Tantra is about becoming unconditional love.
The Bengali Shiva practices may make use of sexuality in its worship.
However, sexuality is merely one tool of many used by the tantrika to be embraced by the bliss of ecstatic worship of the cosmic union of God and Godddess.
Since, at the core of the tantric practice is the journey of becoming unconditional love, it helps to study the love stories of Gods and Goddesses such as Krshna and Radha, Shiva and Parvati, and others.
As well, even the love story of Princess Diana and Prince Charles is a useful tool.
Ecstatic sensuality is a spiritual practice.
Mere sexuality pales at what it can achieve: unconditional love.
"But what of Kundalini?" asks the novice.
Let go of your preconceived ideas about life and nature.
Cultivate new bonds with the web of life itself.
In this way, you become unconditional love...
20050520
Dating is Not Sex
A date does not always lead to sex.
And no, getting into some lady's pants is not my idea of a successful date.
Rather, a successful date leads to more dates, more discussion about our respective lives, and everything but sex.
So when does sex occur?
Hopefully on the wedding night. ;)
And no, getting into some lady's pants is not my idea of a successful date.
Rather, a successful date leads to more dates, more discussion about our respective lives, and everything but sex.
So when does sex occur?
Hopefully on the wedding night. ;)
20050518
White Tara
OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA
White Tara is the Buddhist goddess of compassion.
She represents the essence of unconditional love.
The lovingkindness of the Christ shows evidence of this feminine power of love.
Thus White Tara is reflective of that lovingkindness.
White Tara is the Buddhist goddess of compassion.
She represents the essence of unconditional love.
The lovingkindness of the Christ shows evidence of this feminine power of love.
Thus White Tara is reflective of that lovingkindness.
Hallucinations and near-death experiences
Because we are not prepared for it, LSD is abused as a drug, out of a mistaken attempt "to get high."
Because of this potential for misuse, the use of LSD was restricted by law.
For not all people are able to use what they learn while under this drug's influence, due to the emphasis on money over spiritual wealth in our education system.
Indeed, what use is a person who follows the spirit rather than money to society today?
Because of this potential for misuse, the use of LSD was restricted by law.
For not all people are able to use what they learn while under this drug's influence, due to the emphasis on money over spiritual wealth in our education system.
Indeed, what use is a person who follows the spirit rather than money to society today?
Compassion: Letting the Head Rule Over the Heart
Once touched by compassion, a person has difficulty reverting to his previous life when passion ruled.
He knows that reason tempers emotions.
Thus, this is the essence of the concept of "mind over matter."
In matters of love, it is prudent to let the head rule the heart.
Otherwise, we end up falling in love, not with the object of our desire, but with a false love, the pale reflection of unconditional love itself.
In doing so, we see life as though "through a mirror darkly."
By letting reason rule over passion, a person who truly knows compassion, having risen above his passions, is truly able to love all people equally, unconditionally. This called equanimity
Let this be the measure of the depth of your compassion, to allow the embrace of unconditional love to touch your heart.
All it takes is love...
Originally posted: May 18, 2005 1715H
Updated: February 8, 2013 2051H
He knows that reason tempers emotions.
Thus, this is the essence of the concept of "mind over matter."
In matters of love, it is prudent to let the head rule the heart.
Otherwise, we end up falling in love, not with the object of our desire, but with a false love, the pale reflection of unconditional love itself.
In doing so, we see life as though "through a mirror darkly."
By letting reason rule over passion, a person who truly knows compassion, having risen above his passions, is truly able to love all people equally, unconditionally. This called equanimity
Let this be the measure of the depth of your compassion, to allow the embrace of unconditional love to touch your heart.
All it takes is love...
Originally posted: May 18, 2005 1715H
Updated: February 8, 2013 2051H
20050517
Compassion and Wisdom
Om mani padme hung.
In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the Buddha of Boundless Light (Spiritual Wisdom) and Boundless Life (Spiritual Compassion).
In essence, he is the symbol of spiritual aware of compassion and wisdom in the world.
In counterpoint, the Christian's spiritual awareness of the lovingkindness of the Christ arises from prayerful oneness in God, which is available to all of us.
Embraced by Amida, a person's life may be changed so that all she does is reflect the compassion and wisdom so deep that other people's lives are also changed for the good.
All it takes is faith.
In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the Buddha of Boundless Light (Spiritual Wisdom) and Boundless Life (Spiritual Compassion).
In essence, he is the symbol of spiritual aware of compassion and wisdom in the world.
In counterpoint, the Christian's spiritual awareness of the lovingkindness of the Christ arises from prayerful oneness in God, which is available to all of us.
Embraced by Amida, a person's life may be changed so that all she does is reflect the compassion and wisdom so deep that other people's lives are also changed for the good.
All it takes is faith.
The Calm Heart is Full Of Love
Calm is this heart
so that all is revealed now --
thus do I save life
in order to live again,
living in peace, full of Love.
so that all is revealed now --
thus do I save life
in order to live again,
living in peace, full of Love.
magdalene.org - Was Mary Magdalene a Temple Priestess?
magdalene.org - Was Mary Magdalene a Temple Priestess?
A free woman, freed of marriage, is a threat to men and holy matrimony.
Indeed, then, Mary Magdalene is the archetype of Feminism.
Mary can also be seen as representing the triple goddess of Mari-Anna-Ishtar.
A free woman, freed of marriage, is a threat to men and holy matrimony.
Indeed, then, Mary Magdalene is the archetype of Feminism.
Mary can also be seen as representing the triple goddess of Mari-Anna-Ishtar.
20050516
Meditation on God as Oyasama
In this heart (points to heart)
No ego resides,
Only Oyasama (God).
Oyasama is
Heaven and earth,
The primordial Parents.
When this body dies,
Its soul returns
To Heaven from this Earth.
Thus, living or dead,
This body is always
In the hands of Oyasama.
No ego resides,
Only Oyasama (God).
Oyasama is
Heaven and earth,
The primordial Parents.
When this body dies,
Its soul returns
To Heaven from this Earth.
Thus, living or dead,
This body is always
In the hands of Oyasama.
The Bodhisattva Vow or Vow of Buddhist Angels
"May I become food and drink in the eons of famine for those poverty-stricken suffers.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.
May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.
And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."
and
"While their evil ripens in me, may all my virtue ripen in them."
~ Shantideva, 8th-century CE.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.
May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.
And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."
and
"While their evil ripens in me, may all my virtue ripen in them."
~ Shantideva, 8th-century CE.
Of Mary, Joseph and Jesus: the Egyptian connection
Who is this Queen and Virgin but the Great Mother / Great Goddess worshipped since time immemorial?
She is Isis to Osiris, as Mary is to Joseph.
She is Isis, mother of Horus, as Mary is mother of Jesus.
She is Isis to Osiris, as Mary is to Joseph.
She is Isis, mother of Horus, as Mary is mother of Jesus.
20050515
The Use of Green Tea as Medicine
Today I've noticed two side effects of green tea consumption:
sedative action and anxiolysis (relief of anxiety).
My reduced anxiety in social situations is probably attributeable to green tea consumption combined with a multivitamin and salmon oil.
This is a long form of therapy though, since I've dedicated myself to the use of green tea and the above multivitamin and essential fatty oil supplementation over the past 9 months.
I would attribute even my feelings of reduced anxiety, my positive behavior (smiling and return of smiles from passers-by), and other behavior in crowd situations (clubs and out in the big city) to increased green tea consumption.
Thus, green tea is a safe substitute for the pharmaceutical approach to general anxiety disorder.
YMMV
sedative action and anxiolysis (relief of anxiety).
My reduced anxiety in social situations is probably attributeable to green tea consumption combined with a multivitamin and salmon oil.
This is a long form of therapy though, since I've dedicated myself to the use of green tea and the above multivitamin and essential fatty oil supplementation over the past 9 months.
I would attribute even my feelings of reduced anxiety, my positive behavior (smiling and return of smiles from passers-by), and other behavior in crowd situations (clubs and out in the big city) to increased green tea consumption.
Thus, green tea is a safe substitute for the pharmaceutical approach to general anxiety disorder.
YMMV
20050513
Osiris is the Green Man of Celtic Lore
The Gods of Ancient Egypt -- Osiris
"In his original form, a green-skinned man dressed in the raiment of a pharaoh. Following the Legend of Osiris, he appears as a green-skinned man in the form of a mummified pharaoh."
This makes Isis the Queen of May.
Osiris may be the origin of the pagan Mysteries and the later rise of Christianity:
"Many skeptics of Christianity believe that the story of Osiris rising from the dead may have influenced Christianity and its story of the resurrection of Jesus." - wiki
"In his original form, a green-skinned man dressed in the raiment of a pharaoh. Following the Legend of Osiris, he appears as a green-skinned man in the form of a mummified pharaoh."
This makes Isis the Queen of May.
Osiris may be the origin of the pagan Mysteries and the later rise of Christianity:
"Many skeptics of Christianity believe that the story of Osiris rising from the dead may have influenced Christianity and its story of the resurrection of Jesus." - wiki
20050511
Acting Now
"Success will not wait. If I delay she will become betrothed to another and lost to me forever.
This is the time. This is the place. This is the man.
I will act now." -- The Scroll Marked IX, The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino
Though failure has been my reward in life, it is because I did not act now.
Any action I do now only affects this moment; it touches not the past nor influences the future. For that future moment truly never comes.
So when I do not hear from my job prospects, it because they failed to act, to phone me.
In due time I shall return to each one to inquire about my application.
This is the time. This is the place. This is the man.
I will act now." -- The Scroll Marked IX, The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino
Though failure has been my reward in life, it is because I did not act now.
Any action I do now only affects this moment; it touches not the past nor influences the future. For that future moment truly never comes.
So when I do not hear from my job prospects, it because they failed to act, to phone me.
In due time I shall return to each one to inquire about my application.
How The Muse Writes Through Me
She takes my hand, guiding it
To place these words to read.
Without careful calculation,
these words flow on and on,
until I can write no more.
Sometimes a theme will come
to me, or a mood will grasp me.
Caught by the Muse, my writing
grows feverous -- I am possessed!
Then she leaves me abruptly.
At times I am sure what to write.
Other times, my unsureness grabs me
and wrestles with my pen...
Yet with patience do I wait
for the Muse to haunt me again.
To place these words to read.
Without careful calculation,
these words flow on and on,
until I can write no more.
Sometimes a theme will come
to me, or a mood will grasp me.
Caught by the Muse, my writing
grows feverous -- I am possessed!
Then she leaves me abruptly.
At times I am sure what to write.
Other times, my unsureness grabs me
and wrestles with my pen...
Yet with patience do I wait
for the Muse to haunt me again.
The Lover and the Beloved Are As One
By telling me your life story
It's as though I became you.
Together you and I made this "we",
And it's like being reborn.
Now and then God whispers
your secret thoughts in my ear.
I listen to every word He says.
It's as though I became you.
Together you and I made this "we",
And it's like being reborn.
Now and then God whispers
your secret thoughts in my ear.
I listen to every word He says.
20050510
love is what you give away (poem)
Love conquers all --
Don't you know it?
People who think otherwise
think they got love
when love ain't something you get.
You gotta give it away.
Love is my armour --
Am I invincible?
All I know is I am vulnerable,
since I got love.
So love ain't something you get.
You gotta give it away.
Love is bigger than sex --
Why should I fuck around?
How can I respect myself afterward
taking your love?
Cos love ain't something you take.
It's what you give away.
Don't you know it?
People who think otherwise
think they got love
when love ain't something you get.
You gotta give it away.
Love is my armour --
Am I invincible?
All I know is I am vulnerable,
since I got love.
So love ain't something you get.
You gotta give it away.
Love is bigger than sex --
Why should I fuck around?
How can I respect myself afterward
taking your love?
Cos love ain't something you take.
It's what you give away.
20050509
Rise Above Passion: a Second Look (poem)
Chasing passion,
my desire has ended,
now to be fulfilled.
I chased the girl of my dreams.
Who can do better than that?
Time and time again
crawling after mirages,
I had fooled myself.
Now I rise above passion,
and start to know what love is.
Indeed, love makes clear
the heart shrouded in passion.
It controls the mind
with the music of the heart,
until passion goes away.
For love is greater
than the conditions we place
on the ones we love.
Though passion has brought me here,
it is love that holds me close.
my desire has ended,
now to be fulfilled.
I chased the girl of my dreams.
Who can do better than that?
Time and time again
crawling after mirages,
I had fooled myself.
Now I rise above passion,
and start to know what love is.
Indeed, love makes clear
the heart shrouded in passion.
It controls the mind
with the music of the heart,
until passion goes away.
For love is greater
than the conditions we place
on the ones we love.
Though passion has brought me here,
it is love that holds me close.
We Are All the Same
Listen to the reeds as they sway apart;
hear them speak of lost friends.
At birth, you were cut from your bed,
crying and grasping in separation.
Everyone listens, knowing your song.
You yearn for others who know your name,
and the words to your lament.
We are all the same, all the same,
longing to find our way back;
back to the one, back to the only one. - Rumi
With friends like that who needs enemies?
It's as though you re-entered the womb,
and were reborn like a babe, ready for Love.
Sure, everyone knows your song now.
Your yearning for others who know you
has been rewarded with these simple words:
"I will always believe in you."
You and I are both the same, both the same,
and we've found our way back;
back to the one, back to the only one.
hear them speak of lost friends.
At birth, you were cut from your bed,
crying and grasping in separation.
Everyone listens, knowing your song.
You yearn for others who know your name,
and the words to your lament.
We are all the same, all the same,
longing to find our way back;
back to the one, back to the only one. - Rumi
With friends like that who needs enemies?
It's as though you re-entered the womb,
and were reborn like a babe, ready for Love.
Sure, everyone knows your song now.
Your yearning for others who know you
has been rewarded with these simple words:
"I will always believe in you."
You and I are both the same, both the same,
and we've found our way back;
back to the one, back to the only one.
