[FairfieldLife] Monkeys vs Meat (Re: Mantras, Religion and finally a statement . . .)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, enlightened_dawn11 no_re...@... wrote: your posts in that regard are hilarious to me (and boring)! i don't know anyone by either of the names you mentioned-- let's see: i am a blonde female with an indian sounding name, who may be a man, who doesn't meditate, but pretends to in order to argue with you, who posts in chat rooms, who claims they are enlightened. did i get all that? wow. you claim to do lucid dreaming, though i think you have to work on lucid waking state- lol. Haha ! ;-) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote:
[FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Peter drpetersutp...@... wrote: Let's face it, the TMO would be a lot healthier if people had sex (and chicken sandwiches) on a more regular basis. According to who ?
[FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: I didn't get all that excited when I was last on IA (ended a couple weeks ago) and I didn't notice all that much excitement amongst the people I spoke with compared to last year or the year before. Very good ! Excitement = entropy. Unfortunately the citizens of Fairfield, except for a very few bright individuals, understands the power behind and blessings bestowed upon their town since the early 70's. When MUM and the meditators leave, and they finally will, the town will be left with hundreds of bewildered spiritual vampires. The chatters as you described them will be all that town will have left. An american story of hope and tragedy.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, amritasyaputra amritasyapu...@... wrote: Like the cancer cell that kills the cell that has fed it, you wish all bad to the TM movement. Why don't you start a grass root organisation for yourself and the like and let this TM Movement in peace? It would save you from all the hatred you are spreading in your brain and around yourself. Shaas Why paul mason does nothing of substance, why he is his own little self- created cancer cell of anti-knowledge ? Because he is not a man of honour or dignity; he is only into this to try to grab a few cheap euros from his so-called books based on his misintrepetation of Saints. I hope his family will see through his games and refuse to let money created in this way feed them.
[FairfieldLife] Re: The Ramayana
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_...@... wrote: enlightened_dawn should pay attention to this. According to John, this million-year-old book portrays monkeys as willing partners in genocide. They fought alongside Rama for eighteen months, until every member of the clan they decided had to be wiped from the face of the planet was dead. Some commentaries on the Ramayana say that this clan numbered over 100,000 people (the entire population of modern-day Sri Lanka), before Rama decided in his Infinite Wisdom that they needed to be exterminated. You failed to mention that Ravana and his cohorts are rakshasas, or man-eaters. Among the vedic people, rakshasas are the vilest of creatures since not only do they eat meat, but humans as well. Come to think it, there are even humans today who belong in this category of creatures. In fact, that is how the Nazis described the Jews to justify exterminating them -- baby-eaters. I'm making the point that you believe it's OK to exterminate hundreds of thousands of people if someone you believe is speaking for God or is an avatar of God tells you to. I understand that you've been saying that in your view monkeys are warm and fuzzy and cuddly, and thus that's what you have in mind when you call people on this forum monkeys. But now you know the Truth, as revealed by this Holy Million-Year- Old Book. And as John has told us many, many times, this work is part of the Vedic Literature that is synonymous with Eternal Truth. Thus, according to this book of Eternal Truth, modern-day monkeys are most likely descended from their counterparts in the Ramayana, who were practitioners of genocide. Rakshasas can be considered part of the evil empire, as Reagan would put it. It is justifiable to defend oneself and his family from such creatures. So you're saying that if Reagan had told *his* followers and believers to kill everyone who lived in the countries that he had deemed the Evil Empire, it would have been OK to do so, because that would have been defending ourselves. Rama didn't defend himself according to the fairytale you believe is Eternal Truth -- he was so pissed off that they'd made off with his honey that he told his followers to exterminate every last one of the Ravanas -- man, woman and child -- not just the one who took his honey away from him. I suppose you're going to tell me that that's enlightenment in action and the way things will be when we establish Heaven On Earth again, the way it was back in the glorious Vedic times. :-) I suspect that we're lucky that Maharishi (you know, that guy who is on a higher level than all of the devas, accord- ing to King Tony) never got a wild hair up his butt and decided that the UK was enough of a scorpion nation to exterminate. People like you would have been lining up to man the extermination camps.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_reply@ wrote: Thank God for Judy. Ditto. Thank God for Judy. She can mop the floor with Barry with one hand tied behind her back and knock down a bourbon while she's at it. HeHe. ;-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: The Ramayana
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, guyfawkes91 guyfawkes91@ wrote: Or, from the level of symbolism, do these monkies actually represent certain humans who have not learned to develop their consciousness, or those who have not reached the true human potential? It's a fairy story, grow up. At first glance, this may appear to be so. But among Vaishnavites, Rama is an integral part of their belief. That is, Rama is considered to be an avatar of the divine personality. Also, in the Shrimad Bhagavatam, the slokas mention that three of Rama's brothers are equally considered as manifestations or incarnations of the divine in human forms. Yeah, Guy...WTF are you thinking? If an avatar of the divine personality (or one of his brothers) tells you to do something, you *just do it*. It doesn't matter that what he's telling you to do is to exterminate an entire clan of people because one of them snatched his snatch -- if the avatar says it's OK, it's OK. Get on the program. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: The Ramayana
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_esq@ wrote: enlightened_dawn should pay attention to this. According to John, this million-year-old book portrays monkeys as willing partners in genocide. They fought alongside Rama for eighteen months, until every member of the clan they decided had to be wiped from the face of the planet was dead. Some commentaries on the Ramayana say that this clan numbered over 100,000 people (the entire population of modern-day Sri Lanka), before Rama decided in his Infinite Wisdom that they needed to be exterminated. You failed to mention that Ravana and his cohorts are rakshasas, or man-eaters. Among the vedic people, rakshasas are the vilest of creatures since not only do they eat meat, but humans as well. Come to think it, there are even humans today who belong in this category of creatures. In fact, that is how the Nazis described the Jews to justify exterminating them -- baby-eaters. I'm making the point that you believe it's OK to exterminate hundreds of thousands of people if someone you believe is speaking for God or is an avatar of God tells you to. I'm not making it up. That's how the story was written to make a point. We're not talking about the Nazis. You inserted this point to confuse the issue. From the context of the Ramayana story, it can be interpreted that the Nazis were acting like the rakshasas. Or, they were the rakshasas that the story was addressing. Rakshasas can be considered part of the evil empire, as Reagan would put it. It is justifiable to defend oneself and his family from such creatures. So you're saying that if Reagan had told *his* followers and believers to kill everyone who lived in the countries that he had deemed the Evil Empire, it would have been OK to do so, because that would have been defending ourselves. No. Reagan was a politician and he knew how to make a point to the public, including the world at large. Rama didn't defend himself according to the fairytale you believe is Eternal Truth -- he was so pissed off that they'd made off with his honey that he told his followers to exterminate every last one of the Ravanas -- man, woman and child -- not just the one who took his honey away from him. I suppose you're going to tell me that that's enlightenment in action and the way things will be when we establish Heaven On Earth again, the way it was back in the glorious Vedic times. :-) The war in the story was about the abduction of Sita, the wife of Rama. A point can be made that even an avatar can be entangled in worldy affairs--that is the abduction of a loved one. Nontheless, in human terms, the action is perfectly understandable. For the other armchair theologians on this forum, I'm sure they can find a justifiable spiritual reasons to do so. In other words, Rama chose not to get three young and blond girlfriends to replace his lost love-- a la Hugh Hefner of recent tabloid news. By the way, at his age, I don't think he can have sex with all three of them at the same time. It's all part of the media blitz to prop up his business fortunes. I suspect that we're lucky that Maharishi (you know, that guy who is on a higher level than all of the devas, accord- ing to King Tony) never got a wild hair up his butt and decided that the UK was enough of a scorpion nation to exterminate. People like you would have been lining up to man the extermination camps. You're good at manipulating words. But to rephrase a famous line, you're NO Hugh Hefner.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: http://snipurl.com/ax9hv [www_thestandard_com] Great news! People aren't stupid. Mind you, this chap cares a lot: http://tinyurl.com/aawoj5
[FairfieldLife] Monkeys vs Meat (Re: Mantras, Religion and finally a statement . . .)
Clarity of thought, sincerity, honesty, friendliness, compassion...you know, all the qualities ED demonstrates so well here. :) Guffaw! Now, now, do. Those same qualities were the same as the ones that Jim Flanegin (Sandy Ego) demonstrated, and we all know that *he* was enlightened. Right? Right? your posts in that regard are hilarious to me (and boring)! i don't know anyone by either of the names you mentioned-- My bad. I keep forgetting that Jim was before your time here. Suffice it to say that Jim was one of the running jokes of FFL, someone who claimed to be enlight- ened but couldn't count to 50, someone who consistently practiced the opposite of the qualities listed above, but had no problems with declaring the enlight- ened perfection of his own actions. Jim believed that Marvel comics were on a par with the greatest literature of all time and that the movie of Iron Man was going to win all the Oscars. He believed that Buddha (whose philosophy explicitly had no need for a God) went around saying God is love. His idea of high-quality television and the pinnacle of great music was Celebrity Apprentice, especially the episode featuring the Backstreet Boys. He was a lot of fun. Sometimes I miss him. By comparison, ED, you're an intellectual. ( Then again, in comparison to Jim, George W. Bush was an intellectual. ) I was just trying to make the point that just because someone is consistently the *opposite* of clarity of thought, sincerity, honesty, friendliness, and compassion, that doesn't prevent them from being enlightened. Or at least, from claiming that they are. I can see that -- unlike Jim -- you have no interest in declaring yourself enlight- ened. Cool. I'll drop the subject.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozg...@... wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: The Rama fellow I studied with for many years taught Lucid Dreaming. He taught it in the context of Tibetan Dream Yoga, but the techniques were the same as those I've later found in Native American shamanism and other disciplines. The Tibetan connection is that in that tradition Lucid Dreaming is seen as analogous to (or synonymous with) the Bardo state between death and rebirth, and thus developing a facility with waking up in the dream, and being able to manipulate the dream state is seen as valuable to a culture in which the teachings of The Tibetan Book Of The Dead are assumed as a given. If you can wake up in a normal dream, and use your intention there in the astral, then it is assumed that you might also be able to do the same thing in the Bardo, and thus have a shot at a cooler rebirth. Boy Art Bell's cousin sure had an effect on you. :-D I've mentioned one lucid dream I've had several times on FFL and that was the one with Jesus who looked more like Naveen Andrews than the way that Christianity portrays him. He told me he wanted to tell me something and I had to walk over to talk to him and there were fundamentalist Christians who seemed to be stuck in the ground telling me I had no right to talk to him. He just nodded at them in disgust and said pay no attention to them. He essentially warned me that things were going to get really bad in the world (and it did happen). The experience makes it a little difficult for me as I really didn't think there actually was such an individual as Roman history makes no mention of him (and they were good historians) and might actually may be a work of fiction derived possibly from some activist's activities (which would have been so minor the Romans wouldn't have bothered with a mention) and a mystic at the time. Some theologians seem to buy into this idea. Interesting. I think it points up a curious tension in this thread between, on the one hand, the idea of cultivating dreams because they might have the potential to point to something, or to intimate something profound (though like looking for a black cat through a very dark glass darkly!). And on the other, trying to take control over dreams and direct them. I would have thought trying to practise the latter technique might bollocks up any hope of benefit from the former? i.e. It is the innocence of the state of dreaming that *may* allow it to open a door to something? Perhaps.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@ wrote: I've mentioned one lucid dream I've had several times on FFL and that was the one with Jesus who looked more like Naveen Andrews than the way that Christianity portrays him. He told me he wanted to tell me something and I had to walk over to talk to him and there were fundamentalist Christians who seemed to be stuck in the ground telling me I had no right to talk to him. He just nodded at them in disgust and said pay no attention to them. He essentially warned me that things were going to get really bad in the world (and it did happen). The experience makes it a little difficult for me as I really didn't think there actually was such an individual as Roman history makes no mention of him (and they were good historians) and might actually may be a work of fiction derived possibly from some activist's activities (which would have been so minor the Romans wouldn't have bothered with a mention) and a mystic at the time. Some theologians seem to buy into this idea. Interesting. I think it points up a curious tension in this thread between, on the one hand, the idea of cultivating dreams because they might have the potential to point to something, or to intimate something profound (though like looking for a black cat through a very dark glass darkly!). And on the other, trying to take control over dreams and direct them. I would have thought trying to practise the latter technique might bollocks up any hope of benefit from the former? i.e. It is the innocence of the state of dreaming that *may* allow it to open a door to something? Perhaps. An excellent point, and since I initiated the thread, I'll reply. The dichotomy you mention between the idea of innocently interpreting dreams and the idea of waking up in them and controlling them via the techniques of Dream Yoga or Lucid Dreaming is based on a dichotomy between these approaches' core beliefs about what dreams ARE. The Western interpret dreams approach is largely based on the idea that dreams have no real exis- tence. They are mental constructs only, something that happens in the brain and may or may not have something to do with the release of stress. The Eastern approach to dreams is that they are REAL. They're really happening, just on another plane of existence, in what Castaneda called a separate reality. Your relationship TO the dream if you can wake up in it and change it is the SAME as your relationship to the daily world you see around you in the waking state. On the whole, those who are interested in Dream Yoga and Lucid Dreaming (in my experience) are not terribly interested in interpreting dreams, as symbols for something else. They treat the dreams as very real (in another plane of existence) and something that one doesn't analyze for possible meaning, but that one *interacts with*, in the same way that one interacts with daily life. Me personally, I've never been much for symbology, or for analyzing dreams to suss out their pos- sible meaning. That has been true my whole life, and continues to this day. I understand that not everyone is like that, and that many look to dreams as symbols from which they can learn something, in much the same way that JohnR looks to the Ramayana as a set of symbols from which he can learn some- thing. And that's cool, if that's what gets you off. When I was practicing Dream Yoga and Lucid Dreaming, I wasn't looking for meaning from dreams. I was treating them as a separate reality, an environ- ment in which I could be as interactive as I was in my daily life. The dreams were REAL, within their own reality. Eastern philosophies tend to agree with this latter view. They tend to view dreams as NOT happening inside one's brain, but as another level of reality (the astral plane) that one accesses during dreaming, and between incarnations. Thus they are looking to gain more mastery over their actions in this separate dreaming reality, just as they are looking to gain more mastery over their actions in waking reality.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_re...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@ wrote: I've mentioned one lucid dream I've had several times on FFL and that was the one with Jesus who looked more like Naveen Andrews than the way that Christianity portrays him. He told me he wanted to tell me something and I had to walk over to talk to him and there were fundamentalist Christians who seemed to be stuck in the ground telling me I had no right to talk to him. He just nodded at them in disgust and said pay no attention to them. He essentially warned me that things were going to get really bad in the world (and it did happen). The experience makes it a little difficult for me as I really didn't think there actually was such an individual as Roman history makes no mention of him (and they were good historians) and might actually may be a work of fiction derived possibly from some activist's activities (which would have been so minor the Romans wouldn't have bothered with a mention) and a mystic at the time. Some theologians seem to buy into this idea. Interesting. I think it points up a curious tension in this thread between, on the one hand, the idea of cultivating dreams because they might have the potential to point to something, or to intimate something profound (though like looking for a black cat through a very dark glass darkly!). And on the other, trying to take control over dreams and direct them. I would have thought trying to practise the latter technique might bollocks up any hope of benefit from the former? i.e. It is the innocence of the state of dreaming that *may* allow it to open a door to something? Perhaps. An excellent point, and since I initiated the thread, I'll reply. The dichotomy you mention between the idea of innocently interpreting dreams and the idea of waking up in them and controlling them via the techniques of Dream Yoga or Lucid Dreaming is based on a dichotomy between these approaches' core beliefs about what dreams ARE. The Western interpret dreams approach is largely based on the idea that dreams have no real exis- tence. They are mental constructs only, something that happens in the brain and may or may not have something to do with the release of stress. Oh yes, that's true of course. But the West has more to offer than just that I think. You could say there are three Western views (and no doubt more): (i) Dreams are just noise in the brain. Perhaps performing some function that helps the neurons get through their daily drudge. This is not just a modern idea from our scientific age. Take this on Romeo Juliet: Mercutio treats the subject of dreams, like the subject of love, with witty skepticism, as he describes them both as fantasy. Unlike Romeo, Mercutio does not believe that dreams can foretell future events. Instead, painting vivid pictures of the dreamscape people inhabit as they sleep, Mercutio suggests that the fairy Queen Mab brings dreams to humans as a result of men's worldly desires and anxieties. To him, lawyers dream of collecting fees and lovers dream of lusty encounters; the fairies merely grant carnal wishes as they gallop by. (ii) Dreams are something we can analyse for meaning because they reveal something about our subconscious, our deeper self. Manufacturers of leather couches have benefited greatly from this idea. http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/wpr0052l.jpg (iii) The great tradition that I guess we get from the ancient Greeks, the Eqyptians and what-not, that dreams can reveal the future and perhaps give us wisdom too. As per Romeo above. A very long and deep tradition in the West! And it's this tradition that I had in mind in my post. For example it is alleged (but is it true?) that the physicist Niels Bohr developed the model of the atom based on a dream of sitting on the sun with all the planets hissing around on tiny cords. Wow! And there are of course vast numbers of stories just like that. Some here: http://www.dr-dream.com/hist.htm Personally, given the choice of gaining control of my dreams to wander around alternate, parallel, dimensions, or instead being given the skill to listen to and appreciate my dreams for what they might *reveal* to me, I think I would choose the latter. (Second Life is quite good at the former!). I'm a Westerner after all, living in a part of the world with a long history of Celtic mysticism and standing stones The thing is, as I think you would agree, whether you're a would-be Niels Bohr hoping to cheat on your PhD, or, more traditionally, a big-wig general looking for military inspiration, the Western approach might appear more promising. And surely dreams are only likely to reveal their secrets (if at all) to the receptive and the innocent, not to those
[FairfieldLife] Holy Shadow
January 26 Fort Bragg, California There once lived a saint so good that the angels came from heaven to see how a man could be so godly. This saint went about his daily life diffusing virtue as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without being aware of it. His day could be summed up by two words -- he gave, he forgave -- yet these words never passed his lips. They were expressed in his ready smile, his kindness, forbearance, and charity. The angels said to God, Lord, grant him the gift of miracles. God replied, Ask what it is that he wishes. They said to the saint, Would you like the touch of your hands to heal the sick? No, answered the saint. I would rather God do that. Would you like to convert guilty souls and bring back wandering hearts to the right path? No, that is the angels' mission. It is not for me to convert. Would you like to become a model of patience, attracting men by the luster of your virtues, and thus glorifying God? No, replied the saint. If men should be attracted to me, they would become estranged from God. What is it that you desire, then? asked the angels. What can I wish for? asked the saint smiling. That God gives me his grace; with that would I not have everything? The angels said, You must ask for a miracle, or one will be forced upon you. Very well, said the saint. That I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it. The angels were perplexed. They took counsel and resolved upon the following plan: every time the saint's shadow fell behind him or to either side, so that he could not see it, it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain, and comfort sorrow. When the saint walked along, his shadow, thrown on the ground on either side or behind him, made arid paths green, caused withered plants to bloom, gave clear water to dried-up brooks, fresh color to pale children, and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without being aware of it. The people, respecting his humility, followed him silently, never speaking to him about his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name, and called him The Holy Shadow.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
JohnY - that's exactly what I meant!! I have seen the decline of the teaching TM and it directly correlates to the emergence of the aggressive World Planners and the introduction of TMsidhis. Before that people were given a pretty free hand to organise and teach. There were TM centres dotted all over the place. Nowadays there is no mention of TM whatsoever. The reason? Well the main reason is that many TM teachers are disenchanted with the TM organistion, and hearing of the aggressive protection of its trademarks, individual independent teachers are loathe for it to be known they are still teaching. So it appears that the TMO actually retards the teaching of TM! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jyouells2000 john_youe...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, amritasyaputra amritasyaputra@ wrote: Like the cancer cell that kills the cell that has fed it, you wish all bad to the TM movement. Why don't you start a grass root organisation for yourself and the like and let this TM Movement in peace? It would save you from all the hatred you are spreading in your brain and around yourself. Shaas It's not hatred, it's sadness. 25 years of good will frittered away, leaving a fund raising and real estate business as it's skeletal remains. The TMO doesn't teach TM anymore, and hasn't for quite some time. Soon there won't be anyone left in the west to raise funds from JohnY --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Paul Mason premanandpaul@ wrote: TMO issues aside, I would love to hear Paul McCartney Mike Love duet on 'Back in the USSR' - also to hear Paul Horn blow some airy flute what about Ringo Paul working together again, that would be nice. Someone compared the Paul concert to George's concert in England. If it is a fraction as good, then it will be really very good. I attended George's concert it was rivetting - Ringo turned up for the encore and it was a real pleasure to hear them play!!! With regards to the TMO hopefully the TMO will collapse, very quickly, and if it does, I predict this would put meditation back at the grass roots level, where it belongs, out of the clutches of the Lords and Ladies of the New Raj. Why I reckon there would be a lot more interest in meditation if there weren't this queer organisation lurking about, giving people the willies!
