tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705758945352270437.post6329604910901204453..comments2022-11-11T03:35:04.969-05:00Comments on Im/placed: Zen AnthropologyJohn Colman Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822512092448189334noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705758945352270437.post-71129480240182384412013-08-17T15:22:09.054-04:002013-08-17T15:22:09.054-04:00Not-knowing is pretty useful for a reporter, too. ...Not-knowing is pretty useful for a reporter, too. I'm with Ian on what he calls "the relative self." This bit -- <i>"We each have a body, a name, an identity, a set of memories, desires, hopes, frustrations, and so on. Yet each of us is related to everything else, dependent on an environment, a set of social relations, infinite interactions with others. The idea of a separate self is, in the final analysis, a fiction."</i> -- made me think of William James. (I hope I just did those tags correctly, so I don't look like an idiot.)<br /><br />Who knew you had a novel out there in the world! Congratulations on the plaudits it's gotten. I just ordered a copy.<br /><br />Peace.Greg Hankinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705758945352270437.post-43484227669077044382013-07-18T16:13:26.964-04:002013-07-18T16:13:26.964-04:00Ha! Classic zen humor...
I really like "no-s...Ha! Classic zen humor...<br /><br />I really like "no-self is to self as not-knowing is to knowing!"<br /><br />I remember having those nihilistic difficulties in Zen Anthropology. So thanks for this post because it helps. I especially identify with the bit that says that self is relative; I would even add that the public self is simultaneously predictive and reactive behavior shaped principally by desires... maybe not though. And maybe this applies less online... not sure<br /><br />I just want to say that you and your more cerebral courses such as this made a huge impact on me, especially in the ways that I interact with others and approach "problems." My personality (and perhaps genetics...) still tries its best to exert itself at every chance, but I'm thankfully able to frequently attempt to evaluate my impact as participant/observer. Truthfully, the older I get the less I seem to know; which is great because I never want to lose my sense of wonder!<br /><br />Thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12293291898823420301noreply@blogger.com