Danced with a hawk this morning. White winged with brown fringes (from the view below), this great bird of prey soared above me and flew closer as I began to run around with my arms spread wide, calling in kind to the sweet and sorrowful seeming cries this bird issued from floating high above my absurd figure and form, dancing foolishly and free.
(video from another day's communiques with my fine feathered neighbors--both of the pair in this video)
Why don't regular people run around with their arms spread to at least figuratively fly with the birds in the sky? or perhaps I should say, why do they feel obliged to hide what's wild and free, pure and playful that abides within? Why hide that which is no shame?
Used to be I felt obliged to grow old, and rather too quickly, too. A pastor of a church by age twenty-one, a teacher to those over twice my age. Then somewhere along the way, in most serious contemplations, questionings and questings, I found that to be mature does not mean to cease to play, innocently and sometimes quite silly.
Certainly I had some assistance in finding this freedom--a simple liberty intrinsic if temporarily forgotten: respectful use of sacred mushrooms, marijuana, meditation (if not necessarily in that order), and to a lesser extent and with reservations to a degree, LSD, mescaline and DMT, as well as via encouragements, examples and reassurance offered by other crazy mystic hippie freaks on a like path to moksha, to a liberation not licentious, a freedom from the fetters of illusions found even whilst still living life, in fact so life might be truly lived and joyfully savoured as it was unequivocally meant to be.
S'pose what I'm saying is please, my friends, do spread your wings and fly with the great birds of the sky, soar to your potentials most beautiful and high, and not merely by standards of supposed propriety and sanity, but instead by those eternally true. Lovely lila!!!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
To Hell With Original Sin, Yo!!
My most significant issue with the Judeo-Christian-Islamic perspective on the state of the individual as intrinsically containing some seed of sin is that this scarcely meets with my experiences with real people of whatever religio-philosophical persuasion. Indeed, I must contend that in my extensive wanderings 'round this land and some in others people far and away display the far stronger and more true seed is Atman, good Self, expression of brahman in each being from inception (if sometimes stifled by disharmonic factors in many), not requiring an invitation and a bath to attend, and is extant from the start.
My intrinsic understanding of the nature of separation and union is that 'tis a natural and healthy flow looks rather not unlike the Big Bang Theory, expansions and contractions of the Universe in a cycle earlier understood by tantric teachings as Siva-Shakti in loveplay, Divine nata (dance) best described. Ancient tantra teaches Siva-Shakti/Parvati/Kali as not-separate, as like bindu ("dot") from which all proceeds to make up Time-Space, which is these Divine Two who are not-two. Indeed these concepts come upon by contemplation, meditation and illumination are Self-same notions as certain theories of modern quantum physics.
Indeed these cycles of expansion away and return to this Eternal Love that is not-not all of us and all that is, these cycles of forgetting and remembering that we are already--to whatever degree of realization--'One with God' at the level of True Self, Atman . . . these cycles are intrinsically good, and playful so long as not mean. Seems still ill-tuned vibrations prove sometimes resulting from the uneven flow of sound and other sense vibrations issue from primal AUM (from whence, a bit forgetful of original pronunciation, cometh the Judeo-Christian Amen and somewhat more precisely pronounced Amin of Islamic tradition). Sounds bouncing round that sometimes make a chalkboard scraping sound. These less than ideal and sometimes abhorrent byproducts are also like the terrible poison produced when the ocean was churned by an alliance of devas and asuras to bring forth the nectar of immortality, and also beautiful apsaras (divine flying nymphs, magical maritime maidens). This poison was then drank down by the Destroyer to save the earth from otherwise immanent demise (though ever-devoted Parvati helped too, as She caused the brew to stick in Her Fella's throat, as She feared for the effect of the dark drink).
With appropriate perspective, though, the dance through these disharmonies is indeed what yoga (root of the English word, "yoke") does to tune the song of the Great Musical, to alter the pitch and tone to create a pure vibration resounding, and to create a harmonious flow to the show. Breath-in, breath-out; expansion and contraction. Yoga, yo! When let to go naturally (as truly natural, brahman, always manifests as pure), though seeming separate, there is no sin.
My intrinsic understanding of the nature of separation and union is that 'tis a natural and healthy flow looks rather not unlike the Big Bang Theory, expansions and contractions of the Universe in a cycle earlier understood by tantric teachings as Siva-Shakti in loveplay, Divine nata (dance) best described. Ancient tantra teaches Siva-Shakti/Parvati/Kali as not-separate, as like bindu ("dot") from which all proceeds to make up Time-Space, which is these Divine Two who are not-two. Indeed these concepts come upon by contemplation, meditation and illumination are Self-same notions as certain theories of modern quantum physics.
Indeed these cycles of expansion away and return to this Eternal Love that is not-not all of us and all that is, these cycles of forgetting and remembering that we are already--to whatever degree of realization--'One with God' at the level of True Self, Atman . . . these cycles are intrinsically good, and playful so long as not mean. Seems still ill-tuned vibrations prove sometimes resulting from the uneven flow of sound and other sense vibrations issue from primal AUM (from whence, a bit forgetful of original pronunciation, cometh the Judeo-Christian Amen and somewhat more precisely pronounced Amin of Islamic tradition). Sounds bouncing round that sometimes make a chalkboard scraping sound. These less than ideal and sometimes abhorrent byproducts are also like the terrible poison produced when the ocean was churned by an alliance of devas and asuras to bring forth the nectar of immortality, and also beautiful apsaras (divine flying nymphs, magical maritime maidens). This poison was then drank down by the Destroyer to save the earth from otherwise immanent demise (though ever-devoted Parvati helped too, as She caused the brew to stick in Her Fella's throat, as She feared for the effect of the dark drink).
With appropriate perspective, though, the dance through these disharmonies is indeed what yoga (root of the English word, "yoke") does to tune the song of the Great Musical, to alter the pitch and tone to create a pure vibration resounding, and to create a harmonious flow to the show. Breath-in, breath-out; expansion and contraction. Yoga, yo! When let to go naturally (as truly natural, brahman, always manifests as pure), though seeming separate, there is no sin.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
"Long-Hair Holds Fire . . ." Hippies in the Oldest Book in the World
Rig Veda 10.136
1 Long-hair holds fire, holds the drug, holds sky and earth. Long-hair reveals everything, so that everyone can see the sun. Long-hair declares the light.
2 These ascetics, swathed in wind [naked], put dirty red rags on. When gods entered them, they ride with the rush of the wind.
3 'Crazy with asceticism, we have mounted the wind. Our bodies are all you mere mortals can see.'
4 He sails through the air, looking down an all shapes below. The ascetic is friend to this god and that god, devoted to what is well done.
5 The stallion of the wind, friend of gales, lashed on by gods--the ascetic lives in the two seas, on the east and on the west.
6 He moves with the motion of heavenly women and young men [Apsarases--sexy flying nymphs, and Ghandarvas--the elevated fellas they hang out with], of wild beasts. Long-hair, reading their minds, is their sweet, their most exciting friend.
7 The wind has churned it up; Kunamnama prepared it for him. Long-hair drinks from the cup, sharing the drug with Rudra.
(from Wendy Doniger's translation, with a slight alteration or two)
Modern Paraphrased Version
1 So like, this hippy was holding a cup of psychedelic brew, spacin' out to the sky and the pretty patterns in the dirt. He was talking about how bright it was, and started staring at the sun, pointing at it with wild gesticulations.
2 Dirty hippies!! How their farts do stink!!
3 "Hey dude, I'm really trippin' balls now, I think we're flyin!! Weeeeeee!!!! Now you can't see me: I'm invisible!!!"
