological condition to believe its mesmerizing existence and essence. Fire as its hotness is concerned, makes it relevant. It is goodness that vouchsafe me on how it made me realized its presence.
Despite these positive perspectives I have had in treating the fire, it somehow also a threatening being or object to other being. I particularly refer to the disorders, catastrophes and calamities made by fire. I addition to that, most probably people may somehow get away or avoid directly if there is something with fire. It is maybe due to the effect it brings after such negative reality it bears. Condition? Somehow, it is true. But, it would not stop in that line. For me, it is something within that being of fire and my being get away with such encounter. That would be the activity or action it obtains. It is a mystery that only an abstract concept or metaphysical argument can fully grasp and understand such predicament. It manifests self-expression in which the richness of existence of such being tends to naturally share perfection with others.
On the other hand, it is not only the fire that left its richness to us but vis-à-vis to such, fire also enrich itself from the richness of those around it, including my being – for it is indeed an activity of giving and receiving scenario within that being or to other being in existence. I cannot imagine myself to be a fire. Consequently, it may somehow help me to understand and to corroborate a part of its act of existence and action it follows. The sporadic encounter of fire will surely lead to realization of how important and useful they are. Fire itself as its nature per se, not only tend to be dynamic act of existence, to overflow into action but also this action is a self-sharing. Thus, beings inner perfection with others will be attainable to some extent. All beings have that desire towards fulfilling its own perfection. What life would be like if there is no fire? I think chaos environment and primitive way of life would be the realm of our existence. The discovery of fire means a lot to us. Even the negative or positive effects it conveys to us, we cannot desolate and deny the fact that it is one of the focal point of development, of evolving reality , of rising into existence, of being in reality. Its existence possessed action . action as self-revelation of being is the manifestation of both existence and essence of fire. Its mundane flame relates us that its act of existence is indubitable, that I know that, that it is, present , to be in the real world.
Subsequently, it follows the action powers out by revealing or manifesting itself to any potential being. It is in action that the being provides a venue for self-expression of its real image of itself. It is a tangible evidence to have such in affirming the effects from its causes. Through their accidental properties, we may be able to distinguish the image of goodness it reveals to us. In the end, even how mysterious the fire to us, even how prosaic it is on us, the bottom line for us to remember is to know it as real beings reveal its nature through actions. It may somehow a foolish thing for us to deeply scrutinize its existence, somehow the answers seem to be hanging and added for more confusions and doubts, somehow we feel nothing in the end of our pole, somehow we realize that it do not satisfy us, we must try to believe that behind this unknown reality may we discover and may find peace not in ignorance but in overcoming such ignorance.
With passion and deportment of craving for knowledge are worthwhile points to ponder in this very complicated and dense to understand kind of endeavor. Though it is still inexhaustible and limited by our knowledge just like understanding in the presence of God, the Infinite Source, we still believe to such impalpable reality of agree precisely through its manifestations.
Human Dignity
Our existence as human being is complementary with our missions or goals in life. It somehow tells us what we want, what we need, and what we aspire of in due period of time. Personally, I do believe that those reasons of our existence, being alive, here and now are primarily based on that goal. Unless we might say, it is the need of the rope. Stop! And life is just until there. Absolutely, it could not be. If then, one might be foolish to do or to be such.
Most probably, the way we crave for something that will fulfill our existence could be based on palpable experience, external things. In usual and plebeian way of life, it is actually true and might be for it manifests giving value by fulfilling all the potentialities that we have given by Someone’s gift of life.
Good looks, money, material possession, fame and popularity are maybe our external or sentient goals in life. It seems to be appearing temporarily in our world but then its may sometimes our source of survival. If we are just contented with what we have and what we are, it can manifest a realm of mediocrity. We want to have good looks since we have given the nature that can be possibly developed to somewhat superficially better or best. It is our natural inclination to have such, for it is our nature. It would be irrational for us to neglect to become what nature has meant us to become. So, be human in nature because we are human beings. We want that money and material possession. Those are things that make us to endure life in the competition for survival. We incline also to have or to possess fame and popularity. Is he an approval addict? Pleasure seeker? Maybe, he is. But this desire will somehow cater to be honored and to gain respect just only in different means. Thus, it represents a desire for an increase of ones selfhood.
