Never Quit
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Colossians 1:16
This website is a personal collection of insights based on first-hand experiences that involve the elevation of consciousness and the convergence of science and religion, and the transcendental nature of human consciousness. I provide a first-hand account of my journey of accepting the truth that there is one true God and how I came to this realization. The collection serves as a witness and testimony to my experiences, insights, and reflections. I also share personal descriptions of attempts to process the nature of consciousness itself.
My journey resulted from the hidden use of electromagnetic medical and scientific analysis, investigation, experimentation, utilization, validation, and verification. The collection of audio files is meant to inspire research and exploration into the nature of consciousness and the potential benefits of Neurotechnology.
I acknowledge that the journey has been difficult and painful, but it has also been transformative and enlightening. My hope is that these thoughts and insights offer hope and encouragement to those who may be struggling with their own beliefs or experiences and inspire further research into the nature of consciousness and the nature of their own transcendental journey therein. I express gratitude to God for guiding me through the journey and for giving me the strength to persevere through the challenges.
The collection also includes a quote from Dr. Carl Rogers, a prominent American psychologist, who emphasizes the importance of observation, hypothesis formation, and empirical testing in scientific inquiry, regardless of the level of sophistication or refinement of the methods used. Rogers warns against sterile pseudo-science that lacks direction and growth and emphasizes the importance of developing modes of inquiry in science. As such, Dr. Rogers' quote serves as a reminder that the convergence of science and religion is not an either-or proposition. Rather, it is a continuous journey towards greater understanding and wisdom, where both science and religion have a role to play.
"For example, it seems to me right and natural that in any new field of scientific endeavor the observations are gross, the hypotheses speculative and full of errors, the measurements crude." (Page 188)
“It is my opinion that the type of understanding which we call science can begin anywhere, at any level of sophistication. To observe acutely, to think carefully and creatively—these activities, not the accumulation of laboratory instruments, are the beginnings of science. To observe that a given crop grows better on the rocky hill than in the lush bottom land, and to think about this observation, is the start of science. To notice that most sailors get scurvy but not those who have stopped at islands to pick up fresh fruit is a similar start. To recognize that, when a person's views of himself change, his behavior changes accordingly, and to puzzle over this, is again the beginning of both theory and science. I voice this conviction in protest against the attitude, which seems too common in American psychology, that science starts in the laboratory or at the calculating machine.” (Page 188)
"A closely related belief is that there is a natural history of science — that science, in any given field, goes through a patterned course of growth and development. For example, it seems to me right and natural that in any new field of scientific endeavor the observations are gross, the hypotheses speculative and full of errors, the measurements crude. More important, I hold the opinion that this is just as truly science as the use of the most refined hypotheses and measurements in a more fully developed field of study. The crucial question in either case is not the degree of refinement but the direction of movement. If in either instance the movement is toward more exact measurement, toward more clear- cut and rigorous theory and hypotheses, toward findings which have greater validity and generality, then this is a healthy and growing science. If not, then it is a sterile pseudo science, no matter how exact its methods. Science is a developing mode of inquiry, or it is of no particular importance." (Page 188)
-- Dr. Carl Rogers, 1959
Reference:
Rogers, C. (1959). Psychology: A Study of a Science. Study 1, Volume 3: Formulations of the Person and the Social Context (1240218084 920113051 S. Koch, Ed.). In Psychology: A study of a science (pp. 184-256). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
In memoriam and appreciation of Ted Fitzhenry (RIP), I wrote a short story about a BUD/S student training experience I had with him as one of my SEAL Instructors.
My earliest childhood recollections ingrained in me the importance, value and worth of persistence in the face of adversity. Never Quit provides a stylistic "slice of life" glimpse into the very intimate coming of age process that many men can relate to in many different ways. I will forever be grateful to Ted for providing me a firm and fair opportunity.
I realized "all I needed is an interference free, fair shot. And I can be successful." This was first of many pivotal experience that profoundly impacted my internal training, development and resilience strategies for success (both conscious and unconscious) as a SEAL and a human being. In the first phase of my BUD/S training class,
Senior Chief Fitzhenry reminded me of the importance of resilience and persistence even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Set in the training environment of a BUD/S student circa 1992. This day our class was being selected or deselected based on our performance (demonstrated ability) to problem solve in various situations such as drown proofing (hands and feet tied together), underwater breath holds and life saving; Collectively known as Water Survival.