4 That hippy's now running around in circles with his arms extended like wings, looking around at the pretty patterns. This dude thinks everybody loves him, and he thinks he loves everybody, and he digs good music.
5 Dude thinks he's quite a stud (farts again), and starts talking to himself. He jumps into a puddle of water, then one on the other side of the sidewalk.
6 This trippin' hippie starts walking like a girl, then gets on all four and starts barking. This hippie approaches random people and turns his head sideways, contorts his face and says, "I know what you're thinking!!" People think he's kinda funny.
7 Dude shakes up the shrooms that have settled to the bottom of the cup and takes a big ol' shwill, then hands the cup to his bro.
(note: prob'ly wasn't actually shroom tea, 'cuz Rudra wasn't s'pose to drink of Soma)
Please don't don't mistake, I hold nothing but respect and reverence for the Rig Veda, and the Vedas generally. 'Tis fun to be playful with what is revered (with certain restraints, of course). It is quite interesting to note the antiquity of the practices of "long-hairs," those perennial seekers who often utilize psychetropic substances to alter perception in order to better understand self and the nature of reality. Indeed, the hippies of today are but a continuation of a longstanding spiritual tradition that has unbroken lineages of practice in the Himalayas and Indian subcontinent from time immemorial, as well as being reflection of other indigenous traditions of asceticism and a renunciation of the materialism of society in general in order to seek those things more primal and intrinsic to being human and to human interactions with the Divine.
I am both a hippie and a sadhu (if sorta a dilettante of one), and find it refreshing and healthy to be able to make fun of oneself and one's own "kind," for lack of a better term. Humor is Divine (when appropriate and appropriately measured, of course), and can prove cathartic as well as even reifying the very thing laughed at. I have certainly appeared as silly as the creative modernized description of trippin' I've penned above, and almost certainly shall again . . .
Namaste and good journeys!!
1 Long-hair holds fire, holds the drug, holds sky and earth. Long-hair reveals everything, so that everyone can see the sun. Long-hair declares the light.
2 These ascetics, swathed in wind [naked], put dirty red rags on. When gods entered them, they ride with the rush of the wind.
3 'Crazy with asceticism, we have mounted the wind. Our bodies are all you mere mortals can see.'
4 He sails through the air, looking down an all shapes below. The ascetic is friend to this god and that god, devoted to what is well done.
5 The stallion of the wind, friend of gales, lashed on by gods--the ascetic lives in the two seas, on the east and on the west.
6 He moves with the motion of heavenly women and young men [Apsarases--sexy flying nymphs, and Ghandarvas--the elevated fellas they hang out with], of wild beasts. Long-hair, reading their minds, is their sweet, their most exciting friend.
7 The wind has churned it up; Kunamnama prepared it for him. Long-hair drinks from the cup, sharing the drug with Rudra.
(from Wendy Doniger's translation, with a slight alteration or two)
Modern Paraphrased Version
1 So like, this hippy was holding a cup of psychedelic brew, spacin' out to the sky and the pretty patterns in the dirt. He was talking about how bright it was, and started staring at the sun, pointing at it with wild gesticulations.
2 Dirty hippies!! How their farts do stink!!
3 "Hey dude, I'm really trippin' balls now, I think we're flyin!! Weeeeeee!!!! Now you can't see me: I'm invisible!!!"
4 That hippy's now running around in circles with his arms extended like wings, looking around at the pretty patterns. This dude thinks everybody loves him, and he thinks he loves everybody, and he digs good music.
5 Dude thinks he's quite a stud (farts again), and starts talking to himself. He jumps into a puddle of water, then one on the other side of the sidewalk.
6 This trippin' hippie starts walking like a girl, then gets on all four and starts barking. This hippie approaches random people and turns his head sideways, contorts his face and says, "I know what you're thinking!!" People think he's kinda funny.
7 Dude shakes up the shrooms that have settled to the bottom of the cup and takes a big ol' shwill, then hands the cup to his bro.
(note: prob'ly wasn't actually shroom tea, 'cuz Rudra wasn't s'pose to drink of Soma)
Please don't don't mistake, I hold nothing but respect and reverence for the Rig Veda, and the Vedas generally. 'Tis fun to be playful with what is revered (with certain restraints, of course). It is quite interesting to note the antiquity of the practices of "long-hairs," those perennial seekers who often utilize psychetropic substances to alter perception in order to better understand self and the nature of reality. Indeed, the hippies of today are but a continuation of a longstanding spiritual tradition that has unbroken lineages of practice in the Himalayas and Indian subcontinent from time immemorial, as well as being reflection of other indigenous traditions of asceticism and a renunciation of the materialism of society in general in order to seek those things more primal and intrinsic to being human and to human interactions with the Divine.
I am both a hippie and a sadhu (if sorta a dilettante of one), and find it refreshing and healthy to be able to make fun of oneself and one's own "kind," for lack of a better term. Humor is Divine (when appropriate and appropriately measured, of course), and can prove cathartic as well as even reifying the very thing laughed at. I have certainly appeared as silly as the creative modernized description of trippin' I've penned above, and almost certainly shall again . . .
Namaste and good journeys!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Laramie Spring's Finally Arrived !!! (!?!?)
After a few hopeful false starts, the wind and cold seem abated, the forecast finally seems to agree with my sensibilities--perhaps spoiled a bit by the milder winters I've seen here of late. Likely at least the only snow likely to fall from here to the mountains be a flurry or two. Hooray for Springtime!!! Crabapple blossoms and lilacs should come on soon, and in that order, and soon should be leaves on the big trees. Wouldn't mind bein' busy with planting and such right about now, but alas, land I've none to till and toil o'er, organically of course.
Yeah, I realize this is high country, not the tropics. Spent my years growing up mostly in this town at somewhere around 7200 ft. above the big waters and between three-sides of mountains, and full well know the range of summer and winter and spring and fall, dichotomies or presumed opposites which here don't necessarily meet with the truth of the matter, where July can see fractaled flakes fall under a sunny sky--or leastwise up in the mountains east or west, thick pines or alpine tundra, rocks of Vedawoo or Eagle Rock, or down south towards the Never Summer Mountains. Still I long for warmth and green growing things to flourish.
There are plum trees grow here and are full of luscious lustrous red to black fruit come fall, and smallish to midsized apples too, as well as the ubiquitous crabapples. I know of a few apricots bear fruit here in Laramie, though a peach tree probably oughtn't be subjected to this climate and altitude. Currents here are bounteous, and grapes of the hardiest sort should turn a harvest if you're lucky and choose the right spot. There is even a varietal of kiwi fruit's supposed to grow in this grow region that's called Arctic Gold--and you can eat the skin, no less!!!
Tomatoes here require a hothouse, no doubt. Zucchinis and other like squash do fine, though, and in fact flourish, and plants like broccoli, too. Also I've wondered about wild rice if the soil and water are just right. Ah, I'm just dreamin' of diggin' in the funky soil for now (not to mention carving sandstone dwellings and sacred space), as a manuscript little closer to publication means my focus is play as much I must the role of writer, or perhaps better, aspiring author.
I suppose of many role into which I might be cast in any given schema of those venues I've chanced to happen through, from hippie, hobo or vagabond and mostly yogi mystic freak these days, to of history of once upon a time having been a cowboy and a preacher, and a grad student, too . . . presenting myself for my immediate public face a "writer" or "aspiring author" is not a bad role to portray or receive, if those I meet and onlookers as well might be so kind. Of course "soon to be published author" would be better still . . .
