Environmental change continues its trek toward recognition by humanity at a breakneck speed. Just like sturdy yarn, information is streaming in from points all over the globe that is being woven into a colorful fabric with an unmistakable pattern stamped with a decidedly human touch. What that pattern will be, we have yet to find out. But, what we do know is that we have the opportunity to make changes to the unfolding pattern as we go, and maybe, just maybe, we will end up with a servicable garment of lasting beauty.
In a literal way, a mass movement of lighted change has been instigated by the passage of the recent Energy Bill, and its requirement that fluorescent light bulbs replace incandescent light bulbs by 2012. The United States alone has billions of sockets to refill with Compact Fluorescent Lights aka CFLs and various utility companies are helping with that by subsidizing the purchase of the new bulbs. I recently got mine for $1 at a local hardware store, subsidized by the electric company. In California the CFLs are going for a mere 50 cents, subsidized by PG&E, the utility company made famous in the Erin Brockavitch movie. On its front page Wednesday edition , WSJ reports:
"To cut energy costs and help reduce the emissions that cause global warming, utilities such as PG&E are facing an unusual imperative. They need to convince consumers to use less of their product. PG&E is staking its success on getting consumers to junk conventional incandescent bulbs in favor of energy efficient CFLs--corkscrew or egg-shaped bulbs that use about a quarter as much electricity as regular bulbs and last several times longer."
Why would utilities want to cut their own production? Well, last year the State of California mandated that its three largest energy companies reduce energy use by the equivalent of three power plants to earn big bonuses, and that incentive got their collective attention. So much so, that last fall, one of them gave away a million CFLs free! The state is grousing that the utilities should be looking at other options besides light bulbs, but the companies have no incentive to look past the easiest one--getting CFLs into the hands of consumers ASAP.
In the company's defense, this lighted change is easy for consumers as well and no more costly with the subsidies than ordinary bulbs. My first CFL was installed last week with 11 more to go. The light is soothing and the energy savings could be substantial when the whole house is converted. However, as is usual with any change of this national magnitude, a group of consumers may be hurt, and they are letting their voices be heard. On a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome list-serve this morning was the following entry, by a Margaret Holt Baird, in which she requested information from physicians, patients and support groups. Obviously, from her remarks, some will suffer mightily if the ban completely eliminates incandescents or greatly increases their price:
"I have been asked by Congressman Howard Coble's office to send a paper outlining all of our medical conditions impacted adversely by the Energy Act's incandescent light ban of 2012. They requested that my paper contain input from the disability community, including persons with photosensitive epilepsy, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, lupus, migraines as well as CFS, MCS and related complex partial non-clonic seizures I have after about 4 - 5 minutes in the [fluorescent] lighting."
Thus, we will watch as this CFL movement unfolds over the next 4 years and see how incandescents fare in the exchange.
Speaking of energy and electricity, another causal candidate has emerged as a future contributing agent to global warming. This time the villain is the trillion tons of methane gas trapped in the Arctic permafrost. As reported in DISCOVER magazine (February 2008, p. 14) when the permafrost melts, this methane gas in all its abundance will be released to the atmosphere. A researcher at the University of Alaska says that the "gas release could re-create climate conditions that prevailed during a 2,500 warming spell that began 14,000 years ago." The enlightened part, however, is that several companies, including BMW, want to harness this smelly gas to produce energy. The methane conversion technologies are not new and have been used in landfills for years. What is groundbreaking is the newly uncovered source and the unexpected tonnage which has gotten many companies salivating.
On another environmental note, a recent surge in food production in Africa is making headlines as reported by the WSJ (1-9-08, p. B7) from The Wilson Quarterly's Winter edition:
"There is an agricultural revival taking place in sub-Saharan Africa that defies the typical dire images of life on the continent that most Westerners see, . . .the boom has been brought about by rising global prices for farm products and low labor and land costs. Exports of vegetables, fruits and flowers exceed $2 billion a year, up from virtually zero 25 years ago"
This, if true, is good news. Another way poor African farmers might be helped is a reduction in world-wide farm subsidies and tariffs. The recent World Goodwill newsletter spent its entire current issue on the challenges facing farming around the globe. www.lucistrust.org It reported that negotiations continue at the World Trade Organization Headquarters in Geneva to focus efforts in achieving these needed reductions. However, the newsletter emphasized that consumers too were responsible for decisions about food and should not always look to governments to fix the problem: "Consumers also generate food miles. . .shopping by car. Consideration of food miles must also include disposal of food and packaging to landfill or recycling. Another way to minimize environmental impact is for people to grow their own food in gardens and allotments. " Though, I have to admit, this might be a challenge for city folks. The informative newsletter goes on to say that new farming modalities are emerging that show great promise:
"Yet, despite there being challenges in agriculture, there are signs of new life on the horizon, for example biodynamic agriculture, permaculture and the increasing demand for organic food sourcing; and in the developing world La Via Campesina [is one organization that promotes] a model of peasant or family farm agriculture based on sustainable production with local resources and in harmony with local culture and traditions."
To learn more about this enlightened group, visit www.viacampesina.org
And moving on to animals, conservationists have figured out a way to revive the dwindling vicuna (think llama or alpaca) population that had been eradicated by poachers and competition with cattle in Peru. Once numbering several million, by the 1960s only 10,000 of the fated animals survived. Why the greater international community cared was an interest in creating an economic engine to alleviate local poverty because Vicuna wool is highly prized worldwide and commands a steep price while at the same time saving an endangered species. The solution was brilliant and a win-win for all parties, except the hapless poachers, of course. The Zoogoer, a Smithsonian magazine publication, stated in its January/February 2008 edition as quoted in the WSJ:
"Conservation efforts have restored the population to several hundred thousand, . . .In Peru, villagers round up and shear the vicuna every two or three years to let the fur regrow. This way the locals get the economic benefit of the fur while the shorn vicunas have little appeal to poachers."
And finally, as somewhat of a futurist, I spied the following quote in WSJ yesterday concerning the world-wide web. It is hard for me to picture the scenario, but I have no doubt that Nicholas Carr, author of The Big Switch is correct in his prognostications as reported by journalist L. Gordon Crovitz :
"We take so much of this network effect for granted that we don't really think about it anymore. When we use a toaster, we don't speak of 'going onto the electrical grid.' Soon,. . .we may no longer think of ourselves as 'going onto the internet.' The Web's services will be as ubiquitous, networked and shared as electricity now is. [Carr] predicts that that we'll get into the habit of entering a 'cloud' of computing, accessing services provided by Google, Facebook, Salesforce.com and innovators yet to come, no longer tethered to whatever software may be loaded onto our computer. Just as Edison's model failed, Mr. Carr argues, so will Bill Gates's. . ."
