If you are feeling guilty about Global warming , it is time to stop listening to people who do not know anything about the studies , or maybe they do not want to know anything about the studies that have been done.
Anyone who is concerned about our planet, should be concerned about protection of the planet, but, should we go blindly ahead without knowing the scientific details? Should we be as sheep, who follow the pied piper, as he tells his/her tale, of woe?
Take a look at this book, which helps you understand how lucky we are to be living in a warming period on earth. In the midlle ages, there was a mini ice age. It is too bad, that there are among us, leaders who feel it necessary to say that the scientists who are saying that the earth goes through warming and cooling cycles are like people that believe that the earth is flat.
How dare anyone say that? Everything that we profess, we need to profess with a grain of salt, because so called truths , can prove to be wrong. Are the ice cores wrong? Is the fact that the Romans grew grapes in Britain, and that it is still not warm enough in Britain to grow grapes a mis-statement ? History unveils itself to those that search for answers, just as science, opens itself to those that search for answers.
Take a look at this article I copied for your convenience. There is a little summary of the book at the end of the chapter list. The book is easy to read, and as a justice to the people of the world, we should spread the word about the information in this book. Our teachers are teaching our children the wrong stuff...do we want this to continue? How many schools are showing the film, An Inconvenient Truth, when the truth should be taught from this book?.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS
HOME / DONATE / ONE LEVEL UP / ABOUT NCPA / CONTACT US
The Physical Evidence of Earth's Unstoppable 1,500-Year Climate Cycle
NCPA Study
No. 279
September 30, 2005 Read Article as PDF | Get Adobe Reader
by S. Fred Singer & Dennis T. Avery
Executive Summary
Introduction
The Ice Cores
Seabed Sediments
Lake Sediments
Cave Stalagmites
Fossilized Pollen
Boreholes
Tree Rings
Mountain Tree Line Elevations
Glacier Advances and Retreats
Miscellaneous Climate Proxies
Summing Up the Worldwide Physical Evidence
Sidebar: Climate Cycling in North America
Notes
About the Authors
Executive Summary
The Earth currently is experiencing a warming trend, but there is scientific evidence that human activities have little to do with it. Instead, the warming seems to be part of a 1,500-year cycle (plus or minus 500 years) of moderate temperature swings.
It has long been accepted that the Earth has experienced climate cycles, most notably the 90,000-year Ice Age cycles. But in the past 20 years or so, modern science has discovered evidence that within those broad Ice Age cycles, the Earth also experiences 1,500-year warming-cooling cycles. The Earth has been in the Modern Warming portion of the current cycle since about 1850, following a Little Ice Age from about 1300 to 1850. It appears likely that warming will continue for some time into the future, perhaps 200 years or more, regardless of human activity.
Evidence of the global nature of the 1,500-year climate cycles includes very long-term proxies for temperature change — ice cores, seabed and lake sediments, and fossils of pollen grains and tiny sea creatures. There are also shorter-term proxies — cave stalagmites, tree rings from trees both living and buried, boreholes and a wide variety of other temperature .
Scientists got the first unequivocal evidence of a continuing moderate natural climate cycle in the 1980s, when Willi Dansgaard of Denmark and Hans Oeschger of Switzerland first saw two mile-long ice cores from Greenland representing 250,000 years of Earth’s frozen, layered climate history. From their initial examination, Dansgaard and Oeschger estimated the smaller temperature cycles at 2,550 years. Subsequent research shortened the estimated length of the cycles to 1,500 years (plus or minus 500 years). Other substantiating findings followed:
An ice core from the Antarctic’s Vostok Glacier — at the other end of the world from Greenland — showed the same 1,500-year cycle through its 400,000-year length.
The ice-core findings correlated with known glacier advances and retreats in northern Europe.
Independent data in a seabed sediment core from the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland, reported in 1997, showed nine of the 1,500-year cycles in the last 12,000 years.
Other seabed sediment cores of varying ages near Iceland, in the Norwegian and Baltic seas, off Alaska, in the eastern Mediterranean, in the Arabian Sea, near the Philippines and off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula all also showed evidence of the 1,500-year cycles. So did lake sediment cores from Switzerland, Alaska, various parts of Africa and Argentina, as did cave stalagmites in Europe, Asia and Africa, and fossilized pollen, boreholes, tree rings and mountain tree lines.
None of these pieces of evidence would be convincing in and of themselves. However, to dismiss the evidence of the 1,500-year climate cycle, it is necessary to dismiss not only the known human histories from the past 2,000 years but also an enormous range and variety of physical evidence found by a huge body of serious researchers.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Loren Eisley
My favorite author of all time. I love his prose. I lived in his stories for many days during and after reading his books. There is not a big collection of writing by him, but what exsists is truly worth reading, for prose that will stop you in your tracks, and make you think about the beauty of the words. Here is one link to copy in to your browser.
www.amazon.com/Star-Thrower-Loren-Eiseley/dp/015...
Comments from the reviewers of The Invisible Pyramid. .
His writing delivered science to nonscientists in the lyrical language of earthly metaphor, irony, simile, and narrative, all paced like a good mystery."—The Bloomsbury Review
New York Times Book Review :
"A relentless haunting and haunted figure devils the man [Eiseley] and twists from him some of the best prose we have.
www.amazon.com/Star-Thrower-Loren-Eiseley/dp/015...
Comments from the reviewers of The Invisible Pyramid. .
His writing delivered science to nonscientists in the lyrical language of earthly metaphor, irony, simile, and narrative, all paced like a good mystery."—The Bloomsbury Review
New York Times Book Review :
"A relentless haunting and haunted figure devils the man [Eiseley] and twists from him some of the best prose we have.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA
A love story, but also a selfish story. by Gabriel Garcia Marquez...great reviews...Oprah chose it.
You can not put it down , once you get into it. The lead character is a selfish, mean defeating person, who focuses on his one great love, and destroys a young innocent girl in the meantime.
You become fascinated with the personality of this odd ball guy, and anxious to learn if he succeeds in his life long obsession.
His love is so tender and great for the one person he is obsessed with, but his actions with others are selfish and self satisfying.
The end of the story, was kind of ....well you will see.
You can not put it down , once you get into it. The lead character is a selfish, mean defeating person, who focuses on his one great love, and destroys a young innocent girl in the meantime.
You become fascinated with the personality of this odd ball guy, and anxious to learn if he succeeds in his life long obsession.
His love is so tender and great for the one person he is obsessed with, but his actions with others are selfish and self satisfying.
The end of the story, was kind of ....well you will see.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Wired Magazine
I happen to pick this magazine up, at a doctor's office last winter, and found it interesting. Take a peek at the web site, and See if you agree. This month the title over the name of the magaine is Google's Plan to Conquer the Moon.
The business I am in requires me to study, design and work with floor plans and layouts, making the most of the space we have to work with to give our customers the most home they can get for the best dollar.
So, I love to look at ideas about how to use technology in the home. We can not use the fabulous ideas, because people at entry living housing can not always afford the wonders, but , when our business comes back again, from its present slouch, I will find a way to include some of the wonders of today, if possible. I happen to like the ideas on HP TouchSmart PC page 151..