(NYC trip to find an agent/publisher still pending, I s'pose . . . I 'magine spring's already in full swing there)
Yeah, I realize this is high country, not the tropics. Spent my years growing up mostly in this town at somewhere around 7200 ft. above the big waters and between three-sides of mountains, and full well know the range of summer and winter and spring and fall, dichotomies or presumed opposites which here don't necessarily meet with the truth of the matter, where July can see fractaled flakes fall under a sunny sky--or leastwise up in the mountains east or west, thick pines or alpine tundra, rocks of Vedawoo or Eagle Rock, or down south towards the Never Summer Mountains. Still I long for warmth and green growing things to flourish.
There are plum trees grow here and are full of luscious lustrous red to black fruit come fall, and smallish to midsized apples too, as well as the ubiquitous crabapples. I know of a few apricots bear fruit here in Laramie, though a peach tree probably oughtn't be subjected to this climate and altitude. Currents here are bounteous, and grapes of the hardiest sort should turn a harvest if you're lucky and choose the right spot. There is even a varietal of kiwi fruit's supposed to grow in this grow region that's called Arctic Gold--and you can eat the skin, no less!!!
Tomatoes here require a hothouse, no doubt. Zucchinis and other like squash do fine, though, and in fact flourish, and plants like broccoli, too. Also I've wondered about wild rice if the soil and water are just right. Ah, I'm just dreamin' of diggin' in the funky soil for now (not to mention carving sandstone dwellings and sacred space), as a manuscript little closer to publication means my focus is play as much I must the role of writer, or perhaps better, aspiring author.
I suppose of many role into which I might be cast in any given schema of those venues I've chanced to happen through, from hippie, hobo or vagabond and mostly yogi mystic freak these days, to of history of once upon a time having been a cowboy and a preacher, and a grad student, too . . . presenting myself for my immediate public face a "writer" or "aspiring author" is not a bad role to portray or receive, if those I meet and onlookers as well might be so kind. Of course "soon to be published author" would be better still . . .
(NYC trip to find an agent/publisher still pending, I s'pose . . . I 'magine spring's already in full swing there)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Lovely Devi Dharma
Lovely Devi dharma, devotions done in intonations, privations, yogic alterations of sense vibrations (though sometimes that's for my own comfort and for righteousness sake, too), even in casual admiration of the beauty of women I happen to see or remember fondly, and by nigh constant wishes for the victory of Mahadevi, "Great Goddess" and devi generally manifest in so many forms to whatever degree of emanation, avatar or reflection of Divine Feminine grace and sexy pure perfection, wisdom and wonderous charms might reside in any given lovely form of Her I see and consider in these pleasant reveries.
Watching Life's Play as I Sit and Sip . . .
Sitting and sipping coffee and gazing 'round at faces "just out of focus" (for one, as I no longer wear corrective lenses), and likewise considering faces afar, I wonder when and where I might have seen Her, Devi Durga, Shakti manifest, Uma Himavati, Parvati or Laksmi or some other form of Feminine Divine incarnate.
One woman nigh certainly danced a dance I watched more than once wherein this dancer (Dancer?) was clearly animated by Devi, whether Parvati (my first guess) or some other close form, avatar or emanation of TriDevi, Durga, Laksmi or Saraswati. Shakti-Parvati is more well known for dance, and likewise my first meeting with her (Her? the dancer, that is) coincided with the introductory stages of my tantric practices manifesting unconsciously in my personal behavior--unconsciously insofar as having an historically based understanding of the practices rather obtrusively manifesting in my life. If you are curious, look up pics of the sort of stuff sadhus do . . . or look up the Pine Forest myth (mine hasn't and shant fall off, btw), ehem!!
This well adored divine dancer disappeared from the scene before I had the confidence and wherewithall to approach her, though we later became fairly close friends for a time in a not so faraway foreign land.
Perhaps some of the attraction to this particular locus (loka, the Sanskrit root for the English word), i.e., Coal Creek coffeehouse in downtown Laramie, is the prominence of the place in terms of earlier acts of the lila ("divine play/playfulness"). And indeed, the people who appear here at this venue and on this particular stage are generally obliging insofar as a willingness or a penchant to play on cue, roles seeming fitted to a taut aesthetic, complete with clues as to the purport of the play being played (if only I were a better reader . . .), to what the cycle or metaphoric message might be, i.e., in terms of myth, stories and songs might come to mind. Though I ought to note, some myths more than others are writ in more than imaginings or musings and as more than a particular culture's malfeasance, neurosis, malady or wish-fulfillment wantings, and convey more precisely a universal aesthetic. I suppose there is a show wherever I go, though, and Mahamaya is ever playful--though seems sometimes plays of maya can be rather . . . twisted.
Reading the lila, between and oft as not in the lines recited (however consciously) by actors and conversants, almost (if not) scripted conversations and transcendental communications manifested in even mundane exchanges. Else imagine a flash-mob synchrony manifest unconsciously (to whatever degree) by bystanders and passersbye, seen as a dance or (super-) naturally choreographed scene as I watch and sometimes interact whilst sipping my cup of coffee, and less often these days, a beer or a glass of wine whilst contemplating and sometimes responding to actors and actresses acting. Lila, oh lila.
One woman nigh certainly danced a dance I watched more than once wherein this dancer (Dancer?) was clearly animated by Devi, whether Parvati (my first guess) or some other close form, avatar or emanation of TriDevi, Durga, Laksmi or Saraswati. Shakti-Parvati is more well known for dance, and likewise my first meeting with her (Her? the dancer, that is) coincided with the introductory stages of my tantric practices manifesting unconsciously in my personal behavior--unconsciously insofar as having an historically based understanding of the practices rather obtrusively manifesting in my life. If you are curious, look up pics of the sort of stuff sadhus do . . . or look up the Pine Forest myth (mine hasn't and shant fall off, btw), ehem!!
This well adored divine dancer disappeared from the scene before I had the confidence and wherewithall to approach her, though we later became fairly close friends for a time in a not so faraway foreign land.
Perhaps some of the attraction to this particular locus (loka, the Sanskrit root for the English word), i.e., Coal Creek coffeehouse in downtown Laramie, is the prominence of the place in terms of earlier acts of the lila ("divine play/playfulness"). And indeed, the people who appear here at this venue and on this particular stage are generally obliging insofar as a willingness or a penchant to play on cue, roles seeming fitted to a taut aesthetic, complete with clues as to the purport of the play being played (if only I were a better reader . . .), to what the cycle or metaphoric message might be, i.e., in terms of myth, stories and songs might come to mind. Though I ought to note, some myths more than others are writ in more than imaginings or musings and as more than a particular culture's malfeasance, neurosis, malady or wish-fulfillment wantings, and convey more precisely a universal aesthetic. I suppose there is a show wherever I go, though, and Mahamaya is ever playful--though seems sometimes plays of maya can be rather . . . twisted.
