"Cogito ergo sum" does not prove a person's existence.
"I think, therefore I am" assumes that thinking of a thought leads to existence of that thought.
For thought is of the mind, and the mind the reality of the brain.
Thinking only proves the existence of the mind.
20110630
20110624
Just watching (poem)
I have no need for words.
All that is needed is to watch
each moment with clarity.
All that is needed is to watch
each moment with clarity.
20110623
Canada Post & Privatization: Trying to Make Sense of the 2011 Postal Strike
Disclaimer: all errors in this blog entry are my own. Please post corrections in comments.
Updated: 20111116.1557
In the news today (June 23, 2011), I read about Canada Post Corporation (CPC) and the government offers to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
From what I've read, CPC's original offer before they locked out postal workers is better than what the government offers.
So I decided to double-check what I'd read. As of June 17, CPC's recent offer consists of:
Annual wage increases that will bring the top wage rate to $26 an hour
Continued job security
No changes to a fully indexed defined benefit pension plan
Comprehensive health benefits for employees and retirees
Generous vacation leave that gives employees up to seven weeks off each year
The same sick leave program that has been implemented for other employees
CUPW states in its bulletin for June 20, 2011:
"Lower Wages Imposed by the law: The bill legislates wage increases that fall significantly below Canada Post’s last offer of 1.9% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and 2.0 % in 2014. The law includes increases of 1.75 % in 2011, 1.5% in 2012, 2% in 2013 and 2% in 2014. This would take $875.50 out of the pockets of an average full-time postal worker during the four years of the agreement. It represents a theft of $35 million from postal workers and their families."
On June 2, 2011 CPC compromised with a final offer:
The Short-Term Disability Program will be put on hold and will be reviewed by a joint union-management committee. If no agreement is negotiated, the issue would be referred to binding arbitration.
Employees hired in the future will have a starting wage of $19 an hour – rising to the same $26 an hour maximum as existing employees;
Employees hired in the future will have a Defined Benefit pension plan;
Employees hired in the future will have the same job security provisions as current regular employees;
Employees hired in the future will have up to six weeks of vacation based on the same schedule as current regular employees;
A study on the feasibility of retail business growth ideas in urban centres.
In response to CPC's final offer, CUPW stated in their counter-demand on June 7, 2011:
"We have maintained our demand for a wage increase of 3.3% in the first year and 2.75% in each of the following three years."
After three weeks of rotating strikes which began on June 2, the postal workers were locked out on June 14, a week before they stuck to their demand for the wage increase.
Commentary:
So let me get recap this: postal workers consistently stick to their demand for a reasonable wage. After engaging in rotating strikes for three weeks, they reject the CPC compromise on June 20.
At this point, the Harper government tables a back-to-work bill which not only reduces the hourly wages of employees but makes the CPC offer of May 24 and its compromise of June 2 look better than the government offer.
As it stands, the government bill renders the CPC / CUPW collective bargaining process moot.
Meanwhile the Canadian economy is losing money because mail is delayed.
As well, with rent checks being delayed, there's potential for renters being evicted by unsympathetic landlords who enforce a strict tenancy policy.
Under arbitration, both CUPW and CPC are going to give their final offers.
Once the final offers are tabled, the government arbitrator picks the lowest offer.
This may not address the issues CUPW has brought up:
Improved rotation of duties, which includes Video Encoding work
One bundle delivery method
Ergonomic studies
Proper time values for letter carriers
Reduction of forced overtime
Meanwhile, the CPC gave out myths in an attempt to get Canadians to side with them — mainly the neo-conservatives who are 100% behind Harper and support corporations.
In response CUPW debunked these myths at their website.
After researching the Canadian postal strike, I'd like to state that most people don't like either side's position. The CPC compromised a lot from its original position of May 19, 2011.
Yet CUPW has consistently stuck to their offer without compromise. This has resulted in unsympathetic Canadians unfairly accusing the postal workers of being behind the times.
Also, increased automation inside mail sorting plants has led to the assumption that inside postal workers work less than delivery personnel. Actually, automation makes mail delivery more efficient as evidenced by the example of the Quebec City mail processing plant before its shutdown in 2007.
After Quebec City's plant was shut down, mail now gets trucked to Montreal for processing and sent back, resulting in reduced efficiency.
To ensure the same quality of service, Montreal workers have to work harder, which will cause work-related injuries and worker complaints to rise.
On one side you have a Crown corporation being run like a business.
This began with profit demands by Ottawa, first under the Liberal government since 1997, which led to closure of the Quebec City plant in 2007 and more pressure on CPC to privatize.
