Sunday, 26 February 2012

Post No. 372 - Ethics is not a county in England

The title of this post is not mine: I first heard it from a friend over a decade ago, and I think she got it from somewhere else. I recently used it in frustration when trying to get some people to consider the ethical implications of what they were considering.

Talking about time and communication ... when I was a small kid, learning to speak (yes, I remember back that far*), one day I half-heard my parents use the word water. As I indicated, I didn't hear it clearly, so I tried to find out what the word was. I actually asked "was that wa .. wa ..." (I didn't have the vocabulary to say "what was that word you just used" - I tried to recreate the word, paused, then tried again), and my parents decide I had come up with something cute - "wa-wa" for water ("Yes, you can call it wa-wa if you want"). No, I didn't want to bloody call it wa-wa, I wanted to know what the proper damn word was. So ... if I may suggest, don't underestimate kids - and that includes not underestimating their capacity to be evil.

* I know someone who can remember being a child, being sung to by her mother, who wanted to sing her to sleep. She, however, was thinking along the lines of "if only she'd stop making that noise so I can go to sleep!"

Moving on ... it seems to me that many of the problems in society (e.g., materialism) are present because there is a spiritual vacuum. People want - in fact, need - a sense of purpose,Link and where that would, in other Yugas, be rightfully provided by spirituality, that is lacking in our immature Kali Yuga, where religion has become confused with spirituality. What is the solution? I don't know ... Maybe more emphasis on rigorous work and self discipline rather than trying to appeal to the laziest common denominator ...

I've recently been reading Marco Pallis' book "Peaks and Lamas", first published in 1939, republished in 2004 by Shoemaker & Hoard, ISBN 978-1593760588 (my copy is older, from a lovely, packed-to-the-rafters-with-books second-hand bookshop). This book, which has a chapter titled “the Round of Existence” that happens to be one of the best introductions for Westerners to Buddhist concepts that I have ever read, also describes Tibetan Buddhists as considering "Method" and "Wisdom" as being inextricably linked, with each being as essential as the other: Method, characterised as being male, is symbolised by monks by holding a dorje, and Wisdom, characterised as being female, is symbolised by monks by holding a bell. Their attitude towards these two was so inclusive it struck me as almost being pagan.

The Round of Existence also describes the various classes of beings, including "gods" (Deva realm: God realm) and demi-gods (Asura realm: Demi-god realm), who are seen as above humans but still trapped in illusion: this description is, I consider, better covered by Lobsang Rampa's description of Manus as a sort of hierarchy of deities branching out from the one universal source of all - also a bit like the pagan concept of the Goddess splitting sparks off herself to create other entities, who split sparks off themselves to create others, down to our Oversouls who split sparks off themselves to create parallels (i.e., us) ...

Incidentally, Pallis' book also includes the sort of dismissiveness of the inherent value of this level of reality as a valid purpose of existence in its own right (i.e., not as a stepping stone to something "better") that is one of the reasons I realised I was pagan, not Buddhist.

Post script - Monday 27th February, 2012
I have finished Pallis' book, and have a few more reflections.

Firstly, I consider the Boddhisattva Vow to be foolishness and a vanity. This level of existence will be part of reality until reality ends. The notion of staying behind until everyone is ready to reach enlightenment implies the view that we're just a bunch of miscreants, and the world/physical reality will snuff out of existence when the current batch graduates: not so. The physical level of reality does exist for a reason, which is learning and growth, but one is ALWAYS going to be learning, no matter how evolved one is - and, in fact, one may be better able to help those on this level of reality by continuing to evolve, instead of putting a brake on one's evolution. In the current Kali Yuga, the notion that there may be a limit to the existence of the world may have a somewhat perverse attraction. In, however, the Gold Yuga, this world would actually be quite a pleasant place to be, and it would be inconceivable to wish for it to end. Then there is the issue of assuming that one's presence is necessary for others to evolve. Yes, I know that isn't what is intended by the Boddhisattva Vow, but the reality is, Reality is actually quite well organised. Teachers will always be provided for those who are worthy. Of course, the student may not like what the Teacher teaches ... which brings me to the next point.

Pallis writes about the attitude of Tibetans towards "sin", or making errors, along the lines of: if it increases awareness, then such errors should be encouraged - and hence some of the behaviour of gurus towards students that many Westerners would consider appalling - such as Marpa getting Milarepa to build a house and then tear it down. Such "trickery" occurs in other traditions as well. Indeed, if I look back at my life, I can see many "mistakes" I've made, but they've mostly contributed to who I am today, and I think I would only change one or two of them. Incidentally, I include some emotions in that, emotions that I now consider quite self-indulgent, but which were major motivators at the time for me to learn and progress.

And now, this week's readings links. As usual, these have been chosen for a mixture of interest, information, and stimulation of thought: I don't necessarily agree with any or all of these :)


Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: art, boredom, Buddhism, children, communication, discrimination, ethics, materialism, purpose, science, sexism, society,

First published: Sunnudagr, 26th February, 2012

Last edited: Monday, 27th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, 20 February 2012

Post No. 371 - Attitudes

There are a number of people on this world trying to work out why it is in such a mess - including people trying to work out why it is such a mess spiritually (as opposed to why it is such a mess in terms of social equity, justice, physical peace, lack of access to enough food or clean water, and so on). My meditation this morning resolved one such issue into clarity for me: the inability to cope with difference (more generally, I think much of it has to do with the accumulation of billions of poor decisions by people over time).

