To my brother

To my brother,


I don’t know why, but as I am about to try dozing to sleep (It’s 5 AM), I somehow recalled that you guys will have your retreat today. Then, I remembered writing to the batch before you. And I told myself, “Hey this is my favorite batch!” (Blah..blah.. – I just could not find a suitable intro)

If there is anything that I am so certain about (except the “Cogito, ergo sum” of course), it is that there is order in the universe. In fact, even if one maintains chaos, the human mind draws some high degree polynomials (say, to the 100th power) to describe an order. So much so, that I am forced to believe that this principle of order is innate in our mind. That we accept it no matter what. Anyway, I am just speaking from the point of view of mathematics which draws out equation from chaos.

Now, since there is order in the universe, I am also forced to maintain, that the infinitesimal humankind, still part of that order has a purpose and meaning. Now, we will stop at this point. The scientific mind indeed stops here. Of course, religious philosophy goes one more step, saying, “Man’s purpose and meaning cannot be investigated from the point of view of man, since his essence and existence cannot be explained from his side.” And so, the concept of purpose and meaning is accrued to something outside humanity. This is given to the order of the universe, or the universe itself, as some pantheists will say. But, if the universe’s existence cannot be explained from its side, since we find in it material things, whose components are broken down. Therefore, either we proceed again to the supreme order, or to some being who ordered this universe. Either we will proceed to infinity, which the mind cannot accept because we cannot accept infinity of bodies, or we will proceed to some immaterial cause. Now, I know that our thoughts fall apart, from the beginning of these syllogisms. I think, even the order of the universe will be a debate. But, as you can see, I am forced to accept it because it is the starting point of science. Without order, there could be no laws of science to talk about. As I told you, because of the innate principle of order in man, he finds order even in the seeming confusion and chaos.

What I am trying to say of course is that since I believe that we have a purpose and meaning in this world, we have to find it and pursue it. I know, that you are a gifted individual. Someday, if you and I must fulfill our destiny, I also believe that our thoughts will collide in the arena of philosophical debate. But, equally, I believe that whatever it is that we must do, we must try to discover them, and so fulfill the destiny of our beings. You must pursue your mission in life (whether you believe them to be your choice or not).

You will have your retreat today, and I believe that for some this will just be one of those meaningless stopovers in the “perpetual” journey in life. Now, whether you believe it or not, I know as certain that we are shaped by even the infinitesimal events in our lives. Yes, even the little words that are said for us or against us by the people we mingle with. And if we search deep in our souls, for the soul never forgets, we will come across the purpose and meaning we (or someone else) gave to our lives even before we came to be as we are now. You have to find your own reason to live for another day. Ha! Naisingit ko din ha?

Some words here are given because I believed them to be real. There is not a single word here that is contained which either, I do not believe with all my heart, or I have not known to be probable and demonstrable. Instead of dismissing them as superficial or sanctimonious, try to understand why I came up with such a conclusion. In the end, we do not agree to each other all the time. We just understand each other and point out why we came out with such a conclusion.

In the end, try to relax and enjoy your retreat. Yes, before I announce the result of your tests. Hehe.





George Atento