I am not incriminating those individuals who aiming for those things. Actually, I myself do it just to live fully my existence in its utmost potential as a way of valuing or giving highest degree of meaning to my being, human being. Yet, the prevalence of this predicament might devour us to be blind, to be ignorant and to be too materialistic at some point. We may be enthralled with its glimmering spark of luxury but it will tend to deceive us in putting our life in disdain. We might use other persons to attain such goals. We couldn’t deny the circumstances that it really happened in our society. We tend to lead ourselves in perilous terrain of arid place. The dignity that human person must mold, must have and must possess has just taken a backseat. If then, we all get a big mistake. It shouldn’t be.
As human being, we possess that faculty which somehow dominates other living creatures, our rationality. Being rational is our identity to have that capacity to think and to possess will. In the stratification of our hierarchic dimension of all living creatures, rationality is the possession that makes us on the top and has dominion over other lower being such as animals and plants. Thus, we have that supreme worth and profound dignity due to the fact that we are rational agents. Whereupon, we can think and decide what goal we may pursue and what we want to our life.
Thereby, our capacity to determine our vintage uniqueness as human being endowed with rational faculty lies on ourselves on how we could find our destiny or end as a self-directed and conscious being. Moreover, treating human beings as objects, manipulating or exploiting is undignified act and absolutely not in accordance to its nature. Treat humanity not as a means but as an ends.
For Kant, human beings have value that is absolute and unconditioned as an end in themselves. So act so as to treat humanity whether in your own person or that of any other always as an end and never as means only (Fernandez, 2006). Hence, a human being must be treated as human being not as animals. The value that he endowed is the true manifestation of his nature. Consequently, a person cannot be treated as an object of any means of his existence. The worth belongs to other person and to the one who value it and it is unconditioned worth. We cannot think that they are mere thing, object or means in achieving our goals. Respect on their nature is much important and that really matters on the person. Unlike things, their worth is not sporadic state rather it is interminable ulterior possession. For the things or material goods, these are just spasmodic desires that the boundaries of worth will lost when no one will desire on these things.
Hence, human dignity is innate in us. It is intrinsic attributes within us. It speaks of what we are, who we are and determines or guides how we might live in, live by, live for. Without this, we are nothing; we are empty. Sometimes, this realm seems to be impractical. Our day to day experience of life will somehow attest that these are opposite to what kind of dealings we apply with others; it seems that it is too idealistic kind of reality. It might be so stupendous scene of life. It’s good but it is not usual that we do. If we do then, yet in other way around, is it justifiable? does it subvert or overthrow our dignity as human being?
Typically, when I go to school, I have that goal to study, to learn or to experience what life is. My teachers or my instructors are persons, human beings. Thus, they must be treated as a person not as a mere object. But sometimes, when I try to scrutinize some points, ponder and reflect on it, I tend to realize and discover that I use them as my means to achieve my goals. Really, they are and I am convinced that I do it otherwise. Their existence, presence is my means to reach my end. I do believe that same thing as well babbling on their minds, I as a student, is just a means to carry out their role or function as instructor , as teacher, if not, maybe their profession would be futile. When riding a tricycle, do you think I am not using someone to reach my destination? I do. I am using the tricycle driver as means, the same scenario on the part of the driver that he is somehow using me as a means to get what he wants, money from me. If we are going to look closer about this situation, is it wrong to do such thing?
