Monday, March 31, 2008
I am having a spiritual experience
After talking with the Eckankar lady I've taken this new affirmation (mantra): "I am having a spiritual experience. This moment is sacred." I used in the dentist's chair for an hour this morning.
Soul Travel
I met a neighbor this weekend who is into Eckankar. She had some great stories about soul travel. She says she started having out-of-body experiences spontaneously when a teenager.
http://www.eckankar.org/
http://www.eckankar.org/
Thursday, March 27, 2008
As
As
Stevie Wonder
1976
http://www.last.fm/music/Stevie+wonder/_/as
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all is born is new
Do know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky - always
Until the ocean covers every mountain high - always
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea - always
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind
Cause I'll be loving you always
Until the day is night and night becomes the day - always
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away - always
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4 - always
Until the day that is the day that are no more -
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left - always
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself -
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through - always
Until the day that you are me and I am you - always
We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
So make sure when you say you're in it but not of it
You're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
and maybe our children's grandchildren will tell
I'll be loving you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky...
Stevie Wonder
1976
http://www.last.fm/music/Stevie+wonder/_/as
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all is born is new
Do know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky - always
Until the ocean covers every mountain high - always
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea - always
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind
Cause I'll be loving you always
Until the day is night and night becomes the day - always
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away - always
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4 - always
Until the day that is the day that are no more -
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left - always
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself -
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through - always
Until the day that you are me and I am you - always
We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
So make sure when you say you're in it but not of it
You're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
and maybe our children's grandchildren will tell
I'll be loving you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Pocket Constitution
A fellow at the Veteran's for Peace demonstration handed me a pocket-sized Constitution. Good to have.
www.nccs.net
www.nccs.net
Blood for Oil
I saw the movie There Will Be Blood this weekend - a fine history of the beginnings of the oil industry in California, cloaked in a character study of the unpleasant Daniel Plainfield. I later realized Daniel was presented as a metaphor of the corporation, especially an oil corporation - no care for humanity, totally focused on short-term profit, to the point of self-destruction. Based on Upton Sinclair's book Oil!.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil!
Veterans for Peace
Yesterday I made my first trip to Balboa Park and bumped into the Veterans for Peace setting up a memorial to the 4000th soldier KIA in Iraq. They do this often. They setup a replica cemetery with crosses and candles. They put a soldier's name on each cross.
One fellow told me three years ago they were setting up on the beach in Oceanside and some kids rode up on bicycles and went running through the crosses. They found the crosses bearing the names of their uncle and cousin. Then they rode off.
He said several of their members can't do it anymore; it's too painful.
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
One fellow told me three years ago they were setting up on the beach in Oceanside and some kids rode up on bicycles and went running through the crosses. They found the crosses bearing the names of their uncle and cousin. Then they rode off.
He said several of their members can't do it anymore; it's too painful.
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
Monday, March 24, 2008
The River of Dreams
The River of Dreams
Billy Joel
1993
In the middle of the night, I go walkin in my sleep
From the mountains of faith, to a river so deep.
I must be looking for something, something sacred I lost
But the river is wide, and it's too hard to cross
And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
And try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find out what I've been looking for
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear, to a river so deep
And I've been searching for something, taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose, something somebody stole.
I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is that I've been looking for.
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt, to a river so deep
I know I'm searching for something, something so undefined
That it can only be seen, by the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night.
I'm not sure about life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That runs to the promised land
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth, to the river so deep
We all end in the ocean, we all start in the streams
We're all carried along, by the river of dreams
In the middle of the night
http://www.last.fm/music/Billy+Joel/_/The+River+of+Dreams?autostart
Billy Joel
1993
In the middle of the night, I go walkin in my sleep
From the mountains of faith, to a river so deep.
I must be looking for something, something sacred I lost
But the river is wide, and it's too hard to cross
And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
And try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find out what I've been looking for
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear, to a river so deep
And I've been searching for something, taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose, something somebody stole.
I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is that I've been looking for.
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt, to a river so deep
I know I'm searching for something, something so undefined
That it can only be seen, by the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night.
I'm not sure about life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That runs to the promised land
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth, to the river so deep
We all end in the ocean, we all start in the streams
We're all carried along, by the river of dreams
In the middle of the night
http://www.last.fm/music/Billy+Joel/_/The+River+of+Dreams?autostart
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Create space for a miracle
An impossible situation. If it wasn't impossible, then there could be no possibility of a miracle. If I want to have a miracle, I have to start with an impossible situation. By allowing the impossible situation to be, I create space for the miraculous.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Awake within the dream
When we awake within the dream, the ego-created world of drama comes to an end and a new more benign and wondrous dream arises. This is the new earth.
- Eckhart Tolle
- Eckhart Tolle
Monday, March 17, 2008
Film Movement
The Adam's Apples DVD was distributed by Film Movement, a monthly DVD club that provides access to award-winning independent and foreign films.
http://www.filmmovement.com/
http://www.filmmovement.com/
Hope where there is none
That's what I picked up from the movie Adam's Apples this weekend. Hope where there is no hope. Faith where there is no rational basis.
Found it very moving. Ivan is a priest who runs a halfway house. Adam is a neo-nazi just out of prison. Ivan tries to reform Adam.
This is a 2005 Danish movie with subtitles.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418455/
Of course, where there is a rational basis there's no need for faith.
Found it very moving. Ivan is a priest who runs a halfway house. Adam is a neo-nazi just out of prison. Ivan tries to reform Adam.
This is a 2005 Danish movie with subtitles.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418455/
Of course, where there is a rational basis there's no need for faith.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Create space
Eckhart Tolle spoke in San Diego last night. A crowd of 3000 people. He spoke for two-hours.
