JJ Sylvia IV – Page 10 – Philosophy Matters

Learn How To Meditate W1D4

Most every meditator feels awkward when they begin to meditate. In fact, I’d be surprised if you didn’t feel this way. This can prompt you to think that maybe you’re not cut out to be a meditator. But that isn’t true at all. Consider this: The 8 minutes you just spent in meditation may be the… Continue reading Learn How To Meditate W1D4

Learn How To Meditate W1D3

I did a little better today with not focusing on my to do list, but I realized just how exceptionally hard it is for me to simply stop thinking. I tried two strategies to help get me on the right track: 1. First I tried a sort of mantra, focusing just on thinking about breathing IN… Continue reading Learn How To Meditate W1D3

Learn How To Meditate W1D2

My first day of meditating and I had what I consider to be a pretty major breakthrough: I realized that I am constantly thinking about the future. While trying to meditate, the places my mind kept wandering to were things I needed or wanted to do with the rest of the day. Thinking of things I could accomplish and… Continue reading Learn How To Meditate W1D2

Learning How To Meditate Introduction W1D1

Although I do have some experience with meditating, both in my own life and in leading students at Governor’s School in doing it, I am by no means an expert. Taking the time to meditate regularly and learn more about the practice is something that has been on my todo list for a while now.… Continue reading Learning How To Meditate Introduction W1D1

The Difficulty With Discussing Gun Control

Let me state up front that I’m a moderate on this issue – I don’t own guns, but I also don’t believe they should be entirely banned. Also, I’m not making any claim to know exactly what the correct answer is in this debate. The real problem with discussing the issue of gun control is… Continue reading The Difficulty With Discussing Gun Control

How To Make The Best New Year’s Resolutions

Master Plans? In light of JustHeath’s post on some psychological studies to help live the good life in the new year, I thought I would follow-up with some suggestions from classical philosophy, mixed in with some of the experiences I’ve had over the past year, in order to think about how to make the best… Continue reading How To Make The Best New Year’s Resolutions

Meme Analysis: Columbine Student’s Father 12 Years Later !!

Facebook Memes, Information Overload, and Religion in the Classroom Normally, I just don’t pay much attention to ridiculous memes on Facebook, and scroll past them with a “to each his own” attitude. However, a recent meme, in combination with a discussion that I had with fellow Philosophy Matters author, b0t, has gotten me thinking a… Continue reading Meme Analysis: Columbine Student’s Father 12 Years Later !!

The Ethics of Santa Claus

First, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It’s been quite the first year for Philosophy Matters, and today I’m thankful for the wonderful co-authors who contribute to this blog, the new friends we’ve made along the way, and the interesting discussion that we’ve been able to have! I’m also excited about what’s in… Continue reading The Ethics of Santa Claus

5 Ways To Comfort an Atheist

In September, my grandmother passed away. Although I lost a grandfather when I was very young, this is the closest relative I’ve lost in my adult life. Although I’ve thought, read, and even taught about death, this was a stark refresher course on what it’s like to experience the grieving process a little more closely,… Continue reading 5 Ways To Comfort an Atheist

Guest Post: Snow White and Philosophy

This post is the second in a series that was written by students in my introduction to philosophy course as an extra credit assignment. Today’s guest author is Kaley White. Disney Movies: Still Teaching the Young at Heart I grew up in a house were we didn’t watch much television, that is until it came down to… Continue reading Guest Post: Snow White and Philosophy