A cup of …withdrawal?
Caffeine… it’s found in coffee, in soda, in chocolate, in tea, even in pharmaceuticals… For humans, it’s a nervous-system stimulant. In the plants where it’s found naturally, it serves as a natural pesticide. Caffeine has a long history, through various cultures and eras, and it’s one of the most addictive, culturally-acceptable substances we have on the planet.
And I’ve just kicked the caffeine habit. Can I say that getting over this habit -this attachment, this addiction- was easy? No, but because of the gradual decrease in consumption over the course of a week or so, a couple of days was spent in a semi-haze with a come-and-go headache and a bit of lethargy. Debilitating, yes. Pleasant, no. But I was (largely) functional, and found this option to be much better than prior experiences with an utterly paralyzing 3-day headache from “cold turkey” caffeine withdrawal.
So why do this? Medical findings on the effects of regular caffeine consumption vary; There are those studies that claim benefits whereas others note areas of concern for one’s health. But let’s face it – coffee is a huge industry on the world scale, and even if there was outstanding evidence of it doing more harm than good to those who consume such a substance, few people are going to be anxious –or able– to reveal such findings against such an established industry. There is simply too much money and too much control of various populations at stake to shake this industry.
So, again… why do this? Well, as part of my spiritual practice, having conscious control over my mind, body and emotions is important. Caffeine addiction was getting in the way of personal mindfulness on a physical level. So it was time for it to go… and time to reclaim another part of my being, my health, my personal choices. I am now a little freer from the mechanisms of the industrial world than I was a week ago … and it feels good.
Namaste.
glory in failure
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Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
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here a Union, there a Union…
We’ve all heard about the European Union which was brought into existence in 1993 and is currently composed of 27 states (countries). It has its own currency and economic policies, as well as having in place political and legal agencies capable of making decisions binding to all the members of the Union (and often to the detriment of the individual countries or citizenry involved in the EU). But how much have we heard about the North American Union (NAU)? Perhaps a whisper here, a rumor there. A bit of denial somewhere else.
There has been, on the whole, no press coverage, no real information given to the populace about the likelihood of a North American Union occurring. Yet, despite denial of such by the governing agencies, there appears to be a coin already minted for use by a North American Union and the ‘Security and Prosperity Partnership Of North America‘ has been in existence for years now – since 2005, per their own web site (and it is entirely possible that it has been around in one form or another for longer than that). Despite claims on their own web site that “The SPP in no way, shape or form considers the creation of a European Union-like structure or a common currency.”, don’t you think it a bit odd that they are negotiating the same kinds of things that would facilitate the official announcement of such an entity?
Doesn’t this strike you as a bit strange?
We’ve been told that our (US) government has had meetings and conversations with Canada and Mexico concerning border control and security issues. We know that since September 11 2001, security of the United States has been in the media spotlight and we know that some rather large steps have been taken to inhibit US Citizens from traveling freely and at will under the guise of “heightened security measures”. Our president, if you care to remember such details, has vacillated widely over the years on policy concerning immigration, and laws have recently been passed granting illegal immigrants a certain legitimate status within the US – the illegalities of their arrival here suddenly pardoned. So… on the one hand we’ve allowed ourselves to become limited in our own free travel under the guise of increased “National Security” while on the other hand we’re pardoning those who have immigrated illegally AND we’re discussing open-doors policy between the countries on the North American continent… but we’re concerned about border and security issues?
Don’t these things contradict each other? Do these contradictory attitudes and political measures make sense to you?
So what’s the objective here? What’s the plan? It seems that we’re “smudging the continental borders” while also limiting our own freedoms. In the meantime, our economy waivers, the US Dollar weakens, prices are climbing steadily, families hold more debt than ever before, and if you can decipher what our government is saying “between the lines” of the biased media hype of their superficial attempts to “strengthen” the economy (so that we fall harder and faster when it’s all said and done), tougher times are ahead for all… Is it possible, a few years from now when Americans are sufficiently beaten by financial burdens and tired of being on the bottom of the world market that we’ll be ready to embrace a new union and a new currency… a Union handed to us (the details of which are conveniently already worked out) under the guise of “hope for change”? Need another perspective (link: “Debut of the ‘amero'” by Judi McLeod ) or two (link: “Jerome R. Corsi –
North American Union to Replace USA?”) on the changes being thrust upon us in secret?
