[FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, new.morning [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@ wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: I haven't seen it, of course, but given recent discussions of the cost and quality of health care here, it seems an apt time to remind you that I pay not several hundred dollars a month for my health insurance, but 320 Euros *per year*. Of course you pay for it through taxes, its not really almost free. I pay about $30/month, via corporate plan, that covers virually everyting. So its about the same end-suer cost as you. And my my plan pays the rest, so in essence, I am paying for it via lower salary as are you (after french medical taxes are takn out.) I pay no medical taxes in France, only a fixed rate on salary. What the government uses it for I don't know, but unlike a French employee (I'm a consultant) I do not contribute directly to the health care system. In your case, if you are an employee, the company you work for pays the bulk of the cost of your corporate plan. The company I work for does not, and yet my policy costs less than yours. I am not debating national vs corporate health care, just pointing out that the end-user costs are similar. Mine is a private policy. As I thought I said quite clearly, I am not covered by the French national system. A company sells me a health care policy for 320 Euros a month hoping to turn a *profit* on it at that price, given the cost of providing health care for someone my age for a year in France. My whole point is that the actual COSTS of providing health care are lower here. They have not been allowed to spiral out of control due to greed. An hour-long visit to the doctor costs me 20 Euros. Mine costs $5. You are getting ripped off. :) I wrote sloppily. ALL of the 20 Euros are reim- bursed by my insurance company. The point I was trying to make is that the doctor's visit COSTS 20 Euros. It would cost that if I had NO health insurance. That's the difference between France and the US. No one becomes a doctor to get them- selves a Mercedes and a big house; they go into the field because they want to help people. I spent a day at emergency room recently for something (nothing major), had 4-5 expensive tests including a cat scan, was seen by 4 doctores, and it cost me $0. But what would it have cost you if you DIDN'T have health insurance? That was my point. My bet is that in France the cost of those services would have been less than one-tenth of what they would be in the US. You're being ripped off, and yet you seem to be trying to defend those who are ripping you off. Is this a TM- related thang or just an American thang? :-) :-) :-) Drugs you pay $100 a bottle for I pay less than 10 Euros a bottle for; same prescription, same manufacturer, very different price. I pay $10/ 3 month prespcription, thus 7 per month. Again the french seem to be ripping you off. :) And again, I'm talking about the actual cost of the drugs, NOT what gets reimbursed. Same drugs, same manufacturer, same prescription, and if you *didn't* have health insurance that reimbursed you for the drugs, you'd be paying ten times what I am for them. If you're not getting ripped off personally because of a health policy that covers the drugs, the health policy issuer is getting ripped off. My point is that the drugs don't have to cost that much. THAT is the ripoff. The state of health care in America is a crime. Clearly a credible claim by someone who has not lived here for 3 + years. Clearly a whine by someone who doesn't want to admit how bad things are in the US with regard to health care. :-) 45 million of your fellow Americans have NO health care coverage, because they can't afford it. That could not happen in France, or in most civilized countries on the planet. They would not allow that to happen to their fellow citizens. Americans would, and do. The problem is GREED, pure and simple. Greed on the part of the health care industry and greed on the part of the people who think paying lower taxes themselves is more important than providing a system that takes care of the less fortunate in their own country.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
Correction. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am not debating national vs corporate health care, just pointing out that the end-user costs are similar. Mine is a private policy. As I thought I said quite clearly, I am not covered by the French national system. A company sells me a health care policy for 320 Euros a month hoping to turn a *profit* on it at that price, given the cost of providing health care for someone my age for a year in France. That should have been 320 Euros a YEAR. Sorry.
[FairfieldLife] Sanskrit versions of suutras?
Anyone know, where one could find the Sanskrit versions of the TM-Sidhi suutras?
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sanskrit versions of suutras?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, cardemaister [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Anyone know, where one could find the Sanskrit versions of the TM-Sidhi suutras? To to: http://www.google.com/translate_t Type in the words you want to translate in the box. Select English to Sanskrit from the pull-down menu. Click on Translate.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see Interesting lesson in the ME, I, MY practise. When even after 22 years some people are still so obsessed with their small selves something is seriously wrong with the followup of the practise.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sanskrit versions of suutras?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, cardemaister no_reply@ wrote: Anyone know, where one could find the Sanskrit versions of the TM-Sidhi suutras? To to: http://www.google.com/translate_t Type in the words you want to translate in the box. Select English to Sanskrit from the pull-down menu. Click on Translate. Whoa! Thanks! Lots of surprises there... :D
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Correction. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: I am not debating national vs corporate health care, just pointing out that the end-user costs are similar. Mine is a private policy. As I thought I said quite clearly, I am not covered by the French national system. A company sells me a health care policy for 320 Euros a month hoping to turn a *profit* on it at that price, given the cost of providing health care for someone my age for a year in France. That should have been 320 Euros a YEAR. Sorry. Just a further comment, and one that spreads the GREED blame around a bit, it isn't just the health care professionals and the drug companies that keep the costs high in the US; it's the lawyers. I've read articles in France that point out that it costs the average M.D. in America over 100K per year for malpractice insurance. In France it costs them 5K. Bottom line is still GREED, whether it's manifested as greedy drug companies and HMOs and individual doctors, of greedy ambulance chasers and their clients. As with Edg and his rants about the environment and our shared responsibility for the trashbin that our planet has become, these days I'm interested in a fairly fundamental measure of a human being's humanity -- how much does he or she care about the rest of society or the rest of the world -- the least of us, to use Christ's phrase. What is he or she willing to do or sacrifice so that his or her fellow humans -- all of them, no matter how poor -- can be provided with a minimum level of food, clothing, shelter, and health care? THAT indicates the level of a person's evolution to me, not whether he or she is witnessing of having good experiences spiritually or how good a spiritual game the person talks. It's the walk that indicates spirituality, not the talk.
[FairfieldLife] Dandelion and yffing!
I guess some of us might be familiar with the bitter taste of dandelion-latex. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion A couple of months back I had the worst flu for years. It started in such a manner, that everything I put into my mouth, tasted mainly like the latex of dandelion. That bitter taste of anything put into my mouth lasted for several weeks. Until this morning most everything has tasted quite normal for a couple of weeks now. Yesterday morning did a part of the siddhis program first time for quite a while. This morning did those suutras that I think I know in Sanskrit, including Flying for which I have my own Sanskrit version, sort of. (That version of mine is based on the original suutra, whereas the TM-version[?] I've seen seems to be based partly on the YogasuutrabhaaSya of Vyaasa.) And guess what happened! The bitter taste returned, but fortunately only as a diluted version. :0 What gives?
[FairfieldLife] Next
If you're looking for a film that walks that fine line between guy stuff (e.g., blowing things up and car chases) and chick flicks (sappy love stories), with a soupçon of psychic powers thrown in, I can recommend the new film Next. Nicolas Cage plays a guy who can see into the future, although usually only two minutes into the future. He is recruited against his will by the FBI to help them track down some terrorists who have an atomic weapon they're about to set off in L.A. The way it treats the quandary of seeing the future is interesting for a mainstream movie, more subtle than most, and might be enjoyed by people here. Although the film is full of plot holes and silliness, it's entertaining. The ending leaves you wondering what's...Next... so my bet is that it's being set up as a franchise for Cage.
[FairfieldLife] OT posts from YF-hypomanic Card: Bond, but not James!
http://animalliberationfront.com/News/AnimalPhotos/Animals_11- 20/RhinoGoatBuddies.htm
[FairfieldLife] Re: OT posts from YF-hypomanic Card: Bond, but not James!
