""The Vine" by Kitka at Magnatune.com
http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/kitka-vine/
http://www.magnatune.com/artists/kitka
This is how you make me feel...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Valentine from Kitka
""The Vine" by Kitka at Magnatune.com
http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/kitka-vine/
http://www.magnatune.com/artists/kitka
This is how you make me feel...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Horoscope for week of Dec 1, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): "There is light enough for those who wish to see," wrote French philosopher Blaise Pascal, "and darkness enough for those of the opposite disposition." I'm hoping you will align yourself with the first group in the coming week, Aquarius. More than ever before, what you choose to focus on will come rushing in to meet you, touch you, teach you, and prompt you to respond. Even if all the smart people you know seem to be drunk on the darkness, I encourage you to be a brave rebel who insists on equal time for the light.
FreeWillAstrology.com
+
"I've told you a million times not to exaggerate. I really get antsy when
you refuse to be patient. If you don't stop berating yourself, I'm going to
have to cut you down to size. I'm sick and tired of you emphasizing the
dark side of everything. I swear I'll lose my freaking temper and do
something stupid if you don't stop making threats."
-*PRONOIA*
FreeWillAstrology.com
+
"I've told you a million times not to exaggerate. I really get antsy when
you refuse to be patient. If you don't stop berating yourself, I'm going to
have to cut you down to size. I'm sick and tired of you emphasizing the
dark side of everything. I swear I'll lose my freaking temper and do
something stupid if you don't stop making threats."
-*PRONOIA*
Monday, November 30, 2009
Calling them out of the sky, movie
MVI_2055
Originally uploaded by catherinetodd2
Seagulls at Wrightsville Beach NC
Selling beadwork at the Holiday Flotilla in Wrightsville Beach, near Wilmington NC. What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Camera batteries went out right before Les got photos of the two pigeons who landed on my arm and ate out of my hand and one of their brethren seagull, boldest of them all. We had a wonderful room overlooking the beach at the Seagull Inn, room 211. Can't wait to return!
See more photos and a very short video at my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/72157622783173077/
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Horoscope for week of Nov 24, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Seventy percent of the world's fresh water
is locked away in Antarctica's ice, which is 7,000 feet thick. Let's hope it
remains that way for the foreseeable future. If global warming melted that
giant slab even a little, sea levels all over the planet would rise and coastal
lands would be inundated. As for *your* frozen areas, however: I'd really
like to see at least 30 percent of them thaw. Would you consider doing
whatever it takes to release a mini-flood of summery feelings?
FreeWillAstrology.com
This is happening right now, whether I like it or not. I never would have thought this was a GOOD thing. Will wonders never cease?
is locked away in Antarctica's ice, which is 7,000 feet thick. Let's hope it
remains that way for the foreseeable future. If global warming melted that
giant slab even a little, sea levels all over the planet would rise and coastal
lands would be inundated. As for *your* frozen areas, however: I'd really
like to see at least 30 percent of them thaw. Would you consider doing
whatever it takes to release a mini-flood of summery feelings?
FreeWillAstrology.com
This is happening right now, whether I like it or not. I never would have thought this was a GOOD thing. Will wonders never cease?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
We hate that which we often fear
Date / Time: 11/20/2009 10:15 AM UTC
In time we hate that which we often fear.
William Shakespeare
I had hoped my memoir would be a move forward for the family I was born into. I had hoped eyes would open, minds would race headlong to positive speculation, hearts would swell with hope, and peace would reign supreme.
Yes I was naive.
Yes I was delusional.
And yes, the coming to was a rude awakening for me.
But the rude awakening is not over, not for myself or the sisters who gave love and moral support, trust and faith in abundance.
I predicted in my memoir that my story could be my stone skimming the waters of our lives sending forth ripples of shattering silence. But it was the silence that held our pain in and us hostage that was suppose to shatter.
Instead, a few took up their armor and set out to annihilate one crazy little pest, me, their baby sister.
Fear was the motive.
Lies were the weapon.
Hate became the flames that singed and finally severed the tattered threads that could have bound us together. Family. My cousin once told me that family is family no matter what. But she did not know the single minded purpose of an incest family system, seek and destroy.
There have been times I was sure I was overstating the cruelty of the siblings bent on ruining me. How do family sacrifice one for another? Do they? My heart says no. My mind struggles with cold reality, yes they can and do sacrifice one family member for another, and believe it or not, they choose the disloyal victim to destroy. Nothing personal mind you, the family name and honor are at stake. ... I am ultimately the enemy because I was the victim of incest who found her voice." (more) Author Janeen Noetling on blogtalk radio.
If you need help, call National Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.HOPE
RAINN: The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. www.rainn.org
Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself. ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, "A Civil Campaign", 1999
---
RAINN.org Latest News
Hotline Usage Spikes Following Mackenzie Phillips' Interview with Oprah
Following Mackenzie Phillips' disclosure of her incestual relationship with her father, many survivors of sexual abuse and assault have been inspired to come forward and get the help they deserve.... [ Read more ]
Christina Ricci Meets with Members of Congress
RAINN's 2009 Back-To-School Tips for Students
RAINN: Join Us!
Cybill Sheppard & Target supporters of RAINN
RAINN's Speakers Bureau
The RAINN Speakers Bureau educates and informs the public and the media about sexual violence through the stories of sexual assault survivors or their families. Join our Speakers Bureau.
“RAINN is the one place that I can turn to when I feel out of control. When I feel broken and have nowhere to turn. When my friends and family are at a loss for words to help, RAINN is always there. You have helped me through the trenches of my memories and for that I am grateful. Thank you!
— Stephanie, hotline caller
Rainn.org
Also: Lavendar Power.org: mypainfulsmiles.webs.com and myspace.com/peachypo
In time we hate that which we often fear.
William Shakespeare
I had hoped my memoir would be a move forward for the family I was born into. I had hoped eyes would open, minds would race headlong to positive speculation, hearts would swell with hope, and peace would reign supreme.
Yes I was naive.
Yes I was delusional.
And yes, the coming to was a rude awakening for me.
But the rude awakening is not over, not for myself or the sisters who gave love and moral support, trust and faith in abundance.
I predicted in my memoir that my story could be my stone skimming the waters of our lives sending forth ripples of shattering silence. But it was the silence that held our pain in and us hostage that was suppose to shatter.
Instead, a few took up their armor and set out to annihilate one crazy little pest, me, their baby sister.
Fear was the motive.
Lies were the weapon.
Hate became the flames that singed and finally severed the tattered threads that could have bound us together. Family. My cousin once told me that family is family no matter what. But she did not know the single minded purpose of an incest family system, seek and destroy.
There have been times I was sure I was overstating the cruelty of the siblings bent on ruining me. How do family sacrifice one for another? Do they? My heart says no. My mind struggles with cold reality, yes they can and do sacrifice one family member for another, and believe it or not, they choose the disloyal victim to destroy. Nothing personal mind you, the family name and honor are at stake. ... I am ultimately the enemy because I was the victim of incest who found her voice." (more) Author Janeen Noetling on blogtalk radio.
If you need help, call National Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.HOPE
RAINN: The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. www.rainn.org
Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself. ~ Lois McMaster Bujold, "A Civil Campaign", 1999
---
RAINN.org Latest News
Hotline Usage Spikes Following Mackenzie Phillips' Interview with Oprah
Following Mackenzie Phillips' disclosure of her incestual relationship with her father, many survivors of sexual abuse and assault have been inspired to come forward and get the help they deserve.... [ Read more ]
Christina Ricci Meets with Members of Congress
RAINN's 2009 Back-To-School Tips for Students
RAINN: Join Us!
Cybill Sheppard & Target supporters of RAINN
RAINN's Speakers Bureau
The RAINN Speakers Bureau educates and informs the public and the media about sexual violence through the stories of sexual assault survivors or their families. Join our Speakers Bureau.
“RAINN is the one place that I can turn to when I feel out of control. When I feel broken and have nowhere to turn. When my friends and family are at a loss for words to help, RAINN is always there. You have helped me through the trenches of my memories and for that I am grateful. Thank you!
— Stephanie, hotline caller
Rainn.org
Also: Lavendar Power.org: mypainfulsmiles.webs.com and myspace.com/peachypo
Family Secrets
Welcome to Family Secrets. So many of us live with secrets that haunt us, keep us awake at night, or noodle their way into our lives. Some secrets are funny (think: embarrassing moments). Some are tragic. But many hold us captive. In Daisy Chain, many characters harbor secrets, but only a few are brave enough to bring them to the light of day and find freedom and hope. That's why I created this site—to give you a safe place to air a secret anonymously. It’s my way to help you turn your trial to triumph. If you'd like to do that, click the “Tell Your Secret” link now. All secrets are kept anonymous, and will be posted with discretion (Please temper graphic secrets). It’s my desire that this blog will become a community for many, and that thousands of folks will experience freedom when they’ve shared their family secret. Because the truth is, despite the darkness, there is hope.
http://blog.myfamilysecrets.org/2009/08/four-week-series-on-incest-by-maryjean.html
http://blog.myfamilysecrets.org/2009/08/four-week-series-on-incest-by-maryjean.html
Saturday, November 21, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Saturday, Nov. 21
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward
WORD FOR THE DAY
Saturday, Nov. 21
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward
Friday, November 20, 2009
Healing Physically, Mentally & Spiritually: Epsom Salts & Me
Question I received and here is my response:
Hi Catherine, I wonder if you would please elaborate on your pain which has been so helped by the salt baths, and also what dietary restrictions helped? I'm mid-50s, and experiencing bothersome physical ailments so really need to sort them out; will also try 'spiritual' means.
Regards,
J. in Australia
---
Dear J.,
Here's what I did: it sounds like a lot, writing it all down, but it's really a simple regime that makes the day so much more pleasurable, and I'm not sick anymore!
1. I read "The Yeast Connection" by William G. Crook, and cut out ALL yeast, sugar, dairy, chemicals and drank ONLY WATER and ate from a list of organic, acceptable foods you can find in the book. Within DAYS I began to improve, after YEARS of pain and disability when before I was in perfect physical condition all my life. I couldn't believe it.
http://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Connection-Medical-Breakthrough/dp/0394747003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258778369&sr=1-1
I wish the book had mentioned the benefits of Epsom salts, as I only discovered them a couple of years ago. I had / have diagnosis of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and a whole slew of other mystery stress and diet and virus and God only knows what other-related illnesses, but I can assure you, I am 90% better now and it's a miracle that never ceases.
2. After a couple of years on the stricter Yeast Connection diet, and seeing real results, I now eat bread and some sugar, but never processed "100% fruit juice" which turns to fructose sugar when processed and is what probably started my entire illness to begin with. I have found that sugar brings on incredible joint pain, dairy brings on sinus allergies almost immediately, so I avoid them at all costs or are prepared to "pay the price."
3. Another thing I did was have full-body massages three times a week. It was expensive, and it hurt like heck in the beginning, but all kinds of tension / buried mass was broken up and I would leave the session literally dancing down the street. I was determined to stop using a cane which I needed at that point just to walk, and I was determined to HEAL.
4. Then I finally discovered the hot volcanic mineral waters at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, where I live part-time, and Epsom salts baths when I'm back in the states. This would have changed everything had I known it sooner. Talk about instant pain relief! No more pills, no more cane, everything is good again. And if it's not, it's back in the tub I go. I start every morning off with 2 lbs. of Epsom salts in a hot bath. You have to use enough! If I miss a bath for a couple of days, muscle pain returns; the magnesium sulfate in Epsom salts is a great pain reliever. I take another bath in the afternoon or evening if I've had a very active day and muscle pain returns. The Epsom salts make my skin and hair so soft! Who would have guessed it?
5. I do some simple stretching exercises after my bath, even if it's only 15 - 30 minutes worth, when my muscles are most relaxed. This helps a great deal.
6. I take natural vitamins called "Super Food Plus" in tablet form, 6 per day, made by Dr. Schultz, and make up my own Super Tonic recipe from his website, made with all kinds of hot sauces, radishes, peppers, garlic and more.
www.herbdoc.com
7. A teaspoon of Super Tonic every morning mixed in V-8 or tomato juice, washing down the vitamins, 2 calcium pills and 2 glucosamine tablets gives me all the energy and has somehow gotten the chronic fatigue under control. No more afternoon naps, just a bit of lay-down rest with the computer to ease an aching back. My entire life has changed for the better.
8. And of course, as you said, adding in the SPIRITUAL COMPONENT. I read any favorite and/or spiritual book in the bath each morning and am trying to clear my mind of negative thoughts and relationships. There were so many! They are like "unruly monkeys" but I say now "calm down or go away." LOL. The spiritual component really helps. Mother Mira has some wonderful small books, and I read from all kinds of religions as well, along with some important emotional healing books.
9. I got off prescription pain pills. When I think of the four years I was bedridden and using a cane to walk, all because I was on addictive pain pills given to me by my doctor, who whenever I said "These pills are not helping; I am just getting worse" told me to "continue taking them as prescribed..." oh, I just can't believe it. I lost four years of my life, was in constant agonizing pain (turns out I was in withdrawal from the pills for most of the time, half an hour after they would wear off) and paid $400.00 per month for the privilege! And that was with health insurance paying the bulk of the bill. It's really criminal, in my opinion. As soon as I got off the pills and had massage, vitamins, diet and mineral waters to take their place, I got better IMMEDIATELY.
10. I still don't know what caused my chronic fatigue, but I belong to The CFIDS Association of America which is pushing for research and gathering all the information they can. Their emailed newsletter been so encouraging, helping me to never give up. www.cfids.org
11. I also moved to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and lived for two peaceful quiet years in a beautiful small cottage where I could heal, mentally and physically and emotionally from the chaos that had been my life for far too long. This is where I discovered how to "take care of myself," since I had been taking care of others all my life and never doing anything for myself, denying myself as I had all my life until it almost killed me. Living by the Lake was probably the best spiritual exercise I have done in many a year, and it truly saved my life. I still live there part-time and truly call it "home."
