A human being fully alive
Welcome to cyberfizh where I explore what it means to be a human being in the 21st century – body, mind, and spirit. Nearly 2000 years ago, Irenaeus, a Christian bishop, said:
“The glory of God is a human being fully alive.”
It is this idea in the context of today’s world, that I explore through blogs and podcasts.
Fathoming life’s ebb and flow
Cyberfizh comes from a predominantly, but not exclusively Christian perspective. We can learn much from one another’s religious traditions, philosophies, and personal perspectives, based upon life experiences. An example is the term, ‘oceanic feeling’. A French novelist, Romain Rolland, created it when writing to Sigmund Freud in 1927. It refers to those transcendental moments when people sense a strong, limitless bond between themselves and the cosmos. This phrase is not biblical. Yet it fills me with insight into ‘fathoming life’s ebb and flow’.
My hi-story
Who am I? I was a vicar in the Church of England. Now, I am a chaplain to a community of retired Christians. I am also a keen amateur historian and believe the past has much to teach us about our future. Two quotes often come to my mind on this topic:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana)
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” (Mark Twain)
Whatever your personal views, you will probably find something of interest in cyberfizh. This is especially true if you wonder how far we continue to progress scientifically and technologically. Yet, the oldest and most profound questions of our existence stay elusive.
Have you ever wondered?
- The internet has not delivered a ‘global village’ of understanding, as once hoped. As Artificial Intelligence becomes more of a reality the question is, ’Can technology save us and from what?’
- The northern and southern hemispheres of Earth continue to be divided by complex rifts but a simple question, ‘Who is my neighbour?’
- In 1866 a French priest, Hyacinthe Loyson, said, “Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” What ‘trees’ must we plant so future generations will bless, rather than curse us?
- Medical and social care advances present new challenges and opportunities with ageing populations. What is the wisdom and not just the knowledge, we need to apply? Are we ageing well?
If you’ve ever contemplated just some of these questions then this pool of thoughts is for you. So jump in and enjoy the swim with cyberfizh!
Derek Chandler