But in the meantime, the Gates's foundation is giving its fortune to eradicate disease in Africa and other developing nations in a business-like way never before attempted with previously inconceivable amounts of money. These facts cannot be ignored by the world-wide community and, thus, we come full circle, as usually happens, when viewing the world as Observers.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lite Light
When all else fails, it's always good to laugh. Right out loud, if necessary. This is what happens quite often when viewing popular and scientific culture with an Observer's hat--I end up laughing, chuckling, or guffawing although I can't say it's ever digressed to rolling on the ground. . yet
Case in point: ever wonder why we have so many nagging back, shoulder or neck aches? No, it's not our bosses, but it could be our backpacks or gargantuan handbags. WSJ carried a story this week, "Extreme Baggage: Giant handbags are growing bigger--and are a growing concern" (1-5/6-08, p. W7,) on the fact that women's handbags are going HUGE, often measuring 2 feet in length by 1 foot in width, and are the current rage. The article's author interviewed several women who purchased the pricey suitcase-sized items and then looked at what they carried inside. Enclosed besides the usual purse content suspects were diapers for the kids, water bottles, laptops, Diet Cokes, Blackberries, work-out clothes and shoes. By the time all this gets stuffed into the bag, it can weigh in at 17 pounds! The designers of this new fashion craze probably thought it was a great idea to cross a classy purse with a backpack, but the chiropractors haven't been as impressed. What is missing is the ergonomic straps to distribute the weight evenly. But, hey, that looked so, you know, un-cool. One can only view with humor the extremes humans will go to for functionality and fashion, even if their health is in jeopardy.
And then there are the Hilton girls. you know them, Paris and Nicky? TIME (January 14, 2008, p. 24) reported that their grandpa, Barron Hilton, decided to give his wealth to charity, all $2.3 billion of it. He did leave the girls $5 million a piece, but that probably won't last them long, although the magazine did not report on their response to the matter. Grandpa Hilton joins the other mega-billionaires turned philanthropists who have decided to give their fortunes away to some greater cause than their kids or grandkids, some of whom have proved decidedly unworthy. Not that the children are going to be left high and dry, but rather left to fend for themselves in the world of commerce and finance. Reportedly, this is a growing enlightened trend in the world of the mega-wealthy and is one worth following--even if once or twice cracking a small smile that this wealth may go to better the world collectively rather than a small group of spoiled kids acting out.
On another note, scientists strike me as a way to-serious crowd. Conceivably, it clouds their judgment, especially those examining the minutia of what-ever it is they are studying. A more open mind might do them--and therefore the rest of us--a service. Think of the millions, even billions of dollars spent looking at things large and small that don't contribute much to the bottom line of humanity's continued existence.
Take for example, the examination of the origins of the Silbury Hill, 80 miles west of London as reported in DISCOVER magazine, January 2008, p. 12. This 4,400-year-old 130 foot high mound of dirt had long been thought to be the illustrious burial place of kings or knights. However, scientists have proven that it is just a rock pile, made of local rocks, none-the-less. When I saw the picture of this huge mound situated picturesquely in an English field, it looked like a gargantuan version of the plentiful, local Wisconsin rock piles that dot our fields, which were made as farmers cleared their post-glacial land. Yet, archaeologists spent much time and money to uncover the fact that this revered English version was just a lowly pile of old, local rocks, and for what end? Jim has many such piles around our property and has wryly speculated that someday someone may think these are sacred burial mounds. After having read this article, I realized he was probably right--and that made me laugh right out loud at the wisdom of his musings.
Then, there were the two scientists who decided to unravel the mystery of knots, yes, I said knots. An article appeared in DISCOVER magazine (February 2008, p. 16) that explained how two academics from the University of California at San Diego decided to tackle this universal problem (think, jewelry boxes, sock drawers, etc.) by tossing bits of string around and around in a box
3,415 times. Why that number, one can only guess. However, after the predestined tossing about, these two men uncovered the fact that the string entangled itself in 120 different ways with up to 11 crossings each. Pictures were attached to prove the point. It seemed that how they would use this information was an afterthought; though, they mentioned maybe applying it to DNA or umbilical cord research. As a former crafter of all things macrame, I had to give them credit for taking great pictures. My concluding thought: maybe they were closet macrame enthusiasts or boatswain mates in a previous life with something to prove. I have to admit, this one elicited from me more of an "Oh, brother" than a smile--although the picture in my mind's eye of two academicians creating macrame owl hangings like I used to knot did give me a little chuckle, if truth be told.
And finally, a recent WSJ article on the Galapagos Islands (1-5/6-08, p. W6) brought a smile to my face when I read the following anthropomorphic statement:
"For tourists, no matter how much they've read about the Galapagos, it is astonishing to see animals, reptiles and birds that have no fear of humans. They will allow you to come right up to them, since they haven't experienced humans as a threat."
I thought sardonically, could it be that these creatures don't experience humans as a threat because they don't see humans at all? We may simply not be on the radar of the Giant Tortoises, the sea-going lizards or the fight-less cormorants who populate these islands. Humans, too, experience a similar "not-seeing" when confronted with a phenomenon outside of their experience or reality. Thus, animals could be similar to man in this regard. But, until the day comes when we can ask this eclectic crew of Galapagos creatures why they ignore us, we might keep an open mind to the reason behind the behavior, which has obviously accrued to their benefit for many years.
If you want to do something unusual for humanity today, might I suggest adopting a minefield? Check out the "products for sale" on the United Nations Association of the United States of America website for teeshirts both humans and canine as well as daisy seeds, which proceeds go to clearing minefields worldwide. Princess Diane used to be the champion of mind field clearing, now you can take up where she left off:
http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=260414
And that's no laughing matter.
Case in point: ever wonder why we have so many nagging back, shoulder or neck aches? No, it's not our bosses, but it could be our backpacks or gargantuan handbags. WSJ carried a story this week, "Extreme Baggage: Giant handbags are growing bigger--and are a growing concern" (1-5/6-08, p. W7,) on the fact that women's handbags are going HUGE, often measuring 2 feet in length by 1 foot in width, and are the current rage. The article's author interviewed several women who purchased the pricey suitcase-sized items and then looked at what they carried inside. Enclosed besides the usual purse content suspects were diapers for the kids, water bottles, laptops, Diet Cokes, Blackberries, work-out clothes and shoes. By the time all this gets stuffed into the bag, it can weigh in at 17 pounds! The designers of this new fashion craze probably thought it was a great idea to cross a classy purse with a backpack, but the chiropractors haven't been as impressed. What is missing is the ergonomic straps to distribute the weight evenly. But, hey, that looked so, you know, un-cool. One can only view with humor the extremes humans will go to for functionality and fashion, even if their health is in jeopardy.
