tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25252803137004247852024-03-18T21:18:14.808-07:00The Woven'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-42924454086596197092020-05-24T03:33:00.000-07:002020-05-24T03:33:05.287-07:00Spotlight on Ottawa Author, Michel Weatherall<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHspO2f0G1MnjYQcosf1n-ugRzEt4Fiia22sM_jBBggn1mWSuaWw6noP776KoF0Cz-uP6MEfVCYunLJrBe2q_Z3Du-oM1YC7HULOHxeuSVZTjhq3ls9FXYRYftxbJkW1JwWUjqFoMFtBc/s1600/Through+the+Years+-+releases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHspO2f0G1MnjYQcosf1n-ugRzEt4Fiia22sM_jBBggn1mWSuaWw6noP776KoF0Cz-uP6MEfVCYunLJrBe2q_Z3Du-oM1YC7HULOHxeuSVZTjhq3ls9FXYRYftxbJkW1JwWUjqFoMFtBc/s400/Through+the+Years+-+releases.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">April of 2015 saw the release and publication of <i><a href="https://books2read.com/u/38EaJd" target="_blank">The Symbiot</a></i>, written over 25 years ago, which would also mark the launch of <i><a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall" target="_blank">Broken Keys Publishing</a></i>, with its logo a rendition of this first book. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The sequel, <i>The Hunt: Symbiosis</i>, had been half written with its complete story mapped out. Finished writing and released in September 2015. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~~~ </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Traction began in 2016 with a letter of acknowledgement from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson for Michel's contribution to the literary community, followed by an interview of 1310 News' <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TvCoS4d4k&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">The Carol Anne Meehan Show</a></i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He had worked on two books in 2016: <i><a href="https://books2read.com/u/4NRgPG" target="_blank">A Dark Corner of My Soul</a></i>, a collection of dark poetry, released in July, and what was originally planned to be the final book of <a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/necropolis" target="_blank">The Symbiot-trilogy</a>, <i><a href="https://books2read.com/u/bPJLY7" target="_blank">Necropolis</a></i>. Although a rough outline had kicked around for the past 20 years, Weatherall struggled with several plot challenges. What solid pieces were written would have amounted to little more than a lengthy epilogue of the previous book. In late January of 2016, while sick with the flu and suffering fevered dreams, it all came together. <i>Necropolis</i> finally being written and published in 2016.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In 2017, slowly piecing together numerous fragments and short stories (that would eventually become <i><a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/necropolis" target="_blank">The Refuse Chronicles</a></i>) he focused upon promotions, radio, TV and media, accumulating in the November nomination for the <i>Faces of Ottawa Awards Favourite Male Author for 2018</i>. Appearing on 7 radio shows and TV twice, as well as 4 'meet-the-author' events at local coffee-shops.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2017 also saw a theological essay published in American theologian, Thomas Jay Oord's book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2018 saw the completion and publication of <i>The Refuse Chronicles</i>, the finale of <i><a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/necropolis" target="_blank">The Symbiot-series</a></i>. Weatherall kept his focus on exposure, promotion and media presence, which paid off, beginning the journey into becoming a public figure. 2018 saw his first invitation to be a 'celebrity judge' in the Canada Multicultural beauty pageant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2018 also saw the inception of <i><a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/arise" target="_blank">ARISE: The Rise of the Indie-author</a></i>, events promoting Ottawa's literary talents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2019, publishing </span><i style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mgGMZX" target="_blank">Ngaro's Sojourney</a></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, the first book in a new series, </span><i style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/brVwzA" target="_blank">Sun & Moon</a></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, a collection of poetry chronicling his struggles and experiences through his wife's cancer, and <i><a href="https://books2read.com/u/38EaJd" target="_blank">The Symbiot 30th Anniversary, The Nadia Edition</a></i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2019 was on fire! This year saw him nominated for <a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/awards-accomplishments" target="_blank">8 various awards</a>, including the <i>Faces of Ottawa Awards for Book of the Year (The Symbiot 30th Anniversary), Favourite Author & Favourite Publisher, CPACT's Small Business Excellence (Broken Keys Publishing) & Entertainment Excellence, FEBE's Creative Artist/Performer, the 2020-21 Parliamentary Poet Laureate nomination and the 2019 Pushcart Prize in poetry</i>. (Winning <i>Faces of Ottawa's 2020 Favourite Author and Publisher Awards</i>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2019 also saw the return as a 'celebrity judge' for the <i>World Multicultural Festival's</i> beauty pageant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2020 is seeing the launch of <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1011479" target="_blank">"Symphonies of Horror: Inspirational Tales by H.P. Lovecraft: The Symbiot Appendum"</a> </i>(an added bonus book for those who purchase the entire Symbiot-series) and <i><a href="https://books2read.com/u/38ZNMV" target="_blank">Thin Places: The Ottawan Anthology</a></i>, featuring 14 local authors (with 100% of its ebook's proceeds being donated to <i><a href="https://www.shadowottawa.ca/" target="_blank">Shadow Ottawa</a></i>).</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2020 is proving to be interesting considering the pandemic, closure and lockdown of so many necessary services and venues.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He was also nominated for the <i>Best of the Net Award</i> in poetry (<i><a href="https://www.arielchart.com/2020/04/this-burden-i-bear.html" target="_blank">This Burden I Bear</a></i>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Preliminary work begins on <i><a href="https://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/books" target="_blank">Invasion: Scion</a></i>, book 2 of his new series, The Fractures-Series.</span></span></div>
'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-44776700374498871852019-12-28T06:17:00.000-08:002019-12-28T06:29:13.376-08:00Trudeau's Perilous Permission for Racism<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;">I</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
will attempt to begin with a reasonable and logical path, hopefully
one we may all agree with. </span><br />
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">To be against racism is to be synonymous with being FOR equality.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">To believe in equality - by its very definition - means being against
inequality. (This sounds redundant, but needs to be stated to reveal
the flaw in a particular position's logic. What would the opposing
position be? Anti-racist but pro-inequality?)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">To believe in equality means the equality of all people.... </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">Read
it again: all people. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">One
more time: ALL people.</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">It
is not a subversive or subservient agenda focused on some misplaced
sense of justice, retribution or vengeance. To use the analogy of a
totem pole, it should not be about turning the totem pole upside
down, but laying it on its side (to stay with the idiom, there ceases
to be a "high man on the totem pole," not a reversal of
that "high man.")</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKiq-ixAZ8J7Z0JlLYV0duOaQCtKoVkgQEAAowg4okRs744ZV2IZ6F4Dl7VBbcO_cnzzBxKckNIp1EhnEskeXGA_m0r3zqgRLPA2phZvP6BtV82w5amPmA5G90CJuxeU5r7BVqtUVVbw/s1600/fallen+totem+pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKiq-ixAZ8J7Z0JlLYV0duOaQCtKoVkgQEAAowg4okRs744ZV2IZ6F4Dl7VBbcO_cnzzBxKckNIp1EhnEskeXGA_m0r3zqgRLPA2phZvP6BtV82w5amPmA5G90CJuxeU5r7BVqtUVVbw/s320/fallen+totem+pole.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let
us be clear here: If one group's agenda truly is "to turn the
totem pole upside down", this is a position of
Anti-racism/Pro-inequality, an untenable position.</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">Its
opposite (and only truly tenable position) - Anti-racist/Pro-equality
- does not allow any sense of justified-discrimination. It does not
embrace a zero-sum equation belief; that one's loss means another's
gain, as a necessity.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">This
is not to say an individual should not be accountable and responsible
for their actions or crimes. It is to say an individual cannot be
responsible or accountable for their ancestors actions or crimes. To
believe the latter is in itself a form of racism.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">There
is a dangerous, passive political momentum right now that not only
allows, but encourages this perilous position and those subterfuge
individuals that engage, promote and manipulate through it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIMhhqAGO-akxbnyt5NO6AQTyJW-pMXC6xShErqhQfGM2ozSUlcNhng2rhcrFKWQ4DcZdwToL3QP9WPxV8D-48LdzMRahWogFJ4RLdTAo8yDKjKQStbQrS3Y3-KRs-vJryinGTwbpnhw/s1600/racism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIMhhqAGO-akxbnyt5NO6AQTyJW-pMXC6xShErqhQfGM2ozSUlcNhng2rhcrFKWQ4DcZdwToL3QP9WPxV8D-48LdzMRahWogFJ4RLdTAo8yDKjKQStbQrS3Y3-KRs-vJryinGTwbpnhw/s320/racism.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As
defined by Wikipedia:</span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><i>"Racism
is the belief* in the superiority of one race over another. It may
also mean prejudice**, discrimination**, or antagonism** directed
against other people because they are of a different race or
ethnicity."</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">*
Belief. This is an intentional act and position, not an accidental
one. Ergo, you cannot be an accidental racist. Racism is a deliberate
act or position. It may be based upon erroneous not inaccurate
information, but nevertheless is a conscious decision.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">**
Prejudice, discrimination, and antagonism are all beliefs manifesting
in action. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">Racism
necessitates two things: Intent and malicious action. Contrary to
Justin Trudeau's definition, one cannot be an accidental racist.
Intent DOES matter. (And this is not to say unintentional actions
cannot harm).</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">(For
further and better understanding of one's intent, see <a href="https://youtu.be/NCJTV5KaJJc">TedTalks withSally Kohn's Emotional Correctness</a>: https://youtu.be/NCJTV5KaJJc</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">Actions
and words may be inappropriate, rude, insensitive, belligerent,
unlawful and hurtful without being racist. To believe otherwise is to
group Nazis, KKK, those guilty of genocide and White Supremists into
the exact same category as one who spouts off an inappropriate
comment. (These are not excusable, but neither are they the same
things.) This position is actually lessening the perpetrators of
these horrific crimes and/or worldview. Watering them down, if you
will.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWByB8YW1rTu-SeBk8ML7Zr4n8bnd_Gp5lA7nkg_83v5N_F-g1CUP0XB1iewiw8byEwHsF-VTJzRdQZjQcQsG_qm98jWQNC_FYZk4IB3pmht5anbn8jXRut_nLewqitp54zpPOrW7Gxco/s1600/trudeau+dangerous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="616" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWByB8YW1rTu-SeBk8ML7Zr4n8bnd_Gp5lA7nkg_83v5N_F-g1CUP0XB1iewiw8byEwHsF-VTJzRdQZjQcQsG_qm98jWQNC_FYZk4IB3pmht5anbn8jXRut_nLewqitp54zpPOrW7Gxco/s320/trudeau+dangerous.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If
we embrace and if we allow Trudeau's re-definition of Racism; if we
allow this lack of distinction, we are ultimately allowing Trudeau's
Perilous Permission for Racism. We are allowing malicious groups with
a hidden agenda power. We are feeding a new breed of racists.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">I
am an advocate for semantics. Once we can successfully label
something, we can identify it, better explore it, and ultimately,
understand it, or, as the case might be, bring it into the bright
light of day. It currently finds its existence in the security of
shadows.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">These
two forms of "Racism" need to be properly named and
identified. For one is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and incredibly
dangerous to our true growth of multiculturalism and equality.</span></span></span></div>
'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-34838279653087107022019-12-28T06:09:00.000-08:002019-12-28T06:09:15.918-08:00Entering Tao; Taoist Meditations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some typical Taoist meditations that you should do outdoors. I hesitate to call them meditations; maybe a contemplation or reflection. A better term would be "quiet watching". The method is the traditional outdoor meditation of quietly watching an object. A reconnection to nature is the cure. If you feel rushed and hasty - or are a rushed and hasty person - do this meditation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDpbc6DiCSUeANdOxntyaBvZAH_zI5Ay6aGdDf-JqJgFPleMlhP5g0Cc3644UDJ-3FQvTDXFgaI9oXhKXXSzf8XVUPBS9mPdl_gCLlv4EFlAT9gEUYQUynnP3YrgT3a7CCjIJ9lBVo9o/s1600/blue+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDpbc6DiCSUeANdOxntyaBvZAH_zI5Ay6aGdDf-JqJgFPleMlhP5g0Cc3644UDJ-3FQvTDXFgaI9oXhKXXSzf8XVUPBS9mPdl_gCLlv4EFlAT9gEUYQUynnP3YrgT3a7CCjIJ9lBVo9o/s1600/blue+sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><u><b>Watch the Sky</b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b><br /></b></u></i></div>
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Lie down in an open meadow on a fine day and look up at the sky. (Yes, you'll need to stop whatever you're doing and carve out a block of time. Yes, you do have the time). A few floating white clouds pass across the deep blue.</div>
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The deep blue indicates the depth of the sky. What you can reach is only the blue colour, not the depth of inexhaustible space. </div>
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As you quietly watch, do not be disturbed by any passing object, especially clouds. </div>
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This will guide you to reach the depth of your own mind and spirit. </div>
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Use it to reach your depth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i5X4RAEmB8xWXwbxPmaLQrnp2Dbwg7ZbmhlQZ6s-KLb7bZMiQokiXN6lZxo2pElCPAfGj7NLbph7bTWTIKKHw7fLWo5MdhuJ4PtAfUT5CgpIew7evAcal92ZWhyphenhyphenXqfkRXXUwmetTt3I/s1600/mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i5X4RAEmB8xWXwbxPmaLQrnp2Dbwg7ZbmhlQZ6s-KLb7bZMiQokiXN6lZxo2pElCPAfGj7NLbph7bTWTIKKHw7fLWo5MdhuJ4PtAfUT5CgpIew7evAcal92ZWhyphenhyphenXqfkRXXUwmetTt3I/s1600/mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><i><b>Watching the Mountain</b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u>
Sit quietly some distance away so that you can have the whole mountain within your view. By observing it, you can learn its independence and grandness (or smallness if need be).<br />
It does not yield. It stand there, decade after decade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQTdm8nq3TCeTd0diCFAs5P4op7rkHCq3N71c1tjmjQKfZ4huT6JhkHIXskB9O35FQfeMHN2ft9LcA6Id2ZUfdyQeFZ0XX5UzzPL3Z7k8ym5y9DZGD6LclxAqjfik-NF_xMtn5MtlEcg/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQTdm8nq3TCeTd0diCFAs5P4op7rkHCq3N71c1tjmjQKfZ4huT6JhkHIXskB9O35FQfeMHN2ft9LcA6Id2ZUfdyQeFZ0XX5UzzPL3Z7k8ym5y9DZGD6LclxAqjfik-NF_xMtn5MtlEcg/s1600/waterfall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><i><b>Watching the Waterfall</b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u>
When you need to cleanse away your worries, the toxicity and contamination of the world around you, or your disappointed thoughts about some failure or something lost that cannot come back, use the waterfall.<br />
<br />
Sometimes emotions can be destructive.<br />
Go to a place with a large waterfall and sit near the bottom, but not so close as to get wet.<br />
By looking at the waterfall coming down from the sky, you will be washed and cleansed by it. Your emotions and experiences will all be washed away.<br />
The water comes from the highest of the mountains, it rushed down to hit pond and stones beneath it, pounding through the obstacles in your life.<br />
<br />
Through perseverance a stone gives way to the water.<br />
You can learn this perseverance.<br />
Reflect upon this quiet watching.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb-k4DDnD3dlHAHcYuz_C-lkAkN8NaE7TuSwhAT6zudTlNDzAUW_5YA1f3iy_Uagfj1I7VdM6h0bXul13NmBnMZ00SKXkgtUN6F4T2oCDWTV0URLN0ayuOQ2m9E93yxdp0ctL36P-m3I/s1600/tide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb-k4DDnD3dlHAHcYuz_C-lkAkN8NaE7TuSwhAT6zudTlNDzAUW_5YA1f3iy_Uagfj1I7VdM6h0bXul13NmBnMZ00SKXkgtUN6F4T2oCDWTV0URLN0ayuOQ2m9E93yxdp0ctL36P-m3I/s1600/tide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><i><b>Watching the Tide</b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u>
Sit at a safe place by the side of the ocean or harbour. When the big tide comes rushing in to attack the stones at the shore, sit quietly and watch. No matter how strong the tide is, remain in quietude. On the one hand, you are the tide rushing to the shore, but on the other hand, you are the shore where the rushing water stops. From the two forces, movement and stillness, you will attain the unity that exists above the conflict.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Lhc6S3hNyDsINoJFKkMHH822ntMdmUQtHW1fCBWFun_zzBVZBOJmQ88mWz2NmIQM1hCATjUH2XpmWMqP_tHD7QJuav2SCsspnuGQNotfXWNGN2pvmsqL3h5ckgi1svTy5jSFuqzokM/s1600/bondfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Lhc6S3hNyDsINoJFKkMHH822ntMdmUQtHW1fCBWFun_zzBVZBOJmQ88mWz2NmIQM1hCATjUH2XpmWMqP_tHD7QJuav2SCsspnuGQNotfXWNGN2pvmsqL3h5ckgi1svTy5jSFuqzokM/s1600/bondfire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Watching the Bonfire</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
