Sunday, February 17, 2013

In Search of GOD

A message about "The Search for GOD"

Blessings all;

A daunting title, no? I've been told there are two types of people. On one hand, you have your groups of people that don't believe in GOD, but disagree on the formulas and equations used to explain it all. On the other hand, you have your groups of people that do believe in GOD, but disagree over who gets to own Him...or Her...or Them. Then, on another hand you have groups of people that pretend whatever gets you to believe in them and what they tell you, they are all the GOD you need. On yet another hand, you have groups of people who don't know who or what to believe, so just keep their minds open and think while they are walking...Wait, how many hands is that? Maybe i should have used fingers...Nevermind, for i would address you all equally.


A daunting task, no? Especially when you consider, that of the groups on the first hand, the only thing they ALL believe in together is that they don't believe and those that do, need a slap. They will tell you there is no GOD to talk to. They figure that since there is no GOD that leaves room for them to be GOD and come up with all these theories, and then one will come along and poke a black hole in one of them and another will come along and pull some strings out the theories until it's just dark matter...and even though it doesn't always add up, they still worship their statistics that prove profits. There minds close at the mention of TRUTH or GOD.
Of the groups on the other hand, the only thing they ALL believe in together is that they do believe and those who don't, need a slap. They figure their GOD is ONLY theirs, so broke apart into different religions to make sure they are the only ones GOD loves. And created churches to make sure only their leaders get to talk to GOD and make up the rules...with the ONLY exception being the Prophets, whom GOD always reaches outside the church to find and folks tend to ignore anyway,  choosing instead to worship the religion the church tells them about to get more profits. There minds close at the mention of TRUTH or THEORIES.
Of the groups pretending to be a hand, the only thing they believe in is themselves and slap whomever they please. They figure even if there is a GOD, they can do what they want cause they own everything and can show you the bodies not yet disposed of to prove it. They figure because GOD hasn't done anything to them yet, they are safe. They worship themselves and the profits. Their minds close at the mention of TRUTH or GOD or THEORIES.

Then of course, there was still that group with the shoes on the other foot, (yeah, definitely should have used fingers, i guess i was told incorrectly...too late now). Those folks who don't know what to believe or whom to slap with which hand, so usually don't slap anyone, just walk it off....but at times feel like slapping them all hoping to hit a reset button. They love TRUTH, THEORIES and GOD because their minds are still open to thinking.
A daunting Intro no? (OK, I'll stop that)

Now Back to you All;
Some have experienced and observed, that which is scientifically spiritual, changing everything they thought they knew and offering definitive proof in the moment to the observers and ones that experience it, but offering little that can be shared with the inexperienced.  Thus a Faith becomes rooted in TRUTH, where a belief system was once built on superstitions and misunderstanding lay crumbled. They are called Martyrs; derived from the GREEK meaning; "A witness to the TRUTH."
( Dictionaries don't actually provide an honest definition for this word, but rather define what society does to the Martyr instead, which is really another word altogether)

Brief Pause for Thought;
Since I'm guessing there are those of you in ALL groups that were unaware of this, a number of reactions are occurring. Walls are going up for some, doors are closing, emotions are stirring and minds are racing for others. Some have already stopped reading and are grabbing dictionaries. (good for you) Some are still trying to grasp why this matters at all. Let us set all this aside for now and suspend your disbelief's and beliefs alike and continue with the journey. (This way, you can still learn as we go)


Journey On;
I encourage the inexperienced to set out on a journey for those moments. Not trying to fill their cup before they leave, but seeking to convince them to empty it first so there is room for what they will find. Jesus did this with his disciples when He told them to walk with nothing, no money in their bags, just the clothes on their backs and the sandals on their feet. Even in that day and age it would have seemed nonsense to go somewhere and not take a few coins or extra provisions along, so not everyone who heard, listened. Some just left , not wanting to walk with nothing , thinking there was nothing to learn here, so didn't. But some who heard did listen, and learned things so simple as how to breathe DEEP and SLOW, or the difference between wants and needs that made them come back to learn more.
In  walking the talk, instead of talking themselves out of walking, they were learning the difference between knowing what it says and understanding what it means.  One can LOOK and still not see or HEAR and still not listen...but even the blind and deaf can SEE and LISTEN to the TRUTH. They still experience LOVE.
 
People on BOTH sides might start asking themselves some REAL questions;
If there is no GOD, why keep killing the witnesses and destroying the evidence?
Why are there so many Rules against living as Buddha or Christ taught?
What are they afraid of you finding?
If there was nothing, then why prevent you from looking properly, why go to all the trouble of making it illegal?


If you are wondering who "They" are, you need not seek them out. Simply give up everything and Sit under a tree with Buddha or Walk with nothing beside Christ.
"THEY" will find YOU....on THAT you can Trust me.