Reading the lila, between and oft as not in the lines recited (however consciously) by actors and conversants, almost (if not) scripted conversations and transcendental communications manifested in even mundane exchanges. Else imagine a flash-mob synchrony manifest unconsciously (to whatever degree) by bystanders and passersbye, seen as a dance or (super-) naturally choreographed scene as I watch and sometimes interact whilst sipping my cup of coffee, and less often these days, a beer or a glass of wine whilst contemplating and sometimes responding to actors and actresses acting. Lila, oh lila.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Oil Disaster in the Gulf and the Alternatives to Destroying Our Environment for Energy
The alternatives are viable and minimally impactive:
Biodiesel and ethanol from algae can and should replace petroleum consumption almost entirely within a span of ten to twenty years. Utilizing an area of only 15% of the area of the Sonoran Desert (18,000 sq. miles, or approximately 134x134 miles), spread across the southwest United States and perhaps into Mexico (assuming equitable trade practices), biodiesel and ethanol production utilizing algae (likely grown in salt water so as to minimize freshwater use) could completely replace the current transportation fuel needs of this nation. These plants can be made to be minimally impactive, and in fact if placed in such places as dry lake beds where little to no species of animals already maintain homes, the shade from the algae growing containers could provide at least temporary habitat for many desert-dwelling species.
Insofar as electricity production, solar mirror generating stations utilizing the heat produced to spin turbines could power the entire Unites States electrical grid utilizing an are of 92x92 miles, likewise spread throughout the southwest and into Mexico, and likewise not only scarcely impacting the environment but also providing shade for life to inhabit where was formerly uninhabitable, such as dry lake beds or other spans of hot desert land without any natural vegetation. Wind turbines, home-based solar and wind power, and perhaps some form of tidal energy harvesting combined with the aforementioned would certainly suffice, and these all combined would impact less land area far less detrimentally than current areas currently being impacted by coal mining.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Whirling visions of self and other and Self . . .
Whirling visions of self and other and Self (and Other ?) in juxtaposed and manifold madness of a nata (dance) that is both in vision and manifest in life lived: either consideration of revelation of reincarnations possible, probable or actual, proceeding before me as a collage of faces, places and bodies, voices and choices, memories mixed with wonderings and wanderings and seems sometimes elses . . . thought, and what not.
This is (or at least is best) seen as lila, perceived as play divine, perfected when one might see oneness, yoga seen as kleem, relationships and relationship and fractals like dancers viewed from above, swirling and weaving each of us, in concert and consort with earth and sky and fire and air, solar and planetary bodies and the earth's features, from mountains to oceans and each other. We both remember and forget, at any given moment, this unity, this beatific dance, romance, transformation through cycles of matter and mind, expand and contract: big bang boom, ya' know? Siva-Sakti, as is often bespoken, that through endless and beatiful cycles through dark and light, always to return, in a proper lila, to a point where we all remember in such a way to cycle us back to the purity we truly are at our core!!!!!
धर्मात्मन् ब्रह्मन् सनातन धर्म भक्ति
dharmAtman, brahman, sanAtana dharma, bhakti; Self particular, Self Universal, eternal teachings/justice, devotion/love.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Loving Your Self
Then Yajnavalkya said: "Verily, not for the sake of the husband, my dear, is the husband loved, but he is loved for the sake of the self which, in its true nature, is one with the Supreme Self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the wife, my dear, is the wife loved, but she is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the sons, my dear, are the sons loved, hut they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of wealth, my dear, is wealth loved, but it is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the brahmin, my dear, is the brahmin loved, but he is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the kshatriya, my dear, is the kshatriya loved, but he is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the worlds, my dear, are the worlds loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the gods, my dear, are the gods loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the beings, my dear, are the beings loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the All, my dear, is the All loved, but it is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, my dear Maitreyi, it is the Self that should be realized—should be heard of, reflected on, and meditated upon. By the realization of the Self, my dear—through hearing, reflection, and meditation—all this is known." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Part II, 4:4)
Not selfishness, exactly. Atman is not "ego." Love, but not love comes out of fear nor lack nor jealousy--rather, a love comes from a recognition of the nature of one's Self. I just explained it to a friend this way: love of Self is not selfishness, it is a recognition that that "other" you encounter is not not you (dble. negative intended, in case you were wondering). Understanding reincarnation, i.e., taking rebirth through a mama's sweet yoni, one can see how in some guise the possibility you may have been or perhaps shall be, that other.
So Buddha comes up to Brahma in a heaven realm, and notices that Brahma is surrounded by others sitting and listening as Brahma is teaching. So like, Buddha say, "Yo Brahma!! W's up? Why you still teaching if this be heaven?!"
At that moment, Buddha is taken in a reverie, and nigh faints. Brahma looks up from his thought, and ask the Buddha, "Why are you crying?" To which Buddha responds, "I saw all the lives I have lived, as every other, and I saw much suffering."
Point being, compassion and Self-interest are not disparate. To recognize others' suffering, by some degree of seperation or other, as one's own suffering (give or take however many cycles of lives lived) is one way to recognize Atman, the Eternal Self that is the manifestation of brahman (the Universal Divine Being, not to be mistaken with Lord Brahma, Creator aspect of the Trimurti) that is "in the world." Oh, and another point be: the journey of becoming don't end just 'cuz you get to heaven, 'cuz there's ages worth of dharma to be and do.
"Verily, not for the sake of the wife, my dear, is the wife loved, but she is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the sons, my dear, are the sons loved, hut they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of wealth, my dear, is wealth loved, but it is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the brahmin, my dear, is the brahmin loved, but he is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the kshatriya, my dear, is the kshatriya loved, but he is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the worlds, my dear, are the worlds loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the gods, my dear, are the gods loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the beings, my dear, are the beings loved, but they are loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, not for the sake of the All, my dear, is the All loved, but it is loved for the sake of the self.
"Verily, my dear Maitreyi, it is the Self that should be realized—should be heard of, reflected on, and meditated upon. By the realization of the Self, my dear—through hearing, reflection, and meditation—all this is known." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Part II, 4:4)
Not selfishness, exactly. Atman is not "ego." Love, but not love comes out of fear nor lack nor jealousy--rather, a love comes from a recognition of the nature of one's Self. I just explained it to a friend this way: love of Self is not selfishness, it is a recognition that that "other" you encounter is not not you (dble. negative intended, in case you were wondering). Understanding reincarnation, i.e., taking rebirth through a mama's sweet yoni, one can see how in some guise the possibility you may have been or perhaps shall be, that other.
So Buddha comes up to Brahma in a heaven realm, and notices that Brahma is surrounded by others sitting and listening as Brahma is teaching. So like, Buddha say, "Yo Brahma!! W's up? Why you still teaching if this be heaven?!"
At that moment, Buddha is taken in a reverie, and nigh faints. Brahma looks up from his thought, and ask the Buddha, "Why are you crying?" To which Buddha responds, "I saw all the lives I have lived, as every other, and I saw much suffering."
Point being, compassion and Self-interest are not disparate. To recognize others' suffering, by some degree of seperation or other, as one's own suffering (give or take however many cycles of lives lived) is one way to recognize Atman, the Eternal Self that is the manifestation of brahman (the Universal Divine Being, not to be mistaken with Lord Brahma, Creator aspect of the Trimurti) that is "in the world." Oh, and another point be: the journey of becoming don't end just 'cuz you get to heaven, 'cuz there's ages worth of dharma to be and do.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
420: The Real History . . .
It's April 20
Two days before Earth Day
Eleven days till May Day
One day before the Ani Difranco show here at 7200 ft. high in the sky.
And a date celebrated by many a hippie, head, stoner, and cancer patient across this land and overseas . . .
This year as opposed to last when a slightly different version of this post was posted, I have sweet tasty nuggets to celebrate (for the moment), but still am given pause to think of the origins of this unique subcultural celebration, the only widely recognized day devoted to the consumption of a plant. There's no big day where people gather worldwide to celebrate tobacco, nor even roses, nor kumquats.
One rumor (promoted by High Times) is that some dudes in California decided to meet every day after school at 4:20 to puff. Various other proposals have been made as to the origins of this now internationally recognized code for smoking herb.
