When you find yourself caught up in an emotional or mental "firestorm" not to your liking, there is a beneficial way of counteracting it. BREATHE. Lock in on your breathing. Concentrate on the rhythm and depth of your breath. Really focus! Try and slow it down. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Slower--deeper. To the exclusion of all other stimulus. Slower still--deeper yet. Feel the expansion of your lungs when you inhale, the compression when you exhale. If you are in a position to do so, allow your eyelids to close for a short time. When your mind grasps at the thought that upset you, ignore it and refocus on your breath. Stay with the rhythm; ride it in, ride it out. Peace in...distress out.
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/breathe-slowly-better-health-and-well-being
As you re-engage the situation that upset you, realize you have choices. There is a wide range of ways to react. If the provocation has been overt or even deliberate, it stills does not limit the number of options you have in which to respond. If the adjectives versatile and flexible are appealing to you, perhaps now is the time to demonstrate them. (see the post "Anchors Aweigh" 1-5-13) Whatever you decide to do (as long as you are ready to accept the consequences of your actions) is exactly the right course of action. The gift is in the experience and you are ready for it.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
A Partial Portrait
When we speak of God, I am of the opinion context matters. To understand context I think it is important to take a look at the world around us. Because we claim God has certain attributes (Creator for one) I feel it revealing to see what, exactly, we are talking about. I am linking to a site (Khan Academy) which provides some detail to the relative size of everything. I ask that you spend 24 minutes (13 for the Scale of the Small and 11 for the Scale of the Large) getting a grasp of the "physical" aspects of God. (I am fascinated by the subject and recommend exploring "The Scale of the Universe"---upper left hand box---as well, but realize you may not share my interest)
http://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/universe-scale-topic/scale-small-large-tutorial/v/scale-of-the-small
If you were to meet a person on the street, I think it fair to say their physical aspects would be much easier to generalize about than their mental capabilities. You could, in a glance, see their gender, height, weight, et cetera. Their intellect would be a more involved process. My point is we cannot comprehend the physical aspects of God. Yet Religion would have you believe that they have revealed the "mind" of God, in its entirety! This may be so, but it strikes me as absurd. From the depths of my being, genuinely, honestly, absurd.
Despite that, I just as honestly feel God needs to, has to, interact with His creation. That the interaction is the very POINT of creation. But it is only a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of God revealed in THAT interaction. It would be like trying to force two gallons into a closed vessel with a one gallon capacity. It would burst. But in this case it would be like trying to fit all the oceans of the world into a one ounce container. You would be able to tell what elements make up sea water. You might even see some krill. But to think for a minute you understand the immensity, complexity and diversity of the oceans is laughable. This, though, is the current position of most religions. From their one ounce sample they claim to have been empowered to tell you all about the ocean. If you don't accept their conclusions the worst possible fate awaits you. Eternal damnation.
It is time for a religious, spiritual, paradigm shift. An understanding of "personal revelation" being a conduit to comprehending We instead of Me. That self-realization leads to group consciousness. And that group consciousness is the next step in a better (though in no way complete) understanding of the Mind of God. It is thus; Life abhors a vacuum. Life is anything but static. (all Life vibrates) And Life must be seen as a synonym for God. (otherwise you have removed any and all context for an actual experience of God) Therefore God is evolving. Growing. Expanding. So must we if we wish to glimpse even a partial portrait of this mystery called God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW6JFKgbAF4
http://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/universe-scale-topic/scale-small-large-tutorial/v/scale-of-the-small
If you were to meet a person on the street, I think it fair to say their physical aspects would be much easier to generalize about than their mental capabilities. You could, in a glance, see their gender, height, weight, et cetera. Their intellect would be a more involved process. My point is we cannot comprehend the physical aspects of God. Yet Religion would have you believe that they have revealed the "mind" of God, in its entirety! This may be so, but it strikes me as absurd. From the depths of my being, genuinely, honestly, absurd.
Despite that, I just as honestly feel God needs to, has to, interact with His creation. That the interaction is the very POINT of creation. But it is only a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of God revealed in THAT interaction. It would be like trying to force two gallons into a closed vessel with a one gallon capacity. It would burst. But in this case it would be like trying to fit all the oceans of the world into a one ounce container. You would be able to tell what elements make up sea water. You might even see some krill. But to think for a minute you understand the immensity, complexity and diversity of the oceans is laughable. This, though, is the current position of most religions. From their one ounce sample they claim to have been empowered to tell you all about the ocean. If you don't accept their conclusions the worst possible fate awaits you. Eternal damnation.