Personally, it’s not. In that encounter with the teacher in school, with the tricycle driver, I am not only thinking of myself, of what I can gain from those individuals, what services they can provide for me but for the fact that I never treat them rudely will somehow show them what is due to them, the respect as a person, as human being. I think at some point I do not just looked at them as a mere thing, a means to get along with what I want. The respect that I shown to them is equivalent to the dignity they possess as a person, as rational being. On the other hand, making someone respectable, putting a human person in dignified pedestal in elevated platform, it is duly justified to treat our own selves with the same respect we yield to others. It is our moral obligation for our own selves not just only to others. Thus, we must treat ourselves in humane and just vis-à-vis to the pole of dignity. We must not let or allow others to manipulate us for we have that willful respect to our own self, in order to get something. It is our duty to protect this gift. We have that obligation to care for it and live it to the fullest. We have duties of proper self-respect permeated the staidness of upholding the concern to our bodies, to our being. That is why, self-exploitation can somehow go against in preserving the dignity of a person. It is justifiably immoral in a sense of prohibiting oneself to rest, if we are too busy, to play if we are so pressured with school requirements, to stop for a while if we are bombarded with confusions, to pause for meditation if we are so engrossed with what is happening in our lives.
We can say that we can try to set time for work, for plat, for everything. Otherwise, we can intermingle both work and leisure. These are best efforts that we can show love and respect to ourselves. Consequently, as a social being, we do not only mean to be socially able person but we can also value our personal existence by valuing our own self with dignity. We must to corroborate that we have dignity to be glorified. Everyone is valuable. No one is futile. We are all noble.
Thus, we must be in our own self, fully alive, existents, here and now. In the end, we, albeit many goals, have in our life either it is material possession, good looks, fame or popularity, it doesn’t really matter because what matters in life is not what we have but what we are – our innate and distinctive dignity as a person. Hence, with our rationality, we have that capacity to think and to exercise our own freedom and reason in determining what is good for us and for others. We are the makers, arbiters and promulgators of goodness to human race. In confidence and vehement spirit, we can claim our own inherent dignity and we are worthy to be called human persons – the masters of our own fate, the captain of our own ships, the architect of our own dreams and the carpenters of our own desired future.
REFLECTION ON KANT'S MORAL PHILOSOPHY
Good looks, money, material possession, fame and popularity are maybe our external or sentient goals in life. It seems to be appearing temporarily in our world but then its may sometimes our source of survival. If we are just contented with what we have and what we are, it can manifest a realm of mediocrity. We want to have good looks since we have given the nature that can be possibly developed to somewhat superficially better or best. It is our natural inclination to have such, for it is our nature. It would be irrational for us to neglect to become what nature has meant us to become. So, be human in nature because we are human beings. We want that money and material possession. Those are things that make us to endure life in the competition for survival. We incline also to have or to possess fame and popularity. Is he an approval addict? Pleasure seeker? Maybe, he is. But this desire will somehow cater to be honored and to gain respect just only in different means. Thus, it represents a desire for an increase of ones selfhood.
I am not incriminating those individuals who aiming for those things. Actually, I myself do it just to live fully my existence in its utmost potential as a way of valuing or giving highest degree of meaning to my being, human being. Yet, the prevalence of this predicament might devour us to be blind, to be ignorant and to be too materialistic at some point. We may be enthralled with its glimmering spark of luxury but it will tend to deceive us in putting our life in disdain. We might use other persons to attain such goals. We couldn’t deny the circumstances that it really happened in our society. We tend to lead ourselves in perilous terrain of arid place. The dignity that human person must mold, must have and must possess has just taken a backseat. If then, we all get a big mistake. It shouldn’t be.
As human being, we possess that faculty which somehow dominates other living creatures, our rationality. Being rational is our identity to have that capacity to think and to possess will. In the stratification of our hierarchic dimension of all living creatures, rationality is the possession that makes us on the top and has dominion over other lower being such as animals and plants. Thus, we have that supreme worth and profound dignity due to the fact that we are rational agents. Whereupon, we can think and decide what goal we may pursue and what we want to our life.