And then there are the Hilton girls. you know them, Paris and Nicky? TIME (January 14, 2008, p. 24) reported that their grandpa, Barron Hilton, decided to give his wealth to charity, all $2.3 billion of it. He did leave the girls $5 million a piece, but that probably won't last them long, although the magazine did not report on their response to the matter. Grandpa Hilton joins the other mega-billionaires turned philanthropists who have decided to give their fortunes away to some greater cause than their kids or grandkids, some of whom have proved decidedly unworthy. Not that the children are going to be left high and dry, but rather left to fend for themselves in the world of commerce and finance. Reportedly, this is a growing enlightened trend in the world of the mega-wealthy and is one worth following--even if once or twice cracking a small smile that this wealth may go to better the world collectively rather than a small group of spoiled kids acting out.
On another note, scientists strike me as a way to-serious crowd. Conceivably, it clouds their judgment, especially those examining the minutia of what-ever it is they are studying. A more open mind might do them--and therefore the rest of us--a service. Think of the millions, even billions of dollars spent looking at things large and small that don't contribute much to the bottom line of humanity's continued existence.
Take for example, the examination of the origins of the Silbury Hill, 80 miles west of London as reported in DISCOVER magazine, January 2008, p. 12. This 4,400-year-old 130 foot high mound of dirt had long been thought to be the illustrious burial place of kings or knights. However, scientists have proven that it is just a rock pile, made of local rocks, none-the-less. When I saw the picture of this huge mound situated picturesquely in an English field, it looked like a gargantuan version of the plentiful, local Wisconsin rock piles that dot our fields, which were made as farmers cleared their post-glacial land. Yet, archaeologists spent much time and money to uncover the fact that this revered English version was just a lowly pile of old, local rocks, and for what end? Jim has many such piles around our property and has wryly speculated that someday someone may think these are sacred burial mounds. After having read this article, I realized he was probably right--and that made me laugh right out loud at the wisdom of his musings.
Then, there were the two scientists who decided to unravel the mystery of knots, yes, I said knots. An article appeared in DISCOVER magazine (February 2008, p. 16) that explained how two academics from the University of California at San Diego decided to tackle this universal problem (think, jewelry boxes, sock drawers, etc.) by tossing bits of string around and around in a box
3,415 times. Why that number, one can only guess. However, after the predestined tossing about, these two men uncovered the fact that the string entangled itself in 120 different ways with up to 11 crossings each. Pictures were attached to prove the point. It seemed that how they would use this information was an afterthought; though, they mentioned maybe applying it to DNA or umbilical cord research. As a former crafter of all things macrame, I had to give them credit for taking great pictures. My concluding thought: maybe they were closet macrame enthusiasts or boatswain mates in a previous life with something to prove. I have to admit, this one elicited from me more of an "Oh, brother" than a smile--although the picture in my mind's eye of two academicians creating macrame owl hangings like I used to knot did give me a little chuckle, if truth be told.
And finally, a recent WSJ article on the Galapagos Islands (1-5/6-08, p. W6) brought a smile to my face when I read the following anthropomorphic statement:
"For tourists, no matter how much they've read about the Galapagos, it is astonishing to see animals, reptiles and birds that have no fear of humans. They will allow you to come right up to them, since they haven't experienced humans as a threat."
I thought sardonically, could it be that these creatures don't experience humans as a threat because they don't see humans at all? We may simply not be on the radar of the Giant Tortoises, the sea-going lizards or the fight-less cormorants who populate these islands. Humans, too, experience a similar "not-seeing" when confronted with a phenomenon outside of their experience or reality. Thus, animals could be similar to man in this regard. But, until the day comes when we can ask this eclectic crew of Galapagos creatures why they ignore us, we might keep an open mind to the reason behind the behavior, which has obviously accrued to their benefit for many years.
If you want to do something unusual for humanity today, might I suggest adopting a minefield? Check out the "products for sale" on the United Nations Association of the United States of America website for teeshirts both humans and canine as well as daisy seeds, which proceeds go to clearing minefields worldwide. Princess Diane used to be the champion of mind field clearing, now you can take up where she left off:
http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=260414
And that's no laughing matter.
Monday, January 7, 2008
If Consciousness Could Talk
Much has been written about the subject of consciousness lately. Indeed, this blog has already covered it a time or two when reporting on the findings in the groundbreaking book The Intention Experiment, by Lynne McTaggart. Some even believe that in the next twenty years, the soul will be put forth as fact by the scientific community, though that is hard to comprehend at this time.
Arnold Ward in an article entitled "Connected Consciousness" (The Beacon magazine, January - March 2008) explains in layman's terms what a mystic scientist might say about the matter.
"Visualize, if you will, that first instance of the beginning of the universe. The Big Bang of the astronomer is the release of a wave of consciousness which is, in its essence, a stream of particles of energy, the quantum world of the present-day physicist. . .When that first emanation of consciousness began, it contained within itself many layers from the extremely high vibration of the purest form down through the layers to the lowest vibration. "
Couple this thought with Ward's quote from David Wilcock's book Science as Oneness:
"Indeed, this new 'physics of the 21st century' tells us that the very building blocks of mass, the atoms and molecules themselves, are not particles at all. Instead, they are ultimately nothing more than spherical whirlpools of energy in this flowing river of aether. And the aether itself provides the most tangible, scientific way to define, explain and even engineer the Mind of God."
And what do we have, but a possible scientific definition of consciousness that may lead us one day to acknowledging the soul as a fact. On that day, if Consciousness were an entity and could talk, it might declare:
"Ah, you mortals, it is not looking but seeing that counts. I have been here all along waiting for the day you recognize my existence--not for my own sake, mind you, but yours. Indeed, I am the Mind of God, aka the Soul, and have guided you from time immemorial and welcome your entrance into Reality. Congratulations to the scientists who have long been ahead of religion in uncovering my Being! This is a great day for humanity!"
A great day indeed and one worth watching for with our eyes wide open.
On another note, I thought that the current political scene in the United States would not be fodder for this blog on enlightened change because up until last week, the situation seemed stagnant, adversarial and quite unenlightening. With great surprise, then, did Barack Obama present an acceptance speech following his win of the Iowa caucus that caused goosebumps to run down my spine. For whatever reason, I felt that this was a defining moment in history. David Brooks writing for the New York Times said the following day:
"This is a huge moment. It's one of those times when a movement that seemed ethereal and idealistic became a reality and took on political substance. Obama has achieved something remarkable. At first blush, his speeches are abstract, secular sermons of personal uplift--filled with disquisitions on the nature of hope and the contours of change. . ."