It is time for a religious, spiritual, paradigm shift. An understanding of "personal revelation" being a conduit to comprehending We instead of Me. That self-realization leads to group consciousness. And that group consciousness is the next step in a better (though in no way complete) understanding of the Mind of God. It is thus; Life abhors a vacuum. Life is anything but static. (all Life vibrates) And Life must be seen as a synonym for God. (otherwise you have removed any and all context for an actual experience of God) Therefore God is evolving. Growing. Expanding. So must we if we wish to glimpse even a partial portrait of this mystery called God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW6JFKgbAF4
Monday, May 6, 2013
Odds and Ends
Try as I might to avoid this subject, Life won't seem to let me. I fear it will be viewed as ego run amok, but Life keeps shutting down other avenues I wish to post about. So I relaxed into the flow of things and let it carry me here (Odds and Ends). I will leave it to you to determine what to make of it.
On 2-18-13 I posted Flatline. Since then, the visitors to this site has increased dramatically. In fact Germany, Russia and Romania (who'd have believed Romania?!) often have more "hits" than the United States on a daily and even weekly basis. So Danke, Spasibo and Multumesc! To other visitors from the UK, South Korea, China and newcomers like France and Venezuela, as well as many others, thank you all. I am humbled and grateful.
I realize that recent posts have galvanized around events happening in my life. As careful with details as I try to be, allowing just the briefest of details central to the story, I still am wary of this blog being about me. I very much want it to be about you. Your interaction with and experiences of Life. So post a comment! The comment box is set up where you have to work hard to post as anything other than "anonymous." Start out by sharing your city and country. What I didn't know about Romania is embarrassing...and it would be a delight to get first hand accounts of the history of your country. If we never progress beyond that, so be it. It would still be an honor to meet you. (even anonymously)
It has become clear to me that this site is very "mystical." It wasn't intended to be and I wouldn't have thought as much until coming across this: "Mysticism means a direct, immediate sense of God's Presence." (from the book, "The Story of Judaism" by Bernard J. Bamberger) That is the hope I have for you. That you develop an intimate relationship with God. What God is I will leave to you. It could be a Presence, a Power, an Intelligence...or all of the above. What I am sure of is that whatever God is will be revealed to you, if you will just allow it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0DJ8hWgNes
May this be the start of a wonderful week for all of you.
Later that same day: (3:20 PM) I just "Updated" the 2-26-13 post. If you are so inclined, you could drop in and view it. Might be the true reason Life kept shutting down other avenues. Something more important needed to be expressed, albeit this post opened the channels.
On 2-18-13 I posted Flatline. Since then, the visitors to this site has increased dramatically. In fact Germany, Russia and Romania (who'd have believed Romania?!) often have more "hits" than the United States on a daily and even weekly basis. So Danke, Spasibo and Multumesc! To other visitors from the UK, South Korea, China and newcomers like France and Venezuela, as well as many others, thank you all. I am humbled and grateful.
I realize that recent posts have galvanized around events happening in my life. As careful with details as I try to be, allowing just the briefest of details central to the story, I still am wary of this blog being about me. I very much want it to be about you. Your interaction with and experiences of Life. So post a comment! The comment box is set up where you have to work hard to post as anything other than "anonymous." Start out by sharing your city and country. What I didn't know about Romania is embarrassing...and it would be a delight to get first hand accounts of the history of your country. If we never progress beyond that, so be it. It would still be an honor to meet you. (even anonymously)
It has become clear to me that this site is very "mystical." It wasn't intended to be and I wouldn't have thought as much until coming across this: "Mysticism means a direct, immediate sense of God's Presence." (from the book, "The Story of Judaism" by Bernard J. Bamberger) That is the hope I have for you. That you develop an intimate relationship with God. What God is I will leave to you. It could be a Presence, a Power, an Intelligence...or all of the above. What I am sure of is that whatever God is will be revealed to you, if you will just allow it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0DJ8hWgNes
May this be the start of a wonderful week for all of you.
Later that same day: (3:20 PM) I just "Updated" the 2-26-13 post. If you are so inclined, you could drop in and view it. Might be the true reason Life kept shutting down other avenues. Something more important needed to be expressed, albeit this post opened the channels.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
In the Beginning
The first half of my junior year in high school I was trying to impress a young lady by the name of Sherri Lusk. Somehow or another, in my efforts to woo her, I told her I wrote poetry. She naturally asked me to write one for her. The next morning I was busy in the library plagiarizing a poem when my friend Greg Bock came up and asked what I was doing. I told him. His reaction was complete disgust and he didn't believe I would actually go through with it. I did...and got the response I was hoping for. Unfortunately Greg wouldn't let it go. He rode me all day until I got so sick of listening to him I told him I would tell Sherri. Which I did. Her facial reaction and the look in her eyes told me I had made a HUGE mistake. I had betrayed a basic trust. I went home that night and actually did write my very first poem.