I think I've probably written on this topic previously, but this latest reflection was triggered by hearing a young person (and these days, anyone the other side of 30 is, to me, young :) ) grumble about someone who didn't want something ostentatious for his birthday "Well, I'd want that if it was me".

No doubt, kiddo, you would - and there is nothing inherently wrong with that (although the environmental costs of such behaviour will be increasingly questioned in years to come). Where this becomes WRONG, is when you expect (or assume that) others to have your likes and dislikes, or to react to things the way you expect, or to share your aspirations and goals.

I also dreamed last night about one of my sisters. She and I didn't get along when we were younger: we have as we have aged, and the last time I saw her, we got along particularly well. However, I am of the view that much of the disagreement we have had a adults was because I did not dedicate my life to the pursuit of children. As it turns out, I have, in the course of my life "acquired" step-kids, a foster-kid and so on, but I dared not to make it my predominant goal when I was in my 20s and early 30s. I think many parents struggling with the demands of raising kids (keep in mind that I have done that also, but later in life) look at child-free adults (by which I mean people who CHOOSE not to have children, as opposed to child-less people, by which I mean people who have not been able to have children - which is a definition that came originally from someone else, and I apologise for forgetting who) and feel resentful at the apparent freedom, etc.

Well, tough: you made a choice, and you have to bear the consequences of that. I actually consider much of the rubbish I have encountered about not having children has, despite claims of "we need to do that for the sake of the future/nation/whatever", is actually based on resentment (and, as far as that goes, we need, as a species, to have fewer children, not more, for the sake of the future of this planet!).

It is easy enough to do. There have been times in my life when I have been resentful of people who have, for instance, made choices at a younger age then when I finally got around to doing so. Easy enough to do, and spiritually wrong.

Part of being mature is taking full responsibility for your decisions, both good and bad. Sometimes that can be hard - particularly when you have an unevolved soul baying for your metaphoric blood over a mistake, or lording it over you (i.e., pretending to be superior). Such things (the baying for blood, I mean) happen in an incredible range of areas of life - politics is where most people expect to see such bloodthirstiness, but it happens in professions, work life generally, social groups, special interest groups, ... and, often, FAMILIES. Go back to my comments about that one sister of mine.

That behaviour is spiritually WRONG, just as committing acts of physical or other violence are wrong. I am going to say that violence is often a worse wrong (yes, I do believe in scale of how wrong or right some things can be), but that doesn't change the fact that the behaviour I am writing about, even if it be as mild as grumbling that someone doesn't want what you would expect for their birthday, is wrong.

That same sort of attitude is, in fact, part of what underlies more severe cases of discrimination - racism, sexism, etc.

So ... if you wish the world to be a better place, I suggest you consider being tolerant of all forms of difference that do not involve harming people. Of course the issue of "what is harming people?" is a whole other post (for instance, consensual forms of sexuality and BDSM that do not align with how you live your life might not "be your cup of tea" [for instance, BDSM is not my cup of tea], but provided it is consensual and between adults, it is none of your business). So ... please enjoy and respect the diversity of life, including of human life, on this wonderful planet we live on.

And now, as a total distraction: I have had some good things happen of late. I finally have some (short) holidays from my day job coming up, which means we may be able to go bush, and the spiritualist mob my partner and I go to may be agreeing to me becoming the librarian. That is something I quite enjoy - in fact, as a child in primary school I tried to run my few books as a library, charging my friends 20 cents for a loan of each book so I could get money for more books (generosity and a lack of money on the part of my friends led to that particular scheme failing!).

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: attitudes, discrimination, materialism, society, spirituality,

First published: Mandagr, 20th February, 2012

Last edited: Monday, 20th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Post No. 370 - The film "Conviction", and other stuff

Life is still busy for me - lots of study, lots of work (including psychic), so I'm still in short posts mode. So ...

My partner and I recently watched the film "Conviction". It's a powerful film about prejudice, partly based on someone being obnoxious, the dedication of a sibling's love and what that inspired her to achieve, and - to a lesser extent - parenting.

However, there is a very disturbing element to the film - for me - in an early scene. The character Kenny is in a bar with his baby when he bumps someone who "mouths off" at Kenny. Kenny's response initially is calm, but he then gives his baby to the mother, goes back, and violently assaults and threatens to kill the person. In response to that, is he thrown out of the pub? No. His sister and then-partner weakly tell him off a little, and then, in response to Kenny strutting around and being ... "entertaining", or "humorous", seem to forgive or forget (or both) the violence. I found neither the violence nor the strutting endearing.

I've seen the effects that such behaviour, such letting violence go unremarked, can have in families - and have a personal experience of it from a past relationship. It's not acceptable, and that condoning of violence by people close to the perpetrators directly contributes to them continuing to commit other acts of violence, possibly escalating! If you have someone violent close to you, then, if not for your sake, then at least for others, I consider you have a spiritual duty (now there's a sadly unfashionable term ...) to NOT condone it (unless that would put you in danger - in which case I consider you have a spiritual duty TO YOURSELF AND THE PERPETRATOR to leave).

