Posted by: haj1155
in Soap Box on May 20, 2010
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No one is an island
We live in an interdependent environment. Our planet's biosphere is an interdependent network of forces in constant flux. Our planet's stability relies on the interdependence of forces in our solar system and galaxy.
It seems that the only place the idea of independence lives is in the human egoic mind. The independence I'm addressing is the false notion that - I don't need others; I can go it alone; I can resist being influenced from without.
Posted by: haj1155
in Soap Box on Apr 17, 2010
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Much enthusiasm has been curbed by arrested development
enthusiasm (en-th!?ze-az?em) noun 1. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause. 2. A source or cause of great excitement or interest. 3. Archaic. a. Ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god. b. Religious fanaticism. Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein, to be inspired by a god, from entheos, possessed : en-, in + theos, god.
Posted by: haj1155
in Soap Box on Mar 12, 2010
Elders’ Inquiry and Reflection Group Forming in Berkeley
A group for Ridhwan students aged 60 and older is forming now in Berkeley. We will be meeting to inquire and reflect on our experiences related to aging. There are so many stories and assumptions about what it means to grow old, so many unexamined fears and beliefs. We’ll look at those, of course. But also we want to explore the ripening into maturity that comes with age, the poignancy that accompanies endings, how our sense of time changes, what relationships become, what kind of wisdom becomes available and the mystery and subtlety of development during this time in our lives.
Our intention is to raise questions and issues, provide opportunities to inquire into them in dyads and triads, and explore these questions further in a small group. We will be working with the group dialectic as well as with individual inquiry.
Posted by: haj1155
in Today's Inquiry on Feb 17, 2010
Working on the Soul
Whenever we do any work on ourselves, or engage in any way in the inner journey, we are invariably working with our soul. - A.H. Almaas
Mostly the path leading us to make the decision to "work" on ourselves is littered with frustration, heartbreak and suffering. Many will say the motivation lies in more altruistic spheres, but observation will show that happy, content minds and personalities are not that motivated to change. What the personality wants is to maximize pleasure while minimizing its involvement with pain or suffering.
Posted by: haj1155
in Soap Box on Feb 5, 2010
Everyone Should Visit Petoskey, MI at Least Once
Last year, I visited Petoskey, MI three times. My little sister has been trying to get me visit for years. Last June I had to make the trip as my niece was getting married. What an experience Petoskey is.
Petoskey sits on the shores of Lake Michigan about 70 miles north of Traverse City. The downtown are is about 10 square blocks and my sister's house is only half a block up Mitchell (the main street) from the library.
Posted by: haj1155
in Today's Inquiry on Jan 20, 2010
Body, Soul, Consciousness & Beginning of Life
The debate goes on:
- Where does life begin?
- When does self-reflective consciousness begin?
- Where does consciousness reside?
I do believe it has been proven that early conditioning begins in the womb as the fetus and its (consciousness, psyche, soul) are subjected to the mother's responses to her experience. These responses can be emotional, energetic, physical (muscular contractions [patterns], chemical, mental attitudes), and who knows what else. There is but one undifferentiated consciousness at this point that contains mother and infant. Many wonder, question and pursue knowledge of past lives. I have observed many hours and opportunities in this life wasted on concern with past lives. Of course, the constant projection of the past onto the present by the conditioned (normal) mind means that over 90% of the population is actually involved in the living of a past life.
Posted by: haj1155
in Poetry on Jan 6, 2010
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Night and Intimacy
Night
Came silently into my house
Posted by: haj1155
in Poetry on Dec 26, 2009
Call of Soul
Fiery heights of glazed blue ice
Caverns deep of unknown sleep
Cloudless skies within calm seas
Crystallized concepts in fluid time
Shallow depths of soul’s own making
open doors that bait the trap
Ancient ancestories pluck subtle chords
which manifest upon your shores
Tidal storms engulf your being
Undercurrents gently sweeping
You
Away
Posted by: haj1155
in Soap Box on Dec 20, 2009
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The Evolution of Fear
There is objective fear and there is psychological fear. Objective fear is when you're standing in the road facing a speeding semi or on a bridge getting ready to bungee-jump into a canyon - the reptilian brain is assessing the raw data from a primitive place of organic wisdom.
Posted by: haj1155
in Today's Inquiry on Dec 20, 2009
Tagged in: Untagged
The Evolution of Fear
There is objective fear and there is psychological fear. Objective fear is when you're standing in the road facing a speeding semi or on a bridge getting ready to bungee-jump into a canyon - the reptilian brain is assessing the raw data from a primitive place of organic wisdom.
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