A Tangled Tango

As the creator of GGG, it is always challenging to "stay in the mix." Meaning, I have to practice what I preach. The last three months have proved difficult in that regard. A personal issue extending over twenty years has emerged (yet again!) to push, prod, vex and bedevil me. Several times I have been reduced to Anne Dillard's personal prayer ('help-help-help!'). And it isn't as if I'm not utilizing my own techniques. Ultimately, though, it is the outcome I am having trouble with. I keep thinking (believing--feeling) that if I  just do a little more...

Thomas Merton (Trappist monk) said, "We stumble and fall constantly, even when we are most enlightened." I know this to be true...but I know another of his quote's is equally true: "Perhaps I am stronger than I think." In this context then, can I re-embrace gratitude for how the situation is now? Honestly appreciating it as it now stands--unfair, destructive, confusing? Can I view my personal angst as a metaphorical nova that will result in the creation of new elements--new aspects of my personality otherwise doomed to remain dormant? Can I learn to tango for two/you?

Sibyl of the Rhine

"Divinity is in it's omniscience and omnipotence like a wheel, a circle, a whole, that can be neither understood, nor divided, nor begun nor ended."

"The mystery of God hugs you in it's all-encompassing arms."

"Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside you have heaven and earth, and all of creation. You're a world--everything is hidden in you."

"Even in a world that is being shipwrecked, remain brave and strong."

"We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light."

~Hildegard of Bingen

This remarkable woman (1098-1179) was a Benedictine nun who authored 9 books, 70 poems, a play, and composed music--for which she is most celebrated today. During her lifetime she was venerated as a visionary and seer. She advised and consulted bishops, kings and Popes, and actually called Frederick Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, a "madman" for his support of two anti-popes.

Sand, Sunni's, and Couscous

Algeria is over four-fifths desert--which would be an impressive statistic if it wasn't dwarfed by being 99% Sunni Islam. Those are some overwhelming percentages. And it seems everyone eats couscous...

The biggest surprise (for me) regarding Algeria was to find there is a Notre Dame d'Afrique. Located in Algiers, this cathedral is noted for the inscription behind the altar; "Notre Dame d'Afrique priez pour nous et pour les Musulmans." (Our Lady of Africa pray for us and for the Muslims) Hope she is listening.

Dorotheus of Gaza

"Do not wish for everything to be done according to your determination, but wish that it is how it should be, and in this way you will attain peace with everyone. And believe that everything that happens to us, even the most insignificant, occurs through God's Providence. Then you will be able to endure everything that comes upon you without irritation."

"A great means to preserve continual peace and tranquility of the soul is to receive everything from the hands of God, both great and small, and in whatever way it comes."

This 6th century monk was on to Gift-Gratitude-God 1500 years before I was born. Here is an example of the baraka in action, both then and now. 

Majorana Fermion

I've been reluctant to share this information with you. I read about it on June 28th and felt it had far reaching consequences regarding my post of June 21st, 2016. (Subtlety) But as I said in the June 23rd post, (Don't Believe Me?) I am reluctant to bring in "expert testimony." I feel as though my bona fides has long been proven. This blog is nearly four years old and I have been consistent as to it's intent. (GGG) I utilize science simply to put you in a context where mysticism isn't looked on as dubiously as it might. That said, lets look at what I have been so slow to share.

On June 22nd Shanghai Jaitong University put out a statement that Jia Jinfeng (and other Chinese scientists) had proven that the "majorana fermion" exists. I emphasis "proven" because a Princeton team of scientists had closed in to the point there was "compelling evidence." (2014) But up until June 22nd, it wasn't proven. That's important because it became newsworthy--and led me to seeing a story about it. (Uproxx 6-27-16 "How the Majorana Fermion Might Change the World.")

Now lets look at why the majorana fermion has the physics world abuzz. 1) It is it's own anti-matter. 2) It exists as both 0 and 1 in binary code simultaneously! 3) It makes quantum computers more practical and 4) is a possible explanation for dark matter.

Reading the argument presented in Subtlety for a 'one/none' or 'nothing/something' contradictory state of being now has a parallel in the scientific community. That is HUGE. The fact the post was written a day before the information came out is compelling. Truth is (and probably holds true for you) I had never heard of a 'majorana fermion' before.

What seems apparent is the baraka made use of me. (however reluctant I was) That an aspect of God wanted to be revealed. That the juxtaposition between what you might easily accept (science) versus what you might actively resist, (religion) has been laid bare. You do with that what you will.

Don't Cry For Me Rio de la Plata

Wow! Argentina hit the visitor's list between 12:05-12:20 PM PST today. I didn't even have to coax them with some fawning post. (you listening, Algeria?) I was nearly as appreciative when Peru punched in Sunday, 7-10-16. [figured it a "near miss," and indicative of good juju] Fair winds Argentinians!

(if this post confuses you, see All Is Vanity, 7-4-16)

The Letter A

If you read Conspicuous By It's Absence, you now have your answer. Remarkable, yes?