WATCH FOR CHANGE

Your Neighbor is Your Other Self

2011-07-10T16:35:00.006-05:00

YOUR NEIGHBOR IS YOUR OTHER
SELF DWELLING BEHIND A WALL.
IN UNDERSTANDING,
ALL WALLS SHALL FALL DOWN.

WHO KNOWS BUT THAT YOUR
NEIGHBOR IS YOUR BETTER SELF
WEARING ANOTHER BODY?

SEE THAT YOU WOULD LOVE HIM
AS YOU WOULD LOVE YOURSELF.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Of Note: The Arab Spring has taken its time in Syria, but yesterday the Syrian Vice-president called for a transition to democracy after four decades of power by the ruling family. At long last, the demonstrators are having an impact. In the process 1,600 civilians and 350 members of the security forces have been killed. The VP al-Sharaa said during the televised two-day conference in Damascus: "I hope that we will reach transition to a pluralistic democratic state that enjoys equality for all citizens who participate in forming their own shining future." At the same time he warned that future demonstrations should cease. Senior opposition leaders and others boycotted the meeting saying that the overture was insincere while other opposition members joined the discussion, which surprisingly included a series of intellectuals slamming the government for using such a heavy hand with protesters. It was a rare step in a country which does not tolerate dissent and potentially a move in the right direction. Even with the threats by the vice-president, the demonstrators have vowed to carry on, and their energy will eventually carry the day. As mentioned in a previous blog when the Arab Spring began, the Assads might consider packing their bags.

(The quote above was taken from Jesus, The Son of Man: His Words and His Deeds as Told and Recorded by Those Who Knew Him.)

No One Lands Where They Aim

2011-07-01T16:59:00.003-05:00

NO ONE LANDS
WHERE THEY AIM,
NOT EVEN GOD.

~ Mark Nepo

Of Note: Our god is an imperfect Being. We know that by looking at His creations. He is evolving just as we are but at a much higher turn of the spiral. Because of Him, we know that all things are possible and can thus aspire to greater and greater thoughts. Onward and upward always . . . at nearly 100 degrees today, that is all there is to say.

The Source in Africa

2011-06-30T12:56:00.003-05:00

THROUGHOUT THE TEN
REGIONS OF THE UNIVERSE,
THERE IS NO PLACE WHERE
THE SOURCE IS NOT.

~ Hakuin

Of Note: We know that one place the Source has arrived for an extended visit is Africa. This blog has long touted the growth of that long-sleeping continent. But it is sleeping no more. Six of the ten fastest growing economies in the last decade were in sub-Saharan Africa. It is predicted that in the next five years, Africa will outpace its Asian counterparts. That is good news for the rest of the world. For one, 60% of the world's arable yet uncultivated land is in Africa. Thus, it could be a future breadbasket not only for itself but the world. Vision coupled with action is taking the place of handouts. Some entrenched aid bureaucracies may not like a developed Africa because it bursts their bubble. But Africans themselves like it, many of whom are upwardly mobile and are excited about their new-found ability to create. All eyes will be on Africa in the next decade as it emerges like a Phoenix from the ashes. International corporations and others are taking note. For example, Campbell Soup is leaving Russia and heading to Africa for its next wave of expansion. Those who don't pay attention will most likely be left in the dust.

Service is the Rent We Pay

2011-06-29T19:13:00.003-05:00

SERVICE IS THE RENT WE PAY FOR
THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING ON THIS EARTH.
IT IS THE VERY PURPOSE OF LIFE,
AND NOT SOMETHING WE
DO IN OUR SPARE TIME.

~ Shirley Chisholm

Of Note: Ever heard of Rinderpest? No? That is not surprising because most people in the developed world haven't either. Rinderpest is an animal disease, whose name means "cattle plague" in German. It has been blamed for speeding the fall of the Roman Empire, aiding the conquests of the mighty Genghis Khan while hindering those of Charlemagne, and opened the way for the French and Russian revolutions while at the same time keeping Africa from flourishing. The good news this week is that the United Nations has declared it eradicated. It is only the second disease in history next to smallpox to claim that distinction. The New York Times said: "The long but little-known campaign to conquer Rinderpest is a tribute to the skill and bravery of big animal veterinarians, who fought the disease in remote and sometimes war-torn areas across stretches of Africa bigger than Europe, in the Arabian desert and on the Mongolian steppes." This tale of conquest and service begun in the late 1940's is so incredible it will undoubtedly be a movie someday. Until then, we can just thank the heroes of this story in a little prayer of gratitude as they move on to other scourges facing men and beasts.

As We Act, So We Become

2011-06-27T09:57:00.004-05:00

AS A PERSON ACTS,
SO SHE BECOMES IN LIFE.
THOSE WHO DO GOOD
BECOME GOOD . . .

SO WE ARE SAID TO BE
WHAT OUR DESIRE IS.
AS OUR DESIRE IS,
SO IS OUR WILL.
AS OUR WILL IS,
SO ARE OUR ACTS.

AS WE ACT,
SO WE BECOME.

~ The Upanishads

Of Note: Along with the esteemed Nobel Prize goes authority to the recipient. We Americans often yawn at the influence of the prize, but in Peru it most likely swayed an election. There many believe that the left-leaning Ollanta Humala, a former army officer, beat out Keiko Fujimori because of the endorsement of Mario Vargas, Peru's Nobel Prize winning writer. Fujimori is the child of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who is currently imprisoned for human rights violations. It took years to get him there, so Peruvians may not have wanted to try another Fujimori any time soon. Former leftist Mr. Humala for his part had to distance himself from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Thus, while neither was a primo pick, it may be true that the Vargas voice tipped the scales. Wonder if future political influence is a qualifying category when selecting a Nobel Prize winner?

Becoming Alive!

2011-06-26T12:34:00.002-05:00

DON'T ASK WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS.
ASK WHAT MAKES YOU COME ALIVE
AND GO OUT AND DO IT.
BECAUSE WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
IS PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ALIVE.

~ Howard Thurman

Of Note: Being alive is very important for our health. Without it, we slog along aimlessly in a dance of doing, doing without being, being. We are not talking happiness here--rather ALIVENESS. Most everyone has had the experience at some point. All we have to do is go back to that instance and recreate it again. This time, though, let's immortalize it in our hearts so that the spark of ALIVENESS shines forth on a daily basis. It might take 28 days for the habit of ALIVENESS to set in but the whole universe will be grateful for our efforts.

They are Their Own Leaders

2011-06-05T16:40:00.003-05:00

FREEDOM, BY DEFINITION,
IS PEOPLE REALIZING THAT
THEY ARE THERE OWN LEADERS.

~ Diane Nash

Of Note: The founding fathers could never have imagined a United States of America that stretched from sea to shining sea and included 50 states. Neither would they have considered it possible for the President to sign a piece of legislation from across the ocean, which was then enacted into law. But that's how far we've come in 235 years. Recently, President Obama auto-signed an extension of the Patriot Act from a French resort town. Literally, he wrote a document authorizing a phone call from his hotel to the White House, where an auto-pen signed his name to the official legislation. Not many citizens even knew an auto-pen existed for such eventualities but it was recently disclosed that the contraption has been around since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Thing is, John Q. Public has been kept in the dark all these years. Seems nothing can be kept secret any longer. In the coming New Age when we can all communicate telepathically, there will be no secrets. That will definitely shine a light in all the dark corners of the planet.

Let Your Soul Be Stirred

2011-05-26T20:17:00.004-05:00

DIVE DEEPLY INTO
THE MIRACLE OF LIFE
AND LET THE TIPS
OF YOUR WINGS
BE BURNT BY THE FLAME,
LET YOUR FEET BE
LACERATED BY THE THORNS,
LET YOUR HEART BE
STIRRED BY HUMAN EMOTION,
AND LET YOUR SOUL BE
LIFTED BEYOND THE EARTH.

~ Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan

Of Note: Lebanon and Israel have been at war more than once. A few times with bullets and bombs but more recently with hummus, a popular Middle Eastern chickpea-based dip. Israel originally held the world record with 900 pound bowl of the stuff, but Lebanon retaliated in 2009 with a whopping 4532 hummus plate. Not to be outdone, Israeli chef's responded in 2010 with a gargantuan 8993 pound dish. Lebanon considers hummus a national food and accused Israel of appropriating the treasure. So, its chefs came back with an untouchable 23,042 pound batch, enough to cover a piece of pita the size of the Dead Sea. So far this record has stood; though, Lebanese hummus producers are considering charging Israel with copyright violations just to be sure. This dust-up follows the earlier tabbouleh wars, which ended in a draw. Better food than bullets, though. Hummus anyone?

I'm Not Worried About Anything

2011-05-25T19:24:00.005-05:00

I HAVE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND.
I MAY NOT GET THERE WITH YOU.
BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW TONIGHT,
THAT WE, AS A PEOPLE WILL GET
TO THE PROMISED LAND.
AND I'M HAPPY TONIGHT.
I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Of Note: What Dr. King knew is that the Promised Land is within us and that eventually each of us will find that out. It is no secret. But for most of our lifetimes, we search for the Promised Land outside ourselves until we get frustrated and exhausted. That is the very nature of the endeavor at the School of Earth. Eventually, we learn the Truth of the inner Light, Love and Power, and we are never the same. Thing is, we can only find it in our own way and in our own time. Once we understand then we too will have no worries, and the world will be a better place. One person at a time.

Living Forward

2011-05-23T10:17:00.003-05:00

LIFE CAN ONLY BE
UNDERSTOOD BACKWARD,
BUT IT MUST BE LIVED FORWARD.

~ Soren Kierkegaard

Of Note: The Masters do not have this time problem of understanding backward and living forward. They live in the state of Eternal Now where all can be seen at once. Humans have a hard time getting their brains around that concept because we are embedded in linear, forward-moving time and cannot escape. There is one way, however. Through meditation we link with our Souls and then beyond. It is the "beyond" state that takes us to Eternal Now, which is not a place as it sounds, but a state of Being guarded by the high vibration of Love. Once we Become Love, the doors of Eternal Now open in ourselves to reveal the connectivity of all with All. At that exalted point, we will wonder for a brief moment how we ever lived any other way before moving onward and upward on our evolutionary path.

Revealed to the Eyes of the Soul

2011-05-22T11:50:00.003-05:00

THOSE THINGS THAT NATURE
DENIED TO HUMAN SIGHT
SHE REVEALED TO THE
EYES OF THE SOUL.

~ Ovid

Of Note: Ever heard of a free floating planet not attached to a star? No? Neither had most people. This week NASA announced to the surprise of many that these solitary orbs do exist and may twice outnumber stars in the universe. Turns out that planets are exceedingly hard to find and cannot be seen at all if less than the size of Jupiter. One NASA official explained: "Although free-floating planets have been predicted, they finally have been detected. This has major implications for models of planetary formation and evolution." Some researchers postulate that the bodies are stars called Brown Dwarfs that simply did not "turn on." Others believe that the loaners have been ejected from solar systems by the gravitational pull of other stars or planets. Could be a little of each. A few scientists believe that our own solar system is populated with planets from outer space since the planets encircling our sun really don't match. We have the inner solid planets, an asteroid belt, then the large outer gaseous planets. Pluto, though not officially a planet any longer, is the real outlier. Ancient astrology even postulates that a few more invisible planets have yet to be discovered. Thus, just when we think there is little to learn about such a mundane topic as planets, along comes a new wave of discoveries. Many believe in the coming Age of Aquarius, this is just the beginning.

Be Awake

2011-05-21T13:50:00.004-05:00

RUB YOUR EYES AND BE AWAKE.

~ William Barrett

Of Note: The space station planners and engineers had prepared for every contingency imaginable over the years. Or so they thought. When it came time for the first Muslim astronaut to launch into space in 2007, however, a method had to be devised for daily prayer that was in line with the teachings of the Koran. So, the Malaysian Space Agency asked a panel of 150 Muslim scholars for suggestions. It was not as easy as it sounded. Even such things as the direction to Mecca were complicated. Finally, after much discussion, the agency produced "A Guideline of Performing Ibadha [Worship] at the International Space Station." Included were rules to pray only five times during a 24-hour period instead of five times every time the space station orbited the planet. In the end, the direction to Mecca was left to the astronaut's discretion.

Two Roads Diverge

2011-05-16T12:10:00.003-05:00

We stand now where
two roads diverge.
But unlike the roads in
Robert Frost's familiar poem,
they are not equally fair.
The road we have long been
traveling is deceptively easy,
a smooth superhighway
on which we progress
with great speed,
but at its end lies disaster.

The other fork of the road--
the one "less traveled by"--
offers our last, our only chance
to reach a destination that assures
the preservation of our earth.

~ Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Of Note: With gas prices going up again, people might start to rethink their SUVs and consider an alternative fuel vehicle seriously. Change is hard, that's a fact. Therefore, we often require a little pain in order to spur us to do what we need to do. Pain in the pocketbook seems to be particularly effective, and gas prices at upward of $4 per gallon makes most of us say OUCH! A recent advertisement for the Nissan LEAF, the 100% electric car, explained that when we begin to make the change to alternative fuels such as electricity, the old Mile Per Gallon comparison will not stand up. After all, the LEAF doesn't even have a gas tank. What was suggested was a comparison based on how far a driver went on a single dollar. Of course, the reader could guess that the Nissan LEAF outshone all the other competitors at 25 miles traveled on a buck. The worst was the Chevrolet Corvette at 6 miles which is hardly a reasonable comparison. But other vehicles mentioned include the Ford Taurus at 7 miles, the Honda Accord at 9 miles, the Chevrolet Volt at 16.5 miles and finally the Toyota Prius Hybrid at 18 miles per dollar. None come close to the LEAF. In very teeny, tiny print, the formula for deriving the figures was stated and was Greek to this blogger. Rachel Carson might be pleased that the discussion has started in earnest about alternative fuels with the backing of the big oil and auto companies. The cynics may sniff that this is nothing and has happened before. However, the energy of real change is in the air, and nothing can arrest its progress. We only have to have faith in humanity that it will carry out its charge as world savior. Don't think we will be disappointed.

PS This photo was taken by my sister, Marie, at the Trinity Audubon Center in Dallas, Texas, a place that is teaching city folk the pleasures of nature.

A Revolution of the Heart

2011-05-15T15:23:00.002-05:00

THE GREATEST CHALLENGE
OF THE DAY IS THIS:
HOW TO BRING ABOUT A
REVOLUTION OF THE HEART,
A REVOLUTION WHICH HAS TO
START WITH EACH ONE OF US.

~ Dorothy Day

Of Note: Today, let us resolve to bring about a revolution of our hearts. Ms. Day asks how to do this. Certainly, giving instead of taking is a good start. Giving always opens the heart, which then has the opportunity to fill with Love and Light. That is the real reason to give--it brings more Love and Light into a needy world. Another way to open the heart is through meditation, which creates another channel for Love and Light to enter the planet. Of course, meditation as service is a form of giving. To learn more about meditation as service, check out www.lucistrust.org. This Website is full of excellent ways to give for those interested.

The Present State of Theoretical Physics

2011-05-13T13:03:00.003-05:00

The present state of theoretical physics
implies that empty space has all this energy
and that matter is a slight increase of the energy.
And therefore, matter is like a small ripple on
the tremendous ocean of energy,
having some relative stability and being manifest.

My suggestion is that the implicate order implies
a reality immensely beyond what we call matter.
Matter itself is merely a ripple in this background.

~ David Bohm

Of Note: Black holes fall into the realm of theoretical. We might be surprised at that because articles about them routinely state their existence as if proven. That is not true. The lay press conveniently drops the word hypothesis and leads the layman to believe that black holes are IN FACT sucking up light vociferously letting none out, rendering them invisible. Everyone knows that invisible is very hard to prove. The theoretical physicist will respond that mathematics has taken them to the event horizon of a black hole. That is well and good but they should be honest that a black hole is purely mathematical conjecture. Believe it or not, other theories about the cosmos exist that do not include black holes. However, alternative theoretical physicists are shut down financially because academic institutions only pay scientists, who study whatever is currently in vogue. Unless these men and women are independently wealthy or have a patron, their alternative theories languish. What's worse, the innovators are often black balled academically. Slowly, this situation is changing. We can thank the legions of alternative researchers, who have carried on with little funding. It is a good bet that many of their future discoveries will benefit humanity and save the planet while the theoretical physicists are still lost in their mathematical dreams about black holes.

As a Man Thinketh

2011-05-12T12:21:00.000-05:00

AS A MAN THINKETH
IN HIS HEART,
SO IS HE.

~ Sacred Scripture

Of Note: The young in repressed nations are learning a new lesson of non-violent dissent. They have seen up close and personal that violence only begets more violence and creates a never ending cycle of dysfunction. Many of these young adults have known nothing else but chaos. For example, in Kashmir, two thirds of the population is below the age of 30, which means they have never known anything but the police state imposed by India to quell Pakistani and Kashmiri militants. But the Arab Spring has awakened an enlightened group of young Kashmiris, who have taken note of the non-violent methods used elsewhere. Here social networking has been shut down by India; so, a group of them have composed songs to carry the message. Last summer they threw stones, and 117 of them were killed with many more imprisoned. This summer they will sing instead. The rest of us will be listening to the new tune with hope of a non-violent ending to decade's old repression. Is that a fanciful dream? Maybe. But if we put our energy of Love behind them, the universe may respond with a miracle.

Free to Meditate

2011-05-10T18:15:00.002-05:00

OUTWARDLY, ONE'S LIFE MAY

SUFFER EVERY KIND OF LIMITATION,
FROM BODILY PARALYSIS
TO MISERABLE SURROUNDINGS,
BUT INWARDLY, IT IS FREE
TO MEDITATE TO REACH OUT
TO A SPHERE OF LIGHT, BEAUTY,
TRUTH, LOVE AND POWER.

~Paul Brunton,
Meditations for People in Crisis

Of Note: The most important part of this quote is the word FREE. Meditation is free, meaning it costs nothing. Meditation also frees us from our physical surroundings in order to create a channel of love, light and power so needed by the planet. It is service to all of creation when we know FREEDOM as a state of being through meditation. As a matter of fact, according to ageless wisdom, freedom is a divine attribute of which we know little. That is because true freedom relieves us from material plane existence altogether, and those who have done so aren't talking. Because we have no local guides to that state, we can get a sense of FREE through meditation. The Buddha was our guide for that, and He assured us that joy and bliss are the inevitable result. Given a daily meditative practice, we will get there as well--crisis or not.

Indistinguishable From Magicf

2011-05-09T11:05:00.005-05:00

ANY SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
IS INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM MAGIC.