In expreriencing the ruelty of the world, you have been disappointed and frustrated. You have been pushed into a cold corner, and your heart has become iced over. You do not find any hope in your world. You do not find any good friend in your world. You do not find any good support in your world. So sit at a right distance to watch a fire in a fireplace or bonfire. Let the fire burn away all your troubled thoughts. Let it burn off all the cruel experiences. Warm your cold heart. Let your heart return to warmth. Although people in the world may treat you badly, imagine that they treat you as though you were the one being sacrified in life to the unseen deities. Let your feelings be burned as the sacrifice in the fire. Let it cleanse you. The warmth will reward you, revitalize your heart, renew your interest in life, and reactivate your courage to confront any difficulty in life. It will enhance your bravery to move into your bright future.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0gjSkElSTGwX1AUhGr3r8bl1V5Y-6hXz1RiyT9twF_wsLqwx2S_089cS-WRYkDyL2u55P5oK1eCs6m0v_barXSuVLZuh0sA3vhOgMux07gOuaYbEnHgeHXn2JJXbZixW5hsWCOQczos/s1600/white+cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0gjSkElSTGwX1AUhGr3r8bl1V5Y-6hXz1RiyT9twF_wsLqwx2S_089cS-WRYkDyL2u55P5oK1eCs6m0v_barXSuVLZuh0sA3vhOgMux07gOuaYbEnHgeHXn2JJXbZixW5hsWCOQczos/s1600/white+cloud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Watching the White Clouds</u></i></b><br />
In a late spring, summer or autumn afternoon, you will see the billowing white clouds in the sky transforming into cities, mountainsm, villages, or animals. Some clouds bring very pleasant scenes or figures, but some do not. All the things you see have no connection to you, just quietly sitting there. They are so remote from you. Allow everything to transform in front of you without attempting to manage them or to keep them the same. Similarly, objectively watch yo life, all expereinces, and all evetns. Let them pass by. Let your spirit attain clamness and quietude. You become achieved by training it to watch the tranformation of beautfy or ugliness, of different colours and shapes of clouds, without building attachment to them. Clouds can also carry you far, far away, but do not allow yourself to be carried away; always find yourself unmoved.<br />
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Then in your life, when you have thoughts or troubles, bad or good expereiences, let them be the clouds, because you have already formed and trained yourself by watching the clouds in the sky. Let the clouds carry themselves away but your spirit be independent. Also, when you have problems in your life, go into your garden. raise your head, and look at the clouds and sky above. you. Your training will return to you in a few moments, and you will find calmness and dettachment from you troubles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT8qgWNz_TcztSujcFkLz255YrK_nIrz7fbyf7zk_Y-Ov9ZljA20HRlU-l4XcInLVlV3qQeA4fkSXz0eDBstc309VTQeeazLrFIJpbxg-5pU04k_eiZs-5IychtM4S9sJN4rVDrYWuK8/s1600/still+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT8qgWNz_TcztSujcFkLz255YrK_nIrz7fbyf7zk_Y-Ov9ZljA20HRlU-l4XcInLVlV3qQeA4fkSXz0eDBstc309VTQeeazLrFIJpbxg-5pU04k_eiZs-5IychtM4S9sJN4rVDrYWuK8/s1600/still+pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Watching the Still Pond</u></i></b><br />
The water in the pond is so crystal=clear, you can even see fish swimming in it. Sit near it quietly, letting your mind be the water. All the fish enjoy the freedom of sweimming in the pond; they are not bothered by wind, because they are in the water of life, not the ater of death. Why allow your mind to be so crowded with negative thoughts? Learned from the example oft he pond so that no thought or emtional experience bothers you. By watching the pond, you attain calmness. There is no source of disterbance in your sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKpV9FLwD3mKkASVvX3Pbmb22tYFwmPubptTyPZd5HG7fPohsFczUv4GjgJJBGuRQF2ij0OMWVgvc9cZCKrabXqO6454-nGfpF_QjQamoZJW10p_auG9wbD1C5eHQ0IOKqDrZ2QN-AU/s1600/evergreen+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmKpV9FLwD3mKkASVvX3Pbmb22tYFwmPubptTyPZd5HG7fPohsFczUv4GjgJJBGuRQF2ij0OMWVgvc9cZCKrabXqO6454-nGfpF_QjQamoZJW10p_auG9wbD1C5eHQ0IOKqDrZ2QN-AU/s1600/evergreen+trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Watching the Evergreen Trees</u></i></b><br />
In wintertime, the proud and undefeated spirit of these trees does not yeild to the pressure of the cold or snow. Quietly standing year after year without winking or frowning, all the needles or leaves stretch and grow as they should, undisturbed. The straight, sturdy trunk is the root of your life. Observe it to help you regain your strength of life in adverse conditions or in the cold world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxtlbVRWiJHreJwLavp40ALI91aqGN8eOibYCJBuUUP40XyWp2oRzF1gCCMMGKYx-OtxDI2YTOv1MV5VmAyEYCXJ8bXDKcXrYLBPWizBSeQf2UaUGkB36ilUcOVfcvSgWazY8sCeTi-M/s1600/blossoming+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxtlbVRWiJHreJwLavp40ALI91aqGN8eOibYCJBuUUP40XyWp2oRzF1gCCMMGKYx-OtxDI2YTOv1MV5VmAyEYCXJ8bXDKcXrYLBPWizBSeQf2UaUGkB36ilUcOVfcvSgWazY8sCeTi-M/s1600/blossoming+flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><i><b>Watching the Blossoming Flower</b></i></u><br />
In spring, summer, autumn, and even winter, flowers are blooming. They take their support from the weather, continuing to bloom dispite inclement weather. No human individual need be withered by the negative curcumstances in life. Let your life blossom like those flowers, in the sense of the fullness of your spirit and fullness of your life strength.<br />
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Hua-Ching Ni, "Entering the Tao", pg.135-138<br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-79948874757761294802019-09-07T04:23:00.001-07:002019-09-18T17:19:02.538-07:00Sun & Moon, poetry by Michel Weatherall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHVoxSSJEzqeGe8QijULkI58XC54wCHeeUdLGYHd24ThKH-GB1-caG7eSSEZM6QY2x37xYPqGHP58tBqvaLDH8HNEv8e-3HV3G8IYU0macxH6Gse5YG0KNUQzlMWby3qHuOFt8qaKkFc/s1600/Sun+%2526+Moon+cover+4+-+w+foreword+credit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1052" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHVoxSSJEzqeGe8QijULkI58XC54wCHeeUdLGYHd24ThKH-GB1-caG7eSSEZM6QY2x37xYPqGHP58tBqvaLDH8HNEv8e-3HV3G8IYU0macxH6Gse5YG0KNUQzlMWby3qHuOFt8qaKkFc/s320/Sun+%2526+Moon+cover+4+-+w+foreword+credit.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;"><i>Sun & Moon</i> explore emotional quandaries through an enigmatic lens. The sobriety of madness, the fretting away of the poet's sanity.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #999999;">It is fear and hope given voice in the same breath.</span></span></span></div>
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Sun & Moon is available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Moon-Michel-Weatherall-ebook/dp/B07XGR6M8J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JPPTIJW00SWF&keywords=sun+%26+moon+michel+weatherall&qid=1568852306&sprefix=sun+%26+Moon+michel+%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1">Amazon.com</a><br />
and <a href="https://books2read.com/u/brVwzA" target="_blank">numerous other platforms of your choice!</a><br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-10201206763341986402019-02-14T13:39:00.000-08:002019-02-14T13:39:45.793-08:00Ngaro's Sojourney: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEw-_1C4NcoQCQJJjYQf4Cvas9rwTPB0vPCdePcXkjVmAC0T295RC_SA78xuh3OzXwwqdHhnbxxv8lFP7upQqBaSDLF8OVh11vUBD271SEiskHEvus-myEF5l0vjLkn0xj8KtJJyI5-Ug/s1600/Ngaro%2527s+Sojourney+Roller+Banner+-+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="674" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEw-_1C4NcoQCQJJjYQf4Cvas9rwTPB0vPCdePcXkjVmAC0T295RC_SA78xuh3OzXwwqdHhnbxxv8lFP7upQqBaSDLF8OVh11vUBD271SEiskHEvus-myEF5l0vjLkn0xj8KtJJyI5-Ug/s400/Ngaro%2527s+Sojourney+Roller+Banner+-+final.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ea7f3009-7fff-9ebc-824b-0a3ac5508f22"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A fusion of Robert Lewis Stevenson's </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Treasure Island"</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Edgar Allan Poe's </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The Narrative of Gordon Arthur Pym of Nantucket"</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with a splash of Maori and a light seasoning of Lovecraft.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An epic (movie-worthy) stand-alone (and the first book of a new series, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fractures)</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as deeply steeped in a shared universe of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Symbiot</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brian Lumley's influence is especially clear in Weatherall newest novel, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ngaro's Sojourney</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stephen King, Clive Barker, Brian Lumley, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft... All strong influences - I see great things for Weatherall!</span></span></span>'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-86401079994590144842017-06-26T14:39:00.003-07:002017-06-26T14:39:44.669-07:00The Refuse Chronicles - A Book Preview<br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/the-refuse-chronicles" target="_blank">The Refuse Chronicles</a></b></i></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-708e6ecb-e651-51d0-a47e-6f83f788b420"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>by Michel Weatherall</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpruHyRcUoBXBP7M9I1x3OA0Ph_efNAAkspRDMJsFVFTS_gkSDxCr7xL0DLadaMu6PiPlKmUVC-GHSFcQyCbUtg5q5SlVG4I_dRp5Mw0X5XkBa05nEqyxCUTxP4MMRTjbhQtKJrcneo0/s1600/refuse+chronicles+base+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1077" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpruHyRcUoBXBP7M9I1x3OA0Ph_efNAAkspRDMJsFVFTS_gkSDxCr7xL0DLadaMu6PiPlKmUVC-GHSFcQyCbUtg5q5SlVG4I_dRp5Mw0X5XkBa05nEqyxCUTxP4MMRTjbhQtKJrcneo0/s400/refuse+chronicles+base+8.jpg" width="268" /></a><span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A true homage to Lovecraft and the genre of Weird Fiction. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Witness the rise of a truly vicious and lethal villain the likes of which we've never seen in the entire Symbiot-Series.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's modern-tech vs ancient forgotten evil. It's Lovecraft with teeth and bullets!</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murder. Mystery. Sci-fi. Ghost story. Subtle comedy. Traditional monster-story. Action. Historic. Spiritual. This anthology of assorted novelettes runs a complete gamut as they weave together to bring this series to its final and brutal conclusion!</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Be prepared: There is no tomorrow!"</span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ ~ ~</span></span></span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/the-refuse-chronicles" target="_blank">The Refuse Chronicles</a> is the fourth (print edition) title of The Symbiot-Series.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The entire series are as follows:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9mS3cC2ZiQdBjjryhAYEB9GeIYBqCv-UgyVfm62h-0VupDzhoCxhceSQYEUtNFrIRX81kdLskrhve4J45dxaHbu9Ev6wy5sR4rWWVPRr4RribHIuRJpOHCcnjyIe6P0odzaiM49RDMg/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="539" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9mS3cC2ZiQdBjjryhAYEB9GeIYBqCv-UgyVfm62h-0VupDzhoCxhceSQYEUtNFrIRX81kdLskrhve4J45dxaHbu9Ev6wy5sR4rWWVPRr4RribHIuRJpOHCcnjyIe6P0odzaiM49RDMg/s200/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books.pronoun.com/the-symbiot/" target="_blank">The Symbiot</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7jpB8bACTz_aGJpPwWYgXuSbisq89hmf5g8h8eGL4C_9zct5H1NLU9WFwuiJ0BUj4Lr_qQoV4Yqvx6g-ueGidI7QIbyCxr2Pwf0rSjCVXJWuuUZA4A1VAxH8Iv-fs8evdgK0u_tCYjI/s1600/the+hunt+new+cover+printing+3+-+online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1039" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7jpB8bACTz_aGJpPwWYgXuSbisq89hmf5g8h8eGL4C_9zct5H1NLU9WFwuiJ0BUj4Lr_qQoV4Yqvx6g-ueGidI7QIbyCxr2Pwf0rSjCVXJWuuUZA4A1VAxH8Iv-fs8evdgK0u_tCYjI/s200/the+hunt+new+cover+printing+3+-+online.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books.pronoun.com/the-hunt/" target="_blank">The Hunt: Symbiosys</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAnPGL2T6-7kjlOfKYTd8PbjHJC8Qta5rU-y78LXzQQp8ks8pAjBlEcZrCSWBVISt6_LS40lhQXKiEs2PaV2DElhSw-TYrGK50K937q912IfvzyXXkMWZUsK5WylFL-UZPdVh1DLSx_Q/s1600/Necropolis+online+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="634" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAnPGL2T6-7kjlOfKYTd8PbjHJC8Qta5rU-y78LXzQQp8ks8pAjBlEcZrCSWBVISt6_LS40lhQXKiEs2PaV2DElhSw-TYrGK50K937q912IfvzyXXkMWZUsK5WylFL-UZPdVh1DLSx_Q/s200/Necropolis+online+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books.pronoun.com/necropolis-book-3-pharaoh/" target="_blank">Necropolis</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ne98KY16CP97bJi1HwMxC_DSkFypEMpGgs80LecbfP2qK4VFz04vEviuM6IzY9054sk1la72l5oOIJu0IEd_DT-fTbOUDrqVO_CTiXx_WOI8DuPn0Z4Ictspxr-SU6fTN1FyybiIQBU/s1600/refuse+chronicles+base+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1077" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ne98KY16CP97bJi1HwMxC_DSkFypEMpGgs80LecbfP2qK4VFz04vEviuM6IzY9054sk1la72l5oOIJu0IEd_DT-fTbOUDrqVO_CTiXx_WOI8DuPn0Z4Ictspxr-SU6fTN1FyybiIQBU/s200/refuse+chronicles+base+8.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://brokenkeypublishin.wixsite.com/michelweatherall/the-refuse-chronicles" target="_blank">The Refuse Chronicles</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-28766537787276362502016-04-16T05:07:00.001-07:002016-04-16T05:07:54.254-07:00Necropolis - First Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8qpgJuuzysK6dtIcafkhR7kG_MLKcyQb2-TP8ijedAJwqdcRRP0a5pMRRM26qSVuBq1-ku5pOhaWE3vkV6iCktzkS2JgiAQBaWV2lNRlmqzoifr60MTT1SY3m6Hl9kE6LzRyhX7uEvM/s1600/Necropolis+online+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8qpgJuuzysK6dtIcafkhR7kG_MLKcyQb2-TP8ijedAJwqdcRRP0a5pMRRM26qSVuBq1-ku5pOhaWE3vkV6iCktzkS2JgiAQBaWV2lNRlmqzoifr60MTT1SY3m6Hl9kE6LzRyhX7uEvM/s200/Necropolis+online+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Late September 2015, I had the opportunity to have a sneak preview of the as-of-then unfinished book by Michel Weatherall, <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2015/10/necropolis-by-michel-weatheall-book.html" target="_blank">Necropolis</a>. Once again, I have had the lucky opportunity to read its first (as of yet unpublished) manuscript.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One thing struck me. There are powerful women characters in this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not damsels in distress nor secondary background characters. Not pretty eye-candy (well, some are). These are powerful women facing nearly insurmountable challenges.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfCXSs9623N34LFdLAID06pUFbW2YYqGioHZrFgRYX-2MPeT251yXGb1NAqntZU-owC342JCSv9dnZHJW8uz-dI9cbp-tQ7TpQUqipFTMenu4Kz8G5u7djCJdKUDS1HPGvuVxdn5aXXI/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfCXSs9623N34LFdLAID06pUFbW2YYqGioHZrFgRYX-2MPeT251yXGb1NAqntZU-owC342JCSv9dnZHJW8uz-dI9cbp-tQ7TpQUqipFTMenu4Kz8G5u7djCJdKUDS1HPGvuVxdn5aXXI/s200/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8iTP3Vm1nCL-jeHJYhBL02xklu7aumOZveoLPiIiVhog14_I-oXP47tpEOAXlHjSvEtNY_e2bRlgKR3xUh8Xgdu0rgtt-qVGwKS56q7-Py-eux572Qzrfmy3KDjvu5C6dDTltu-_SeA/s1600/front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8iTP3Vm1nCL-jeHJYhBL02xklu7aumOZveoLPiIiVhog14_I-oXP47tpEOAXlHjSvEtNY_e2bRlgKR3xUh8Xgdu0rgtt-qVGwKS56q7-Py-eux572Qzrfmy3KDjvu5C6dDTltu-_SeA/s200/front+cover.jpg" width="125" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">From Donita, the adventuring, gun toting heroine from the '30's to Veronica ( (from both previous books, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25759286-the-symbiot">The Symbiot</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26531087-the-hunt">The Hunt: Symbiosys</a></i>), s), to the main character, Tamara.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(Spoiler)</b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><spoiler>
Even the struggles with its antagonists, Amber Miller, and the 1930 Alia Moubayed only to mention a few. Even Tamara's dead mother - Marie Gibbons - plays an intricate role.</spoiler></span><span style="font-size: large;"><spoiler>
The 1930's Donita takes on men in one-to-one combat and even <i>Lovecraftian <b>monsters!</b></i></spoiler></span><span style="font-size: large;"><spoiler>
Veronica faces down a madman!</spoiler></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(Spoiler ends)</b></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, there are men in this book's character list, but its main characters are predominantly women.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am impressed and happily surprised!</span><br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-14557740249765004902016-02-21T15:48:00.002-08:002016-02-21T15:48:51.385-08:00Tong Il and Humanity's Unification<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR5oZ2q4ZjXxGyQc7KnsBGjRTOjskQ3MYdqK0pkCJkcTq6Y08lixDoE2t9EPsTzB1w-QOzkyYwgsaGcVVYrHctYDvznZg4z7POXQdINtcYntE4ZkMMBJDZXM4OUU9NSNr9SGCYAWm0O8/s1600/Tong_Il.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVR5oZ2q4ZjXxGyQc7KnsBGjRTOjskQ3MYdqK0pkCJkcTq6Y08lixDoE2t9EPsTzB1w-QOzkyYwgsaGcVVYrHctYDvznZg4z7POXQdINtcYntE4ZkMMBJDZXM4OUU9NSNr9SGCYAWm0O8/s1600/Tong_Il.gif" width="175" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hz-o_GkquvGnQQSRh5NOxh4Rj5U-hQNUfaxF7pQdKCVZQhDSMNBCGLLBM2IWTq14vgLFmkwLIb_JgHlkLhnWuatPpQmjAtxDJpg-q58QeZYeH-DaC0WAWVFjFyaeYpFV3hsGdbpa7A/s1600/tong+il.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hz-o_GkquvGnQQSRh5NOxh4Rj5U-hQNUfaxF7pQdKCVZQhDSMNBCGLLBM2IWTq14vgLFmkwLIb_JgHlkLhnWuatPpQmjAtxDJpg-q58QeZYeH-DaC0WAWVFjFyaeYpFV3hsGdbpa7A/s200/tong+il.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of all the patterns (<i>tuls</i>) in Taekwon-do, I find the 24th and final pattern the most interesting. (I myself have only 'achieved' the 13th pattern, <i>Po-Eun</i>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is probable that I may <i><b>never</b></i>
