"However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man."
(1 Corinthians 2:15)

        Our human brain is the most complex organ known to man.   But it is often said that most of us use only a tiny part of our brains on a regular basis, despite their immense capacities.   Perhaps more important than how much we use is how we use what we use (that is when it comes to using our brains).   It seems an often ignored fact that the more complex something is, the more ways there are to misuse it.   Consequently, there are people who are quite adept at using their brains in ways that make them feel worse rather than better about their current plight.   "It's not what happens, it's what you do that makes the difference," according to success expert Anthony Robbins.   Much of the challenge in life is thus taking those situations which appear bad to us and turning them around in our minds by deciding what we are going to do.   Decisions, decisions.   One of the helps in doing this is to realize that no one can read another person's intentions except Jehovah alone.   Other humans are not knowing our thoughts in advance, so to speak.   So we can make more decisions without anyone knowing, which is good because the more decisions you make, the better you get at making them.

Does this mean that decisions have to be difficult, or that we need to deal with complex issues all the time?   No, it is far more important to practice basics.   The best coaches don't teach advanced classes, they teach basics.   The people who are the best at what they do practice basics every day.   They enjoy practicing the fundamentals.   How do you build a house?   Is it a very deft flick of the wrist?   More than that, it is a series of movements in basic concrete work, basic carpentry, basic plumbing, basic wiring.   So if you judge a teacher as not so good because he doesn't teach advanced concepts, try to remember, it doesn't necessarily mean that he doesn't understand advanced concepts, but he is just as aware that teaching fundamentals is far more beneficial.

What are fundamentals?   They are, simply, the building blocks from which other more complex concepts arise.   An engineer may understand the construction of a very specific type of building.   He may have built it many times.   He may know the layout of the design, all the specifications for all the components and materials and the prices of each, and how it all goes together, including the order of the construction and which people are required for which job.   Now give him another building with a completely different purpose.   How will he ever apply the knowledge he has from the other type of construction if he never built this particular building?   By applying fundamentals.   He must know not only all the things mentioned in order to do this, but he must also know why things were done the way that they were.   In other words, he must understand the principles involved in the construction of this new building, so that he can make decisions about what materials and components will work for the different purpose.   Are fundamentals easy to understand?   And how does this relate to you?

No, fundamentals are the most difficult of all to grasp.   They are broadest in scope, and underlying them there may be things which are even more basic.   Because basics can be applied to anything you like, they require a vast amount of knowledge to fully understand.   All the more reason for us to have been designed to live forever, right?   This is sure to apply to you, for the most basic principles have the broadest application.   For example, atomic phenomena occur to all things made of atoms, so that while we may not be an atom, we can't accurately say that atomic phenomena don't relate to us since we are made up of atoms.   This would be denial.   And sincere denial can be said to be delusion, according to one expert on post-traumatic shock.   But how do construction techniques relate to the everyday matters of the heart?   On a fundamental level.   If scientists have learned anything, it's that it is possible to find very general descriptions which fit a vast number of cases, if not all.   This implies that the same principles apply to construction techniques that apply to, say, love.   Both require a foundation.