Stand Firm, Grip Hard, Thrust Upward

BE LIKE A TREE IN
PURSUIT OF YOUR CAUSE.
STAND FIRM, GRIP HARD,
THRUST UPWARD,
BEND TO THE WINDS OF HEAVEN,
AND LEARN TRANQUILITY.

~ Richard St. Barbe Baker

Of Note: People have always been attracted to trees. They are mysterious in their growth and majestic in their beauty. A single "popple" tree, which is common in northern Wisconsin, can cover acres--the part we identify as a tree is simply the upwardly mobile part of a vast root system. In all likelihood that vast subterranean system is the "brains" of the tree, and the trunk and leaf parts are like arms and legs, taking in the rays. Our own bodies are similar--the visible parts of an invisible Self, the real mind of the operation. The Soul is the one, which stands firm and grips hard in pursuit of the evolution of consciousness, its divine destiny. All the while, its sun-drenched vehicle bends to the winds of heaven and through many lifetimes eventually learns tranquility through compassion. By then the lower self knows that the Real is the invisible part and is not taken in by the illusory visible domain. The tree, though, is in the early stages of evolution and has eons to go. In between, it acts as a symbol to us in standing firm and gripping hard until we are able to do it on our own.

Seeing the Dawn

A DREAMER IS ONE WHO CAN
FIND HIS WAY BY MOONLIGHT,
AND HIS PUNISHMENT IS THAT
HE SEES THE DAWN BEFORE
THE REST OF THE WORLD.

~ Oscar Wilde

Of Note: Wonder if Master Albert Einstein was not finished with his work and wanted to come back again to do just that. Seems that might have happened. A 12-year old child prodigy in astrophysics has recently been introduced to the world. He is a normal enough looking American boy, who wears his baseball cap backward and was previously diagnosed with a mild form of autism. But with an IQ of 170, he was solving 5000 piece jigsaw puzzles at age 3 and taught himself calculus, algebra and geometry in two weeks a few years later. He left high school at age 8 to enter college, where he is currently taking advanced classes in astrophysics--and tutoring his peers. Indiana University wants him as a paid researcher. The young genius's YouTube videos show an engaging young man, who is confident, but not overly so, as he tells the audience about the complex calculus equations he is demonstrating. The next thing he wants to take on is the Big Bang Theory and a lead scientist from Princeton, where Einstein used to work, say he is asking the right questions: "The theory that he is working on involves several of the toughest problems in astrophysics and theoretical physics. Anyone who solves these will be in line for a Nobel Prize." We should keep the name Jacob Barnett on our radar screen for it is guaranteed this young man will go far. And just think, he's only 12 and certainly has much to contribute to a needy world in the years to come.

Smiling as Basic Peace Work

IF IN OUR DAILY LIVES WE
CAN SMILE, NOT ONLY WE,
BUT EVERYONE WILL
PROFIT FROM IT.

THIS IS THE BASIC KIND
OF PEACE WORK.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Of Note: Smiling is the key to connectivity. It can open doors even when two people so not speak the same language. Imagine if people smiled more and fought less. This Smile Revolution could start small, one person to one person at a time. But eventually, one smiling pod would bump up against the next smiling pod. Soon all the cells would coalesce into one big smile. The world would never be the same because smiling not only adjusts our face in a more pleasant looking way but also our brain chemistry. Thus, this revolution would be a major adjustment for humanity's collective brain. Shall we start today?

Living Out Loud

WE ARE HERE TO LIVE OUT LOUD.

~Balzac

Of Note: A computer named Watson recently competed on Jeopardy! and won, hands down. Since then, many have been wringing their hands about how a computer could trump some of the smartest humans around. Others criticized the machine's mistakes, making a long list of transgressions, as if to say "See, it's not so smart after all." The noted author Stephen Baker said both were missing the point. He contends that such question-answering computers will soon be working alongside humans and will push us to reconsider how we learn and think. In his vision of the future, question-answering computers will make their way into law offices, pharmaceutical labs and healthcare settings. People are going to have to adjust and consider how they will "add value that computers cannot." Computers are simply a mechanical extension of the human brain but not the human brain itself. When asked if Watson can think, one of its creators at IBM, replied, "Can a submarine swim?" The Masters have predicted that one day humanity will be free to do what it does best: think, channel and create. The mechanics of daily living will be left to technology, but a technology relegated to the background and not idolized as it is today. Machines will do the work while we do the thinking, which will be based on spiritual values and unselfishly benefit all the kingdoms in nature. Only then will humanity know what "out loud" joyful living is all about.