Thereby, our capacity to determine our vintage uniqueness as human being endowed with rational faculty lies on ourselves on how we could find our destiny or end as a self-directed and conscious being. Moreover, treating human beings as objects, manipulating or exploiting is undignified act and absolutely not in accordance to its nature. Treat humanity not as a means but as an ends.
For Kant, human beings have value that is absolute and unconditioned as an end in themselves. So act so as to treat humanity whether in your own person or that of any other always as an end and never as means only (Fernandez, 2006). Hence, a human being must be treated as human being not as animals. The value that he endowed is the true manifestation of his nature. Consequently, a person cannot be treated as an object of any means of his existence. The worth belongs to other person and to the one who value it and it is unconditioned worth. We cannot think that they are mere thing, object or means in achieving our goals. Respect on their nature is much important and that really matters on the person. Unlike things, their worth is not sporadic state rather it is interminable ulterior possession. For the things or material goods, these are just spasmodic desires that the boundaries of worth will lost when no one will desire on these things.
Hence, human dignity is innate in us. It is intrinsic attributes within us. It speaks of what we are, who we are and determines or guides how we might live in, live by, live for. Without this, we are nothing; we are empty. Sometimes, this realm seems to be impractical. Our day to day experience of life will somehow attest that these are opposite to what kind of dealings we apply with others; it seems that it is too idealistic kind of reality. It might be so stupendous scene of life. It’s good but it is not usual that we do. If we do then, yet in other way around, is it justifiable? does it subvert or overthrow our dignity as human being?
Typically, when I go to school, I have that goal to study, to learn or to experience what life is. My teachers or my instructors are persons, human beings. Thus, they must be treated as a person not as a mere object. But sometimes, when I try to scrutinize some points, ponder and reflect on it, I tend to realize and discover that I use them as my means to achieve my goals. Really, they are and I am convinced that I do it otherwise. Their existence, presence is my means to reach my end. I do believe that same thing as well babbling on their minds, I as a student, is just a means to carry out their role or function as instructor , as teacher, if not, maybe their profession would be futile. When riding a tricycle, do you think I am not using someone to reach my destination? I do. I am using the tricycle driver as means, the same scenario on the part of the driver that he is somehow using me as a means to get what he wants, money from me. If we are going to look closer about this situation, is it wrong to do such thing?
Personally, it’s not. In that encounter with the teacher in school, with the tricycle driver, I am not only thinking of myself, of what I can gain from those individuals, what services they can provide for me but for the fact that I never treat them rudely will somehow show them what is due to them, the respect as a person, as human being. I think at some point I do not just looked at them as a mere thing, a means to get along with what I want. The respect that I shown to them is equivalent to the dignity they possess as a person, as rational being. On the other hand, making someone respectable, putting a human person in dignified pedestal in elevated platform, it is duly justified to treat our own selves with the same respect we yield to others. It is our moral obligation for our own selves not just only to others. Thus, we must treat ourselves in humane and just vis-à-vis to the pole of dignity. We must not let or allow others to manipulate us for we have that willful respect to our own self, in order to get something. It is our duty to protect this gift. We have that obligation to care for it and live it to the fullest. We have duties of proper self-respect permeated the staidness of upholding the concern to our bodies, to our being. That is why, self-exploitation can somehow go against in preserving the dignity of a person. It is justifiably immoral in a sense of prohibiting oneself to rest, if we are too busy, to play if we are so pressured with school requirements, to stop for a while if we are bombarded with confusions, to pause for meditation if we are so engrossed with what is happening in our lives.
We can say that we can try to set time for work, for plat, for everything. Otherwise, we can intermingle both work and leisure. These are best efforts that we can show love and respect to ourselves. Consequently, as a social being, we do not only mean to be socially able person but we can also value our personal existence by valuing our own self with dignity. We must to corroborate that we have dignity to be glorified. Everyone is valuable. No one is futile. We are all noble.
