Thursday, May 01, 2008
True pacifism is not unrealistic submission to an evil power...it is rather a courageous confrontation with evil by the power of love, in the faith that it is better to be the recipient of violence than the inflicter of it, since the latter only multiplies the existence of violence and bitterness in the universe, while the former may develop a sense of shame in the opponent, and thereby bring about a transformation and change of heart."
Martin Luther King
Over the past three or four days I have been engaging fellow bloggers on the topics of Barack Obama and pacifism. While I hope some fruit has come of my efforts, it has been frustrating at times having to respond to the various“caricatures” of what it means to be a pacifist….so…in an effort to not allow others to define what “I” and other pacifists “actually” believe, I am submitting a series of blog entries on the topic of pacifism for everyone who reads this blog consideration. My first entry is on the topic of the Myths of Pacifism.
Myth number one: Pacifism means you don’t do anything in the face of evil, except maybe stand around holding a protest sign while singing Kumbaya….
Apparently a lot of people associate pacifism with becoming a doormat and allowing others to run over you. Theologian Walter Wink asserts that the teachings of Jesus encourages us to, “Stand up for yourselves, defy your masters, assert your humanity; but don’t answer the oppressor in kind. Find a new, third way that is neither cowardly submission nor violent reprisal…Jesus says…Do not continue to acquiesce in your oppression by the Powers; but do not react violently to it either…Jesus in short, abhors both passivity and violence. He articulates, out of history of his won people’s struggles, a way by which evil can be opposed without being mirrored, the oppressor resisted with being emulated, and the enemy neutralized without being destroyed…Leo Tolstoy, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez…and countless others less well known—point us to a new way of confronting evil whose potential for personal and social transformation we are only beginning to grasp today.”….Pacifism is pro-active…subversive…and…at times confrontational and coercive. Wink goes on to state, “Jesus is not telling us, in his admonitions to obey the government, to submit to evil, but to refuse to oppose it on its own terms. We are not to let the opponent dictate the methods of our opposition. He is urging us to transcend both passivity and violence by finding a third way, one that is at once assertive and yet non-violent.”…and…finally, Wink tells a an interesting story of a boy who creatively exhibited the “third way” of which Jesus’ teachings and actions imply…According to Wink there was a boy who rode a bus and was picked on every day by a bully. “The child was too slight of build to fight the far sturdier bully. But he has a weakness that he made into a strength: chronic sinusitis. One day, exasperated a the bully’s behavior, he noisily blew a load of snot into his right hand and approached his nemesis, hand outstretched, saying, “I want to shake the hand of a real bully” The bully retreated, wide-eyed, to his seat…and…That ended the career of the bully. Those sinuses were the ultimate weapon, and they were always at the ready!”
Myth number two: Pacifists are naïve
What seems naïve to me is the notion that we can solve our international problems/challenges by emphasizing and flexing our military muscles. We have spent around 21 trillion dollars since the 1960’s on our military and are we any closer to peace today than we were fifty years ago?...In fact, it seems from where I sit that we are not any closer to peace today than we were 50 years ago…and…I don’t see any correlation between peaceful societies and military might…In fact, one can argue the opposite might be true…and…the more we use our military muscle the more isolated from the international community we seem to become…Maybe if we had spent four or five trillion of those dollars on helping countries with poverty or rebuilding their infrastructures maybe we just might have created some friends and allies for life. Just a thought.
Myth number three: Pacifism doesn’t work or it exclusively only works in countries which are Democratic
I used to adhere to this myth before I, and the rest of the world, witnessed in utter amazement, the transformation of Eastern Europe and Russia through peaceful means. Some want to assert that Regan’s military arm race with Russia is what brought the once mighty communists down but this assertion negates and is a slap in the face to the heroic efforts of everyone from Lech Walesa, the Pope, the Solidarity Union, Gorbachev, and the millions of brave citizens who took to the streets for weeks and months.
Myth number four: Pacifists are narcissists who only care about their own personal comfort
This assertion was leveled at me personally during a recent online discussion about the war in Iraq…but…nothing could be further from the truth. Pacifists are trying to save lives of both civilians and soldiers alike. What is narcisstic about that. This assertion makes no sense…None..
Myth number five: Pacifists are all the same.
No one generally make this assertion explicitly but when I hear people talk about pacifism the caricature of a pacifist sounds pretty much the same which implies that all pacifists must think and act alike. While it is true that all pacifists are committed to non-violent actions the means in which that vision is carried out dramatically varies from one group or individual to another. Some are much more confrontational…others are willing to use coercive measures…some more traditional…while some lean towards more indirect subversive methods…in other words, the methods used by pacifists are much more fluid than what most people understand or suspect.
Myth number six: Pacifists are naive regarding human nature
Many critics assert that pacifists don’t take seriously the dark side of our human nature because if they did they would realize that pacifism doesn’t work in the face of evil. While it is true that not all pacifist methods work equally the same in all situations that does not prove that one cannot find a way to penetrate even the hardest of hearts or the most evil regimes. Many cite Nazi Germany as an example where pacifism would never work but one cannot, imo, make such an assertion because Germany was a militarist society where pacifism was not a part of the cultural ethic to begin with…and…if millions of Germans would have taken to the streets like they did in Eastern Europe and Russia as they did in the late 1980’s I propose Hitler wouldn’t have been able to stop them any more than the leaders of Eastern Europe…
Martin Luther King
Over the past three or four days I have been engaging fellow bloggers on the topics of Barack Obama and pacifism. While I hope some fruit has come of my efforts, it has been frustrating at times having to respond to the various“caricatures” of what it means to be a pacifist….so…in an effort to not allow others to define what “I” and other pacifists “actually” believe, I am submitting a series of blog entries on the topic of pacifism for everyone who reads this blog consideration. My first entry is on the topic of the Myths of Pacifism.
Myth number one: Pacifism means you don’t do anything in the face of evil, except maybe stand around holding a protest sign while singing Kumbaya….
Apparently a lot of people associate pacifism with becoming a doormat and allowing others to run over you. Theologian Walter Wink asserts that the teachings of Jesus encourages us to, “Stand up for yourselves, defy your masters, assert your humanity; but don’t answer the oppressor in kind. Find a new, third way that is neither cowardly submission nor violent reprisal…Jesus says…Do not continue to acquiesce in your oppression by the Powers; but do not react violently to it either…Jesus in short, abhors both passivity and violence. He articulates, out of history of his won people’s struggles, a way by which evil can be opposed without being mirrored, the oppressor resisted with being emulated, and the enemy neutralized without being destroyed…Leo Tolstoy, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez…and countless others less well known—point us to a new way of confronting evil whose potential for personal and social transformation we are only beginning to grasp today.”….Pacifism is pro-active…subversive…and…at times confrontational and coercive. Wink goes on to state, “Jesus is not telling us, in his admonitions to obey the government, to submit to evil, but to refuse to oppose it on its own terms. We are not to let the opponent dictate the methods of our opposition. He is urging us to transcend both passivity and violence by finding a third way, one that is at once assertive and yet non-violent.”…and…finally, Wink tells a an interesting story of a boy who creatively exhibited the “third way” of which Jesus’ teachings and actions imply…According to Wink there was a boy who rode a bus and was picked on every day by a bully. “The child was too slight of build to fight the far sturdier bully. But he has a weakness that he made into a strength: chronic sinusitis. One day, exasperated a the bully’s behavior, he noisily blew a load of snot into his right hand and approached his nemesis, hand outstretched, saying, “I want to shake the hand of a real bully” The bully retreated, wide-eyed, to his seat…and…That ended the career of the bully. Those sinuses were the ultimate weapon, and they were always at the ready!”