Image Credit: US Navy
Never Quit
Coronado, CA circa 1992
The softly bluing sky was marked by streaks of opulent white. Distance muting the guttural sounds of a scupper drain busy at work washing flotsam away. Silently still hulking camouflage figures floating; Grey hued silhouettes patiently waiting; Slowly undulating; fins moving with disciplined and fluid stocatic heel-toe-heel-toe rhythm.
Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) training is hard. It can be a bit tricky too. All hands on deck. Time to demonstrate water survival, Frogman style.
Pass; continue training.
Fail; future in question.
Our class moved through the various stations; The cacophonies of sounds spilling across the pool deck.
I hear, "Pass!" to my left and "Fail!" to my right.
Having a name that starts with “S” typically put me towards the last third of the class during test time. The evolution grinds forward methodically. Two thirds of the class cycles through the various testing stations. I start to notice a pattern emerging.
Students were avoiding one instructor’s line.
Ted Fitzhenry was a particularly difficult instructor to save on any day, it just happened that this day was to be my day to learn this lesson.
Ted Fitzhenry was a giant man; Large lungs, wide chest. Students would face Instructor Fitzhenry and upon entering the water would tortuously force themselves to be courageous in the face of irrefutable adversity; Students had very little luck in actually saving him without turning into the drowning victims themselves.
Students avoided Ted's station.
In BUD/S there can never be an empty line. There is always a bit of a “mad rush” to not be "that guy" who is "cherry picking" favorites or avoiding feared instructors. The strategy that was unknown to me quickly manifested in each student who with lightning speed managed to avoid Instructor Fitzhenry's line.
The next feat I witnessed was the ability of each of these students to rapidly jostle themselves into any other line without raising any eyebrows from the instructor cadre.
I was too busy appreciating the "organismic biological imperative to survive" to see what was transpiring around me.
Just then, a fuzzy thought started to enter my mind, "hmm... I wonder if I should..".
A quick scan confirmed that my "SA" or situational awareness was a bit on the narrow side. All eyes were on me. It was my turn to move to the next available line – you guessed it – the only available station was Instructor Fitzhenry. I was locked in.
"Here we go", I thought.
I entered the water and swam toward the hulking figure; silhouette slowly rising and falling against the backdrop of the mid-day sun. I make my approach towards his floating figure.
I hear my words tersely bursting, “relax instructor, I’m here to save you."
Treading water, I reach him.
Arm outstretched. Grab. Shoulder Over shoulder. Stretching, pulling. Kick. Stroke. Glide.
Pumping and kicking. Grudgingly angling towards the side of the pool.
"Whoosh"
In an instant the soggy giant rolled out of my hold; diving below, gliding up, legs winding around my waist. His huge forearms and hands oozing around my neck slowly squeezing.
Training has commenced.
"Go time." I thought, wondering "what's he going to throw at me now?"
Internal dialogue: "Take a deep breath. Turn head. Tuck chin. Apply pressure. Rotate."
"uh oh."
Ted pulls my hand down and away holding it; He completely prevents me from moving my arms; I was stuck.
"I get the point", I think to myself.
Now on a breath hold, sinking to the bottom in the 9 ft. section.
I wasn’t sure what to do but I do remember the following thoughts: “I think he can hold his breath longer than I can..." and "if this goes on much longer, I’m going to pass out and drown.”
Of course, I didn’t want this; My next thought was, “I don’t think he’s allowed to drown me and don’t think he wants me to drown, either.”
Aha!
A feign, a ruse. "Sun-Tzu would be proud." I think to myself as I went limp. Allowing all of my weight to fully rest in his hands and arms.
He immediately relaxed his grip; Instantly spinning around and reaching across his chest; I pulled him as hard and fast as I could to the side of the pool.
Just at the last moment I turned and said as in the most confident voice I could manage while gasping for breath, “relax Instructor Fitzhenry, I’m here to save you.”
Once we were to the side of the pool, he looked at me, spit some water out of his mouth and smiled saying, “Pass.”
On this day my fate rested on my ability to think under pressure and under water on a breath hold. Frogmen training Frogmen. That's the nature of things in our world as is the saying, "You are never out of the fight."
Hoo-yah BUD/s.
Epilogue
SCPO Fitzhenry was killed in a training accident on June 15th, 2004.
Rest in Peace, Ted
About the author
In conclusion, this personal collection of reflections and insights is a testament to the power of the convergence of science and religion in the context of the transcendental nature of human consciousness. It serves as an invitation to recognize and accept the divine plan and coherence of our internal and external struggles, and to approach the hard problem of integrating science and religion with acute observation, creative thinking, and a continuous quest for greater understanding and wisdom. Thank you for taking the time to explore this collection.
Sincerely,
John
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