Martijn

CURRENT MOON moon phases
Hey there,
Welcome to my MySpace profile.
So you're wondering what kind of person I am. Well that's not easily answered because I learn more about myself each day and I keep on developing and changing.
There are a lot of things I'm interested in and have an opinion about as you can see on this page and many more things I haven't thought of putting on here yet.
How will I describe myself? I don't really like 'labels'. I believe they are very limited and limiting. The moment you start identifying yourself with such a label you are compelled to 'play they part’. But if I had to describe myself I might use labels like an observer, a thinker, a philosopher, a negotiator, a listener, a preacher, a student and a teacher.
"I strive to develop the peace of heart to except that what I can not change,
the courage and strength to change that what I should not accept
and the wisdom to tell the difference between the two."
I don't call myself a Buddhist, but I do find a lot of wisdom in Buddhist teachings and most of their concepts work very well for me.
Because I am constantly learning more about myself and I keep on developing this profile will change from time to time.
My character:
I'm a natural non-conformist and really dislike flock-mentality or people without an opinion of their own or with an opinion that is not supported by knowledge. I never do something because it is popular, fashionable or because other people think it is cool.
"If you gain a position of influence, one day it will disappear. If you receive honors, one day those honors will fade. Popularity is just like a straw fire. So when you get the chance, you should take that brightness and make the poor places, the dark places, bright."
- Phra Kru Ba Neua Chai -
Looking back I've always done my own thing and explored what I wanted at my own rate and following my own way of doing these things. And even though that isn't always easy and a lot of people don't understand you, it's the only way to live for me.
"This above all: to thine own self be true,..."
- William Shakespeare -
Ignorance & arrogance:
Close-mindedness and intolerance are really disturbing to me. I always try to keep in mind that, no matter how well informed I am and no matter how sure I THINK I can be about something, I can be wrong or at least not have a complete picture of it. I try to be objective towards other points of view than my own. The people who are convinced they are right and won't even listen to an other opinion are the ones who will never learn anything new.
"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
- Socrates -
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom.
It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."
- Mahatma Gandhi -
"For even the very wise cannot see all ends."
- Gandalf -
I have to say I do understand where these negative traits come from. It are natural and human reactions to ignorance, fear and insecurity. Knowing that, I can put it all into perspective, but that only goes so far. A lot of the time it angers me so that I really feel like creating a bloodbath among idiots like racists and religious fanatics, but in the end I try to avoid confrontations and to give the right example.
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles."
- Charlie Chaplin -
The banner below is for a Dutch foundation that helps those that need it most in Nepal.
It was started by a friend of mine and I made a MySpace profile for it.
I've got GREAT respect for people who lead non-violent struggles against discrimination, for civil rights and (world) peace and/or improve the way we look upon and treat the sick, the handicapped and people in general.
Symbols of (world) peace:
The Dalai Lama
6 July 1935-Now
For his struggle for world peace and against the occupation of Tibet.
Favorite quote(s):
”If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
”Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.”
”You should respect other religions... The essence of all religions is basically the same: to achieve a true sense of brotherhood, a good heart, respect for others. If we can develop these qualities from within our heart, then I think we can actually achieve true peace.”
Mahatma Gandhi
2 October 1869 - 30 January 1948
For his efforts in the non-violent ‘fight’ for the independence of India and for peace between Muslims and Hindus in India.
Favorite quote(s):
When asked what he thought of Western civilization.
"I think it would be a good idea."
”An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”
”Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not any man's greed.”
Fighters against discrimination:
Nelson Mandela
18 July 1918 - Now
For his part in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and being a symbol against racism all over the world.
Favorite quote(s):
”If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
”I detest racialism because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”
”For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
”It's a tragedy what is happening, what Bush is doing. All Bush wants is Iraqi oil. There is no doubt that the U.S. is behaving badly. Why are they not seeking to confiscate weapons of mass destruction from their ally Israel? This is just an excuse to get Iraq’s oil.”
Martin Luther King, jr.
15 January 1929 – 4 April 1968
Because of his part in the ‘fight’ for civil rights for African Americans and against segregation and racial discrimination.
Favorite quote(s):
”Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated.”
”The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.... The chain reaction of evil — hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars — must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
”One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”
Rosa Parks
4 February 1913 – 24 October 2005
For her part in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Her most famous tribute was her refusal to obey bus driver James Blake's order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger.
Favorite quote(s):
”People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”
”I did not get on the bus to get arrested I got on the bus to go home.”
Steve Biko
18 December 1946 - 12 September 1977
For his work as an anti-apartheid activist.
Favorite quote(s):
”The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”
”Apartheid — both petty and grand — is obviously evil. Nothing can justify the arrogant assumption that a clique of foreigners has the right to decide on the lives of a majority”
”It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die.”
Example in treatment of the ill:
Hunter "Patch" Adams
28 May 1945 - Now
For his ‘revolutionary’ way of treating ‘the sick’ and rebelling against the established, arrogant and pretentious medical society. His philosophy is (I think) best described with a quote from the movie:
”Our job is improving the quality of life, not just delaying death.”
Most people probably know Patch because of the movie named after and based around him. Starring Robin Williams as Patch.
Favorite quote(s):
”The most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy.”
”You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person I'll guarantee you'll win.”
(This one is from the movie so I’m not sure it’s really something the ‘real’ Patch said.)
Politics:
With elections here in The Netherlands I support the Socialist Party. I believe that you can measure the ethical development of a society by how it chooses to treat it's weaker members.
A person in Dutch politics that I strongly disagree with is Geert Wilders. His ideas a very discriminating and his plans for our country completely unrealistic and undemocratic.
In international politics I'm very disturbed by the way the former government of The United States of America was conducting itself. The plain disregard for human rights it shows by how they treat (war)prisoners. The aggressive posturing toward countries whose politics it doesn't agree with. The fact that they don't support treaties like the Kyoto convention because of the effect it might have on their economy. The poor social security system and lack of support in time of disaster for its own citizens. I hope that their new president will be able to start the change toward a more social policy.