12. I am going to post this list on the Epsom Salt & Chronic Fatigue Facebook websites since I am asked these questions quite a bit, and this is what worked for me. I hope some of this helps. Changed my life for the better, and I hope it does yours, too!
-------- To The End and A New Beginning! -------
Hi Catherine, I wonder if you would please elaborate on your pain which has been so helped by the salt baths, and also what dietary restrictions helped? I'm mid-50s, and experiencing bothersome physical ailments so really need to sort them out; will also try 'spiritual' means.
Regards,
J. in Australia
---
Dear J.,
Here's what I did: it sounds like a lot, writing it all down, but it's really a simple regime that makes the day so much more pleasurable, and I'm not sick anymore!
1. I read "The Yeast Connection" by William G. Crook, and cut out ALL yeast, sugar, dairy, chemicals and drank ONLY WATER and ate from a list of organic, acceptable foods you can find in the book. Within DAYS I began to improve, after YEARS of pain and disability when before I was in perfect physical condition all my life. I couldn't believe it.
http://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Connection-Medical-Breakthrough/dp/0394747003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258778369&sr=1-1
I wish the book had mentioned the benefits of Epsom salts, as I only discovered them a couple of years ago. I had / have diagnosis of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and a whole slew of other mystery stress and diet and virus and God only knows what other-related illnesses, but I can assure you, I am 90% better now and it's a miracle that never ceases.
2. After a couple of years on the stricter Yeast Connection diet, and seeing real results, I now eat bread and some sugar, but never processed "100% fruit juice" which turns to fructose sugar when processed and is what probably started my entire illness to begin with. I have found that sugar brings on incredible joint pain, dairy brings on sinus allergies almost immediately, so I avoid them at all costs or are prepared to "pay the price."
3. Another thing I did was have full-body massages three times a week. It was expensive, and it hurt like heck in the beginning, but all kinds of tension / buried mass was broken up and I would leave the session literally dancing down the street. I was determined to stop using a cane which I needed at that point just to walk, and I was determined to HEAL.
4. Then I finally discovered the hot volcanic mineral waters at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, where I live part-time, and Epsom salts baths when I'm back in the states. This would have changed everything had I known it sooner. Talk about instant pain relief! No more pills, no more cane, everything is good again. And if it's not, it's back in the tub I go. I start every morning off with 2 lbs. of Epsom salts in a hot bath. You have to use enough! If I miss a bath for a couple of days, muscle pain returns; the magnesium sulfate in Epsom salts is a great pain reliever. I take another bath in the afternoon or evening if I've had a very active day and muscle pain returns. The Epsom salts make my skin and hair so soft! Who would have guessed it?
5. I do some simple stretching exercises after my bath, even if it's only 15 - 30 minutes worth, when my muscles are most relaxed. This helps a great deal.
6. I take natural vitamins called "Super Food Plus" in tablet form, 6 per day, made by Dr. Schultz, and make up my own Super Tonic recipe from his website, made with all kinds of hot sauces, radishes, peppers, garlic and more.
www.herbdoc.com
7. A teaspoon of Super Tonic every morning mixed in V-8 or tomato juice, washing down the vitamins, 2 calcium pills and 2 glucosamine tablets gives me all the energy and has somehow gotten the chronic fatigue under control. No more afternoon naps, just a bit of lay-down rest with the computer to ease an aching back. My entire life has changed for the better.
8. And of course, as you said, adding in the SPIRITUAL COMPONENT. I read any favorite and/or spiritual book in the bath each morning and am trying to clear my mind of negative thoughts and relationships. There were so many! They are like "unruly monkeys" but I say now "calm down or go away." LOL. The spiritual component really helps. Mother Mira has some wonderful small books, and I read from all kinds of religions as well, along with some important emotional healing books.
9. I got off prescription pain pills. When I think of the four years I was bedridden and using a cane to walk, all because I was on addictive pain pills given to me by my doctor, who whenever I said "These pills are not helping; I am just getting worse" told me to "continue taking them as prescribed..." oh, I just can't believe it. I lost four years of my life, was in constant agonizing pain (turns out I was in withdrawal from the pills for most of the time, half an hour after they would wear off) and paid $400.00 per month for the privilege! And that was with health insurance paying the bulk of the bill. It's really criminal, in my opinion. As soon as I got off the pills and had massage, vitamins, diet and mineral waters to take their place, I got better IMMEDIATELY.
10. I still don't know what caused my chronic fatigue, but I belong to The CFIDS Association of America which is pushing for research and gathering all the information they can. Their emailed newsletter been so encouraging, helping me to never give up. www.cfids.org
11. I also moved to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and lived for two peaceful quiet years in a beautiful small cottage where I could heal, mentally and physically and emotionally from the chaos that had been my life for far too long. This is where I discovered how to "take care of myself," since I had been taking care of others all my life and never doing anything for myself, denying myself as I had all my life until it almost killed me. Living by the Lake was probably the best spiritual exercise I have done in many a year, and it truly saved my life. I still live there part-time and truly call it "home."
12. I am going to post this list on the Epsom Salt & Chronic Fatigue Facebook websites since I am asked these questions quite a bit, and this is what worked for me. I hope some of this helps. Changed my life for the better, and I hope it does yours, too!
-------- To The End and A New Beginning! -------
Urban Monk: Why do we cling to unhappiness?
The Final Key to Emotional Mastery: Love and let go »
The Elusive Key to Emotional Mastery, Part 5: Why do we cling to unhappiness?
Let’s begin this post with a twist – a few questions instead of a story. You might groan, but please bear with me – it will only take a minute or two, and will aid you greatly if you are having trouble letting go of your suffering.
So, grab a pen and paper, or open up a text editor. Now, don’t think about the answer and don’t censor yourself. Just write down whatever comes to mind. This ensures authenticity. Ready? Here goes!
What are you? Who are you? What are your major goals in life? What are your goals in these areas: Emotional Growth, Spiritual Growth, Relationships, Finances, Career, and Physical Health? Where are you with regard to those goals, and how do you feel about your chances of achieving them?
[*Answers below]
Did you really do the task? Please do it, it’s for your own good. If you read the rest and then come back, your answers will be less reliable.
:D Done? Now, what were your answers? What was the point of that little test? It was the only way I could think of to see if you were identified with any of your suffering.
Identification with your pain
lonelygirl.jpg
One of the biggest troubles we can ever face in becoming free of unhappiness is our ego. Often, the ego has become attached to our suffering. We have made an identity out of the pain.
If you know anything about how the ego works, you will know that attachments become a part of it, as much as our arms are a part of us. The pain of removing an attachment is similar to the pain of cutting our arm off, then. And so it makes sense the ego resist with all its might.
Let’s take the first two questions. How did you answer them? Do you think of yourself as a depressed man, a woman struggling with low self-esteem, or something similar? How about your goals? Were your emotional goals to become happy, and yet you feel you would never get there? Was it your relationship goal to find a lover, and yet you feel you would never get one? Do you take a strange pleasure and pride in your suffering or your loneliness or your poverty or anything that you dislike? Do you talk or think about it all the time?
Calling yourself a depressed man doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve identified yourself with your condition. It might simply be recognition, a first step to overcoming it.
Seeing the attachment in yourself
Such attachments are often unconscious, requiring much awareness to recognise. Be as aware and as honest as you can. Search for attachments to your suffering.
The ego might come in and strongly deny its attachment. “Of course I don’t enjoy being depressed!” it might yell. And it seems convincing, for who would take pride in their suffering?
Maybe it would be easier if you started looking at the people around you first. The ego is easier to recognise in others. Take a good look, see how it works, and then try to see the same patterns in yourself.
I recently had dinner with a few friends that I haven’t seen in years. One of the guys began talking about an unrequited love; someone he had been pining over for the past two years. It made him miserable, and stopped him from finding a girlfriend. Soon all the others were chiming in with their own heartbreak stories.
Other egos at other tables were competing to see who had the bigger car or higher income. The egos at my table were competing to see who had the most shattered heart. It was amazing to watch. Maybe it was a search for sympathy or pity, but that is another form of attachment. And yet, what would happen if I had asked whether they took pride in their stories? Strong, fierce protests, I suspect.
My point? Such attachments are more common than you might think. Can you see it in yourself?
More attachment to suffering
Beyond this direct attachment to suffering and sympathy are more subtle forms. The first of these you might have heard of: We would rather be right than be happy.
We take a strange pleasure in reliving an argument in our head, in thinking of new ways to defend ourselves, to blame the other person, to blame God, to condemn our lives or jobs. Yes, it makes us unhappy to do so. Yes, it serves no practical purpose. But still we choose it over peace. Why? The ego loves it. Such activities make it feel great.
Going deeper: Wishes and fantasies
What are some other forms of attachment? Can you think of any? There might be more that I haven’t experienced. Try to see your own attachments now.
How about your wishes and fantasies, if you have any? When I have idle time, I find myself daydreaming about lording it over the people who hurt me before. I fantasize about extracting revenge on people I dislike or have humiliated me. I dream about looking cool in front of them. Childish, I know. Useless, I know. But some part of me enjoys it.
These are all subtle forms of egoic behaviour. You might think they are harmless, but they are just another form of clinging to your unhappiness. If you do find yourself indulging in such thoughts, simply recognise them for what they are – egoic behaviour. If you maintain this recognition, the thoughts will stop of their own accord.
Pleasure in suffering
Eckhart Tolle, in his book The Power of Now, goes a step further. He uses a metaphor: your negative emotions are a form of psychic parasite. Imagine a hookworm – it lives in your stomach and feeds off your body to make itself stronger. It doesn’t care that it’s hurting you in the process.
Your negative emotions are the same. They feed off your negative thoughts, finding ways to trigger them so they can get fat. Have you ever started an argument over practically nothing? Do you know someone who has? The parasite inside is at fault. It wants to feed.
There are other ways this parasite tries to trigger negative thoughts. I remember a traffic jam, when I was just coming out of extreme unhappiness. My thoughts were initially slightly negative – they revolved around the appointment I would be late for. But a few minutes later everything came rushing in. Old hurts, arguments, memories, insults… the parasite has leapt into the opening and was causing me more unhappiness so it can feed.
Sounds scary? Don’t. It’s just a metaphor, a way to explain how your emotions work. If you begin demonising it or hating it, tada! That’s more suffering to feed your parasite.
We think being unhappy works!
(READ MORE)
*Answers:
What are you? [don't know]
Who are you? [don't know]
What are your major goals in life? [be happy, be at peace]
What are your goals in these areas: Emotional Growth, Spiritual Growth, Relationships, Finances, Career, and Physical Health? [try to achieve all of them in healthy positive productive ways]
Where are you with regard to those goals [have no idea, all is relatively new], and
how do you feel about your chances of achieving them? [have no idea, up and down all the time, just like the economy recently, everything has changed. Just have to wait and see and keep trying. Don't give up!]
The Elusive Key to Emotional Mastery, Part 5: Why do we cling to unhappiness?
Let’s begin this post with a twist – a few questions instead of a story. You might groan, but please bear with me – it will only take a minute or two, and will aid you greatly if you are having trouble letting go of your suffering.
So, grab a pen and paper, or open up a text editor. Now, don’t think about the answer and don’t censor yourself. Just write down whatever comes to mind. This ensures authenticity. Ready? Here goes!
What are you? Who are you? What are your major goals in life? What are your goals in these areas: Emotional Growth, Spiritual Growth, Relationships, Finances, Career, and Physical Health? Where are you with regard to those goals, and how do you feel about your chances of achieving them?
[*Answers below]
Did you really do the task? Please do it, it’s for your own good. If you read the rest and then come back, your answers will be less reliable.
:D Done? Now, what were your answers? What was the point of that little test? It was the only way I could think of to see if you were identified with any of your suffering.
Identification with your pain
lonelygirl.jpg
One of the biggest troubles we can ever face in becoming free of unhappiness is our ego. Often, the ego has become attached to our suffering. We have made an identity out of the pain.
If you know anything about how the ego works, you will know that attachments become a part of it, as much as our arms are a part of us. The pain of removing an attachment is similar to the pain of cutting our arm off, then. And so it makes sense the ego resist with all its might.
Let’s take the first two questions. How did you answer them? Do you think of yourself as a depressed man, a woman struggling with low self-esteem, or something similar? How about your goals? Were your emotional goals to become happy, and yet you feel you would never get there? Was it your relationship goal to find a lover, and yet you feel you would never get one? Do you take a strange pleasure and pride in your suffering or your loneliness or your poverty or anything that you dislike? Do you talk or think about it all the time?
Calling yourself a depressed man doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve identified yourself with your condition. It might simply be recognition, a first step to overcoming it.
Seeing the attachment in yourself
Such attachments are often unconscious, requiring much awareness to recognise. Be as aware and as honest as you can. Search for attachments to your suffering.
The ego might come in and strongly deny its attachment. “Of course I don’t enjoy being depressed!” it might yell. And it seems convincing, for who would take pride in their suffering?
Maybe it would be easier if you started looking at the people around you first. The ego is easier to recognise in others. Take a good look, see how it works, and then try to see the same patterns in yourself.
I recently had dinner with a few friends that I haven’t seen in years. One of the guys began talking about an unrequited love; someone he had been pining over for the past two years. It made him miserable, and stopped him from finding a girlfriend. Soon all the others were chiming in with their own heartbreak stories.
Other egos at other tables were competing to see who had the bigger car or higher income. The egos at my table were competing to see who had the most shattered heart. It was amazing to watch. Maybe it was a search for sympathy or pity, but that is another form of attachment. And yet, what would happen if I had asked whether they took pride in their stories? Strong, fierce protests, I suspect.