learn the pattern <i>Tong Il</i>. <span style="font-size: small;"> But as unlikely as it is of me learning this pattern, I believe I can
most definitely </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>learn
</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>from</b></i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
this pattern.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="rso"></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The
24</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
and final pattern, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Tong
Il “</i></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">denotes the resolution of the
unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram
symbolizes the </span>homogeneous<span style="font-family: inherit;"> race.”</span></i>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Historically the concept of a Korean
</span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“</span>homogeneous<span style="font-family: inherit;"> race”</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is a scary idea. It
would appear to have political agendas, hopes, aspirations and even
discrimination, racism and hatred. However, I choose to interpret General
Choi's views of Korea as a microcosm of the world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unification of humanity itself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The end
of conflict. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether or not this goal can one day be realized, it is
undeniably a great and noble cause. Whether it be religious or
political intolerance or ideological differences, we all share the
same biology. We are one, whole and </span>homogeneous<span style="font-family: inherit;"> people.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe <i>Religion</i> teaches to look out for one's own. The downtrodden, the poor, the sick. But <i>Religion</i> has always been insular - inward looking. It is still indicative of <i>Tribalism. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Spirituality</i>, without the inhibitions and limitations of <i>Religion</i> teaches Compassion and Solace for all - without conditions or terms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe it is <i>Tribalism</i> that is humanity's biggest challenge today. I believe it is the biggest challenge this world currently faces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe in this goal behind the philosophy of Taekwon-do. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ultimately, we are one tribe.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nGzlCB7zWNmmTdJz1BqjkSc43oGI-h-BXT7geBber_ZUK-UQuYxCEhdF-atbDsfvFOIISHWvNIN9N9y-eiJwhcCfeLHPzZSQm3OiCqpJkCbk9CFPHCEgIL_Dc-hq_495KokhzfEW2Ns/s1600/one+tribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nGzlCB7zWNmmTdJz1BqjkSc43oGI-h-BXT7geBber_ZUK-UQuYxCEhdF-atbDsfvFOIISHWvNIN9N9y-eiJwhcCfeLHPzZSQm3OiCqpJkCbk9CFPHCEgIL_Dc-hq_495KokhzfEW2Ns/s320/one+tribe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-23388238410266177782016-02-21T14:22:00.002-08:002016-02-21T14:22:55.669-08:00The Industry of RelgionWhen <i><b>anything</b></i> becomes an industry it becomes compromised and corrupted.<br />
Education, Health Care, etc.<br />
<br />
When <i>Spirituality</i> becomes an industry it becomes Religion.<br />
Religion is the Industry of Spirituality. Religion has been compromised and corrupted.<br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-91019749182833992632015-10-07T02:39:00.000-07:002015-10-07T02:48:45.194-07:00Necropolis, by Michel Weatheall; a book preview<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scheduled for release early 2016, I have had to opportunity to preview <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Necropolis-974001195985589/timeline/" style="font-family: 'XXII ARABIAN-ONENIGHTSTAND';" target="_blank">Necropolis</a>, the final installment of <i>The Symbiot Series</i>.</span></div>
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~ ~ ~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHcukqI6f_5yRGDbqDLaPQytFWsO0umU3PYF4k_3286rby4-PV_1Ktap3uiDXj-AsOP22e9afJOg4omuDmMdObW6EfEGWhb8lOx6rWN87LqVagnqsqjwMPJR2ooBJjykNXxA7SKA9Df8/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHcukqI6f_5yRGDbqDLaPQytFWsO0umU3PYF4k_3286rby4-PV_1Ktap3uiDXj-AsOP22e9afJOg4omuDmMdObW6EfEGWhb8lOx6rWN87LqVagnqsqjwMPJR2ooBJjykNXxA7SKA9Df8/s200/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn9PFIlcS7KZM7VaDKqqogAUOvFbVpym8HFslVShdrcEGYKr2oGNc6PfNI79dhXkAPKoIVZ-iMmIi10VcCUKCptlRExtvrRPSOyupeHFRtfgeo6_L0sML715LT_xqzJxeUtX2LZIPXlQ/s1600/online+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn9PFIlcS7KZM7VaDKqqogAUOvFbVpym8HFslVShdrcEGYKr2oGNc6PfNI79dhXkAPKoIVZ-iMmIi10VcCUKCptlRExtvrRPSOyupeHFRtfgeo6_L0sML715LT_xqzJxeUtX2LZIPXlQ/s200/online+cover.jpg" width="130" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Woven throughout this entire literary
piece are the stories of characters forgotten about from the original
novella, <span style="font-family: Adler;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesymbiot1" target="_blank">The Symbiot</a></span>. Written as three separate pieces, following 6 story lines set in 3 different ages, <span style="font-family: 'XXII ARABIAN-ONENIGHTSTAND';"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Necropolis-974001195985589/timeline/" target="_blank">Necropolis</a></span> is intricate storytelling!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first piece tells the story of the fall
and demise of the ancient Egyptian man-god, Pharaoh Nyarlathotep. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsh_6H38afhq_NmPEu55lnRN7fn8oWtjqv-rDZ1nTmhyphenhyphenym9zGq9A4anENM8sZ3y7cxLOjNOmfQ5UiYJcM3fCtYydg33BU9H80Ue74lqTvut2xop9J3tY4leOp8Y62yG7uEZb06AARWqc/s1600/front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsh_6H38afhq_NmPEu55lnRN7fn8oWtjqv-rDZ1nTmhyphenhyphenym9zGq9A4anENM8sZ3y7cxLOjNOmfQ5UiYJcM3fCtYydg33BU9H80Ue74lqTvut2xop9J3tY4leOp8Y62yG7uEZb06AARWqc/s200/front+cover.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The
second brings us back to the characters we left in the previous book,
ten years later. The promises hinted at in <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Hunt-Symbiosys-924334924290055/timeline/" target="_blank">TheHunt: Symbiosys</a></span>, do not disappoint and come to fruition in </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Necropolis-974001195985589/timeline/" style="font-family: 'XXII ARABIAN-ONENIGHTSTAND'; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Necropolis</a><span style="font-size: large;">,
with full blown Lovecraftian-mythos monsters! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's Modern Tech versus
forgotten aeons-old evil, with a reminiscent flavouring similar to
Grandma Death's fictitious book (Donnie Darko, 2001)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a decade since <i>The Hunt </i>and the Gibbons' children are humanity's last hope!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The conclusion of <i>The Symbiot Series</i> spans three millennia - from Pharaoh Nyarlathotep's genesis and demise, to the discovery of the derelict Japanese Destroyer, the <i>Yamayuki</i>, to the world shattering rising of R'lyeh!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The world is at its end!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">R'lyeh has risen!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cthulhu's high priest has awaken!</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Ia! Ia! Cthulhu Fhtagn!</span></i></div>
'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-42615628343003009292015-08-31T02:57:00.003-07:002016-06-12T16:11:10.166-07:00"The Uncontrolling Love of God", by Thomas Jay Oord: Review & Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(By Guest Blogger/Writer - Michel Weatherall)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will begin this book review with a spoiler.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we hold onto something so tightly, we cannot ever let it go. We become blind and forget we are even desperately clinging onto it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These are blind Sacred Cows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe many religious traditions are guilty of this and thus struggle with the theological problem of pain, suffering, and evil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer is simple but heretical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God <i style="font-weight: bold;">cannot</i> be <i>both </i>omnibenevolent <i>and </i>omnipotent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Either God is All-Powerful, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> All-Loving...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">or God is All-Loving, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">not </i>All-Powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You cannot have it both ways. ("<em>Almighty</em>" and "<em>Omnipotence</em>" are <em><strong>not</strong></em> synonymous. <em>"Divine love preconditions God's almightiness"</em>. Pages 188-191).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I personally have come to <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2012/12/most-high-god-part-iv-incarnate-state.html" target="_blank">this conclusion several years ago</a>. I opt with the latter: God's Love trumps God's power. Let me tell you, it isn't a popular position. And not having the theological clout makes this a difficult position to hold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thomas Jay Oord sees this clearly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He expertly juggles herculean theological challenges that - although any serious amature theologian may not know their proper terms or nomenclatures - should most definitely recognize and identify. Christian or not, these challenges are the undertow of our reality, one way or the other, with serious practical implications. They are important questions and should not be disregarded or relegated to the realm of speculative contemplation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Personally, I approach these issues from a <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2012/12/most-high-god-part-ii-highest-state.html" target="_blank">perspective of 'God' akin to something like the Hindu concept of the Brahman, or the Taoist's Tao</a>, but I still hold onto the Christian belief of God being - not lov<u style="font-style: italic;">ing</u> - but <i>Love itself. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(And in chapter 4, pg. 83, he systematically lists the 'types' of Providence-beliefs, <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2012/12/most-high-god-part-ii-highest-state.html" target="_blank">including mine</a> (pg. 94-95). And just in case, my gentle reader, you're curious, my views of God's providence falls somewhere between points 4-5 (<i>God is Essencially Kenotic</i> - <i>God Sustains as an Impersonal Force</i>). My point being, we all begin from a certain paradigm and this book is written with that understanding.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4vrN5Jv4Uin8zvS4krGGtyrDffHTfHfuAHD0FlbPUiP_2kicPriR3yS-h-xtUkGDP7XNysT7mi3NF1tIxWP3vONs5thYVC3yDUPIsrlx4pirCb4j4Te1-AeLHlxYWVppacsEW8ueGpDL/s1600/Uncontrolling+Love+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4vrN5Jv4Uin8zvS4krGGtyrDffHTfHfuAHD0FlbPUiP_2kicPriR3yS-h-xtUkGDP7XNysT7mi3NF1tIxWP3vONs5thYVC3yDUPIsrlx4pirCb4j4Te1-AeLHlxYWVppacsEW8ueGpDL/s320/Uncontrolling+Love+of+God.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">An old ex-pastor friend of mine used to tell me that I had to be careful how I chose to write about some of the theological concerns and issues I often address. He said, I often had interesting and valid points that certain religious groups would do well to hear and listen to, but the risk was to avoid putting it in such a way as to turn them away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend was right. But sometimes I think there is value in being up front and honest; in thinning out the herd; in weeding out the garden; separating the chaff from the wheat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a book <i>many</i> religious groups would benefit well to study.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thomas Jay Oord has <i>balls the size of church-bells</i> with some of the theological issues he addresses in this new book. He doesn't shy away or attempt to sidestep some of the most difficult theological challenges there are, but rather embraces them and faces them head-on. No doubletalk, no <i>Christianese</i>, no churchtalk. In fact, he chastises some of these less than satisfactory and submissive answers. This is not a watered down selective theology made to look pretty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The existence of evil. Free Will vs. Determinism. Libertarian Freedom. A non-all-controlling God. Regularists vs. Necessitarians. Natural Law. Euthyphro's dilemma. Evolutionary Emergence. Divine Kenosis, divine impassibility & mutability, and the list goes on!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is no light of fluffy read.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXO4mW9q9ytISv-aYKALuOohoeIHPVWtHKCN99WUFYv5__Wwtk66FtRt7aVn97JZoJs3D_cJUfTl75TIZkEn0qR4EGjz3bw9Jm-_vIr1XXBfupV0yT9AR9O7h6CnKUPAMpP83LmEyju0/s1600/nature+of+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXO4mW9q9ytISv-aYKALuOohoeIHPVWtHKCN99WUFYv5__Wwtk66FtRt7aVn97JZoJs3D_cJUfTl75TIZkEn0qR4EGjz3bw9Jm-_vIr1XXBfupV0yT9AR9O7h6CnKUPAMpP83LmEyju0/s200/nature+of+love.jpg" style="height: 399px; width: 266px;" width="133" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have given his previous book, <em>"<a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2011/05/review-of-thomas-jay-oords-nature-of.html" target="_blank">The Nature of Love: A Theology</a>"</em> a great review, but my one complaint was that he needed to significantly expand on his concept of <i>Essential Kenosis</i>. This book promises to do just that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, in my humble opinion, this book is a sequel to "<i><a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2011/05/review-of-thomas-jay-oords-nature-of.html" target="_blank">The Nature of Love: A Theology</a></i>". In my review of <em>"<a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2011/05/review-of-thomas-jay-oords-nature-of.html" target="_blank">The Nature of Love: A Theology</a>"</em> the only real criticism I found was that Thomas Jay Oord's revolutionary concept of "Essencial Kenosis" needed more fleshing out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <em>"The Uncontrolling Love of God"</em> he does exactly this, not only going into significantly more detail and exposition, but also summerizing and exploring popular and currently held beliefs and theories that have attempted to address these difficult issues, and ultimately come up short or have failed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am an adherent to "Essential Kenosis", have come to these self-same conclusions myself. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, in <em>"The Uncontrolling Love of God", </em>I feel that the author needed to better explain how "Essencial Kenosis" addresses random harmful (genuinely evil) acts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Essential Kenosis" adequately explains the existence of pain and suffering in our world while maintaining God's inculpability and inability to intervene when dealing with individuals of free-will or agency. But once "Essential Kenosis" launches into issues of non-agency, or the inanimate, or aggregates, or 'laws of nature', it becomes less than crystal clear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I admit, part of the fault may fall upon the reader (myself) for I have not given this particular issue thorough thought or exploration. It is definitely something I personally need to better address. But let's be clear here: I am not the one proposing "Essential Kenosis" (even though I edorse it). The burden of onus lied upon the author, Thomas Jay Oord, and I'm not convinced he followed this through thoroughly enough. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe this could be material for a new book? (Essential Kenosis, part 3?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This becomes more problematic and convoluted as he attempts to address the issue of Miracles. Although the section pertaining to divine miracles is detailed, I will do the injustice of simplifying it (it is still worth the read) in saying I feel as if he is dancing and weaving around the problem of divine miracles by redefining it; possibly becoming fixated on 'hammering a round peg into a square hole'. He is attempting to force the Christian criterion of Miracles into "Essential Kenosis" where I am not sure it fits. I think a simple point of its beauty is missed: Essential Kenosis does not <i>have</i> to be <i>exclusively Christian.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a near insurmountable challenge present when dealing with Christian Miracles: It is nearly always accepted as <i>God intervening.</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The author offers a new paradigm to consider. When free-willed agents (us) interact with God's uncoercive desires and will, this collaborative effort leads to a future closer to God's will or hope for the universe - what we might call the Kingdom of God (<i><b>not</b></i> the Heaven of the Afterlife); that maybe, this paradise-like world <i style="font-weight: bold;">is </i>within the natural scope of the 'laws of nature'; it is not <i>super</i>natural, but simply <i>natural</i>; a simply unrealized potential. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although I am not a fan of approaching theories based exclusively upon the biblical witness, Thomas Jay Oord goes far beyond this method, building upon observation and evidence from Science, Philosophy and Theology. This book is thoroughly grounded.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><em>"The Uncontrolling Love of God"</em> belongs on any religious, spiritual, or theologian's bookshelf. This is a must read!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Five stars!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffD-RpjM5Zy9vClTMt9kyw7hZewsanRTxAneIUlqKsMqbrftx5m02iOn2l2kc4NxhPzsN0-qG_eybsk26Yi49659Ie9dx2iu06Y61Ng-Mz7YDdW1v5NvIu6nP8W3j7qEcC7HGZYbQMYM0/s1600/535px-5_stars.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffD-RpjM5Zy9vClTMt9kyw7hZewsanRTxAneIUlqKsMqbrftx5m02iOn2l2kc4NxhPzsN0-qG_eybsk26Yi49659Ie9dx2iu06Y61Ng-Mz7YDdW1v5NvIu6nP8W3j7qEcC7HGZYbQMYM0/s200/535px-5_stars.svg.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><strong font-size:="font-size:" small="small"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure of Material Connection:</span> </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2003-title16-vol1/content-detail.html" target="_blank">CFR, Part 255</a>.</span></span></span>