Indomin - Controls Blood Sugar, Obesity and Headaches
Indomin has been proven to reduce blood sugar and obesity, as well as headaches.
It could also be a cure for hypoglycemia.
It could also be a cure for hypoglycemia.
Origins of Mayday
Cinco de May is more than just Mexico beating the French for independence.
The week from May 1 to 8 is the Mayday period.
Dominion Day also has the same pagan roots in Beltane.
The week from May 1 to 8 is the Mayday period.
Dominion Day also has the same pagan roots in Beltane.
Why Green tea Is Good For You
3000 years of research by the Chinese is now being proven by recent research.
So throw the coffee away, and drink green tea!
So throw the coffee away, and drink green tea!
Australian Family of Captive Offers Donation to Iraq
My heart is for the family of Douglas Wood, an engineer who helped Saddam Hussein's government built power plants for Iraq.
Their charitous donation will help Iraq during its rocky road ahead.
My heart goes to the members of the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen in Iraq, and I pray Inshallah so that they listen to Allah and not to the shaitan of revenge.
Their charitous donation will help Iraq during its rocky road ahead.
My heart goes to the members of the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen in Iraq, and I pray Inshallah so that they listen to Allah and not to the shaitan of revenge.
1 Corinthians 13: Paul Describes Unconditional Love
"...love is patient. Love is kind. It's not jealous. It does not brag, and it's not arrogant. It does not act rudely or unbecomingly. It does not seek it's own. It's not provoked. It does not take into account a wrong suffered. It does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but it rejoices with the truth.
..love bears all things. It believes all things. It hopes all things. It endures all things. Love never fails."
So Paul says, "Pursue love."
And I amplify:
When you pursue your dream or a love, you pursue love. Whether it captures your heart, or you capture theirs, let love capture yours!
..love bears all things. It believes all things. It hopes all things. It endures all things. Love never fails."
So Paul says, "Pursue love."
And I amplify:
When you pursue your dream or a love, you pursue love. Whether it captures your heart, or you capture theirs, let love capture yours!
The Armour of Love Protects This Heart
From this heart (points to heart)
comes the armour of love
I wear to protect myself
from the stress of post-modern life.
comes the armour of love
I wear to protect myself
from the stress of post-modern life.
LOVE: The best protection from fear
"Love is said to be the greatest protection from fear, the best armour."
Indeed unconditional love, not lust or passion, is the greasts protection from fear.
For lust and passion arise out of desire to maintain the romantic delusion common in dysfunctional love relationships.
Simply loving another person and hoping that this act will not cure another person of his misconduct in the relationship.
For love needs to be communicated in order to be heard.
That the relationship sours only shows that perhaps one of the two people involved in a romance is not listening except to his/her own desire.
Indeed unconditional love, not lust or passion, is the greasts protection from fear.
For lust and passion arise out of desire to maintain the romantic delusion common in dysfunctional love relationships.
Simply loving another person and hoping that this act will not cure another person of his misconduct in the relationship.
For love needs to be communicated in order to be heard.
That the relationship sours only shows that perhaps one of the two people involved in a romance is not listening except to his/her own desire.
The Root of Romantic Delusion
"When an unpleasant object such as an enemy appears to our mind, we take this appearance at face value as a real, externally existent enemy, and so we react with fear or hostility; and when an attractive object such as a beautiful man or woman appears to our mind we are equally taken in and respond with desirous attachment. We are fooled completely by appearances - not for a moment do we question their validity.
If we did question appearances, we would discover that that is all they are: mere appearances to mind, with no real object behind them. The enemy we fight or flee from is no more real than the tiger in the dream, and has no more power to harm what we really are. And the beautiful man or woman we are so attached to is like a lover we meet in a dream, a mere appearance arising like a wave in the ocean of our mind and later dissolving back again."
Question appearances, lest you mistake a friend for an enemy and harm society itself.
It appals me that in romance, we do not question appearances but create a perfect world based on what other people present as true.
We do it in our work relationships but not in our romantic relationships.
By doing so, we suffer for not questioning appearances.
In doing so, we give lie to our loving nature.
If one truly loves another person, then it is imperative to question appearances.
If we did question appearances, we would discover that that is all they are: mere appearances to mind, with no real object behind them. The enemy we fight or flee from is no more real than the tiger in the dream, and has no more power to harm what we really are. And the beautiful man or woman we are so attached to is like a lover we meet in a dream, a mere appearance arising like a wave in the ocean of our mind and later dissolving back again."
Question appearances, lest you mistake a friend for an enemy and harm society itself.
It appals me that in romance, we do not question appearances but create a perfect world based on what other people present as true.
We do it in our work relationships but not in our romantic relationships.
By doing so, we suffer for not questioning appearances.
In doing so, we give lie to our loving nature.
If one truly loves another person, then it is imperative to question appearances.
Dealing With Fear
"A balanced fear of our delusions and the suffering to which they inevitably give rise is therefore healthy because it serves to motivate constructive action to avoid a real danger. We only need fear as an impetus until we have removed the causes of our vulnerability through finding spiritual, inner refuge and gradually training the mind.
Once we have done this, we are fearless because we no longer have anything that can harm us, like a Foe Destroyer (someone who has attained liberation, defeated the foe of the delusions) or a Buddha (a fully enlightened being).
All Buddha's teachings are methods to overcome the delusions, the source of all fears."
Fearlessness begins with protecting others from danger or harm.
This is called "acting with fearlessness." — http://www.tharpa.com/background/dealing-with-fear.htm
If such protection is no longer necessary, then one may make prayers and offerings to release ourselves from the danger (stress) of concern for others.
Praying for others to be released from their delusions, especially that of self-grasping (the delusive belief in the ego as real and in need of protection), which is the root of fear itself.
Once you eliminate the cause of most fears, it is the fear of fear itself that remains, for fear itself is an aspect of the ego.
How tightly we hold onto the ego as something real shows how much fear we have.
I feel that self-grasping is at the root of the fear of the outsider.
In a relationship setting, a woman may fear a man because his whole lifestyle is foreign to her. Until she finds things in common with him, her fear is justifiable.
Thus it is up to the man to find things in common with her.
Once we have done this, we are fearless because we no longer have anything that can harm us, like a Foe Destroyer (someone who has attained liberation, defeated the foe of the delusions) or a Buddha (a fully enlightened being).
All Buddha's teachings are methods to overcome the delusions, the source of all fears."
Fearlessness begins with protecting others from danger or harm.
This is called "acting with fearlessness." — http://www.tharpa.com/background/dealing-with-fear.htm
If such protection is no longer necessary, then one may make prayers and offerings to release ourselves from the danger (stress) of concern for others.
Praying for others to be released from their delusions, especially that of self-grasping (the delusive belief in the ego as real and in need of protection), which is the root of fear itself.
Once you eliminate the cause of most fears, it is the fear of fear itself that remains, for fear itself is an aspect of the ego.
How tightly we hold onto the ego as something real shows how much fear we have.
I feel that self-grasping is at the root of the fear of the outsider.
In a relationship setting, a woman may fear a man because his whole lifestyle is foreign to her. Until she finds things in common with him, her fear is justifiable.
Thus it is up to the man to find things in common with her.
20050508
Of dolls, intuition and empowerment
Dolls help take us out of childhood.
Some children use them to roleplay family drama so that the child mind can make sense of family dynamics for later recall as adults, when we finally do look at our childhood to make sense of it and to help us cope with life.
When I left Victoria in 1990, I was given two frog dolls by a close frind of mine.
They helped me adapt to living with my folks again.
About three years later, my friend from Victoria found a boyfriend, got pregnant and broke off contact with me.
The story of Vasalisa, who relies of her doll to escape Baba Yaga, is one about rising above the good mother, the part of us that can't stop helping others, even to the point of losing touch with our inner self.
Certain types of romance result from unfairly taking advantage of women who are mothering and act out of their compassion.
They may find sympathy for a man who tells his life story after he has gifted her with positive attention i.e. charming her by commenting on her beauty.
This story of Vasalisa contains the means by which such a woman can find her Wild woman side and nurture her intuition.
In this way shewill be able to balance her mothering abilities with her intuition so that she is not vulnerable to the charming sweet-talking men out there.
My friend's gift of the frog dolls, I feel, helped me to adapt to home life.
In a sense, she too is a mother figure, since she did loan me cutlery and eating utensils.
I hope she too found someone to help her grow into motherhood.
It's been 15 years since I left Victoria, and 12.5 years since she broke off communication.
Her own child is about 13. I wonder what's happening with her...
Some children use them to roleplay family drama so that the child mind can make sense of family dynamics for later recall as adults, when we finally do look at our childhood to make sense of it and to help us cope with life.
When I left Victoria in 1990, I was given two frog dolls by a close frind of mine.
They helped me adapt to living with my folks again.
About three years later, my friend from Victoria found a boyfriend, got pregnant and broke off contact with me.
The story of Vasalisa, who relies of her doll to escape Baba Yaga, is one about rising above the good mother, the part of us that can't stop helping others, even to the point of losing touch with our inner self.
Certain types of romance result from unfairly taking advantage of women who are mothering and act out of their compassion.
They may find sympathy for a man who tells his life story after he has gifted her with positive attention i.e. charming her by commenting on her beauty.
This story of Vasalisa contains the means by which such a woman can find her Wild woman side and nurture her intuition.
In this way shewill be able to balance her mothering abilities with her intuition so that she is not vulnerable to the charming sweet-talking men out there.
My friend's gift of the frog dolls, I feel, helped me to adapt to home life.
In a sense, she too is a mother figure, since she did loan me cutlery and eating utensils.
I hope she too found someone to help her grow into motherhood.
It's been 15 years since I left Victoria, and 12.5 years since she broke off communication.
Her own child is about 13. I wonder what's happening with her...
20050507
The "Experts" on Psychosis Fear "Psychos"
"To many, mental illness is frightening. Unfortunately, this fear can discourage people from seeking help early. Neither denial of the problem nor delay will help a young person with psychosis. Much of the fear surrounding mental illness is based on myths and misunderstandings. Mental illness need not be feared. Like other medical conditions, mental illness can be treated."
Fear is what drives the members of a certain website for club-goers to perpetuate myths and misunderstandings about psychosis.
Rather than seeking to understand it, they continue to live by myths and misunderstanding, contrary to the truth.
Just by talking about it without any knowledge about it, only by their rumours about it, they only show their fear, not their compassion.
These armchair psychiatric savants thus perpetuate their own psychotic state of their own little world, but may perpetuate this state through drug use, especially alcohol or, possibly, the illegal substances.
My advice to them, which shall fall on deaf ears, is you need cognitive and dialectic behavior therapy, STAT.
Chasing success doesn't make you immune to what you fear.
Indeed, you fear in others what you fear in yourself.
For the sociopaths who wish another person dead just for suffering the psychosis attendant to post-postpartum depression have proven to be liars repeatedly.
Sadly though, they are in denial, and thus a greater threat to those of us who are confirmed mental health consumers.
Fear is what drives the members of a certain website for club-goers to perpetuate myths and misunderstandings about psychosis.
Rather than seeking to understand it, they continue to live by myths and misunderstanding, contrary to the truth.
Just by talking about it without any knowledge about it, only by their rumours about it, they only show their fear, not their compassion.
These armchair psychiatric savants thus perpetuate their own psychotic state of their own little world, but may perpetuate this state through drug use, especially alcohol or, possibly, the illegal substances.
My advice to them, which shall fall on deaf ears, is you need cognitive and dialectic behavior therapy, STAT.
Chasing success doesn't make you immune to what you fear.
Indeed, you fear in others what you fear in yourself.
For the sociopaths who wish another person dead just for suffering the psychosis attendant to post-postpartum depression have proven to be liars repeatedly.
Sadly though, they are in denial, and thus a greater threat to those of us who are confirmed mental health consumers.
Why its not a waste of time to put God first
Since we're all God, whether or not we put Him first makes no difference.
Even when we put ourselves first, God still is coming first.
That we live in conscious ignorance of this is the root of all suffering.
This is what the Buddhists mean when they say that ignorant craving is the root of this suffering.
Yet the answer is not to eradicate craving or even the very passions which lead to it, since it is unfruitful and fraught with even more suffering.
Aimless action is truly not the answer.
Mindful inaction - wuwei - is best.
In doing so, we cannot help but put God first.
For just as the Lover and His Beloved are one, so too is the Creator and His creation.
Let the wise see the wisdom inherent in this, and the fools, distracted by their ignorant folly.
Even when we put ourselves first, God still is coming first.
That we live in conscious ignorance of this is the root of all suffering.
This is what the Buddhists mean when they say that ignorant craving is the root of this suffering.
Yet the answer is not to eradicate craving or even the very passions which lead to it, since it is unfruitful and fraught with even more suffering.
Aimless action is truly not the answer.
Mindful inaction - wuwei - is best.
In doing so, we cannot help but put God first.
For just as the Lover and His Beloved are one, so too is the Creator and His creation.
Let the wise see the wisdom inherent in this, and the fools, distracted by their ignorant folly.
20050506
I am a Mass Transit Junkie
I've been riding the bus and doing mass transit since 1980.
So I am a 33-year veteran of mass transit, and loving it.
With my million-dollar smile and sense of fun, a grueling ninety-minute trip becomes an adventure.
For I find public transit to be more convenient than the 4 or 5 mile walk from my home to the nearest Skytrain station.
Witnessing the grass fields at Fry's Corner on the Fraser Highway, the many sunrises and sunsets, rain pattering on the bus's windows, and the wind whistling through an open window... all these memories are worth having to appreciatee other bus passengers and their idiosyncrasies.
As a confirmed mass transit junkie, I appreciate the convenience that public transit provides.
The Fuss About Who Pays on Dates
I am not a cheap-ass.
If I had a good job, I'd pay for the dinner.
Since I don't have a good job, I don't go on dates.