What are the implications? What are the ramifications? What are the legalities and how does this work with our Constitution and sovereignty as a Nation? Why does the United States need another Union of this sort… isn’t this essentially what the United States was originally envisioned to be by our forefathers? To what end does all this serve? Is this in our best interests as a country? … as a species?
Why haven’t we heard about this, and when will we??
Why the secrecy?
What will our options be? What are our options now?
Don’t be quiet about this. THINK about it. Research it. It’s not only 2 + 2 that equals 4… sometimes it’s 1 + 1 + 1 + 1… and sometimes, unfortunately, it adds up to a whole lot more than 4…
Love and Light. Namaste.
Liberties of a people…
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
– Patrick Henry
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2nd-hand
In religion and politics, people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.
-Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)
Namaste.
being Alice…
Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you’re feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that’s not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don’t like the idea that I’m not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I’m talking about?
Neo: The Matrix.
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
Neo: Yes.
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work… when you go to church… when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
-[script excerpt from “The Matrix” movie by the Wachowski brothers, 1999]
Have you ever wondered why this movie had the intense impact and achieved near-cult status practically before it was out of the theaters? Ever wondered why nearly ten years later, it still packs the proverbial punch?
It is said that those things -those stories, fables, jokes, etc.- that hit closest to the truth of what they reference are the best received by the populace… That those things that come closest to the core of humanity’s existence tend to have the greatest impact… perhaps this resonates with us and with those dialogues many of us are holding with our own inner-selves? Perhaps there is more than a grain of truth to the story portrayed oh-so-well in this movie-making venue? Perhaps it keys in on truths we are still largely unwilling to admit because by so doing challenges everything we have come to know and to trust about our world, our societies and our lives… because to do so sends us immediately spiraling down an intricate rabbit hole and lands us in a reality that seems more surreal than the convenient definition of reality that has been handed to us since our inception in the womb…
But what is reality?
Reality is what you make it. “With our thoughts we make the world”, so says Buddha (and a number of others in various forms) but there is an aspect of our physical reality that seems to depend on, feed upon, and balance against each other’s thoughts, beliefs and understandings. Our individual realities butt up against each other all the time, yet there is some underlying definition of reality that most of us subscribe to on one level or another… the consensus reality. But what is this consensus reality and to whom does it belong? Is it truly the reality created by the majority of people -the consensus of beings on this plane- or is it a reality put into place by a small handful of people who intended/thought/dreamed/believed harder and better about their reality than by everyone else together?
What is our reality right now??
Is our reality what we want it to be? Do we want a more Utopian reality instead, or do we somehow, somewhere, believe that we are unworthy of such an ideal and must therefore fight (with ourselves and with each other) to achieve it? Why do we even have a separate word for this concept of “perfect” reality? By its nature -by separating this word and ideal out from our current physicality- it serves to separate us from it by implying that we are somehow less-than-worthy of existing in that reality… it does not help us create it! Do we realize that we are responsible for the reality we weave? What happens when your idea of “utopia” is not mine?
Do we really all play a part in creating that reality, or have many of us abdicated that role somewhere along the way? Why? Where? And on a larger scale than the purely personal… what is our reality? Where is it going? What is the state of our world and what does that tell us about our species, our beliefs, our realities? What happens when the consensus reality is not what many of us would like it to be? What is the reality we want to create and experience? How do we get there? Ideals only get us so far; we can say we believe a certain thing for all eternity, but unless –until– we actually and fully believe it, it remains nothing more than shallow words. Does changing reality require a change in the consensus? Does changing reality require a physical, action-oriented component? Or can we recreate reality solely with our minds and emotions?
So what is our reality- personally as well as globally?
What do we wish our reality to be?
– Namaste.
Down the Rabbit (W)Hole
The metaphysical path is truly one that is experiential… we observe, we question, we evaluate all things, determining for ourselves the nature of each reality with which we come into contact on our journey. Our goal is to break through the illusions of the physical -the deceptions woven into our consciousness by the egos and drives of ourselves and of each other- to understand the true nature of the Ultimate Reality from whence we came.
