+ Shuck and Jive offers "Time for a Rebellion" by John Shuck. Excerpt: "I care that human beings will somehow manage to survive all the catastrophes
ahead and preserve enough knowledge and hope to keep eating, breeding, and
surviving, so that a remnant may start again in a few centuries and be the green
shoot that will flourish for millions of years."
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 322
+ This is fascinating. Go to http://www.centerforsacredsciences.org/publications/nothing-to-fear-but-fear.htm
Excerpt:
If Joel had been there when I was fifteen—or somebody like Joel, who knew what was happening—I might have saved 30 years of searching. That's one of the problems with our society. No one understands the nature of mystical experiences. You go to your parents, and there's shame. They say, "What's the matter with you? Don't think about things like that! It's the drugs. Drugs are bad. You're bad." Even the psychiatrists don't understand, because they're also living in delusion. So there's no support at all.
Excerpt:
If Joel had been there when I was fifteen—or somebody like Joel, who knew what was happening—I might have saved 30 years of searching. That's one of the problems with our society. No one understands the nature of mystical experiences. You go to your parents, and there's shame. They say, "What's the matter with you? Don't think about things like that! It's the drugs. Drugs are bad. You're bad." Even the psychiatrists don't understand, because they're also living in delusion. So there's no support at all.
Monday, February 6, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 321
+ “Too often we believe that
if we had "a little more of this" or "a little more of
that," our lives would be better. But would they really? Real abundance
comes not from without, but from deep within. Recognizing that we are already
rich—rich in spirit—is where genuine abundance dwells.” – Laura V. Hyde < http://getmotivation.com/prosperity/abundance-lhyde.htm
Sunday, February 5, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 320
+ We
can live in heaven even while we live on earth. No doubt about it. Enjoy! Be glad all over!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 319
+ COMPASSION is at the heart of creation. The more compassionate we are, the more alive we are ... awake, aware, connected. Some of the characteristics of compassion are: Gentleness, Patience, Mercy, Humility, Kindness, Courage, Friendship, Honesty, Hope, Humor, Tolerance, Respect, Perseverance, Curiosity, Empathy, Trust, Devotion, and an Attitude of Gratitude.
Monday, January 30, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 318
+ Day Light Day Bright offers a great quote by Henry Van Dyke: "Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice; but for those who love, time is eternity."
+ Alternet offers offers "How Ayn Rand Seduced Generations of Young Men and Helped Make the U.S. Into a Selfish, Greedy Nation" by By Bruce E. Levine. It begins: "Thanks in part to Rand, the United States is one of the most uncaring nations in the industrialized world."
+ Alternet offers offers "How Ayn Rand Seduced Generations of Young Men and Helped Make the U.S. Into a Selfish, Greedy Nation" by By Bruce E. Levine. It begins: "Thanks in part to Rand, the United States is one of the most uncaring nations in the industrialized world."
Friday, January 27, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 317
+ updated at 2:52pm EST on Friday, January 27, 2012
+ Devotion is one of the twelve heavenly practices on the amazing journey to sustainable abundance. I have collected a few of my favorite resources for this practice. Here goes:
+ The Mindfulness Bell can be set to remind you to take Mindfulness breaks.
+ Gratefulness offers a Gratefulness Word for the Day.
+ Spirituality and Practice offers a wise and insightful Daily Practice.
+ Spirituality & Practice offers a great guide to the spiritual practice of devotion by Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat who also cover many other practices at their amazing website. They have written thousands of book reviews, movie reviews, compilations of engaging quotes and educational guides.
+ Inner Frontier offers Joseph Naft on the Practice of Devotion.
+ Inner Frontier offers Joseph Naft on the Practice of Prayer. It begins: "Prayer is the heart of the spiritual path. When you ponder why this universe exists, you might speculate that the Creator needs beings who can pray, that in prayer a necessary exchange of energies and will flows between the created and the Creator."
+ Inner Frontier Weekly Work
+ The Church of I Am
+ Daily Word -- Unity's DAILY WORD is a devotional booklet used by millions. You can be a part of a global community united for peace and healing.
+ Daily Zen -- Zen Buddhism is closely associated with the Chinese TAO TE CHING. I have found enormous inspiration and guidance by turning to this source often.
+ The Lectionary -- The Lectionary is a great way to read through the Bible on a daily and/or weekly basis. Many Christian churches use the Lectionary.
+ Hymns -- While this particular website is Presbyterian, it connects to other hymn websites. Start singing as you listen to the audio accompaniment which is often provided!
+ Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina -- Father Thomas Keating has brought new life to ancient practices of the church.