Besides, I've been dating myself so long actually dating another person might make me jealous. ;)
If I had a good job, I'd pay for the dinner.
Since I don't have a good job, I don't go on dates.
Besides, I've been dating myself so long actually dating another person might make me jealous. ;)
Schizophrenia and Zinc
As part of medication, a doctor may prescribe 80 mg of Zinc, since the chemical imbalance in the body of a schizophrenic person results in its elimination.
As well, mutlivitamins with a higher amount of B vitamins may be prescribed since they help with an enhanced metabolism.
As well, anorexia nervosa depletes zinc and leads to a worsening of the disease.
What this means is that the stress and resultant mania and psychosis that may accompany anorexia nervosa is partly due to zinc deficiency.
Since cortisol levels are increased during stress, zinc is probably used in the metabolic pathways, especially that of the endocrine system.
Thus malnutrition and starvation may lead to impairment of the endocrine system.
As well, mutlivitamins with a higher amount of B vitamins may be prescribed since they help with an enhanced metabolism.
As well, anorexia nervosa depletes zinc and leads to a worsening of the disease.
What this means is that the stress and resultant mania and psychosis that may accompany anorexia nervosa is partly due to zinc deficiency.
Since cortisol levels are increased during stress, zinc is probably used in the metabolic pathways, especially that of the endocrine system.
Thus malnutrition and starvation may lead to impairment of the endocrine system.
20050505
The Term "Crazy" VS "bipolar. borderline. paranoid. depression"
"Crazy" is the manufactured term for "bipolar, borderline, paranoid, depression", which are medical terms.
However, "crazy" is a term overused in popular culture and is used in much the same way as "monster" is used e.g. Frankenstein's Monster.
The popular culture terms basically contribute to the mythology about mental illness.
In actual fact, depression, mania and psychosis are all temporary states of mind for the majority of people.
Yes, I am suggesting that even "normal" people experience the same states of mind as the mentally ill.
But, I seriously wonder who truly is crazy: the people who are normal yet are afraid of the mentally ill or the mentally ill themselves.
I myself find that the social drinkers often experience the same symptoms that the mentally ill go through during the early stages of alcoholism.
Indeed, alcohol consumption depletes the body's supply of B vitamins to the point where a minimal vitamin deficiency does occur, resulting in changes in state of mind similar to depression and mania of a mixed state.
At the root of this is hypoglycemia, which alcohol consumption causes, especially beer and wine as well as the coolers, due to fructose.
Once the body's blood sugar level is stabilized, much of the psychiatric disorders will be relieved.
However, "crazy" is a term overused in popular culture and is used in much the same way as "monster" is used e.g. Frankenstein's Monster.
The popular culture terms basically contribute to the mythology about mental illness.
In actual fact, depression, mania and psychosis are all temporary states of mind for the majority of people.
Yes, I am suggesting that even "normal" people experience the same states of mind as the mentally ill.
But, I seriously wonder who truly is crazy: the people who are normal yet are afraid of the mentally ill or the mentally ill themselves.
I myself find that the social drinkers often experience the same symptoms that the mentally ill go through during the early stages of alcoholism.
Indeed, alcohol consumption depletes the body's supply of B vitamins to the point where a minimal vitamin deficiency does occur, resulting in changes in state of mind similar to depression and mania of a mixed state.
At the root of this is hypoglycemia, which alcohol consumption causes, especially beer and wine as well as the coolers, due to fructose.
Once the body's blood sugar level is stabilized, much of the psychiatric disorders will be relieved.
What If the Insane Were the Only Sane Ones Among Us in this Crazy World?
In the process of becoming unsane in this sad but sane reality a person may have to have his or her sanity confirmed in a psychiatric ward.
Because we are afraid of what the inappropriate behavior of a schizophrenic person exposes us to (that irrational fear which may result in temporary depression, mania or psychosis in us), society developed medication to control their behavior, often with dire consequences to them.
So they all get the seroquel treatment.
This powerful anti-psychotic has sedative properties, but its side effects leave patients with weight gain and its side effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
In effect, society keeps the schizophrenics asleep of their true potential, which is to poke holes into the fabric of deception and lies which society weaves to entrap us.
How utterly insane is society, that it should medicate the brightest of us, just because they've seen through the reality manufactured by society!
Again, the social control experiment called Club Vibes is a perfectly good example what I am babbling about.
Because we are afraid of what the inappropriate behavior of a schizophrenic person exposes us to (that irrational fear which may result in temporary depression, mania or psychosis in us), society developed medication to control their behavior, often with dire consequences to them.
So they all get the seroquel treatment.
This powerful anti-psychotic has sedative properties, but its side effects leave patients with weight gain and its side effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
In effect, society keeps the schizophrenics asleep of their true potential, which is to poke holes into the fabric of deception and lies which society weaves to entrap us.
How utterly insane is society, that it should medicate the brightest of us, just because they've seen through the reality manufactured by society!
Again, the social control experiment called Club Vibes is a perfectly good example what I am babbling about.
Say NO to BBQ Dinners!
Sorry, man! I'll pass.
Nitrosamine carcinogens and the risk of stomach cancer would need a bowl full of brocolli to go with those overcooked smokies.
Also ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) reduces the formation of nitrosamines from forming.
The vegetable with lots of Vitamin C in it is red peppers.
So eat veggies with your BBQ dishes, peoples!
"About 1970 it was discovered that ascorbic acid inhibits nitrosamine formation. Consequently, the addition of 550 ppm of ascorbic acid is now required in the manufacture of cured meat in the U.S. Actually, most cured meat manufacturers add erythorbic acid (an isomer of ascorbic acid) rather than ascorbic acid. Although erythorbic acid has reduced vitamin C activity, it is as effective as ascorbic acid in inhibiting nitrosamine formation and is also cheaper than vitamin C. Another antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), is added to some cured meats to inhibit nitrosamine formation. As a result of these strategies, there are now significantly lower levels of nitrosamines in fried bacon and other cured meats than there were some years ago. Ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol inhibit nitrosamine formation due to their oxidation-reduction properties. For example, when ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, nitrous anhydride, a potent nitrosating agent formed from sodium nitrite, is reduced to nitric oxide, which is not a nitrosating agent. The discovery that ascorbic acid can inhibit nitrosamine formation was serendipitous."
Nitrosamine carcinogens and the risk of stomach cancer would need a bowl full of brocolli to go with those overcooked smokies.
Also ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) reduces the formation of nitrosamines from forming.
The vegetable with lots of Vitamin C in it is red peppers.
So eat veggies with your BBQ dishes, peoples!
"About 1970 it was discovered that ascorbic acid inhibits nitrosamine formation. Consequently, the addition of 550 ppm of ascorbic acid is now required in the manufacture of cured meat in the U.S. Actually, most cured meat manufacturers add erythorbic acid (an isomer of ascorbic acid) rather than ascorbic acid. Although erythorbic acid has reduced vitamin C activity, it is as effective as ascorbic acid in inhibiting nitrosamine formation and is also cheaper than vitamin C. Another antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), is added to some cured meats to inhibit nitrosamine formation. As a result of these strategies, there are now significantly lower levels of nitrosamines in fried bacon and other cured meats than there were some years ago. Ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol inhibit nitrosamine formation due to their oxidation-reduction properties. For example, when ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, nitrous anhydride, a potent nitrosating agent formed from sodium nitrite, is reduced to nitric oxide, which is not a nitrosating agent. The discovery that ascorbic acid can inhibit nitrosamine formation was serendipitous."
Why Fish is In
It's not just a Californian trend.
Salmon oil and Omega 3 oils in particular are useful in stabilizing bipolar disorder, an endocrine-based mental disorder associated with thyroid imbalance (usually indicated by low amounts of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine).
Thyroxine itself consists of iodine atoms attached to two linked chains of tyrosine, an amino acid associated with the neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenalin.
In essence, low thyroxine levels also reflect low levels of dopamine and noradrenalin, neurotransmitters associated with the behavior reward system and the "fight-or-flight" syndrome, respectively.
As a result of this chemical imbalance, people with bipolar disorder tend to suffer mood swings.
Such people fall into two classes: the positive and happy kind, and the negative and unhappy kind. There may be a third class with mixed symptoms (both depressed and manic at the same time).
The happy bipolars tend to be warm, caring, and loving; they also tend to "fall in love" quickly in relationships, and may treat both praise and abuse as attention, thus confusing both kinds as "love."
Indeed, happy bipolars are motherly if female, and fatherly if male.
The unhappy bipolars may exhibit additional psychosis with paranoid symptoms and also may keep all aspects of their illness a secret; they tend range from not trusting a person to being too trusting of a romantic interest, depending on the depth of their psychosis.
At times, unhappy bipolars tend to get aggressive with violent outbursts towards loved ones.
Mood stabilization is the first concern of a medical professional using lithium.
Fish oil is also a mood stabilizer, as evidenced by the demeanor of people who eat a lot of fish.
Indeed, bipolar symptoms are rare among the Japanese, who eat a lot of rare fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna.
Salmon oil and Omega 3 oils in particular are useful in stabilizing bipolar disorder, an endocrine-based mental disorder associated with thyroid imbalance (usually indicated by low amounts of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine).
Thyroxine itself consists of iodine atoms attached to two linked chains of tyrosine, an amino acid associated with the neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenalin.
In essence, low thyroxine levels also reflect low levels of dopamine and noradrenalin, neurotransmitters associated with the behavior reward system and the "fight-or-flight" syndrome, respectively.
As a result of this chemical imbalance, people with bipolar disorder tend to suffer mood swings.
Such people fall into two classes: the positive and happy kind, and the negative and unhappy kind. There may be a third class with mixed symptoms (both depressed and manic at the same time).
The happy bipolars tend to be warm, caring, and loving; they also tend to "fall in love" quickly in relationships, and may treat both praise and abuse as attention, thus confusing both kinds as "love."
Indeed, happy bipolars are motherly if female, and fatherly if male.
The unhappy bipolars may exhibit additional psychosis with paranoid symptoms and also may keep all aspects of their illness a secret; they tend range from not trusting a person to being too trusting of a romantic interest, depending on the depth of their psychosis.
At times, unhappy bipolars tend to get aggressive with violent outbursts towards loved ones.
Mood stabilization is the first concern of a medical professional using lithium.
Fish oil is also a mood stabilizer, as evidenced by the demeanor of people who eat a lot of fish.
Indeed, bipolar symptoms are rare among the Japanese, who eat a lot of rare fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna.
Perhaps Human Problems Are Symptoms of Our Social Stress
The public education system is designed to manufacture wageslaves not people.
The stress of having to adapt to this repressive system results in "mental illness".
Such disorders as psychoses, mania and depression are all temporary, being maladaptive behavior to adapt to stress, especially that of the insidious double-bind.
The prime example of the double-bind is the "love/hate" relationship of parent and child.
Indeed, human relationships are rife with schizophregenic manifestations complete with depression, mania and psychoses as ways of adapting to the stress of getting along with each other.
And our mental and social ills are the symptoms of human society stressed to the breaking point.
The stress of having to adapt to this repressive system results in "mental illness".
Such disorders as psychoses, mania and depression are all temporary, being maladaptive behavior to adapt to stress, especially that of the insidious double-bind.
The prime example of the double-bind is the "love/hate" relationship of parent and child.
Indeed, human relationships are rife with schizophregenic manifestations complete with depression, mania and psychoses as ways of adapting to the stress of getting along with each other.
And our mental and social ills are the symptoms of human society stressed to the breaking point.
20050420
Jodo Shinshu as social emancipation
There was this Japanese guy who was put into monk school as a young man, and was going to get this cushy assignment for a prestigious temple.
Yet he saw the corruption around him, with soldier priests who were in the priesthood because of connections, and who partied when they weren't guarding the priests from intrigue and politicking.
So he had one of those crises of faith, and got this dream in which either a Buddhist deity named Kwannon or the founder of Buddhist law told him to try out this priest who would eventually help bring Buddhism to the masses.
This guy went onto make a statement, "My faith is equal to my master's", only to have his fellow monks misinterprete it.
In those days, the master-disciple relationship was such that, by equating your faith with that of your master you were going against tradition, which says the master's faith is the highest of all.
Eventually, a couple of monks got executed and everyone else, exiled.
During his exile, this man passed Buddhism onto the people.
In those times, Buddhism was for noblemen and the peasants were considered unworthy -- though the real reason was to amass wealth from the peasants by being intercessors, which is similar to the corruption happening in the West in the Church.
The end result was an emancipation of the peasants and priests.
Priests could marry, too.
Whenever I read this story, I see the seeds of peace being sown.
Sadly though, this sect along with other Buddhist and Shinto sects were closely monitored by Japan's thought police during WW2.
It wasn't until after the war that that ban was lifted.
However, Jodo Shinshu was not as quick as Soka Gakkai in promotion of peace.
Perhaps this is because the evangelical Shin people are stuck in Japan.
Though the Vietnamese nembutsu people are hot on Pure Land.
Yet he saw the corruption around him, with soldier priests who were in the priesthood because of connections, and who partied when they weren't guarding the priests from intrigue and politicking.
So he had one of those crises of faith, and got this dream in which either a Buddhist deity named Kwannon or the founder of Buddhist law told him to try out this priest who would eventually help bring Buddhism to the masses.
This guy went onto make a statement, "My faith is equal to my master's", only to have his fellow monks misinterprete it.
In those days, the master-disciple relationship was such that, by equating your faith with that of your master you were going against tradition, which says the master's faith is the highest of all.
Eventually, a couple of monks got executed and everyone else, exiled.
During his exile, this man passed Buddhism onto the people.
In those times, Buddhism was for noblemen and the peasants were considered unworthy -- though the real reason was to amass wealth from the peasants by being intercessors, which is similar to the corruption happening in the West in the Church.
The end result was an emancipation of the peasants and priests.
Priests could marry, too.
Whenever I read this story, I see the seeds of peace being sown.
