tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27997117313602318732024-02-21T00:11:21.677+00:00Smoke SignalsEllumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-61675221449267144642018-03-11T20:43:00.000+00:002018-03-11T20:48:51.159+00:00The Gutter Press Guru<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5486683/Gucci-Guru-claims-shes-alien-invade-peoples-brains.html" target="_blank">gutter press article</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The proof that this article is little more than trash, is ironically being endorsed by the quality of journal that is now publishing it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The author’s blind-sided fear of anything that slightly hints of “cult status” is perfectly evident in her latest career move - becoming the vigilante heroine in her own self created saga - of dethroning attempts by cheap defamation - to satisfy her own slowly expanding group of cold, intellectual separatist followers - viewing truth only through the tiny pinhole of their own, rigid expectation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">If this history itself does not raise suspicion as to her own pain inspired motivation - then the lack of thoroughness in her one sided appraisals - should be enough for any reader to take the story with a pinch of salt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Yet unfortunately the damage is done, the mission achieved in staining a reputation - by the power of suggestion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">A shocking abuse of journalistic responsibility - a token gesture only to the word of free speech - certainly not in the spirit of balanced, truthful reporting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">As far as I can ascertain - the author, carrying her own baggage of transgender anxiety - buried in the denying camouflage of her own career aspirations - stoops as low as possible in her latest dethroning attempt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I do not believe that the author - Be Scofield - has ever met her abused target - Teal Swan - and collects her secondhand journalistic waste produce - solely from a small minority (meaning tens of people at maximum) - out of several million who have encountered with sincere appreciation, Teal’s assured wisdom and generous gifts of healing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">A mere handful - who it has to be said - have also allowed themselves to be blindsided by their own disappointment, or their own severely challenged expectations - when confronted by Teal’s radical and iconoclastic style and content.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It is not for the faint hearted, nor for those who cling to consensus fears of identity and brainwashing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">However - it is for the sick at heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It does address the imbalance caused by the pressures of modern day living - and resonates to a timeless and natural truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Judge by their fruits - an expression once used in the question of discrimination - between genuine teacher and charlatan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Regardless of the fact that Teal’s style and personal history falls deep between the cracks in the way of expectation already paved - the perceptive will understand how there is a firm synchronicity between her early life path and her destined mission of healing - as she possesses methods, freshly constructed for this modern age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Dispensing with the chimera of mystique - shunning stereotypical expectations for spiritual teachers - embodying a radical and fearless vulnerability - encouraging all to authenticity and healthy skepticism - Teal is as far from a cult leader - as the author of this piece is, from being a worthy journalist - if this present output is any indication.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It is cheap journalism - focused entirely on the standards of lowly gossip, hearsay and biased opinion - cherry-picked to fuel a predetermined agenda - established by ignorant and in-substantiated fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The author is advised towards the wisdom of abandoning her own prejudices when seeking truthfulness - and expanding her potential as a multi dimensional being - rather than chasing fame as a tired hack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Reaping the benefits of studying her subjects first hand, in the fearless embrace of a new breed of liberty - which radiates from a teacher, bespoke for this age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Equipped to rid human consciousness of the very necessity for such abuses as this article so woefully displays.</span></div>
Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-55224650387109121172014-04-03T05:25:00.000+01:002014-04-03T05:26:43.623+01:00VICTORIA VIVES - INTERNATIONAL CHANTING & SINGING BOWL SESSION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">* All submitted videos to be compiled & edited into a WORLD-VIEW of the event.<br /><br />* RSVP at http://victoriavives.com/peace - to keep in touch with event news.</span></b>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-65655529895366473542014-03-14T01:35:00.000+00:002015-10-25T06:44:41.746+00:00Tony & Carol (A Highly Erotic Romance - with a twist)CHAPTER 1<br>
<br>
Tony thought it really sad - and completely undeserving that Carol had never been on a real date. She had told him as much in one of the videos she had recorded and sent him electronically via the Internet.<br>
Time seemed to be running out - Carol was due to return to her homeland, Brazil, on the 23rd of that month - uncertain of her future, of whether she would be returning to Europe. Not that it was an insurmountable problem, the distance. Tony had traveled at least as far in the quest of his heart before now - and surely, he thought, nothing could possibly prove more disastrous than what had happened before.<br>
<br>
But to show Carol that he damn well meant every word he had ever written to her, to prove the sincerity of the compulsive longing that was bursting his heart - he would start by fixing this "never had a date" business.<br>
It so happened that the 23rd was the only free date that Tony had in his diary between two contracts - time for a quick trip, a flight to Frankfurt. A message left on Facebook read simply - "Flying to Germany evening of 22nd - I have a hire car at my disposal - I'm going to take you out on a date. Please inform me if this is totally impossible - for any reason."<br>
<br>
This would be it - perhaps the only opportunity for a meeting before distance intervened - different time zones started adding complications to their communication.<br>
<br>
The next 24 hours were tense as Tony awaited Carol's response - there were 9 days to go before the flight to Brazil - she would no doubt be busy with preparations. Would she get to read it at all? The Internet was their only means of contact - they hadn't even exchanged email addresses - it was all being done at Facebook. But they both knew that the thread of love, no matter how thin, would not be broken - so long as it was true - it was a comfort to them both, in an insecure world - that indeed - every day's passing proved the strength of their growing bond.<br>
<br>
Tony recalled how it all came about.<br>
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In the course of propagating a warning around the Internet of a very unpleasant occurrence with a previous relationship, from a dating site - Tony subscribed to BlogCatalog - a social networking site for Bloggers.<br>
Clicking through the various members, visiting their own sites, perhaps inviting "friendship" is one of the ways to network - to attract more visitors to your own particular projects.<br>
One day, he discovered a site by CarolX. The most enigmatic and haunting poetry greeted him on this, his first ever visit there.<br>
Accompanied by a selection of photographs of the author.<br>
Knowing not the first thing about this young girl, Tony nevertheless was aware, in some deep instinctive part of his being, that here was a girl with something mysterious brooding inside of her, a clarity of thought and sensitivity, whose colourful use of the carefully chosen words of her poems somehow communicated a deep understanding - it was in an emotional language that he felt completely fluent in. It had resonance.<br>
The young girl in the photographs was stunningly attractive - and Tony felt moved to leave a comment for her.<br>
Just as our personalities manifest differently in different company - Tony felt carefully for the words to use in his comment - and was moved by the spirit of the girl he was communicating with - here for the very first time. The creation of this comment, again confirmed that he was talking to someone who would understand him - because of the words that were alchemised out of instinct.<br>
Carol's subsequent reply simply set the seal on this awareness. Yes, it was not a figment of the imagination - this girl and this man - somehow, had something quite intimate - a sharing - on some level. For Tony it created a great frisson of excitement.<br>
The months went by - occasional visits to each other's sites - comments being left - always revealing that spark, jumping from soul to soul.<br>
<br>
Magnetised by a mutual fascination and curiosity which grew from the subliminal until it burst into conscious life - with an exchange of passionate intensity. Both appealing to the other to bare themselves, in total honesty, in a tender trusting of each other - a ruthless truthfulness that would bring them together as close as it is possible across the Internet.<br>
It was an Immaculate relationship - existing, at this time, only in the text based world of the Internet.<br>
To some, that would be second rate - not fulfilling the desires of the flesh.<br>
But how much more intimate can it be than to bare your soul?To be honest with your thoughts, your passions? If this is missing from even the most physical of relationships - then surely, it is they that are second best?<br>
These were the conclusions that led them both to continue their adventure, in their own kingdom, they called it - away from the gravity of physical existence - where love and liberty reigned supreme.<br>
Very soon, exchanges of other media began to happen - audio messages - they were able to hear each other's voices - video messages - they were able to see the other breathing, smiling, laughing in their own environment - all of this adding a certain amount of "noise" to the original signal that had been intercepted - the signal transmitted through their writing.<br>
As far as Tony was concerned, this noise consisted of the imposing reality of Carol's physical beauty.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 2<br>
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Imagining the sort of turmoil that was going through Carol's mind these last few days before her departure, it was understandable that a reply to Tony's request only came through at the very last possible minute.<br>
But there it was - in his mail - Anne Carol Xante has left a message for you at Facebook - and a copy of that message, which sent Tony's heart racing, pounding the blood audibly through his veins, arousing in an instant his masculinity out of it's presumed retirement.<br>
<br>
Yes - this girl had a magical power over him alright. A power contained within her haunting words - that spoke secretly of an understanding - a common emotional language - a power contained within her photographs - those legs, so smooth, so strokeable - from her firm calves, exquisitely sculpted ankles, to the unimaginably ecstatic silkiness of her yet undiscovered thighs, the inside of those thighs - with their mysterious magnetism - some unseen biological ley-lines - like the lines in the petals of flowers - that lead the thirsty bee to the source of nectar. The gate to paradise garden opens here, at that creamy, golden softness.<br>
And the power of her beautiful face, her sparkling eyes, her warm smile - as observed in her many videos - regularly supplying Tony with barrels full of lust.<br>
<br>
In a short while, courtesy of the Internet, a plane ticket was booked for Frankfurt and a room at the Steigenberger Hotel for the night of the 22nd November.<br>
Tony hastily sent instructions for Carol to contact him, or to meet him at the Hotel - his flight was arriving in Frankfurt at 3' o' clock in the afternoon - a whole evening, and wishing on heaven, possibly a night to spend with his adored one. Tony was quite certain, uncannily so, that Carol would turn out to be exactly as he imagined, as he had dreamed - she was adventurous, bold, beautiful - and creative - this would be a time to remember for the rest of his days.<br>
<br>
At times like these, it just does not do to give any credence at all to negative thoughts - what ifs - it's just a case of DO IT - and live to be thankful that you did.<br>
<br>
An uneventful flight and a cab ride deposited Tony and his light luggage on the steps outside the sumptuous looking Hotel, and soon he was peering inside the drawers and cupboards inside his very comfortable room. Making the space his own - he hastily undressed, throwing his clothes with abandon just anywhere, and headed for the luxury of a shower - and the unfamiliar fragrances of the complementary toiletries.<br>
Of course - perfect timing - a head covered in shampoo, eyes squeezed tight - the phone could be heard ringing above the noise of the gushing shower. Urgently Tony grabbed a towel from the heated rail, wiped the froth from his face and eyes and dashed into the bedroom wrapping the towel around his waist.<br>
"Hello - room 517 - can I . . ."<br>
"Ola" said a voice that pierced straight into Tony's soul - that exotic tone, so full of spirit "It's me . . ."<br>
"Oh my goodness - wow - this is so weird, wonderfully weird - I can't believe this is happening - are you really going to go through with this?"<br>
Tony questioned - still convinced that Carol was way too good to be true - that there was a catch somewhere along the line - no one this beautiful could surely become a part of his life in any way so deep and meaningful?<br>
"Shall I go home then?" said Carol.<br>
"You're already here?" Tony squeaked.<br>
"I'm just having a coffee downstairs in reception. Are you going to come down?"<br>
"Just finishing my shower - I'll be there in five minutes."<br>
"No - enjoy your shower - take your time. All in good time." Said Carol, calmly, comfortingly - pouring a soothing oil over Tony's stormy turbulent sea.<br>
"Listen, Carol - thank you - before I hang up, just one thing."<br>
"OK?" prompted Carol.<br>
"It's just that - well - please understand how I feel - if you are who I think you are, I am not going to want to hide or bury my feelings for you - I will have to just say to you - those words - you know - that I've been waiting to say. It might be a little odd for us, at first, but I just have to close my eyes and remember - and I know again, who you are. It's as if . . . "<br>
"Tony - go and finish your shower - I know what you mean."<br>
"OK - see you ASAP." and he blew a kiss down the telephone.<br>
The phone buzzed it's dialing tone in response.<br>
<br>
So the shower was still running, a quick rinse and he'd be down those stairs like a shot - at least that is what he thought.<br>
No sooner had he stepped out of the shower for the second time when he heard a gentle tap-tap-tap on the main door to the room. Tony stopped and listened - just to make sure - again tap-tap-tap.<br>
Still dripping wet -Tony left the steamy warmth of the bathroom and leaving damp size nine footprints in a trail across the deep red carpet all the way to the door he slid aside the little brass cover of the peep hole.<br>
There was just enough time before it steamed up from the heat of his face, fresh from the shower, to see Carol, unmistakably it was her, adjusting her shoulder bag on the other side of the door.<br>
<br>
Tony opened the door a crack and beamed around the edge of the door - "Excuse me, please - I'm not dressed yet, I didn't know you were going to come up to . . ."<br>
"Surprise, surprise." said Carol easing her way into the room and leaning her back against the door to shut it. "Tony - what's the point of pretending? What's the point of hiding behind a stiff etiquette - this is an adventure of the heart - we cannot, we must not be manipulated by what we think we should do. This is our time - to do what we must do - what we feel compelled to do - and this is it - I am here - we are here - why did you come all this way? For etiquette?"<br>
Bringing Tony speedily to his senses, confirming all that he had hoped for in Carol's sincerity - it seemed that she was feeling the same as he was - gave Tony the courage to relax. His heart beating faster than ever before - Tony took the one step that was between them - and greeting in a very catlike manner - touched his forehead against hers - while leaning forward on his extended arms, a hand either side on the door frame.<br>
Wow - that first touch - currents of electricity zapped into Tony's brain.<br>
He detected now, above the novel smell of the shampoo and shower gel, a delicate yet deep floral fragrance - carried on the heat from Carol's skin - her face, her elegant neck, wrapped in a woolen scarf. Carried in the cloth of her coat. Imprinted in the leather of her shoulder bag. Carried to Tony's nostrils, to his brain, to his heart - and to a permanent place in his memory - Carol's smell.<br>
They held that moment - both with a quizzical smile and an unblinking stare into each other's eyes - almost challenging each other - well - see - we both kept our word - here we are.<br>
<br>
He felt the cold from outside in the material of Carol's heavy coat on his bare chest - and immediately wanted to let her share of his warmth. he started unbuttoning the coat, which with Carol's assistance was soon slumped on the floor around her ankles.<br>
Underneath - a vision of summer radiance - Carol's glowing skin - her perfect shape - lightly garnished with a cotton dress, the thin straps loosely, delightfully playing about her shoulders.<br>
Her beautiful legs, gently dipped in a pair of white strapped shoes.<br>
And heaving with each breath, dancing with the heartbeat inside her chest, her heavenly breasts, rising and falling - calling out to Tony's hands, his sensitive hands - he could feel their beautiful roundness, their soft but firm feminine luxury, the crispness of her nipples on his tongue - just by imagining - he felt their call upon his lips - the playfulness of his teeth - the threat of sharp danger, the abandon to trust - the invitation - the surrender to love, to deep, delicious lust - to the honeyed glow, the intoxication of forgetting - of being buried so deeply in these moments that nothing else existed.<br>
<br>
Tony felt a rising at the front of his towel - an inexorable pressure - the seeds of life were queuing up for an ancient dance - an age old ritual - a primordial act. Pulsing to the rhythm of a primitive & powerful drum - he felt the eternal man, the essence of masculinity. And there in front of him was the beautiful cause of all of this - all that was happening in his heart, in his soul, in his mind - and obviously now, to both of them - in his body.<br>
Slightly embarrassed by this uncontrollable betrayal of his eagerness, he wanted desperately to press against her - clothed or unclothed - she was like a magnet to him. He pulled Carol towards him - one hand in the softness of the hair at the back of her head - another pressing the middle of her back, bringing her close - he looked into her eyes - shook his head with wide-eyed disbelief - and silently - communicating everything now in that secret semaphore of body language - their mouths prepared for a first kiss.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 3<br>
<br>
Such a warm, sunny smile could only taste as sweet as honey.<br>
Such an exotic tongue, loosened by laughter, lubricated by humour, made vital by the intellect - moistened with a privacy that only the most intimate have known. Tasting the essence of taste itself - the sweet, the sour, the salt - that wondrous elixir - Carol's uniqueness - to let her own saliva mingle with his, to swallow it whole, greedily - take her in - let part of her be inside him - and live there forever - something real, of her, from her - a part of her very self.<br>
<br>
Time stood still - every frame, frozen - enjoyed in its minute detail - the first lightest brush - smile upon smile - the comfortable fullness of soft, warm flesh - the feel of hot breath, caught between a gasp and a sigh - the enclosure, the seal - ensuring that none of this escapes - that nothing can eavesdrop on this privacy - tongues encountering shiny teeth - tongue intertwining with tongue, like a pair of snakes in a passionate mating coil - flanking each other closely - following, echoing, dancing the same dance - sliding - pushing - testing for strength - swallowing - breathing - a long corridor brightening - doors have opened - the soul has flung open wide all its barriers - the light floods out - the spirits rise in the breath - heart screams out to heart - love me, take me, enjoy me - I love you, I am taking you, I am enjoying you.<br>
And all this time the eyes are no more use - they have turned inwards - gazing at the crystal - looking at the flames.<br>