CPC also practices spin doctoring to malign postal workers, thus poisoning arbitration sessions with postal workers.
On the other side you have a postal workers' union wanting the maximum benefit for their members.
This includes reopening the postal bank, which was closed in 1969.
In 2005, the Liberal government tabled a part on the postal bank system. Recently past CPC president Moya Greene said "Twenty years from now a successful Canada Post will be focusing on new things. We’ll be using the retail network not just to sell you a stamp, but we’ll be using it to distribute other products. Telephones for example. Maybe other financial services.".
Under her leadership, profits tripled to $281 million despite revenues going down almost 6% despite increased work complaints and work-related injury related to reduced labor force, who had to do more work.
Later on, in July 2010, Greene left CPC with a 94.5% strike vote and became the head of the British Royal Mail, to spread privatization to Great Britain.
Greene was the public servant who helped British retirees immigrate to Canada before moving to Transport Canada, overseeing the privatization of CNR, commercialization of the port system and the deregulation of the Canadian airline industry, saving millions of tax dollars.
She then went onto overhaul unemployment insurance in Canada.
As a reward, the Liberals appointed her president of CPC in 2005.
What does this have to do with the postal strike? Well, her work at privatization began circa 1991-1996 while in Transport Canada. In 1997, the Liberal government was rumored to privately consider privatization of Canada Post but quickly denied it publicly.
In fact, publicly all political parties in Canada deny their wish to privatize CPC. Yet there is pressure from Ottawa to maintain high profits at Crown corporation.
Recently, the right-wing think tanks the Fraser Institute and CD Howe Institute called for privatization of Crown corporation to improve the profit margin whilst retooling the labour pool i.e. offering early retirement for specialized personnel who will then be replaced with inadequately trained clerical staff and temporary workers.
One of the reasons the postal strike occurred is the public demand for tax dollars to be spent efficiently, despite the fact that CPC made Ottawa a lot of money during the four years Greene was president.
This public demand for fiscal responsibility led to pressure by Ottawa for CPC to remain profitable through automation, retooling of specialized staff, and hiring of temporary workers.
References:
Timeline of Canada postal strike from CUPW's point of view: http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/10625/la_id/1.htm
Timeline of postal strike from CPC's point of view: http://media.infopost.ca/en/archives/
CPC myths debunked:
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13119/la_id/1.htm
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13225/la_id/1.htm
CPC's recent offer: http://media.infopost.ca/en/2011/06/canada-post-prepared-to-discuss-its-fair-offer-with-cupw/
CUPW Bulletin for June 20, 2011 (CPC's final offer and the government's offer): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13322/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for June 7, 2011 (counter-demand): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13146/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for June 2, 2011 (strike action begins): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13056/la_id/1.htm
CPC's final offer: http://media.infopost.ca/en/2011/06/canada-post-wants-to-continue-negotiating/
CBC - MPs debating Canada Post bill: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/06/23/pol-canada-post.html
CUPW Bulletin for June 4 (CUPW issues with CPC offer): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13092/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for September 26, 2005 (Quebec city mail processing plant efficient before closure): http://www.cupw.ca/5/6/2/1/index1.shtml
Privatization by political parties:
http://www.cupw.ca/5/5/2/9/index1.shtml
http://www.cupw.ca/5/5/2/4/index1.shtml
Spin doctoring by CPC:
http://www.cupw.ca/1/1/2/5/6/index1.shtml
Postal bank:
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/12549/la_id/1/print/true.htm
Canada Post Corporation as a Provider of Financial and Government Services: The Way of the Future? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moya_Greene
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=10524796&privcapId=4161380&previousCapId=24980220&previousTitle=TIM%20HORTONS%20INC
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/833638--canada-post-ceo-moya-greene-takes-her-leave
Canada Post and privatization:
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/newsandevents/commentaries/6626.aspx
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=a9bc57ce-72ca-4f2f-9990-6aa9a3ddbdb9&k=41788
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/8970/la_id/1.htm
Updated: 20111116.1557
In the news today (June 23, 2011), I read about Canada Post Corporation (CPC) and the government offers to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
From what I've read, CPC's original offer before they locked out postal workers is better than what the government offers.
So I decided to double-check what I'd read. As of June 17, CPC's recent offer consists of:
CUPW states in its bulletin for June 20, 2011:
"Lower Wages Imposed by the law: The bill legislates wage increases that fall significantly below Canada Post’s last offer of 1.9% in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and 2.0 % in 2014. The law includes increases of 1.75 % in 2011, 1.5% in 2012, 2% in 2013 and 2% in 2014. This would take $875.50 out of the pockets of an average full-time postal worker during the four years of the agreement. It represents a theft of $35 million from postal workers and their families."
