Buddhist Boot Camp?
Whole Life Network Release
How would life be if you
had to meditate in the Lotus position all night, get up each morning at 4 am,
eat only one meal a day, study at least three hours per day, and return to the
Lotus position at 11 pm—only to start all over again the next day? Sounds a
little bit like a Buddhist boot camp, right?
It’s not. This schedule
describes the daily life of the monks and nuns at the City of Ten Thousand
Buddhas (CTTB) in Ukiah, California. As disciples of the Venerable Master Hsuan
Hua, CTTB monastics are dedicated to disseminating the genuine teachings of the Buddha throughout the world via
informative talks, translation of Buddhist sutras, Buddhist education, and
other forums.
The
practice and religion of Buddhism originated several thousand years ago with
Siddhartha Gautama, a prince in a small kingdom. Upon his birth, a seer
foretold that he would either become a spiritual guide or a great ruler. His father wanted his son to be the next
ruler to carry on his family line, so he attempted to shield his son from all
the unpleasantness of life. However,
when Prince Siddhartha turned twenty-nine, he witnessed sickness, old age, and
death, and resolved to find an answer to these universal sufferings.
Siddhartha
left the palace and studied under various meditation masters of his time, but
after mastering their techniques, he found that he had not answered his
fundamental questions. He then
practiced strict ascetic practices, to a point where he was near death, but
found himself still no closer to liberation.
Reflecting on his previous experiences, he realized that the path
consisted of the Middle Way, which avoided the extremes of self-indulgence and
self-mortification.
He
then made a vow that he would sit under the Bodhi tree until he attained
complete liberation. During the very
first night, Prince Siddhartha awoke to the Dharma, the way things truly are,
and became known as the Buddha, “The Awakened One.”
Upon
his awakening, Prince Siddhartha realized that all living beings have the
capacity to be fully awake, but their inherent potential is covered by deluded
thinking and worldly attachments.
Hence, his teachings over the next forty-five years aimed at helping
people return to their original enlightened nature.
This
month we are delighted to welcome two nuns, Heng Liang Shr and Heng Yin Shr,
from CTTB to the Montrose area. They will be speaking on “A Buddhist Approach
to Life,” which includes discussion about karma, cause and effect, Bodhisattvas,
daily life at the monastery, and the practice and benefits of Buddhism. This presentation will take place on April
19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Meadowlark Courts Community Room, 2378 Robins Way (off
Pavilion Drive), Montrose. The
Community for Spiritual Awareness and the Whole Life Network are co-sponsors of
this next Cultural Awareness Series event.
Heng Liang Shr and Heng
Yin Shr will also be leading a special meditation at the Sunday service of the
Community for Spiritual Awareness on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Lions Park
Community Center, 602 N. Nevada, Montrose.
Everyone is welcome. There is a
suggested $5.00 donation at the door for the lecture. For more information on these events call 252-0908.
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Community Garden – Ready For Spring?
by Whole Life Network Member, Catherine Isabel
Community gardens have
been in existence in many places for a long time. In Germany, for instance, the big city residents had no access to
a garden yet wanted to plant flowers and vegetables and, therefore, created
such gardens. A physician, Dr.
Schreber, organized this project with his patients and others and started
garden plots outside the city limits.
The various cities and towns usually provided land. It brought people together, gardeners or
not. The participants exchanged
gardening knowledge, so it was a learning experience as well. And, one cannot argue with the benefits of
exercise, pleasure in seeing results and the fun of being outdoors. Our rather mild climate is another good
reason for starting our own community garden.
The Whole Life Network
wants to organize a community garden in Montrose. To get started we need to get in touch with parties that would be
interested in such a project. We plan
to begin this year if possible. If you
would like to have your own plot in this garden or if you can assist us in the
planning process, please contact Donna Sue Carter at 970 249-1402.
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Remembering Aztlán
a Column of Poetry,
Culture & Spirit by Art Goodtimes
LOSING FERGIE
… A brilliant sort, Ridgway’s Bill Ferguson left a rich legacy. He knew more
than he ever could communicate. Few people operated at his intensity. That
crafty smile. Always some off-the-cuff clever rejoinder. The eyebrows would
lift. He’d have you. Laughing or just simply befuddled … I only knew a fraction
about this good man, as I learned at his wake last month. As person after
person attested, he was a master of anything that interested him. And he had a
lot of interests … I knew him as a visionary grounded in the land that he chose
to call home. Raising a family. Starting a business. Ranching and politicking.