So Many Little Passings

Life and death
a twisted vine sharing a single root.

A water bright green
stretching to top a twisted yellow
only to wither itself
as another green unfolds overhead.

One leaf atop another
yet under the next
a vibrant tapestry of arcs and falls
all in the act of becoming.

Death is the passing of life
and life is the stringing together
of so many little passings.

~ Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

Of Note: A question was asked whether some nations are more intrinsically fearful than others. As it turns out, the answer is yes. A definite geographic pattern of fear emerged when people of various nations were asked in six surveys spanning 2000 - 2009 about nuclear conflicts, terrorism, organized crime, medical accidents and avian flu. Topping the list were Malta, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus followed by the former communist nations. Besides being Mediterranean or former communist countries, the researchers asked themselves if there was a reason for this distribution. Turned out that the most robust determinant was "the proportion of citizens who believed in hell." This is not surprising. The teachings of ageless wisdom expressly state that the dark side keeps the masses in check by an underlying fear of death. Even worse than death would be a belief in hell and eternal damnation as punishment from an angry god from whose wrath we are powerless. This is pure illusion and directly contradictory to the facts but each of us must move through that falsity to arrive at the truth. One day the dark ones will have relinquished their control over humanity, and the fear of death and damnation will be a quaint historical curiosity. Until then, we can help our brothers and sisters, who do harbor that dread, by relinquishing any fear ourselves. The universe will be eternally grateful.

And Where We Stand

WE CANNOT RUN
AWAY FROM WEAKNESS;
WE MUST SOMETIMES
FIGHT IT OUT OR PERISH.
AND IF THAT BE SO,
WHY NOT NOW,
AND WHERE WE STAND?

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Of Note: Research shows that we are subject to more pollution in our homes and offices than anywhere else, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 2 to 5 times as much as outdoors. Contamination by dozens of indoor pollutants is a concern because we spend 90% of our time inside. Now NASA, conducting experiments for the space program, has determined that the lowly house plant may be the superhero air scrubber. These investigations add to global research that shows plants "can reduce dust participles and contaminants, such as formaldehyde and benzene that come from cigarette smoke, paint, furniture, building materials and other sources." One horticulturist advocates plants because they are an inexpensive fix and can even be propagated by cuttings. Are some plants better than others? This is the question asked by those interested in phytoremediation, the fancy name given to this body of growing research. As it turns out, several common plants have been shown to be good as indoor air scrubbers: English Ivy, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Weeping Fig, Peace Lily, and Asparagus Fern to name a few. The superstars, however, are the Janet Craig and Sweet Chico plants, which reduce volatile organic compounds indoors by 75%. The researchers concluded: "Potted plants can provide an efficient, self-regulating, low-cost, sustainable bio-remediation system for indoor air pollution." The EPA and the Green Building Council are not on board yet and have labeled the experiments inconclusive. Nonetheless, adding plants to an indoor environment is a good idea since it puts us in contact with the subtle but potent green energy of the second kingdom in nature AS IF we were outdoors. If plants also act as super-scrubbers for pollutants, and there is good evidence they do, that is simply another valuable contribution but certainly not the only one nor even the most important.

Giving Yourself More Life

YOU CANNOT ALWAYS GIVE
YOURSELF MORE DAYS,
BUT YOU CAN GIVE
YOUR DAYS MORE LIFE.

~ Anonymous

Of Note: This statement is particularly true for those men and woman serving on death row where the amount of days is court rather than soul determined. Those in opposition to the death penalty were successful recently in blocking one of the death-inducing drugs from being produced in Europe and the UK. Now Texas has responded to that embargo by purchasing pentobarbital, a drug used as a sedative in euthanizing animals, which is readily available in the United States. The FDA has approved its use in humans, but death penalty opponents are already gearing up to pressure the only human pentobarbital manufacturer to cease production. Lundbeck Inc, a subsidiary of a Danish corporation, was looking at ways to stop distribution to prisons for use in executions and has sent letters to the Ohio, Texas and Oklahoma prison systems saying as much. Texas is particularly anxious to procure the drug because 5 prisoners are scheduled to be executed in the next four months, adding to the 450 have been killed over the last 25 years. The Lone Star State is coming under increased scrutiny for a criminal justice system that appears to lack the proper brakes in death penalty cases, which often hit minorities disproportionately. It is the tight international network of death penalty opponents that can be thanked for years of effort in this regard.