On June 2, 2011 CPC compromised with a final offer:
In response to CPC's final offer, CUPW stated in their counter-demand on June 7, 2011:
"We have maintained our demand for a wage increase of 3.3% in the first year and 2.75% in each of the following three years."
After three weeks of rotating strikes which began on June 2, the postal workers were locked out on June 14, a week before they stuck to their demand for the wage increase.
Commentary:
So let me get recap this: postal workers consistently stick to their demand for a reasonable wage. After engaging in rotating strikes for three weeks, they reject the CPC compromise on June 20.
At this point, the Harper government tables a back-to-work bill which not only reduces the hourly wages of employees but makes the CPC offer of May 24 and its compromise of June 2 look better than the government offer.
As it stands, the government bill renders the CPC / CUPW collective bargaining process moot.
Meanwhile the Canadian economy is losing money because mail is delayed.
As well, with rent checks being delayed, there's potential for renters being evicted by unsympathetic landlords who enforce a strict tenancy policy.
Under arbitration, both CUPW and CPC are going to give their final offers.
Once the final offers are tabled, the government arbitrator picks the lowest offer.
This may not address the issues CUPW has brought up:
Meanwhile, the CPC gave out myths in an attempt to get Canadians to side with them — mainly the neo-conservatives who are 100% behind Harper and support corporations.
In response CUPW debunked these myths at their website.
After researching the Canadian postal strike, I'd like to state that most people don't like either side's position. The CPC compromised a lot from its original position of May 19, 2011.
Yet CUPW has consistently stuck to their offer without compromise. This has resulted in unsympathetic Canadians unfairly accusing the postal workers of being behind the times.
Also, increased automation inside mail sorting plants has led to the assumption that inside postal workers work less than delivery personnel. Actually, automation makes mail delivery more efficient as evidenced by the example of the Quebec City mail processing plant before its shutdown in 2007.
After Quebec City's plant was shut down, mail now gets trucked to Montreal for processing and sent back, resulting in reduced efficiency.
To ensure the same quality of service, Montreal workers have to work harder, which will cause work-related injuries and worker complaints to rise.
On one side you have a Crown corporation being run like a business.
This began with profit demands by Ottawa, first under the Liberal government since 1997, which led to closure of the Quebec City plant in 2007 and more pressure on CPC to privatize.
CPC also practices spin doctoring to malign postal workers, thus poisoning arbitration sessions with postal workers.
On the other side you have a postal workers' union wanting the maximum benefit for their members.
This includes reopening the postal bank, which was closed in 1969.
In 2005, the Liberal government tabled a part on the postal bank system. Recently past CPC president Moya Greene said "Twenty years from now a successful Canada Post will be focusing on new things. We’ll be using the retail network not just to sell you a stamp, but we’ll be using it to distribute other products. Telephones for example. Maybe other financial services.".
Under her leadership, profits tripled to $281 million despite revenues going down almost 6% despite increased work complaints and work-related injury related to reduced labor force, who had to do more work.
Later on, in July 2010, Greene left CPC with a 94.5% strike vote and became the head of the British Royal Mail, to spread privatization to Great Britain.
Greene was the public servant who helped British retirees immigrate to Canada before moving to Transport Canada, overseeing the privatization of CNR, commercialization of the port system and the deregulation of the Canadian airline industry, saving millions of tax dollars.
She then went onto overhaul unemployment insurance in Canada.
As a reward, the Liberals appointed her president of CPC in 2005.
What does this have to do with the postal strike? Well, her work at privatization began circa 1991-1996 while in Transport Canada. In 1997, the Liberal government was rumored to privately consider privatization of Canada Post but quickly denied it publicly.
In fact, publicly all political parties in Canada deny their wish to privatize CPC. Yet there is pressure from Ottawa to maintain high profits at Crown corporation.
Recently, the right-wing think tanks the Fraser Institute and CD Howe Institute called for privatization of Crown corporation to improve the profit margin whilst retooling the labour pool i.e. offering early retirement for specialized personnel who will then be replaced with inadequately trained clerical staff and temporary workers.
One of the reasons the postal strike occurred is the public demand for tax dollars to be spent efficiently, despite the fact that CPC made Ottawa a lot of money during the four years Greene was president.
This public demand for fiscal responsibility led to pressure by Ottawa for CPC to remain profitable through automation, retooling of specialized staff, and hiring of temporary workers.