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-52116346518747045002015-08-21T03:10:00.001-07:002015-08-23T04:19:36.844-07:00"The Hunt: Symbiosys", by Michel Weatherall: Book Preview<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Due for release October 2nd, 2015!</b></i></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73SXjyH8mVowTqRu_EFjWEc8jgd5bmVPQSigNbLmEIKnH0oeqVxt79iY2v-u12jPr_QhcEPoOjJdlhGkJ8sMIW4-XyVSTwo7ireYW0U1WAZ0uUOpTuGSfE3wwiE35dHauPfVAqVL281Jc/s320/front+cover.jpg" width="201" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Following immediately on the heels of The Symbiot, its events segue directly into <i>"The Hunt: Symbiosys"</i>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi2MEmLLRtwDbaq1mx82MyoD9MGnxMs5S8EeMK0m96mWKe7s88g-XX6FFEYAha44yEjFvgcem1WUSmu-SUkFb4ansG7rbskkhVAiuStRzhhbU74-YDYj5j7mwSckZTidqVaBXi0pNawoe5rnSY4xWK0_Yzjz0iDIxZqtDffYBUGfCE5eberkXbWK9Is__Z6A5vvXsw1YYzGPiS8afjDDSOgxdrcXalESNZ0eUl3cOwIEQH-Nt8sQlpV5KXi1VmoJjBaqwdjG1n8TvJtQiatHHNUGCHd3v0=s0-d-e1-ft" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="File:Emergency response team RCMP 7108-002.jpg" border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi2MEmLLRtwDbaq1mx82MyoD9MGnxMs5S8EeMK0m96mWKe7s88g-XX6FFEYAha44yEjFvgcem1WUSmu-SUkFb4ansG7rbskkhVAiuStRzhhbU74-YDYj5j7mwSckZTidqVaBXi0pNawoe5rnSY4xWK0_Yzjz0iDIxZqtDffYBUGfCE5eberkXbWK9Is__Z6A5vvXsw1YYzGPiS8afjDDSOgxdrcXalESNZ0eUl3cOwIEQH-Nt8sQlpV5KXi1VmoJjBaqwdjG1n8TvJtQiatHHNUGCHd3v0=s0-d-e1-ft" width="166" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi2MEmLLRtwDbaq1mx82MyoD9MGnxMs5S8EeMK0m96mWKe7s88g-XX6FFEYAha44yEjFvgcem1WUSmu-SUkFb4ansG7rbskkhVAiuStRzhhbU74-YDYj5j7mwSckZTidqVaBXi0pNawoe5rnSY4xWK0_Yzjz0iDIxZqtDffYBUGfCE5eberkXbWK9Is__Z6A5vvXsw1YYzGPiS8afjDDSOgxdrcXalESNZ0eUl3cOwIEQH-Nt8sQlpV5KXi1VmoJjBaqwdjG1n8TvJtQiatHHNUGCHd3v0=s0-d-e1-ft" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi2MEmLLRtwDbaq1mx82MyoD9MGnxMs5S8EeMK0m96mWKe7s88g-XX6FFEYAha44yEjFvgcem1WUSmu-SUkFb4ansG7rbskkhVAiuStRzhhbU74-YDYj5j7mwSckZTidqVaBXi0pNawoe5rnSY4xWK0_Yzjz0iDIxZqtDffYBUGfCE5eberkXbWK9Is__Z6A5vvXsw1YYzGPiS8afjDDSOgxdrcXalESNZ0eUl3cOwIEQH-Nt8sQlpV5KXi1VmoJjBaqwdjG1n8TvJtQiatHHNUGCHd3v0=s0-d-e1-ft" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Barely eclipsing global extinction, the Gibbons' couple are forced to flee and hide from clandestine forces intent on their eradication.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Centering between Montreal and Tokyo, this sequel introduces an unimaginable new world threat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A slow burning intercontinental chess match quickly escalates into its fast paced and violent conclusion!</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRSbySxrhv1tK5dr1gfLRBLl6rXCEk-yARpUAIuUh5WmA_YO0J8K4xxDLUWw5qpFe243BYBcv0WndkI2-53hWQRUo6L61TglXAqCKpsh_Pkq0tMVz66KWTqkDr2u7s6OaX9cCNQ2B9DaR/s400/jds+yamayuki+back+cover.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This book drops delicious hints of the advent of Lovecraftian-mythos monsters! Foreshadowing a hidden but impending doom, this entire sequel is haunted by an unnameable undertow which promises to reach fruition in this trilogy's upcoming conclusion, <i>Necropolis</i>.</span><br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-62781651310971168842015-08-01T03:12:00.002-07:002015-08-01T03:24:43.757-07:00The Delusion of Social Media<span style="font-size: large;">I know a fair amount of people who live their lives as if they were on a TV show. Believing that somewhere "out there" there is an audience who laughs when they laugh, cries when they cry and cheers them on when they're about to accomplish great things. And why shouldn't we believe this?! For the vast majority, a large part of our education has been through television or TV itself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWUFR88ttbsUts_nZazGXz1wt7eIo-wclgf6T5Z6qFFyS9bYOoAB1EOHJ32J-HKoxTJMHLVsob4e3XugjOTPEFQrKUSoHXSqbVwSlxyARgeIjD6yzM3RFkEk8jjPEJPTyE3jYy8Ob73M/s1600/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWUFR88ttbsUts_nZazGXz1wt7eIo-wclgf6T5Z6qFFyS9bYOoAB1EOHJ32J-HKoxTJMHLVsob4e3XugjOTPEFQrKUSoHXSqbVwSlxyARgeIjD6yzM3RFkEk8jjPEJPTyE3jYy8Ob73M/s1600/tv.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, this is a delusion. It simply isn't true. But even more unfortunate is the fact that today, with the advent of Social Media, it </span><i style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">can</i><span style="font-size: large;"> be true... at least to a certain extent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know people who will post pics of what they had for lunch today. Their life has an audience now, I'm just not sure that audience really cares that much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what is Social Media? I'm not looking for a legalistic definition. I'm sure you are more than capable of googling the question yourself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew3cG03RcPNKWRpRjnyQpGCztWMxyhr8dl_E4ZtKSCwBKKnS5OdGywwD-LP6TN8yWJzdP9_suDbvOPGqbGyBG3fdZCxT-9yRFKTWh6d1bhue2VcL_mYDKVAy_udRLf3oz-uEgegX-XpY/s1600/facebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew3cG03RcPNKWRpRjnyQpGCztWMxyhr8dl_E4ZtKSCwBKKnS5OdGywwD-LP6TN8yWJzdP9_suDbvOPGqbGyBG3fdZCxT-9yRFKTWh6d1bhue2VcL_mYDKVAy_udRLf3oz-uEgegX-XpY/s320/facebook.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, it is a tool, and like any tool, it is neither good or bad. You can use it, or abuse it, or be abused by it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know may people and friends who like to count the amount of "Friends" they have on Facebook. Some of them even believe they're really friends. They're not friends. Do an experiment. Post a story that you're in trouble and you need a friend to lend you $ 1,000.00. See how many show up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3CXkcKaIksOvyAxCna1_mY-e37G_zPLGdZPwKF3jjv_LBkln6kq1wf9YaZgG3k9wyZxhfrCEv5-i1PkuWD0KBjUc-_o3worYH5EObKZEhPQ0veB-Kp4WCowgiBUhCyVstgXR9NAp0HA/s1600/add+a+friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3CXkcKaIksOvyAxCna1_mY-e37G_zPLGdZPwKF3jjv_LBkln6kq1wf9YaZgG3k9wyZxhfrCEv5-i1PkuWD0KBjUc-_o3worYH5EObKZEhPQ0veB-Kp4WCowgiBUhCyVstgXR9NAp0HA/s1600/add+a+friend.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, Social Media (let me stick with Facebook as it is the largest) is customizable. Like I said, it is a tool. You <i><b>can</b></i> create a private small room of close friends to socialize in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgNJYmrr32HftsIXLtZRcytBuIDvtIdV2kCuXC1ztnPzpN-zR0D2q4fG-5UNlYgdbCrBJafE1qzsfqEdBFGrq8ZEQRYVshSZchQo4A7o4x8Vsd9t7F6-9m8KawoIfLyfGmBIobG0NR4Y/s1600/small+social+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgNJYmrr32HftsIXLtZRcytBuIDvtIdV2kCuXC1ztnPzpN-zR0D2q4fG-5UNlYgdbCrBJafE1qzsfqEdBFGrq8ZEQRYVshSZchQo4A7o4x8Vsd9t7F6-9m8KawoIfLyfGmBIobG0NR4Y/s1600/small+social+group.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't believe Social Media is socializing. It is an interactive forum of <i>sharing information of a social nature.</i> It is the same confusion between knowledge and data. There is a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe many people think that a good analogy for Facebook is a group of people socializing in a room. Some close friends and family, some acquaintances, and some strangers. I think that's a bad analogy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxinkIY9YAz3M-CacW9QZDI4mUHzcb0HIOH8RBZaEyasJjsqr6Ar3wwOdI-EmOfaEH-e2Vg2d_HOuz9vku5721eGJ-cy2efvx5sg-drolkFAlyc-7LD-e7VktrQbddAPnRAAIRssKkwE/s1600/convention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxinkIY9YAz3M-CacW9QZDI4mUHzcb0HIOH8RBZaEyasJjsqr6Ar3wwOdI-EmOfaEH-e2Vg2d_HOuz9vku5721eGJ-cy2efvx5sg-drolkFAlyc-7LD-e7VktrQbddAPnRAAIRssKkwE/s400/convention.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's more like being in a massive convention hall or auditorium or stadium with many, many more people. You travel and drift through the crowds, surrounded by your immediate circle of family and "Friends", but ultimately you are in a sea of people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijml5zD0H_BeyzT70c9nO1_lbE8XzuLIMit-G08oiRoH1-ZDKg8sN6oZ9lN_xDeJ0xVHfYCTFPq0QEvZxduMs-Hdd8rB2b5e5q4lWcT5qEp2FG7xKpflR9HEIfhzrv1MudS6OUSkrkdRk/s1600/grand+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijml5zD0H_BeyzT70c9nO1_lbE8XzuLIMit-G08oiRoH1-ZDKg8sN6oZ9lN_xDeJ0xVHfYCTFPq0QEvZxduMs-Hdd8rB2b5e5q4lWcT5qEp2FG7xKpflR9HEIfhzrv1MudS6OUSkrkdRk/s1600/grand+canyon.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But there's an even better analogy, albeit a bit more desolate and bleak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thousands of people standing around the edge of the Grand Canyon, all shouting and screaming their inconsequential stories into the abyss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's face it, when you post anything on Facebook, you're not sending private messages to your family and friends directly; you're communicating into that great abyss that is cyberspace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yes, you can chat and send private messages, but this belongs in the realm of phone calls, talking, texting (<i>maybe</i>) and emails. This is true <i>communicating</i> and <i>possibly</i> socializing. No, Facebook doesn't <i>have</i> to be like this. As I said earlier, it is a tool, to be used or abused.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWA3bnzCXwkgfbojAcBqoBIpmmuBr7xopJiESD635mnPtJHERM3pSHoIsMYCa_bd2bUo4G6HtK1SEDRPrXRPNvz844yWV2lSqBE3uAnwvkUOsIiac4Bz-dtZAVLy667s3R4IBxeV0P6o/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWA3bnzCXwkgfbojAcBqoBIpmmuBr7xopJiESD635mnPtJHERM3pSHoIsMYCa_bd2bUo4G6HtK1SEDRPrXRPNvz844yWV2lSqBE3uAnwvkUOsIiac4Bz-dtZAVLy667s3R4IBxeV0P6o/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another favourite of mine is Twitter. Like Facebook, Twitter too is a tool, but not really a social outlet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My twitter account gets a few new followers <i><b>everyday!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At first is feels great!... until you realize they aren't <i><b>really</b></i> interested in you or what you have to say. They're interested in using you to build up what they perceive to be <i><b>their</b></i> audience.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf9LE4lSTg1bkJNEzetWF9PHL0WLJTtQR-Sn6E-xiyU8quSBO-En3dMbq-DDQZIt_oIiZenL5VXvc147gXnPL0z3oPGMj3CuwVYYWO9MImInKixJqtUPj4jqImV0f2ETs_5vh4YPbFYc/s1600/6a00d83451f3fc69e2011279100bb428a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIf9LE4lSTg1bkJNEzetWF9PHL0WLJTtQR-Sn6E-xiyU8quSBO-En3dMbq-DDQZIt_oIiZenL5VXvc147gXnPL0z3oPGMj3CuwVYYWO9MImInKixJqtUPj4jqImV0f2ETs_5vh4YPbFYc/s320/6a00d83451f3fc69e2011279100bb428a4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is sort of like going out to your local pub on Friday night because it's Lady's Night, only to arrive at the bar filled with men in an awkward silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, there are people out there that understand what these medias truly are and see the opportunity and advantage they can be. My point isn't that Social Media is bad. Like I said, a hammer is a tool. Whether you use it to build a home to nurture a loving family in or for murder is on you. My point is that many people are delusional as to what exactly it is and isn't.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They abuse it. They are abused by it. They become addicted to it, ironically, at the cost of their <i style="font-weight: bold;">real</i> lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, there's Blogger and/or Wordpress.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Although these clearly are not Social Media, it is still important to identify them for what they are. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE2gVDO3SdB69KdWOqcToYg0iy-HOUD2p0YjKk1KlLbNmtuNTB0NV9d_JFSfZ_v9yP0jpZowfpsZ1Wl870GAcMvXHiPR9rrjpEMdhJexmwK4Nnjh6tEFt0QpuRCyxscDXcjMpKb-hOhU/s1600/soapbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE2gVDO3SdB69KdWOqcToYg0iy-HOUD2p0YjKk1KlLbNmtuNTB0NV9d_JFSfZ_v9yP0jpZowfpsZ1Wl870GAcMvXHiPR9rrjpEMdhJexmwK4Nnjh6tEFt0QpuRCyxscDXcjMpKb-hOhU/s320/soapbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">More or less, they're a soapbox. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A Soapbox is defined as "a thing that provides an opportunity for someone to air their views publicly", often about politics or religion. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCv6Oq6FZyngIBsaNNz6am2IvPyL6yk_iPtkAHlMffYvdX1I_DANcj9oTPXz8ivHFk9da3d8zAp5uY9j676I7BSVLmMUHSCaxSPGxMRrV-EjixJUxvzGvw1tYaYi8-YyK-kmrw2Xmvk0/s1600/Pia_Lindman_Pic_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCv6Oq6FZyngIBsaNNz6am2IvPyL6yk_iPtkAHlMffYvdX1I_DANcj9oTPXz8ivHFk9da3d8zAp5uY9j676I7BSVLmMUHSCaxSPGxMRrV-EjixJUxvzGvw1tYaYi8-YyK-kmrw2Xmvk0/s320/Pia_Lindman_Pic_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The problem with having your own soapbox is that everyone on the internet can have a soapbox. You end up with a great many individuals shouting into the void thinking their thoughts, views, opinions and whatnot are important and listened to. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I suspect sometimes, there are simply too many people shouting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So let's recap:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Facebook = yelling into the Grand Canyon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Twitter = Lady's Night</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blogger/Wordpress = Soapbox.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, at the end of the day, I suppose this post puts <i><b>me</b></i> into the category of hypocrite, doesn't it? Because here I am preaching on my soapbox. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What does Social Media put you?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-77873064599785163242015-07-18T04:07:00.002-07:002015-07-18T04:07:51.455-07:00Abandon, by Tim Timberlake: Commentary & Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5npVT1VXOSQebYCC3S6oklhtSW0CUmrOMqQhRQzPdI3G6RHpFXw5s4cvFrDYx_cAHozVTZm0oglsmtGso-0w8XiYeejf_iidroiIYV5guLOMeAfyUdUipHCnyTfMz3WnetnVIZcXannw/s1600/Abandon+by+Tim+Timberlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5npVT1VXOSQebYCC3S6oklhtSW0CUmrOMqQhRQzPdI3G6RHpFXw5s4cvFrDYx_cAHozVTZm0oglsmtGso-0w8XiYeejf_iidroiIYV5guLOMeAfyUdUipHCnyTfMz3WnetnVIZcXannw/s320/Abandon+by+Tim+Timberlake.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Abandon</b></i>, by Tim Timberlake is basically an expansive sermon on Jacob (Israel). This entire book teaches and hinges on one particular study (interpretation) of Genesis 25-50.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although it doesn't specifically avoid heavier or more theologically challenging issues, it is safe to say it focuses on, and is geared towards, newer Christians entering fully into Christianity. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On first impressions the book seems to tackle the basic meat and potatoes of Christianity. But upon delving deeper, I am concerned this Christian pastor-author is inadvertently pushing <i><b><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Churchianity">Churchianity</a></b></i> rather than Christianity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8MeYJ1O-PyTHgfpXFjDwG4JTGr8TZv9diw0mqtz3BpP6jZKM-Mx70kU7jiGG5XkldMJhQnj82Q_ht3hTy25I2d0sD1tsFvv9h-BBvcIUO0T3WI1RfRavCYd5mwFmDD5hGteF3I2i9k4m/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8MeYJ1O-PyTHgfpXFjDwG4JTGr8TZv9diw0mqtz3BpP6jZKM-Mx70kU7jiGG5XkldMJhQnj82Q_ht3hTy25I2d0sD1tsFvv9h-BBvcIUO0T3WI1RfRavCYd5mwFmDD5hGteF3I2i9k4m/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"... you pray when you can and read the Bible when you can. You even go to church if there isn't a big game on or you aren't too tired from a late Saturday night out."</i> pg. 50</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"...begin to look for the healthy stuff like communal worship and prayer."</i> pg 60</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why is communal worship (read in, <i>Church</i> as a verb) <i>assumed</i> to be "healthy stuff"? Reading the bible and going to Church every Sunday are examples of being obedient to God? I am not theologically convinced of that.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Do you have a church you call home? If not, it's time you found one!"</i> pg 117</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGrbvUg4zNQPG3f8vNaTE4oO0rIq67095Llfo7uBoSsU0lN9vVa9MA8DXwx4iuLy4-wpcp2_2oBrH3iPVcPkpbrh5PKPd3CDFkFVnb50IdEbtFQ-T_J9HdXKHdTMQIo0X_Eff8_li0pGw/s1600/dollar-bookmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGrbvUg4zNQPG3f8vNaTE4oO0rIq67095Llfo7uBoSsU0lN9vVa9MA8DXwx4iuLy4-wpcp2_2oBrH3iPVcPkpbrh5PKPd3CDFkFVnb50IdEbtFQ-T_J9HdXKHdTMQIo0X_Eff8_li0pGw/s320/dollar-bookmark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am concerned this pastor-author may even be throwing in a light seasoning of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology">Prosperity Gospel</a>. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"Disobedience in any area produces curses, and cursed cause us to fail. On the flip side of that, when we adhere to the things God instructs us to do, it produces blessings.</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"When you really grasp this truth and start believing this, it will lead you to the abundance that both you and God desire for your life."