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, cardemaister [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://animalliberationfront.com/News/AnimalPhotos/Animals_11- 20/RhinoGoatBuddies.htm http://tinyurl.com/2qy8p4
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
Thanks for the clarifications. I am not a big fan of American health system. I am quite aware of many shortcomings, and have been a critic of them. Uncapped lawsuits are one as you point out in an adjacent post. The point of my post was specifically countering your cost points (some perhaps my misunderstanding, others your mistatements. That is those covered by good employer plans pay similar to you. Period. That was the extent of my post. Some people seem to read much more into such posts than is on the page. My post was in no way a broad defense of the American health system. On the broader point, of raw costs without insurance, I agree, they are quite harsh (for dental also). As with pharms. (Though Walmart has 500 drugs for $4/ presciption.) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, new.morning no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@ wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: I haven't seen it, of course, but given recent discussions of the cost and quality of health care here, it seems an apt time to remind you that I pay not several hundred dollars a month for my health insurance, but 320 Euros *per year*. Of course you pay for it through taxes, its not really almost free. I pay about $30/month, via corporate plan, that covers virually everyting. So its about the same end-suer cost as you. And my my plan pays the rest, so in essence, I am paying for it via lower salary as are you (after french medical taxes are takn out.) I pay no medical taxes in France, only a fixed rate on salary. What the government uses it for I don't know, but unlike a French employee (I'm a consultant) I do not contribute directly to the health care system. In your case, if you are an employee, the company you work for pays the bulk of the cost of your corporate plan. The company I work for does not, and yet my policy costs less than yours. I am not debating national vs corporate health care, just pointing out that the end-user costs are similar. Mine is a private policy. As I thought I said quite clearly, I am not covered by the French national system. A company sells me a health care policy for 320 Euros a month hoping to turn a *profit* on it at that price, given the cost of providing health care for someone my age for a year in France. My whole point is that the actual COSTS of providing health care are lower here. They have not been allowed to spiral out of control due to greed. An hour-long visit to the doctor costs me 20 Euros. Mine costs $5. You are getting ripped off. :) I wrote sloppily. ALL of the 20 Euros are reim- bursed by my insurance company. The point I was trying to make is that the doctor's visit COSTS 20 Euros. It would cost that if I had NO health insurance. That's the difference between France and the US. No one becomes a doctor to get them- selves a Mercedes and a big house; they go into the field because they want to help people. I spent a day at emergency room recently for something (nothing major), had 4-5 expensive tests including a cat scan, was seen by 4 doctores, and it cost me $0. But what would it have cost you if you DIDN'T have health insurance? That was my point. My bet is that in France the cost of those services would have been less than one-tenth of what they would be in the US. You're being ripped off, and yet you seem to be trying to defend those who are ripping you off. Is this a TM- related thang or just an American thang? :-) :-) :-) Drugs you pay $100 a bottle for I pay less than 10 Euros a bottle for; same prescription, same manufacturer, very different price. I pay $10/ 3 month prespcription, thus 7 per month. Again the french seem to be ripping you off. :) And again, I'm talking about the actual cost of the drugs, NOT what gets reimbursed. Same drugs, same manufacturer, same prescription, and if you *didn't* have health insurance that reimbursed you for the drugs, you'd be paying ten times what I am for them. If you're not getting ripped off personally because of a health policy that covers the drugs, the health policy issuer is getting ripped off. My point is that the drugs don't have to cost that much. THAT is the ripoff. The state of health care in America is a crime. Clearly a credible claim by someone who has not lived here for 3 + years. Clearly a whine by someone who doesn't want to admit how bad things are in the US with regard to health care. :-) 45 million of your fellow Americans have NO health care coverage, because they can't afford it. That could not happen in France, or in most civilized countries on the planet. They would not allow that to happen to their fellow citizens. Americans would, and do. The problem is GREED, pure and simple. Greed on
[FairfieldLife] noise is no barrier...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18780937/ Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest Bllions expected after spending the past 17 years underground I don't know if Fairfield is one of the places they will hit in Iowa but this is one of the most interesting natural events I have seen in Virginia. Totally harmless and straight from Mars. I am not a bug person, but these guys are fascinating!
[FairfieldLife] Re: US State Senate session opens with Vedic chants
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.globalgoodnews.com/government-news-a.html?art=117932649027667 The state here is nevada. I assume the chant had something to do with Lakshmi bestowing her blessings at the slots and crap tables.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see Interesting lesson in the ME, I, MY practise. When even after 22 years some people are still so obsessed with their small selves something is seriously wrong with the followup of the practise. Just for interest's sake, can you explain your concern about the first-person pronoun? I is just a word that refers to oneself. Even in enlightenment the concept of the small-s self remains. Do you really believe you can judge another's consciousness by his use of the pronoun I? To my knowledge, even the Maharishi uses the word. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sanskrit versions of suutras?
cardemaister wrote: Anyone know, where one could find the Sanskrit versions of the TM-Sidhi suutras? 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali' Sanskrit and Devangiri http://mumpress.com/p_d07.html Other titles of interest: 'Learn Sanskrit In 30 Days' By Vidavisarada 21st Century Books 108 W. Broadway, Suite 100 Fairfield, Iowa 52556 U.S.A. http://www.21stbooks.com/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Sanskrit versions of suutras?
Anyone know, where one could find the Sanskrit versions of the TM-Sidhi suutras? Shemp Mcgurk wrote: To to: http://www.google.com/translate_t Type in the words you want to translate in the box. Select English to Sanskrit from the pull-down menu. Click on Translate. Uh, Shemp, I guess first you'd need to know which are the TM-Sidhi suutras. Maybe you could key in bum hopping in the box, or maybe yogic flying.
RE: [FairfieldLife] noise is no barrier...
From: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of curtisdeltablues Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 8:44 AM To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] noise is no barrier... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18780937/ Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest Bllions expected after spending the past 17 years underground I don't know if Fairfield is one of the places they will hit in Iowa but this is one of the most interesting natural events I have seen in Virginia. Totally harmless and straight from Mars. I am not a bug person, but these guys are fascinating! There was one of these in the DC area the year that Irene stayed at your house. She was staying at the Markowitz's when the bugs emerged.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
Bhairitu wrote: Pretty ugly presidency if you ask me. Jimmy who? The worst ex-President in U.S. history. My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president. Full story: 'The former president backs down from criticism of the White House' TODAY Show May 21, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18781703/ Carter and Brzezinski presided over our greatest setback ever in the Middle East, the rise of a fundamentalist Islamic regime in Iran, which they basically invited by signaling their lack of support for the Shah knowing that his strongest enemies were fundamentalist clerics. They also presided over and basically invited a Communist takeover in Nicaragua. Another remarkable instance grew out of Carter's strong opposition to the use of force to reverse the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990. Not satisfied with issuing a torrent of statements and articles, he dispatched a letter to the heads of state of members of the United Nations Security Council and several other governments urging them to oppose the American request for UN authorization of military action. This sounds like the words of a traitor to me. Under Brzezinski's tutelage, Carter was shocked, betrayed, and unprepared when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. And who can forget what may be the worst piece of incompetence the U.S. has been associated with in its modern history, the failed rescue attempt of our hostages in Teheran? And here are the words of a hypocrite: Getting rid of Saddam Hussien was a major accomplisment. - Jimmy Carter
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard J. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bhairitu wrote: Pretty ugly presidency if you ask me. Jimmy who? The worst ex-President in U.S. history. My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president. Full story: 'The former president backs down from criticism of the White House' TODAY Show May 21, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18781703/ Willytex is a little careless about crediting the sources he cuts-and-pastes his posts from. The following two paragraphs are taken verbatim from a post on the blog Power Line: Carter and Brzezinski presided over our greatest setback ever in the Middle East, the rise of a fundamentalist Islamic regime in Iran, which they basically invited by signaling their lack of support for the Shah knowing that his strongest enemies were fundamentalist clerics. They also presided over and basically invited a Communist takeover in Nicaragua. http://powerlineblog.com/archives/010847.php The next paragraph is taken verbatim--all but the last sentence--from an article in Commentary: Another remarkable instance grew out of Carter's strong opposition to the use of force to reverse the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990. Not satisfied with issuing a torrent of statements and articles, he dispatched a letter to the heads of state of members of the United Nations Security Council and several other governments urging them to oppose the American request for UN authorization of military action. This sounds like the words of a traitor to me. http://tinyurl.com/2844uw And the next two paragraphs are from the Power Line post again: Under Brzezinski's tutelage, Carter was shocked, betrayed, and unprepared when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. And who can forget what may be the worst piece of incompetence the U.S. has been associated with in its modern history, the failed rescue attempt of our hostages in Teheran? Willytex did write this sentence: And here are the words of a hypocrite: Getting rid of Saddam Hussien was a major accomplisment. - Jimmy Carter
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
Richard J. Williams wrote: Bhairitu wrote: Pretty ugly presidency if you ask me. Jimmy who? The worst ex-President in U.S. history. Taking me out of context, eh? Pretty ugly presidency refers to Bush not Carter. My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president. Full story: 'The former president backs down from criticism of the White House' TODAY Show May 21, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18781703/ Carter and Brzezinski presided over our greatest setback ever in the Middle East, the rise of a fundamentalist Islamic regime in Iran, which they basically invited by signaling their lack of support for the Shah knowing that his strongest enemies were fundamentalist clerics. They also presided over and basically invited a Communist takeover in Nicaragua. Another remarkable instance grew out of Carter's strong opposition to the use of force to reverse the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990. Not satisfied with issuing a torrent of statements and articles, he dispatched a letter to the heads of state of members of the United Nations Security Council and several other governments urging them to oppose the American request for UN authorization of military action. This sounds like the words of a traitor to me. Under Brzezinski's tutelage, Carter was shocked, betrayed, and unprepared when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. And who can forget what may be the worst piece of incompetence the U.S. has been associated with in its modern history, the failed rescue attempt of our hostages in Teheran? And here are the words of a hypocrite: Getting rid of Saddam Hussien was a major accomplisment. - Jimmy Carter Whatever mistakes Carter made they pale by comparison to the Bush administration which is the most corrupt in American history. He should have taken back nothing!