And what did Barack say of change during his campaign in Iowa? Little of substance, I thought. Thus, many, myself included, relegated him to the category of nice guy, but a young idealist not yet ready to lead the country. My attitude changed after listening to his moving acceptance speech. I can now understand why Iowans came out in huge numbers to caucus for the man. While the speech is too long to include here in its entirety, I would encourage the reader to read the speech at www.barackobama.com. With the advent of this transcendent speech, we may be seeing the beginning of a surprising enlightened trend of national healing, and, yes, maybe even unity:
"You know, you said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided; too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose. But on this January night--at this defining moment in history--you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do. . .In lines that stretched around schools and churches; in small towns and big cities; you came together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents to stand up and say that we are one nation; we are one people; and our time for change has come."
If that's the kind of change this idealist is looking to bring, he may indeed carry the day in November. Why? Because the crises created by the separatists in Washington and elsewhere have possibly produced an opening for lighted change. We will see if the time is right for the emergence of a new national attitude of cooperation and collaboration led by a potential inspired visionary. A wise man once said:
"Let love be the keynote in all relationships, for the power which must salvage the world is the precipitation of love and how shall that find its way onto the physical plane save through the group whose ears are attuned to its imminent emergence, and through the lives of those in the group who are irradiated by love itself?" (The Externalization of the Hierarchy, A. Bailey, pp. 333-34.)
Thus, if Barack's motives are pure, he may indeed get the chance to prove himself as an enlightened world leader. We will watch with great interest.
Arnold Ward in an article entitled "Connected Consciousness" (The Beacon magazine, January - March 2008) explains in layman's terms what a mystic scientist might say about the matter.
"Visualize, if you will, that first instance of the beginning of the universe. The Big Bang of the astronomer is the release of a wave of consciousness which is, in its essence, a stream of particles of energy, the quantum world of the present-day physicist. . .When that first emanation of consciousness began, it contained within itself many layers from the extremely high vibration of the purest form down through the layers to the lowest vibration. "
Couple this thought with Ward's quote from David Wilcock's book Science as Oneness:
"Indeed, this new 'physics of the 21st century' tells us that the very building blocks of mass, the atoms and molecules themselves, are not particles at all. Instead, they are ultimately nothing more than spherical whirlpools of energy in this flowing river of aether. And the aether itself provides the most tangible, scientific way to define, explain and even engineer the Mind of God."
And what do we have, but a possible scientific definition of consciousness that may lead us one day to acknowledging the soul as a fact. On that day, if Consciousness were an entity and could talk, it might declare:
"Ah, you mortals, it is not looking but seeing that counts. I have been here all along waiting for the day you recognize my existence--not for my own sake, mind you, but yours. Indeed, I am the Mind of God, aka the Soul, and have guided you from time immemorial and welcome your entrance into Reality. Congratulations to the scientists who have long been ahead of religion in uncovering my Being! This is a great day for humanity!"
A great day indeed and one worth watching for with our eyes wide open.
On another note, I thought that the current political scene in the United States would not be fodder for this blog on enlightened change because up until last week, the situation seemed stagnant, adversarial and quite unenlightening. With great surprise, then, did Barack Obama present an acceptance speech following his win of the Iowa caucus that caused goosebumps to run down my spine. For whatever reason, I felt that this was a defining moment in history. David Brooks writing for the New York Times said the following day:
"This is a huge moment. It's one of those times when a movement that seemed ethereal and idealistic became a reality and took on political substance. Obama has achieved something remarkable. At first blush, his speeches are abstract, secular sermons of personal uplift--filled with disquisitions on the nature of hope and the contours of change. . ."
And what did Barack say of change during his campaign in Iowa? Little of substance, I thought. Thus, many, myself included, relegated him to the category of nice guy, but a young idealist not yet ready to lead the country. My attitude changed after listening to his moving acceptance speech. I can now understand why Iowans came out in huge numbers to caucus for the man. While the speech is too long to include here in its entirety, I would encourage the reader to read the speech at www.barackobama.com. With the advent of this transcendent speech, we may be seeing the beginning of a surprising enlightened trend of national healing, and, yes, maybe even unity:
"You know, you said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided; too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose. But on this January night--at this defining moment in history--you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do. . .In lines that stretched around schools and churches; in small towns and big cities; you came together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents to stand up and say that we are one nation; we are one people; and our time for change has come."
If that's the kind of change this idealist is looking to bring, he may indeed carry the day in November. Why? Because the crises created by the separatists in Washington and elsewhere have possibly produced an opening for lighted change. We will see if the time is right for the emergence of a new national attitude of cooperation and collaboration led by a potential inspired visionary. A wise man once said:
"Let love be the keynote in all relationships, for the power which must salvage the world is the precipitation of love and how shall that find its way onto the physical plane save through the group whose ears are attuned to its imminent emergence, and through the lives of those in the group who are irradiated by love itself?" (The Externalization of the Hierarchy, A. Bailey, pp. 333-34.)
Thus, if Barack's motives are pure, he may indeed get the chance to prove himself as an enlightened world leader. We will watch with great interest.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
How Do I Know?
Some have asked how do I know where to look for lighted change. My response?
Simply look for crises, the lighted change inevitably follows; just as spring follows winter.
The often dire situation may not look lighted at first, but most likely a seed of light has been planted and a new creation is ready to erupt when the soil is ready.
Simply look for crises, the lighted change inevitably follows; just as spring follows winter.
The often dire situation may not look lighted at first, but most likely a seed of light has been planted and a new creation is ready to erupt when the soil is ready.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Yo Put His Feet Up
In this age of political correctness, we often struggle with what to do with the he/she issue. We used to just write "he" when the sex of the subject was unknown--but that is out--and "hizer" never really caught on. This conundrum left a void in our vernacular, until now. WSJ reports on an article in the NEW SCIENTIST magazine (1-5-08) that kids in Baltimore have come to the rescue with the use of the word YO: "It is 'yo,' as in 'yo put your feet up.' The study showed this usage was different from other uses of 'yo'--as a greeting or as a synonym of 'you'. . .[and] is significant [because] it emerged without politically correct prodding." This story reminds me that language is a living construct of the collective mind and emerges anew in the most unlikely places, something to watch avidly in the future.