~ Arthur C. Clarke, Futurist

Of Note: We humans use our brain for any number of wonderful inventions. By tinkering with the physical world, scientists, engineers and others turn out more gidgets and gadgets than we know what to do with. Often these technological miracles get ahead of the civilization and, as Mr. Clarke commented, are indistinguishable from magic. But let's put this in perspective.....we can send a man to the moon but have yet to figure out how to feed those that are earth-bound. Nor have we figured out how to get along on a daily basis or create a sustainable living situation using our resources. Mahatma Gandhi had it right when he said: "As human being, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world--the is the myth of the atomic age--as in being able to remake ourselves." If each and every one of us made it a point to remake ourselves based on spiritual values including sharing, cooperation, social and personal responsibility and the sacrifice of selfishness, the physical plane matters would fall nicely into place. Being Love. That is the key. Meditation as service is the tool. It's sustainable, free and uses no resources but our minds, which we carry with us at all times. For more information on meditation as service check out www. lucistrust.org. The Website is not only a beautiful presentation it is also highly informative and inspirational.

The Heart Wide Open

2011-05-08T17:43:00.004-05:00

AS AN INLET CANNOT
CLOSE ITSELF TO THE
SEA THAT SHAPES IT,
THE HEART CAN ONLY
WEAR ITSELF OPEN.

~ Mark Nepo

Of Note: This is my step-granddaughter, Samantha, a couple years ago. We had been out painting and sharing a hot afternoon while at the same time discussing how the school year went, how things were with her siblings and stuff like that. Parenting comes with no How-To Manual. But, if it did, the first rule would be to wear the heart open at all times, no matter what happens or how tough it gets. Children may be in our lives to remind us of this valuable lesson. To all those who know or are in the process of learning this, Happy Mother's Day!

Three Divine Qualities

2011-05-07T13:11:00.004-05:00

THE FRIEND OF GOD HAS THESE THREE QUALITIES:
A GENEROSITY LIKE THAT OF AN OCEAN,
A COMPASSION LIKE THAT OF THE SUN,
AND A HUMILITY LIKE THAT OF THE EARTH.

~ Bayazid

Of Note: I understand where Mr. Bayazid is coming from when he defined the divine qualities required of God's friends. What he doesn't say, however, is that these three are the result of soul fusion attained through meditation. We can try and try to attain generosity, compassion and humility on a daily basis but we will find it difficult because our Earth-bound personalities block higher attunement. Only through the practice of meditation do the Higher Self and the personality get in touch and then stay in touch. Eventually, when meditation becomes a daily habit of Being, generosity, compassion and humility flow readily and easily without trying. Because most of us don't meditate, we have a way to go yet. But we can thank Mr. Bayazid for bringing to our attention the ultimate goals. Even if we don't begin the practice of meditation in this lifetime, we will in a future one. That is guaranteed.

Meticulously Created

2011-05-06T14:56:00.005-05:00

CREATION IS NOT A STUDY,
A ROUGHED IN SKETCH;
IT IS SUPREMELY,
METICULOUSLY CREATED . . .

EVEN ON THE PERFECTLY
ORDINARY AND CLEARLY
VISIBLE LEVEL,
CREATION CARRIES ON WITH
AN INTRICACY UNFATHOMABLE
AND APPARENTLY UNCALLED FOR.

~ Annie Dillard

Of Note: One of the predictions of the coming age is the creation of the "New World Religion." Many will say we have no need for yet one more religion. However, the work of the Christ is not done. He will institute this new world religion, which will be based upon six essential Truths representing our divine heritage:

1. The fact of God
2. Man's relationship with God
3. The fact of immortality and eternal persistence
4. The continuity of revelations and the divine approaches
5. The fact of our relationship to each other
6. The fact of the path to God

No churches will be necessary since these truths will be recognized by each person in his and her heart and mind. Once these recognitions are universal, humanity's natural response will be based on spiritual values of brotherhood including the love of truth, the recognition of the needs and rights of all, a spirit of cooperation and sharing, a sense of personal responsibility as well as sacrifice of selfishness for the common good. This heritage is already encoded in our DNA but requires lighted thought to "turn it on." Education will be the key. Meditation is the method that is being and will continue to be taught to bring in the light. For those with the aspiration to meditate, proceed with due speed as each person, who begins the practice in earnest, adds to the growing pool of lighted energy that will one day change the world. The Christ is waiting.

We are the Stage and the Players

2011-05-02T22:37:00.005-05:00

WE ARE THE STAGE AND ALL THE PLAYERS.

~ Mark Nepo

Of Note: American Seals killed Osama bin Laden yesterday. President Obama announced the #1 terrorist's assassination with proper decorum and took full responsibility for the decision to kill not capture. NYC firefighters cheered. Survivors of the 9/11 attacks had mixed feelings, almost to a person, saying the killing would not bring their loved ones back. Some were happy, many were not. Most every morning for the last 10 years, I have turned on the morning news to see if bin Laden was still alive. During that time, however, a realization came to me that God was the only judge, and with or without this man, terrorism would continue. His followers might be more emboldened. with his death. Time will tell, of course, if this killing was the right move or not. Until then, we will just have to watch as the next chapter of the story unfolds. Stay tuned.

Silence: a New Perspective

2011-05-01T14:48:00.002-05:00

THE TREES, THE FLOWERS,
THE PLANTS GROW IN SILENCE.
THE STARS, THE SUN,
THE MOON MOVE IN SILENCE.

SILENCE GIVES US A
NEW PERSPECTIVE.

~ Blessed Mother Teresa

Of Note: Silence is little used these days as a tool of psychological discovery. We are so caught up in the noise emanating from the planet that silence can actually be scary. Spirit presents as silence so to know Spirit is to know silence. If we have not found silence in ourselves, we will not know when Spirit knocks. What needs to be silent exactly? Certainly, the dense physical plane is not going to go silent at our commands. It is the emotional plane that needs silencing until it is like a clear glass that does not impede energy from the higher planes to the lower. Currently, a dense fog of astral matter created by mankind over the ages shrouds the Earth. Through meditation, humanity is responsible for dissipating the fog to let the sun shine in. Many are pursuing this line of service. To join them, click on www.lucistrust.org to find out more about meditation as service. It is a simple and FREE way to help, and the universe will say thank you.

Doing the Hard Thing

2011-04-30T12:14:00.003-05:00

YOU MUST DO THE THINGS
YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Of Note: Change is all around us. Without constant change and reconfiguration, the universe would cease to BE. Why is it that we humans find change so difficult and often fight it tooth and nail? There are many reasons, of course, but one is the belief that happiness is the end result of action. When we find happiness or its equivalent, we want to stay in that spot. Or unable to find happiness, a malaise sets in where we smolder, neither alive nor dead. What to do? This cycle of happiness vs. unhappiness can be broken by committing to make one change a day if small or one large change over a period of time if large. Pretty soon one is caught up in making change rather than the unrealistic expectation of happiness. For those who have trouble making change, www.stickK.com has one answer based on the use of a pre-commitment device, a "technique that people use to bind themselves to their preferred choices." The pre-commitment device of this site is real money. For example, if a Democrat wanted to lose 50 pounds, she might commit $1000 to a Republican cause if the promise is not kept. Two behavioral economists came up with this scheme based on well-known principles that people don't always do what they say they are going to do and incentives get people to do things. It's the whole carrot and stick routine. As a matter of fact, one of the economists, Ian Ayres, wrote a book called precisely that--Carrots and Sticks. The idea is the promotion of healthier lifestyle by creating commitment contracts that binds a person to achieve a personal goal. So far $7,118,733 have been put on the line by almost 80,000 people bent on making real change. Some of these people are very serious. The Website creators put half their yearly salaries toward the contract--and one had to make good on the deal to the tune of $15,000. That gives new meaning to Eleanor Roosevelt's words, doesn't it?

We are the Convergence

2011-04-29T14:04:00.003-05:00

WE ARE THE CONVERGENCE
OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.
WE ALL HAVE A GREAT
NEED FOR IMMENSITY.

~ Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan

Of Note: Let's say that humanity is the eyes and ears of the Solar System, an unconscious Entity, which does not know Itself. That could mean that the international space programs and their various space probes provide our Solar System with a view of Itself through our eyes. That thought could give new meaning to the importance of exploration in the outer reaches of space. Take, for example, the twin Voyager probes that are very close to reaching the edge of the solar system. They have been speeding through space for 30 years and are still sending back data that continues to surprise the engineers and scientists at NASA. Dr Tony Philips said: "The adventure began in the late 1970's when the probes took advantage of a rare alignment of the outer planets for an unprecedented Grand Tour. Voyager 1 visited Jupiter and Saturn while Voyager 2 flew past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Voyager 2 is still the only probe to visit Uranus and Neptune." The twins are powered by the radioactive decay of Plutonium 238 and should keep the systems running until at least 2020. By then, they will have popped through the solar system's heliosphere and into outer space-- a place that has never been explored by humans. Even now, the space on the edge is called "frothy" by scientists and shows a zero solar wind velocity. From that distance, the sun is just a teeny dot in the sky. On board each probe is a Golden Record disc that carries information about Earth, including 118 photos of the planet; 90 minutes of music; an audio essay containing sounds from the planet; and greetings in 55 languages and one whale language. One awestruck researcher said: "Voyager 1 and 2 will become our silent ambassadors to the stars." Could be that the space probes are also the eyes and ears of the Solar System getting to know Itself and its neighbors for the first time.

The Love of Thousands

2011-04-26T13:47:00.002-05:00

WALKING, I AM LISTENING
TO A DEEPER WAY.
SUDDENLY, ALL MY
ANCESTORS ARE BEHIND ME.
BE STILL, THEY SAY.
WATCH AND LISTEN.

YOUR ARE THE RESULT OF
THE LOVE OF THOUSANDS.

~ Linda Hogan

Of Note: Sometimes if I really want to feel the wonder of Life, I contemplate the thought that my life is connected to all life back to the beginning of time. The very first moment. Years ago, I had a dream about what it was like before time began. My consciousness experienced a complete void where nothing existed at all. It was petrifying. In short order with a heart beating wildly, I was delivered safe and sound back to my bed. I did not realize until then what NO-THING meant and how connections with matter grounded me and us to the physical plane. Since then, I have yearned for another experience of that void. After years of meditation, I recognize the place and know that it was not a blank space at all, but pregnant with invisible, undifferentiated Life waiting to explode into a myriad of beings for a Purpose that can best be described as Love. More than that we do not know.

Today's Weather Report: It is snowing to beat the band. Highly unusual weather for the end of April. Actually, it has snowed off and on the whole month but nothing like this.

I am Very Large and Contain Multitudes

2011-04-25T17:38:00.003-05:00

DO I CONTRADICT MYSELF?
VERY WELL THEN I
CONTRADICT MYSELF.
(I AM VERY LARGE,
I CONTAIN MULTITUDES.)

~ Walt Whitman

Of Note: It was obvious to me when helping my daughter with the interpretation of Song of Myself by Master Whitman that he was speaking of the Soul. Her high school honors class teacher had something else in mind but she courageously wrote her essay with this in mind and got a good grade if I remember correctly. The idea of the Soul being large and containing multitudes describes unity at its most fundamental level. That would mean, of course, that everyone is the same in God's eyes no matter what religion they espoused. Even atheists would be covered by this all-inclusive concept. Pastor Bob Bell has taken this viewpoint in his recently published and highly controversial book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, in which he contends everyone has a chance at heaven and salvation. Everyone. That bold idea has taken the Evangelical community from whence he came by surprise and many have responded swiftly and unequivocally against him. Seems Rev. Bell is taking it all in stride and said: "I have long wondered if there is a massive shift coming in what it means to be a Christian. Something new is in the air." Acceptance of all into heaven would be something new in several religions, many of which believe they have the only key to the pearly gates. Bell contends that he doesn't know anything for sure but is merely raising the question, which is healthy. Jesus the Christ taught a simple lesson to Love thy neighbor as thyself. He didn't put any restrictions on the command. Believing in Him was not a prerequisite. Pastor Bell seems to have heard this message loud and clear and should be commended for writing an invocative book on the subject.

All of Them Together

2011-04-24T14:41:00.002-05:00

ALL THE VOICES,
ALL THE GOALS,
ALL THE YEARNINGS,
ALL THE SORROWS,
ALL THE PLEASURES,
ALL THE GOOD AND EVIL,
ALL OF THEM TOGETHER
WAS THE WORLD.

~ Hermann Hesse

Of Note: Vasudeva asked Siddhartha, who was seeking enlightenment, to sit and listen to the river. Not only to listen but to LISTEN. He finally asked, "Do you hear?" When Siddhartha nodded, the wizened man whispered, "Listen better!" The enquirer found that everyone was part of the river: "It was the goal of all of them, yearning, desiring, suffering; and the river's voice was full of longing, full of smarting woe, full of insatiable desire." Even past this discovery was complete absorption, taking in everything yet quite empty until the separate voices were no longer heard. They all belonged to each other. Siddhartha's revelation will be ours someday as well. We will most likely not be sitting by a river with a wise, old man as a guide. But the illumination is guaranteed and is part of our divine destiny as a human being. Buddha and the Christ made sure of that. Happy Easter!

I'm Late! I'm Late!

2011-04-23T12:45:00.004-05:00

I'M LATE! I'M LATE.
FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE!
NO TIME TO SAY HELLO! GOOD-BYE!
I'M LATE! I'M LATE! I'M LATE!

~The Mad Hatter
from Alice in Wonderland

Of Note: We live such hustle and bustle lives. We stuff our mouths with unhealthy food, work too many hours, have no time for sex, watch too much TV. The list could go on and on. In the process we don't pay attention to the importance of simply BEING. Most people think that the phenomenal world with its constant search for happiness is all there is. That is not the Truth. We know this because happiness is never really found. The circular search is never-ending. The only way out of the morass is meditation. Through meditation we contact our Soul, which is ever willing to help us discover the nature of Reality, with a capital R. It is not what we think and has no malls to keep us enthralled. Eventually, however, through the meditation process we find Joy and then Bliss. That was Buddha's discovery and can be ours as well. Can't meditate? Our divine discontent fueled by disillusionment will inevitably fuel the aspirational fire. Once the fire is lit, the time comes when sitting becomes the most important activity of the day. In the meantime, know that happiness is a seductive illusion, Service is the key and Bliss beckons.

Don't Go Back to Sleep

2011-04-21T13:12:00.003-05:00

THE BREEZES AT DAWN
HAVE A SECRET TO TELL US.
DON'T GO BACK TO SLEEP.

~ Jalaluddin Rumi

Of Note: It's always darkest before the dawn is the main theme of this blog. But what happens when the dawn arrives? Will we be so filled with glamour and illusion that we will not recognize what is in front of us? Many believe that when the New Age arrives, all the struggles will cease. My sense is that the struggles might actually increase as our Souls demand, yes demand, that each of us steps up to the spiritual plate of Right Human Relations. Thing is, the more we sense that truth while in the dark, the quicker will be our assimilation into the Light. Service is the key. There is no better time to start than the present. Want to learn Qigong? Go for it. How about astrology? No better time than now. Feel a need to start meditating? Many teachers and methods are available. With the motive of service to humanity, each of these could lead us into the Light. But we need to get going, time is awasting.

Open Wide Our Hearts

2011-04-20T19:31:00.004-05:00

THERE IS NO NEED
TO GO SEARCHING FOR
THE REMEDY FOR THE
EVILS OF OUR TIME.

THE REMEDY ALREADY EXISTS--
IT IS THE GIFT OF ONE'S SELF TO
THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN SO LOW
THAT EVEN HOPE FAILS THEM.

OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS.

~ Rene Bazin

Of Note: Giving of ourselves by opening our heart wide is the essence of simplicity. We fail to do this in our hustle and bustle world where we may not take the time to acknowledge those who are hurting. Fact is, we are ALL suffering as a part of Humanity, which is in the throes of upheaval and chaos during this time of cosmic transition. Thus, opening our hearts wide to everyone we meet would be a good strategic policy to further a peaceful world. We could start tomorrow. Even better, it doesn't cost a dime, and no travel is necessary. Couldn't get much more simple than that.

Writing the History of our Generation

2011-04-19T19:54:00.004-05:00

EACH OF US CAN WORK TO
CHANGE A SMALL PORTION
OF EVENTS AND IN THE TOTAL
OF ALL THOSE ACTS WILL
BE WRITTEN THE HISTORY
OF OUR GENERATION.

~ Robert Kennedy

Of Note: The Millennium Development Goals formulated through the United Nations set out a blueprint for humanity to improve its record of Right Human Relations. This is mankind's test to improve the lot of its brothers and sisters because of a growing understanding of the whole. It may come as a surprise that several small Caribbean islands are leading the world in meeting those goals. Barbados leads the way. 40% of its citizens live in cities and "have life expectancies in the mid-70's, all births are attended by skilled practitioners, 100% of the population has safe water and sanitation, and the infant mortality rate is 11 per 1,000 birth." What's more, the number of births per family is 1.68, well below the replacement level of 2.0. This progressive country has received the highest UN rating as "very high human development." Barbados is joined by other Caribbean countries such as Antigua, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and the Grenadines. Work still needs to be done, of course, but with government safety nets in place, these tiny nations rank with such wealthy powerhouses as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. One scholar noted the reason for success in attaining the Millennium Development Goals: "In the small countries of the Caribbean, the whole nation plays the role of the community. Government is close-up and personal and much more likely to be responsive to citizens needs." Communities at work are the key, which is just another way of saying Love-in-action. Barbados and others are leading the way to Right Human Relations, and their collective actions are an example to the rest of the planet.

The Spirit as Life

2011-04-09T20:43:00.003-05:00

WE WILL KNOW WHAT BOTH THE FULLNESS
AND THE FULFILLMENT OF LIFE MEAN
ONLY WHEN THE CONSCIOUSNESS THAT
THE SPIRIT IS OUR OWN VERY SELF
COMES TO LIFE WITHIN US.

~ Paul Brunton

Of Note: The Spirit is Life. Most of us don't know that yet because we are concerned with learning to Love. Eventually, however, the Light of the Soul--the Higher Self--connects us through Love to the Spirit--its Higher Self--and the Unity of Life is no longer a theory but Reality. Thus, the Self is not two but rather three layers deep: the lower self/personality, the Higher Self/Soul and the Monad. The Monad is the true Self, the spark of the Divine, the Father. It is fusion with It to which we ultimately aspire.

Drawing Good Out of Harm

2011-04-08T18:58:00.004-05:00

LET US LEARN TO SKILLFULLY
DRAW GOOD OUT OF WHAT
OTHERWISE CAUSES US HARM.