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
TurquoiseB wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Enjoy Spain, the land of Paz Vega. Don't know her, although I am developing a major Jones for Maribel Verdú. She was in Spanglish with with Adam Sandler, probably a film you avoided because of Sandler but not a bad film by James Brooks. I wonder who he originally had in mind for the role Sandler took? Have you seen 10 Item or Less yet? Great film with Vega and Morgan Freeman and Brad Silberling making up for his bad temple films (that's what he calls them on the extras which are well worth the watch). I don't know the film, but will definitely look for it, because although I have no ideas what Silbering's bad temple films might be, he directed City Of Angels, which makes him a winner in my book. Thanks for the tip. Lemony Snicket was a disaster for Silberling though I was also not as impressed with City of Angels as you were. I liked the original better. I saw City of Angels with my sister and brother-in-law who knew Silberling when he dated their best friend's daughter in college. They were disappointed too. I think 10 Items or Less will redeem him in their eyes.
[FairfieldLife] Re: noise is no barrier...
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18780937/ Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest Bllions expected after spending the past 17 years underground I don't know if Fairfield is one of the places they will hit in Iowa... Looks to me like we're either on the edge of it or just outside it: http://birdfreak.com/2007/05/21/brood-xiii-map/
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Sicko debuts at Cannes to thunderous applause
new.morning wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: I haven't seen it, of course, but given recent discussions of the cost and quality of health care here, it seems an apt time to remind you that I pay not several hundred dollars a month for my health insurance, but 320 Euros *per year*. Of course you pay for it through taxes, its not really almost free. I pay about $30/month, via corporate plan, that covers virually everyting. So its about the same end-suer cost as you. And my my plan pays the rest, so in essence, I am paying for it via lower salary as are you (after french medical taxes are takn out.) I am not debating national vs corporate health care, just pointing out that the end-user costs are similar. Try getting a similar plan self-employed. You can't. We self-employed have to take up the slack for corporate plans which are often abused. When I was a corporate manager I had employees going out to see a doctor even they just had the sniffles. I knew then that such abuse would be driving the premiums up. I get charged a surcharge for being overweight and asked my company if they do that for corporate enrollees. They don't. That is not fair at all. After all some corporations have claimed that high costs for healthcare benefits are driving them out of the US. Perhaps it is really not a bad idea to take away the hidden aspects of health insurance from the corporate employee by making it an option. After all if they leave the company the next company's plan won't cover any pre-existing conditions. People should be raging in the streets over this. But they aren't. The only people who hold large protests are the Mexicans over immigration issues or like Bill Maher said Mexican do the jobs that Americans won't. An hour-long visit to the doctor costs me 20 Euros. Mine costs $5. You are getting ripped off. :) I spent a day at emergency room recently for something (nothing major), had 4-5 expensive tests including a cat scan, was seen by 4 doctores, and it cost me $0. Drugs you pay $100 a bottle for I pay less than 10 Euros a bottle for; same prescription, same manufacturer, very different price. I pay $10/ 3 month prespcription, thus 7 per month. Again the french seem to be ripping you off. :) The state of health care in America is a crime. Clearly a credible claim by someone who has not lived here for 3 + years. From someone living here he is not off at all. Newmie, do you work for a health insurance company? If you're working for United Health Care your CEO, William McGuire is ripping you off by taking $124.8 million total compensation. Such are the bandits among the Bush cronies.
[FairfieldLife] Re: noise is no barrier...
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18780937/ Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest Bllions expected after spending the past 17 years underground I don't know if Fairfield is one of the places they will hit in Iowa but this is one of the most interesting natural events I have seen in Virginia. Totally harmless and straight from Mars. I am not a bug person, but these guys are fascinating! I remember the last time they swarmed the DC area. Gross but fascinating. They were *everywhere*!
[FairfieldLife] Beatles quiz
http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID= http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=surveyID=156 surveyID=156
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--why did you give up TM. What did you replace it with? Are you SURE the replacement is equal to, or better than TM, and why? Thanks. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see Interesting lesson in the ME, I, MY practise. When even after 22 years some people are still so obsessed with their small selves something is seriously wrong with the followup of the practise. Just for interest's sake, can you explain your concern about the first-person pronoun? I is just a word that refers to oneself. Even in enlightenment the concept of the small-s self remains. Do you really believe you can judge another's consciousness by his use of the pronoun I? To my knowledge, even the Maharishi uses the word. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com
[FairfieldLife] American Culture vs. Vedic Culture
To All Members: By many counts, the US culture does not follow the ideal vedic culture. For example, we eat meat, drink liquor, mix freely with the opposite sex, have same sex unions, work for money and career, get married primarily to enjoy sex. In spite of these negatives, the American economy is as strong as ever. That goes to show that the Supreme Being is tolerant, merciful and is willing to grant boons to whomever He or She wants. Regards, John R.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you're looking for a film that walks that fine line between guy stuff (e.g., blowing things up and car chases) and chick flicks (sappy love stories), with a soupçon of psychic powers thrown in, I can recommend the new film Next. Nicolas Cage plays a guy who can see into the future, although usually only two minutes into the future. He is recruited against his will by the FBI to help them track down some terrorists who have an atomic weapon they're about to set off in L.A. The way it treats the quandary of seeing the future is interesting for a mainstream movie, more subtle than most, and might be enjoyed by people here. Although the film is full of plot holes and silliness, it's entertaining. The ending leaves you wondering what's...Next... so my bet is that it's being set up as a franchise for Cage. Sounds like a lot of fun- Cage at his best is just great to watch (Face Off, The Rock, The Family Man). I find that what makes or breaks movies like this is the overall quality-- of the script, the direction, the cinematography, the editing- All of it. When any of those elements is flawed, usually the entire production is a mess. When they are spot on, the thing crackles with tension and life. I don't know that I've tried seeing into the future, but an interesting attunement has occurred for me regarding the building where I work- There are cube farms in large areas off of a central, narrow corridor here, with doorways joining the large areas to the narrow corridor. In order to move quickly into the corridor with confidence that I won't bump into anyone, I have focused my sensitivity to spatial density, by projecting my attention out the doorway before I enter the corridor. It is now second nature, and I can tell with certainty, before I can see into the corridor, whether there is someone approaching from either the left or the right. My spatial density sensitivity is calibrated to only about 10 to 15 feet in either direction beyond the doorway I am entering, since it is both not necessary to see any further left or right up the corridor, but also more difficult to determine density further up the corridor, and more distracting. There appears to be a stable, non-ego based area of awareness I've discovered over the years, where such tools can be accessed readily. Its tricky though because when I first began playing there, I made many many errors, not realizing that though I was on a subtler plane of perception, my ego was interfering and fooling me. But now that I recognize that layer, I've moved beyond it, for these purposes, to a quieter area where errors are absent. Cool stuff.