I believe, however, that the truth of this symbolic referent originated (as have so many things in this world) in India, on the Hippie Trail of days of somewhat yore (some sections not so safe these days). In India and Pakistan, the term "420" has long been synonomous with "corruption" or "graft," as section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, established in 1860, covers this area of offense.
The exceedingly popular 1950's Indian film "Shri 420" ("Mr. 420") is about a fella falsely thought to be a con-man. In my assessment, the American use of "420" as slang for smoking herb likely derived from hippies travelling the Hippie Trail through Asia, who likely picked up on the term from the Indian/Pakistany usage, and decided smoking herb to be symbolic of burnin' "the Man," else otherwise symbolically burning the corruptions they viewed at home in America and abroad, and perhaps within themselves.
Regardless of the precise mode by which "420" was transmitted from India to America, and specifically pot smokin' culture, I am rather well convinced that India's usage of the term is whence derives the American usage.
Happy 420, regardless!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Reading the Map Like Constellations: The Trishul I Live Amidst . . .
What is the meaning of the trishul, and the figure holding said made of mountains trishul ("trident" is the familiar English term for said ancient weapon of God), outlined on these maps?
You can click on an image for a closer view.
One day as I was walking through downtown Laramie, Wyoming gazing at the mountains to the east, south and west, and then considered the Platte River Valley to the west of the Laramie Valley as also surrounded by mountains on three sides, I wondered how succinctly these mountains would appear as a trishul, or at least a nice "W" for Wyoming, perhaps. I had had a sense that the three mountain ranges that extend from Colorado into southeast Wyoming formed something of a trishul for some time, though I had no idea how accurate a presentation of this symbol of the presence of Mahadeva, Siva, Hara, Shankara, Great God, Mahakala ("Big Time") was formed millions and millions of years ago by processes geologic and Divine. I did not imagine that this trishul even has a danda (staff), which is the Front Range of Colorado and the string of mountain ranges extending down to about Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The satellite photos above shows rather clearly that I was not mistaken about the trishul, sign of the presence of Siva, formed by the Laramie, Snowy, and Sierra Madre Ranges, with the Front Range as the danda. I did not conceive of the figure holding this auspicious weapon until I looked at the trishul via satellite photos. A Trishul is "the Presence of Shiva. "Shambala" means "the abiding place of Shiva." The Buddhist Shambala Center is located on the easternmost blade of the Rocky Mountain Trishul...Hindus believe Shambala to be the place where Kalki will come as the return of Vishnu to planet Earth, perhaps somewhere in Southeast Wyoming or North Central Colorado?
Mahakala is Shiva in His most terrible form, described as massive and covered in ash,a as rising from or out of the earth and destroying with fire and smoke and ash.
"According to Shaktisamgama Tantra, the spouse of Mahakali is extremely frightening. Mahakala has four arms, three eyes and is of the brilliance of 10 million black fires of dissolution,"
(https://www.revolvy.com/page/Mahakala)
Mahakala also has a two-armed form, and is covered in ash.
UPDATE 2/24/20
...to further correlate to my interpretation of the Grand lotus-seated earth-made pictograph, that to my view appears to be cloaked, from the Buddhist tradition:
The two-armed "Black-Cloaked Mahakala" (Wylie: mgon po ber nag chen) is a protector of the Karma Kagyu school clad in the cloak of a māntrika "warlock".
If you would notice where the head and third-eye of the lotus-seated figure would be if said figure stood: YELLOWSTONE !!! The earthen Murti writ as the better part of the Rocky Mountains is Maha Kala, "Big Time" !!! When Maha Kala stands up (every 600,000 years or so), Yellowstone blows !!
Just noticed that the Sandia Mountains make for an interesting and obvious earthen pictogram, a person with hands raised and seemingly offering adoration to the Presence of Shiva as the adri trishul that starts just above the figure as the Sangre de Cristo mountains...
Namaste !!
http://western-hindu.org/2009/10/14/shaivite-hindu-symbols-the-trishula/
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Feminine Divine in the Oldest of Books
HYMN CXXV. Vāk.
1. I TRAVEL with the Rudras and the Vasus, with the Ādityas and All-Gods I wander.
I hold aloft both Varuṇa and Mitra, Indra and Agni, and the Pair of Aśvins.
2 I cherish and sustain high-swelling Soma, and Tvaṣṭar I support, Pūṣan, and Bhaga.
I load with wealth the zealous sacrificer who pours the juice and offers his oblation
3 I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful, first of those who merit worship.
Thus Gods have stablished me in many places with many homes to enter and abide in.
4 Through me alone all eat the food that feeds them,—each man who sees, brewhes, hears the word outspoken
They know it not, but yet they dwell beside me. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it.
5 1, verily, myself announce and utter the word that Gods and men alike shall welcome.
I make the man I love exceeding mighty, make him a sage, a Ṛiṣi, and a Brahman.
6 I bend the bow for Rudra that his arrow may strike and slay the hater of devotion.
I rouse and order battle for the people, and I have penetrated Earth and Heaven.
7 On the world's summit I bring forth the Father: my home is in the waters, in the ocean.
Thence I extend o’er all existing creatures, and touch even yonder heaven with my forehead.
8 I breathe a strong breath like the wind and tempest, the while I hold together all existence. Beyond this wide earth and beyond the heavens I have become so mighty in my grandeur.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Pasupati and Cernunos, And the Truth of Our Religious Roots, East and West
Already posted some of these. Pasupati of Indus Valley fame, Shiva as Protector of Animals and Souls, and Cernunos of the ancient European tradition. Undeniable connections, primal Divine Human Animal Spiritual in concert, and as Consort to the Mother Goddess, Maiden and Crone too.
Pasupati, Protector of Souls and Animals
Cernunos, European "Horned God"
One mask from Indus Valley Civilization, one from ancient Europe . . .
Pasupati, Protector of Souls and Animals
Cernunos, European "Horned God"
One mask from Indus Valley Civilization, one from ancient Europe . . .
Monday, March 1, 2010
One, Two, Three, What're We Fightin' For?!?! (repost)
In carefully examining the conflicts of this world, and especially the religiously motivated conflicts, it has become clear that there are hidden motives, ancient grudges over arguments from ages ago that have created the ground on which these battles are fought. I have concluded from my studies that one of the fundamental disagreements that has brought about much of these conflicts was between Siva and Brahma. It seems very likely that this conflict, whether between "individuals" or "tribes" or aspects of human consciousness, led to the migration of the purported forebearer(s) of Judaism, and thus to whatever degree, of Christianity and Islam, out of the parlance of Indus Valley civilization and to the Middle East.
This conflict, as I perceive it's likely beginnings, is couched in a myth regarding Brahma's desire for his daughter, and Siva's righteous retribution for said transgression. As a beautiful maiden Brahma had directly created early on in the show sought to evade the lustful gaze of Brahma (technically her father), he grows a fifth head to seek to continue to gaze upon her. Siva comes to Brahma and with his fingernail (according to at least one version) severs Brahma's fifth head as due punishment for his transgression, and to stop him from harassing his daughter. Brahma, Abraham; severing of a fifth head, circumcision.
This seems very likely connected to the story of Abraham, who fled towards the west after some conflict with the people of his homeland which was quite certainly part of Indus Valley culture (even as the Torah recounts, Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldese, quite near modern India), and established a new religion based upon a rite of severing the foreskin of the phallus--obviously analogous to a head being severed.