[FairfieldLife] Re: The Ramayana
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rflex@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_esq@ wrote: To All: In this book, we find a story of a race of monkeys who helped Rama defeat Ravana and his ilk. Since this story is supposedly millions of years old, is it possible that these monkies were the Neanderthals that existed eons of years ago? Or, from the level of symbolism, do these monkies actually represent certain humans who have not learned to develop their consciousness, or those who have not reached the true human potential? JR You sound like a Christian fundamentalist trying to legitimize the Noah's Ark story. As part of the human experience, we cannot ignore the value of these stories from the level of literature, philosophical, and the spiritual. The Great Flood story of the Bible is common among the middle eastern cultures, the Jews included. So, historically, this flood may occurred sometime in the distant past of these peoples. Also, the Shrimad Bhagavatam mentions a flood story which may coincide with the biblical story. Instead of Noah being in the ark, there were seven rishis and their families who rode the ark. In scientific terms, there are scholars who believe that a great flood actually occurred on earth based on geological analyses. It´s much more than a stretch, JR, to accept that a possible flood in the past resulted in guy building a boat and then qathering a male and female of every species of animal from all over the planet onto it and sustaining the whole operation for 150 days - and then putting all of those animal s back in their correct locations. That´s something that´s even impossible today. There´s little doubt that big floods have occurred throughout history, but ading a story like Noah´s Ark is credible only to children who still believe in Santa Claus. That monkey story has a similar level of credibility. However, since you seem to easily accept such stories, you might be interested in Scientology´s Xenu. ===75 million years ago there was an evil galactic overlord named Xenu who ruled over 76 planets including earth (then called Teegeeack). Due to overpopulation, Xenu decided to gather up the 13.5 trillion people/aliens on these planets and send them into volcanoes on earth off the Canary and Hawaiian Islands. He then dropped H-bombs and killed them all. Xenu trapped the souls of these individuals in boxes and implanted them with a false reality. The confused souls with these false realities attached themselves in clusters to the last remaining people on Earth. Today we all hold about 2,000 alien souls that can only be released by a Scientologist with auditing sessions. So you pay a lot of money to learn a bunch of self-help, mind over matter tricks full of hypnosis type practices. http://www.scientomogy.com/xenu.php Good luck, JR.
[FairfieldLife] How many countries can you recognize?
Flags of some countries, together with average lingam lengths (metric): http://img.mtv3.fi/mn_kuvat/mtv3/helmi/6viikonvaihde/seksi/erotiikka/608210.jpg http://tinyurl.com/ahw3dp
[FairfieldLife] Exposed: the myth of cello scrotum
In a letter to the British Medical Journal published in 1974, the young Dr Murphy claimed to have discovered cello scrotum, a painful affliction which only affected male players of the instrument. The spoof letter was written in response to an earlier one about guitar nipple from a Dr P Curtis, which the young Dr Murphy thought likely also to be a spoof. To disguise her identity she persuaded her former husband, John Murphy, now chairman of St Peter's Brewery, Suffolk, to sign the letter, although he was a theoretical chemist, not a medical doctor. Their secret was kept for more than three decades until a researcher writing in the 2008 Christmas issue of the BMJ cited cello scrotum among the health problems of musicians in an article entitled A symphony of maladies. read more: http://tinyurl.com/dmjqmu Scrotum Surprise Cello shaped beautifully between Yo Yo's knees His music lifts royally with the greatest of ease His nutsack secure and jockstrap protected Since cello harms gonads, said data collected Researchers revealed a scrotum surprise They had been telling little white lies Ma's privates imprisoned by 30-year ruse Now he bows freely and lets the boys loose raunchydog
[FairfieldLife] Mysticism vs. the search for knowledge (was Call for Lucid Dreaming stories)
Damn! I knew I shouldn't have initiated this thread. There have been some great responses that pretty much demand a counter-response, and I'm going to foul out on posts soon as a result, with 30+ hours still left in the posting week. :-) But respond I will (interspersed below), and when I do foul out, I promise to keep track of other great responses and address them next week. Unless some more interesting thread has come up before then. :-) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: Interesting. I think it points up a curious tension in this thread between, on the one hand, the idea of cultivating dreams because they might have the potential to point to something, or to intimate something profound (though like looking for a black cat through a very dark glass darkly!). And on the other, trying to take control over dreams and direct them. I would have thought trying to practise the latter technique might bollocks up any hope of benefit from the former? i.e. It is the innocence of the state of dreaming that *may* allow it to open a door to something? Perhaps. An excellent point, and since I initiated the thread, I'll reply. The dichotomy you mention between the idea of innocently interpreting dreams and the idea of waking up in them and controlling them via the techniques of Dream Yoga or Lucid Dreaming is based on a dichotomy between these approaches' core beliefs about what dreams ARE. The Western interpret dreams approach is largely based on the idea that dreams have no real exis- tence. They are mental constructs only, something that happens in the brain and may or may not have something to do with the release of stress. Oh yes, that's true of course. But the West has more to offer than just that I think. You could say there are three Western views (and no doubt more): (i) Dreams are just noise in the brain. Perhaps performing some function that helps the neurons get through their daily drudge. This is not just a modern idea from our scientific age. Take this on Romeo Juliet: Mercutio treats the subject of dreams, like the subject of love, with witty skepticism, as he describes them both as fantasy. Ah, Mercutio...one of my favorite characters. It's too bad in a way that Shakespeare kills off the most inter- esting character in the play in the third act. In most productions that means that the 4th and 5th acts kinda drag. The only director I've seen who found a way around this was Bernardo Bertolucci in his film production. He decided to make Mercutio a brooding closeted gay rather than the lively, carefree jester that most directors make him. Same speeches, same insights, but you don't miss him as much when he gets croaked. Unlike Romeo, Mercutio does not believe that dreams can foretell future events. Instead, painting vivid pictures of the dreamscape people inhabit as they sleep, Mercutio suggests that the fairy Queen Mab brings dreams to humans as a result of men's worldly desires and anxieties. To him, lawyers dream of collecting fees and lovers dream of lusty encounters; the fairies merely grant carnal wishes as they gallop by. (ii) Dreams are something we can analyse for meaning because they reveal something about our subconscious, our deeper self. Manufacturers of leather couches have benefited greatly from this idea. http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/wpr0052l.jpg Hilarious cartoon. And great line about the couches. :-) (iii) The great tradition that I guess we get from the ancient Greeks, the Eqyptians and what-not, that dreams can reveal the future and perhaps give us wisdom too. As per Romeo above. A very long and deep tradition in the West! And it's this tradition that I had in mind in my post. For example it is alleged (but is it true?) that the physicist Niels Bohr developed the model of the atom based on a dream of sitting on the sun with all the planets hissing around on tiny cords. Wow! And there are of course vast numbers of stories just like that. Some here: http://www.dr-dream.com/hist.htm Personally, given the choice of gaining control of my dreams to wander around alternate, parallel, dimensions, or instead being given the skill to listen to and appreciate my dreams for what they might *reveal* to me, I think I would choose the latter. snip the rest, because the point I want to trip on is above While I agree with your breakdown of different ways that the Western knowledge traditions view dreams, I still think that there is a more fundamental dichotomy underlying one's preference for apprec- iating dreams vs. gettin' active in them via lucid dreaming. That is the difference between *where* a seeker chooses to look for what he seeks, and *why* he is
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
On Jan 29, 2009, at 6:55 AM, Richard M wrote: Oh yes, that's true of course. But the West has more to offer than just that I think. You could say there are three Western views (and no doubt more): Let me share some counterpoint, the mantrayana views of dream and sleep: Dreams are helpful in learning to understand how experience itself arises. It's like a laboratory. Since scales of time are different in dream, one is no longer encumbered by some of the constraints of the waking state. So if one wants to master a certain practice, one can do many hours of practice in dream, yet to a waking state observer, only minutes will pass. One might use the dream state to memorize materials for later use, a practice used for millennia, before writing was popular, that way learning becomes a part of the person rather than needing to rely on external aids like books or computers. Some practitioners will use mastery of the dream state to master understanding of the illusory nature of waking state constructs, the mayakaya. There are basically three kinds of sleep: sleep of ignorance, normal deep sleep everyone knows, the basis of patterns of ignorance in day to day life and the basis of innate ignorance, that which makes us tired and that keeps of from maintaining clarity. The second kind of sleep is karmic sleep. Karmic sleep is largely the detritus of previous experiences expressing themselves in reassembled story- lines. Unlike the void of deep sleep, karmic sleep relies on activity of the gross mind, emotional mind states and negative emotions--and thus also allows the possibility of mastering mind and destructive emotions. The third kind of sleep is clear light sleep. Clear light sleep is a form of sleep where one abides in clear awareness. It's a laboratory where one can dissolve the illusion of separation directly. All three dream states have their counterparts in meditative experience done in the waking state. As consciousness expands, the overlapping reality of dream, waking and meditation become more and more obvious. It's just part of the natural expansion of consciousness as our awareness begins to grow. Because the states of dream and sleep are interrelated, we can use that to our advantage, both to monitor the progress of our meditation and to master different states of consciousness so awareness expands more and more. So dream yoga is a natural part of mastery of consciousness, which takes us beyond waking, dreaming and sleeping. The Buddhist ideals of dream and sleep yoga are really very similar to those taught in Advaita and in the Hindu yoga schools. In both cases, once mastery is achieved the lull of deep sleep is less necessary for daily rejuvenation. Hindu and Buddhist yogis only need to sleep 1-4 hours a night for this very reason.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: http://snipurl.com/ax9hv [www_thestandard_com] Great news! People aren't stupid. Mind you, this chap cares a lot: http://tinyurl.com/aawoj5 Thank you for posting the link to the excellent article, Richard M. However, it's so important that I felt compelled to reproduce it here: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - Says Hansen `Embarrassed NASA', `Was Never Muzzled', Models `Useless' 27 01 2009 UPDATE 1/28: Full text of Dr. Theon's letter has been post on the Senate website and below. This is something I thought I'd never see. This press release today is from the Senate EPW blog of Jame Inhofe. The scientist making the claims in the headline, Dr. John S. Theon, formerly of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Arlington, Virginia, has a paper here in the AMS BAMS that you may also find interesting. Other papers are available here in Google Scholar. He also worked on the report of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident report and according to that document was a significant contributor to weather forecasting improvements: The Space Shuttle Weather Forecasting Advisory Panel, chaired by Dr. John Theon, was established by NASA Headquarters to review existing weather support capabilities and plans and to recommend a course of action to the NSTS Program. Included on the panel were representatives from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Air Force, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. For those just joining the climate discussion, Dr. James Hansen is the chief climate scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and is the man who originally raised the alarm on global warming in 1988 in an appearance before congress. He is also the keeper of the most often cited climate data. EPW press release below - Anthony -- -- Washington DC, Jan 27th 2009: NASA warming scientist James Hansen, one of former Vice-President Al Gore's closest allies in the promotion of man-made global warming fears, is being publicly rebuked by his former supervisor at NASA. Retired senior NASA atmospheric scientist, Dr. John S. Theon, the former supervisor of James Hansen, NASA's vocal man-made global warming fear soothsayer, has now publicly declared himself a skeptic and declared that Hansen embarrassed NASA with his alarming climate claims and said Hansen was was never muzzled. Theon joins the rapidly growing ranks of international scientists abandoning the promotion of man-made global warming fears. I appreciate the opportunity to add my name to those who disagree that global warming is man made, Theon wrote to the Minority Office at the Environment and Public Works Committee on January 15, 2009. I was, in effect, Hansen's supervisor because I had to justify his funding, allocate his resources, and evaluate his results, Theon, the former Chief of the Climate Processes Research Program at NASA Headquarters and former Chief of the Atmospheric Dynamics Radiation Branch explained. Hansen was never muzzled even though he violated NASA's official agency position on climate forecasting (i.e., we did not know enough to forecast climate change or mankind's effect on it). Hansen thus embarrassed NASA by coming out with his claims of global warming in 1988 in his testimony before Congress, Theon wrote. [Note: NASA scientist James Hansen has created worldwide media frenzy with his dire climate warning, his call for trials against those who dissent against man-made global warming fear, and his claims that he was allegedly muzzled by the Bush administration despite doing 1,400 on- the-job media interviews! - See: Don't Panic Over Predictions of Climate Doom - Get the Facts on James Hansen - UK Register: Veteran climate scientist says 'lock up the oil men' - June 23, 2008 UK Guardian: NASA scientist calls for putting oil firm chiefs on trial for 'high crimes against humanity' for spreading doubt about man-made global warming - June 23, 2008 ] Theon declared climate models are useless. My own belief concerning anthropogenic climate change is that the models do not realistically simulate the climate system because there are many very important sub-grid scale processes that the models either replicate poorly or completely omit, Theon explained. Furthermore, some scientists have manipulated the observed data to justify their model results. In doing so, they neither explain what they have modified in the observations, nor explain how they did it. They have resisted making their work transparent so that it can be replicated independently by other scientists. This is
[FairfieldLife] I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavisma...@... wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and you are entirely wrong in the sentiment you express. Marek: Several months ago I made a statement here on this forum about Blacks having an advantage over other races on the basketball court. I got several responses that the statement was racist (and also several that agreed with the statement). Of course, I then revealed that it wasn't ME who actually said it but Barack Obama and I had made it seem as if I said it just to make a point. I then provided a link to a video of him saying it. Except for I-am-the-eternal using the word all as in black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names, I am at a loss as to why what he wrote is racist. Certainly, it is, at most, equally racist and, at least, much less racist than what Obama said about Blacks and basketball. The observation about unique names in the Black Community is not and should not be a taboo subject. Indeed, it was the subject of one of those newsmagazine shows (20/20? Primetime? Dateline NBC?) a while back. The premise of the show? The naming phenomenon in the Black Community often creates huge problems for those kids when they grow up and try to get jobs. In fact, it provides an opportunity for racists to practise their racism. As a lawyer you know that there are laws against requiring someone to put a photograph on Resume's or identifying race when applying for a job. Yet the ghetto name phenomenon is such that that is used as an identifying marker by potential employees NOT to hire blacks and to do it with impunity. A white racist reading a resume submitted from a Shaneequah Washington can reject the application and not risk being accused of prejudice. That I-am-the-eternal dares to broach this subject shows not only sensitivity on his part but I suggest genuine concern for African- Americans. http://tinyurl.com/caonfg http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+names http://www.blackghettobabynames.net/ ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal L.Shaddai@ wrote: **snip And I'm sure it's no coincidence that black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names. So not only can you spot someone on the phone with the black variant of the southern accident, you can spot 'em by their name as well. If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child.
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
One more thing to add to what I wrote below: A certain someone preferred to use the name Barry for the first 20 or so years of his life because he felt uncomfortable with the given name on his birth certificate. Perhaps that tells us something about interacting in America with a name considered a wee bit out of the ordinary. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and you are entirely wrong in the sentiment you express. Marek: Several months ago I made a statement here on this forum about Blacks having an advantage over other races on the basketball court. I got several responses that the statement was racist (and also several that agreed with the statement). Of course, I then revealed that it wasn't ME who actually said it but Barack Obama and I had made it seem as if I said it just to make a point. I then provided a link to a video of him saying it. Except for I-am-the-eternal using the word all as in black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names, I am at a loss as to why what he wrote is racist. Certainly, it is, at most, equally racist and, at least, much less racist than what Obama said about Blacks and basketball. The observation about unique names in the Black Community is not and should not be a taboo subject. Indeed, it was the subject of one of those newsmagazine shows (20/20? Primetime? Dateline NBC?) a while back. The premise of the show? The naming phenomenon in the Black Community often creates huge problems for those kids when they grow up and try to get jobs. In fact, it provides an opportunity for racists to practise their racism. As a lawyer you know that there are laws against requiring someone to put a photograph on Resume's or identifying race when applying for a job. Yet the ghetto name phenomenon is such that that is used as an identifying marker by potential employees NOT to hire blacks and to do it with impunity. A white racist reading a resume submitted from a Shaneequah Washington can reject the application and not risk being accused of prejudice. That I-am-the-eternal dares to broach this subject shows not only sensitivity on his part but I suggest genuine concern for African- Americans. http://tinyurl.com/caonfg http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+names http://www.blackghettobabynames.net/ ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal L.Shaddai@ wrote: **snip And I'm sure it's no coincidence that black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names. So not only can you spot someone on the phone with the black variant of the southern accident, you can spot 'em by their name as well. If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child.
[FairfieldLife] Hindu mythology and current Bipartisanship [just for fun]
The benefits and perils of bipartisanship are described in the story of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of good fortune. Hindu theology is complicated, and has many different branches (and even has atheistic forms). One deity may have many manifestations (for instance, Radha and Tulsi are both said to be aspects of Lakshmi), but in most forms of Hinduism all deities are ultimately part of a single divine force. In the stories, however, they are usually treated as separate entities. Lakshmi is the bringer of all forms of good fortune: health, wealth, and love. She's much beloved by my Hindu sister-in-law, which may explain why there's a gorgeous Lakshmi statuette in her Jewish mother's home. (We are, to put it mildly, an ecumenical family.) Lakshmi is sometimes said to be fickle, as good fortune comes and goes at odd times. Lakshmi's story begins at a time when the lesser divinities (devas), led by Indra , were faring poorly in their ongoing conflicts with the demons. (Yes, in this post-partisan era, it's bad manners for me to cast the Republicans as demons but if the shoe fits the cloven hoof, may as well wear it.*) In desperate need of help, the devas spent many days in prayer to Vishnu , the Preserver. Vishnu appeared in a radiant blue light. He told them that they could have the greatest gift of all: the Elixir of Immortality. But they would have to get it by churning the entire Ocean of Milk (the Milky Way). To accomplish this, they would have to call a truce with the demons and work together. And that was the easy part. When Indra explained the plan to the demons, their first response was, Are you f'ing kidding me? But Indra pointed out that there was something in it for them. Both sides wanted the elixir, and neither side could accomplish it alone. So, the rivals struck a bipartisan compromise. First, they cut off the top of Mount Meru, the pillar of the universe, to use as a stick to churn the ocean. Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle and then swam underneath to keep it from sinking. No rope in the universe was strong enough for this task. So Vishnu sent for Vasuki, the king of the serpents. The great snake coiled his body around the mountain. The devas held onto his head, the demons held his tail, and they took turns pulling the mountain back and forth. [Illustration, if you're having trouble picturing this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kurma_Avatar_of_Vishnu._ca_1870.jpg ] And the Ocean of Milk began to churn. Soon a great silvery orb arose from the ocean, bathing them all in its soft light. It glided up into the sky, and became the moon. They all stared in wonder at the shiny object. But it was not the Elixir of Immortality, so they set back to work. Over the hours and days that followed, fourteen treasures were churned forth from the Ocean of Milk, including Surabhi (the sacred cow), Kalpavriksha (the wish-granting tree), Kaustubha (the word's most precious jewel), and Varuni, the Goddess of alcohol (which, surprisingly, is not the Elixir of Immortality). Finally the great serpent could take no more. He had been pushed, pulled, turned and squeezed for days. He opened his mouth and vomited his poison into the sea. Vasuki's poison was so toxic that it could end all life in the universe. The devas and demons cried out to the only on who could save them: Shiva , the Destroyer. Shiva came from heaven, bent down and drank all the venom. The poison was so strong that Shiva's neck turned blue. But the universe was saved. The devas and demons were exhausted. They had been churning the ocean for days, and still did not have the elixir. And now they were afraid: what if they brought forth more poison? Vishnu urged them to continue. This was the greatest task they had ever undertaken; it wasn't supposed to be easy. The goal was worth it. And so, slowly at first, they once again began to pull the mountain back and forth. After hours of their labor, a Goddess emerged from the sea of milk, enthroned on a giant red lotus. She was incomparably beautiful, dressed in red silk and dazzling jewels. Her body glowed with a golden radiance. Her dark eyes shone with joy and compassion. Two of her four hands made gestures of blessing and protection. A third scattered gold coins to the crowd. In her fourth hand, she held a vial with the Elixir of Immortality. Vishnu changed from his turtle guise back into his godly form. The Goddess's eyes met his, and they knew they were two halves of the same whole. Indra and the devas bowed with reverence. Welcome, Lakshmi, Goddess of good fortune. The demons snatched the vial away, and took off running. Quickly, Lakshmi said to Vishnu, distract them with a shiny object. Vishnu went one better. He disguised himself as Mohini, the divine enchantress, and appeared in front of the demons. Naturally, the demons were already fighting over who got the first drops of the heavenly elixir. But they stopped when
[FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
spawning? -- racist remark or insensitive gaff? Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 2:33 PM, yifuxero yifux...@... wrote: from Yahoo news: Boys With Unpopular Names More Likely to Break Law Buzz Up Send livescience.com 2 hrs 25 mins agoBoys in the United States with common names like Michael and David are less likely to commit crimes than those named Ernest or Ivan. And I'm sure it's no coincidence that black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names. So not only can you spot someone on the phone with the black variant of the southern accident, you can spot 'em by their name as well. If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child.
