What a splendid journey it's been. Ch#2, Early Years.

Given the turmoil of getting legal papers and leaving Germany, the long transatlantic cruise, the storms and waves, the course diversion, processing though US immigrations - the train ride out from New York to Chicago must have flashed by in a sleepy blur.

Arriving in Chicago, we were met by Aunt Elsie and Uncle Julius who rolled out the red carpet for us at their small Chicago apartment.  Much later I came to realize it was so small because they were also buying a Florida vacation home and another on Beverly Shores, Indiana.  They always did seem to have their priorities straight.     

I heard we twins were a big hit.  Yes, I'd be the one grabbing for the flowers.  After the celebrating and some rest, our family moved into another cramped apartment above a shop, on a busy thoroughfare. 

My dad got established at Altman’s Camera Store off Lincoln Avenue, joined the Chicago Musicians Union, and worked his butt off.  Then, he found a nice ground-level apartment to raise kids in.  It wasn’t far from Altman’s on the western edge of the Lakeview district, 3307 N. Bell.  Located two houses down from a T-intersection, which meant little through traffic.

What a splendid journey it's been. Ch#1, Escape.

 Introduction 

With only a few months to go, it's looking like I’m going to make it to my 70th birthday. Considering the metaphorical knife’s edge I’ve danced along my entire life, I’m astonished to be here. Hell, I remember celebrating my unlikely entry into the Half Century Club—recalling some friends and acquaintances who didn’t make it. Not to mention my own close calls.

Yet here I am. Even more amazing for me is all the people who have become part of my life along the way—especially in the pulse of babies turned toddlers and beyond these past six years. Their parents are full-time professionals, and I was privileged to be the most active member of our three-grandparent baby care support team during their first couple of years, since I had more available time than my working wife. The physical beings of these active grandchildren quite literally instructed my body to reinvigorate itself, which it did.

Those repeated days and weeks together created deep bonds through shared adventures and memories - memories that will fade as they grow but still leave lasting imprints that I feel good about. This past year, a baby girl from a new clutch joined us, nor have I forgotten my original two grandchildren, now in their twenties, busy building their own lives.

I include this upfront because it explains why I feel I’ve earned the legitimacy to tackle our deeper questions.  Writing this story will allow me to reflect on how my experiences helped weave themselves into my particular perspective - the relationship between myself and the knowledge I possess.  

What's it all about, in 169 words.

 

 

Who Am I?

I am an evolved biological sensing creature, a filament in the pageant of Earth’s evolution.

I am the product of nearly half a billion years of Earth’s uninterrupted generations of research and development and reproduction.

My Body/Brain is the cumulative product of Earth’s evolutionary processes; 

My Mind is the cumulative product of my Body/Brain interacting with my world (interior & exterior);

My God(s) along with all of my other thoughts are the product of my Mind.

I appreciate and respect the Physical Reality ~ Human Mind divide(with its many cascading implications) and believe it’s about the most fundamental observation we can make regarding our human condition and it is worth ruminating on since all else proceeds from there.

I respect and appreciate serious science as our best chance to understand ourselves and the Earth that sustains us. I also believe that the science of our Earth/biology/evolution and deep time offer opportunities for spiritual revelations, challenges and resolutions well beyond what our self-created ego-driven religions can offer. 

 

 Peter Miesler

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How did I come up with this?

I myself found that there’s plenty of mystery, wonder, and spiritual footing to be found within a deep sober science-based understanding of this miracle planet Earth’s evolution, and especially how that Pageant of Evolution is reiterated and reflected within my own body.

The story of how my body evolved and got to be the master piece we inhabit is fantastic. Utterly mind blowing and with room for meta-physical overtones which are beautiful, part of the living mystery - but we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously.

I’ve “touched the All” it was sublime, moving, and it subtly changed me, even as I knew it was the product of my own mind interacting with the environment (and others).  

So, please don’t tell me God is up there reaching down for a personal relationship with me or you.  That conviction isn't about respecting some super natural creator entity, it is nothing less than human Ego gone berserk.  

I don’t need it.  Because I understand I was created out of this Earth’s processes and I’m surrounded by other Earthlings of every variety, all of whom also have lives and value, and that I owe them some consideration.  After all, they are part of my family!