The names "Abraham," "Sarai" (Abraham's wife) and "Hagar" (Sarah's maidservant who gave birth to Abraham's first son and the purported progenitor of the Arab peoples, Ishmael) all have their obvious origin in myths and place-names relating to preceding analogous Indian mythic figures: Brahma, his consort Saraswati (also the name of a river, once thought mythical by western scholars until said river was discovered by satellite photography), and Ghaggar (the name of a river that was a tributary to the Saraswati River).
Now in analyzing the name "Abraham" according to Sanskrit, the "A" at the beginning of his name would designate "not," as "adharma" means "not just." Thus "Abraham" would designate either "not-brahma" (perhaps as intention to hide shame of the creator aspect of the Trimurti), or "not-brahman," meaning "not according to/abiding by the laws of nature." This would certainly fit with the hypothesis that Abraham's departure from Ur of the Chaldese was related to this unrighteous action of Brahma, i.e., Brahma's desire for, or as some versions of the myth would indicate, rape of his daughter. Not a very auspicious beginning for the three most popular religions of the "Western" world.
I do not explicate this hypothesis to condemn anyone, nor to shame the members of these religions (though perhaps to humble them a bit), but to attempt to reveal a long hidden truth that has long been suppressed by the "Western" world. To issue a few important disclaimer, I ought to note that according to geneological research my mother and one of my sisters did shortly after the death of one of my mother's parents, I may be decended, through a line of mothers, to a woman whose name indicated she may have been Jewish. This being the case, I would, by matrilineal descent, be considered Jewish by that groups delineation of descent. I was a Christian minister, though I have renounced my ordination and baptism, not out of utter disdain but out of a sense that I do not belong to said religion. I have prayed with and fasted with Muslems on Friday during Ramadan (and by the way, their pronunciation of "Amin" is much closer to the original "AUM" than the "Amen" of Christians, and even than the "AUM" I have heard uttered by many a purported practitioner of Hinduism). I am not a member of any of these groups (i.e., the Abrahamic religions), but maintain compassion and due respect (and in some cases, due contempt) for each. I do have sympathies for all groups whose intentions include righteous action and compassionate works.
Now as to the exact conclusions to be drawn from the aforementioned synthesis of mythological constructs, I cannot explicate fully in the scope of this entry. Indeed, other hidden agendas and subtle twists to this story may yet elude my study of this story that has become a drama writ large on the world stage, and which has indeed cost many lives, directly or otehrwise.
As to whether Abraham was an historical figure, or represented a sect or tribe of Brahmins(possibly promoting marital/sexual practices obviously and properly deemed unrighteous by the establishment), or some other figuration, I cannot say. This ought not, in my opinion, condemn any group of people, as none of the sects deriving from this "genesis" promote any sort of practice that promote incest, unless at some esoteric or occulted level of which I am unaware. It is, however, more than moderately likely that what I have here reported is true and accurate to the origins of these mythological constructions that have so impacted the world for four millenia, and specifically regarding the true origin of the rite of circumcision. In other words, circumcision is about the creator's wrongful desire. Draw what conclusions you will, dear reader, but recognize the razor's edge that is delineated by this revelation of truth. (see post, "Hidden Origins of the West" for information regarding the more general derivition of Judaism, Christianity and Islam from the Hindu Trimurti)
This conflict, as I perceive it's likely beginnings, is couched in a myth regarding Brahma's desire for his daughter, and Siva's righteous retribution for said transgression. As a beautiful maiden Brahma had directly created early on in the show sought to evade the lustful gaze of Brahma (technically her father), he grows a fifth head to seek to continue to gaze upon her. Siva comes to Brahma and with his fingernail (according to at least one version) severs Brahma's fifth head as due punishment for his transgression, and to stop him from harassing his daughter. Brahma, Abraham; severing of a fifth head, circumcision.
This seems very likely connected to the story of Abraham, who fled towards the west after some conflict with the people of his homeland which was quite certainly part of Indus Valley culture (even as the Torah recounts, Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldese, quite near modern India), and established a new religion based upon a rite of severing the foreskin of the phallus--obviously analogous to a head being severed.
The names "Abraham," "Sarai" (Abraham's wife) and "Hagar" (Sarah's maidservant who gave birth to Abraham's first son and the purported progenitor of the Arab peoples, Ishmael) all have their obvious origin in myths and place-names relating to preceding analogous Indian mythic figures: Brahma, his consort Saraswati (also the name of a river, once thought mythical by western scholars until said river was discovered by satellite photography), and Ghaggar (the name of a river that was a tributary to the Saraswati River).
Now in analyzing the name "Abraham" according to Sanskrit, the "A" at the beginning of his name would designate "not," as "adharma" means "not just." Thus "Abraham" would designate either "not-brahma" (perhaps as intention to hide shame of the creator aspect of the Trimurti), or "not-brahman," meaning "not according to/abiding by the laws of nature." This would certainly fit with the hypothesis that Abraham's departure from Ur of the Chaldese was related to this unrighteous action of Brahma, i.e., Brahma's desire for, or as some versions of the myth would indicate, rape of his daughter. Not a very auspicious beginning for the three most popular religions of the "Western" world.
I do not explicate this hypothesis to condemn anyone, nor to shame the members of these religions (though perhaps to humble them a bit), but to attempt to reveal a long hidden truth that has long been suppressed by the "Western" world. To issue a few important disclaimer, I ought to note that according to geneological research my mother and one of my sisters did shortly after the death of one of my mother's parents, I may be decended, through a line of mothers, to a woman whose name indicated she may have been Jewish. This being the case, I would, by matrilineal descent, be considered Jewish by that groups delineation of descent. I was a Christian minister, though I have renounced my ordination and baptism, not out of utter disdain but out of a sense that I do not belong to said religion. I have prayed with and fasted with Muslems on Friday during Ramadan (and by the way, their pronunciation of "Amin" is much closer to the original "AUM" than the "Amen" of Christians, and even than the "AUM" I have heard uttered by many a purported practitioner of Hinduism). I am not a member of any of these groups (i.e., the Abrahamic religions), but maintain compassion and due respect (and in some cases, due contempt) for each. I do have sympathies for all groups whose intentions include righteous action and compassionate works.
Now as to the exact conclusions to be drawn from the aforementioned synthesis of mythological constructs, I cannot explicate fully in the scope of this entry. Indeed, other hidden agendas and subtle twists to this story may yet elude my study of this story that has become a drama writ large on the world stage, and which has indeed cost many lives, directly or otehrwise.
As to whether Abraham was an historical figure, or represented a sect or tribe of Brahmins(possibly promoting marital/sexual practices obviously and properly deemed unrighteous by the establishment), or some other figuration, I cannot say. This ought not, in my opinion, condemn any group of people, as none of the sects deriving from this "genesis" promote any sort of practice that promote incest, unless at some esoteric or occulted level of which I am unaware. It is, however, more than moderately likely that what I have here reported is true and accurate to the origins of these mythological constructions that have so impacted the world for four millenia, and specifically regarding the true origin of the rite of circumcision. In other words, circumcision is about the creator's wrongful desire. Draw what conclusions you will, dear reader, but recognize the razor's edge that is delineated by this revelation of truth. (see post, "Hidden Origins of the West" for information regarding the more general derivition of Judaism, Christianity and Islam from the Hindu Trimurti)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Danced Tonight . . .
Danced tonight . . . observing flow whilst dancing with apropos response and interjection to the scene I saw, accelerating a return to a better flow in fits and starts. People both in mind and manifest appear on cue, and real-er than just acting too, yet choreographed and yet here and now and self-empowered.