[FairfieldLife] First day of School 5-years from now
First day of School 5-years from now [http://uppitywoman08.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/schoolin5years1.jpg?w=\ 427h=495]
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Shemp, I missed the remark you posted from Obama under your own name, so I won't comment on that. And as to a young person's insecurities re how they might best fit in with a world which for them is defined by all sorts of mis-matching pieces (single mom, absent dad, stepfather, Indonesia, absent mom, living with different race grandparents in Hawaii), I can easily cut him some slack for that. (As an aside, look at the monikers that folks who post here use as one marker of how they try to fit in.) L.Shaddai's remarks, both his original post and subsequent replies, contained clear and offensive indicators that he believes blacks are inferior and debased; he was not expressing concern for the well-being of others. Your own remarks that folks should refrain from giving their children names that have charm or cultural significance within the community with which they identify, because that can be used to discriminate against them, has the argument all turned around. They're only names, not metrics of value (unless that's your shorthand for judging people). The larger community has to learn to look at the person, not succumb to prejudice. To encourage all the young Baracks in America to change their name to Barry so they'll fit in, is entirely the wrong message and one sent to the wrong party. Although racism is still a given in this country, it's changing and yielding towards the American ideal of meritocracy; an ideal that I'm positive you hold. Thanks for taking the time to address the issue. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@... wrote: One more thing to add to what I wrote below: A certain someone preferred to use the name Barry for the first 20 or so years of his life because he felt uncomfortable with the given name on his birth certificate. Perhaps that tells us something about interacting in America with a name considered a wee bit out of the ordinary. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and you are entirely wrong in the sentiment you express. Marek: Several months ago I made a statement here on this forum about Blacks having an advantage over other races on the basketball court. I got several responses that the statement was racist (and also several that agreed with the statement). Of course, I then revealed that it wasn't ME who actually said it but Barack Obama and I had made it seem as if I said it just to make a point. I then provided a link to a video of him saying it. Except for I-am-the-eternal using the word all as in black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names, I am at a loss as to why what he wrote is racist. Certainly, it is, at most, equally racist and, at least, much less racist than what Obama said about Blacks and basketball. The observation about unique names in the Black Community is not and should not be a taboo subject. Indeed, it was the subject of one of those newsmagazine shows (20/20? Primetime? Dateline NBC?) a while back. The premise of the show? The naming phenomenon in the Black Community often creates huge problems for those kids when they grow up and try to get jobs. In fact, it provides an opportunity for racists to practise their racism. As a lawyer you know that there are laws against requiring someone to put a photograph on Resume's or identifying race when applying for a job. Yet the ghetto name phenomenon is such that that is used as an identifying marker by potential employees NOT to hire blacks and to do it with impunity. A white racist reading a resume submitted from a Shaneequah Washington can reject the application and not risk being accused of prejudice. That I-am-the-eternal dares to broach this subject shows not only sensitivity on his part but I suggest genuine concern for African- Americans. http://tinyurl.com/caonfg http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+names http://www.blackghettobabynames.net/ ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal L.Shaddai@ wrote: **snip And I'm sure it's no coincidence that black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names. So not only can you spot someone on the phone with the black variant of the southern accident, you can spot 'em by their name as well. If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@... wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises.
[FairfieldLife] Racism isn't erased by a mere moment of good intent.
If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child. -- L.Shad Erp, yep, a racist remark for sure. I was about 75 posts behind this morning when I replied to L.Shad's post -- and in subsequent posts, I see that L.Shad's been confronted soundly, and my reply was cutting L.Shad a break that was undeserved. Or, was it? Perhaps at least some compassion for L.Shad is valid. The history of racism in this country is living in the nervous systems of African Americans, and it's all front burner stuff for them, and who could expect anything else from a culture that has been raised by whip and noose? I remember the first time I showed my anti-Semite attitude to my friends Barry and Jane Pitt by using the word Jew with an ever so slight tone. They picked up on it immediately, and my re-education was begun. Any downtrodden group has exquisitely tuned senses regarding besmirchments. And I had a long way to go, decades even, and yet, even a couple years ago, still, I was getting lessons about my childhood-programming about Jews. I'm betting I still have a way to go. David Matt was my most recent instructor when I tried to discuss the anti-Semitic concept that Jews have a special resonance with money. Even though I was certain that this was not true and was trying to prove it untrue, my words and tones still couldn't pass muster with David, and he was right. It takes a village to raise a child, and David was but one person trying to undo my childhood's inputs from propagandists. My spirit is willing but my meat's programming is deep and resilient; and without a strong vigilance on my part, these patterns can emerge and try to commandeer my attention. Sounds psychotic to say it like that, but deep prejudices are as if instant insanity patterns that can be toggled by outer challenges, and when emotions arise, it can seem that one is a stranger to oneself. In the movie Silver Streak, we see Patrick Mcgoohan being harassed by Richard Pryor, and Patrick is this picture perfect gentleman except for his demeaning tone of voice, but finally he let's loose and calls Richard the N-word. That to me is how most whites are operating -- they want to wear the mask of civility, but under duress, out comes the deeper and largely uncontrollable racisms of every sort. Yet, in American schools today, no teacher is empowered to actively confront racism on a personality level. No teacher feels empowered to take a kid and strip off that mask and reveal the hate that has been pumped into that kid by his parents. Yet that's what it would take -- a massive elementary school effort to confront the racism in a bud that's about to bloom in the kids. L.Shad is a reminder to any of us that if there is even the slightest racism in us, it is glaringly obvious to the abused. Just so, incidentally, must African American kids (some at least) overcome their anti-cracker memes. I loved my parents all their lives despite knowing how racist they were and how much in denial they remained even after my many attempts to confront their views. It's not easy to condemn L.Shad if one sees how deeply a person can be blind and be as if a victim of childhood abuse. My heart goes out to L.Shad, because, hey, anyone here want to volunteer to have that personality? Would anyone here want to battle their own psyche to escape from that cage? Well, we are all in cages, eh? L.Shad, I cannot toss a stone at you, but go and sin no more. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: spawning? -- racist remark or insensitive gaff? Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal L.Shaddai@ wrote: On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 2:33 PM, yifuxero yifuxero@ wrote: from Yahoo news: Boys With Unpopular Names More Likely to Break Law Buzz Up Send livescience.com 2 hrs 25 mins agoBoys in the United States with common names like Michael and David are less likely to commit crimes than those named Ernest or Ivan. And I'm sure it's no coincidence that black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names. So not only can you spot someone on the phone with the black variant of the southern accident, you can spot 'em by their name as well. If only black mothers gave as much consideration to how they will rear a child they've just spawned as they give to coming up with a unique name for the child.
[FairfieldLife] Re: First day of School 5-years from now ( more on childrens' names)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: First day of School 5-years from now [http://uppitywoman08.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/schoolin5years1.jpg?w=\ 427h=495] Ha! This made the news in the UK recently: Holiday company offers 'chav free' breaks free of children called Britney http://tinyurl.com/bc4kmj
[FairfieldLife] MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
As the metabolism is reduced the mind becomes finer and finer and the metabolism becomes further reduced, the mind transcends and gets to that state of TC. Simultaneously the body, the mind, the entire functioning of the inner machinery, ALL metabolic rate comes to **zero**. This is the state where it has no decay.. MMY The Vedas Swami Yogananda uses this passage in the Bible to describe this experience where man lives on pure 'prana': But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 Also: So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15 Examples are given of the immortal sage Babaji who purportedly lives in the Himalayas and is hundreds of years old. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavatar_Babaji
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
I'll say it again: who cares about Global Warming when by addressing the concept pollution will take care of any warming? Warming is but one bad aspect of a host of bads due to pollution. We may not know for sure if warming is happening, but there is absolutely no doubt about how our poor planet is peppered with toxic dumps, toxic smoke stacks, toxic exhaust pipes on cars, the island of garbage in the Pacific Ocean, the dying reefs, etc. I find it horribly distasteful for anyone to carp about the global warming efforts when the only possible way to address that problem (real or not) is to clean up the planet. The toxic sites are real, known, and lethal as Love Canal -- those who would naysay the Global Warmists are pro-pollution-sinners-by-omission, and that's a fact! Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises.
Re: [FairfieldLife] MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
On Jan 29, 2009, at 10:54 AM, BillyG. wrote: As the metabolism is reduced the mind becomes finer and finer and the metabolism becomes further reduced, the mind transcends and gets to that state of TC. Simultaneously the body, the mind, the entire functioning of the inner machinery, ALL metabolic rate comes to **zero**. This is the state where it has no decay.. MMY The Vedas But TM research shows that the metabolic rate only goes down about 15% or so. Are you therefore implying that TM practitioners do not reach or have not yet reached the state of TC? They certainly would not meet the criteria MMY defines above!
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: On Jan 29, 2009, at 10:54 AM, BillyG. wrote: As the metabolism is reduced the mind becomes finer and finer and the metabolism becomes further reduced, the mind transcends and gets to that state of TC. Simultaneously the body, the mind, the entire functioning of the inner machinery, ALL metabolic rate comes to **zero**. This is the state where it has no decay.. MMY The Vedas But TM research shows that the metabolic rate only goes down about 15% or so. Are you therefore implying that TM practitioners do not reach or have not yet reached the state of TC? They certainly would not meet the criteria MMY defines above! Yes, that is exactly what I am implying, obtaining Savikalpa Samadhi is a very advanced state of meditation. Very few TM'ers have achieved Savikalpa Samadhi, though some can get a glance of it, right from the very beginning but that is not necessarily unique to TM. MMY calls it tiptoeing thru the sleeping elephants; most TM'ers are taught to think they actually transcend to Samadhi every time they meditate but this is an over simplification of MMY's teachings (albeit understandable). Yes, eventually that bubble will reach its source...ha, ha. :-) To achieve that deathless state even the heart stops apparently
[FairfieldLife] Re: Obama's pick for Sec. Education disappoints progressives Bill Ayers
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, sparaig LEnglish5@ wrote: The best public high school in the USA is a charter school here in Tucson, AZ. Charter schools aren't privately funded, and must maintain certain standards with the state school board. L. What exactly is the criteria that defines it as a good school and what is the socioeconomic status of the student population? If the charter school is in an affluent area, I doubt you will see it catering to the military. Good PR can make any school look terrific, if the motive is profit, showcasing a school as a sales tool. The thing that has bugged me about school vouchers for years is that it diverts money from public schools with the intention of leaving them to crumble. Bush just accelerated the process with NCLB. If we had used the money to improve public schools, EVERYONE would have a chance to get a great education. Privatizing schools only serves to widen the gap between the haves and the have nots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIS_Charter_School Economic-status of kids is all over the place. There's a waiting list to get in, and you have to pass an entrance exam at the start of each school year (new AND returning students). There's also no provisions for physical handicaps other than wheelchair access and the like and physical education/sports is minimalist. My son went there for several years, startiong in the middle school. The first year they gave PSAT tests he scored the highest in the school, but had to drop out before he was eligible for scholarships and so on. Finally got his GED. Ironic, because when he was 13, he aced the local community college entrance exams, but they wouldn't accept him because he wasn't ready emotionally. Luckily we got him into BASIS that year because regular school was boring beyond belief for him. L.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jyouells2000 john_youe...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, amritasyaputra amritasyaputra@ wrote: Like the cancer cell that kills the cell that has fed it, you wish all bad to the TM movement. Why don't you start a grass root organisation for yourself and the like and let this TM Movement in peace? It would save you from all the hatred you are spreading in your brain and around yourself. Shaas It's not hatred, it's sadness. 25 years of good will frittered away, leaving a fund raising and real estate business as it's skeletal remains. The TMO doesn't teach TM anymore, and hasn't for quite some time. Soon there won't be anyone left in the west to raise funds from JohnY You wish. L.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Holy Shadow
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, arhatafreespe...@... wrote: -- What a curious little story, reminds me of a German folktale. Can't remember the original title. I believe it was eventually turned into a folk play perhaps something by Sachs. Said to be the source of Beckett's Godot; with Estragon and Vladimir acting out our denial of shadow material. the saint's shadow fell behind him or to either side, so that he could not see it In the original story, the saint isn't the only one incapable of seeing shadows. Delightful! --
[FairfieldLife] Inverse Zombies and Consciousness
Interesting article, one of the top downloaded articles on consciousness for 2008, that raises the interesting possibility that consciousness may not be a physically produced phenomenon as materialists believe.http://eprints.assc.caltech.edu/294/Inverse Zombies, Anesthesia Awareness, and the Hard Problem of UnconsciousnessMashour, George A. (2007) Inverse Zombies, Anesthesia Awareness, and the Hard Problem of Unconsciousness. In: 11th Annual Meeting of the ASSC, Las Vegas.Full text available as: PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader2163 KbAbstractPhilosophical (p-) zombies are constructs that possess all of the behavioral features and responses of a sentient human being, yet are not conscious. P-zombies are intimately linked to the hard problem of consciousness and have been invoked as arguments against physicalist approaches. But what if we were to invert the characteristics of p-zombies? Such an inverse (i-) zombie would possess all of the behavioral features and responses of an insensate being, yet would nonetheless be conscious. While p-zombies are logically possible but naturally improbable, an approximation of i-zombies actually exists: individuals experiencing what is referred to as “anesthesia awareness.” Patients under general anesthesia may be intubated (preventing speech), paralyzed (preventing movement), and narcotized (minimizing response to nociceptive stimuli). Thus, they appear—and typically are—unconscious. In 1-2 cases/1000, however, patients may be aware of intraoperative events without any objective indices. P-zombies confront us with the hard problem of consciousness—how do we explain the presence of qualia? I-zombies present a more practical problem—how do we ensure the absence of qualia? The current investigation compares p-zombies to i-zombies, exploring the multiple dimensions of this “hard problem” of unconsciousness with a focus on anesthesia awareness and persistent vegetative states.
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
It's not metabolism that has to come to stop, it's Identification that has to reside within itself, and the metabolism will do whatever it wants to do -- generally it will be true that it will settle down markedly if no attention is spotlighting a neural process, but the guna-set has a mind of its own which, zombie like, will pursue its own ends even if there's no longer any validation of its ego-patterns. I heard MMY actually say that one could live forever if one just didn't mind the changes happening. It was yucky to hear that in that I imagined a human body getting evermore decrepit but still having a sentience to witness it. Back then, I missed the deeper truth that the gunas hold sway over everything except where attention rests. No arrangement of the gunas can constitute sentience, so get out of the seeking sentience in the land of the dead business, yes? No matter the sweetness of the saint, it's a golden cage to inhabit such a nervous system. The caged bird may sing, but its best song will be the silence it feels when it soars in the clouds. Remember, Guru Dev didn't choose to come back here to save our asses now did he? He choose to go all the way to no-thing-ness. Rama walked bodily into heaven, so there's that assertion; one can live in in an astral loka, or a Vikuntha, whatever, but even though it can be imagined that the gunas could get structured with an everlasting and unmitigatable purity, the cage is only being coated with another layer of gold. Krishna went to sleep and let an arrow shoot up his sushumna; a statement about the value of even a perfect siddha's life, eh? What happens in meat is not your concern, move along. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wg...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradhatu@ wrote: On Jan 29, 2009, at 10:54 AM, BillyG. wrote: As the metabolism is reduced the mind becomes finer and finer and the metabolism becomes further reduced, the mind transcends and gets to that state of TC. Simultaneously the body, the mind, the entire functioning of the inner machinery, ALL metabolic rate comes to **zero**. This is the state where it has no decay.. MMY The Vedas But TM research shows that the metabolic rate only goes down about 15% or so. Are you therefore implying that TM practitioners do not reach or have not yet reached the state of TC? They certainly would not meet the criteria MMY defines above! Yes, that is exactly what I am implying, obtaining Savikalpa Samadhi is a very advanced state of meditation. Very few TM'ers have achieved Savikalpa Samadhi, though some can get a glance of it, right from the very beginning but that is not necessarily unique to TM. MMY calls it tiptoeing thru the sleeping elephants; most TM'ers are taught to think they actually transcend to Samadhi every time they meditate but this is an over simplification of MMY's teachings (albeit understandable). Yes, eventually that bubble will reach its source...ha, ha. :-) To achieve that deathless state even the heart stops apparently
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: I'll say it again: who cares about Global Warming when by addressing the concept pollution will take care of any warming? Warming is but one bad aspect of a host of bads due to pollution. We may not know for sure if warming is happening, but there is absolutely no doubt about how our poor planet is peppered with toxic dumps, toxic smoke stacks, toxic exhaust pipes on cars, the island of garbage in the Pacific Ocean, the dying reefs, etc. I find it horribly distasteful for anyone to carp about the global warming efforts when the only possible way to address that problem (real or not) is to clean up the planet. The toxic sites are real, known, and lethal as Love Canal -- those who would naysay the Global Warmists are pro-pollution-sinners-by-omission, and that's a fact! But Edg - am with you all the way on garbage in the oceans, toxic dumps, nuclear waste, and all. But it's stretching it to say that CO2 is a pollutant. You don't need a fancy theory to say that we need to clean up our rivers, lakes, oceans and the air we breathe. But the Bad Boy CO2 conjecture DOES need a lot of contentious baggage to prop it up and give it some force. In fact as a conjecture it would be dead in the water (unfortunate metaphor!) without wheeling out supporting theories of positive feedbacks. That's because the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is actually tiny (even after recent increases). --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Inverse Zombies and Consciousness
Vaj, Nice find. I'm reminded that they've found that if, say, tennis is discussed orally in the presence of a comatose person, that person's brain can be observed to light up in the areas where an awake person's brain lights up when hearing the same discussion. To me that's proof of sentience still operating at some level. Hard to pull that person off life support when they're seemingly inside there and LISTENING! eh? Do you think that that speck of identification that's keeping a comatose person alive is sacred enough to keep it going no matter the cost? Light up my brain parts, dude. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj vajradh...@... wrote: Interesting article, one of the top downloaded articles on consciousness for 2008, that raises the interesting possibility that consciousness may not be a physically produced phenomenon as materialists believe. http://eprints.assc.caltech.edu/294/ Inverse Zombies, Anesthesia Awareness, and the Hard Problem of Unconsciousness Mashour, George A. (2007) Inverse Zombies, Anesthesia Awareness, and the Hard Problem of Unconsciousness. In: 11th Annual Meeting of the ASSC, Las Vegas. Full text available as:  PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader 2163 Kb Abstract Philosophical (p-) zombies are constructs that possess all of the behavioral features and responses of a sentient human being, yet are not conscious. P-zombies are intimately linked to the hard problem of consciousness and have been invoked as arguments against physicalist approaches. But what if we were to invert the characteristics of p- zombies? Such an inverse (i-) zombie would possess all of the behavioral features and responses of an insensate being, yet would nonetheless be conscious. While p-zombies are logically possible but naturally improbable, an approximation of i-zombies actually exists: individuals experiencing what is referred to as âanesthesia awareness.â Patients under general anesthesia may be intubated (preventing speech), paralyzed (preventing movement), and narcotized (minimizing response to nociceptive stimuli). Thus, they appearâand typically areâunconscious. In 1-2 cases/1000, however, patients may be aware of intraoperative events without any objective indices. P- zombies confront us with the hard problem of consciousnessâhow do we explain the presence of qualia? I-zombies present a more practical problemâhow do we ensure the absence of qualia? The current investigation compares p-zombies to i-zombies, exploring the multiple dimensions of this âhard problemâ of unconsciousness with a focus on anesthesia awareness and persistent vegetative states.