Thus, we must be in our own self, fully alive, existents, here and now. In the end, we, albeit many goals, have in our life either it is material possession, good looks, fame or popularity, it doesn’t really matter because what matters in life is not what we have but what we are – our innate and distinctive dignity as a person. Hence, with our rationality, we have that capacity to think and to exercise our own freedom and reason in determining what is good for us and for others. We are the makers, arbiters and promulgators of goodness to human race. In confidence and vehement spirit, we can claim our own inherent dignity and we are worthy to be called human persons – the masters of our own fate, the captain of our own ships, the architect of our own dreams and the carpenters of our own desired future.
REFLECTION ON KANT'S MORAL PHILOSOPHY
The Priest behind the Scene
At the first glance, as a simple lay person’s context, I can say that priest lives in abundance, in somehow spendthrift way of life. As he speaks and delivers his homily, full of wisdom and experience are being manifested. I can sense the aura of a persona belong to an elite class of our society. The way he talks and relates with the parishioners, charisma and convincing spirit are qualities I might perceive. Thumbs up! He is also a friend and seems to be part of the family among high class society wherein in almost all family gatherings; he is the number one special guest to be invited. In the party, he is the center of attention and the best menu will proffer for him to taste first. Somehow, he has the car as means of transportation. He lives in an air-conditioned room in the convent. He has the cook, the laundry woman, helper, driver and so on. Everything is provided.
What a lifestyle he has! Is this the life of priests? Wow! How fortunate they are! These are the things I observed to the priests assigned in urban places, on how they lived their lives. Personally, I was enthralled in this kind of predicament they are in. But somehow, to conscientiously think of that lifestyle, it can obliterate my high regard and even my respect to them. This may somehow weaken my vocation and my desire to become one of them. However, if God wills me to become such, I am personally convinced as of the moment to do and live in difference. Live simply for the poor, for the needy and for the rejected. It sounds idealistic but then it is what I learn and what I do believe. Thus, this is what I must do. This is the way I superficially perceive the role of priest and I think other lay people would think it either. I believe that it must properly address so that it may not lead to perilous conclusion and disrespect perception towards them.
Consequently, I am not against of what kind of life they had lived. As one of their vows, simplicity, I found it an irony to what I expected them to be. But I understand what simplicity means. Those comforts that I tend to think of as luxuries may not be as luxuries but rather a necessity, a call of condition where they need to respond accordingly. These things are scenes that I usually and the many were thinking of. However, permeated with pains, difficulties and challenges doggedly compliment their role as shepherds of the flock.
Behind the scene, how merciful they are, how compassionate and how the Holy Spirit works with them. Their struggles to bring the Good News of salvation and bring the people closer to God boast my admiration on them. They are extraordinary. They are such a hero in the field. In conquering all those vicissitudes in spite of tribulations they encountered, their desires are unstoppable. With those scenes, I realized that it is not that easy to live what the priest ought to live. It is not that easy to become priest – good and holy priest.
Compassion, humility and generosity of heart are perhaps the qualities of the priests that make them good priests. The genuine love they have for the people, self-emptying is manifested as what Jesus Christ taught and did. The love for the Church and sense of zeal for his mission are given greatly weight. Communion in mission is what is lived with these priests that really necessitates in our today’s lived-world. Somehow, a feeling of elation about this behind the scene story of the church, of the priest brought me to desire more, learn more, strive more and do believe more on my faith as I journey this life towards Him.
With vehement spirit and fervent prayer, hope to see my life founded in simplicity, service and holiness even today until then.
Lo Ivan R. Castillon
August 16, 2011
Philosophy of Religion
What a lifestyle he has! Is this the life of priests? Wow! How fortunate they are! These are the things I observed to the priests assigned in urban places, on how they lived their lives. Personally, I was enthralled in this kind of predicament they are in. But somehow, to conscientiously think of that lifestyle, it can obliterate my high regard and even my respect to them. This may somehow weaken my vocation and my desire to become one of them. However, if God wills me to become such, I am personally convinced as of the moment to do and live in difference. Live simply for the poor, for the needy and for the rejected. It sounds idealistic but then it is what I learn and what I do believe. Thus, this is what I must do. This is the way I superficially perceive the role of priest and I think other lay people would think it either. I believe that it must properly address so that it may not lead to perilous conclusion and disrespect perception towards them.