So computer savvy he spun circles around most all of us in and out of
cyberspace. He didn’t take any box for granted. And wry was a permanent sense
of humor in his book. A big man. A community leader. One to remember.
TALKING GOURDS
… When’s the last time you gave your mind something outrageous to chew on? The
Talking Gourds Spoken Word Festival in Telluride, April 21-23, promises
riveting performances and wild mind workshop/intensives. It’s spring energy at
its best! … Talking Gourds, a Western Slope tradition since 1989, coincides
with National Poetry Month as well as Earth Day, and regional poets,
storytellers, singers, actors and dancers, ponderers and wanderers will fill
the stage at the historic Sheridan Opera House … The merriment begins Friday,
April 21, at 4 p.m. with the Opening Show where the annual Mark Fischer
Poetry Prize will be awarded, followed by short performances from selected
regional performers, including Stewart Warren of Del Norte, Bodine of Poncha
Springs, Scott Nicolay of Shiprock, Leonard Velasquez of El Valle San Luis,
Steven Meyers of Durango, Kit Muldoon of Salida, Mark Todd of Gunnison, and Kit
Hedman of Denver. Friday evening the Word Show hosts Zoey Benally from
the Navajo Nation, The In-visible from Broomfield (Brooke Hart, Edward Thurston,
and Lydia Smith), and ROC‘EM SOC’EM from Denver (Day Acoli, Oracle Speaks,
Bianca Mikahn) … Saturday’s Earth Day will showcase eight different
interactives from “The Limitations and Bewitchments of Language According to
Wittgenstein” with Doug Staton to “Listening to the Songs the Ancestors Sing”
with Scott Nicolay. Aaron Anstett of Colorado Springs and Wendy Videlock of Grand Junction will lead writing workshops.
And Danny Rosen of Fruita will use his inflatable planetarium to take folks on
a magic carpet ride through the galaxies of the night skies … At the noon hour,
it’s the Eat Your Words Show at the Sheridan Opera House, with Anstett,
Videlock, Rosen, TzoTzollin (Ellen Holly Klaver) of Boulder and Katie Bulfin of
Gunnison … Saturday night it’s the Mother Earth Show led off by North
Beach legend Jack Mueller, the Budada of Street Poets, who’s currently living
in hermitage somewhere outside Ridgway, Larry Goodell of Placitas follows, the
grand old man of New Mexico performance poets. The night culminates with two
members of the Denver Slam Team All-Stars: Ken Arkind and Panama Soweto … After
that, a late night open mike reading in the opera house offers opportunities
for any participant to get their moment on stage … On Sunday morning participants
will travel to Placerville, a half-hour’s drive from Telluride, for a potluck
brunch and a closing with the event’s trademark tradition – a Talking Gourds
circle … For more information, check out the website – www.coyotekiva.org or
contact Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at 970.728.0399 or Art Goodtimes at
970.369.5430. Talking Gourds is produced by the Telluride Writers Guild and
made possible through the generosity of the Telluride Commission for Community
Assistance, Arts & Special Events; the Ah Haa School of the Arts; and
ResortQuest of Telluride.
POET LAUREATE
… Last month Denver appointed its own poet laureate, Chris Ransick – a star of
last year’s Talking Gourds Spoken Word Festival and of this year’s Sparrows
Performance Poetry Festival in Salida. A Colorado Book Award winner, Ransick
teaches at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton and has several books in
print with Ghost Road Press of Denver … Hey, if Hickenlooper can garner
political hay with the arts crowd by appointing poets to honorary titles (Owens
sure hasn’t – Colorado currently ranks 50th in the nation in arts
funding), maybe other cities in the state will follow suit. How about Bruce
Berger for Poet Laureate of Aspen, Karen Chamberlain Poet Laureate of Glenwood
Springs, David Feela Poet Laureate of Cortez, and Wendy Videlock Poet Laureate
of Grand Junction?
PEACE PRAYER
… Go to www.behleem.com/prayer.html and listen to the 2005 World Prayer for
Peace performed by singer/musician Mohammed Iqbal Behleem. I was one of 62
artists from 22 counties that contributed to this beautiful hymn of
international peaceful intent last year. And my words are woven into the fabric
of his world word quilt … And you too can participate in 2006. Behleem, a
Karachi musician best known for his commercial
jingles on Pakistani TV, has dedicated his life to advocating for
conflict transformation through his many musical peace projects. He is seeking
poems for another World Prayer for Peace from citizens of every nation. Last
year 28 of the 62 pieces submitted were from Americans, more so than from any
country -- even Behleem’s own Pakistan. And fitting, given the huge threat to
world peace that the current American government represents … Join in. Send
Behleem your words for peace and be part of his international peace project.
