Conundrums, Dichotomies and Paradoxes...

Conundrum: riddle, mystery, challenge; puzzle. A) Something that is puzzling or confusing. B) a difficult problem that seems to have no solution.

Dichotomy: A) a separation into two divisions that differ widely from or contradict each other. B) The phase of the Moon or planet when half of its surface appears illuminated by the Sun, the other half bathed in darkness.

Paradox: absurdity, contradiction, impossibility, illogicality. A) a statement or proposition that contradicts itself. B) A statement, proposition or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true. 

No; I am not a walking Thesaurus or even a crawling Funk and Wagnall’s. There are, however, certain words which hold a special fascination for me and these above definitely fall into this category. Why? Often we find ourselves (perhaps it should be said: “I find myself”) thinking about situations that besiege our senses, and these are the only types of words which would seem to be of viable use. They say a lot without explaining anything; sort of like “walking on the ceiling”… you can certainly visualize this action and even understand it may be said to signal an “upside down” situation, but don’t expect to really be a witness (other than in a Chinese martial arts movie) to this event ever taking place as a normality.

Every day we are subjected to situations which are difficult to explain or to put on the table, clearly, for all to see and understand. These could be issues we question or, simply, issues that do not hold water with our thinking process. What are some of the issues which may tend to fall into the realm of these words, and their respective all encompassing meaning(s)? I can only answer for myself; could not even begin to try and include everyone else’s ideas into these answers. My thought pattern is to question everything and, especially, assumed authority. No, this does not come from the 60’s and 70’s, nor from a grand consumption of the green weed; ever since I remember, this has been my thought process, having taken form in a era of early Catholic school and having brought on all the subsequent punishments this “contrary” behavior could bring in a somewhat inquisition like atmosphere.

Have you ever entertained the concept of “freedom of choice and thought” within the concepts of religion?  Any religion… all are the same in this respect. According to all teachings, Our Creator gave us the concept of freedom of choice; to me this implies also freedom of thought and freedom of understanding. Can’t have one without the others; I can’t choose unless I analyze the available choices and can’t do this without being able to think freely. Right?, or is this line of thought wrong? Let it be stated I hold a firm religious belief, but do not hold a firm belief in man's religions which usually tend to be used to contain and submit, not to elevate.

I remember as a child growing up, my constant discussions with my teachers, all ordained brothers of the Catholic Church. As soon as the preaching would start, my usual riposte would be in the form of a simple question: either Who?, or What? and, of course, the dreaded Why?

Choices...

For example, on the concept of freedom of choice; what good is it if every time I choose something which is not in full accordance with the tenets of the religion in question I am then, automatically, a condemned man? Do I really have the freedom to choose then? Or am I being trained form an early age to simply obey and thus hold this freedom concept as just one more “paradox”? Yes, I am free to choose but not really allowed to exercise this freedom. And, by the way, this also applies to places where the government and not the church is the entity putting the rules on the books; the worst possible case scenario is where both government and church (regardless of which church) intertwine and it is then the combined set of rules which prohibits this exercise in freedom of thought and choice.

How about a government where the daily marketing and expediency convenient machine(s)’s job is to tell us that they will spend more money on day to day projects, while reducing bureaucracy and reducing taxes? Methinks this may fall into the dichotomy column. Yes, it sounds great… But… early Native American folks had a much simpler way of dealing with the concept of a non truth; They would simply say -“White (or black, for that matter) man speaks with forked tongue” Yes, I realize this came from Hollywood writers but, insofar as it became a catch phrase, it is certainly applicable when someone would refer to anyone else who, in saying something, usually means the opposite. Politics, anyone?

And so we go through life, listening, learning and often being faced with situations which themselves, are conceptual conundrums. When we are thus challenged, it is imperative that freedom of thought and choice come into play, at least within our brain and that other fellow, our mind. How we have learned and been trained over a lifetime is what the direction of our thought process and pattern will take.

Exercising "Freedom of Choice"...
Would Your convictions be this strong?

It will be very interesting to be able to analyze if this thought pattern chooses real freedom or the more acceptable “status quo” response. What would YOU do in a choice situation, between what your heart and mind accepts to be right and thus rock the boat as it were or simply choose the acquiescence to a pat response so as not to create “waves”?  I am sure all of us have faced such an issue at one time or another and have not always done or replied what we knew (or know) to be right, opting for the “easy way”… It does create a difficult position, doesn’t it?

Be Well?   Be back??