3/7/25
I have completed work on my new paper, "Evidence for the Continuity of the Mental Body Over Multiple Successive Incarnations, Through the Study of a Unique Case of Reincarnation." It comes to a little over 15,000 words, which is too long for the average scholarly journal. But this is too far ahead of its time, even for fringe publications. I could submit it, as I have other papers, and it would predictably languish in the review process for six months, a year, or even for two years (as one such paper did). During that time, I would be prohibited by protocol from posting it for anyone else to read; and then, it would be summarily rejected. A world-class, ground-breaking paper, snubbed with a sneer or a patronizing pat on the head.

That's not arrogance on my part, talking--just frustration.

Did you catch the recent presidential address to Congress? That's what Academia looks like, to me. And the root of it is the same.

I don't think I want to elaborate on that. I think what I'm saying is already clear enough to anyone who could understand my explanation; and if it isn't clear, I could explain for days and they still wouldn't get it.

Even my friend, the professor of religion who is capable of understanding this paper, is making it a very low priority, to the point that he will probably never get around to including it in a compilation as he suggested. I'm thinking that this paper does not deserve to be buried in such a compilation, and that it's probably just as well. I want to be clear that I have a great deal of respect for this person--but he doesn't get it, where this paper is concerned. Again, it's probably for the best.

I've enjoyed having something to really sink my teeth into, these last several days. Now I am back to twiddling my thumbs while the world burns. My spiritual master, Meher Baba, instructed his followers to stay out of politics. He had bigger fish to fry. For myself, I lean towards the side of compassion and reason. But even there, there is ignorance--people who don't believe in God, or even the human soul! I can't truck with that, either. There are far more important issues than social justice, shelter and food. Political freedom and intellectual freedom are fine ideals; but spiritual freedom is far more significant. The conservatives will destroy humanity with climate change; the liberals will destroy humanity with AI. Choose your method of species execution.

I'm just blooming where I'm planted; and right now, I am blooming in a cave, sight-unseen. That's fine. Let the world come through its travail and learn to appreciate Truth again. Let Academia relinquish trivia, and seek real knowledge. My work, and in particular this paper, will be waiting for for them.

Sincerely,

Stephen Sakellarios, M.S.