References:
Timeline of Canada postal strike from CUPW's point of view: http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/10625/la_id/1.htm
Timeline of postal strike from CPC's point of view: http://media.infopost.ca/en/archives/
CPC myths debunked:
CPC's recent offer: http://media.infopost.ca/en/2011/06/canada-post-prepared-to-discuss-its-fair-offer-with-cupw/
CUPW Bulletin for June 20, 2011 (CPC's final offer and the government's offer): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13322/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for June 7, 2011 (counter-demand): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13146/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for June 2, 2011 (strike action begins): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13056/la_id/1.htm
CPC's final offer: http://media.infopost.ca/en/2011/06/canada-post-wants-to-continue-negotiating/
CBC - MPs debating Canada Post bill: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/06/23/pol-canada-post.html
CUPW Bulletin for June 4 (CUPW issues with CPC offer): http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13092/la_id/1.htm
CUPW Bulletin for September 26, 2005 (Quebec city mail processing plant efficient before closure): http://www.cupw.ca/5/6/2/1/index1.shtml
Privatization by political parties:
Spin doctoring by CPC:
http://www.cupw.ca/1/1/2/5/6/index1.shtml
Postal bank:
- http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/researchpublications/prb0514-e.htm
Canada Post and privatization:
20110622
Buddhas are Not Gods
In the Buddhist sutras are often mention gods (devas) visiting the Buddha or vice versa.
Yet these gods are caught in samsara just like humans.
Nor are the devas omniscient or omnipotent. Indeed, the devas are imperfect beings.
For they are mortal, and do not create or shape the world.
Devas are not incarnations of the pantheistic One.
Thus they are unlike God above, beyond and outside of everything that followers of the Abrahamic religions worship.
For the devas are capable of learning and self-improvement.
Regarding bodhisattvas, yidams and Buddhas, they are not devas.
Bodhisattvas are destined to be reborn as Buddhas; and yidams, manifestations of enlightened mind with which the meditator intends to unite within context of the rituals of a particular Buddhist path (Vajrayana).
Since the ideal conditions for attaining supreme enlightenment do not exist in the deva-worlds, Nirmanakaya Buddhas do not physically incarnate in the deva-worlds.
Though Sambhokaya Buddhas may have the form of high-ranking devas, they do not exist in the universe as the devas do.
Finally, Dharmakaya Buddhas exist beyond all worlds and limitations.
Thus, Buddhas are not deities.
Reference:
Deva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_(Buddhism)
Time to End War on Drugs
Endorsement of the Global Commission on Drug Policy report led Carter to feel safe to weigh in on the failed war on drugs.
Though here in Canada, since PM Harper got tough on drugs, drug crime led to more deaths as less drugs got into the country.
The scarce supply of drugs led to gang rivalry to control the shrinking market.
This talk of ending the war on drugs in the US began with Avaaz's campaign that showed the UN the public support for an end to the war on drugs.
Though anti-drug officials may be in denial:
"Drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Making drugs more available — as this report suggests — will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe," Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.
Contrary to Lemaitre's statements, drug use didn't rise in Switzerland after drug use was decriminalized and made a health issue.
Portugal's decriminalization saved lives from opiate addiction.
Locally in Vancouver, the InSite program reduced both health issues involving heroin and related drug crime.
With ex US presidents and other politicians giving pro and con opinions about ending the drug war, let's hope they'll listen to reason.
Reference:
World leaders says US drug war a failure: http://blog.mpp.org/prohibition/world-leaders-senate-report-say-u-s-drug-war-is-a-failure/06092011/
Avaaz campaign supporting end to war on drugs: http://www.avaaz.org/en/june_2011_report/?slideshow
Drug war a failure: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hqsXp_uEPMQw-bsYzDEK2EzHvEcw?docId=7028558
Though here in Canada, since PM Harper got tough on drugs, drug crime led to more deaths as less drugs got into the country.
The scarce supply of drugs led to gang rivalry to control the shrinking market.
This talk of ending the war on drugs in the US began with Avaaz's campaign that showed the UN the public support for an end to the war on drugs.
Though anti-drug officials may be in denial:
"Drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Making drugs more available — as this report suggests — will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe," Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.
Contrary to Lemaitre's statements, drug use didn't rise in Switzerland after drug use was decriminalized and made a health issue.
Portugal's decriminalization saved lives from opiate addiction.
Locally in Vancouver, the InSite program reduced both health issues involving heroin and related drug crime.