All is a world of taste, of tightly pressed faces, of hands in knotted hair, of masks set aside, of mingling, of a contained explosiveness, an animal power that must be rationed, with adoration, with softness, with gentleness - lest its full energy become consuming, cannibalistic.<br>
<br>
A tiny fraction of longing had been appeased, satiated by this - the first kiss - but this glorious appetizer had in turn set in stone, had written in large letters across the sky - had commanded the universe - so inevitable now was the completion of their union - the ownership of both of their lives had changed hands, both had given completely to the other. Everything that happened now was foreplay - tantalising, ecstatic teasing. Each word, each look - each movement - the space between them had become conductive - the air itself transmitting neurological messages, sparks - erogenous signals.<br>
They would not be parted, physically, for more than the lift of a fingertip. A circuit had been completed and now the current had to keep flowing - currents of touch, currents of love. How deep would they let their longings sink their barbs into each other - how would this adventure affect their lives?<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 4<br>
<br>
After the eternity of their first kiss, with stars in their eyes, their heads full of short-circuited synapses, nerve endings fused together - indeed the world that greeted their sight now was brand new.<br>
Tony lifted Carol bodily, balancing himself on one leg - with the big toe of his free foot managed to prize off Carol's shoes, and sweep them out of the way. He then placed her down so that her bare feet were standing on his. He held her tightly in his arms - pressed her close to his naked chest - he felt the curve of her breasts for the first time - forming a soft, yielding cushion between them. He felt her slender waist - the firm sloping of her buttocks away from his hand - irresistible fruit - a course of the meal that they were both preparing for - a particularly sweet dessert that aroused much more than his appetite.<br>
<br>
With his hand just above these succulent cheeks, he pressed her loins hard against his. Recovered from his embarrassing arousal earlier, now in its more habitual state - pointing to the floor - nevertheless - Tony could feel all the delicate contours of Carol's body through the towel and her thin cotton dress.<br>
Holding her precious body safely, his movements were shadowed by Carol, on top of his feet - as they performed a slow dance - twirling, turning, spinning - laughing - smiling into each others eyes - kissing - chests, necks - lips again - those now beautifully familiar lips.<br>
<br>
An erotic tango - joined at the hips - which never once released their urgent pressing.<br>
Tony's hands descended, on impulse, to cup Carol's buttocks - two firm, luxurious domes, as he pressed against her harder and harder. Compulsive instincts were now shouting their orders from all sides of his brain - how could he contain all this desire - it was beginning to be overpowering - overwhelming - what would happen if his self control was to be defeated?<br>
He was starting to find out - he dropped both of his arms to the hem of Carol's dress and with his fingers outstretched into the gap between her legs, smoothed his palms over the back of her thighs, his fingers sensing the softness, the give of warm flesh - becoming softer, smoother as he slowly and firmly brought his hands up underneath her dress - until he held her bare buttocks - all that was exposed beyond her very brief panties.<br>
He lifted her again bodily, and allowed her to slide down against him - forcing her to feel the tip of his now, once again erect penis - jutting up underneath the towel - jamming it, through a wad of toweling, cotton dress, cotton panties against her crotch.<br>
<br>
Brushing aside her hair with the tip of his nose, with a flurry of quick kisses, Tony made his way from her cheek to her earlobe - nibbling it gently with his lips before the urgent message was loudly whispered into her ear "Carol - you are so delectably gorgeous . . ." but at times - somehow the English language just seems tame, too confined a space to express the choking explosiveness of desire - and profanity seems more natural, more earthy, more honest - "I won't be able to get enough of you, I want to fuck you so bad - I love you so, so much - I want to eat you up - suck you, fuck you, lick you, kiss you - I want to thrill you every fucking way that I can . . ." and completely in an unplanned, unconscious move - the couple found themselves rolling on top of the made up bed amidst some of Tony's cast off clothes from earlier on.<br>
Casually throwing a sock onto the floor, removing a trouser leg that had resisted gravity - the bed was cleared - leaving the playground vacant for these two intertwined lovers.<br>
<br>
Still firmly grasping Carol's buttocks in his hand, Tony laid back, with her lying completely on top of him - Tony slid his legs aside, lifted them and crossed his ankles together behind Carol's back, pulling her down for another long kiss - he held her head in his hands - and rolled over so that they were now both lying on one side. But Tony winced suddenly - some of his chest hair had become entangled in one of the small soft buttons at the bust of Carol's dress. She looked down to see what was causing the trouble, carefully undoing the buttons, one by one. The offending button was soon found, but the unbuttoning continued. On reaching her waist - Carol grabbed Tony's hand and forced it inside of her dress - placing it upon her silken smooth breast.<br>
Tony could feel the chuff of her erect nipple brushing the palm of his hand. The point of no return had been passed - in the first second of their very first kiss. Any ideas either of them may have had about going out for a meal, about chatting things over - well - they seem to have got lost on the way somewhere. This was honest to goodness passion, nature's way, lust, delicious lust - desire meeting desire - flesh craving for flesh - nothing was going to stop this runaway now.<br>
Carol was not wearing a bra under her dress - her breasts were beautifully free - unrestricted - Tony never wore underwear either.<br>
Tony shut his eyes as now both of his hands explored the sensation of Carol's wonderful breasts. Oh the delight, to be inside Carol's intimate zone - her private world - her bountiful gifts of femininity - so perfectly answering the call of Tony's desires.<br>
<br>
He swept aside the open lapels of Carol's unbuttoned dress - with eyes shut tight, and with the instincts of a suckling child, homed in on her nipple with his lips - toying with his tongue - it became like the lost world in his imagination - a rising plateau out of the continent of her breast - he felt the uniqueness - the slightly rippled taught skin - the tense edges - the walls rising to the top - the soft breast tissue beneath - the tension, the throbbing expansion perfectly echoed the throbbing he was feeling in the tip of his manhood - now extended, reaching out to its full length and protruding through the parted towel.<br>
<br>
Carol, in one swift move, curled up her knees and slid off her panties, throwing them behind her head. They hit the wall above the pillows and came to rest halfway off of the bed.<br>
Tony reached out to flick them on to the floor - but their warmth changed his mind - he pulled them in - deftly spun them around in his hand until the inside of the crotch was facing upwards.<br>
Carol's most intimate smell - how he had been craving to know this, to know that taste and smell. Greedily he brought his hand holding the panties to his nostrils - rubbing it all over his nose - the ecstacy, the divine scent, like an animal with a fresh kill.<br>
His nose received a signal also, of a different kind - the tip of his nose detected a distinct dampness - a cloying dampness - juices from Carol - trickled - squeezed out by her passion - her readiness - it is totally an animal thing - this smell - this moistness. Tony eagerly rubbed his tongue over the gently coarse fabric - feeling the strange drying that the cotton brought - but all the time tasting, smelling, he wanted to drink her soul, swallow her whole - intoxicated by secret pheremones.<br>
Her essence - Divine Carol - goddess in his heart - they were about to become as close as it is possible - they were about to share their bodies with each other - to enter in - trusting - throbbing - exploding with desire and longing - those most intimate parts - just made for each other - perfectly lubricated - perfectly stout - perfectly equipped with sensation - the universe would find a new center soon - at the tips of those most sensitive parts - joined together in a tingling ecstacy - waves of life's warm fire, licking at them, engulfing them both, burning up all longing, satisfying every craving - the perfect way to express that deep, profound, unconquerable love that had brought them together - it was as far as they could go - before death itself brought them anonymity and another perfect union.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 5<br>
<br>
Tony was quite used to a life of philosophizing, chewing the intellectual cud, ruminating over the whys and wherefores of this existence - this baffling adventure, the miracle of life.<br>
But he had never in his entire time on the planet, been moved so deeply as the time he had spent since the communication with Carol had started.<br>
<br>
It was a complete mystery to him - it was not as simple as seeing her physical beauty, and falling madly in love, in an infatuated sort of way.<br>
No - somehow Carol made him buzz, vibrate - the intense passion that he felt towards her was generated from the inside. Being close to her, expressing how he felt, letting her know exactly what she meant to him became an essential - a determined necessity to him.<br>
<br>
Many times, before they had actually met, he would collect his thoughts on the subject - trying to put things in perspective - was he just being crazy? Every time this happened, he would clear the picture, rub the slate clean - leave space for reason - for common sense to assert itself again - but every time, something else would happen.<br>
<br>
Left with only his own soul to contemplate, just his own heart - everything he felt in that space would start to sing - one name - Carol - he could only picture one face - Carol - he felt that every aspect of his life, every atom of his being would be perfectly in tune with one person - Carol - she appeared as the Eve for his Adam - natural woman for natural man.<br>
It was for all of these reasons - because it was generated from the inside - that his passion was so strong - his desire to be intimately close with her - he needed to connect on every single level - he needed to hold her, to press their hearts together in a tight embrace, to kiss, to open mouths into each other, to let the spirits fly into each other's heart, to breathe her breath, to taste her taste, to feel with her sensations.<br>
He loved her, he adored her - physical union was elevated way beyond any notion of sex - it was a desperate union of souls.<br>
<br>
And as they lay there, entwined, their energies flowing around between them like a fireball - the foreplay for their most intimate union had already begun.<br>
<br>
Tony removed the panties from his face and saw Carol smiling at him, with a look in her eyes that brought a tidal wave of warmth from his heart.<br>
He felt his heart break open - such a joy flooded his being - that his eyes started to moisten with tears - how could such happiness have escaped him until now.<br>
"Carol" he said, with a lump in his throat - "This is almost too intense for me - and I really want everything to be so special. Would you mind if I just hug you, cuddle you for a while - hold you so close to me - let me try and take this all in? You are so special to me - so precious - I just want . . ."<br>
Carol smiled and nodded her head "Wow - I know what you mean - I don't want to rush this either - we don't know what other memories we may have, do we - I mean, to take away with us?"<br>
The frightful prospect of separation after this night in heaven together suddenly haunted both of their minds.<br>
This was indeed the most precious of moments.<br>
Tony squeezed his eyes tight shut, rubbed away the moisture from his eyelids - a resigned smile formed on his lips - he took a pace forward on his knees and squatted down beside Carol's head as she reclined back on the top of the bed.<br>
<br>
He stooped down and kissed her on her forehead, then both of her eyelids, then the tip of her nose - then he lay himself down on his stomach, cupped her head in his hands and their lips met once again in a warm compassionate kiss - tongues playfully flicking each other - delighting in the intimate taste of the other's mouth, his hand delightfully exploring the smooth, graceful contours of her gorgeous neck.<br>
"Let's snuggle up under the bed-covers" - suddenly Carol sat up - "could you help me off with my dress" she said, raising her arms up to the ceiling. Tony positioned himself facing her back, and started to pull the dress up from just under her armpits, sliding it up and over her head.<br>
Naked Carol - shaking her hair into place - not a stitch - save for her wristwatch - which she took off and placed on the bedside table. Tony began to feel overdressed in the towel, and Carol, as if slightly bashful at her sudden total nudity, brought her knees up to her chest, crossed her arms and started to reach down to hold her feet, curling up into a compact shape - and looked rather sheepishly up at Tony, with a pixie like smile. "It's beautifully weird, wonderfully odd this - isn't it." Tony spoke, to relieve his sudden embarrassment at realizing that he was still modestly covered.<br>
<br>
"OK - we vowed to be honest, totally, nakedly honest - not hiding anything - I love you Carol - well - here's me then." So saying he pulled open the knotted ends of the towel wrapped around his waist, took off the ring he wore on his little finger and placed it inside the curl of Carol's watch, aware that everything he owned was now dangling from just below his stomach.<br>
"Here's me" he said again - and sat himself in a similar position to Carol<br>
facing her on the bed.<br>
Their eyes met - a long stare - a long beautiful smile - "Here we are then" said Carol.<br>
"My God, you're so fucking gorgeous" said Tony - genuinely choked by the<br>
power of this fresh reminder of how he felt.<br>
"Shall we?" He inquired, indicating the inside of the bed with his eyes and head.<br>
"Hang on a moment, please - let's let our eyes explore for a while - can we?"<br>
"Carol - if I explore you with anything, I'm going to get excited, so it really makes no difference at all."<br>
But at this suggestion, as if he needed permission, he looked down - through a tiny gap between Carol's ankles, he could see, nestled between her beautiful buttocks on the bedspread - almost glowing in it's magnetism - the folds of her labia, her vagina lay within - her clitoris lay, perhaps, hooded at this moment.<br>
"I want you to see the effect you have on me, sweet Carol - most fucking tantalizing girl I have ever, ever known"<br>
With that, Tony stretched out his legs, revealing his penis in it's last few seconds of flaccidity. He knew that he was about to be aroused by the sight he had just seen.<br>
<br>
"Just watch" he said.<br>
With that, both pairs of eyes stared down at where his penis was slowly rising from between his legs. Up to the level of the tops of his thighs - it did a little twitch - righted itself - starting to swell , imperceptibly at first. The foreskin gradually becoming tighter and tighter as the purple glans that it covered began to swell and shine - the foreskin gradually pulling itself back of its own accord until the head was free. And still it stiffened, still it swelled - until pointing upwards towards his navel - lying now across his stomach - raised from the skin - throbbing by the passion that was pumping inside his veins.<br>
Tony knew exactly how to handle himself - after all he had been doing it for quite a few years - solo sex - and grabbed his penis by the shank, close to where it parted from his body and lifted it so that it was pointing towards the ceiling - with a push of his groin - and lowering his hand to pull back and downwards on his scrotum, bringing his balls out of the way - the full length of his penis now pointed up away from his body.<br>
"Carol - this is what you do to me - you turn me full on - whatever you may think - I don't care - this is my passion - full on for you - this wants to explode inside you - no idea what you expected - this is me - not small - not large - it's just me."<br>
"Wow - I've never seen an erection happen before, up close like that" said Carol "That must be amazing." Instinctively she made to reach out with her hand - then stopped, midway to ask "May I hold you?"<br>
"Fucking hell Carol" exclaimed Tony "I'm all yours - but I'm really sensitive at the moment - being here with you."<br>
"OK - here - take my hand, put it how you want - now we are being so open with each other - the reason I wanted to do exploring with our eyes - I want to show you, me." So saying, she stretched out her legs flat onto the bed, raised her hands to her breasts and gave them a little squeeze.<br>
"Oh my goodness - Jeez - fucking hell Carol - you are so fucking gorgeous . . ."<br>
<br>
As she slid her grasp around, up and down Tony's hard penis she took hold of his hand with her other hand - pulled him towards her - Tony spread his legs so that one passed either side of her and her slightly arched legs now allowed them to be so very close - Tony could have just bent down his penis and been able to touch it to the outer lips of her vagina.<br>
In his mind - it was elevated in status - yes - the genitals, for all their sublime sensitivity - were functional parts of the anatomy - pure and simple - but within the mind, they caused such a stir - the cloistered secrecy, the privacy, the intimacy. Carol's vagina was to Tony, literally a garden of paradise - the word vagina would have stuck in his throat, sounding awkward - just as penis sounded so cold and anatomical - instead of how he was feeling it - cock, prick - likewise - her delicious garden was a cunt - a fucking beautiful cunt - juicy, warm, soft - scented with her own particular smell - he had smelled it on her panties.<br>
He placed a hand on top of Carol's, strengthening her grip on his cock, bending it a way from his body to get the blood pumping.<br>
His other hand was under the guidance of Carol's other hand - and was slowly being moved - she was separating his fingers - selecting his index finger - and curling all the others back into a fist.<br>
She raised his index finger to her mouth and to the greeting of a soft, warm pink tongue - wet with freshly gathered saliva - she covered the tip of his finger - and lowered it down to her cunt.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 6<br>
<br>
Tony had recently looked back at the comments on one of Carol's social networking sites, to see just when it was that he first started to feel her mysterious allure - and discovered that he had left a comment to her on July 4th - some 4 months previous. In all that time, a little magic had been working away inside him - and more recently a big magic.<br>
Often he would lie in bed, taking the memories of Carol's pictures, videos with him in his mind - just saturating himself in the glorious glow of the thoughts that followed - eyes closed - focused in his mind.<br>
He could not help but wonder at the sheer delight of how it would be, miracle upon miracles, if they were ever to spend time together, he would imagine her - the feel of her breasts in his hand, the softness of her glossy hair, wondering how she looked, naked.<br>
Now - that miracle had indeed come true - and all his wondering, his wild imaginings were being matched now with real sensations.<br>
<br>
Carol took the finger that she was gently leading and stroked the length of it up the line of her outer vagina lips - causing her to shut her eyes momentarily, with a sharp intake of breath and dip a toe briefly in the shallows of that vast sea of ecstasy - feeling the tiniest fragment of its potential bliss - brushing the flat surface of his finger nail up and over her budding clitoris - sheltering under its hood. Tony's fingers were sensitive and nimble through many years of piano playing - he had direct lines of communication from his fingertips to his heart and the sensation of Carol's most intimate secrets, feeling her heat, her moist readiness - and remaining slave to Carol's guidance - was hard - it was hard for him to not immediately turn into the animal that lurked just beneath the surface now, force her on to her back and fuck her with her legs splayed out by his grasp of her calves for maximum penetration, pulling her repeatedly closer and closer so that he was buried inside her up to the hilt - thrusting hard a furiously until his seed exploded into her loins. That was what his instincts were crying out to do - but his heart refused them - his heart wanted tenderness - insisted on a shared pleasurable experience - he would be patient.<br>
<br>
His finger was led to her little crop of pubic hair - carefully crafted to look so natural - Tony wanted now to sip at that fountain - he wanted to taste, to kiss these heavenly lips - he would be patient.<br>
Turning his wrist around, Carol proceeded to part her outer lips with his finger and gradually insert it into the glowing dampness of her vagina - he felt the mysterious corrugations on the inside as she pushed his finger slowly - in and out - in and out - how he wanted to suck his finger now - covered in her delicate juices.<br>