Eyes Upon a Wider a Horizon

THE EYES EXPERIENCE LESS STRESS WHEN
THEY LOOK UPON A WIDER HORIZON.

~ R. D. Chin

Of Note: When we look upon the wider horizon of the future, what do we see? Many would say more chaos and an unhappy ending for humanity. Others recognize and actively participate in the pain incurred by mankind but see out of that experience coming a desire for truth, sharing, cooperation, group responsibility and a sacrifice of selfishness. Part of that revelation will include a movement toward simplicity, which will most likely translate as a sharing of goods and services. According to TIME magazine, that inclination is already gaining speed in what is called "collaborative consumption," where more stuff is rented and shared rather than owned. The green movement was the original impetus, but eventually this way of being will be part and parcel of the collective consciousness. A more enlightened people will look back on these consumer driven days and wonder what we were thinking.

Arab Children, You are the Generation

ARAB CHILDREN,
CORN EARS OF THE FUTURE,
YOU WILL BREAK OUR CHAINS,
KILL THE ILLUSIONS . . .
YOU ARE THE GENERATION
THAT WILL OVERCOME DEFEAT.

~ Nizar Qabbani, 1970

Of Note: On December 17, 2010, the Arab world changed forever. For Americans, that happened on September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center went up in flames; other countries have their own dates when things would never be the same. For the Arabs, it was the day that a young Tunisian man was slapped by a policeman and then arrested for selling vegetables without a permit. The day after his release, the man set himself on fire in a public square. This act of martyrdom inspired other Tunisians to cry "Enough!" with such force that their entrenched dictator fell within weeks. Egypt was next and now Libya is taking its turn. Other Middle East nations have been beset by protests and a variety of government responses: some violent, others conciliatory. What we are seeing is a region set aflame by the liberating thoughts and subsequent actions of a long oppressed people. Many scholars and diplomats believed that the Arab culture was incompatible with democracy. What a myopic thought that any people would accept slavery over liberation forever because of cultural mores. The world has a long history of revolution and eventual liberation, which reflects the evolution of humanity's consciousness. This onward and upward movement continues unabated even though often from the outside it appears to have stalled, stopped or regressed. We can have faith that humanity as a whole is always moving in a direction toward more freedom and the recent adjustments in the Middle East are an outward sign of a great inward reality.

Strive Diligently

ALL COMPOSITE THINGS DECAY.
STRIVE DILIGENTLY.

~ The Buddha

Of Note: These were the reputed last words of the Buddha. Strive is a scientific term in ageless wisdom and used among other things to energize students to concentrate, contemplate and meditate without concern for the outcome. The Masters, who see the whole picture, only ask that aspirant and disciple strive toward evolution of consciousness, knowing the outcome is inevitable but over many lifetimes. It takes faith to continue to strive toward a far off goal, but that is what is asked of us as we step onto the Path. Onward and upward always.

Today's Weather Report: We are having a pre-spring heat wave at 55 degrees Fahrenheit! Last year we had an early spring as well with no more big snows after March. So, the snowplow is coming off the truck today, which marks the end of winter. Now we will just have to cross our fingers that the decision to do so was right. On another note, a US-led team of scientists have announced that the lost city of Atlantis may have been discovered in Spain. According to this source, the ancient city was swamped by a tsunami. They relied on "deep-ground radar, digital mapping and underwater technology to survey the site" and old texts by such luminaries as Plato. HP Blavatsky and others speak of Atlantis not as a city but as a huge land mass, formerly situated where the Atlantic is now. It sunk over a period of time spanning several hundred thousand years, and most of it is now buried by miles of sediment at the bottom of the ocean. Plato's remarks concerned the last remaining land mass of the Atlantean continent. The recent discovery is important, however, because it brings to light a subject that is usually accompanied by scientific derision. Once again, science will most likely bring illumination to a topic that needs to see the light of day.

Guiding the Crying Ones into the Place of Light

Those who have demanded to
be saved have cried aloud,
their voices penetrate into the formless
world and there evoke response.

Those who in distant eons have pledged
themselves to save and serve respond.
Their cry too rings forth and, ringing,
penetrates into the dark and distant
places within the worlds of form.

And thus a vortex is established and kept
alive by that constant dual sound.
And then a touch is made and for a
space and during time, the two are one --
the Saving Souls and the Units to be served.

Slowly the vision of the Saving One
becomes a light which guides the
Crying Ones into the place of light.