My point? Such attachments are more common than you might think. Can you see it in yourself?
More attachment to suffering
Beyond this direct attachment to suffering and sympathy are more subtle forms. The first of these you might have heard of: We would rather be right than be happy.
We take a strange pleasure in reliving an argument in our head, in thinking of new ways to defend ourselves, to blame the other person, to blame God, to condemn our lives or jobs. Yes, it makes us unhappy to do so. Yes, it serves no practical purpose. But still we choose it over peace. Why? The ego loves it. Such activities make it feel great.
Going deeper: Wishes and fantasies
What are some other forms of attachment? Can you think of any? There might be more that I haven’t experienced. Try to see your own attachments now.
How about your wishes and fantasies, if you have any? When I have idle time, I find myself daydreaming about lording it over the people who hurt me before. I fantasize about extracting revenge on people I dislike or have humiliated me. I dream about looking cool in front of them. Childish, I know. Useless, I know. But some part of me enjoys it.
These are all subtle forms of egoic behaviour. You might think they are harmless, but they are just another form of clinging to your unhappiness. If you do find yourself indulging in such thoughts, simply recognise them for what they are – egoic behaviour. If you maintain this recognition, the thoughts will stop of their own accord.
Pleasure in suffering
Eckhart Tolle, in his book The Power of Now, goes a step further. He uses a metaphor: your negative emotions are a form of psychic parasite. Imagine a hookworm – it lives in your stomach and feeds off your body to make itself stronger. It doesn’t care that it’s hurting you in the process.
Your negative emotions are the same. They feed off your negative thoughts, finding ways to trigger them so they can get fat. Have you ever started an argument over practically nothing? Do you know someone who has? The parasite inside is at fault. It wants to feed.
There are other ways this parasite tries to trigger negative thoughts. I remember a traffic jam, when I was just coming out of extreme unhappiness. My thoughts were initially slightly negative – they revolved around the appointment I would be late for. But a few minutes later everything came rushing in. Old hurts, arguments, memories, insults… the parasite has leapt into the opening and was causing me more unhappiness so it can feed.
Sounds scary? Don’t. It’s just a metaphor, a way to explain how your emotions work. If you begin demonising it or hating it, tada! That’s more suffering to feed your parasite.
We think being unhappy works!
(READ MORE)
*Answers:
What are you? [don't know]
Who are you? [don't know]
What are your major goals in life? [be happy, be at peace]
What are your goals in these areas: Emotional Growth, Spiritual Growth, Relationships, Finances, Career, and Physical Health? [try to achieve all of them in healthy positive productive ways]
Where are you with regard to those goals [have no idea, all is relatively new], and
how do you feel about your chances of achieving them? [have no idea, up and down all the time, just like the economy recently, everything has changed. Just have to wait and see and keep trying. Don't give up!]
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Horoscope for Nov 4, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad
and the Odyssey, the nature of the psyche was portrayed differently from
the way it is today. It was understood that people received information
directly from the gods -- not as vague feelings or abstract guesswork, but
rather in the form of actual voices. In other words, divine beings spoke
directly to human beings. These days that's regarded as crazy; witness
the incredulous reactions that most smart people had when George W.
Bush said God personally told him to invade Iraq. With that as subtext, I'm
going to prophesy that a deity will soon have a message for you. Be
careful, though. An imposter may also slip you tips that you'd best
ignore. How to tell the difference? The real thing won't make you feel
inflated or urge you to cause harm.
FreeWillAstrology.com
Sunday, November 15, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Sunday, Nov. 15
Do not look for rest in any pleasure, because you were not created for pleasure: you were created for Joy. And if you do not know the difference between pleasure and joy you have not yet begun to live.
Thomas Merton
WORD FOR THE DAY
Sunday, Nov. 15
Do not look for rest in any pleasure, because you were not created for pleasure: you were created for Joy. And if you do not know the difference between pleasure and joy you have not yet begun to live.
Thomas Merton
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Bronx Zoo Unveils New Loitering-Teens Exhibit
April 22, 1998 | Issue 33•15
TheOnion.com
BRONX, NY—After months of public anticipation, the Bronx Zoo finally opened its new loitering-teens exhibit Saturday.
The just-opened exhibit.
The state-of-the-art exhibit, constructed over the past 10 months at a cost of $4.5 million, drew record crowds to the zoo this weekend. Loitering teens are indigenous to many urban and suburban areas across the U.S., but this is the first time they have been captured for display in a public zoo.
"They are fascinating," said Raymond Fehr, 51, a member of the Bronx Zoo board of directors and the man who oversaw the development of the exhibit. "The public will enjoy watching them hang out and smoke in an attractive natural setting."
The loitering-teens exhibit faithfully recreates the species' natural habitat, boasting a city-street facade that features a full-scale replica video arcade, piercing parlor and Taco Bell. A special "concrete park" area, suitable for skateboarding, has also been included to give the teens exercise.
According to Bronx Zoo director of exhibits John Gilkey, the zoo's 15 loitering-teen specimens appear to enjoy their new home and are responding well to their three daily feedings of Meximelts and Mountain Dew.
"They're really adjusting nicely," Gilkey said. "They've already started to spit, and I think that, within a couple of weeks, they'll be just about ready to start asking for spare change."
Despite the relatively smooth adjustment, one lesson zoo officials learned quickly was not to introduce older humans into the loitering teens' pen. When this happened, Gilkey said, the teens became enraged and ran around the cage screaming, "You just don't understand me, mom!"
Also of concern to zoo officials are the mating rituals of the teens, who appear to be awkward and ill-at-ease around members of the opposite sex. "We're hoping to get them to mate," Gilkey said. "But, thus far, all they seem interested in doing is shoplifting magazines and hiding from someone they call 'Johnny Law.'"
The Bronx Zoo's newest arrivals are a hit with the public. Plastic-toy replicas of the loitering teens are a best-seller at the zoo gift shop, and there is talk of opening a petting area so humans can interact with them on a limited basis.
"I like the one in the Charlotte Hornets jacket," said zoo visitor Jenny Thaler, 9. "He's got funny red dots all over his face."
If last weekend's visitor numbers continue, the loitering-teens exhibit has a chance at surpassing "Women In Our Midst" as the biggest draw in zoo history.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Plan of the Monastery of St. Gall created 819-26 A.D.
Antique manuscript and architectural plan for a monastery
http://www.stgallplan.org/en/
St. Gall Monastary Plan
* Plan Guide
Welcome
The Plan of St. Gall is the earliest preserved and most extraordinary visualization of a building complex produced in the Middle Ages. Ever since the Plan was created at the monastery of Reichenau sometime in the period 819-26 A.D., it has been preserved in the Monastic Library of St. Gall (Switzerland). Indeed, its presence there was singled out by UNESCO as a reason that the library, the repository of over 2000 late antique and medieval manuscripts, was designated a World Heritage site in 1983.
This web site, created with the financial assistance of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation by scholars at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Virginia, presents the plan, its origins, components, and notations, as well as four centuries of scholarship on the plan within the context of ninth-century material culture.
Church of the Plan
Drawn and annotated on five pieces of parchment sewn together, the St. Gall Plan is 112 cm x 77.5 cm and includes the ground plans of some forty structures as well as gardens, fences, walls, a road, and an orchard. The buildings are clearly identified by 333 inscriptions. Of course, primary among the buildings is a church (pictured above) with its scriptorium, sacristy, lodgings for visiting monks, and reception rooms. There is also a monastic dormitory, privy, laundry, refectory, kitchen, bake and brew house, guest house, abbot's residence, and an infirmary. Finally, there are numerous buildings associated with the specialized economic operations of a complex community of over 110 monks and some 150 servants and workers.
Why the Plan was created, and who is responsible for its design remain the great, unsolved enigmas of Plan scholarship. What is clear from one of the inscriptions on the Plan itself is that it was designed for Gozbert, the abbot of St. Gall (816-837 A.D.) and the person responsible for building the monastery's great Carolingian church in the 830s. But the built structure does not entirely reflect the design of the church on the Plan; and the monastery complex foreseen by the Plan could not, in any case, have been fit onto the actual terrain of St. Gall. These facts have caused scholars to see the Plan less as a blueprint commissioned by Gozbert for St. Gall than as a generic solution developed by Carolingian monastic authorities for the ideal, or typical monastery that could be built anywhere in Europe. When and why they would have done so has been the focus of Plan research during the last fifty years.
While our inability to pinpoint the Plan's author and his motivation is frustrating, the conclusion that the Plan was not created for a specific time and place paradoxically makes it more valuable: the Plan might be fairly characterized as a two-dimensional meditation on the ideal early medieval monastic community, an "objective correlative" of the Rule of St. Benedict, created at a time when monasticism was one of the dominant forms of political, economic, and cultural power in Europe.
... (more) http://www.stgallplan.org/en/
--
Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Blog: http://catherinetodd.blogspot.com/
Music: http://www.last.fm/music/Catherine+Todd
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Guatemala cell (dial 011 from the U.S.):
(502) 5013.6300
Travel: http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Architecture: http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/
For 2009:
"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna
Peace and justice are goals for man.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world"
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sr. Elizabeth
Sr. Elizabeth wrote: "It looks like I am selecting the organ stops here."
Katie wrote: "This reminds me of a Botticelli painting, or a Vermeer. I really love this painting (photo) with it's composition of line and light and music, momentarily at rest. Peace at it's finest in these very small increments that never seem to last, but last forever in the memory of our mind."
Catherine (Katie) at the Piano
Sister Elizabeth wrote: "In addition to having a digital organ, we also have a digital piano.
When Katie discovered its amazing sounds, all the music pent up in her filled the magnificent sacred space, and our hearts were overjoyed. "
Les and SME smiling for Katie with Camera
Photos from our vist with Sister Elizabeth, at the Benedictine Monastery in Tucson AZ, April 2009:
From Sister Elizabeth: "We wish that all of you who are viewing this could have been with us that wonderful day in late April 2009. This is next best!"
From Katie: "This is probably one of my most favorite shots of the whole group, outside of the gorgeous architecture in the Sanctuary. Les and Sr. Elizabeth, two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world! What a wonderful visit and day that was in the "Golden Chapel." Even the color came out just perfect that day. I'm going to put this photo on my blog."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 10
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from domination of outside conditions.
Robert Louis Stevenson
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 10
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from domination of outside conditions.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Horoscope for week of Nov 10, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): "Awesome" has become a commonplace
word that is used to express gladness about small triumphs and simple
pleasures. Today, for instance, a woman at the local cafe uttered a sweet
"Awesome!" when someone pointed out to her where she could find an
electrical outlet to plug in her laptop. Back in the old days, however,
"awesome" was a portentous term invoked only rarely. "Awe" referred to
an overwhelming feeling of wonder, reverence, admiration, inspiration, or
even agitation in the face of a sublime or numinous experience. In the
coming week, Aquarius, I expect you will experience more than your usual
quota of both kinds of awesome.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): This will be a smooth, easy, and graceful week
for you -- if, that is, you get yourself out of the way and allow the
universe to do its job. Can you do that? It doesn't mean you should be
passive or blank. On the contrary, in order for the cosmos to perform its
magic, you should be on the lookout for what captivates your imagination
and be primed to jump when life says "jump!" Be both relaxed and alert;
receptive and excitable; surrendered to the truth and in intimate contact
with your primal power. Then the song will sing itself. The dream will
interpret itself. The beauty will reveal itself.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Have you heard about the new sport of chess
boxing? Two competitors play chess for four minutes, then put on boxing
gloves and try to punch each other for three minutes; they continue this
rhythm for up to 11 rounds. I suspect you'll soon be asked to meet a
similar challenge, going back and forth between two contrasting modes. If
you treat this challenge as a fun game rather than a crazy-making
exertion, you'll do fine.
FreeWillAstrology.com
word that is used to express gladness about small triumphs and simple
pleasures. Today, for instance, a woman at the local cafe uttered a sweet
"Awesome!" when someone pointed out to her where she could find an
electrical outlet to plug in her laptop. Back in the old days, however,
"awesome" was a portentous term invoked only rarely. "Awe" referred to
an overwhelming feeling of wonder, reverence, admiration, inspiration, or
even agitation in the face of a sublime or numinous experience. In the
coming week, Aquarius, I expect you will experience more than your usual
quota of both kinds of awesome.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): This will be a smooth, easy, and graceful week
for you -- if, that is, you get yourself out of the way and allow the
universe to do its job. Can you do that? It doesn't mean you should be
passive or blank. On the contrary, in order for the cosmos to perform its
magic, you should be on the lookout for what captivates your imagination
and be primed to jump when life says "jump!" Be both relaxed and alert;
receptive and excitable; surrendered to the truth and in intimate contact
with your primal power. Then the song will sing itself. The dream will
interpret itself. The beauty will reveal itself.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Have you heard about the new sport of chess
boxing? Two competitors play chess for four minutes, then put on boxing
gloves and try to punch each other for three minutes; they continue this
rhythm for up to 11 rounds. I suspect you'll soon be asked to meet a
similar challenge, going back and forth between two contrasting modes. If
you treat this challenge as a fun game rather than a crazy-making
exertion, you'll do fine.