We focus on the formed. There is also a formless world within us from which the formed springs.
When a negative thought appears, create space for it, and allow it to be. It won't survive for long if we don't attach to it and feed it. Recognize it for what it is, and refrain from judging it.
Most persistent thoughts are negative ones.
We focus on the formed. There is also a formless world within us from which the formed springs.
When a negative thought appears, create space for it, and allow it to be. It won't survive for long if we don't attach to it and feed it. Recognize it for what it is, and refrain from judging it.
Most persistent thoughts are negative ones.
Ten virtuous actions
The Gaden Shartse monks have spent the last week in Encinitas. I went to a few evening rituals. One was called the Green Tara Empowerment
As part of this visualization my body is filled with blue light. The light completely fills my body so that impurities are squeezed out like urine, pus, blood.
The impurities are the ten non-virtuous actions of body speech and mind.
Body
* Killing
* Stealing
* Sexual Misconduct
Speech
* Lying
* Divisive Speech
* Harsh Words
* Gossip
Mind
* Covetousness
* Harmful Intent, Malice
* Wrong Views
An example of a wrong view is to think: there will be no consequences of my actions.
When the llama says "body" he touches the top of his head. When he says "speech" he touches his throat. And when he says "mind" he touches his heart.
Instead of thinking in the negative, we can do the opposite and practice the 10 virtuous actions.
Body
* Protect life.
* Generosity.
* Keep agreements with members of the opposite gender.
Speech
* Honesty
* Speak with the goal to bring harmony among beings
* Speak gently
* Refrain from gossip
Mind
* Be happy for others' accomplishments
* Be loving toward all
* Hold a view that includes karma.
As part of this visualization my body is filled with blue light. The light completely fills my body so that impurities are squeezed out like urine, pus, blood.
The impurities are the ten non-virtuous actions of body speech and mind.
Body
* Killing
* Stealing
* Sexual Misconduct
Speech
* Lying
* Divisive Speech
* Harsh Words
* Gossip
Mind
* Covetousness
* Harmful Intent, Malice
* Wrong Views
An example of a wrong view is to think: there will be no consequences of my actions.
When the llama says "body" he touches the top of his head. When he says "speech" he touches his throat. And when he says "mind" he touches his heart.
Instead of thinking in the negative, we can do the opposite and practice the 10 virtuous actions.
Body
* Protect life.
* Generosity.
* Keep agreements with members of the opposite gender.
Speech
* Honesty
* Speak with the goal to bring harmony among beings
* Speak gently
* Refrain from gossip
Mind
* Be happy for others' accomplishments
* Be loving toward all
* Hold a view that includes karma.
Friday, March 14, 2008
communion
"A joining together of minds or spirits." - wiktionary
To commune with god then is to join together the individual mind and the one mind.
Affirmations, visualizations, meditation, prayer, and communion are all ways to achieve a desired state of consciousness. My individual mind tends to bounce around in states of fear, anger, sadness, and shame. The god mind is a state of bliss. By communing with god I join together my individual mind with the god mind and thus attune my own experience to one of bliss.
Last night the Gaden Shartse monks did a Green Tara Empowerment. For me this was a visualization of a divine being purifying my body, speech and mind. My body was filled with colored light that squeezed the contaminants out like charcoal, pus and blood. At this moment I saw the connection between visualization and affirmation as techniques to produce a state of consciousness in the mind.
To commune with god then is to join together the individual mind and the one mind.
Affirmations, visualizations, meditation, prayer, and communion are all ways to achieve a desired state of consciousness. My individual mind tends to bounce around in states of fear, anger, sadness, and shame. The god mind is a state of bliss. By communing with god I join together my individual mind with the god mind and thus attune my own experience to one of bliss.
Last night the Gaden Shartse monks did a Green Tara Empowerment. For me this was a visualization of a divine being purifying my body, speech and mind. My body was filled with colored light that squeezed the contaminants out like charcoal, pus and blood. At this moment I saw the connection between visualization and affirmation as techniques to produce a state of consciousness in the mind.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
surrender
surrender -
...completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of a higher power. - wikipedia
to stop fighting the external world. - Tammy Miller
...completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of a higher power. - wikipedia
to stop fighting the external world. - Tammy Miller
unconscious negativity
...catch yourself thinking thoughts that justify or explain your current unhappiness but in fact create it... - Eckhart Tolle
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Blessing
I looked up the word "blessing" today. Wikipedia says, "the infusion of something with holiness."
What a great concept. Today I bless everything. This apple core, this software bug I'm working on, this moment. Everything is sacred.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing
What a great concept. Today I bless everything. This apple core, this software bug I'm working on, this moment. Everything is sacred.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Gaden Shartse monks
The Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastary are touring the US. I saw them today in Encinitas at the E Street Cafe. They made a sand mandala and the llama gave a talk.
The Chinese destroyed the Gaden Shartse monastary in Tibet in 1959 and killed thousands of the monks. A few escaped, survived, and rebuilt in exile in southern India.
The Tibetans refuse to fight the Chinese. They believe fighting back is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Each war contains the seeds of the next war. Each person is the cause of everything that happens to him.
http://gadenshartsetour.org/History of Gaden Shartse.htm
map Mundgod, India
The Chinese destroyed the Gaden Shartse monastary in Tibet in 1959 and killed thousands of the monks. A few escaped, survived, and rebuilt in exile in southern India.
The Tibetans refuse to fight the Chinese. They believe fighting back is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Each war contains the seeds of the next war. Each person is the cause of everything that happens to him.
http://gadenshartsetour.org/History of Gaden Shartse.htm
map Mundgod, India
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