Tony realized that his eyes were shut as he concentrated on this dreamlike time - how could this be happening - he kept asking himself - he blinked open his eyes - to find Carol smiling - her own eyes shut tight - as the gentle rhythm of this micro-penetration continued.<br>
<br>
Tony stared across to her beautifully feminine breasts - her dark nipples - now soft and smooth.<br>
Enough was enough - he had come to bursting point - his balls were starting to ache with the retention, against their will, generations preceded this moment - all of evolution - procreation ever foremost on its schedule - all this weight suddenly came crashing through the barrier of his resistance.<br>
<br>
Pushing Carol on to her back, he placed both of his hands on her breasts, squeezing their inviting texture, toying with her nipples which responded by hardening again - he bent forward and kissed her - speaking into her mouth "Fucking hell Carol - I'm going to take you, I'm going to fuck you and fuck you - my cock is screaming to bury itself inside you . . ." He smeared his lips away from hers - following the shape of her neck - down to her nipples - plucking at them - fluttering his tongue over them - kissing the luxurious soft flesh of her breasts - daintily nibbling her nipple with his teeth - just firmly enough to lift and drop - lift and drop - intakes of air through his mouth caused a coldness - comforted by the warmth of being sucked into his mouth - played with, enjoyed some more. Down to her little navel - he kissed her navel - explored it with his tongue - lowering his hand he painted the inside of her soft thighs with the tips of his fingers - causing Carol to spread herself open wide and thrust her pelvis towards the ceiling with a gasp.<br>
<br>
Tony cupped the whole of her crotch in his hand and gently rubbing, parted her lips and inserted his middle finger inside her now even more moist opening - feeling her clitoris with his thumb and pressing against the roof of her cunt now with his finger - searched for those sensitive areas - he brought his head down and brushed his lips lightly against her pubic hair - already the smell of Carol's juices, the beautiful scent of her cunt was arousing his own erection to a full, throbbing stiffness.<br>
<br>
His tongue now hunted out her clitoris - flicking, pressing into either side, underneath - coaxing it - easing it to expose itself - its smooth swollen surface - to the slippery juices of Tony's saliva - he felt that shiny dome between his teeth - could hear Carol's breathing changing - open mouthed now - becoming faster, heavier - working with his inserted finger on her G spot - on the roof of her vagina and kissing, gently sucking, willing that little clitoris to swell and swell - he felt her rhythm rising and rising - taking over from his tongue with a finger of his other hand - Tony positioned himself - his head now squarely between Carol's thighs - his tongue extended, stiffened to a point - he licked the juices flowing from Carol's opening, trickling down towards the tightened asterisk of her anus - he licked around the circumference of her beautifully tasting labia - sucking at them with his lips - withdrawing his finger for a while - Tony embraced the whole of her cunt in his mouth sucking furiously, swallowing her taste, her smell, bathing in the torrential bliss that was now bringing both of them out in a slight sweat - pushing his tongue as far as would reach inside her - the taste of his Goddess - they were actually making love - the world could have started spinning in an opposite direction - neither of them would have noticed - not now - they had entered that oblivion - where passion alone cracks her whip - free-falling to the inevitable - they were now floating - rising - or descending - accelerating - heartbeats - breathing - all to a crescendo of red heat, smells, tastes all merged, sensations started to become one sensation - dancing to the same drumbeat - louder and louder - Tony had no idea how his beloved would react - what was her rhythm? - they were both improvising on a theme - on the theme of lust - the clitoris again - the tongue spiraling around its shiny mound - Carol's erection - tasted so good, felt so wonderfully excited and exciting - Tony could sense from her breathing and the twitching of her pelvis, her widening hips - inviting, demanding him to fuck her now, fuck her now - he knew that he was so sensitive, that he would wait till the last possible moment before he introduced his cock for the first time - into that wonderland of warmth, of slippery heaven - it had to be now, it had to be now - Tony grasped his throbbing prick and easily found Carol's moist opening - crying, open mouthed to be fucked - oh boy, was this good - he felt the tip of his penis touch the soft inside of her cunt - he pulled Carol close to him - grasping her thighs - pulling themselves groin to groin - he slowly pushed his cock right inside her - pushing - slowly entering the final rhythm - all the time moistening his fingers with saliva and teasing the clitoris - he wanted them to explode together - to disappear in a fireball - of mutual orgasm - surely Carol was almost there - her vocal utterances, her totally ecstatic noises indicated that she was reaching the top - ready to fly away - the energy that he wanted to fuck her with was in proportion to his passion - slam, slam their loins bumped, faster and faster - harder and harder - Tony started to feel the door of his orgasm opening - gritted his teeth - tried to hold back - while keeping the pumping rhythm - " Fucking hell Carol - I love you, I fucking love you - baby I fucking want you for ever and ever - feel me in your cunt - your fucking beautiful cunt - I fucking want to burst inside you - fucking hell - oh! -Oh!"<br>
<br>
Carol started shouting "I'm going to come - awwww! - Oh! - Ahh! - I'm coming - I'm going to come - yes - yes - harder - harder - ah! -ah!"<br>
"I'm coming - I'm going to fucking drown you in come" shouted Tony - "fuck I love you - I fucking adore you - I'm coming . . ."<br>
<br>
And the fireball exploded - jets of foam erupted from the end of Tony's cock - spurting with the force of rifle bullets into Carol's waiting insides - accompanied by ripples of heat - shuddering, shattering pulses from the root of his body - the tip of his cock to the ceiling of his brain - he roared - a deafening roar.<br>
Carol was herself twitching - shaking - moaning one long orgasmic moan - a squeal that could have brought the angels from heaven.<br>
Tony felt every ounce of fluid in his body being squirted into Carol - he would not spare one single drop.<br>
They remained motionless - the occasional shudder passing between them - still embedded into one another - pressed as close as they could possibly be.<br>
<br>
Tony slumped on to his back - being careful not to pull his now deflating cock out of Carols sucking cunt - she wanted to hold on - he could feel her pulsing - her muscles tightening and loosening their grip on his penis - how fucking wonderful was that.<br>
<br>
Then Tony had a sudden urge, something he had never thought of before - he wanted to lick Carol clean - he wanted to suck and swallow all the mingled juices from her.<br>
"Darling, beloved - empty yourself into my mouth." She knew exactly what Tony meant and knelt up slightly opening her legs for Tony to approach her from underneath.<br>
Slowly the juices trickled down - the warm juices - both of them - their taste - combined - their passionate elixir - Tony scoured with his tongue searching Carol's now extremely sensitive cunt for any remaining drops.<br>
"Don't swallow it Tony - don't" Said Carol as she pulled Tony onto his side and stretched out alongside him. Tony felt his damp cock rubbing on her thigh - which caused a tingle of delight.<br>
Grabbing the back of Tony's head in her hand - she pushed her mouth up to his and forced her tongue into Tony's mouth - forming a seal with their lips - they exchanged all these juices - passing it back and forth - adding saliva of their own - the tastiest, human soup - their combined essence.<br>
When they pulled apart - each had a sufficient mouthful - which they revealed to each other - white and glistening on their tongues - before, mutually staring into each other's eyes - they swallowed into the depths of their being, and fell into each other's arms - the beautiful sensation of Carol's naked body - limbs entwined - just felt so comforting - so absolutely perfect. Tony pulled her close to him sharing as much contact of flesh as he could - and they wriggled about to enclose themselves underneath the cover of the bed.<br>
They just lay there in each other's tight embrace - breathing restoring to its normal speed and depth - glowing from head to toe - shut their eyes and drifted off into each other's dreams.<br>
Tony was in heaven at last.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 7<br>
<br>
After a few hours of peaceful sleep, Tony awoke, desperately needing the bathroom. Carefully and slowly sliding himself sideways out of the bed and creeping across the floor - silently closing the bathroom door - and answering natures call as quietly as was possible.<br>
The dilemma - to flush or not to flush - that is the question.<br>
Hmmm - he cast his mind back to earlier on, just before his shower and remembered it not causing too much noise - so the chrome button on top of the cistern was pressed - and to Tony's further relief, was incredibly quiet.<br>
He crept back to the bed, and carefully climbed in again.<br>
There was still sufficient light, because of the undrawn main curtains, to cast a glow - enabling Tony to look at the incredibly beautiful vision, fast asleep next to him in the bed.<br>
Carol - curled up on her side - eyes tight shut - he wondered where she was in her dreams.<br>
Such a picture of peacefulness - he had a close look at the tattoo on her right shoulder - "Mum" - hopefully - in Chinese - she had informed him.<br>
He carefully drew the bed-cover up to keep her warm.<br>
Her eyes blinked open - again that pixie like smile - "I'm not asleep, either," she said "I woke up the minute you moved away from me."<br>
"Oh my darling, I'm so sorry to have woken you" responded Tony, annoyed with himself.<br>
"No, I'm glad - really glad - this time together is far too precious to spend sleeping."<br>
"My God, you're so right" agreed Tony "I think the only appeal of sleep is to escape the awful thought of you flying away from me to Brazil. Still - I knew what the deal was."<br>
"Yes" said Carol "But I don't really want to go - I mean - I can't see any point. I only want to be with you - I am so, so happy, being with you, I want to give it a go. Yes, we've both got lots of loose ends to sort out - but this is an opportunity, don't you think?"<br>
"Opportunity?" Exclaimed Tony - and laughed out loud "Bloody hell - I can't believe it - hearing you say that - fuck me - I can't stand this, I've died and gone to heaven - I must have . . ."<br>
Carol reached down and pulled Tony's penis which was starting to rise again - caused by the news that she had just announced - total release of any trace of inhibition, any stain of doubt.<br>
"Do they have these in heaven, then?" inquired Carol, jokingly "Well - I can answer that - yes they do - because I was there a couple of hours ago."<br>
Tony gently pressed Carol back onto the mattress from reclining on her elbow, and planted a kiss on her breast - holding on to her rib-cage at either side - and flickered at her nipple with his tongue. Never before had he felt so surrendered to his love - never before had he felt so bursting with adoration. If Carol felt even remotely the same sort of feelings - this was it - big time - this was a match carefully drawn up in heaven - prepared for by all of their lives so far - awaiting this time.<br>
In fact - it could have been many lifetimes - to wait for such perfection as this to come along.<br>
He lowered his hand and rubbed Carol's little crop of pubic hair, feeling that rising mound just below her stomach - it was just a perfect fit for his hand - it just felt like here was his Eve. The strokes of his hand gradually lengthened so that his middle finger gently glided over her closed lips - sensing, exactly where her beautiful, pink, glistening vagina lay - just a parting away. Unmistakably, Carol was moist again. This moistness has an immediate effect, indicating readiness - it is instinctive - the male response with an erection - the more that wetness is felt - the stiffer, the more throbbing the erection becomes.<br>
Tony moved himself on to his back and lifted up his cock - Carol passed one leg over his torso and squatted down on his thighs - with both hands, she grabbed Tony's pulsing member and started to massage, in a most erotic fashion - leaning forwards and allowing an elastic dribble of saliva to slowly descend from her tongue until it fell right upon the eye of his penis and lubricated the whole of the purple head.<br>
Then, holding with one hand, she lifted herself forwards onto her knees, and positioned herself ready to slide his stiff cock into her gloriously warm cunt.<br>
"Oh, fuck!" Tony thought to himself - "That is fucking amazing" and let out a groan of delight. Slowly, enjoying every inch of the slow descent - Tony's cock slid up into the ever comforting inside of Carol's intimate femininity. Tony grasped her about the waist and brought both of his thumbs to gently contact her clitoris - occasionally removing a hand to his mouth for saliva. Occasionally grasping as much of her breasts as he could possible squeeze without causing any pain - rubbing his thumbs over and around her taught nipples.<br>
Then Carol withdrew herself from Tony's cock and rubbed the wet and sensitive end of it upon her clitoris - rubbing more and more energetically.<br>
Surprisingly, Tony felt another wave of urgency to come - to shed more seed - despite having, he thought, completely drained himself a couple of hours previously - this was rare for him - very rare - it was purely Carol's doing - she just was so delectable - and Tony did not feel the slightest discomfort in her company - far from it - he felt alive, bursting with love, life, passion, tenderness, excitement - the future seemed to stretch out in front of him like a lush green meadow, clear blue sky, a radiant sun beaming down upon them both.<br>
<br>
"Tony, I know that you say you are sensitive - so let me get most of the way there before you start getting energetic - I understand these things, I'm so turned on by all this, I'm not very far off already. Come down, I really enjoyed your mouth - can I have some more please - he, he," she chuckled "Oliver Twist - with a twist!"<br>
"Yes it's a real pain" Tony said "I get so turned on as well, and focused, it's just a straight line to orgasm - you know, that, and the perceived power that you have over me, through my desire for you - is at the root of my feelings - I don't ever imagine myself as able to just go on hammering away - which is how I perceive a woman's expectations - how I imagine women dream of being satisfied. You see, that's why I never even get close to evaluating sexual performance - I don't even like to enter that arena - so I never would contemplate evaluating you on your sexual performance - I am turned on by you - that's as far as it goes - that's all that matters - everything else is just pure intimate joy. And I am turned on by the intimacy, by being close to the person I love and adore - in a completely unpretentious and natural way - no artifice - any form of intimacy, of sharing, is just complete heaven for me - I mean for goodness sake - it doesn't all hinge on orgasm does it? The fact that I am telling you this, is an indication of how much I feel so complete with you - complete in wanting you to have my trust. I have never told anyone else about this fear of mine. Not even my therapist." He chuckled - no therapist could ever get close to this - somehow it required this physical, emotional intimacy, the acceptance that he felt by Carol - for good or for bad - he didn't feel as if she had a judgmental bone in her body.<br>
<br>
In his mind - any form of judgement was simply a non starter as far as Carol was concerned - he felt incapable of concealing, of reversing his adoration for her - it was just inconceivable.<br>
"Can you put your tongue to work, please - don't try and carry on this conversation at the same time - it's ridiculous, and it would sound even more ridiculous coming from down there." She laughed - and Tony saw how funny that picture was - and laughed so hard that Carol was bounced up and down on his stomach. "I've been hanging on to you for about half an hour now - I don't see any signs of change, yet - your'e still excitingly stiff - and you haven't squirted me in the face yet." More laughter - the laughter was almost as good as the orgasm - sharing that laughter - just brought Tony's heart to his mouth again and he wriggled out and sat up from under Carol's bottom, and just hugged her for all he was worth - rocking her from side to side - "Oh I love you so much - so, so much - I can't believe this bursting inside - I feel like I'm being reborn."<br>
Carol lay down on to her back, and bent her legs at the knees, opening herself - ready for Tony to start painting her, tasting her, licking, feasting on her delicacy - "Please - Mr Bumble" she said, and giggled - Tony understood the reference and tried to contain his sniggering laugh as he pointed his tongue, shut his eyes and passed through heaven's door again.<br>
<br>
Tony was sure that he heard a faint bleeping sound - he concentrated his acute musician's ears - yes - again he heard it.<br>
"Darling, Tony - please excuse me I have to go to the bathroom."<br>
Carol efficiently swung her legs over to the floor and stood up - collecting something from her shoulder bag by the door of the room - she disappeared into the bathroom. Tony heard the door being locked.<br>
Somehow - her mood had changed - was it a mobile phone? That bleeping - was it all connected to this visit to the bathroom.<br>
Idle wondering flitted across Tony's mind as he caught himself unconsciously playing with his stiff penis.<br>
He listened intently - but could hear no signs of a conversation - maybe a text message or something.<br>
Come on - it was none of his business - why should he feel any cause for concern - he hoped everything was still alright - that whatever it was - was not some bad news or anything unpleasant for his adored Carol to receive.<br>
Tony stood up on the bed and posed with his erection in front of the mirror on the dressing table across the room.<br>
A police siren whistled below on the street and sped on down the road.<br>
Tony walked over to stare out of the window - at the twinkling early morning lights of Frankfurt through the net curtains - suddenly awoken to remembering that he was in Germany - from his timeless other-worldly consciousness.<br>
Time crept by. Awareness gradually became in tune with the fact that Carol had now been silently in the bathroom for - perhaps longer than was usual. He'll wait a bit more. No he won't - he strolled over to the bathroom door and gently tapped "Are you OK sweetheart?"<br>
Silence . . . "Fuck!" Tony thought, and knocked again, this time more urgently. "Everything alright darling?" He listened for a response - but none came. "Darling?" he inquired in the normal level of voice to communicate through barriers of wood "Darling, hello - you are in there?" A ridiculous question - there was no way out - except down the toilet - down one of the plugholes.<br>
He examined the door handle, there was a safety mechanism - a coin sized slot headed screw that would turn the lock. He dashed to his trousers to sort through the loose change - with a suitably thin coin he undid the bolt keeping the door secure, knocked again - and pressed down on the handle opening the door . . .<br>
<br>
CHAPTER 8 (into infinity)<br>
<br>
Both Carol and Tony were genetic androids, manufactured in the required way on the planet Earth - an intriguingly blue planet - positioned towards the end of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.<br>
One of the peculiarities of this particular model, (quite ancient in relative terms - they had been on the planet for a few thousand years now) - was their tendency to forget that they were indeed, just genetic androids, created originally from plans drawn up by a genius scientist (whose name has been lost over the years.) Placed on the planet among an enormous variety of other models, ranging from the microscopic to the elephantine, the Homo Sapiens model (the creator was having a little joke here - the name means "Wise Human" - he thought that this name would produce some interesting dynamics) was completely self generating - they had, built in to them, the means to reproduce.<br>
The basic instruction set was contained on a small E-prom chip, located at the rear of the skull and was as follows (in order of priority.)<br>
<br>
Main instruction set.<br>
<br>
* Preserve existence of self.<br>
* Reproduce.<br>
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Sub-set 1.<br>
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* Obey programmed tendencies.<br>
* Appetites.<br>
* Regular self servicing.<br>
<br>
Sub-set 2.<br>
<br>
* Integrate behaviour with other models, without contradicting Main instruction set.<br>
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* Explore deeper programming levels when ready.<br>
<br>
And so on - and way down the list, at Sub-set 639, we will find "Be happy."<br>
<br>
