Sunday, July 30, 2006
Contradictions
"If the King James Version of the Bible was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me!"
"I will never read this book because it goes against the worldview I've been taught, (but how do I know this fact if I've never read the book)."
"Insert religion here is a false religion (although I've never been exposed to any teachings of said religion, so I can't make an informed, objective opinion)."
"I am a security expert, yet I never question the underlying assumptions or authority of any institution or person of significant authority."
"I am a human being who will live and eventually die just like everyone else. I make others right or wrong depending upon my own beliefs and assumptions (when it would be wiser to just let them be). I wish to make the World a better place, (but how can I do that when I don't know which choice is right or the greater Good)."
"I will never read this book because it goes against the worldview I've been taught, (but how do I know this fact if I've never read the book)."
"Insert religion here is a false religion (although I've never been exposed to any teachings of said religion, so I can't make an informed, objective opinion)."
"I am a security expert, yet I never question the underlying assumptions or authority of any institution or person of significant authority."
"I am a human being who will live and eventually die just like everyone else. I make others right or wrong depending upon my own beliefs and assumptions (when it would be wiser to just let them be). I wish to make the World a better place, (but how can I do that when I don't know which choice is right or the greater Good)."
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Why Do You Love Me?
A most beautiful soul asked me last night why I loved her?
I replied, "Because it would be a sin NOT to love someone as beautiful as you!"
I would be missing the mark of human existence if I didn't love her because she IS that beautiful in spirit. She's quite a looker as well. I hope she blushes when she reads this. My task is to love everyone as I do her.
I replied, "Because it would be a sin NOT to love someone as beautiful as you!"
I would be missing the mark of human existence if I didn't love her because she IS that beautiful in spirit. She's quite a looker as well. I hope she blushes when she reads this. My task is to love everyone as I do her.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Amadeus
Watching Amadeus again. Haven't seen it in years. Although Salieri wasn't the evil man he is portrayed to be, it's a delightful movie. The music is gorgeous and fills one with warmth. Mozart was probably the best composer the human race has spawned thus far. He must have been extraordinarily frustrated in his life by those who didn't see his genius. Have we seen him since as other composers? Is there one Mozart throughout time, just in different bodies? Is there just one Archimedes throughout human history, perhaps we know him as Einstein in our time?
The Year that was Saved
Watching The Race to the Moon, about Apollo 8. Some quotes:
I think when you go out on the edge like we did sometimes the rewards are things that you never even anticipate. This was the one time when I saw that everybody in the world seemed to admire what we had done, and it was for a peaceful purpose.
Valerie Anders
'But for Frank Borman, the most memorable accolade came from a stranger who sent a four word telegram. "Thanks," it read,"You saved 1968."'
When did we Americans go off balance? Where is our boldness and sense of wonder and adventure?
I think when you go out on the edge like we did sometimes the rewards are things that you never even anticipate. This was the one time when I saw that everybody in the world seemed to admire what we had done, and it was for a peaceful purpose.
Valerie Anders
'But for Frank Borman, the most memorable accolade came from a stranger who sent a four word telegram. "Thanks," it read,"You saved 1968."'
When did we Americans go off balance? Where is our boldness and sense of wonder and adventure?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Packaging Mysticism in a Pill
I am not sure what to make of this news. Scientists are researching the psychological effects of the active ingredient of magic mushrooms, psilocybin. Now the pharmaceutical companies can package mysticism in a pill pending regulatory approval. It could be argued that this research could have been carried out 30 years ago. And it is to be seen if the Religious Right will try to stop it or not. I find it ironic though, that the West will find yet another way to package mysticism in a pill. It is likely the pharms will charge an outrageous amount for a naturally occurring drug. Still, it is what the Universe wants. Perhaps much good will come from psilocybin in pill form.
Monday, July 17, 2006
My Human Condition
I have come off of an extremely busy week. I currently have the main theme of Spartacus, or a snippet of it running in my head. Watch it. Good flick. Another touching movie is Everything is Illuminated.
Met a really nice woman and got to take her out to dinner this evening. Wish she were happier. She's got a lot on her plate right now and nothing I do to cheer her up seems to help. I suppose that the wisest course of action is to give her space. I shouldn't try to help her, but give her help when she asks.
Perhaps, I am learning detachment, enlightened detachment. The art of not caring about the consequences of my actions, but lightly touching.
My life is spinning and in flux. Center, breathe, detach, observe, act when needed. Must remember that! Try not to try.
Met a really nice woman and got to take her out to dinner this evening. Wish she were happier. She's got a lot on her plate right now and nothing I do to cheer her up seems to help. I suppose that the wisest course of action is to give her space. I shouldn't try to help her, but give her help when she asks.
Perhaps, I am learning detachment, enlightened detachment. The art of not caring about the consequences of my actions, but lightly touching.
My life is spinning and in flux. Center, breathe, detach, observe, act when needed. Must remember that! Try not to try.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
The Depth Has Returned
The Silence has returned. The Peace has returned. Silence loving, holding, reflecting ...
... Silence. (smile)
... Silence. (smile)
Friday, July 07, 2006
Mental Turmoil
Thoughts flow unhindered. Can't still mind. Trying to feel peace underneath all the roiling thoughts. What is wrong with me?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
If You Want....
If you want truth, seek within.
If you want to know God, seek within.
If you want to be whole and complete, seek within.