SPEAKING OF PEACE …
Can this truly be the third year of America’s Iraqi War? … When will the
killing – being done in our name – stop? … How does killing people on foreign
soils make us safer? … Or self-sufficient? … If we are, as our President admits,
“addicted to oil,” then why not bring the troops home and build a
self-sufficient United States using our own energy, growing our own foods,
defending our own shores and ports?
©
2006 Art Goodtimes
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Rock Soup - A Grain of Salt
by Dea Jacobson
The subject of this month’s column is
simple…salt, one of life’s essential nutrients. But before that, I need to share some thoughts. While walking today along the road up the
Grand Mesa, I mused on the past winter and hoped to entertain you with insights
and tidbits of wisdom gained through watching nature, like my idols, Henry
David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold. These
great naturalists spent time in observation of small plots of land, leaving
behind journals that I would describe as sacred texts on living mindfully. At a workshop this past weekend on nature
writing held as part of the Crane Days in Eckert, our group looked at several
interpretations of Aldo Leopold’s, A Sand County Almanac, a classic work
of phenology. Phenology means
the study of natural events that recur periodically in relation to climate and
season, like the change of leaf color in the fall, or the migration of the
sandhill cranes we came to watch.
Leopold kept records of events that occurred on family walks and
compared the events from year to year, learning about the natural world. As I slow down and look around me, I
understand the value of this kind of scrutiny.
Not only is it meditative and soothing, but it helps us fine tune the
senses to the cycles of nature. Before
there were weather stations, it was necessary for people to keep track of
natural cycles to accurately predict hunting seasons, planting and wild
harvesting times. If you don’t live in
a rural environment, perhaps you could pick a natural place that appeals to you
and spend time watching what happens there, writing, drawing, or just making
mental pictures of what you see, feel, smell, and discover.
I was especially
impressed with members of the Audubon Society who, at the workshop, gave us
information on the best “birding” spots in the surrounding county. Like Leopold, these dedicated people have
documented in great detail the many bird species and habitat needs of
each. This is valuable information that
is helpful in the planning and decision-making process used by government
agencies in the management of our public lands, and as scientific data.
Lately, my observations
reveal some pretty big changes happening up Highway 65 a few miles, as trucks
rumble and whiz by, transporting workers and equipment up to gas drilling sites
being developed up on our scenic
byway. The Grand Mesa, Uncompaghre and
Gunnison National Forest, which the byway travels through, is in the process of
having its forest plan revised, and the US Forest Service is working on
balancing the development interests of a wide spectrum of forest users with the
dynamic needs of the natural systems that provide habitat for birds, bears,
deer, elk, the newly introduced moose, and the vegetation and landscape that
they thrive on. With hundreds of lakes
and reservoirs, it is also the watershed for the Grand Valley and much of Delta
County, as well as home to lots of people’s favorite fishing holes. The plan
will be coming out soon for public comment, and, since it includes the forest
lands surrounding Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel or Hindsdale
Counties, I encourage you, with all my heart, to take time and get involved in
the management decisions being made. To get more information on the Forest
Plan, call the supervisor’s office at 874-6600 or visit them at 2250 Hwy 50,
south of Delta. There’s so much
politics involved in the development of these plans, and the plants and animals
can’t vote. They need us to advocate
for them. We need to put into
perspective how much our lives depend on the health of the public lands around
us. The fossil fuel industry works hard to justify the need for development of
these lands, saying we are in an energy crisis, that it is a matter of national
security and we need these resources for energy independence. Having spent 2 years in a passive solar
heated home, with a minimal dependence on fossil fuel for our living comforts,
I take this rhetoric with a large grain of salt.
Now, back to the subject
of salt. In one of my cooking classes, the teacher had us taste test commercial
table salt compared with sea salt. Sea
salt had an unmistakable “hit” that was clean, fresh and mellow, as compared
with table salt from the grocery store, which was metallic and harsh. Salt is the most grounding culinary
substance and is primarily composed of sodium, one of the three vital
electrolyte minerals. It is vital for
every living cell’s function. Less than
½ teaspoon would satisfy our daily salt requirement. But Americans typically consume 3 ½ teaspoons a day. Seventy percent of this comes from processed
foods. Sea salt, a pure product, is
more satisfying than processed commercial salt, which can contain up to 2
percent additives and is processed at very high temperatures which create
uniform molecules with decreased bioavailability. High quality sea salt comes from unpolluted seas and can be
bought at natural food stores or through mail order suppliers.