With ex US presidents and other politicians giving pro and con opinions about ending the drug war, let's hope they'll listen to reason.
Reference:
World leaders says US drug war a failure: http://blog.mpp.org/prohibition/world-leaders-senate-report-say-u-s-drug-war-is-a-failure/06092011/
Avaaz campaign supporting end to war on drugs: http://www.avaaz.org/en/june_2011_report/?slideshow
Drug war a failure: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hqsXp_uEPMQw-bsYzDEK2EzHvEcw?docId=7028558
Loving-kindness: the Mercy of God
Loving-kindness originates with the Hebrew word, chesed (or Hesed, Heb. חסד). It means kindness or love. The Latin translation (misericordia) are: pity, compassion, mercy, sympathy, and humanity.
This implies empathy for a person suffering in misery. Thus, this quality of God is a reflection of the good in humanity. -- Chesed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesed#Translations
This implies empathy for a person suffering in misery. Thus, this quality of God is a reflection of the good in humanity. -- Chesed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesed#Translations
20110621
Instruction on Loving-Kindness (Mettākathā) / ਮੇਟ੍ਟਕਤ
May all beings be
free from enmity, affliction and anxiety,
and live happily.
Hindi:
सभी प्राणियों मई से मुक्त हो
दुश्मनी दु: ख और चिंता,
और खुशी से रहते हैं.
Punjabi:
Mਅਯ੍ ਅਲ੍ਲ੍ ਬੇਇਨ੍ਗ੍ਸ੍ ਬੇ
ਫ਼੍ਰੀ ਫ਼੍ਰੋਮ੍ ਏਨ੍ਮਿਟ੍ਯ੍, ਅਫ਼੍ਫ਼੍ਲਿcਟਿਓਨ੍ ਅਨ੍ਡ੍ ਅਨ੍xਇਏਟ੍ਯ੍,
ਅਨ੍ਡ੍ ਲਿਵੇ ਹਪ੍ਪਿਲ੍ਯ੍.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metta#Patisambhidamagga_Mettakatha_.28Ps._2.4.29
Metta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/buddharakkhita/wheel365.html
Mettakatha: http://eternalglimpse.com/mettakatha.html
Metta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81
free from enmity, affliction and anxiety,
and live happily.
Hindi:
सभी प्राणियों मई से मुक्त हो
दुश्मनी दु: ख और चिंता,
और खुशी से रहते हैं.
Punjabi:
Mਅਯ੍ ਅਲ੍ਲ੍ ਬੇਇਨ੍ਗ੍ਸ੍ ਬੇ
ਫ਼੍ਰੀ ਫ਼੍ਰੋਮ੍ ਏਨ੍ਮਿਟ੍ਯ੍, ਅਫ਼੍ਫ਼੍ਲਿcਟਿਓਨ੍ ਅਨ੍ਡ੍ ਅਨ੍xਇਏਟ੍ਯ੍,
ਅਨ੍ਡ੍ ਲਿਵੇ ਹਪ੍ਪਿਲ੍ਯ੍.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metta#Patisambhidamagga_Mettakatha_.28Ps._2.4.29
Metta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/buddharakkhita/wheel365.html
Mettakatha: http://eternalglimpse.com/mettakatha.html
Metta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81
Humility (AA affirmation)
I just wish to be an ordinary human being. For me, the desire to be sober without humility is no different from relapse.
Humility keeps the ego deflated so that God as I know Him shine above like the sun.
Sobriety is not holiness, because humility is what reminds us that we are no better than the drinker.
The sober are able to identify with their social drinking, partying friends. Yet they no longer compare themselves with their friends because of that humility.
Humility keeps the ego deflated so that God as I know Him shine above like the sun.
Sobriety is not holiness, because humility is what reminds us that we are no better than the drinker.
The sober are able to identify with their social drinking, partying friends. Yet they no longer compare themselves with their friends because of that humility.
Mother Love: Mothers and their Children
"Women always stand for all of humanity, since we have created everybody from scratch; there are only two kinds of people on Earth, the mothers and her children. This is why the Madonna with child is essentially the symbol of our human race. This is the image that occurs in every culture over and over again." - Z. Budapest - http://blog.zbudapest.com/tag/goddess-z-budapest/
This occurs in Buddhist culture which has a mother's unconditional love sutra, the Karaniya Metta Sutta:
As a mother would risk her life
to protect her child, her only child,
even so should one cultivate a limitless heart
with regard to all beings.