Consequently, I am not against of what kind of life they had lived. As one of their vows, simplicity, I found it an irony to what I expected them to be. But I understand what simplicity means. Those comforts that I tend to think of as luxuries may not be as luxuries but rather a necessity, a call of condition where they need to respond accordingly. These things are scenes that I usually and the many were thinking of. However, permeated with pains, difficulties and challenges doggedly compliment their role as shepherds of the flock.
Behind the scene, how merciful they are, how compassionate and how the Holy Spirit works with them. Their struggles to bring the Good News of salvation and bring the people closer to God boast my admiration on them. They are extraordinary. They are such a hero in the field. In conquering all those vicissitudes in spite of tribulations they encountered, their desires are unstoppable. With those scenes, I realized that it is not that easy to live what the priest ought to live. It is not that easy to become priest – good and holy priest.
Compassion, humility and generosity of heart are perhaps the qualities of the priests that make them good priests. The genuine love they have for the people, self-emptying is manifested as what Jesus Christ taught and did. The love for the Church and sense of zeal for his mission are given greatly weight. Communion in mission is what is lived with these priests that really necessitates in our today’s lived-world. Somehow, a feeling of elation about this behind the scene story of the church, of the priest brought me to desire more, learn more, strive more and do believe more on my faith as I journey this life towards Him.
With vehement spirit and fervent prayer, hope to see my life founded in simplicity, service and holiness even today until then.
Lo Ivan R. Castillon
August 16, 2011
Philosophy of Religion
DON'T STOP
Don’t Stop
Lo Ivan Castillon
Do not quit after a victory. There are two times when a person stops, after a defeat and after a victory. Successful people understand that there is greater opportunity right on the other side of a victory. Do not stop after a success; keep forward momentum. For me going back to school is not that easy. There are lots of adjustments I must to overcome in different areas of my academic aspect.
Since then, I never liked school. But the only impetus that motivates me to pursue my studies is good fortune ahead of me if I will finish it. Even before, I never thought of being a teacher or a seminarian. But no one knows what I am going to be except Him of course. And now, I am here, still studying, learning and searching for wisdom that can fulfill all my desires in accordance with God’s will.
Though how hard, tiring and with struggles, I encounter every night just to cope with my lessons but then still optimism resides in me striving in my quest of learning. On the other hand, Toyota inspires the world because of the values and principles that molded them to continuous improvement and eliminating waste. Their influence of ameliorating one’s learning brings them to the pedestal of success. They have a problem because of the vested interests that uphold the management to become profit-oriented. It leads to chaotic and in effective way of following the Toyota way. Moreover, the lack of teamwork among the management team instead with internal feud supersedes the company that leads to failure. In this scenario, we can realize the importance of truthfulness and unity not only in simple environment but in the broader horizon of our world. These are good and authentic attitudes that we must possess to connect us in the international realm. It makes us to interact with them. We must be truthful. We must be true to ourselves, to our strengths and to our weaknesses. We must admit our mistakes, failures and short comings.
With these, respect will form and lead to good relationship in order to have unity. This unity will help us to make all things or work as easy as they are. This may lead us to common direction and to our ultimate goal of perfection. It is easy for us to deal wit world if we are synergized by our beliefs and in respect. These are really essential for our victory and continuing journey towards it.
One of the great prizes of victory is the opportunity to do more. In the Philippians 1:6, the Apostle Paul writes: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God’s momentum always results in growth. So, let go of whatever makes you stop.
Do not quit after a victory. There are two times when a person stops, after a defeat and after a victory. Successful people understand that there is greater opportunity right on the other side of a victory. Do not stop after a success; keep forward momentum. For me going back to school is not that easy. There are lots of adjustments I must to overcome in different areas of my academic aspect.
