The Unlikely Buddha

Not in the clenched fist of certainty,   not in the bright, brittle coin of answers—   but in the open palm of seeking,   in the restless, reaching hands   that tremble with wonder,   truth stirs and awakens. Not in the silence of knowing,   but in the murmur of questions,   the midnight conversations with shadows,   the gentle undoing of old beliefs   like peeling back the petals of a dream. The real significance of truth   is not in its possession—   not in the cold, unyielding stone of fact—   but in the wild, luminous chase,   the wrestling with riddles in the dark,   the unmasking of masks we never knew we wore. To seek truth is to walk a winding path   where shadows shift and meanings shimmer,   where paradoxes bloom like night flowers,   opening only to those who dare to question,   who risk...

The deleterious effects on TikTok it's viewers. TikTok's algorithm has been criticized for potentially exposing viewers, especially young people, to harmful content that can negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Here are some key points: Promotion of Disturbing Content TikTok's personalized "For You" feed can inadvertently promote disturbing content related to self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and other mental health issues to vulnerable users. The algorithm tends to serve more of the same type of content that a user engages with, potentially creating a harmful feedback loop. Normalization of Mental Health Struggles While TikTok allows users to share personal experiences, there are concerns that the platform may normalize or even glamorize mental health struggles, trauma, and harmful coping mechanisms like self-injury. This could lead to a distorted perception of these issues among impressionable viewers. Addictive Nature and Shortened At...

Serbia, a nation of 6.7 million in the heart of the Balkans, stands at a pivotal moment in its post-Yugoslav history. With a diverse population-predominantly Orthodox Serbs, but also significant Hungarian, Bosniak, Roma, and Albanian minorities-the country has long balanced East and West, tradition and modernity. Today, however, Serbia is defined by political turbulence, mass protest, and an increasingly authoritarian government. Aleksandar Vučić: From Populist to Strongman Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia’s president, has dominated the country’s political landscape for over a decade. His Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) controls parliament, the media, and key state institutions. Once seen as a pragmatic reformer, Vučić has consolidated power through a blend of populism, patronage, and centralized authority. He presents himself as the sole guarantor of stability, but critics accuse him of eroding democratic norms, suppressing dissent, and using state resources to entrench hi...

On the night of February 27, 1933, flames engulfed the Reichstag building, the seat of Germany’s parliament, in one of the most consequential events in modern history.  The Reichstag fire not only marked the beginning of Adolf Hitler’s totalitarian reign but also became a symbol of how fear and manipulation can dismantle democracy.  Historian William L. Shirer famously referred to the aftermath as the "charter for Nazi Germany," underscoring its pivotal role in enabling the Nazi regime to consolidate power. What Happened on That Fateful Night The Reichstag fire was allegedly started by Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist who claimed he acted alone to incite a workers' revolution.  Van der Lubbe was arrested, tried, and later executed for arson. However, controversy surrounds his involvement, with many historians arguing that the Nazis themselves orchestrated the fire as a false flag operation to justify their rise to power. Eyewitness accounts and evidenc...

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama—the Buddha—over 2,500 years ago, is a profound spiritual tradition that illuminates the path to inner peace, wisdom, and liberation. It transcends religious boundaries, offering a universal guide for seekers of truth and enlightenment. Through its timeless teachings, transformative practices, and profound cultural impact, Buddhism has inspired countless lives and shaped the course of human history.  The Roots of Buddhism: The Life of Buddha  Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) as a prince of the Shakya clan. Sheltered from the realities of life, he lived in luxury until encountering the Four Sights—an old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a wandering ascetic. These experiences awakened him to the impermanence of life and the universality of suffering.  Determined to find a solution to human suffering, Siddhartha renounced his princely life and embarked on a spiritual...

Sufism is not merely a branch of Islam —it is a spiritual journey that seeks direct communion with God through love, devotion, and inner purification. It transcends ritual and doctrine, offering seekers a path to dissolve their ego and experience divine unity. Rooted in the Qur'an's teachings and inspired by the life of Prophet Muhammad, Sufism emerged as an antidote to materialism and a beacon for those yearning for spiritual depth. Roots of Sufism: A Spiritual Reaction  The origins of Sufism can be traced back to the early years of Islam. The Qur'an provides the foundation for its mystical focus with verses like:  "Indeed, he succeeds who purifies his soul" (Qur'an 91:9).  "I created the Jinns and humankind only that they may worship Me" (Qur'an 51:56).  The Prophet Muhammad himself is considered by many Sufis as embodying their practices—his periods of meditation in the Cave of Hira and his emphasis on Ihsan (spiritual exce...

Long ago , during the Late Cretaceous period, the floodplains of Patagonia were home to one of the most awe-inspiring creatures to ever walk the Earth: P atagotitan mayorum These colossal dinosaurs were the largest known animals to roam the land, measuring an astonishing 122 feet in length and weighing up to 77 metric tons—more than 10 African elephants combined. Their story is one of growth, survival, and dominance in a prehistoric world teeming with life and danger. Born Small, Destined for Greatness   Despite their eventual size, *Patagotitan* began life humbly. Hatchlings emerged from melon-sized eggs no bigger than a basketball. These tiny dinosaurs were precocial, meaning they were relatively independent from birth. Instinctively, they grouped together with siblings and other juveniles in herds for protection against predators. But even before they hatched, their eggs faced threats from a variety of cunning predators. Among these predators were snakes like...