And now, a few reading links.
I'll end with something quirky: the origins of the Vulcan salute: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_long_and_prosper#Overview. Enjoy :)

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: children, discrimination, environment, indigenous, irresponsibility, personal responsibility, responsibility, society.

First published: Sunnudagr, 19th February, 2012

Last edited: Sunday, 19th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Post No. 369 - Is the conservation of energy a fallacy?

A statement that I have come across in various places is that energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be changed. This is often in the context of, for instance, recycling "negative" energy back through the Mother, i.e. the Goddess, so that it can be transformed into something positive. I have observed that having that point of view tends to help people to face up to, and integrate or make a holistic part of their being, their negative aspects (shadow self) which is a good thing. But that is a separate matter to the issue of whether energy can be destroyed ...

Of course, to me, I automatically wonder if, if energy cannot be destroyed, can it be created? If energy cannot be either created or destroyed, then where did it all come from in the first place? And when we meditate, and are energised as a result (and that does happen, in my experience: the energy is not just changed, it is increased overall - so the benefit is not just a case of "change of mood" - look at the before and after aura, and you will see what I am talking about), does that mean the source of our extra energy, often our own Higher Self, is diminished as a result?

I don't think so ...

I am rather inclined towards people who think energy cannot be destroyed possibly being afraid that, if energy can be "vapourised", can consciousness also be "vapourised"? Or maybe they've taken the concept of recycling to save the environment a tad too far ..

When energy is recycled and transformed from negative to positive, is it the same thing at the end? When our consciousness becomes one with the Goddess, is it the same consciousness? I am the same human being I was when I was eight months old? Are you?

I think change is inevitable, whether for worse or better, but I do think that, as things can be created (whether that is a painting, a concept, or a universe), I think that energy can also be created. If energy can also be created, I consider it also can be "destroyed" - I have personally dissolved enough negativity in my life to know that from personal experience.

There may well be benefits in having the opinion that energy is conserved, but I think any such conservation does not apply to negative and positive psychic energy - or, at least, not on the level of reality we inhabit.

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: energy,

First published: Laugadagr, 11th February, 2012

Last edited: Saturday, 11th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels:

Post No. 368A - This week's speculation, reading and other stuff

As a first point, don't forget the Hope, Peace, Love and Prosperity spell for the 11th of each month - here - today.

I've just finished reading "Rubicon", by Tom Holland (pub. Abacus, 2010, ISBN 978-0349-11563-4, first pub. Little, Brown, 2003), about the fall of the Roman Republic (not the Roman Empire). The obvious question after having done so, is "why did the Romans give up their freedom for peace?" Of course, Mr Holland has given his explanation in this excellent book, but I have another aspect I wish to consider on the matter.

Let us begin by considering a fairly frequently used definition of maturity: the willingness to defer pleasure. That means that one will, for instance, leave the best piece of food on one's plate until last, and eat all the other food first. It also means not acting on impulses as soon as they come to your awareness, as if you are a stereotypical teenager (and I emphases, yet again, that such stereotypical behaviour can be found in all ages, whereas some teenagers can be quite genuinely mature).

However, there is another, too-often unstated aspect of this: being prepared to do what is one's "duty". I know that is an unfashionable word these days, duty, but it is one way of describing things done out of regard for others - whether that is the self-sacrifice of being a loving parent, a boss who works hard to make sure there is work for her (or his, or hir) employees, or those who take on a role protecting those who are unable to protect themselves.

Ah, notice I wrote "those who are unable" - not "those who are unwilling".

What I noticed most about "Rubicon" is that, ultimately, the Romans gave up their freedom for peace. To be sure, they were war-weary after a century or so of civil wars, and a history of many other wars, but they effectively gave up their freedom - and the awkward inconvenience of things like voting and being prepared to risk their lives defending their land (easier to pay or bribe some barbarian to invade other barbarian's lands and thus take the conflict further away, they seemed to think) - for what they considered an acceptable peace. Now, there are all sorts of arguments about the falsity of that sort of peace (it largely consisted, for instance, of pushing the physical conflicts that were still happening to the edges of the Roman Empire, rather than having them in sight), but what I want to focus on here is this: they gave up their duties for personal convenience.

That is, as far I am concerned, another expression of immaturity.

So, every time someone these days parks illegally in a disabled spot, they are continuing the same sacrifice of freedom for their personal convenience that brought down the Roman Republic :) So ... let the disabled have their parking spots for the sake of freedom!

There is actually a serious aspect to that apparent jest ... Cato (the Younger) was the only person who came out Tom Holland's book with anything like what I would consider respect. Cato, who condemned Caesar's invasion of Gaul for being an illegal war, who mourned every death on both sides of the Roman civil war, who mourned the death of the Republic and the principles that underlay it by sitting upright to eat (the Romans in those era lay on their sides to eat) and ultimately committed a politically very effective suicide. He stuck to principles when it was inconvenient to do so, and things like the essential consideration of being able to access disabled parking spots is a principle that may mildly inconvenience the abled, but is often essential for the differently abled.