How are the forests of the world monitored for general health or compliance with the Kyoto agreement? Satellites would be the obvious answer, but "heavy cloud cover and frequent, heavy rain in these tropical regions make conventional satellite monitoring difficult," says Tom Wright in a WSJ article entitled "Solving Technical Problem for Climate" (1-3-08, p. B3.) He writes of the solution to this vexing problem. Note that the national aerospace agency of Japan is working in cooperation with an established American research institute, which certainly shows an enlightened trend in and of itself:
"Now, scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Woods Hole Research Center, a scientific institute based in Massachusetts, think they might have the answer. Using new technology to analyze radar waves emitting from a surveillance satellite, the scientists say they can accurately assess the state of the world's forests with accuracy that is close to real time, no matter what the weather on Earth."
Which brings us to an old innovation that has been resurrected to help solve one of the problems with solar energy--that of storage. On January 2, 2008, WSJ reported that a "Solar Venture will Draw on Molten Salt" (p. A7.) Molten salt, I asked? Now that is enlightened innovation:
"The solar-plant technology was first demonstrated in the 1980's, using the sun's heat to convert water into steam to drive generators. In 1994, the project was modified to include the use of molten salt for energy storage. In such a system, the molten salt is pumped through a tower, where it is heated by the sun's rays. The salt is then stored in insulated containers until it is needed. It is then turned into steam that drives turbines that generate electricity. . .molten salt only loses about 1% of its heat during the day, making it possible to store energy for long periods of time."
This illuminated use of solar energy technology is a step forward because at least the source of the energy (sun) is free and the storage medium (salt) is cheap and plentiful. It is predicted by some that the unleashing of no-cost energy in the future will free humanity to pursue its divine birthright--something we cannot even fully imagine at the moment, although sharing, cooperation and responsibility will be parts of the framework.
These forward-thinking attitudes have always played a part on the world-wide web with opportunities abounding to download free software of every kind imaginable (including this blog site through Google.) However, getting access to the internet to download the free software has not always been possible for those with no funds. In San Francisco last summer, Meraki Inc. began to change that equation by offering free Wi-Fi internet access to anyone who asked. The WSJ commented that "Meraki, which was founded in 2006 and sells wireless gear and related network services, says it is financing the free San Francisco wireless service itself as a research-and-development expense. . ." (1-4-08, p. B3.) The age of wireless technology has opened a vast area of sharing possibilities, and these advances are worth watching.
And finally, as we all know, global warming has been blamed for climate change. That belief has set off a fire-storm of controversy that has grown rather acrimonious over the last few years. Another theory that has gotten little press is the role that the sun plays in the Earth's climate and is one that is examined by the scientists at the Center for Sun-Climate Research, located in Copenhagen. Rather than being an inert hot ball in the sky, they speculate that the sun influences us in more ways than we can count, including directly affecting the climate.
Another little recognized affect on the climate is that of Earth's magnetism. In 1923, in The Mahatma Letters to AP Sinnett, one of the Masters who sent these letters to Mr. Sinnett explains in abbreviated detail that a mass of magnetized meteoric dust compressing our atmosphere creates climatic changes, not the sun or man:
"Even simple muscular contraction is always accompanied by with electrical and magnetic phenomenon, and there is the strongest connection between the magnetism of the Earth, the changes of weather and man, who is the best barometer living, if he but knew how to decipher it properly;. . .it is an established fact that it is the earth's magnetism that produces wind, storms, and rain. Earth's magnetic attraction of meteoric dust, and the direct influence of the latter upon the sudden changes of temperature especially in the matter of heat and cold."
"High above our earth's surface the air is impregnated and the space filled with magnetic, or meteoric dust, which does not even belong to our solar system. Science having luckily discovered, that, as our earth with all other planets is carried along through space, it receives a greater proportion of that dust matter on its northern than on its southern hemisphere, knows that this is due to the preponderating number of the continents in the former hemisphere, and the greater abundance of snow and moisture. Millions of such meteors and even of the finest particles reach us yearly and daily, and all of our knives are made of this 'heavenly' iron, which reaches us without having undergone any change--"
The matter of climate is a timely topic of discussion and has raised men's awareness to the changes occurring in the Earth's environment. Could it be that in this discussion, like many others, we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the matter? Both sides of the debate might consider that possibility when launching barbs at the other. There is a good chance that neither is completely right and each has something to contribute if done in a spirit of cooperation and sharing. In an atmosphere impregnated by that loving energy, the Masters might be more interested in sharing their knowledge as well.
How are the forests of the world monitored for general health or compliance with the Kyoto agreement? Satellites would be the obvious answer, but "heavy cloud cover and frequent, heavy rain in these tropical regions make conventional satellite monitoring difficult," says Tom Wright in a WSJ article entitled "Solving Technical Problem for Climate" (1-3-08, p. B3.) He writes of the solution to this vexing problem. Note that the national aerospace agency of Japan is working in cooperation with an established American research institute, which certainly shows an enlightened trend in and of itself:
"Now, scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Woods Hole Research Center, a scientific institute based in Massachusetts, think they might have the answer. Using new technology to analyze radar waves emitting from a surveillance satellite, the scientists say they can accurately assess the state of the world's forests with accuracy that is close to real time, no matter what the weather on Earth."
Which brings us to an old innovation that has been resurrected to help solve one of the problems with solar energy--that of storage. On January 2, 2008, WSJ reported that a "Solar Venture will Draw on Molten Salt" (p. A7.) Molten salt, I asked? Now that is enlightened innovation:
"The solar-plant technology was first demonstrated in the 1980's, using the sun's heat to convert water into steam to drive generators. In 1994, the project was modified to include the use of molten salt for energy storage. In such a system, the molten salt is pumped through a tower, where it is heated by the sun's rays. The salt is then stored in insulated containers until it is needed. It is then turned into steam that drives turbines that generate electricity. . .molten salt only loses about 1% of its heat during the day, making it possible to store energy for long periods of time."
This illuminated use of solar energy technology is a step forward because at least the source of the energy (sun) is free and the storage medium (salt) is cheap and plentiful. It is predicted by some that the unleashing of no-cost energy in the future will free humanity to pursue its divine birthright--something we cannot even fully imagine at the moment, although sharing, cooperation and responsibility will be parts of the framework.
These forward-thinking attitudes have always played a part on the world-wide web with opportunities abounding to download free software of every kind imaginable (including this blog site through Google.) However, getting access to the internet to download the free software has not always been possible for those with no funds. In San Francisco last summer, Meraki Inc. began to change that equation by offering free Wi-Fi internet access to anyone who asked. The WSJ commented that "Meraki, which was founded in 2006 and sells wireless gear and related network services, says it is financing the free San Francisco wireless service itself as a research-and-development expense. . ." (1-4-08, p. B3.) The age of wireless technology has opened a vast area of sharing possibilities, and these advances are worth watching.