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Marek, Do you hold out any probability that Shad has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share? To answer yes, is certainly NOT equivalent to i) believing everything he says is useful or valid, and 2) agreement with his views, and 3) that some of his views are not reprehensible to you. If you hold out at least some small probability that he has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share, then do you hold any glimmer of hope that some open, fully listening dialogue may bear at least some fruit? The Bush administration was strongly adverse to dialogue with people with whom they felt had reprehensible views. Progress on world issues during this reign was negligible if not negative, in my view. This is in stark contrast to the Obama administration which has instructed it s most senior diplomats to first listen intently, and not start out dictating what the other party should do or feel. If Byron Katie has any validity, then believing in shoulds is weak and unproductive thinking. Some recently have said that talking to someone with views different than our own, starkly different, validates the other persons views, that is, it gives them legitimacy. That view is pure Bushian, in my opinion. What are your views on dialogue -- even with people who hold starkly different views than yourself? In my view and experience, name calling, particularly super charged words like racist, completely shuts down diologue -- in the near term and for a long time after that. And it shuts down the ability for either party to listen and really hear the deeper issues and dynamics behind the other party's words. The reptile brain takes over. Which is the opposite effect I would have hypothesized about long-term PC dippers. Perhaps Spraig and Vaj can elaborate on the research behind this. Thus, per your actions of calling someone a racist, it would appear, contrary to all other indications from your posts, that you are in the Bush camp of diplomacy. I hope, and do not think, that is not the case. What are your views on labeling people, processes for opening and closing of dialogue, giving legitimacy to other parties via dialogue, and the value of dialogue for understanding the deeper dynamics of why a person or group feels, thinks and acts the way they do? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavisma...@... wrote: Shemp, I missed the remark you posted from Obama under your own name, so I won't comment on that. And as to a young person's insecurities re how they might best fit in with a world which for them is defined by all sorts of mis-matching pieces (single mom, absent dad, stepfather, Indonesia, absent mom, living with different race grandparents in Hawaii), I can easily cut him some slack for that. (As an aside, look at the monikers that folks who post here use as one marker of how they try to fit in.) L.Shaddai's remarks, both his original post and subsequent replies, contained clear and offensive indicators that he believes blacks are inferior and debased; he was not expressing concern for the well-being of others. Your own remarks that folks should refrain from giving their children names that have charm or cultural significance within the community with which they identify, because that can be used to discriminate against them, has the argument all turned around. They're only names, not metrics of value (unless that's your shorthand for judging people). The larger community has to learn to look at the person, not succumb to prejudice. To encourage all the young Baracks in America to change their name to Barry so they'll fit in, is entirely the wrong message and one sent to the wrong party. Although racism is still a given in this country, it's changing and yielding towards the American ideal of meritocracy; an ideal that I'm positive you hold. Thanks for taking the time to address the issue. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: One more thing to add to what I wrote below: A certain someone preferred to use the name Barry for the first 20 or so years of his life because he felt uncomfortable with the given name on his birth certificate. Perhaps that tells us something about interacting in America with a name considered a wee bit out of the ordinary. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and you are entirely wrong in the sentiment you express. Marek: Several months ago I made a statement here on this forum about Blacks having an advantage over other races on the basketball court. I got several responses that the statement was racist (and also several
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
Richard, I agree, but if Gore has truly gotten a grassroots activism going and it's flag is carried by such a large number of folks, then that activism can be used to evolve into a greater clarity about pollution in general and then, eventually, the group will aim more precisely at targets more easily hit than C02 emissions -- that is, come to a triage clarity. I'm being not-a-little bit sleazy here in that I'm hoping the activism is as if eventually commandeered and brought to bear upon toxicity in general, but the longing for clean in the global warmists is the baby in the bathwater that gets tossed out by all the anti-warmists. Attacking the warmists should not besmirch the desire for a clean environment. Yeah, I'm not able to present a case against C02 that'll stymie the anti-warmists much. C02 is a pollutant only when the Earth's ability to process it is overrun. As such, maybe it's better to think of C02 like we think of water in the human body -- too much is lethal -- not that water is intrinsically bad. I'm okay with the global warming push, cuz, just think, hee hee, do you think all the smokestack owners out there are going to standstill for some legislation that forces them to pay millions of bucks to put C02 filters on their stacks without, you know, paying their lobbyists to bang every elected official to get tough on the OTHER companies that are pouring stuff into our oceans? I say, beat on the smokers and watch them get politically active, pay for it, and put the other polluters' feet to the fire. Beat on one drum, get all drums beaten. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_reply@ wrote: I'll say it again: who cares about Global Warming when by addressing the concept pollution will take care of any warming? Warming is but one bad aspect of a host of bads due to pollution. We may not know for sure if warming is happening, but there is absolutely no doubt about how our poor planet is peppered with toxic dumps, toxic smoke stacks, toxic exhaust pipes on cars, the island of garbage in the Pacific Ocean, the dying reefs, etc. I find it horribly distasteful for anyone to carp about the global warming efforts when the only possible way to address that problem (real or not) is to clean up the planet. The toxic sites are real, known, and lethal as Love Canal -- those who would naysay the Global Warmists are pro-pollution-sinners-by-omission, and that's a fact! But Edg - am with you all the way on garbage in the oceans, toxic dumps, nuclear waste, and all. But it's stretching it to say that CO2 is a pollutant. You don't need a fancy theory to say that we need to clean up our rivers, lakes, oceans and the air we breathe. But the Bad Boy CO2 conjecture DOES need a lot of contentious baggage to prop it up and give it some force. In fact as a conjecture it would be dead in the water (unfortunate metaphor!) without wheeling out supporting theories of positive feedbacks. That's because the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is actually tiny (even after recent increases). --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises.
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: It's not metabolism that has to come to stop, it's Identification that has to reside within itself, and the metabolism will do whatever it wants to do -- generally it will be true that it will settle down markedly if no attention is spotlighting a neural process, but the guna-set has a mind of its own which, zombie like, will pursue its own ends even if there's no longer any validation of its ego-patterns. I believe even the heart comes to a complete cessation, that's why some of these Yogis can be buried for weeks and still be resuscitated. I heard MMY actually say that one could live forever if one just didn't mind the changes happening. It was yucky to hear that in that I imagined a human body getting evermore decrepit but still having a sentience to witness it. Back then, I missed the deeper truth that the gunas hold sway over everything except where attention rests. No arrangement of the gunas can constitute sentience, so get out of the seeking sentience in the land of the dead business, yes? No matter the sweetness of the saint, it's a golden cage to inhabit such a nervous system. The caged bird may sing, but its best song will be the silence it feels when it soars in the clouds. Yes, but that would be based on selfishness would it not? Babaji remains here out of compassion for humanity, ostensibly, as is the will of God in him. Remember, Guru Dev didn't choose to come back here to save our asses now did he? He choose to go all the way to no-thing-ness. We don't know that. Rama walked bodily into heaven, so there's that assertion; one can live in in an astral loka, or a Vikuntha, whatever, but even though it can be imagined that the gunas could get structured with an everlasting and unmitigatable purity, the cage is only being coated with another layer of gold. MMY said the liberated beings live in the subtle 'Akasha tattwa' until the time of dissolution or pralaya. See: http://www.spiritualregeneration.org/audios/1959_Glow.mp3 Krishna went to sleep and let an arrow shoot up his sushumna; a statement about the value of even a perfect siddha's life, eh? What happens in meat is not your concern, move along. Edg Remember what Christ said: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:19
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 9:30 AM, Marek Reavis reavisma...@sbcglobal.netwrote: L.Shaddai's remarks, both his original post and subsequent replies, contained clear and offensive indicators that he believes blacks are inferior and debased; he was not expressing concern for the well-being of others. That's because you wanted to read such things into my posts. I have expressed concern about my former cotton picking state before and will express it again. I don't like blacks choosing unique names. Racist or not, the unique names stick out like a sore thumb in the rest of US society. And yes, I no longer have to receive a resume from a headhunter or consulting firm which says read resume carefully (i.e. this one's for your affirmative action program), I just look at the name. I'm just as concerned about the accent that blacks seem to have a problem shaking. I reported here during the election that I got a poling call from a man who spent 30-45 minutes quizzing me on my feelings about race and about this candidate versus this other one, this party versus that party. When ending the call, he said he had one final question for me: what is my race. I told him that he was black. It was obvious from the very unique variant of a very subtle southern accent. Now frankly I don't care what his race is, but I know of many people who would have pre-formed their opinion during the very first word uttered. If you think that I am dismissive of you, well I am. I really don't care what you think. As a matter of fact, from what you say it's pretty obvious that you are a dreamer of how things should be but has never dealt with things with regard to blacks as they are and struggled with the possible solutions to the problem. So just as we dismiss people who have never done TM from giving a critique of the TM practice, I dismiss you. You have no idea how blacks constantly keep themselves and others enslaved by their own attitudes and I have no interest in educating you, as though I could.
Re: [FairfieldLife] I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 8:11 AM, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@netscape.netwrote: The observation about unique names in the Black Community is not and should not be a taboo subject. Indeed, it was the subject of one of those newsmagazine shows (20/20? Primetime? Dateline NBC?) a while back. The premise of the show? The naming phenomenon in the Black Community often creates huge problems for those kids when they grow up and try to get jobs. In fact, it provides an opportunity for racists to practise their racism. As a lawyer you know that there are laws against requiring someone to put a photograph on Resume's or identifying race when applying for a job. Yet the ghetto name phenomenon is such that that is used as an identifying marker by potential employees NOT to hire blacks and to do it with impunity. A white racist reading a resume submitted from a Shaneequah Washington can reject the application and not risk being accused of prejudice. That I-am-the-eternal dares to broach this subject shows not only sensitivity on his part but I suggest genuine concern for African- Americans. http://tinyurl.com/caonfg http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+names http://www.blackghettobabynames.net/ Hey! Thanks. I thought that I was the only one who observed this and came to this conclusion.
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Grate.swan, I awed by your balance. If you and Marek can keep this dialog going, it's gunna be terrif. Glad you're posting here. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, grate.swan no_re...@... wrote: Marek, Do you hold out any probability that Shad has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share? To answer yes, is certainly NOT equivalent to i) believing everything he says is useful or valid, and 2) agreement with his views, and 3) that some of his views are not reprehensible to you. If you hold out at least some small probability that he has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share, then do you hold any glimmer of hope that some open, fully listening dialogue may bear at least some fruit? The Bush administration was strongly adverse to dialogue with people with whom they felt had reprehensible views. Progress on world issues during this reign was negligible if not negative, in my view. This is in stark contrast to the Obama administration which has instructed it s most senior diplomats to first listen intently, and not start out dictating what the other party should do or feel. If Byron Katie has any validity, then believing in shoulds is weak and unproductive thinking. Some recently have said that talking to someone with views different than our own, starkly different, validates the other persons views, that is, it gives them legitimacy. That view is pure Bushian, in my opinion. What are your views on dialogue -- even with people who hold starkly different views than yourself? In my view and experience, name calling, particularly super charged words like racist, completely shuts down diologue -- in the near term and for a long time after that. And it shuts down the ability for either party to listen and really hear the deeper issues and dynamics behind the other party's words. The reptile brain takes over. Which is the opposite effect I would have hypothesized about long-term PC dippers. Perhaps Spraig and Vaj can elaborate on the research behind this. Thus, per your actions of calling someone a racist, it would appear, contrary to all other indications from your posts, that you are in the Bush camp of diplomacy. I hope, and do not think, that is not the case. What are your views on labeling people, processes for opening and closing of dialogue, giving legitimacy to other parties via dialogue, and the value of dialogue for understanding the deeper dynamics of why a person or group feels, thinks and acts the way they do? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Shemp, I missed the remark you posted from Obama under your own name, so I won't comment on that. And as to a young person's insecurities re how they might best fit in with a world which for them is defined by all sorts of mis-matching pieces (single mom, absent dad, stepfather, Indonesia, absent mom, living with different race grandparents in Hawaii), I can easily cut him some slack for that. (As an aside, look at the monikers that folks who post here use as one marker of how they try to fit in.) L.Shaddai's remarks, both his original post and subsequent replies, contained clear and offensive indicators that he believes blacks are inferior and debased; he was not expressing concern for the well-being of others. Your own remarks that folks should refrain from giving their children names that have charm or cultural significance within the community with which they identify, because that can be used to discriminate against them, has the argument all turned around. They're only names, not metrics of value (unless that's your shorthand for judging people). The larger community has to learn to look at the person, not succumb to prejudice. To encourage all the young Baracks in America to change their name to Barry so they'll fit in, is entirely the wrong message and one sent to the wrong party. Although racism is still a given in this country, it's changing and yielding towards the American ideal of meritocracy; an ideal that I'm positive you hold. Thanks for taking the time to address the issue. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: One more thing to add to what I wrote below: A certain someone preferred to use the name Barry for the first 20 or so years of his life because he felt uncomfortable with the given name on his birth certificate. Perhaps that tells us something about interacting in America with a name considered a wee bit out of the ordinary. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and
[FairfieldLife] What's the Secret here?
Amazing that the top 20 emailers here this week sent more emails that all 9 of my other 'spiritual yahoo groups' combined! I'm baffled why that is? Maybe it's just excitement? Lots of Mantra-ing? Arhata http://www.freedomofspeech.netfirms.com/
Re: [FairfieldLife] Monkeys vs Meat (Re: Mantras, Religion and finally a statement . . .)
You know just from an aesthetic standpoint even one should not repeat certain phrases too often or the song gets repetitive and rather old fast. - Original Message - wow-- monkey see, monkey do, eh Sal? here, have a banana! in all clarity, sincerity, and honesty, i made a point about not
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: Richard, I agree, but if Gore has truly gotten a grassroots activism going and it's flag is carried by such a large number of folks, then that activism can be used to evolve into a greater clarity about pollution in general and then, eventually, the group will aim more precisely at targets more easily hit than C02 emissions -- that is, come to a triage clarity. I'm being not-a-little bit sleazy here in that I'm hoping the activism is as if eventually commandeered and brought to bear upon toxicity in general, but the longing for clean in the global warmists is the baby in the bathwater that gets tossed out by all the anti-warmists. Attacking the warmists should not besmirch the desire for a clean environment. Yeah, I'm not able to present a case against C02 that'll stymie the anti-warmists much. C02 is a pollutant only when the Earth's ability to process it is overrun. As such, maybe it's better to think of C02 like we think of water in the human body -- too much is lethal -- not that water is intrinsically bad. I'm okay with the global warming push, cuz, just think, hee hee, do you think all the smokestack owners out there are going to standstill for some legislation that forces them to pay millions of bucks to put C02 filters on their stacks without, you know, paying their lobbyists to bang every elected official to get tough on the OTHER companies that are pouring stuff into our oceans? I say, beat on the smokers and watch them get politically active, pay for it, and put the other polluters' feet to the fire. Beat on one drum, get all drums beaten. Edg A bit of the end justifies the means there of course. But your analogy with water is spot on. So Edg, are you in favour of nuclear power? And are you attracted to conspiracy theories? I say this because the nuclear power lobby is benefiting enormously from the demonization of CO2. Are the Greenies just pawns in a game being played by the Higher Powers to persuade the electorate to accept more nuclear power? (What are they called - the New World Order or something?) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_reply@ wrote: I'll say it again: who cares about Global Warming when by addressing the concept pollution will take care of any warming? Warming is but one bad aspect of a host of bads due to pollution. We may not know for sure if warming is happening, but there is absolutely no doubt about how our poor planet is peppered with toxic dumps, toxic smoke stacks, toxic exhaust pipes on cars, the island of garbage in the Pacific Ocean, the dying reefs, etc. I find it horribly distasteful for anyone to carp about the global warming efforts when the only possible way to address that problem (real or not) is to clean up the planet. The toxic sites are real, known, and lethal as Love Canal -- those who would naysay the Global Warmists are pro-pollution-sinners-by-omission, and that's a fact! But Edg - am with you all the way on garbage in the oceans, toxic dumps, nuclear waste, and all. But it's stretching it to say that CO2 is a pollutant. You don't need a fancy theory to say that we need to clean up our rivers, lakes, oceans and the air we breathe. But the Bad Boy CO2 conjecture DOES need a lot of contentious baggage to prop it up and give it some force. In fact as a conjecture it would be dead in the water (unfortunate metaphor!) without wheeling out supporting theories of positive feedbacks. That's because the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is actually tiny (even after recent increases). --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Obama's pick for Sec. Education disappoints progressives Bill Ayers
If a kid has to take an entrance exam to get into a school, it should be categorized as a private school and should not receive one dime of taxpayer money. The kids who can't pass the entrance exam and have to go to a public school should have the same opportunities for a good education as the private school robbing them of tax payer funds. I posted my reasons for this opinion in my post to Boo. #206806 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, sparaig lengli...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchydog@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, sparaig LEnglish5@ wrote: The best public high school in the USA is a charter school here in Tucson, AZ. Charter schools aren't privately funded, and must maintain certain standards with the state school board. L. What exactly is the criteria that defines it as a good school and what is the socioeconomic status of the student population? If the charter school is in an affluent area, I doubt you will see it catering to the military. Good PR can make any school look terrific, if the motive is profit, showcasing a school as a sales tool. The thing that has bugged me about school vouchers for years is that it diverts money from public schools with the intention of leaving them to crumble. Bush just accelerated the process with NCLB. If we had used the money to improve public schools, EVERYONE would have a chance to get a great education. Privatizing schools only serves to widen the gap between the haves and the have nots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIS_Charter_School Economic-status of kids is all over the place. There's a waiting list to get in, and you have to pass an entrance exam at the start of each school year (new AND returning students). There's also no provisions for physical handicaps other than wheelchair access and the like and physical education/sports is minimalist. My son went there for several years, startiong in the middle school. The first year they gave PSAT tests he scored the highest in the school, but had to drop out before he was eligible for scholarships and so on. Finally got his GED. Ironic, because when he was 13, he aced the local community college entrance exams, but they wouldn't accept him because he wasn't ready emotionally. Luckily we got him into BASIS that year because regular school was boring beyond belief for him. L.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Duveyoung no_re...@yahoogroups.com wrote: spawning? -- racist remark or insensitive gaff? Edg Frankly, I don't know which. My reaction to a 15 year old girl having a baby which won't have a father to care for it or support it because she feels unloved and wants for a time to have her moments of love and respect. I don't know if it's racist or an area of crushed empathy and concern when I look at whites around me and see the parenting classes both parents take, the debate over having the umbilical cord frozen or not, the frenzy to do everything right with the future child then speak with pregnant 15 year old black girls who have no idea who they are, where they are going, where the father is now and what they'll do with the child once they give birth to it. And yes, I speak to such girls on a regular basis. I also speak with their old man despite the endless stream of racial epithets he's slinging at me. Definitely grave concern (tears are flowing down the front of my face as I type this) that I am looking at the cycle of defeat, of a subset of society where a fifth or more of its young adult males are convicted felons with all the discrimination /that/ brings, of a subset of society where the values and attitudes are almost perfect in perpetuating yet more I told you so from both the whites and blacks failure. Definitely grave concern and a feeling of defeat that an attorney who works for criminals should speak as a starry eyed optimist of the way the world should be and sees my statements as racist. God damn. Why doesn't he come join me down at the homeless shelter in his spare time and sing from The Sound of Music to our clients there? Give us a couple generations before I see enough parity between the races so I can tell whether I'm racist or not. Right now I'm just sad and angry. And people are hurting. Many of them. Big time.