As I was reading Mr Holland's book (and I will now look for the others he has written), my speculation was this:

Duty is the unfashionable expression of love, the part that people have to learn just as inevitably (or, possibly, even more so) than the lovey-dovey, fluffy white niceness stuff - and by "duty", I refer to "doing or not doing something out of a sense of duty".

Reading
Not many reading links this week:

Other stuff

I'm come across some quotes that I quite like. Here they are ...

"Some people bring out the best in us, some the worst.....however, they both show us what we are capable of. "Comfort" is no test of truth; on the contrary, truth is often far from being "comfortable." " - Swami Vivekananda

"If you wish to drink water at the tap, you will have to bend. Even so, if you wish to drink the divine nectar of joy, you will have to bend. You will have to be meek and humble. If you are truly humble you will possess a magnetic personality and attract many persons. All lives will now be drawn to you." — Sri Swami Sivananda

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: freedom, immaturity, maturity, peace, responsibility

First published: Laugadagr, 11th February, 2012

Last edited: Saturday, 11th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, 4 February 2012

Post No. 368 - And again, more reading, speculation and other stuff

I'm going to change the order in this post, and have the reading links last.
--
So ... some speculations.

When the immature come across humour, they become sarcastic; the mature use subtleties such as irony.

The world of commerce becomes wrong when it starts to think it can dictate what is right and wrong in human behaviour - evil when it ignores the conscience of the consequences of its actions.

How does a civil society best choose its leaders? Competition for election has been around since the ancient Romans and before, and has its good points and bad. Someone who doesn't want to be a leader would be good, as they may well hand back their delegated power more readily. The problem there is, they don't want to be leader and so won't push themselves forward. In a spiritual society, the ideal of the best person for the job is more likely to happen - in that case, the biggest problem may well be that of false modesty ... and real but undue modesty: someone holding back because they think someone else is better. Simple truth and honesty, and calm communication are probably the best counters to that particular problem. As for the civil society's leadership problems ... maybe the best cure is to become a spiritual society :)

Aot of New Age groups refer to "white light"; the Tibetans seem to refer, if anything, to CLEAR Light. I think they've got it right ...

Other stuff ...

I'm reading a book about the ancient Roman Empire, "Rubicon", by Tom Holland (pub. Abacus, 2010, ISBN 978-0349-11563-4, first pub. Little, Brown, 2003). A lot of it is disturbing - particularly some of the parallels between people's behaviour (especially their willing blindness to inequality) and today's world - particularly the USA. Still, they did get it right when they said you need to be middle aged to curb the excesses of being young :) ... and Marcus Aurelius' writings are actually very inclusive ...

The Sydney "Mardi Gras" mob are busy shooting themselves in the foot over whether or not poly is part of the Q in LGBTIQ - didn't they learn anything from when they tried to exclude bisexuals?

And on change, for some light relief, they are not always for the better. I'd love to find who changed cafe latte's to include foam and who started the "start with a coffee" before meal thing ... they need a stren talking to!

And now, reading links ...

Remember I don't necessarily agree with the links I post: some I definitely just chuck in there to see if you're thinking. You should keep that thinking cap on if you're reading anything else, to - such as the media, anything on the Internet, uni lectures, etc ...

  • Despite my qualification, I have to point out that I consider the information at the link in this dot point is naive - dangerously so: I consider the best test for guidance to be to - as I was taught to do - project positive energy to the source. Nevertheless, I will provide the link for your reflection: http://spiritLinkrescue.ning.com/forum/topics/1972845:Topic:339494;
And now a few links from my local paper, The Age.
  • "Gay vows not so queer", by Dr Paul Monk, co-founder of Austhink Consulting, a critical-thinking skills training and consulting firm and apparently a "regular media commentator on public and international affairs", 8th December, 2011 (incidentally, if I had ever been elected to Parliament, which I did think about in the past, I was going to try and have created a position of "Chief Philosopher" to depoliticise some of the rhetoric around issues in much the same way as this article does): http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/gay-vows-not-so-queer-20111207-1oj50.html.

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: commercialism, discrimination, humour, immaturity, leadership, media, society

First published: Laugadagr, 4th February, 2012

Last edited: Saturday, 4th February, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Post No. 367 - Yet more reading, speculations and other stuff

I'll begin this some more reading links.
  • I never thought I'd refer people to a Christian site, but the following articles on the etymology of the word "God" are interesting: http://www.bibleanswerstand.org/God.htm and http://bibleanswerstand.org/God_2.htm
Now, some more speculations.

Being at peace does not come from enforced physical relaxation. It comes from the inner peace of knowing you are growing, dealing with your proper responsibilities and working spiritually as you intended.

You can never escape anyone - even they or you move or die, your souls still exist, bound together by ties of like or dislike, so you may as well start resolving matters now. Of course, one or, more likely, both of you may have to change to more evolved beings to do that, but that's not so impossible.

There are circumstances when forgiveness is irresponsible: it teaches the person forgiven that their behaviour doesn't really matter, as they won't be held to account.