Myth number two: Pacifists are naïve
What seems naïve to me is the notion that we can solve our international problems/challenges by emphasizing and flexing our military muscles. We have spent around 21 trillion dollars since the 1960’s on our military and are we any closer to peace today than we were fifty years ago?...In fact, it seems from where I sit that we are not any closer to peace today than we were 50 years ago…and…I don’t see any correlation between peaceful societies and military might…In fact, one can argue the opposite might be true…and…the more we use our military muscle the more isolated from the international community we seem to become…Maybe if we had spent four or five trillion of those dollars on helping countries with poverty or rebuilding their infrastructures maybe we just might have created some friends and allies for life. Just a thought.
Myth number three: Pacifism doesn’t work or it exclusively only works in countries which are Democratic
I used to adhere to this myth before I, and the rest of the world, witnessed in utter amazement, the transformation of Eastern Europe and Russia through peaceful means. Some want to assert that Regan’s military arm race with Russia is what brought the once mighty communists down but this assertion negates and is a slap in the face to the heroic efforts of everyone from Lech Walesa, the Pope, the Solidarity Union, Gorbachev, and the millions of brave citizens who took to the streets for weeks and months.
Myth number four: Pacifists are narcissists who only care about their own personal comfort
This assertion was leveled at me personally during a recent online discussion about the war in Iraq…but…nothing could be further from the truth. Pacifists are trying to save lives of both civilians and soldiers alike. What is narcisstic about that. This assertion makes no sense…None..
Myth number five: Pacifists are all the same.
No one generally make this assertion explicitly but when I hear people talk about pacifism the caricature of a pacifist sounds pretty much the same which implies that all pacifists must think and act alike. While it is true that all pacifists are committed to non-violent actions the means in which that vision is carried out dramatically varies from one group or individual to another. Some are much more confrontational…others are willing to use coercive measures…some more traditional…while some lean towards more indirect subversive methods…in other words, the methods used by pacifists are much more fluid than what most people understand or suspect.
Myth number six: Pacifists are naive regarding human nature
Many critics assert that pacifists don’t take seriously the dark side of our human nature because if they did they would realize that pacifism doesn’t work in the face of evil. While it is true that not all pacifist methods work equally the same in all situations that does not prove that one cannot find a way to penetrate even the hardest of hearts or the most evil regimes. Many cite Nazi Germany as an example where pacifism would never work but one cannot, imo, make such an assertion because Germany was a militarist society where pacifism was not a part of the cultural ethic to begin with…and…if millions of Germans would have taken to the streets like they did in Eastern Europe and Russia as they did in the late 1980’s I propose Hitler wouldn’t have been able to stop them any more than the leaders of Eastern Europe…
Monday, April 28, 2008
This is part of two of my miniseries on Tranlucent thinking. It is not my intention to endorse or proselytize others into jumping onto the latest and greatest spiritual bandwagon, but rather, to pass along, hopefully, some food for thought. Here are some more quotes and sayings from Arjuna Ardagh,s book The Translucent Revolution.
Translucents do not choose between spirit and the world.: They embrace both or they have neither fully. Spirit is expressed in form, and form only works when it is infused with spirit. The inner life is incomplete without material life, like a metal untested by fire. Material life is incomplete without spirit, like a cathedral without an altar. To be successful in a rapidly changing world, you need to be at the source of your experience, awake to who you really are. Translucents embrace life, inclusive feelings and sexuality, the shadow as well as the saintliness, the failures as well as the triumphs.
Translucents are in their bodies, and care for the body as a sacred garden. They practice yoga, martial arts. They play tennis, ski, and surf, for sheer joy of being embodied, not to achieve anything. They dance as a sacred art form. And translucents are generally very sexual and sensual: they experience the body as a doorway to the real.
The tendency to resist life, to become a pattern of interference, is so strong in all of us that it takes considerable awareness, honesty, and willingness to feel what is uncomfortable, to not resist it. This is the pivotal difference between contemporary translucents and traditional mystics….and…unlike many traditional practitioners of spiritual life, translucents are not interested in running away from anything or amputating any part of their experience. In fact, they have learned to walk toward what they have previously run away from.
Translucents embrace spiritual practice not as a means to achieving a future goal but as a way to a more fully lived present moment, with open heart, open mind, and open body.
In the maturing beyond dogma and the rules of tradition, translucents have also grown beyond hierarchy. The tradition setting of one Enlightened, one sitting on a raised podium, answering questions from differential devotees, is being replaced by the sacred circle, where wisdom is everywhere in the room at the same time, where meeting is eye to eye, heart to heart. Realizing the deepest truth of who we are may occur on the mediation cushion or in a cave. To discover our potential to live as radiant love and humorous art requires involvement with other people. Through the alchemy of meeting with others in honesty and trust, we can take our inner wisdom for a test-drive and find out what happens when the rubber meets the road.
Tranlucents are lions, not sheep. They walk alone, although sometimes in each other’s company.
Translucents display willingness to be wrong, to let go and move on. Their perception of their identity is the way we might experience a crazy uncle who can be tolerated, enjoyed, even loved. There is no reason to change your mad uncle, but there is also no reason to defend him or apologize for him. If he disturbs the neighbors, a little damage control is simply intelligent.
Translucents have a natural interest in forgiving and moving on. Forgiveness is no longer a moral virtue, or something we need to practice, but the effortless by-product of no longer needing to protect an identity with a story attached to it. The past is not healed: it simply ceases to be useful….A translucents forgiveness is neither a moral quality nor a cultivated virtue, but the natural and inevitable consequences of knowing oneself as something more than the past.
Translucents have fewer beliefs to protect; They are comfortable with not knowing what to do until they really know. They have less need to think and dramatically less need to be right. When we are acting translucently, our actions come from a different place within us. Instead of reflecting a system of belief, they are a direct response to the situation as it is…Often we talk and take action based on preexisting set of beliefs about what is right and wrong. Our behavior is predictable and they almost always meet the present moment based on our past…and…having developed a complex system of beliefs, we become more interested in defending them than in knowing what is true. The actuality of life becomes secondary to the principle of the thing.
The role of a translucent teacher is to relax and allow a deeper part of the questioner to tell her what she already knows but cannot hear. This is the deeper role of a teacher; not to deliver a precooked set of dictates and theories but to be used by the Great Knowing…The key to accessing a deeper source of thought and action is the willingness to relax and wait...rather than accept the statue quo notion of avoiding “I don’t know” at all cost. Translucent action requires the wisdom of “I don’t know” as its firm foundation….
Translucents do not choose between spirit and the world.: They embrace both or they have neither fully. Spirit is expressed in form, and form only works when it is infused with spirit. The inner life is incomplete without material life, like a metal untested by fire. Material life is incomplete without spirit, like a cathedral without an altar. To be successful in a rapidly changing world, you need to be at the source of your experience, awake to who you really are. Translucents embrace life, inclusive feelings and sexuality, the shadow as well as the saintliness, the failures as well as the triumphs.
Translucents are in their bodies, and care for the body as a sacred garden. They practice yoga, martial arts. They play tennis, ski, and surf, for sheer joy of being embodied, not to achieve anything. They dance as a sacred art form. And translucents are generally very sexual and sensual: they experience the body as a doorway to the real.