FreeWillAstrology.com
Monday, November 09, 2009
Gothic Architecture & a Virtual Cathedral
Book: The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals: A Study of Medieval Vault Erection (Paperback)
~ John Fitchen
John Fitchen (Author)
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(Author) "THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IN BUILDING IS THAT OF spanning space..." (more)
Key Phrases: clerestory piers, web coursing, cerce device, French Gothic, Middle Ages, Pont du Gard (more...)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
Read more:
blog.metmuseum.org/penandparchment/2009/07/21/the-secrets-of-architectural-drawings/
*
Exhibition Themes
o Introduction
o Early Drawing and the Written Word
o The Achievement of Anglo-Saxon Draftsmen
o Drawing and the Learned Tradition
o Drawings and the Artistic Process
o Exploring the Graphic Aesthetic: Draftsmanship in the Later Middle Ages
o Exhibition Images
*
Curatorial Comments
o Exhibition Now Closed
o Beginnings and Endings
o The Scribe as Draftsman
o How Many Museum Employees Does It Take…
o All That Glitters
o “Pen and Parchment” featured on WNYC
o The Secrets of Architectural Drawings
o Medieval Inks
o From Animal to Art: The Story of Parchment
o Elegant Geometry
o Matthew Paris, Master Draftsman
o Mapping the World
o Writing History
o A Medieval Library
o Join the Discussion
*
Additional Resources
o Department of Drawings and Prints
o Department of Medieval Art
o Exhibition Catalogue
o Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
o Related Events
*
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*
« Medieval Inks
“Pen and Parchment” featured on WNYC »
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Secrets of Architectural Drawings
FaƧade of Strasbourg Cathedral (“Plan A1”)
Above: FaƧade of Strasbourg Cathedral (“Plan A1”), Strasbourg, France, 1260s, 33 7/8 x 23 1/4 in. (86 x 59 cm), MusĆ©e de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame, Strasbourg, Inv. no. 2.
The so-called Strasbourg Plan A1, seen above, offers an exquisite example of medieval architectural drawings, which are rarely accessible to anyone, including scholars and researchers. It is one of the earliest surviving graphic documents of a monumental structure, authored by an anonymous artist. Although we do not know his name, the artist left us with enough information, in pen and ink, to express his vision for the design of the west faƧade of Strasbourg cathedral.
It was more than pen and ink that I wished to find when I approached the framed drawing for the first time. It was leaning against the wall, silently, waiting to be hanged. I knelt down and started looking for prick holes—yes, prick holes—those barely discernible marks left by the sharp point of a compass. Prick holes serve two important functions. In an original drawing, they reveal the invisible geometric forms underlying the design: circles, say for a rose window; or arcs, two of which combine to form a pointed arch for a window or doorway. Prick holes penetrating through the entire thickness of the parchment may suggest that at some point the drawing was used as a master for copying, when the sharp point of the compass or a similar instrument needs to reach the parchment below. Key details of the original drawing—for example the apex of a pointed arch, the cusps of a tracery window, or the outline of a doorway—would be pricked through. A prĆ©cis, or essential summary, of the design would then be transferred onto a sheet of fresh parchment directly underneath, visible with the marks (prick holes) made by the sharp point. These marks would then serve as guides for the artist to complete the copying process. Medieval Xeroxing, one might say. ...(more)
---
Ad Quadratum: The Practical Application of Geometry in Medieval Architecture (Avista Studies in the History of Medieval Science, Technology and Art) (Hardcover)
~ Nancy Wu (Editor)
Amazon Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Practical geometry and how it might have been applied in the design of medieval architecture is the subject of this book. The 11 papers by the international team of contributors, together with the introduction by Eric Fernie, present an up-to-date look at the latest scholarship, covering an area from Carolingian Germany and Romanesque Italy to Crusader Cyprus and Gothic France. The applications of geometry and metrology are illustrated with figures largely generated by computer-assisted design (CAD) programs, using new technology to overcome the limitations of earlier analysis of plans. These papers aim to present the current state of thinking on the uses of geometry in medieval architecture. The volume should prove useful to historians of art, history and science of the Middle Ages.
----
See more at:
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Gothic Design
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Sunday, November 08, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Sunday, Nov. 8
The whole of the holy life is good friends.
The Buddha
to his cousin Ananda
WORD FOR THE DAY
Sunday, Nov. 8
The whole of the holy life is good friends.
The Buddha
to his cousin Ananda
Thursday, November 05, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Thursday, Nov. 5
The same pain that can blemish our personality can act as a creative force, burnishing it into an object of delight.
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan
Alchemical Wisdom
Is this why I am "so creative?"
WORD FOR THE DAY
Thursday, Nov. 5
The same pain that can blemish our personality can act as a creative force, burnishing it into an object of delight.
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan
Alchemical Wisdom
Is this why I am "so creative?"
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Wednesday, Nov. 4
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart
WORD FOR THE DAY
Wednesday, Nov. 4
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart
Jealousy, Addictions
To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.
Joan Didion
When you look in the mirror and hate what you see,
you need addictions to survive.
Don Miguel Ruiz
Joan Didion
When you look in the mirror and hate what you see,
you need addictions to survive.
Don Miguel Ruiz
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Horoscope for Nov 4, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I would love it if you could find a sword that
could cut itself. Or a fire that could burn itself. Or some water you could
wash. But even if you can conjure the magic to attract an experience that
simply resembles one of those marvelous paradoxes, it would set in
motion a series of epiphanies that would liberate you from an inferior paradox -- a confusing absurdity that is not worthy of you and that has been draining your life force.
FreeWillAstrology.com
Definition of epiphany:
1. Epiphany
a. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
b. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3.
a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: "I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself" (Frank Maier).
---
Main Entry: epiph·a·ny
Pronunciation: \i-Ėpi-fÉ-nÄ\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural epiph·a·nies
Etymology: Middle English epiphanie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Late Greek, plural, probably alteration of Greek epiphaneia appearance, manifestation, from epiphainein to manifest, from epi- + phainein to show — more at fancy
Date: 14th century
1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2 : an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b : a revealing scene or moment
---What the heck does "inferior paradox" mean?
See: http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:BBi0cD-ClioJ:www.mbydesign.com/mbydesign/Library/Chap-02.pdf+definition+%22+inferior+paradox%22&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
could cut itself. Or a fire that could burn itself. Or some water you could
wash. But even if you can conjure the magic to attract an experience that
simply resembles one of those marvelous paradoxes, it would set in
motion a series of epiphanies that would liberate you from an inferior paradox -- a confusing absurdity that is not worthy of you and that has been draining your life force.
FreeWillAstrology.com
Definition of epiphany:
1. Epiphany
a. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
b. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3.
a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: "I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself" (Frank Maier).
---
Main Entry: epiph·a·ny
Pronunciation: \i-Ėpi-fÉ-nÄ\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural epiph·a·nies
Etymology: Middle English epiphanie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Late Greek, plural, probably alteration of Greek epiphaneia appearance, manifestation, from epiphainein to manifest, from epi- + phainein to show — more at fancy
Date: 14th century
1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2 : an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b : a revealing scene or moment
---What the heck does "inferior paradox" mean?
See: http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:BBi0cD-ClioJ:www.mbydesign.com/mbydesign/Library/Chap-02.pdf+definition+%22+inferior+paradox%22&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
Louisa May Alcott
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
Louisa May Alcott
Monday, November 02, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Nov. 2
A harmonized mind produces harmony in this world of seeming discord.
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
If only this were true. I will try.
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Nov. 2
A harmonized mind produces harmony in this world of seeming discord.
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
If only this were true. I will try.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Ron Bishop ~ TV western & drama writer
Posted by Branfred
member since: Jun 15, 2005
The late Ron Bishop is one of my very favorite TV drama writers. He wrote most often for episodic TV, extensively in the Westerns heyday, and contributed many of the best scripts for Gunsmoke. ...Continue »
Within the structural constraints of the one-hour episodic format and the dramatic conventions of the "Western" genre Bishop still managed to be a standout. He created very distinctive characters whose underlying complexity was progressively revealed in novel plots with tight structure and provocative themes that went well beyond the rather formulaic, mechanical mediocrity that met the "it's good enough for TV" standard that was (and still is) all too common.
I give especially high marks to Mr. Bishop as a writer of dialogue. In both casual conversation and confrontational exchanges his characters generally have an authentic voice of their own. Their words, sentence constructions, and turns of phrase are always colorful, often very uniquely couched, and seem to be resonant with what we might imagine the idioms of that era and place.
What is so nice about this particular strength of Ron Bishop's writing is not some show-off-ish, look-at-me-write self indulgence of the writer. To the contrary, Bishop's talent for creating great characters, interesting plots and really tasty dialogue provided some of the period's best and mostly underrated, underused actors with opportunities to show what they could do -- just how good they could be if given the chance to carry some weight.
To see what I am talking about, check out any of the following when their series is available in syndication. In Kung Fu's "The Soul Is The Warrior", for example, the inimitable John Doucette really steps up and hits one out of the park, displaying an ability to project gravitas and nuance that most who are only familiar with his more usual second-string roles as a "heavy" would hardly expect of him. Even the lesser characters in this episode are sharply defined and given some good lines and scenes.
Don't miss 'em episodes of Gunsmoke abound. "A Hat" features Chill Wills and Gene Evans in standout performances. "A Town In Chains" with Ramon Bieri and Lance LeGault(among several others)is just a sweet piece of work all round. Ditto for "Whelan's Men," "Mannon", "Matt's Love Story", and "Slocum". These illustrate Bishop's obviously high standards for himself as a writer and his consistent ability to deliver at that high level.
Unfortunately, I was not a regular viewer of the shows that Bishop wrote for in his most productive years as a TV writer. Much of his other work, beyond the Gunsmoke years and the Kung Fu episode, are not something I can reference with any familiarity. However, I will still say with some considerable degree of confidence that those other shows bear watching if you like good writing with a distinctive voice and style.
I have done some Internet searching for references to Ron Bishop and would recommend you fire up your favorite search engine to find out a little more about his background, career, accomplishments and peer recognition.
Although detailed information is sadly rather scant, I'll note that he was the recipient of several awards as a "Western" writer. Perhaps even more telling is that he was given a special recognition in the credits for one of the Gunsmoke movie credits. My guess, knowing of James Arness' personal involvement and keen interest in the production side of the venerable Gunsmoke series, is that Arness knew just how lucky he was to have a talent and a sensibility like Ron Bishop providing above-and-beyond-the-herd, top notch material for so many episodes. Likewise, for all those actors who Mr. Bishop's work meant a chance to exhibit their own talents to best effect, I am sure Ron Bishop was a man that they often thought of with great fondness and appreciation.
I never met the guy. He was probably already gone before I even knew his name or saw much of his creative output. Still, I'm glad I finally took this opportunity to give the man a little of his due.
Well done, Ron. Well done...
[submitted by RDR under the "borrowed" logon of Branfred Level 9. Thanks BL9]
---
See more at:
Ron Bishop Recent Role: on How the West Was Won
Show Summary: The Slavers, Aired: 04/23/79
Zeb Macahan was a rugged mountain man who had spent ten years in the Dakota Territory before returning to Virginia where his brother's family was getting ready to make the long trip west. Just as they started their journey, the Civil War began.
Zeb's brother Timothy returned east and his wife Kate was... more
---
Imdb.com: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084183/bio
Biography for
Ron Bishop (I) More at IMDbPro »
advertisement
Date of Birth
21 July 1921, Ohio, USA
Date of Death
30 January 1988, Los Angeles, California, USA
Birth Name
Ronald Arthur Bishop
Mini Biography
While he wrote scripts for several television series, Ron Bishop is best remembered as one of the most important writers during the second decade of "Gunsmoke." Series star James Arness has long referred to Bishop as one of the best writers on that series. The characters created by Bishop spoke authentically to the time period portrayed in the series, and he created some of the most memorable villains seen during the twenty year run of the program. Friends and co- workers described him as an outdoors-man who lived by a strong code of conduct, a conduct often reflected in his scripts. Bishop died in 1988 following a stroke.
IMDb Mini Biography By: rtvf
Trivia
In 1989, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Wyoming hosted The Great TV Westerns: a film program in memory of Ron Bishop. http://rmoa.unm.edu
member since: Jun 15, 2005
The late Ron Bishop is one of my very favorite TV drama writers. He wrote most often for episodic TV, extensively in the Westerns heyday, and contributed many of the best scripts for Gunsmoke. ...Continue »
Within the structural constraints of the one-hour episodic format and the dramatic conventions of the "Western" genre Bishop still managed to be a standout. He created very distinctive characters whose underlying complexity was progressively revealed in novel plots with tight structure and provocative themes that went well beyond the rather formulaic, mechanical mediocrity that met the "it's good enough for TV" standard that was (and still is) all too common.
I give especially high marks to Mr. Bishop as a writer of dialogue. In both casual conversation and confrontational exchanges his characters generally have an authentic voice of their own. Their words, sentence constructions, and turns of phrase are always colorful, often very uniquely couched, and seem to be resonant with what we might imagine the idioms of that era and place.
What is so nice about this particular strength of Ron Bishop's writing is not some show-off-ish, look-at-me-write self indulgence of the writer. To the contrary, Bishop's talent for creating great characters, interesting plots and really tasty dialogue provided some of the period's best and mostly underrated, underused actors with opportunities to show what they could do -- just how good they could be if given the chance to carry some weight.
To see what I am talking about, check out any of the following when their series is available in syndication. In Kung Fu's "The Soul Is The Warrior", for example, the inimitable John Doucette really steps up and hits one out of the park, displaying an ability to project gravitas and nuance that most who are only familiar with his more usual second-string roles as a "heavy" would hardly expect of him. Even the lesser characters in this episode are sharply defined and given some good lines and scenes.
Don't miss 'em episodes of Gunsmoke abound. "A Hat" features Chill Wills and Gene Evans in standout performances. "A Town In Chains" with Ramon Bieri and Lance LeGault(among several others)is just a sweet piece of work all round. Ditto for "Whelan's Men," "Mannon", "Matt's Love Story", and "Slocum". These illustrate Bishop's obviously high standards for himself as a writer and his consistent ability to deliver at that high level.
Unfortunately, I was not a regular viewer of the shows that Bishop wrote for in his most productive years as a TV writer. Much of his other work, beyond the Gunsmoke years and the Kung Fu episode, are not something I can reference with any familiarity. However, I will still say with some considerable degree of confidence that those other shows bear watching if you like good writing with a distinctive voice and style.