Sadly though, this sect along with other Buddhist and Shinto sects were closely monitored by Japan's thought police during WW2.
It wasn't until after the war that that ban was lifted.
However, Jodo Shinshu was not as quick as Soka Gakkai in promotion of peace.
Perhaps this is because the evangelical Shin people are stuck in Japan.
Though the Vietnamese nembutsu people are hot on Pure Land.
20050328
Let's get together...
you don't like a guy who dominates
i don't believe in karma, kismet or even fate.
all i want is a girl who talks like me
all i need is a girl who thinks like me
all i need is a girl who walks to me
who validates
and understands
and won't give into demands
this world offers her.
so don't be late
let's get together...
i don't believe in karma, kismet or even fate.
all i want is a girl who talks like me
all i need is a girl who thinks like me
all i need is a girl who walks to me
who validates
and understands
and won't give into demands
this world offers her.
so don't be late
let's get together...
20050323
The Three Factors of Adolescence
The following are notes made on Brent Cameron's interview with Joseph Chilton Pearce in March 2005 issue of Common Ground.
The adolescent's rapid physical development of the human brain itself occurs predominately in the pre-frontal lobes.
Along with the brain's growth spurt, which ends around age 21, comes the potential for:
In doing so, the State might be sowing the seeds of discontent in its citizens.
For this is done for money, and not always for the benefit of the children.
The adolescent's rapid physical development of the human brain itself occurs predominately in the pre-frontal lobes.
Along with the brain's growth spurt, which ends around age 21, comes the potential for:
- A high sense of idealism
- present models of idealism
- occurs as early as ages 11-12
- present models of idealism
- A sense of hidden greatness
- the conviction that deep within the heart-mind is a core of self that is very great and that if people just realized how great they are, they would respect them.
- The sense of great expectation
- something tremendous is supposed to happen around the next corner or the next hill moment by moment
- this is a heart-felt sense which will lead to their next stage of evolutionary development.
- something tremendous is supposed to happen around the next corner or the next hill moment by moment
In doing so, the State might be sowing the seeds of discontent in its citizens.
For this is done for money, and not always for the benefit of the children.
20050321
Lust breaks your heart, while unconditional love heals it again and again
A few people think they are seeking love "out there".
Thinking themselves "in love", they can run all over town looking for love, only to find it right here (points to heart).
This is what it means by "only love can break your heart."
Yet only unconditional love can put it back together again.
When unconditional love grasps onto your heart, it will be there through thick or thin, weathering both heartbreak and joy.
Thus the journey called Life is made more wonderful when having learned how to love, we are grasped by unconditional love, only to mend our heart, again and again.
Thinking themselves "in love", they can run all over town looking for love, only to find it right here (points to heart).
This is what it means by "only love can break your heart."
Yet only unconditional love can put it back together again.
When unconditional love grasps onto your heart, it will be there through thick or thin, weathering both heartbreak and joy.
Thus the journey called Life is made more wonderful when having learned how to love, we are grasped by unconditional love, only to mend our heart, again and again.
20050319
Carpe Diem / Seize the Day (poem)
yeah it really wasn't my business at all,
but i felt that something had to be said
because the myth about sanity needed questioning.
we love to believe these lies we tell ourselves,
pretending that "crazy people", "nutbars" and "psychos"
really exist, that we're normal and they're not.
if the label fits, then we slap it on with gusto,
temporarily forgetting the times that we've been there.
so we don't really seize the day, we seize the moment.
though you wish to believe it to be true,
no one is really crazy - that's just society
afraid of the "other", fearful of its own truth.
I seized this day, to make a point,
and learned how wonderful life is --
and how beautiful it is to be imperfect.
how wonderful it is to live life vigorously!
how beautiful the persistence of willfulness!
nothing truly is fragile save our castles in the sand.
to see love as feeling or to be in love,
neither is how love truly is:
action both beautiful and ugly.
for love in action is like crying aloud
while seeking your beloved,
"carpe diem! life is awesome!"
so thanks for the drama, my friends!
thanks to my enemies, both cultivated and formerly...
you made my day! carpe diem! carpe diem!
but i felt that something had to be said
because the myth about sanity needed questioning.
we love to believe these lies we tell ourselves,
pretending that "crazy people", "nutbars" and "psychos"
really exist, that we're normal and they're not.
if the label fits, then we slap it on with gusto,
temporarily forgetting the times that we've been there.
so we don't really seize the day, we seize the moment.
though you wish to believe it to be true,
no one is really crazy - that's just society
afraid of the "other", fearful of its own truth.
I seized this day, to make a point,
and learned how wonderful life is --
and how beautiful it is to be imperfect.
how wonderful it is to live life vigorously!
how beautiful the persistence of willfulness!
nothing truly is fragile save our castles in the sand.
to see love as feeling or to be in love,
neither is how love truly is:
action both beautiful and ugly.
for love in action is like crying aloud
while seeking your beloved,
"carpe diem! life is awesome!"
so thanks for the drama, my friends!
thanks to my enemies, both cultivated and formerly...
you made my day! carpe diem! carpe diem!
20050318
shameless and liberation (poem)
When the mood seized me
I excused my indiscretions
without guilt or shame
as generosity --
Who am I kidding but me?
No shame, yet guilty of acts
exposed to the world,
this shameless fool lost his roots.
What right does he have
to tell others how to live?
My decision is
mine, and mine alone - Forget
all regret and grieve
the loss of integrity.
You are not alone; you are free!
How free are the passions, dear
to their slaves tonight!
Look at them squirm, suffering
needlessly, the truth
ignored, their desires hot.
Am I free to live?
Do I live to be free of
all my desires?
No, though I err as human,
this divine spark forgives me.
In all sense of forgiveness
from passions am I
freed, calmly detached, unbound --
Rising above shame,
liberation seizes me!
I excused my indiscretions
without guilt or shame
as generosity --
Who am I kidding but me?
No shame, yet guilty of acts
exposed to the world,
this shameless fool lost his roots.
What right does he have
to tell others how to live?
My decision is
mine, and mine alone - Forget
all regret and grieve
the loss of integrity.
You are not alone; you are free!
How free are the passions, dear
to their slaves tonight!
Look at them squirm, suffering
needlessly, the truth
ignored, their desires hot.
Am I free to live?
Do I live to be free of
all my desires?
No, though I err as human,
this divine spark forgives me.
In all sense of forgiveness
from passions am I
freed, calmly detached, unbound --
Rising above shame,
liberation seizes me!
Freed by the mere thought of a brief revenge fantasy
When faced with the reality
of the moment, we simply detach ourselves
from it to truly enjoy ourselves as is,
all thought of revenge
purged in a split second of fantasy.
Then it fades.
Satiated, freedom suddenly grasps us,
never to let go.
of the moment, we simply detach ourselves
from it to truly enjoy ourselves as is,
all thought of revenge
purged in a split second of fantasy.
Then it fades.
Satiated, freedom suddenly grasps us,
never to let go.
Unconditional love: the active love
Unconditional love is proactive.
Thus love is in chains when we place conditions on our love for another, thinking that would bring the two of us closer in love.
To think love is a feeling, an affection, a mood, an emotion... how fragile those naive, sentimental thoughts are about love!
For unconditional love is the theme of the journey of life.
It is more than just a feeling, for love affects all of us.
When we realize that it is more than just a mood -- greater than an emotion such as anger and more powerful than anything on earth -- Love shall conquer all.
Thus I declare the following to be love in action, unconditional and complete:
Carpe diem! Be seized by love, not conditions.
Thus love is in chains when we place conditions on our love for another, thinking that would bring the two of us closer in love.
To think love is a feeling, an affection, a mood, an emotion... how fragile those naive, sentimental thoughts are about love!
For unconditional love is the theme of the journey of life.
It is more than just a feeling, for love affects all of us.
When we realize that it is more than just a mood -- greater than an emotion such as anger and more powerful than anything on earth -- Love shall conquer all.
Thus I declare the following to be love in action, unconditional and complete:
Carpe diem! Be seized by love, not conditions.
Vous-meme vous trouvez (find your true self)
elle - pourquoi seulement elle, je me demande?
toi - votre beauté intérieure, l'enfant intérieur.
vous - le sauvage intérieur appelé
perdu à la passion,
là où vous errez,
perdu, seulement...
she - why only she, you ask of me?
you - your inner beauty, the inner child.
you all - the inner wild
lost in passion
where you wander,
only lost...
ceux-ci stilted le belittle d'expressions la vérité,
et raillez cette langue de l'amour.
mais... mais pourtant...
je - seulement ami, votre believer vrai..
moi - mais pas encore fidèle à vous.
nous - à un niveau plus élevé de l'amour,
avec amour sans conditions.
homme non mortel d'un dieu d'amour!
veuillez trouver rapidement, ma cherie!
soyez à un avec L'aime!
alors vous-même vous trouvez!
translation:
she - why only she, you ask of me?
you - your inner beauty, the inner child.
you all - the inner wild
lost in passion
where you wander,
only lost
those stilted expressions belittle the truth,
and scoff at this language of love.
and yet...
but yet...
I - only a friend, your true believer.
me - but not yet faithful to you.
us - on a higher level of love, with love without conditions.
man is not an immortal god of love!
please quickly know this, my dear!
be at one with Love!
then yourself you shall find!
toi - votre beauté intérieure, l'enfant intérieur.
vous - le sauvage intérieur appelé
perdu à la passion,
là où vous errez,
perdu, seulement...
she - why only she, you ask of me?
you - your inner beauty, the inner child.
you all - the inner wild
lost in passion
where you wander,
only lost...
ceux-ci stilted le belittle d'expressions la vérité,
et raillez cette langue de l'amour.
mais... mais pourtant...
je - seulement ami, votre believer vrai..
moi - mais pas encore fidèle à vous.
nous - à un niveau plus élevé de l'amour,
avec amour sans conditions.
homme non mortel d'un dieu d'amour!
veuillez trouver rapidement, ma cherie!
soyez à un avec L'aime!
alors vous-même vous trouvez!
translation:
she - why only she, you ask of me?
you - your inner beauty, the inner child.
you all - the inner wild
lost in passion
where you wander,
only lost
those stilted expressions belittle the truth,
and scoff at this language of love.
and yet...
but yet...
I - only a friend, your true believer.
me - but not yet faithful to you.
us - on a higher level of love, with love without conditions.
man is not an immortal god of love!
please quickly know this, my dear!
be at one with Love!
then yourself you shall find!
Urban rabbit
At work there was this wild rabbit looking for weeds to nibble on, right in the middle of a deconstruction zone.
Thus rabbits are also trying to adapt to city life, just like coyotes.
Thus rabbits are also trying to adapt to city life, just like coyotes.
20050316
Familial nickname uncovered and exposed
My nickname by my father was "Cheeb" (Chib) as in cheebee (chibi), which is a nonsense word of affection for a waif or small child in my mother tongue.
He helped me learn helplessness through carefully craftful comedy routines.
The effective one consisted of the following;
We're in tub together, a traditional Japanese evening of father-son bonding.
father: "Hey, straighten out your arm."
me: (straightens left arm, right arm goes out to its limits extent) "I am!"
father: {straightens his arms) No, like this, Chib!
me: (frustrated) I am....
To this day I have an unconscious distrust of males in authority, especially ones that mock me.
He helped me learn helplessness through carefully craftful comedy routines.
The effective one consisted of the following;
We're in tub together, a traditional Japanese evening of father-son bonding.
father: "Hey, straighten out your arm."
me: (straightens left arm, right arm goes out to its limits extent) "I am!"
father: {straightens his arms) No, like this, Chib!
me: (frustrated) I am....
To this day I have an unconscious distrust of males in authority, especially ones that mock me.
The Women Scorned
I loathe the actions of men who cannot figure out that sometimes a woman will invent her own culture.
It consists of finding a suitable mate based on ideals gleaned from Western culture (the strong one with a good job) and pretend that she's seducing them when in actual fact, sir, you forgot to tell her you're into casual relationships.
At which point you get confused when she lays claim on you, which is also a part of her interpretation of her culture.
This is Canada you know. Women are liberated and can lay claim to you. It's Her tradition. Yours is just the usual whimpy misogynist nonsense. She will dominate you.
And yet you will continue with your insults online and use it to piss her off, just because you're afraid of commitment. You're strong, you're successful. Submit to her desires or face her undying love.
It consists of finding a suitable mate based on ideals gleaned from Western culture (the strong one with a good job) and pretend that she's seducing them when in actual fact, sir, you forgot to tell her you're into casual relationships.
At which point you get confused when she lays claim on you, which is also a part of her interpretation of her culture.
This is Canada you know. Women are liberated and can lay claim to you. It's Her tradition. Yours is just the usual whimpy misogynist nonsense. She will dominate you.
And yet you will continue with your insults online and use it to piss her off, just because you're afraid of commitment. You're strong, you're successful. Submit to her desires or face her undying love.
Why I started my herbal meds
having now heard someone in the midst of her manic phase, i have to resist blaming myself.
what really saddens me is how delusive the "rescue" scenario hinted at so discreetly by this person.
however, Section 22 of the BC Mental Health Act prohibits me from entering into such an agreement with any person admitted to a care facility.
so, to get over the stress and insomnia arising from this, i've been self medicating with 5-HTP, hypericum and valerian within the dosage limits.
what really saddens me is how delusive the "rescue" scenario hinted at so discreetly by this person.
however, Section 22 of the BC Mental Health Act prohibits me from entering into such an agreement with any person admitted to a care facility.
so, to get over the stress and insomnia arising from this, i've been self medicating with 5-HTP, hypericum and valerian within the dosage limits.
20050315
herbal meds i am on
5-HTP, valerian, hypericum, and ginkgo biloba with phosphidylcholine
The 5-HTP helps supply serotonin, and regulate dopamine and noradrenaline levels. It helps keep me mellow and calm.
The hypericum relieves anxiety.