The business I am in requires me to study, design and work with floor plans and layouts, making the most of the space we have to work with to give our customers the most home they can get for the best dollar.
So, I love to look at ideas about how to use technology in the home. We can not use the fabulous ideas, because people at entry living housing can not always afford the wonders, but , when our business comes back again, from its present slouch, I will find a way to include some of the wonders of today, if possible. I happen to like the ideas on HP TouchSmart PC page 151..
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Hyperspace:A scientific Odyssey
When reading the reveiw of Paul Davies, new book, I was able to recall reading this book. What fun! I love the chase! It is so exciting that our physicists are capable of putting pen to paper, and bringing us into their worlds. How I longed to understand the universe on their terms, how I wished I had been guided in that direction at graduation from high school It was not meant to be, even if I had the choice or the chance, because math and I are strangers at a certain point. Now, with the wisdom from age, and experience, I can luxuriate in the worlds that are painted in the only language I can understand, the written word, translated from mathmatical formulas of such beauty, I can only imagine them and wish, to be entered into that world of knowledge.
Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension
by Michio Kaku, Robert O'Keefe (Illustrator)
Product Details
Annotation
From the Publisher
From The Critics
Customer Reviews
Author Description
Product Details
ISBN: 0385477058ISBN-13: 9780385477055
Format: Paperback, 359pp
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Sales Rank: 20,818
AnnotationKaku, a physicist, paints a vivid portrait of the groundbreaking theory of hyperspace and its newest wrinkle--superstring theory.
From the PublisherAre there other dimensions beyond our own? Is time travel possible? Can we change the past? Are there gateways to parallel universes? All of us have pondered such questions, but there was a time when scientists dismissed these notions as outlandish speculations. Not any more. Today, they are the focus of the most intense scientific activity in recent memory. In Hyperspace, Michio Kaku, author of the widely acclaimed Beyond Einstein and a leading theoretical physicist, offers the first book-length tour of the most exciting (and perhaps most bizarre) work in modern physics, work which includes research on the tenth dimension, time warps, black holes, and multiple universes. The theory of hyperspace (or higher dimensional space) - and its newest wrinkle, superstring theory - stand at the center of this revolution, with adherents in every major research laboratory in the world, including several Nobel laureates. Beginning where Hawking's Brief History of Time left off, Kaku paints a vivid portrayal of the breakthroughs now rocking the physics establishment. Why all the excitement? As the author points out, for over half a century, scientists have puzzled over why the basic forces of the cosmos - gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces - require markedly different mathematical descriptions. But if we see these forces as vibrations in a higher dimensional space, their field equations suddenly fit together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, perfectly snug, in an elegant, astonishingly simple form. This may thus be our leading candidate for the Theory of Everything. If so, it would be the crowning achievement of 2,000 years of scientific investigation into matter and its forces. Already, the theory has inspired several thousand research papers, and has been the focus of over 200 international conferences. Many leading scientists believe the theory will unlock the deepest secrets of creation and answer some of the most intriguing questions of all
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Since ingesting Einstein's relativity theory 50 years ago, physics fell down a quantum rabbit hole and, ever since, physicists' reports to the world of popular science have been curiouser and curiouser. This version, from the author of the graduate text Quantum Field Theory , is very curious as he delineates the ``delicious contradictions'' of the quantum revolution: that the new paradigms of subatomic matter require the existence of ``hyperspace,'' an ultimate universe of many dimensions, to accomodate their mostly mathematical behaviors. Unified field theory as it is currently understood does not preclude any of the hypotheses that Kaku invites to this Mad Hatter's Theory Party: superstrings, parallel universes and, his centerpiece, time travel. Although occasionally facile, Kaku remains on solid theoretical ground up to the point of his untestable hypotheses, which lead to his more abstract arguments. In the past decade particle physics has lurched to astonishing contradictions and Kaku's adventurous, tantalizing book should not be penalized for promising more than present technology can test. His intellectual perceptions will thrill lay readers, SF fans and the physics-literate. Illustrations. (Apr.)
Library Journal
With erudition and wisdom, Kaku (physics, CUNY) has written a fascinating overview of the major scientists, discoveries, and ideas involved in an ongoing quest for synthesizing quantum mechanics and relativity physics into a superstring theory of our entire universe (unifying gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces). His clear and concise exposition in cosmology explores many topics, ranging from subatomic particles (e.g., quarks and leptons), exobiology, and black holes to wormholes, time travel, and other universes. Kaku stresses that modern physics still needs a more powerful topology mathematics in order to understand completely our expanding and evolving cosmos. Of value for both specialists and general readers, Hyperspace is an engaging and intriguing book. Highly recommended for all science collections in academic and public libraries.-- James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
Booknews
Popular science writer and theoretical physicist, Kaku (physics, City College of the City University of New York), offers a look for the general reader into the newest scientific revolution: the theory of hyperspace. Discussion includes the fifth dimension, superstrings, wormholes, time machines, and the fate of the universe. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Author DescriptionMichio Kaku is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the City College of the City University of New York. He graduated from Harvard and received his Ph.D. from Berkeley. He is author of Beyond Einstein (with Jennifer Trainer), Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction, and Introduction to Superstrings. He has also hosted a weekly hour-long science program on radio for the past ten years.
City College of the City University of New York
Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension
by Michio Kaku, Robert O'Keefe (Illustrator)
Product Details
Annotation
From the Publisher
From The Critics
Customer Reviews
Author Description
Product Details
ISBN: 0385477058ISBN-13: 9780385477055
Format: Paperback, 359pp
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Sales Rank: 20,818
AnnotationKaku, a physicist, paints a vivid portrait of the groundbreaking theory of hyperspace and its newest wrinkle--superstring theory.
From the PublisherAre there other dimensions beyond our own? Is time travel possible? Can we change the past? Are there gateways to parallel universes? All of us have pondered such questions, but there was a time when scientists dismissed these notions as outlandish speculations. Not any more. Today, they are the focus of the most intense scientific activity in recent memory. In Hyperspace, Michio Kaku, author of the widely acclaimed Beyond Einstein and a leading theoretical physicist, offers the first book-length tour of the most exciting (and perhaps most bizarre) work in modern physics, work which includes research on the tenth dimension, time warps, black holes, and multiple universes. The theory of hyperspace (or higher dimensional space) - and its newest wrinkle, superstring theory - stand at the center of this revolution, with adherents in every major research laboratory in the world, including several Nobel laureates. Beginning where Hawking's Brief History of Time left off, Kaku paints a vivid portrayal of the breakthroughs now rocking the physics establishment. Why all the excitement? As the author points out, for over half a century, scientists have puzzled over why the basic forces of the cosmos - gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces - require markedly different mathematical descriptions. But if we see these forces as vibrations in a higher dimensional space, their field equations suddenly fit together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, perfectly snug, in an elegant, astonishingly simple form. This may thus be our leading candidate for the Theory of Everything. If so, it would be the crowning achievement of 2,000 years of scientific investigation into matter and its forces. Already, the theory has inspired several thousand research papers, and has been the focus of over 200 international conferences. Many leading scientists believe the theory will unlock the deepest secrets of creation and answer some of the most intriguing questions of all
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Since ingesting Einstein's relativity theory 50 years ago, physics fell down a quantum rabbit hole and, ever since, physicists' reports to the world of popular science have been curiouser and curiouser. This version, from the author of the graduate text Quantum Field Theory , is very curious as he delineates the ``delicious contradictions'' of the quantum revolution: that the new paradigms of subatomic matter require the existence of ``hyperspace,'' an ultimate universe of many dimensions, to accomodate their mostly mathematical behaviors. Unified field theory as it is currently understood does not preclude any of the hypotheses that Kaku invites to this Mad Hatter's Theory Party: superstrings, parallel universes and, his centerpiece, time travel. Although occasionally facile, Kaku remains on solid theoretical ground up to the point of his untestable hypotheses, which lead to his more abstract arguments. In the past decade particle physics has lurched to astonishing contradictions and Kaku's adventurous, tantalizing book should not be penalized for promising more than present technology can test. His intellectual perceptions will thrill lay readers, SF fans and the physics-literate. Illustrations. (Apr.)