The tendency to resist life, to become a pattern of interference, is so strong in all of us that it takes considerable awareness, honesty, and willingness to feel what is uncomfortable, to not resist it. This is the pivotal difference between contemporary translucents and traditional mystics….and…unlike many traditional practitioners of spiritual life, translucents are not interested in running away from anything or amputating any part of their experience. In fact, they have learned to walk toward what they have previously run away from.
Translucents embrace spiritual practice not as a means to achieving a future goal but as a way to a more fully lived present moment, with open heart, open mind, and open body.
In the maturing beyond dogma and the rules of tradition, translucents have also grown beyond hierarchy. The tradition setting of one Enlightened, one sitting on a raised podium, answering questions from differential devotees, is being replaced by the sacred circle, where wisdom is everywhere in the room at the same time, where meeting is eye to eye, heart to heart. Realizing the deepest truth of who we are may occur on the mediation cushion or in a cave. To discover our potential to live as radiant love and humorous art requires involvement with other people. Through the alchemy of meeting with others in honesty and trust, we can take our inner wisdom for a test-drive and find out what happens when the rubber meets the road.
Tranlucents are lions, not sheep. They walk alone, although sometimes in each other’s company.
Translucents display willingness to be wrong, to let go and move on. Their perception of their identity is the way we might experience a crazy uncle who can be tolerated, enjoyed, even loved. There is no reason to change your mad uncle, but there is also no reason to defend him or apologize for him. If he disturbs the neighbors, a little damage control is simply intelligent.
Translucents have a natural interest in forgiving and moving on. Forgiveness is no longer a moral virtue, or something we need to practice, but the effortless by-product of no longer needing to protect an identity with a story attached to it. The past is not healed: it simply ceases to be useful….A translucents forgiveness is neither a moral quality nor a cultivated virtue, but the natural and inevitable consequences of knowing oneself as something more than the past.
Translucents have fewer beliefs to protect; They are comfortable with not knowing what to do until they really know. They have less need to think and dramatically less need to be right. When we are acting translucently, our actions come from a different place within us. Instead of reflecting a system of belief, they are a direct response to the situation as it is…Often we talk and take action based on preexisting set of beliefs about what is right and wrong. Our behavior is predictable and they almost always meet the present moment based on our past…and…having developed a complex system of beliefs, we become more interested in defending them than in knowing what is true. The actuality of life becomes secondary to the principle of the thing.
The role of a translucent teacher is to relax and allow a deeper part of the questioner to tell her what she already knows but cannot hear. This is the deeper role of a teacher; not to deliver a precooked set of dictates and theories but to be used by the Great Knowing…The key to accessing a deeper source of thought and action is the willingness to relax and wait...rather than accept the statue quo notion of avoiding “I don’t know” at all cost. Translucent action requires the wisdom of “I don’t know” as its firm foundation….
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Drum roll please.....It's now official... Guillermo Del Toro has signed a contract to direct the Hobbit and he will be joining forces with producer Peter Jackson over the next four years in New Zealand to bring us the much anticipated prequel to the Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit is tentatively scheduled to arrive in theater's in 2011...but...here is the interesting part...there is a sequel...In 2011 the team of Del Toro and Jackson will release the "long discussed theoretical middle story" that connects the Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings. There is no book explaining these two stories but apparently Tolkien left behind hundreds of notes and concepts that will used to bridge the gap between these two stories...
Del Toro has a reputation of potentially being the next great fantasy film director in the league of Jackson, Speilberg, and Lucas. His background is steeped in the world of fairy tales and he has already directed some very interesting and critically acclaimed fantasy stories such as Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone, Hellboy, Mimic, and the upcoming Hellboy II: Golden Army...and...he is currently working on a film called Saturn and the End of Days, which is a story about a young boy who witnesses the rapture and the Apocalypse and apparently lives to tell the story...I have heard an in depth interview with Del Toro and he does seem to possess the creative/fantasy genes in spades.
I am excited and jazzed...but...apparently not everyone thinks this is a match made in heaven. Andrew Heir of Salon, who interviewed Del Toro at Cannes in 2006 asked Del Toro what he thought about Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and Del Toro said, "I was never into heroic fantasy. At all. I don't like little guys and dragons, hairy feet, hobbits -- I've never been into that at all. I don't like sword and sorcery, I hate all that stuff."....Hehir goes on to say this about Del Toro, "His aesthetic is darker, more Gothic and more grotesque than the Tolkien-via-Jackson universe; it derives more from the medieval mire of middle-European fairy tale than from the high-toned, pre-modern northern European epics Tolkien was channeling."...While it is true that many of Del Toro's films do lend themselves to the "dark side", that doesn't mean he can't suck it up and do one for the team...which is my hope...As far as the challenge of two heavy weights working together, that remains to be seen, but Peter Jackson has always come across to me as a lovable current day hobbit who is easy to get along with...and...if my take on Jackson is correct and Del Toro works his magic on his end than the fans of the Middle Earth may be rewarded with another great adventure in a couple of years...
Del Toro has a reputation of potentially being the next great fantasy film director in the league of Jackson, Speilberg, and Lucas. His background is steeped in the world of fairy tales and he has already directed some very interesting and critically acclaimed fantasy stories such as Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone, Hellboy, Mimic, and the upcoming Hellboy II: Golden Army...and...he is currently working on a film called Saturn and the End of Days, which is a story about a young boy who witnesses the rapture and the Apocalypse and apparently lives to tell the story...I have heard an in depth interview with Del Toro and he does seem to possess the creative/fantasy genes in spades.
I am excited and jazzed...but...apparently not everyone thinks this is a match made in heaven. Andrew Heir of Salon, who interviewed Del Toro at Cannes in 2006 asked Del Toro what he thought about Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and Del Toro said, "I was never into heroic fantasy. At all. I don't like little guys and dragons, hairy feet, hobbits -- I've never been into that at all. I don't like sword and sorcery, I hate all that stuff."....Hehir goes on to say this about Del Toro, "His aesthetic is darker, more Gothic and more grotesque than the Tolkien-via-Jackson universe; it derives more from the medieval mire of middle-European fairy tale than from the high-toned, pre-modern northern European epics Tolkien was channeling."...While it is true that many of Del Toro's films do lend themselves to the "dark side", that doesn't mean he can't suck it up and do one for the team...which is my hope...As far as the challenge of two heavy weights working together, that remains to be seen, but Peter Jackson has always come across to me as a lovable current day hobbit who is easy to get along with...and...if my take on Jackson is correct and Del Toro works his magic on his end than the fans of the Middle Earth may be rewarded with another great adventure in a couple of years...
Friday, April 18, 2008
Over the years I have identified myself at different times as a Reaganite, Evangelical, Christian Anarchist, Baby Boomer, Country bumpkin from Bakersfield, mystic, Pomoxian, Obamamaniac, and modern day hobbit. Personally, I don’t like labeling others, but I don’t mind labeling myself as this or that if it stimulates conversation. I also enjoy the shock value but I also don't mind making fun of myself either.