I have done some Internet searching for references to Ron Bishop and would recommend you fire up your favorite search engine to find out a little more about his background, career, accomplishments and peer recognition.
Although detailed information is sadly rather scant, I'll note that he was the recipient of several awards as a "Western" writer. Perhaps even more telling is that he was given a special recognition in the credits for one of the Gunsmoke movie credits. My guess, knowing of James Arness' personal involvement and keen interest in the production side of the venerable Gunsmoke series, is that Arness knew just how lucky he was to have a talent and a sensibility like Ron Bishop providing above-and-beyond-the-herd, top notch material for so many episodes. Likewise, for all those actors who Mr. Bishop's work meant a chance to exhibit their own talents to best effect, I am sure Ron Bishop was a man that they often thought of with great fondness and appreciation.
I never met the guy. He was probably already gone before I even knew his name or saw much of his creative output. Still, I'm glad I finally took this opportunity to give the man a little of his due.
Well done, Ron. Well done...
[submitted by RDR under the "borrowed" logon of Branfred Level 9. Thanks BL9]
---
See more at:
Ron Bishop Recent Role: on How the West Was Won
Show Summary: The Slavers, Aired: 04/23/79
Zeb Macahan was a rugged mountain man who had spent ten years in the Dakota Territory before returning to Virginia where his brother's family was getting ready to make the long trip west. Just as they started their journey, the Civil War began.
Zeb's brother Timothy returned east and his wife Kate was... more
---
Imdb.com: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084183/bio
Biography for
Ron Bishop (I) More at IMDbPro »
advertisement
Date of Birth
21 July 1921, Ohio, USA
Date of Death
30 January 1988, Los Angeles, California, USA
Birth Name
Ronald Arthur Bishop
Mini Biography
While he wrote scripts for several television series, Ron Bishop is best remembered as one of the most important writers during the second decade of "Gunsmoke." Series star James Arness has long referred to Bishop as one of the best writers on that series. The characters created by Bishop spoke authentically to the time period portrayed in the series, and he created some of the most memorable villains seen during the twenty year run of the program. Friends and co- workers described him as an outdoors-man who lived by a strong code of conduct, a conduct often reflected in his scripts. Bishop died in 1988 following a stroke.
IMDb Mini Biography By: rtvf
Trivia
In 1989, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Wyoming hosted The Great TV Westerns: a film program in memory of Ron Bishop. http://rmoa.unm.edu
Gunsmoke, "A Hat" (1967) ~ "Five Days"
"Gunsmoke" A Hat (1967)
16 October 1967 (Season 13, Episode 6)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0593970/?c=1
This episode contains some of the most beautiful poetry and moving philosophy I have ever heard in a TV episode of any kind, written by Ron Bishop. Bishop wrote a number of episodes for Gunsmoke and other similar shows. The character of Sorils, gunfighter, hunter, trapper, crude and stubborn man, describes a “Divine Experience” up in the mountains that took place over five days.
The philosophy of Gunsmoke and Ron Bishop comes through continuously, even given the "owning" philosophy of men towards women in those days. This episode has moved me like no other. I wish I could meet the writer, Ron Bishop, and thank him for imparting such a beautiful piece of wisdom and life to us all in a simple hour-long TV show. This episode is like reading a prayer book, over and over again, in five small lines. This episode shows that all men, and women, have something they hold dear in their hearts. Something. Some days. Even if it is just five small days.
Story line: Clint Sorils (Gene Evans), a gunfighter, has been shot over a stray bullet through his hat, is lying in bed with little hope of recovery. Some of the townspeople don't want him in town and send an emissary, Mr. Brewer, to tell Matt Dillon that they don't want him in town. Here is some of the dialogue (paraphrased in part):
Brewer: "Clint Sorils is a gunfighter."
Dillon: "That's probably what he will be remembered for. A lot of people probably forget that it was him and men like him that opened up this country, hunting, trapping."
But Sorils took a gun and killed a man.
In self-defense, yes...
Why jeopardize the health of a town for a crude mountain of filth like
that?
Mr. Brewer, he has the legal right to be here. ...
Very simple Mr. Brewer. Just tell them he stays. In the first place, he can't be moved. We don't even know if he's going to live. In the second place, on the outside he may be a mountain of filth, inside he's a man."
Later, in the company of Miss Kitty, Sorils begins to recall his beloved squaw Amy and the finer times in his life, as a religious experience. He begins to recite a story of "five days of silence" in the mountains, with "no need" to talk, and sheep whose feet are "like prayer books" and the great happiness he felt at the time.
"Five days. I recall five days when no one talked. No need. Mountains pushing God higher. Elk. Moose low to the willow. Mountain sheep climbing and looking back, as if they had prayer books on their feet. "Ishmay Omay"* Don't lie. Don't quit. (wheezes) Amy. Amy. (I know you?) You couldn't die. But the hardest piece of day mo. Not you Amy. Oh Amy.
Remember our first Spring? And that meadow we has? Furs all around and that meadow. And the snows just gone now. And us lying there and all the time close swallows and even a sky fox. A girl don't need no more than that, does she? And there was a time I shot the supper grouse. The hen had chicks. I didn't know. Chicks. I always liked young-uns. Always... liked 'em. We never had no young-uns Amy. Why? A woman always will have them.
Amy. Oh Amy. You're the best squaw a man ever owned."
more at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0593970/?c=1
*"Ishmay Omay:" see comments below and explanation of what these words do NOT mean, but may have referred to: http://www.native-languages.org/iaq24.htm
16 October 1967 (Season 13, Episode 6)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0593970/?c=1
This episode contains some of the most beautiful poetry and moving philosophy I have ever heard in a TV episode of any kind, written by Ron Bishop. Bishop wrote a number of episodes for Gunsmoke and other similar shows. The character of Sorils, gunfighter, hunter, trapper, crude and stubborn man, describes a “Divine Experience” up in the mountains that took place over five days.
The philosophy of Gunsmoke and Ron Bishop comes through continuously, even given the "owning" philosophy of men towards women in those days. This episode has moved me like no other. I wish I could meet the writer, Ron Bishop, and thank him for imparting such a beautiful piece of wisdom and life to us all in a simple hour-long TV show. This episode is like reading a prayer book, over and over again, in five small lines. This episode shows that all men, and women, have something they hold dear in their hearts. Something. Some days. Even if it is just five small days.
Story line: Clint Sorils (Gene Evans), a gunfighter, has been shot over a stray bullet through his hat, is lying in bed with little hope of recovery. Some of the townspeople don't want him in town and send an emissary, Mr. Brewer, to tell Matt Dillon that they don't want him in town. Here is some of the dialogue (paraphrased in part):
Brewer: "Clint Sorils is a gunfighter."
Dillon: "That's probably what he will be remembered for. A lot of people probably forget that it was him and men like him that opened up this country, hunting, trapping."
But Sorils took a gun and killed a man.
In self-defense, yes...
Why jeopardize the health of a town for a crude mountain of filth like
that?
Mr. Brewer, he has the legal right to be here. ...
Very simple Mr. Brewer. Just tell them he stays. In the first place, he can't be moved. We don't even know if he's going to live. In the second place, on the outside he may be a mountain of filth, inside he's a man."
Later, in the company of Miss Kitty, Sorils begins to recall his beloved squaw Amy and the finer times in his life, as a religious experience. He begins to recite a story of "five days of silence" in the mountains, with "no need" to talk, and sheep whose feet are "like prayer books" and the great happiness he felt at the time.
"Five days. I recall five days when no one talked. No need. Mountains pushing God higher. Elk. Moose low to the willow. Mountain sheep climbing and looking back, as if they had prayer books on their feet. "Ishmay Omay"* Don't lie. Don't quit. (wheezes) Amy. Amy. (I know you?) You couldn't die. But the hardest piece of day mo. Not you Amy. Oh Amy.
Remember our first Spring? And that meadow we has? Furs all around and that meadow. And the snows just gone now. And us lying there and all the time close swallows and even a sky fox. A girl don't need no more than that, does she? And there was a time I shot the supper grouse. The hen had chicks. I didn't know. Chicks. I always liked young-uns. Always... liked 'em. We never had no young-uns Amy. Why? A woman always will have them.
Amy. Oh Amy. You're the best squaw a man ever owned."
more at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0593970/?c=1
*"Ishmay Omay:" see comments below and explanation of what these words do NOT mean, but may have referred to: http://www.native-languages.org/iaq24.htm
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
This book had both positive and negative aspects to the reviews; I'm going to read it right away. One positive part below, with excellent book list. CT
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
4.6 out of 5 stars
Amazon review:
[after noting the limitations of this book]... the book really is fine, and I learned from reading it. But if a person is interested in *childhood* trauma, there are books that I think should be read first. These include the following:
Books by Alice Miller, including:
• Drama of the Gifted Child [Read the original version, which has a preface called "Vantage Point 1990," not the one rewritten during the 90's] followed by
• Banished Knowledg by Alice Millere,
•Making Sense of Suffering by Konrad Stettbacher,
•Too Scared to Cry by Lenore Terr,
•Soul Murder by Morton Schatzman (not the better-known book of the same title by Leonard Schengold); Schatzman's book is out of print but available from public libraries,
•Betrayal Trauma by Jennifer Freyd, and for those looking for simpler but theoretically solid and practical works,
•Toxic Parents by Susan Forward and
•Reclaiming Your Life by Jean Jenson.
(more)
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
4.6 out of 5 stars
Amazon review:
[after noting the limitations of this book]... the book really is fine, and I learned from reading it. But if a person is interested in *childhood* trauma, there are books that I think should be read first. These include the following:
Books by Alice Miller, including:
• Drama of the Gifted Child [Read the original version, which has a preface called "Vantage Point 1990," not the one rewritten during the 90's] followed by
• Banished Knowledg by Alice Millere,
•Making Sense of Suffering by Konrad Stettbacher,
•Too Scared to Cry by Lenore Terr,
•Soul Murder by Morton Schatzman (not the better-known book of the same title by Leonard Schengold); Schatzman's book is out of print but available from public libraries,
•Betrayal Trauma by Jennifer Freyd, and for those looking for simpler but theoretically solid and practical works,
•Toxic Parents by Susan Forward and
•Reclaiming Your Life by Jean Jenson.
(more)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thou shall not bear false witness
Wiccans? Do you believe you can cast an evil spell on someone?
I ask because a Wiccan here threatened to do that to me a long time ago. I was wondering if the majority believe it's possible and is that part of your belief system?
* 2 years ago
catherine yronwode by catherine yronwode
Member since:
November 02, 2007
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
The Wiccan Rede enjoins members of Wiccan religion to "harm none". The teachings of Jesus in which he told his followers to "turn the other cheek" enjoin members of the Christian religion not to hurt others, even when provoked. The Ten Commandments enjoin members of the Jewish religion not to covet, steal, kill, or bear false witness. But, of course, members of all three of those religions have been known to break those and other rules of their religions. I have seen Jews eat pork and steal and join the military and kill people. I have seen Christians rape, steal, set buildings on fire, and torture and kill little babies. I have seen Wiccans fling evil spells and join the military, where they proceed to kill men, women, and children, just like their Christian and Jewish fellow-soldiers do. No religion is exempt from abandonment of its principles, even by its own clergy, as we have all learned from reading about the pederast priests of the Catholic Church. And, lest you think i am singling out Christians, let me tell you that there are the Hindu priest pederasts, Yoga teacher pederasts, Buddhist priest pederasts, and Wicca pederasts. You can google them. They exist. The point is this: Wicca is no better than the goodness of its adherents, and no purer than the purity of its congregations and its clergy. So, yes, a "real" Wiccan can cast an evil spell. They shouldn't -- but they can, and some no doubt have done so, even more than once.
* 2 years ago
Asker's Rating:
5 out of 5
Asker's Comment:
(((smile)))
Thank you.
I ask because a Wiccan here threatened to do that to me a long time ago. I was wondering if the majority believe it's possible and is that part of your belief system?
* 2 years ago
catherine yronwode by catherine yronwode
Member since:
November 02, 2007
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
The Wiccan Rede enjoins members of Wiccan religion to "harm none". The teachings of Jesus in which he told his followers to "turn the other cheek" enjoin members of the Christian religion not to hurt others, even when provoked. The Ten Commandments enjoin members of the Jewish religion not to covet, steal, kill, or bear false witness. But, of course, members of all three of those religions have been known to break those and other rules of their religions. I have seen Jews eat pork and steal and join the military and kill people. I have seen Christians rape, steal, set buildings on fire, and torture and kill little babies. I have seen Wiccans fling evil spells and join the military, where they proceed to kill men, women, and children, just like their Christian and Jewish fellow-soldiers do. No religion is exempt from abandonment of its principles, even by its own clergy, as we have all learned from reading about the pederast priests of the Catholic Church. And, lest you think i am singling out Christians, let me tell you that there are the Hindu priest pederasts, Yoga teacher pederasts, Buddhist priest pederasts, and Wicca pederasts. You can google them. They exist. The point is this: Wicca is no better than the goodness of its adherents, and no purer than the purity of its congregations and its clergy. So, yes, a "real" Wiccan can cast an evil spell. They shouldn't -- but they can, and some no doubt have done so, even more than once.
* 2 years ago
Asker's Rating:
5 out of 5
Asker's Comment:
(((smile)))
Thank you.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Leonard Cohen HALLELUJAH sung by Kate Voegele
Hallelujah - sung by Kate Voegele
Leonard Cohen HALLELUJAH lyrics
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Now maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
And it's not complaint you hear tonight
And it's not some pilgrim who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Relatividad de la distancia / Distance relativity
No es por la relatividad del tiempo por lo que se empieza, sino de la distancia. No se mide en metros, o en km. Sino en minutos, horas, dĆas. Las distancias desaparecen, dejando lugar a la medida del tiempo, ... la medida de la vida.