~ Old Commentary

Of Note: In times of trial, it would seem that no one is listening to our cries for help. On the contrary, the Divine Onlookers are doing all they can to assist Humanity in its spiritual birth. This is a process, however, not an event. Humanity must do the work necessary to succeed by raising its voice for the good of all and leaving the world of selfishness and materialism behind. But rest assured, the process will ultimately prove successful because mankind has the mind to get there once it has the desire to do so.

Today's Weather Report: Melting snow greets anyone venturing outside today at 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The sunshine beating down helps as well. If a person wanted, he or she could get a tan. This seems of little moment, however, as Japan continues to reel from its multiple problems following the earthquake last Friday. Now a potential catastrophe looms at a nuclear reactor site where the word "meltdown" is being heard. Already, a no fly zone has been imposed on the airspace over the site, and large areas have been evacuated. Some radiation has escaped at low levels. The collective consciousness of the Japanese is particularly sensitive to this issue following their World War II experience. Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and energy continue to go out to them.

Where is the Ship?

THE SHIP? GREAT GOD, WHERE IS THE SHIP?

~ Herman Melville

Of Note: After the ship in Moby-Dick was rammed by a sperm whale, these famous lines were uttered in disbelief by the ship's captain. Similar lines have probably been repeated over and over by the people of Japan, who have been upended by the cataclysmic 8.9 earthquake and resultant tsunami. Thousands of pictures of the devastation are available on-line. One by one they show the impact of nature's forces upon man-made structures, many which are totally demolished. The debris is piled up in mountains of destruction as onlookers stare in dismay. Japan has been strengthening its defenses for another big earthquake following Kobe in 1995. Much had been accomplished such as beefed up warning systems, public education and buildings. But nothing could prepare a country for one of the largest tremblers in history accompanied by a tsunami created so close to land that those on shore had no warning of the impending catastrophe. Our hearts, thoughts, energy and prayers go out to the people of Japan during the coming months of recovery and rebuilding. It is at times like this that we realize how connected we really are.

Today's Weather Report: It is another warm day at 34 degrees Fahrenheit though thick clouds envelope the sky. On days like this, the snow melts slowly but steadily. When it gets thinner, one rain can take most of it out. On another note, NASA reported that Earth actually sped up by 1.6 microseconds because of a shift in Earth's mass following the mega-quake in Japan. Interestingly, the larger quake in Sumatra in 2004 caused a 6.8 microsecond shortening of the rotation. A microsecond is one-millionth of a second; so, we are not talking great amounts here, only enough to keep a scientist at NASA busy.

Kindness in Another's Trouble

LIFE IS MOSTLY FROTH AND BUBBLE,
TWO THINGS STAND LIKE STONE,
KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE,
COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.

~ Adam Lindsay Gordon

Of Note: Marc Gold is a philanthropist in a genre all by himself. Four months of the year he raises money to give away the other eight. He does not have a fancy office or raise millions to feed the poor. His model is quite different: raise a small amount of money every year and give it away in small portions to people he meets on the streets as he travels the globe. Gold's only possessions are a couple of duffel bags and boxes, which he keeps in his modest Bangkok office-hotel room. A former San Francisco teacher, at age 61 he lives off retirement savings and a modest pension. His mantra is simply this: "You give it to me, I give it to them." Examples of his largess included the repair of a rickshaw, which collapsed as he was riding in it. The driver broke down in tears explaining that this was his livelihood and home. $40 later, the vehicle was repaired, and Gold's only requested that the driver use the rickshaw once a month to carry someone in need. Another time he bought $1 worth of medication that saved a child's life, who lived in a Tibetan home where he had been invited for tea. Since he began this journey, this altruist has touched the lives of 50,000 with small amounts of money but in big ways. 4,000 people now contribute each year to his efforts. Others have caught the bug and are following in Gold's footsteps. One acolyte wisely said: "It changes you inside when you have a chance to give." And that's the point, isn't it?

Today's Weather Report: Snow was falling this morning ever so lightly, and it accumulated in spots. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit right now, it will most likely melt pronto. Although I have to say, if we are going to have a sunless day, it might as well be snowing. A snow day is quite relaxing to watch as the whirling flakes descend in random patterns. Mesmerizing, really.