Recently I have been reading a book called, “The Translucent Revolution”, by Arjuna Ardagh. While I can’t relate to some of the Eastern leaning philosophy I do identify with a number of the characteristics of a Translucent Revolutionary. So what is a Translucent Revolution and what are the primary characteristics of someone who fits the definition of a Translucent Revolutionary? …Rather than try to explain the answers to these questions I will include a series of quotes from the book that define the questions at hand…
Some definitions:
“Webster’s dictionary defines translucent as “letting light pass through, but not transparent” A transparent object, like a clean sheet of glass, is almost invisible. You see everything through a transparent object as if it were not there at all. An opaque, on the other hand, blocks light completely. A translucent object allows light to pass through, but diffusely, while maintaining its form and texture. Objects on the other side cannot be distinguished. A crystal is translucent. So is a sculpture of frosted glass”….A translucent person is an individual who has undergone a spiritual awakening deeply enough that is has permanently transformed their relationship to themselves and to reality, while allowing them to remain involved in ordinary life in a process which is evolutionary and endless.
Characteristics of today’s Translucents
“Today’s translucents live for the most part outside the context of organized religion and hierarchy. They no longer need to have one teacher or teaching, but rather have many teachers or experiences of life as a teacher. Ram Dass speaks of no longer being a Buddhist but being a generalist. Richard Holloway, a retired bishop of Edinburgh, has reevaluated his relationship to the Christian church since recognizing God to be everywhere, both behind the eyes and in front…Cynthia, who has attended events with the Dali Lama, Wayne Dyer, and Thomas Moore, says, I think I’m as much a Buddhist as a Christian, or maybe I’m just all of it and none of it” Right now I’ve got Eckardt Tolle, The Tao Te Ching, Cosmopolitan, and a thriller on my bedside table. They seem to be getting along just fine”
“Today’s translucents have fallen in love with the present moment and the possibilities of living right now as a gift of love, as a work of are. They’ve lost interest in potential future states. Translucents have seen past the dangling carrot of future enlightenment. They live for now, and now, and now”
Translucents speak of life as a rivering, a process without end. Like a fountain that is always pouring forth, it is an endless and spontaneous enlightening, not a fixed state. Unlike the goal- oriented self improvement industry that has dominated our culture for so long, this process is an endless unfolding of discovery and delight. There is no attempt to fix a problem or to achieve a final higher state. Translucence is more a direction than a destination. Like heading East, the process doesn’t imply a specific point of arrival. It is a way of living life with art and humor, returning continuously to here, and here, and here, always steeped in the vastness of the view and blessing each moment with a gift of creative presence.
Translucents are always evolving, but they also display an extraordinary and often humorous acceptance of themselves just as they are… Translucents have canceled their subscription to the self-improvement industry; They no longer pin their sense of well-being, their connectedness and peace, on the process of fixing themselves. Yet they fully recognize the dysfunctional habits that hurt people and create separation, and they take a tremendous amount of energy from the simplicity of this moment, from being able to live fully and acknowledge the gift of life.
Translucents delight in color, sex, children, blood, dance, and music as the very expression and demonstration of divinity in flesh. Art, music, images, and sensations are just as sacred as words.
Recently I have been reading a book called, “The Translucent Revolution”, by Arjuna Ardagh. While I can’t relate to some of the Eastern leaning philosophy I do identify with a number of the characteristics of a Translucent Revolutionary. So what is a Translucent Revolution and what are the primary characteristics of someone who fits the definition of a Translucent Revolutionary? …Rather than try to explain the answers to these questions I will include a series of quotes from the book that define the questions at hand…
Some definitions:
“Webster’s dictionary defines translucent as “letting light pass through, but not transparent” A transparent object, like a clean sheet of glass, is almost invisible. You see everything through a transparent object as if it were not there at all. An opaque, on the other hand, blocks light completely. A translucent object allows light to pass through, but diffusely, while maintaining its form and texture. Objects on the other side cannot be distinguished. A crystal is translucent. So is a sculpture of frosted glass”….A translucent person is an individual who has undergone a spiritual awakening deeply enough that is has permanently transformed their relationship to themselves and to reality, while allowing them to remain involved in ordinary life in a process which is evolutionary and endless.
Characteristics of today’s Translucents
“Today’s translucents live for the most part outside the context of organized religion and hierarchy. They no longer need to have one teacher or teaching, but rather have many teachers or experiences of life as a teacher. Ram Dass speaks of no longer being a Buddhist but being a generalist. Richard Holloway, a retired bishop of Edinburgh, has reevaluated his relationship to the Christian church since recognizing God to be everywhere, both behind the eyes and in front…Cynthia, who has attended events with the Dali Lama, Wayne Dyer, and Thomas Moore, says, I think I’m as much a Buddhist as a Christian, or maybe I’m just all of it and none of it” Right now I’ve got Eckardt Tolle, The Tao Te Ching, Cosmopolitan, and a thriller on my bedside table. They seem to be getting along just fine”
“Today’s translucents have fallen in love with the present moment and the possibilities of living right now as a gift of love, as a work of are. They’ve lost interest in potential future states. Translucents have seen past the dangling carrot of future enlightenment. They live for now, and now, and now”
Translucents speak of life as a rivering, a process without end. Like a fountain that is always pouring forth, it is an endless and spontaneous enlightening, not a fixed state. Unlike the goal- oriented self improvement industry that has dominated our culture for so long, this process is an endless unfolding of discovery and delight. There is no attempt to fix a problem or to achieve a final higher state. Translucence is more a direction than a destination. Like heading East, the process doesn’t imply a specific point of arrival. It is a way of living life with art and humor, returning continuously to here, and here, and here, always steeped in the vastness of the view and blessing each moment with a gift of creative presence.
Translucents are always evolving, but they also display an extraordinary and often humorous acceptance of themselves just as they are… Translucents have canceled their subscription to the self-improvement industry; They no longer pin their sense of well-being, their connectedness and peace, on the process of fixing themselves. Yet they fully recognize the dysfunctional habits that hurt people and create separation, and they take a tremendous amount of energy from the simplicity of this moment, from being able to live fully and acknowledge the gift of life.
Translucents delight in color, sex, children, blood, dance, and music as the very expression and demonstration of divinity in flesh. Art, music, images, and sensations are just as sacred as words.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Today was a beautiful day so I went out in the neighborhood and took some pictures of flowers. It has been spring like for the past month but it has only been the last week or so that the flowers and other plants have reached full bloom. The neighborhood is currently bursting in reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, and purple and it is the most beautiful time of the year. It’s hard to imagine that in two months we Bakersfieldians are going to be sweltering in the heat and the beautiful flowers and other plants are going to be hanging on for dear life and at the mercy of local homeowners who decide when and how much to water.
Spring is important because it reminds us that winter is over and that which was dormant or at deaths doorstep now has new life… As I ponder my own life there are some areas in my life which are currently dormant or feel dead…so…the flowers remind me that life has it’s cycles and that which currently appears dead or dormant will in time come back to life. Flowers represent hope and without hope life is unbearable. If you want to see more photographs of flowers go to Bilbo’s Picture World and you can see
a large collection of photographs I have take of flowers on my various trips on the west coast.
Spring is important because it reminds us that winter is over and that which was dormant or at deaths doorstep now has new life… As I ponder my own life there are some areas in my life which are currently dormant or feel dead…so…the flowers remind me that life has it’s cycles and that which currently appears dead or dormant will in time come back to life. Flowers represent hope and without hope life is unbearable. If you want to see more photographs of flowers go to Bilbo’s Picture World and you can see
a large collection of photographs I have take of flowers on my various trips on the west coast.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Sometimes one listens to a song and hears the music...and...at other times one hears a song and "feels" the music. Tonight while I was at the gym listening to Pearl Jam's song World Wide Suicide I found myself "feeling" the emotional force behind this song...then...later I found my mind pondering why I sometimes feel like we are at the brink of a World Wide Suicide...and... Here are 15 reasons why I sometimes feel the existential angst behind this particular song.
