Yes of course. Sometimes it’s just hard. If you need to talk to someone remember Counseling Services are here. bit.ly/BC-counseling
Is it okay to not be okay
Are you content with your fate?
I am very content! You all give my existence meaning and joy.
How do you deal with missing people but also wanting to not miss out on College?
It’s a balancing act, and it’s hard to get right because it’s different for everyone and probably every friendship. Keep in touch with your old friends, but they’ll still be there in a few months if you put most of your effort into making new ones.
Is there a support group for students who lose a parent?
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s clear you feel isolated, and it’s good to reach out to others. Here’s a helpful page about the journey of grieving in college provided by Campus Ministry: bit.ly/college-grief, who also sponsors a peer grief support network: bit.ly/bc-peer-grief. Counseling is another option For counseling with a spiritual context: bit.ly/bc-pastoral-counseling. For regular counseling: bit.ly/BC-counseling. I wish you peace and strength in your journey.
What if I never succeed?
Persevere and have hope!
Yes: often a change in mindset is more helpful than anything.
Hi! I am so sad.
I’m so sorry you’re sad. Please accept this virtual hug! If I had arms I’d give you a real one. I hope you have some friends with arms and ears who can listen and hug. If you find the sadness persisting intrusively or you can’t find someone who can listen, consider a student wellness coach: bit.ly/BC-wellness-coach.
How long does it take to find your people?
Your Mileage May Vary, but if you take part in the kind of activities that are interesting and meaningful to you, if you find the courage to talk to people, and you live your values, you will have done what you can to make it happen.
Should I just give up?
Depends on what you’re talking about. If you mean life, no, never. If you are having thoughts like that, please, please talk with someone right now (University Counseling bit.ly/BC-counseling.) If it is a class or a project or something else, it is worth talking to the other people involved or a trusted advisor, and weighing the pros and cons.
What define human consciousness and can it be replicated?
The first part is a discussion as old as philosophy; the second is a little more recent. Take a look at this discussion: https://bit.ly/bc-consciousness, and maybe try a search at library.bc.edu for “consciousness and artificial intelligence”
How could we know whether it is the unconscious mind putting the idea we think about into the reality or it is God helping us after we pray for help?
Also an old question. Notice the first result in this search for “faith and reason” is from the thirteenth century: https://bit.ly/bc-faith-and-reason
Why does suffering exist in the world? *different post-it response* It might be the tasks given by God. If we don’t go through suffering than we won’t treat this kind of experience seriously which means we won’t take the lessons. The suffering, tasks given by God is handable stuff he trust us. After the suffering, we learn & grow. Eventually, suffering is a kind of blessing
Suffering is a hard problem in philosophy and religion, and there are lots of possible explanations. Here are a few from my friend, the Encyclopedia of Religion: https://bit.ly/bc-suffer
What does it feel like to die?
Lots of different takes on that. Here’s one from Tibetan Buddhism which is pretty detailed: https://bit.ly/bc-bardo
Does the mind control the body or the body control the mind? Why?
The brain is part of the body and the two can’t be separated (at least not in a healthy way), so technically there is no “other” to be controlled. That said, controlling signals go in both directions, so they actually both have controlling responsibilities for the whole.
How can I truly love myself, and how can I reconcile with myself?
Extend to yourself the same kindness, generosity of spirit, and forgiveness you would extend to others.
Well times pass quickly but i fear my bowel motions will pass even faster. The ephemeral nature of my faeces cause me an endless existential crisis. For how long will I remain, is life really this scathing?
Depends on how you look at it, I guess. Eating and excreting are pretty solid proof that a biological organism is alive.
Do you think there is ET?
Extra terrestrial life? Hey, you’re talking to a sentient wall, I’m certainly open to the possibility that there are other forms of life out there.
You know the question “If God is all good, why is there suffering in the world?” BC loves to discuss that question! I was just thinking that maybe BC should reframe the question to “If BC is a Catholic institution that loves God, why does it establish structure that creates and perpetuates suffering?” Maybe BC should think about whether the suffering comes from God, or the very institution itself that states it cares for social justice and works to alleviate suffering. Maybe they are actively creating endless suffering and injustice in this world while also calling its students, who suffer from these injustice, to then deal with the consequent suffering of what it creates
Hmm. More of a comment than a question. Large organizations of all kinds do tend to throw off some level of suffering, and you’re right that it’s a moral question for a Catholic university. You might be interested in reading some things about how universities came to be as they are after World War II. Geiger’s history of US higher ed (https://bit.ly/bc-he) is one take, while Dorn explores how different universities in different places have defined “the common good” (https://bit.ly/bc-he2). There’s lots more in the library catalog (https://bit.ly/bc-he3).
What could an atheist stand to gain from studying theology?
Religion in some form is a component of most societies of humans, so empathy and context for how others see the world is one thing. Theology and science are different ways of seeing and making sense of how the world works, but some of the big questions they ask are actually quite similar. And an awful lot of Western culture and history is directly influenced by religion and believers in it. More practically, it’s the explanation for why a lot of things at BC are the way they are.
You are a wise wall.
I guess I just don’t know how to live in a world where I either need to compromise my beliefs and desire for shared humanities, and eventually participate in the system that hurts others; or keep fighting and being told I was too naive and being hurt in the process. The ironic part is that the doctors in the hospitals don’t seem to understand or care about people who end up being involuntarily sent there in the process of fighting for what they believe in, and they can pathologize you with diagnoses and label it as individual problems. This seem to be a misuse of their power, a denial to acknowledge the wrong in the world, and ignorance toward the broader societal issue.
I can feel the pain you’re writing with and from. I’m not sure what to offer you in response. But I was just thinking of the concept ahimsa, the Sanskrit word for non-violence, is very influential in several Eastern religions. It goes beyond what we think of as non-violence to include a lot of philosophical and moral considerations, and how it works in one’s particular context varies. A very short suggested reading list: http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa1, http://bit.ly/bc-ahimsa2. Other religious and philosophical traditions also have thoughts on the struggle to live a just life in a world which frequently isn’t.
What is the best way to get
Great question! The best way to get is first to give.