Breaking Down Walls

By Michael B. Evers

In his latest book, Michael B. Evers compiles an anthology of essays and prose on what it means to live, what it means to be, what it means to think, and to dream. Based on a full life of experiences, Evers provides discussion and thought-provoking philosophy, history, politics, and familial relationships. Through these wanderings, Evers seeks to find bits of wisdom from his experiences, while challenging others to make their own conclusions and allow each person to reflect on life and its wonders in different and unique ways, hopefully making our world a brighter and more meaningful place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Mar 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891274051

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The contents of this work, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of events, people, and places depicted; opinions expressed; permission to use previously published materials included; and any advice given or actions advocated are solely the responsibility of the author, who assumes all liability for said work and indemnifies the publisher against any claims stemming from publication of the work.

Cover photo: Michael B. Evers

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. Evers

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, downloaded, distributed, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN: 979-8-89127-907-0

eISBN: 979-8-89127-405-1

OTHER BOOKS BY MICHAEL B. EVERS

A Simple Man: An Anthology Poems and Essays on Life

2020 Amazon.com

Son, Please Don’t Act Normal Silly Tales of Growing Up

2020 Amazon.com

The Destination

A novel about unusual connections

2020 Amazon.com

Jon Robert Cavaiani: A Wolf Remembered

A Biography of a POW/Medal of Honor Recipient

2023 Amazon.com

In The Works

Conrad ‘Ben’ Baker: Mr. Q, USA

The Other Side of Decline: Compassion Fatigue

No wall before you can keep you from learning what is on the other side…

…unless you allow it.

Michael B. Evers

INTRODUCTION

This compilation of thought in poesy and prose is not intended to be the absolute answer to anything. It is an effort to understand life and the inner workings of life. We, as human beings, engage one another in a natural environment. We each experience life and bring our experiences to the table to be shared. No one person’s experience supersedes the other’s, rather, experiences, once shared, hopefully enlighten the lives of others.

That we tend to deny or cancel the words and thoughts of those with whom we disagree is regretful. It is through difference that we learn. It is through venturing against our own perspectives that we grow.

In this body of writings, I seek answers, I seek hope, and I seek responses that differ from mine in hopes that I might learn.

I encourage the reader to challenge my thoughts, my ideas, my perspectives. I will debate no one, but I will engage in dialogue with anyone. For dialogue enables all who are so engaged the opportunity to learn from one another.

Michael Buford Evers

People who believed the world was round were once derided and even slaughtered by authorities who declared it to be flat. Beware of authoritative arrogance, ignorance, and intolerance.

MB Evers

One may believe a lie and believe it very strongly, but one’s beliefs do not alter the truth. The universe does not concern itself with our beliefs—it functions with consistent adherence to universal laws and principles. One may ignore fact and choose to live in a fantasyland, adventure land, tomorrow land, or wonderland; but that one chooses to close one’s mind to fact and truth does not make the fantasy a reality. Perception may not be truth! Perception is often a façade of reality—or too often an outright lie—that we repeat to ourselves. I hope we will open our eyes! I pray that we will tear down our walls of pretense and flawed belief!

MB Evers

One who conveys to youth what they should think is not a teacher, but an indoctrinator.

One who guides youth to explore and experience life to achieve their highest potential, and in so doing learn how to think and live wisely, courageously, and compassionately is a mentor.

MB Evers

DEDICATION

The musings included within these pages are dedicated to my lovely bride, to our sons and daughters, and to our grandchildren who give us such great joy. With great hope for their happiness and well-being throughout this lifetime and for all eternity, I offer these few words. To each of them, and to family and friends as well, my sincere thanks for joining me again in this lifetime and allowing me to learn from each of you.

I offer these ramblings with sincerest appreciation to those who have provided lessons in life. I am fortunate enough to have shared time and space during this lifetime with people who have given unselfishly. It is also, in some cases, that I have learned lessons from those who were neutral to me or perhaps held me in contempt, for they, too, provided lessons to me, some in a positive manner and some through negativity. To both types of teachers I owe a great debt of gratitude. That I am able to jot down these few tidbits is due to others who taught me. However, I must admit that I learned much from my own mistakes, errors, and unwise decisions; and while I may regret some of my actions, I do not regret the lessons learned.

I am extremely grateful to my parents who taught me wonderful lessons that prepared me for adulthood; and to my siblings and friends who put up with my foolishness and unorthodox approach to life.

PART I

ESSAYS

ON THOUGHT

This essay is an exploration into life and thought. While the author has some knowledge of biological sciences, he possesses a lesser amount of knowledge regarding physics and chemistry that could assist him in finding answers, or at least in developing a formula toward answers, to questions that have puzzled humankind for eons. While the author hopes to uncover answers in his exploration, it is recognized that more questions than answers may arise. To initiate the exploration the author asks the question, From whence do thoughts arise?

This writing is dedicated to those who are bold enough to explore life beyond the accepted norms of birth, life, and death. Specifically, it is dedicated to my mentor in life, Daisaku Ikeda, whose views on life and poignant books and essays on the subject have enabled me to become inquisitive enough to explore my own life—from whence I came, who and what I am, and to what continuum of existence I am creating for myself. I am most appreciative of Dr. Ikeda, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross, and Dr. Michael Newton for their works regarding life beyond earthly human life. Finally, I am appreciative to my wife Yoshiko who, while not understanding my passion to explore this realm, provided me with support to do so.

From Whence Do Thoughts Arise?

We, as humans, have thoughts while asleep as well as while awake. We tend to frequently forget those thoughts that emerge during sleep, and we are capable of forgetting thoughts experienced while awake. And seldom is our mind so focused on only one thought that we have a clear mental map of our trek through the concepts, images, feelings, and actions that are associated with that single thought. We are capable of multiple thoughts at any given time. The study of thought is complex.

As in sleep, does thought continue after one’s body has ceased to have physical and mental signs of life? In reading several materials by young, eager researchers into the questions of where is thought generated and what generates thought I find that most dwell on the chemical and neurological aspects of events that occur with thought. Most, if not all, present findings that would have thought stemming from the results of chemical and neurological interactions.

An objectivist will likely state that without chemical and neurological processes, thought is impossible, while a subjectivist may argue that it is thought that causes chemical and neurological processes to occur.

Let’s consider an example. A woman has died; or has she? All vital signs indicate that she is dead, yet, when life returns to her body, she recounts her experience of seeing doctors, nurses, family, and her own body, and, perhaps more importantly, she conveys the thoughts that she had during the death, or near-death, experience. That she is able to have thoughts while dead is significant! Thought continued in spite of perceived death. That there was a life outside of the body to generate, and perhaps to receive, thought is significant