As you can see, the level of programming reveals the absolute genius of the creator - there are an almost infinite amount of permutations available, as each model cycles through the instruction set in random mode, governed by a unique crystal clock frequency.<br>
It is not at all surprising that these models did not often find themselves faced with one of the further sub-set instructions (put there as a little tease by the creator, a little fanfare of applause for himself) which was "Find out the truth about yourself."<br>
Very occasionally a model would have a clock malfunction while cycling through this particular instruction - with remarkably insightful results, which of course would not be believed by any of the other models. What would be the point, anyway - they were restricted in the manner in which they could understand communication with each other, which did not allow for direct transfer, but required all internal thought processes to be codified into a series of symbols, which could be written or sounded by speech capabilities. It was all very confusing for them - because each particular model could only really understand the objects within its own memory, to which it had applied the code (it was part of the tease.) So much so that the confusion tended to be blanked out, and by mutual agreement, new models were drilled in adhering strictly to not questioning any form of code.<br>
<br>
As an extra measure to ensure almost total uniqueness among models, they were provided with the ability to enter new code directly into their own RAM - it could be done with a little key-pad on the back of the charger unit.<br>
Yes, unfortunately, they did need constant recharging of the batteries which powered the E-prom and RAM. This was usually done at night, but models would sometimes risk approaching the maximum duration of a charge - which was estimated to be between 24 and 36 hours. When a dangerous low level was detected, a discrete bleep would sound in the model's ear. In suitable conditions, it could be picked up by another model in the audio channels.<br>
<br>
This was obviously what Tony had heard - not realizing that Carol would have taken such a risk as to go to "alarm level" - as it was called.<br>
<br>
Bursting in through the door - a comforting sight - of course he had forgotten - again - that he was just a genetic android - being caught up so much in the exhilarating rewards of the main instruction set.<br>
There was Carol - saving the last of her dangerous charge level by remaining silent - plugged in to the razor socket above the sink.<br>
"Oh, I'm so sorry Darling - I was - worried - silly me."<br>
"It's that old forgetting!" they both laughed out loud, Carol now past the danger level.<br>
Tony gave her a hug - his programming responding to the sight of her unclothed body.<br>
Suddenly Carol blurted "Shall we play code-swap?" <br>
"Do you trust me that much?" Tony inquired, now sitting on the edge of the bath.<br>
"Of course I do - look - I've already decided not to go to Brasil - so if something does go tits-up, one of us should be able to get help - there's a service desk at reception anyway" responded Carol excitedly.<br>
<br>
After the regulation half-hour charge up (it always had to be half an hour, no matter what the charge level - and models were locked in to the charge session - part of their programming - impossible to bypass) they both returned to the bedroom.<br>
Tony got his charge unit out of its padded bag and they both looked at each other with a wry smile, like two teenage models trying alcohol for the very first time - as they slid the mode switch over to the "Code Input" position - and handed each other their chargers.<br>
As Tony scrolled down on Carol's charger - he could not help but read the latest input of code - presumably done by herself - sometime earlier - it read ""Occasionally disoriented, infrequently beautiful, hopelessly romantic, prevalently overrated, normally misunderstood and always searching."<br>
<br>
"Wow!" Tony thought to himself - what an intriguing set - that must be amazing living with that for a while.<br>
You see - the whole fun of "coding" as it was called - was to find yourself living in an entirely new world. Things did very often get routine, lacking in excitement, for these forgetful creations - so coding was commonly used as a distraction from some of the more urgent sub-sets, that kept appearing, according to some mysterious algorithm incorporated by the creator - well - that and traces of memory, traces of previous codings - it was all incredibly complex.<br>
<br>
They took it in turns to plug the interconnect cord into the socket (the same as the charge socket) in the backs of each other's head - and plug the units into the power sockets among the lights at either side of the bed.<br>
Carol had given Tony her trust - and likewise - Tony had passed verbally that most special of agreements. It cannot be emphasized how risky this procedure could be in the wrong hands. One model was literally empowering another to input into RAM a completely new surface code.<br>
The name for superficial thought and behaviour patterns - surface - because compared to the deeper sophistication of the programming, which was out of reach, usually, these aspects were accessible.<br>
Nevertheless - as you can imagine - in the wrong hands - and occasionally, coding was done through force and coercion - code rape, it was called - a practice that deserved the stiff penalties imposed if the perpetrators were ever caught. <br>
In the wrong hands - it could lead to unpredictable, bizarre, embarrassing results. The pledge of trust - instilled from entry into the world by a model's guardians - was the most sacred pledge - the most profound matter imaginable.<br>
<br>
Yes - people had managed to crack various aspects of the main instruction set - it was dangerous - but in the wrong hands - unfortunately possible. For completely selfish gain - it was known on rare occasions for a crack to be installed, rendering the model stuck entirely in part 2 of the main instruction set - reproduce - thus rendering the poor recipient a total sex slave - until re-coding. This was a dangerous, risky strategy - because of the proximity to part 1 - Preserve existence of self - for if a model became lodged on that instruction - it became a lethal fighting machine - and would destroy itself before giving up its attack mode of behaviour to any other model in the vicinity - justice indeed for the rogue code-rapists.<br>
<br>
So although code swapping was considered entertainment, it was a great responsibility and required great thought before the fingers started their dance on the partner's keypad.<br>
<br>
They both sat there, on top of the bed - deep in thought - the minutes passed. Almost visibly, the ideas scrolled across the foreheads.<br>
"Hmmm" thought Tony to himself "I've never been this stuck before - I can't think of anything."<br>
Carol was having identical thoughts - their eyes - more often meeting to check for any glimmer of something that either had come up with.<br>
Until - their eyes rested - looking deep into the other - staring wide as a dawning awareness grew inside both of them - "I think I've found 639" - and quick as a flash they sprawled across the bed top to opposite corners of the pillows and plucked the chargers from their sockets - causing a reset.<br>
This had become folklore - people spoke of resetting while in 639 - films had been made, books written - it was the holy grail of a genetic android's existence - and it had happened to both of them simultaneously - reset now in 369 mode - for as long as they cared to continue - until the coder was used again - or for as long as they cared. Whether this was a design flaw, or another tease, will never be known - but for some reason the digits 6 & 9 become confused at reset - of course 69 is part of 639 - and while restore is taking place, the 6 and the 9 are completely ignored - moving what was instruction sub-set 639 all the way up in priority to part 3 - main instruction set - alongside and just after Reproduce.<br>
<br>
Models who have this rare stroke of luck - find themselves in "happy mode" as fable has it - happy mode, right next to reproduce mode - it has other names - some call it love - which was believed to be some ancient acronym - but its meaning has been lost in time.<br>
<br>
What it meant for Carol and Tony was that providing that they never used the coders again - for themselves - or on each other - in other words - accepted - themselves and each other (which seemed to be what was happening anyway - why they were so stuck on inventing a new bit of game-coding for each other) - providing they kept the coders out of the picture - they could stay in happy mode, right next to reproduce - for the rest of their time - and protecting each others modes from interference or modification.<br>
<br>
The name given to genetic androids in this mode of operation was Human Beings - Carol and Tony had now been elevated to that elite class.<br>
<br>
THE END<br>
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<br>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-6971755191476436972012-09-27T12:48:00.003+01:002012-09-27T12:53:13.155+01:00Music - Sweet Music - A Revelation<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">M</span></b>usic - sweet music.<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px;">
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An astonishing complexity of movement, at many different levels.<br /><br />If we examine any particular instrument, a drum - a violin - the human voice - the first level of movement we would have to consider is at the atomic level.<br /><br />Whatever is going on at that level, we know that it is not static - whether we think in terms of waves or particles - or both - it is the consistency, the stability of movement - this devoted obedience on the atomic level, which creates the instrument's materiality that we see and touch.<br /><br />The substance of any instrument is already singing a song - but at a frequency far too high for us to detect.<br /><br />Bring on the performers - setting the instrument in further motion.<br /><br />Be it the strings of a violin, the membrane of a drum, or the vocal folds of the human voice - they are set in motion by the performer.<br /><br />An illusion is created from cycles of frequency, which we do not detect individually - but the consistent unfolding and combination of frequencies we recognise as pitch and timbre.<br /><br />We have already fallen for another illusion - by presuming that we are hearing the instrument.<br /><br />No - the instrument produces no sound whatever - it simply sets the air in motion - a motion which is detected by little hairs inside the ear, translated into neurological signals and processed by the brain.<br /><br />The sound only manifests as the consequence of this interpretation to our awareness.<br /><br />Sound is not a physical property - it is a psycholgical one.<br /><br />Another illusion is yet to come.<br /><br />Shall we choose a slow, pensive or soothing adagio - or a vibrant and scintillating allegro vivace?<br /><br />What are the effects of these two?<br /><br />They make time itself appear to travel at different speeds - captivating the attention, and transporting it within the nature of its own apparent unfolding.<br /><br />The movement of the metre - fast or slow - and the counterpoint of the rhythm.<br /><br />Then comes the movement of the human soul, the imprint of heart and mind - in creative play and communication.<br /><br /><br />Threading a journey - of contrast - of sound and silence - tranquility and the chaotic - of soaring and sinking - of major and minor - a language of emotion, joy and sorrow - sweet harmony and harrowing discordance - all of life is there.<br /><br />Revealing the journey itself as the focus - certainly not the destination of the final note (courtesy of Alan Watts) - that would be ludicrous.<br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px;">
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Image courtesy <a href="http://dhiaksavisualizer.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/music-visualization.html" target="_blank">dhiaksavisualizer</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></b>hen we listen to a piece of music, we allow it to escort us on a short journey - it becomes the sound-track for that portion of time. Importantly, we allow our attention a front-row seat - sharing the music as it unfolds.<br />
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Where music differs from visual art, is that it depends on time for its existence - or at least that is the illusion contained in music - it certainly depends upon an unfolding.<br />
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It is this unfolding nature, coupled with our aural captivation by harmony, melody, texture, rhythm, timbre - and even picturesque lyrics - which casts a tremendously potent spell for our attention.<br />
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With our attention sitting comfortably in the front-row, the leading edge of this sonic spell metamorphisizes from a mysteriously silent beginning, through to a mysteriously silent end.<br />
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The piece of music, the specific work of art, has a beginning and an end - yet its unfolding nature is imparting a subliminal message.<br />
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For as we listen, as we are escorted through this period of time in the company of music - although our attention may be fixed by its seductive influence - it is not only the music which is unfolding.<br />
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We have allowed the music to give us a front-row seat from where we can observe the universe unfolding - with its silent song. Of course - this includes our own unfolding.<br />
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With our attention alert, poised and focused by the act of listening - gently succumbing to the sweet spell being cast - we experience a certain stillness of mind - its normal chatter and distraction - voluntarily put aside - to absorb, in their place, the magical power of the music.<br />
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We experience our own, unique response to the beguiling, elemental nature and visceral power of music and song. Within that stillness of mind, the response is painted from our own palette of experience - the visions from our own reservoir of imagination - the mood conducively supplied from within ourselves.<br />
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We are invited to dwell for a duration in our pre-conceptual state - the experience of ourself, reacting in its own natural manner - to a completely abstract influence - speaking to our being in its own primal language of vibration - simply because we voluntarily allow our attention in that direction.<br />
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Rather similar, in many ways - to meditation?<br />
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Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-36567780354414395572012-09-27T12:39:00.000+01:002012-09-27T12:57:17.299+01:00Home Sweet Home<br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">H</span></b>ow easy it is to be seduced by the sense of familiarity, within four comforting walls, surrounded by our own nostalgic trophies, the nurturing security and warmth of that place we call home.<br /><br />What imaginary cloak do we discard as we enter through that door, as we slip into casual, is it not tempting to pass over a psychological threshold, and forget that we may be relaxing into that wall to wall softness, a bespoke world wrapped in cottonwool, crammed with artifacts of obsession & distraction, the luxury of flick-of-a-switch immediacy - at the expense of remembering where we really are - forgetting that the very fabric of this home is not really courtesy of the mortgage or our industry, but a part of existence itself.<br /><br />Is it not the same when we slip into the unconsidered ease of conceptualisation, we relax into a world of make believe, the consensus world - where things are things without question.<br /><br />A world which begins and ends with form.<br /><br />A world of obedience and loyalty to appearance, to labels, to the ultimate veracity of language - an entirely superficial psychological world, built from the necessity of communication.<br /><br />However, it is a world that is totally misleading - seducing us to believe in a permanence, in an unchanging solidity - forcing our focus, if we are not careful, into a stubborn and unyielding illusion of concreteness - always at the expense of losing touch with the constantly fluid unfolding of ourselves and our consistently refreshed perception of our environment.<br /><br />It is the same artifice that would have us believe in a historical separation, billions of years past, when God wound up His clockwork, mechanical universe, and set it loose.<br /><br />No - it is not so - there is no separation whatsoever.<br /><br /><div>
Creation is now - always now.<br /><div>
<br />We are constantly and consistently refreshed, supported, unfolding - with new potential flooding into our being - all completely beyond our control, whether we are conscious or unconscious - entirely unconditionally we receive the present moment.<br /><br />This can all be appreciated simply and instinctively as a relationship with the creator, but unfortunately, anything further than this basic simplicity creates too much headroom for conceptual error and distortion.<br /><br />There is ample space in the vacuum of mystery for it to be filled with manipulation and fear.<br /><br />Our inquisitive questions will only cease, once we have penetrated the veils of our own ignorance - with a sufficient depth to become transformative.<br /><br />This penetration however, requires that we become aware of the causes and reasons for our own ignorance - and can result in a rather deconstructed picture of our own being - when we separately identify body, mind and spirit.<br /><br />We may start to acquire purely intellectual affectations, which are only relevant to this deconstructed image.<br /><div>
<br />Reintegration is necessary - to become whole again - a psychological integration - with a deep understanding that the human being is greater than a sum of parts - and fundamentally a creational idea - a wonder, which has never been other than free.<br /><br />A being which naturally resonates with peace and love.<br /><br />Holistic and wholeness can become no more than representational concepts - abandoned, now for their own reality.<br /><br />Likewise - all language, labels, communicational constructs - may now dissolve - into the stillness & silence of being.<br /><br />Miraculous is synonymous with understanding.<br />Appreciation is synonymous with awareness.<br />Peace is synonymous with the void.<br />Joy is synonymous with abundance & fulfillment.<br />Gratitude is synonymous with glory & praise.<br /><br /></div>
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Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-78541454926899423482012-09-21T04:32:00.001+01:002012-09-27T12:15:55.298+01:00The Unutterable Name<br />
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Just as this human being commences life attached to its earthly mother via the umbilical cord, so is it also completely "in line" - spiritually - with its source energy.</div>
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Let us imagine this state of being for a moment - in no terms other than experience.</div>
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It is a state of pure being - experienced only as pure feeling - the full current of this energy flow, with no resistance - all energy gates in this flow are wide open.</div>
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Here is an artistic impression - looking from the outside - a representation of this - which does very little to help us experience what this state must actually feel like.</div>
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Just like the unborn, the only reality we can ever know is contained entirely in a world of feeling - a feeling received into, registering upon and known by consciousness - instantaneoulsy.</div>
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All the while that this full current of energy is being experienced - this little human being will be feeling a total and radiant joy - its spiritual heart is wide open, consumed with utter bliss - the upper gates will be wide open saturating the mind with the light of its own consciousness - and the being is absolutely "in line" - in the stream of this energy - experiencing it with no resistance whatsoever.</div>
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It will be experiencing pure, unadulterated consciousness - pure and utter bliss - but, of course - it will not be able to relish the experience.</div>
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Isn't that rather curious?</div>
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Indeed - you see, what is entirely lacking from this little human being - is an objective sense of its own existence - at present, its existence is purely subjective - it is pure experience.</div>
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This little being has not yet opened up its eyes - it is not yet aware of the world of form - its existence up till now is entirely internal - experiential - a state which will not actually change, but will merely become rather confused.</div>