~ St. Mary Euphrasia Pellentier

Of Note: Everyone on the planet should have come to the conclusion by now that aggressive violence does not work. A least two generations or more of children in the Middle East have known nothing else. But the nonstop violence in that sector has spawned a new movement among the young, particularly those educated around the world. They are bringing home information, which may turn the tide, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship and business skills plus nonviolent means of protest through social networking. These young adults know from their travels in developed countries, like the United States and Europe, what the state of extended nonviolent prosperity looks like--and they want it. One Middle East scholar said of the young Palestinians he's been following: "If they'd been led by Gandhi rather than Yasser Arafat, they would have had a state 20 years ago." This time around, though, transformation may come not only through non-violent protests but through business and enterprise. The returning college graduates understand full well that constructive activity is the antithesis of aggressive violence and want to start business that employ others. We have been waiting with great anticipation for this generation of educated, youthful leaders with their iPhones and Blackberries to step forward in the Middle East, and they are starting to arrive. Social networking brought us the Arab Spring but it will take leadership from seasoned statesmen, expats and the young educated to bring it to full flower.

God is Awake

2011-04-07T18:27:00.003-05:00

HAVE COURAGE FOR THE
GREAT SORROWS OF LIFE,
AND PATIENCE FOR THE SMALL ONES.
WHEN YOU HAVE LABORIOUSLY
ACCOMPLISHED YOUR DAILY TASKS,
GO TO SLEEP IN PEACE.
GOD IS AWAKE.

~ Victor Hugo

Of Note: Not only is God awake, so is a part of humanity at all times. Waking and sleeping humans create a wave that goes around the Earth once every 24-hours. Thus, because humanity is Divine, it is God awake on the physical plane at all times. Or it will be. Presently, mankind is evolving into consciousness of its Divinity and has a way to go yet. But eventually its true Self will shine forth in all its radiance. When that happens, we will not only go to sleep in peace, we will be peace ourselves. On another note, a new mineral has been "mined" from a 4.5 billion year old meteorite, which has been named Wassonite. The specimen is only one-hundredth as wide as a human hair and composed of sulfur and titanium. It was shed from a primitive meteorite dating back to the earliest planetary building blocks. A NASA co-discoverer said: "Meteorites and the minerals within them are windows into the formation of our solar system. Through these kinds of studies, we can learn about the conditions that existed and the processes that were occurring then." This begs the question, how many other minerals have yet to be discovered in the solar system and what might they contribute to our knowledge base? This tiny mineral sample reveals that we have much to learn.

Those Ripples Build a Current

2011-04-05T22:19:00.005-05:00

Each time a man stands up for an ideal,
or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice,
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope;
and crossing each other from a million
different centers of energy and daring,
those ripples build a current which
can sweep down the mightiest walls
of oppression and resistance.

~ Robert F. Kennedy, 1966

Of Note: Corruption consumes about $1 trillion dollars a year. That amount of money circulated in legitimate ways could change the world in very short order. Governments are taking note of the amount siphoned off illegally, particularly as their own belts have tightened due to the financial meltdown. The United States through the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been going after the bad guys for years but has recently joined forces with other international agencies to get deadly serious about the matter. Corporate corruption through payment of bribery is a current intensified focus. Huge fines are being levied as well as prosecution of executives. In response, corporations have implemented elaborate compliance programs to assure that workers do not bribe foreign officials. On the horizon is the Dodd-Frank whistleblower provision, which will pay for information leading to arrest and conviction of persons involved in corrupt corporate practices. Although they have been reluctant to do this before, it is believed that this will spur companies to come clean about their unsavory past of paying bribes and kickbacks. Next under the spotlight will be the investigation of Sovereign Trust Funds, where lavish spending has a long history, and the investigation of foreign corrupt officials by their own governments. Thankfully, the train is finally moving down the track. In its rail cars will be the trillions now available for the people rather than stolen by kleptocrats and other criminals, including the bankers, accountants and attorneys, who have been complicit in protecting them.

Miracles

2011-04-04T18:52:00.004-05:00

THERE IS ONLY TWO
WAYS TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.
ONE IS AS THOUGH
NOTHING IS A MIRACLE.
THE OTHER IS AS IF
EVERYTHING IS.

~ Albert Einstein

Of Note: March 17, 2011 was an historic day for NASA. For the first time, a spacecraft, appropriately called MESSENGER, orbited the innermost planet, Mercury, at a point 96 million miles from Earth. The journey to Mercury took 6.5 years with a total distance traveled of 4.6 billion miles. After a few weeks of tweaking the system, the mission's primary science phase began today. The principle investigator of the project said: "Despite its proximity to Earth, the planet Mercury has for decades been comparatively unexplored. For the first time in history, a scientific observatory is in orbit around our solar systems innermost planet. Mercury's secrets are about to be revealed." With this successful orbit, NASA and other international space agencies have a variety of spacecraft at each end of solar system, which over time will have gathered data on all the visible planets. However, esoteric astrology contends that a few more planets have yet to be discovered. Think of the wonder and surprise those discoveries will bring to scientists, who might think they have seen it all.

My Life as a Message

2011-04-03T17:56:00.005-05:00

MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Of Note: The Chinese government is at it again. This past week, police in China arrested a prominent blogger in a deepening crackdown on dissent. What was the crime? Ran Yunfei had the audacity to challenge the ruling Communist Party. Many bloggers had advocated a "Jasmine Revolution" based on what is currently happening in the Middle East. Ran joined the call and was charged with inciting subversion. A former Chinese legal scholar said: "Basically, it's the crime of expressing your opinions. In this case, too, prosecutors will probably use essays that Ran has published on the Internet." More than 100 activists have been detained, been subjected to intimidation or merely disappeared since February 2011. These dissidents and the ones arrested before them could be the forerunners, who history will show lighted the fire of radical change in China. Because the energy of freedom is afoot, we can help by telepathically "sending" our lighted energy to those who languish in jail or prison for speaking out against an oppressive regime. They do not have to carry the burden alone.

Think with the Heart

2011-04-02T15:38:00.003-05:00

It is said a great Zen teacher
asked an initiate to sit by a
stream until he heard all the
water had to teach.

After days of bending his
mind around the scene,
a small monkey happened by,
and in one bound of joy,
splashed through the stream.

The initiate wept and
returned to his teacher,
who scolded him lovingly,

"The monkey heard. You just listened."

~ As told by Mark Nepo

Of Note: Many of us use only our brains to analyze a situation. We take it apart bit by bit until the "answer" emerges. What is missing here is the input of the heart. Thing is, the brain distrusts what it considers an emotion-laden heart and often shuts it out. What the brain doesn't know in the beginning is that divine wisdom can only be obtained when we "think with the heart." This is a hard lesson for many initiates but one that must be learned before moving onward and upward on the path of evolution.

Stand Firm, Grip Hard, Thrust Upward

2011-03-31T22:01:00.005-05:00

BE LIKE A TREE IN
PURSUIT OF YOUR CAUSE.
STAND FIRM, GRIP HARD,
THRUST UPWARD,
BEND TO THE WINDS OF HEAVEN,
AND LEARN TRANQUILITY.

~ Richard St. Barbe Baker

Of Note: People have always been attracted to trees. They are mysterious in their growth and majestic in their beauty. A single "popple" tree, which is common in northern Wisconsin, can cover acres--the part we identify as a tree is simply the upwardly mobile part of a vast root system. In all likelihood that vast subterranean system is the "brains" of the tree, and the trunk and leaf parts are like arms and legs, taking in the rays. Our own bodies are similar--the visible parts of an invisible Self, the real mind of the operation. The Soul is the one, which stands firm and grips hard in pursuit of the evolution of consciousness, its divine destiny. All the while, its sun-drenched vehicle bends to the winds of heaven and through many lifetimes eventually learns tranquility through compassion. By then the lower self knows that the Real is the invisible part and is not taken in by the illusory visible domain. The tree, though, is in the early stages of evolution and has eons to go. In between, it acts as a symbol to us in standing firm and gripping hard until we are able to do it on our own.

Seeing the Dawn

2011-03-30T17:11:00.005-05:00

A DREAMER IS ONE WHO CAN
FIND HIS WAY BY MOONLIGHT,
AND HIS PUNISHMENT IS THAT
HE SEES THE DAWN BEFORE
THE REST OF THE WORLD.

~ Oscar Wilde

Of Note: Wonder if Master Albert Einstein was not finished with his work and wanted to come back again to do just that. Seems that might have happened. A 12-year old child prodigy in astrophysics has recently been introduced to the world. He is a normal enough looking American boy, who wears his baseball cap backward and was previously diagnosed with a mild form of autism. But with an IQ of 170, he was solving 5000 piece jigsaw puzzles at age 3 and taught himself calculus, algebra and geometry in two weeks a few years later. He left high school at age 8 to enter college, where he is currently taking advanced classes in astrophysics--and tutoring his peers. Indiana University wants him as a paid researcher. The young genius's YouTube videos show an engaging young man, who is confident, but not overly so, as he tells the audience about the complex calculus equations he is demonstrating. The next thing he wants to take on is the Big Bang Theory and a lead scientist from Princeton, where Einstein used to work, say he is asking the right questions: "The theory that he is working on involves several of the toughest problems in astrophysics and theoretical physics. Anyone who solves these will be in line for a Nobel Prize." We should keep the name Jacob Barnett on our radar screen for it is guaranteed this young man will go far. And just think, he's only 12 and certainly has much to contribute to a needy world in the years to come.

Smiling as Basic Peace Work

2011-03-28T13:04:00.003-05:00

IF IN OUR DAILY LIVES WE
CAN SMILE, NOT ONLY WE,
BUT EVERYONE WILL
PROFIT FROM IT.

THIS IS THE BASIC KIND
OF PEACE WORK.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Of Note: Smiling is the key to connectivity. It can open doors even when two people so not speak the same language. Imagine if people smiled more and fought less. This Smile Revolution could start small, one person to one person at a time. But eventually, one smiling pod would bump up against the next smiling pod. Soon all the cells would coalesce into one big smile. The world would never be the same because smiling not only adjusts our face in a more pleasant looking way but also our brain chemistry. Thus, this revolution would be a major adjustment for humanity's collective brain. Shall we start today?

Living Out Loud

2011-03-26T13:20:00.003-05:00

WE ARE HERE TO LIVE OUT LOUD.

~Balzac

Of Note: A computer named Watson recently competed on Jeopardy! and won, hands down. Since then, many have been wringing their hands about how a computer could trump some of the smartest humans around. Others criticized the machine's mistakes, making a long list of transgressions, as if to say "See, it's not so smart after all." The noted author Stephen Baker said both were missing the point. He contends that such question-answering computers will soon be working alongside humans and will push us to reconsider how we learn and think. In his vision of the future, question-answering computers will make their way into law offices, pharmaceutical labs and healthcare settings. People are going to have to adjust and consider how they will "add value that computers cannot." Computers are simply a mechanical extension of the human brain but not the human brain itself. When asked if Watson can think, one of its creators at IBM, replied, "Can a submarine swim?" The Masters have predicted that one day humanity will be free to do what it does best: think, channel and create. The mechanics of daily living will be left to technology, but a technology relegated to the background and not idolized as it is today. Machines will do the work while we do the thinking, which will be based on spiritual values and unselfishly benefit all the kingdoms in nature. Only then will humanity know what "out loud" joyful living is all about.

So Many Little Passings

2011-03-24T12:15:00.005-05:00

Life and death
a twisted vine sharing a single root.

A water bright green
stretching to top a twisted yellow
only to wither itself
as another green unfolds overhead.

One leaf atop another
yet under the next
a vibrant tapestry of arcs and falls
all in the act of becoming.

Death is the passing of life
and life is the stringing together
of so many little passings.

~ Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

Of Note: A question was asked whether some nations are more intrinsically fearful than others. As it turns out, the answer is yes. A definite geographic pattern of fear emerged when people of various nations were asked in six surveys spanning 2000 - 2009 about nuclear conflicts, terrorism, organized crime, medical accidents and avian flu. Topping the list were Malta, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus followed by the former communist nations. Besides being Mediterranean or former communist countries, the researchers asked themselves if there was a reason for this distribution. Turned out that the most robust determinant was "the proportion of citizens who believed in hell." This is not surprising. The teachings of ageless wisdom expressly state that the dark side keeps the masses in check by an underlying fear of death. Even worse than death would be a belief in hell and eternal damnation as punishment from an angry god from whose wrath we are powerless. This is pure illusion and directly contradictory to the facts but each of us must move through that falsity to arrive at the truth. One day the dark ones will have relinquished their control over humanity, and the fear of death and damnation will be a quaint historical curiosity. Until then, we can help our brothers and sisters, who do harbor that dread, by relinquishing any fear ourselves. The universe will be eternally grateful.

And Where We Stand

2011-03-23T12:08:00.004-05:00

WE CANNOT RUN
AWAY FROM WEAKNESS;
WE MUST SOMETIMES
FIGHT IT OUT OR PERISH.
AND IF THAT BE SO,
WHY NOT NOW,
AND WHERE WE STAND?

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Of Note: Research shows that we are subject to more pollution in our homes and offices than anywhere else, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 2 to 5 times as much as outdoors. Contamination by dozens of indoor pollutants is a concern because we spend 90% of our time inside. Now NASA, conducting experiments for the space program, has determined that the lowly house plant may be the superhero air scrubber. These investigations add to global research that shows plants "can reduce dust participles and contaminants, such as formaldehyde and benzene that come from cigarette smoke, paint, furniture, building materials and other sources." One horticulturist advocates plants because they are an inexpensive fix and can even be propagated by cuttings. Are some plants better than others? This is the question asked by those interested in phytoremediation, the fancy name given to this body of growing research. As it turns out, several common plants have been shown to be good as indoor air scrubbers: English Ivy, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Weeping Fig, Peace Lily, and Asparagus Fern to name a few. The superstars, however, are the Janet Craig and Sweet Chico plants, which reduce volatile organic compounds indoors by 75%. The researchers concluded: "Potted plants can provide an efficient, self-regulating, low-cost, sustainable bio-remediation system for indoor air pollution." The EPA and the Green Building Council are not on board yet and have labeled the experiments inconclusive. Nonetheless, adding plants to an indoor environment is a good idea since it puts us in contact with the subtle but potent green energy of the second kingdom in nature AS IF we were outdoors. If plants also act as super-scrubbers for pollutants, and there is good evidence they do, that is simply another valuable contribution but certainly not the only one nor even the most important.

Giving Yourself More Life

2011-03-21T19:52:00.003-05:00

YOU CANNOT ALWAYS GIVE
YOURSELF MORE DAYS,
BUT YOU CAN GIVE
YOUR DAYS MORE LIFE.

~ Anonymous

Of Note: This statement is particularly true for those men and woman serving on death row where the amount of days is court rather than soul determined. Those in opposition to the death penalty were successful recently in blocking one of the death-inducing drugs from being produced in Europe and the UK. Now Texas has responded to that embargo by purchasing pentobarbital, a drug used as a sedative in euthanizing animals, which is readily available in the United States. The FDA has approved its use in humans, but death penalty opponents are already gearing up to pressure the only human pentobarbital manufacturer to cease production. Lundbeck Inc, a subsidiary of a Danish corporation, was looking at ways to stop distribution to prisons for use in executions and has sent letters to the Ohio, Texas and Oklahoma prison systems saying as much. Texas is particularly anxious to procure the drug because 5 prisoners are scheduled to be executed in the next four months, adding to the 450 have been killed over the last 25 years. The Lone Star State is coming under increased scrutiny for a criminal justice system that appears to lack the proper brakes in death penalty cases, which often hit minorities disproportionately. It is the tight international network of death penalty opponents that can be thanked for years of effort in this regard.

Eyes Upon a Wider a Horizon

2011-03-20T13:35:00.002-05:00

THE EYES EXPERIENCE LESS STRESS WHEN
THEY LOOK UPON A WIDER HORIZON.

~ R. D. Chin

Of Note: When we look upon the wider horizon of the future, what do we see? Many would say more chaos and an unhappy ending for humanity. Others recognize and actively participate in the pain incurred by mankind but see out of that experience coming a desire for truth, sharing, cooperation, group responsibility and a sacrifice of selfishness. Part of that revelation will include a movement toward simplicity, which will most likely translate as a sharing of goods and services. According to TIME magazine, that inclination is already gaining speed in what is called "collaborative consumption," where more stuff is rented and shared rather than owned. The green movement was the original impetus, but eventually this way of being will be part and parcel of the collective consciousness. A more enlightened people will look back on these consumer driven days and wonder what we were thinking.

Arab Children, You are the Generation

2011-03-19T15:37:00.005-05:00

ARAB CHILDREN,
CORN EARS OF THE FUTURE,
YOU WILL BREAK OUR CHAINS,
KILL THE ILLUSIONS . . .
YOU ARE THE GENERATION
THAT WILL OVERCOME DEFEAT.

~ Nizar Qabbani, 1970

Of Note: On December 17, 2010, the Arab world changed forever. For Americans, that happened on September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center went up in flames; other countries have their own dates when things would never be the same. For the Arabs, it was the day that a young Tunisian man was slapped by a policeman and then arrested for selling vegetables without a permit. The day after his release, the man set himself on fire in a public square. This act of martyrdom inspired other Tunisians to cry "Enough!" with such force that their entrenched dictator fell within weeks. Egypt was next and now Libya is taking its turn. Other Middle East nations have been beset by protests and a variety of government responses: some violent, others conciliatory. What we are seeing is a region set aflame by the liberating thoughts and subsequent actions of a long oppressed people. Many scholars and diplomats believed that the Arab culture was incompatible with democracy. What a myopic thought that any people would accept slavery over liberation forever because of cultural mores. The world has a long history of revolution and eventual liberation, which reflects the evolution of humanity's consciousness. This onward and upward movement continues unabated even though often from the outside it appears to have stalled, stopped or regressed. We can have faith that humanity as a whole is always moving in a direction toward more freedom and the recent adjustments in the Middle East are an outward sign of a great inward reality.

Strive Diligently

2011-03-17T13:25:00.003-05:00

ALL COMPOSITE THINGS DECAY.
STRIVE DILIGENTLY.

~ The Buddha

Of Note: These were the reputed last words of the Buddha. Strive is a scientific term in ageless wisdom and used among other things to energize students to concentrate, contemplate and meditate without concern for the outcome. The Masters, who see the whole picture, only ask that aspirant and disciple strive toward evolution of consciousness, knowing the outcome is inevitable but over many lifetimes. It takes faith to continue to strive toward a far off goal, but that is what is asked of us as we step onto the Path. Onward and upward always.

Today's Weather Report: We are having a pre-spring heat wave at 55 degrees Fahrenheit! Last year we had an early spring as well with no more big snows after March. So, the snowplow is coming off the truck today, which marks the end of winter. Now we will just have to cross our fingers that the decision to do so was right. On another note, a US-led team of scientists have announced that the lost city of Atlantis may have been discovered in Spain. According to this source, the ancient city was swamped by a tsunami. They relied on "deep-ground radar, digital mapping and underwater technology to survey the site" and old texts by such luminaries as Plato. HP Blavatsky and others speak of Atlantis not as a city but as a huge land mass, formerly situated where the Atlantic is now. It sunk over a period of time spanning several hundred thousand years, and most of it is now buried by miles of sediment at the bottom of the ocean. Plato's remarks concerned the last remaining land mass of the Atlantean continent. The recent discovery is important, however, because it brings to light a subject that is usually accompanied by scientific derision. Once again, science will most likely bring illumination to a topic that needs to see the light of day.