I have occasionally been asked what is the harm in focusing on loving those near to you - family and friends. The problem is the insularity, which is a form of conditionality upon the love you manifest. If you cannot help a stranger within reach with greater need ahead of your friend or family member, then you are not loving unconditionally, and thus are missing the greatest lesson of the Universe. Who is most harmed by this? Neither your friend nor the stranger in greater need ... it is you.

If you attempt to teach someone who is immature to negotiate, you wind up with a manipulator. If you attempt to teach someone who is unready about spirituality, you wind up with someone religious.

I have a fairly reasonable karmic status at the moment, going by the relatively quick (week or so) turnaround for test incidents that I use. With that, and my practical skills and experience, it still takes me around 18 months to 2 years to change key aspects of my life. That's based on a few things, mostly the time it took me to get back on the water, sailing, after I made a commitment to do so. (Actually, just last night, as I write this, I let someone go ahead of me in the supermarket checkout queue because he had only one item, and he gave me $2 of his change: maybe my karma is doing better than I think -well, the good karma, at any rate :) )

On the sailing, the skipper of the boat I was on made some incredibly arrogant comments, such as other boats should not be on a race course: well, that would be nice, but the waters are governed by authorities beyond the sailing club, and unless they have granted you sole access, you share, sport, you share!!!

Other stuff

I was recently asked by work to consider going to Kenya to work on design of water an wastewater facilities. I chose not to, because of their appalling record when it comes to LGBTIQ people - I don't really fancy going to a place where there is a significant risk of me being basked in the streets for simply being who I am. That's the problem with bigots: they never realise (or think) that they could lose out, and yet they do - in this case, they miss out of having the services of an experienced, capable engineer for much needed community services.

I was recently looking through a publication covering the Six Yogas of Naropa ("Esoteric Teachings of the Tibetan Tantra", from the Sacred Texts website), and it struck me that some of the initial work is very similar to the chakra work I learned under the Correllian system. I might have to explore that connection further - some of it very clearly is not, and some of it ties in with my ideas of the levels connected to each chakra, but such lateral cross-connections are something I find fascinating, and often beneficial.

I have, for many, many years, been scrupulous about closing down my psychic sensing when I am out and about - at work, for instance. I found just a few days ago that, if I leave my chakras a bit activated and myself a bit open, I can actually USE my skills - hence, for instance, I found that I was able to use what most people describe as the second chakra to set up an effective shield against some backstabbing. Hmmm. I clearly must reconsider the balance between closing down and actually using what I know ...

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: addictions, chakras, closing down, discrimination, drugs, environment, karma, protection, society

First published: Thorsdagr, 26th January, 2012 - Invasion Day

Last edited: Thursday, 26th January, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Post No. 366 - More reading and speculations

I'll begin this with a few reading links:

And now from my local paper, beginning with one about the source of some of John F Kennedy's inspirational words:
I post usually at the time of the end of the Western year about some of the social problems associated with that time of the year, including kamikaze pedestrians. Seems from the following that I was, sadly, right:

And now some articles about the problems of fireworks. When I was a kid, someone at the school I went to, who I met after this happened and he confirmed the story to me, was injured when a (by the time I met him, former) friend of his, as a "joke", put a firecracker into a pocket of his - which already had firecrackers. On the recently past New Year, we have one person killed and at least two seriously injured, and I spent a good part of the night comforting our seriously upset dog. The ban on fireworks here is more than justified, and I hope they can be enforced somehow.
Another link about those problems:
Now, a few more quick speculations ... quicker for me than writing a formal post, but without the links and wordsmithing.

There are people who object to those who do service for others for the motivation of feeling better about themselves. Whilst there may be an element of hypocrisy in SOME of those people, the more one learns and evolves, the more one inevitably KNOWS that what one does to others is being done inextricably to oneself, and hence the impossibility of doing something truly selflessly. The objectors need to look at their bitterness more importantly than the hypocritical offerers of service need to look at themselves - at least the latter are attempting to DO something of value.

In general, if you can't pay for your lifestyle, you need to cut back your lifestyle - live within your means. So, if you can't do the mount of housework that is required without exceeding your available energy - an you don't have either health problems or small children, maybe you need to simplify your living arrangements.

I've started my Asuri studies, and some of what I argue for under the word "maturity" could also be covered by that tradition's use of the word "balance" - watch for a coming post on the topic of Positive Balanced Force!

I recently read an article about how to create a "karmic shield". How selfish and uncaring! Do these people not want to help the people they have harmed in the past, and learn what it is they themselves have done wrong and how not to repeat that error? And it is also stupid, as - if it works as inferred - it would also stop the return of good.

I have come across quite a bit of discussion about topics like non-duality, and how we are really all part of formless energy, etc. Yes, that's all true, but I am here for a purpose: to learn, and if I get that awareness too early, or focus on it at the expense of learning my lessons here (which means I must accept the "rules" of the "play (act)" that we call physical reality), then I have wasted coming here.