And finally, as we all know, global warming has been blamed for climate change. That belief has set off a fire-storm of controversy that has grown rather acrimonious over the last few years. Another theory that has gotten little press is the role that the sun plays in the Earth's climate and is one that is examined by the scientists at the Center for Sun-Climate Research, located in Copenhagen. Rather than being an inert hot ball in the sky, they speculate that the sun influences us in more ways than we can count, including directly affecting the climate.
Another little recognized affect on the climate is that of Earth's magnetism. In 1923, in The Mahatma Letters to AP Sinnett, one of the Masters who sent these letters to Mr. Sinnett explains in abbreviated detail that a mass of magnetized meteoric dust compressing our atmosphere creates climatic changes, not the sun or man:
"Even simple muscular contraction is always accompanied by with electrical and magnetic phenomenon, and there is the strongest connection between the magnetism of the Earth, the changes of weather and man, who is the best barometer living, if he but knew how to decipher it properly;. . .it is an established fact that it is the earth's magnetism that produces wind, storms, and rain. Earth's magnetic attraction of meteoric dust, and the direct influence of the latter upon the sudden changes of temperature especially in the matter of heat and cold."
"High above our earth's surface the air is impregnated and the space filled with magnetic, or meteoric dust, which does not even belong to our solar system. Science having luckily discovered, that, as our earth with all other planets is carried along through space, it receives a greater proportion of that dust matter on its northern than on its southern hemisphere, knows that this is due to the preponderating number of the continents in the former hemisphere, and the greater abundance of snow and moisture. Millions of such meteors and even of the finest particles reach us yearly and daily, and all of our knives are made of this 'heavenly' iron, which reaches us without having undergone any change--"
The matter of climate is a timely topic of discussion and has raised men's awareness to the changes occurring in the Earth's environment. Could it be that in this discussion, like many others, we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the matter? Both sides of the debate might consider that possibility when launching barbs at the other. There is a good chance that neither is completely right and each has something to contribute if done in a spirit of cooperation and sharing. In an atmosphere impregnated by that loving energy, the Masters might be more interested in sharing their knowledge as well.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Two Taboo Topics
Politics and religion are two topics never discussed in polite society, it is said. There is no better way to make enemies than to vehemently expound on one or both of these usually controversial subjects, especially in a group just trying to have fun. In this blog, I had not talked much about either because lighted trends are not indigenous to the way the populace as a whole generally handles itself politically or religiously. It seems that both COULD be enlightened but generally aren't at this time--with notable exceptions, like the Burmese Monks so often mentioned here. Could it be that lack of true leadership is one of the main components missing?
Having asked that question, three articles caught my eye in the past couple of days that may show a lighted change in the realm of political and religious leadership. In each case religious leaders stepped up to the political plate to promote freedom of the people and democracy, a role that could be fitting for them if handled well.
First, as reported by the United Press International today on its website, Archbishop Desmond Tutu arrived in Kenya to help broker a peace between rivaling factions following an allegedly flawed election in that previously quiet country:
"Archbishop Tutu began an attempt to restore calm to the African nation torn apart by post-election violence. Tutu, a Nobel Laureate heading up a delegation from the All Africa Conference of Churches, said he would meet with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odina. . .Tutu said the group had hopes of reaching an acceptable agreement to save the country and its people."
The two vying Kenyan political leaders are from separate tribes, and the words between them have grown incendiary. There is fear that, without intervention in the current fledgling democracy, the prevailing peace between the 40 Kenyan tribes will fail, leading the country into civil war. Archbishop Tutu's role as an African religious leader could turn the tide in Kenya, and also set an example for other African religious leaders--whether they be Muslim, Christian or Jew--to lead the way to freedom for other beleaguered African nations.
Darfur is another example where African religious leadership could make a difference--most likely from a Muslim cleric of some kind. It is obvious that the political will is lacking to bring that sorry situation to an end. Thus, inspiration will have to come from another sector, and it might be time for religious leaders to step forward into that quagmire.
Second, the WSJ as a year end send-off entitled "Liberty Theology" opined that the Catholic Church is having a change of heart regarding its role in Latin America:
"Catholic Church bishops, priests and other Church leaders in Latin America were once a reliable ally of the left, owing to the influence of 'liberation theology,' which tries to link the Gospel to the socialist cause. Today the Church is coming to recognize the link between socialism and the loss of freedom, and a shift in thinking is taking place. In a region that is 90% Catholic, this change might have enormous implications. A Church that emphasizes liberty could play a role in Latin America similar to that which it played in Eastern Europe in the 1980's, as a counterweight in defense of freedom during a time of rising despotism. Fro proof of the change. . .consider the recent statement from the Catholic Bishops of Venezuela: It blasted the political agenda of President Hugo Chavez for its assault on liberty under the guise of helping the poor. It is morally unacceptable, the statement said, and will drive the country backward in terms of respect for human rights."
Bolivia has apparently also been under the gun of the Church in the form of its late Cardinal Castillo who said that the country was slipping toward dictatorship. Mind you, the Catholic Church is not put forward by me as THE answer--its own checkered past would preclude entirely trusting the Church's motives. However, motives aside, the trend is enlightening when religious leaders stand up for freedom, particularly in the face of adversity and death as in the Myanmar case.
Third, on a slightly different note, it is newsworthy that the people of Bhutan went to the polls Monday to elect a Parliament for the first time. I put this into the enlightened religious leader category because it was remarkably that their former monarch, the Dragon King and a religious leader in his own right, led the way forward without fight or friction. The WSJ reported this story as an op-ed entitled "Democracy in Shangri-La" January 2, 2008. The story is so compelling, I include it in its entirety:
"The citizens of the world's newest democracy went to the polls Monday to elect members of the upper house of Parliament. In coming months they will vote on a draft constitution that has been mailed to every household in the nation and choose representation for the lower house."
"Welcome to Bhutan, an isolated Himalayan Kingdom wedged between India and China and made famous for a national philosophy of 'gross domestic happiness.' Until recently, Bhutan has been an absolute monarchy, under the reign of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who ascended the throne in 1972 at the age of 16. The monarch's official title is Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King, but His Majesty also deserves to go down in history as the country's George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson."
"In 1998, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk voluntarily reduced the scope of his powers. A few years later he decreed that Bhutan would become a constitutional monarchy and set out to educate his people on the virtues of democracy. He accomplished this task by personally presiding at informational meetings throughout the country and holding mock elections. In December 2006, after 34 years as sovereign, he abdicated, turning over his limited responsibilities to his Oxford-educated son."