Valerian acts as a sleeping aid with an extra dose of 5-HTP at bedtime.
And ginkgo biloba keeps my hippocampus toned, so my short-term memory isn't impaired by stress, or lack of sleep.
i take 3 5-HTP capsules at meals, plus an extra 50 mg dose for a total of 200 mg a day.
i only took 3 hypericum a day, which meets the 900 mg total @ 0.3% - 2.7 mg a day. Though I'd been happy most of the time, I've recently come under stress due to the complications of insomnia.
3 capsules of Ginkgo is taken for a total of 300 mg. I am not sure if this medication really is working, but have noticed that I complete all my assignments quicker at employability training school.
I made the mistake of taking a valerian tablet during lunch, which led to almost nodding off in class a couple times.
Right now I feel sleepy since taking a valerian and hypericum capsule 30 minutes ago.
The 5-HTP helps supply serotonin, and regulate dopamine and noradrenaline levels. It helps keep me mellow and calm.
The hypericum relieves anxiety.
Valerian acts as a sleeping aid with an extra dose of 5-HTP at bedtime.
And ginkgo biloba keeps my hippocampus toned, so my short-term memory isn't impaired by stress, or lack of sleep.
i take 3 5-HTP capsules at meals, plus an extra 50 mg dose for a total of 200 mg a day.
i only took 3 hypericum a day, which meets the 900 mg total @ 0.3% - 2.7 mg a day. Though I'd been happy most of the time, I've recently come under stress due to the complications of insomnia.
3 capsules of Ginkgo is taken for a total of 300 mg. I am not sure if this medication really is working, but have noticed that I complete all my assignments quicker at employability training school.
I made the mistake of taking a valerian tablet during lunch, which led to almost nodding off in class a couple times.
Right now I feel sleepy since taking a valerian and hypericum capsule 30 minutes ago.
When the lover comes...
Rumi says: “We race hotly after the lover, but when the lover comes, we are absent. You are like a shadow in love with the sun. When the intensity of light appears, you vanish.”
Alas, Rumi, my friend, you are correct!
I tried to meet my dearest friend
with a caring and unabiding heart,
but found her ‘like a shadow in love with the sun.’
Rather than face my fatherly gaze
my friend sought the safety of nursemaids.
My only hope is that she will not vanish!
Alas, Rumi, my friend, you are correct!
I tried to meet my dearest friend
with a caring and unabiding heart,
but found her ‘like a shadow in love with the sun.’
Rather than face my fatherly gaze
my friend sought the safety of nursemaids.
My only hope is that she will not vanish!
i miss you, dear friend
Sadly my heart is
temporarily hurting -
I miss you, my friend.
My devotion for you grows...
Please, friend, be strong for yourself!
temporarily hurting -
I miss you, my friend.
My devotion for you grows...
Please, friend, be strong for yourself!
My Friend's Sorrow
She spoke to me of being torn
to pieces when new life was
taken from her, all due to
not being ready to raise
the family her heart desires.
Rumi speaks of her sorrow saying:
“Speak to us of the soul that is torn to pieces,
Tell us of the amorous glance
That brands the heart anew.”
When I came to visit her
she was taken to the refuge
she had rejected months ago,
the hospital, safe haven
for the injured, be it
of body or of mind.
Again, the Pir Rumi says:
“I gave my heart freely,
Why do you run from me still?”
Now do I know as deeply
as each heart-felt sigh
that she does not fear me,
while Rumi asks, as I ask of myself:
“Why pour more sorrow on the hearts
Of the sorrowful?”
to pieces when new life was
taken from her, all due to
not being ready to raise
the family her heart desires.
Rumi speaks of her sorrow saying:
“Speak to us of the soul that is torn to pieces,
Tell us of the amorous glance
That brands the heart anew.”
When I came to visit her
she was taken to the refuge
she had rejected months ago,
the hospital, safe haven
for the injured, be it
of body or of mind.
Again, the Pir Rumi says:
“I gave my heart freely,
Why do you run from me still?”
Now do I know as deeply
as each heart-felt sigh
that she does not fear me,
while Rumi asks, as I ask of myself:
“Why pour more sorrow on the hearts
Of the sorrowful?”
20050310
Forever yours, my love!
though others may think
we're both mad, and crazy,
I am always yours forever.
yet our love purges all madness,
leaving us crazy on each other.
and breathless in our company,
you and i bask in sanity's glow.
i care only for you,
not for the ridicule of
they who taunt us.
I am forever yours, my love!
forever yours, I'm humbled by love.
we're both mad, and crazy,
I am always yours forever.
yet our love purges all madness,
leaving us crazy on each other.
and breathless in our company,
you and i bask in sanity's glow.
i care only for you,
not for the ridicule of
they who taunt us.
I am forever yours, my love!
forever yours, I'm humbled by love.
20050303
my name is Steve and...
i've been an computer addict since 1986, and an internet addict since 1993.
the only consolation is that fixing computer software issues is like second nature to me, just like picking up a guitar and playing it without looking at chords anymore. i miss playing guitar.
but fixing computers is also therapy, and the internet a useful tool for fixing computer problems.
the only consolation is that fixing computer software issues is like second nature to me, just like picking up a guitar and playing it without looking at chords anymore. i miss playing guitar.
but fixing computers is also therapy, and the internet a useful tool for fixing computer problems.
Affirmation: Wake up and channel your inner child!
Wake up and live like every day is your first day. Channel your inner child, not your inner wild!
Too often we hear the adage, "Live every day like it's your last day!"
So what if we woke up and liked each day anew, just like the first one when we were born.
As adults, we can control ourselves with the greatest of ease at times.
"Inner wild" refers to the neurotic and melancholic doldrums of the heart, where the primitive parts of my brain may cry out in pain and despair.
Ahhhhh but it's great to my hair down once in a while and channel my inner child creatively!
Too often we hear the adage, "Live every day like it's your last day!"
So what if we woke up and liked each day anew, just like the first one when we were born.
As adults, we can control ourselves with the greatest of ease at times.
"Inner wild" refers to the neurotic and melancholic doldrums of the heart, where the primitive parts of my brain may cry out in pain and despair.
Ahhhhh but it's great to my hair down once in a while and channel my inner child creatively!
All was One...
All was One...
"...She's got the whole world in her womb." -- ancient sacred hymn.
"...He's got the whole world in his hands." - Christian hymn
And the whole world which was once the sacred womb of nature thus became to be in the hands of former murderers and thieves, their hands dripping with the blood of martyred pagans.
Centuries passed, and the Dark Ages fell away, with Saracen Muslims bringing enlightenment to Europe.
They were not impressed.
Whenever the meek arose, first Christians and then Ottomans grew afraid of them. Some people fled rather than face Inquisitors or Jainissaries, anti-heretics and Christian mercenaries alike.
Then when the last cry of "Witch!" faded in the 1800s, a new wave of spirituality arose.
Many wars later, this wave fell upon the eve of the 21st Century.
"We're no different from the plants, we're no better. We're all part of the whole, and everything--a grain of sand, dirt, the birds and the animals--they are all part of us." -- Rolling Thunder
Hearing this, the whole world was grounded, and returned to the sacred womb, complete.
And Love was heard singing of the time before time was born.
When All was One...
"...She's got the whole world in her womb." -- ancient sacred hymn.
"...He's got the whole world in his hands." - Christian hymn
And the whole world which was once the sacred womb of nature thus became to be in the hands of former murderers and thieves, their hands dripping with the blood of martyred pagans.
Centuries passed, and the Dark Ages fell away, with Saracen Muslims bringing enlightenment to Europe.
They were not impressed.
Whenever the meek arose, first Christians and then Ottomans grew afraid of them. Some people fled rather than face Inquisitors or Jainissaries, anti-heretics and Christian mercenaries alike.
Then when the last cry of "Witch!" faded in the 1800s, a new wave of spirituality arose.
Many wars later, this wave fell upon the eve of the 21st Century.
"We're no different from the plants, we're no better. We're all part of the whole, and everything--a grain of sand, dirt, the birds and the animals--they are all part of us." -- Rolling Thunder
Hearing this, the whole world was grounded, and returned to the sacred womb, complete.
And Love was heard singing of the time before time was born.
When All was One...
20050226
Rise above passion (poem)
Chasing passion,
my desire is endless,
always unfulfilled.
Why chase the girl of my dreams?
I can do better than that!
Time and time again
crawling after mirages,
I have fooled myself.
When I rise above passion,
I start to know what love is.
Indeed, love makes clear
the heart clouded by passion.
It controls the mind
with the music of the heart,
until passion fades away.
For love is greater
than the conditions we place
on the ones we love.
Though passion has brought me here,
it is love that holds me close.
my desire is endless,
always unfulfilled.
Why chase the girl of my dreams?
I can do better than that!
Time and time again
crawling after mirages,
I have fooled myself.
When I rise above passion,
I start to know what love is.
Indeed, love makes clear
the heart clouded by passion.
It controls the mind
with the music of the heart,
until passion fades away.
For love is greater
than the conditions we place
on the ones we love.
Though passion has brought me here,
it is love that holds me close.
20050224
The Gift of Fear
Control the mind, and conquer all your fears.
A wise man once said: "Knowledge is power".
Knowing my fear helps me gain power and control over it.
My life will improve once that fear has been vanquished. :)
Since fear is created by the mind, the mind is able to defeat it with ease.
Once that fear is vanquished, that's one less fear to distract me from peace of mind.
With each fear conquered, I am one step closer to true fearlessness.
Because of fearlessness, I still know how precious the gift of fear is.
A wise man once said: "Knowledge is power".
Knowing my fear helps me gain power and control over it.
My life will improve once that fear has been vanquished. :)
Since fear is created by the mind, the mind is able to defeat it with ease.
Once that fear is vanquished, that's one less fear to distract me from peace of mind.
With each fear conquered, I am one step closer to true fearlessness.
Because of fearlessness, I still know how precious the gift of fear is.
Reiki training in progress
As of Feb. 19, I've started Reiki training. Today I'm now studying the first attunement.
Last night, I mentioned to online friends in one interest group about Reiki as part of healing the body.
So the previous blog entry about my life changing, for the better, is directly related to the healing energy actuated within me.
Due to the meditation and facilitation of reiki practitioners and Masters around the world my life is changing for the better.
Last night, I mentioned to online friends in one interest group about Reiki as part of healing the body.
So the previous blog entry about my life changing, for the better, is directly related to the healing energy actuated within me.
Due to the meditation and facilitation of reiki practitioners and Masters around the world my life is changing for the better.
Affirmations
My life began as a twinkling
in my parents' eye -
today my heart remembers
what it forgot in the cradle:
I am good enough.
Life knows better than I what it is about.
Life is on my side.
When I struggle, I mistake
the universal desire to be happy
with wanting to be happy.
Life wants me to be happy,
because I am a part of it,
and it is a part of me.
And yet, happiness is found
while walking life's journey -
I surely enjoy that walk with thee.
in my parents' eye -
today my heart remembers
what it forgot in the cradle:
I am good enough.
Life knows better than I what it is about.
Life is on my side.
When I struggle, I mistake
the universal desire to be happy
with wanting to be happy.
Life wants me to be happy,
because I am a part of it,
and it is a part of me.
And yet, happiness is found
while walking life's journey -
I surely enjoy that walk with thee.
20050221
Nature
I listen closely
to her gentle breathing,
her easy laughter,
her sparkling wit...
Other people only see
the wind blowing me around,
crows cawing in the trees,
a sunrise on a wintry morn.
Her kiss upon me
chills me in the winter,
leaves me dripping wet in spring,
drips sweat off my brow in summer,
paints the trees red and gold in fall.
Yet this fool dances with her,
in awe of her glorious mystery,
his heart filled with her special love.
to her gentle breathing,
her easy laughter,
her sparkling wit...
Other people only see
the wind blowing me around,
crows cawing in the trees,
a sunrise on a wintry morn.
Her kiss upon me
chills me in the winter,
leaves me dripping wet in spring,
drips sweat off my brow in summer,
paints the trees red and gold in fall.
Yet this fool dances with her,
in awe of her glorious mystery,
his heart filled with her special love.
20050218
Balanced Brain
The Brain Test:
Stephen, you are Balanced-brained
That means you are able to draw on the strengths of both the right and left hemispheres of your brain, depending upon a given situation.
When you need to explain a complicated process to someone, or plan a detailed vacation, the left hemisphere of your brain, which is responsible for your ability to solve problems logically, might kick in. But if you were critiquing an art opening or coming up with an original way to file papers, the right side of your brain, which is responsible for noticing subtle details in things, might take over.
While many people have clearly dominant left- or right-brained tendencies, you are able to draw on skills from both hemispheres of your brain. This rare combination makes you a very creative and flexible thinker.
The down side to being balanced-brained is that you may sometimes feel paralyzed by indecision when the two hemispheres of your brain are competing to solve a problem in their own unique ways.
Stephen, you are Balanced-brained
That means you are able to draw on the strengths of both the right and left hemispheres of your brain, depending upon a given situation.
When you need to explain a complicated process to someone, or plan a detailed vacation, the left hemisphere of your brain, which is responsible for your ability to solve problems logically, might kick in. But if you were critiquing an art opening or coming up with an original way to file papers, the right side of your brain, which is responsible for noticing subtle details in things, might take over.
While many people have clearly dominant left- or right-brained tendencies, you are able to draw on skills from both hemispheres of your brain. This rare combination makes you a very creative and flexible thinker.
The down side to being balanced-brained is that you may sometimes feel paralyzed by indecision when the two hemispheres of your brain are competing to solve a problem in their own unique ways.
Boundless Way, Boundless Truth
The Zen master Yun-feng wrote:
The way is the perennial Way,
the truth is the perennial Truth:
don't misapply body and mind
chasing after sayings.
This is why it is said that
"even the slightest object is dust;
as soon as you arouse intent,
you’re confused by hallucination."
To which I humbly reply:
The boundless Way leads
to the boundless Truth!