When I am reminded of the war in Iraq and the loss of American and Iraqi lives.
When I continue to hear one bad story after another regarding the economic situation in America and the potential implications for the rest of the world.
When I am reminded of the story of a woman I know who was raped by her father who was a deacon in the church and a leader in the community.
When I see people I know who have been legitimately victimized and can't break themselves from the shackles and bondage of the victim mentality.
When I see politicians willing to do "almost" anything to win an election.
When I see so much money spent on the nomination process.
When I am channel surfing and come across one of those ridiculous reality shows. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I "hate" all these shows...for the record.
Whenever I hear one more story about the Reverend Wright and the guilt by association implications that come from some quarters.
When I see people I know who are caught in the destructive web of workaholism.
When I visited my mom's vacant house and discovered gang bangers had tagged the entire inside with graffiti. I almost threw up.
When I drive around town and see house after house after house either for sale, rent, or in the process of being foreclosed.
When I am overwhelmed with such powerful emotions like fear to the point where I feel like I am having an out of body experience.
When I hear idiots who have not stepped into a classroom in twenty or thirty years assert they know and understand the terrible plight of public education in this country.
Anytime I allow myself to listen to talk radio...and...remember that millions of people listen to this "shit"...pardon my French...
And finally, whenever I hear a anyone assert that Barack Obama has no substance and anyone who follows or supports him is simply caught up in a "cult of personality"
When I am reminded of the war in Iraq and the loss of American and Iraqi lives.
When I continue to hear one bad story after another regarding the economic situation in America and the potential implications for the rest of the world.
When I am reminded of the story of a woman I know who was raped by her father who was a deacon in the church and a leader in the community.
When I see people I know who have been legitimately victimized and can't break themselves from the shackles and bondage of the victim mentality.
When I see politicians willing to do "almost" anything to win an election.
When I see so much money spent on the nomination process.
When I am channel surfing and come across one of those ridiculous reality shows. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I "hate" all these shows...for the record.
Whenever I hear one more story about the Reverend Wright and the guilt by association implications that come from some quarters.
When I see people I know who are caught in the destructive web of workaholism.
When I visited my mom's vacant house and discovered gang bangers had tagged the entire inside with graffiti. I almost threw up.
When I drive around town and see house after house after house either for sale, rent, or in the process of being foreclosed.
When I am overwhelmed with such powerful emotions like fear to the point where I feel like I am having an out of body experience.
When I hear idiots who have not stepped into a classroom in twenty or thirty years assert they know and understand the terrible plight of public education in this country.
Anytime I allow myself to listen to talk radio...and...remember that millions of people listen to this "shit"...pardon my French...
And finally, whenever I hear a anyone assert that Barack Obama has no substance and anyone who follows or supports him is simply caught up in a "cult of personality"
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Over the past 10 years I have spent a significant amount of time reading, thinking, and pondering about relationships. Divorce has a way of getting one's attention on the subject. Anyway, I want to introduce a new blog I have created on the subject of relationships. The blog is called Soulful Relationships and the site is devoted to the topic of the nature of relationships. The blog which will be updated from time to time will contain many quotes from my favorite authors on the subject and some of my own personal ponderings and commentary. The site is neither a personal record of any of my relationships nor is it a self help guide to relationship bliss...but...rather a collection of thoughts by myself and my favorite authors which will hopefully stimulate and inspire your own imagination regarding one of the most important aspects of our lives. So, if you are either curious or seriously interested in the "dance of relationships" than check out my new blog from time to time...
I've noticed I haven't updated my blog for a couple of weeks now. No particular reason...I have been busy with other things including practicing with my new camera, working on a new blog which I hope to launch very soon, and following closely the Presidential campaign. Speaking of the campaign...Did you happen to catch Obama's speech on race yesterday?...Just amazing, both in terms of content and ability to deliver a nuanced message which simultaneously addresses the legitimate concerns of both white and black Americans and empathizes and humanizes controversial figures like Pastor Wright...and...in my lifetime, I have not witnessed a politician or any other nationally know public figure who has been able to pull off what Obama has been able to do regarding such an explosive issue. Obama appears to be the real deal and is a fresh of breathe air to the political landscape which imo has been on the decline for most of my adult life....other news...went up to see my mom who is currently in a rest home. She is now 93 years old and is still hanging in there. Each time I see her I wonder if it will be for the last time but both myself and other relatives have written her off many times before and she just keeps making a comeback...She is no longer able to walk and is confined to a bed, probably for the rest of her life and it is my hope and prayer that she die a quiet peaceful death in her sleep when the Good Lord decides to take her home. In the meantime, I try to see her whenever I can and remember all the sacrifices she has made for me...On the sports front...There is currently a lull in the action for me until the basketball play-offs start. I am a huge Laker fan and I am excited that the Lakers are back near the top of heap but have no assurances how far that Lakers will go this year considering the Western Conference from top to bottom is the strongest in history...in fact...I don't remember, ever, in any sport where you literally have the top eight teams that are pretty much on equal footing...which...I hope translates to an exciting play-off run...March Madness starts on Thursday which will give me something to watch. I don't have a favorite college Basketball team so I will probably root for the west coast teams. I have always really enjoyed the College Basketball tournament because it provides one of the rare opportunities in sports where the little guy and the unknown are allowed to play on the big stage with the big guys...and...every year there are some big surprises....Well, that' it for now, I need to get out and get some exercise and get some work done....
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
I've got the fever. Obamania has finally reached the Shire. It took awhile but I now have all the classic symptoms of Obamania. You know the signs...Checking the internet at least three times a day to see the latest poll numbers on what is happening in Texas and Ohio. Watching at least two news programs when I get home just in case I missed something on the internet...checking out the other Obamania bloggers off an on all day…and…the final act…volunteering to work for Obama’s run to the White House…. I didn’t jump on the Obama bandwagon until about a month ago after listening to a speech by Barack Obama at his home church but now that I am on the bandwagon I intend to stay there until Obama reaches the White House, Lord willing. While it was the speech that got my juices going it was the two recent debates that sealed the deal for me. Let’s just say I was impressed, particularly by his attitude…. Today is a big day and according to most pundits, if Obama can win Texas than he will probably get the nomination…but…it is also an important day for me because, if Obama wins Texas today then I will make a trip to the local Democratic headquarters and sign up as a foot soldier and join the growing legion of Obamaniacs who are ready to do our part to help Obama reach the White House later this year. I know it may be a bit premature to count Hilary out if she does win Ohio and Rhode Island but I really don't see "how" she has a chance if she loses Texas tonight. She can fight until the end, and she may, but losing Texas tonight will, imho, send her into a wormhole that she will never find her way out of....