Learn how to Breathe DEEP...Breathe SLOW. Sit through the Silence to hear the 'Tone of Truth'...Then you will hear what rings true and what doesn't.

 
"Seek and ye shall find."

your humble servant,
ancient clown 

do what you love

Friday, February 15, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

the sky is falling


2012 DA14 is a near-Earth asteroid with an estimated diameter of about 50 meters (160 ft) and an estimated mass of about 190,000 metric tons. It was discovered on February 23, 2012, by the OAM Observatory, La Sagra in Spain (J75) seven days after passing 0.0174 AU (2,600,000 km; 1,620,000 mi) from Earth on February 16. Calculations show that on February 15, 2013, the distance between the asteroid and the center-point of Earth will be 0.0002276 AU (34,050 km; 21,160 mi). The asteroid will pass 27,700 km (17,200 mi) from the surface of Earth. The 2013 passage of 2012 DA14 by Earth is a record close approach for a known object of this size.
(read more)

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Peer-mediated buzz

   James Fowler, a professor of psychology at UCSD, found that messages from our peers are more likely to initiate action than messages delivered by a political committee [ link ]. Last year, Obama’s reelection committee learned the same thing. They developed a system that leverages database technology and social-media to deliver their messages. In an instant, this system allows them to:
  1. mobilize grassroots support for White House concerns 
  2. provide White House support for local concerns
Apparently they took an extra step, conducted surveys ..and learned that nothing energizes participation better than ‘reciprocity’. Brilliant use of technology combined with Obama’s experience as a community organizer. Politically I’m independent and pretty damn naïve ..but I can see why this might give Republicans cause for alarm.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

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blind



blind - YouTube

no nukes

Chernobyl Legacy


Paul Fusco "Chernobyl Legacy"

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Beyond Nuclear - Pandora's False Promises - Pandora's People: Not who the film's publicity claims they are



Pandora’s Promise
 is a new documentary by Robert Stone whose website, Robert Stone Productions, proclaims: “The film is anchored around the personal narratives of a growing number of leading former anti-nuclear activists and pioneering scientists.” The film’s website also asserts that nuclear power is “now passionately embraced by many of those who once led the charge against it.”
Our research found that there is no evidence that any member of the “cast” of Pandora’s Promise ever led the anti-nuclear movement. READ OUR FACT SHEET.
The film’s participants advocate for the deployment of the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) as the best pathway to addressing climate change, a canceled breeder reactor design whose so-called “Generation IV” iteration, re-considered by the George W. Bush administration, does not exist anywhere in the world.
If Stone had interviewed those with the authority and credentials in the areas he covers — even without featuring them in his film — and then still come to the conclusions he has today reached, his credibility might be intact. But Stone apparently chose not to talk to those with genuine research credentials and depth of knowledge on the issue and whose evidence would have contradicted his film’s protagonists. Therefore, we must reluctantly conclude that Stone’s agenda was to produce a propaganda piece. 
Here we fact check the credentials of those members of the Pandora’s Promise “cast” who allegedly fit the profile of “leading former anti-nuclear activists.” (The film also includes two scientists who worked on the original IFR program at the Argonne National Laboratory, Len Koch and Charles Till, not profiled here, whose vested interest in the technology is self-evident).


Beyond Nuclear - Pandora's False Promises - Pandora's People: Not who the film's publicity claims they are

the most honest moment in television

The Relationship between Peace and Economic Equality


The current distribution of wealth in the United States is extremely skewed towards the wealthy – more so than in any other developed country.  This inequality results in the unavoidable reality that there are insufficient economic resources available for the majority of the nation’s citizens.

This situation has been severely exacerbated by the economic downturn precipitated by the Great Recession that began in 2008.  This economic reversal was caused, for the most part, by the unwise, cavalier and often extra-legal activities of the major financial institutions that led to widespread unemployment and a rash of home mortgage foreclosures.  The consequences of this monumental economic catastrophe were so severe that a bailout involving vast sums of public money was required.

Notwithstanding this most recent event, the core issues gravitate around fundamental problems that have been in evidence for many years.  These include:
-         - Large numbers of low wage and minimum wage jobs that are inadequate for survival within the modern economy
-          -A national health care system that fails to effectively serve tens of millions of vulnerable and at-risk men, women, children and the elderly
-         - A housing market that is geared towards maximizing profit and, therefore, fails to build low-cost housing in sufficient number to serve those in need of affordable shelter
-          -Public policy at the local, state and federal level that invariably caters to the needs of the affluent and corporate classes to the exclusion of those with the most need.  These policy choices are dictated by the intimate relationship that exists between politics and money.  The net impact of this collaboration is the paradoxical dismantling of the Commons.  This is, in effect, a form of reverse socialism where resources flow from the many in need to the few who have an abundance of wealth to begin with
-         - A lack of social resolve around the important issue of gun control

The net effect of these intrinsic factors is a dangerous increase in poverty especially among the most vulnerable, personal bankruptcy that is often triggered by a major health crisis, homelessness, infrastructure collapse, the rise of a thriving black market and the indiscriminate use of deadly firearms against innocent people.