Library Journal
With erudition and wisdom, Kaku (physics, CUNY) has written a fascinating overview of the major scientists, discoveries, and ideas involved in an ongoing quest for synthesizing quantum mechanics and relativity physics into a superstring theory of our entire universe (unifying gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces). His clear and concise exposition in cosmology explores many topics, ranging from subatomic particles (e.g., quarks and leptons), exobiology, and black holes to wormholes, time travel, and other universes. Kaku stresses that modern physics still needs a more powerful topology mathematics in order to understand completely our expanding and evolving cosmos. Of value for both specialists and general readers, Hyperspace is an engaging and intriguing book. Highly recommended for all science collections in academic and public libraries.-- James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
Booknews
Popular science writer and theoretical physicist, Kaku (physics, City College of the City University of New York), offers a look for the general reader into the newest scientific revolution: the theory of hyperspace. Discussion includes the fifth dimension, superstrings, wormholes, time machines, and the fate of the universe. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Author DescriptionMichio Kaku is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the City College of the City University of New York. He graduated from Harvard and received his Ph.D. from Berkeley. He is author of Beyond Einstein (with Jennifer Trainer), Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction, and Introduction to Superstrings. He has also hosted a weekly hour-long science program on radio for the past ten years.
City College of the City University of New York
Books I loved
The Seven Daughers of Eve, by Bryan Sykes, the discovery of the maternal line of DNA, allows us to trace our genetic makeup back to prehistoric times, "to seven primeval women".
Sykes is a professor of genetics at the Institue of Molecular Medicine at Oxford University and his book is wonderful. I highly recommend it
The Divine Matrix, bridging time, space, miracles and belief, by Gregg Braden Gregg was a former senior aerospace computer systems designer, and he has been trying to answer many questions for himself, that we all want to dream of and answer. A book to ponder over. I noticed that I have many page markers to go back to during dreaming time.
I have not read, but I am looking at , The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart
and The Cosmic Jackpot by Paul Davies. Davies is particularly interesting to me, because I just read a brief review in my subscription magazine, Shift: At the Frontiers of Consciousness #16, Sept-Nov. Page 7 first column on the left.
The review states that Davies argues "for a grand cosmic plan. The universe, he believes , is filled with meaning and purpose. He goes on to suggest that human beings-through the sheer act of observation-may have helped shape the laws of physics billions of years ago. What's more he says the universe seems to work like a giant computer. Indeed, it's possible that's exactly what it is, and we-like Neo in The Matrix, might just be living in a simulated virtual world. " This quote was taken from, "We are Meant to Be Here" Steve Paulson,www.salon.com (July3,2007)
Wow! I love it...Davies is an eminent physicist who has written a number of great books, and received many rewards. I am going to that book site to review it some more, I am very interested in that idea. I have had thoughts that we are truly a reflection of a world beyond, that our loved ones return to after they complete their earthly journey, and I say that for reasons, that are hard to believe, but give deep thought to the idea.
Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Universe Is Just Right for Life
by:
Paul Davies
Sykes is a professor of genetics at the Institue of Molecular Medicine at Oxford University and his book is wonderful. I highly recommend it
The Divine Matrix, bridging time, space, miracles and belief, by Gregg Braden Gregg was a former senior aerospace computer systems designer, and he has been trying to answer many questions for himself, that we all want to dream of and answer. A book to ponder over. I noticed that I have many page markers to go back to during dreaming time.
I have not read, but I am looking at , The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart
and The Cosmic Jackpot by Paul Davies. Davies is particularly interesting to me, because I just read a brief review in my subscription magazine, Shift: At the Frontiers of Consciousness #16, Sept-Nov. Page 7 first column on the left.
The review states that Davies argues "for a grand cosmic plan. The universe, he believes , is filled with meaning and purpose. He goes on to suggest that human beings-through the sheer act of observation-may have helped shape the laws of physics billions of years ago. What's more he says the universe seems to work like a giant computer. Indeed, it's possible that's exactly what it is, and we-like Neo in The Matrix, might just be living in a simulated virtual world. " This quote was taken from, "We are Meant to Be Here" Steve Paulson,www.salon.com (July3,2007)
Wow! I love it...Davies is an eminent physicist who has written a number of great books, and received many rewards. I am going to that book site to review it some more, I am very interested in that idea. I have had thoughts that we are truly a reflection of a world beyond, that our loved ones return to after they complete their earthly journey, and I say that for reasons, that are hard to believe, but give deep thought to the idea.
Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Universe Is Just Right for Life
by:
Paul Davies
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
Historical Societies have much to offer our children and others. They tell the story of life, of globalization, of where we came from, and how we got here. They tells the story of where we are going. What better gift, then for a reunion class to remember the Historical Society of the town that they graduated high shcool from.
My dad was an immigrant from Salsa Maggiore, Italy, my mother was born in this country from Italian immigrants. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to grow up in Framingham, Mass., and I love to think about the history of the town, the people and how it came to be at one time the population center of Massachusetts and the typical American town in the 1950's. It was at that time that the United States government used Framingham as a bell marker for the country,
Famous people, companies, owners and their success came from Framingham, Perini Construction, Bianchi wedding gowns, Ken's Foods, Christa McAuliffe, etc. So hopefully our little Historical Society will be able to preserve , the immigrants, the children of the immigrants, and the change that came to our town in the 50's leading us into the new century. I suggest we consider a program for our museum focusing on these three areas, and that we call it,Becoming Americans.
My dad was an immigrant from Salsa Maggiore, Italy, my mother was born in this country from Italian immigrants. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to grow up in Framingham, Mass., and I love to think about the history of the town, the people and how it came to be at one time the population center of Massachusetts and the typical American town in the 1950's. It was at that time that the United States government used Framingham as a bell marker for the country,
Famous people, companies, owners and their success came from Framingham, Perini Construction, Bianchi wedding gowns, Ken's Foods, Christa McAuliffe, etc. So hopefully our little Historical Society will be able to preserve , the immigrants, the children of the immigrants, and the change that came to our town in the 50's leading us into the new century. I suggest we consider a program for our museum focusing on these three areas, and that we call it,Becoming Americans.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Globalization, and understanding it
Bound Together, How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization by Nayan Chanda
This is a wonderful book to help those taking a stand on Globalization, to understand that it is a normal part of being human. Globalization began when we walked out of Africa.