To uncover Reality, we look within using meditation and prayer to dig up and examine those things which lie within our hearts; our own emotions, agendas, and ego-driven actions. We soon discover for ourselves the effect these things have on our lives and within our realities. With practice, a certain clarity of the effects of ego may appear and we may be able to transcend our social and cultural conditioning to get beyond our emotional responses to the stimuli which surrounds us. We observe again, and perhaps find that our lives are simplified and our emotions are no longer in control. We notice that those situations which may have spiraled out of control before, driven by ego and emotion and selfishness, no longer tend to do so. We come to realize that our level of self-control (or lack thereof) truly does dictate our experiences on this plane.
We begin to realize that we create our experiences on this plane – that “With our thoughts we make the world” (Buddha, The Dhammapada). We challenge the whole concept of reality as it has been taught to us, and we break through it bit by bit by bit, discovering each new layer of Truth, each different twist of reality.
It has been stated in various spiritual texts that in order to make changes in the world, we must first start with changing ourselves. It is only once we have gained some understanding on that more personal level that we are even able to entertain the agendas and egos of the World Mind to attempt changes there. Fortunately for us in many ways, these changes are coming fast and furious these days.
The changes taking place on this plane are not limited to the inner journeys of we mere individuals -although that’s certainly an important part of the process. The Changes also involve kickstarting changes in the established patterns of thinking on a Global scale. It is time to change the way we do things. Time to change how we and our governments interact with the world and its inhabitants… it is time to unravel the political egos and rattle the foundations of the self-serving elite who are more concerned with their own pockets than with what is in the best interest of the nation, the planet and humanity itself.
It is time to join together our efforts to bring Light and Healing to the World, for She deserves it. We also deserve to live in Light, instead of in the dark shadow cast upon us by the politically elite, the corporate structures and the myth of “…government of the people, by the people, for the people…” (Gettysburg Address).
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain” (Wizard of Oz) is what many of our species would have the rest of us believe. But unless we look behind the curtain, how do we know what is truth, what is myth, what is reality, what is fiction? Without looking, without evaluating, we are blind sheep, being led by the “world wolf” who is himself dictated by ego and fear and greed and a myriad of other less-than-noble traits of humanity. Without looking behind the curtain, we are likely to believe the illusion, buy into the manufactured fear, the projected hallucination… and to fall right into step with the desired result/reaction. Subscribing to an illusion may be easier to do than seeking truth, but no matter how easy it may appear to be, it still remains Mara … illusion.
Join me in challenging the realities that have been spoon-fed to us since birth, in deciphering the true nature of our physical reality on a larger scale than individual reality, for changes are upon us and for us to evolve to our true nature, we must join together in the spirit of Light, Love, Compassion, and Healing. We must open those doors which have been previously (and sometimes forcefully) closed and look inside. We must discuss those things which we discover hidden there, and we must communicate with each other. We must share our knowledge and skills, our Light, our Love, our Healing and Compassion. We must share ourselves, and we must work cooperatively in the true spirit of humanity… for it is our true humanity which will ultimately Heal us.
This is the next step in changing our world for the better, and although the inner voyage and the external world political scheme may seem separate and individual, they are not – they are simply two parts of the Whole… two sides of the same coin … and it is time for a re-minting of that coin.
Is it easy to question “reality” on the levels about which I write and about which I am driven these days to explore? No. It is an unraveling of illusion on the most basic of levels – and that is a bit frightening, even for those of us who have been following this Path for a while, striving to see through the veils of illusion with which we are blinded. This is a different level of peeking behind those curtains, and I’m honestly not sure how far the rabbit hole goes, how twisted the tunnels may be, or whether they all lead to one burrow… But I do find these perspectives interesting and intriguing on a variety of levels, and a deep-seated knowing that this is a real part of the necessary changes for the betterment of our world prevail… and so, I extend my hands to you and ask whether you’ll take the red pill or the blue …?