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Ten straight victories, eleven if you count the out of the country voters. A blow-out in Wisconsin last night...and...now some political pundits suggest Hilary Clinton may have to win as much as 65 percent of the votes in the remaining primaries to get enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination. It certainly looks like Obama now has the upper hand. I won't declare victory at this time but it sure looks like Hilary Clinton's only chance is to complete a couple of "Hail Mary" passes...I haven't said much about the primaries up to this point but I have been following the this particular election year for some time now and decided to support Barack Obama about three weeks ago. I do find this particular election year the most interesting in my lifetime but am cautious because I have become increasingly cynical about politics as I have gotten older. So, why have I decided to jump on the Obama bandwagon? Probably, for some of the similar reasons a lot of other folks have stated. For me, the bottom line is that I think he has the "best chance" of bringing about some long needed changes on the political front. I think he has the best chance because Obama does represent a new "attitude" towards the political process. I am not talking about his message of hope but rather the general demeanor he has modeled during the campaign and the debates. Obama "genuinely", imo, repeatedly appears to acknowledge common ground with his opponents...and...I don't think it is a calculated political ploy on his part but I believe it is just the nature of his personality and worldview....Another bottom line...While Hilary and McCain obviously have a lot more experience than Obama I don't think their experience will be able to handle the gridlock in Washington as well as Obama's ability to work with others...and...I think Obama's oratory prowess will put pressure on congress to make some long needed changes...At this point I do believe Obama has all the momentum and I expect him to be the next president of the United States but whether he is able to bring about the kind of change he talks about will have to wait for the next chapter in the book. And,as much as I like Obama and find his message inspiring and his demeanor refreshing he is just a man and the power of the President is limited by the power of Congress and the will of the people...and...that is why our Presidents don't wear Superman capes or jump over tall buildings now matter how much we want or hope they can....
Monday, February 11, 2008
I just got back from L.A. I drove down today to see the new U-2/HD/3-D concert. It was electrifying and inspiring. Nothing like seeing Bono and the rest of the band up close. I have never attended a live U-2 concert but I can't imagine I could get any closer to the action than I did tonight. At one point Bono and my hand touched, well kind of...Got to love those 3-D glasses. Old fashioned virtual reality...While the concert was the shortest U-2 concert I have seen to date, every song was a winner. No fluff, just pure energy from beginning to end. U-2 has again set the bar so high that all any other band can do at this time is look up and shake their head...in awe... and U-2 has again solidified their stranglehold on being the best live band on the planet. I just wish I could have shared this moment with someone. I couldn't get anyone to go so I went solo. Everything about the performance and the production was great. U-2 is at the top of their game right now and I don't know if they can get any higher...so...I recommend you checking this concert out because this kind of performance is so rare you might not see this kind of band again in your lifetime...I went down at noon to catch the early showing but it was already sold out so I had to occupy myself until the six o'clock showing...so...it was a long day...but a Beautiful Day...Thanks U-2...You never disappoint.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
While I have been quiet lately in regards to posting anything on this particular blog my life has been anything but quiet. I won't bore you with the personal stuff but while I have not posted much here, lately, I have been working on two other blogs I intend to introduce in the weeks or months to come. I guess you could say that blogging is now in my blood. The new blogs will revolve around the "nature of relationships" and some of the influential books I have read...I haven't launched either blog yet because I am going to try a new strategy. I am writing and saving a number of blog entries before I launch the blogs, that way, I won't feel pressured to always write new material. I enjoy blogging but I don't like to feel like I "have" to keep up with blog entries and since I will have four blogs going at the same time I suspect it will be a challenge. I generally try to blog when I have the time and I "feel" like it, but that sometimes leads to no blog entries for weeks at a time which I don't like either...so...I'll see what happens with this new approach...
I have also been spending a significant amount of time experimenting with my new SLR camera. I am reading books, taking a class, and going out to take pictures. At the present time I don't have any pictures to share but when I do I'll probably post them over at my blog, Bilbo's World in Pictures
Regarding politics...I have been following the primaries, particularly the race between Obama and Clinton. I have decided to support Obama but I won't be crushed if he doesn't get the nomination because whoever is the next president is going to inherit some serious problems and I won't be surprised if the next president is booted out after only one term. My biggest fear is that the democrats will win and get blamed for the mess created by the last administration and the Republicans will come back with a vengeance in 2012. I admit this is a pessimistic approach to politics but I do feel strongly that the numerous problems we face as a nation are as serious as any time in recent history since the 1960's...I hope I am wrong by the way...Monday I am headed to L.A. with my two sons to see the new U-2 HD/3-D concert at the IMAX theater. I can't wait...In the meantime, I am heading out to take some pictures and I'll probably post something about the concert when I get back....
I have also been spending a significant amount of time experimenting with my new SLR camera. I am reading books, taking a class, and going out to take pictures. At the present time I don't have any pictures to share but when I do I'll probably post them over at my blog, Bilbo's World in Pictures
Regarding politics...I have been following the primaries, particularly the race between Obama and Clinton. I have decided to support Obama but I won't be crushed if he doesn't get the nomination because whoever is the next president is going to inherit some serious problems and I won't be surprised if the next president is booted out after only one term. My biggest fear is that the democrats will win and get blamed for the mess created by the last administration and the Republicans will come back with a vengeance in 2012. I admit this is a pessimistic approach to politics but I do feel strongly that the numerous problems we face as a nation are as serious as any time in recent history since the 1960's...I hope I am wrong by the way...Monday I am headed to L.A. with my two sons to see the new U-2 HD/3-D concert at the IMAX theater. I can't wait...In the meantime, I am heading out to take some pictures and I'll probably post something about the concert when I get back....
Monday, January 21, 2008
Today is Martin Luther King's birthday and I was reminded how important this day is by fellow blogger Kansas Bob Thanks Bob for reminding me of the significance of King's vision. I don't really have anything to add about King that probably hasn't been said by others so I'll add my tribute by leaving you to ponder some of my favorite quotes by Martin Luther King.
The words of a modern day Prophet......
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
The words of a modern day Prophet......
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Well, today I took the big plunge and bought me a new SLR camera. Specially, I purchased a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTI with a telephoto 17-85 IS Image Stabilizer lens. I've been thinking about buying an SLR camera for some time I have a hard time letting go of my cash for something that is essentially a hobby interest of mine...and...I almost couldn't bring myself to buy this camera, "until", I went on line and found the camera for half the price all the local camera shops were asking...and...I got a deluxe carrying case and tri-pod, to boot, for free. Thank God, for the internet....I am also going to take a photography class at a local camera shop to learn how to use the camera. It's not particularly difficult to use an SLR, especially if you operate it on Auto focus but I want to learn about exposure, shutter speeds, and how to use the camera manually...I am really excited about this new purchase and hope to post some pictures on this blog and my photo blog in the weeks and months to come....
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Today I launched a new blog called Bilbo's World in pictures. I am very excited and proud of what I have put together. It is a collection of some of my best photographs that I have taken over the years. Many of these photographs have appeared on this blog from time to time but I have decided to put them together in a one place for others to observe and enjoy. I was inspired by fellow blogger Julie Bogart who launched her own photography bl. og project last year called Julie Unplugged 365...Thanks Julie...I will be adding new pictures on a regular basis. I currently have a rather extensive collection of photographs I intend to post in the days and weeks to come...and...I will adding to my old pictures with new pictures whenever I take a photograph that I consider worthy of my blog. Also, because I am excited and inspired about what I am doing I am also thinking about purchasing a new camera. Right now I am considering either purchasing a Canon Sure Shot SD87V15 with 8.1 pixels or a EOS Digital Rebel XTI SLR. The Rebel model is much more expensive but I feel ready to move up to the big boys because I really do enjoy taking pictures....so...if you are so inclined check out Bilbo's World in Pictures and let me know what you think....