[FairfieldLife] Re: American Culture vs. Vedic Culture
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To All Members: By many counts, the US culture does not follow the ideal vedic culture. For example, we eat meat, drink liquor, mix freely with the opposite sex, have same sex unions, work for money and career, get married primarily to enjoy sex. In spite of these negatives, the American economy is as strong as ever. That goes to show that the Supreme Being is tolerant, merciful and is willing to grant boons to whomever He or She wants. Regards, John R. I didn't see any negatives in what you wrote about our culture... Nor do I see a connection between a tolerant, merciful Supreme Being and a strong economy. Perhaps what it does indicate is that we as Americans are exceedingly resourceful at making money, and are generally good folks, and it is the generally good folks part that brings the favor of the Supreme Being. You are right about the boons part. I found that Mother Meera site someone is building- trinity3- very instructive about God, and avatars and humans. All the relationships are clearly laid out there.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
Hi, I'm not sure who you were asking the question of, whether Abraham, the former MIU faculty member, or myself. If you wanted to hear from Abraham, I recommend you point your browser to http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ and add a comment to Abraham's posting, Breaking up is hard to do. I'm sure he will give you a prompt reply. As for myself, I gave up TM because of the damage I saw so many of my fellow Governors were experiencing from the rounding and long programs, the extraordinary costs of the TM techniques, and because of the deceit I saw the TM Movement practice -- particularly with regard to the TM-Sidhis. I have tried a number of meditation techniques since I quit in 1995. Some seemed better, some not as good as TM. My only criteria were my subjective experiences of deepness during meditation and clarity outside of meditation. I choose not to discuss my personal practice much, however. I feel responsible for introducing many, many people to TM -- including my family -- through my proselytizing while a TM teacher. I prefer these days to support people in whatever spiritual path they feel is most suitable to them rather than push whatever I am practicing at the moment upon them. Thanks for your questions, John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, matrixmonitor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --why did you give up TM. What did you replace it with? Are you SURE the replacement is equal to, or better than TM, and why? Thanks. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see Interesting lesson in the ME, I, MY practise. When even after 22 years some people are still so obsessed with their small selves something is seriously wrong with the followup of the practise. Just for interest's sake, can you explain your concern about the first-person pronoun? I is just a word that refers to oneself. Even in enlightenment the concept of the small-s self remains. Do you really believe you can judge another's consciousness by his use of the pronoun I? To my knowledge, even the Maharishi uses the word. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com
[FairfieldLife] Re: American Culture vs. Vedic Culture
John, Just to be a nay sayer, despite my general agreement with you, let me mention that the rich folks who are living large might be burning off the last of their good karma while their bad karma mounts. Whatever a rich person did in past lifetimes to deserve the money is unknown, but also unknown is what comes for that person in their next lifetime. This concept doesn't make for much satisfaction when it comes to wanting evil to get comeuppance. But, I've got a theory about that too -- Edg have a theory? -- natch, eh? I think that everyone is getting their justice in THIS lifetime if one thinks about how personality is tied to morality. If you've sinned by your own standards, it tends to burp up on ya for the rest of your life. Try pretending being Donald Trump and looking into the mirror with your present values. Hard to stomach, yes? Is Donald happy? Well, after his divorces and running battles with Rosie, he sure seems to have some uncomfortable moments, right? He may be able to pay for just about any luxury, but when the payment is demanded in currency that requires other than filthy lucre, he may be poorer than most people on the planet in that he cannot come up with even a nickel's worth of humility, and the social cost of that transactional failure, may be large indeed. This is just one example of how everyone's life is jam packed with their personal issues -- I have never met a person with enough money such that I'd switch lives with that person and take on their other karma too. As for Vedic culture in India, well, whatever they did in their past lifetimes has given them what it is, and, all things considered, I'd rather have the devil I do know in America. We may kill millions of cows, but we don't let a man kill his wife when her dowry runs out. Seems to balance things, don't it? Pick a culture, pick a person, pick an era -- it's all bad karma, right? Just tarbaby traps, right? No need to jaw about which might be slightly better than another -- when the incarnation bell tolls, it sounds like a funeral dirge to me. Edg s--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To All Members: By many counts, the US culture does not follow the ideal vedic culture. For example, we eat meat, drink liquor, mix freely with the opposite sex, have same sex unions, work for money and career, get married primarily to enjoy sex. In spite of these negatives, the American economy is as strong as ever. That goes to show that the Supreme Being is tolerant, merciful and is willing to grant boons to whomever He or She wants. Regards, John R.
[FairfieldLife] Re: American Culture vs. Vedic Culture
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To All Members: By many counts, the US culture does not follow the ideal vedic culture. For example, we eat meat, drink liquor, mix freely with the opposite sex, have same sex unions, work for money and career, get married primarily to enjoy sex. In spite of these negatives, the American economy is as strong as ever. That goes to show that the Supreme Being is tolerant, merciful and is willing to grant boons to whomever He or She wants. Regards, John R. But it sounds like you would agree with jerry falwell that occasionally the Supreme Being sends terrorists to the US to punish us for our same sex unions, etc. You think most americans get married to enjoy sex?? Most americans go to college to enjoy sex - they get married for a variety of other emotional reasons.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Next
TurquoiseB wrote: If you're looking for a film that walks that fine line between guy stuff (e.g., blowing things up and car chases) and chick flicks (sappy love stories), with a soupçon of psychic powers thrown in, I can recommend the new film Next. Nicolas Cage plays a guy who can see into the future, although usually only two minutes into the future. He is recruited against his will by the FBI to help them track down some terrorists who have an atomic weapon they're about to set off in L.A. The way it treats the quandary of seeing the future is interesting for a mainstream movie, more subtle than most, and might be enjoyed by people here. Although the film is full of plot holes and silliness, it's entertaining. The ending leaves you wondering what's...Next... so my bet is that it's being set up as a franchise for Cage. It got pretty bad reviews so I delegated it to the rental stack or whenever it shows up VOD in HD --- for free.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see Interesting lesson in the ME, I, MY practise. When even after 22 years some people are still so obsessed with their small selves something is seriously wrong with the followup of the practise. Just for interest's sake, can you explain your concern about the first-person pronoun? I is just a word that refers to oneself. Even in enlightenment the concept of the small-s self remains. Do you really believe you can judge another's consciousness by his use of the pronoun I? To my knowledge, even the Maharishi uses the word. My Vedic Science, for sure, relating to perpetuating the Knowledge. But never Me Maharishi or I want this or that. You are rather naive if you think a persons language do not give clues about someones state of consciousness. Please no analysis of my language ! :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: noise is no barrier...
Last time they came here in 2004 in large numbers I was going to try eating some like the Vietnamese and Thai people do. You are supposed to stir-fry the newly emerged ones. I am always trying to push my palate further into other culture's food and this was the furthest I could imagine. But when I went out and saw them struggling to emerge and live, mate, I got too caught up in their lives to kill any. They have really big eyes and seemed so earnest. I ended up helping some who had gotten lost and were going to die on the sidewalk get to a tree. The whole thing was really moving. Every tree was covered and the sound was amazing. I might have overridden my don't-eat-bugs phobia, but their intense struggle to live got to me. I wouldn't do too well at a kill-it-yourself farm either I guess. But I do eat meat so I'm not above some major hypocrisy in the food department. I have no trouble killing fish and would be a regular Josef Mengele if I ever got into a school of shrimp. I wonder where I would draw the line if I had to do the dirty deed myself? I also didn't save the ones my cats got a hold of. They are the ultimate cat toy and some unlucky ones spent a little quality Guantanamo time with my two little waterboard experts. (the cicadas never gave up any names, but it was not for lack of demonic ingenuity from their feline interrogators. They kept them alive for a long time.) I see those guys on the travel cooking shows eating bugs all the time, so in the right context I'm sure I will chow down on bugs someday. I'm not in any hurry. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Alex Stanley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18780937/ Swarms of cicadas emerging in Midwest Bllions expected after spending the past 17 years underground I don't know if Fairfield is one of the places they will hit in Iowa... Looks to me like we're either on the edge of it or just outside it: http://birdfreak.com/2007/05/21/brood-xiii-map/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: TurquoiseB wrote: If you're looking for a film that walks that fine line between guy stuff (e.g., blowing things up and car chases) and chick flicks (sappy love stories), with a soupçon of psychic powers thrown in, I can recommend the new film Next. Nicolas Cage plays a guy who can see into the future, although usually only two minutes into the future. He is recruited against his will by the FBI to help them track down some terrorists who have an atomic weapon they're about to set off in L.A. The way it treats the quandary of seeing the future is interesting for a mainstream movie, more subtle than most, and might be enjoyed by people here. Although the film is full of plot holes and silliness, it's entertaining. The ending leaves you wondering what's...Next... so my bet is that it's being set up as a franchise for Cage. It got pretty bad reviews so I delegated it to the rental stack or whenever it shows up VOD in HD --- for free. That's about right. I got it for free from Limewire, and it was worth every penny. :-) As it turns out (I didn't know this when I wrote the first mini-review), the good ideas in the flick came from...again...Philip K. Dick, whose story it was based upon. That said, it wasn't a very good render- ing of Philip's ideas, but what, other than (perhaps) Blade Runner, has been? Philip was an over-the-top crazy, a man with so many ideas running through his brain that society is still trying to absorb them all. But they haven't translated to film very well yet. I'd like to see someone do a good job of Ubik (his novel based on the Tibetan Book Of The Dead), or The Man In The High Castle (his novel written by the I Ching). I didn't say that it was a good film, merely that I enjoyed it. I've also enjoyed the hell out of Plan 9 From Outer Space as well, but that doesn't mean that I think it's a good film. :-) It was the nuances of dealing with seeing the future that got me. They were more subtle than many other such renderings in cinema, and took into account the catch-22 of seeing the future. That is, the moment you see it, you change it. There are some other good quantum physics moments in the film, in which the character, faced with a potential set of futures, divides his self into multiple selves and sets them all off searching in different directions and in different realities for the path that resolves itself best. I liked that. And, to be perfectly honest, Jessica Biel was way cute as the Love Interest. Is it a good flick? No way. Can it be enjoyable anyway if you just suspend disbelief and have a good time with it? Way. The same can be said about the future itself. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, matrixmonitor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --why did you give up TM. What did you replace it with? Are you SURE the replacement is equal to, or better than TM, and why? Thanks. Most of the people I know who started TM, especially in the seventies, during the Merv period, stopped TM, it's very common. No biggie.