If you want to be wealthy, seek within.
If you want happiness, stop thinking.
If you want joy, stop thinking.
If you want bliss, stop thinking.
If you want love, stop thinking.
If you want peace, stop thinking.
If you want to be a vessel of change, be empty.
If you want to be a vessel of love, be empty.
If you want to be a vessel of Light, be empty.
If you want to be any vessel, be empty.
Just as one can't fill a jug with water if it's full of dirt, one can't be a spiritual vessel if the vessel is full of thoughts. A spiritual vessel can only be filled with spiritual water if it is empty first.
Still the mind, empty the mind, realize you are not your mind, but the stillness underneath your mind. I'm not asking you to believe anything I say. Look for yourself. Listen to others in stillness. Be with others in stillness.
Anonymous Julie sent me this gift, and this gift. But at the end of the day, question everyone and everything, find your own Truth, and especially, find your own Silence or Stillness.
If you want to know God, seek within.
If you want to be whole and complete, seek within.
If you want to be wealthy, seek within.
If you want happiness, stop thinking.
If you want joy, stop thinking.
If you want bliss, stop thinking.
If you want love, stop thinking.
If you want peace, stop thinking.
If you want to be a vessel of change, be empty.
If you want to be a vessel of love, be empty.
If you want to be a vessel of Light, be empty.
If you want to be any vessel, be empty.
Just as one can't fill a jug with water if it's full of dirt, one can't be a spiritual vessel if the vessel is full of thoughts. A spiritual vessel can only be filled with spiritual water if it is empty first.
Still the mind, empty the mind, realize you are not your mind, but the stillness underneath your mind. I'm not asking you to believe anything I say. Look for yourself. Listen to others in stillness. Be with others in stillness.
Anonymous Julie sent me this gift, and this gift. But at the end of the day, question everyone and everything, find your own Truth, and especially, find your own Silence or Stillness.
Reflections
To see Oneself in another is Love. Some reflect that Love, that Oneness, back to me effortlessly. They are cherished. It should be this way with everyone one meets, but that does not appear to be the case. I have no answer for why this is, for why some are transparent to the Light and others are as Dark as a pitch black night. I do so love the Light.
There is one I am drawn to. We dance together from afar, but we are always together in spirit. Our friendship is practically effortless. We comfort one another. It's almost as if we are one Being at times. Other times, our distinct personalities and minds are almost a barrier. To bask in the Light, to just Be is a Joy! No expectations, just acceptance and love as we dance to and fro just as electrons dance on a phosphor screen and make light and colors.
When the Other hurts, I hurt. When the Other feels Joy, I feel Joy or want to. Mirror neurons, compassion, subconscious desire for wholeness or completeness, who knows? The sense of Oneness is palpable and real between us. I love the Other as myself, The Golden Rule. I'm finally understanding what it really means to love another. What the words, "I love you", profoundly and truly mean. What it means to love unconditionally.
There is one I am drawn to. We dance together from afar, but we are always together in spirit. Our friendship is practically effortless. We comfort one another. It's almost as if we are one Being at times. Other times, our distinct personalities and minds are almost a barrier. To bask in the Light, to just Be is a Joy! No expectations, just acceptance and love as we dance to and fro just as electrons dance on a phosphor screen and make light and colors.
When the Other hurts, I hurt. When the Other feels Joy, I feel Joy or want to. Mirror neurons, compassion, subconscious desire for wholeness or completeness, who knows? The sense of Oneness is palpable and real between us. I love the Other as myself, The Golden Rule. I'm finally understanding what it really means to love another. What the words, "I love you", profoundly and truly mean. What it means to love unconditionally.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Fire
Fire is one of the Greek elements. It consumes wood and other substances to ash. It melts and purifies metals if it is hot enough. What does spiritual fire conjure in my mind? To me, fire is passion, but passion tempered by Being. A specific analogy is Greek fire, pitch and other petroleum products capable of burning on water. Being just is! Consciousness filling these vessels we call bodies, pouring forth Love, Joy, Bliss, and other emotions in mindful fashion. What of fire - passion, burning desires? Most desires are of the ego, yet there is a desire or longing for wholeness or completeness with the Beloved (Krishnamutri) or the Divine (Sufism) or the Way (Taoism) or the Universe (Buddhism) or God (Judaism/Christianity/Islam). That is one example of fire burning from water or being. Are there others? What of the desire for companionship, or to fit in with a group, or be part of a spiritual movement or body of people? Are these a subset of the spiritual equivalent of Greek fire?
Water quenches fire. Does this mean that Being/Love quenches Passion? Or does mindfulness attenuate passions, possibly channeling them more productively and making them more effective? If Being is Love, then what of passionate Love? Can there be such a thing as egoless, passionate Love? I love "God" with all my heart, mind and soul. Is that egoless, passionate Love? Is loving a woman with as much intensity as One loves Being when you are a man the same thing? Consciousness loving itself? What is the wise path of Love and Passion?
Water quenches fire. Does this mean that Being/Love quenches Passion? Or does mindfulness attenuate passions, possibly channeling them more productively and making them more effective? If Being is Love, then what of passionate Love? Can there be such a thing as egoless, passionate Love? I love "God" with all my heart, mind and soul. Is that egoless, passionate Love? Is loving a woman with as much intensity as One loves Being when you are a man the same thing? Consciousness loving itself? What is the wise path of Love and Passion?