For the well-applied body-mind
follows the Buddha,
not the sayings of heroes.
Originally posted: February 18, 2005 1747H
Update posted: March 6, 2013 0033H
Reference:
Yun-feng quote:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Quotes/Buddhist/General/Y/Yun-Feng/The-Way-Is-The-Perennial-Way-The-Truth-Is-The-Per.aspx
The way is the perennial Way,
the truth is the perennial Truth:
don't misapply body and mind
chasing after sayings.
This is why it is said that
"even the slightest object is dust;
as soon as you arouse intent,
you’re confused by hallucination."
To which I humbly reply:
The boundless Way leads
to the boundless Truth!
For the well-applied body-mind
follows the Buddha,
not the sayings of heroes.
Originally posted: February 18, 2005 1747H
Update posted: March 6, 2013 0033H
Reference:
Yun-feng quote:
20050216
Adversity (poem)
Adversity arises,
and soon fades away.
So it's wise to rise
above it all
with the help of
the winds of adversity.
and soon fades away.
So it's wise to rise
above it all
with the help of
the winds of adversity.
20050214
Love is forever
Love is forever
365 days a year,
in each moment dear.
It soothes the weary soul,
and sets the heart soaring high.
Love is forever -
of this I am assured.
Day and night may pass
swiftly, but love changes not.
Fickle is the wav'ring heart!
Without conditions
love is forever, it's true.
No "If" or "but" may
vanquish love anymore -
this heart has returned home!
365 days a year,
in each moment dear.
It soothes the weary soul,
and sets the heart soaring high.
Love is forever -
of this I am assured.
Day and night may pass
swiftly, but love changes not.
Fickle is the wav'ring heart!
Without conditions
love is forever, it's true.
No "If" or "but" may
vanquish love anymore -
this heart has returned home!
20050212
20050126
The eyes of Shiva
The top drawing I did myself with Paint.
The bottom was snarfed from some place online. Hopefully they won't ruin what's left of my karma. :P
20041215
Does god exist?
The inner person is a jewel. It is life itself. It is the treasure of the vital breath called prana.
Everyone is deluded by errors and confusions about God. They don't understand the true inner meaning (marma) of life.
The divine love (prema) of the inner person does not usually appear in the earthly realm., but only through the inner person can people experience divine love.
Those people who experience the inner person are the inner person, because the inner person (God) recognizes the inner person.
These people and the inner person (God) seem to exist separately, yet it is the inner person who realizes the inner person (God).
Those who experience the inner person are dead-yet-alive (jiyante mara). They are the very essence of that inner person (God).
Initial experiences of the inner person (God) are signs of great good fortune. The inner person is on the far shores of experience.
Chanting the name of the inner person (God) leads to a separate mystical place (heaven). Distinct from this world, it has its own customs. Candidas says: Everything about it is distinct. Who can fathom its customs?
- from Manusa manusa sabai balaye, in Sahajiya sahitya by Manindramohan Basu
Everyone is deluded by errors and confusions about God. They don't understand the true inner meaning (marma) of life.
The divine love (prema) of the inner person does not usually appear in the earthly realm., but only through the inner person can people experience divine love.
Those people who experience the inner person are the inner person, because the inner person (God) recognizes the inner person.
These people and the inner person (God) seem to exist separately, yet it is the inner person who realizes the inner person (God).
Those who experience the inner person are dead-yet-alive (jiyante mara). They are the very essence of that inner person (God).
Initial experiences of the inner person (God) are signs of great good fortune. The inner person is on the far shores of experience.
Chanting the name of the inner person (God) leads to a separate mystical place (heaven). Distinct from this world, it has its own customs. Candidas says: Everything about it is distinct. Who can fathom its customs?
- from Manusa manusa sabai balaye, in Sahajiya sahitya by Manindramohan Basu
20041213
Krishna.com - Srimati Radharani's Appearance
Krishna.com - Srimati Radharani's Appearance: "Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Krishna."
All About Hinduism (Shiva, Shakti and Maya)
All About Hinduism:
Siva, Sakti And Maya
The Lord Siva pervades the whole world by His Sakti. He works through His Sakti. Sakti is the conscious energy of Lord Siva. She is the very body of Lord Siva. The potter is the first cause for the pot. The stick and the wheel are the instrumental causes. The clay is the material cause of the pot. Similarly, Lord Siva is the first cause of the world. Sakti is the instrumental cause. Maya is the material cause.
Sakti is not the material cause of the universe, because she is of the nature of consciousness (Chaitanya). Siva is pure consciousness, but matter is pure unconsciousness. Sakti is the intermediate link between the two.
Sakti is the reflex of Siva. It has no independent existence. Siva assumes this form out of His great love for mankind. Siva wishes that all should know Him.
Commentary: Shiva is pure consciousness, and matter, pure unconsciousness. Shakti is the intermediary between consciousness and unconsciousness.
Maya is thus pure unconsciousness.
Anava, Karma and Maya
Souls (Pasu) are by nature infinite, all-pervading, eternal and all-knowing like Lord Siva (Pati). Yet they think that they are finite, limited and little-knowing, ignorant and temporary. This is due to their bonds (Pasa), viz., Anava, Karma and Maya which are called the three Malas or impurities. Anava is the impurity which makes the all-pervading Jiva think itself to be atomic (Anu). It produces the erroneous notion of finiteness. The second impurity or bond is Karma. The soul acts in certain ways on account of its limitation and does good and evil actions. Karma brings about the conjunction of the soul with its body. The results of the Karma have to be worked out in the world. There should be worlds and bodies, in order to experience the fruits of actions and acquire knowledge. These are provided by Maya, the third Mala or bond. Maya is the material cause of the world. The soul gets experience and limited knowledge through Maya.
The soul learns, by long experience, that this Samsara is full of pains and is transitory, and that he can attain eternal bliss and immortality only by attaining Sivatva or the nature of Siva or God-realisation. He develops Vairagya (dispassion), and Viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the impermanent).
Commentary; Anavan Karma and Maya are the Trimala, the three malas (impurities).
Jiva refers to the ego-self which thinks itself to be atomic.
Siva, Sakti And Maya
The Lord Siva pervades the whole world by His Sakti. He works through His Sakti. Sakti is the conscious energy of Lord Siva. She is the very body of Lord Siva. The potter is the first cause for the pot. The stick and the wheel are the instrumental causes. The clay is the material cause of the pot. Similarly, Lord Siva is the first cause of the world. Sakti is the instrumental cause. Maya is the material cause.
Sakti is not the material cause of the universe, because she is of the nature of consciousness (Chaitanya). Siva is pure consciousness, but matter is pure unconsciousness. Sakti is the intermediate link between the two.
Sakti is the reflex of Siva. It has no independent existence. Siva assumes this form out of His great love for mankind. Siva wishes that all should know Him.
Commentary: Shiva is pure consciousness, and matter, pure unconsciousness. Shakti is the intermediary between consciousness and unconsciousness.
Maya is thus pure unconsciousness.
Anava, Karma and Maya
Souls (Pasu) are by nature infinite, all-pervading, eternal and all-knowing like Lord Siva (Pati). Yet they think that they are finite, limited and little-knowing, ignorant and temporary. This is due to their bonds (Pasa), viz., Anava, Karma and Maya which are called the three Malas or impurities. Anava is the impurity which makes the all-pervading Jiva think itself to be atomic (Anu). It produces the erroneous notion of finiteness. The second impurity or bond is Karma. The soul acts in certain ways on account of its limitation and does good and evil actions. Karma brings about the conjunction of the soul with its body. The results of the Karma have to be worked out in the world. There should be worlds and bodies, in order to experience the fruits of actions and acquire knowledge. These are provided by Maya, the third Mala or bond. Maya is the material cause of the world. The soul gets experience and limited knowledge through Maya.
The soul learns, by long experience, that this Samsara is full of pains and is transitory, and that he can attain eternal bliss and immortality only by attaining Sivatva or the nature of Siva or God-realisation. He develops Vairagya (dispassion), and Viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the impermanent).
Commentary; Anavan Karma and Maya are the Trimala, the three malas (impurities).
Jiva refers to the ego-self which thinks itself to be atomic.
The Buddha and His Dhamma, by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
The Buddha and His Dhamma, by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
The strongest case for neo-Buddhism, the Buddha and His Dhamma, is a must-read for social activists with sympathy for the poor.
The strongest case for neo-Buddhism, the Buddha and His Dhamma, is a must-read for social activists with sympathy for the poor.
20041210
When My Eyes are Open
When my eyes are open,
three eyes are open.
One of them is Shiva's.
When my eyes are open,
only his glows like a ruby.
When my eyes are open,
I see with Shiva's eye,
an ocher dot on my forehead.
When my eyes are open,
Shiva's eye grants me foresight.
When my eyes are open,
his eye is omnipresent.
Whose eyes are opened
by the illumination
that Shiva provides?
three eyes are open.
One of them is Shiva's.
When my eyes are open,
only his glows like a ruby.
When my eyes are open,
I see with Shiva's eye,
an ocher dot on my forehead.
When my eyes are open,
Shiva's eye grants me foresight.
When my eyes are open,
his eye is omnipresent.
Whose eyes are opened
by the illumination
that Shiva provides?
20040919
Rebirth (Buddhist) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rebirth (Buddhist) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The being in this intermediate state was known as a gandhabba (Sanskrit gandharva), and for pregnancy to occur a gandhabba is propelled towards rebirth through its desire for sex..."
This conflicts with my first experiences of life where I love my father and mother as a child, without enmity or hatred towards them.
Thus I don't believe in gandharva. Though it does explain my father's attitude towards me during my life after 12.
This conflicts with my first experiences of life where I love my father and mother as a child, without enmity or hatred towards them.
Thus I don't believe in gandharva. Though it does explain my father's attitude towards me during my life after 12.
20040918
Forever War Revisited
Here's one article written in 2002 that mentions "forever war" in context with the war on terrorism:
"There are so many ill-starred events associated with the forever war that it's impossible to know where to begin. I call it the forever war (a takeoff on Joe Haldeman's superlative sci-fi novel of that name) because no matter what happens to bin Laden and Afghanistan, this drill is fated to continue, just with changes of venues and players. But, because I fly a lot, what's going on with the airlines is as good a place to begin as any."
"There are so many ill-starred events associated with the forever war that it's impossible to know where to begin. I call it the forever war (a takeoff on Joe Haldeman's superlative sci-fi novel of that name) because no matter what happens to bin Laden and Afghanistan, this drill is fated to continue, just with changes of venues and players. But, because I fly a lot, what's going on with the airlines is as good a place to begin as any."
20040917
Phenylpropanolamine ( PPA )
Phenylpropanolamine ( PPA ): "Psychiatric side effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine"
Today PPA is not found in most diet pills or cold medication. They've replaced it with ephedrine, an amphetamine.
Even in OTC medication, I would still rate its use on cold medication to be useless.
One would be better off with chicken soup.
Today PPA is not found in most diet pills or cold medication. They've replaced it with ephedrine, an amphetamine.
Even in OTC medication, I would still rate its use on cold medication to be useless.
One would be better off with chicken soup.
20040916
A Buddhist View On Animal Rights
A Buddhist View On Animal Rights: "As reported in the New Scientist (June 28, 1997; page 11), and NATURE (July 3, 1997; page 11), the European Union has officially recognized that animals have feelings. So now, in Europe at least, the definition of animals (including dogs, of corse), will be changed to 'sentient beings', rather than having them classified as goods or agricultural products, when policies are formulated regarding agriculture, transport, and medical research."
20040830
Take that beam out of your eye!
The Bible speaks of being non-judgmental:
Matthew 7:3 Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye,' while there is a beam in your own? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. - https://net.bible.org/?q=cgi-bin/netbible.pl&book=mat&chapter=7#!bible/Matthew+7
Yet this beam in the eye is rooted in something that the Bible barely mentions. It is the cause of much of the suffering in life today. Yet there is relief, and it comes not out of the Bible, but from the Buddha himself.
"The pleasure and joy that arise in dependence on the eye: this is the gratification in the eye. That the eye is impermanent, suffering, and subject to change: this is the danger in the eye. The removal and abandonment of desire and lust from the eye: this is the escape from the eye."
-Buddha, "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
Matthew 7:3 Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye,' while there is a beam in your own? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. - https://net.bible.org/?q=cgi-bin/netbible.pl&book=mat&chapter=7#!bible/Matthew+7
Yet this beam in the eye is rooted in something that the Bible barely mentions. It is the cause of much of the suffering in life today. Yet there is relief, and it comes not out of the Bible, but from the Buddha himself.
"The pleasure and joy that arise in dependence on the eye: this is the gratification in the eye. That the eye is impermanent, suffering, and subject to change: this is the danger in the eye. The removal and abandonment of desire and lust from the eye: this is the escape from the eye."
-Buddha, "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
20040828
Panentheism Revisited (poem)
Panentheism Revisited
I. First Truth
When one part of it hurts
The whole universe hurts.
Yet only rarely does humanity
realize the role of suffering
is to shape the human spirit wisely.
Always awake, enlightened, truly whole,
the whole universe is infinite
to this fool, yet is the source of life,
atom by atom, molecule by molecule.
II. True Joy
When one part of it rejoices
The whole universe rejoices.
Then, humanity may only feel joy
as spontaneous, the spark of freedom
to appreciate life as it is.
From the universe came the soul pristine,
the gift to seed in this mortal coil
at birth, only to be returned at death,
to the infinite, pristine and unchanged.
III. Illumination and Enlightenment
When one part of it illuminates
The whole universe is illuminated.
Here and there, wisdom slowly ebbs and flows
with the human tide on this grain of sand,
sometimes seeing the whole universe.
Through love and compassion, the wise support
with kindness their equals, the foolish,
sharing the wealth of the infinite,
securely complemented with prudence.
I. First Truth
When one part of it hurts
The whole universe hurts.
