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.
Monday, September 3, 2007
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)
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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?
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Ancient World snippets
Type this in your browzer for a small snipet of mystery in the ancient world.....http://news.aol.com/story/_a/analyst-says-last-supper-holds-secret/20070728114709990001
The DaVinci Code , really caused a stir, when the author Dan Brown, built a yarn based on , "Holy Blood, Holy Grail, now people are reviewing art and looking for clues to more mystery. Who knows what will come of the new enthusiastic searches?
Right now I am reading, The Jesus Papers, and what comes to mind is the similarity with our times, and the times of Christ. The Jewish people were in constant revolt, against the Romans. Religion was a major factor in the unrest. Though the Romans sent Legions, the unrest would settle down and arise again. A lesson for us? Does conquering a nation settle what is brewing in the mindset of a people?
Religion and its teachings, seem to be the hotbed of dissension in the world ,as it was over 2000 years ago, and maybe since the beginning of time. Someone person, or people come up with a religious story, and indoctrinate a group of people, who then indoctrinate their children and so on. Maybe this would not be so bad, if suicide, murder, death and wars were not part of what was included in the teachings.
Every religion in ancient times, seems to have required sacrifice, of some kind.
All religions were aggrarian. Religions evolved, as did the people who practiced them. Religions that adhere to the ancient aggrarian beliefs of sacrifice, suicide, and law that is man made, seem to have the hardest time in the world we know now.
When I was a child reading the free encylopedias from the Saturday movies, I decided then and there, that I would not be a St. Bernadette, nor would I be a gladiator in the Roman Colsseum, nor would I be a dead patriot.
What made sense to me, was to live, to carry the message that survived the ignorance of death for a cause.
The Jesus Papers, recants that Jesus, as we know was born a Jew, practiced his religion, and died a Jew. So, in thinking about this, how in the world did the Jewish religion get dropped from the new religion of Christianity.
The DaVinci Code , really caused a stir, when the author Dan Brown, built a yarn based on , "Holy Blood, Holy Grail, now people are reviewing art and looking for clues to more mystery. Who knows what will come of the new enthusiastic searches?
Right now I am reading, The Jesus Papers, and what comes to mind is the similarity with our times, and the times of Christ. The Jewish people were in constant revolt, against the Romans. Religion was a major factor in the unrest. Though the Romans sent Legions, the unrest would settle down and arise again. A lesson for us? Does conquering a nation settle what is brewing in the mindset of a people?
Religion and its teachings, seem to be the hotbed of dissension in the world ,as it was over 2000 years ago, and maybe since the beginning of time. Someone person, or people come up with a religious story, and indoctrinate a group of people, who then indoctrinate their children and so on. Maybe this would not be so bad, if suicide, murder, death and wars were not part of what was included in the teachings.
Every religion in ancient times, seems to have required sacrifice, of some kind.
All religions were aggrarian. Religions evolved, as did the people who practiced them. Religions that adhere to the ancient aggrarian beliefs of sacrifice, suicide, and law that is man made, seem to have the hardest time in the world we know now.
When I was a child reading the free encylopedias from the Saturday movies, I decided then and there, that I would not be a St. Bernadette, nor would I be a gladiator in the Roman Colsseum, nor would I be a dead patriot.
What made sense to me, was to live, to carry the message that survived the ignorance of death for a cause.
The Jesus Papers, recants that Jesus, as we know was born a Jew, practiced his religion, and died a Jew. So, in thinking about this, how in the world did the Jewish religion get dropped from the new religion of Christianity.
Well of course you could not preach that you were waiting for a Messiah from the chosen people who had to be a descendant of Aron and David, as was Christ, and that this descendant would lead the Jewish people only, as King of the Jews(from David) and Chief Rabbi( from Aron), if you were going to prosletyze. So there was a period of time before the new testament was formulated from the gospels, and at that time, the new religion, dropped the Jewish heritage of Christ and began a practice of worshipping the Mesiah, that was not inclusive of the ancient religion of the Jews, since that religion was exclusive to people born of Jewish heritage.