Re: [FairfieldLife] What's the Secret here?
Arhata Osho wrote: Amazing that the top 20 emailers here this week sent more emails that all 9 of my other 'spiritual yahoo groups' combined! I'm baffled why that is? Maybe it's just excitement? Lots of Mantra-ing? Arhata http://www.freedomofspeech.netfirms.com/ Obsessive compulsive behavior which TM tends to cultivate (that or a high vata condition). There is a top 40 of topics here which the folks like to dance to and beat as dead horses. As you can see dissecting enlightenment is very popular.
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
Notes below: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wg...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_reply@ wrote: It's not metabolism that has to come to stop, it's Identification that has to reside within itself, and the metabolism will do whatever it wants to do -- generally it will be true that it will settle down markedly if no attention is spotlighting a neural process, but the guna-set has a mind of its own which, zombie like, will pursue its own ends even if there's no longer any validation of its ego-patterns. I believe even the heart comes to a complete cessation, that's why some of these Yogis can be buried for weeks and still be resuscitated. I'm thinking it's possible, but I'm not thinking that metabolism and other processes are coming to a halt -- but rather are merely tranking down as much as possible, but the process amness is still going to require some energy to keep it going. I'm okay believing that that amount of energy is so slight that the aging process can slow to such a degree that our measuring devises are unable to pick up on the activity, but I'm not thinking that the second law of thermodynamics is being violated. And, obviously, to this very moment, no Purusha or Mother Divine type is, on average, any younger looking or all that much measurably more healthy; these folks are dying at the same rate us-folks is dyin'. So, even if it's theoretically possible to stay young for-almost-ever, we sure don't see it in the various populations of true believers out there. Those always starving, yogurt lovers, the Hunzas, may live, say, ten years longer than those with Western lifestyles, but that's about it when it comes to finding a fountain of youth. If you want to be a Westerner, ain't a chance in hell you'll be using only one oxygen molecule per year like these fabled yogis -- they HAVE TO BE BRICKED UP to pull off the feat, ya see? Otherwise, the world will grab them just like it does us and force them to age their equipment as we do by our excesses. I heard MMY actually say that one could live forever if one just didn't mind the changes happening. It was yucky to hear that in that I imagined a human body getting evermore decrepit but still having a sentience to witness it. Back then, I missed the deeper truth that the gunas hold sway over everything except where attention rests. No arrangement of the gunas can constitute sentience, so get out of the seeking sentience in the land of the dead business, yes? No matter the sweetness of the saint, it's a golden cage to inhabit such a nervous system. The caged bird may sing, but its best song will be the silence it feels when it soars in the clouds. Yes, but that would be based on selfishness would it not? Babaji remains here out of compassion for humanity, ostensibly, as is the will of God in him. Babaji has a nice gig going if the rumors are to be believed, but he still has to have an ego that's being identified with if he's incarnate. A saintly ego perhaps, one that only does the work of the Absolute perhaps, but still Identification is there or he'd be felt to be a zombie. Thus the word, selflessness is a misnomer when it comes to saints -- they're very much for THE SELF, eh? Even Brahma's cosmic ego is not THE SELF, but though it falls short, it's the best approximation of perfection possible. I would put Babaji into the avatar category -- he manifests to do something and then poofs back to some seed form -- like that maybe. The seed form's nature is probably best described like we'd describe Indra's form -- perfected but not absolutely eternal. Even Indra dies eventually. I remember Maharishi chiding us and reminding us that all things are done to the Selfeveryone is Selfish. Whatever Babaji is doing, it's for the sake of an ego. Only an ego can act -- even perfect love cannot be expressed without the assumption of individuality. Babaji is assumed to be able to withdraw Identification with the body with great skill -- he'd have to have some really cool skills in the ritam area, eh? But, the best I can grant is that Babaji is still subject to entropy even if he's residing in the causal. Remember, Guru Dev didn't choose to come back here to save our asses now did he? He choose to go all the way to no-thing-ness. We don't know that. Right, but the official TMO poop is that Guru Dev went all the way, got his sixteenth cala, or whatever, so that's what I was working with. Does anyone know if Guru Dev's following in India thinks of Him as still incarnate in the astral or causal plains? Rama walked bodily into heaven, so there's that assertion; one can live in in an astral loka, or a Vikuntha, whatever, but even though it can be imagined that the gunas could get structured with an everlasting and unmitigatable purity, the cage is only being coated with another layer of gold. MMY said the liberated beings live in the
Re: [FairfieldLife] What's the Secret here?
Hmmm - thank for that! Arhata Osho wrote: Amazing that the top 20 emailers here this week sent more emails that all 9 of my other 'spiritual yahoo groups' combined! I'm baffled why that is? Maybe it's just excitement? Lots of Mantra-ing? Arhata http://www.freedomo fspeech.netfirms .com/ Obsessive compulsive behavior which TM tends to cultivate (that or a high vata condition). There is a top 40 of topics here which the folks like to dance to and beat as dead horses. As you can see dissecting enlightenment is very popular.
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Comments interleaved: ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, grate.swan no_re...@... wrote: Marek, Do you hold out any probability that Shad has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share? **snip Certainly. However, so far on this issue he has spoken in terms that my skinhead clients, tattooed from head to ankles with images and symbols of racial hatred, would be quick to endorse. That is not to say that L.Shaddai would participate in the same acts of violence that those individuals feel is the logical confirmation and necessary next step in holding those beliefs, but on the spectrum of racial tolerance/intolerance his expressed views are clearly racist. ** To answer yes, is certainly NOT equivalent to i) believing everything he says is useful or valid, and 2) agreement with his views, and 3) that some of his views are not reprehensible to you. If you hold out at least some small probability that he has something useful to say, some insightful life experience to share, then do you hold any glimmer of hope that some open, fully listening dialogue may bear at least some fruit? **snip Yes. But again, L.Shaddai in these exchanges has inferred facts regarding me and my experience for which he has no evidence, other than, once again, his prejudices. My comments were based on what L.Shaddai said, not on any baseless speculation as to why he said them. He undoubtedly has some history and training that has reinforced his prejudices, but as Edg has pointed out, we all have such histories and training; the important thing is to recognize it in our personality and work to overcome it. That is only, of course, if you feel that racism is a problem that needs to be addressed in your own personality, rather than a problem the blacks (or any identified others) have to rectify within the parameters that you approve so you can feel more comfortable around them. ** The Bush administration was strongly adverse to dialogue with people with whom they felt had reprehensible views. Progress on world issues during this reign was negligible if not negative, in my view. This is in stark contrast to the Obama administration which has instructed it s most senior diplomats to first listen intently, and not start out dictating what the other party should do or feel. If Byron Katie has any validity, then believing in shoulds is weak and unproductive thinking. **snip As re racism, I fall firmly on the side that it should be discussed and it should be discouraged. ** Some recently have said that talking to someone with views different than our own, starkly different, validates the other persons views, that is, it gives them legitimacy. That view is pure Bushian, in my opinion. What are your views on dialogue -- even with people who hold starkly different views than yourself? **snip I'm in favor of dialogue. ** In my view and experience, name calling, particularly super charged words like racist, completely shuts down diologue -- in the near term and for a long time after that. And it shuts down the ability for either party to listen and really hear the deeper issues and dynamics behind the other party's words. The reptile brain takes over. Which is the opposite effect I would have hypothesized about long-term PC dippers. Perhaps Spraig and Vaj can elaborate on the research behind this. Thus, per your actions of calling someone a racist, it would appear, contrary to all other indications from your posts, that you are in the Bush camp of diplomacy. I hope, and do not think, that is not the case. What are your views on labeling people, processes for opening and closing of dialogue, giving legitimacy to other parties via dialogue, and the value of dialogue for understanding the deeper dynamics of why a person or group feels, thinks and acts the way they do? **snip There's a natural and immediate reaction in me to be labelled a Bushian, and I would refute that term as it applies to me. In my first comments to L.Shaddai, however, I made particular point not to call him a racist. Rather, I commented that his statement was racist and reprehensible. A strong assertion, true, but it was an acknowledgement that perhaps he was not aware of how offensive his statements were and, if pointed out, he would take the opportunity to distance himself from them. However, on the contrary, he confirmed his position by implying that it was the blacks who were the real racists and made more derogatory claims regarding the blacks. From that point on I have come to the conclusion that he is a racist. What's unfortunate is not that *I* have identified him as such, but that *he* has identified himself as such. Thanks for working to find some middle way, here. I hold no animus for L.Shaddai, and should he come to the unfortunate position in life that I was appointed to represent him in a criminal
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: snip MMY said the liberated beings live in the subtle 'Akasha tattwa' until the time of dissolution or pralaya. See: http://www.spiritualregeneration.org/audios/1959_Glow.mp3 I'll see your akasha tattwa and raise you a Vikuntha. Who wants akasha tattwa when ya gots a Vikuntha to shoot for? When I read about Vikuntha, I can easily see my intellect being unable to meet the challenge of the paradox, but it's a sweet notion to lots of my cult-induced parts. To me, Krishna's town too must be subject to Shiva's dance. I believe he meant their material body only, they, (the jivan muktis) have bodies akin to that of a house made of glass bricks as MMY puts it, permeated by light until the time of dissolution(perhaps the same as Vaikuntha). snip
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
Richard M wrote: So Edg, are you in favour of nuclear power? And are you attracted to conspiracy theories? I say this because the nuclear power lobby is benefiting enormously from the demonization of CO2. Are the Greenies just pawns in a game being played by the Higher Powers to persuade the electorate to accept more nuclear power? (What are they called - the New World Order or something?) Richard, It is my understanding that the Queen of England and her bank are owners of virtually all the uranium of Canada, and that she's behind the anti-C02 movement. I'll give it a 9 out of 10 possibility of being true. That proved, then ya gots some sort of Illuminati thingie, eh? I'm against nuke-power until its pollution is zero -- not merely contained by storage systems that must eventually fail. The Greens probably are being used. Not sure if Gore is mindful or being used. I'm thinking Gore has a nice gig and thought for awhile it would serve to keep his hat in the presidential ring. Dunno fer shur. I'm most in favor of hydrogen, but getting the cost down will only happen if a cheap way to get it out of water is discovered. I'm not seeing it being around the corner, but there's lots of promising efforts out there that might go commercial any second. Other energy technologies are also emerging -- nano stuff could give us a singularity and then, wow, what a paradigm shift -- out goes every notion of all the big thinkers of the world about almost everything if nanotech gives us programable microscopic bots that can form clouds. Other singularities can do this too, so I'm just doing my pranyama until 2012heh heh, then, we'll see, eh? Edg
[FairfieldLife] Monkeys vs Meat (Re: Mantras, Religion and finally a statement . . .)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 3:48 PM, ruthsimplicity no_re...@yahoogroups.comwrote: Funny recap! I am afraid my last question might have been lost in the snark. I really am interested in what specific results you experienced from the siddhis. I have over the years heard too many vague statements about results without specificity. I would like someone to say something specific. E Intense friendliness, happiness and compassion which lasted after program. Feeling as big and as powerful as an elephant. Reminded myself of that experience after program and was suddenly able to turn a wrench which wouldn't otherwise budge. Exploration of my guts and innards. Trips through the galaxy, going to see this planet, this moon. Having no idea what's for dinner but being able to taste, smell, see, feel and touch it. Being blinded by blazing white light. Constantly increasing power of intuition. Thanks.
[FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Peter drpetersutphen@ wrote: Me, EnlightenDawn and Raunch sit around, smoking grasshopper weed and engage in mental tantric practices between the domes. Oh, by the way, many years ago I walked between the domes when everybody was flying. Oh my God! I almost got electrocuted! The energy exchange between the domes was mind blowing. One big yoni, one big lingam. Stand back! Peter, I used to know a guy who said he could sense,(through his nose physical nose or his subtle nose, I forget which) the attraction between male and female pheromones emanating from the domes. He must have been smokin' grasshopper weed or somethin' on a breezy day and he got wind of it. Or he needed to get laid real bad!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Obama's pick for Sec. Education disappoints progressives Bill Ayers
Raunch, To clarify, my post is based on the views of someone who has spent his entire career in support of public schools and the teachers union and who has been esp active in fighting the actions of the bush admin (and who knows well what its goals and tactics were). He has published papers and regularly gives professional presentations in general support of the general philosophy you present, though he seems to be more supportive of a limited role for charter schools. In short he does not do internet rants but has had to deal practically with the issues at hand. His view is that duncan was nowhere close to being his desired choice but the article you cite is naive in thinking he is going to recreate all he did in chicago nationwide under obama. It won't happen. He also says the implementation of military style schools in the black ghetto is coming primarily from the parents who see them as practical alternative to gangs, drugs etc. They do not see their children as canon fodder for war but as needing discipline to help them get the grades they need to get into college and break the poverty cycle. The cannon fodder argument seems to be coming from some far left groups who see anything associated with the military as inherently evil, violent and/or republican - this is not the case. My friend does not view this as the ideal solution to the unequal education problem in this country, but if done properly, as a limited option for the time being for some urban areas in which the schools are broke and failing. There are good ways and bad ways of implementing these types of alternative schools. And none of this means you abandon efforts for true equality between poor urban and wealthy suburban schools. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, raunchydog raunchy...@... wrote: Boo, I get it. It's O.K. for Duncan to implement a military approach to education as long as the schools are urban, black, poor and failing. Would you want your kids educated in a school like this? Here's the measure: If it's not good enough for your kids, it's not good enough for anyone. If we are willing to write off the poorest of our students as cannon fodder for war and accept that this is the best we can do for them, then we are on a path to revisiting separate but equal education. I fear that is where we are heading if we continue to privatize public schools. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Racially segregated schools are inherently unequal. One would think that was the final word in support of public schools, where EVERYONE has a chance for a good education, but n, we have been fooled into believing that privatizing failed public schools is a good idea. Get a clue, Bush did everything in his power to cause public schools to fail. Do you understand why he did this? Bush is an elitist and doesn't give a damn about the poor. He thinks the unwashed masses will probably end up in prison anyway so why not train them for the military. Add to this school vouchers which diverts money from public schools and strokes his Fudies friends. I look forward to Obama getting rid of vouchers, charter schools and NCLB. Unfortunately, Duncan's pick doesn't leave me hopeful. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, boo_lives boo_lives@ wrote: I spoke with a close friend who is a solid progressive with over 30 yrs career experience working with educational policy. He said Duncan was not his first or second or third choice for ed.sec. but doesn't think he'll be that bad. Thinks his approach made some sense for underfunded black urban env'ts but not for country as whole, and thinks duncan may pursue his chicago strategy in a couple urban school districts but definitely not on a national basis - obama will see to that and ed.policy under obama/duncan will be much better than it has for the last 8 yrs. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine salsunshine@ wrote: On Jan 27, 2009, at 10:55 AM, raunchydog wrote: Sal, If you have information that contradicts the information in the articles, let's see it. If you're going to dispute the validity of factual information, make your case rather than, I don't like what the guy said, so he must be wrong. What exactly do you think is untrue in the articles? Be specific and we can talk about it. Contradicts what? That progressives are unhappy with Duncan? Well, I'm a progressive, and I'm happy with him. Supposedly he's done an excellent job in Chicago. Post something that's not nonsense and there might be some way to have a rational discussion. What you posted doesn't lend itself to that. Sal I spoke with a close friend who is a solid progressive with over 30 yrs career experience working with educational policy. He said Duncan was not his first or second or third choice for ed.sec. but doesn't think he'll be that bad. Thinks his approach
[FairfieldLife] Re: Hindu mythology and current Bipartisanship [just for fun]
Thanks - I enjoyed that. Brilliant. And yet... How do you get to this? It's tough being the good guysIt gets wearing, having to be the bigger person all the time. Can I become a good guy? What's the secret? The technique? Do you ever entertain any self-doubt? That perhaps you are NOT the good guy? Or have you found a way to overcome that? Perhaps I misunderstand you (Dang! There's that irritating self-doubt again!). OK, I know, it was just for fun. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rf...@... wrote: The benefits and perils of bipartisanship are described in the story of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of good fortune. Hindu theology is complicated, and has many different branches (and even has atheistic forms). One deity may have many manifestations (for instance, Radha and Tulsi are both said to be aspects of Lakshmi), but in most forms of Hinduism all deities are ultimately part of a single divine force. In the stories, however, they are usually treated as separate entities. Lakshmi is the bringer of all forms of good fortune: health, wealth, and love. She's much beloved by my Hindu sister-in-law, which may explain why there's a gorgeous Lakshmi statuette in her Jewish mother's home. (We are, to put it mildly, an ecumenical family.) Lakshmi is sometimes said to be fickle, as good fortune comes and goes at odd times. Lakshmi's story begins at a time when the lesser divinities (devas), led by Indra , were faring poorly in their ongoing conflicts with the demons. (Yes, in this post-partisan era, it's bad manners for me to cast the Republicans as demons but if the shoe fits the cloven hoof, may as well wear it.*) In desperate need of help, the devas spent many days in prayer to Vishnu , the Preserver. Vishnu appeared in a radiant blue light. He told them that they could have the greatest gift of all: the Elixir of Immortality. But they would have to get it by churning the entire Ocean of Milk (the Milky Way). To accomplish this, they would have to call a truce with the demons and work together. And that was the easy part. When Indra explained the plan to the demons, their first response was, Are you f'ing kidding me? But Indra pointed out that there was something in it for them. Both sides wanted the elixir, and neither side could accomplish it alone. So, the rivals struck a bipartisan compromise. First, they cut off the top of Mount Meru, the pillar of the universe, to use as a stick to churn the ocean. Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle and then swam underneath to keep it from sinking. No rope in the universe was strong enough for this task. So Vishnu sent for Vasuki, the king of the serpents. The great snake coiled his body around the mountain. The devas held onto his head, the demons held his tail, and they took turns pulling the mountain back and forth. [Illustration, if you're having trouble picturing this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kurma_Avatar_of_Vishnu._ca_1870.jpg ] And the Ocean of Milk began to churn. Soon a great silvery orb arose from the ocean, bathing them all in its soft light. It glided up into the sky, and became the moon. They all stared in wonder at the shiny object. But it was not the Elixir of Immortality, so they set back to work. Over the hours and days that followed, fourteen treasures were churned forth from the Ocean of Milk, including Surabhi (the sacred cow), Kalpavriksha (the wish-granting tree), Kaustubha (the word's most precious jewel), and Varuni, the Goddess of alcohol (which, surprisingly, is not the Elixir of Immortality). Finally the great serpent could take no more. He had been pushed, pulled, turned and squeezed for days. He opened his mouth and vomited his poison into the sea. Vasuki's poison was so toxic that it could end all life in the universe. The devas and demons cried out to the only on who could save them: Shiva , the Destroyer. Shiva came from heaven, bent down and drank all the venom. The poison was so strong that Shiva's neck turned blue. But the universe was saved. The devas and demons were exhausted. They had been churning the ocean for days, and still did not have the elixir. And now they were afraid: what if they brought forth more poison? Vishnu urged them to continue. This was the greatest task they had ever undertaken; it wasn't supposed to be easy. The goal was worth it. And so, slowly at first, they once again began to pull the mountain back and forth. After hours of their labor, a Goddess emerged from the sea of milk, enthroned on a giant red lotus. She was incomparably beautiful, dressed in red silk and dazzling jewels. Her body glowed with a golden radiance. Her dark eyes shone with joy and compassion. Two of her four hands made gestures of blessing and protection. A third scattered gold coins to the crowd. In her fourth hand, she held a vial with the
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: Richard M wrote: So Edg, are you in favour of nuclear power? And are you attracted to conspiracy theories? I say this because the nuclear power lobby is benefiting enormously from the demonization of CO2. Are the Greenies just pawns in a game being played by the Higher Powers to persuade the electorate to accept more nuclear power? (What are they called - the New World Order or something?) Richard, It is my understanding that the Queen of England and her bank are owners of virtually all the uranium of Canada, and that she's behind the anti-C02 movement. You mean Her Highness? http://www.stephenfry.com/ I'll give it a 9 out of 10 possibility of being true. That proved, then ya gots some sort of Illuminati thingie, eh? I'm against nuke-power until its pollution is zero -- not merely contained by storage systems that must eventually fail. The Greens probably are being used. Not sure if Gore is mindful or being used. I'm thinking Gore has a nice gig and thought for awhile it would serve to keep his hat in the presidential ring. Dunno fer shur. I'm most in favor of hydrogen, but getting the cost down will only happen if a cheap way to get it out of water is discovered. I'm not seeing it being around the corner, but there's lots of promising efforts out there that might go commercial any second. Other energy technologies are also emerging -- nano stuff could give us a singularity and then, wow, what a paradigm shift -- out goes every notion of all the big thinkers of the world about almost everything if nanotech gives us programable microscopic bots that can form clouds. Other singularities can do this too, so I'm just doing my pranyama until 2012heh heh, then, we'll see, eh? Edg We'll see!