Wow! I have tried to correct the spelling three times, and it will not work! I have allowed some posts to go without editing for that reason...sorry.
This is a wonderful book to help those taking a stand on Globalization, to understand that it is a normal part of being human. Globalization began when we walked out of Africa.
Wow! I have tried to correct the spelling three times, and it will not work! I have allowed some posts to go without editing for that reason...sorry.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Rupert Sheldrake
Interested in morphic forms, and other similar events? This is the place to find. Rupert Sheldrake has a web site and this is the latest from that web site....If interested just type in Rupert Sheldrake in your browser . It should come up with information to his web site.
www.sheldrake.org/ - 28k
News Release from Rupert Sheldrake
11th September 2007
In August, at Hollyhock, on Cortes Island, British Columbia I took
part in trialogue with Andrew Weil and Ralph Abraham on recent
research on the placebo effect and mind-body relationships. This is
now available in streaming audio on my website, and can be accessed
through the stop press section on the homepage.
I’m also planning to appoint ten more Research Helpers in September/
October to help with the precognitive text message test and the email
telepathy test. Details are given on the website. If you are
interested, or if you know anyone who would like to take part, please
let me know.
The tapes of many of the trialogues between myself, Terence McKenna
and Ralph Abraham recently came to light, and we are putting them
online in streaming audio with a new one each month. There is now a
special trialogues page on my website, and Paddy Rose-Price is kindly
serving as the trialogues editor, providing a summary of each
trialogue so that you can see what the gist of it is and decide
whether you would like to listen to it.
Rupert Sheldrake
www.sheldrake.org/ - 28k
News Release from Rupert Sheldrake
11th September 2007
In August, at Hollyhock, on Cortes Island, British Columbia I took
part in trialogue with Andrew Weil and Ralph Abraham on recent
research on the placebo effect and mind-body relationships. This is
now available in streaming audio on my website, and can be accessed
through the stop press section on the homepage.
I’m also planning to appoint ten more Research Helpers in September/
October to help with the precognitive text message test and the email
telepathy test. Details are given on the website. If you are
interested, or if you know anyone who would like to take part, please
let me know.
The tapes of many of the trialogues between myself, Terence McKenna
and Ralph Abraham recently came to light, and we are putting them
online in streaming audio with a new one each month. There is now a
special trialogues page on my website, and Paddy Rose-Price is kindly
serving as the trialogues editor, providing a summary of each
trialogue so that you can see what the gist of it is and decide
whether you would like to listen to it.
Rupert Sheldrake
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Shroud of Turin
Christ told Peter before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times. The famous words from the gospel. Don't we all deny Christ, at some time in our lives, even the most devout believers, when we read something that challenges our belief, or when something happens that makes us wonder if there is a God? Even Mother Theresa, in her recently released letters stated that there was just emptiness ( in so many words) when seeking answers from God.
The Shroud of Turin has become an object ot doubt, to many who believed it to be the burial cloth of Christ.. It was reported that the examined cloth, could only be from the middle ages, until it was found that there was a layer of contamination on the cloth, from the middle ages and one had to get below the layer of contamination.
The subsequent discovery of the cloth being of the time of Jesus, was then cast in doubt because of the fact that spices were not found on the cloth, but rather plant remains. I would like to add here the information on the image that has been discovered, if you wish to review the latest finds
The miracle of this happening at any time in the distant past, is almost preposterous. Did you know there was a second face, on the back of the shroud, that matches the face on the front of the shroud?
Pictures of Jesus - The Second Face Picture - The Shroud of ...
Is the Shroud of Turin a picture of Jesus? In 2006, knowing that the carbon 14 dating was botched and knowing the sugar chemistry of the image, you decide.
www.shroudforum.com/ - 39k - Similar pages
I was promted to go to the shroud site while reading Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill, where I learned the name of the man who made the picture of the negative on the shroud, that came out positive to everyone's surprise.
THE FIRST SHROUD PHOTO
The proposal of Secundo Pia, to use a Shroud photo in the promotional ... Secundo Pia, planned his first trials on May 25, 1898, AFTER the closing of the ...
www.shroud.com/vanhels4.htm - 26k - Similar pages
About 7 years ago, the shroud was being displayed in Turin, Italy. It seems that every 50 years, people get the chance of a life time to see the shroud. We were in Italy and drove for hours from the Mediterranean area, with our friends, because I wanted to see the shroud. It was thrilling to have the opportunity.
We got to the Cathedral and it was closed, to open later in the afternoon. So, we gave up our parking space out front, and went to a very late lunch. Exhausted, from driving miles and miles,we lingered over lunch and then drove back to the Cathedral.
To our surprise, where there were no people earlier, there were now police, and lines of cars and people, no parking spaces, and outlying bus lots, where we had to go to park and now stand in line to see the shroud. Needless to say, I never got to see the shroud. The once in my lifetime occasion was missed. Oh, how I wish I had stayed at the Cathedral that day, and had been the first in.
But,somewhere I did see in one of the churches, the first picture of the man on the shroud, that I had ever seen in my life. I even saw a picture of the veil of Veronica. Yet doubt, has come to me on and off in my life, as I continue the journey to the answers.
I think the positive answers outweigh the negative answers. What have we to lose, to choose to follow the words of the gentle rabbi, who preached and demonstrated love in all its many facets, as the way to heaven.
The Shroud of Turin has become an object ot doubt, to many who believed it to be the burial cloth of Christ.. It was reported that the examined cloth, could only be from the middle ages, until it was found that there was a layer of contamination on the cloth, from the middle ages and one had to get below the layer of contamination.
The subsequent discovery of the cloth being of the time of Jesus, was then cast in doubt because of the fact that spices were not found on the cloth, but rather plant remains. I would like to add here the information on the image that has been discovered, if you wish to review the latest finds
The miracle of this happening at any time in the distant past, is almost preposterous. Did you know there was a second face, on the back of the shroud, that matches the face on the front of the shroud?
Pictures of Jesus - The Second Face Picture - The Shroud of ...
Is the Shroud of Turin a picture of Jesus? In 2006, knowing that the carbon 14 dating was botched and knowing the sugar chemistry of the image, you decide.
www.shroudforum.com/ - 39k - Similar pages
I was promted to go to the shroud site while reading Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill, where I learned the name of the man who made the picture of the negative on the shroud, that came out positive to everyone's surprise.
THE FIRST SHROUD PHOTO
The proposal of Secundo Pia, to use a Shroud photo in the promotional ... Secundo Pia, planned his first trials on May 25, 1898, AFTER the closing of the ...
www.shroud.com/vanhels4.htm - 26k - Similar pages
About 7 years ago, the shroud was being displayed in Turin, Italy. It seems that every 50 years, people get the chance of a life time to see the shroud. We were in Italy and drove for hours from the Mediterranean area, with our friends, because I wanted to see the shroud. It was thrilling to have the opportunity.