I read an article in an old National Geographic suggesting that the immaturity of the teenage forebrain is and evolutionary matter to enable more optimal learning. Crap - the stereotypical teenage attitudes ranking immediate reward above consideration of risk means they are less likely to survive, which can hardly be considered an evolutionary advantage (unless you are trying to weed out idiots?), and their attitude means they miss out on learning from others. Also, it is important that not all teenagers are like the stereotype! Some actually seek to learn from their betters - I used to pester the more experienced sailors when I was learning to sail (which is a bit like life generally, in that you never stop learning ... ) to see what I could learn from them. There is also the point that those around teenagers have rights as well ...

And finally, from http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/fuelling-rational-debate-20120118-1q6gz.html#ixzz1jrYvA7X4
"Former US senator Daniel Moynihan once said: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts." " Hmmm ... still thinking about that ... could be something in it, but ...

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: environment, irresponsibility, John F Kennedy, myths, privacy, responsibility, shamanism, society,

First published: Sunnudagr, 22nd January, 2012

Last edited: Sunday, 22nd January, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Sunday, 15 January 2012

Post No. 365 - New Moon and other Rituals, and More Reading and Speculations

I know I've missed a few rituals: I'll try to catch up in due course, but I found a few links which may be of interest to others:
Some links for reading:

And finally, I thought I'd start putting up a few small speculations and thoughts that I can't put into posts for reasons such as lack of time:
  • Peer pressure - When one comes under peer pressure, it can often be easy to succumb to that, and that is often viewed in terms of wanting to "belong". The thing is, however, that if one resists that peer pressure, what one does is clarify that one "belongs" to one's own Higher Self - one is one's own person. Worth thinking about when coming under pressure to cave into some group think (which is endemic, in my experience, in many commercial/business situations).
  • Honour - what are you prepared to lose to maintain your honour? Personal convenience? Money? Your lifestyle, family or life? That - which must be countered by your responsibilities - gives an indication of how much honour you have or don't have. I have come across many people (particularly immature people) who justify being dishonourable as a matter of convenience (e.g., park in a disabled space "well I'm not going to walk further when there's a vacant space!).
  • I have been reading (I have eclectic tastes!) of the lives of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke who lived in the 1100s and early 1200s, and Helmut Lent, a German night fighter pilot from the Second World War: two lives several centuries apart, and yet both still had to be exceedingly careful of how they spoke and behaved. In Marshal's case, to manage the intrigues of the court, where a wrong tone of voice to a sentence could be dangerous, Lent to manage the risks of an evil regime with a vicious and effective secret police - particularly as he became increasingly despairing of the war (which I think explains his surprising fatal crash), as he tried to have his brother released from the Gestapo, and when he married a Russian. I can relate to that, as writing letters for lobbying purposes is, if one wishes to be effective, a matter that requires extreme diplomacy, and managing the politics of an office can be trying - although not so demanding and dangerous as either a royal court or an evil regime such as Germany in the 30s and 40s (and there are still evil regimes in this world). Still, it shows the lack of progress of the world on some issues, which is sad.
  • Animal rights are universal rights, just as human rights are.

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: rituals, Esbats, full moon, new moon, peer pressure, honour, gossip, discrimination,

First published: Sumnudagr, 15th January, 2012

Last edited: Sunday, 15th January, 2012
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Post No. 364 - [Content Warning] The Origin of Evil