Interesting, that man hath his hand in everything of this world. What is not tainted by the hand of man? The quest to prove Jesus a man, after all, remains for those of us that wish to pursue it, unhindered or guided by the hand of man.
What do you believe? Is there a Kingdom of Heaven? Is it within you, as Christ said? What gain was there for the gospels to set forth the parables of Christ, before the advent of the Christian church? Did the parables constitute the man made laws of a religion or did they set forth ideas for us to think about and delve into, as we must delve into our spirit, in our journey through life.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
New book this week
Did not start "Ghengis Khan" yet, picked up one on top of it. " The Jesus Papers' by Michael Baigent, he is one of the authors of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail', and if you have not read that yet, grab it, and read it, because that is the source of the novel by Dan Brown ,"The DaVinci Code".
The story "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" was so enticing that when I was reading it a number of years ago, I discussed it at dinner , in Palm Beach with some staunch Catholics, and they almost threw me out of the church membership, as we sat at the table that night.
I love to chase ideas, and the ideas in this series of books about Christ, are hair raising. "The Jesus Papers", is chasing the same idea, that Christ survived the cross, that he had a child with Mary Magdalene and that the child gave birth to the Merovingian lineage. Now, is that enough to raise your interest?
Does it mean that Christ was not what he seemed to be? Does it mean that the messages in the disputed gospels are any less than they were meant to be? You must decide for yourself. When we enter matter, is there anyone of us, even a Saint such as Mother Theresa, that did not commit some act that was entirely human, made a human midstake, or had a human thought?
It would be impossible to be in the flesh and not experience humanity, as intended, I think. Maybe you do not agree? Anyway, have fun and join me in the chase of ideas.
The story "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" was so enticing that when I was reading it a number of years ago, I discussed it at dinner , in Palm Beach with some staunch Catholics, and they almost threw me out of the church membership, as we sat at the table that night.
I love to chase ideas, and the ideas in this series of books about Christ, are hair raising. "The Jesus Papers", is chasing the same idea, that Christ survived the cross, that he had a child with Mary Magdalene and that the child gave birth to the Merovingian lineage. Now, is that enough to raise your interest?
Does it mean that Christ was not what he seemed to be? Does it mean that the messages in the disputed gospels are any less than they were meant to be? You must decide for yourself. When we enter matter, is there anyone of us, even a Saint such as Mother Theresa, that did not commit some act that was entirely human, made a human midstake, or had a human thought?
It would be impossible to be in the flesh and not experience humanity, as intended, I think. Maybe you do not agree? Anyway, have fun and join me in the chase of ideas.
Friday, July 27, 2007
New ideas, book
We are in Newport, preparing for the big Concour of automobiles, to benefit the Preservation Society, that takes care of all the large Mansions of the Golden Age.
Our friends from Florida are here. They just returned from a world cruise, where they were frightened by two messages.
One was in Africa, where in Kenya, they were reminded on a tour that Obama's father lives in Kenya, and Obama is sympathetic to his father's views, ( father is a Muslim) so one wonders what the father's views are?? I can not decipher that, can you?
The other was a statement by an Egyptian businessman, educated in the United States, for 8 years, who warned that the United States is the only country who can stop the bomb from going to the extremists. Once they get the bomb, the United States, will never realize what hit them, they will destroy our economy and in turn the economy of the world. That is hard to consider, but easy to imagine happening.
I keep thinking, if the extremists were mass murderers, everyone would be looking for them, and our country would all be together in finding them. Should we change the language of description, from extremists to mass murderers, to get everyone on one side? The frustration of ending this religious suicide and mass murder is overwhelming. Will it really go away, by calling our troops home? What will end it, a capitulation? The questions are out there, and how WE see our future, is so important as we approach this Presidential election.