</i> pg. 39-40</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">What is being taught here is that bad things will befall you if you do not follow God's will and good things will be reaped upon you if you are obedient. Ultimately, this may not be a Prosperity Gospel but it is definitely the teaching of the Carrot and the Stick. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"One night I asked him why God would allow this to happen to him, a person who clearly was following the will of God in every way. My father made clear to me that the throat cancer was not from God, but rather from the enemy..."</i> pg. 80</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">It isn't important here whether I agree or not with this point of view. If we are going to abide by bible or Christian theology, then at least let's not be subjective. Lines like this concern me for I am not convinced they are theologically sound. The bible states, <i>"...for He caused His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."</i> Matthew 5:45 (NIV). Clearly, not all bad things that befall us is the work of the devil. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"We ask God, "God, just exactly when will the new job come through? The soul mate be found? The child conceived? The money made?""</i> pg. 82</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, like a Prosperity Gospel, the author is assuming these good and desired things <i><b>are</b></i> coming. <i>Maybe</i> the answer is the new job is <i><b>not</b></i> coming through; the soul mate's <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> to be found; there is no child; the money's <i><b>not</b></i> to be made. Tim's 'theology' makes God into some sort of Cosmic ATM. It is poor theology. (However, to be fair to Tim Timberlake, he does warn against this very thing on page 89).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On a different tangent, there are certain assumptions taken in this book that not only do I not agree with; not only do I think are erroneous teachings, but also feel are somewhat degrading and insulting to other faiths. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Every single one of us - without the benefit of God on our side - will disregard our gifts and act rashly and without discernment..." </i>pg. 66</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTvcRjTHKPOlo9yZUWWHSFzm-7gehn-W6QG9jldSkUNsKPE6VB7dAItb-k87eLRtFxEqQJV7v0RtJ1J57y95jp5PPPWgqzr80mM10Z6w6mtcg5GjUCfYzTYI7kWtBbanOBk2LAstqiPPF/s1600/51t4SN4ocwL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTvcRjTHKPOlo9yZUWWHSFzm-7gehn-W6QG9jldSkUNsKPE6VB7dAItb-k87eLRtFxEqQJV7v0RtJ1J57y95jp5PPPWgqzr80mM10Z6w6mtcg5GjUCfYzTYI7kWtBbanOBk2LAstqiPPF/s320/51t4SN4ocwL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I rather like Master Hua-Ching Ni's (Taoist teacher and priest) perspective on this:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Excessively religious people may think those people had no God, but I don't see it that way. I think that these were spiritually self-responsible people who did not rely on external authority to make themselves behave correctly."</i> Huan-Ching Ni, <i>"Entering the Tao"</i>, pg. 21</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The point here, being that some people need either the carrot (a promised spiritual reward - which would make them spiritual hedonists) or the stick (a threatened punishment), or both, in order to act morally and civilly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tim Timberlake furthers this erroneous position by making assumptions that what would be a good, level-headed, and grounded friend (see the example on pg. 151) must be a "godly friend". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Now I never saw my dad do any wrong. He never yelled, never smoke, never drank. He was the epitome of being Christ-like..."</i> pg. 79</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean no disrespect for his late father, but again, I am not convinced this is an example of being the epitome of Christ-like. We have prime examples of Jesus yelling in the cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:5-19, 27-33, Matthew 21: 12-17, 23-27, Luke 19:45-48, 20: 1-8, and John 2: 13-16), and </span><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus had been accused of gluttony and being a drunkard (Luke 7: 34). Now, the accusation doesn't make him a glutton or a drunkard, but it does more than suggest that he drank. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, can we honesty say that never yelling, never smoking, and never drinking are the epitome of being Christ-likeness? I think not. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There seems to be a proficiency of toting some vague, non-specific, half-answers.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"God doesn't then punish us in these moments, but instead lets the natural repercussions of our disobedience happen. To avoid this altogether, we would be well off listening to God, following His rules..."</i> pg. 56</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">My fear and concern with statements like this one is what does it mean <i>"following His rules"</i>; or is that to be interpreted and dictated to us?</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The best thing we can possibly do in this instance is allow God to illuminate and address the unseen."</i> pg. 148</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Far too general. Far too vague.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, in the latter half of this book he does come through with some good solid direction. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I particularly liked pg. 112-113 where Tim breaks down 6 types of thought processes that are counter-productive or even toxic. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In summery, I feel this book's target audience would be new (possibly spiritually immature) Christians entering the church, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. My concern is that this pastor <i>may</i> be indoctrinating them into something not so spiritually healthy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRLUgJV2Il_dIyTYIjYGaTQ_Slce5alfPxg81uGX4dyb4g5igH6o7pAZBtok-XvPipQ8ttWuUov6ArnRI5JkbIdyU4hBqspE7dWKaGMSgd_vAnUfXdw7ITtZMQuxrHF48o7tg_eNwk5Kn/s1600/Tim+Timberlake.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRLUgJV2Il_dIyTYIjYGaTQ_Slce5alfPxg81uGX4dyb4g5igH6o7pAZBtok-XvPipQ8ttWuUov6ArnRI5JkbIdyU4hBqspE7dWKaGMSgd_vAnUfXdw7ITtZMQuxrHF48o7tg_eNwk5Kn/s200/Tim+Timberlake.png" width="188" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not an overly lengthy book, and cleverly spaced out and stretched to meet its 175 page count, maybe he should have allowed himself more room. To be fair, maybe Tim didn't allow himself enough pages to properly expand on several points and better clarified certain ambiguities. Maybe the flags of concern I'm seeing are better cleared up in person?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It strikes me that this book might be used as part of a course or teaching at his Christian Faith Center in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Maybe that is exactly what this little book is.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An accessory for a biblical study or church course. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But as a stand alone volume, I found it lacking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two our of five stars.</span><br />
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<strong font-size:="font-size:" small="small"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure of Material Connection:</span> </strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2003-title16-vol1/content-detail.html" target="_blank">CFR, Part 255</a>.</span><br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-12874078790653579532015-06-06T13:07:00.001-07:002015-06-06T13:48:25.725-07:00Data, Knowledge, Wisdom and the Death of Literature.<span style="font-size: large;">Five years ago I posted an article about what effects this internet age is inflicting upon mentor-protege relationships, entitled <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2010/12/mentor-protege-printers.html" target="_blank">Mentors, Proteges, and Printers</a>. This same theme was alluded to in <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2013/09/my-enduring-road-to-mindfulness.html" target="_blank">My Enduring Path to Mindfulnes</a>s (from a martial artist point of view).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3R8NcGLlYqUQRAhw-EpSntqiiNYjBReiCELPClluwgb1wczj-62p7a9ueTpc5-iQDXSA-dzKSgv0S69d5MevoEmiTeV4MMmes7QFeSIAXFm56OWkz_fpHu53oomVoY1yJXSkqImVEmQ/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3R8NcGLlYqUQRAhw-EpSntqiiNYjBReiCELPClluwgb1wczj-62p7a9ueTpc5-iQDXSA-dzKSgv0S69d5MevoEmiTeV4MMmes7QFeSIAXFm56OWkz_fpHu53oomVoY1yJXSkqImVEmQ/s200/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently, (March of 2015) I published my first work of fiction. <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2015/03/the-symbiot-book-review_31.html" target="_blank">The Symbiot</a>. (It is available in both hard copy (print) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Symbiot-Michel-Weatherall-ebook/dp/B00V975L7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433601172&sr=8-1&keywords=the+symbiot" target="_blank">Kindle</a>). Is is the first in what will be either a trilogy or four-part piece.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmzAVS4sIiWO9Q2dC8RaSyWoPd-p1C1kckokJIOlYompE9PVaQ9AaHrtGz3Ltg4my1O688CayrORqNPkensSOcR-soaqgNiZRZnYjY94kBedA0IXuMOf8eOFZE9TjS_YCshKxQHCi_YQ/s1600/90f5b3d9-7c42-4004-8c53-9e92f0a27894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmzAVS4sIiWO9Q2dC8RaSyWoPd-p1C1kckokJIOlYompE9PVaQ9AaHrtGz3Ltg4my1O688CayrORqNPkensSOcR-soaqgNiZRZnYjY94kBedA0IXuMOf8eOFZE9TjS_YCshKxQHCi_YQ/s200/90f5b3d9-7c42-4004-8c53-9e92f0a27894.jpg" width="125" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second novel, <i>The Hunt: Symbiosys</i>, is written but due for release in the Fall of 2015. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(This is preliminary cover art - more conceptual than anything else. If you're an artist and would like to summit artwork, <i>please</i>, I would be more than grateful!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The third book (<i>Necropolis</i>) I am in the middle of writing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The series takes place in a Lovecraftian world, and without giving away any spoilers, Cthulhu makes and appearance in the third... sort of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I figured I had better do some of my homework, and in my meandering about, I stumbled across the fact the Cthulhu has a "Son" and "Daughter". (The words son and daughter might not be the best terms to use... maybe <i>"spawn of"</i> might be better as they are anything but human or human-like).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I googled <i>Ghatanothoa</i> and <i>Cthylla</i> only to discover that both appear in <i>"Out of the Aeons"</i> (by H.P. Lovecraft and Hazel Heald, 1933) and <i>"The Transition of Titus Crow"</i> (by Brian Lumbly, 1975), both books of which I have in my library and have read. But I didn't remember these monsters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, in all fairness, I discovered Lovecraft at the end of High School and the early days of Collage. I went on a reading blitz and voraciously devoured anything and everything I could lay my hands on that was Lovecraft.... It is a great deal of material. Maybe I just missed it. Maybe it was one of those days on the bus I kept nodding off to sleep... who can say for certain? (Maybe it was because this was all 28 years ago!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO8-dBZ05FSBtwbqpJd0mH_MaDW2yAGKUXtwcMWnUzEk4gm3MA2RiOLfVQzhqA4qRvEUWiWWCR_sHz1bQx-2ebwSMm-RN-5vd28UxuKy9y2SkTk2VG2iCP3YHgblpoWIpLPY4xkiD83s/s1600/Horror_in_the_museum_third.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO8-dBZ05FSBtwbqpJd0mH_MaDW2yAGKUXtwcMWnUzEk4gm3MA2RiOLfVQzhqA4qRvEUWiWWCR_sHz1bQx-2ebwSMm-RN-5vd28UxuKy9y2SkTk2VG2iCP3YHgblpoWIpLPY4xkiD83s/s200/Horror_in_the_museum_third.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I digress. Last night I pulled out my Arkham House printed edition of <i>"The Horror in the Museum"</i> (1970) - which is where you would find <i>"Out of the Aeons".</i></span><br />
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i><span style="font-size: large;">The most obvious thing dawned on me when I read "Out of the Aeons". There is a beautiful art is the telling of a story. It is not simply a series of 'facts' or statements. It is a craft. It is truly the realm of the wordsmith; the weaving of a narrative. There is a pace, a theme, a <i>flavour!</i> There is not only an art to writing and <i><b>telling</b></i> a story, there is also an art, a <i><u>pleasure</u></i>, <i><u>a pace</u></i>, if you will - in <i><b><u>reading</u></b></i> a story... and I think that art is dying or dead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wikipedia google search for <i>"Out of the Aeons"</i> lays out - spoilers and all - of the entire short story. It basically butchers it. It was an annotated version of its Cole's Notes. The craft of these two writers (as well as yourself as the reader) was killed. The suspense, the tension, the <i>feel</i> is gone. Is this what the youth of today see & read? Are they missing the beautiful subtle nuances in favour of simple data? It knowledge being mistaken for its experience?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, I think so. Is the <i>art</i> of reading dying?</span><br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-45928421023010980612015-04-02T19:03:00.000-07:002015-04-02T19:18:49.136-07:00The Symbiot, Now on Kindle!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYroUb8HDUEYbUeKwuHvmSY3JpgL773Vby6WXv14gN_zSfdX-R1fkpcRc09uHkJhxZcCiOOMB9RIXiUe3ZoHYQQ79Wc41XZ7u49fYgJqFmRF44a6Q3St9OCyr6wh6-JSrKxub1xMbNvfQ/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYroUb8HDUEYbUeKwuHvmSY3JpgL773Vby6WXv14gN_zSfdX-R1fkpcRc09uHkJhxZcCiOOMB9RIXiUe3ZoHYQQ79Wc41XZ7u49fYgJqFmRF44a6Q3St9OCyr6wh6-JSrKxub1xMbNvfQ/s1600/The+Symbiot+2+cover.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a><i style="color: #bf9000; font-size: xx-large;"></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><i>The Symbiot</i></span><i style="color: #bf9000;">, </i><span style="color: #bf9000;">a novella by Michel Weatherall, is now available on Kindle!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">Find it here! </span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">(<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V975L7K">US</a>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">(<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00V975L7K?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">Canada</a>)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">(<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00V975L7K?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">UK</a>)</span>'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-75296519025741114772015-03-31T20:14:00.001-07:002016-03-05T03:56:08.065-08:00The Symbiot - a book review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>One man's musical passion leads on a temporal hunt through a Lovecraftian world on a collision course with extinction!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This novella is reminiscent of Guy de Maupassant's <i>The Horla</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One reader offers the following synopsis:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"Devoted music enthusiast and accomplished pianist, Lorne S. Gibbons, is longing for a unique musical piece beyond contemporary understanding. Lorne discovers Erich Zann, whom played the viola at a highly advanced level. Alongside his wife, Marie Gibbons, and her parents Henri and Veronica L. Francois, Lorne travels to England to explore this undiscovered universe of musical theory. Nadia de LaFountaine, Erich Zann’s granddaughter, joins Lorne in understanding and reconstructing Erich’s music.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"One horrific night, Lorne realizes the grim truth regarding the music as an evil entity is unleashed which threatens all existing life on Earth. As a crescendo of unknowable forces prepare to wipe out anyone in their way, Lorne and Veronica begin a race against complete annihilation. Meanwhile, they must discover what has become of their loved ones. With little reinforcements, Lorne and Veronica have to fight against the god-aspiring creature to avoid further bloodshed. However, when godly power collides with humanity, the results are devastating."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the first novella published by Michel Weatherall through Broken Keys Publishing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Available in printed editions at</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://brokenkeypublishin.wix.com/michelweatherall#!availability/c1pz" target="_blank"><i><b>Michel Weatherall: Author</b></i></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and in ebook format at</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Symbiot-Michel-Weatherall-ebook/dp/B00V975L7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440151314&sr=8-1&keywords=the+symbiot" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/the-symbiot" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is the first of three with its sequel, <i>The Hunt: Symbiosys</i>, due for release Summer-Fall 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its conclusion, Necropolis, available sometime in 2016.</span><br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-71995878187146893722015-01-16T19:06:00.000-08:002015-01-17T05:04:20.823-08:00Review and Commentary on "We Will be Landing Shortly", by Mike Hamel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This book was a good and easy read. Not easy in the sense of its topic matter being 'light and fluffy', but easy in the sense of it being broken down into easily managed chapters, each being somewhere between 3-5 pages long.<br />
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What I also enjoyed was that - although there is an overarching theme - each chapter felt like Mike Hamel's mental meanderings; his thoughts, musings, and experiences of life. Ultimately, his <i>wisdom</i>.<br />