Guiding the Crying Ones into the Place of Light

2011-03-15T13:55:00.004-05:00

Those who have demanded to
be saved have cried aloud,
their voices penetrate into the formless
world and there evoke response.

Those who in distant eons have pledged
themselves to save and serve respond.
Their cry too rings forth and, ringing,
penetrates into the dark and distant
places within the worlds of form.

And thus a vortex is established and kept
alive by that constant dual sound.
And then a touch is made and for a
space and during time, the two are one --
the Saving Souls and the Units to be served.

Slowly the vision of the Saving One
becomes a light which guides the
Crying Ones into the place of light.

~ Old Commentary

Of Note: In times of trial, it would seem that no one is listening to our cries for help. On the contrary, the Divine Onlookers are doing all they can to assist Humanity in its spiritual birth. This is a process, however, not an event. Humanity must do the work necessary to succeed by raising its voice for the good of all and leaving the world of selfishness and materialism behind. But rest assured, the process will ultimately prove successful because mankind has the mind to get there once it has the desire to do so.

Today's Weather Report: Melting snow greets anyone venturing outside today at 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The sunshine beating down helps as well. If a person wanted, he or she could get a tan. This seems of little moment, however, as Japan continues to reel from its multiple problems following the earthquake last Friday. Now a potential catastrophe looms at a nuclear reactor site where the word "meltdown" is being heard. Already, a no fly zone has been imposed on the airspace over the site, and large areas have been evacuated. Some radiation has escaped at low levels. The collective consciousness of the Japanese is particularly sensitive to this issue following their World War II experience. Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and energy continue to go out to them.

Where is the Ship?

2011-03-13T12:57:00.005-05:00

THE SHIP? GREAT GOD, WHERE IS THE SHIP?

~ Herman Melville

Of Note: After the ship in Moby-Dick was rammed by a sperm whale, these famous lines were uttered in disbelief by the ship's captain. Similar lines have probably been repeated over and over by the people of Japan, who have been upended by the cataclysmic 8.9 earthquake and resultant tsunami. Thousands of pictures of the devastation are available on-line. One by one they show the impact of nature's forces upon man-made structures, many which are totally demolished. The debris is piled up in mountains of destruction as onlookers stare in dismay. Japan has been strengthening its defenses for another big earthquake following Kobe in 1995. Much had been accomplished such as beefed up warning systems, public education and buildings. But nothing could prepare a country for one of the largest tremblers in history accompanied by a tsunami created so close to land that those on shore had no warning of the impending catastrophe. Our hearts, thoughts, energy and prayers go out to the people of Japan during the coming months of recovery and rebuilding. It is at times like this that we realize how connected we really are.

Today's Weather Report: It is another warm day at 34 degrees Fahrenheit though thick clouds envelope the sky. On days like this, the snow melts slowly but steadily. When it gets thinner, one rain can take most of it out. On another note, NASA reported that Earth actually sped up by 1.6 microseconds because of a shift in Earth's mass following the mega-quake in Japan. Interestingly, the larger quake in Sumatra in 2004 caused a 6.8 microsecond shortening of the rotation. A microsecond is one-millionth of a second; so, we are not talking great amounts here, only enough to keep a scientist at NASA busy.

Kindness in Another's Trouble

2011-03-12T18:36:00.007-06:00

LIFE IS MOSTLY FROTH AND BUBBLE,
TWO THINGS STAND LIKE STONE,
KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE,
COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.

~ Adam Lindsay Gordon

Of Note: Marc Gold is a philanthropist in a genre all by himself. Four months of the year he raises money to give away the other eight. He does not have a fancy office or raise millions to feed the poor. His model is quite different: raise a small amount of money every year and give it away in small portions to people he meets on the streets as he travels the globe. Gold's only possessions are a couple of duffel bags and boxes, which he keeps in his modest Bangkok office-hotel room. A former San Francisco teacher, at age 61 he lives off retirement savings and a modest pension. His mantra is simply this: "You give it to me, I give it to them." Examples of his largess included the repair of a rickshaw, which collapsed as he was riding in it. The driver broke down in tears explaining that this was his livelihood and home. $40 later, the vehicle was repaired, and Gold's only requested that the driver use the rickshaw once a month to carry someone in need. Another time he bought $1 worth of medication that saved a child's life, who lived in a Tibetan home where he had been invited for tea. Since he began this journey, this altruist has touched the lives of 50,000 with small amounts of money but in big ways. 4,000 people now contribute each year to his efforts. Others have caught the bug and are following in Gold's footsteps. One acolyte wisely said: "It changes you inside when you have a chance to give." And that's the point, isn't it?

Today's Weather Report: Snow was falling this morning ever so lightly, and it accumulated in spots. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit right now, it will most likely melt pronto. Although I have to say, if we are going to have a sunless day, it might as well be snowing. A snow day is quite relaxing to watch as the whirling flakes descend in random patterns. Mesmerizing, really.

Go Where There is No Path

2011-03-11T19:20:00.005-06:00

DO NOT GO WHERE
THE PATH MAY LEAD,
GO INSTEAD WHERE
THERE IS NO PATH
AND LEAVE A TRAIL.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Of Note: The census takers in India were making their final rounds last week before the Sunday deadline. These intrepid public servants were responsible for counting India's 1.2 billion people across 1.2 million square miles--a daunting task indeed. As far as census challenges, few nations compare to India. Most of the land is rural rather than urban and spans from the Himalayan Mountains to islands in the Bay of Bengal, where indigenous tribes, protected by the law, cannot be directly approached. Years ago, due to fears of contamination, the Indian Supreme Court declared these tribes totally off-limits including the airspace over the islands. Thus, census takers approached in boats, threw out coconuts, fruits and other gifts, and took videos of the inhabitants as they waded out to pick up the offerings. At last count in 2001, they numbered 39. No one has any idea what the 2011 numbers will be as the video is currently under lock and key in the national census office. One wonders why the islanders need counting considering they are off-limits to outside contact. Would that not include the intrusion of the census itself?

Today's Weather Report: The morning was gloomy and chilly but the sun popped out at 2 PM and the temperature rose to 40 degrees Fahrenheit! That is almost a spring day in the northwoods. On a somber note, my condolences go out to the nation of Japan, which suffered an 8.9 earthquake this morning accompanied by a deadly tsunami. The death toll is estimated in the tens of thousands. One put it at 88,000 dead. Apparently, one astrologer placed the blame on the "super moon" that will herald the spring solstice next week. That was quickly pooh-poohed by the powers that be, who declared that astrology was not real science, so what did it know. Although astrology has gotten a bum rap in the last couple hundred years often for good reason, for centuries upon centuries it was the preeminent science and was studied by all notable intellects of the day. It is predicted that some day, in a new form, astrology will return to its rightful place in the Halls of Learning. Its treasures will then be revealed for those with eyes to see.

Our Real Journey

2011-03-10T19:58:00.003-06:00

OUR REAL JOURNEY IN LIFE IS INTERIOR.

~Thomas Merton

Of Note: Companies spend lots of money on their distinctive logos. Over time, the trade marks change to reflect the current culture. A review of the symbols suggests that they have become simpler in design, and one by one the names of the companies are being eliminated. Starbucks Coffee just this week announced a new logo without its famous name. Nike dropped the name from its logo in 1995 when its famous swoosh mark no longer needed accompaniment. Why? As companies globalize their brands, names have been the first to go. What's more, research has shown that a rounded design is more pleasing to the eye, especially in India and Asia where economies and populations continue to grow rapidly. CBS has been the one company that got the simple circle design down from the beginning. Its round eye logo has remained the same since 1951. As our consciousnesses evolve, we begin to see the simple patterns in nature. A circle in particular catches our attention because it is the most basic symbol in creation. Divinity works in mysterious ways. Could be that the collective consciousness is being primed by these advertising changes for a recognition of simplicity presented in circles. Farfetched, maybe. But often advertising agencies are the first to recognize what is just around the corner.

Today's Weather Report: What a glorious sunshiny day at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. There was not a cloud in the sky as I shopped in town with a friend. The heat wave had melted much of the snow and ice in the parking lots, which made the adventure much safer for me and the octogenarian. Our road into the house is already getting "squishy" in spots, and that means the drive in has to be done with confidence so as not to get stuck. Moving forward without stopping no matter what is the best option in these conditions that will only get worse before getting better. But I'm not complaining......this kind of worse I can handle!

Man as a Strand in the Web of Life

2011-03-09T13:52:00.007-06:00

WHATEVER BEFALLS THE EARTH
BEFALLS THE SONS OF THE EARTH.
MAN DOES NOT WEAVE THE WEB OF LIFE;
HE IS MERELY A STRAND IN IT.
WHATEVER HE DOES TO THE WEB
HE DOES TO HIMSELF.

~ Chief Seattle (1786-1866)

Of Note: Using sophisticated air current tracking methods, scientists from NASA have been able to watch as clouds of haze from China sweep across the globe and deposit acid rain in such far off places as the Great Lakes in as little as four days. South Korea and Japan are daily recipients of the industrial pollutants spewed from China's factories, smelting plants and other pollution producing facilities while the rest of the globe receives it share more sporadically depending on prevailing air currents. The Middle Kingdom has been slow to step up to its environmental responsibilities, but changes are coming from an unlikely source--Chinese environmental activists. The government is slowly enacting new environmental regulations but implementation has been slow. 3,500 activist groups have stepped into the void as enforcers. Surprisingly, they are being allowed to work. Why? Research has shown that China is losing 8% of its wealth each year to pollution, which has also caused a myriad of health problems and crop failures. Eventually, the problems could lead to violent social unrest. Allowing activists free rein backed by new regulations has put group pressure on companies to literally clean up their acts without strenuous governmental enforcement, which could translate into a win-win situation for all involved. Symbolically, the activists represent the rest of the world in efforts to get to the source of a problem that can only be solved at the grassroots level. We can send them the energy of love on the same air currents that bring the pollution, thus lightening their burden.

Today's Weather Report: Another gloomy day with no sun, although the temp sits at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The last couple of sunny days were so refreshing to the soul and mind. The space shuttle Discovery landed in Florida for the last time today in excellent weather. Each of the other two space shuttles will have a last flight this year as well. Then, the program will be mothballed. Interestingly, private enterprises will be given a chance to see what they can do in space. Hopefully, the powers that be have mapped out the legal aspects of sharing the "last frontier."

Naught Can Withstand the Pressure

2011-03-07T23:05:00.002-06:00

Disciples and aspirants must on every
hand live harmoniously and love.

The violent vibrations of our
surroundings must be stilled by a
strong counter-vibration of love,
remembering ever that as we
work on the side of evolution,
the power of the Godhead itself is
with us and available for use.

Naught can withstand the steady
pressures of love and harmony when
they are applied long enough.

~ Alice A. Bailey

Of Note: As our brothers and sisters in Libya seek liberation, we join with them in sending lighted, loving energy their way. Often we give up too early with our efforts before the energy has time to do its work. The Masters remind us that continued pressure from the vibrations of love and harmony will inevitably be successful, even if from the outside it might look like the opposite. External appearances can be deceiving. It is often what is happening just under the surface that makes a difference.

Today's Weather Report: We were having a veritable heat wave today at 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Water was pouring off the roof so it must have been above freezing there. I cleaned house from the first floor all the way to the fourth in a kind of spring cleaning frenzy. Well, with me it was a slow frenzy and will take several days but it felt good getting the cobwebs out of the corners. The energy in the air is changing, and spring is coming. All I can say is alleluia; we made it through another winter though a large dump of snow is predicted for Thursday.

Man is the Medium

2011-03-06T19:12:00.009-06:00

MAN IS THE MEDIUM BETWEEN
SPIRIT AND MATTER;
HE IS BETWEEN THE VISIBLE
AND THE INVISIBLE WORLD.
HE SUMS THEM UP IN HIS PERSON,
AS IN A UNIVERSAL CENTER.

~ Adrien-Emmanuel Roquette

Of Note: Ever heard of synthetic telepathy? Nope, didn't think so. That is because until now the Army was keeping a tight lid on the topic. Not so any longer. A lengthy article ran this month in Discover magazine as to how scientists were tapping the brain for ways to telegraph thoughts between soldiers via a "thought helmet." One of the lead researchers had been interested in the subject since the 1940's when he saw such a contrivance used in a science fiction classic. He had no idea that in 2008 he would be leading the laboratory that was trying to produce such a device, which would serve as a direct link between mind and machine. In the beginning, the scientists had no idea even where to start. Slowly they put together experiments that produced results, such as the difference in brain waves as volunteers thought different sounds like ahh and ohh. Along the way they have even made discoveries about basic brain functioning. At this point in time, the innovators are not sure if they will be able to create helmets that will provide communication in complete sentences, but so far the transmissions of Morse code thoughts have been almost 100% accurate. Not bad for three-years of work. It is predicted that one day telepathy will consciously be the main means of communication. Even now, it is a major communication method, but mostly at an unconscious level. But the experiments by the Army and others as published in popular magazines will pave the way for the concept to enter the mass consciousness via the media. This will lay the foundation for the acceptance of telepathy as the superior means of human communication with all the kingdoms in nature.

Today's Weather Report: The 20's Fahrenheit again predominated the thermometer. Seemed to be the norm most of the winter. Only a few days was it really frigid cold....well, maybe a few more than a few, but this time of year all that is forgotten. It's like having a baby; all the pain is forgotten once the little thing makes that first cry. I predict that one good rain would put most of the snow to bed for the winter. Last year in late March, spring began showing its face, and we can only hope for the same this year.

You Who Are Called by a Thousand Names

2011-03-05T21:45:00.004-06:00

MOTHER EARTH, YOU WHO ARE
CALLED BY A THOUSAND NAMES,
MAY ALL REMEMBER WE ARE
CELLS IN YOUR BODY
AND DANCE TOGETHER.

~ Starhawk

Of Note: Starhawk reminds us that we are cells in the body of Mother Earth, but that begs the question: what was the origination of that cellular life? One researcher thinks he might have the answer and his findings were published this month in the Journal of Cosmology. Dr. Richard Hoover, an astrobiologist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, believes he has found signs of fossil life in a meteorite that fell in 1846 and thought to date back 4 billion years. Some pooh-pooh his idea, saying that this represents contamination after the projectile landed on earth and believe the evidence should have been published on April 1st. However, Dr. Hoover is sticking to his assertion that the fiber-like structure seen under electron-microscopy looks similar to cyanobacteria and an inability to detect any nitrogen means the structure is ancient. The controversial scientist responded: "I can only make my observations based on the evidence that I see . . . if the structures are confirmed to be of biological but unearthly origin, that would serve as fresh evidence that life can make its way through outer space and 'seed' planets, including our own." We can only hope that scientists like Dr. Hoover continue to observe and publish. Visionary pioneers like him are the hope that someday scientists will uncover the origins of life in the universe, leaving the naysayers in the dust.

Today's Weather Report: The sun shone periodically at 14 degrees Fahrenheit but I did not step outside to find that out personally. Various phone calls from friends took up the whole afternoon, and it was dark by the time the last one was finished. Even though we have email, texting and tweeting now, nothing can beat the phone for staying really connected to other human beings, and I would highly recommend it.

We Plant Seeds

2011-03-04T20:13:00.003-06:00

WE PLANT SEEDS THAT WILL
FLOWER AS RESULTS IN OUR LIVES,
SO BEST TO REMOVE THE WEEDS
OF ANGER, AVARICE, ENVY AND DOUBT,
THAT PEACE AND ABUNDANCE
MAY MANIFEST FOR ALL.

~ Dorothy Day

Of Note: Anger, avarice, envy and doubt are the killing foursome because they cut off Light and Love from finding a home in the mind. The fearsome four are fueled by a culture of the perfect body, coupled with the perfect bank account, coupled with the perfect lifestyle at a breakneck speed. Eventually, over many, many lifetimes, the allure and glamour of this type of false perfection wears off, and we are left with nothing. No-thing. Only then can we see the cleared ground on which seeds of Love and Light can be sowed. The process is painful, yes, but we are up to the test. It is the same for humanity as a whole as it is for an individual. That means that we are tested both singly and as a group. However, only when the group succeeds are we really free. So next time we see a struggling soul, lend a hand and help them up for only together will we enter the Kingdom of God. The faster the better.

Today's Weather Report: It is 32 degrees Fahrenheit tonight, and things are really drippy outside. Maybe it will stay this way for a few days and melt some snow. If it freezes tonight, we will have more ice. There is already a thick ice layer under the snow, so this will just make the layer thicker. A good friend of mine broke her hip this week, not on the ice but at work. Hopefully, by the time she is out and about, the snow will have receded so she doesn't have to worry about falling when she walks outside.

As Above, So Below

2011-03-03T19:43:00.003-06:00

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.

~ Esoteric Truism

Of Note: Scientific American ran a short article this month on a new computer imaging technique that shows how brain cells communicate--one molecule at a time. This new rat-based model took four years to build at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The 3-D reconstructed image shows not only the structure but also a single neurotransmitter dispatch and was pictured on a two-page spread. Rather than well constructed cells like we learned about in biology, neurons are long, misshapen and irregular structures made up of axons and dendrites. When these two meet, neurotransmitters are released in a cascade that spreads out in the wide spaces between cells. Seeing this picture reminded me that ageless wisdom teaches we are cells in the Mind of God at some level. As scientists delve more deeply into brain structure and begin to actually see how the cells look, we might be surprised at how similar the picture is to photographs of our universe. It might also give us insight into how irregular our universe might be at scales larger than we can imagine.

Today's Weather Report: It was cold again this morning but warmed up to a balmy 25 degrees Fahrenheit today. What a gloomy day, though. I was sure it was getting ready to snow but it never did. The snow would have been welcome and given us something to look at besides gray on gray. The seed catalogs have started to arrive, though, and the colorful photos give us a welcome reprieve from looking at the expanse of white outside the window. March is always hard as we wait for the first hint of spring in April. Let me tell you, everyone is northern Wisconsin is ready for spring but this year particularly so.

The Essence of an Atom

2011-03-02T16:24:00.004-06:00

WHY EXERT TO PROBE
THE ESSENCE OF GOD?
WHY STRAIN THYSELF BY
STRETCHING THY LIMITATIONS?
WHEN THOU CANST NOT CATCH
EVEN THE ESSENCE OF AN ATOM,
HOW CANST THOU CLAIM TO KNOW
THE ESSENCE OF GOD HIMSELF?