[FairfieldLife] Invincible America - Summer schedule
[Invincible America] http://invincibleamerica.org/ Summer is coming, and Southeast Iowa is filled with green fields and flowering bushes, songbirds and gentle breezes. Students will soon be going home for their summer break. Over 200 rooms will be vacated and cleaned for new Invincible America participants. Making up for the drop in student numbers will be especially important in July our numbers have yet to stabilize above the 2,000 Super Radiance requirement and it is vital that we maintain our upward momentum! CONSIDER MAKING INVINCIBLE AMERICA YOUR FAMILY VACATION THIS YEAR! Summer is a natural time to take a break and enjoy a restful vacation. Nothing could be more restful than the deep silence, extended program, and beautiful, sublime experiences shared by the Invincible America Assembly participants. Summer fun will available for everyone, including swimming on and near campus, walking and bike paths, boating and picnic sites nearby, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, our outdoor Farmer's Market, the monthly First Fridays Art Walk and Concerts on the Square. SUMMER INVINCIBILITY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-14 Monday, June 11 Saturday, August 18 For children, Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment will be offering camp activities to allow parents to participate in the historic Invincible America Course. With a well-trained staff of counselors, age-appropriate activities will provide fun and creative summer enrichment. Activities will include outdoor sports, swimming, creative crafts, music, movement, computer labs, and much more. Children who practice their Word of WisdomSM or Transcendental MeditationSM program will do their practice with other students. Guru Purnimah Celebration July 29 The traditional Guru Purnimah celebration to honor the source of Vedic wisdom takes place on July 29. The Assembly will be connected live with Maharishi and all the festivities taking place around the world. Jai Guru Dev
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
---Still, there's an ongoing challenge for you to predict the stocks, or manifest an external siddhi of your choice; something more important than (say) communicating with lobsters (feature: help, help, don't boil me alive!!). On Next, this is based on a novel or short story by the SCI-FI genius Philip Dick. (The Minority Report) was also based on one of his stories. The basic idea in Next which makes it distinctive (as opposed to a similar thriller, Deja Vu) is that there are alternative possible futures, and the Cage character gets to try out any of them in advance; i.e. the possible future which he personally selects as being the most favorable. Then in his mind's eye, he carries out that possible future to it's conclusion and if it doesn't work, he tries another. The catch is that the viewer doesn't know which of these hypothetical scenaries is going to be the real one - any more than the Cage character. Also, in one scene, he can bifurcate into multiple bodies and explore numerous possible futures all at once. In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jim_flanegin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: If you're looking for a film that walks that fine line between guy stuff (e.g., blowing things up and car chases) and chick flicks (sappy love stories), with a soupçon of psychic powers thrown in, I can recommend the new film Next. Nicolas Cage plays a guy who can see into the future, although usually only two minutes into the future. He is recruited against his will by the FBI to help them track down some terrorists who have an atomic weapon they're about to set off in L.A. The way it treats the quandary of seeing the future is interesting for a mainstream movie, more subtle than most, and might be enjoyed by people here. Although the film is full of plot holes and silliness, it's entertaining. The ending leaves you wondering what's...Next... so my bet is that it's being set up as a franchise for Cage. Sounds like a lot of fun- Cage at his best is just great to watch (Face Off, The Rock, The Family Man). I find that what makes or breaks movies like this is the overall quality-- of the script, the direction, the cinematography, the editing- All of it. When any of those elements is flawed, usually the entire production is a mess. When they are spot on, the thing crackles with tension and life. I don't know that I've tried seeing into the future, but an interesting attunement has occurred for me regarding the building where I work- There are cube farms in large areas off of a central, narrow corridor here, with doorways joining the large areas to the narrow corridor. In order to move quickly into the corridor with confidence that I won't bump into anyone, I have focused my sensitivity to spatial density, by projecting my attention out the doorway before I enter the corridor. It is now second nature, and I can tell with certainty, before I can see into the corridor, whether there is someone approaching from either the left or the right. My spatial density sensitivity is calibrated to only about 10 to 15 feet in either direction beyond the doorway I am entering, since it is both not necessary to see any further left or right up the corridor, but also more difficult to determine density further up the corridor, and more distracting. There appears to be a stable, non-ego based area of awareness I've discovered over the years, where such tools can be accessed readily. Its tricky though because when I first began playing there, I made many many errors, not realizing that though I was on a subtler plane of perception, my ego was interfering and fooling me. But now that I recognize that layer, I've moved beyond it, for these purposes, to a quieter area where errors are absent. Cool stuff.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Invincible America - Summer schedule
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, george_deforest [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [Invincible America] http://invincibleamerica.org/ Summer is coming, and Southeast Iowa is filled with green fields and flowering bushes, songbirds and gentle breezes. And lots and lots of cicadas...
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, matrixmonitor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ---Still, there's an ongoing challenge for you to predict the stocks, or manifest an external siddhi of your choice; something more important than (say) communicating with lobsters (feature: help, help, don't boil me alive!!). On Next, this is based on a novel or short story by the SCI-FI genius Philip Dick. (The Minority Report) was also based on one of his stories. The basic idea in Next which makes it distinctive (as opposed to a similar thriller, Deja Vu) is that there are alternative possible futures, and the Cage character gets to try out any of them in advance; i.e. the possible future which he personally selects as being the most favorable. Then in his mind's eye, he carries out that possible future to it's conclusion and if it doesn't work, he tries another. The catch is that the viewer doesn't know which of these hypothetical scenaries is going to be the real one - any more than the Cage character. Also, in one scene, he can bifurcate into multiple bodies and explore numerous possible futures all at once. That's it exactly. The vibe that I got from the film was Philip K. Dick's, even though I didn't know while watching the film that it was based on one of his stories. It's the SUBTLTY with which it deals with seeing the future that I got off on. As you say, the reality of such a situation is that the moment you start fucking with the future, it starts getting all quantum mechanical on your ass and fucking back. The moment you realize that you have the option of choosing one path through the future you've seen, you are also stuck with the need to check out the myriad other possible futures you *could* have seen. As I said before, it's NOT a great film. But it contains great ideas. And in an era in which we really don't GET a lot of great films, for me discovering one that has a few great ideas in it is just a delight.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, matrixmonitor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ---Still, there's an ongoing challenge for you to predict the stocks, or manifest an external siddhi of your choice; something more important than (say) communicating with lobsters (feature: help, help, don't boil me alive!!). My sister thoroughly traumatized herself a while back. She had gotten a live lobster to cook for dinner for herself and our mother as a treat. She'd never done it before. She made the mistake of admiring it for a while, getting a sense of its personality, before it was time to put it in the boiling water. She felt bad enough about that, but she hadn't realized it was then going to bang on the lid for a bit. They ate the lobster, but she called me later that night, very drunk (unusual for her) and extremely upset, feeling like a murderer. I think she and my mother had even given it a name before it went in the pot.
[FairfieldLife] from Sam Harris: Athiest's Conference in DC.