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<i>"In the end I would be content if what was said of Solomon... could be said of me:</i><br />
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<i>"Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people... The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10)",</i> pg 143</blockquote>
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I believe - at least to this humble reader - he accomplished this goal.<br />
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As for the subject matter itself, it is anything <i>but</i> light or fluffy.<br />
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Mike Hamel approaches difficult, challenging, and potentially faith-breaking issues humbly, openly, honestly, and unassumingly. There is no agenda to sell. There is no argument to win, nor position to defend.<br />
A man after my own heart, he is simply seeking out answers, and possibly even to learn to ask the correct questions!<br />
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He ponders upon horrifically difficult and unpleasant issues such as our own interpretations of God's handiwork, and an All Powerful and Loving God that will fail in His attempts at universal salvation, or a God who is self-serving and vindictive enough to <i>need</i> eternal conscious torment.<br />
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He ponders fundamentalists and the fundamentalist mindset.<br />
He believes theology reveals more about its authors then its subject.<br />
He struggles with whether we each have a specific and detailed purpose.<br />
What Christianity would look like and function without a Heaven of the Afterlife (an issue I've referred to as <i>Christian Spiritual Hedonism</i>), and questions why the God of the Old Testament and New Testament don't look alike. (Yet another issue I've struggled with and come to terms with) - again, what if these stories tell us more about the people writing them rather than God himself - <i>progressive revelation</i> - and why evangelicals are so challenged by this answer.<br />
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He is bothered by the <i style="font-weight: bold;">genocide</i> of Canaan (and correctly labels it as such) and the unspoken implication of Abraham so dedicately willing to <i>murder</i> his son, Isaac, for God's approval.<br />
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He identifies the strength and value, <i>as well as the <b>limitations</b></i> of metaphor and anthropomorphism in Scripture.<br />
These are only some of the topics questioned and pondered about.<br />
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I think - for the majority - there are only two responses or reactions to the brutally difficult issues and challenges brought to light in this book.<br />
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<br />
To some, they choose to remain comfortable in their denial; refusing to accept these numerous inconsistencies and contradictions even exist.<br />
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To many others, they feel they must abandon their faith altogether, resorting to Agnosticism or Atheism.<br />
<br />
But woven throughout this book is a 'way', a method, a worldview - if I were to be so bold - that refuses either of these extremes.<br />
<br />
Cleverly woven throughout this book, his wisdom paints a picture - not of <i>what</i> we should or should not believe, but about a good, healthy, and reliable methodology we might employ on this journey.<br />
<br />
Understanding that metaphors are culture-centric and flexible.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Only the minting of new metaphors can keep theology from being reduced to archaeology"</i> pg. 160</blockquote>
Understanding and accepting that<i> imagination</i> and <i>make-believe</i> are two different things.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"God is the ultimate imaginary friend. This doesn't mean he is unreal, only that we have to use our imaginations to picture him since he is immaterial".</i> pg. 188</blockquote>
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There are also a few great lessons regarding better understanding our own <i>beliefs</i> - regardless of what they are.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Are [star] constellations real?" </i><i>Stars are real; constellations are simply the names we assign to patterns of celestial luminaries. Constellations have "implied" not "intrinsic" reality. They are not native to the universe but exist only in the human mind. However, when enough people see the same shapes in the night sky, the constellations enter the collective consciousness and become as established as the stars themselves.</i><i>"The same thing happens in the firmament of divine revelations. Individual verses are linked in connect-the-dot fashion to form doctrines, which are then coerced into systematic theologies. A way of seeing truth becomes the truth itself." </i>pg. 161</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Arranging information into comprehensible form is what the human mind does. The essence of intelligence is to discern patterns and to extrapolate their effects upon us. The error comes in assuming our mental picture <b>is</b> the truth rather than a metaphor for what lies beyond our reach" </i>pg 162</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Remember doing connect-the-dots pictures as a kid? Think of facts as the dots, faith as the lines drawn to connect them and the completed image as a worldview.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>What happens when human knowledge explodes and new facts come to light? You can ignore them because they don't fit into your current picture or you can expand your paradigm accordingly. You don't necessarily have to give up your core to increase your circumference.</i><i><br /></i><i>Of course if you're convinced all truth is square you will reject the facts that are beyond your boxs regardless of whether they're real or not. But what is real? </i><i>"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away".</i> pg 194-195</blockquote>
I think there is a simple yet profound wisdom here. Not just for biblical interpretation and not just for Christians, but for <i><b>all</b></i> people.<br />
We <i style="font-weight: bold;">all </i>have a Belief-System we follow and adhere to (Regardless whether you can name or label it).<br />
Atheists, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Scientists. Our <i style="font-weight: bold;">choices</i>, our <i style="font-weight: bold;">beliefs</i> are the lines that connect-the-dots. The dots might be facts, but the lines <i style="font-weight: bold;">we choose </i>to connect them with are not necessarily, and we would do wise to remember that.<br />
<br />
Many practicing Anglo-Catholics, Evangelicals, and Christian Fundamentalists might balk at Mike Hamel and relegate him into the inconsequential realms of the fallen faith or a spiritual seeker.<br />
So who does this book speak to?<br />
<br />
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He answers this question early on in his book by saying:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Some of my experiences and observations may help you with your journey. On the other hand, my queries and quibbling have been known to trip people up, so be careful. My aim isn't to confuse but to face confusion and grapple with things that don't make sense...</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>""In the act of tearing something apart, you lose its meaning". But deconstruction life can also lead to a clearer perspective of it. The slippery slope of questioning assumptions and dogmas doesn't only run downwards.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"To a cautious hiker, the thrill of getting close to the cliff may not seem worth the peril. To a compulsive climber like me, the challenge is irresistible" </i>pg. 2</blockquote>
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I believe our society is in a spiritual flux, a segue of sorts; in the middle of a transition. With the numbers in traditional institutional religions dropping; with the decline of institutional religion, you can't believe what the pessimists say.<br />
<br />
Yes, it <i style="font-weight: bold;">may</i> mean the death of religion (is that really such a bad thing?), but I believe there is a rise in non-institutional spirituality; not a shift towards Scientism/Atheism. A move away from what ultimately must be man-made religiosity, and towards the more all-encompassing and compassionate solace of spirituality.<br />
<br />
By its very nature it is difficult to define and clearly categorize, but it is alive and well. I think it is to <i>these </i> people - and to those who are transitioning away from the more ridged institutional religions - that this book reaches out and speaks to.<br />
<br />
I think <i>"We Will be Landing Shortly"</i> inadvertently sends a message:<br />
<i>"You are not alone".</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
He is a voice for a large number of people (and growing larger). He does not struggle and questions alone. He has a great amount of company "out there", in what many institutional religions might call a <i>'spiritual wilderness'</i>.<br />
<br />
Mike Hamel has rekindled my faith <i>in faith</i>, and my belief in a God without boundaries!<br />
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<strong font-size:="font-size:" small="small"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure of Material Connection:</span> </strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2003-title16-vol1/content-detail.html" target="_blank">CFR, Part 255</a>.</span><br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-23085165786072347862015-01-04T05:44:00.003-08:002015-01-04T05:44:40.985-08:00The Meditation and Clear Mind of Jung-Joong-Dong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI7WjBjq2cKlXtk1s5vx3blQCOBth-D9ALug7T7IQXIuGaTGDDfj1wfVloS863zbHvtUh04hWBvXUvWRbpLvzcXca25aXMXoTqHD4g4mbiZqpwrkdf0S0SU-oL3sB6RIHa9K-Whwb5us/s1600/woman+seiza+in+street+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI7WjBjq2cKlXtk1s5vx3blQCOBth-D9ALug7T7IQXIuGaTGDDfj1wfVloS863zbHvtUh04hWBvXUvWRbpLvzcXca25aXMXoTqHD4g4mbiZqpwrkdf0S0SU-oL3sB6RIHa9K-Whwb5us/s1600/woman+seiza+in+street+clothes.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Seiza, in Japanese, literally means "proper sitting".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To sit seiza-style, one must first be kneeling on the floor, folding their legs underneath their thighs, while resting the buttocks on the heels. The ankles are turned outwards as the tops of the feet are lowered so that, in a slight "V" shape, the tops of the feet are flat on the floor and big toes sometimes are overlapped, and the buttocks are finally lowered all the way down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stepping into and out of seiza is mindfully performed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A seiza-bench allows one to sit in the seiza position but slightly elevated so as not to have your weight rest upon your lower legs or calfs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many seiza benches will be on a slight incline. This allows your hips to rotate forward allowing abdomen to be more "open" to allow for better and fuller breathing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Often a pillow can be used beneath your knees.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JZ9Tw_4IgvAbirrzrnOpY3CXXWsNhyphenhyphenQljp-r7IcLe5Fp3w7DdMVbFzKjly8LBuzp0wlgqvPDOFC9w71nO6FS0fDMPLfp72AEcRTGU3dTXiRihYj5xtn_YQs3ZFPJ0SYZw6LLJH0FBmM/s1600/Bamboo+in+the+tropic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JZ9Tw_4IgvAbirrzrnOpY3CXXWsNhyphenhyphenQljp-r7IcLe5Fp3w7DdMVbFzKjly8LBuzp0wlgqvPDOFC9w71nO6FS0fDMPLfp72AEcRTGU3dTXiRihYj5xtn_YQs3ZFPJ0SYZw6LLJH0FBmM/s1600/Bamboo+in+the+tropic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sit with your back straight, preferably with no back support to lean against. Your spine is straight like a young bamboo shoot reaching towards the blue sky, and your arms fall from the shoulders like leaves heavy with rain.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkrNfP4xexZ5VSJTVRosTD9BsozguuWsjRP8CNPzIENEudWk9auvPMRz8_v2rsR7dsZe_ebL_-Rw6jEMMJreEgdC9cbM612TvfBoNLC6M71OiJtMxeAnfdW-pi_A9GpKzC6830ga50pw/s1600/stock-footage-water-drops-cascade-from-green-leaves-during-heavy-rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkrNfP4xexZ5VSJTVRosTD9BsozguuWsjRP8CNPzIENEudWk9auvPMRz8_v2rsR7dsZe_ebL_-Rw6jEMMJreEgdC9cbM612TvfBoNLC6M71OiJtMxeAnfdW-pi_A9GpKzC6830ga50pw/s1600/stock-footage-water-drops-cascade-from-green-leaves-during-heavy-rain.jpg" height="202" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can imagine a string or chain connected to the crown of your head and your spine hanging straight down from you head as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do not slouch for it affects and inhibits your breathing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MVYBDe1T2eqy4KEYsgKMQHH1cFRSwUulGJmlxhrwNhK09EChjXPgafM9SMxTO6sjCo_cxbRdEUvQen48LDL8i2V640l0Qy72_kKr5xZ88rjKaIBJe0HYjswBAtUaCdEvq6t_IX3apSo/s1600/670px-Begin-Zen-Meditation-(Zazen)-Step-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MVYBDe1T2eqy4KEYsgKMQHH1cFRSwUulGJmlxhrwNhK09EChjXPgafM9SMxTO6sjCo_cxbRdEUvQen48LDL8i2V640l0Qy72_kKr5xZ88rjKaIBJe0HYjswBAtUaCdEvq6t_IX3apSo/s1600/670px-Begin-Zen-Meditation-(Zazen)-Step-3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If comfortable, cup one hand and lay it in the palm of your other hand so that the ends of your thumbs meet. In Japanese this is called </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>mokuto</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">, or reflection; looking inwards.</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the <i><b>mokuto</b></i> position the hands embrace the <i>unseen vase</i>. This vase represents your body; the vase's emptiness represents the emptiness of <i>mushin.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvwUiBm7OFp1FCHJF9t4Am31lxI_BNCMvLIsEt-8AGPU9EKiCowDKlcinGdNSTGJRCSKakTHuaasOf3ZJ0UaaDtgTXoCPIujfENmZPeptiCd65JRTqXg7S8T7G16tsQuDHQKjltYBCQ0/s1600/vajrasana_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvwUiBm7OFp1FCHJF9t4Am31lxI_BNCMvLIsEt-8AGPU9EKiCowDKlcinGdNSTGJRCSKakTHuaasOf3ZJ0UaaDtgTXoCPIujfENmZPeptiCd65JRTqXg7S8T7G16tsQuDHQKjltYBCQ0/s1600/vajrasana_0.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If your hands cannot sit in this position comfortably, open palms, face-up on the knees is preferable. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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~ ~ ~<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">
<i>Mushin</i> in Japanese means "no mind". In Chinese it is We Xin.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you do something, you have to concentrate to do it the first time, and maybe even the fourth or tenth time, but eventually you can perform the activity without thought; the same way you would dial a telephone number you've used hundreds of times. The ultimate goal is not to have to concentrate to be able to perform the task with "no mind". This is how the mind is cleared and readied for Clear Mind. This is<i> mushin</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The difference between <i>mushin</i> and mindlessness is that in mindlessness the mind is active and wandering - it is not clear, quiet, and still.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The unseen vase (and thus your body and mind) is empty but full of potential, like the central hub of a wheel and emptiness of a vase, as <i>Lao Tzu</i> speaks of in the<i> Tao Teh Ching</i>, verse 11.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The tip of your tongue is lightly pressed against the front roof of your mouth This will avoid drooling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once sitting you should stay still. Do not indulge small irritants or itches. you can use small itches to practice and remind yourself of impermanence. All things pass. All states change.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNXZ0mNPMuJIBw3Bp3QOcGcaxha0iGkfivxtPcERObTHxFX2muAymjzeZfW76EM8gBqetF_HLweSUrxoR6dPDzVEQn7OmrPQ5Al3ttSiYGs0f_hqT74NvVYzcJIAsx3BuDnoiq8J9gro/s1600/contempalte.impermanence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNXZ0mNPMuJIBw3Bp3QOcGcaxha0iGkfivxtPcERObTHxFX2muAymjzeZfW76EM8gBqetF_HLweSUrxoR6dPDzVEQn7OmrPQ5Al3ttSiYGs0f_hqT74NvVYzcJIAsx3BuDnoiq8J9gro/s1600/contempalte.impermanence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNXZ0mNPMuJIBw3Bp3QOcGcaxha0iGkfivxtPcERObTHxFX2muAymjzeZfW76EM8gBqetF_HLweSUrxoR6dPDzVEQn7OmrPQ5Al3ttSiYGs0f_hqT74NvVYzcJIAsx3BuDnoiq8J9gro/s1600/contempalte.impermanence.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">You will remember that you have forgotten the last itch. You only remember it now because of the itch you currently suffer. Do not itch it. Do not move. Remain sitting and calm, knowing it not only will pass, but it is no inconsequential that it will pass from you memory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Impermanence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Breath through you nose and exhale through you nose. Remember to inhale and breath with your belly, like a baby, not through your chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Focus on your breath. This will be your anchor. There are numerous ways to do this. You will have to find what's easiest and most comfortable for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I inhale (remember, breath like a baby) I pay attention to the dry air passing through my nostrils. you can say it to yourself: <i>"Dry"</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I exhale, I pay attention to the warm moist air sensation in my nostrils and say <i>"moist"</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your breathing becomes a pattern. <i>Dry - moist - dry - moist.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If your mind begins to wander you can return to your breath; <i>dry - moist - dry - moist.