Here’s a recipe adapted
from Joy of Cooking (they use iodized salt), which is for a seasoned
salt that can be sprinkled on nuts, salads, added to soup, vegetables,
potatoes, rice, or whatever you’d like to spice up quickly. Just combine 10 tablespoons of sea salt with
3 tablespoons of black and 5 tablespoons of white pepper, and 1 teaspoon each
of red pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, bay, rosemary, sage and marjoram.
So, pack a salty snack
in your pack and get out into the wild and have a happy Spring!
Dea Jacobson is the
owner of Blue Heron Yoga and Fitness. She is a member of Yoga Alliance and
teaches throughout Mesa and Delta counties. She shares an earthship with her
husband, Roy Martin, north of Cedaredge, CO. and can be reached at
www.blueheronyoga.com, Box 95, in Cedaredge, CO, or at 970 856-4905.
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The Ancient Lore on Stones
by Susan Palmer
Jade
In China, in the
beginning, the pictograph for jade translated as “stone”. Over time, as stone
was needed for statues, tools, buildings, and amulets, the people began to
discriminate between stone good for tools verses stone good for grinding
grain. A great deal of nephrite jade
was available in the mountains, and it was found to be harder than any other
substance, took a good polish, held an edge, and when made into a statue, was
resistant to both weather and being easily broken. “Now THIS is jade!” they
must have exclaimed. (Just as today we say, “Now THIS is chocolate cake!”) And, much of it was translucent, which is
beautiful to the human eye. Formed into chimes, Jade became known as the musical
stone. Tougher than steel, jade was
used for hammers, spear points, axes, and knives. It was the only stone
suitable for statues of Kings, and often gifted to them on the same level as
rubies and emeralds.
Nephrite is formed in
many colors, but the most prized was the translucent greens we associate it
with today. In the 1500’s Chinese valued it for curing kidney and skin
problems. The Maori in New Zealand were
using it for tools, and even needles as well as status symbols for royalty.
The chinese attribute
five virtues bestowed by jade; charity,
modesty, wisdom, courage, and justice. It was therefore an essential part of
daily life, and if not carried in one’s pocket, should at least be worn as a
ring or pendant. It cleans and soothes the mind and wards off negativity.
Because it is so tough, it lasts “forever”, and is therefore an amulet of
endurance, and when given as a gift in the shape of a heart, is believed to
preserve love for the full lifetime.
The colors of jade each are
assigned healing qualities, but there is no room in this article to reveal them
all.
With jade, buyer beware
is still in effect. Nephrite jade is
quite different than Burmese jade, jadeite, and dyed dark green
aventurine. Lots of stones are
heat-treated to resemble jade’s color and translucence, and even glass
imitations are on the market. If the
price is low, you know…… True nephrite
polishes to a waxy look. The bright polish on lavender jade reveals the stone
as jadeite instead (aluminosodic silicate with iron). That is not to say that
jadeites are worthless, no indeed. Each has its own value for us.
Susan Palmer is a new
resident of Montrose, most recently from Oregon. Previously she has lived in
Colorado Springs and on Maui. She is the author of several volumes of poetry
and a research text The Gemstone Healing Amulet, Making One That Works For You.
She offers private and public sessions for groking stones. 240-3605.
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Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
by Kathy Gates
With spring in the air,
and new beginnings are showing up everywhere, I thought this would be a great
time to share an outdoor meditation practice.
This practice takes commitment; along with getting out of bed early
every day before the sun rises. Regardless of the weather conditions, or some
idea in the ego telling you your too tired, or your body signals want you to
stay in bed where its warm or whatever other reason you can come up with.
Replace the ideas with I can get up, I can be committed to this new practice.
It is truly powerful, but it doesn't work if you don't put out the effort to do
it. When you do it the benefits you
receive for yourself are beautiful. You
will feel a deep connection with the Wisdom, and Truth of the universe. That it is all good and you are too.
Getting started. Get up before the sun rises, you can find
out the time each day by looking in a local newspaper in the weather section.
It will tell you the exact time each day.
Grab a blanket, a pillow too if you like, some slippers or better yet go
barefooted, this will keep you even closer to the earth. Wrap the blanket
around you and find a peaceful place outside to sit, or lay, looking to toward
the east where the morning star rises.
