1 June 2000

I’ll begin with an addendum to my previous entry. I was reading the Strauss book on the plane to Calgary, and ran across the following line that reminded me of a conversation that Callie and I were having over dinner last night: "In the latter, Nietzsche discusses at length the ways in which the will to truth -- i.e., philosophy -- is inimical to life. Nietzsche’s assertion is that we should choose life over truth. The philosophic longing for truth must not be allowed to destroy life which requires all manner of tensions, contradictions, and sheltering half-truths or outright myths and lies" (Leo Strauss, the Straussians, and the American Regime, 112).

This quote comes from an essay that examines, largely, Strauss’s reading of Nietzsche. I think that one of the lessons Strauss did draw from Nietzsche is that philosophical truth -- and the quest for it, perhaps more importantly (hence Strauss’s classification of Nietzsche as a Platonic thinker -- because Socrates first raised the question of the tension between the city and the philosopher) -- can be dangerous. I’m not so sure, actually, that this was Nietzsche’s teaching, but I’ll leave that alone for now, because the interesting part is this: Strauss seems to be asserting that Nietszche claims that to secure our lives, we need some manner of sheltering half-truths, lies, or what have you.

I would contend just the opposite! This was one of the topics of the conversation with Callie at dinner last night If we reject the mind-body dichotomy, as I think we should, then a very important possibility emerges from that rejection: that one’s mental health can have a significant impact on one’s physical health! To go further with this, then, if one truly has "all manner of" mental tensions, contradictions, half-truths, lies, etc, these problems are likely to show up physically in some manner and to some extent. As an example of this: I have two past acqaintances who have been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, a condition that is much like a recurring bladder infection but that has no known cause or cure medically. Interestingly, both of these young women have some issues of sexual abuse in their past. Is it at all possible that this illness of unknown origin could be related to inadequacies in their dealing with these issues of sexual abuse in the past? I think so -- and I will add that someone else thought so before me, but I added the mind-body connection as the linkage. Indeed, I think it makes some sense that this bizarre illness would be located in an area of the reproductive system, since that is the origin of the lingering psychological issues that are being repressed (or otherwise evaded).

I could be way off base in this line of thinking, but I would like to see it pursued. I used to think a lot of the non-Western medical practitioners were quacks. I still think many (if not most) of them are. But one thing I like about the approach of many of them is they take a whole body approach to healing -- no mind-body dichotomy. Western medicine tends to ignore the mind and accept the mind-body dichotomy, which renders all of the wonderful technology and advances that have been made slightly less effective, in my opinion. This is not to endorse the mysticism of much of non-Western medicine, but simply to argue that Western medicine could probably be improved by accepting some of its teachings about the mind.

* * * *

The flight itself was uneventful. I was able to sleep a little bit, which was nice. Obviously, I was able to read and think a little bit, which was even nicer!

The customs officials at the Calgary airport were interesting. The fellow asked me about my business, and I told him we an energy consulting firm and I was here to call on clients. He asked me "Who are some of those clients?" I told him Alberta Energy, Talisman, and some others, but I was actually pretty impressed that he asked that question. It was a clever way of making sure that I was really coming into the country for business. Hallmark had told me to expect them to be a little different in their approach than the folks at London-Gatwick, who just pretty much take you at your word and move you on through. Those Brits are awfully trusting!

Calgary itself looks a little bit like Kansas, only with the beautiful Rocky Mountains as backdrop. The architecture in the city is full of contrast. Downtown, where we are staying, has beautiful skyscrapers that feature lots of glass and steel. It is not unlike Houston’s downtown, but with a little more flair. The interesting juxtaposition is that just off of downtown, there are smaller shops and bars and such that are older looking buildings resembling those I have seen in photos of old logging and mining towns in the Pacific Northwest.

Speaking of those bars/grills, Terry and I managed to sit outside at several of them and quaff down brews and some beer throughout the afternoon and evening. I was in heaven, as I was able to people-watch and observe the goings on. Random thoughts on Calgary: I love the place! The people here are not pretentious at all; they are entirely friendly and smile a great deal; most of them carry themselves with a confidence and joy of living that I’ve not seen to this extent other places; they dress very practically, and those who are wearing outdoors gear are not like the people one sees in the states wearing North Face gear as a fashion statement -- they have picked very high quality gear because one needs it here; few of them are overweight, especially in comparison to the States, which I found interesting since the winters are so harsh; overall, the people here seem very healthy both physically and mentally.

This is a city I could get very used to, if it weren’t for the harsh winters! I should definitely like to return and explore further at some point in the future. I’m thinking a Counting Crows show might just be in the offing!