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Collective Fasting. B.Franklin mentions this as something he proposed to the Governor of Pennsylvania when consulted about how the country should be prepared for defending itself. He mentions that a fast is proclaimed every year in New England. Curiously, the Quakers seem to have rejected it. Was this as part of their general abstention from all activities related to war?

Religion in Early America. What were the different sects? How were they formed? How did they differ from the established religions of the time? Was 18th century America as accepting of freedom of religion as is commonly claimed?

At what point does one need to re-evaluate one's morals or ethics? Does it become harder once they are publicly stated or published? The Quakers of 18th century America were publically averse to war. Yet when it came time to defend the country -- first from Britain's enemies, and then from Britain herself -- there was a need to fund the defense. As a religous entity publicly against all forms of war, the Friends had to donate to the government, "flour, wheat and other grain " so that gun powder would not be purchased in their name. Their ethics got in the way of their purposes.

As modern peaceniks, where must we draw the line? How far can we resist violence and still let our freedoms be not diminished?

The musicians of Miles Davis' electric period reminisce in Electric Miles: A Different Kind Of Blue about their leader's quality as a listner. Keith Jarret dubs him the best listening band leader. When these young guys were making sound, creating a mass of rhythms and vibrations they often felt lost, wondering what it was they were doing, where it all was going. And then Miles would play a phrase or melody which would illuminate the chaos, revealing the pieces and pointing the way. And the music made sense; the musicans were once again en ensemble. B.Franklin's autobiography coems to mind again, and for two reasons. One is the virtue of patience. Miles knew what he was doing, he understood the tension in balance between form and free expression. His musicans may have felt lost, perhaps confused, but they had the patience -- and foresight -- to rely on their master musican band leader. He had a vision and direction to pick the pieces of music and give it meaning. The other virtue, and the one that allowed the patience of the musicans, was Miles' keen ability to listen. To not always be talking and playing over everybody, feeling and following a groove far out beyond others' perception. He was interested in working with others as a team, as a band. Miles was open to the ideas and the playing of his younger bandmates; in truth, he relied on them. His music is great because he listened to where everyone was coming from and where they were going. And then he gave them all a vehicle to travel in, one that would accomodate all of their points of departure and all of their destination. Creative improvisation with a strong common voice.

Benjamin Franklin, in his Autobiography, sets out a list of principles, or virtues, that he intends to follow. These virtues he finds in various texts he has read over the years; he accumulates, categorizes, reduces to essesnces and then places them in an orderly list. And from this excercise he goes on to transform his character, public and private, into one he feels more destined for. While reading his process, I remembered Managing Your Mind -- with its lists, excercises and root idea of improving ones character. ANd now I am remnded of my promised activity of continuing my Cognitive Therapy on my own. I am to inspect my life, my feelings, thoughts and actions on a weekly basis. Franklin's scheme made use of a recording mechanism, and it was this that kept him on track towards his goal of self-improvement. If I am to reach my goal, I must revisit and devise a similar recording and review scheme, one regularly consulted and evaluated. My first step will be to look to Managing Your Mind for a recommended plan of action.