Yet only rarely does humanity
realize the role of suffering
is to shape the human spirit wisely.
Always awake, enlightened, truly whole,
the whole universe is infinite
to this fool, yet is the source of life,
atom by atom, molecule by molecule.
II. True Joy
When one part of it rejoices
The whole universe rejoices.
Then, humanity may only feel joy
as spontaneous, the spark of freedom
to appreciate life as it is.
From the universe came the soul pristine,
the gift to seed in this mortal coil
at birth, only to be returned at death,
to the infinite, pristine and unchanged.
III. Illumination and Enlightenment
When one part of it illuminates
The whole universe is illuminated.
Here and there, wisdom slowly ebbs and flows
with the human tide on this grain of sand,
sometimes seeing the whole universe.
Through love and compassion, the wise support
with kindness their equals, the foolish,
sharing the wealth of the infinite,
securely complemented with prudence.
20040816
Health Effects on Indigenous People of Siberia
Currently, this consists of maladaptation to enforced farming imposed on an ancient culture based on fishing and hunting tradition.
In addition, oppression and suppression by the dominant Russian culture through exclusion from economical and social participation in community-based activities has led to poverty in remote villages and a driving need by the younger generation to prove themselves by migrating to larger cities, to become more Russian and less “old-fashioned.”
Yet, in becoming “civilized,” younger Asiatic Russians are no longer in touch with the land of their ancestors. This has led to maladaption caused by social isolation, resulting in psychological suffering including behavior and mood disorders, and rare morbidity (suicide) when isolation consists of living abroad in an English-speaking country.
Recenty, a Russian woman of Tungus extraction went abroad to study at a Canadian university in northern British Columbia. After doing poorly in her final examinations, she went missing and was found dead of exposure.
Because of the emphasis on using shame and guilt common to Asiatic culture to ensure that a person's selfish desires and passions do not led to destruction of the family unit, this young lady died because she'd never learned as a child how to detach her sense of self from academic performance. In short, noboy at the university told her that it's okay to fail academically. Indeed, she was socially isolated from her family who were a world away from northern BC.
http://www.unbc.ca/experts/health.html
In response, the university now has a history student who is knowledgeable about health problems in north Russia as expert at the health centre to answer questions.
Mainly though, social isolation led to suicide because no one at the university truly could make her a part of their family because she only knew Russian and her mother tongue.
In addition, oppression and suppression by the dominant Russian culture through exclusion from economical and social participation in community-based activities has led to poverty in remote villages and a driving need by the younger generation to prove themselves by migrating to larger cities, to become more Russian and less “old-fashioned.”
Yet, in becoming “civilized,” younger Asiatic Russians are no longer in touch with the land of their ancestors. This has led to maladaption caused by social isolation, resulting in psychological suffering including behavior and mood disorders, and rare morbidity (suicide) when isolation consists of living abroad in an English-speaking country.
Recenty, a Russian woman of Tungus extraction went abroad to study at a Canadian university in northern British Columbia. After doing poorly in her final examinations, she went missing and was found dead of exposure.
Because of the emphasis on using shame and guilt common to Asiatic culture to ensure that a person's selfish desires and passions do not led to destruction of the family unit, this young lady died because she'd never learned as a child how to detach her sense of self from academic performance. In short, noboy at the university told her that it's okay to fail academically. Indeed, she was socially isolated from her family who were a world away from northern BC.
http://www.unbc.ca/experts/health.html
In response, the university now has a history student who is knowledgeable about health problems in north Russia as expert at the health centre to answer questions.
Mainly though, social isolation led to suicide because no one at the university truly could make her a part of their family because she only knew Russian and her mother tongue.
20040804
Love and Compassion
While feelings of desire, lust, and passion are fleeting, Love and compassion will sustain the universe.
However, it is foolish to think that the physical root of feelings are lesser than the spiritual roots of love and compassion. Were it not for such feelings, life would be empty of love and compassion.
Love and compassion is called loving-kindness in the Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish traditions and Muslim traditions, yet it may predate the establishment of contemporary organized religion.
Here is an incomplete list on love and compassion for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
Buddhism
Dhagpo Kagyu: http://www.dhagpo-kagyu.org/anglais/science-esprit/fondements/bodhicitta/sham-love-compassion.htm
Christianity
John Roberts' Divine Love and Compassion: http://www.godispirit.info/divine-love-and-compassion.html
The God of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness: http://people.opposingviews.com/hindu-god-love-compassion-forgiveness-3315.html
Islam:
Love and Compassion in Islam: http://www.wccm.org/content/love-and-compassion-islam
Judaism:
Compassion for Humanity in the Jewish Tradition: http://www.bodhicitta.net/Compassion%20for%20Humanity%20in%20the%20Jewish%20Tradition.htm
However, it is foolish to think that the physical root of feelings are lesser than the spiritual roots of love and compassion. Were it not for such feelings, life would be empty of love and compassion.
Love and compassion is called loving-kindness in the Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish traditions and Muslim traditions, yet it may predate the establishment of contemporary organized religion.
Here is an incomplete list on love and compassion for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
Buddhism
Dhagpo Kagyu: http://www.dhagpo-kagyu.org/anglais/science-esprit/fondements/bodhicitta/sham-love-compassion.htm
Christianity
John Roberts' Divine Love and Compassion: http://www.godispirit.info/divine-love-and-compassion.html
The God of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness: http://people.opposingviews.com/hindu-god-love-compassion-forgiveness-3315.html
Islam:
Love and Compassion in Islam: http://www.wccm.org/content/love-and-compassion-islam
Judaism:
Compassion for Humanity in the Jewish Tradition: http://www.bodhicitta.net/Compassion%20for%20Humanity%20in%20the%20Jewish%20Tradition.htm
20040729
Chinese Sea Exploration: 1000BCE to 1600 CE
1492: The Prequel
"The historical record makes clear, for example, that it was not some sudden impulse of extroversion that led to Zheng He's achievement. It grew, rather, out of a long sailing tradition. Chinese accounts suggest that in the fifth century, a Chinese monk sailed to a mysterious "far east country" that sounds very much like Mayan Mexico, and Mayan art at that time suddenly began to include Buddhist symbols. By the 13th century, Chinese ships regularly traveled to India and occasionally to East Africa"
"The historical record makes clear, for example, that it was not some sudden impulse of extroversion that led to Zheng He's achievement. It grew, rather, out of a long sailing tradition. Chinese accounts suggest that in the fifth century, a Chinese monk sailed to a mysterious "far east country" that sounds very much like Mayan Mexico, and Mayan art at that time suddenly began to include Buddhist symbols. By the 13th century, Chinese ships regularly traveled to India and occasionally to East Africa"
20040727
my view on spirituality
on wednesday, and afterwards, i felt God is as close as my heart, not unlike Oyasama of Jodo Shinshu.
aftermath of a brain injury
On July 19, 2004 between the time of 3:15 AM and 3.30 AM I was assaulted on the job at a worksite, near where I live.
The area is notorious for being a drug haven and hooker stroll.
I will only refer to the worksite as "the bingo hall in a small strip mall."
As for myself, I am a security guard.
After being punched repeatedly in the head by a drug-craazed male, I fell unconscious. According to what I was told over the next two days in the Emergency Ward, I'd been rushed to the hospital by 3.40 AM.
Thanks to the Emergency Ward staff I regained consciousness within 3 hours. By July 23, I recovered full use of most of my senses to discover all the guy who beat me up wanted was the work cellphone my employer provides me.
A week later, here is what I repress: most of the memory of the assaulting me. He wanted my money, and threatened to kill me. Today, I just think of it with some puzzlement.
side effects of the concussion suffered at work:
headaches and dizziness.
aches in pain in legs and backside due to reduced walking.
Good news: physically I improved rapidly over the week I was in the hospital. As well, I was in denial about the extent of my injuries to prevent depression from overwhelming me.
Tomorrow I go for a CAT scan to see how well my brain's improved.
The area is notorious for being a drug haven and hooker stroll.
I will only refer to the worksite as "the bingo hall in a small strip mall."
As for myself, I am a security guard.
After being punched repeatedly in the head by a drug-craazed male, I fell unconscious. According to what I was told over the next two days in the Emergency Ward, I'd been rushed to the hospital by 3.40 AM.
Thanks to the Emergency Ward staff I regained consciousness within 3 hours. By July 23, I recovered full use of most of my senses to discover all the guy who beat me up wanted was the work cellphone my employer provides me.
A week later, here is what I repress: most of the memory of the assaulting me. He wanted my money, and threatened to kill me. Today, I just think of it with some puzzlement.
side effects of the concussion suffered at work:
headaches and dizziness.
aches in pain in legs and backside due to reduced walking.
Good news: physically I improved rapidly over the week I was in the hospital. As well, I was in denial about the extent of my injuries to prevent depression from overwhelming me.
Tomorrow I go for a CAT scan to see how well my brain's improved.
20040717
Entry of Mania
I am in a manic phase. Though I will be the most polite, most articulate, and thoughtful of others, in order to ensure the survival of others.
At the root of this, I confess, is absolute fear. Thus, fearlessness is empowered. For fear is my friend, my companion. Shemotivates me to choose survival of the group.
I agree with the world.
At the root of this, I confess, is absolute fear. Thus, fearlessness is empowered. For fear is my friend, my companion. Shemotivates me to choose survival of the group.
I agree with the world.
20040707
King Ashoka: His Edicts and his Times
After 2 years of warfare due to politics and intrigue by ministers of Taxila, during which an elder half-brother died, King Ashoka succeeded to the throne. After eight years of relative peace, during which time he was a harsh ruler, he made war on Kalinga.
Having seen all the horrors of that war, with sons and daughters made orphans, wives widow, and people suffering from the losses of war, Ashoka firmly resolved to renounce war and performed merit in the name of the Buddha. This included breaking apart old stupas containing the relics of the Buddha and redistributing them in new stupas throughout his kingdom. Throughout his kingdom. he also had royal proclamations written in stone for his subjects to read.
Eventually he begged for alms (food), and gifted the widow who gave the clothes off her back. Again, Ashoka gifted the poor elderly couple who sought to become slaves of a rich man for seven pieces of gold if they could not repay him in seven days.
Once called Ashoka the Fierce, King Ashoka became Ashoka the Righteous.
Links
In Asoka - gives a brief history of Ashoka and retells the popular tale about Ashoka making his pilgrimage to all the Buddhist holy sites.
The author, a Dutch Buddhist nun who joined a temple in Thailand, then mentions her pilgrimage to those same sites accompanied by her fellow Buddhist monks.
Having seen all the horrors of that war, with sons and daughters made orphans, wives widow, and people suffering from the losses of war, Ashoka firmly resolved to renounce war and performed merit in the name of the Buddha. This included breaking apart old stupas containing the relics of the Buddha and redistributing them in new stupas throughout his kingdom. Throughout his kingdom. he also had royal proclamations written in stone for his subjects to read.
Eventually he begged for alms (food), and gifted the widow who gave the clothes off her back. Again, Ashoka gifted the poor elderly couple who sought to become slaves of a rich man for seven pieces of gold if they could not repay him in seven days.
Once called Ashoka the Fierce, King Ashoka became Ashoka the Righteous.
Links
In Asoka - gives a brief history of Ashoka and retells the popular tale about Ashoka making his pilgrimage to all the Buddhist holy sites.
The author, a Dutch Buddhist nun who joined a temple in Thailand, then mentions her pilgrimage to those same sites accompanied by her fellow Buddhist monks.
20040703
Deep Listening Awakens Knowledge of the Self
What I know about myself:
when relaxed my sense of hearing is so acute it is possible for me to tell which direction one or two vehicles are coming from.
It is also possible to know what to say to people in an appropriate manner, politely and thinking from a heart filled with love and compassion.
It isn't stupid of me to be inappropriate - those rare times are when I am not centered in love and compassion.
This usually occurs when I am both tired and hungry.
One way of centering myself is to be willing to listen to others, to not impose my view on them, and thus to treat them civilly.
In this way love and compassion is expressed through deep listening.
when relaxed my sense of hearing is so acute it is possible for me to tell which direction one or two vehicles are coming from.
It is also possible to know what to say to people in an appropriate manner, politely and thinking from a heart filled with love and compassion.
It isn't stupid of me to be inappropriate - those rare times are when I am not centered in love and compassion.
This usually occurs when I am both tired and hungry.
One way of centering myself is to be willing to listen to others, to not impose my view on them, and thus to treat them civilly.
In this way love and compassion is expressed through deep listening.
20040614
Taiwan on hunt for jets, elves and sprites
Colorful discharges of light between thunderclouds and the atmosphere are being studied by Taiwan.
Called elves, the phenomenon is too subtle for the naked eye to see.
Usually red due to light scattering, the optical phenomenon has been studied for years.
Called elves, the phenomenon is too subtle for the naked eye to see.
Usually red due to light scattering, the optical phenomenon has been studied for years.
20040609
Myths of Mankind: Jesus as Gnostic Sage
In no way does the follow repute or dishonor Jesus Christ. Rather it shows
that the good points of pagan mystery religions helped create the
Christianity we know today.
These notes will start with what the visiontv.ca website says and what I
figured out:
Myths of Mankind (Documentary Series)
The belief that Jesus Christ was "the only begotten Son of God" is a
cornerstone of Christianity. But Jesus himself made no such claim.
Modern-day scholars such as Elaine Pagels are challenging the traditional
understanding of who and what Jesus was. Part 2 of 2. (#2-4 The Son of God
Part 2) (Myths of Mankind (2): Ep 4) -
http://www.visiontv.ca/schedules/ProgramThisWeek_fr.php
June 7 - "A Christianity Before Christianity"
The first followers of Jesus adhered to a creed very different from the
Christian faith we know today. Indeed, the discovery of the Gnostic gospels
in 1945 is changing our whole understanding of early Christianity. Rooted in
ancient mystery religions, the Gnostic movement maintained that divinity
lies in each of us, and can find our way to God through self-knowledge.