Go Where There is No Path

DO NOT GO WHERE
THE PATH MAY LEAD,
GO INSTEAD WHERE
THERE IS NO PATH
AND LEAVE A TRAIL.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Of Note: The census takers in India were making their final rounds last week before the Sunday deadline. These intrepid public servants were responsible for counting India's 1.2 billion people across 1.2 million square miles--a daunting task indeed. As far as census challenges, few nations compare to India. Most of the land is rural rather than urban and spans from the Himalayan Mountains to islands in the Bay of Bengal, where indigenous tribes, protected by the law, cannot be directly approached. Years ago, due to fears of contamination, the Indian Supreme Court declared these tribes totally off-limits including the airspace over the islands. Thus, census takers approached in boats, threw out coconuts, fruits and other gifts, and took videos of the inhabitants as they waded out to pick up the offerings. At last count in 2001, they numbered 39. No one has any idea what the 2011 numbers will be as the video is currently under lock and key in the national census office. One wonders why the islanders need counting considering they are off-limits to outside contact. Would that not include the intrusion of the census itself?

Today's Weather Report: The morning was gloomy and chilly but the sun popped out at 2 PM and the temperature rose to 40 degrees Fahrenheit! That is almost a spring day in the northwoods. On a somber note, my condolences go out to the nation of Japan, which suffered an 8.9 earthquake this morning accompanied by a deadly tsunami. The death toll is estimated in the tens of thousands. One put it at 88,000 dead. Apparently, one astrologer placed the blame on the "super moon" that will herald the spring solstice next week. That was quickly pooh-poohed by the powers that be, who declared that astrology was not real science, so what did it know. Although astrology has gotten a bum rap in the last couple hundred years often for good reason, for centuries upon centuries it was the preeminent science and was studied by all notable intellects of the day. It is predicted that some day, in a new form, astrology will return to its rightful place in the Halls of Learning. Its treasures will then be revealed for those with eyes to see.

Our Real Journey

OUR REAL JOURNEY IN LIFE IS INTERIOR.

~Thomas Merton

Of Note: Companies spend lots of money on their distinctive logos. Over time, the trade marks change to reflect the current culture. A review of the symbols suggests that they have become simpler in design, and one by one the names of the companies are being eliminated. Starbucks Coffee just this week announced a new logo without its famous name. Nike dropped the name from its logo in 1995 when its famous swoosh mark no longer needed accompaniment. Why? As companies globalize their brands, names have been the first to go. What's more, research has shown that a rounded design is more pleasing to the eye, especially in India and Asia where economies and populations continue to grow rapidly. CBS has been the one company that got the simple circle design down from the beginning. Its round eye logo has remained the same since 1951. As our consciousnesses evolve, we begin to see the simple patterns in nature. A circle in particular catches our attention because it is the most basic symbol in creation. Divinity works in mysterious ways. Could be that the collective consciousness is being primed by these advertising changes for a recognition of simplicity presented in circles. Farfetched, maybe. But often advertising agencies are the first to recognize what is just around the corner.

Today's Weather Report: What a glorious sunshiny day at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. There was not a cloud in the sky as I shopped in town with a friend. The heat wave had melted much of the snow and ice in the parking lots, which made the adventure much safer for me and the octogenarian. Our road into the house is already getting "squishy" in spots, and that means the drive in has to be done with confidence so as not to get stuck. Moving forward without stopping no matter what is the best option in these conditions that will only get worse before getting better. But I'm not complaining......this kind of worse I can handle!

Man as a Strand in the Web of Life

WHATEVER BEFALLS THE EARTH
BEFALLS THE SONS OF THE EARTH.
MAN DOES NOT WEAVE THE WEB OF LIFE;
HE IS MERELY A STRAND IN IT.
WHATEVER HE DOES TO THE WEB
HE DOES TO HIMSELF.

~ Chief Seattle (1786-1866)

Of Note: Using sophisticated air current tracking methods, scientists from NASA have been able to watch as clouds of haze from China sweep across the globe and deposit acid rain in such far off places as the Great Lakes in as little as four days. South Korea and Japan are daily recipients of the industrial pollutants spewed from China's factories, smelting plants and other pollution producing facilities while the rest of the globe receives it share more sporadically depending on prevailing air currents. The Middle Kingdom has been slow to step up to its environmental responsibilities, but changes are coming from an unlikely source--Chinese environmental activists. The government is slowly enacting new environmental regulations but implementation has been slow. 3,500 activist groups have stepped into the void as enforcers. Surprisingly, they are being allowed to work. Why? Research has shown that China is losing 8% of its wealth each year to pollution, which has also caused a myriad of health problems and crop failures. Eventually, the problems could lead to violent social unrest. Allowing activists free rein backed by new regulations has put group pressure on companies to literally clean up their acts without strenuous governmental enforcement, which could translate into a win-win situation for all involved. Symbolically, the activists represent the rest of the world in efforts to get to the source of a problem that can only be solved at the grassroots level. We can send them the energy of love on the same air currents that bring the pollution, thus lightening their burden.