"In drafting a constitution, the elder King ordered his legal experts to study the constitutions of all the world's greatest democracies. The final project opens with 'We the People' and speaks in the preamble of securing the 'blessings of liberty.' These words were originally penned by a group of men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787. Their power has not diminished over the centuries. Today, the ideals that stand at the heart of the world's oldest democracy are understood anew by men and women led by an enlightened former monarch in Thimphu."
My hat goes off to Bhutan for continuing with its democracy dreams while many in the rest of the world spit on the word. Democracies have gotten somewhat of a bad name in the last several years under our current President who believes that this political form should be spread like evangelical religion rather than through a slow, steady process like Bhutan's. Study of this tiny country's experiment might prove illustrative to those interested in seeing how a true democracy is born.
And finally, here is enlightening news you can use that could make a difference in your waistline by this time next year. MEN'S HEALTH magazine website reports on nine "health foods" that are pulling your leg. David Zinczenko wrote in his book "Eat This Not That" that these hyped non-fat and/or low-calorie foods are anything but that. The nine offenders? Bran muffins, chicken Caesar salad, tuna melt, chicken wrap, turkey burger, fruit smoothies, granola bars, pastas salad, and yogurt with fruit on the bottom which each and every one containing hidden fats and sugars.
Having asked that question, three articles caught my eye in the past couple of days that may show a lighted change in the realm of political and religious leadership. In each case religious leaders stepped up to the political plate to promote freedom of the people and democracy, a role that could be fitting for them if handled well.
First, as reported by the United Press International today on its website, Archbishop Desmond Tutu arrived in Kenya to help broker a peace between rivaling factions following an allegedly flawed election in that previously quiet country:
"Archbishop Tutu began an attempt to restore calm to the African nation torn apart by post-election violence. Tutu, a Nobel Laureate heading up a delegation from the All Africa Conference of Churches, said he would meet with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odina. . .Tutu said the group had hopes of reaching an acceptable agreement to save the country and its people."
The two vying Kenyan political leaders are from separate tribes, and the words between them have grown incendiary. There is fear that, without intervention in the current fledgling democracy, the prevailing peace between the 40 Kenyan tribes will fail, leading the country into civil war. Archbishop Tutu's role as an African religious leader could turn the tide in Kenya, and also set an example for other African religious leaders--whether they be Muslim, Christian or Jew--to lead the way to freedom for other beleaguered African nations.
Darfur is another example where African religious leadership could make a difference--most likely from a Muslim cleric of some kind. It is obvious that the political will is lacking to bring that sorry situation to an end. Thus, inspiration will have to come from another sector, and it might be time for religious leaders to step forward into that quagmire.
Second, the WSJ as a year end send-off entitled "Liberty Theology" opined that the Catholic Church is having a change of heart regarding its role in Latin America:
"Catholic Church bishops, priests and other Church leaders in Latin America were once a reliable ally of the left, owing to the influence of 'liberation theology,' which tries to link the Gospel to the socialist cause. Today the Church is coming to recognize the link between socialism and the loss of freedom, and a shift in thinking is taking place. In a region that is 90% Catholic, this change might have enormous implications. A Church that emphasizes liberty could play a role in Latin America similar to that which it played in Eastern Europe in the 1980's, as a counterweight in defense of freedom during a time of rising despotism. Fro proof of the change. . .consider the recent statement from the Catholic Bishops of Venezuela: It blasted the political agenda of President Hugo Chavez for its assault on liberty under the guise of helping the poor. It is morally unacceptable, the statement said, and will drive the country backward in terms of respect for human rights."
Bolivia has apparently also been under the gun of the Church in the form of its late Cardinal Castillo who said that the country was slipping toward dictatorship. Mind you, the Catholic Church is not put forward by me as THE answer--its own checkered past would preclude entirely trusting the Church's motives. However, motives aside, the trend is enlightening when religious leaders stand up for freedom, particularly in the face of adversity and death as in the Myanmar case.
Third, on a slightly different note, it is newsworthy that the people of Bhutan went to the polls Monday to elect a Parliament for the first time. I put this into the enlightened religious leader category because it was remarkably that their former monarch, the Dragon King and a religious leader in his own right, led the way forward without fight or friction. The WSJ reported this story as an op-ed entitled "Democracy in Shangri-La" January 2, 2008. The story is so compelling, I include it in its entirety:
"The citizens of the world's newest democracy went to the polls Monday to elect members of the upper house of Parliament. In coming months they will vote on a draft constitution that has been mailed to every household in the nation and choose representation for the lower house."
"Welcome to Bhutan, an isolated Himalayan Kingdom wedged between India and China and made famous for a national philosophy of 'gross domestic happiness.' Until recently, Bhutan has been an absolute monarchy, under the reign of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who ascended the throne in 1972 at the age of 16. The monarch's official title is Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King, but His Majesty also deserves to go down in history as the country's George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson."
"In 1998, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk voluntarily reduced the scope of his powers. A few years later he decreed that Bhutan would become a constitutional monarchy and set out to educate his people on the virtues of democracy. He accomplished this task by personally presiding at informational meetings throughout the country and holding mock elections. In December 2006, after 34 years as sovereign, he abdicated, turning over his limited responsibilities to his Oxford-educated son."
"In drafting a constitution, the elder King ordered his legal experts to study the constitutions of all the world's greatest democracies. The final project opens with 'We the People' and speaks in the preamble of securing the 'blessings of liberty.' These words were originally penned by a group of men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787. Their power has not diminished over the centuries. Today, the ideals that stand at the heart of the world's oldest democracy are understood anew by men and women led by an enlightened former monarch in Thimphu."
My hat goes off to Bhutan for continuing with its democracy dreams while many in the rest of the world spit on the word. Democracies have gotten somewhat of a bad name in the last several years under our current President who believes that this political form should be spread like evangelical religion rather than through a slow, steady process like Bhutan's. Study of this tiny country's experiment might prove illustrative to those interested in seeing how a true democracy is born.