Morpheus: …You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland …
Peacock & Feathers
… A quick rambling from a busy Monkey, concerning a message sent in a dream and recently revisited in physical reality…
PEACOCK, recent experience in physical reality:
A beautiful bird, seen in the wild… one confident in itself enough not to be shy or threatened by humans approaching. It jumped down from it’s low perch to share the same footing as we, graceful and almost expectant in demeanor, he walked around, displaying his gorgeous plumage for several minutes, occasionally fluffing his feathers for maximum effect. Beautiful, rich, iridescent blue on his throat, lustrous green across his shoulders, tail feathers with blue center spots, ringed with a soft gold tone. Dazzled by the sight of this magnificent bird, we watched him for 20 minutes or more, getting within six feet of the beautiful creature.
FEATHERS, from a dream not long ago:
Peacock feathers, arranged in a vase with dried reeds, set for display (but not only for display) on a side table in the corner of a comfortably lit room, colored soft white and pale sea foam / turquoise green/blue. A disk, about a foot in diameter, also covered in feathers and held with the hands as if in mid-creation or in preparation for hanging upon the wall, being examined. Lush, vibrant tones of turquoise and royal blue and indigo and a pure deep green… a dream of … security and protection of a sort. Somehow a reminder of the spirit within and the pure Light that dwells there. A re-opening of the Heart and a reconnection to the Universal… aaaaah, the relief to be returned to this consciousness!
Common Meanings:
Often associated with greater vision and awareness, wisdom. It is the bird that most closely resembles the description of the Phoenix through many cultures world-wide. It is often also held sacred and associated with the God(s/esses) of various cultures including that of Amon-Ra and Horus in Egypt and Hindra to the Hindu populace. The peacock is also frequently thought to embody the concept of resurrection, and it is reputed to be able to destroy poisonous snakes…
Earth Hour ’08
What is the impact of our existence on the Earth? What is the true cost, in terms of renewable and non-renewable resources, of our energy consumption over the course of a week? … a day? … an hour? Is it really too much for the Earth to bear? What changes can we make as individuals and as societies (large and small) to alter the balance from mindless, selfish consumption to something a bit more realistic and sustainable?
These are excellent questions to ponder with Earth Day coming up (April 22, 2008) and Earth Hour just hours away (March 29)! “Going Green” is in vogue right now -it’s the politically correct stance to adopt. There is a large industry that has developed around the topics of artificial, human-influenced global warming, ecology and environmentalism – and not without justification. As a species we tend to consume more of Earth’s resources at a faster pace than they can possibly be replenished, even assuming all environmental destruction world-wide stops immediately.
So what happens if we simply turn out the lights for an hour?
That’s the question the folks at Earth Hour asked, and according to them,
“…if the greenhouse reduction achieved in the Sydney CBD during Earth Hour [2007] was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year.”
An hour without superfluous electronics and energy waste… An hour to cut down our mass consumerism, our reckless use of Earth’s resources. An hour to show some consideration for our planet, humanity and for the other species with whom we share the Earth. An hour to have a positive impact on our environment. An hour. Too much to ask?
But perhaps instead of just focusing on the “greenness” of this idea, we should also consider this a good opportunity to personally reconnect to our environment and our families – to consciously and intentionally remove some of those insulated walls with which we constantly surround ourselves. To go without our lights, media, and other conveniences for a single hour has an enormous potential to reconnect us with our families, with our community, with our world, and our universe. Take an hour and turn off the lights. Go look at the stars, take a night walk, cuddle with the kids, play a game, stare into your spouse’s candle-lit eyes. Meditate. BE. And make a statement while you’re at it.
And for some more information on Earth Hour, Earth Day, our ecological footprints, global warming and environmental issues…
- World Wildlife Fund
- Global Footprint Network
- Information on Ecological Footprints
- Ecological Footprint Quiz (basic comparative footprint to others in your country)
- Information on Earth Hour, March 29 2008
- Earth Hour 2008 Web site
- Earth Day Network: Information, Earth Day events and activities, lesson plans, opportunities to show your consumerist side, petitions and politics…
- Ecological calculators: everything from electronic pollution to carbon-emissions to nutrition…