+ A Course in Miracles -- I think you have to buy the book. I don't think the course is on the web. I may be wrong. I have found ACIM to be a fantastic and very challeging course developing a heavenly way of thinking beyond any ego attachment. I have been working on the text and the 365 lessons since 1989. ACIM is definitely not for everybody although a course in miracles in one form or another is a required course. Mary Ann Williamson applies many of the principles of ACIM in her books, lectures and website. For many, she makes ACIM comprehensible!
+ WahiduddinNet offers A Daily Bowl of Saki, a wonderful devotional tool on the Sufi practice of love.
+ Devotion is one of the twelve heavenly practices on the amazing journey to sustainable abundance. I have collected a few of my favorite resources for this practice. Here goes:
+ The Mindfulness Bell can be set to remind you to take Mindfulness breaks.
+ Gratefulness offers a Gratefulness Word for the Day.
+ Spirituality and Practice offers a wise and insightful Daily Practice.
+ Spirituality & Practice offers a great guide to the spiritual practice of devotion by Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat who also cover many other practices at their amazing website. They have written thousands of book reviews, movie reviews, compilations of engaging quotes and educational guides.
+ Inner Frontier offers Joseph Naft on the Practice of Devotion.
+ Inner Frontier offers Joseph Naft on the Practice of Prayer. It begins: "Prayer is the heart of the spiritual path. When you ponder why this universe exists, you might speculate that the Creator needs beings who can pray, that in prayer a necessary exchange of energies and will flows between the created and the Creator."
+ Inner Frontier Weekly Work
+ The Church of I Am
+ Daily Word -- Unity's DAILY WORD is a devotional booklet used by millions. You can be a part of a global community united for peace and healing.
+ Daily Zen -- Zen Buddhism is closely associated with the Chinese TAO TE CHING. I have found enormous inspiration and guidance by turning to this source often.
+ The Lectionary -- The Lectionary is a great way to read through the Bible on a daily and/or weekly basis. Many Christian churches use the Lectionary.
+ Hymns -- While this particular website is Presbyterian, it connects to other hymn websites. Start singing as you listen to the audio accompaniment which is often provided!
+ Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina -- Father Thomas Keating has brought new life to ancient practices of the church.
+ A Course in Miracles -- I think you have to buy the book. I don't think the course is on the web. I may be wrong. I have found ACIM to be a fantastic and very challeging course developing a heavenly way of thinking beyond any ego attachment. I have been working on the text and the 365 lessons since 1989. ACIM is definitely not for everybody although a course in miracles in one form or another is a required course. Mary Ann Williamson applies many of the principles of ACIM in her books, lectures and website. For many, she makes ACIM comprehensible!
+ WahiduddinNet offers A Daily Bowl of Saki, a wonderful devotional tool on the Sufi practice of love.
Monday, January 23, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 316
+ updated at 9:57am EST on Monday, January 23, 2012.
+ Spiritual Literacy Blog offers "Just One Thing: Tune Into Others" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Excerpt:
Empathy can be defined as the capacity to understand and respond to the unique experience of another. It is a skill that can be developed at an early age and applied to mend relationships and conflicts. We can sharpen our empathy by asking the right questions, avoiding snap judgments, learning from the past, and setting limits.
+ Inner Frontier offers another weekly installment in the Inner Work series on Sacred Impulses by Joseph Naft. This week's offering is on Joy. Here's an excerpt:
At the level of being conscious and fully aware, we rise into a natural, un-caused joy. We are suffused with joy in our awareness itself. Our very presence is joy. Sharing moments with friends and loved ones brings us joy. Taking actions that serve others brings us joy. Being useful, creative, or spontaneous brings us joy. Doing something well brings us joy. Dropping the burdens of egoism, dropping the defense of our pretenses, dropping our clinging, we are released into joy. We even feel empathetic joy in others’ joys. Our joy is no longer limited or in any way dependent. We live in joy.
+ Spiritual Literacy Blog offers "Just One Thing: Tune Into Others" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Excerpt:
Empathy can be defined as the capacity to understand and respond to the unique experience of another. It is a skill that can be developed at an early age and applied to mend relationships and conflicts. We can sharpen our empathy by asking the right questions, avoiding snap judgments, learning from the past, and setting limits.
+ Inner Frontier offers another weekly installment in the Inner Work series on Sacred Impulses by Joseph Naft. This week's offering is on Joy. Here's an excerpt:
At the level of being conscious and fully aware, we rise into a natural, un-caused joy. We are suffused with joy in our awareness itself. Our very presence is joy. Sharing moments with friends and loved ones brings us joy. Taking actions that serve others brings us joy. Being useful, creative, or spontaneous brings us joy. Doing something well brings us joy. Dropping the burdens of egoism, dropping the defense of our pretenses, dropping our clinging, we are released into joy. We even feel empathetic joy in others’ joys. Our joy is no longer limited or in any way dependent. We live in joy.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 314
+ Here near Utica NY the sky has turned blue after a tiny bit of snow, much less than predicted.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 313
+ Talking Points Memo offers "SOPA/PIPA Supporters Blast ‘Blackout Day’" by Carl Franzen. This article presents both sides. It seems like the legislation does have a good intent. But it could be used for censorship.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 312
+ Naomi Klein has contributed immensely to our understanding of the effects of the radical capitalist policies which have increasingly dominated our planet for the past 4 decades. A few get fabulously wealthy while most of the rest of us see either little change or see our material wealth decline. Many have been reduced to poverty by these policies which its advocates still say will improve the lives of everyone.