Reference:
A New Take on a Mother's Love: http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/a-new-take-on-a-mothers-love-karaniya-metta-sutta/
Karaniya Metta Sutta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81#Karaniya_Metta_Sutta_.28Sn_1.8.29
This occurs in Buddhist culture which has a mother's unconditional love sutra, the Karaniya Metta Sutta:
As a mother would risk her life
to protect her child, her only child,
even so should one cultivate a limitless heart
with regard to all beings.
Reference:
A New Take on a Mother's Love: http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/a-new-take-on-a-mothers-love-karaniya-metta-sutta/
Karaniya Metta Sutta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81#Karaniya_Metta_Sutta_.28Sn_1.8.29
20110619
To the Beloved (poem)
Love touches my life,
leaving behind tender moments
as bright in my heart
as the stars are in the sky.
Yet who deserves that love,
whose words comfort me?
It is you.
For you are the heart of my life -
your love touches me
to the depths of my heart
so much that we have
become dependent on each other.
I love you; and you, me.
Together our love conquers
all, leaving nothing to chance,
and without any conditions.
Indeed, love is a gift we share
with our friends and family.
The pronouns "I" and "you" are conventions of modern English.
Within context of unconditional love, please refer to the Buddhist concept of
no-self: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatta
leaving behind tender moments
as bright in my heart
as the stars are in the sky.
Yet who deserves that love,
whose words comfort me?
It is you.
For you are the heart of my life -
your love touches me
to the depths of my heart
so much that we have
become dependent on each other.
I love you; and you, me.
Together our love conquers
all, leaving nothing to chance,
and without any conditions.
Indeed, love is a gift we share
with our friends and family.
The pronouns "I" and "you" are conventions of modern English.
Within context of unconditional love, please refer to the Buddhist concept of
no-self: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatta
affirmations (poem)
it's great to be alive,
to feel safe,
to enjoy family and friends,
and to be treated with courtesy and respect.
to feel safe,
to enjoy family and friends,
and to be treated with courtesy and respect.
Vancouver is a Great City
All the times that I have been to Vancouver, I have felt safe and secure.
No one has harmed me.
The past few days since Wednesday has shown us that Vancouver is still a great city.
With a great display of positive response, people volunteered to clean up right after the riot. By Saturday, hope returned to Vancouver.
Reference:
Vancouver’s Massive Positive Response to Riot:
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/06/riots-positive-response-and-cleanup/
No one has harmed me.
The past few days since Wednesday has shown us that Vancouver is still a great city.
With a great display of positive response, people volunteered to clean up right after the riot. By Saturday, hope returned to Vancouver.
Reference:
Vancouver’s Massive Positive Response to Riot:
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/06/riots-positive-response-and-cleanup/
20110618
Hope After Vancouver Riot
June 18, 2011: It began with the burning of a truck. It ended with riot police moving along a dwindling, unorganized yet intoxicated crowd.
In between were five hours of a large crowd of gawkers watching this spectacle of senseless violence unfold.
As instigators overturned cars and trucks, some of the crowd became emboldened to participate by the apparent lack of aggression by the Vancouver Police, who still managed to move along everyone.
This was mob mentality in action, fueled both by alcohol and high emotions after the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins 4-0.
The police did their job well, but succeeded in dispersing some of the crowd up and down Seymour with tragic results after valiant efforts by concerned citizens protecting the Bay.
Even so, the hopefulness returned when the main body of rioters were contained on Howe between Georgia and Robson Street.
Meanwhile back on Seymour St, one young man began the first of street clean-up by picking up garbage.
And thus began the love for Vancouver which resulted in volunteer clean up crews on Thursday and Friday.
Reference:
What is mob mentality: making sense of Vancouver riot: http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1000432900001.000000/what-is-mob-mentality-making-sense-of--vancouver-riots/
In between were five hours of a large crowd of gawkers watching this spectacle of senseless violence unfold.
As instigators overturned cars and trucks, some of the crowd became emboldened to participate by the apparent lack of aggression by the Vancouver Police, who still managed to move along everyone.
This was mob mentality in action, fueled both by alcohol and high emotions after the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins 4-0.
The police did their job well, but succeeded in dispersing some of the crowd up and down Seymour with tragic results after valiant efforts by concerned citizens protecting the Bay.
Even so, the hopefulness returned when the main body of rioters were contained on Howe between Georgia and Robson Street.
Meanwhile back on Seymour St, one young man began the first of street clean-up by picking up garbage.
And thus began the love for Vancouver which resulted in volunteer clean up crews on Thursday and Friday.