To live each day to the fullest
May be life's greatest test
For how many have forgotten
To stop each day and rest
Pausing for a moment
To thank the One above
For rolling hills and billowy clouds
And a special one we love
To thank him for the little things
We overlook each day
Too busy even to say hello
To the brand new month of May
Life goes by too quickly
For any misty eyes
It's only when you look around
You find where happiness lies
It's in the sweetness that you breathe
Below you and above
Surrounding you wherever
You look with eyes of love
So stop today and think
How foolish to be blue
Many days are brightened
By a simple "I love you"
Going about my business yesterday, I realized I hadn't said hello "to the brand new month of May." Obviously that brought the poem to mind. More-so, it gave me a glimpse down the corridor of time. That poem, written 44 years ago, is the essence of Gift-Gratitude-God. Which, when I think about it, boggles my mind.
PS It worked out as well as could be expected for two teenagers. Sherri forgave me and we dated for awhile.
To live each day to the fullest
May be life's greatest test
For how many have forgotten
To stop each day and rest
Pausing for a moment
To thank the One above
For rolling hills and billowy clouds
And a special one we love
To thank him for the little things
We overlook each day
Too busy even to say hello
To the brand new month of May
Life goes by too quickly
For any misty eyes
It's only when you look around
You find where happiness lies
It's in the sweetness that you breathe
Below you and above
Surrounding you wherever
You look with eyes of love
So stop today and think
How foolish to be blue
Many days are brightened
By a simple "I love you"
Going about my business yesterday, I realized I hadn't said hello "to the brand new month of May." Obviously that brought the poem to mind. More-so, it gave me a glimpse down the corridor of time. That poem, written 44 years ago, is the essence of Gift-Gratitude-God. Which, when I think about it, boggles my mind.
PS It worked out as well as could be expected for two teenagers. Sherri forgave me and we dated for awhile.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Day
First time I heard this song I was driving home from work on the 60 Freeway channel surfing. I was all over the radio dial until I heard this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8
Travelling through the hills of Diamond Bar with a gorgeous sunset as a backdrop, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. No opera fan, it was years and years before I discovered what it was that had transported me to heaven.
From the opera Lakme by Leo Delibes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8
Travelling through the hills of Diamond Bar with a gorgeous sunset as a backdrop, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. No opera fan, it was years and years before I discovered what it was that had transported me to heaven.
From the opera Lakme by Leo Delibes
Monday, April 29, 2013
This and That
Saturday I met the gentlest woman I have encountered in some time. She is an artist working out of the Placer Arts Center where the Gold Country Writers were holding their Spring Book Affair. I met her during the course of the afternoon and noticed she made a point of stopping by every table and meeting most, if not all, the authors at the event. Later I asked her if she would show me what she did, to which she agreed. We spent more than an hour discussing her paintings, as well as her life. Her vulnerability and courage allowing a stranger such an intimate glimpse into her private life was stunning.
When we parted she wanted me to have something of hers. She gave me a postcard that had been made from one of her original paintings. It was entitled "Listen." If you've been following this blog, you know that on April 12th I posted "Listen..." The serendipitous aspects of the exchange weren't lost on me. Imagine then, this morning, when I stumbled upon some word play I haven't seen before (though you might have). The letters that make up listen, are also the letters that make up silent. To see that they each contain the other amazed me. That the context of the April 12th post and the intricacy between the two words, along with Saturdays implications (of which I've mentioned only one) seemed to beg disclosure.
So the dilemma was, do I share my experience? After much internal debate I decided I would be the "silent, singing silhouette" referenced April 8th in "Sacred Feminine." That the paradox of the April 12th post being highlighted by Life, and the words actual definitions, could exist independently. That it was another example of what I constantly allude to at this web-site; God's subtle and nuanced way of interacting with us. I found it was something I just couldn't remain silent about.