We got to the Cathedral and it was closed, to open later in the afternoon. So, we gave up our parking space out front, and went to a very late lunch. Exhausted, from driving miles and miles,we lingered over lunch and then drove back to the Cathedral.
To our surprise, where there were no people earlier, there were now police, and lines of cars and people, no parking spaces, and outlying bus lots, where we had to go to park and now stand in line to see the shroud. Needless to say, I never got to see the shroud. The once in my lifetime occasion was missed. Oh, how I wish I had stayed at the Cathedral that day, and had been the first in.
But,somewhere I did see in one of the churches, the first picture of the man on the shroud, that I had ever seen in my life. I even saw a picture of the veil of Veronica. Yet doubt, has come to me on and off in my life, as I continue the journey to the answers.
I think the positive answers outweigh the negative answers. What have we to lose, to choose to follow the words of the gentle rabbi, who preached and demonstrated love in all its many facets, as the way to heaven.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sir John Polkinghorne
Winner of the Templeton Prize in 2002, mathmatical physicist. After retirement he studied theology, and became an Episcopal priest. Everyone should know his name, as his contribution to the world is that science and theology are NOT opposed to one another, and by bringing forth this contribution, he has opened the road for new types and ideas of conceptual integration.
Why is this important? Faith can not be established by the scientific method, we have to search within ourselves for the answers. Hopefully science will help us prove through the scientific method that some of our faith based answers are true. But, if quantum theory holds true, what we are observing is only observed because we are looking at it. What we are not looking at, observing, is thus not seen. What we do not see is a wave that occurs at the same time as the observed. Hmmmmm!
In my estimation and conclusion from my readings, I agree with Shaye Cohen Ungerleider Professor of Jewish Studies at Brown, quoted fom section 90 in "Desire of the Everlasting Hills", by Thomas Cahill "Christianity, too is ( or at least once was) a form of Judaism. " The term Christianity was not added for a couple of 100 years.
Paul, who spread Messaianic Judaism was a persecutor of the Messianic faith, a learned scholoar of Judaism who fervently believed that the Messianic offshoot was a threat to the Pharisee rabbi version of Judaism. "Paul studied under Gamaliel, according to Luke, et al, the most renowned rabbi of his time", section 117 of Desire.
Here comes Paul, the Pharisee, after falling from his horse on the road to Damascus, having a vision, and now becoming the most fervent of Messianic followers ever to be. The man who will be responsible for carrying the ,"Good News". The first time in the ancient world that the good news was benevolent, is in itself striking!
Is there any doubt left that Christianity is a form of Judaism? As quoted in Desire, in the sidebar section 122, "We should not overlook how closely these most basic of Christian rituals adhere to Jewish models." He goes on to state that Baptism is as old as the Book of Leviticus, the rite of the Eucharist is a form of the Seder, and Missal a form of the Passover Haggada.
Any religion that threatens Judaism, is announcing essentially that it is also against Christianity.
This boils down to the totally unacceptable behavior that religion can incite wars and force beliefs on others. Somewhere, at some time in my growing up, the words I remember from always are, "The Kingdom of God is within you."
Why is this important? Faith can not be established by the scientific method, we have to search within ourselves for the answers. Hopefully science will help us prove through the scientific method that some of our faith based answers are true. But, if quantum theory holds true, what we are observing is only observed because we are looking at it. What we are not looking at, observing, is thus not seen. What we do not see is a wave that occurs at the same time as the observed. Hmmmmm!
In my estimation and conclusion from my readings, I agree with Shaye Cohen Ungerleider Professor of Jewish Studies at Brown, quoted fom section 90 in "Desire of the Everlasting Hills", by Thomas Cahill "Christianity, too is ( or at least once was) a form of Judaism. " The term Christianity was not added for a couple of 100 years.
Paul, who spread Messaianic Judaism was a persecutor of the Messianic faith, a learned scholoar of Judaism who fervently believed that the Messianic offshoot was a threat to the Pharisee rabbi version of Judaism. "Paul studied under Gamaliel, according to Luke, et al, the most renowned rabbi of his time", section 117 of Desire.
Here comes Paul, the Pharisee, after falling from his horse on the road to Damascus, having a vision, and now becoming the most fervent of Messianic followers ever to be. The man who will be responsible for carrying the ,"Good News". The first time in the ancient world that the good news was benevolent, is in itself striking!
Is there any doubt left that Christianity is a form of Judaism? As quoted in Desire, in the sidebar section 122, "We should not overlook how closely these most basic of Christian rituals adhere to Jewish models." He goes on to state that Baptism is as old as the Book of Leviticus, the rite of the Eucharist is a form of the Seder, and Missal a form of the Passover Haggada.
Any religion that threatens Judaism, is announcing essentially that it is also against Christianity.
This boils down to the totally unacceptable behavior that religion can incite wars and force beliefs on others. Somewhere, at some time in my growing up, the words I remember from always are, "The Kingdom of God is within you."
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Iwo Jima
Mt Suribaci, and the raising of the flag. Have you ever thought how similar that must be to raising the cross of Jesus on the mount?
Often times I have thought that we have mini crucifixions in our lives, and when comparing something like this to the raising of the cross for Jesus, it appears that in our collective lives, we also have symbols of and mini crucifixions.
Somehow the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima equates to the loss of my childhood friend Bobby Thomas' brother Billie, who went off as a child, himself, probably 18 years old, to fight World War 2. I never met him, because I was just coming out of the fog of early childhood, when he went off to war. He may have died on Guadacanal, but in my childhood mind, I see the flag raising on Iwo Jima and recall that sad day, when our neighborhood stopped in mid stream, to register the shock of losing one of us! It became quiet that day, and somber for a week or two, while we all realized how close the war had come to our homes., while mourning his young loss of life.
Later, during the war, as I walked to first grade, I noted a gold star on the window of a home, and asked my Mom, why that was there. It and all the aspects of the war, frightened me. Didn't they know children were growing up?
I just finished reading The Secrets of Judas, it is too scholarly, and repetitive because it is a study, by James M. Robinson, about The Gospel of Judas in relation to other gospels and findings . It reads comfortably for awhile, but then it gets too scholarly, for the lay reader who is just trying to get the story.
Bascially, the gospels and other writings as determined by scholars are not original to one writer, and may have had more than one writer, portions could have been copied, or interchanged, or just changed, by who knows who, why or where.
The interesting conclusion for anyone to come to freely, is that Christ , no matter how you study him, no matter how you dice the subject matter, , no matter what, he changed the world to the good, and that is what counts. The Gospel of Judas, is Gnostic in conclusion and the gnostic belief was not in the man, Jesus, but in the spirit of Jesus the man, which was released at his death. So spirituality is the message in The Gospel of Judas, and I for one agree with that.
Often times I have thought that we have mini crucifixions in our lives, and when comparing something like this to the raising of the cross for Jesus, it appears that in our collective lives, we also have symbols of and mini crucifixions.