It isn't time relativity by what one starts, but distance relativity. One doesn't measure in meters, or in km. but in minutes, hours, days. Distances disappear, leaving place for the measure of time, ... the measure of life.
From Victor Nuno, posted on Flickr.com
100 years of solitude / 100 aƱos de soledad
100 years of solitude / 100 aƱos de soledad by victor_nuno
So many moments in life, ... when we must make difficult decisions. So many moments of solitude. These decisions define us and our own life. And after, after the storm, when all things come to a calm, ... we look, and it is ourselves what prevail. It is ourselves who have made another step. Into our souls.
Dedicated to all those who are in such a moment.
Tantos momentos en la vida, ... en los que tenemos decisiones difĆciles. Tantos momentos de soledad. Estas decisiones nos definen a nosotros y a nuestra vida. Y despuĆ©s, despuĆ©s de la tormenta, cuando todo vuelve a la calma, ... miramos, y somos nosotros que permanecemos. Somos nosotros que hemos dado otro paso mĆ”s. Hacia nuestra alma.
Dedicado a todas aquellas personas que estĆ©n en un momento asĆ.
From Victor Nuno, on flickr.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Castle of Fair Welcome
Loggia
marymagdalen.blogspot.com/2009/08/scotney-castle-with-fr-mildew.html
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5753453.jpg
Hunedoara - Hunyadi's castle - loggia
San Angelo www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Western_Europe/Italy/San%20Angelo/index.htm
Psalm Concerning the Castle ~ by Denise Levertov
Let me be at the place of the castle.
Let the castle be within me.
Let it rise foursquare from the moat's ring.
Let the moat's waters reflect green plumage of ducks, let
the shells of swimming turtles break the surface or be
seen through the rippling depths.
Let horsemen be stationed at the rim of it, and a dog,
always alert on the brink of sleep.
Let the space under the first storey be dark, let the water
lap the stone posts, and vivid green slime glimmer upon
them; let a boat be kept there.
Let the caryatids of the second storey be bears upheld on
beams that are dragons.
On the parapet of the central room, let there be four
archers, looking off to the four horizons. Within, let
the prince be at home, let him sit in deep thought, at
peace, all the windows open to the loggias.
Let the young queen sit above, in the cool air, her child in
her arms; let her look with joy at the great circle, the
pilgrim shadows, the work of the sun and the play of
the wind. Let her walk to and fro. Let the columns uphold
the roof, let the storeys uphold the columns, let there
be dark space below the lowest floor, let the castle rise
foursquare out of the moat, let the moat be a ring and
the water deep, let the guardians guard it, let there be
wide lands around it, let that country where it stands be
within me, let me be where it is.
Denise Levertov
Let the castle be within me.
Let it rise foursquare from the moat's ring.
Let the moat's waters reflect green plumage of ducks, let
the shells of swimming turtles break the surface or be
seen through the rippling depths.
Let horsemen be stationed at the rim of it, and a dog,
always alert on the brink of sleep.
Let the space under the first storey be dark, let the water
lap the stone posts, and vivid green slime glimmer upon
them; let a boat be kept there.
Let the caryatids of the second storey be bears upheld on
beams that are dragons.
On the parapet of the central room, let there be four
archers, looking off to the four horizons. Within, let
the prince be at home, let him sit in deep thought, at
peace, all the windows open to the loggias.
Let the young queen sit above, in the cool air, her child in
her arms; let her look with joy at the great circle, the
pilgrim shadows, the work of the sun and the play of
the wind. Let her walk to and fro. Let the columns uphold
the roof, let the storeys uphold the columns, let there
be dark space below the lowest floor, let the castle rise
foursquare out of the moat, let the moat be a ring and
the water deep, let the guardians guard it, let there be
wide lands around it, let that country where it stands be
within me, let me be where it is.
Denise Levertov
The Lion-Hearted King
www.amazon.com/Music-Lion-Hearted-Gothic-Voices
Figure 9:
Third Crusade. Surrender of Acre to Philip Augustus and Richard the Lion-Hearted, king of England (BNF, FR 2813) fol. 238v
Grandes Chroniques de France, Paris, 14th Century.
www.greydragon.org/library/tentpics/index.html
www.greydragon.org/library/tentpics/figure10.jpg
www.amazon.com/Castle of Fair Welcome
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Thursday, Oct. 29
You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Simple Abundance
Dear God, help me over this anger in my life.
ANGER vs. LOVE & FORGIVENESS.
where, how, when?
WORD FOR THE DAY
Thursday, Oct. 29
You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Simple Abundance
Dear God, help me over this anger in my life.
ANGER vs. LOVE & FORGIVENESS.
where, how, when?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Horoscope week of Oct 27,2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When I did a performance in Santa Fe a few
years ago, a woman in the audience came up to me after the show and
made a sardonic proposal: Would I like to join her twelve-step program for
writers who are overly fond of vivid adjectives and adverbs? With all the
uppity mock politeness I could summon, I told her that I was
preposterously happy with my scintillating addiction to brazen language,
and didn't regard it as a raggedy problem that needed invasive correcting.
Now I'm advising you to be like me and follow your heart when it tells you
to be bigger, bolder, and brasher than ever before. Right now, shiny
intensity is your sacred duty! Halloween costume suggestion: the sun.
FreeWillAstrology.com
years ago, a woman in the audience came up to me after the show and
made a sardonic proposal: Would I like to join her twelve-step program for
writers who are overly fond of vivid adjectives and adverbs? With all the
uppity mock politeness I could summon, I told her that I was
preposterously happy with my scintillating addiction to brazen language,
and didn't regard it as a raggedy problem that needed invasive correcting.
Now I'm advising you to be like me and follow your heart when it tells you
to be bigger, bolder, and brasher than ever before. Right now, shiny
intensity is your sacred duty! Halloween costume suggestion: the sun.
FreeWillAstrology.com
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Take more time, cover less ground.
Thomas Merton
Dancing In The Waters of Life
WORD FOR THE DAY
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Take more time, cover less ground.
Thomas Merton
Dancing In The Waters of Life
Monday, October 26, 2009
Horoscope: OCTOBER 21, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
The members of the congregation at St. Peter-at-Gowts Church in Lincoln, England had a minor crisis a few years ago. For years, they had prayed to a very old stone sculpture they assumed was a likeness of the Virgin Mary. Then a nosy archaeologist came poking around and informed them that the figure was actually Arimanius, the god of the underworld in the ancient Mithraic religion. I encourage you to make sure you're not under a comparable misimpression, Aquarius. This is an excellent time, astrologically speaking, for you to seek the help of higher powers, but it's crucial that you direct your invocations to the right source.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
In the film Postcards from the Edge the character played by Meryl Streep made a monumental declaration: "Instant gratification takes too long." I know exactly what she meant. Sometimes I wish I could have what I want before I have to endure even a moment of frustrated longing. I bring this up, my fellow Cancerian, because in the coming week we may get our yearnings satisfied before we fully express them. Of course, there could be a downside to this situation: Since the magic will be materializing so quickly, you'd better be very sure you really want what you even start to wish for.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
It's an excellent time to see if you can remove some of the neurotic twitches from your erotic itches. For example, you could use all your ingenuity to talk yourself out of the silly guilt you feel for having a certain idiosyncratic desire -- a desire that, if acted out, would hurt no one, and that is therefore, by definition, healthy. Here's another possibility: You could invoke the full powers of your imagination as you free yourself from things that prevent you from experiencing maximum pleasure, like old wounds, simmering anger, rank egotism, and limiting beliefs.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FreeWillAstrology.com
The members of the congregation at St. Peter-at-Gowts Church in Lincoln, England had a minor crisis a few years ago. For years, they had prayed to a very old stone sculpture they assumed was a likeness of the Virgin Mary. Then a nosy archaeologist came poking around and informed them that the figure was actually Arimanius, the god of the underworld in the ancient Mithraic religion. I encourage you to make sure you're not under a comparable misimpression, Aquarius. This is an excellent time, astrologically speaking, for you to seek the help of higher powers, but it's crucial that you direct your invocations to the right source.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
In the film Postcards from the Edge the character played by Meryl Streep made a monumental declaration: "Instant gratification takes too long." I know exactly what she meant. Sometimes I wish I could have what I want before I have to endure even a moment of frustrated longing. I bring this up, my fellow Cancerian, because in the coming week we may get our yearnings satisfied before we fully express them. Of course, there could be a downside to this situation: Since the magic will be materializing so quickly, you'd better be very sure you really want what you even start to wish for.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
It's an excellent time to see if you can remove some of the neurotic twitches from your erotic itches. For example, you could use all your ingenuity to talk yourself out of the silly guilt you feel for having a certain idiosyncratic desire -- a desire that, if acted out, would hurt no one, and that is therefore, by definition, healthy. Here's another possibility: You could invoke the full powers of your imagination as you free yourself from things that prevent you from experiencing maximum pleasure, like old wounds, simmering anger, rank egotism, and limiting beliefs.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FreeWillAstrology.com
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Oct. 26
If you look at every human being as a Divine mirror, you will know yourself and understand life.
Sherif Baba
???
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Oct. 26
If you look at every human being as a Divine mirror, you will know yourself and understand life.
Sherif Baba
???
Saturday, October 24, 2009
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Oct. 19
Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
WORD FOR THE DAY
Monday, Oct. 19
Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Valley of Regret
Illustrates my words:
You came to me this evening
In the shadow of a kiss
I thought that I had lost you
To the early morning mist
You took a humble helping
While I took all I could get
You took my heart and hid it
In the valley of regret
I trembled in your branches
Like a newly opened leaf
I was a shipwrecked sailor
That was waiting for relief
Who paid a pretty penny to
The ocean in your debt
And took his final breathe inside
The valley of regret ...
(poem continues at flickr.com/photos/leahjohnston/3726574420)
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Wednesday, Oct. 21
All beauty of this world is wet with the dew of tears.
Theodor Haecker
Note: is this why I am surrounded by great beauty, all the time?
WORD FOR THE DAY
Wednesday, Oct. 21
All beauty of this world is wet with the dew of tears.
Theodor Haecker
Note: is this why I am surrounded by great beauty, all the time?
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Friday, Oct. 23
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
WORD FOR THE DAY
Friday, Oct. 23
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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Horoscope for Oct 21, 2009
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The members of the congregation at St.
Peter-at-Gowts Church in Lincoln, England had a minor crisis a few years
ago. For years, they had prayed to a very old stone sculpture they
assumed was a likeness of the Virgin Mary. Then a nosy archaeologist
came poking around and informed them that the figure was actually
Arimanius, the god of the underworld in the ancient Mithraic religion. I
encourage you to make sure you're not under a comparable
misimpression, Aquarius. This is an excellent time, astrologically speaking,
for you to seek the help of higher powers, but it's crucial that you direct
your invocations to the right source.
FreeWillAstrology.com
Friday, October 16, 2009
Elie Wiesel: The Witness
Blog by Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Elie Wiesel: The Witness
When Ken Brown at C. Orthodoxy challenged bibliobloggers to list five books or authors that made a difference in their understanding of the Bible, I submitted my five authors and John Anderson at Hesed we 'emet submitted his.
In a comment on my post, John commented that one book that we had in common, Terence Fretheim’s The Suffering of God, had become an influential book in his understanding of God. In response, I told John that of the five books he had selected, I was not familiar with two of them.
One of the books that John listed was Elie Wiesel, Night (New York: Hill and Wang, 2006). When John became aware that I had never read Wiesel’s book, John urged me to read the book and comment on it. So, I added Wiesel’s book to my crowded list of summer readings and Night was placed on the top of the list. I am glad I decided to read this amazing book.
Night is Elie Wiesel’s story of his experience in the Nazi concentration camps and how he survived the ordeal that took the life of his father, mother, and his sister. This book details the terrifying evil that he and countless other Jews faced at the hands of the Nazis.
The title of the book refers to the time Eli Wiesel entered the Kingdom of Night. That night was Wiesel’s first night in the concentration camp, the night “that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed” (p. 34).
In the preface to this new translation of the book, a book that was originally published in French in 1958, Wiesel declares he wrote the book not “to leave behind a legacy of words, of memories,” but to speak as a witness lest people forget the great tragedy that decimated the Jewish people. Wiesel wrote:
“For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to be witness for the dead and for the living” (p. xv).
I was captivated by Wiesel’s story of survival. To read this book is to enter the suffering, the pain, and the agony of those who struggled to find the meaning of incomprehensible evil and to understand the tenacity of one man who chose to live in the face of a certain death.
Those who suffered under the ruthlessness of their oppressors often asked: “Where is God?”
One time when a child was hanging from the gallows, someone groaned: “For God’s sake, where is God?” Wiesel wrote: “And from within me, I heard a voice answer: ‘Where He is? This is where–hanging here from this gallows’” (p. 65). ... (more)
Elie Wiesel & the Kingdom of Night
I have been betrayed. Can I be more like Elie? I am still living my own "holocaust denial" from those that were there and participated. The hatred emanating from these individuals is horrific to see, and is *almost* as devastating as the real deal. If Wiesel can come to spiritual wisdom and peace with his all-too-real experience of the horrors of evil and the true horrors of war, then surely so can I. I hope and pray. God, please show me the way.
Spiritual Perspectives
Kingdom of the Night
By Kathy Coleman
Special to The Independent
March 18, 2006
"... In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, Elie Wiesel said, "As one who has emerged from the Kingdom of Night, I say violence is not the answer. Terrorism is the most dangerous of answers."
This man, who has looked evil in the eye, this man, who states that he is part of a traumatized generation, responds by giving his life to others, letting them know that they do not stand alone. 'Every moment is a moment of grace," he said, "every hour an offering. Not to share them would mean to betray them.'"