To consider the origin of evil, it is, in my opinion, first necessary to review the nature of reality, and I am going to do so from a pagan point of view.
To begin with, the Goddess created the God, and then pursued the God to be re-joined as one - which is a metaphor (or allegory, if your school preferred :) ) to Deity creating the Universe, including the physical existence we live in. Now, most pagans I've come across leave it at (1) physical, and (2) non-physical including the Goddess [Note 1], and consider the purpose of existence to be to evolve until they re-join the Goddess (as so aptly expressed in the chant "We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return, like a drop of rain, flowing to the Ocean").
That's true enough, but I consider there is merit in looking at this in a little more. Assuming that Creation manifested downwards from the Goddess (i.e., devolution), why did the Lady get to the level of the astral world, and decide there was a need for another level of existence - the physical?
I'll pause while your heads spin round the notion that there is a purpose to each level of existence ... Settled? No? Tough :)
In my view (which, since I am currently incarnate is, by definition as it were, limited), a key aspect of the astral levels (yes, there are more than one) is that there is nothing that equates to the sense of physical distance or closeness that we have here in the physical. In the astrals, what is the equivalent of distance or closeness is harmony or disharmony: one naturally finds oneself existing only with people one is fundamentally compatible with - hence (in part) the wonderful feelings of acceptance, love and togetherness. It is possible to force oneself to change vibration and thus mingle to some extent with people who are not as compatible, but that takes effort (the more so as people become less compatible). I am of the view that the physical world was taken so we could meet and mingle and coexist with those who we are not naturally in harmony with - so we could come into the proximity of those other parts of the Universe that we may not have realised existed, or had not met, since it is - arguably, perhaps! - hard to unconditionally love that which you do not know exists, let alone know or understand ... (Incidentally, I am aware of things such as, in dreams or what is considered to be "astral" travel people can experience unpleasant things and people: in actual fact, that is actually more ETHERIC travel than astral travel - yes, there is a difference :) )
Why would the Goddess want this? Is it a case of "the magic of conflict", as one book was titled?
No, I do not consider it is. What I think this is more about is partly akin to having at least two sexes involved in reproduction, which gives a chance to mix DNA and come up with a more robust, adaptable species. By having people mingle and mix, it enables exchanges of ideas and energy and thus creation of a more robust and adaptable essence of life - which strengthens the Goddess inherently as it strengthens all of us, human and non-human, incarnate and discarnate, associated with this physical level of existence.
What this could also be about is learning to synthesise. As we evolve back towards the Goddess, eventually multiple streams of consciousness (i.e. souls) have to join together to become One with the Goddess. Initially, this is fairly easy as we merge with our parallel souls and re-join our Higher Self, but there will come a time when we have to merge with others who are not so compatible - albeit at a level of reality where they and we are both FAR more evolved than we could possible achieve on this physical level of existence. Being able to synthesise, which comes partly from things like being able to integrate our Shadow Self into our whole being and being able to exist and work harmoniously with those who are disharmonious to us, will be of key importance.
So how does this relate to the origin of "evil" (which, for my personal convenience, I'm not going to try and define in this post :) )?
Well, I consider that, when souls first came into this physical world, they came across other souls that were not in harmony with them - a bit like discovering two colours that can never be in harmony because they clash. There is NOTHING fundamentally wrong with either, it is simply that they are not in perfect harmony. Now, from the point of view of someone with some experience at living on this level of physical reality, I can say that there are lots of tools which have been developed to help people get along, tools such as communication, analysis, etc, but ultimately, it all boils down to being prepared to agree to disagree.
In those first few moments of disharmony, I think someone was unable to cope with the idea of agreeing to disagree, or to develop tools to work through difference, and thus reacted by trying to impose their ideas upon the other - i.e., "I am right, you are wrong".
That, not stuff like coming down from heaven and forgetting that one is a divine being, or the actions of some entity or other, or women, is what I consider led to what we see as "evil". Wars, violence, gossip, discrimination - they all can, in my view, be ultimately traced back to that initial inability to accept disharmony in constructive manner.
If you cannot "agree to disagree", or are not prepared to do so, then I consider YOU are continuing that fundamental flaw which led to what we consider evil. Ever give someone a hard time over which way they hang the toilet paper roll? Whether to fold, scrunch or do both? Use allegory or metaphor? You evil person you! :)
More seriously, I can also express this fundamental evil as "minding other people's business", and that is what gossip, discrimination, hate and all other forms of control are ultimately, in my view, based on.
There are a lot of other implications from this to consider - for instance, whether one should help or not in some situations (which is where karma, particularly the negative karma of inaction or failing to help, comes into consideration). There is also the fundamental purposes of learning to love unconditionally and to be all that one can be, but those purposes also apply on other levels (even more so, in some cases, than on this level), whereas the lesson of learning to cope with disharmony with grace (whilst not allowing harm to others to be propagated) is specific to this physical reality.
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")
Notes:

  1. I feel a little like some pagans think it is a case of ... alive ... then *pop* one with the Goddess and all of Creation - no intermediate steps ... mmmm, I don't think so


Tags: evil, planes of existence, nature of reality, harmony, disharmony,
First published: Thorsdagr, 12th January, 2102
Last edited: Friday, 13th January, 2012 



 


 

Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Post No. 363 - Southern Litha / Northern Yule




INTRODUCTION
In the Southern Hemisphere, this is Litha, in the Northern Hemisphere, this is Yule.
In the tropics - well, the tropics are an interesting situation, one that I have personal experience of. You see, between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle, and between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle, the sun comes closer, then further away, once each year, with two days when night and day are of equal length (i.e., the aforementioned equinoxes). But in the tropics, the sun is overhead TWICE in each year, so it gets closer, is overhead, goes further away, then comes back, is overhead, then goes further away - all in the space of one year! ... Maybe the solution is to find what seasons the indigenous people in that zone divided the year up into, and work rituals to suit that - as I am trying to do for Melbourne (see here and here).
Typically, each hemisphere does its own thing, which has a certain amount of sense to it, given that will be celebrating a different season. However, when I was helping to run a global on-line Wiccan group, we tried to come up with rituals that could be used by everyone. I've decided to start having a go at those again, and here is one for the June Sabbats.
ESSENCE
Chant:
Southern Hemisphere:
Peak of light and life,
may joy and life,
peace and prosperity,
be through all our life,
as our Northern kin,
rest and heal.
Northern Hemisphere:


Rest and heal,
content that
the Unconquered Son
is coming back
for when we will be
renewed and ready
as our Southern kin,
celebrate the heights
of life.

The ritual in full follows:
THE RITUAL
All rituals consists of 5 major parts, which you will notice below are segmented into the five elements.  Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit, but not in that order.  Each Elemental correspondence has its own unique role within the ritual.
In most cases they are broken down as follows:
·         East – Air – Athame – Opening – This is the basis of preparation, introduction of the ceremony.
·         North – Fire – Wand -  Invocations – This is the basis of invocations, prayers of the ceremony.
·         Spirit – Centre – the ritual itself.
·         West – Water – Chalice -  Offerings – This is the time of offerings, libations, and honour
·         South – Earth – Pentacle – Closing – This is the time of devocation and opening of the circle.