Somehow the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima equates to the loss of my childhood friend Bobby Thomas' brother Billie, who went off as a child, himself, probably 18 years old, to fight World War 2. I never met him, because I was just coming out of the fog of early childhood, when he went off to war. He may have died on Guadacanal, but in my childhood mind, I see the flag raising on Iwo Jima and recall that sad day, when our neighborhood stopped in mid stream, to register the shock of losing one of us! It became quiet that day, and somber for a week or two, while we all realized how close the war had come to our homes., while mourning his young loss of life.
Later, during the war, as I walked to first grade, I noted a gold star on the window of a home, and asked my Mom, why that was there. It and all the aspects of the war, frightened me. Didn't they know children were growing up?
I just finished reading The Secrets of Judas, it is too scholarly, and repetitive because it is a study, by James M. Robinson, about The Gospel of Judas in relation to other gospels and findings . It reads comfortably for awhile, but then it gets too scholarly, for the lay reader who is just trying to get the story.
Bascially, the gospels and other writings as determined by scholars are not original to one writer, and may have had more than one writer, portions could have been copied, or interchanged, or just changed, by who knows who, why or where.
The interesting conclusion for anyone to come to freely, is that Christ , no matter how you study him, no matter how you dice the subject matter, , no matter what, he changed the world to the good, and that is what counts. The Gospel of Judas, is Gnostic in conclusion and the gnostic belief was not in the man, Jesus, but in the spirit of Jesus the man, which was released at his death. So spirituality is the message in The Gospel of Judas, and I for one agree with that.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Belief in God, today on Doug Stephan/Uri Geller
Doug Stephan on his Good Day radio show( 8030am on your radio dial) between 3-6 am eastern time interviewed Uri Geller, and the talk started on magic, and mysticism ending up with belief in God.
Belief in God, comes from deep within, a searching of your own soul, as to the meaning of life . Why would we be here, for no reason? If there is no reason for life, then why is there life? Why is there joy in a child, the innocence of the child? Often I think of Wordsworth's poem, Intimations of Immortality, when contemplation of the meaning of life overwhelms me.
Today was an appropriate day, to contemplate my belief in God, because my dear friend is facing the loss of her daughter, as I did 3.5 years ago. It is a stunning loss to lose a child. The pain is always there, you never know when it is going to come mildly, or severly to your heart.
What comforted me most, during the dying, was that I felt blessed to have known and grown with my daughter Karen. Through her life long pain and suffering, we learned alot about life, and together we learned to believe in a hereafter.
Isn't it enough that we suffer constantly in our daily lives, without adding war to the mix? My
granddaughter who was only 7 when 9/11 happened, said to me that day, "Don't they know there are children growing up?"
How does God direct such actions? Would God do such a thing against his children? Has religion gone astray? What is the purpose of religion, if it is to kill people and or take over their minds and souls? For what gain, do we wish to take over the minds and souls of people? Is there ultimate power for the group pushing for this ? There has to be an earthly treasure, because there is ultimately no treasure in facing a benevolent and loving God, or spirit, who created us, knowing that we have worked at destroying what he has created.
Who would get your vote for Villan of the Century? Who has stirred up the most trouble in the world, as we enter the new Century, and for what reason? Go to incidents of terrorism map on the web and see the conflicts around the world, then think about what we have created here on earth.
Belief in God, comes from deep within, a searching of your own soul, as to the meaning of life . Why would we be here, for no reason? If there is no reason for life, then why is there life? Why is there joy in a child, the innocence of the child? Often I think of Wordsworth's poem, Intimations of Immortality, when contemplation of the meaning of life overwhelms me.
Today was an appropriate day, to contemplate my belief in God, because my dear friend is facing the loss of her daughter, as I did 3.5 years ago. It is a stunning loss to lose a child. The pain is always there, you never know when it is going to come mildly, or severly to your heart.
What comforted me most, during the dying, was that I felt blessed to have known and grown with my daughter Karen. Through her life long pain and suffering, we learned alot about life, and together we learned to believe in a hereafter.
Isn't it enough that we suffer constantly in our daily lives, without adding war to the mix? My
granddaughter who was only 7 when 9/11 happened, said to me that day, "Don't they know there are children growing up?"
How does God direct such actions? Would God do such a thing against his children? Has religion gone astray? What is the purpose of religion, if it is to kill people and or take over their minds and souls? For what gain, do we wish to take over the minds and souls of people? Is there ultimate power for the group pushing for this ? There has to be an earthly treasure, because there is ultimately no treasure in facing a benevolent and loving God, or spirit, who created us, knowing that we have worked at destroying what he has created.
Who would get your vote for Villan of the Century? Who has stirred up the most trouble in the world, as we enter the new Century, and for what reason? Go to incidents of terrorism map on the web and see the conflicts around the world, then think about what we have created here on earth.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Dr Inamullah Khan/Dr Dyson, physicist
Dr Inamullah Khan , Templeton Prize winner 1988...Secretary General of the World Muslim Congress, proponent of peace within and between the world religions. How wonderful that a Muslim has gained this , the greatest of all prizes in the world. Now, can we expect that a Muslim will once again get this prize in stopping the radical Muslim movement worldwide? Could we work for that in the Muslim world? Is there a man that can stand against the radical leaders, diminish their standing in the Muslim world, and gain the prize that to all of us, should be the most highly desired.
As Dr. Freeman Dyson, physicist, said, when he received his Templeton prize...."How little we yet know, how eager to search and learn?"(page 156)
At the public ceremony at Washington's National Cathedral, he said, "The greatest unsolved mysteries are the mysteries of our exsistence as conscious beings in a small corner of a vast universe. Why are we here? Does the universe have a purpose? When comes our knowledge of good and evil?" (PAGE 154)
Quotes are from ,John Templeton, supporting scientific research for Spiritual Discoveries
Truly, is there a greater quest?
As Dr. Freeman Dyson, physicist, said, when he received his Templeton prize...."How little we yet know, how eager to search and learn?"(page 156)
At the public ceremony at Washington's National Cathedral, he said, "The greatest unsolved mysteries are the mysteries of our exsistence as conscious beings in a small corner of a vast universe. Why are we here? Does the universe have a purpose? When comes our knowledge of good and evil?" (PAGE 154)
Quotes are from ,John Templeton, supporting scientific research for Spiritual Discoveries
Truly, is there a greater quest?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
The story about a young shepherd, who learns to follow his heart and soul, by living in the present, rather than the past, in doing so, his future will be allowed to come to him as he chooses it to be.
It is the whole idea of what we are here for in a short tale about life's adventures through the eyes of a young Spanish boy, who chases a treasure. Don't we all chase a treasure? How many of us realize that the treasure is not money wealth, but well being? If you are happy, if you follow your heart and follow your soul ,things will work out. The universe is there for you, listen to it and it will listen to you. This is a great introduction into the many books that are now presenting about quantum theory and how we as human beings are affected by this new learning about the universe.
I was reading Genghis Khan , but interrupted it because my grandson wants to read,
The Alchemist too, so it will be a great gift for him to get this message before he leaves for college. Note that I spelled Genghis wrong in my previous blog....I think I have seen it as Ghengis, and Genghis, so the spelling is ? Probably Genghis.