~ Farid Ud-din Attar

Of Note: It is a surprise that Mr. Attar who lived in the 12th century would be talking about atoms. He obviously knew something. Could be that this mystic was tuned into the tenets of ageless wisdom, which teaches about atoms, electricity and universal laws only "discovered" in the 20th century. As a matter of fact, in the early 1900's the Masters of Wisdom predicted the rise of nuclear energy as part of the liberation of humanity from work. Thus, it has been troubling that the initial missteps in the production of nuclear energy has translated into a freeze on the future growth of this divinely inspired creation that gets very close to the essence of Life itself. That may be changing. Bill Gates and Nathan Myrhvold, a former Microsoft employee, billionaire and polymath, have teamed up to create a traveling wave reactor. This device measuring 10 by 13 feet produces nuclear energy through an untried but promising method and uses spent fuel from its larger counterparts. What's more, it would run for decades without human intervention and could be buried underground. The duo is ready for the next step, building a version of the reactor, but must first find a utility company customer and country to host the device. Some environmentalists are up in arms about the dangers of nuclear plants of any type. Mr. Myrhvold responded that he "hopes the process will speed up and spark innovation to meet the world's growing energy demands. Let's try 20 ideas. Maybe five of them will work. That's the only way to invent ourselves out of the pickle we are in." The Gates--Myrhvold team might not succeed at first, but my bet is on their combined brain power, influence and money. The Masters send their emissaries to help mankind at times of need. Who knows if these two haven't been sent as well.

Today's Weather Report: Another 20 degree day here in the northwoods. The sun was shining brightly so made it feel warmer than it actually was. Everyone was enjoying themselves in town especially at the car wash where I finally cleaned the accumulated salt and road grime from the Jeep's exterior. Now the vehicle sparkles again. Not that the result will be long-lasting but at least for the moment the paint gets a reprieve from the salt attack.

When Nothing Else Will Burn

2011-03-01T13:37:00.005-06:00

BURNING YOUR WAY TO THE CENTER
IS THE LONELIEST FIRE OF ALL.
YOU'LL KNOW YOU HAVE ARRIVED
WHEN NOTHING ELSE WILL BURN.

~Mark Nepo

Of Note: Many think we are here to be happy. Far from it. The School of Earth is the path of pain and ultimately liberation from the thralldom of matter. Thus, pain and liberation are inextricably linked. Life after life we reach one plateau of liberation after another through pain and move our way up the ladder of evolution. It is the same for nations as it is for individuals. This is what we are seeing in the Middle East where the beleaguered throngs are literally fighting for the life of their nations. While a majority of people of this region lived on less than $2 a day, the former dictators thought they could escape the lessons of pain by living on the billions stolen from their nation's treasuries. The largess was secretly hidden in banks and real estate all over the world, but particularly in Switzerland, the United States, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Britain where vanguards of attorneys, accountants and bankers watched over the stolen goods. Not anymore. Because of global pressure to clean up its act, Switzerland led the way with laws that make it easier to trace ill-gotten gain. Many other countries have followed. The former head of the US Justice Department unit that tracks such things reflected: "Banks must now take reasonable measures to establish the source of wealth and source of funds related to their customers and the beneficial owners of the funds." Following the circuitous path traveled by this stolen money is quite difficult as the bad guys have had quite a head start. However, the gap is closing as governments begin to take this problem seriously. The sums are staggering. A January report from Global Financial Integrity put the figure at $1 trillion annually. That is each and every year $1 trillion is going into the coffers of a handful of kleptocrats and their families. A day is coming when those enormous funds will go to the people to whom they belong. The enriched citizenry will discover that Earth is still a school of pain but by pushing their thieving leaders out they will take their nation's lessons up a notch on the evolutionary path to freedom. It is quite an inspiration to watch, and we help the lighted cause by sending our energy.

Today's Weather Report: At 39 degrees Fahrenheit, water is dripping from the roof. It is quite warm outside; a light jacket is all that is required. No gloves. I have often wondered what turtles do in the winter. Come to find out, not much. After burying themselves in the mud, they turn off their oxygenating systems and go without for the duration. They do this by breathing once every ten minutes with little brain activity. Their shells produce minerals that offset a buildup of lactic acid, which would otherwise kill. The whole recently discovered process is quite amazing for a lowly turtle, which resides in great multitudes in the lake out front. It will make me look on them with more respect as they bask in the sun on shoreline logs or steal the fish bait for the umpteenth time.

Duality as Manifestation of Unity

2011-02-28T18:38:00.006-06:00

The apparently contradictory
principles and operations and forces
of nature are in reality positive and
negative aspects of the same thing.

The duality which we find throughout
nature is merely a manifestation of unity.

~ Dr. A.S. Raleigh

Of Note: As Libya goes up in flames and Egypt and Tunisia settle in with new governance, another quiet revolution is taking place. This is not a revolution of tanks and guns, which represent the positive, outgoing aspect of men but liberating change brought by the negative, receptive aspect of women. Repeatedly research has shown that "if you want to change the world, invest in girls." Problem is that less than 2 cents of every development dollar goes toward girls, and 90% of programs are aimed at boys. This must change. Those in the know agree that education and health care directed specifically to the needs of girls, whose safety must be guaranteed, is urgently needed. An official at the World Bank wrote: "Investment in girls' education may well be the highest return investment available in the developing world." But this lofty goal will go unrealized if families depend on girls to survive. Some spend as much as 15 hours a day fetching water, wood or tending the fields. Thus, infrastructure that provides water and fuel is often the first step in communities not accustomed to educating girls. Humanity can only reach its Divine Destiny when both its aspects are expressing their full potential. When that day comes, and it will, a Great Revolution called Awakening will sweep the globe, and peace will surely prevail. Until then, investment in girls is the key to an incremental, quiet revolution, a necessary precursor to the big day.

Today's Weather Report: Another balmy day at 24 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun was out in all its refulgence. That's a fancy way of saying it was crisp and bright with just a hint of sparkle in the air. March is quickly approaching and with that comes the winds of the changing seasons. As winter departs, spring surges in forcefully. We know then that spring is on the way. My sister, Marie, sent pictures today of her lovely daffodils blooming in Dallas. Seems hard to believe any place on Earth has daffodils blooming when we have a foot of snow on the ground in places. But it was nice reminder that our daffodils won't be that far behind--only two months. Not too long in the scheme of things.

Love Everything

2011-02-27T18:57:00.005-06:00

LOVE THE ANIMALS,
LOVE THE PLANTS,
LOVE EVERYTHING.
IF YOU LOVE EVERYTHING,
YOU WILL PERCEIVE THE
DIVINE MYSTERY IN THINGS.
ONCE YOU PERCEIVE IT,
YOU WILL BEGIN TO COMPREHEND
IT BETTER EVERY DAY.
AND YOU WILL COME AT
LAST TO LOVE THE WHOLE
WORLD WITH AN ALL-
EMBRACING LOVE.

~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Of Note: Love is not an emotion nor is it an action; rather it is a Way of Being, our natural state of existence. To arrive at this natural state, however, we must experience love on every plane. Thus, for our consciousness to evolve, we must do loving things, feel love while doing them and have the right loving thoughts......over and over for many lifetimes until we get into a habit of love. At first it is a struggle because the lower self does not recognize that it is a Divine Being of Love. Eventually with enough striving, the light bulb goes off and recognition after recognition pours in until the Path back to the Father's house is trod. This trek is inevitable, and we have been assured that no matter what it looks like from the outside, all paths lead to the same Source. It is the timing that differs. Some take the more difficult path up the mountain while most take the longer path around it. No matter. Striving toward Love starts it all.

Today's Weather Report: Here I go on again about it being a balmy 22 degrees Fahrenheit but that is indeed the case. It doesn't beat the 70 degrees in Texas or Florida. I got to hear about this truly balmy weather from my Mom and daughter today as we chatted on the phone. They wanted to wish me a happy birthday as did many others by email. I appreciate the outreach from each and every one as today was a quiet day here with little going on. This marks the third anniversary of my George W. Bush Time Capsule in which I put articles about him during his last year in office. It was that year in particular that he was truly disliked. I plan to open this time capsule in 2034 when I am 80 to see how the world has judged him. If I am not here, I've asked my daughter to do so and, rest assured, I will be watching from the other side.

Difference in Belief

2011-02-25T11:57:00.003-06:00

TOWARD NO CRIME HAVE
MEN SHOWN THEMSELVES
SO COLD-BLOODEDLY CRUEL
AS IN PUNISHING DIFFERENCES
IN BELIEF.

~ James Russell Lowell

Of Note: The people of the Middle East now believe that liberation from tyranny could well be close at hand. This change has gotten the attention of various leaders in the region, who have shown decidedly different responses. The King of Saudi Arabia, just back from a three month's stay in Morocco where he had surgery, has announced reforms that his people have wanted for years. However, many have said he has not gone far enough and are demanding more. Even the "liberated" people of Iraq staged a "Day of Rage." The most curious response was that from Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who lectured the Libyan leader for gunning down protesters in the streets while at the same time doing it himself. Recent clashes in Iran with police over solidarity marches for Egyptians left at least two dead. Ahmadinejad ranted on TV: "This is very grotesque. It is unimaginable that there is someone who kills and bombards his own people. I strongly advise them to let nations have their say and meet their nation's demands if they claim to be officials of those nations. Of course, anyone who does not heed the demands of his own nation will have a clear fate." Hear, hear. The president should pack his bags as these words, though probably blocked in Iran, will get back to the beleaguered citizens of that nation through other sources. Certainly they will take exception with such political hypocrisy. It might be the final straw for them.

Today's Weather Report: It is 16 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. Good news! There is plenty of snow for the Birkie cross country ski race set for Hayward tomorrow. 11,000 people have signed up, which is an all-time record. Most of us will stay home because of the crowds, though a friend and I will venture forth in mid-afternoon to see the race stragglers ski to the finish line. The elite skiers finish in a few hours; the back-of-the-packers take hours and hours, and I'm sure appreciate the cheers as they finish the race.

Source of All That Is

2011-02-23T12:05:00.005-06:00

Eternal spirit --
Earth-Maker, Pain-Bearer, Life-Giver;
Source of all that is and that shall be;
Father and Mother of all.

Loving God, in who is heaven,
the hallowing of Your name echoes
through the universe!

~The New Zealand Prayer Book

Of Note: Have you ever asked why God needs us at all? Why He just doesn't do it without us--certainly an Entity which is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent doesn't need a mere human. Or does He? The answer is yes, He does. Ageless wisdom teaches that God is not conscious as we understand the term and comes to KNOW through us as He evolves. The breadth and depth of this "knowing" is beyond our imagination but the synthesis of all our experience is Humanity's contribution to the universe and ultimately God. Our responsibility is enormous, but Humanity slowly but surely appears to be awakening to its destiny as a Light-bearer. Ever onward and upward--both for Humanity and for God.

Today's Weather Report: It's another balmy day of 22 degrees Fahrenheit, though cloudy as well. Everyone agrees that this winter has been more cloudy than usual. Of course, that is just anecdotal information coming from residents with cabin fever. The message above is a reprint of the blog from December 4, 2009, which I came across when creating the blog book yesterday. It could be called an "oldie but goody" and provides information that may be new to some people, that of an evolving God.

The Subtlest Form of Torture

2011-02-22T14:01:00.005-06:00

TO BE NEAR SOMETHING
BEAUTIFUL OR PRECIOUS
BUT BE UNABLE TO
EXPERIENCE IT IS THE
SUBTLEST FORM OF TORTURE.

~ Robert Johnson

Of Note: Many believe that the United States has a destiny to disseminate democratic principles to the rest of the world. Proponents of the proselytizing avenue think that books about creating democracies are an excellent way to spread the word. As a matter of fact, the U.S. State Department is one such advocate and has had a project to do so for 25-years called the Arabic Book Program. Its objectives have included "translating into Arabic, publishing and distributing selected books from American writers in various areas including economics, management sciences, politics, humanities, arts and the environment." That basically covers all the bases, though philosophy and religion are not mentioned. So how has it done over the years with its stated objectives? A recent report by the State Department's Inspector General gives it poor marks. For beginners, the program has only translated 6 to 10 titles a year and distributed few of those to libraries in the Middle East. Many of the titles are chronically out of stock. What's more, translated works include Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club and several recent works on environmentalism. While these may be entertaining or informative, core documents have been left untouched, such as The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Further, there is no prioritization of its limited resources "on primary source documents of political philosophy or books that constitute expositions on core principles that can assist struggling nations." The United Nations has even weighed in on the issue. A 2002 Arab Human Development report stated: "Translation is one of the most important channels for the dissemination of information and communication with the rest of the world." Many believe it is time for the Arab Book Program to step up to the plate and take seriously its charge. With the current fiery energy engulfing the region, minds may be clamoring for information on democratic principles that has been kept for years just out of reach.

Today's Weather Report: The sunshine today has made the difference between a gloomy disposition and a happier outcome. At 24 degrees Fahrenheit, it's almost balmy. My sister, Marie, teased me recently about calling anything in the 20's balmy. But it's the truth after a long winter with many days of subzero temperatures. Today I will finish up the last of three books that contain all the blogs I wrote from 2007 through 2010. There are over 800 pages of blog material plus the same number of pictures. Marie has kept me in pictures since the beginning, although I've contributed some as well. Thanks to her, the blog is enlivened daily with a gorgeous scene of one kind or another. Plus, she keeps taking new ones from which to select. All I can say is please keep it up.....I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Something has to Change

2011-02-21T13:40:00.005-06:00

PAIN IS OFTEN A SIGN THAT
SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

~ Mark Nepo

Of Note: Many thought that Moammar Gadhafi, the dictator of Libya, was on the way to reform when he turned over his nuclear arsenal a few years back. The United States and others responded by opening trade to the country. Eventually, oil began to flow. Last week all that changed when protests erupted in the capital of Tripoli. Over the weekend, the obviously frightened regime sent in the heavy guns including military aircraft and mowed down protesters. 200 were reported dead. During this drama, other protesters took over the coastal city of Benghazi after bloody fighting. Gadhafi's son vowed to fight until the last bullet. Many wondered what they were thinking by brutally killing their own citizens. Two military pilots defected to Malta with their aircraft because they refused to fire on protesters. Libya's ambassador to the United Nations called for the feckless leader to step down and declared allegiance to the Libyan people as did other Libyan diplomats around the world. The Libyan Justice Minister stepped down as well to "protest the excessive use of force against unarmed protesters." Many pundits predicted the end of the Gadhafi regime. One said: "These really seem to be last, desperate acts. If you're bombing your own capital, it's really hard to see how you can survive." Others said, yes, but he and his regime will go down fighting. Around the world, freedom-loving people are joining with the protesters in solidarity during these raging days in Libya. Where this fire storm takes the region is anyone's guess at this point. It appears not to be abating, however, as the winds of change sweep Yemen, Syria, Algeria and other Middle Eastern countries.

Today's Weather Report: It is a mild 16 degrees Fahrenheit and overcast, deeply so. A very small amount of snow fell this morning, but nothing is happening now. We didn't get the 3 inches forecast for Cable let alone the 12 inches for Hayward. The storm must have dumped someplace else. Apparently, Minneapolis got 13 inches by 9 am. The Birkie cross-country ski race people must be unhappy at this outcome since we needed the snow for the race. However, we do have snow unlike some years when we had zilch at this point in the season.

Sit Down Before the Fact as a Child

2011-02-20T19:02:00.005-06:00

SIT DOWN BEFORE THE
FACT AS A LITTLE CHILD,
BE PREPARED TO GIVE UP
EVERY PRECONCEIVED NOTION,
FOLLOW HUMBLY WHEREVER AND
WHATEVER ABYSSES NATURE LEADS,
OR YOU WILL LEARN NOTHING.

~ Thomas H. Huxley

Of Note: Food is becoming a problem. In several countries around the globe, rising food prices are creating social unrest and instability. Two entomologists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands have suggested that a cure for food insecurity might be found in eating bugs. Yes, those six legged creatures we usually like to eradicate from our homes, yards and gardens. These insect proponents tell us that we need an alternate supply of protein other than meat, and insects provide a source high in protein, B vitamins and minerals and low in fat. As we look toward a more sustainable future, other reasons surface as well. Consider this. Ten pounds of feed equal one pound of beef but six pounds of insects. They produce less waste including greenhouse gas emissions, use little water compared to their 4-legged brethren, and like to live stacked up in crowded conditions. Besides that, they can be raised in urban areas, including a garage. We could eventually go to our insect growing box and extract dinner. Insects have actually been eaten for thousands of years, and we get some every time we eat peanut butter or chocolate. The two professors provided a recipe for Crispy Crickets so we could see for ourselves how tasty insects were: preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Strip the antennae and wings from 20 - 30 clean, frozen adult crickets or 40 - 60 cricket nymphs. Spread the stripped crickets on a lightly oiled baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until crickets are crisp, about 20 minutes. Yield: one cup. These can be used in salad or combine in a Chex Mix for added protein. Bon appetit! More enticing recipes are available in The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook by David George Gordon. Who knows, we could be on the cutting edge of the next big food movement.

Today's Weather Report: The wind is howling, and we are preparing for a winter storm to hit at any time. The question is the amount of snow we are to get. 12 miles south of here a foot is predicted; 7 miles north, 3 inches. That leaves us almost square in the middle so who knows. We will know more when we awaken in the morning. Minneapolis is supposed to get 18 inches or more. They have really gotten bombarded with large amounts of snow this winter. Not here in the northwoods, and we would have welcomed it. The Birkie cross-country ski race is next weekend, and the foot of snow, if it materializes in Hayward, will be a godsend. The 40 degree temps we had last week really reduced the snow, and the organizers were getting worried. No more.

Governed by Fire

2011-02-18T11:38:00.004-06:00

ALL THE WORLD UPHEAVALS AND SPIRITUAL
SHIFTINGS ARE GOVERNED BY FIRE.

~ Master Morya, Infinity II

Of Note: Everything that we can see is a product of the Fire of Mind; that is God's Mind. Fire has three aspects: electric, solar and fire by friction, the latter representing all that is visible. Fire is governed by universal law and follows a cyclical pattern of construction, destruction and rest--over and over until the final product has attained perfection. Real perfection is liberation from matter but that is in the distant future. In the here and now, what we are seeing in the Middle East is cyclical energies governed by universal law and directed by the fiery minds of men and women bent on liberation. The spark of freedom is a Divine Fire planted in each of us and when fanned, its flaming forth is unstoppable, especially when motivated by Love. The news today holds stories of protesters killed in Bahrain, threats of death to the opposition leaders in Iran and violent protests in Libya and Yemen. Thousands of Syrians held a peaceful protest in Damascus. The Middle Eastern leaders seem to be in shock at the rapidity of the spreading fire, and most are responding in their usual thuggish ways. Someone should send them a memo: the time has come, and they should pack their bags. The energy of change has come and will only get brighter with further oppression. Danger lurks, however, and the successful protesters should be aware than into any vacuum can come good or bad. They will find that it is easier to succeed in fanning the flame than in governing. This is where the United Nations could play a leading, non-partisan role. We can only hope that its leadership is working to assure meaningful transitions in any overthrown governments that result from this current Middle Eastern conflagration.