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When, over time, you become comfortable with this anchor, you may use it to become increasingly more aware of the instantaneous and perpetual nature of the <i><b>Now</b></i>. The <i style="font-weight: bold;">Now</i> is eternal yet fleeting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja69jAkd0sU2XCkJB6KuaoC-MlrqIW2TPRHNrgdUIgS5Ih4N37Jv-42H3gPK9DIIJu0wIYNQ9DaJ5NAC_qZgww6Hyd2rK39SA-HQSXb6Gm6AzYd-kzgFvGSffy0yGpZaaNteGvZnQ1S08/s1600/dry+peak+moist+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja69jAkd0sU2XCkJB6KuaoC-MlrqIW2TPRHNrgdUIgS5Ih4N37Jv-42H3gPK9DIIJu0wIYNQ9DaJ5NAC_qZgww6Hyd2rK39SA-HQSXb6Gm6AzYd-kzgFvGSffy0yGpZaaNteGvZnQ1S08/s1600/dry+peak+moist+valley.jpg" height="181" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When breathing there are not only two steps - dry (inhale) and moist (exhale). There is an instantaneous moment when you've stopped inhaling yet haven't begun to exhale yet. This is the Peak.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7dTXvS1NONR-FHj4CeElLXAOQEu-URy0emMzJbeUT5VxhLCq2FwdoCKbrxzCabSn4SWhNKRYp0KXMXTOZB8oFzkbdSJpPU3B7-p5sM5w1PVXPYZ1GZXuMAQWHGZtLTX6xRA-hXBPur8/s1600/dry+peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7dTXvS1NONR-FHj4CeElLXAOQEu-URy0emMzJbeUT5VxhLCq2FwdoCKbrxzCabSn4SWhNKRYp0KXMXTOZB8oFzkbdSJpPU3B7-p5sM5w1PVXPYZ1GZXuMAQWHGZtLTX6xRA-hXBPur8/s1600/dry+peak.jpg" height="121" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is also an instant when you've emptied your lungs but haven't began to inhale yet. (Don't confuse this with holding your breath). This is the Valley.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWDRG_XsBinWij81dPkzeyxiv-Tu-AMyNUB12IOpVzU00_3HqS_OzdLlgeekZTfSFIytZG04eVGM1O9NmOgd7NcnwTlXXUaKqAyc3W0dns4TFEwlcXRGkvReXqxP2_KVPG-9_cVedkLM/s1600/moist+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWDRG_XsBinWij81dPkzeyxiv-Tu-AMyNUB12IOpVzU00_3HqS_OzdLlgeekZTfSFIytZG04eVGM1O9NmOgd7NcnwTlXXUaKqAyc3W0dns4TFEwlcXRGkvReXqxP2_KVPG-9_cVedkLM/s1600/moist+valley.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As much as I'd like to tell you to say in you mind,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dry Peak, Moist Valley</i>, you really shouldn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although it is true that the <i>Peak</i> falls between the <i>Dry </i>and the <i>Moist</i>, and that the <i>Valley</i> separates the <i>Moist</i> from the <i>Dry</i>, if you say them, their instant moment has already pasted. At best saying <i>"peak"</i> and <i>"valley"</i> are only an echo of the memory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So too is the nature of the Perpetual <i style="font-weight: bold;">Now</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Breathe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dry - (peak) - Moist - (valley)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This becomes your wandering mind's anchor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The eventual 'goal' is to 'achieve' <i>Clear Mind</i> (the first fruits).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It should not be strived for. This should not be the mental focus of your practice. Discipline <i style="font-weight: bold;">is</i> needed but it is simply the discipline of your practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There will be no teacher to remind you. There will be no disciplinarian or authority figure to punish or reward you. There should be no punishment or reward, just as there shouldn't be a goal strived for. Just the discipline of your continued practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Slowly, in time, <i>Clear Mind</i> will manifest. Although there is no formula and each individual experience will be different, it could be expected to begin in short lucid moments. Often <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> while meditating.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In time, these occurrences may become more frequent or may be longer lived; stretching into hours or possibly days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNGSkv8LLkim85e3bIRSpHV5Kj8UIlXvwUAGtqh76nU9Pc2zAFg1SYi3ZnAHEJD4pX8UQ4MWDhQt1M4lxccEFtGSHcyczngqFruEx7SEbgDzqHoX_XsHe20H-E-sQYa8q61rvwpMjyfA/s1600/mushin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNGSkv8LLkim85e3bIRSpHV5Kj8UIlXvwUAGtqh76nU9Pc2zAFg1SYi3ZnAHEJD4pX8UQ4MWDhQt1M4lxccEFtGSHcyczngqFruEx7SEbgDzqHoX_XsHe20H-E-sQYa8q61rvwpMjyfA/s1600/mushin.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(Although I do believe we all have the potential to 'achieve' a state of being perpetually lucid - <i style="font-weight: bold;">always</i> in <i>Clear Mind</i> - I'm not sure how easily this is achieved).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once this state becomes more and more within our grasps, we reap their benefits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most believe that in order to make a decision we need to pass through three steps. We need to contemplate (think about or process) the issue or problem at hand. Then we make a decision one way or the other. And finally we put that decision into action.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is incorrect. This is inherently flawed right from the start. To contemplate successfully requires <i>Clear Mind</i>. Without <i>Clear Mind</i> we cannot truly contemplate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first step in this procedure is meditation. We do <i><b>not</b> </i>meditate on the issue or problem at hand. We simply already have the practice of meditation in place; hopefully having lucid moment of <i>Clear Mind</i> and during these isolated moments, only then do we begin practicing contemplate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At this point it should become clear what course of action (or inaction) we need. The final step becomes appropriate resolution.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, it's fine to say these things and hope to achieve them, but in practical day-to-day life we must make numerous decisions all the time. We will often not have the luxury to wait for <i>Clear Mind</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not advocating indecision or procrastination. But we must be aware that our decision-making ability is compromised and inherently flawed without <i>Clear Mind</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We must still make decisions - big or small - but with intent and hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is why I meditate. This is what I believe <i>Jung-Joong-Dong </i>of <i>Jungshin Sooyang</i> is and this is why I practice it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What I find more interesting and encouraging is that <i>Jung-Joong-Dong </i>of <i>Jungshin Sooyang </i>finds its origins in the Martial Arts of Traditional Taekwon-do, as taught by General Choi.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, to 'practice' <i>Jung-Joong-Dong </i>of <i>Jungshin Sooyang</i> one does not need to practice the Martial Art itself. It is simply a way of life; a way of viewing the world. It is the lens in which we choose to see through.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With this in mind, the symbolism of the colours of the Taekwon-do belts still maintain their values and symbolism.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <i style="font-weight: bold;">mokuto </i>position of the hands and significance of <i>the unseen vase</i> is an emptying and readiness to move forward; a willingness to learn and grow; and abandonment of the ego. (<i><b>White)</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting on the ground, we rest our knees and feet upon the fertile earth (<i><b>Yellow</b></i>), with your back straight - yet flexible like a young bamboo shoot (<i><b>Green</b></i>) we reach up for the blue sky (<i><b>Blue</b></i>).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The eventual and lucid moments of Clear Mind are the first fruits (<i><b>Red</b></i>), and eventually and finally, a fullness, a fearlessness (Solace) and immunity to darkness (<i><b>Black</b></i>).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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They hate me because I see the truth.<br />
I know.<br />
I've broken the rule.<br />
I'm not supposed to say that.<br />
You may have already said it out loud and if you haven't yet, you're thinking it:<br />
How deluded I must be. How arrogant.<br />
<br />
I've seen the <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2014/02/the-mirror.html" target="_blank">animosity towards me at my work</a>.<br />
I've seen it at home.<br />
I can't say I've seen it in my friends, because, let's be honest here, I really don't have many.<br />
I have seen it and been ostracized from spiritual and church groups.<br />
<a href="https://pieceofburlap.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=5G-eHkoBAAA.jaF8c6XclUwb6nrvpCJ9Mw.4kIomq99btVSOmrXSOo2Fg&postId=3448089234683210121&type=POST" target="_blank">I've seen things in myself I wish I hadn't.</a><br />
<br />
The vast majority of people I see and know don't <i><b>really</b></i> want to solve problems.<br />
They simply want them to go away. The simple truth of the matter is, problems won't just go away. They need to be resolved and more often than not, a <i>change</i> is needed on one's own behalf; and that involves seeing the undeniable truth.<br />
<br />
Many people are happy in their misery.<br />
I know, it seems silly.<br />
People are <i style="font-weight: bold;">comfortable</i> and <i style="font-weight: bold;">secure</i> in the misery they <i style="font-weight: bold;">know</i> rather than in the uncertainty of change; and that is what truth brings.<br />
<br />
The truth - in the beginning - is usually an ugly thing. It doesn't need to be defended. It's difficult or impossible to attack. The best and worst somebody can do is clearly see it, or outright deny it. And which of these are 'best' and 'worst' can be debated.<br />
<br />
If we deny it, we need to perform a sort of voluntary delusion upon ourselves. (And if we can lie to ourselves, there's no end to the possibilities).<br />
If we clearly see it, we can never <i><b>unsee</b></i> it. I can never be <i><b>unlearned</b></i>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Ugly.</b></i><br />
<br />
A convenient 'out' is when a third party is involved in our seeing of the truth; when <i style="font-weight: bold;">somebody</i> reveals it to us.<br />
Then <i style="font-weight: bold;">that</i> third party - <i style="font-weight: bold;">that</i> person can be blamed, held responsible, discredited, debated, or denied... rather than the truth they're carrying.<br />
<br />
People hate me...<br />
...they don't really... They hate what they see.They are frightened by what they see.<br />
...but the end result is the same.<br />
I'm no longer sure I'm comfortable in <i><b>my</b></i> misery.<br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-14350308491540765912014-10-18T05:06:00.002-07:002014-10-18T05:06:43.684-07:00Why Create?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQzQLxK83hEshuxy5Rnr0SJnhC9sORyWR1ewDW9JZJJgzisgdQqE428dVeJfn9NsEIhxvQsTKb5HBbrOwxsjHC5GcjMcOMFFG8C3hyphenhyphenD0NlS65Dnl1HfdgS8haYuyOwCqaHHsmCIXmFDg/s1600/divine+perfection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQzQLxK83hEshuxy5Rnr0SJnhC9sORyWR1ewDW9JZJJgzisgdQqE428dVeJfn9NsEIhxvQsTKb5HBbrOwxsjHC5GcjMcOMFFG8C3hyphenhyphenD0NlS65Dnl1HfdgS8haYuyOwCqaHHsmCIXmFDg/s1600/divine+perfection.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
I've asked and pondered this question numerous times before.<br />
Why does God create?<br />
Why does God <i style="font-weight: bold;">need</i> to create or <b><i>want</i></b> to create? This leads to the more pointed question of why does God need or want to create flawed (or even fallen!) beings?<br />
<br />
If, as the major monotheistic religions claim, God is utter perfection and nothing can add or is needed to add to it, why is there this need or desire?<br />
<br />
Search as you will, I do not believe you'll find any legitimate or logical answer within the big three monotheistic religions' theologies. You can't because it's simply not there.<br />
<br />
I believe you need to more beyond them to even begin to get a glimmer of an answer.<br />
<br />
Evolution.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADpNp89iI38ZKEOzUw4YPazumuWzCxhDZr43N2BzPCBUxhF4LA9NnzySNynxOWGC70K7SoqlsZhu2ec19NW3FYGxgFumDf3GMjlGBNDeeC3QVMIayuz25OOrKXCpSzxH47ui9eFzL2fM/s1600/Cosmic+Evolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADpNp89iI38ZKEOzUw4YPazumuWzCxhDZr43N2BzPCBUxhF4LA9NnzySNynxOWGC70K7SoqlsZhu2ec19NW3FYGxgFumDf3GMjlGBNDeeC3QVMIayuz25OOrKXCpSzxH47ui9eFzL2fM/s1600/Cosmic+Evolution.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
Cosmic evolution - which ultimately leads to all other forms of evolution - chemical, biological, social - is a real and omni-active force in the universe.<br />
We are God's manifest expression of it.<br />
<br />
If Evolution was not a real and ever active force of nature within our universe, then Entropy would have to reign and rule supreme (as states the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_law_of_thermodynamics">second law of thermodynamics</a>)... yet it doesn't. (Schrödinger states that life feeds on negative entropy, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negentropy">negentropy</a>).<br />
<br />
The Kabbalah answers this.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ19HAj_WC20Yi5n4pSWhe_JqL7Qua79T5RqOOI7PAtPPMM1YW7mj_HIADuPX9vhFkiKHcAp27aU4jXFHcJ-8kLJ7FVV3F17N4ZfYCg2uUvwep_r0fYK99TpTVp3Cp8QcNrPnL8GqVOWk/s1600/abraham+kook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ19HAj_WC20Yi5n4pSWhe_JqL7Qua79T5RqOOI7PAtPPMM1YW7mj_HIADuPX9vhFkiKHcAp27aU4jXFHcJ-8kLJ7FVV3F17N4ZfYCg2uUvwep_r0fYK99TpTVp3Cp8QcNrPnL8GqVOWk/s1600/abraham+kook.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"We perceive there to be two types of Perfection in absolute divine Perfection: one type of Perfection is so great and complete that no additional evolution is relevant to it.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"If, however, thee were no possibility of additional evolving whatsoever, this in and of itself would be an imperfection. For Perfection that is constantly waxing greater has great advantage and is pleasurable, and is uplifting.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"For we yearn for it exceedingly, proceeding from strength to strength. Diving Perfection can therefore not be lacking the dimension of perfection, which is the evolving process of perfecting and unfolding power.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"This is why divinity has the ability to be creative, to instigate limitless kosmic being and Becoming, proceeding through all its levels and stages and growing.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"It therefore follows that the essential divine soul of Being, that which gives it life, is its constant ascending. That is its divine foundation, which calls it to be and to evolve..." </i>Abraham Kook</blockquote>
Most monotheistic theology acknowledges and recognizes this first type of Perfection, but either fails to recognize the second or outright denies it.<br />
<br />
Atheism and/or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism">Scientism</a> fails in this same regard, with its insistence of evolution being an absolute chaotic and random thing. There is no reason to believe this. This is nothing more than a favoured chosen belief - a statement of fundamentalism.<br />
<br />
Evolution does not contradict the nature of the universe or "God".<br />
(<i>"We do not need to subscribe to the old biblical worldview of a God separate from reality, guiding it from without, in order to recognize the radical intelligence that animates reality. </i><br />
<i>The idea that evolution is a random, chance unfolding, which is not internally animated... is and absurdity. Statistically, it is billions of times less likely than a monkey typing out </i>War and Peace.<i>" </i>Marc Gafni, <i>"Your Unique Self",</i> pg. 119)<br />
<br />
To preempt this entire question both atheist and non-atheist alike will have to revisit and re-explore their definitions of "God". In fact, maybe the term "God", in any positive or negative context, should be abandoned. It's a loaded word. Too much baggage.<br />
<br />
The issue of Entropy vs. Evolution (Life) seriously needs to be addressed and explored (not debated. This shouldn't become an issue of who's right).<br />
<br />
Our understanding of the universe, both scientific and theologic, is clearly missing pieces and/or flawed.<br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-89526077808700200832014-10-17T02:47:00.000-07:002014-10-17T06:59:41.596-07:00Of Patterns and Paths<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>"Most people live haphazard lives subject to the varying winds of fortune. Many are forced by the situation in which they were born and the necessity of earning a living to keep to a straight and narrow road in which there is o possibility of turning to the right or to the left. Upon these the pattern is imposed. Life itself has forced it on them. But the artist is in a privileged position. The artist can within certain limits make what he likes of his life. In other callings, in medicine for instance or the law, you are free to choose whether you will adopt them or not, but having chosen, you are free no longer. You are bound by the rules of your profession; a standard of conduct is imposed upon you. The pattern is predetermined. It is only the artist, and maybe the criminal, who can make his own."</i> W. Somerset Maugham, "The Summing Up"</blockquote>
I came across this quote recently and it both struck me and stuck with me.<br />
...partially because it's true, partially because it's somewhat sad.<br />
<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-38575888066733355882014-10-12T05:48:00.001-07:002014-10-12T05:48:59.186-07:00Returning to the Torn Veil<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What does returning to the Torn Veil look like?</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Modern
day Western religions all have 2 sacred cows in common.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Membership
(or proselyting) and tithing. (It's ironic that Jesus – through the
Torn Veil – attempted to break or do away with these things).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
face a few difficult challenges and obstacles here. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Firstly
we (collectively) must admit that part of the human condition
includes Spirituality. No, <i><b>not </b></i>necessarily Religion.