Since then, I never liked school. But the only impetus that motivates me to pursue my studies is good fortune ahead of me if I will finish it. Even before, I never thought of being a teacher or a seminarian. But no one knows what I am going to be except Him of course. And now, I am here, still studying, learning and searching for wisdom that can fulfill all my desires in accordance with God’s will.
Though how hard, tiring and with struggles, I encounter every night just to cope with my lessons but then still optimism resides in me striving in my quest of learning. On the other hand, Toyota inspires the world because of the values and principles that molded them to continuous improvement and eliminating waste. Their influence of ameliorating one’s learning brings them to the pedestal of success. They have a problem because of the vested interests that uphold the management to become profit-oriented. It leads to chaotic and in effective way of following the Toyota way. Moreover, the lack of teamwork among the management team instead with internal feud supersedes the company that leads to failure. In this scenario, we can realize the importance of truthfulness and unity not only in simple environment but in the broader horizon of our world. These are good and authentic attitudes that we must possess to connect us in the international realm. It makes us to interact with them. We must be truthful. We must be true to ourselves, to our strengths and to our weaknesses. We must admit our mistakes, failures and short comings.
With these, respect will form and lead to good relationship in order to have unity. This unity will help us to make all things or work as easy as they are. This may lead us to common direction and to our ultimate goal of perfection. It is easy for us to deal wit world if we are synergized by our beliefs and in respect. These are really essential for our victory and continuing journey towards it.
One of the great prizes of victory is the opportunity to do more. In the Philippians 1:6, the Apostle Paul writes: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God’s momentum always results in growth. So, let go of whatever makes you stop.
Only Hungry Minds Can Grow
Only hungry minds can grow. Just think of learning, of further education. Have you ever noticed that there are people you know who are literally at the same place today as they are five years ago? They still have the same dreams, the same problems, the same alibis, the same opportunities and the same way of thinking. They are standing still in life. It is like their watch stopped five years ago, and so did they. God’s will for us is to grow, to continue to learn and improve. The biggest room in our house is always the room for self-improvement.
I myself can testify how I grow and rediscover the hidden ignorance within me. As an education graduate, I took my board examination and luckily I passed. I served and practiced my profession for two years. Because of my hunger for learning and for the professional growth, I tried to take my masters degree, just a try. I was hopeful to find fulfillment in that decision. But I was disappointed. I am still searching for something. Unfortunately, I spent only one semester and decided to go here, in the seminary. And now, in my journey towards my searching for fulfillment, I am optimistic in facing and aiming for the higher learning. Truly, it is an education that leads me to wisdom of a fulfilling life.
So, learn from others and truly they will learn from you. Do not stop in mediocrity. Think education is expensive or difficult? If you think education is expensive – try ignorance.
But we should not stop there. Do not quit after a victory. There are two times when a person stops, after a defeat and after a victory. Successful people understand that there is greater opportunity right on the other side of a victory. Do not stop after a success; keep forward momentum.
For me going back to school is not that easy. There are lots of adjustments I must to overcome in different areas of my academic aspect. Since then, I never liked school. But the only impetus that motivates me to pursue my studies is good fortune ahead of me if I will finish it. Even before, I never thought of being a teacher or a seminarian. But no one knows what I am going to be except Him of course. And now, I am here, still studying, learning and searching for wisdom that can fulfill all my desires in accordance with God’s will. Though how hard, tiring and with struggles, I encounter every night just to cope with my lessons but then still optimism resides in me striving in my quest of learning.
In this scenario, we can realize the importance of courage and perseverance not only in simple environment but in the broader horizon of our world. These are good and authentic attitudes that we must possess to connect us in more complex realm. It makes us to interact with them. We must be truthful in doing and possessing such. We must be true to ourselves, to our strengths and to our weaknesses. We must admit our mistakes, failures and short comings. With these, respect will form and lead to good relationship in order to have positive outlook. This optimism will help us to make all things or work as easy as they are. This may lead us to common direction and to our ultimate goal of perfection. It is easy for us to deal wit world if we are synergized by our beliefs and in respect. These are really essential for our victory and continuing journey towards it.