The other day I was reading Depak Chopra's new book, "Life After Death" and Depak makes the statement in so many words that Christ was the only one that talked about Heaven being inside of us. The page describing Christ's teachings, whether you believe in Christ or not, makes sense.If I had the book beside me I would quote it for you. All great ideas seem to be merging, there is a "Consilience"
A UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE WITH UNDERLYING DEEP LAWS, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE, but it is just coming to our consciousness.
I have with me this weekend, "The Jesus Papers", a book by one of the writers of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" I will be starting that as I finish Depak's book. I recommend Depak, to anyone that wants to start the chase of ideas. Chasing ideas is probably the best and most mysterious chase there is....all tie together, if you follow the books I have been reading.
Our friends from Florida are here. They just returned from a world cruise, where they were frightened by two messages.
One was in Africa, where in Kenya, they were reminded on a tour that Obama's father lives in Kenya, and Obama is sympathetic to his father's views, ( father is a Muslim) so one wonders what the father's views are?? I can not decipher that, can you?
The other was a statement by an Egyptian businessman, educated in the United States, for 8 years, who warned that the United States is the only country who can stop the bomb from going to the extremists. Once they get the bomb, the United States, will never realize what hit them, they will destroy our economy and in turn the economy of the world. That is hard to consider, but easy to imagine happening.
I keep thinking, if the extremists were mass murderers, everyone would be looking for them, and our country would all be together in finding them. Should we change the language of description, from extremists to mass murderers, to get everyone on one side? The frustration of ending this religious suicide and mass murder is overwhelming. Will it really go away, by calling our troops home? What will end it, a capitulation? The questions are out there, and how WE see our future, is so important as we approach this Presidential election.
The other day I was reading Depak Chopra's new book, "Life After Death" and Depak makes the statement in so many words that Christ was the only one that talked about Heaven being inside of us. The page describing Christ's teachings, whether you believe in Christ or not, makes sense.If I had the book beside me I would quote it for you. All great ideas seem to be merging, there is a "Consilience"
A UNITY OF KNOWLEDGE WITH UNDERLYING DEEP LAWS, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE, but it is just coming to our consciousness.
I have with me this weekend, "The Jesus Papers", a book by one of the writers of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" I will be starting that as I finish Depak's book. I recommend Depak, to anyone that wants to start the chase of ideas. Chasing ideas is probably the best and most mysterious chase there is....all tie together, if you follow the books I have been reading.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Palm Beach days the 80's
Palm Beach Days
In the 80's we owned John Lennon's Vanderbilt mansion in Palm Beach, our daughter Karen is on left with her husband, Ian. The neighbor's cat was out front, and a car stopped as we watched...someone grabbed the cat, and yelled "we got John Lennon's cat!", and took off, like a bat! Ha ha...
I am thinking about Karen today, as I often do. She died about three years ago. A mother's heart never stops aching for a child. I sat with her for hours hoping to be there when she passed. Finally, the nurse told me to think about leaving the room, because sometimes a person hangs on when a loved one is there.
After 12 hours in the hospital, Howard came to get me. Ian took my place, and he was with Karen for about three more hours. She smiled as she died, he told me, and I was finally able to release my grief, in the privacy of my bedroom, squashing my pillow over my mouth. The long years of her suffering with cancer where over and my first born was gone forever from the earth. In the blink of an eye, in the moment of one breath, in a sigh of resignation... there was acceptance of what had to be
Sunday, July 22, 2007
first book I read by Laszlo, great reading
Here is another book, I read over the last year, this was my introduction to Laszlo, and I loved the book. It helps to stay with his thoughts, which in my opinion are on target, since others are sharing his eye opening theories
Science and the Akashic Field: An Integral Theory of Everything (Paperback)
by Ervin Laszlo (Author)
He and Wilson should talk, but, I am sure if I try and put them together, they will both throw out or not read my suggestion. What fun, what dreams they could explore! Maybe I will try and put them together. Who would dream the coincidence of me reading their ideas at the same time?