Phase
Actions
Words (if wish to provide guide or use particular words)

Overall direction of ritual:


Collate items required:
·         Cauldron and match
·         salt, water
·         athame
·         copy of order of ritual / running sheet / speaking notes


Ask for and brief volunteers

Air – East - Athame OPENING
Cleanse salt, water, incense and fire.
Charge salt, water, incense and fire.























Cleanse and charge area. Participants waiting outside to Ground and Release, and make sure watches are removed and mobile phones are turned off.
- hand over water, visualise yellow-white light from hand into water, 3 Clockwise, to the south, circles while say
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Water, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within!”
- hand over water, visualise blue-white light filling water, 3 Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise) circles while say
“And I do bless and consecrate you to this work!”
- hand over salt, visualise yellow-white light from hand into water to force out negativity, 3 Clockwise, to the south, circles while say
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Earth, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within!”
- hand over salt, visualise blue-white light filling water, 3 Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise) circles while say
“And I do bless and consecrate you to this work!”
- add three pinches salt to water (to make Holy Water) and say
“Behold, the salt is pure! Behold, the water is pure! Purity into purity then, and purity be blessed!”
Walk Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise, in the Southern Hemisphere) and asperge (sprinkle with Holy Water) while visualise filled with yellow-white light.
“Behold I cleanse and purify this space.”
Turn to face inside of circle, visualise blue-white light and say.
“I bless and consecrate this space.”
Cast circle
“Behold I do cut apart a space between the realms of humankind and of the Might Ones – a Circle of Art, to focus and contain the power raised herein!”
Invite participants into circle and smudge

Fire – North – Wand
INVOCATIONS
Invoke the Four Quarters 

East (air)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the East, power of Air and intellect. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
North (fire)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the North, power of Fire and manifestation. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
West (water)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the West, power of Water and emotion. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
South (earth)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, power of Earth and integration. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
Invoke the Goddess
Example only: "Divine Mother Goddess, All-Bountiful, All-Beautiful, Source and Sustenance of Existence: we do invoke You, asking now for your aid and guidance in this our undertaking.– May Your Divine Love be as a light within our hearts, now and always! Light our path, guide and strengthen us, enfold us in Your love, Divine Mother – we thus pray! Holy One, we bid You Hail and Welcome!"
Invoke the God (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Holy Father God –Son, Brother, and Consort of Our Lady- we do invoke You asking now for your aid and guidance in this our undertaking.–. May Your Divine Love be as a light within our hearts, now and always! Light our path, guide and strengthen us, enfold us in Your love, Divine Father – we thus pray! Holy One, we bid You Hail and Welcome!"
Invoke your Patron Deity (optional / depending on type of ritual)

Invoke the Ancestors  (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: “O Mighty Ancestors, Beloved Ones Who have gone before, We invoke You and ask You to join us and to Bless us! Ancestors of the Correllian Tradition, Priestesses and Priests, Mothers and Uncles of the lineage, Spiritual family which aids and supports us –lend us Your inspiration and Your love, Your guidance and Your aid this night, we pray. Beloved Ones, we bid You Hail and Welcome!”
Spirit – Centre
RITUAL
Libra is a cardinal, yang, air sign. Its strengths are their quest for fairness, peace and harmony, and Libra is known for balance.
Southern Hemisphere:
Peak of light and life,
may joy and life,
peace and prosperity,
be through all our life,
as our Northern kin,
rest and heal.
Northern Hemisphere:

Rest and heal,
content that
the Unconquered Son
is coming back
for when we will be
renewed and ready
as our Southern kin,
celebrate the heights
of life.  
Water – West - Chalice
OFFERING
This is traditionally done with a chalice of juice, wine or water passed around the company within the circle AFTER the dedicationary offering has been completed.
Then it is common practice to pour out a small libation, and dedicate that to your Ancestors, physical and spiritual, and to all your friends in Nature, seen and unseen.
Dedicate what remains in the Chalice to the Goddess and the God.
(After the ritual, the libations may be emptied outside, or otherwise respectfully disposed of.)

Earth - South - Pentacle
CLOSING
It is now time to give thanks, and close the ritual

Devoke the Four Quarters 

North (fire)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the North, power of Fire and manifestation. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
West (water)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the West, power of Water and emotion. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
South (earth)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, power of Earth and integration. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
East (air)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the East, power of Air and intellect. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Devoke the Goddess (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Divine Mother Goddess, All-Bountiful, All-Beautiful, Source and Sustenance of Existence: we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!
Devoke the God (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Holy Father God –Son, Brother, and Consort of Our Lady, we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Devoke your Patron Deity (optional / depending on type of ritual)

Devoke the Ancestors  (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: “O Mighty Ancestors, Beloved Ones Who have gone before, we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Take down the Circle itself.
Example only: “As Above, So Below. As the Universe, so the Soul. As within, so without. Merry meet. Merry part. And merry meet again.”
Ground and release all excess energy.




Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)