Reference:
What is mob mentality: making sense of Vancouver riot: http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1000432900001.000000/what-is-mob-mentality-making-sense-of--vancouver-riots/
First Impressions of the Vancouver Riot of 2011
First of all, I'm not surprised the riot happened Wednesday.
Though I'm glad the VPD are keeping the streets of downtown Vancouver safe in the Vancouver riot
Meanwhile the real Canuck fans aren't rioting, having left long before the burning of cars, trucks and police vehicles.
Even after police found and emptied out confiscated liquor, a lot of alcohol was still brought to the event without their knowledge before the end of the hockey game.
Regarding the people arrested: most of them will be found to come from good homes, and some had good jobs.
Wednesday night in Vancouver 2011 was the result of:
But there is hope: hundreds of volunteers cleaned up after the mayhem ended around midnight Thursday morning, and were still cleaning up Friday.
Though I'm glad the VPD are keeping the streets of downtown Vancouver safe in the Vancouver riot
Meanwhile the real Canuck fans aren't rioting, having left long before the burning of cars, trucks and police vehicles.
Even after police found and emptied out confiscated liquor, a lot of alcohol was still brought to the event without their knowledge before the end of the hockey game.
Regarding the people arrested: most of them will be found to come from good homes, and some had good jobs.
Wednesday night in Vancouver 2011 was the result of:
- City-approved street party zone
- Thousands of dollars of alcohol
- A media circus
But there is hope: hundreds of volunteers cleaned up after the mayhem ended around midnight Thursday morning, and were still cleaning up Friday.
20110610
Self-Disclosure as Therapy
Writing about my life is therapeutic.
In my family of origin, I was deemed the problem child.
At the root of it was the shame my mother experienced when it was learned I was born with two birth defects. Much of this shame was due to her mother-in-law and my father, despite the fact that his brother was born with epilepsy and died of it.
In reaction to being shamed, my mother developed anxiety about it and passed that onto me. I recall being shamed by her, too. Also, my father used to shame me, too.
I remember one incident of being told by my father to straighten out my arms, and being made to feel as though it was abnormal not to have my right arm be straight.
In reporting this, by exposing this hurt to light, it will be impossible to feel ashamed for being born less than perfect.
For I know it to be true that no one thinks of himself as being perfect, for we are all human and prone to error.
Yet there is still room for spiritual healing to help me recover from the childhood years of neglect and abuse, and especially to remain forgiving towards my parents.
In my family of origin, I was deemed the problem child.
At the root of it was the shame my mother experienced when it was learned I was born with two birth defects. Much of this shame was due to her mother-in-law and my father, despite the fact that his brother was born with epilepsy and died of it.
In reaction to being shamed, my mother developed anxiety about it and passed that onto me. I recall being shamed by her, too. Also, my father used to shame me, too.
I remember one incident of being told by my father to straighten out my arms, and being made to feel as though it was abnormal not to have my right arm be straight.
In reporting this, by exposing this hurt to light, it will be impossible to feel ashamed for being born less than perfect.
For I know it to be true that no one thinks of himself as being perfect, for we are all human and prone to error.
Yet there is still room for spiritual healing to help me recover from the childhood years of neglect and abuse, and especially to remain forgiving towards my parents.
20110609
Does Early Intervention for Psychosis Really Work?
"The false positive rate in selecting prepsychosis is at least about 60% to 70% in the very best of hands and may be as high as 90% in general practice." — Australia's Reckless Experiment In Early Intervention
By Allen Frances, MD | June 8, 2011 - UBM Medica Psychiatric Times
This article makes me wonder how many lives are actually being improved if for every true case of psychosis, there are 9 false positives.
Though, people tend to worry even when a little kid has a temper tantrum.
Again and again, the experts warn us: psychiatric intervention should begin when the patient is able to give informed consent.
Only in the rare cases do you step in when a child has demonstrated psychosis to get them help.
In summary, every true psychotic, up to nine other people diagnosed as psychotic may be false positives.
As well, most psychotic episodes are of brief duration.
It is also known that Abilify causes brief psychotic episodes in mentally healthy people due to insomnia.
Reference:
Psychiatric Times: Reckless Experiment In Early Intervention: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/blog/couchincrisis/content/article/10168/1874703
By Allen Frances, MD | June 8, 2011 - UBM Medica Psychiatric Times
This article makes me wonder how many lives are actually being improved if for every true case of psychosis, there are 9 false positives.
Though, people tend to worry even when a little kid has a temper tantrum.
Again and again, the experts warn us: psychiatric intervention should begin when the patient is able to give informed consent.
Only in the rare cases do you step in when a child has demonstrated psychosis to get them help.