First band, first time on stage, something about root crops with righteous posteriors. Beetbox, rhutabega rockin', talented guitar and vocals, sweet keyboard and surprise drummers, and a nice last song i took to be about Bhoomi Devi--ya' know, Earth Mama stuff, yo!!
Second band, the getting-pretty-damn-tight reggae/generally together hippie flow of Upbeat Project. Slipped out for a toke with a friend from the first band, then returned to find a good portion of the rest of the crowd seemingly and some by self-report had followed suit, and the dance floor started to groove. Transformation via motion and music--not without a bit of natural plant and fermented catalyst and the band's second wind, and not necessarily in that order--got the last set rollin' like I like to see, sychronous groovin' bouncing 'round between musicians and crowd till a certain nata yoga is apparent to any with eyes to see...hee hee...in fact as many as three.
The unity of music and dance, musicians and dancers is some o' 'da best healing I know..therapy not based on questionable theory, but on beat, vibe, strings and skins taut with waves transmitted from human hand, keys and voices meeting a needing in the human body to expressing fluidly or otherwise the notes of Being in Unity. This is yoga!!!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Human Rights, Bodies and Culture: Compare and Contrast
Woman jailed for having coffee with a man in Saudi Arabia:
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/women-in-other-nations2/
Woman arrested for being pregnant and falling down stairs in America:
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/in-37-states-its-illegal-for-a-pregnant-woman-to-fall-down-the-stairs/
Advertizing in America exploits women's bodies:
http://www.now.org/nnt/spring-2003/superbowl.html
http://www.quietmountainessays.org/Onyejekwe.html
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Burkha-clad wrapper from India:
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/art-culture/burkha-rapper
It's quite easy for an ill-informed American to criticize the mores in Islamic countries for their draconian restrictions on women. That said, let me now state with no lack of clarity: I do not support the oppression of women whatsoever. Let me also state, however, that there is much more to the story than a simple, "Us good, them bad, ugh!!"
Many Muslim women feel the "Western" attitude towards women's bodies is degrading and exploitative, and that wearing traditional Islamic garb prevents the objectification of women. There are Muslim women with PhDs who chose to wear traditional garb.
As a sadhu (if somewhat of a dilettante of one), I cannot walk around naked without fear of arrest, despite the fact that the religious tradition of the naga babas (naked sadhus) is the oldest continuous religious tradition in the world, and despite the fact that the more general religious traditions of India are whence Judaism, Christianity and Islam all find their truest source.
What I am proposing with this brief yet pointed post is not some loose relativity, but a conscientious understanding that there are nearly always valid counterpoints to any give pointed arguement. And in other words, insofar as one's exercise of freedom of choice is not directly and heinously infringing upon other's rights, there ought to be freedom to cover one's own body as one sees fit, to keep company with who one chooses with appropriate behavior, to express one's religious belief as chosen, and to not be either unjustly coerced nor to be degradingly exploited. Indeed there is a good long ways to go for both the draconianism in both restrictive Muslim countries and exploitative "Western" ones, insofar as mores and religious-based rules and the relations of men, women and whatever other genders, too. May we all learn and be transformed, without losing the beauty of difference, the vitality of variety, and the truth of unity.
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/women-in-other-nations2/
Woman arrested for being pregnant and falling down stairs in America:
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/in-37-states-its-illegal-for-a-pregnant-woman-to-fall-down-the-stairs/
Advertizing in America exploits women's bodies:
http://www.now.org/nnt/spring-2003/superbowl.html
http://www.quietmountainessays.org/Onyejekwe.html
">
Burkha-clad wrapper from India:
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/art-culture/burkha-rapper
It's quite easy for an ill-informed American to criticize the mores in Islamic countries for their draconian restrictions on women. That said, let me now state with no lack of clarity: I do not support the oppression of women whatsoever. Let me also state, however, that there is much more to the story than a simple, "Us good, them bad, ugh!!"
Many Muslim women feel the "Western" attitude towards women's bodies is degrading and exploitative, and that wearing traditional Islamic garb prevents the objectification of women. There are Muslim women with PhDs who chose to wear traditional garb.
As a sadhu (if somewhat of a dilettante of one), I cannot walk around naked without fear of arrest, despite the fact that the religious tradition of the naga babas (naked sadhus) is the oldest continuous religious tradition in the world, and despite the fact that the more general religious traditions of India are whence Judaism, Christianity and Islam all find their truest source.
What I am proposing with this brief yet pointed post is not some loose relativity, but a conscientious understanding that there are nearly always valid counterpoints to any give pointed arguement. And in other words, insofar as one's exercise of freedom of choice is not directly and heinously infringing upon other's rights, there ought to be freedom to cover one's own body as one sees fit, to keep company with who one chooses with appropriate behavior, to express one's religious belief as chosen, and to not be either unjustly coerced nor to be degradingly exploited. Indeed there is a good long ways to go for both the draconianism in both restrictive Muslim countries and exploitative "Western" ones, insofar as mores and religious-based rules and the relations of men, women and whatever other genders, too. May we all learn and be transformed, without losing the beauty of difference, the vitality of variety, and the truth of unity.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Enough Bhajans and Kirtan to Play All Sivaratri Night Long (if you repeat once or twice)...
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva or "Great Night of Shiva") is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). (from Wikipedia article "Maha Shivaratri"). This year Mahasivaratri is celebrated on February 12 of the "Western" calendar...
This devotional to Parvati will melt the hardest of hearts, without a doubt!!!!
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Jaya jaya Parvati Devi, Greatest Mother, Greatest Goddess!!!!!
A bit more energetic...
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Happy and Partyin' Great God!!
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Krishna Das leading kirtan...
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If you're wonderin' about the Native American Indian theme to the video, see post titled "Maybe Columbus Was Right After All . . ." which clearly shows Sanskrit influences in several Native American Indian tongues and religions...
And a more traditional slideshow, yo!!!
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Happy Sivaratri Night and Namaste!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sivaratri Options(?)
As Shivaratri, the new moon eve in the month of Maaga (sometime in February or March), increasingly I see Devi Parvati, apparitions manifest in the field of samsara, maya—illusion—yet real, the Greater Love Story flowing through layers of opacity in the theater of life moving around my perceptual venue. Mahamaya granting glimpses of Her beauty and femininity (if not in the traditional “Western guise,” quite) in lila strewn throughout my reception of the many interpersonal plays, sketches and skits portraying those archetypal tales old as humanity, and older, which inevitably unfold before my eyes and ears and other sensory organs as I sit sipping coffee and/or smoking a cigarette with some weed or hash mixed in, or sidled up to the bar at the Buckhorn or Ranger Bar sucking suds and scanning the scene for signs of life. Glimpses of Her assure me I’m not wrong, yet leave me spinnin’ sometimes. Indeed, devotion to One such as Kali, Parvati, Shakti, Durga is no Sunday drive!!
Wonderin’ whether I oughta stay in this valley, a gap between two blades of a trishul made of three mountain ranges, with a staff that is Colorado’s Front Range—certainly an auspicious place to spend Sivaratri, especially if I spend the night in a cave in a great bana linga-yoni rock formation near here which I hope someday to acquire for a temple.
Wonderin’ whether to go to Taos, NM to the Hanuman Temple for the Sivaratri show, all night chanting and chai, middle of the night feast of Indian vegetarian delights, and bowls of Taos Big Buds and maybe even some more authentic sacrament for this night’s observances, some charas, more commonly known in the English language as hashish, smoked around the fire outside, burning by a bana linga stone half buried on the edge of the earthen firepit.