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
At the recommendation of film critic Michael Phillips I watched the movie Once last night. Phillips listed this movie as one of his top ten films of the year and even asserts it is one of the great music movies of all time. I wouldn't go this far but I did really, really, like this film and recommend it for anyone who likes an independent film with some really great music. The story is set in Ireland and is a story about a blue collar Irishman who works for his dad during the day fixing vacuum cleaners while playing music at night on the streets. It is his dream to one day record a couple of songs in an attempt to make a living as a musician. One day he meets a young woman who loves his music and inspires him to follow his dream. And the rest of the story is about the two working together to make his dream come true. The movie has a lot of music but I wouldn't consider it a musical in the traditional sense because all the songs flow with the story line. If you like Irish, folksy, meat and potatoes music I suspect you might like this film. This is the second musical film I have seen this year, the other, Across the Universe. These two films are very different and both are great in their own way but I think I like this film better... and...for whatever it is worth, this film received a 98% approval rating over at Rottentomatoes...and...I really love the soundtrack which I bought yesterday.
I've been working on my bachelor pad today. I went out and bought some decorative pillows for my bed. Left to my own devices I probably wouldn't have gotten such fancy pillows but I know the "Daughters of Eve" like this sort of thing. So, if you are a Daughter of Eve who happens to stumble across this blog entry these pictures are for your eyes only. The guys can check it out too but I suspect they won't be as impressed...Just call it a hobbit hunch.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Today is my birthday... and... it is just not any birthday...it's my 50th birthday!Boy how times flies. I don't feel 50 but my drivers license and birth certificate both say I was born in Santa Cruz California on December 20, 1957, so, I guess that makes me 50 years old. Collaborating evidence is always difficult to refute..Although my birthday is today I actually celebrated my birthday last Sunday so I could share this special day with my friends, some, who had to travel out of town. All but one of my close friends was able to make the party and it was great to spend this day with so many wonderful friends and people I care about. Some of the friends I have known for over twenty years which made this a special, special, occasion... The food was great...the games were fun...and...while the dancing was a bit embarrassing everyone seemed to get a kick out of watching me fumble about my dining room floor not really knowing which direction I was headed next and everyone seemed to have a great time. It was one of the best days I have had, in many, many, years...and... It was one of those rare days one just doesn't want to end...and...although the day is now four days old the memories will never be forgotten...so...thanks again Jan, for making it all happen...You're the best...and...thanks to my two sons Paul and Wesley who were there...and...all the great friends who have remained loyal, all these years...Thanks to everyone who shared this day with me. I'll never forget...and...thanks for all the wonderful gifts, which included numerous gift cards from Barnes and Nobles, a couple of framed record albums of U-2, a beautiful silk shirt, some Pistachio nuts, a Gnome wall plaque, and last but not least, twelve beautiful fairy Christmas ornaments...
It's official....Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema has officially ended their feud and Jackson has agreed to write and produce the Hobbit. This is fantastic news. Personally I never thought it would happen because of the public comments made by one of the New Line executives about a year or so ago. One of the executives said that Peter Jackson would never do the Hobbit but I suspect there was just too much money on the table in the end to follow through with their threat...and... personally I don't care...all is forgiven. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh are the right team for this project because they possess both the vision and the passion for such a monumental task. I have supreme confidence Jackson will pull this off even though the film industry has been suffering a slump the last couple of years at the box office.....Apparently Jackson will not direct the film which has led to numerous rumors about who will direct the film. Two names that have come up several times are Sam Raimi who directed Spider Man and Guillermo del Toro who directed Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth. Both men have expressed interest if approached. Personally, I hope Del Toro gets the nod. Pan's Labyrinth is an incredible film and Del Toro has deep roots in fantasy and fairy tales. The Hobbit will have a sequel which is scheduled to be released in 2010 and 2011...and...like the Lord of the Rings the two films will be shot simultaneously....I can't wait....and I look forward to following this story for the next couple of years and I'll pass along the latest news when I hear it....
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
When it comes to Christmas decorations I like to mix the secular with the sacred/religious….probably… because I am more interested in creating an artistic ambiance that is pleasing to the eye than I am about espousing a particular religious or philosophical statement about Christmas. So, my Christmas decorations include everything from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, to Gnomes, Viking Ships, Celtic designs, Cardinals, and Nativity scenes. Don’t ask about how Gnomes fit into Christmas, I’m including a separate blog entry on them later…. I have been interested in collecting Nativities ever since my in-laws gave my wife and I a beautiful hand carved Nativity Scene from Israel early in our marriage. While I currently only own two Nativity Scenes I do have numerous Christmas Cards which depict the birth of Jesus….
Prior to writing this blog entry on Nativity Scenes I decided to do a little research on the origins of the Nativity and here are a few things I learned about the history of the Nativity. According to tradition, and there appears to be historical evidence for this particular tradition, Saint Francis of Assisi introduced the first Nativity Scene in the 12th Century. Apparently, he put together a life size straw filled manger scene which was set outside the monastery between a real live ox and donkey and this manger scene was used to enhance the mass during Christmas. Over the years, this tradition spread across Europe and by the 16th century real life size Nativity Scenes adorned with gold and jewels were displayed in front of medieval churches and temples across Europe. By the 17th century famous artists in Italy were commissioned to carve miniature Nativity scenes out of wood, ivory, and stone….Originally, Nativity’s were called crèche which is a French word which means crib….and…it is believed the tradition of the Nativity was first brought to the U.S. to the town of Bethlehem Pennsylvania in 1741.
I believe the essence of Christmas ought to be about love and hope and Nativity scenes can be a potential important reminder that despite all the problems in the world there is always hope... and... God helps us all to not lose faith in hope and love and help us to restore hope to the world by helping us love one another in our own unique way with the talents God has given us all...
Prior to writing this blog entry on Nativity Scenes I decided to do a little research on the origins of the Nativity and here are a few things I learned about the history of the Nativity. According to tradition, and there appears to be historical evidence for this particular tradition, Saint Francis of Assisi introduced the first Nativity Scene in the 12th Century. Apparently, he put together a life size straw filled manger scene which was set outside the monastery between a real live ox and donkey and this manger scene was used to enhance the mass during Christmas. Over the years, this tradition spread across Europe and by the 16th century real life size Nativity Scenes adorned with gold and jewels were displayed in front of medieval churches and temples across Europe. By the 17th century famous artists in Italy were commissioned to carve miniature Nativity scenes out of wood, ivory, and stone….Originally, Nativity’s were called crèche which is a French word which means crib….and…it is believed the tradition of the Nativity was first brought to the U.S. to the town of Bethlehem Pennsylvania in 1741.
