Yesterday was 12/5/2008, a year after the deadly outburst of gunfire at the Westroads Von Maur store in Omaha. Interestingly, news reports--as I feared--are now mentioning "closure" in this anniversary of so much sensless death and injury.
Closure is a media catchphrase that does not correlate in any real way to reality as we know it. One cannot help but continue to be deeply impacted by this tragic series of events--if we are human beings, not humanoids.
The only sure way for any individual to personally overcome the monsters of the id that were unleashed that terrible day is the spiritual process. We learn mental self-responsibility through years of self-transformative work. Paradoxically, the process which leads an individual into the shining light of spiritual sanity is NOT encouraged by the local media--which is regrettable. Mental self-responsibility should be the #1 take away lesson from this terrible incident.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Charisma
The 30th Anniversary of the Jim Jones Mass Suicide in Guyana was last week. I remember the initial reports of the tragedy. How could more than 900 people choose death?
It is possible. Charismatic people are seductive. Combine that with an ability to connect with any audience and a distorted ego-driven mysticism and you have a recipe for tragedy.
I have encountered several charismatic spiritual leaders over the last 25 years on the path.
Getting an audience is sometimes the most important priority for these personalities. Fortunately, Truth does not need a following.
It is possible. Charismatic people are seductive. Combine that with an ability to connect with any audience and a distorted ego-driven mysticism and you have a recipe for tragedy.
I have encountered several charismatic spiritual leaders over the last 25 years on the path.
Getting an audience is sometimes the most important priority for these personalities. Fortunately, Truth does not need a following.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Tremendous Relief
At 10pm Central Time Tuesday November 4th my wife and I shared the joy of countless millions worldwide as Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.
The news flashed over ABC-TV which I was watching at the time; I immediately went to KIOS-FM for confirmation and indeed the voice of KIOS host and announcer Mike Jacobs assured me that it was official.
It is a tremendous relief. Those of us who have followed the national political scene since the 1970s know full well the opportunities for positive change that could have been taken years ago; but were not. National Geographic magazines in my possession dating back to the 1970s describe then innovative forays into wind and solar power that were marginalized for decades. In an earlier post I described seeing a commercial from the 1970s that discussed the possibility of using pod cars and other innovative forms of mass transit as a solution to unclog the roads.
The need for alternative sources of energy and improved mass transit is readily apparent. Ideas such as these will likely inspire action by Obama and his adminstration. That is what gives me hope.
The news flashed over ABC-TV which I was watching at the time; I immediately went to KIOS-FM for confirmation and indeed the voice of KIOS host and announcer Mike Jacobs assured me that it was official.
It is a tremendous relief. Those of us who have followed the national political scene since the 1970s know full well the opportunities for positive change that could have been taken years ago; but were not. National Geographic magazines in my possession dating back to the 1970s describe then innovative forays into wind and solar power that were marginalized for decades. In an earlier post I described seeing a commercial from the 1970s that discussed the possibility of using pod cars and other innovative forms of mass transit as a solution to unclog the roads.
The need for alternative sources of energy and improved mass transit is readily apparent. Ideas such as these will likely inspire action by Obama and his adminstration. That is what gives me hope.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Our Choice
Tonight, the United States stands on the brink of history.
Whom do we choose? Obama or McCain?
Impassioned arguments have been made for either man, both for or against, over the last year. Some of these arguments rank at the height of what is possible from a literary point of view; others sink like a stone to the regrettable depths of hate and blame and fear.
Which is what I would like to bring up tonight-fear.
Do we choose fear or courage?
Do we choose to fall back or move forward?
Recently I saw a commercial for pod cars and other mass transit ideas that was made in the 1970s. Coincidentally, I saw the tape of the old commercial at the same time I read an article about pod cars being reconsidered for mass transit use. Again. More than 30 years after the 1970s commercial.
For too long, this country has not had a forward looking view of the future. After carefully following the Obama campaign for some time, I am convinced that Obama will address the need to reevaluate mass transit in this country and invest in solutions that have long been deferred.
The need to address mass transit issues in this country has long been shelved in favor of investing in more highways and encouraging more car ownership. But the financial meltdown of the last month has finally brought into question issues which have too long remained on the back burner, one of which has been the future of mass transit in this country. One of the challenges now is how to grow the existing mass transit infrastructure while the economy is in a downturn. It is my belief that Obama is best suited to address this concern, and many others, for the future of this country. It is my prayer that he is elected by my fellow citizens to serve and lead the country forward, beyond fear, to a fuller realization of this country's vast potential.
Whom do we choose? Obama or McCain?
Impassioned arguments have been made for either man, both for or against, over the last year. Some of these arguments rank at the height of what is possible from a literary point of view; others sink like a stone to the regrettable depths of hate and blame and fear.
Which is what I would like to bring up tonight-fear.
Do we choose fear or courage?
Do we choose to fall back or move forward?
Recently I saw a commercial for pod cars and other mass transit ideas that was made in the 1970s. Coincidentally, I saw the tape of the old commercial at the same time I read an article about pod cars being reconsidered for mass transit use. Again. More than 30 years after the 1970s commercial.
For too long, this country has not had a forward looking view of the future. After carefully following the Obama campaign for some time, I am convinced that Obama will address the need to reevaluate mass transit in this country and invest in solutions that have long been deferred.
The need to address mass transit issues in this country has long been shelved in favor of investing in more highways and encouraging more car ownership. But the financial meltdown of the last month has finally brought into question issues which have too long remained on the back burner, one of which has been the future of mass transit in this country. One of the challenges now is how to grow the existing mass transit infrastructure while the economy is in a downturn. It is my belief that Obama is best suited to address this concern, and many others, for the future of this country. It is my prayer that he is elected by my fellow citizens to serve and lead the country forward, beyond fear, to a fuller realization of this country's vast potential.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
25 years
Since 1983 I have practised meditation on a daily basis. This commitment to contemplation has been my anchor over the last 25 years of constant sadhana or spiritual work. I look back at what I have experienced and I am awestruck by the grace that has been showered on me. Meeting 4 God-Realized Spiritual Masters and accepting one of them as my Guru in 1985 was the most important step I have ever taken. In addition, studying with these Masters and other spiritual teachers has consistently fueled the self-transcending process in me. I also have to make note of my ongoing studies of world religions, history, the paranormal and current events as informing my mature view on the world as it is today. That viewpoint cannot be seduced by charismatic personalities, Internet rumor, the boob tube, or bronze age religious motivations.
The journey continues...
The journey continues...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Good Morning
I am grateful to God for this opportunity to speak to the world at this critical juncture. May I speak the truth at all times.
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