Note: forwarded message attached. - Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.---BeginMessage--- ~~ Atheist Alliance Conference in DC ~~ Sam will be speaking at the Atheist Alliance Conference in Washington D.C. (September 28-30). Other speakers include: Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Christopher Hitchens. For more information: Atheist Alliance (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lzdfbacab.0.rmufbacab.ekkouxbab.2743ts=S0252p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atheistalliance.org%2Fconventions%2F2007%2Findex.php) ~~ email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http://www.samharris.org/ ~~ Forward email http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101378562372ea=coshlnx%40yahoo.coma=1101660327723 This email was sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED], by [EMAIL PROTECTED] Update Profile/Email Address http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=oom=1101378562372ea=coshlnx%40yahoo.comse=2743t=1101660327723lang=enreason=F Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe(TM) http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=unm=1101378562372ea=coshlnx%40yahoo.comse=2743t=1101660327723lang=enreason=F Privacy Policy: http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp Sam Harris | a href=http://www.samharris.org;www.samharris.org/a | New York | NY | 10021 ---End Message---
[FairfieldLife] Re: Next
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, matrixmonitor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ---Still, there's an ongoing challenge for you to predict the stocks, or manifest an external siddhi of your choice; something more important than (say) communicating with lobsters (feature: help, help, don't boil me alive!!). re: the stock market, It sounds like it may be an ongoing challenge for you, but not for me my friend. Seems like something for someone who wants to get out of their own skin, if I had to guess. The stuff I work on is for my growth and knowledge, so should there be a time when I need to predict stocks in order to learn something I suppose I'll give it a shot. Until then, I just enjoy sharing what I find out. As for hearing lobsters scream, there is a level of intense pain for all of the world that is easy to tap into if you so choose, too easy really, but I warn you the suffering accessed is immense, and can be overwhelming. If you need to go there, it is possible, though not much to learn imo. I've been there a couple of times in dreams; predicted the iraq war thing, and visited various levels of hell. :-) On Next, this is based on a novel or short story by the SCI-FI genius Philip Dick. (The Minority Report) was also based on one of his stories. The basic idea in Next which makes it distinctive (as opposed to a similar thriller, Deja Vu) is that there are alternative possible futures, and the Cage character gets to try out any of them in advance; i.e. the possible future which he personally selects as being the most favorable. Then in his mind's eye, he carries out that possible future to it's conclusion and if it doesn't work, he tries another. The catch is that the viewer doesn't know which of these hypothetical scenaries is going to be the real one - any more than the Cage character. Also, in one scene, he can bifurcate into multiple bodies and explore numerous possible futures all at once. Sounds like elements of the movies Sliding Doors with Gwenyth (sp) Paltrow, The Family Man a la Nicky, Groundhog Day w/Bill Murray, and Multiplicity with Michael Keaton. I'll definitely rent it out. :-)
[FairfieldLife] Smithsonian Tones Down Exhibit for Der Furhrer
WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian Institution toned down an exhibit on climate change in the Arctic for fear of angering the U.S. Congress and the Bush administration, says a former administrator at the museum. Among other things, the script, or official text, of last year's exhibit was rewritten to minimize and inject more uncertainty into the relationship between global warming and humans, said Robert Sullivan, who was associate director in charge of exhibitions at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/21/america/NA-GEN-US-Climate-Change.php Who the fuck cares if the chimp gets upset. Fucking cowards.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
jstein wrote: Willytex is a little careless about crediting the sources he cuts-and-pastes his posts from. Stop the lying, Judy, I didn't cut-and-paste nothing. The sources are still there, idiot, I copied them so you could read them again, since you failed to respond the first time I posted them for you to read. One remarkable instance grew out of Carter's strong opposition to the use of force to reverse the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990. Not satisfied with issuing a torrent of statements and articles, he dispatched a letter to the heads of state of members of the United Nations Security Council and several other governments urging them to oppose the American request for UN authorization of military action. Read more: 'Our Worst Ex-President' By Joshua Muravchik Commentary, February, 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2oybbh
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
Bhairitu wrote: Taking me out of context, eh? Pretty ugly presidency refers to Bush not Carter. Oh my Gawd, Jesus fock! Bharat2's careless remarks got taken out of context and misinterpreted. Whatever mistakes Carter made they pale by comparison to the Bush administration which is the most corrupt in American history. He should have taken back nothing! So, we are agreed, Carter should NOT take back nothing: Getting rid of Saddam Hussien was a major accomplisment. - Jimmy Carter There is little doubt, in sum, that the electorate was right in 1980 when it judged Carter to have been among our worst Presidents. It is even more certain that history will judge him to have been our very worst ex-President. Read more: 'Our Worst Ex-President' By Joshua Muravchik Commentary, February, 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2oybbh My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president. Full story: 'The former president backs down from criticism of the White House' TODAY Show May 21, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18781703/
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
No problem, I won't analyze your language. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
Richard J. Williams wrote: Bhairitu wrote: Taking me out of context, eh? Pretty ugly presidency refers to Bush not Carter. Oh my Gawd, Jesus fock! Bharat2's careless remarks got taken out of context and misinterpreted. Whatever mistakes Carter made they pale by comparison to the Bush administration which is the most corrupt in American history. He should have taken back nothing! So, we are agreed, Carter should NOT take back nothing: Getting rid of Saddam Hussien was a major accomplisment. - Jimmy Carter There is little doubt, in sum, that the electorate was right in 1980 when it judged Carter to have been among our worst Presidents. It is even more certain that history will judge him to have been our very worst ex-President. Read more: 'Our Worst Ex-President' By Joshua Muravchik Commentary, February, 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2oybbh My remarks were maybe careless or misinterpreted, but I wasn't comparing the overall administration, and I certainly was not talking personally about any president. Full story: 'The former president backs down from criticism of the White House' TODAY Show May 21, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18781703/ Probably like many here I was swayed by the Carter sending the CIA to the TM courses rumor and wound up voting for John Anderson instead. At least I didn't vote for Raygun.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard J. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: jstein wrote: Willytex is a little careless about crediting the sources he cuts-and-pastes his posts from. Stop the lying, Judy, No, as usual, the liar would be you. I didn't cut-and-paste nothing. Right, you didn't cut-and-paste nothing. You cut-and-pasted several pieces of other people's writing without giving them any credit, passing the work off as your own. You've done that for many years, on many different topics. You're a plagiarist. The sources are still there, idiot, I copied them so you could read them again, since you failed to respond the first time I posted them for you to read. No, this was the first time you posted them.
[FairfieldLife] Home Loan Alternative
This is totally off the topic so I expect some really, good off the topic responses. I bought a house two years ago here in beautiful Colorado and throughout that time, the more I thought about the loan, the madder I started getting, specifically, paying all the interest up front. I borrowed a little over $100K and came up with the rest. The total cost of the house was $233,000. What these banks do is charge you all the interest up front. This means, that for the first ten years on a thirty year fixed loan, you pay almost nothing but the interest. So after ten years, you finally start paying principle. But let's say on the eleventh year, you want to pay the whole loan off. I would then have to pay the entire principle which means that the house now costs $330,000! I realize that after ten years, I would make back all that interest in the appreciation of the house but this really is irrelevant. My question to all you money pros out there is is there another way to finance a house without paying all the interest up front, IOW like most loans in which the principle and interest are placed together and divided by the number of years of the loan, like a car loan? Has anyone heard of this new kind of loan called, My Bank, My Money My Way, (something like this). I spoke with a guy about this and it's based on an equity loan used to pay off the bank. Another gimmick the banks use, is lending you money on the equity of your house and then charging you interest, to borrow your own money! When you buy a house, the down payment which is your money becomes theirs-- you pay to borrow it! Does anyone have some good solutions? My 30 year fixed was taken out at 5.875% with no points and reasonable closing costs through Wells Fargo. Mark
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: No problem, I won't analyze your language. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it.
[FairfieldLife] Re: American Culture vs. Vedic Culture
John wrote: By many counts, the US culture does not follow the ideal vedic culture. For example, we eat meat, drink liquor, mix freely with the opposite sex, have same sex unions, work for money and career, get married primarily to enjoy sex. Most historians agree, John, that the Vedic Aryan speakers all ate meat, drank barley beer and consumed large portions of the psycedelic decoction Soma mentioned in Rig Veda X. The Vedics met and mixed freely with the opposite sex and worked and raised cattle for money and career. And they got married primarily to enjoy sex. Haven't you read the Kama Sutra? In spite of these negatives, the American economy is as strong as ever. That goes to show that the Supreme Being is tolerant, merciful and is willing to grant boons to whomever He or She wants. Who said that eating meat and enjoying sex was a negative? It's even more fun when you have money and cattle. We don't have any Soma around here, but we do have lots of Lone Star beer and we sacrifice lots of cows at outdoor bar-b-ques down by the river, so in that sense, the Texas is the *ideal* Vedic culture.
[FairfieldLife] This guy Girish, is a winning winner!