In summary, every true psychotic, up to nine other people diagnosed as psychotic may be false positives.
As well, most psychotic episodes are of brief duration.
It is also known that Abilify causes brief psychotic episodes in mentally healthy people due to insomnia.
Reference:
Psychiatric Times: Reckless Experiment In Early Intervention: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/blog/couchincrisis/content/article/10168/1874703
20110608
This world (poem)
This world is really
the most beautiful of all,
despite how sour
it seems — ah, but then
let's count every blessings!
20110606
Why I Create Electronic Music
It's less noisy than playing an instrument.
Though I've practiced playing guitar (classical) as a hobby for about 15 years, I'd decided as part of self-therapy to teach myself to produce electronic music.
It's really not for everyone though, because it takes dedication, open-mindedness, patience, and willingness to learn.
When I take regular breaks from sitting in front of my computer, I'm able to compose a song without a problem.
Examples of my work:
Though I've practiced playing guitar (classical) as a hobby for about 15 years, I'd decided as part of self-therapy to teach myself to produce electronic music.
It's really not for everyone though, because it takes dedication, open-mindedness, patience, and willingness to learn.
When I take regular breaks from sitting in front of my computer, I'm able to compose a song without a problem.
Examples of my work:
20110604
Meditation and Buddha Nature
As a Buddhist I cannot suppress my original nature.
My original nature is Buddha Nature. For all sentient beings are born good.
Living life without spiritual guidance leads to behavioral and mental negativities which hide my original nature.
I find this Buddhist truth liberating.
Yet knowing of this truth is not enough: the Buddhist practises meditation to clear the mind of those negativities daily.
In clearing your mind, you see the origin of jealousy, anger, envy, greed, sloth, shame, guilt and other mental negativities.
You also see the origin of positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love.
Then you learn how to stop clinging to your emotions by letting go of each one you experience. For emotions and feelings rise and fall with your mood.
Having seen their origins, you choose to experience both the negative and positive emotions without clinging to them so that you live your life fully.
In this way are the behavioral and mental negativities seen for what they are: afflictions which are easily remedied once we stop clinging to them.
Having let go of such negativities, the wise ones enjoy positive emotions, being freed of their afflictions.
Through the mindful use of meditation, you learn to use your emotions and feelings wisely.
When used unwisely, both the negative and positive emotions are but mental negativities which give rise to behavioral negativities. Indeed, unwise use is when emotions are experienced excessively to extremes or suppressed needlessly.
When used wisely in moderation, emotions, feelings and the intellect are expressions of Buddha Nature.
My original nature is Buddha Nature. For all sentient beings are born good.
Living life without spiritual guidance leads to behavioral and mental negativities which hide my original nature.
I find this Buddhist truth liberating.
Yet knowing of this truth is not enough: the Buddhist practises meditation to clear the mind of those negativities daily.
In clearing your mind, you see the origin of jealousy, anger, envy, greed, sloth, shame, guilt and other mental negativities.
You also see the origin of positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love.
Then you learn how to stop clinging to your emotions by letting go of each one you experience. For emotions and feelings rise and fall with your mood.
Having seen their origins, you choose to experience both the negative and positive emotions without clinging to them so that you live your life fully.
In this way are the behavioral and mental negativities seen for what they are: afflictions which are easily remedied once we stop clinging to them.
Having let go of such negativities, the wise ones enjoy positive emotions, being freed of their afflictions.
Through the mindful use of meditation, you learn to use your emotions and feelings wisely.
When used unwisely, both the negative and positive emotions are but mental negativities which give rise to behavioral negativities. Indeed, unwise use is when emotions are experienced excessively to extremes or suppressed needlessly.
When used wisely in moderation, emotions, feelings and the intellect are expressions of Buddha Nature.
Top 10 Most Common Emotions
Whenever I look at the following list, I see most of these emotions in my life.
They serve as a constant reminder to keep me grounded.
As a result of regular viewing of this list, I am motivated to never give up on myself.
They serve as a constant reminder to keep me grounded.
As a result of regular viewing of this list, I am motivated to never give up on myself.
- Joy - great happiness that fills the heart
- Gratitude - the feeling of gratefulness and thanksgiving
- Serenity - peace of mind; the absence of mental stress or anxiety
- Interest - the power of attracting or holding one's attention
- Hope - grounds for feeling hopeful about the future; optimism
- Pride - a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
- Amusement - an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
- Inspiration - a product of your creative thinking and work
- Awe - an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration tinged with respect
- Love - strong positive emotion of regard, devotion and affection
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