It is the whole idea of what we are here for in a short tale about life's adventures through the eyes of a young Spanish boy, who chases a treasure. Don't we all chase a treasure? How many of us realize that the treasure is not money wealth, but well being? If you are happy, if you follow your heart and follow your soul ,things will work out. The universe is there for you, listen to it and it will listen to you. This is a great introduction into the many books that are now presenting about quantum theory and how we as human beings are affected by this new learning about the universe.
I was reading Genghis Khan , but interrupted it because my grandson wants to read,
The Alchemist too, so it will be a great gift for him to get this message before he leaves for college. Note that I spelled Genghis wrong in my previous blog....I think I have seen it as Ghengis, and Genghis, so the spelling is ? Probably Genghis.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Ghengis Khan
Got trapped with out the book I was reading, so I started Ghengis Khan. It is astonishing that people think of the Mongols as vicious raiders of the steppes, when in fact, according to this book they united the world of ideas. The Mongols, carried across their conquered territories the ideas from many countries, bringing nothing from their world, but bringing everything from the conquered worlds.
They took the best and combined the best with the best of other cultures and in doing so they carried the world out of the dark ages and into the beginning of the Renaissance. They brought ideas, such as central fair government, new weapons of warfare, they penetrated enemy lines to spread fear and keep down the number of deaths, etc. Kings and Emperors were treated as the common man, no one was better than another. Astonishment, is what I am coming away with, in the beginning of this book.
The descendants of Ghengis Khan ruled for 700 years! The number of people and countries Ghengis managed to conquer and bring together under one rule, is astonishing. There is something to learning about the time of Ghengis Khan, that helps one to think about the spread of ideas in the ancient world. How and why the Renasissance started under the influence of one man of power, and how that relates to the world today? Interesting question! I will keep you posted.
They took the best and combined the best with the best of other cultures and in doing so they carried the world out of the dark ages and into the beginning of the Renaissance. They brought ideas, such as central fair government, new weapons of warfare, they penetrated enemy lines to spread fear and keep down the number of deaths, etc. Kings and Emperors were treated as the common man, no one was better than another. Astonishment, is what I am coming away with, in the beginning of this book.
The descendants of Ghengis Khan ruled for 700 years! The number of people and countries Ghengis managed to conquer and bring together under one rule, is astonishing. There is something to learning about the time of Ghengis Khan, that helps one to think about the spread of ideas in the ancient world. How and why the Renasissance started under the influence of one man of power, and how that relates to the world today? Interesting question! I will keep you posted.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Some serious reading going on
Just finished The Jesus Papers, by Michael Gaigent , put it in your browser, publisher Harper... you can then see the controversy, the television comments, etc. Does it matter to you that Jesus was a man? Does it matter to you that the Catholic Church created a myth around the figure of a man, who had moved the world to a new form of "Judaism'", as some refer to the Catholic religion?
What about a man (Jesus) that could say this, " If the flesh came for the sake of the spirit, it is a miracle. But, if the spirit for the sake of the flesh- it is a miracle of miracles." This is from the Gospel of Thomas discovered in 1945, Quoted from The Mathematical Experience, page 54 by P. Davis and R. Hersh, which I am reading along with Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill.
Ghengis Khan, is on the after burner, because as I was reading The Jesus Papers, my friend Skip recommended a book, that I am waiting for. While looking at the review for the book Skip suggested, I came across, Desire, and it was so close to the Jesus Papers I thought why not stay with Jesus for awhile, while I am in that world.
Interesting to note, the Temple when destroyed in 70, was then represented by the Temple in Egypt for a few hundred years, according to The Jesus Papers. Egypt was the land of mysticism, and it is thought that the ideas that Jesus came forward with, where learned in Egypt. In other books maybe by this same author, the teaching of the Egyptians, followed Moses into the promised land, since Moses was a Pharoh, he had to be ordained into the secret mysteries. There where divisions in the Jewish beliefs, at the time of Jesus, the orthodox beliefs were predominant, they had lost the mysticism of the past, and focused more on the flesh, such as the forebearers, and the line that carried the blood.
It is an interesting read. What it boils down to, is that like any religion the story is set by the authors of your religion, to what people are willing to accept and believe as the truth, but if you are spiritual, does it really change anything for you? Was Jesus worthy of sainthood? Does it matter if he is not God, but a Saint? What does any of this matter, except to bring us to the realization that religion is all seeking the same answers. Where do we come from? What is our purpose on earth? Shall we blindly follow murderers in the name of religion? Heaven is within us, and so are the answers.
I went into Desire of the Everlasting Hills, as my next read, because it discusses the world before and after Jesus. When I read a book, I enter that world, and want to stay in that world, while it is still in my mind. This book has fabulous reviews from the New York Times, and Philadelphia Inquirer. Will keep you posted on how it feels to read it, after The Jesus Papers
What about a man (Jesus) that could say this, " If the flesh came for the sake of the spirit, it is a miracle. But, if the spirit for the sake of the flesh- it is a miracle of miracles." This is from the Gospel of Thomas discovered in 1945, Quoted from The Mathematical Experience, page 54 by P. Davis and R. Hersh, which I am reading along with Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill.
Ghengis Khan, is on the after burner, because as I was reading The Jesus Papers, my friend Skip recommended a book, that I am waiting for. While looking at the review for the book Skip suggested, I came across, Desire, and it was so close to the Jesus Papers I thought why not stay with Jesus for awhile, while I am in that world.
Interesting to note, the Temple when destroyed in 70, was then represented by the Temple in Egypt for a few hundred years, according to The Jesus Papers. Egypt was the land of mysticism, and it is thought that the ideas that Jesus came forward with, where learned in Egypt. In other books maybe by this same author, the teaching of the Egyptians, followed Moses into the promised land, since Moses was a Pharoh, he had to be ordained into the secret mysteries. There where divisions in the Jewish beliefs, at the time of Jesus, the orthodox beliefs were predominant, they had lost the mysticism of the past, and focused more on the flesh, such as the forebearers, and the line that carried the blood.
It is an interesting read. What it boils down to, is that like any religion the story is set by the authors of your religion, to what people are willing to accept and believe as the truth, but if you are spiritual, does it really change anything for you? Was Jesus worthy of sainthood? Does it matter if he is not God, but a Saint? What does any of this matter, except to bring us to the realization that religion is all seeking the same answers. Where do we come from? What is our purpose on earth? Shall we blindly follow murderers in the name of religion? Heaven is within us, and so are the answers.
I went into Desire of the Everlasting Hills, as my next read, because it discusses the world before and after Jesus. When I read a book, I enter that world, and want to stay in that world, while it is still in my mind. This book has fabulous reviews from the New York Times, and Philadelphia Inquirer. Will keep you posted on how it feels to read it, after The Jesus Papers
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Lifelong learning
When I came across my high school graduation picture, the memories flooded back. I remember being overcome with lonliness for the future, because all my friends were going off in different directions. Some went to work at the telephone company for life long careers. I did not know what my future was going to bring me, because I wanted to go to college, but my mother and father, said that girls did not go to college. It was a waste of money, since girls got married, had children and stayed home to raise the children.