When you have found your
place, the place that feels right to you, begin to take in some deep sacred
belly breaths. Do this until you become relaxed and calm. Let yourself go, and let the spirit of Life
take over. Focus your attention on the
eastern sky. Just be with it, and let it be with you, without any thought or
judgment about yourself or it. Know
that it has been waiting for your presence, as you are waiting for its
presence. Be patient, and feel the
unity of all life.
Enjoy the peace; enjoy
your part of the peace until the sun rises.
Watch how the light awakens the earth with its gentle but powerful rays
of divine light. Breath in the light
let it fill you completely. When the
spirit of your being is filled with complete peace and harmony, love and light,
bask in it, take it all in for a while. This moment is your moment in the
moment of all that is.
When you feel ready,
grab up your blanket and start your day.
In peace, filled with love and light, completely connected to all that
is. Go on your way, it makes for a
most splendid new day. What a great
way to celebrate the spring and all of its new beginnings. They belong to us all.
Blessings always Kathy
Check out
womensspiritretreats.com for updates on workshops and information about our
retreat center.
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Gardening By The Moon
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
With the renewal of
Spring, I thought it would be appropriate to share some small piece of the
knowledge of farmer's almanacs, gardeners, wise men and women alike. The
practice of sowing and harvesting in attunement to the Moon is ageless. The
energy of the Moon interacts with the energy of Earth. We are aware of the
gravitational pull and influence of its energy regarding the waters of the
Earth and the cycles of women. The energy of a Full Moon is evident in the
behavior of humans, animals and plants. The Moon has four phases or quarters
that it transitions through.
The New Moon or first
quarter begins when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct. The energy here is
associated with renewal. The gravitational pull of the Moon naturally assists
the rise of moisture up into the soil. Moonlight is now increasing, aerial and
root growth are synchronized. This is a good time to plant annuals that are
harvested above the ground that produce seeds outside the fruit such as grains,
cereals, broccoli, lettuce and cabbage. Transplanting and the increase of
aerial growth are best done during the first and second quarter Moon phase.
The second quarter or
phase begins when the Moon is halfway between the New Moon and the Full Moon.
When the Sun and the Moon are opposite and the Earth is in the middle.
Moonlight is increasing and this is a good time to plant annuals that are above
the ground, but produce their seeds inside of their fruit such as tomatoes,
cucumbers, peas, beans and squash.
The third quarter begins
with the Full Moon, when the Sun and the Moon are opposite and the Earth is in
the middle. The energy of what was planted in the New Moon will come to
fruition here. The Moon will begin to wane and as it does, its moonlight is
decreasing and there is still adequate moisture in the surface of the soil,
however the gravitational energy is pulling back and down. This is the best
time for planting or transplanting roots of perennials, bulbs and roots such as
trees, shrubs, berries, rhubarb, potatoes, beets and carrots.
The fourth or last
quarter Moon phase begins halfway between the Full Moon and the New Moon. The
energy here is maintenance and rest. This is a great time for projects of
cultivation, pest removal, pruning and weeding. Growth is slower during this
phase.
Astrology plays it's
role in holistic gardening by the Moon in reference to which sign the Moon is
transiting through at the moment. It is helpful to know that earth and water
signs are the most fertile times and that the air and fire signs are more
"barren". Of course if you were to need to plant something during a
fire sign, this is not to say that the plant will not grow. Astrological
gardening is simply to be recognized as a valuable tool in our kit of
consciousness in rythym with natural cycles of the Universe.
The astrological signs
of taurus, virgo and capricorn are fertile, earthy, cool and dry. This is a
favorable time for root and crop plantings and perennials. This can be a good
time to divide roots or plant seeds during the grounding energy of the Earth
signs. The Moon in an Earth sign develops roots.
The water signs of
cancer, scorpio and picses are fertile, cool and moist.This time is favorable
for matters concerning water such as irrigation and transplanting. A good time
for planting leafy vegetables or fruits and plant that contain more moisture.
The energy of the water signs encourage strong leaf and aerial development. The
Moon in a water sign develops leaves.
The air signs of gemini,
libra and aquarius are hot, moist and airy. Flowers, vines, grains and cereals
do well under these signs. The Moon in an air sign develops flowers.
The astrological signs
of aries, leo and sagittarius are hot, dry and fiery. This is a good time to
harvest seeds, vegetables and fruits that are ripe. This is also a good time
for pest control and weed management. The Moon in a fire sign develops the
fruit or the seed.
So may we plant good
seeds and happily reap what we sow in this journey that we call Life! Happy
Spring everyone!