Spiritual Perspectives
Kingdom of the Night
By Kathy Coleman
Special to The Independent
March 18, 2006
"... In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, Elie Wiesel said, "As one who has emerged from the Kingdom of Night, I say violence is not the answer. Terrorism is the most dangerous of answers."
This man, who has looked evil in the eye, this man, who states that he is part of a traumatized generation, responds by giving his life to others, letting them know that they do not stand alone. 'Every moment is a moment of grace," he said, "every hour an offering. Not to share them would mean to betray them.'"
Wiki: Ways in which a biographical article can be harmful to the subject
Wiki: Ways in which a biographical article can be harmful to the subject
Talking about someone while they are alive is "creating a biography" about a living person (BLP = Biography of Living Person). Harming others through unverifiable, untrue, hostile, threatening attacks can be defamation, slander and / or libel, depending upon how it's broadcast (published).
Here's what Wiki has to say (see more on their site):
Wikipedia: Biographies of living persons (BLP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Biographies_of_living_persons
Talking about someone while they are alive is "creating a biography" about a living person (BLP = Biography of Living Person). Harming others through unverifiable, untrue, hostile, threatening attacks can be defamation, slander and / or libel, depending upon how it's broadcast (published).
Here's what Wiki has to say (see more on their site):
Wikipedia: Biographies of living persons (BLP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Biographies_of_living_persons
WORD FOR THE DAY
www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY
Friday, Oct. 16
At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.
Christopher Reeve
WORD FOR THE DAY
Friday, Oct. 16
At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.
Christopher Reeve
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
"Iran and Israel, or a Shiite among the Sunnis" [Heise Column
Gmail Catherine S. Todd
"Iran and Israel, or a Shiite among the Sunnis" [Re: FW: Heise Column
Catherine S. Todd Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 1:11 AM
To: drjohnwm
What an excellent article, and it gives so much hope to what appears to be a long-term, on-going and hopeless situation. Would that I could accomplish the same thing here on the island I've been living on, surrounded on all sides as a Shiite among the Sunnis. President Obama, I need you now! If he can't be here to save me, at least perhaps I can learn from watching and listening and learning somehow. Can we practice diplomacy when we've been at war for so long? Will diplomacy really eradicate long-standing and life-long hatreds based on things no one even remembers or knows "why" anymore? Just that they "are so angry" and "hate" the other side and "that's the way it is..." because for some reason some people need a feud to feed their fire. Fear and Anger seem to rule this world of ours and until I read an article such as this one, I forget that perhaps there can be another way. At least an attempt at "diplomacy instead of war" that is worth making. At least once or more, perhaps.
Thanks for sending this, Uncle Johnny. It sure puts personal conflicts in perspective, doesn't it? I am so glad that Obama won and we all gave our best effort - which worked this time - to get him there! Now to see what happens next. Personally I have given up, given what I've seen of some of human nature and that which we call "humanity" where love or truth or facts seem to be meaningless, but with someone like Obama, the light continues to shine. Shine On, bright star, shine on!
CT
On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 8:23 PM, drjohnwm wrote:
Dear Friends and Family,
A well thought out arguerment for diplomacy vs war.
John
Paul's column for tomorrow's Lebanon Daily News
10-15-09 Iran and Israel
In starting direct talks with the Iranians, Pres. Obama has taken a first step to embrace diplomacy rather than confrontation in the Middle East.
When Iran complied with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and announced that it was building a second uranium enrichment plant, Western governments and media expressed deep concern. This impelled the New York Times to call the area that stretches from Iraq to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan the "axis of anxiety."
That notable newspaper then reported the ensuing buildup to confrontation in tabloid language: "In a day of high drama at an economic summit meeting, American, British and French officials declassified some of their most closely held intelligence and scrambled to describe a multiyear Iranian effort, tracked by spies on the ground and satellites above, to build a secret uranium enrichment plant deep inside a mountain."
Running up to this, Iran has been painted as a dangerous, rogue state, akin to Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where weapons of mass structure were being pursued to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and interrupt the flow of Middle East oil to Western economies.
In keeping with this anxious scenario, the Western powers have been proposing ever harsher even crippling sanctions to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically. Israel continually threatened an immediate air strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
President Obama has now hopefully put this behind us and set a course to engage the Iranians diplomatically.
On October 1 the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany sat down for their first meeting with the Iranians and all the tension just fizzled. The disappointed press had to report that Iran agreed to everything asked of them in regard to uranium enrichment and then some. They agreed to on-the-ground inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency within two weeks.
Yet, it is not all that clear what American goals in Iran are. It often appears the US is following the Israeli geopolitical agenda: deny the bomb to any Islamic country by whatever means the Israelis find most effective and keep the United States engaged in the region to deny leadership to any emerging power, particularly Iran.
The Israeli fear of Iran seems strange. Iran has signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Its supreme religious leader has stated they have a "no first strike" policy and that nuclear weapons are contrary to Islamic law. The International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have been, and will be more, active in Iran.
At the same time, Israel has already used a preemptive strike against Iraq and everyone agrees that Israel already has around 100 nuclear weapons that it has never acknowledged. Israel has not signed the non-proliferation treaty and no outsiders have ever inspected any Israeli nuclear sites.
It may come as a surprise to many but Israel and Iran are natural allies. Both of these ancient peoples, the only regional survivors from biblical times, have more in common than they have a basis for war.
Admittedly, Israel is a small nation surrounded by mostly hostile Arabs with whom they have fought a series of wars. If the surrounding Arab states, and Iran, cared anything about the Palestinians, the professed center of concern, they would have just absorbed that relatively small number of people decades ago. The Arabs use the Palestinian issue to harass the Israelis who, too often, take the bait.
Iran also has reason to feel embattled. It is Persian in a sea of Arabs. It is Shiite among the Sunnis. It is an Islamic Republic in a Christian secular world. It also has, because of its size, location and independent cultural existence, a natural regional leadership role.
Iran has in fact dominated the area off and on for the past three or four millennia. It is not possible to deny Iran a leadership role however much we, the Israelis or the Saudi's might want to.
The Israeli fear of an Iranian nuclear weapon is paranoia. The Iranians are far too smart to attack Israel with a nuclear weapon when the US would immediately and with international approval obliterate Iran.
The American task in this "axis of instability" is, as often stated, to create stable political regimes and prosperous economies. To do this, we have to first convince the Iranians that they do not need a nuclear device to prevent a US attack.
We also have to ensure a shared leadership where the Israelis have a constructive part to play and where the Saudis can represent the Arabs and the Iranians can represent the Turks and other non-Arabs.
We also have to ensure that their leadership is not military but economic and cultural. That means that we have to find a nation-building institution other than our military.
This is our long-term diplomatic task and Obama in his mediator and conciliator role has begun it well.
--
Paul A. Heise, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Economics
Lebanon Valley College
717 964-2019
paul.heise@gmail.com
paulheise.blogspot.com
"Terror is the price we pay for empire. Moral decay is the price we pay for religious repression."
--
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
-- Ben Franklin
------ End of Forwarded Message
--
Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Blog: http://catherinetodd.blogspot.com/
Music: http://www.last.fm/music/Catherine+Todd
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Guatemala cell (dial 011 from the U.S.):
(502) 5013.6300
Travel: http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Architecture: http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/
For 2009:
"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna
Peace and justice are goals for man.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world"
"Iran and Israel, or a Shiite among the Sunnis" [Re: FW: Heise Column
Catherine S. Todd
To: drjohnwm
What an excellent article, and it gives so much hope to what appears to be a long-term, on-going and hopeless situation. Would that I could accomplish the same thing here on the island I've been living on, surrounded on all sides as a Shiite among the Sunnis. President Obama, I need you now! If he can't be here to save me, at least perhaps I can learn from watching and listening and learning somehow. Can we practice diplomacy when we've been at war for so long? Will diplomacy really eradicate long-standing and life-long hatreds based on things no one even remembers or knows "why" anymore? Just that they "are so angry" and "hate" the other side and "that's the way it is..." because for some reason some people need a feud to feed their fire. Fear and Anger seem to rule this world of ours and until I read an article such as this one, I forget that perhaps there can be another way. At least an attempt at "diplomacy instead of war" that is worth making. At least once or more, perhaps.
Thanks for sending this, Uncle Johnny. It sure puts personal conflicts in perspective, doesn't it? I am so glad that Obama won and we all gave our best effort - which worked this time - to get him there! Now to see what happens next. Personally I have given up, given what I've seen of some of human nature and that which we call "humanity" where love or truth or facts seem to be meaningless, but with someone like Obama, the light continues to shine. Shine On, bright star, shine on!
CT
On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 8:23 PM, drjohnwm
Dear Friends and Family,
A well thought out arguerment for diplomacy vs war.
John
Paul's column for tomorrow's Lebanon Daily News
10-15-09 Iran and Israel
In starting direct talks with the Iranians, Pres. Obama has taken a first step to embrace diplomacy rather than confrontation in the Middle East.
When Iran complied with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and announced that it was building a second uranium enrichment plant, Western governments and media expressed deep concern. This impelled the New York Times to call the area that stretches from Iraq to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan the "axis of anxiety."
That notable newspaper then reported the ensuing buildup to confrontation in tabloid language: "In a day of high drama at an economic summit meeting, American, British and French officials declassified some of their most closely held intelligence and scrambled to describe a multiyear Iranian effort, tracked by spies on the ground and satellites above, to build a secret uranium enrichment plant deep inside a mountain."
Running up to this, Iran has been painted as a dangerous, rogue state, akin to Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where weapons of mass structure were being pursued to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and interrupt the flow of Middle East oil to Western economies.
In keeping with this anxious scenario, the Western powers have been proposing ever harsher even crippling sanctions to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically. Israel continually threatened an immediate air strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
President Obama has now hopefully put this behind us and set a course to engage the Iranians diplomatically.
On October 1 the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany sat down for their first meeting with the Iranians and all the tension just fizzled. The disappointed press had to report that Iran agreed to everything asked of them in regard to uranium enrichment and then some. They agreed to on-the-ground inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency within two weeks.
Yet, it is not all that clear what American goals in Iran are. It often appears the US is following the Israeli geopolitical agenda: deny the bomb to any Islamic country by whatever means the Israelis find most effective and keep the United States engaged in the region to deny leadership to any emerging power, particularly Iran.
The Israeli fear of Iran seems strange. Iran has signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Its supreme religious leader has stated they have a "no first strike" policy and that nuclear weapons are contrary to Islamic law. The International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have been, and will be more, active in Iran.
At the same time, Israel has already used a preemptive strike against Iraq and everyone agrees that Israel already has around 100 nuclear weapons that it has never acknowledged. Israel has not signed the non-proliferation treaty and no outsiders have ever inspected any Israeli nuclear sites.
It may come as a surprise to many but Israel and Iran are natural allies. Both of these ancient peoples, the only regional survivors from biblical times, have more in common than they have a basis for war.
Admittedly, Israel is a small nation surrounded by mostly hostile Arabs with whom they have fought a series of wars. If the surrounding Arab states, and Iran, cared anything about the Palestinians, the professed center of concern, they would have just absorbed that relatively small number of people decades ago. The Arabs use the Palestinian issue to harass the Israelis who, too often, take the bait.
Iran also has reason to feel embattled. It is Persian in a sea of Arabs. It is Shiite among the Sunnis. It is an Islamic Republic in a Christian secular world. It also has, because of its size, location and independent cultural existence, a natural regional leadership role.
Iran has in fact dominated the area off and on for the past three or four millennia. It is not possible to deny Iran a leadership role however much we, the Israelis or the Saudi's might want to.
The Israeli fear of an Iranian nuclear weapon is paranoia. The Iranians are far too smart to attack Israel with a nuclear weapon when the US would immediately and with international approval obliterate Iran.
The American task in this "axis of instability" is, as often stated, to create stable political regimes and prosperous economies. To do this, we have to first convince the Iranians that they do not need a nuclear device to prevent a US attack.
We also have to ensure a shared leadership where the Israelis have a constructive part to play and where the Saudis can represent the Arabs and the Iranians can represent the Turks and other non-Arabs.
We also have to ensure that their leadership is not military but economic and cultural. That means that we have to find a nation-building institution other than our military.
This is our long-term diplomatic task and Obama in his mediator and conciliator role has begun it well.
--
Paul A. Heise, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Economics
Lebanon Valley College
717 964-2019
paul.heise@gmail.com
paulheise.blogspot.com
"Terror is the price we pay for empire. Moral decay is the price we pay for religious repression."
--
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
-- Ben Franklin
------ End of Forwarded Message
--
Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Blog: http://catherinetodd.blogspot.com/
Music: http://www.last.fm/music/Catherine+Todd
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Guatemala cell (dial 011 from the U.S.):
(502) 5013.6300
Travel: http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Architecture: http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/
For 2009:
"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna
Peace and justice are goals for man.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world"
Family Attacks
More about family attacks:
Archive for Thursday, September 3, 2009
Woman testifies she was attacked by family members
Ex-husband encouraged attack on woman, she says
By Janet Reid
September 3, 2009, 6:17 p.m. Updated September 3, 2009, 11:21 p.m.
A Lawrence mother took the stand Thursday in Douglas County District Court, describing a harrowing fight for her life after waking up to her 15-year-old son brutally attacking her with a baseball bat.
“It was horror,” the woman testified about the events on the night of June 15 and the early morning hours of June 16. “I had feared that I would be attacked in this manner. I knew that if his dad was with him I couldn’t fight them both.
The victim was the first witness to take the stand during a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon for her ex-husband, Arthur Davis III.
Davis is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and contributing to a child’s misconduct in connection with the incident. The couple’s 15-year-old son is also charged with attempted first-degree murder and their 12-year-old daughter faces conspiracy charges for her alleged role in the attack.” ...(more)
Archive for Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Charges filed against father, son in attempted murder case...