Today's Weather Report: Apparently, at 5 am a blizzard was forecast, and it was snowing to beat the band. When I got up a few hours later, the sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly. It was hard to believe that snow had been falling only a few hours before. Icy conditions are so perilous outside, it is dangerous to walk. The dogs are even slipping. Today, planning for a wilderness arts conference begins at the house of a friend. It is tentatively scheduled to take place in the fall at a local college. Some might ask what a wilderness arts conference is? The gathering will bring artists of all stripes, photographers, authors, singers and songwriters to share their ideas and artistic work in an environment set afire by a common interest in wilderness and the environment. If successful, this could become an annual event.

We All Have the Potential to Turn a Life Around

2011-02-16T19:27:00.005-06:00

TOO OFTEN WE UNDERESTIMATE THE
POWER OF A TOUCH, A SMILE, A KIND WORD,
A LISTENING EAR, AN HONEST COMPLIMENT,
OR THE SMALLEST ACT OF CARING,
ALL OF WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL
TO TURN A LIFE AROUND.

~ Leo Buscaglia

Of Note: We often think we have to serve in the soup kitchen line to make a difference. Or give money to a good cause in order to offset karma. Or go to church regularly and give generously. While there is no doubt these are good things to do, such action is not necessarily a requirement. Leo Buscaglia has it right; the energy transmitted from one person to another through the simplest acts create a field in which love flows freely. Both giver and receiver benefit as does the entire planet and all kingdoms of nature thereon. This is Love-in-action, another name for redemptive service. No training is necessary and anyone can do it. What's more, the giving is free. It is up to humanity to open this force field of Love through compassion activity while at the same time learning to be Love itself. The natural state of humanity is Love, and the day we recognize this fact is the day we are truly set free.

Today's Weather Report: Egad, it was in the mid-forties Fahrenheit today. Melt water is flowing everywhere, and the townspeople were more cheery than I've seen them in months. It won't be long, and sunflowers like this will be peeking their heads above the ground. Well, a few months yet, but I'm optimistic about an early spring. Today I received the book I produced from the 2010 blogs. It is not intended for sale but will be a record for future generations what "grandma" was doing last year. When time permits, I will go back to the beginning in December 2007 and publish those as well. A Website called Blurb, of all names, made the process simple although not exactly inexpensive. On another note, the Esoteric Glossary is in its second proof stage and, hopefully, will be ready for publication next weekend. These two projects have kept my winter full of purposeful activity, another name for Love-in-action.

We Make the Path as We Walk

2011-02-15T19:05:00.006-06:00

WALKER, THERE IS NO PATH,
WE MAKE THE PATH AS WE WALK.

~ Antonio Machado

Of Note: 99% of the voters in the recent southern Sudanese election voted to secede from Sudan. By any measure, that is called overwhelming consensus for independence. Now the populace must translate the desire for liberation into governance of a post-war nation with little infrastructure, education, healthcare or commerce. They must forge a new path out of whole cloth. One such visionary, Driuni Jakani, is transforming his rural home town through an organization he created called Lacha Community and Economic Development (LCED,) which was recently recognized as a Community-based Organization of Excellence by the USAID. Jakani enthusiastically described the three-fold mission of his organization as promotion of peace, agriculture and gender equality. This project now employs 10 people as it carries out its various activities including the introduction of oxen to plow local farms, which has increased agricultural production substantially. Its biggest success to date has been the election of three women as village chiefs. Jakani worked for two years with local women to increase their skills and confidence. In addition, he convinced the men to agree to have women at their meetings. He explained: "What happened when the women began to participate is that when they spoke they made a lot of sense to people." He predicts a real turnaround when women, the previously silent half of their population, learn to read and write and participate in decision-making. Others have found that the prevalence of peace increases when women participate in government because they are more reluctant to send their sons to war. We can only hope for the same in Southern Sudan. With advocates like Jakani working in their communities, this new path to peaceful freedom will undoubtedly be successful.

Today's Weather Report: What a gorgeous day at 40 degrees Fahrenheit! Only a light jacket was required when venturing forth. The sun even cooperated and shone brightly all day. Cabin fever was forgotten as the rays flowed through the eyes and enlightened every brain cell. It was slippery, however, and caution was in order. My Mom said her daffodils are already coming up in Dallas. I told her to send me a picture once they grew a little taller. In New Zealand, summer would be coming to an end. That thought brings some global perspective to the cycles we call seasons.

You Tread on my Dreams

2011-02-14T12:52:00.004-06:00

I HAVE SPREAD MY DREAMS
UNDER YOUR FEET;
TREAD SOFTLY, BECAUSE
YOU TREAD ON MY DREAMS.

~ William Butler Yeats

Of Note: It comes as no surprise that the opposition movement in Iran has latched on to the energy of liberation streaming from Egypt. After all, they were the forerunners, who in June 2009 took to the streets after allegedly fraudulent elections kept President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power. Even after a strident governmental backlash, the Iranian opposition was barely contained and ran right under the surface of a seemingly peaceful social fabric. Not any longer. Tens of thousands took to the streets after a rally was called by opposition leaders as a show of solidarity for their Egyptian brethren. Spewing tear gas and beating anyone in their path, the Iranian security forces came down hard on the protesters. Government officials also cut phone lines, continued their blockade of the Internet and prevented opposition leaders from attending the event. Visiting President of Turkey urged Middle Eastern governments "to listen to the demands of their people." He implored: "When leaders and heads of countries do not pay attention to the demands of their nations, the people themselves take action to achieve their demands." It is a wise man who understands that little can stop the dream of freedom from coming to fruition once set loose. Iranian opposition leaders, feeding on the energy of liberation flowing from Egypt, would undoubtedly agree and have said the protest today was just the beginning. Based on recent history, Ahmadinejad and his gang would be smart to pack their bags for a speedy exit.

Today's Weather Report: The sun keeps teasing us by peeking out from behind the clouds then disappearing again. It's like a game of hide and seek. Walking today is treacherous at 26 degrees Fahrenheit. The 40 degrees we had yesterday melted the surface and made it slick. During other spells like this in years gone by, many have fallen; emergency rooms have filled with people complaining of broken bones and other mishaps. On another note, the snowplow is now working again but needs further repair because of a screeching noise under the hood. We need to take care of that pronto before the next snowfall. I purchased this snowplow a few years back when the old one became totally unreliable and will make sure this one does not end up the same way.

Origen: Thou Art aSecond World in Miniature

2011-02-13T13:10:00.004-06:00

THOU ART A SECOND WORLD
IN MINIATURE THE SUN AND
MOON ARE IN THEE AND
ALSO THE STARS.

~ Origen

Of Note: Legend has it that Origen, who returned to guide the fledgling Christian church from 185 - 254 AD, was an incarnation of Jesus. This theologian and Church Father was the first Christian scholar of his day and was "largely and ultimately responsible for the coalescence of Christian writing, which became the New Testament." During his heyday, he kept seven stenographers and an equal number of scribes busy taking down his works and was called upon to provide the final word on all matters relating to Christian theology. Origen promulgated the belief of Universal Salvation and the underlying need for purification of the soul through reincarnation. This idea was held by four of the six schools of Christian philosophy at the time and continued until the 6th century. During the politically-motivated Fifth Ecumenical Council in 553, Emperor Justinian's opposing idea of eternal damnation and torment was recognized as the truth. Following this pivotal gathering, Origen and others were declared heretics after which all their writings were destroyed. For this reason, Origen is little known outside academic circles and few of his works remain. It is a pity for he carried the torch of knowledge brought by Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato, whose scholarship has inspired and informed every generation since. It is predicted that one day Origen will return and take the reins of the Church, which denounced him. At that time, He will reintroduce the concept of Universal Salvation so sorely needed on Earth at this time, and the reign of terror brought by the concept of eternal damnation will end. That is the true meaning of liberation of which the recent Egyptian success is but a foreshadowing.

Today's Weather Report: Our January thaw has finally arrived at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is melting from the roof. No sunshine has accompanied the day, however, so I would not go so far as to say it's balmy. My Esoteric Glossary: From the Writings of Blavatsky, Bailey and Roerich is in the proof stage and near publication. It is amazing to see years of work in one 264-page book, which will be available within two weeks on Amazon.com. All proceeds will go to the Lucis Trust, which has kept the works of Alice Bailey and Master DK in circulation for 90 years or more.

Love Knoweth No Laws

2011-02-11T13:22:00.011-06:00

LOVE KNOWETH NO LAWS.

~John Lyly

Of Note: Love is messy and often chaotic. If we want to see Love-in-action, we need look no farther than the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, the Ukraine, Poland and, yes, even France and America in days gone by. During these protests for freedom, the masses "bring their heart into tune with God." When tension is at the right note, nothing can stop the energy released. Harnessing the power of the masses is also being used to outsource science projects around the globe. Thousands of volunteers use their Internet connections to accelerate solutions to scientifically-based problems such as "scouring microscope images of interstellar dust particles collected from the tail of a comet." If that one brings yawns, gamers in particular have been invited to solve on-line puzzles that "figure out the shapes of hundreds of proteins, which in turn can lead to new medicines" www.fold.it. All of these projects recognize the love-in-action means relationship and the Internet can be its tool. Interestingly, when the Egyptian government totally severed this connection for the whole nation, determined protesters created work-arounds in no time, and the government's actions simply added fuel to the fire. That should provide a cautionary note to other repressive nations, which are undoubtedly taking notes. A few weeks ago over his morning cup of tea, President Mubarak was thinking about the upcoming election in which his son would run and win. Today, he is gone. Power of the people also translates as Love-in-action, which has the potency to release vast amounts of energy when motivated by the good of all. That should not be forgotten by any ruler.

Today's Weather Report: Another cloudy day in the neighborhood at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. That beats the very frigid weather we have had this past week. Tomorrow the temps are forecast to be in the upper 20's or low 30's! This might be our late January thaw. The malfunctioning snowplow will appreciate the warmth. So will I when I go to fix it tomorrow. On another note: Discover magazine named the five worst countries to surf the Web. The first was China, which came as a surprise. If we had any doubts, however, we were prompted to go to China's most popular search engine www.baidu.com and type in "Tiananmen Square massacre." The other four repressive Internet countries came as no surprise: North Korea, Burma/Myanmar, Iran and Cuba. It is my guess that all are primed for revolutions of their own. As a matter of fact, Cuba has been mentioned as possibly the next target outside of the Middle East. Maybe by coincidence, maybe not, just this week Cuba was connected to Venezuela with its first fiber-optic line. Seems that Internet connection = change, so Fidel and Raul should be wary.

Not Shut Up in a Cloister

2011-02-10T11:54:00.006-06:00

THE BLESSINGS PROMISED US
BY CHRIST WERE NOT PROMISED
TO THOSE ALONE WHO WERE PRIESTS.

WOE UNTO THE WORLD, INDEED,
IF ALL THAT DESERVED THE
NAME OF VIRTUE WERE SHUT
UP IN A CLOISTER.

~Heloise

Of Note: Heloise, a French nun, writer, scholar, mystic and abbess who lived from 1098 - 1164, knew of what she spoke. Before becoming a nun, she lived a double-life as consort and then secret wife of the famed nobleman and philosopher Peter Abelard. Back then, a nobleman could not marry a woman from a humble background but that social more did not stop a destined couple from uniting and producing a son, names Astrolabe. Heloise's uncle and protector did not take this lying down and proceeded to have Abelard attacked and castrated while at the same time physically abusing the new mother. The star-crossed couple then entered separate monasteries to escape the uncle's wrath, only to begin a florid, romantic correspondence that lasted many years. Abelard put an end to it eventually and the writings that followed showed the brilliance of both minds at a time when European scholarship was in a dark. period. Heloise eventually overtook Abelard in renown for her insightful and scholarly writing at a time when women did not rise to such heights. Abelard's greatest claim to fame was his marriage to this remarkable woman. Both are remembered for their deep and abiding love for the other, and the names Heloise and Abelard have gone down in history as the quintessential example of star-crossed lovers.

Today's Weather Report: It was a frigid -25 degrees Fahrenheit last night--surprising for a February day. This is typically a January temperature. While it is colder than cold here, it has been heating up even more in Egypt where President Mubarak has announced that he will step down this evening. Even though the masses may not understand it, the energy they have been producing is shooting out in all directions and having a profound effect upon the environment. While gloating over the fall of perceived enemies, the leaders of Iran and Syria believe they are immune from fiery trajectories. That is surely a misconception on their part, and they should watch their backs. A window may be opening where the beleaguered population in the Middle East will use the fire produced to proclaim freedom from dictators, who have held them down for so long. Freedom is not something we gain; it is something we already have as part of our divine inheritance. We give it away until we recognize these facts. One recognized, however, the energy released will not be held back and will burn anything in its path. That is just what we are seeing now. We can help by consciously adding our supportive thoughts to the crowds, many of whom are making the ultimate sacrifice for the good of all.

A Tolerable World

2011-02-09T10:39:00.008-06:00

WHEN YOU MAKE A WORLD
TOLERABLE FOR YOURSELF,
YOU MAKE A WORLD
TOLERABLE FOR OTHERS.

~ Anais Nin

Of Note: When Egypt erupted in protests a few weeks ago, nine criminal-minded individuals took advantage of the ensuing chaos to loot the Egyptian Museum, which had been abandoned by police. The thieves broke the prominent glass roof, rappelled down by ropes and then proceeded to break cases and rummage through the exquisitely displayed antiquities. The locals were not amused by these thuggish activities so cornered the thieves and held them, much to the surprise of the museum's storied overseer, Dr. Zahi Hawass. At the same time, after 1,000 looters rampaged through the building, protesters formed a human fence around the institution until the military arrived in tanks. A professor of Egyptology in Cairo proclaimed: "It's remarkable, really. People are protecting their cultural heritage and reconnecting with their past. It's a shift." Much of this change can be attributed to Dr. Hawass's tireless efforts to educate the public and create more cultural appreciation of their pharaoh ancestors. Meanwhile, at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the 10-year old library funded by UNESCO, the Egyptian government and others, youths held hands around the structure to prevent similar looting or vandalism. The director stated that not one stone had been thrown at the glass facade even though many other buildings in Alexandria had been destroyed or severely damaged since protests began. Since it opened, the library has served as a bastion of political reform and civil liberties and would have been an easy target. 50 volunteers and 50 staff members made sure it was not. As Egypt goes up in flames, the Phoenix of liberation may arise out of the ashes. Many can thank concerned and caring locals for making sure the ashes did not include irreplaceable antiquities and books.

Today's Weather Report: Man, was it ever cold today at 4 degrees Fahrenheit with a stiff wind! The wind chill must have been well below zero. Unfortunately, I had to work on the snowplow today but my -40 degree Iditarod suit made the job possible. It did not make the truck start, however. So, tomorrow the task will continue in warmer weather; at least that is the forecast. Errands took me to Hayward, and surprisingly town was very busy though everyone walked VERY quickly to get into a store. There was no dawdling, that was for sure.

Go and Catch a Falling Star

2011-02-08T19:12:00.005-06:00

GO AND CATCH A FALLING STAR,
GET A CHILD A MANDRAKE ROOT,
TELL ME WHERE ALL PAST YEARS ARE,
OR WHO CLEFT THE DEVIL'S FOOT,
TEACH ME TO HEAR MERMAIDS SINGING,
OR TO KEEP OFF ENVY'S STINGING,
AND FIND WHAT WIND SERVES
TO ADVANCE AN HONEST MIND.

~ John Donne

Of Note: Romania, the land of Dracula, doesn't know where to stop in its current witch hunt. Just last month, the country began taxing witches, fortune tellers and soothsayers. Some of the ladies thought that gave credibility to the ancient profession while others threw poisonous mandrake root into the Danube "in order to put a hex" on government officials. Now a bill is in the works that would impose a fine or even prison if the seer's predictions did not come true. Furthermore, the new legislation would require all witches to have a permit, provide receipts to customers and bar them from locations close to schools and churches. Last week the controversial bill passed the Romanian Senate but must go through other steps before becoming law. Now the beleaguered women have been joined by political pundits, who say the government has gone too far. One politico remarked: "The government doesn't have real solutions, so it invents problems." The moon-worshiping witches have more problems than this. Last year scientist determined that the moon was shrinking. According to the teachings of ageless wisdom, one day it will actually disappear. When that day comes, witches will have to turn in their cards and capes. Before then, however, they might have to move out of their ancestral home to a friendlier environment. Maybe California should send out an invitation and see what the group could do about the state's enormous deficit, which is larger than the budget of many countries.

Today's Weather Report: A cold front moved in last night, and it dipped to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. By morning it had risen to -4 degrees. Right now it is 4 degrees above zero but will fall again during the night. The sun shone brightly today and was quite welcome after days of gloom. We have plenty of snow to protect the perennials in the garden but those getting hit with cold, sleet and snow in other parts of the country might not be so lucky. According to family in Dallas, more bad weather is expected tomorrow, which could affect their flower gardens. Only time will tell.

The Comet Speeding through the Infinite

2011-02-07T12:56:00.010-06:00

The purifying fires of the Universe
penetrate all regions of the planet.
The sparks of conflagration spread
along all channels of karmic action.
The Cosmic course is directed toward
these purifying conflagrations;
hence the comet speeding through
the infinite.

~Master Morya
Infinity II (1930)

Of Note: President Ronald Reagan convened an international meeting to discuss the fate of Earth if struck by an asteroid. It may come as a surprise to many that governments and scientists take this possibility very seriously. NASA even has an operation called the Near Earth Object Program, and Russia has a similar agency. Recently, that Russian group announced that an asteroid called Apophis, larger than two football fields, was on a collision course with Earth. They predict that we will take a direct hit on April 13, 2036. Officials at NASA were quick to pooh-pooh the idea: "Technically, the Russians are correct; there is a chance in 2036 that Apophis will hit the Earth. However, that chance is just 1-in-250,000." It all comes down to a gravitational keyhole, an area in space only slightly larger than the asteroid itself. If Apophis in 2029 goes through the tiny keyhole, it will be drawn inextricably to Earth. That is why NASA said the chances are slim to none. A more likely scenario? As the asteroid swings by Earth in 2012 or 2013, space agencies around the globe will collect data about its path. If there is any chance the hefty celestial object will hit the planet, NASA and the other space agencies will change its course through an arsenal of asteroid-adjusters. If it sounds like the stuff of which Sci-Fi is made, it is. However, back in 1930, Master Morya spoke of an approaching comet that would bring karmically purifying fires. Could it be that Apophis is the one of which He was speaking?