Today's Weather Report: Another gloomy day with no sun, although the temp sits at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The last couple of sunny days were so refreshing to the soul and mind. The space shuttle Discovery landed in Florida for the last time today in excellent weather. Each of the other two space shuttles will have a last flight this year as well. Then, the program will be mothballed. Interestingly, private enterprises will be given a chance to see what they can do in space. Hopefully, the powers that be have mapped out the legal aspects of sharing the "last frontier."

Naught Can Withstand the Pressure

Disciples and aspirants must on every
hand live harmoniously and love.

The violent vibrations of our
surroundings must be stilled by a
strong counter-vibration of love,
remembering ever that as we
work on the side of evolution,
the power of the Godhead itself is
with us and available for use.

Naught can withstand the steady
pressures of love and harmony when
they are applied long enough.

~ Alice A. Bailey

Of Note: As our brothers and sisters in Libya seek liberation, we join with them in sending lighted, loving energy their way. Often we give up too early with our efforts before the energy has time to do its work. The Masters remind us that continued pressure from the vibrations of love and harmony will inevitably be successful, even if from the outside it might look like the opposite. External appearances can be deceiving. It is often what is happening just under the surface that makes a difference.

Today's Weather Report: We were having a veritable heat wave today at 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Water was pouring off the roof so it must have been above freezing there. I cleaned house from the first floor all the way to the fourth in a kind of spring cleaning frenzy. Well, with me it was a slow frenzy and will take several days but it felt good getting the cobwebs out of the corners. The energy in the air is changing, and spring is coming. All I can say is alleluia; we made it through another winter though a large dump of snow is predicted for Thursday.

Man is the Medium

MAN IS THE MEDIUM BETWEEN
SPIRIT AND MATTER;
HE IS BETWEEN THE VISIBLE
AND THE INVISIBLE WORLD.
HE SUMS THEM UP IN HIS PERSON,
AS IN A UNIVERSAL CENTER.

~ Adrien-Emmanuel Roquette

Of Note: Ever heard of synthetic telepathy? Nope, didn't think so. That is because until now the Army was keeping a tight lid on the topic. Not so any longer. A lengthy article ran this month in Discover magazine as to how scientists were tapping the brain for ways to telegraph thoughts between soldiers via a "thought helmet." One of the lead researchers had been interested in the subject since the 1940's when he saw such a contrivance used in a science fiction classic. He had no idea that in 2008 he would be leading the laboratory that was trying to produce such a device, which would serve as a direct link between mind and machine. In the beginning, the scientists had no idea even where to start. Slowly they put together experiments that produced results, such as the difference in brain waves as volunteers thought different sounds like ahh and ohh. Along the way they have even made discoveries about basic brain functioning. At this point in time, the innovators are not sure if they will be able to create helmets that will provide communication in complete sentences, but so far the transmissions of Morse code thoughts have been almost 100% accurate. Not bad for three-years of work. It is predicted that one day telepathy will consciously be the main means of communication. Even now, it is a major communication method, but mostly at an unconscious level. But the experiments by the Army and others as published in popular magazines will pave the way for the concept to enter the mass consciousness via the media. This will lay the foundation for the acceptance of telepathy as the superior means of human communication with all the kingdoms in nature.

Today's Weather Report: The 20's Fahrenheit again predominated the thermometer. Seemed to be the norm most of the winter. Only a few days was it really frigid cold....well, maybe a few more than a few, but this time of year all that is forgotten. It's like having a baby; all the pain is forgotten once the little thing makes that first cry. I predict that one good rain would put most of the snow to bed for the winter. Last year in late March, spring began showing its face, and we can only hope for the same this year.

You Who Are Called by a Thousand Names

MOTHER EARTH, YOU WHO ARE
CALLED BY A THOUSAND NAMES,
MAY ALL REMEMBER WE ARE
CELLS IN YOUR BODY
AND DANCE TOGETHER.

