I get a lot of hunches, and they often turn out to be true. I need to learn to believe my hunches more.

So I started reading a really interesting book today called "The Spiritual Brain" by Mario Beauregard, Ph.D., and Denyse O'Leary. It's one of those books I saw at the bookstore and was interested in, then later actually bought...(!) It's funny; I put it on my Facebook list of books I wanted to read in the books application, but I didn't think I'd actually get it - it was like 850 baht at the bookstore here, but when my mom got us books from Amazon for Christmas I requested this one (it was $10 there, which is like 350 baht, only :D).

Anyhow. I didn't read it until now. I guess I have to be in a pretty relaxed mood to enjoy a book...nowadays...I don't know what's changed; I used to read so much - now...maybe life is just so stressful.

Anyhow - this is a book right down my line...scientific, but not too scientific - in that the authors are not 'materialists' - they don't believe that science is limited to the material. (Seriously - materialism, in the scientific sense...I don't understand - how can people still believe that? What about the string theory in physics, which is supposed to imply myriad dimensions? It makes me wonder...maybe sometimes people just want to stick to dust! And it's scary when they do...like - the idea of making a human-ape hybrid? I can't put into words how insane this is...that came up in the book I was reading - but not because the authors supported the idea - it was referenced and evaluated.)

Also it addresses the mystical. I love the idea that science and the mystical can coexist - and not mutually exclude each other or make the other less in some way...(just like predestination and free will? :o)) I love the 'both' answers...

Anyhow. This is the third paragraph that begins with 'anyhow.' Um.

Okay: I wanted to quote the book: "The brain, however, is not the mind; it is an organ suitable for connecting a mind to the rest of the universe." (intro, pp. xi) Wow - "...it is an organ suitable for connecting a mind to the rest of the universe..." I had never thought about it that way. I think that is so well put, and I love that thought. And I take it one step further - to think that God created an organ suitable for connecting a mind (the mind is not the brain!) to the rest of the universe...and that He gave us, each one of us a mind - just, wow.

I think that in thought, being reasonable is a huge thing. Of course, you say. That's so obvious it sounds ridiculous. Haha...I think some people use reason in their thought, but they are not reasonable, or open to reasoning. Think about it... :D

This reminds me of the beauty of Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken." To imagine - to reason together is a beautiful thing - how much more so that the Lord calls us to reason with Him!

Anyhow. I never read for that long nowadays...somehow one or two significant thoughts is already a lot to chew on. I need to start finishing books again...not just reading the first chapter and going, "Wow...what an amazing book!!" And then never picking it up again. :D :D

I really need to eat more. I think I've gotten used to being hungry...I'm not intentionally starving myself. It's just - sometimes I sit down to eat and then I'm shocked at how hungry I am and how I seem to be able to keep eating. There's just so many foods that are bad for you...there are so many things I had to quit eating because they made me feel sick, when my health just deteriorated a couple years ago - so I am so careful now...but it's frustrating - to walk in the grocery store and look at labels and realize that sugar is the second greatest ingredient in most everything...:P Anyhow - it makes food taste really good...when you find something good that you can eat without feeling sick! :D

Anyhow. I will now end this 'anyhow' post.