Today's Weather Report: Having just been outside trying to get the snowplow working, I can attest that it is frigid and feels much colder than the 9 degrees Fahrenheit it is. Must be the wind, which does it every time. Until talking with family last night, I had no idea that northern Texas took such a hit last week with ice and snow. Egad, last Friday they had 5 inches of snow! What's more, they are expecting more this week. Can't remember a year when Dallas got hit with winter storms more than us. Al Gore blames these freaky conditions here and in other countries on global warming. Many laugh at him because of the apparent paradox of his statement, but who is to say. I could see a scenario where excessively cold, snowy and rainy weather conditions could be caused by unusual warming elsewhere.

This is Perfect

2011-02-06T12:54:00.003-06:00

THIS IS PERFECT. THIS IS PERFECT.
PERFECT COMES FROM PERFECT.
TAKE PERFECT FROM PERFECT,
THE REMAINDER IS PERFECT.

MAY PEACE AND PEACE AND
PEACE BE EVERYWHERE.

~ The Upanishads

Of Note: The Upanishads presented a grand lesson in higher mathematics. Perfect + Perfect = Perfect while Perfect - Perfect = Perfect. If this was so, however, it would defy the laws of mathematics. What the ancients knew that we generally do not is the interior laws of the universe which are often unintelligible to those living exclusively exterior lives. They knew and thus lived the simple Truth that everything is Perfect because it springs from a Be-ing called Perfect. Most of us cannot imagine such an exalted BE-ing. Meditation provides the method to meet Perfect--not that it will happen overnight. But eventually, over many lives, the eyes to see open, and, oh, what a sight! Striving toward this recognition is our destiny as human beings. When humanity as a whole knows Perfect, the Universe will rejoice and move on in Its own evolution. It awaits the day with great anticipation.

Today's Weather Report: Our warm spell continues at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Many are preparing for Super Bowl parties this evening. Some of us have other things to do though wish everyone watching the game well. On another note: the Esoteric Glossary upon which I have been working is now at the "ordering the proof" stage. This culminates three years of work and is a labor of love. It is still amazing to me that an 10-inch long box of index cards all painstakingly handwritten with definitions and quotes from a myriad of sources translated into a 264 page book. All proceeds, if any there be, will go to the Lucis Trust, who pointed the way.

Preserving Sacred Places

2011-02-05T20:13:00.007-06:00

WE MUST PRESERVE OUR SACRED PLACES
IN ORDER TO KNOW OUR PLACE IN TIME,
OUR REACH TO ETERNITY.

~ N. Scott Momaday

Of Note: Wangari Maathai has always been a practical woman. That's why in the 1970's when she wanted to tackle environmental issues in her native Africa, she started off with a simple solution to a seemingly complex problem like soil erosion. She thought: "Why not plant trees? They will hold down the soil, are inexpensive and have both symbolic and real value." She saw herself as the hummingbird, who flew above a fire and released a few drops of water from its beak onto the towering flames. Asked why it bothered, the tiny bird replied: "I'm doing the best I can." Maathai felt the same way. In the last 40 years, her Billion Tree Campaign has planted 11 billion trees across the globe, and it won her the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Her Green Belt movement espouses four key values: love for the environment, gratitude and respect for the Earth's resources, self-empowerment and self-betterment and the spirit of service and volunteerism. She said these ideas came from God. That may be true because they are quite similar to the spiritual values often mentioned in this blog. Her next project is the building of the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi and "will emphasize learning by doing and applying knowledge to real problems," particularly in her own backyard. These practical visionaries with simple solutions are the hope of Africa. We can then watch ideas spawned here by lighted and loving energy spread to rest of the world. The developed countries might be in for a surprise when solutions come out of Africa that may well save the planet.

Today's Weather Report: I called yesterday balmy at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, right now we have that beat with 29 degrees! This is me last July sitting under a tree like a toad next to the Namekagon National Wild River, which runs adjacent to my house. Back in the 1960's, a salvaging project was begun to save this river from further development and eventually bring it back to its original state. Little by little easements were purchased and homes bought out. Those that got to stay for a spell have died or moved on. The river is now enjoyed by anyone who wants to venture forth into the swarms of mosquitoes that guard the shoreline. They were thick the day of this photo--thankfully, insect repellent now has a more pleasing odor than in the 1960's when this all began.

The Risk to Bloom

2011-02-04T11:41:00.006-06:00

AND THEN THE DAY CAME
WHEN THE RISK TO REMAIN
TIGHT IN THE BUD WAS MORE
PAINFUL THAN THE RISK TO BLOOM.

~Anais Nin

Of Note: Few would believe that during World War II Muslims would protect Jews from the Nazis. But that is exactly what happened. Turns out that Albania, Europe's only Muslim country, offered visas to fleeing Jews. Honoring an ancient code to take in all guests, this movement was led by King Zog himself. Other countries offered limited visas which took weeks to procure; the United States had a quota system. In the midst of this, Albania stepped up to the plate and offered all-told 3,160 visas the very day they were requested. A Canadian-Albanian man, who has been documenting this story for years, emotionally reported: "It is the greatest untold story. This is the only country in Europe where all Jews were saved....The only country. It reflects what a society can be at its best." Another writer said that this was not a case of a person here or there taking in a Jewish family rather whole villages protecting its Jewish occupants. Under the ancient social protocol called Kanun an "Albanian's home is first the home of God and second the home of the guest." It has been invoked numerous occasions in the past such as the times when the impoverished Albanians took in Austro-Hungarians in 1917 and former Italian occupiers during World War II. In a recent interview, one Albanian reflected: "Why did we do it? We saw the Jews as brothers. As religious but liberal Muslims, we were only doing our duty." It would appear that the Albanian's have something to teach the rest of the world through this story of "hospitality, sacrifice and religious harmony." Now it is up to us to repeat it over and over until the energy of these actions reach every corner of the globe.

Today's Weather Report: Right now it is snowing to beat the band and stands at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Interesting that we get snow AFTER the huge storm that pummeled the Midwest this week. That's AOK, because we needed it to freshen up the scenery. After awhile, the crisp, white snow gets dingy and dirty and screams for a new layer so that the landscape looks picture-perfect again. The two dogs came in covered with snow and wherever they laid down, a puddle of water was the result. Thankfully, we have cement floors downstairs and wooden floors upstairs, which makes cleaning up the water a cinch. I will be venturing forth this afternoon to town for errands and hope to have a safe trip. If nothing else, it will be a winter adventure in the northwoods.

A Simple Smile

2011-02-03T20:48:00.004-06:00

I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND ALL THE
GOOD A SIMPLE SMILE CAN ACCOMPLISH.

~Blessed Mother Teresa

Of Note: Ever notice how flowers seem to be smiling? Or how they automatically bring a smile to the face of anyone seeing their beauty and grace? It is like flowers emanate the energy that brings on a smile by being a smile itself. They don't even have to try like we humans, who must "put on a smile" in order to appear cheery. Few people do it without effort. Just think how the world would change if we emanated the same smile energy as a flower. Someday we will learn that lesson but right now we will just have to take notes from our vegetable kingdom friends.

Today's Weather Report: The plants are sleeping under the snow while the sun shone brightly today across the snow. It has created a heat wave at 19 degrees Fahrenheit. The poor Midwest got dumped with record-breaking snow and ice the last few days. In northern Wisconsin, we did not see any precipitation at all. Darn. Many locals say the cold of winter is behind us, and an early spring is on the way. Last year we saw spring in March, and that is next month already. Can't imagine with all the snow we have at the moment, spring next month. But we can't discount the venerable locals.

One Touch of Nature

2011-02-02T17:40:00.004-06:00

ONE TOUCH OF NATURE MAKES
THE WHOLE WORLD KIN.

~ William Shakespeare

Of Note: Oil has made the whole world kin. This abundant natural resource has grown to influence all aspects of global life particularly in the political and economic realms. Governments are created and broken over oil revenues as factions fight over the black crude. Many African nations suffer from the "resource curse" that describes how billions of dollars can be produced annually from oil production but the majority is lost to corruption, conflict and mismanagement while the bulk of the people live on less than $1 a day. What to do? Nigeria has an idea. The leaders of that nation want to create a sovereign wealth fund, which would invest excess oil revenues directed to building national infrastructure and an economic stabilization program with the balance set aside for future generations. The Nigerian Parliament will vote on the proposal April 9th. If the idea succeeds, its energy could influence other western African nations, which also suffer from the "resource curse," and those nations, which have recently discovered oil, like Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Today's Weather Report: Wow, the sun shone brightly today and the high was 8 degrees Fahrenheit. I say "Wow" because almost a third of the country was getting pummeled by snow and ice. The mega-storm apparently touched 100 million people in one way or another. While this was going on, Australia was assaulted by a huge cyclone that disrupted life on its Barrier Reef side. On the heels of the apocalyptic flooding last month in other parts of the country, the people are wondering what possibly can happen next.

Why Should We Feel Alone

2011-02-01T13:06:00.004-06:00

WHY SHOULD WE FEEL ALONE?
IS NOT OUR PLANET IN THE MILKY WAY?

~Henry David Thoreau

Of Note: The Internet connects every corner of the world these days. Or at least it should. Without Internet connection, a country is isolated and incapable of advancement in every arena including political, financial, social, educational and medical. Africa, where connectivity is often simply a dream, is a case in point. Why? Civil wars and other unrest plus corruption poisoned the continent particularly during the 1990's when underwater broadband cables were being laid. Where satellite connection exists making Internet connection available, the cost for service is often 100 times or more what developed nations spend. For example, a modest one-megabit-per-second connection can cost $5000 a month in Sierra Leone compared with $35 in the USA. Based on this sorry state of affairs, the World Bank stepped up to the plate on January 20th and approved a project in Sierra Leone and Liberia that promised a "major infrastructure revolution." This came on the heels of a similar project in 2010 that connected the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal with high speed cable to Europe. The World Bank and others realized that connectivity was essential for sub-Saharan Africa to evolve. One official said: "A good Internet connection is a means of reaching development goals. Affordable Internet can help farmers bypass middlemen, allow sick people in rural areas to get medical care remotely and help increase government transparency." Of course, other infrastructure is essential for the connectivity everyone envisions, including electricity, which is rare in rural areas. But the city folk look toward an immediate future when they will be able to actively engage in world activities electronically. We can then welcome these nations into the global network and watch as the connectivity changes them forever.

Today's Weather Report: As the rest of the USA anticipated the mega-winter storm from hell, we are looking at sunny skies and 17 degrees Fahrenheit. From the weather map, it looked like we were right on the edge but others won't be so lucky. I say lucky, but am jealous that some will get snow they don't want, and we in northern Wisconsin would welcome a little freshening up.

Six Impossible Things

2011-01-31T13:15:00.004-06:00

"One can't believe impossible things," Alice said.
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen.
"When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day."

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as
six impossible things before breakfast."

~ Lewis Carroll

Of Note: Western university students are accustomed to taking a variety of courses from those that satisfy the head like the hard sciences to those that quench the longings of the heart like philosophy, human nature and justice. This is not the case in China where only strict academic subjects are offered. Thus, a booming Internet culture has been born that provides students the opportunity to audit courses not available at Chinese educational institutions from such luminaries as Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. Netease, one of China's largest Web portals that calls itself a "Digital Confucius," presents subtitled courses on a wide variety of topics including God and society in western literature, sustainable development, adolescent health and development, the history of jazz and Shakespeare's comedies, to name a few. Amazingly, one course, "Philosophy 176 - Death" taught by Yale's Professor Shelly Kagan, has a following of several hundred thousand Chinese! What's more, the courses have spawned on-line study groups, which are capped at 2,000 participants. Netease's deputy chief editor said: "Parents, the Communist Party, teachers all tell us what to do. But they all speak with the same voice. We are trying to teach people that there are different moral values, different choices." Thus, it might not be some overt political act that carries the energy of freedom to China but the subtle winds of change brought by global higher education via the Internet.

Today's Weather Report: Another gloomy day at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the weekend at the various funeral activities in the Twin Cities, everyone agreed that this winter has lacked in sunshine to the extreme. Chicago is set to get a dump of almost two feet of snow! We wish it would come farther north and blanket the north woods of Wisconsin, but it appears that the storm will stay to the south. The two feet that hit the Minneapolis--St Paul area in December is still quite evident. One road we drove was reduced to a little more than a single lane with tall snow banks on either side. I asked what would happen if another car approached.....my brother, the driver, did not respond as he tried to get to the end of that road as quickly as he could.

When the Heart is Open

2011-01-26T10:29:00.007-06:00

As one can see when
the eyes are open,
so one can understand
when the heart is open.

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

Of Note: Indonesians were surprised to wake up this week to a 70 meter crop circle in a local rice paddy. It was a first for the country. Crop circles have been found all over the world, and England is famous for its variety. Of course, man can make similar markings, and has. A few American farmers have sculpted such creations in their fields and handsomely supplemented their farming income. Japanese rice farmers have done something similar and formed elaborate culturally inspired pictures using different colors of rice. However, although similar, the self-created markings are not the same. Crop circles consist of bent stalks, not broken or mowed, in precise, unusual, some would say cosmic, patterns. They are always huge and can be viewed in full only from above. Scientists sniffed that the Indonesian crop circles were "man-made, of course" and would not even send a researcher to the site. A long-winded official with the Indonesian space program said: "We will not send investigators to the scene because we suspect the crop circle involves human intervention, not natural phenomenon, nor scientific phenomenon associated with outer space creatures commonly referred to as aliens." UFO proponents believed the sign was left by aliens. One resident opined: "I think they were left by an alien space ship like the one I saw on TV. It is impossible that this was made by wind or any animal." Could be that this was neither a hoax perpetrated by humans nor an alien intervention, but a message from our conscious planet to those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. If so, the communication has been made, and the field can now revert to its original form, leaving controversy in its wake.

Today's Weather Report: It's almost balmy today at 19 degrees Fahrenheit and heavily clouded. What I am waiting for is the January thaw when temps reach upward into the 30's but it better hurry because the month is almost past. Last night I wrote a blog that went poof on the last sentence. A single keystroke wiped out a full hour's worth of work. What a shame. It was about the Egyptian protests on the heels of the Tunisian uprising. The Christian Science Monitor predicted that the Tunisian energy would not proliferate--I disagreed because the energy of Freedom is unstoppable once begun. Today the CSM retracted their original prediction. On the positive side, the thoughts created by the blog went out into the universe anyway, even if not shared here. On another note: this will be my last blog until next Monday, January 31st, because I will be attending a family funeral in the Twin Cities, which will be a several day gathering of family and friends.

Thoughtful and Committed Citizens

2011-01-24T11:47:00.004-06:00

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

~ Margaret Mead
Culture and Commitment

Of Note: This past week more than one hundred members of the La Costra Nostra, otherwise known as the Mafia, were arrested on the east coast. A handful is still at large. Several of those indicted are in prison. When reading Mead's quote, we think that "thoughtful, committed citizens changing the world" refers only to people with the common good in mind. Think again. All organized crime, whether it be perpetrated through Russian mobsters, Chinese gangsters or Mexican drug cartels, is "thoughtful and committed and changing the world" but headed down the left-hand path. Each criminal group has their specialty, which range from white-color health insurance scams and medical fraud to more nefarious pursuits like gambling, drug-trafficking, prostitution, robbery, extortion and even murder. On this planet, where desire and material wealth are king, these criminals do very well and never lack followers. As a matter of fact, people are literally dying to get into their ranks. For now. We humans are being honed on this planet of pain by these fights between the good side and the bad side. It's always a knock 'em out kind of movie scenario between these and other pairs of opposites. One day we will look up and find that our minds will lead us through this astral world into the world of ideas where goodness and love prevail. When enough of us have done that, the dark side will simply destroy itself without the Light Side raising a finger. That is good because the Light Brigade will be occupied with other matters for the good of all. That day is coming; that new beginning is guaranteed. The timing is up to us.

Today's Weather Report: Cloudy again today at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Apparently, now that the full moon has past, so has the sub-zero temperatures. That is good because the boiler-man was getting weary filling it three times a day. On another note: thoughtful and committed citizens joined hands 30-years ago to end smallpox globally. The question then remained what to do with the final cache of smallpox virus stocks held by the United States and Russia. The two caches were set to be destroyed soon, but now the two governments have asked permission of the World Health Organization to keep them intact. Why? To counter a bio-terrorist attack using unsanctioned stocks. Seems to me the request signals that the two governments know or highly suspect such "unsanctioned" stocks exist in the criminal world. They must have convinced WHO's Executive Board, who will recommend to the full board in May keeping the smallpox caches. I am appreciative someone is watching these things, aren't you?

Enlightenment: A Process of Unlearning

2011-01-23T14:58:00.004-06:00

Enlightenment is not a process of learning,
it is a process of unlearning.

~Dr. Kat Domingo

Of Note: Learning is accomplished through accumulation of knowledge. Eventually, all that learning gets in the way of spiritual progress. Buddha's enlightenment bypassed the concrete mind of knowledge ruled by desire and went straight to the abstract mind where light as symbols rules the day. Here he could contemplate the true nature of Being unobstructed by any physical attachments. For mankind, who dwells predominately in the world of desire, the world of the Mind is the next stage of development. Buddha was the forerunner of this enlightened world; His Brother, Christ, was the forerunner of the next, that of Love. For much of humanity, these steps are in some future life, but we can see the inklings of humanity using its collective Mind right now. Take for example, the recent utilization of identification and shaming to halt the production of sodium thiopental, the lethal injection anesthetic. For years, groups have been trying the emotional route to halt the death penalty in the United States with little success. Although barbaric, some people simply believe it is the best way to get rid of violent criminals, and there seemed to be no way to get past it. The new, more mindful approach is to use the information made available through the courts, such as the previously secret names of manufacturers, to stop the production of the injectables used to kill human beings. Few manufacturers will continue production in the face of endless lawsuits and public derision. In response, the Attorney General from Arizona snapped back: "We will just have to turn to other drugs or other viable alternatives, like a firing squad." But will they? Could be that the day of the mindful approach has arrived and the emotional response will be relegated to the dust bin. Then the United States can join the rest of the civilized world, who on this measure were spiritually ahead.

Today's Weather Report: When I awoke this morning, the glorious sun was streaming through the window. It seemed appropriate to have this happen on SUN-day. However, the sunshine was short-lived and now thick clouds blanket the sky. It looks like snow is imminent. Last night it got down to -24 degrees Fahrenheit but has now climbed to 12 degrees--a good snow temperature. On another note: as follow-up to my blog on the Southern Sudan vote, it may come as no surprise that, in the first official tally, 98.6% of the population wanted to secede from its northern brother although the final result is not expected until February. It comes as no surprise because although the southern area is rich in oil, 90% of the people live on less than $1 a day. These impoverished folks believe it is time for a better distribution of the wealth. We will see how the north responds.