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The experiential state of unrecognised joy will continue for a short while, even after birth into the world of external light and autonomy - its existence commences as an individual form when the umbilical cord is cut.</div>
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Gradually, the consciousness is entranced by the appearance through the senses of an apparently "other" world - a process of seduction that usually causes complication and confusion.</div>
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A world of different sensations - that is seen, heard, tasted and grasped. </div>
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Still one singular experience for a while, reacting directly and instinctively to the needs of the body - displaying contentment or distress - demonstratively - to alert those whose nurturing care it depends upon.</div>
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Reactions that are hard-wired into its brain - crying - gurgling - smiling - suckling - defecating.</div>
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All this time - every second - the brain (unconsciously experienced by the mind) - is programming itself - data is streaming in constantly, the fresh and raw material that the mind will produce some sort of reality map from.</div>
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The brain, completely unguided and unaided, tunes in to this new environment - deducing the constants, the variables - adapting it all into a framework of balance, an intrinsic understanding of the environment it perceives.</div>
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Stage one - stage two builds upon this - with increasing feedback, an unconscious understanding of its host.</div>
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On top of the already pre-programmed instinctive level of the brain, which is experienced as a cue for reaction at some level of awareness, there now comes the level of specific programming - unique to this little being and the relationship of itself in its environment. </div>
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Increasingly - awareness is being attracted from the core, as attention is occupied more and more with the process of understanding the busy and absorbing stream of data entering from the senses.</div>
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Experience is still basically bi-polar - comfort or distress - but the cues for reaction originate now largely from the body.</div>
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However - and importantly - this comfort and distress is now entering the feedback loop in the understanding of the host - comfort and distress, being recognised and vaguely registering as a polarity of sensation.</div>
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The awareness of the experience of the host is inevitably re-absorbed and contributes to the growing second layer of mind - in a bi-polar fashion.</div>
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This is not to imply that separate areas of the brain are involved - but that the formation of balanced understanding, relating to the host and its environment is being accumulated, unconsciously, as positive and negative sensations - positive and negative reactions - in some essential way.</div>
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In the embryonic psyche of this new being, two distinctly opposing collections of impressions are forming their independent images - and critically, they are both in reference to the whole being.</div>
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Considering the nascent state of bliss experienced by this being, the "comfort body" being formed within the psyche aligns naturally.</div>
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As such, its received impressions are not as starkly pronounced, merging imperceptibly within the background of comfort experienced since conception.</div>
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However, in contrast, the "distress body" readily aligns with all the latent, hard-wired & instinctive reactions, of fight and flight, of fear and inner constriction - and activates these in association.</div>
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Being the less consciously pronounced experience of the two - the "comfort body" really gets no encouragement in its formation - where conversely, the "distress body" soon overtakes and pushes the other more and more to the background - becoming, even unconsciously, the main body of association within the growing psyche.</div>
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Stage three - is the conscious acknowledgement by the individual of itself.</div>
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The balancing in the environment, the understanding of itself, language association with objects - have advanced sufficiently for there to become a crystalisation of clear understanding - placing the individual being, together with a name, in a new area of conceptualisation as "me."</div>
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From this point onwards, this "me" will lay claim to all experiences - usurping ownership from awareness - and associating them from the central perspective of this conceptualised identity, which in turn is attributed as being synonymous with the form and sensation of its physical body - already growing to have an unconscious reflexive, cognitive bias towards the impression of restriction and negativity.</div>
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A most ironic stage in our lives - for although awareness is still the only real experience that this being is having - in common with many other misapprehensions which occur - the power of subtlety is hidden to our understanding.</div>
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We are readily attracted to the busy, to the noisy, to the garish, to the outspoken - we isolate and ignore background and give validity to foreground - we become blind to consistency and constancy.</div>
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And so it is within our understanding of ourselves - a curious phrase - a conundrum, a paradox in itself - which illustrates our human predicament.</div>
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<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207217_2009647757750_5252835_n.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 493px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>
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Our minds become exactly like prisms - refracting one singular experience of awareness - into a multiplicity.</div>
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This is how our minds work.</div>
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The differential of all data received through the senses becomes segregated into distinctly separate, conceptualised identities.</div>
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Differences of form - differences of light - differences of sound, taste and sensation - and - critically - because of feedback from the "host" - even the host has become conceptually distinct from its environment - and now, increasingly, the different feelings experienced within this host also become compartmentalised - basically pleasure and pain - extending upon the two polarised foundations of comfort and distress.</div>
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<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215642_2009825842202_3547753_n.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 493px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>
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Quite a long journey already, from that state of innate bliss - being totally "in-line" - with no resistance - to a state where the being is now relating through a prism into a hall of mirrors - that one singular beam of white light being reflected, refracted - intercepted by intimate phantoms inhabiting the landscape of the mind - token representations, placebo interpretations, superficially acquired idealisations - ephemeral and abstract in substance, but permanent and concrete in influence - directly and inescapably modulating the one experience of awareness - into a distortion - but a distortion that is elevated to the "real" by the connivence of belief - the direct consequence of the "me" in its constant quest for balance, stability, happiness and security.</div>
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Qualities which are naturally resident within the true core of this being, a being that has forgotten that it is essentially just a feeling - allowing that feeling to suffer all manner of disruption from its own, honest state.</div>
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A state that can now only be expressed through bewilderment or compromise. </div>
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Bewilderment or compromise - that unfortunately can deteriorate considerably on encountering and exchanging with other states of bewilderment and compromise.</div>
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When bewilderment and compromise go forth and multiply - they can only coexist in a relationship with each other built upon the most unstable foundations.</div>
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In order to protect and secure their own pleasure, however - pleasure tenuously connected to the (by now subliminally innate) bliss that is now buried deep within - force, intimidation, threat, coercion - all manner of external manipulation are extended - openly and covertly - extrovertly and introvertly - to prevent social chaos and to pretend stability and progress.</div>
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Life becomes suspended in the aspic of conceptualisation, and is lived from the perspective of an inert card-carrying and card-shuffling token, haunted by a now unfamiliar ghost of real sensation.</div>
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All this is accepted and endorsed by blind consensus - supported and historically excused as being normal. </div>
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True value has long been deserted, along with our true and transparently honest understanding - that we are no more than a feeling.</div>
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An indigenous joy that is conspired upon to be supressed, by consensus and by our own inevitable journey into form.</div>
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However, looked upon in this way, it is obvious that we are all quite blameless - and despite the intrusive modulations that insinuate themselves on our core - that essential core is resilient and still as pure, with an honesty that can be returned to.</div>
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Also apparent, is the absolute liberty inherent in our being at this very moment.</div>
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A total freedom from the inverted burdens of conceptual morality, a space for our own heartfelt conclusions - based not upon consensus, or upon our own intimidation of ourselves - but upon a sensitivity to our own discovered essence, and an appreciation of this human birthright.</div>
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To intimately connect with that sublime source of life within ourselves - that sensuous, vibrant, intelligent, abundance of living energy - to connect our attention in a gentle focussing upon the extravagantly simple sensation of being - a feeling which totally contradicts any analytical complexity we may care to imagine - for we are born as whole creatures.</div>
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A feeling which will automatically connect us with a heart full of longings for peace, tranquility and perhaps a distant memory of the utter bliss that was our first ever experience.</div>
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Longings which are themselves the very seat of their own fullfillment.</div>
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Yet now - it will be different - we will be able to relish the feeling, and savour the thoughts that this feeling inspires.</div>
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We will be able to consciously suspend ourselves in the stream of life - creating a different kind of feedback for ourselves - of gratitude, eternal and unanswerable wonder and glory - beyond any of the tokens, unaffected by the bland taste of placebos - in a realm as far different from conceptualisation as it is possible to get - the realm of nameless reality - the foundation of our being - the same foundation as all being.</div>
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The unutterable name - that undividable feeling.</div>
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The supreme mystery - the miracle of existence.</div>
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Some call it GOD - some call it Self - some, just experience it as a peace beyond understanding.</div>
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When even these names themselves already impose between our attention and the actuality of the experience - surely anything further away from even these choices - is a complication too far, an intellectual & perhaps unnecessary conceit of our own invention?</div>
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Peace and love to all - and true liberty. </div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-74123341831602031832012-09-21T04:11:00.000+01:002012-09-21T04:11:36.136+01:00Perspectives on Time & Space<br />
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I relish the opportunity to share in black & white - it helps with my own clarity - so here is my current understanding of Time & Space.</div>
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<strong>Firstly</strong> - I imagine everything as One process - constantly unfolding & evolving, on all scales, within & without - micro & macroscopic - simultaneously, imminently, entirely unified - and this One process is self-existent, in & of itself.</div>
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Any details we care to imagine of how or why are irrelevant for the time being.</div>
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<strong>Secondly</strong> - contained within this One process - is the potential for, and the actuality of, perception (awareness.)</div>
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<strong>Thirdly</strong> - implicit to perception is perspective.</div>
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What is perspective but a view into the One process, but it is a pin-hole view which is conditional to the nature of the specific perspective itself.</div>
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Perspective is synonymous with sovereignty, allowing the One process unique & diverse degrees of autonomy - the apparency of individuality - the apparency of separate identities - & is achieved through form.</div>
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However, recalling earlier in the third point - perspective within form is conditioned (restricted) - to relativity.</div>
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It is limited to its own uniqueness - and is imposed upon by the perception of itself in relation to "other."</div>
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Despite the abstract reality of unity - our understanding is conditioned by our relative perception - & the innate & fundamental paradigm of ourselves in our environment is naturally & instinctively firmly anchored in relativity.</div>
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Our understanding has constructed a conceptual world to match the apparency of form - hence our linear logic & reason operates with subject & object - cause & effect etc.</div>
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This is how it is - these are the natural operations of our perception, natural operations which residually create fundamental assumptions - upon which the remaining structures of our paradigm are built.</div>
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Conditions such as Time & Space - are inherently basic building blocks within our paradigm.</div>
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However - upon closer examination - what do we find?</div>
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We find that they are inextricably linked to each other - but in fact they are conceptual structures - both leaning upon the other for mutual support - time uses space to excuse itself & visa versa.</div>
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Let's follow through from the beginning.</div>
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We have One process.</div>
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We have perception.</div>
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We have perspective.</div>
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Process is perceived by perspective - and instantly becomes memory.</div>
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Time is no more than a metaphor - for the apparent continuity of process - perceived as process, & memory of process.</div>
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Hence we invent the concept of linear time - that's how we come to terms with what our instinctive perception is informing us.</div>
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Perception includes the perception of memory.</div>
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We have constructed a "time line" - conceptually - where "now" is sandwiched somewhere between "past" & "future."</div>
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But what is really happening?</div>
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Now (the process) is absorbed into subtle memory - constantly, imperceptibly - and this memory itself creates for us the perception of continuity. </div>
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By assuming a past - we can then project this assumption forward along our imagined "time line" - and imagine a "future."</div>
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It is hard to imagine an alternative, because perspective is implicit, even in the act of imagination.</div>
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Perspective is identical to our usual perception, and includes memory - even in our imagination - but it is possible (just) to take memory out of the equation - to perceive that there is only process.</div>
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Perception, perspective & memory are responsible for our relative interpretation of process - into time - but time is only a conceptual construct.</div>
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To simplify - the substantial is the process - the conceptual is our interpretation.</div>
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Now - on to space.</div>
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Still holding firmly points 1, 2 & 3 from the above - we understand that space is also a condition of perspective.</div>
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It is our conceptual construct for the field in which form arises, remembering that form is only an apparency of the One process.</div>
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We assume this field to be as recognised by our perception, accompanied by the mutual support of "time."</div>
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That is - to travel (space is already presumed here in the verb "travel") from point A (another presumption of space) to point B (& another) - will take "time" (yes - another presumption - all conceptual.)</div>
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We know that from our subjective experience, to be at either point A or point B - could both be defined as "here" - demonstrating purely the relative, conceptual distinction between "here" & "there."</div>
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So therefore, points A & B - exist, simultaneously & constantly - from their own unique perspectives - as "here." </div>
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In that thought experiment - we simply transposed our unique, individual perspective between two conceptually constructed points - further to that, we can also imagine that at no stage between those two points - (ie. at any, & every infinitesimal degree along that imaginary line) - would we find any point that was not also "here."</div>
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So - "here" & "there" are conceptual constructs derived from our relative perspective, viewpoints of perception, conditioned by their own nature.</div>
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Again - this is hard to imagine - but the distinction between our perspective of this field in which the apparency of the One process arises - is therefore distinctly different from what this field actually is - because this field exists - as all possible perspectives - simultaneously - or indeed with no perspective whatsoever - it just "is" - but it cannot be "seen" or imagined - because both acts imply a single perspective. We cannot "see" or imagine this field - nor can it be seen or imagined - it can only "be" itself.</div>