"... Meanwhile, prosecutors told the judge that evidence will show the father was the ring leader. "He manipulated and involved at least one of his children to take part in this crime,” Melton said."
Update: Lawrence man accused, with son, of trying to kill ex-wife pleads not guilty
Be sure to read comments: "He'll get what's coming to him."
LOL. The guilty never win, in the end. NEVER. The truth ALWAYS comes out!
---
More people need to start showing the REALITIES of what some families are like! WWIII and all. Bravo for this woman who testified and stood up for herself. And for all the rest to come. Defamation is an attack upon one's character and is the attempted murder of someone's reputation. Defamation is also against the law, like it or not, you haters out there. So who has been the ringleader this time? Let's find out.
Archive for Thursday, September 3, 2009
Woman testifies she was attacked by family members
Ex-husband encouraged attack on woman, she says
By Janet Reid
September 3, 2009, 6:17 p.m. Updated September 3, 2009, 11:21 p.m.
A Lawrence mother took the stand Thursday in Douglas County District Court, describing a harrowing fight for her life after waking up to her 15-year-old son brutally attacking her with a baseball bat.
“It was horror,” the woman testified about the events on the night of June 15 and the early morning hours of June 16. “I had feared that I would be attacked in this manner. I knew that if his dad was with him I couldn’t fight them both.
The victim was the first witness to take the stand during a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon for her ex-husband, Arthur Davis III.
Davis is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and contributing to a child’s misconduct in connection with the incident. The couple’s 15-year-old son is also charged with attempted first-degree murder and their 12-year-old daughter faces conspiracy charges for her alleged role in the attack.” ...(more)
Archive for Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Charges filed against father, son in attempted murder case...
"... Meanwhile, prosecutors told the judge that evidence will show the father was the ring leader. "He manipulated and involved at least one of his children to take part in this crime,” Melton said."
Update: Lawrence man accused, with son, of trying to kill ex-wife pleads not guilty
Be sure to read comments: "He'll get what's coming to him."
LOL. The guilty never win, in the end. NEVER. The truth ALWAYS comes out!
---
More people need to start showing the REALITIES of what some families are like! WWIII and all. Bravo for this woman who testified and stood up for herself. And for all the rest to come. Defamation is an attack upon one's character and is the attempted murder of someone's reputation. Defamation is also against the law, like it or not, you haters out there. So who has been the ringleader this time? Let's find out.
Mackenzie Phillips: 'I understand this is a difficult thing'
How many self-righteous judgmental b*&&^%# out there need to read this and ACT like Christians, instead of just giving lip-service to faith, hope, love and charity? Some family members are the biggest hypocrites and liars around. I applaud Mackenzie Phillips for coming forward. More people need to and family members, including sisters and mothers, need to stop slinging arrows at them for telling the truth. Take heart, survivors, and DON'T GIVE UP no matter what your family might be trying to do. You've survived the worst and they really can't do anything about it or take your success away, no matter how hard they try. They can't do anything if you PUT IT IN GOD'S HANDS. Amen. Show me the way.
* * * *
Mackenzie Phillips: 'I understand this is a difficult thing'
By Breeanna Hare
(CNN) -- The reaction to Mackenzie Phillips' detailed account of her sexual relationship with her father, John Phillips, has been explosive, and some of the strongest statements have come from her family.
Chynna Phillips said she doesn't think anyone could make up having a consensual incestuous relationship.
But as the former actress and musician talked with Oprah Winfrey for the second time this week -- this time about the firestorm that erupted from her hour-long interview Wednesday -- she said she doesn't regret writing her memoir, "High on Arrival."
"I understand this is a difficult thing for my family," Phillips told Winfrey via satellite Friday, "but nobody's talking about this, and if I've started a national dialogue, then I'm forever grateful."
Phillips said she has gotten letters and Facebook messages from incest survivors, thanking her for coming forward.
"It's been heartening and heartbreaking at the same time," she said.
John Phillips died in 2001.
Two of his former wives, however, have vehemently denied Mackenzie Phillips' accusations.
In an statement to CNN, Michelle Phillips, an original Mamas & Papas bandmate who divorced John in 1970, called the situation "very hurtful."
"Mackenzie's drug addiction for 35 years has been the result of many unpleasant experiences," Michelle Phillips said. "Whether her relationship with her father is delusional or not, it is an unfortunate circumstance and very hurtful for our entire family."
She spoke more strongly to The Hollywood Reporter's Roger Friedman, telling him, "Mackenzie has a lot of mental illness. She's had a needle stuck up her arm for 35 years. ... She did 'Celebrity Rehab,' and now she writes a book. The whole thing is timed."
Genevieve Waite, who married John Phillips in 1972, told Winfrey in a statement that "John was a good man who had a lot of problems, [but] he was incapable, no matter how drunk or drugged he was, to have sexual relations with his own child."
The fallout from Phillips' decision to reveal her family's secrets has been heartbreaking for her sister Bijou as well.
Don't Miss
* Drugs overshadowed actress' promising career
* John Phillips had checkered, sometimes sordid, life
* Mackenzie Phillips: Dad wanted me to be his wife
Bijou Phillips supplied a statement to Winfrey stating that Mackenzie told her about the incestuous relationship with their father when Bijou was 13 but later denied it.
"This news was confusing and also scary, because I'd lived alone with him since I was 3," she said. "[John Phillips] was Mr. Mom, loving and encouraging; the man who raised me would never be capable of such things."
She also questioned why Mackenzie would leave her alone with their father if he'd molested the elder sister.
Still, Bijou Phillips showed signs of measured support.
"I understand Mackenzie's need to come clean, but it hurts because the man in question isn't here to defend himself," she said. "I hope she can come to terms with this and find peace."
Mackenzie Phillips told Winfrey that her family's disbelief and anger saddened her, especially since she and Bijou Phillips have been very close. Phillips recalled the way Bijou immediately came to her aid when she was arrested last year for cocaine and heroin possession.
"I love my baby sister, and I miss having contact with her," Mackenzie said.
"By the time Bijou was living with my father, I felt she was safe. I did take her out of there if I felt like she wasn't being watched properly," she said in her defense.
But she added that Michelle Phillips' statements weren't as surprising.
"When Michelle found out I was writing this book, she vowed to do everything to discredit me," Mackenzie told Winfrey. "She's having a textbook reaction, trying to sweep it under the rug. It seems so unkind and ungenerous to lash out in this way; I don't have a history of mental illness. I have a history of drug addiction."
Chynna Phillips, who also sat down with Winfrey on Friday, said she believes that her mother, Michelle, made those statements out of anger and that she does still love Mackenzie, even if she doesn't admit it.
"I think the most devastating thing is when people are in denial and don't want things on a public platform, it's not something everyone wants to share with the world," Chynna Phillips said. "It's not something my mom wants plastered all over the papers."
Chynna told Winfrey that she'd known about her sister's history with her father for about 12 years and believes that no one would go out of their way to admit having a consensual incestuous relationship.
She's also not the only one who thinks Mackenzie is telling the truth.
Jessica Woods, the daughter of former Mamas & Papas band member Denny Doherty, also wrote in to Winfrey and said her father knew about everything.
"I just watched your show," Woods wrote, "and everything she said is true. My dad told me the awful truth, and he was horrified at what John had done."
Chynna, who grew up with her mother, said that although she didn't spend a lot of time with John Phillips, the memories she had of him were positive, in spite of the heavy drug use she witnessed.
"He was a very charismatic man," she said. "He was a very talented man and a very loving man in many ways."
Now one half of the Christian music duo Chynna and Vaughan, Chynna said that her relationship with Mackenzie has grown over the past six months and that she's proud of her half-sister for having the courage to talk about her past.
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"The thing is, who among us haven't done something that we're highly ashamed of in our lives?" she said to Winfrey. "Who are we to cast the first stone? In my faith, as a Christian, God told me I need to forgive. Am I happy that she put me in this position? No, I'm not. But I have to forgive. It's 13 years later, and I still haven't digested this information."
Chynna added that she hopes her sister will take her experiences and use them to help others, offering one piece of advice: "Get the Lord on board, because you'll need it."
* * * *
Mackenzie Phillips: 'I understand this is a difficult thing'
By Breeanna Hare
(CNN) -- The reaction to Mackenzie Phillips' detailed account of her sexual relationship with her father, John Phillips, has been explosive, and some of the strongest statements have come from her family.
Chynna Phillips said she doesn't think anyone could make up having a consensual incestuous relationship.
But as the former actress and musician talked with Oprah Winfrey for the second time this week -- this time about the firestorm that erupted from her hour-long interview Wednesday -- she said she doesn't regret writing her memoir, "High on Arrival."
"I understand this is a difficult thing for my family," Phillips told Winfrey via satellite Friday, "but nobody's talking about this, and if I've started a national dialogue, then I'm forever grateful."
Phillips said she has gotten letters and Facebook messages from incest survivors, thanking her for coming forward.
"It's been heartening and heartbreaking at the same time," she said.
John Phillips died in 2001.
Two of his former wives, however, have vehemently denied Mackenzie Phillips' accusations.
In an statement to CNN, Michelle Phillips, an original Mamas & Papas bandmate who divorced John in 1970, called the situation "very hurtful."
"Mackenzie's drug addiction for 35 years has been the result of many unpleasant experiences," Michelle Phillips said. "Whether her relationship with her father is delusional or not, it is an unfortunate circumstance and very hurtful for our entire family."
She spoke more strongly to The Hollywood Reporter's Roger Friedman, telling him, "Mackenzie has a lot of mental illness. She's had a needle stuck up her arm for 35 years. ... She did 'Celebrity Rehab,' and now she writes a book. The whole thing is timed."
Genevieve Waite, who married John Phillips in 1972, told Winfrey in a statement that "John was a good man who had a lot of problems, [but] he was incapable, no matter how drunk or drugged he was, to have sexual relations with his own child."
The fallout from Phillips' decision to reveal her family's secrets has been heartbreaking for her sister Bijou as well.
Don't Miss
* Drugs overshadowed actress' promising career
* John Phillips had checkered, sometimes sordid, life
* Mackenzie Phillips: Dad wanted me to be his wife
Bijou Phillips supplied a statement to Winfrey stating that Mackenzie told her about the incestuous relationship with their father when Bijou was 13 but later denied it.
"This news was confusing and also scary, because I'd lived alone with him since I was 3," she said. "[John Phillips] was Mr. Mom, loving and encouraging; the man who raised me would never be capable of such things."
She also questioned why Mackenzie would leave her alone with their father if he'd molested the elder sister.
Still, Bijou Phillips showed signs of measured support.
"I understand Mackenzie's need to come clean, but it hurts because the man in question isn't here to defend himself," she said. "I hope she can come to terms with this and find peace."
Mackenzie Phillips told Winfrey that her family's disbelief and anger saddened her, especially since she and Bijou Phillips have been very close. Phillips recalled the way Bijou immediately came to her aid when she was arrested last year for cocaine and heroin possession.
"I love my baby sister, and I miss having contact with her," Mackenzie said.
"By the time Bijou was living with my father, I felt she was safe. I did take her out of there if I felt like she wasn't being watched properly," she said in her defense.
But she added that Michelle Phillips' statements weren't as surprising.
"When Michelle found out I was writing this book, she vowed to do everything to discredit me," Mackenzie told Winfrey. "She's having a textbook reaction, trying to sweep it under the rug. It seems so unkind and ungenerous to lash out in this way; I don't have a history of mental illness. I have a history of drug addiction."
Chynna Phillips, who also sat down with Winfrey on Friday, said she believes that her mother, Michelle, made those statements out of anger and that she does still love Mackenzie, even if she doesn't admit it.
"I think the most devastating thing is when people are in denial and don't want things on a public platform, it's not something everyone wants to share with the world," Chynna Phillips said. "It's not something my mom wants plastered all over the papers."
Chynna told Winfrey that she'd known about her sister's history with her father for about 12 years and believes that no one would go out of their way to admit having a consensual incestuous relationship.
She's also not the only one who thinks Mackenzie is telling the truth.
Jessica Woods, the daughter of former Mamas & Papas band member Denny Doherty, also wrote in to Winfrey and said her father knew about everything.
"I just watched your show," Woods wrote, "and everything she said is true. My dad told me the awful truth, and he was horrified at what John had done."
Chynna, who grew up with her mother, said that although she didn't spend a lot of time with John Phillips, the memories she had of him were positive, in spite of the heavy drug use she witnessed.
"He was a very charismatic man," she said. "He was a very talented man and a very loving man in many ways."
Now one half of the Christian music duo Chynna and Vaughan, Chynna said that her relationship with Mackenzie has grown over the past six months and that she's proud of her half-sister for having the courage to talk about her past.
advertisement
"The thing is, who among us haven't done something that we're highly ashamed of in our lives?" she said to Winfrey. "Who are we to cast the first stone? In my faith, as a Christian, God told me I need to forgive. Am I happy that she put me in this position? No, I'm not. But I have to forgive. It's 13 years later, and I still haven't digested this information."
Chynna added that she hopes her sister will take her experiences and use them to help others, offering one piece of advice: "Get the Lord on board, because you'll need it."
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Horoscope for Oct 14, 2009
Total Commitment
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Writing in *The New Yorker,* Adam Gopnik
named two characters from literature that well-educated people tend to
identify with. "Men choose Hamlet because every man sees himself as a
disinherited monarch," he said, while "women choose Alice [in
Wonderland] because every woman sees herself as the only reasonable
creature among crazy people who think that they are disinherited
monarchs." That's a funny thought in light of your current omens,
Aquarius, which suggest that you're a reasonable creature who clearly
sees how much you're like a disinherited monarch. The omens go on to
say that there's a good chance you will have excellent intuition about
what to do in order to at least partially restore yourself to power.
FreeWillAstrology.com
*
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*
The preceding oracle comes from the revised and expanded edition of my book, PRONOIA Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings. You can order it at Amazon.