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. First, note that Armstrong has no experience whatsoever as a climate scientist. Got that? Second, some actual climate scientists dissect Greene and Armstrong's thesis (GA) using GA's own criteria: G+A's recent foray into climate science might therefore be a good case study for why their principles have not won wide acceptance. In the spirit of their technique, we'll use a scientific methodology - let's call it 'the principles of cross-disciplinary acceptance' (TM pending). For each principle, we assign a numerical score between -2 and 2, and the average will be our 'scientific' conclusion Principle 1: When moving into a new field, don't assume you know everything about it because you read a review and none of the primary literature. Score: -2 G+A appear to have only read one chapter of the IPCC report (Chap 8), and an un-peer reviewed hatchet job on the Stern report. Not a very good start Principle 2: Talk to people who are doing what you are concerned about. Score: -2 Of the roughly 20 climate modelling groups in the world, and hundreds of associated researchers, G+A appear to have talked to none of them. Strike 2. Principle 3: Be humble. If something initially doesn't make sense, it is more likely that you've mis-understood than the entire field is wrong. Score: -2 For instance, G+A appear to think that climate models are not tested on 'out of sample' data (they gave that a '-2#8242;). On the contrary, the models are used for many situations that they were not tuned for, paleo-climate changes (mid Holocene, last glacial maximum, 8.2 kyr event) being a good example. Similarly, model projections for the future have been matched with actual data - for instance, forecasting the effects of Pinatubo ahead of time, or Hansen's early projections. The amount of 'out of sample' testing is actually huge, but the confusion stems from G+A not being aware of what the 'sample' data actually consists of (mainly present day climatology). Another example is that G+A appear to think that GCMs use the history of temperature changes to make their projections since they suggest leaving some of it out as a validation. But this is just not so, as we discussed more thoroughly in a recent thread. Principle 4: Do not ally yourself with rejectionist rumps with clear political agendas if you want to be taken seriously by the rest of the field. Score: -2 The principle climatologist that G+A appear to have talked to is Bob 'global warming stopped in 1998#8242; Carter, who doesn't appear to think that the current CO2 rise is even anthropogenic. Not terribly representative Principle 5: Submit your paper to a reputable journal whose editors and peer reviewers will help improve your text and point out some of these subtle misconceptions. Score: -2 Energy and Environment. Need we say more? Principle 6: You can ignore all the above principles if you are only interested in gaining publicity for a book. Score: +2 Ah-ha! In summary, G+A get a rather disappointing (but scientific!) score of -1.66. This probably means that the prospects for a greater acceptance of forecasting principles within the climate community are not good. Kevin Trenberth feels the same way. Which raises the question of whether they are really serious or simply looking for a little public controversy. It may well be that there is something worth learning from the academic discipline of scientific forecasting (though they don't seem to have come across the concept of physically-based modelling), but this kind of amateur blundering does their cause nothing but harm. G+A's recent foray into climate science might therefore be a good case study for why their principles have not won wide acceptance. In the spirit of their technique, we'll use a scientific methodology - let's call it 'the principles of cross-disciplinary acceptance' (TM pending). For each principle, we assign a numerical score between -2 and 2, and the average will be our 'scientific' conclusion Principle 1: When moving into a new field, don't assume you know everything about it because you read a review and none of the primary literature. Score: -2 G+A appear to have only read one chapter of the IPCC report (Chap 8), and an un-peer reviewed hatchet job on the Stern report. Not a very good start Principle 2: Talk to people who are doing what you are concerned about. Score: -2 Of the roughly 20 climate modelling groups in the
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: Richard M wrote: So Edg, are you in favour of nuclear power? And are you attracted to conspiracy theories? I say this because the nuclear power lobby is benefiting enormously from the demonization of CO2. Are the Greenies just pawns in a game being played by the Higher Powers to persuade the electorate to accept more nuclear power? (What are they called - the New World Order or something?) Richard, It is my understanding that the Queen of England and her bank are owners of virtually all the uranium of Canada, and that she's behind the anti-C02 movement. I'll give it a 9 out of 10 possibility of being true. That proved, then ya gots some sort of Illuminati thingie, eh? That proved? What's proved? It is easy to see who owns the big publicly owned uranium mines in canada and it's not the queen of england. Her bank? What bank would that be? Do you think the queen owns the bank of england maybe? There's no mov't, there's the climate scientists of the world investigating the effects of greenhouse gases, such as co2, on the env't and politicians finally catching up and starting to talk about it. Actually they're doing more than talk about it in the artic circle where Russia, Canada and the US have all sent naval fleets to secure drilling rights due to the massive melting of the ice sheet there. Of course I've heard that the queen is probably using large scale hair dryers to melt the ice. I'm against nuke-power until its pollution is zero -- not merely contained by storage systems that must eventually fail. The Greens probably are being used. Not sure if Gore is mindful or being used. I'm thinking Gore has a nice gig and thought for awhile it would serve to keep his hat in the presidential ring. Dunno fer shur. I'm most in favor of hydrogen, but getting the cost down will only happen if a cheap way to get it out of water is discovered. I'm not seeing it being around the corner, but there's lots of promising efforts out there that might go commercial any second. Other energy technologies are also emerging -- nano stuff could give us a singularity and then, wow, what a paradigm shift -- out goes every notion of all the big thinkers of the world about almost everything if nanotech gives us programable microscopic bots that can form clouds. Other singularities can do this too, so I'm just doing my pranyama until 2012heh heh, then, we'll see, eh? Edg
[FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Duveyoung no_re...@yahoogroups.com wrote: spawning? -- racist remark or insensitive gaff? Edg Frankly, I don't know which. My reaction to a 15 year old girl having a baby which won't have a father to care for it or support it because she feels unloved and wants for a time to have her moments of love and respect. I don't know if it's racist or an area of crushed empathy and concern when I look at whites around me and see the parenting classes both parents take, the debate over having the umbilical cord frozen or not, the frenzy to do everything right with the future child then speak with pregnant 15 year old black girls who have no idea who they are, where they are going, where the father is now and what they'll do with the child once they give birth to it. And yes, I speak to such girls on a regular basis. I also speak with their old man despite the endless stream of racial epithets he's slinging at me. Definitely grave concern (tears are flowing down the front of my face as I type this) that I am looking at the cycle of defeat, of a subset of society where a fifth or more of its young adult males are convicted felons with all the discrimination /that/ brings, of a subset of society where the values and attitudes are almost perfect in perpetuating yet more I told you so from both the whites and blacks failure. Definitely grave concern and a feeling of defeat that an attorney who works for criminals should speak as a starry eyed optimist of the way the world should be and sees my statements as racist. God damn. Why doesn't he come join me down at the homeless shelter in his spare time and sing from The Sound of Music to our clients there? Give us a couple generations before I see enough parity between the races so I can tell whether I'm racist or not. Right now I'm just sad and angry. And people are hurting. Many of them. Big time. I volunteer occasionally at a shelter for runaway teens, doing med checks and the like. The shelter is located in a part of the country which is primarily white. The teens at the shelter are almost all white. They have their issues. For example, having babies when they should not, so that someone can love them. Many of the teens are quite unlikeable as they lie and steal to get along. Girls shoplift and sell sex and boys steal and sell drugs. Drugs and mental illness are a problem. I think your experience with the particular shelter may be leading you to generalize what may be due to other problems such as abuse, poor education, poor upbringing, poor health, lack of money and opportunity, etc. into a race issue.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
Well I had a Maharishi dream. After he died. I was in an open hall, it had a nice feeling and it was mine, and then Maharishi was coming up the steps and I was so shocked because he was dead and he was a ghost and now here he was that I screamed in shock and slammed the door in his face. And held it shut. The hall was mine. I wanted it to stay like that. - Original Message - From: Bhairitu noozg...@sbcglobal.net To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:27 PM Subject: Re: [FairfieldLife] Call for Lucid Dreaming stories TurquoiseB wrote: The Rama fellow I studied with for many years taught Lucid Dreaming. He taught it in the context of Tibetan Dream Yoga, but the techniques were the same as those I've later found in Native American shamanism and other disciplines. The Tibetan connection is that in that tradition Lucid Dreaming is seen as analogous to (or synonymous with) the Bardo state between death and rebirth, and thus developing a facility with waking up in the dream, and being able to manipulate the dream state is seen as valuable to a culture in which the teachings of The Tibetan Book Of The Dead are assumed as a given. If you can wake up in a normal dream, and use your intention there in the astral, then it is assumed that you might also be able to do the same thing in the Bardo, and thus have a shot at a cooler rebirth. Boy Art Bell's cousin sure had an effect on you. :-D I've mentioned one lucid dream I've had several times on FFL and that was the one with Jesus who looked more like Naveen Andrews than the way that Christianity portrays him. He told me he wanted to tell me something and I had to walk over to talk to him and there were fundamentalist Christians who seemed to be stuck in the ground telling me I had no right to talk to him. He just nodded at them in disgust and said pay no attention to them. He essentially warned me that things were going to get really bad in the world (and it did happen). The experience makes it a little difficult for me as I really didn't think there actually was such an individual as Roman history makes no mention of him (and they were good historians) and might actually may be a work of fiction derived possibly from some activist's activities (which would have been so minor the Romans wouldn't have bothered with a mention) and a mystic at the time. Some theologians seem to buy into this idea. To subscribe, send a message to: fairfieldlife-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!'Yahoo! Groups Links
[FairfieldLife] Re: Hindu mythology and current Bipartisanship [just for fun]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: Thanks - I enjoyed that. Brilliant. And yet... How do you get to this? It's tough being the good guysIt gets wearing, having to be the bigger person all the time. Can I become a good guy? What's the secret? The technique? Do you ever entertain any self-doubt? That perhaps you are NOT the good guy? Or have you found a way to overcome that? Perhaps I misunderstand you (Dang! There's that irritating self-doubt again!). OK, I know, it was just for fun. Those are interesting questions indeed. Perhaps however, it isn´t beyond you to notice that I wasn´t the author of the piece - as the attribution at the end clearly indicates. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rflex@ wrote: The benefits and perils of bipartisanship are described in the story of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of good fortune. Hindu theology is complicated, and has many different branches (and even has atheistic forms). One deity may have many manifestations (for instance, Radha and Tulsi are both said to be aspects of Lakshmi), but in most forms of Hinduism all deities are ultimately part of a single divine force. In the stories, however, they are usually treated as separate entities. Lakshmi is the bringer of all forms of good fortune: health, wealth, and love. She's much beloved by my Hindu sister-in-law, which may explain why there's a gorgeous Lakshmi statuette in her Jewish mother's home. (We are, to put it mildly, an ecumenical family.) Lakshmi is sometimes said to be fickle, as good fortune comes and goes at odd times. Lakshmi's story begins at a time when the lesser divinities (devas), led by Indra , were faring poorly in their ongoing conflicts with the demons. (Yes, in this post-partisan era, it's bad manners for me to cast the Republicans as demons but if the shoe fits the cloven hoof, may as well wear it.*) In desperate need of help, the devas spent many days in prayer to Vishnu , the Preserver. Vishnu appeared in a radiant blue light. He told them that they could have the greatest gift of all: the Elixir of Immortality. But they would have to get it by churning the entire Ocean of Milk (the Milky Way). To accomplish this, they would have to call a truce with the demons and work together. And that was the easy part. When Indra explained the plan to the demons, their first response was, Are you f'ing kidding me? But Indra pointed out that there was something in it for them. Both sides wanted the elixir, and neither side could accomplish it alone. So, the rivals struck a bipartisan compromise. First, they cut off the top of Mount Meru, the pillar of the universe, to use as a stick to churn the ocean. Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle and then swam underneath to keep it from sinking. No rope in the universe was strong enough for this task. So Vishnu sent for Vasuki, the king of the serpents. The great snake coiled his body around the mountain. The devas held onto his head, the demons held his tail, and they took turns pulling the mountain back and forth. [Illustration, if you're having trouble picturing this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kurma_Avatar_of_Vishnu._ca_1870.jpg ] And the Ocean of Milk began to churn. Soon a great silvery orb arose from the ocean, bathing them all in its soft light. It glided up into the sky, and became the moon. They all stared in wonder at the shiny object. But it was not the Elixir of Immortality, so they set back to work. Over the hours and days that followed, fourteen treasures were churned forth from the Ocean of Milk, including Surabhi (the sacred cow), Kalpavriksha (the wish-granting tree), Kaustubha (the word's most precious jewel), and Varuni, the Goddess of alcohol (which, surprisingly, is not the Elixir of Immortality). Finally the great serpent could take no more. He had been pushed, pulled, turned and squeezed for days. He opened his mouth and vomited his poison into the sea. Vasuki's poison was so toxic that it could end all life in the universe. The devas and demons cried out to the only on who could save them: Shiva , the Destroyer. Shiva came from heaven, bent down and drank all the venom. The poison was so strong that Shiva's neck turned blue. But the universe was saved. The devas and demons were exhausted. They had been churning the ocean for days, and still did not have the elixir. And now they were afraid: what if they brought forth more poison? Vishnu urged them to continue. This was the greatest task they had ever undertaken; it wasn't supposed to be easy. The goal was worth it. And so, slowly at first, they once again began to pull the mountain back and forth. After hours of their labor, a Goddess emerged from the sea of milk,
Re: [FairfieldLife] US Civil Engineers rate the US infrastructure a D
On Monday California will be bankrupt unless they pass a budget at the last minute (very unlikely) and personally I believe there is a faction that wants California government to completely collapse. We'll see next week. It may become the wild west again. --This is pretty amusing. But I wonder if people are scared or what. I should talk to my family more often. What's the likely scenario if bankrupt?
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, boo_lives boo_li...@... wrote: But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. First, note that Armstrong has no experience whatsoever as a climate scientist. Got that? Score -100 for being patronising. I think you miss the point of my post. It is not that Armstrong is necessarily right (though he may just as well be right as realclimate.org may be wrong. After all the latter only represent climate science by self-certification. Realclimate.org is driven primarily by Hansen's sidekick Gavin Schmidt and Michael Mann - he of the Great Hockey Stick Controversy). The question is whether there is a consensus. Realclimate.org are desperately trying to hold the line - but they are having to work harder and harder to do so. Second, some actual climate scientists dissect Greene and Armstrong's thesis (GA) using GA's own criteria: G+A's recent foray into climate science might therefore be a good case study for why their principles have not won wide acceptance. In the spirit of their technique, we'll use a scientific methodology - let's call it 'the principles of cross-disciplinary acceptance' (TM pending). For each principle, we assign a numerical score between -2 and 2, and the average will be our 'scientific' conclusion Principle 1: When moving into a new field, don't assume you know everything about it because you read a review and none of the primary literature. Score: -2 G+A appear to have only read one chapter of the IPCC report (Chap 8), and an un-peer reviewed hatchet job on the Stern report. Not a very good start Principle 2: Talk to people who are doing what you are concerned about. Score: -2 Of the roughly 20 climate modelling groups in the world, and hundreds of associated researchers, G+A appear to have talked to none of them. Strike 2. Principle 3: Be humble. If something initially doesn't make sense, it is more likely that you've mis-understood than the entire field is wrong. Score: -2 For instance, G+A appear to think that climate models are not tested on 'out of sample' data (they gave that a '-2#8242;). On the contrary, the models are used for many situations that they were not tuned for, paleo-climate changes (mid Holocene, last glacial maximum, 8.2 kyr event) being a good example. Similarly, model projections for the future have been matched with actual data - for instance, forecasting the effects of Pinatubo ahead of time, or Hansen's early projections. The amount of 'out of sample' testing is actually huge, but the confusion stems from G+A not being aware of what the 'sample' data actually consists of (mainly present day climatology). Another example is that G+A appear to think that GCMs use the history of temperature changes to make their projections since they suggest leaving some of it out as a validation. But this is just not so, as we discussed more thoroughly in a recent thread. Principle 4: Do not ally yourself with rejectionist rumps with clear political agendas if you want to be taken seriously by the rest of the field. Score: -2 The principle climatologist that G+A appear to have talked to is Bob 'global warming stopped in 1998#8242; Carter, who doesn't appear to think that the current CO2 rise is even anthropogenic. Not terribly representative Principle 5: Submit your paper to a reputable journal whose editors and peer reviewers will help improve your text and point out some of these subtle misconceptions. Score: -2 Energy and Environment. Need we say more? Principle 6: You can ignore all the above principles if you are only interested in gaining publicity for a book. Score: +2 Ah-ha! In summary, G+A get a rather disappointing (but scientific!) score of -1.66. This probably means that the prospects for a greater acceptance of forecasting principles within the climate community are not good. Kevin Trenberth feels the same way. Which raises the question of whether they are really serious or simply looking for a little public controversy. It may well be that there is something worth learning from the academic discipline of scientific forecasting (though they don't seem to have come across the concept of physically-based modelling), but this kind of amateur blundering does their cause nothing but harm. G+A's recent foray into climate science might therefore be a good case study for why their principles have not won
Re: [FairfieldLife] Racism isn't erased by a mere moment of good intent.
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 9:47 AM, Duveyoung no_re...@yahoogroups.com wrote: L.Shad, I cannot toss a stone at you, but go and sin no more. Edg I will do you and the name calling attorney one better. After I dispatch this I will set up a mail filter to send posts and emails from both of you directly to my trash. Only one other person has that honor right now, our drive by shooting evangelist Arhata Osho. I will continue to work with and try to help people both of you only know about in theory. Good bye.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
Enlightenment is different in different states of consciousness. Different tantras will evoke the state of conceptless light vision direct with sight, or work perhaps in less elaborated centers with other formless and unformulable mental or energy states. To at the state of sound and vision to mentally elaborate into something meaningful is at once both the start and end of the path itself. The entire path starting with a thought and ending with the same thought, the thought having presented the path. From sound and vision opportunities are constantly occuring to freshen up or liberate frequencies thus if one wills so they may die outwardly and ressurect in spirit, or as in The Devil card 15 of the Tarot Solve et Coagula one may entirely dissolve again their mental state of elaboration and forget all this enlightenment business entirely at their own discretion, especially those of us who aren't actively teaching. Bro, Sis, I have been sitting right next to you in sound and vision. Bro Sis don't spit at me with derision.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Monkeys vs Meat (Re: Mantras, Religion and finally a statement . . .)
ok- long hops during the flying sutra-- stuff that i couldn't have accomplished athletically, seeing inside my body-- tendons, ligaments, muscles, blood flowing through arteries, visions, hearing and touch of celestial beings, traveling through outer space and between planets. that's all i recall...stuff i've lost interest in pursuing further. cool enlightened_dawn thanks for saying something besides 'monkey chatter.'
[FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
L.Shaddai, it appears from your comments (below) that you would rather not be considered a racist, and I'm in favor of that, too. It seems, however, that you have taken your limited life experiences with the African Americans that you have dealt with and extrapolated that far beyond its useful or accurate value. I'm not doubting the authenticity of your experiences, only their foundational legitimacy for making the sweeping statements that you have expressed re all blacks. Furthermore, you have used terms in the past in reference to Barack Obama (mulatto and yellow) that come from an era that was far more steeped in racism than is the situation today. Their use is troubling to me inasmuch as it incorporates, by association, a time in our American history that we are finally making real progress in overcoming, and reinforces the assumption that you are unaware of how awful you sound (to me, at least) when you post on this issue. You also make this statement: Definitely grave concern and a feeling of defeat that an attorney who works for criminals should speak as a starry eyed optimist of the way the world should be and sees my statements as racist. It's not criminals I work for, but the Constitution, and the rights under the Constitution that we all share. I do that work by defending individuals accused of criminal offenses; and by making sure that *our* rights are defended vigorously in their person and in their situation; that law enforcement, the prosecution, and the judiciary don't trample or subvert those rights because my clients are just criminals (or terrorists, or skinheads, or blacks, or ...). Your statement (above) betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what that work is all about and its intrinsic value for all of us in this country. That attitude is a common one in my experience; I'm used to it and take no offense. I do admit that I am a committed idealist and feel fortunate that my life experiences have neither jaundiced my vision of what life is and can be nor convinced me to surrender those ideals to frustration or expediency. I wish you nothing other than success, happiness and love in your life. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, I am the eternal l.shad...@... wrote: On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Duveyoung no_re...@yahoogroups.com wrote: spawning? -- racist remark or insensitive gaff? Edg Frankly, I don't know which. My reaction to a 15 year old girl having a baby which won't have a father to care for it or support it because she feels unloved and wants for a time to have her moments of love and respect. I don't know if it's racist or an area of crushed empathy and concern when I look at whites around me and see the parenting classes both parents take, the debate over having the umbilical cord frozen or not, the frenzy to do everything right with the future child then speak with pregnant 15 year old black girls who have no idea who they are, where they are going, where the father is now and what they'll do with the child once they give birth to it. And yes, I speak to such girls on a regular basis. I also speak with their old man despite the endless stream of racial epithets he's slinging at me. Definitely grave concern (tears are flowing down the front of my face as I type this) that I am looking at the cycle of defeat, of a subset of society where a fifth or more of its young adult males are convicted felons with all the discrimination /that/ brings, of a subset of society where the values and attitudes are almost perfect in perpetuating yet more I told you so from both the whites and blacks failure. Definitely grave concern and a feeling of defeat that an attorney who works for criminals should speak as a starry eyed optimist of the way the world should be and sees my statements as racist. God damn. Why doesn't he come join me down at the homeless shelter in his spare time and sing from The Sound of Music to our clients there? Give us a couple generations before I see enough parity between the races so I can tell whether I'm racist or not. Right now I'm just sad and angry. And people are hurting. Many of them. Big time.
[FairfieldLife] Re: MMY on immortality on the physical level. The Vedas booklet.
--Thx. My Kriya Yoga Guru Swami Satyeswarananda Giri said that Babaji physically teleported the both of them over a great distance (can't remember exactly how far though). - In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_re...@... wrote: Notes below: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wgm4u@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung no_reply@ wrote: It's not metabolism that has to come to stop, it's Identification that has to reside within itself, and the metabolism will do whatever it wants to do -- generally it will be true that it will settle down markedly if no attention is spotlighting a neural process, but the guna-set has a mind of its own which, zombie like, will pursue its own ends even if there's no longer any validation of its ego- patterns. I believe even the heart comes to a complete cessation, that's why some of these Yogis can be buried for weeks and still be resuscitated. I'm thinking it's possible, but I'm not thinking that metabolism and other processes are coming to a halt -- but rather are merely tranking down as much as possible, but the process amness is still going to require some energy to keep it going. I'm okay believing that that amount of energy is so slight that the aging process can slow to such a degree that our measuring devises are unable to pick up on the activity, but I'm not thinking that the second law of thermodynamics is being violated. And, obviously, to this very moment, no Purusha or Mother Divine type is, on average, any younger looking or all that much measurably more healthy; these folks are dying at the same rate us-folks is dyin'. So, even if it's theoretically possible to stay young for-almost-ever, we sure don't see it in the various populations of true believers out there. Those always starving, yogurt lovers, the Hunzas, may live, say, ten years longer than those with Western lifestyles, but that's about it when it comes to finding a fountain of youth. If you want to be a Westerner, ain't a chance in hell you'll be using only one oxygen molecule per year like these fabled yogis -- they HAVE TO BE BRICKED UP to pull off the feat, ya see? Otherwise, the world will grab them just like it does us and force them to age their equipment as we do by our excesses. I heard MMY actually say that one could live forever if one just didn't mind the changes happening. It was yucky to hear that in that I imagined a human body getting evermore decrepit but still having a sentience to witness it. Back then, I missed the deeper truth that the gunas hold sway over everything except where attention rests. No arrangement of the gunas can constitute sentience, so get out of the seeking sentience in the land of the dead business, yes? No matter the sweetness of the saint, it's a golden cage to inhabit such a nervous system. The caged bird may sing, but its best song will be the silence it feels when it soars in the clouds. Yes, but that would be based on selfishness would it not? Babaji remains here out of compassion for humanity, ostensibly, as is the will of God in him. Babaji has a nice gig going if the rumors are to be believed, but he still has to have an ego that's being identified with if he's incarnate. A saintly ego perhaps, one that only does the work of the Absolute perhaps, but still Identification is there or he'd be felt to be a zombie. Thus the word, selflessness is a misnomer when it comes to saints -- they're very much for THE SELF, eh? Even Brahma's cosmic ego is not THE SELF, but though it falls short, it's the best approximation of perfection possible. I would put Babaji into the avatar category -- he manifests to do something and then poofs back to some seed form -- like that maybe. The seed form's nature is probably best described like we'd describe Indra's form -- perfected but not absolutely eternal. Even Indra dies eventually. I remember Maharishi chiding us and reminding us that all things are done to the Selfeveryone is Selfish. Whatever Babaji is doing, it's for the sake of an ego. Only an ego can act -- even perfect love cannot be expressed without the assumption of individuality. Babaji is assumed to be able to withdraw Identification with the body with great skill -- he'd have to have some really cool skills in the ritam area, eh? But, the best I can grant is that Babaji is still subject to entropy even if he's residing in the causal. Remember, Guru Dev didn't choose to come back here to save our asses now did he? He choose to go all the way to no-thing-ness. We don't know that. Right, but the official TMO poop is that Guru Dev went all the way, got his sixteenth cala, or whatever, so that's what I was working with. Does anyone know if Guru Dev's following in India thinks of Him as still incarnate in the astral or
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
On Jan 29, 2009, at 11:59 AM, Marek Reavis wrote: In my first comments to L.Shaddai, however, I made particular point not to call him a racist. Rather, I commented that his statement was racist and reprehensible. A strong assertion, true, but it was an acknowledgement that perhaps he was not aware of how offensive his statements were and, if pointed out, he would take the opportunity to distance himself from them. However, on the contrary, he confirmed his position by implying that it was the blacks who were the real racists and made more derogatory claims regarding the blacks. LOL...Marek, this is really funny, intentional or otherwise. The only thing to do with something as heinous as racism is to laugh at it. From that point on I have come to the conclusion that he is a racist. What's unfortunate is not that *I* have identified him as such, but that *he* has identified himself as such. So true. Sal
[FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
---Yes, interesting!. Once, (half in jest), somebody told Charlie Lutes something about transcending. He replied with a question: Do you mean somebody physically dissolved into white Light, disappearing from view? (to paraphrase). The lesson: the term transcendence usually applies to a very limited state of Consciousness, not even addressing cellular DNA. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Kirk kirk_bernha...@... wrote: Enlightenment is different in different states of consciousness. Different tantras will evoke the state of conceptless light vision direct with sight, or work perhaps in less elaborated centers with other formless and unformulable mental or energy states. To at the state of sound and vision to mentally elaborate into something meaningful is at once both the start and end of the path itself. The entire path starting with a thought and ending with the same thought, the thought having presented the path. From sound and vision opportunities are constantly occuring to freshen up or liberate frequencies thus if one wills so they may die outwardly and ressurect in spirit, or as in The Devil card 15 of the Tarot Solve et Coagula one may entirely dissolve again their mental state of elaboration and forget all this enlightenment business entirely at their own discretion, especially those of us who aren't actively teaching. Bro, Sis, I have been sitting right next to you in sound and vision. Bro Sis don't spit at me with derision.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Call for Lucid Dreaming stories
Richard M wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozg...@... wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: The Rama fellow I studied with for many years taught Lucid Dreaming. He taught it in the context of Tibetan Dream Yoga, but the techniques were the same as those I've later found in Native American shamanism and other disciplines. The Tibetan connection is that in that tradition Lucid Dreaming is seen as analogous to (or synonymous with) the Bardo state between death and rebirth, and thus developing a facility with waking up in the dream, and being able to manipulate the dream state is seen as valuable to a culture in which the teachings of The Tibetan Book Of The Dead are assumed as a given. If you can wake up in a normal dream, and use your intention there in the astral, then it is assumed that you might also be able to do the same thing in the Bardo, and thus have a shot at a cooler rebirth. Boy Art Bell's cousin sure had an effect on you. :-D I've mentioned one lucid dream I've had several times on FFL and that was the one with Jesus who looked more like Naveen Andrews than the way that Christianity portrays him. He told me he wanted to tell me something and I had to walk over to talk to him and there were fundamentalist Christians who seemed to be stuck in the ground telling me I had no right to talk to him. He just nodded at them in disgust and said pay no attention to them. He essentially warned me that things were going to get really bad in the world (and it did happen). The experience makes it a little difficult for me as I really didn't think there actually was such an individual as Roman history makes no mention of him (and they were good historians) and might actually may be a work of fiction derived possibly from some activist's activities (which would have been so minor the Romans wouldn't have bothered with a mention) and a mystic at the time. Some theologians seem to buy into this idea. Interesting. I think it points up a curious tension in this thread between, on the one hand, the idea of cultivating dreams because they might have the potential to point to something, or to intimate something profound (though like looking for a black cat through a very dark glass darkly!). And on the other, trying to take control over dreams and direct them. I would have thought trying to practise the latter technique might bollocks up any hope of benefit from the former? i.e. It is the innocence of the state of dreaming that *may* allow it to open a door to something? Perhaps. I don't purposely try to do Lucid Dreaming but have a fair amount of dreams where I do take over control. It seems to be related to my current physiological functioning. In many of those cases a threatening being comes into my dream and tries to take control and I have to kick their butt. Otherwise the rest of my dreams I would say are passive. There is a bit of literature in tantra about dream analysis. I'll look again on what is there about trying to take control. Most of what I've read is what the dream portends. One technique that tantrics do and anyone can try is to address your ishta devata and ask them to resolve a question you have when you fall asleep and dream.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Hindu mythology and current Bipartisanship [just for fun]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rf...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost1uk@ wrote: Thanks - I enjoyed that. Brilliant. And yet... How do you get to this? It's tough being the good guysIt gets wearing, having to be the bigger person all the time. Can I become a good guy? What's the secret? The technique? Do you ever entertain any self-doubt? That perhaps you are NOT the good guy? Or have you found a way to overcome that? Perhaps I misunderstand you (Dang! There's that irritating self-doubt again!). OK, I know, it was just for fun. Those are interesting questions indeed. Perhaps however, it isn´t beyond you to notice that I wasn´t the author of the piece - as the attribution at the end clearly indicates. Doh! Does seem to be beyond me. Never mind. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, do.rflex do.rflex@ wrote: The benefits and perils of bipartisanship are described in the story of Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of good fortune. Hindu theology is complicated, and has many different branches (and even has atheistic forms). One deity may have many manifestations (for instance, Radha and Tulsi are both said to be aspects of Lakshmi), but in most forms of Hinduism all deities are ultimately part of a single divine force. In the stories, however, they are usually treated as separate entities. Lakshmi is the bringer of all forms of good fortune: health, wealth, and love. She's much beloved by my Hindu sister-in-law, which may explain why there's a gorgeous Lakshmi statuette in her Jewish mother's home. (We are, to put it mildly, an ecumenical family.) Lakshmi is sometimes said to be fickle, as good fortune comes and goes at odd times. Lakshmi's story begins at a time when the lesser divinities (devas), led by Indra , were faring poorly in their ongoing conflicts with the demons. (Yes, in this post-partisan era, it's bad manners for me to cast the Republicans as demons but if the shoe fits the cloven hoof, may as well wear it.*) In desperate need of help, the devas spent many days in prayer to Vishnu , the Preserver. Vishnu appeared in a radiant blue light. He told them that they could have the greatest gift of all: the Elixir of Immortality. But they would have to get it by churning the entire Ocean of Milk (the Milky Way). To accomplish this, they would have to call a truce with the demons and work together. And that was the easy part. When Indra explained the plan to the demons, their first response was, Are you f'ing kidding me? But Indra pointed out that there was something in it for them. Both sides wanted the elixir, and neither side could accomplish it alone. So, the rivals struck a bipartisan compromise. First, they cut off the top of Mount Meru, the pillar of the universe, to use as a stick to churn the ocean. Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle and then swam underneath to keep it from sinking. No rope in the universe was strong enough for this task. So Vishnu sent for Vasuki, the king of the serpents. The great snake coiled his body around the mountain. The devas held onto his head, the demons held his tail, and they took turns pulling the mountain back and forth. [Illustration, if you're having trouble picturing this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kurma_Avatar_of_Vishnu._ca_1870.jpg ] And the Ocean of Milk began to churn. Soon a great silvery orb arose from the ocean, bathing them all in its soft light. It glided up into the sky, and became the moon. They all stared in wonder at the shiny object. But it was not the Elixir of Immortality, so they set back to work. Over the hours and days that followed, fourteen treasures were churned forth from the Ocean of Milk, including Surabhi (the sacred cow), Kalpavriksha (the wish-granting tree), Kaustubha (the word's most precious jewel), and Varuni, the Goddess of alcohol (which, surprisingly, is not the Elixir of Immortality). Finally the great serpent could take no more. He had been pushed, pulled, turned and squeezed for days. He opened his mouth and vomited his poison into the sea. Vasuki's poison was so toxic that it could end all life in the universe. The devas and demons cried out to the only on who could save them: Shiva , the Destroyer. Shiva came from heaven, bent down and drank all the venom. The poison was so strong that Shiva's neck turned blue. But the universe was saved. The devas and demons were exhausted. They had been churning the ocean for days, and still did not have the elixir. And now they were afraid: what if they brought forth more poison? Vishnu urged them to continue. This was the greatest task they had ever undertaken;
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM, ruthsimplicity no_re...@yahoogroups.comwrote: I volunteer occasionally at a shelter for runaway teens, doing med checks and the like. The shelter is located in a part of the country which is primarily white. The teens at the shelter are almost all white. They have their issues. For example, having babies when they should not, so that someone can love them. Many of the teens are quite unlikeable as they lie and steal to get along. Girls shoplift and sell sex and boys steal and sell drugs. Drugs and mental illness are a problem. I think your experience with the particular shelter may be leading you to generalize what may be due to other problems such as abuse, poor education, poor upbringing, poor health, lack of money and opportunity, etc. into a race issue. Actually, no. Do some reading about the effects of rap music. Do some reading about the negative effects the ghetto black culture has on people. Look at the percentage of young felons in the black ghetto. Go read about the first felony conviction as a male right of passage in the black ghetto. It's not all about abuse, poor education, poor upbringing, poor health, lack of money and opportunity. If offered a good education, it will be turned down because studying and doing well in school is perceived as a white thing in the black ghetto. And Barry Obama is not a product of the black ghetto in any way, shape or form. I just don't understand. Why is it that so many people on FFL want to not call a spade a spade? Why is it that I must be mistaken, I must be writing in a moment of rage, I must be a racist who doesn't know any better? Why is it so impossible to look at black ghetto culture and see that the attitudes and values cause the vicious cycle of fatherless children, dropping out of school, drugs and crime? No I'm not at all saying that blacks are inferior in any way. What I am saying is that they tend to grow up in a loser, self-destructive environment. I'm not saying that the culture which drags and keeps blacks down is something they made out of their inferiority. I fully acknowledge that the culture comes from slavery. Families and family values and success amongst slaves were discouraged by the white slave master society. The treatment of slaves, Jim Crow, segregation and many other factors brought blacks to the ghetto culture many live in and grow up in now. But with all of that acknowledged, I don't see that the solution to the pain is to convince people like me to be more loving, more live and let live. I'm not the problem. But I'm the best target people on FFL have because I'm the only target.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
On Jan 29, 2009, at 1:46 PM, I am the eternal wrote: Actually, no. Do some reading about the effects of rap music. They said the same thing about Elvis and the Beatles. Do some reading about the negative effects the ghetto black culture has on people. Look at the percentage of young felons in the black ghetto. Go read about the first felony conviction as a male right of passage in the black ghetto. It's not all about abuse, poor education, poor upbringing, poor health, lack of money and opportunity. If offered a good education, it will be turned down because studying and doing well in school is perceived as a white thing in the black ghetto. And Barry Obama is not a product of the black ghetto in any way, shape or form. I just don't understand. Why is it that so many people on FFL want to not call a spade a spade? Why is it that I must be mistaken, I must be writing in a moment of rage, I must be a racist who doesn't know any better? Why is it so impossible to look at black ghetto culture and see that the attitudes and values cause the vicious cycle of fatherless children, dropping out of school, drugs and crime? No I'm not at all saying that blacks are inferior in any way. What I am saying is that they tend to grow up in a loser, self- destructive environment. I'm not saying that the culture which drags and keeps blacks down is something they made out of their inferiority. I fully acknowledge that the culture comes from slavery. Families and family values and success amongst slaves were discouraged by the white slave master society. The treatment of slaves, Jim Crow, segregation and many other factors brought blacks to the ghetto culture many live in and grow up in now. But with all of that acknowledged, I don't see that the solution to the pain is to convince people like me to be more loving, more live and let live. I'm not the problem. But I'm the best target people on FFL have because I'm the only target. If that's the way you feel, stop putting up a bullseye. Sal
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Sal, since my posts are to be consigned to L.Shaddai's trash, it seems unlikely that there'll be any further dialogue on the subject between us. L.Shaddai obviously doesn't believe that he is prejudiced, and to whatever degree that belief informs or moderates behavior, all the better. What Edg pointed out earlier, however, is true for all of us, I feel. As primates we are quick to recognize distinctions and if we have been trained (by education or experience) to associate certain differences with bad, then it's understandable that we act and talk the way we do around others. One of the things that I find most rewarding about my work is that, at times, I get to be present when a client comes to a realization about others where he/she can draw a relationship between a group that they hate and themselves. I'm dealing right now with a young man who is in a world of trouble (after a lifetime of trouble and abuse) who, the last time he was in prison, abandoned his skinhead affiliations by refusing to stab a black inmate on the yard, because a black psychologist had shown him compassion and helped him gain insight during counseling sessions with him. Among other things, his refusal to follow orders means that when he goes back to prison he will always be in PC (protective custody away from the general population and essentially confined 23 hours a day). The operative phrase is blood in, blood out. Initiation into any of these groups (whether in prison or on the outs) involves the spilling of blood (the initiate's or someone else's -- or both), and refusal to abide by the group's code or orders from an authority within the group means that there is a lifetime contract on the violator's life. It wasn't an easy choice for him to make. His tattoos and appearance identify him indelibly as a member of a group that he no longer identifies with and can never rejoin. He is an outcast in every possible sense of the term, hated (not necessarily without good reason) by all, and accepted by none. He has told me on more than one occasion how much he appreciates the work I do for him, and I consider that high praise and good reward for my time. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine salsunsh...@... wrote: On Jan 29, 2009, at 11:59 AM, Marek Reavis wrote: In my first comments to L.Shaddai, however, I made particular point not to call him a racist. Rather, I commented that his statement was racist and reprehensible. A strong assertion, true, but it was an acknowledgement that perhaps he was not aware of how offensive his statements were and, if pointed out, he would take the opportunity to distance himself from them. However, on the contrary, he confirmed his position by implying that it was the blacks who were the real racists and made more derogatory claims regarding the blacks. LOL...Marek, this is really funny, intentional or otherwise. The only thing to do with something as heinous as racism is to laugh at it. From that point on I have come to the conclusion that he is a racist. What's unfortunate is not that *I* have identified him as such, but that *he* has identified himself as such. So true. Sal
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
I had some meditation experiences. I would see lights of all colors, pretty much the entire time. Other things read like 'day and night' experiences of the Buddhist tantric - fireflys, smoke, crosses, eternal knots, melting, expanding, and typical kundalini signs like feeling on fire for weeks on end and hearing my brain synapses rapid firing during times of especial internal mental conflict, often more at night when trying to sleep than during formal meditation. People ask, what meditation am I talking about since I synthesize all my teachings into one maismic conundrum. I am talking about all the meditation forms I have done starting with Guru Dattreya mantra I got from a traveling yogi in LA when I was fourteen to TM and fifteen years, then also seven advanced techniques, Sidhis, four years at MIU, then falling pretty much freeform from there on until Dzogchen for last five years. Whatever that means, if anything at all. Which for me takes the form of a hymn or two and some japa. And also the recurring thought that all will be alright, to not force issues, to relax, to have a good time. The person holding up traffic behind clears it up for ahead. I have put down TM as totally internally turned techniques now totally space me out beyond the ability to effectly act. So I do the middle thing and sit 'in the gap' and put down some numbers of mantras. No point discussing which ones. But they are related to Saraswati as hot babe Dakini. But it is clear to me during practice due to the clear feelings I get that the mantras I use are 'effective' in the sense that they make me feel a certain way. Inlcuding that too, you pervert. So when I am hearing people talk about not feeling enlightened or whatever I am like hey what are you talking about. If you don't feel enlightened then you most likely aren't since if you are working just from the mind it won't be stable and if just from the POV of sitting meditation sessions then one will never open their eyes during regular life and see the same thing as during meditation. If one is doing open eye practice using imagination as well as sound and so on then it will become more easy to stabilize the light nature. The value of which is the feeling that comes from such stability. The feeling of freshness, clarity, light, and sense of connectivity. Resorting to consort, one has developed within the love fire and it is automatically arisen due to grace of guru and lineage. I remember once on the topic of aloneness and kaivalya someone added that it sounded horrible to be alone, but someone else added that however in that state there is not even aloneness. So no feeling of aloneness. If ones sadhana is not providing feelings of enlightenment then what is it doing exactly? Because we were not doing these religious things merely to waste time were we? No God is keeping track. So sorry. One is doing their practice because it is still of benefit to them obviously. Have you ever been tense like a live wire and put on a song and it strokes your head and unknots your muscles better than your lazy lover. POV of Dzogchen is something like lack of Advaita with a flashlight and a clear crystal globe. No God and so on, though presence throughout all. Over the glass of wine, I ask you to tell me where this God you Advaitists talk about where it exists, now stop thinking and tell me! The only God that ever existed for any and all was the king and queen of their mental limitations disguised as lordly and goodly. Of any other God there has never been such a thing upon this Earth. Liberated beings have come many who felt the presence of being beyond mind as being liberating to know and develop a relationship with. Then having such knowledge one realizes that nobody else can ever again place limitations upon ones potential or mind. It is in your control to submerge and retreat, that is to repent, oh sinner, repent, at the late hour, and transcend and how can anything be really so sinful when one is able to glow like that? I say this like I have because in various systems liberation takes on various forms. It's really cool to finally get rid of God and Gods finally and forever as all they have done is stood between one and ones elf. Now look here. Now see here. Mardi Gras is right around the corner. Have you found a reason to repent yet? No? Sad.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, sparaig lengli...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jyouells2000 john_youells@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, amritasyaputra amritasyaputra@ wrote: Like the cancer cell that kills the cell that has fed it, you wish all bad to the TM movement. Why don't you start a grass root organisation for yourself and the like and let this TM Movement in peace? It would save you from all the hatred you are spreading in your brain and around yourself. Shaas It's not hatred, it's sadness. 25 years of good will frittered away, leaving a fund raising and real estate business as it's skeletal remains. The TMO doesn't teach TM anymore, and hasn't for quite some time. Soon there won't be anyone left in the west to raise funds from JohnY You wish. L. What do you mean You wish. ? You don't think that TM'ers in the west aren't passing away faster than new meditators are being taught? Do you think that forming a foundation to meet the fee requirements is an effective way to present TM to potential new students? Do you think that yagya's by reluctant visa seeking pandits, supported by multimillion dollar subsidies, will actually change world consciousness? Do you actually think that robes and crowns actually make a good impression on the public? Do you actually think that casting aside the majority of TM teachers actually has a positive effect on the teaching of TM? (Well, actually that one might, in the long run ) Then again, with land and property prices falling, charitable donations falling, and the markets tanking, there's a whiff of TM teaching revival in the air ;) JohnY
[FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, yifuxero yifux...@... wrote: ---Yes, interesting!. Once, (half in jest), somebody told Charlie Lutes something about transcending. He replied with a question: Do you mean somebody physically dissolved into white Light, disappearing from view? (to paraphrase). The lesson: the term transcendence usually applies to a very limited state of Consciousness, not even addressing cellular DNA. I think it would refer to being beyond the three worlds (physical, astral and causal) or beyond the koshas; anna maya kosha, prana maya kosha, mano maya kosha, jnana maya kosha and ananda maya kosha. The 'food' (body) covering, the life force covering, the mind covering, the intellect covering and the bliss covering (or sheath) respectively...