In Taos at the temple t’would be sitars and mrudungam and tablas and harmonium providing the tunes, kirtan (call and response chant) led by pujaris pouring yogurt and rice on phallic stones and through a vulval chalice, beautiful hippies and other varieties of peeps chanting along.
Other option: coyotes might sing and the wind might whisper with my solitary devotional mantras, and the willows and mountain hemlock might vibrate in the breeze like the strings of sitar, to hum along as I intone AUM and words like Shakti and Parvati, Kali and Durga, remembering Ganesha and others due acknowledgement and praise as the day gives way to night and ‘til dark night gives way again to day. Hooray, I might say, covered in ashes as the sun rises to the east and seeps into my cave, else I might cry out the Sanskrit root for said word, “hari!!”
Either way, I fully intend to spend said night in fervent devotion, wildly expressing my delight in the beauty and perfection of male-female union as divine, pure and potential (and eventually certain) destination and source. Jaya Siva-Shakti, Jaya Jaya Siv-Parvati!!! Please consider observing this night, if not in devotion, in conscientious contemplation of the wonder that is being human, male and female and genderations in-between.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Gatherings, Kumbh Melas . . .
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Mahamaya Parvati as I See Her
Though some have stood out as closest to like Devi, Parvati, Durga, in one of so many forms in my imaginings, daydreams and devotions, I’m sometimes o’ertaken by so many lovely apparitions of feminine divine, Goddess manifest in women I chance to know, as lovers or friends or mere acquaintance wherein even is clear sign of divine Her. I look all around me, in past-times jubilance and even present languor, and whether known intimately or merely glimpsed in a crowd with one brief look of knowing, Her eyes for just one moment flashing through another’s, in some seeming random woman on the way to work, at market, coffeehouse or bar, She shows Her Presence, even if inaccessible sometimes.
Playful and sometimes harsh in Her love-play (She even bites sometimes!), sometimes teasing to teach , making love to elevate Her lover and bless the world as well as for bliss-sake, slaying to impart peace and enact compassion. Animal wild in Her actions and motions when flames—tejas—righteous stoked, whether afire for passion or punishment, pleasure to pain She knows with deepest wisdom; Greatest Yogini, Fiercest Sadhvini, Her Yoni is source of Life, Her Breasts flow forth to feed the world, Her Grace enough to melt the coldest heart, She is Pure—yet by no means chaste…
I’m sure I’ve seen Her even recently, in one lovely form or another proverbially winking at me, some fair maiden at coffeehouse or passing on the sidewalk, laughing gleefully yet not unmoved by devotions offered in each breath, for sometimes I’m sure I hear Her gasp with delight or desire as I raise my voice in intonations of sacred sounds, else in frenzied fervor of ecstatic nata, worshiping Her in wildman’s dance—devotions of a man mad with love’s spell, Kama’s arrow perhaps, or deeper far: bhakti. Jaya jaya MahaMaya!!! Jaya jaya Parvati!!!!
Playful and sometimes harsh in Her love-play (She even bites sometimes!), sometimes teasing to teach , making love to elevate Her lover and bless the world as well as for bliss-sake, slaying to impart peace and enact compassion. Animal wild in Her actions and motions when flames—tejas—righteous stoked, whether afire for passion or punishment, pleasure to pain She knows with deepest wisdom; Greatest Yogini, Fiercest Sadhvini, Her Yoni is source of Life, Her Breasts flow forth to feed the world, Her Grace enough to melt the coldest heart, She is Pure—yet by no means chaste…
I’m sure I’ve seen Her even recently, in one lovely form or another proverbially winking at me, some fair maiden at coffeehouse or passing on the sidewalk, laughing gleefully yet not unmoved by devotions offered in each breath, for sometimes I’m sure I hear Her gasp with delight or desire as I raise my voice in intonations of sacred sounds, else in frenzied fervor of ecstatic nata, worshiping Her in wildman’s dance—devotions of a man mad with love’s spell, Kama’s arrow perhaps, or deeper far: bhakti. Jaya jaya MahaMaya!!! Jaya jaya Parvati!!!!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Glimpses of Gatherings
AUM circle . . .
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Documentary Trailer . . .
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2008 Wyoming (I was at this one briefly)
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(Forest pigs, i.e., USFS with guns, used teargas pellets on a peaceful crowd IN KIDDIE VILLAGE!!!!! What a bunch of creeps!!!)
World Rainbow Gathering in Thailand
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Another World Gathering, This One in Bosnia
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In the Sinai Desert
Their are kitchens coallesce for nigh every sorta crew, from Yoga Meadow and Krishna Camp to Jesus Camp and Jerusalem Kitchen, Halal kitchens (more generally found at the international gatherings) to Fairy Camp (gay and lesbian camp), to camps that set up stage for variety shows.
In Germany the ISKON ("Hari Krishna") folks doin' their ting'
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A Double Rainbow During 4th of July AUM circle in New Mexico 2009
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Montana 2000 This particular year I helped start a kitchen in Bus Village, "Au Naturale Café". Food is free, no money to be exhanged--trade circle's the thing, lotsa hugs and full respect all 'round. Naked people abound as a natural way of being, and not some love-in sorta thing, respect accompanies the Rainbow Tribe's ways!!! A modern bunch who lives more like the ideals of the saints of nigh any tradition you'll likely not find (with the partial exception that celibacy is not a general rule, though many sometimes go that route, and though appropriate cuddle-puddles sometimes happen, this ain't no orgy).
">
Big and skinny dance naked, covered in the mud, yet no one needs feel self-conscious here (New Mexico 2009), brothers and sistas, mommas n papas n little ones too, lovin' and protectin' eachother with righteous respect and all greated with "Welcome Home" when reaching the Gathering, whether in the Americas, Australia, Asia or Europe, Africa or some island in-between.
">
">
Documentary Trailer . . .
">
2008 Wyoming (I was at this one briefly)
">
(Forest pigs, i.e., USFS with guns, used teargas pellets on a peaceful crowd IN KIDDIE VILLAGE!!!!! What a bunch of creeps!!!)
World Rainbow Gathering in Thailand
">
Another World Gathering, This One in Bosnia
">
In the Sinai Desert
Their are kitchens coallesce for nigh every sorta crew, from Yoga Meadow and Krishna Camp to Jesus Camp and Jerusalem Kitchen, Halal kitchens (more generally found at the international gatherings) to Fairy Camp (gay and lesbian camp), to camps that set up stage for variety shows.
In Germany the ISKON ("Hari Krishna") folks doin' their ting'
">
A Double Rainbow During 4th of July AUM circle in New Mexico 2009
">
Montana 2000 This particular year I helped start a kitchen in Bus Village, "Au Naturale Café". Food is free, no money to be exhanged--trade circle's the thing, lotsa hugs and full respect all 'round. Naked people abound as a natural way of being, and not some love-in sorta thing, respect accompanies the Rainbow Tribe's ways!!! A modern bunch who lives more like the ideals of the saints of nigh any tradition you'll likely not find (with the partial exception that celibacy is not a general rule, though many sometimes go that route, and though appropriate cuddle-puddles sometimes happen, this ain't no orgy).
">
Big and skinny dance naked, covered in the mud, yet no one needs feel self-conscious here (New Mexico 2009), brothers and sistas, mommas n papas n little ones too, lovin' and protectin' eachother with righteous respect and all greated with "Welcome Home" when reaching the Gathering, whether in the Americas, Australia, Asia or Europe, Africa or some island in-between.
">
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