do not be discouraged by system failures
[My 2nd attempt at creating a feature article for my blog -- the 1st was interrupted by a system-wide joeuser.com crash. Coincidence?]
The origin of my pseudonym, sunwukong, is the character Sun Wu'kong (most popular English spelling) from the Chinese Buddhist/Taoist classic, Journey to the West. He's also known as (translated into English), the Monkey King, Older Brother Monkey, or just Monkey. There are regional representations and stories in Japan and India (where he's known as Hanuman), which is no surprise given the origins and spread of Buddhism.
However, my own ethnic background plus the personal motif of the Monkey King in the Journey to the West makes the Chinese version the one which most resonates with me. In the Chinese Buddhist tradition, the Monkey King represents the unbounded energy, will, and arrogance of the intellect. It/he literally invades Heaven and causes chaos until he's tamed by the Buddha and joins a monk and his rag tag followers on a spiritual quest.
I'm a pedantic geek by nature. However, this has been softened by decades of being humbled by stupid choices and having found a joyously right path that is my family. Though I'm no Buddhist, the simple lesson that Enlightenment/happiness/fulfillment cannot be achieved by intellect and its pursuits alone is a hard lesson that both the Monkey King and I share.
By no means have I changed from an ardent rationalist and the majority of what I still say/write attempts to follow logical paths with factual/scientific evidence. But I hope to, now and then, lift my head and "see the forest for the trees" and curb my natural cynicism, skepticism and arrogance.
Please bear with me on this journey ...