Monk Vives

  Where Science Ends, Philosophy Begins Science and philosophy are two of the greatest achievements of human thought. Science strives to uncover the how of the universe—how the planets move, how cells function, how energy transforms. Philosophy, on the other hand, delves into the why—why we exist, why there is something rather than nothing, and what it means to live a good life. While science and philosophy are often seen as distinct disciplines, they are deeply intertwined. In fact, where science ends, philosophy often begins. Science: The Realm of the Measurable Science is built upon empirical evidence, experimentation, and observation. It answers questions that can be tested, measured, and reproduced. For instance, science can explain how gravity works through Newton’s and Einstein’s theories. It can demonstrate how vaccines stimulate the immune system or how climate change is driven by greenhouse gases. Albert Einstein Philosophy: The Realm of the Meaningful Philosophy ...

The interplay of hard work, luck, and divine will resists a tidy verdict. Effort gives us agency, shaping what we can control. Luck and divine will remind us of our limits, inviting humility and awe. Together, they craft a life that feels both earned and gifted. As we navigate this balance, we might heed the wisdom of E.B. White: “Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.” Yet, privately, even the hardest workers often whisper thanks for the unseen hands—be they chance or God—that guide their way. “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca The debate between hard work and luck—or the notion of a preordained divine will—has long captivated human thought. It pits the tangible grind of effort against the intangible forces of chance or destiny. Does success hinge on our sweat and strategy, or is it scripted in the stars, governed by luck or a divine verdict written before our birth? This question invites us to explore human agency, cos...

Imagine you’re walking down the street holding a cup of coffee. Suddenly, a random person bumps into you, and the coffee spills onto the road. Now, why did the coffee spill? The obvious answer is: because someone bumped into you. But some might smile and say, “The coffee spilled because there was coffee in the cup. If it had tea, tea would’ve spilled. If it had oil, oil would’ve spilled!” At first glance, this might seem like a joke — you might even laugh out loud. But this actually holds a deeper life lesson. Think of yourself as that cup. The cup is filled with your true self — your real character. We go around in life carrying this cup: sometimes being polite, sometimes revolutionary, sometimes gentle, sometimes aggressive — depending on the situation, place, or company. But the day an unexpected bump comes — that sudden jolt — the real content of the cup spills out. When you hit a wall or get provoked unexpectedly, what spills out of your mouth or actions? Is it calmne...

The numbers 3 and 5 hold significant patterns across various domains, often appearing in natural, cultural, mathematical, and symbolic contexts. Their “magical” quality stems from their frequent occurrence, mathematical properties, and human tendency to find meaning in numerical patterns. Below, I explore their connections and provide examples of their presence in the world. Mathematical Connections 1.  Prime Numbers : Both 3 and 5 are prime numbers, indivisible except by 1 and themselves. This gives them a foundational role in number theory. •  Example: The Fibonacci sequence (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, …) includes both 3 and 5, and approximates the golden ratio, which appears in art and nature. 2.  Multiples and LCM : The least common multiple of 3 and 5 is 15, a number that often appears in cycles or modular arithmetic. •  Example: In music, time signatures like 3/4 and 5/4 create rhythmic patterns, and 15-beat cycles are common in Indian classical music (e.g.,...

The idea that deep meditation can produce feelings of intense pleasure—sometimes compared to orgasmic states—has been discussed both in scientific literature and by advanced practitioners of meditation, particularly within traditions like Tibetan Buddhism, Theravāda Buddhism, and yogic practices. However, it’s important to approach this comparison carefully, as the nature of meditative bliss differs from sexual orgasm in physiological mechanisms, duration, and subjective experience. 1.  Bliss in Deep Meditation (Jhāna States) In Theravāda Buddhism, jhāna refers to a set of deeply absorbed states of concentration. The second through fourth jhānas, in particular, are said to involve profound states of pīti (rapture or joy) and sukha (pleasure or bliss). Pīti is described as a thrilling, energetic joy that can feel overwhelming. Sukha is a more tranquil, deep sense of well-being and pleasure. These feelings are not sexual in origin, but they are intense and can be more ...