~ Starhawk

Of Note: Starhawk reminds us that we are cells in the body of Mother Earth, but that begs the question: what was the origination of that cellular life? One researcher thinks he might have the answer and his findings were published this month in the Journal of Cosmology. Dr. Richard Hoover, an astrobiologist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, believes he has found signs of fossil life in a meteorite that fell in 1846 and thought to date back 4 billion years. Some pooh-pooh his idea, saying that this represents contamination after the projectile landed on earth and believe the evidence should have been published on April 1st. However, Dr. Hoover is sticking to his assertion that the fiber-like structure seen under electron-microscopy looks similar to cyanobacteria and an inability to detect any nitrogen means the structure is ancient. The controversial scientist responded: "I can only make my observations based on the evidence that I see . . . if the structures are confirmed to be of biological but unearthly origin, that would serve as fresh evidence that life can make its way through outer space and 'seed' planets, including our own." We can only hope that scientists like Dr. Hoover continue to observe and publish. Visionary pioneers like him are the hope that someday scientists will uncover the origins of life in the universe, leaving the naysayers in the dust.

Today's Weather Report: The sun shone periodically at 14 degrees Fahrenheit but I did not step outside to find that out personally. Various phone calls from friends took up the whole afternoon, and it was dark by the time the last one was finished. Even though we have email, texting and tweeting now, nothing can beat the phone for staying really connected to other human beings, and I would highly recommend it.

We Plant Seeds

WE PLANT SEEDS THAT WILL
FLOWER AS RESULTS IN OUR LIVES,
SO BEST TO REMOVE THE WEEDS
OF ANGER, AVARICE, ENVY AND DOUBT,
THAT PEACE AND ABUNDANCE
MAY MANIFEST FOR ALL.

~ Dorothy Day

Of Note: Anger, avarice, envy and doubt are the killing foursome because they cut off Light and Love from finding a home in the mind. The fearsome four are fueled by a culture of the perfect body, coupled with the perfect bank account, coupled with the perfect lifestyle at a breakneck speed. Eventually, over many, many lifetimes, the allure and glamour of this type of false perfection wears off, and we are left with nothing. No-thing. Only then can we see the cleared ground on which seeds of Love and Light can be sowed. The process is painful, yes, but we are up to the test. It is the same for humanity as a whole as it is for an individual. That means that we are tested both singly and as a group. However, only when the group succeeds are we really free. So next time we see a struggling soul, lend a hand and help them up for only together will we enter the Kingdom of God. The faster the better.

Today's Weather Report: It is 32 degrees Fahrenheit tonight, and things are really drippy outside. Maybe it will stay this way for a few days and melt some snow. If it freezes tonight, we will have more ice. There is already a thick ice layer under the snow, so this will just make the layer thicker. A good friend of mine broke her hip this week, not on the ice but at work. Hopefully, by the time she is out and about, the snow will have receded so she doesn't have to worry about falling when she walks outside.

As Above, So Below

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.

~ Esoteric Truism

Of Note: Scientific American ran a short article this month on a new computer imaging technique that shows how brain cells communicate--one molecule at a time. This new rat-based model took four years to build at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The 3-D reconstructed image shows not only the structure but also a single neurotransmitter dispatch and was pictured on a two-page spread. Rather than well constructed cells like we learned about in biology, neurons are long, misshapen and irregular structures made up of axons and dendrites. When these two meet, neurotransmitters are released in a cascade that spreads out in the wide spaces between cells. Seeing this picture reminded me that ageless wisdom teaches we are cells in the Mind of God at some level. As scientists delve more deeply into brain structure and begin to actually see how the cells look, we might be surprised at how similar the picture is to photographs of our universe. It might also give us insight into how irregular our universe might be at scales larger than we can imagine.

Today's Weather Report: It was cold again this morning but warmed up to a balmy 25 degrees Fahrenheit today. What a gloomy day, though. I was sure it was getting ready to snow but it never did. The snow would have been welcome and given us something to look at besides gray on gray. The seed catalogs have started to arrive, though, and the colorful photos give us a welcome reprieve from looking at the expanse of white outside the window. March is always hard as we wait for the first hint of spring in April. Let me tell you, everyone is northern Wisconsin is ready for spring but this year particularly so.

The Essence of an Atom

WHY EXERT TO PROBE
THE ESSENCE OF GOD?
WHY STRAIN THYSELF BY
STRETCHING THY LIMITATIONS?
WHEN THOU CANST NOT CATCH
EVEN THE ESSENCE OF AN ATOM,
HOW CANST THOU CLAIM TO KNOW
THE ESSENCE OF GOD HIMSELF?