I believe the essence of Christmas ought to be about love and hope and Nativity scenes can be a potential important reminder that despite all the problems in the world there is always hope... and... God helps us all to not lose faith in hope and love and help us to restore hope to the world by helping us love one another in our own unique way with the talents God has given us all...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Since I am still in the Christmas Spirit I thought I would post some of my favorite Christmas cards I have received and collected over the years. I started collecting and keeping Christmas cards about ten years ago in an effort to use the cards for decorations each year. Some of the cards are as far away as Nepal and others were hand produced by friends. I don't get as many cards as I used too because I am single and I don't think people, in general, make the effort to send out cards as they once did, but whatever the reason, I enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. I hope you enjoy these cards...Merry Christmas
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
All things considered my first Thanksgiving meal went pretty well for the most part. Nobody complained after it was established by my unilateral decree that ham was replacing the traditional turkey dinner. Although the cranberry/apple stuffing and the mashed potatoes were a bit on the dry side the honey baked ham was succulent...and...delicious.... the corn was just right, and the cranberry sauce which was provided by a friend was excellent. We never got around to eating any pumpkin pie because we stuffed ourself with blueberry, chocolate, and pumpkin pie while watching USC maul Arizona State at a friends house. All in all, the day went pretty well, better than I expected. I don't know if I want to make this a new tradition, that is, me cooking dinner for everyone, but for this year I am grateful that I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my sons and some friends... and...who says a 49 year old bachelor can't pull off doing something that is traditionally excluded to the female species.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Since 2003 I have spent some time early Thanksgiving morning reflecting and journaling what I am thankful for regarding the past year. Here are a few things I recorded in my journal this year.
1. Relationships. As I have gotten older and have been single now for six years running I have become increasingly sensitive to the need of meaningful interpersonal relationships. I am grateful for all my friends and one particular relationship this past year which has brought me a lot of joy. Relationships and intimacy are gifts from God and I never want to take them for granted...so...I thank God for my friends,my family, my two sons in particular and one special lady friend.
2. My home. Last year I moved into a house by myself for the first time in my life. My living situation prior to last years move was very stressful and I am very thankful that I have my own space where I have can express myself and live in peace.
3. Church. After six years in self exile regarding church I am grateful I have found a church, where I at least feel comfortable. I haven't decided to join the church and have yet to get too heavily involved but I have made a number of friends and it feels good to be a part of a regular community again.
4. Deeper understanding about relationships. I have spent a significant amount of time and energy over the past few years thinking and pondering about the nature of interpersonal relationships and while I am not presently married I do feel I am at a much better place regarding my own understanding about the "nature" of relationships...and...have been told more than once by people close to me than I really know how to do relationships....which....has been very encouraging to me. I intend to write more about this in the weeks and months to come. It has been a long hard road at times but I do feel I am making progress.
5. Growth in the "practice" of spiritual disciplines. For years I read about spiritual disciplines but it never really got much further than between my two ears. This past year I found myself praying, journaling, and meditating more than ever. I didn't set out to do any of this intentionally but have found myself gravitating, naturally towards practicing and creating my own style of what some might call spiritual disciplines and I feel good about it.
6. Gifts from a "special" friend. About six months ago a lady friend of mine celebrated my birthday by showering me with some really cool stuff. She took me to a Moody Blues concert and bought me some clothes for the special occasion. It was the best birthday present I have ever received and I was totally blown away...especially considering it wasn't even my birthday!....She decided to give me a surprise birthday party after learning how I spent my birthday alone last year trying to find a place to live because of my difficult living situation. I was so moved by her sensitivity and graciousness.... I cried...It was one of the highlights of my life...
1. Relationships. As I have gotten older and have been single now for six years running I have become increasingly sensitive to the need of meaningful interpersonal relationships. I am grateful for all my friends and one particular relationship this past year which has brought me a lot of joy. Relationships and intimacy are gifts from God and I never want to take them for granted...so...I thank God for my friends,my family, my two sons in particular and one special lady friend.
2. My home. Last year I moved into a house by myself for the first time in my life. My living situation prior to last years move was very stressful and I am very thankful that I have my own space where I have can express myself and live in peace.
3. Church. After six years in self exile regarding church I am grateful I have found a church, where I at least feel comfortable. I haven't decided to join the church and have yet to get too heavily involved but I have made a number of friends and it feels good to be a part of a regular community again.
4. Deeper understanding about relationships. I have spent a significant amount of time and energy over the past few years thinking and pondering about the nature of interpersonal relationships and while I am not presently married I do feel I am at a much better place regarding my own understanding about the "nature" of relationships...and...have been told more than once by people close to me than I really know how to do relationships....which....has been very encouraging to me. I intend to write more about this in the weeks and months to come. It has been a long hard road at times but I do feel I am making progress.
5. Growth in the "practice" of spiritual disciplines. For years I read about spiritual disciplines but it never really got much further than between my two ears. This past year I found myself praying, journaling, and meditating more than ever. I didn't set out to do any of this intentionally but have found myself gravitating, naturally towards practicing and creating my own style of what some might call spiritual disciplines and I feel good about it.
6. Gifts from a "special" friend. About six months ago a lady friend of mine celebrated my birthday by showering me with some really cool stuff. She took me to a Moody Blues concert and bought me some clothes for the special occasion. It was the best birthday present I have ever received and I was totally blown away...especially considering it wasn't even my birthday!....She decided to give me a surprise birthday party after learning how I spent my birthday alone last year trying to find a place to live because of my difficult living situation. I was so moved by her sensitivity and graciousness.... I cried...It was one of the highlights of my life...
It's Thanksgiving morning and I am about to do something I have never done before...I am going to cook a Thanksgiving meal, all by myself. That's right. This year I have decided to stay in town for Thanksgiving and cook dinner for my two sons and an old friend of mine who doesn't have anywhere to go. The meal I am cooking is not extravagant by any stretch of the imagination and will be simple. There will be ham, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Thank God for Costco. The ham is pre-cooked, the stuffing and the mash potatoes are pre-packaged, and the pumpkin pie is already cooked and ready to roll out at any time after dinner. This might not sound like I am really cooking but I don't mind confessing and conceding this is the best I could do considering my limited experience in such matters. Originally I was not particularly happy when all of my other plans for Thanksgiving fell through but I am actually kind of excited now and feel much more upbeat about the whole matter. Later we will watch USC, hopefully crush Arizona State and I'll be back with a report on how things went....
Monday, November 05, 2007
Yesterday I saw a movie that made me laugh and cry...I was inspired…I was reminded of what is important in life…and…I was deeply, deeply, touched…This is a great, great, film…This is a beautiful film. This is a film about life, family, and following one’s passions and dreams...It is simply, the best film I have seen in a long, long time. Into the Wild is based on a true story by best selling author Jon Krakauer who also wrote Into Thin Air. The movie was directed by Sean Penn and, Eddie Vedder, the front man for Pearl Jam, provides the musical scores for the film. Into the Wild is a story about a young man who gives up everything in this world to follow his dream to go to Alaska. His journey begins after graduating from a prestigious college in West Virginia. While telling his parents he is thinking of enrolling in Harvard Law School he instead hits the road and heads west. The rest of the story is about the adventure and the people he meets along the way as he travels from the East Coast to Alaska. While some may sarcastically assert that this film is a moral tale about how foolish it is to follow an idealistic pipe dream I do not share such sentiments. I prefer to see this film as a metaphor about the meaning of life and the critically important lessons one can learn if one follows their passions and dreams. We live in a world where much of what we do is based on the expectations of others, our families, our friends, and society, in general, but this film explores what can happen if one follows their heart....but...This is not a sentimental film and grit and reality are not sacrificed at the altar of romanticism. This is a gut check film. This film cuts to the core for him who has ears to hear...This is a must see film...You won't regret it...and...while you may be haunted by the images, music, and ending for days, in the end, this is a story that celebrates the life of what one young man who decided to follow "his" dream...and...while I would never suggest to anyone that they follow in the footsteps of another, I would recommend that we seriously consider following his example of following the desires of our heart, even if we cannot follow the exact footsteps of his particular journey.....
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