231008 What I learned in my studies this morning 3

Focus on vitals;

Primary targets only.
Take some pressure off.

Today's Meditation(s):

A great passage from Marcus today about the relative desireability of [mundane reward] v [moral principle].  Guess which wins?

But it's true: when I think about it, I do feel better when I do good.  When I help someone. Or when I am honest when I might have lied to my advantage. Or when I study some bit of wisdom. Or when I experience some new insight.

So yeah, I too often indulge physical pleasures but, when I remember to hold myself to the higher standard, and when I don't rationalize myself into ignoring what I know is true to feed my monkey mind, I like it better. I like me better.

Science is a tool, not an answer. It can be useful, but it isn't the end in itself.  Living in accordance with Nature is the goal. Living with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance and being useful to the human community are natural consequences if I do that first part right.