The fall of my senior year, Dad died. It was a year of tremendous pain and turmoil for the whole family. My whole life had been built around making Dad proud of me, showing him I could be as good as any son. But, now, my reason for being, my reflection plate was gone. I no longer could see the love I had for him, or him for me, in the reflection of his face, and I did not know what was to become of our family. Mom was lost in the lonliness of being a widow. Frank was only 12, and maybe too young to realize how this loss would affect his growing up. Dutifully, I followed my Mom's advice and attended secretarial school the summer after graduation. It was not a happy time. Then Mom found out that to work in a Doctor's office I needed a medical secretary degree from a two year college. She relented and let me go to Lasell Jr. College with my best friend, Barbara. It was still learning to be a secretary with medical knowledge tossed in. I was not happy. It was not my goal, it was my mother's goal. Sometimes I wonder, if we ever really learn from our mistakes, do we repeat them with our children. Do we make new mistakes, because we are afraid of committing the ones our parents made? Parenting is not perfect for anyone. All we can do is hope for our children to find their niche their path in the world, with purpose.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
July wedding of , Juliette and Frank
Our lovely friends Juliette and Frank, finally were able to tie the knot, it was a beautiful second wedding for two deserving people who are committed to each other.
The highlight of the day was the tribute from Frank's grown son, to his father, and new mother.
Pictured with us at the wedding are our wonderful friends,
Gemma and John. You can see she is a beautiful Irish lady, full of fun, a former psychiatric nurse. John is a scientific patent attorney, very brilliant. We met through the sport of coaching. I am on the right, Howard is next to Gemma
Here we are coaching with a troika, Russian style., 3 horses up front. Naturally, Howard has tried every thing from 1,2,3,45,6 horses in a team. It get more difficult with more horses , naturally. This is in the front yard, with the 1912 Pierce Arrow in the background. We entertained this early evening to raise money for the cancer care center at the hospital in town, kicking off the fund raising. I am on the box seat next to the driver, and Howard is looking over my right shoulder. We were dressed formally for the occasion.(circa early 1980's)
.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Consilience in action
At the Land trust dinner last night, I had a conversation with a former teacher, who immediately declared me his enemy, because I represented, construction noise, houses, and traffic. (He is opposed to development, now that he has his house). In essence he is declaring what many selfish people declare, that everyone around him/them, should not be allowed to sell their land to developers.
Harmony, is what we all want, and when we do not like the by-laws of the town we live in and when change comes, we have the freedom to pick up and move, rather than to deny our neighbor his rights under the law. Unfortunately, many people would rather deny their neighbor than to upset their own status quo. What is new under the sun?
In thinking about the contentions, a major one is property. Who owns it, how can I control it, reap rewards from it, and make it mine without paying for it? Bam! we are back in the ancient world! The Roman Empire was at its height and the Jews were fighting for the right to take back their land, practice their religion, and terrorists (Zealots) were at work, stoning the Roman soldiers and driving them out, only to have them return in more force, and more destruction of the Zealots. Consilience has a major role in the happenings of that time, what natural underlying laws of nature were causing the continuing violence, and how could it have been solved by the Romans who stepped out to grow an empire, with great success for a long period of time?
Consilience is interesting as we apply it to the problems of life. There are a million questions that you can pose, and discuss, about how far we should go, to provide happiness and equality to everyone. Is that the right role of us individually or collectively? If everyone is created equal, why are women paid less then men, and considered less valuable, in the rank of society for one example. Why are the borders closed to illegal immigrants, if they are equal, should they be allowed to travel anywhere they want in the world for a job? Do we need man made laws if everyone is equal ? You might think that this is leading to foolishness, but, in fact it is leading to deeper thinking about ourselves, our posturing, our laws, our abilities and what in reality we face on this earth.
To me it is clear that we are not all equal. We all have different problems and challenges to face.
Is it a challenge to figure out how to stay on welfare your whole life, or is the real challenge to face what kind of job you can hold, even if only one day a week, for four hours. People with fear of going out of their home, would they allow themselves to die, if they had to cooperate in the cave for food? On and on, we could go, about how we treat people on welfare, paying them to get rid of their problems instead of working to help them become able to face the challenges of life. Our actions commit generations of children to welfare existence, in my opinion, maybe not yours, but I sure would like to know you thought hard about what I am saying.
What would happen, if instead of handouts, we provided jobs, and you had to be at the job, picked up by a bus and delivered home by a bus, to get your welfare check. Your children would come with you and be cared for in a day care situation, so there is no excuse to stay home with babies. You would not get your own apartment , but rather a room, or number of rooms in a rooming house. Everyday, you would be expected to do something for your check, just as the original cave people did, every one according to his ability limited as it may be, had a chore or chores to do, survival depended on cooperation.
That is enough consilience for the day, but gives you something to think about, as you daydream your way through the improving future. Are we doing our soul work on earth?
Harmony, is what we all want, and when we do not like the by-laws of the town we live in and when change comes, we have the freedom to pick up and move, rather than to deny our neighbor his rights under the law. Unfortunately, many people would rather deny their neighbor than to upset their own status quo. What is new under the sun?
In thinking about the contentions, a major one is property. Who owns it, how can I control it, reap rewards from it, and make it mine without paying for it? Bam! we are back in the ancient world! The Roman Empire was at its height and the Jews were fighting for the right to take back their land, practice their religion, and terrorists (Zealots) were at work, stoning the Roman soldiers and driving them out, only to have them return in more force, and more destruction of the Zealots. Consilience has a major role in the happenings of that time, what natural underlying laws of nature were causing the continuing violence, and how could it have been solved by the Romans who stepped out to grow an empire, with great success for a long period of time?
Consilience is interesting as we apply it to the problems of life. There are a million questions that you can pose, and discuss, about how far we should go, to provide happiness and equality to everyone. Is that the right role of us individually or collectively? If everyone is created equal, why are women paid less then men, and considered less valuable, in the rank of society for one example. Why are the borders closed to illegal immigrants, if they are equal, should they be allowed to travel anywhere they want in the world for a job? Do we need man made laws if everyone is equal ? You might think that this is leading to foolishness, but, in fact it is leading to deeper thinking about ourselves, our posturing, our laws, our abilities and what in reality we face on this earth.
To me it is clear that we are not all equal. We all have different problems and challenges to face.
Is it a challenge to figure out how to stay on welfare your whole life, or is the real challenge to face what kind of job you can hold, even if only one day a week, for four hours. People with fear of going out of their home, would they allow themselves to die, if they had to cooperate in the cave for food? On and on, we could go, about how we treat people on welfare, paying them to get rid of their problems instead of working to help them become able to face the challenges of life. Our actions commit generations of children to welfare existence, in my opinion, maybe not yours, but I sure would like to know you thought hard about what I am saying.
What would happen, if instead of handouts, we provided jobs, and you had to be at the job, picked up by a bus and delivered home by a bus, to get your welfare check. Your children would come with you and be cared for in a day care situation, so there is no excuse to stay home with babies. You would not get your own apartment , but rather a room, or number of rooms in a rooming house. Everyday, you would be expected to do something for your check, just as the original cave people did, every one according to his ability limited as it may be, had a chore or chores to do, survival depended on cooperation.
That is enough consilience for the day, but gives you something to think about, as you daydream your way through the improving future. Are we doing our soul work on earth?
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