(There's a difference). Atheism is a knee-jerk reaction (and
rightfully so) to Religiosity, but never-the-less just as unhealthy
as Religiosity. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Atheists
too have their Spiritual aspects or facets, although many are
unwilling to admit it, or will choose not to label it “Spiritual”.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This
is the first challenge and obstacle. Collectively admitting that
Spirituality is a Human Condition.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This
'knee-jerk reaction' is to what we understand religion to be; namely,
Western Modern day religion with their 2 (primary) Sacred Cows.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What
are its obsession with Membership and Tithing all about?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Well,
look at it like this: You want people to either desire or need what
you're selling in order to create a revenue-stream. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">That's
a business model. That's a <i><b>good </b></i>Business
Model.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But
it's a lousy Spiritual one.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Interestingly,
if we look at some large Eastern religions, we see something very
different. I'll could Buddhism and Taoism. (I won't use Hinduism
because, although its population or numbers are very high, it's
extremely concentrated in specific geographic locals). </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now,
to be fair - especially for those naysayers and those who simply love
to be right and refute others - if you want to throw stones at
Buddhism and Taoism there is plenty of ammo. Both are very old
religions. Taoism has really two facets. What I'll call Folk Taoism
and Modern Taoism. Fold Taoism is where you'll see the stories of
gods and Divine people and the like. Mythology to be sure. Same goes
with Buddhism. What further complicates matters is that Taoism (for
example) is not structured like Western Religions and often doesn't
make sharp distinctions between these two aspects. My point being, if
you want to throw stones, there's plenty to throw.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But,
a few points worth noting are that these two religions do not focus
on proselyting, evangelizing, or membership. They are not built upon
the Business Model. There's build upon a Spiritual one. (I believe
that in our Western worldview and values, we have left Capitalism run
amok).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
fact, the Dalai Lama says to <i><a href="https://artofdharma.com/stay-in-your-own-religion-and-meditate-dalai-lama/">“Stay in your own religion and mediate”</a></i>, not to convert to Buddhism. Not only is this not
proselyting, it is its very opposite.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Taoism
promotes simply finding truth. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Because
things in the world change, there is no reason to hold tightly on to
any reaching or establishment that began tow or three thousand years
ago. Only the helpful principles that were taught should be followed,
because principles do not change. All good principles can merge
together as one good unified principle that exists prior to any of
the momentary teachings that were developed." </i>Master
Hua-Ching Ni</span></blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">These
are not about building Empire, the growth of membership, or the
amassment of wealth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Two
other (lesson) sacred cows Modern Western Religion hold onto are
Doctrine and Self-identity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
'big' Western Religions (among others) focus on self-identity. If
you are a Christian, <i>then you are a Christian</i>. You must
self-identity as such. As with
Muslim, as with Jews. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Not
so with the Eastern. </span>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Both
Confucianism and Taoism complement each other, however incompatible
they seem at first to be. The former places a man in his proper
relation to his fellow men, the latter in proper relation to nature.
A third philosophy, Buddhism, though introduced from India, deals
with the problem of human suffering and with man's ultimate destiny.
These three inheritances... have moulded the thinking not only of the
Chinese people but of all Eastern Asian. </i><i><u>There is truth,
then, in the common saying that every Chinese wears a Confucian cap,
a Taoist robe, and Buddhist sandals.</u></i><i>” </i>Arthur
W. Hummel, Former Head, Division of Orientalia Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C., 1962, Forward to the Tao Teh Ching.</span></blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There
isn't this obsession with self-identity as there is in the West.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(Ask
yourself, could a Westerner readily claim to hold Christian, Muslim,
Jewish values; a sort of Freelance Monotheist? Well, few do, but they
aren't openly accepted. They're always accused of sitting on the
fence).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
secondary minor Sacred Cow Modern Western Religion holds onto is that
of <i>Doctrine</i>. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Although
<i>Doctrine </i>is often held
to be the glue that maintains truth, order, tradition, and structure,
it sadly is not the case. It also includes inflexibility, stagnate
growth, control, and simply being right; defending one's position at
the expense of the truth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Doctrine”
begins in a position of having a truth and then defending it, rather
than legitimately discovering and exploring the truth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">One
starts at the end hypothesis and moves to defend it, while the other
begins without the hypothesis and move to discover and explore it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There's
a drastic difference between these two actions. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2007/09/three-syntheses-confession-of-faith-of.html">"Doctrine-paradigm"</a> sees truth backwards. It doesn't really allow for its exploration. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The Buddha provided examples and a framework to test his teachings. Nothing was expected to be taken at face-value or carte-blanche. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Taoism holds onto what I call <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2014/10/zero-doctrine.html">Zero-Doctrine</a>. Again, a focus on mental flexibility. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">My point in all this isn't to sell Eastern Religions, but to provide a contrast. A measuring stick to hold up against Modern Western Religions. A mirror of sorts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What does exploring <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2008/04/repairing-torn-veil.html">The Torn Veil </a>really look like? I think we need to begin by looking far to the East.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-84611344441404843232014-10-11T07:53:00.000-07:002014-10-11T07:53:26.923-07:00Zero-Doctrine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Contrary to what many claim, Doctrine is not about truth, structure and order. It is about control and being right.<br />
For those of you that know me, know that I am not a fan of Doctrine. I absolutely do not subscribe to Doctrine. But neither do I hold to chaos or anarchy. I hold value in traditions, structure and order.<br />
Many believe you cannot hold on to tradition, structure or order without Doctrine.<br />
You most certainly can.<br />
<br />
I hold onto the concept of Zero-Doctrine.<br />
The general meaning of the word zero is "nothing", so from the words "zero doctrine" you might think it means <i><b>no</b></i> doctrine, as in a lack of doctrine or discipline. (That is close to some Taoist teaching of the Tao, because it doesn't focus on any point of view).<br />
<br />
Zero-Doctrine is neutral, like zero, being neither a positive nor a negative. It doesn't hold any particular point of view or worldview. It doesn't carry any prejudice. It rejects extremes.<br />
<br />
However, if we continue along this path of understanding, we could mistakenly believe there is nothing to Zero-Doctrine; and <i><b>that</b></i> couldn't be further from the truth.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ultimately, the truth is something that <i>cannot be defined by words.</i></div>
<br />
What <i style="font-weight: bold;">is </i>definable is an individual's point of view, culture, (subculture), worldview, temperament, quality of mind, education level, and emotions. All these things came together to create that individual's understanding of truth. But that's still <i><b>not</b></i> the truth; only an expression of it.<br />
<br />
If you are going to define the truth, your definition does not define the truth.<br />
Pause for a moment, reread the sentence and think about it.... It defines your point of view of the truth.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Because things in the world change, there is no reason to hold tightly on to any reaching or establishment that began tow or three thousand years ago. Only the helpful principles that were taught should be followed, because principles do not change. All good principles can merge together as one good unified principle that exists prior to any of the momentary teachings that were developed." </i>Master Hua-Ching Ni, <i>Entering the Tao</i>, pg 9</blockquote>
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Subscribing to Doctrine - like subscribing or following most religions - is like a bus that says it'll take you to this <i>awesome</i> summer camp! But in reality, what it ultimately does it deliver you to a concentration camp. You need to choose where to exit this bus before it arrives at its destination.<br />
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Integral truth is not uniting all religions.<br />
It is doing away with all religions.<br />
It is the end of religion.<br />
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What is Zero-Doctrine?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6bK8c6zhEj6p1hut3rlKJPzfdY7KilH4_sz87TDE-_Cc-LZZG0dCDMhgOBtZcNfs6xT_c4DpzjnqWPalb9UrGf0nPpel3J5m6Kki0oV0rlC1TflZJna_8_0VbXJSIFZQjio46qr9j1g/s1600/full+blackboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6bK8c6zhEj6p1hut3rlKJPzfdY7KilH4_sz87TDE-_Cc-LZZG0dCDMhgOBtZcNfs6xT_c4DpzjnqWPalb9UrGf0nPpel3J5m6Kki0oV0rlC1TflZJna_8_0VbXJSIFZQjio46qr9j1g/s1600/full+blackboard.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0xNe6gG_mUcdjpoZ5UkmI1zpRz1zlqGfr6TUo75E3YeSmmFCGdYJTi2aJN8LY9zjvlaMcw2x2yvrNLYwlRngy5MBJsdmr0EDZlm8AIFU0NC2TzJXnek_I7KObtR8oGgofNacqr2YSyE/s1600/not+the+blackboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0xNe6gG_mUcdjpoZ5UkmI1zpRz1zlqGfr6TUo75E3YeSmmFCGdYJTi2aJN8LY9zjvlaMcw2x2yvrNLYwlRngy5MBJsdmr0EDZlm8AIFU0NC2TzJXnek_I7KObtR8oGgofNacqr2YSyE/s1600/not+the+blackboard.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>In a school classroom there is a blackboard.<br />
When something is taught, often the teacher will draw pictures or a diagram on the blackboard to help the students better understand... but once the blackboard is full, what does the teacher do? She wipes it clean and makes ready for the next lesson. The board - <i>or whatever's on it </i>- is <i><b>not</b></i> the truth.<br />
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The is Zero-Doctrine.</div>
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It is the empty balance point at which a clear decision can be made.<br />
Zero-Doctrine is to return to the point of clarity and keep your mind flexible.<br />
If you have already placed a doctrine in your mind (most religions and definitely <i>religiosity</i>), it means your flexibility of mind is already lost.<br />
You are fixed (and fixated!) to that doctrine at the expense of progress and growth. <i style="font-weight: bold;">That</i> is where a person's spirit dies.<br />
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If you have Clear Mind - flexible mind - you can develop your mind, renew you mind, find a solution, or a new replacement idea... and even upgrade and interchange Doctrine(s).<br />
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<br />'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2525280313700424785.post-15675810342551565912014-09-28T05:28:00.001-07:002014-09-29T07:01:46.354-07:00Unfettered Through Demise<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If, when, or once a Christian follows
the idea; the concept; <i><b>the path</b></i> of <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2008/04/repairing-torn-veil.html">Repairing the TornVeil</a>, where will it lead them?</div>
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Is this a jumping point to a <a href="http://pieceofburlap.blogspot.ca/2013/06/the-mu-portal.html">Mu Portal</a>?
I believe it is; it <i><b>has</b></i> to be, because the most common
type of Christianity today (<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Churchianity">Churchianity</a>) <i><b>is</b></i>, by its
very nature, entrapping. The most common 'brand' of Christianity
today (well intended or not) is some form or variation of having had
attempted to repair the torn veil. It is reestablishing a system that
Yeshua broke – and more importantly – left broken.</div>
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From what I've seen, experienced and witnessed, all churches are delivery systems.
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They are supposed to deliver you to God - and many legitimately intend to - but they all ultimately have small print at the bottom of the contract. They all - in some form or another - have themselves and their own interests, as part of the deal. They will all delivery you into their church as well.</div>
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I don't think a church's job is to deliver you to God; maybe to Solace or Compassion... but not God. It suggests that God can't be found outside a church, or that any <i><b>alien</b></i> encounter with the divine outside of church is in need of proper interpretation. </div>
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In my personal experiences with God, the vast majority and by far and away most powerful encounters, have been anywhere <i><b>but</b></i> associated with a church. They have always been in the wild (figuratively). They have been raw, untamed, and unorthodox. They have always been impossible to conveniently fit into a box or neat category. If anything, they defy categorization.</div>
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I think - at some point - Christians and Christianity, need to realize and admit and <i><b>embrace</b></i> the facts of the <i><b>Torn Veil</b></i>. Christianity needs to abandon its obsession with membership and attendance. It needs to abandon its ambitions of Empire. It needs to give up its addiction of the ancient and obsolete tithing system. It needs to understand any system resembling a Leviticus one is long since done. If anything at all, possibly a Melchizedekian one. (Whatever that looks like, if anything).</div>
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<i>Yeshua broke religion as a system itself.</i></div>
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He attempted to free us from the fetters of religion. He failed so far. Sadly, in their ignorance, most Christians follow a God who failed... and his failure is on them.<br />
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Christianity is one of the few world religions that is <i style="font-weight: bold;">pregnant </i>with potential. It has a potential that few or no other religions do.<br />
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It has the potential to realize its <i>full fruition</i> and evolve <i>past</i> religiosity. To my limited knowledge, <i style="font-weight: bold;">no </i>other religion contains within itself that seed.<br />
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But it's only a potential at this moment in history. It necessitates a drastic paradigm shift. To those few within this confined entrapment that may see, will only see it as a potential for self-destruction. They will put their energy towards hiding or <i>preventing</i> this paradigm shift, hoping to arrest what they perceive as their only hope for emancipation.<br />
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Christianity's only hope and salvation lies in its abandonment and demise. It can lead the way. It can set the example. How ironic that teaching comes directly from its founder.<br />
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'Seph Sayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05849113554747254154noreply@blogger.com0