Gnostics saw the life and death of Jesus in metaphorical terms. According to
some scholars, however, the Gnostic form of Christianity was pushed aside by
a literalist movement that saw Jesus as the only begotten son of God, and
emphasized the vast gulf between man and the divine. By the third century
Orthodox Christianity had allied itself with the Roman state, establishing a
religious monopoly. - http://www.visiontv.ca/HTML/Programs/Myths_Mankind.htm
My notes:
Jesus actually preached oneness with God -- this seems to be the path that
followers of most religions take when the oral tradition is valued over the
book (literalist) tradition.
The literalist movement emphasizes the vast gulf between man and the divine
places Jesus as the only way to become one with God.
Both Gnostic tradition and literalist tradition have their valid points.
Metaphor is used in the Bible: Genesis is a good example, as are the
proverbs.
The mystery religions originate in Egypt with the cult of Osiris. They were
borrowed by the Romans. Another mystery religion was the Mithraic cult.
The kind of Christianity practised is as Augustine wrote: The religion
called Christianity was practised before it was called -- and he even admits
the role the mystery religions played in the genesis of Christian
scriptures.
The point I make here is that it is upon non-Christian tradtions that
Christianity is based. As well, much of the myth about pagan religions is
distorted to imply a wrongness about them.
Indeed, there were few blood sacrifices since most ancient traditions
considered blood as defilement. Hence Christ said "That which comes out of
a man defiles him."
The Gnostic form of Christianity is similar to the Mahayana form of
Buddhism, where the sages, the mystics and even the priests are similar to
the bodhisattva ideal of a Buddhist "saint".
Overall, the documentary tries to maintain a balanced look at the Gnostic
movement, which was suppressed by government decree by Constatine, the
founder of Byzantium (Constantinople).
that the good points of pagan mystery religions helped create the
Christianity we know today.
These notes will start with what the visiontv.ca website says and what I
figured out:
Myths of Mankind (Documentary Series)
The belief that Jesus Christ was "the only begotten Son of God" is a
cornerstone of Christianity. But Jesus himself made no such claim.
Modern-day scholars such as Elaine Pagels are challenging the traditional
understanding of who and what Jesus was. Part 2 of 2. (#2-4 The Son of God
Part 2) (Myths of Mankind (2): Ep 4) -
http://www.visiontv.ca/schedules/ProgramThisWeek_fr.php
June 7 - "A Christianity Before Christianity"
The first followers of Jesus adhered to a creed very different from the
Christian faith we know today. Indeed, the discovery of the Gnostic gospels
in 1945 is changing our whole understanding of early Christianity. Rooted in
ancient mystery religions, the Gnostic movement maintained that divinity
lies in each of us, and can find our way to God through self-knowledge.
Gnostics saw the life and death of Jesus in metaphorical terms. According to
some scholars, however, the Gnostic form of Christianity was pushed aside by
a literalist movement that saw Jesus as the only begotten son of God, and
emphasized the vast gulf between man and the divine. By the third century
Orthodox Christianity had allied itself with the Roman state, establishing a
religious monopoly. - http://www.visiontv.ca/HTML/Programs/Myths_Mankind.htm
My notes:
Jesus actually preached oneness with God -- this seems to be the path that
followers of most religions take when the oral tradition is valued over the
book (literalist) tradition.
The literalist movement emphasizes the vast gulf between man and the divine
places Jesus as the only way to become one with God.
Both Gnostic tradition and literalist tradition have their valid points.
Metaphor is used in the Bible: Genesis is a good example, as are the
proverbs.
The mystery religions originate in Egypt with the cult of Osiris. They were
borrowed by the Romans. Another mystery religion was the Mithraic cult.
The kind of Christianity practised is as Augustine wrote: The religion
called Christianity was practised before it was called -- and he even admits
the role the mystery religions played in the genesis of Christian
scriptures.
The point I make here is that it is upon non-Christian tradtions that
Christianity is based. As well, much of the myth about pagan religions is
distorted to imply a wrongness about them.
Indeed, there were few blood sacrifices since most ancient traditions
considered blood as defilement. Hence Christ said "That which comes out of
a man defiles him."
The Gnostic form of Christianity is similar to the Mahayana form of
Buddhism, where the sages, the mystics and even the priests are similar to
the bodhisattva ideal of a Buddhist "saint".
Overall, the documentary tries to maintain a balanced look at the Gnostic
movement, which was suppressed by government decree by Constatine, the
founder of Byzantium (Constantinople).
20040522
Curing Paranoia: trust yourself
True paranoia is when you write in your journal that you can't be open in it because other people might read it.
This paranoia is the result of fear of strangers examining your life. The way to conquer it is to realize what you write cannot be accurately known by another person solely through the written word. To truly know someone requires a face-to-face meeting.
You also watch over both your shoulders for trouble.
It's alright to look behind yourself, because that usually discourages those people who might want to harm you. However, the person who keeps on coming up behind you is probably innocent of your fears about him/her.
Two harmless women are seen as physical threats to you, even if they ignore you as they walk by.
When you practise harmlesness, no one sees you as harmful or threatening. Only people who rely on their own fears are afraid of you. It pays to greet them or acknowledge their presence overtly.
The cure for paranoia is to trust yourself, think good thoughts about everyone, talk good about others, be thankful for everything in your life.
Then you'll be fearless, and it might be mistaken for paranoia.
But who cares? Unless someone is physically hitting you, then move on without a word.
This paranoia is the result of fear of strangers examining your life. The way to conquer it is to realize what you write cannot be accurately known by another person solely through the written word. To truly know someone requires a face-to-face meeting.
You also watch over both your shoulders for trouble.
It's alright to look behind yourself, because that usually discourages those people who might want to harm you. However, the person who keeps on coming up behind you is probably innocent of your fears about him/her.
Two harmless women are seen as physical threats to you, even if they ignore you as they walk by.
When you practise harmlesness, no one sees you as harmful or threatening. Only people who rely on their own fears are afraid of you. It pays to greet them or acknowledge their presence overtly.
The cure for paranoia is to trust yourself, think good thoughts about everyone, talk good about others, be thankful for everything in your life.
Then you'll be fearless, and it might be mistaken for paranoia.
But who cares? Unless someone is physically hitting you, then move on without a word.
Oneness and Kundalini Energy Practice: Seek Truth, Seek Enlightenment
The pagan roots of Christianity provide knowledge about the Pagan Mysteries, to help in understanding the history of Gnosis and its roots in pre-Christian spiritual practices i.e. respect for the divine in all things.
Buddhist practice such as meditation, including kundalini energy activation, helps the truth-seeker to discover spiritual truth i.e. become enlightened about Truth, e.g "I and the Father are one". When the truth-seeker and God are one, kundalini energy rises easily.
Gnosis is about becoming one with God: the discovery that Jesus is a Brother of Truth is the result of kundalini energy activation.
Indeed kundalini energy activation leads to the truth-seeker to discover that Jesus is a Brother of Truth. That discovery of the spiritual truth is also known as spiritual enlightenment.
For Jesus Christ is the symbol for the Truth that when God and man are at one, miracles are possible.
Likewise, the True Buddha is neither a god or a person, but Enlightenment itself. For Enlightenment is the admirable goal of truth-seekers of all walks of life.
Buddhist practice such as meditation, including kundalini energy activation, helps the truth-seeker to discover spiritual truth i.e. become enlightened about Truth, e.g "I and the Father are one". When the truth-seeker and God are one, kundalini energy rises easily.
Gnosis is about becoming one with God: the discovery that Jesus is a Brother of Truth is the result of kundalini energy activation.
Indeed kundalini energy activation leads to the truth-seeker to discover that Jesus is a Brother of Truth. That discovery of the spiritual truth is also known as spiritual enlightenment.
For Jesus Christ is the symbol for the Truth that when God and man are at one, miracles are possible.
Likewise, the True Buddha is neither a god or a person, but Enlightenment itself. For Enlightenment is the admirable goal of truth-seekers of all walks of life.
The True Essence of Spiritual Life
The true essence of spiritual life is to see through the deception of organized religion, and to propagate the truth of unconditional love.
As Tolstoy has written, '...for governments to expose the falsity of existing religions and to propagate the true one would amount to the same as a person cutting down the branch on which he is sitting' in his pamphlet, "What is religion, of what does its essence consist?".
Indeed, a person who has spent her life avoiding the reality that religion fills the void within knows only the emptiness known to people suffering from depression.
Barely comprehensible is it to the few truth speakers that the masses pursue happiness only to encounter such a dark, deep depression consisting of an emptiness unfathomable to but the eternally cheery optimist.
Yet those of us who know the truth are willing to sacrifice honour and reputation so that fellow truth speakers may know of it too.
I am deeply thankful to Leo Tolstoy, may he rest in peace, for writing his essay.
It is of a quality of gnosis that surpasses the Gnostics' grasp of the truth.
Hopefully, the truth that unconditional love shall be revealed in those people seeking It.
Original post: 2003/12/28
Modified post: 2004/01/20
Modified post: 2004/05/22
Update posted: 20130326
As Tolstoy has written, '...for governments to expose the falsity of existing religions and to propagate the true one would amount to the same as a person cutting down the branch on which he is sitting' in his pamphlet, "What is religion, of what does its essence consist?".
Indeed, a person who has spent her life avoiding the reality that religion fills the void within knows only the emptiness known to people suffering from depression.
Barely comprehensible is it to the few truth speakers that the masses pursue happiness only to encounter such a dark, deep depression consisting of an emptiness unfathomable to but the eternally cheery optimist.
Yet those of us who know the truth are willing to sacrifice honour and reputation so that fellow truth speakers may know of it too.
I am deeply thankful to Leo Tolstoy, may he rest in peace, for writing his essay.
It is of a quality of gnosis that surpasses the Gnostics' grasp of the truth.
Hopefully, the truth that unconditional love shall be revealed in those people seeking It.
Original post: 2003/12/28
Modified post: 2004/01/20
Modified post: 2004/05/22
Update posted: 20130326
20040520
Buddha Nature as Pure Mind Meditation
Buddha Nature as Pure Mind is the foremost refuge - there is no other.
For Pure Mind results from spiritual (right) action which help purify the human mind, just as motherly compassion washes away childish ignorance with the milk of lovingkindness.
Indeed, the purified mind sees one's original nature as Buddha Nature, and the self grounded in basic goodness.
This compassion is symbolized by Kuan Yin, the feminine aspect of Avalokitesvara.
The way to purify the mind is simple: meditation, chanting of Buddhist sutras, reading books written by Buddhist monks and nuns, and reading the Dhammapada are helpful at home.
As well, other forms of purifying the mind include speaking well of people, helping other people, and being thankful for the help of people.
One famous example of compassion is the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in 1963. As a result, the Diem regime in South Vietnam was overthrown, and public opinion shifted from opposition to US military intervention in Vietnam.
For Pure Mind results from spiritual (right) action which help purify the human mind, just as motherly compassion washes away childish ignorance with the milk of lovingkindness.
Indeed, the purified mind sees one's original nature as Buddha Nature, and the self grounded in basic goodness.
This compassion is symbolized by Kuan Yin, the feminine aspect of Avalokitesvara.
The way to purify the mind is simple: meditation, chanting of Buddhist sutras, reading books written by Buddhist monks and nuns, and reading the Dhammapada are helpful at home.
As well, other forms of purifying the mind include speaking well of people, helping other people, and being thankful for the help of people.
One famous example of compassion is the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in 1963. As a result, the Diem regime in South Vietnam was overthrown, and public opinion shifted from opposition to US military intervention in Vietnam.
Buddha and the 8 Gates
Do not suppose that resurrection is an illusion. It is not an illusion - rather it is something real. Instead, one ought to maintain that the world is an illusion, rather than the resurrection. - The Treatise of the Resurrection, Nag Hammadi library.
The Eight Gates of the Gnostics and their spiritual ancestors, the Pagans, is found in the seven chakras of Kundalini, the 7 steps that lead to the 8th Gate.
The quote above is similar to Buddhist idea of the world as an illusion. That which is real is resurrection to the Gnostic - to the Buddhist Buddha Nature is within from birth, just as the resurrection is.
Thus Buddha Nature is the Buddhist analog to the concept of being born again .
The Eight Gates of the Gnostics and their spiritual ancestors, the Pagans, is found in the seven chakras of Kundalini, the 7 steps that lead to the 8th Gate.
The quote above is similar to Buddhist idea of the world as an illusion. That which is real is resurrection to the Gnostic - to the Buddhist Buddha Nature is within from birth, just as the resurrection is.
Thus Buddha Nature is the Buddhist analog to the concept of being born again .
Panentheism Made Personal
Truly alive is
the whole universe.
When one part of it hurts,
the whole of it hurts
in sympathy.
When another of it rejoices,
the whole of it rejoices,
out of compassion.
When one part hungers,
another part offers itself
in sacrifice.
When the creatures thrive,
those creatures die.
When a goose loses a mate,
it dies of a broken heart.
The whole universe is alive.
While each creature in it
are unaware of the whole,
they are aware of each other.
Thus life is interconnected,
interdependent, as one.
It is as though the love
of the universe is expressed
through the life cycle
of birth, and death.
The living universe is
the infinite consciousness,
the God in all creation.
And each of us has our place
in the whole universe.
the whole universe.
When one part of it hurts,
the whole of it hurts
in sympathy.
When another of it rejoices,
the whole of it rejoices,
out of compassion.
When one part hungers,
another part offers itself
in sacrifice.
When the creatures thrive,
those creatures die.
When a goose loses a mate,
it dies of a broken heart.
The whole universe is alive.
While each creature in it
are unaware of the whole,
they are aware of each other.
Thus life is interconnected,
interdependent, as one.
It is as though the love
of the universe is expressed
through the life cycle
of birth, and death.
The living universe is
the infinite consciousness,
the God in all creation.
And each of us has our place
in the whole universe.
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