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It is One, enormous "here" - without a "there."</div>
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Nor can we have any real notion of <a href="http://smokesignals-ellumbra.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/relativity-measurement.html" target="_blank">the size of this field</a> - as in & of itself, it is without comparison - and all of our notions of size are from a purely relative perspective - "this" measured against "that."</div>
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Without an alternative to measure space alongside - our understanding of "size" is restricted to "smaller than" or "larger than" - where every "than . . ." is merely a conceptual component within the same system - a system that is being compared to itself.</div>
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Therefore - "size" is self-referential only, & exists only conceptually - other than that - "size" can have no meaning whatsoever.</div>
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However - isn't meaning itself also only pertinent to perspective?</div>
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Our interpretation of "space" - linked with our interpretation of "time" - conjours up for us, conceptually - time & space - which are both purely derivatives of perception. </div>
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In other words - perception conjours up relativity - both time & space are only conditions of perception. </div>
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By allowing ourselves - as simply as possible, to just "be" - we gradually withdraw our perception away from these perspectives - which bind us to the limited feelings of perceived relativity and its inherent identities - liberating awareness to enjoy its own being - literally beyond (or before) time & space.</div>
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Time & space only exist as and when they are conceived - but because we habitually do this, we are left with a residual impression which has conditioned our awareness.</div>
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Withdrawing from these conditions - is to find a true liberty. </div>
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Time & Space is the playground of our infinite nature - our totally liberated and singular consciousness - Time & Space is the "virtual reality" that we take to be the real thing - but consciousness is the real thing, all along.</div>
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It creates for itself - a playground - <strong>but it does not need to invent or create Time & Space - because they appear, automatically, the moment perception induces relativity </strong>- the apparency of form, the apparency of objects in relation.</div>
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This is a relative realm, fashioned by perception, from & within the infinite consciousness - hence all of our reason is relative, our logic is relative, our perception is relative, our imagination is relative - but our consciousness (being) is absolute.</div>
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However - consciousness may only know itself by reflecting apparent differentiation - form of any degree - including the perception of conceptual thought. </div>
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Pure consciousness - is actually - unconscious.</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-84350584098769298752012-09-21T03:50:00.002+01:002012-09-21T03:50:44.607+01:00A Saturday Morning<br />
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After an "all-nighter" commenced Friday evening - Saturday dawned, clear and bright - a need arose to walk amongst the greenery, to share my breathing up close with the trees, the unchanged hedgerows, echoing back to my childhood, to feel the luxuriant grass underfoot, and the clean, fresh morning air.</div>
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This was early - not a time I am normally up & about - but I was joined by the intermittent company of several cheery souls, out walking with their best friends.</div>
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I walked through a wooded glade - resting with my back against a tall, stout tree - its gnarled, grey bark covered in a delightfully lemon-green lichen - reaching my arms out behind me in a backwards embrace - my gaze and my spirit were escorted skywards - up through the tangle of branches and leaves - motionless in the completely still air - as gravity pulled at my roots, keeping me firmly grounded amongst a bewildering exuberance of growth - brambles, nettles, ivy & grasses all jostling upwards towards the light.</div>
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Refreshed - I returned to the open grassland - passing a spot at the edge of the wood, rank with the stench of decay - I noticed down in the grass, the outline of a heart drawn with gravel, inside of which had been placed some bunches of gathered wild flowers.</div>
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A shallow grave - no doubt - of someone's best friend - laid to eternal rest in his favourite haunt.</div>
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I sat on a bench, conveniently shaded by a low canopy of greenery - to be sniffed out by a greyhound - eyes, wild and alert - I sensed its unbridled life-force - the complete absense of contradiction or restriction in its nature - which obediently sprung off at a pace when called for by its owner.</div>
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A strange, secret, superior feeling crept over me - when the next dog to pass nearby - didn't notice me at all.</div>
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The distant trees seem to have a mysterious accompanying glow - vaguely contouring their outline - which vanished when I concentrated on it with my eyes.</div>
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The sort of morning when "Good morning" - even though a casual and habitual greeting - means much more than usual.</div>
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Then I strode out to the very centre of a vast area of kept grassland - a common - rich with mauve clover-flowers and vivid dandelions - low flying and dutifull bees - busy in their industry.</div>
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Dead centre by my reckoning, with the rising sun to my left - I stretched out on the grass, possibly aligned with the earth's magnetism - north-south - and stared at the glorious free expanse of beautiful blue above me.</div>
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First noticing the strange paisley swirls, those evasive patterns floating about the eye itself - seen up close and personal - revealing what also must be the start of a cataract growth in my right eye - a blurring raft of some sort, slipping and sliding about - but never disappearing. </div>
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Back to the sky - am I looking up - or am I looking down - let's see if I can feel gravity. </div>
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A tiny whisp of cloud processes past. I notice the receptor cells in the eye firing and sparking randomly - their binary dance in response to the light. I shut my eyes - immediately engulfed by a blood-red warmth - and then patterns appear - a mandala of orange, yellow and red - curiously animated - dividing cell-like and kaleidoscopically.</div>
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The ambient noise is slowly penetrated by an approaching aircraft - I hear it to my right - am I hearing an aircraft, or am I hearing just sound?</div>
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I hear it pass across the sky - my ears tell me this - and it fades again into the ambience - far on my left.</div>
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How did my ears get that information to me?</div>
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Concentrating on the sound - just the sound - in that window of attention, focused with quantum precision astride the galloping stallion of now - there is only the sound and the hearing - there is no listener.</div>
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Watching the light again - concentrating - there is no watcher - only seeing - only light.</div>
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I feel out for gravity - I concentrate - I am already feeling it - I cannot isolate something I have always known. </div>
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I am conscious - I cannot isolate something I have always known. </div>
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I disappear entirely for as long as I can - simply the being - being - hearing - seeing - feeling - the eternally changing truth - the infinitely still, clear silence of peace.</div>
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Life - I am the grass, the sky, the dogs, the grave - the others. </div>
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Only recognizable inside this peace. </div>
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More refreshed than before - I return to my car. On the way I play games with my shadow - I could be that shadow - had I not looked in a mirror. </div>
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It is always in direct line with the sun - even if I walk sideways to the sun - my shadow doesn't. </div>
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If I walk directly away from the sun - my shadow is directly in front of me. </div>
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If I face the sun - it disappears completely - entirely. </div>
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I drive into town - after brief exchanges with other dogs and other owners - it was agreed all round - this was a good morning.</div>
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The local produce market was being erected along the pedestrian highstreet- various stalls - setting out their offerings. </div>
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Alongside where I was sitting outside of a coffee house - four giant pans waited on equally large gas burners - to dispense burgers and bacon rolls to the anticipated crowd of shoppers. </div>
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Saturday morning was waking, stretching - and slowly coming to life. </div>
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All these habitual early birds, rare company for me, all seemed to have a sense of purpose about them - even if it was no more than making the most of a weekend. People seemed to have their history etched into their visible being - their deportment - their faces - all told a silent story.</div>
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The variety of produce, the glory of diversity - accompanied by an equally glorious diversity of purpose. </div>
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Flocks of pigeons - in perfect synchronisation - launched and soared around the high buildings, the communication antennae, the air conditioning plant - installed up on the rooftops.</div>
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Above them, two roaming red kites - gliding, circling - their sharp vision intent on breakfast.</div>
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Beyond that - the same blue sky.</div>
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There was a sinister undercurrent of tension - a current of an ever increasingly complex broadcast of non-communication. </div>
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Sparking, shorting out - being transmitted but not received - from the poles of diverse imagination - diverse intent - diverse purpose. </div>
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A blanketing static interference - disrupting the clarity of that deep, still, blue sky. </div>
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Peace is all we can hope to have in common - the still, silence of being. </div>
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Surely - all this diversity of imagination - must be balanced by a unity - of peace - or we will not proceed much further, before the interference becomes intollerable. </div>
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On the way, returning back to my car again - I am sucked into an oasis of peace - the church where I was married. </div>
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I sit in the comforting stillness - the calm - generations of love & worship had a presence that was soaked into the walls. </div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-60619503791849759022012-09-21T03:45:00.000+01:002012-09-21T03:45:02.235+01:00Our Enlightened Bard.<br />
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I am searching for evidence amongst William Shakespeare's glorious writings - as to his state of enlightenment. Prompted by a few of his most quotable gifts.</div>
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Why! all delights are vain, but that most vain</div>
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Which, with pain purchas'd, doth inherit pain:</div>
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As, painfully to pore upon a book</div>
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To seek the light of truth, while truth the while</div>
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Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look.</div>
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Light, seeking light, doth light of light beguile;</div>
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So ere you find where light in darkness lies,</div>
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Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. ~ Love's Labours Lost</div>
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From fairest creatures we desire increase,</div>
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That thereby beauty's rose might never die,</div>
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But as the riper should by time decease,</div>
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His tender heir might bear his memory:</div>
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But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes,</div>
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Feed'st thy light'st flame with self-substantial fuel,</div>
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Making a famine where abundance lies,</div>
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Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel.</div>
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Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament</div>
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And only herald to the gaudy spring,</div>
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Within thine own bud buriest thy content</div>
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And, tender churl, makest waste in niggarding.</div>
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Pity the world, or else this glutton be,</div>
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To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee. ~ Sonnet</div>
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Let me not to the marriage of true minds</div>
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Admit impediments. Love is not love</div>
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Which alters when it alteration finds,</div>
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Or bends with the remover to remove:</div>
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O no! it is an ever-fixed mark</div>
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That looks on tempests and is never shaken;</div>
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It is the star to every wandering bark,</div>
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Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.</div>
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Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks</div>
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Within his bending sickle's compass come:</div>
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Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,</div>
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But bears it out even to the edge of doom.</div>
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If this be error and upon me proved,</div>
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I never writ, nor no man ever loved. ~ Sonnet </div>
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Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,</div>
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So do our minutes hasten to their end;</div>
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Each changing place with that which goes before,</div>
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In sequent toil all forwards do contend.</div>
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Nativity, once in the main of light,</div>
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Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,</div>
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Crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight,</div>
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And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.</div>
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Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth</div>
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And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,</div>
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Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,</div>
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And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:</div>
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And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,</div>
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Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand. ~ Sonnet </div>
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The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool ~ As You Like It</div>
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All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts ~ As You Like It</div>
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We are such stuff as dreams are made on, rounded with a little sleep ~ The Tempest</div>
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This above all: to thine own self be true ~ Hamlet</div>
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To be, or not to be: that is the question ~ Hamlet</div>
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The devil can cite scripture for his purpose ~ The Merchant Of Venice</div>
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What 's gone and what 's past help should be past grief ~ The Winter's Tale</div>
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What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet ~ Romeo & Juliet</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-38986815805052791402012-09-20T07:36:00.002+01:002012-09-20T07:36:47.754+01:00Relativity & Measurement<br />
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<b>I</b><span style="font-size: 11px;">t is perhaps foolish to attempt a denial of relativity and its influence within our lives, but useful to observe and examine, to place it within a different perspective, than that in which it normally operates - unchallenged.</span></div>
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What kick-started my thinking on this subject was watching a monumentous programme on Channel 4 - Journey To The Edge Of The Universe - an incredibly awe inspiring CGI rendition - transporting the viewer through the enormity and powerful presences in our own solar system & galaxy - and beyond - way beyond - a journey covering 2 billion lightyears of travel.</div>
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Phot courtesy <a href="http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/2billion.html" target="_blank">atlasoftheuniverse</a></div>
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A strange thought ocurred to me - that this mind-blowing display of enormity and power could be simply for effect, for no matter what calculations we perform, no matter what conclusions of measurement we arrive at - the relevance of these conclusions is confined entirely within relativity.In other words, our impressions of size, distance weight and time - virtually any measurement you care to define - only have value in comparison - ie, in relation to another measurement.</div>
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The stark fact is - that stripped of this relative method of valuation - we have not the slightest grasp of the reality - in fact, there is no implicit reality to those very notions that we take for granted - size, weight, distance and time.</div>
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The strong values that we invest in these notions exist and are derived only in the relationship - one with the other - but in no other sense at all.</div>
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Size is not real - distance is not real - weight is not real - time is not real - they are purely derivatives of perception.</div>
