(no subject)

Can someone convince me that free will isn't an illusion?

A comment I posted in abstractthought

When I think of the Latin word 'religion', immediately the first thing that comes to mind is ritual. Tellingly, it's of some fantasized Catholic ritual (I've never been to Mass). But I can relate to ritual because I've been to Protestant churches and to pagan rituals. At work, I do things systematically, but my actions could also be called ritualistic. If I deviate from my system, I get flustered. Ritual provides a sense of calm through activity.

A living religion would be one where the ritual and its symbolic activity still hold emotional and symbolic meaning for its adherents. A dead religion has dead ritual, mechanistic and/or unsymbolic (i.e., literal). Dead religion often relies on dogma to support itself.

(Read the whole discussion.)

(no subject)

( more musings about free will )

(no subject)

[Poll #264122]

(inspired by this post)

I'm thinking of looking into Tai Chi.

Tai Chi may aid in arthritis treatment

According to a review article in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the ancient martial art of Tai Chi not only improves strength, balance and flexibility in older people, but it also has positive effects on chronic health conditions like multiple sclerosis and joint problems.

In fact, the Arthritis Foundation has looked to Tai Chi as treatment for arthritis.

( Read more... )