And finally, here is enlightening news you can use that could make a difference in your waistline by this time next year. MEN'S HEALTH magazine website reports on nine "health foods" that are pulling your leg. David Zinczenko wrote in his book "Eat This Not That" that these hyped non-fat and/or low-calorie foods are anything but that. The nine offenders? Bran muffins, chicken Caesar salad, tuna melt, chicken wrap, turkey burger, fruit smoothies, granola bars, pastas salad, and yogurt with fruit on the bottom which each and every one containing hidden fats and sugars.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year with the Masters
Yesterday's blog got a little more lengthy than expected; so, today please accept a short tale about a group of dedicated Himalayan Masters who, it is told, guide humanity to eventual acceptance of their rightful inheritance of a Kingdom on Earth. Much has been written about these fabled Masters and the following is a short description of these illustrious light-bearers written in the early twentieth century:
"They aid in countless ways, the progress of humanity. From the highest sphere They shed down light and life on all the world, that may be taken up and assimilated as freely as the sunshine, by all who are receptive enough to take it in. The Masters especially connected with religions use these religions as reservoirs into which They pour spiritual energy, to be distributed to the faithful in each religion through the duly appointed "means of grace'. Next comes the great intellectual work, wherein the Masters send out thought-forms of high intellectual power to be caught up by the men of genius assimilated by them and given out to the world. Then comes the generation of the thought-forms which influence the concrete mind and guide it along useful lines of activity in this world. . .in the physical world [They are responsible for] watching the tendencies of events, the correction and neutralizing, as far as law permits, of evil currents, the constant balancing of forces that work for and against evolution, the strengthening of the good, the weakening of the evil.'
"It will be seen from this that although the Masters may have their heads in Heaven, Their feet walk the earth, which is another way of saying that they are no vague dreamers but eminently practical men. They have shed
all the vices and weaknesses of ordinary mortals, it is true, but They have plodded through these vices and weaknesses themselves on the way toward[s] Adeptship. Therefore, their attitude is one of compete understanding and tolerance, combined with a great sympathy [for struggling humanity] and what is equally important, as they say themselves--a pronounced sense of humor."
With description of these colorful characters as a background, let me tell you a short story as to how we got all the various spiritual and non-spiritual movements we did in the early twentieth century. In my minds eye, I can see several of the Masters conferring over hot tea in one of their huts and discussing the matter at hand with deep understanding of human nature as well as a wee sense of humor:
"The ideal of Unity in Diversity is so completely realized by the Masters that although on the surface they may sometimes appear to be working in opposition, in reality they are working in perfect accord, their manifold branches of activity blending with one another as do the colours of a spectrum. Thus, last century [19th century] when Victorian bigotry and religious narrow-mindedness had reached a climax, one of the Masters, in order to counteract this, inspired the Agnostic Movement. This in its turn showed signs of becoming overemphasized, so to adjust the balance another of the Masters inspired the Spiritualistic Movement [with mediums and the like.] a little later Master KH and Master M sponsored the Theosophical Society through their much-maligned disciple, Madame Blavatsky. Then another Master inspired Christian Science. All these Movements were operative simultaneously, and each in opposition to the other. Haeckel swept aside belief in the soul as pure superstition, Madame Blavatsky informed the spiritualists that their spirits were but empty shells, while Mrs. Eddy pronounced Theosophy to be an 'error of the mortal mind,' and Victorian bigots condemned each other and all these Movements as anti-Christian machinations of the devil. Meanwhile, the Masters, although they deplored these intolerant denunciations, patiently watched each Movement to gauge its effect on the great Evolutionary scheme, toward[s] the carrying out of which they work so harmoniously together." (Through the Eyes of the Masters, D. Anrias, 1932, pp. 8 - 9, 12.)
Whether this tale is true or not makes little difference. What is important is the message of tolerance, which is clearly heard. You might think of this story next time you hear denunciation of one movement of any kind in favor of another. In the grand scheme of things, it could be that each is good in its own right for the time, place and people that it attracts and necessary for the evolution of men's minds over the eons of time.
Or maybe not. You be the judge. . .
"They aid in countless ways, the progress of humanity. From the highest sphere They shed down light and life on all the world, that may be taken up and assimilated as freely as the sunshine, by all who are receptive enough to take it in. The Masters especially connected with religions use these religions as reservoirs into which They pour spiritual energy, to be distributed to the faithful in each religion through the duly appointed "means of grace'. Next comes the great intellectual work, wherein the Masters send out thought-forms of high intellectual power to be caught up by the men of genius assimilated by them and given out to the world. Then comes the generation of the thought-forms which influence the concrete mind and guide it along useful lines of activity in this world. . .in the physical world [They are responsible for] watching the tendencies of events, the correction and neutralizing, as far as law permits, of evil currents, the constant balancing of forces that work for and against evolution, the strengthening of the good, the weakening of the evil.'
"It will be seen from this that although the Masters may have their heads in Heaven, Their feet walk the earth, which is another way of saying that they are no vague dreamers but eminently practical men. They have shed
all the vices and weaknesses of ordinary mortals, it is true, but They have plodded through these vices and weaknesses themselves on the way toward[s] Adeptship. Therefore, their attitude is one of compete understanding and tolerance, combined with a great sympathy [for struggling humanity] and what is equally important, as they say themselves--a pronounced sense of humor."
With description of these colorful characters as a background, let me tell you a short story as to how we got all the various spiritual and non-spiritual movements we did in the early twentieth century. In my minds eye, I can see several of the Masters conferring over hot tea in one of their huts and discussing the matter at hand with deep understanding of human nature as well as a wee sense of humor:
"The ideal of Unity in Diversity is so completely realized by the Masters that although on the surface they may sometimes appear to be working in opposition, in reality they are working in perfect accord, their manifold branches of activity blending with one another as do the colours of a spectrum. Thus, last century [19th century] when Victorian bigotry and religious narrow-mindedness had reached a climax, one of the Masters, in order to counteract this, inspired the Agnostic Movement. This in its turn showed signs of becoming overemphasized, so to adjust the balance another of the Masters inspired the Spiritualistic Movement [with mediums and the like.] a little later Master KH and Master M sponsored the Theosophical Society through their much-maligned disciple, Madame Blavatsky. Then another Master inspired Christian Science. All these Movements were operative simultaneously, and each in opposition to the other. Haeckel swept aside belief in the soul as pure superstition, Madame Blavatsky informed the spiritualists that their spirits were but empty shells, while Mrs. Eddy pronounced Theosophy to be an 'error of the mortal mind,' and Victorian bigots condemned each other and all these Movements as anti-Christian machinations of the devil. Meanwhile, the Masters, although they deplored these intolerant denunciations, patiently watched each Movement to gauge its effect on the great Evolutionary scheme, toward[s] the carrying out of which they work so harmoniously together." (Through the Eyes of the Masters, D. Anrias, 1932, pp. 8 - 9, 12.)
Whether this tale is true or not makes little difference. What is important is the message of tolerance, which is clearly heard. You might think of this story next time you hear denunciation of one movement of any kind in favor of another. In the grand scheme of things, it could be that each is good in its own right for the time, place and people that it attracts and necessary for the evolution of men's minds over the eons of time.
Or maybe not. You be the judge. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