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Strip away the imposed layer of value - for instance, with size - and we are left with a completely vacant state of being - immeasurable in its own right - the notion of size being derived only in comparison.</div>
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Yes - we are microscopic in size in relation to the relative vastness of the universe - but that enormity is also only a reflection of our own smallness.Remove the comparison - and we cannot have the slightest idea of either.</div>
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We can say therefore, that we are of no size - that the entire universe is of no size.</div>
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The same applies to time - 2 billion light years sounds a phenominal amount when compared to the average 70 year lifespan of a human being - but here we are confined to our own perspective.Looked at from the perspective of a butterfly for instance - who may live for two or three days - a human life would be unimaginable.</div>
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Remove the comparative perspective, strip away the validation that measurement lends to the notion of time - and we find that time also is really - no time.</div>
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Yet are we not buried and saturated in these relative beliefs - for that is what they are - beliefs - conclusions of perception.They are conceptual conclusions that exist in a realm far removed and possibly irrelevant to the actuality that they presume to describe.</div>
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That actuality is the substance of reality, beyond the names we allocate to it, beyond the conclusions we deduce about it.Other than its actual existence - and our own innocent experience of that same existence from within it - it cannot be known in any meaningful way. </div>
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Yet for the purposes of administration, communication, organisation - we all tacitly conspire together in the lie of relativity.</div>
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For how could we communicate without language, without the pretence of definition?But our convenient definitions carry the danger of arrogance, they can start to imply that we do really understand the terms we use - that these terms actually reflect something that can be known.</div>
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But they do not - they are reality held at arms length - held up to the light of reason, by reason - the answers arrived at in that way will always be reasonable, contained, excused, defined - associated with value. </div>
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Whereas the substance of actuality - untouched by reason - is entirely disconnected with value, measurement, judgement of any sort - size, distance, weight or age.</div>
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An unfathomable and miraculous mystery.</div>
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Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1159606/Shall-dance-Astronomers-spot-black-holes-performing-cosmic-minuet.html" target="_blank">dailymail</a></div>
Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-6102660689768805412012-09-20T07:32:00.000+01:002012-09-20T07:32:02.190+01:00Celestial Signs<br />
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Photo courtesy <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earth1.htm" target="_blank">howstuffworks</a></div>
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<b>S</b><span style="font-size: 11px;">ince early man gazed at the sky, the relationship between our most familiar heavenly bodies - the Sun - the Moon & the Earth - have been imparting, in a most graphic form - a portrayal of the human spiritual condition.</span></div>
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We have a representation of Spirit, mind and body - in the Sun, the Moon and the Earth.</div>
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Earth, the familiar - our home - matter - mother - reminds us of our own bodies - animated and made aware only by the light of Spirit - the Sun.</div>
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The moon - illuminated, not by its own light - again, only by the light of the sun - a phantom glow of reflected light - cold and unfeeling - similar to the mental apparitions created by perception, which in similar fashion, we only ever see one side of - the side which is turned to face our own, singular perspective.</div>
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Subjectively, there is no other perspective possible - it is locked in to the gravitational pull of the earth, its perspective is entirely due to the physical mass and form of the earth - precisely the same relationship between our individual bodies and our own minds. </div>
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In eclipse - the light of the sun is only discernible as a faint, peripheral glow - the relative size of the moon is a perfect match to obliterate all presence of the sun.</div>
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Precisely the same relationship as our ego - to our spirit.</div>
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Although the moon rarely appears to obliterate the sun entirely - we see it more often, partially - in various degrees - perhaps our detachment from the influence of thought can be moderated.</div>
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Occasionally - because of this celestial trigonometry - we cannot see the moon at all - it passes by invisibly.</div>
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A silent mind perhaps?</div>
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It is still there - we are simply not aware of it - because our attention is elsewhere? </div>
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Are there perhaps at least 7 billion other stars - other suns - other spirits? </div>
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The sun's light and warmth which give us physical life, imparts all energy for life's survival on planet earth - a body with no spritual presence is dead - no more than the dust of the earth. </div>
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Most graphic of all - the distinction between night and day - light arises afresh with each new dawn - each new life - an innocent day is begun.</div>
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Can we say, when night-time comes - that we cherished that light, that we found it a miraculous blessing - and when our season revolves into winter - and death - can we still rest in the inner glow, of our own, personal sun? </div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-51862664468542803652012-09-20T07:13:00.000+01:002012-09-21T03:28:29.246+01:00TIME WARP<br />
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QUOTE - Newton's absolute time may feel like an accurate description of the beast that rules our daily lives, but in science the notion was shattered in 1905 by Einstein's special theory of relativity. "Einstein showed that there isn't a universal time," explains Davies. "Your time and my time get out of step with each other if we move differently." In other words, the duration of time between two events can vary depending on how fast you are moving in the period between the events.</div>
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Imagine two observers, one on a train and one stationary. The traveller sends a pulse of light from a torch vertically up. The traveller's view is shown on the left: the pulse travels vertically up. The stationary observer's view is shown on the right: the position of the torch and train ceiling at the start and end of the pulse's journey are shown in black and blue respectively. The pulse travels diagonally.</div>
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At the root of this strange time warping effect lies Einstein's postulate that the speed of light should be the same for all observers, no matter how fast they are moving. </div>
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Imagine two observers, one travelling on a train and the other stationary by the side of the tracks. As the two pass each other the traveller emits a pulse of light from a torch shining vertically up. </div>
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The two observers will disagree on the distance the pulse has travelled when it hits the ceiling of the train, because the stationary observer perceives not just the vertical motion of the pulse, but also the horizontal motion of the train.</div>
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Since both observers measure the same speed of light, and since speed is distance per time, this implies that they must also disagree on the time it took the pulse to travel that distance. </div>
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Time is relative to the observer, or as the physicist Kip Thorne prefers to put it, time is "personal". - UNQUOTE </div>
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Text and original graphic courtesy:<a href="http://plus.maths.org/content/what-time-0" target="_blank"> plusmaths</a></div>
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I would like to open this up a little - to examine it in an extended way.</div>
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It is my view that many similar concepts in science, unwittingly revolve around perception, masquerading as objective definition.</div>
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They are actually describing apparent anomalies - apparent paradoxes - that lie at the very heart of relative "reality" - ie - the perception of time & space - space/time - from our inescapable perspective of relativity - and it is my belief that, far from describing from an objective scientific method - they demonstrate the inability of abstract imagination to avoid the traps of relative perception.</div>
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I have added two more versions of the drawing, originally posted at the above linked site.</div>
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The original assumption is presented as an alternative of two perspectives - the travelling observer 1 - and the stationary observer 2. </div>
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We however, become the third observer - trying to correlate the ambiguity of observers 1 & 2 - something we cannot do without adopting the defined perspective of one or the other - because, even in the act of imagination - perspective is implied.</div>
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Considering that this is an example of a hypothetical situation, with which to challenge notions of space & time - perhaps we could consider removing these unknown quantities from the equation temporarily.</div>
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What remains is perception - the acts of observation - and it is perception which can safely be adopted as a starting point - our perception is assured - whereas, whether or not we are perceiving space &/or time, is not assured.</div>
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Stated another way, the subjective act of percpetion has to be seen to have a greature assurance of reality than the objective definition of what we may or may not be perceiving.</div>
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In example B above - we see the comparison between the two arbitrarily selected points of perception - 1 - travelling with the train - 2 - stationary, observing the horizontal motion of the train.</div>
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However, to add more precision to this, we must add all the other, intermediary points of perception that exist hypothetically between 1 & 2 - imagine an infinite array of trains, moving alongside, progressively travelling at slower speeds - until they reach the stationary - as illustrated by the arc in figure C.</div>
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It is the sum of these infinite perspectives which will describe the actual events adequately - no more - & no less.</div>
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It will, of course, become obvious, that these events cannot be described - without the infinite resources required to do so.</div>
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Let us consider another conundrum - a wheel.</div>
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It could be suggested that the rim of a rotating wheel travels faster than its hub, as it has more distance to travel in its rotation.</div>
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Yet it is a whole wheel - how is it possible for different, arbitrarily ascribed areas, to produce a contradiction - to the behaviour of the whole?</div>
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Which has the greater actuality - the imagined divisions - or the whole?</div>
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In imagining this conundrum - we adopt a single perspective - either of the rim, the hub, or the whole wheel - however, adopting the perspective of the whole admits to the ambiguous relationship of the parts.</div>
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Do we inhabit an ambiguous reality - or a whole reality?</div>
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Are we not discovering that relativity is indeed ambiguous - containing an infinite diversity of possible perspectives - every single one of which must be counted - before we can attempt to describe in objective terms, just what that actuality is - or how it behaves. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px;"><b>The imminence of existence is entirely synchronous, and is radiated by electromagnetism, communicating this existence within itself, allowing infinitely differential perceptions according to perspective.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px;"><b>All electromagnetic radiation therefore conceals this imminence - rendering it permanently invisible and unknowable to any form of perception. </b></span></span><br />
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Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-23825307315891942082012-09-20T07:06:00.000+01:002012-09-20T07:09:06.114+01:00Is Seeing Believing?<br />
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One of a series of articles - first published as notes on FaceBook.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b><span style="font-size: 11px;">t took a long time in the history of life's evolution before the eye was invented - in fact scientists believe that there have been many different attempts - different varieties of eye.</span></div>
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"Complex eyes appear to have first evolved within a few million years, in the rapid burst of evolution known as the Cambrian explosion.</div>
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There is no evidence of eyes before the Cambrian, but a wide range of diversity is evident in the Middle Cambrian Burgess shale, and the slightly older Emu Bay Shale.</div>
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Eyes show a wide range of adaptations to meet the requirements of the organisms which bear them. </div>
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Eyes may vary in their acuity, the range of wavelengths they can detect, their sensitivity in low light levels, their ability to detect motion or resolve objects, and whether they can discriminate colours."</div>
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"Whether one considers the eye to have evolved once or multiple times depends somewhat on the definition of an eye. </div>
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Much of the genetic machinery employed in eye development is common to all eyed organisms, which may suggest that their ancestor utilized some form of light-sensitive machinery – even if it lacked a dedicated optical organ. </div>
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However, even photoreceptor cells may have evolved more than once from molecularly similar chemoreceptors, and photosensitive cells probably existed long before the Cambrian explosion.</div>
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Higher-level similarities – such as the use of the protein crystalin in the independently derived cephalopod and vertebrate lenses – reflect the co-option of a protein from a more fundamental role to a new function within the eye.</div>
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Shared traits common to all light-sensitive organs include the family of photo-receptive proteins called opsins. </div>
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All seven sub-families of opsin were already present in the last common ancestor of animals.</div>
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In addition, the genetic toolkit for positioning eyes is common to all animals: the PAX6 gene controls where the eye develops in organisms ranging from mice to humans to fruit flies.</div>
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These high-level genes are, by implication, much older than many of the structures that they are today seen to control; they must originally have served a different purpose, before being co-opted for a new role in eye development.</div>
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Sensory organs probably evolved before the brain did—there is no need for an information-processing organ (brain) before there is information to process."</div>
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Text courtesy - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_the_eye" target="_blank">wikipedia</a></div>
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An interesting extract from the above Wiki link is this.</div>
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"It is likely that a key reason eyes specialize in detecting a specific, narrow range of wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum—the visible spectrum—is because the earliest species to develop photosensitivity were aquatic, and only two specific wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation, blue and green visible light, can travel through water. This same light-filtering property of water also influenced the photosensitivity of plants." </div>
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(Transmission of light through air does not appreciably change its spectral composition, but transmitting light through water, even through the clearest water, does, and this can change the resulting colour appearance beyond recognition. In clearest water, long wavelength or red light is lost first, being absorbed at relatively shallow depths. Orange is filtered out next, followed by yellow, green, and then blue.) </div>
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Early life forms, although somehow aware of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) as a source of energy - therefore could not "see it" - as we have come to interpret seeing. Plants required & presumably evolved in response to this EMR as a "food source" - an energy source. Parallel to this I will mention that astronomy learns much about the stars from pictures derived from processing EMR in the long wave end of the EMR spectrum - radio waves. </div>
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Picture courtesy - <a href="http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Spectroscopy/Electromagnetic_Radiation" target="_blank">chemwiki</a></div>
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In this process a computer will perform a similar function to our brain - in decoding EMR data and constructing a picture.</div>
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So let's recap - our eyes are attuned to an extremely narrow band within the known spectrum of EMR (which we have appropriately named visible light) - but which imposes limits to what we can actually "see."</div>
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"It is impossible to "see" anything smaller than the wavelength of the light you are using. </div>
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So to study atoms or molecules, you must use light waves about their size or smaller. </div>
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The ALS produces light with wavelengths about the sizes of atoms, molecules, chemical bonds, and the distances between atomic planes in crystals."</div>
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From <a href="http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/ALSTool/index.html#electromagspec" target="_blank">The Advanced Light Source (ALS) </a></div>
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We cannot naturally see emissions or reflections of EMR outside of the narrow band of visible light - but they most certainly exist. An analogy here would be a person with a hearing range of only one octave - no frequencies outside of that octave, lower or higher notes, could be detected - sitting in a concert hall listening to a symphony. </div>
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It is not so much of a coincidence that our eyes have been designed by nature to detect this narrow range of EMR.</div>