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: More definitions of enlightenment
Very good ! Excitement = entropy. Unfortunately the citizens of Fairfield, except for a very few bright individuals, understands the power behind and blessings bestowed upon their town since the early 70's. When MUM and the meditators leave, and they finally will, the town will be left with hundreds of bewildered spiritual vampires. The chatters as you described them will be all that town will have left. An american story of hope and tragedy. -Nablus you have changed during last year.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
On Jan 29, 2009, at 1:58 PM, Marek Reavis wrote: What Edg pointed out earlier, however, is true for all of us, I feel. As primates we are quick to recognize distinctions and if we have been trained (by education or experience) to associate certain differences with bad, then it's understandable that we act and talk the way we do around others. One of the things that I find most rewarding about my work is that, at times, I get to be present when a client comes to a realization about others where he/she can draw a relationship between a group that they hate and themselves. I'm dealing right now with a young man who is in a world of trouble (after a lifetime of trouble and abuse) who, the last time he was in prison, abandoned his skinhead affiliations by refusing to stab a black inmate on the yard, because a black psychologist had shown him compassion and helped him gain insight during counseling sessions with him. Among other things, his refusal to follow orders means that when he goes back to prison he will always be in PC (protective custody away from the general population and essentially confined 23 hours a day). The operative phrase is blood in, blood out. Initiation into any of these groups (whether in prison or on the outs) involves the spilling of blood (the initiate's or someone else's -- or both), and refusal to abide by the group's code or orders from an authority within the group means that there is a lifetime contract on the violator's life. It wasn't an easy choice for him to make. His tattoos and appearance identify him indelibly as a member of a group that he no longer identifies with and can never rejoin. He is an outcast in every possible sense of the term, hated (not necessarily without good reason) by all, and accepted by none. He has told me on more than one occasion how much he appreciates the work I do for him, and I consider that high praise and good reward for my time. Great story, Marek, thanks! Your work must be very fulfilling. Sal
Re: [FairfieldLife] First day of School 5-years from now
People familiar with mantra Vam or Bam should find it as central in the American president's name rather profound. Mantra of Jal or water, it also is the mantra of life. If studied and practiced with proper diksha this mantra can suppposedly bring the dead back to life. It also is the mantra for the smoke the good herb Mon. So O Bam Bam Bam Ahhh. Bring back America from the brink of bad karma. Om Bam Bam Bam Ahhh Or as Emeril says - Bam!
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
It is, Sal, . . . most of the time. So far, so good. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine salsunsh...@... wrote: On Jan 29, 2009, at 1:58 PM, Marek Reavis wrote: What Edg pointed out earlier, however, is true for all of us, I feel. As primates we are quick to recognize distinctions and if we have been trained (by education or experience) to associate certain differences with bad, then it's understandable that we act and talk the way we do around others. One of the things that I find most rewarding about my work is that, at times, I get to be present when a client comes to a realization about others where he/she can draw a relationship between a group that they hate and themselves. I'm dealing right now with a young man who is in a world of trouble (after a lifetime of trouble and abuse) who, the last time he was in prison, abandoned his skinhead affiliations by refusing to stab a black inmate on the yard, because a black psychologist had shown him compassion and helped him gain insight during counseling sessions with him. Among other things, his refusal to follow orders means that when he goes back to prison he will always be in PC (protective custody away from the general population and essentially confined 23 hours a day). The operative phrase is blood in, blood out. Initiation into any of these groups (whether in prison or on the outs) involves the spilling of blood (the initiate's or someone else's -- or both), and refusal to abide by the group's code or orders from an authority within the group means that there is a lifetime contract on the violator's life. It wasn't an easy choice for him to make. His tattoos and appearance identify him indelibly as a member of a group that he no longer identifies with and can never rejoin. He is an outcast in every possible sense of the term, hated (not necessarily without good reason) by all, and accepted by none. He has told me on more than one occasion how much he appreciates the work I do for him, and I consider that high praise and good reward for my time. Great story, Marek, thanks! Your work must be very fulfilling. Sal
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Paul Mason premanandp...@... wrote: TMO issues aside, I would love to hear Paul McCartney Mike Love duet on 'Back in the USSR' - also to hear Paul Horn blow some airy flute what about Ringo Paul working together again, that would be nice. Someone compared the Paul concert to George's concert in England. If it is a fraction as good, then it will be really very good. I attended George's concert it was rivetting - Ringo turned up for the encore and it was a real pleasure to hear them play!!! With regards to the TMO hopefully the TMO will collapse, very quickly, and if it does, I predict this would put meditation back at the grass roots level, where it belongs, out of the clutches of the Lords and Ladies of the New Raj. Why I reckon there would be a lot more interest in meditation if there weren't this queer organisation lurking about, giving people the willies! Giving people the 'willies'? gosh, how could that happen. :-) Back when I was attending the 6th street center (first center in LA) Paul Horn use to visit and once gave a benefit concert to keep that little center going...Stan Crowe used to think we were nuts! I wonder what happened to Jacqueline VonWaldin?
[FairfieldLife] Re: I am the eternal not racist and in fact shows concerns for Blacks
Marek: Aside from the comments I-am-the-Eternal made in the post about naming kids in the African-American community, what else has he said that indicates he is a racist? Or is that all that you are referring to? I can't seem to find another original post that he made that I can construe as racist...perhaps it's there but I can't find it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can look at it. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavisma...@... wrote: Shemp, I missed the remark you posted from Obama under your own name, so I won't comment on that. And as to a young person's insecurities re how they might best fit in with a world which for them is defined by all sorts of mis-matching pieces (single mom, absent dad, stepfather, Indonesia, absent mom, living with different race grandparents in Hawaii), I can easily cut him some slack for that. (As an aside, look at the monikers that folks who post here use as one marker of how they try to fit in.) L.Shaddai's remarks, both his original post and subsequent replies, contained clear and offensive indicators that he believes blacks are inferior and debased; he was not expressing concern for the well- being of others. Your own remarks that folks should refrain from giving their children names that have charm or cultural significance within the community with which they identify, because that can be used to discriminate against them, has the argument all turned around. They're only names, not metrics of value (unless that's your shorthand for judging people). The larger community has to learn to look at the person, not succumb to prejudice. To encourage all the young Baracks in America to change their name to Barry so they'll fit in, is entirely the wrong message and one sent to the wrong party. Although racism is still a given in this country, it's changing and yielding towards the American ideal of meritocracy; an ideal that I'm positive you hold. Thanks for taking the time to address the issue. Marek ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: One more thing to add to what I wrote below: A certain someone preferred to use the name Barry for the first 20 or so years of his life because he felt uncomfortable with the given name on his birth certificate. Perhaps that tells us something about interacting in America with a name considered a wee bit out of the ordinary. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Pal, that (below) is a racist statement, plain and simple. It's reprehensible and you are entirely wrong in the sentiment you express. Marek: Several months ago I made a statement here on this forum about Blacks having an advantage over other races on the basketball court. I got several responses that the statement was racist (and also several that agreed with the statement). Of course, I then revealed that it wasn't ME who actually said it but Barack Obama and I had made it seem as if I said it just to make a point. I then provided a link to a video of him saying it. Except for I-am-the-eternal using the word all as in black guys and black women in the US all have to have their own cult names, I am at a loss as to why what he wrote is racist. Certainly, it is, at most, equally racist and, at least, much less racist than what Obama said about Blacks and basketball. The observation about unique names in the Black Community is not and should not be a taboo subject. Indeed, it was the subject of one of those newsmagazine shows (20/20? Primetime? Dateline NBC?) a while back. The premise of the show? The naming phenomenon in the Black Community often creates huge problems for those kids when they grow up and try to get jobs. In fact, it provides an opportunity for racists to practise their racism. As a lawyer you know that there are laws against requiring someone to put a photograph on Resume's or identifying race when applying for a job. Yet the ghetto name phenomenon is such that that is used as an identifying marker by potential employees NOT to hire blacks and to do it with impunity. A white racist reading a resume submitted from a Shaneequah Washington can reject the application and not risk being accused of prejudice. That I-am-the-eternal dares to broach this subject shows not only sensitivity on his part but I suggest genuine concern for African- Americans. http://tinyurl.com/caonfg http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+names http://www.blackghettobabynames.net/ ** ---
[FairfieldLife] Spawn from dictionary.com
spawn#8194; #8194;/sp#596;n/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [spawn] Show IPA Pronunciation , noun 1. Zoology. the mass of eggs deposited by fishes, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, etc. 2. Mycology. the mycelium of mushrooms, esp. of the species grown for the market. 3. a swarming brood; numerous progeny. 4. (used with a singular or plural verb) any person or thing regarded as the offspring of some stock, idea, etc. verb (used without object) 5. to deposit eggs or sperm directly into the water, as fishes. verb (used with object) 6. to produce (spawn). 7. to give birth to; give rise to: His sudden disappearance spawned many rumors. 8. to produce in large number. 9. to plant with mycelium. - Since I-am-the-eternal used spawn as a verb (spawning was what he wrote) and not a noun, ignore 1-4. Also ignore #5 as he used the word with an object. So just look at 6-9. There is no reasonable person who would possibly suggest that I-am- the-eternal's use was racist. He used it EXACTLY as invisioned by the dictionary...and I see no indication that such usage indicates offensive use (and, yes, dictionaries tell us when a use is offensive). Rather I would suggest in this instance that it takes a racist to SEE racism where no racims exists.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Paul Mason premanandp...@... wrote: JohnY - that's exactly what I meant!! I have seen the decline of the teaching TM and it directly correlates to the emergence of the aggressive World Planners and the introduction of TMsidhis. Before that people were given a pretty free hand to organise and teach. There were TM centres dotted all over the place. Nowadays there is no mention of TM whatsoever. The reason? Well the main reason is that many TM teachers are disenchanted with the TM organistion, and hearing of the aggressive protection of its trademarks, individual independent teachers are loathe for it to be known they are still teaching. So it appears that the TMO actually retards the teaching of TM! I agree wholeheartedly, I would be teaching now if it weren't for the monopoly the TMorg has on its product. And how do you teach TM without the blessings of MMY? Just doesn't seem right. I've had to turn people down, and they don't want to spend the what.$2500.?
[FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard M compost...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk shempmcgurk@ wrote: James Hansen's Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic - But it gets even better Shemp. Check out today's post from Anthony Watts' excellent blog: Today, a founder of the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Forecasting, International Institute of Forecasters, and International Symposium on Forecasting, and the author of Long-range Forecasting (1978, 1985), the Principles of Forecasting Handbook, and over 70 papers on forecasting, Dr J. Scott Armstrong, tabled a statement declaring that the forecasting process used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lacks a scientific basis. http://tinyurl.com/b5uq8k (Don't tell do.reflex, he'll blow a gasket!) Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises. Wow. Thanks for posting the link. This is truly Age of Enlightenment stuff. We may actually be turning a corner on all this fear-mongering and ignorance. And, of course, it's more than fear-mongering and ignorance; it is stuff that is actually killing innocents and poor people of the Third World...and the more the global warming people influence public policy the more damage will be done to the weakest elements of society.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Nobody gives a damn about global warming
On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 3:01 PM, shempmcgurk shempmcg...@netscape.netwrote: Poor old Obama. He's inherited such a terrible mess. And in the context of *climate change*, just at the point where the fictional consensus shows all the signs of unravelling, he is under the spotlight to make good on his promises. Wow. Thanks for posting the link. This is truly Age of Enlightenment stuff. We may actually be turning a corner on all this fear-mongering and ignorance. And, of course, it's more than fear-mongering and ignorance; it is stuff that is actually killing innocents and poor people of the Third World...and the more the global warming people influence public policy the more damage will be done to the weakest elements of society. I'm a bit lost in the embedded postings here. I apologize if I attribute wrongly. Heed well the words of Richard M. Obama is stuck with having campaigned to fix a problem that is become clear we don't have. Yes, it's true that we have to do something about our energy independence, and that's a good thing for Obama to work on, though I still can't see having companies switch to solar cell production is going to bring back the well paid and well benefitted manufacturing class. But I don't recall Obama campaigned so much on energy independence as the CO2 non-problem. So now he's got this immense alleged mandate and we're not sure he still has the problem. Ouch!
[FairfieldLife] YouTube - Living with a Lioness - Wanda Peaches
Video about FF resident Wanda Roth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2W3rSHoQI8
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: unpopular names crime: (cause and effect?
I think your experience with the particular shelter may be leading you to generalize what may be due to other problems such as abuse, poor education, poor upbringing, poor health, lack of money and opportunity, etc. into a race issue. --I am going to waste a precious post to agree. When race becomes an issue it's because the minds involved are too shallow to get over such things as mere color of skin.
[FairfieldLife] Fwd: YouTube - Living with a Lioness - Wanda Peaches
Fwd: Video about my friend and neighbor, Fairfielder Wanda Roth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2W3rSHoQI8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2W3rSHoQI8
[FairfieldLife] update on Spiritual Center of America
(as usual: a future project): New Jerusalem, Independence, MO. ...no! not Bramasthan. Author: Berrett, Lamar C. The tenth Article of Faith of the Church states, We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion [the New Jerusalem] will be built upon the American continent. From the Book of Mormon (Ether 13:1-5), early Latter-day Saints realized they had a role in the fulfillment of prophecy and were looking forward to the establishment of the New Jerusalem in America. Anxious to know exactly where the promised city would be and when it would be built, the Saints were excited when in 1831 a series of revelations identified Missouri as the general location of the city of Zion, that Independence is the center place, and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse (DC 57:1-3;45:64-66;48:4-6;52:1-5, 42-43). Subsequently, Joseph Smith also indicated that the Jackson County area had been the location of the Garden of Eden. Independence, Missouri, county seat of Jackson County, was the preparation and departure point in the 1830s and 1840s for trappers, explorers, and pioneers who were going to western America over the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails. The Latter-day Saints, however, anticipating permanent residence, purchased land, built homes, prepared their farms, and dedicated a temple site. After one year of living peacefully in Independence and vicinity, the Saints began to be persecuted by their non-Mormon neighbors. Social, religious, and political differences finally developed into open hostilities, and the Latter-day Saints were driven into neighboring Clay County in 1833, where they petitioned for a peaceful settlement so that they could return to their homes. A settlement never came, but Latter-day Saints still look forward to a time when the city of Zion, the New Jerusalem, will be built in the area of Independence, Missouri.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Paul Mc Cartney, the TMO (P. Mason)
--excellent post! I forwarded it to Jerry J. - In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, BillyG. wg...@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Paul Mason premanandpaul@ wrote: JohnY - that's exactly what I meant!! I have seen the decline of the teaching TM and it directly correlates to the emergence of the aggressive World Planners and the introduction of TMsidhis. Before that people were given a pretty free hand to organise and teach. There were TM centres dotted all over the place. Nowadays there is no mention of TM whatsoever. The reason? Well the main reason is that many TM teachers are disenchanted with the TM organistion, and hearing of the aggressive protection of its trademarks, individual independent teachers are loathe for it to be known they are still teaching. So it appears that the TMO actually retards the teaching of TM! I agree wholeheartedly, I would be teaching now if it weren't for the monopoly the TMorg has on its product. And how do you teach TM without the blessings of MMY? Just doesn't seem right. I've had to turn people down, and they don't want to spend the what.$2500.?