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come”
—-Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Science and the Akashic Field: An Integral Theory of Everything (Paperback)
by Ervin Laszlo (Author)
He and Wilson should talk, but, I am sure if I try and put them together, they will both throw out or not read my suggestion. What fun, what dreams they could explore! Maybe I will try and put them together. Who would dream the coincidence of me reading their ideas at the same time?
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come”
—-Hamlet, William Shakespeare
listening to music , reading and thinking...nice links.
here is a nice link for easy music
Click here: my RED lounge - RED is Jazz, Blues, Swing and Lounge - Listen Live Now
While you listen,please read, what one of the great thinkers of our time Ervin Lazlo has to say about space and matter. Do you agree with me, his paper, is faintly familiar with the thoughts of Edward O. Wilson in the book Consilience
http://www.physlink.com/Education/essay_laszlo.cfm#top
Click here: my RED lounge - RED is Jazz, Blues, Swing and Lounge - Listen Live Now
While you listen,please read, what one of the great thinkers of our time Ervin Lazlo has to say about space and matter. Do you agree with me, his paper, is faintly familiar with the thoughts of Edward O. Wilson in the book Consilience
http://www.physlink.com/Education/essay_laszlo.cfm#top
too many parties
In Newport last night, went to a Gershwin Cabaret at the Redwood Library. The library is spectacular because it has a collection of antique portraits that rivals many museums in the country. There is also a collection of antique books, and an illustrated bible from the 14th century.
Too much partying this week, no desire to go to the parties in Newport next week, but friends from Florida are coming, along with friends from Framingham, so we must, we must, continue to party. We should have learned when we did the Palm Beach circuit!
Too much partying this week, no desire to go to the parties in Newport next week, but friends from Florida are coming, along with friends from Framingham, so we must, we must, continue to party. We should have learned when we did the Palm Beach circuit!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Naval war museum July 19,Newport
We visited a display of art by the Naval War Museum. The Thomas Benton they own, stood out. "Launching"was the name of the work. A Thomas Benton, is so stylized that anyone can spot it across the room, once they know his style. I loved it, it truly epitomized the war effort.
There were other oils, that were great, such as the recruiting work that the museum has from World War 1, that was used also in World War 2. The oils of the battles in World War 2, remind me of a swarm of bees in nature, trying to attack. All of nature is related when you think of it.
An interesting little aside, about human nature. A woman called a company to complain that she fell down., on their property and broke her wrist. When asked to provide information about her operation, resulting from the fall, she hung up, saying quickly, "I have decided not to have the operation." What prompts people to get so desparate, that they try to embzzle money under false pretenses, from large stores, or for that matter from others?
Even a joke about men that went around on the internet this week, was so critical of men, that I wondered how could any woman that passed this on, be happy with her husband. It was not even funny, it was just a whining, belittling piece of information, about the arrogance and utter studpidity of men. I for one can not believe that some of the women, whose husbands give them luxury life status, could even consider passing this along.
There were other oils, that were great, such as the recruiting work that the museum has from World War 1, that was used also in World War 2. The oils of the battles in World War 2, remind me of a swarm of bees in nature, trying to attack. All of nature is related when you think of it.
An interesting little aside, about human nature. A woman called a company to complain that she fell down., on their property and broke her wrist. When asked to provide information about her operation, resulting from the fall, she hung up, saying quickly, "I have decided not to have the operation." What prompts people to get so desparate, that they try to embzzle money under false pretenses, from large stores, or for that matter from others?
Even a joke about men that went around on the internet this week, was so critical of men, that I wondered how could any woman that passed this on, be happy with her husband. It was not even funny, it was just a whining, belittling piece of information, about the arrogance and utter studpidity of men. I for one can not believe that some of the women, whose husbands give them luxury life status, could even consider passing this along.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
here is the missing picture
Here is the 17 year old girl, that is still inside of me. She never leaves me, even though I am changing inside and out. Why is this? Why do we remain eternally young inside , yet the world does not know this. It reminds me of the old man story that is traveling the net. No one knows who or what he was in his life, because his now appearance throws the world off. It touches the souls of the people who pass it on, maybe because they too, are in their aging years.
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