9/20/08 photo taken in Fort Davis, Texas, by Cliff Hammond

Zen is a Japanese word translated as "sitting," or "to sit," or simply "sit." It is associated with a specific form of meditation which is best leaned directly from Zen masters, such as the late Shunryu Suzuki. There are no formal promises made by such masters, or goals encouraged. To do so would be to subvert the essential process necessary to achieve enlightenment and the associated transcendence of suffering -- Just Sitting.

Miller Lite: Sometimes associated with the short-term relief of suffering, but as the experience of so many involved in "field research" has suggested, it usually only leads to long-term suffering, or as they say, "Short-term gain, long-term pain."

Buglar Tobacco: Research by the University of Arizona and others has established that the smoke of inhaled tobacco products contains a chemical that stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the same way as the antidepressant medication bupropion. This has led to the use of bupropion [Zyban] as a treatment for nicotine dependence. Thus, it is theorized, particularly in the case of alcoholism where so many of its denizens suffer from the co-morbid condition of clinical depression, that many long-term nicotine addicts are unconsciously self-medicating their depression using a product with very dangerous associated health risks.

"Crystals" are crystallized forms of naturally occurring minerals and are used by some Native American tribalists and New Age faith healers. Their psychological and or medical effects are thought by those of the dualist Cartesian mindset to be placebo in nature but their value to the religious practitioner should not be discounted without an examination of their pragmatic effects.

Sunlight is necessary for the production of vitamin D; however, in cases of continued overexposure it can cause certain types of skin cancer. Unfortunately, the homeless are particularly at risk.  These are the very people, without any health insurance, who suffer the most.

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