She wrote SHOCK DOCTRINE which tells how the disciples of Milton Friedman have used crisis situations over and over again to implement these radical policies. Often they have taken advantage of situatons during and after some horrible repressive events such as the coup which overthrew the popularly elected Marxist president of Chile in 1973. There is now a documentary named SHOCK DOCTRINE which tells the stories of some of these terrible events.
Please watch it. Get informed. Try to change these destructive policies so often supported by the governments of the planet including the USA, the UK, Russia and Israel. Find ways to change policies.
Sadly, a vote for the Democrats here in the USA is not nearly enough since many Democrats support these repressive policies including, apparently, President Obama. At least he has done little to stop them.
She wrote SHOCK DOCTRINE which tells how the disciples of Milton Friedman have used crisis situations over and over again to implement these radical policies. Often they have taken advantage of situatons during and after some horrible repressive events such as the coup which overthrew the popularly elected Marxist president of Chile in 1973. There is now a documentary named SHOCK DOCTRINE which tells the stories of some of these terrible events.
Please watch it. Get informed. Try to change these destructive policies so often supported by the governments of the planet including the USA, the UK, Russia and Israel. Find ways to change policies.
Sadly, a vote for the Democrats here in the USA is not nearly enough since many Democrats support these repressive policies including, apparently, President Obama. At least he has done little to stop them.
Monday, January 16, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 311
+ updated at 10:04am EST on Monday, January 16, 2012 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR HOLIDAY + Frigid along the Erie Canal
+ The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter activates the Golden Rule around the world. Read the Charter.
+ Here is the Gratefulness Word for the Day offered by Gratefulness.org:
Bless those who challenge us for they remind us of doors we have closed and doors we have yet to open. -- Native American Prayer
+ Here is the Spiritual Practice of the Day offered by Spirituality and Practice:
I am the caterpillar or the ant that the bird is looking for to eat, but I am also the bird that is looking for the caterpillar or the ant. I am the forest that is being cut down. I am the rivers and the air that are being polluted, and I am also the person who cuts down the forest and pollutes the rivers and the air. I see myself in all species, and I see all species in me. — Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book / To Practice This Thought: Put aside the attitudes that separate you from all the rest of the Creation.
+ It is the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Here is a powerful statement he included in several speeches:
"Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."
+ The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter activates the Golden Rule around the world. Read the Charter.
+ Here is the Gratefulness Word for the Day offered by Gratefulness.org:
Bless those who challenge us for they remind us of doors we have closed and doors we have yet to open. -- Native American Prayer
+ Here is the Spiritual Practice of the Day offered by Spirituality and Practice:
I am the caterpillar or the ant that the bird is looking for to eat, but I am also the bird that is looking for the caterpillar or the ant. I am the forest that is being cut down. I am the rivers and the air that are being polluted, and I am also the person who cuts down the forest and pollutes the rivers and the air. I see myself in all species, and I see all species in me. — Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book / To Practice This Thought: Put aside the attitudes that separate you from all the rest of the Creation.
+ It is the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Here is a powerful statement he included in several speeches:
"Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 310
+ Spiritual Literacy Blog offers "Does Twitter Prove We're Getting Sadder?" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Excerpt: "Sadness is an honest response to the deep losses and the genuine suffering that people are experiencing. The challenges of this era call upon us all to focus on the inner work that enables us to develop the spiritual qualities — patience, resiliency, equanimity, joy, perseverance, hope — necessary to carry on despite the hard times."
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
APOLOGY TO MY FOLLOWERS
I haven't posted much lately on my 3 blogs. I apologize to anybody who has come to read my blog posts with some regularity. You deserve better. I guess I have been distracted when I get in front of the screen by my Twitter and Facebook activities which I do find useful but I don't want my blogs to suffer.
So, I do intend to make a new effort to restore my blogging as a priority in my life. I would love to see my number of followers increase. That will depend on some consistency on my part in both quality and quantity.
I do think I have something unique to offer as we trek together toward more compassion, peace, justice and sustainable abundance on this planet.
Here goes!
So, I do intend to make a new effort to restore my blogging as a priority in my life. I would love to see my number of followers increase. That will depend on some consistency on my part in both quality and quantity.
I do think I have something unique to offer as we trek together toward more compassion, peace, justice and sustainable abundance on this planet.