~ Farid Ud-din Attar

Of Note: It is a surprise that Mr. Attar who lived in the 12th century would be talking about atoms. He obviously knew something. Could be that this mystic was tuned into the tenets of ageless wisdom, which teaches about atoms, electricity and universal laws only "discovered" in the 20th century. As a matter of fact, in the early 1900's the Masters of Wisdom predicted the rise of nuclear energy as part of the liberation of humanity from work. Thus, it has been troubling that the initial missteps in the production of nuclear energy has translated into a freeze on the future growth of this divinely inspired creation that gets very close to the essence of Life itself. That may be changing. Bill Gates and Nathan Myrhvold, a former Microsoft employee, billionaire and polymath, have teamed up to create a traveling wave reactor. This device measuring 10 by 13 feet produces nuclear energy through an untried but promising method and uses spent fuel from its larger counterparts. What's more, it would run for decades without human intervention and could be buried underground. The duo is ready for the next step, building a version of the reactor, but must first find a utility company customer and country to host the device. Some environmentalists are up in arms about the dangers of nuclear plants of any type. Mr. Myrhvold responded that he "hopes the process will speed up and spark innovation to meet the world's growing energy demands. Let's try 20 ideas. Maybe five of them will work. That's the only way to invent ourselves out of the pickle we are in." The Gates--Myrhvold team might not succeed at first, but my bet is on their combined brain power, influence and money. The Masters send their emissaries to help mankind at times of need. Who knows if these two haven't been sent as well.

Today's Weather Report: Another 20 degree day here in the northwoods. The sun was shining brightly so made it feel warmer than it actually was. Everyone was enjoying themselves in town especially at the car wash where I finally cleaned the accumulated salt and road grime from the Jeep's exterior. Now the vehicle sparkles again. Not that the result will be long-lasting but at least for the moment the paint gets a reprieve from the salt attack.

When Nothing Else Will Burn

BURNING YOUR WAY TO THE CENTER
IS THE LONELIEST FIRE OF ALL.
YOU'LL KNOW YOU HAVE ARRIVED
WHEN NOTHING ELSE WILL BURN.

~Mark Nepo

Of Note: Many think we are here to be happy. Far from it. The School of Earth is the path of pain and ultimately liberation from the thralldom of matter. Thus, pain and liberation are inextricably linked. Life after life we reach one plateau of liberation after another through pain and move our way up the ladder of evolution. It is the same for nations as it is for individuals. This is what we are seeing in the Middle East where the beleaguered throngs are literally fighting for the life of their nations. While a majority of people of this region lived on less than $2 a day, the former dictators thought they could escape the lessons of pain by living on the billions stolen from their nation's treasuries. The largess was secretly hidden in banks and real estate all over the world, but particularly in Switzerland, the United States, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Britain where vanguards of attorneys, accountants and bankers watched over the stolen goods. Not anymore. Because of global pressure to clean up its act, Switzerland led the way with laws that make it easier to trace ill-gotten gain. Many other countries have followed. The former head of the US Justice Department unit that tracks such things reflected: "Banks must now take reasonable measures to establish the source of wealth and source of funds related to their customers and the beneficial owners of the funds." Following the circuitous path traveled by this stolen money is quite difficult as the bad guys have had quite a head start. However, the gap is closing as governments begin to take this problem seriously. The sums are staggering. A January report from Global Financial Integrity put the figure at $1 trillion annually. That is each and every year $1 trillion is going into the coffers of a handful of kleptocrats and their families. A day is coming when those enormous funds will go to the people to whom they belong. The enriched citizenry will discover that Earth is still a school of pain but by pushing their thieving leaders out they will take their nation's lessons up a notch on the evolutionary path to freedom. It is quite an inspiration to watch, and we help the lighted cause by sending our energy.

Today's Weather Report: At 39 degrees Fahrenheit, water is dripping from the roof. It is quite warm outside; a light jacket is all that is required. No gloves. I have often wondered what turtles do in the winter. Come to find out, not much. After burying themselves in the mud, they turn off their oxygenating systems and go without for the duration. They do this by breathing once every ten minutes with little brain activity. Their shells produce minerals that offset a buildup of lactic acid, which would otherwise kill. The whole recently discovered process is quite amazing for a lowly turtle, which resides in great multitudes in the lake out front. It will make me look on them with more respect as they bask in the sun on shoreline logs or steal the fish bait for the umpteenth time.