For an excellent astrological
calendar and access to a renowned astrologer please visit Jyoti Wind's website
@ starshine-galaxy.com.
Soil
Food
1 cup Alfalfa
1 cup Nettle
1 cup Comfrey
1 cup Kelp
Mix these herbs together
and then sprinkle into the garden area and turn over in the soil.
They will add needed
minerals to undernourished soil.
Anne Calzada is a
Certified Herbalist and founder of Healing Heart Herbs. Her products can be
found at Food For Thought in Ridgway and at other fine natural health outlets.
For consultations or classes she may be reached at 626-5663 or by email
annecalzada@aol.com.
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Life
Come,
my friend.
Let us travel
through our stories,
that which makes us US,
over deserts and mountains
through storms and parties.
Let’s
tell each other
all about it,
then rest
complete.
The
holes in our shoes
show we were alive.
what
joy.
Susan
Palmer
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The Good Ol’ Days!
by Dr. Jerry Overton
Remember back when all
that the incompetents in Congress had to concern themselves with was the origin
of the spot on that infamous blue dress—and how to ferret out and get the one
who put it there? When thoughts of illicit oral sex outside the Oval Office
titillated our minds, filled our newspapers, and gave Leno and Letterman years’
worth of opening jokes. When Monica became a household name and her picture was
as recognizable as the Pope’s. When Special Prosecutor Ken Starr gave us some
pretty racy TV when he demanded every last vivid detail of Bill and Monica’s
little tryst.
Ah, those were the good
ol’ days!
Of course, we didn’t
know it at the time. In fact, there were many who were sure our nation’s
President had stooped to the lowest moral ground of all times—oral sex on the
job—and to make it even worse, he parsed his words and lied about his behavior.
His accusers, furious over his actions (or perhaps because he was actually getting
action and they weren’t) were hell-bent on justice at all costs, willing to
stop at nothing short of impeachment. To Clinton, and to most of us who watched
from the sidelines, it surely didn’t feel like the good ol’ days!
And yet, those days
never do, at least while they’re happening. It’s only in hindsight that we
realize that we had it pretty good back then!
So, here’s my question.
In five or ten years from now, will we be saying that these days that we’re in now
were the good ol’ days? Will we be thinking that President Bush’s lying to the
American people about the need for the war in Iraq, exposing our young men and
women soldiers to horrible injuries and deaths because of inadequate equipment,
spending billions to fight a war with no end in sight, propagating fear at
every turn to keep the war machinery going, awarding secret contracts to
companies like Halliburton and Brown & Root and then letting them get away
with bilking us out of billions of unaccounted-for tax dollars, denying global
warming while lowering environmental standards, calling for illegal eavesdropping
on innocent people, running up the highest national debt in history, stacking
the Supreme Court with conservatives who may set the rights of women back a
hundred years, giving huge tax breaks to the wealthiest one percent while
reducing basic aid to the poorest of the poor, and the constant attempt to
scare us into submission with the talk of terrorists behind every bush (no pun
intended) were, in fact, milestones of the good ol’ days?
All I can say is, God
forbid! For if we do, then how bad will it be then? One can only imagine
and shudder to think!
Or, is there another way
to see all this? Is there another way that we can look at these “facts” and see
them as gifts—gifts that can enable us to awaken to our True Selves and
the real Source of our lives? If we can, then surely these are the good
ol’ days, indeed!
It’s fairly obvious that
if we look at what’s happening in our world from the standpoint of our egos and
our over-identification with our bodies, then we can feel very vulnerable and
afraid, and with good reason. And if we think we’re dependent on
politicians and those in power in our world for our well-being, then we have
every right to be afraid and feel vulnerable—and angry! And, if we think that
the answer is to seek justice by attacking and bringing to account those who
perpetrate such seeming devastation on us and our world, then we’re in for a
long-suffering battle with little hope of reaching our goals.
And yet, if we’re
willing to see ourselves differently, as spiritual beings who are whole
and perfect and invulnerable, with God as our only Source, then those
“facts” mean nothing and they have no power over us whatsoever. We can simply
see them as the gifts that they are to enable us to choose heaven over hell and
peace over chaos and suffering.
And then these
days and all days do, indeed, become the good ol’ days—days of peace and
joy and abundance and happiness! What fun!
Copyright 2006 Dr. Jerry D. Overton
Jerry is a spiritual
coach who delights to see things differently and help others to do the same so
that we can all live life in joy and peace! He can be reached at
jerry@jerryoverton.com.
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