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shempmcgurk [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is this ... http://tinyurl.com/2pgkuf http://tinyurl.com/2pgkuf ... the same guy as this: http://tinyurl.com/2l72eu http://tinyurl.com/2l72eu If so, he's one creepy bastard! I think he fashions himself a Maharishi and can't wait for his uncle to die so that he can take a shot at sitting on the deer skin. Anyone getting a similar vibe? Nay, might be you are just jealous. He's winning the game of this Life: got the most money and the real estate. The affection of the master. The power of the organization. And you? What you got? A mantra, to go. Loser? Jai Guru Dev, -Doug in FF
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
Hi John, I've been meditating for 35 years and really like it. What I like about it, is how relaxing and peaceful it is, forget everything else you have said about it, it really feels good. And you know what? I've gone for a few days not meditating and what happens consistently when I start again, is like an ol' friend coming to meet me, that great experience of real peace, truly missed. Try it for yourself and see what happens. You've nothing to loose and let us know what you experience. Mark --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We are very pleased to welcome our newest contributor to the TM-Free Blog ( http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ , Abraham -- a former visiting faculty member at MIU (MUM). As Abraham explains, he brings a wealth of information from two decades of experience within the TM Org: I first learned TM in 1971 as a 17 year-old college student and subsequently practiced it twice a day for 22 years. After graduating from college, I studied in Europe for six months to become a TM teacher and taught TM full-time, initiating over 250 people into the practice. I attended many advanced programs and became a TM Governor after learning the TM-Sidhi program. I have also been a visiting faculty member at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Because I still have friends in the TM organization and because of my current professional visibility, I choose to remain anonymous. For the most part, I had positive experiences with TM, which is why I kept up the practice for as long as I did. Nevertheless, in 1993, after years of inner conflict, I decided to stop practicing TM and quietly left the TM movement because I could no longer continue in good conscience. I had come to see how the whole thing had been based in deceit and denial. I hope you'll consider visiting TM-Free Blog and checking out what Abraham has to say. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: No problem, I won't analyze your language. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru Dev. Also, I could point out that he began his incessant naming of everything Maharishi after the TM fad of the 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when he switched to naming things after himself. The guy's just not egoless. It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
Stop the lying, Judy, jstein wrote: No, this was the first time you posted them. Just stop the lying, Judy, I posted them to A.M.T. in 2005 and that's why you know they came from Powerline. So what if I got a little careless? You suck as a debator, Judy. But I made a mistake: you DID read them and you DID respond, except you responded in your usual idiotic way. You can read the full exchange in the idiotic 'Devil's Flypaper' post sent by your idiotic pal, Mr. John Manning, the Maharishi-basher you took up for, for over six years before you stalked me over here to pick another fight over nothing. Newsgroups: alt.meditation.transcendental From: punditster Date: 12 Jul 2005 Subject: Re: OT: The Devil's Flypaper http://tinyurl.com/22cnah
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: snip I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru Dev. And if he had, he'd have been even more violently attacked for associating his teacher with a commercial enterprise, when Guru Dev was known for not even taking donations. Plus which--another obvious point that you have carefully overlooked--if he puts his name on things, he also has to take the responsibility if they don't work out. Yet you think he should have arranged it so Guru Dev got the blame. Get real. Also, I could point out that he began his incessant naming of everything Maharishi after the TM fad of the 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when he switched to naming things after himself. You conveniently forget that this was also around the time when disaffected TM teachers were publicizing the mantra lists and telling folks there was nothing unique about TM, and the imitators really got going. Plus which, Benson had come out with his Relaxation Response. Obviously, MMY didn't *need* branding until then. Branding is what you do when you have competitors. The guy's just not egoless. Did you imagine that I said he was egoless? It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. That's a crock, John. That's your threadbare mantra when anybody points out that your accusations are over the top.
[FairfieldLife] The World's Fastest Indian
Loved this flick. Had the dvd and watched all the extras and realized that most of the movie was scripted dirctly from a one hour TV show that was shot in the 70s for Australian TV. You could even see the same dialogue and scene setup. Very interesting study in human life. Tom T
[FairfieldLife] Re: Carter says Bush is the worst President in American h...
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Richard J. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Stop the lying, Judy, jstein wrote: No, this was the first time you posted them. Just stop the lying, Judy, No, that would be you who is the liar. I posted them to A.M.T. in 2005 But not here. and that's why you know they came from Powerline. No, I Googled phrases from them. The quote you stole from Commentary is from an article of February 2007.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: No problem, I won't analyze your language. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru Dev. Also, I could point out that he began his incessant naming of everything Maharishi after the TM fad of the 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when he switched to naming things after himself. The guy's just not egoless. It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com There's nothing wrong with ego. Look at God- He and She named the entire creation after themselves- God's Creation, God's Will Be Done, The Grace Of God, God Bless You. How's that for an ego trip?
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: snip Judy, You appear to be having an off night. Comments interspersed below. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru Dev. And if he had, he'd have been even more violently attacked for associating his teacher with a commercial enterprise, when Guru Dev was known for not even taking donations. Wow. What a strange argument. Maharishi was actually being selfless by not associating Guru Dev with the crass commercial enterprise that he launched in his name (in Beacon Light). Plus which--another obvious point that you have carefully overlooked--if he puts his name on things, he also has to take the responsibility if they don't work out. Yet you think he should have arranged it so Guru Dev got the blame. Get real. Again, he started using his own name largely AFTER the fad days of the TM Movement. He had experienced a very large success. Then he started plastering his name on everything. Also, I could point out that he began his incessant naming of everything Maharishi after the TM fad of the 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when he switched to naming things after himself. You conveniently forget that this was also around the time when disaffected TM teachers were publicizing the mantra lists and telling folks there was nothing unique about TM, and the imitators really got going. Plus which, Benson had come out with his Relaxation Response. Obviously, MMY didn't *need* branding until then. Branding is what you do when you have competitors. That's simply not true. He trademarked TM, Transcendental Meditation, and the TM-Sidhis before the Relaxation Response. He obviously felt he needed branding then. The guy's just not egoless. Did you imagine that I said he was egoless? Actually, I didn't say you did say this. Did you imagine that I did? Nabulous was making a case that the Maharishi was egoless before you wandered into the conversation. It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. That's a crock, John. That's your threadbare mantra when anybody points out that your accusations are over the top. Weird. I don't remember ever saying you or anybody else was making excuses for the Maharishi before. Can you provide an example? John M. Knapp, LMSW http://tmfree.blogspot.com/ http://trancenet.net/ [A] bad guru can be extremely good for a sincere devotee . It's the main reason so many bad gurus do good business. They are merely idols upon which sincere devotees project their own divinity, with sometimes seemingly miraculous results. --Jody R, Guruphiliac.blogspot.com
[FairfieldLife] My response to a friend's suggestion that we engage in a discussion about the movement
He said: If you sincerely want to know the truth, I'll help you come to terms with Maharishi and the Movement. But Ricky, if your heart is already set and I would be wasting my time, then, you can go on with the negative judgements and good luck. I said: I thought a lot about this and kind of felt my way into it during meditation, and here's what I think (and feel). I love you, Bobby, Paul Morehead, Craig Pearson, my old Purusha buddies, and the many good souls in the movement. Most of the people I just mentioned love what they're doing and seem to be thriving doing it. Bobby (to whom I'm Cc-ing this note) absolutely glows with love, energy, and enthusiasm. I consider him a genuine saint, (although, being a genuine saint, he wouldn't admit or even know that he is). So many of the people I just mentioned are brilliant at what they do. I couldn't hold a candle to them. My heart recoils at the thought of engaging them in a conversation in which I would be obligated to bring out things that might dampen their enthusiasm and devotion. If it ever becomes more evolutionary for some of these people to leave the movement than to stay in it, then probably that's what they'll do. Most of those who stay in the movement will see them as having fallen or become deluded, because seeing their course of action as perfectly acceptable might shake the foundations of their own motivation. But those who leave can live with that. The conditions you've set up for our discussion are not equitable. You clearly imply that you possess the truth and that I am mired in negative judgments from which you might extricate me. I don't regard you or anyone as having a monopoly on the truth. If some of my own judgments are overly negative, I'd certainly like to revise them. Others may be insightful or well-informed, but for you to see them that way would be to start a crack in the cosmic egg, and as I said above, I don't want to do that. I don't mean to sound condescending, but chicks have to peck their way out. Helping them from the outside can be injurious. My guiding principles are pretty well expressed by the quotes on the home page of FairfieldLife: What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out, which is the exact opposite. ~ Bertrand Russell The healthy mind challenges its own assumptions. ~ The I Ching Whatever you think, it's more than that ~ Incredible String Band Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide. ~ Dharma-pada, Buddha Shakyamuni Take what you need and leave the rest. ~ The Band I do not claim to know the truth. I hope my judgments, if I am making any, remain open to revision as new information presents itself. And I try never dismiss any information out of hand. Pretty much any topic is fair game. (Another line from the FFL description.) We don't live in a black and white universe and a fundamentalist, holier-than-thou attitude, whoever expresses it, is a reflection of individual ego, not of the true nature of things. It reveals a failure to appreciate God's infinite, all-embracing, compassionate nature. So I hope we always remain friends, and can spend some fun time together, as I often do with the Moreheads, without friction over our different orientations. Perhaps a few years from now we'll each see things from different perspectives, and long discussions will be appropriate and fruitful. Your pal, Rick P.S. The Vikings say they're coming for you next.