When we parted she wanted me to have something of hers. She gave me a postcard that had been made from one of her original paintings. It was entitled "Listen." If you've been following this blog, you know that on April 12th I posted "Listen..." The serendipitous aspects of the exchange weren't lost on me. Imagine then, this morning, when I stumbled upon some word play I haven't seen before (though you might have). The letters that make up listen, are also the letters that make up silent. To see that they each contain the other amazed me. That the context of the April 12th post and the intricacy between the two words, along with Saturdays implications (of which I've mentioned only one) seemed to beg disclosure.
So the dilemma was, do I share my experience? After much internal debate I decided I would be the "silent, singing silhouette" referenced April 8th in "Sacred Feminine." That the paradox of the April 12th post being highlighted by Life, and the words actual definitions, could exist independently. That it was another example of what I constantly allude to at this web-site; God's subtle and nuanced way of interacting with us. I found it was something I just couldn't remain silent about.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Let 'Er Rip
I grew up in Orange County, an area of Southern California. (Specifically Fullerton, just north of Anaheim, site of the original Disneyland) It was only 20-25 miles to Huntington or Newport Beach and I spent a lot of time at both beaches as a child and teenager. I became quite familiar with the phenomenon known then as a "riptide." (today "rip current" is more precise)
This happens when two sand bars (piers and jetties can also be locations) are located off-shore and the receding seawater is funneled between them. Speed can range anywhere between 0.5 to 2.5 meters per second (1 to 8 feet). Getting caught in a riptide can be the cause of absolute panic. Once the mind realizes it is being taken where it does not want to go, the "flight or fight" response kicks in. A lack of understanding (ignorance) about riptides can be fatal. A swimmer can exhaust himself trying to swim against the rip and drown. As most of you probably know, the technique to be employed is non-resistance. You allow the current to take you out to sea where it eventually dissipates (beyond the sandbars). You then swim sideways (out of the rip) and head to shore.
I shared all that with you to illustrate an analogy. Some of the problems Life brings you are going to feel like emotional or mental riptides. They are going to cause you to panic. At some level, they can even make you feel as though you are in a fight for your very life. If you "freak out" and exhaust yourself battling what Life has brought you, you can metaphorically drown. Better if you relax into the situation, allow it to take you where it will, then swim parallel or diagonally out of the danger.
There's just one problem though; it is completely counter-intuitive to surrender to a situation where it feels as though your life is on the line. And the ego is more than capable of manipulating events where it seems as though your life IS at stake. You must resist! You must lash out! You must strain against the injustice of it all! And I say, okay!! Just as soon as you are safely back on shore. Once your heartbeat has returned to normal. And after you've had a chance to process, calmly, what has taken place. Then, by all means, do what you think is best.
Realize I am not suggesting there is a "one size fits all" spiritual answer. However, there are tools in our "spiritual toolbox" more adaptable than others. This technique can be viewed as a Swiss Army knife, versatile in the extreme. It's employment might just be the answer next time your emotional or mental currents take you inexorably away from shore. (your comfort zone)
This happens when two sand bars (piers and jetties can also be locations) are located off-shore and the receding seawater is funneled between them. Speed can range anywhere between 0.5 to 2.5 meters per second (1 to 8 feet). Getting caught in a riptide can be the cause of absolute panic. Once the mind realizes it is being taken where it does not want to go, the "flight or fight" response kicks in. A lack of understanding (ignorance) about riptides can be fatal. A swimmer can exhaust himself trying to swim against the rip and drown. As most of you probably know, the technique to be employed is non-resistance. You allow the current to take you out to sea where it eventually dissipates (beyond the sandbars). You then swim sideways (out of the rip) and head to shore.
I shared all that with you to illustrate an analogy. Some of the problems Life brings you are going to feel like emotional or mental riptides. They are going to cause you to panic. At some level, they can even make you feel as though you are in a fight for your very life. If you "freak out" and exhaust yourself battling what Life has brought you, you can metaphorically drown. Better if you relax into the situation, allow it to take you where it will, then swim parallel or diagonally out of the danger.
There's just one problem though; it is completely counter-intuitive to surrender to a situation where it feels as though your life is on the line. And the ego is more than capable of manipulating events where it seems as though your life IS at stake. You must resist! You must lash out! You must strain against the injustice of it all! And I say, okay!! Just as soon as you are safely back on shore. Once your heartbeat has returned to normal. And after you've had a chance to process, calmly, what has taken place. Then, by all means, do what you think is best.
Realize I am not suggesting there is a "one size fits all" spiritual answer. However, there are tools in our "spiritual toolbox" more adaptable than others. This technique can be viewed as a Swiss Army knife, versatile in the extreme. It's employment might just be the answer next time your emotional or mental currents take you inexorably away from shore. (your comfort zone)
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