Here goes!
COFFEE BREAK 309
+ Here is some powerful political analysis dealing with the New Hampshire primary, the concerns of the Occupy and Tea Party movements, the appeal of Libertarian Ron Paul and more > http://www.democracynow.org/2012/1/11/rivals_attacks_on_romneys_corporate_record
Saturday, December 24, 2011
STILL WAITING BUT GOD IS HERE AND I AM SEEKING AWARENESS
God is with us. Right here. Right now.
Light overcomes darkness at all times, at this time, all the time.
It doesn't always seem that way. We live life sometimes as if we are separated from God and from each other. Christmas changes that. We become aware of our unity with our creator and all creation.
This awareness is a gift from God. Sometimes it comes as a result of our spiritual practice. But there is no guarantee that any particular method will bring about this awareness. So, there are times when the only thing left to do is wait for God to give us this awareness. It comes in the fulness of time and we have no control over that.
Some people believe that the fullness of time has something to do with the calendar, the clock. On such and such a day Christ will come again. We have waited a long time for that to happen. It was supposed to happen this year according to some of the faithful. I see the fullness of time in a different way. Christ comes, awareness comes, unity comes, whenever the gift of love is given and received. This happens at all times, all the time, at this time. May we experience this amazing love today, tomorrow and all days.
love, john + www.abundancetrek.com + If there is anything I have learned about men and women, it is that there is a deeper spirit of altruism than is ever evident. Just as the rivers we see are minor compared to the underground streams, so, too, the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what people carry in their hearts unreleased or scarcely released. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer (thanks to www.peterrussell.com - a quote of the moment)
Monday, December 12, 2011
COFFEE BREAK 308
+ TruthDig offers “Where Were You When They Crucified My Lord?” by Chris Hedges. It begins: "The Occupy movement is the force that will revitalize traditional Christianity in the United States or signal its moral, social and political irrelevance. The mainstream church, battered by declining numbers and a failure to defiantly condemn the crimes and cruelty of the corporate state, as well as a refusal to vigorously attack the charlatans of the Christian right, whose misuse of the Gospel to champion unfettered capitalism, bigotry and imperialism is heretical, has become a marginal force in the life of most Americans, especially the young." READ IT ALL.
Friday, December 9, 2011
COFFEE BREAK 307
+ Remember Compassionate Conservatism? Not so long ago there was actually some political unity supporting efforts to help the poor. In "The Disappearance of the Compassionate Conservatives", Jim Wallis of Sojourners pleads for the GOP to find its heart again.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
COFFEE BREAK 306
+ For many years I have appreciated the motto: THINK GLOBALLY. ACT LOCALLY. And so now I am involved in the local Green Movement. Naturally the current focus is on Fracking since it is threatening to become a reality in much of upstate New York.
GreenLocal175 is working in a number of areas. Lately the leader, Richard Morris, has begun hosting a weekly radio show on the Utica College station, WPNR 90.7 fm. It is on every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm. Fracking was the topic last night.
One of the guests, Bonnie Reynolds, is the campaign coordinator for Hydro Relief which is actively opposing any and all fracking in New York.
GreenLocal175 is working in a number of areas. Lately the leader, Richard Morris, has begun hosting a weekly radio show on the Utica College station, WPNR 90.7 fm. It is on every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm. Fracking was the topic last night.
One of the guests, Bonnie Reynolds, is the campaign coordinator for Hydro Relief which is actively opposing any and all fracking in New York.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
COFFEE BREAK 304
+ I found a couple of paragraphs in the Advent & Christmas Spirituality and Practice Course particularly meaningful yesterday:
We are in bondage today to so many things. We are held captive by expectations — to do the best, to have the most, to be the happiest, to know the right thing always to say and do and be. We are bound by expectations — from others, of ourselves.
Held captive by our status in life, by possessions, we feel that we must make decisions not just for today but also for retirement, for a spouse's security, for the future of real or anticipated children or grandchildren. We don't travel light like Jesus did. We have possessions to take care of and protect, worldly responsibilities that demand priority in our lives.
-- Beth Richardson
We are in bondage today to so many things. We are held captive by expectations — to do the best, to have the most, to be the happiest, to know the right thing always to say and do and be. We are bound by expectations — from others, of ourselves.
Held captive by our status in life, by possessions, we feel that we must make decisions not just for today but also for retirement, for a spouse's security, for the future of real or anticipated children or grandchildren. We don't travel light like Jesus did. We have possessions to take care of and protect, worldly responsibilities that demand priority in our lives.
-- Beth Richardson
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
COFFEE BREAK 303
+ The Spiritual Literacy Blog invites us to dance! Read "Chief Unready" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. They reflect on some recent thoughts about dancing by Robert Fulghum and they offer this great quote by Rumi:
Dance, when you're broken open.
Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.
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