Becoming

2011-01-22T12:40:00.008-06:00

I MUST BE WILLING TO GIVE UP WHAT I AM
IN ORDER TO BECOME WHAT I WILL BE.

~ Albert Einstein

Of Note: Like a butterfly, each of us must metamorphose in our lifetime from the I am to the future I am. For most, the process is quite gradual and almost imperceptible; for others, it is a daily occurrence and from the outside looks rather chaotic. It is the difference between taking the slow road round and round to the summit of the mountain or going straight up. The slow road is less fraught with danger. In the evolutionary scheme of things, however, both are assured. The souls of nations are on the same journey, and this week Tunisia took a giant leap forward in a surge toward democracy. It was so sudden that many watchers were taken by surprise. Some had to retreat to maps to find out exactly where the northern African nation was. The autocratic, dictatorial and monarchical leaders of other Arab countries were most likely looking on in horror as the energy of freedom showed itself with such force. The long-time President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, fled this week with his family to France after bloody protests shook the country. Yesterday, even the once-feared police force joined the protesters as the residual government assessed what to do next. The officers, who earn only $350 or 250 Euros a month, had been accused of killing protesters, and they wanted to set the record straight. One quipped: "The government always made sure the people were scared of us but this must end. Also I don't want the blood of martyrs on my hands." They piled into their official cars, blew whistles and waved flags, happy to be able to protest for the first time in decades. This is the way of freedom--first comes oppression, then the seemingly unbearable crisis, which can lead to liberation if the combination of energy is potent enough. Seems the Tunisians, little that they know it, could ignite the powder keg of pent up freedom in the Middle East. It could be the big story of 2011.

Today's Weather Report: We are experiencing a heat wave at 1 degree Fahrenheit. It did get down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday morning and only warmed to 0 degrees. So this current temp is in line with the high from last night. The dogs think they are in heaven and simply like to lie in the snow with their noses buried. When they come in, we hear the clink-clink of ice between their paws against the floor. Misty goes at the ice like a dentist pulling a tooth, Chewy not so much. Thus, he clinks around for longer than she. Sometimes, they leave little ice cubes on the floor, which turn into puddles of water. That's why shoes are essential wear in this house; cold water pockets are no fun in stocking feet.

An Endless Prospect of Magic and Wonder

2011-01-21T15:26:00.006-06:00

I BELIEVE THE WORLD IS
INCOMPREHENSIBLY BEAUTIFUL--
AN ENDLESS PROSPECT
OF MAGIC AND WONDER.

~ Ansel Adams

Today's Weather Report: It was most likely the coldest day of the year at -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The full moon is most likely to blame since the full moon of January often brings the coldest day of winter. The four Chicago guys left the morning, each having a picture taken under the thermometer. They were gobsmacked by the frigid cold and had lots of stories to take home. This is me pointing to the evidence. I was only out there for approximately 30 seconds before retreating back to the warm house.

Be the Change

2011-01-19T12:46:00.003-06:00

We must BE the change
we want to see in the world.

~Mahatma Gandhi

Of Note: Little is remembered of the postwar diplomats at the United Nations, who wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a matter of fact, all are now dead except for one, a 93-year old French former Nazi resister and diplomat, who has re-emerged with a 30-page manifesto entitled, "Indignez-vous," or "Get Indignant." Stephane Hessel, a three-time escapee from Nazi prison camps, felt compelled "to blast the climate of antipathy, bias, and greed that is sapping France's spirit." The short document, first printed in an attic, has spread by word of mouth to over 1,000,000 million people, making it the number one best seller in a land dominated by books. His main thesis is that indifference or the refusal to think are the worst attitudes currently threatening mankind. "I can do nothing about it" spells death in his opinion. Hessel said: "By behaving in this way, we lose one of the essential components that makes us human." The elder statesman argues that the main problem facing the planet is the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and that terrorism in inefficient: "I am convinced that the future belongs to non-violence. It is through this path that humanity will be able to cross its next stage." Sounds like he has been conferring with the Masters of Wisdom, who promulgate the same concept through the idea of Tactica Adversa, which allows the enemy to destroy itself and clears the way for a future of non-violence. While we know that the Masters are warriors first, the Art of War promotes the use of the mind over the use of force, which will always prove victorious in the end.

Today's Weather Report: The sun was out a little while ago but now the clouds have moved back in. To date, no Arctic blast has hit, and it is currently 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold and clear would describe the conditions nicely. Turns out the Chicago boys are flying in but have yet to call from the local Hayward airport to say they have arrived. The local ice fishermen have been at it for hours with little to show for their effort. "One got away" is the closest they've come. It would be unfortunate if the visitors did not get to experience ice-fishing in northern Wisconsin in January. They had better hurry because it gets dark just a little after 5 PM.

The Riddle's Hidden Meaning

2011-01-18T19:01:00.009-06:00

WHAT HIDDEN MEANING IN THIS RIDDLE LIES?
~Johann Goethe

Of Note: Hacking has always had a bad name but that is being turned around. In November 2009 an unusual event called Random Hacks of Kindness (RHoK) was held in which hackers worldwide were invited to develop and improve tools aimed at helping emergency managers respond more effectively during disasters. The event was founded by such luminaries as Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, the World Bank and NASA. Will Pate, with the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Reduction, said: "We are taking back the world of hacking. This is an event where people are there because they care." Since then, the event has expanded to 21 venues across four countries with 1,500 participants. Another type of hacking for the good was recently revealed in which the governments of Israel and the United States were successful in infiltrating Iranian nuclear facilities with a worm called Stuxnet. This computer subterfuge set back Iran's nuclear warhead ambitions by many years, a fact that country vehemently denies. The plot reads like an espionage thriller. Computer scientists in super-secret global facilities created the ultimate worm, which not only attacked but also blinded the Iranian computers to it. 984 centrifuges were disabled in such a sophisticated and precise manner that computer security personnel in Germany, who reviewed the matter, knew professional government computer experts were involved rather than a handful of smart hackers. As it turns out, the Bush Administration began this effort that was eventually accelerated by President Obama in cooperation with the Israeli's Mossad intelligence agency. Doubtless the Masters of Wisdom were working behind the scenes as well. One was quoted as saying earlier in the 20th century: "Cosmic creativeness is intensified through battle, and it proceeds on all planes." That includes ours, the physical, where we are their surrogates in the fight for the common good against those who work in the other direction. It might surprise pacifists that the Masters are first and foremost warriors and wield a powerful sword of Light impregnated by Love. The battle for the light will be won in the end; that is guaranteed. The timing, however, is up to us. Apparently, hackers and other computer intellects will be a part of that fight for the good, and we are glad to welcome them into the fold.

Today's Weather Report: It was 9 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon, which has been pretty typical of late. The real news is the bone-chilling cold coming our way. Apparently, an Arctic blast is heading here tomorrow and sending the thermometer to -26 degrees. I will have to carry that -40 Iditarod suit in my car if I go anywhere the next couple of days--that and some really warm long underwear plus socks, gloves and boots. Don't want to get waylaid on a day like that. Cold or not, the local boys plan an ice-fishing party tomorrow with four newbies from the Chicago area. That should prove interesting. Wonder if they will last or end up in the warm house looking out? Who wouldn't miss such festivities are the two dogs, which are pictured above luxuriating today in the cold.

Imagination + Knowledge

2011-01-17T11:34:00.006-06:00

IMAGINATION IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE.

~Albert Einstein

Of Note: Many believe it is best to leave a vivid imagination behind with childhood as the Halls of Knowledge are explored. Higher learning is prized, and one's prestige goes up in our societies proportional to the number of degrees after a name. Master Einstein was not so easily fooled. He reminded us that past the Halls of Knowledge looms the Halls of Wisdom that cannot be entered without the key of imagination fueled by Love. Knowledge plus imagination sparked by Love leads to genius, which is underwritten by intuition. We see many pseudo-geniuses, who have yet to tap into the cosmic wellspring of loving intuition, strutting their stuff. It is easy to spot the pretenders because they invariably have selfish motives in mind rather than the common good. The day is passing when individuals like Master Einstein will be necessary to carry the torch of loving imagination + knowledge. Groups will one day be collectively and unselfishly genius and will guide the rest of the planet to a new place. Some believe it will be a colony on Mars or the Moon, but it will most likely be right here where we are--an Earth transformed by Loving Imagination coupled with Knowledge rightly used for the first time in the history of humanity. It is for that destiny that we work and serve.

Today's Weather Report: Snow is falling at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the light, fluffy kind and easy to shovel. I would call it perfect 20 degree snow--don't know what the Inuit would call it. What is this thing about birds falling from the sky in Arkansas, Louisiana, California and other states the past few weeks? Each location had its own reason for the massive and sudden die-off, which ranged from firecrackers over New Years to thunderstorms and lightning. None had been shot, but many showed a violent end. While state veterinarians are assessing the situations, local officials are advising calm since such bird deaths are apparently common according to biologists. Could be, but also could be that something is going on since such deaths have rarely been reported in the press or in such numbers. I will add it to frequent and/or strange natural events of late and simply watch.

Nuanced Brushstrokes to the Portrait

2011-01-16T19:41:00.009-06:00

In fact, if there is any lesson I have learned
in these years of following science,
it is that nothing is as it seems.

Instead, things are as they seem plus the
details you are just beginning to notice.

New truths rarely overturn old ones;
they simply add nuanced
brushstrokes to the portrait.

~ Natalie Angier
The Beauty of the Beastly

Of Note: The Hubble Space Telescope has done it again--found something in space that cannot be explained. This time it is a "mysterious giant green blob" in deep outer space that is "strangely alive." The formation is apparently female because it is giving birth to new stars outside of a galaxy, the usual stellar birthplace. What's more, it is in the "middle of nowhere" according to an astronomer, who examined pictures and data. The original discoverer was a lady--an elementary school teacher--who saw the object in 2007 during a worldwide Galaxy Zoo project and said it looked like a blue smudge. It took Hubble a few years to get a better look at this enormous Thing, which is the size of our own Milky Way and 650 million light years away. With a light year being approximately 6 trillion miles, that would make it 650 million times 6 trillion miles away. That means we will most likely never see it in person. Good thing we have Hubble out there scouting out new and unusual space objects. We will find that the universe is full of them--and that is just the visible ones. Some day scientific instruments will be sensitive enough to pick up the invisible ones, which will give the word mind-blowing new meaning.

Today's Weather Report: No one could escape the sun's rays today, but it was cold, cold at 1 degree Fahrenheit this morning. The temp only rose to 8 degrees as the day progressed. It was a delightful day for a drive, and that's just what I did. The back roads were fairly treacherous after all the ice we had at the beginning of the month, but that was fine at slower speeds. All the better to take in the gorgeous scenery. So often I forget to just "stop and smell the roses," or in our case, the spruce and pine trees, which grace our landscape. Around one curve was a herd of deer standing in the road with no intention to move. After a couple of honks, they moseyed out of the way not at all fearful of my vehicle. It's one of those deer that will become a car casualty at some future date. Knock on wood, it has been several years since I've experienced a deer-car bang-up and hope never to again.

Evolution: The Process of Subtraction

2011-01-15T11:33:00.009-06:00

God is not attained by a process of
addition to anything in the soul,
but by a process of subtraction.

~Meister Eckhart
(1260-1327)

Of Note: Mystics by definition are coming to know the Mind of God, and Master Eckhart was no exception. One of the first realizations he must have had was this: God is and, therefore, needs nothing of the physical universe, including us. No-thing. What's more, we humans have nothing to offer. So why did God create us in the first place if He doesn't need us, and we have nothing to offer? While that fundamental question is unanswerable at our stage of development, we do get hints from ancient texts that come to us from the dawn of time. Apparently, the word Quality has something to do with it. This abstract term describes "that" which is produced from the interplay of Life and matter. Consciousness is one Quality of this interplay. Could it be that the Entity we call God is an evolving Consciousness and is exploring the seven qualities or principles of Mind described by ageless wisdom? While we will not know the answer to this question for some time, acting AS IF we do expands our mind to meet His. In this interplay of consciousnesses, we contribute to our own evolution, and it is conceivable to God's as well.

Today's Weather Report: It snowed at least 10 inches last night. Beautiful, fluffy stuff that is a cinch to shovel. That is what everyone is doing this morning if they want to get anywhere. At 13 degrees Fahrenheit with the sun blazing brightly, it would be a great day to snowshoe with friends and end with a cup of hot chocolate by the warm stove. Maybe I'll get out my old snowshoes and see how they fit. Haven't used them in years because I could never get the hang of it and didn't have a good teacher. Maybe this is one of those things that just gets better with practice, practice, practice, no teacher required. Seems that it would be good exercise in the long winter months. The dogs are in dog heaven in the new snow and have recently come in covered from head to toe. In the house, though, they soon went from "Awe, aren't they cute!" to "Egad, get a towel quick!" In addition, the two canines smell like wet wool. Pee-yoo. Thankfully, it's nothing that time won't fix.

Be Gentle with your Fellow Men

2011-01-14T12:09:00.007-06:00

BE FIRM IN YOUR ACTS,
BUT EASY IN YOUR HEART.
BE STRICT WITH YOURSELF,
BUT GENTLE WITH YOUR
FELLOW MEN.

~Mr. Tut-Tut
One Hundred Proverbs

Of Note: According to psychologists, America is filled with WEIRD people on whom almost 100% of their research is conducted. WEIRD--western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic-- describes a majority of undergraduate subjects on whom various experiments are conducted. The results obtained from these studies are then broadly extrapolated to the rest of the global population as if everyone senses the world alike. Not so fast said a handful of researchers, who reviewed international journals from 2003 - 2007 to see where the study subjects came from. A whopping 96% were WEIRD. The researchers went on to assess how did Westerners differ from non-Westerners? Unsurprisingly, WEIRDos tended to be more individualistic and competitive than Eastern societies. They relish choices--the more the merrier. Data showed that people living in the USA took these attitudes to new heights. The conclusions? While the non-industrialized Asian and African world was shifting to attitudes held by their WEIRD brothers and sisters, Americans were becoming further entrenched. One day it is predicted that the United States will lead the world out of this trench into the clear light of day where the spiritual values of cooperation, sharing, responsibility and selflessness prevail. Until then, we can act AS IF the day has already arrived.

Today's Weather Report: 18 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy describes the day. It is almost exactly like yesterday. As predicted, the icy layer underneath the snow has left some roads very slippery especially in town. Good day to stay in and take a nap.

Not a Snowflake Escapes

2011-01-13T10:57:00.003-06:00

NATURE IS FULL OF GENIUS,
FULL OF DIVINITY;
SO THAT NOT A SNOWFLAKE
ESCAPES ITS FASHIONING HAND.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Of Note: Some people think that a God creates each and every thing on the planet. Fact is, while a transcendent God may be responsible for the original swarm of atomic particles in the universe which sparked the current creation process, It has been out of the process since. Planetary and human groups have taken up the slack by putting together their own combinations. The consciousness is infinitely creative in a very literal sense. Even classic physics experiments have proven that we change the outcome of an experiment with our beliefs, aka our thought-forms, while psychologists are on the cusp of discovering thought energy itself. Thus, it is our responsibility to this planet and all kingdoms in nature to direct our thoughts toward the best combinations based on the spiritual values of right human relations, a cooperative and sharing spirit, personal responsibility and sacrificial selflessness for the common good. While we are not there yet, a dim light is beginning to glow brighter on the horizon as the new better-formed combinations are born. All are welcome to join the activity through meditation and service. The greater universe will rejoice.

Today's Weather Report: Right at this moment it is 18 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly snowing. That means it's also overcast with no direct sunshine to brighten the day. Yesterday 49 of 50 states in America had snow cover of some kind, including Hawaii. The only escapee was Florida. Not that Hawaii was completely covered, mind you, only the top of a dormant volcano was covered in 7 inches of the white stuff, but that counted nonetheless. Last February beat these numbers--one day in that month all 50 states had snow cover! But prior to that, we had not had full coverage since the 1970's. A meteorologist who tracks such things said last winter a record snow coverage pattern emerged while spring had a record low. Seems to me, the weather has a mind of its own and does whatever it wants whenever it desires, and we are still not very good at deciphering its language. Someday when we uncover more of the variables to weather patterns, such as human emotion, more of her secrets will be revealed.

Dance, My Heart!

2011-01-11T10:48:00.008-06:00

Dance, my heart! Dance today with you.
The strains of love fill the days
and the nights with music,
and the world is listening to its melodies:
Mad with joy, life and death dance
to the rhythm of its music.

The hills and sea and earth dance.
The world of man dances in laughter and tears.
Why put on the robe of a monk, and
live aloof from the world in lonely pride?

Behold! My heart dances in the
delight of a hundred arts;
and the Creator is well pleased.

~Kabir
(1440-1518)

Of Note: Nothing can make a heart dance like giving to others. The art of giving called philanthropy is a rather new phenomenon and has been evolving as men begin to embrace the spiritual concept of oneness and brotherhood. Eventually, we will be defined by spiritual values only, and the days of war, poverty and needless death will be put behind us. But at this moment, humanity is just beginning the transformative process: one man and woman at a time. John Wood, a former Microsoft marketing executive, knows this process first-hand. His journey began while on a self-guided tour to Nepal in 1998 during which he chanced upon an education official, who invited him visit a school. Simple enough. What Woods found, however, changed his life: a sorry collection of castoff books so prized that they were kept under lock and key. As the fairy tale story goes, upon his return, the budding social entrepreneur quit his job and created Room to Read, a nonprofit that builds libraries and schools--first in Nepal and then in Southeast Asia, India and southern Africa. South America may be next. The group recently opened its 10,000th library and 1,000th school, while funding 9,000 scholarships for young girls on a meager annual budget of $30 million. It's donors sing the praises of this tight-fisted operation, which garners accolades from evaluators for efficiency and effectiveness on a shoestring. One thing everyone knows by now is that John Woods delivers. As a matter of fact, the story goes that he went back to that same village where he started with a donkey train loaded down by 1,000 pounds of books--much to the surprise of the locals--and has not stopped since. Recently, the nonprofit executive quipped: "I want an organization with the heart of Mother Teresa and the scalability of Starbucks." Looking at the success of his mission to date, it could be said that this philanthropic choreographer has created a dance of the heart. And he's not done yet.

Today's Weather Report: At 23 degrees Fahrenheit it could be called balmy in the middle of winter. A light snow if falling, just enough to provide a new cover for what has become gray and dirty since the last time. Nothing can compare, however, to the tsunami-like flash flood that descended on the Australian town and killed many people with dozens missing. These people had zero warning about the wall of water coming at them. The one's that weren't swept away escaped up telephone poles and to higher ground. Whole homes were swept off their foundations, leaving the occupants bobbing along in what became essentially a "house-boat." Condolences to those family and friends who lost loved ones in this disaster.