It is, therefore, not surprising that this array of economic conditions and their natural consequences promotes social instability.  The fact the wealthiest nation in the world can tolerate this severe disparity between the living conditions, well-being and longevity of its citizens based on economic status is suggestive of a deep-seated malaise that undermines the real prospects for peace.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Intermezzo

. in·ter·mez·zo/  [in-ter-met-soh, -med-zoh] 
noun,

2. a short musical composition between main divisions of an extended musical work. 
------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin:
1805–15;  < Italian  < Late Latin  intermedium;  see intermediary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.


It is perhaps incumbent upon tHE mAN to make addicts of us all, and at this hE is deft and insidious.*

Recently, during the restless interim between two periods of - what I've been falsly led to believe all my life was - "fitful" or, "broken" sleep, I did a little online digging into the subject.
Turns out, the only thing "broken" was my idea(MY IDEA? All I could think of was, "What do the experts say?") of what constitutes normal sleep.
For centuries of human history, waking up in the middle of the night was acknowledged as the norm.

Taking a pill to eradicate that is just the latest attempt to implement tHE mAN's reach into and control of our personal lives.*

Here are just a few of the articles, and if you want to persue the research that brought all this to light, just do a search on Roger Ekirch.

1.  http://blogs.discovery.com/dfh-sara-novak/2012/02/ancient-history-shines-lights-on-the-8-hour-sleep-cycle.html

2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmented_sleep

3.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16964783

Ekirch got us all stirred up; there are many more, plenty to do during a sleep break. I've had the pill they're pushing these days and my opinion is, a little reading is better for you.

*Also my opinion.

Art: The Nightmare by John Henry Fuseli

satire as critical thinking

the event


Thursday, January 31, 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Equanimity


Equanimity (Latin: æquanimitas having an even mind; aequus even animus mind/soul) is a state of psychological stability and composure which is undisturbed by experience of or exposure to emotions, pain or other phenomena that may cause others to lose the balance of their mind. The virtue and value of equanimity is extolled and advocated by a number of major religions and ancient philosophies.

In Buddhism, equanimity (upekkhā, upekṣhā) is one of the four immeasurables and is considered:

Neither a thought nor an emotion, it is rather the steady conscious realization of reality's transience. It is the ground for wisdom and freedom and the protector of compassion and love. While some may think of equanimity as dry neutrality or cool aloofness, mature equanimity produces a radiance and warmth of being. The Buddha described a mind filled with equanimity as "abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and without ill-will." (read more)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

In the Spirit of Cautious Optimism

We find ourselves at the beginning of another year.  Although the news we are constantly subjected to regarding the state of human affairs around the globe gives us cause to be pessimistic about prospects for the future viability of the species, there are also trends that may suggest a different future.  I have come to this conclusion not out of unfounded optimism or purely wishful thinking but rather out of the realization that there lies an insatiable hunger within the vast majority of the world’s people for a more peaceful world grounded in true human equality and social justice.

The desire to satiate this longing is evidenced by the multitude of voices around the globe that are not only insisting upon changes in the status quo but also actively pursuing  paths towards the peaceful transition to a sane and viable future.  These voices are everywhere, and cannot be silenced.  This conclusion can be readily verified by simply searching the Internet for those organizations built upon the premise of creating the conditions for a more peaceful and equitable world.  Such organizations focus their attention on human rights abuses and the often intolerable conditions that are the daily reality of hundreds of millions of individuals; these kinds of organizations literally stretch around the globe and are often deeply intertwined.

It might be argued that there are also very powerful forces of oppression focused on limiting human freedom and social justice for personal advantage.  In addition, these forces often use overt violence and aggression as the means to maintain the status quo.  This is no doubt true; however, this point of view is not sustainable over the long term.  It is not counter-violence that will subdue them; it is the power of ideas embedded with the bedrock of social harmony and universal justice that will ultimately prevail.  As we have seen in the history of many civil rights movements,  true and viable social progress is a painstakingly slow endeavor – the struggle for women’s suffrage, the abolition of slavery in the United States and the demolition of Apartheid in South Africa are excellent examples.

In my judgment, the lesson here is not to give up hope and yield to despair – as enticing as that might seem at times – but to persist in the ongoing struggle for sanity in this exasperatingly human world.  There are many ways to contribute to the interdependent causes of peace and social justice.  May the beginning of a new year bring inspiration, hope and renewal to us all.