One of the great prizes of victory is the opportunity to do more. In the Philippians 1:6, the Apostle Paul writes: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God’s momentum always results in growth. So, let go of whatever makes you stop.
Thus this life aims for change complementary to the main reason of existence of philosophy – philosophy of man itself. It is a change for the better until it becomes best. We should not be scared of its essence; instead we should be inspired to value its fecund purpose in ameliorating our civilization, our life as a human. Its significant role enlivens us in conquering more heights, reaching our dreams and fulfilling our destiny for the best thing in life. Change to be the evidence of life. We cannot grow as an individual if we will not undergo the process of change. It is not a clandestine for us to deny or deprived of because of its explicit goal which is to lead our way and hitch our wagon to the acme of success. Success brings our hopes for impudence progress. It is our greatest ally to achieve it. To have such kind of determination for change, we must be open-minded to accept and recognize formidable reality around us. This acceptance opens many doors for opportunities. Let our flamboyant spirits grab it. Then, it will guide us in searching for the ultimate truth. This truth seems to be clairvoyant to the senses or state of being. It is our primary goals of our existence - to find reason behind our life. Many philosophers give different views regarding this matter but until now no one can perfectly presented us its true meaning and essence. Its quiddity is still oblivious for our senses to seize it faithfully.
Henceforth, this is the main impetus that pushes me to live in examined life for it is worth living. It reveals the reality of life. it depicts liberation from the slavery of ignorance. It upholds the culture of intellect. A revolt against the deception of stupidity makes it possible to seek its contemplation as an eye opener for the masses living in blind acceptance. For us to understand in maximum capacity the mystery of life that we have, we need to examine it. It will enable us to grasp answers to the questions that tickling in our minds. It will distort our senses in flexibility and astonishing realization. By examining our life, we will understand what we are, what we are doing and why we are doing such.
An act of questioning is the evidence that convinces me that a person is thinking. I asked questions because I wanted to have answers. As if I was in a deep sleep, O was aroused by the clamor of perilous world. This perplexed reality leads my sight to wake up from my hasty sound sleep and challenge myself to scrutinize its existence. Out of my juvenile world full of innocence, I am looking forward to think and search what is within me and ahead of me. So, I asked several questions. I examined my well being. I wondered for my existence. I searched for the answers to these questions, until now. Answers I gained are indefinite for it continues to evolve. It seemed to be unfathomable. Identifying my primary matter and substantial form is not enough to attain its focal point. Recognizing my strengths and weaknesses as well as my positive or pluses and negative or minuses features can be an aid to deepen my understanding. These are my guides to consider in conscientiously searching for interminable happiness and life worth living of knowing myself.
It is indeed philosophy has a great part in molding our minds for learning and change. This act of examining with confidence, grants me to hear a spasmodic perpetual voice of my soul. It speaks of my existence. Hereafter, I am liberating from the chains of unquestioning acceptance of whatever is at hand. I am resisting with those truths that hold me back in the thoughtless conformity. So, I can say, I am free to live the life and lead the world, my world in a vintage deftness of my philosophy in life guided by the methodological and philosophical vehicle body of knowledge.
From accepting the reality of change to the sense of wonder through submission for life examination to liberation may lead to identify my personhood. Moreover, we want to learn, to grow, to improve and to compete in survival of the fittest. This is an ultimate philosophy of man to carry out. It entails or necessitates me to know and to do something about myself. That is what I am doing now because this is what I have learned from this realm of lifelong journey of life. With my personal conviction and own creativity, I am aiming for the highest intensity for the quest of my identity and purpose. It is a kind of determination in examining one’s life worthy to stand for and worth living for.
PHILOSOPHY OF MAN
OCTOBER 11, 2010
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