What Human Means

William Shakespeare wrote, "What a piece of work is a man."  With technology advancing by the day and defeating us at games, what does it mean to be human?

Computers run much of our daily lives from the clock that provides a wake-up call to the variety of machines we use throughout the day.  As we settle into sleep for the night, a computer even changes the feel of our mattress.

A computer can provide information on Mozart but can it write music that, "entices angels down to earth" as Mozart did?  Programs direct spaceships into the universe but do they dream of space travel?  

Can a computer dwell in the magic of sunrise and sunset?  How about laughing at its own file of jokes? Could it appreciate a floral scent?

Read about the Turing Test, a battle between the most advanced artificial-intelligence programs and ordinary people.  The test is designed to determine if a computer can act "more human" than a person.

Mind Versus Machine, an article in "The Atlantic":

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/03/mind-vs-machine/8386/ 

Have fun speculating and writing about what it means to be human.

Laughter and Poetry

Louise Bishop's work, WORDS, STONES AND HERBS (2007) focuses on the healing power of literature. She discovered a 15th-century manuscript which provides treatment for everything from a flesh wound to mental ailments. In medieval times, medicine involved the study of language related to the seasons and the power of nature.

A doctor often placed a written charm on a broken leg to speed the recovery process. What we today consider, the placebo effect, became a vital part of medicine back then. Bishop mentions that people would memorize 150 lines of poetry to assist healing.

Years ago I learned from Dr. Norman Cousins that humor heals. A day of silliness, writing and naps gets the job done when the mind and body have challenges.

The Heart of the Matter

Why does the heart always get credit

when pleasure or pain take the breath away?

“We do the work,” say the lungs.

“Breathe. Breathe. We fix it.”

The heart claims it never breaks,

“I don’t even wrinkle.”

Fingers create fists, “We feel, really feel.”

"Well, we run from distress,” the feet say.

Liver and kidneys shout that they

deal with all bodily evils first.

The eyes edge in,

“Tears wash away the chaos.”

“Hey, don’t forget us adenoids and tonsils,

if you still have them."

“Anyone home?" asks the spleen" The appendix

can’t even pronounce vestigial.”

The navel chuckles, “Don’t ask the colon for its opinion.”

The brain has remained complacent

“Have fun without me,” it sings

as it flits out an ear.

                        - Penny Wilkes

Take a day for self-healing.

Minding Our Nature

"Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear." - Hua Hu Ching

Our minds play like puppies. They wrestle with thoughts and ramble with emotions all day. Memories and future notions take up most of our mental time. How do we end the frustration of this mental progression and regain focus?

One way involves going outside and tuning into nature.

Try these techniques.

Stop and find the present moment. Mentally follow a yellow daisy petal to the ground and then another. Notice scents and how a breeze moves the blossom. Feel the texture of petals. Observe insects and their attraction. Follow a bee in action.

Turn the focus to discover your own awareness. Choose a body part and observe temperature or a tickle. What would you call it?  

If you chose fingers, wriggle them. Does the sensation alter?  Roll a piece of your clothing between two fingers. How does it feel?  Stay with it.

During that time you did not worry about past or future. You engaged your attention and curiosity.

Find details in nature to notice when frustrated. Observe movement in clouds and leaves.

Choose a word that empowers you. Add two more. Use them as a mantra.

Staying in the moment helps us maintain ourselves in a world we cannot control.

Mind your nature.