[FairfieldLife] Event: Quantum Psyche ~ Giving Greater Mind
Most of my life I've found these skills substantially valuable, in every realm of life, but also including the various realms we cover here in our forum. I graciously invite you to this event if you can make it. This event is in West Los Angeles, May 23, one in a series of ongoing events. *Quantum Psyche* ~ *Giving Greater Mind* Intuition, sixth sense, siddhis, or otherwise known as 'psychic abilities' is latent in all of us and can enrich our lives enormously when tapped, whether during an emergency or through regular intuitional practices. Intuition draws information from the unconscious, 'superconscious mind', or 'causal realm' to the consciously aware realm of mind more familiar to us in daily life. Doing so, one can spontaneously know and understand what would otherwise have passed us by unnoticed or seemed too difficult to comprehend as the subconscious mind and, even more so, the unconscious mind are far vaster than the conscious mind can ever be. Cultivating these intuitional skills consciously helps make it easier for us to make decisions, improve relationships, heal ones self and others, and achieve success in all areas of life. Is there a place in your life for such skills? Are you aware of how easy such skills are to cultivate and how rewarding they are in developing more loving relationships and serving humanity in any and every realm? Whatever changes you foresee for the planet, your life, your family, your career, these skills will help you prepare for, maximize opportunities for, and further your success in every realm of life. For many thousands of years humans have questioned, explored, discovered and cultivate intuitional practices that have furthered their lives in every realm, most especially spiritually, whether a deity was involved in the practice or not. From such scientific experimentation has evolved the contemporary science of Tantra. Whether liberation is your goal today or you are putting that off to a future incarnation, intuition can, and must, play a role in furthering your evolution as a happily fulfilled person from now through old age, for yourself and those you love. We will discuss Tantra's easy to understand principles and practices and show how you too can make these skills part of your life or help you cultivate extant intuitional skills within you further. *Tantra is an intuitional science, not a sect and nothing to join.* *Learn more here today*: Tantra Psychology http://TantraPsychology.learn .to *They are educated who have learned much, remembered much, and make use of their knowledge in everyday life. And of these lessons integrated into their life, moral conscience is the most imperative to learn and convey to others. Their virtues give true meaning to education.*
[FairfieldLife] Re: Home Loan Alternative - my $.02 - long
Mark, First of all, congratulations, for living in Colorado. I hope you experience the inspirational beauty of the Rockies every day. I long ago vowed that I would live in Colorado when I got my life together. I'm not there yet, but perhaps one day I'll live NW of Boulder, perhaps in or near Ward, or Allenspark. Where in Colorado do you live? Anyway, back to your inquiry. I'm no money pro, but like so many, I regard my own opinion highly, and I'd like to offer my $.02 regarding your inquiry 'home loan alternative'. The stated concept, as I understand it, is to simplify the administration of debt service and maximize the use of your money. The stategy is accomplished by creation of an account to which all streams of income are directed and from which all debt service is paid. Such an account would be created at the same time that you create a new mortgage, specifically a Home Equity Line of Credit. ( HELOC ). Practically speaking, you'd take out a HELOC, the proceeds of which would pay off the existing mortgage completely. Additionally, you would direct all streams of income (direct deposit of paycheck, etc) into the new administrative account. Likewise, you would authorize the administrative account to make payments on the HELOC and to service non- residential debt on a regular basis. ( school loan debt, car loan debt, credit card debt, etc.) The concept is marketed to you as a means of paying principal owed on the residential debt in an earlier fashion than you understand is available to you now with your current mortgage. The administrative account would accomplish this by frequently (perhaps daily?) making additional principal payments on your residential loan from whatever excess funds remain in the administrative account after the monthly cycle of debt service has been satisfied. I find the concept laudable, and simple to administer from your side, but I would have some discomfort about the frequent transactions and the accuracy of the additional small extra principal payments. There are simpler, surer ways to accomplish your goal of accelerated principal payments. What is not clear to me is whether you realize the high degree of probability that you can already make additional principal payments to your existing mortgage. You stated that at the time that you bought the house, you borrowed $100K for the $233K purchase. That means that your down payment was $133K, right ? That is a significant down payment, and I don't understand how you must wait 10 years before being able to make any principal payments against the balance borrowed at the time of purchase, unless your mortgage requires only interest-only payments for the first 10 years. In any event, I don't think you can be penalized for pre-paying principal. Back to the concept of the loan you inquired about - What is not mentioned in the article is the nature of HELOC loans, but I would strongly suggest you think clearly before you make a HELOC loan, particularly if your commendable goals of reducing debt early are as stated, as HELOC loans are like crack cocaine to an undisciplined borrower. Their primary effect as a profitable financial product is to tempt homeowners to finance current living with long-term debt. The line of credit can increase with increases in the value of the home, and many people over the past decade have continued to draw from the HELOC as housing prices rose, again, funding current expenditures with the HELOC, which was increased with increasing equity of a booming housing market. Although long-term appreciation is a reality for real estate, I would not be surprised if the value of real estate remains flat for a decade or more, and perhaps the recent significant declines in real estate value will continue for a good part of the next decade, as well. Houses are a good place to rest, but not necessarily a good investment vehicle, particularly if one buys at the peak of a market. I would suggest avoiding the temptation of a HELOC loan by refusing to be enticed. Re-read you loan document to determine if there are any prohibitions against pre- payment of principal. I doubt it. There are safer ways to pay the principal early than a HELOC. Create an amortization schedule for your existing loan - just Google 'home-loan amortization schedule'. Type in your loan rate, and term, and you'll discover the principal payment each month for your existing loan. If you want to decrease the life of your loan by half, say, from 30 to 15 years, each month simply make an additional principal payment for the amount of principal that will be due on the next month's payment schedule. Each month, the amount will increase slightly, but the earlier in the life of the loan you start, the greater impact your additional principal payment. By making additional
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-Free Blog: Former MIU Faculty Joins Us
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, taskcentered no_reply@ wrote: snip Judy, You appear to be having an off night. Translation: John is having trouble coming up with good responses, so he figures he'll try prejudicing readers before they actually examine his fumbles. Comments interspersed below. I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from food supplements to universities after himself. To me it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. A much more likely explanation is that using his name and picture is a branding strategy. But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru Dev. And if he had, he'd have been even more violently attacked for associating his teacher with a commercial enterprise, when Guru Dev was known for not even taking donations. Wow. What a strange argument. Maharishi was actually being selfless Right, by putting himself in a position where he'd be less likely to be attacked. Sure, John. The epitome of selflessness. by not associating Guru Dev with the crass commercial enterprise that he launched in his name (in Beacon Light). Right, well before before it ever became commercial. You should have quit before you got any further behind. Plus which--another obvious point that you have carefully overlooked--if he puts his name on things, he also has to take the responsibility if they don't work out. Yet you think he should have arranged it so Guru Dev got the blame. Get real. Again, he started using his own name largely AFTER the fad days of the TM Movement. He had experienced a very large success. Then he started plastering his name on everything. Everything, that's le mot juste, including all the stuff he introduced AFTER the fad days of the TM movement, like the TM-Sidhis and Maharishi Ayur-Veda and Jyotish and yagyas. Those were sure to be big popular successes, right, John? Also, I could point out that he began his incessant naming of everything Maharishi after the TM fad of the 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when he switched to naming things after himself. You conveniently forget that this was also around the time when disaffected TM teachers were publicizing the mantra lists and telling folks there was nothing unique about TM, and the imitators really got going. Plus which, Benson had come out with his Relaxation Response. Obviously, MMY didn't *need* branding until then. Branding is what you do when you have competitors. That's simply not true. He trademarked TM, Transcendental Meditation, and the TM-Sidhis before the Relaxation Response. He obviously felt he needed branding then. And would have to spend jillions to defend the trademarks in court to keep the imitators from using the terms (and risking losing the trademark into the bargain because they were iffy to start with). Much more cost-effective to use a branding device that couldn't be imitated so easily. The guy's just not egoless. Did you imagine that I said he was egoless? Actually, I didn't say you did say this. Did you imagine that I did? Well, yes, John, you did. Nabulous was making a case that the Maharishi was egoless before you wandered into the conversation. But you were responding to me. And you went on to say: It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. Too bad about that word rather, ain't it? That's a crock, John. That's your threadbare mantra when anybody points out that your accusations are over the top. Weird. I don't remember ever saying you or anybody else was making excuses for the Maharishi before. Can you provide an example? Oh, please. You've said it many times. I'm not going to waste my time hunting up examples.
[FairfieldLife] HBO's levitating surfer
NBC's Heroes probably inspired HBO to put on this show about a levitating surfer: http://www.hbo.com/events/johnfromcincinnati/index.html