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"Most of the energy coming from the sun is in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, making up what we call sunlight (white light)."</div>
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"The sun provides a broad range of energy, primarily concentrated around the visible and infrared regions. </div>
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This energy is an important feature of the background conditions that led to the evolution of our life forms on Earth, and continue to support this life. </div>
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There is a small amount of high-energy radiation like x-rays in the sun's energy but these do not penetrate below the topmost layer of the atmosphere, and we do not consider them here."</div>
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Text courtesy - <a href="http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/environ/m3/s2/02sun.shtml" target="_blank">telstar</a></div>
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There are instances of totally blind people, learning to "see" by refined audio perception.</div>
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"The part of the brain used by people who can "see like a bat" has been identified by researchers in Canada.</div>
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Some blind people have learned to echolocate by making clicking noises and listening to the returning echoes.</div>
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A study of two such people, published in PLoS ONE, showed a part of the brain usually associated with sight was activated when listening to echoes.</div>
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Action for Blind People said further research could improve the way the technique is taught.</div>
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Bats and dolphins bounce sound waves off their surroundings and by listening to the echoes can "see" the world around them.</div>
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Some blind humans have also trained themselves to do this, allowing them to explore cities, cycle and play sports."</div>
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Text courtesy -<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13539921" target="_blank"> BBC</a><br />
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One would imagine in the above scenario - soft, non-reflective objects or surfaces would remain indetectable - or "invisible."</div>
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Another example of how the computer/brain processes, but with non EMR data - but the important factor emerging from all of this brief study - is that our environment is perceived, entirely conditional to the sensory equipment used - and is purely the result of familiarisation with the constants and variables of that data - enabling a mental "picture" to be translated from it.</div>
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The question I wish to pose is - how convinced are we, that what we see is reality?</div>
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<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315606_2430637682235_941056859_n.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 493px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>
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Photograph courtesy boingboing.net</div>
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We will always have a paper bag over our heads - that is the very design of our senses - our "picture" of reality is entirely a condition of them - they are equally revealing and concealing - yet, understandably, our picture is constructed only from what is revealed.</div>
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Could we in our imagination - invent a new sense?</div>
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What would it detect - are there other aspects to reality other than the familiarity of light, sound, taste & smell & sensation?</div>
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Is it at all possible to even sense the entire spectrum of reality, as it courses through our own being - have we the detection equipment?</div>
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Is our own, whole being, in a way, one composite sense - which detects all aspects, simultaneously?</div>
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The answer is an assured no. </div>
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I am not able to watch TV without a television set.</div>
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Any picture we may have of reality is therefore hopelessly incomplete.</div>
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Perhaps our most critical sense is the mind's eye - our inner abilty to imagine, to see & understand realities beyond the restricted, yet colourful world suggested by our outer senses.</div>
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Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-49892119297272091172012-06-16T03:02:00.000+01:002012-06-16T21:06:53.082+01:00Singing & The Human Voice<b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></b>imes change - superficially - but singers, orators, story-tellers, actors have always occupied a special place in society - a focal point - a mouthpiece - a reflection, a distillation by a few, of the inner-lives and feelings of the many.<br />
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Generally respected, often idolized - sometimes seen as politically threatening, sometimes as entertainment - seeming to fulfill a need - giving sections of society a single voice - an expressive valve to release pressure - possessing skills, techniques and talents which we classify as part of The Arts - but a part that has in common - the use of the human voice.<br />
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This essay wishes to concentrate on singers and singing.<br />
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<b>Times change.</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">N</span></b>ot too long ago (about 150 years ago - according to this article) - something very strange to our contemporary understanding - performances of singing and music in general were entirely live - the art was only connected to the immediate humanity of the performers and audience.<br />
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"For more than a hundred years, the history books have noted that Thomas Edison’s words, “Mary had a little lamb,” inscribed on tin foil and played back, were the first recordings of a human voice into a visible medium. But in fact, a French inventor and tinkerer named <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.firstsounds.org/images/scott.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.firstsounds.org/features/scott.php&usg=__fJkSK4U9KB-_JeG9Kxs33-Fb15g=&h=219&w=162&sz=14&hl=en&start=12&itbs=1&tbnid=HW-XhwRsXqjRLM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=79&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25C3%2589douard-L%25C3%25A9on%2BScott%2Bde%2BMartinville%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1" style="color: #008dcf; text-decoration: none;">Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville</a> achieved such a recording 17 year earlier, on April 8, 1860, using a device he had patented three years prior.</div>
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Leon Scott’s device, which was called the phonoautograph, had a barrel-shaped horn attached to a stylus made of a boar’s tail hair. The stylus etched sound waves onto sheets of paper blackened by smoke from an oil lamp. A later version (shown at right) used lamp-blackened paper on a drum or <a href="http://siliconcowboy.wordpress.com/wiki/Cylinder_(geometry)" style="color: #008dcf; text-decoration: none;" title="Cylinder (geometry)">cylinder</a>. Another version drew a line on a roll of <a href="http://siliconcowboy.wordpress.com/wiki/Paper" style="color: #008dcf; text-decoration: none;" title="Paper">paper</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://siliconcowboy.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/phonoautograph2.jpg" style="color: #008dcf; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-1861" src="http://siliconcowboy.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/phonoautograph2.jpg?w=630" style="border: none; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 15px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" title="phonoautograph" /></a>Unfortunately for Leon Scott, his invention allowed only for recording – not for playback.</div>
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So it wasn’t until 2008 that researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., were able to convert his etchings to a digital format. Using a virtual stylus created by computers, the digitized etching was converted to sound by lead researcher and audio historian David Giovannoni and his team at Creative Sounds. The recording is now licensed by First Sounds."</div>
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Courtesy <a href="http://siliconcowboy.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/first-audio-recording-of-a-human-voice-was-made-150-years-ago-today/">siliconcowboy</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0fhEpxrFvo">Hear it on YouTube.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znKNQXo58pE&feature=related">& with the sound "cleaned up".</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></b>f course today we have wall-to-wall music, while shopping, sometimes in the background while we listen to news headlines, travelling in a lift, sitting in a pub.</div>
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Music is seen very much as a commodity, commercial pressures artificially increase our exposure to it and inflate the importance of performers & recording artists - elements which are partly responsible for changing our perception - clouding our understanding & leading it, perhaps, far away from the mysteries and wonders involved in & represented by singing itself - when examined simply, in isolation from all these influences.</div>
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That is what I hope to do in this essay - look closely at the physiology of singing.</div>
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Where better to start than with the instrument itself.</div>
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<b>THE INSTRUMENT</b></div>
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We all possess an instrument (apart from very rare exceptions).</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"Those who are physically mute may have problems with the parts of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_anatomy" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Human anatomy">human body</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> required for human speech (the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throat" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Throat">throat</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_cords" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal cords">vocal cords</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungs" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Lungs">lungs</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouth" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Mouth">mouth</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Tongue">tongue</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, etc.). Being mute is often associated with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deafness" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Deafness">deafness</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> as people who have been unable to hear from birth may not be able to articulate words correctly (see </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf-mute" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Deaf-mute">Deaf-mute</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">). A person can be born mute, or become mute later in life as a result of injury or disease.</span></div>
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Trauma or injury to the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broca%27s_Area" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Broca's Area">Broca's Area</a> of the brain can cause muteness."</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Courtesy Wikipedia </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muteness" style="background-color: white;">Muteness</a><span style="background-color: white;">.<br /><br />Fascinating in its versatility, its ability to mimic, to express with combined melody and lyric - a vast range of imagination and emotion.</span></span></div>
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"The <b>human voice</b> consists of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Sound">sound</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_production" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Voice production">made</a> by a <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_being" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Human being">human being</a> using the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_folds" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal folds">vocal folds</a> for <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_communication" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Speech communication">talking</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Singing">singing</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Laughter">laughing</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crying" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Crying">crying</a>,<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Screaming">screaming</a>, etc. Its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Frequency">frequency</a> ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds (vocal cords) are the primary sound source. Generally speaking, the mechanism for generating the human voice can be subdivided into three parts; the lungs, the vocal folds within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Larynx">larynx</a>, and the articulators. The <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungs" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Lungs">lung</a> (the pump) must produce adequate airflow and air pressure to vibrate vocal folds (this air pressure is the fuel of the voice). The vocal folds (vocal cords) are a vibrating valve that chops up the airflow from the lungs into audible pulses that form the laryngeal sound source. The muscles of the larynx adjust the length and tension of the vocal folds to ‘fine tune’ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_(music)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Pitch (music)">pitch</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Tone (linguistics)">tone</a>. The articulators (the parts of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_tract" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal tract">vocal tract</a> above the larynx consisting of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Tongue">tongue</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_palate" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Soft palate">palate</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheek" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Cheek">cheek</a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lip" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Lip">lips</a>, etc.) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manner_of_articulation" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Manner of articulation">articulate</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-pass_filter" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Band-pass filter">filter</a> the sound emanating from the larynx and to some degree can interact with the laryngeal airflow to strengthen it or weaken it as a sound source.</div>
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The vocal folds, in combination with the articulators, are capable of producing highly intricate arrays of sound.The tone of voice may be modulated to suggest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Emotion">emotions</a> such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Anger">anger</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surprise_(emotion)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Surprise (emotion)">surprise</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Happiness">happiness</a>.<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Singer">Singers</a> use the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_voice_as_an_instrument" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Human voice as an instrument">human voice as an instrument</a> for creating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Music">music</a>.</div>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Voice_types_and_the_folds_.28cords.29_themselves">Voice types and the folds (cords) themselves</span></h2>
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A labeled anatomical diagram of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_folds" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal folds">vocal folds</a> or cords.</div>
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Adult men and women have different sizes of vocal fold; reflecting the male-female differences in larynx size. Adult male voices are usually lower-pitched and have larger folds. The male vocal folds (which would be measured vertically in the opposite diagram), are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length. The female vocal folds are between 12.5 mm and 17.5 mm in length.</div>
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As seen in the illustration, the folds are located just above the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate_trachea" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vertebrate trachea">vertebrate trachea</a> (the windpipe, which travels from the lungs). Food and drink do not pass through the cords but instead pass through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophagus" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Esophagus">esophagus</a>, an unlinked tube. Both tubes are separated by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiglottis" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Epiglottis">epiglottis</a>, a "flap" that covers the opening of the trachea while swallowing.</div>
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The folds in both sexes are within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Larynx">larynx</a>. They are attached at the back (side nearest the spinal cord) to the <i>arytenoids cartilages</i>, and at the front (side under the chin) to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Thyroid">thyroid</a> cartilage. They have no outer edge as they blend into the side of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate_trachea" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vertebrate trachea">breathing tube</a> (the illustration is out of date and does not show this well) while their inner edges or "margins" are free to vibrate (the hole). They have a three layer construction of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epithelium" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Epithelium">epithelium</a>, vocal ligament, then muscle (<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocalis_muscle" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocalis muscle">vocalis muscle</a>), which can shorten and bulge the folds. They are flat triangular bands and are pearly white in color. Above both sides of the vocal cord is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_fold" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vestibular fold">vestibular fold</a> or <i>false vocal cord</i>, which has a small <a class="extiw" href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sac" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #663366; text-decoration: none;" title="wikt:sac">sac</a> between its two folds (not illustrated).</div>
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The difference in vocal folds size between men and women means that they have differently pitched voices. Additionally, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Genetics">genetics</a> also causes variances amongst the same sex, with men and women's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Singing">singing</a> voices being categorized into types. For example, among men, there are <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_(vocal_range)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Bass (vocal range)">bass</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritone" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Baritone">baritone</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenor" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Tenor">tenor</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countertenor" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Countertenor">countertenor</a> (ranging from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_pitch_notation" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Scientific pitch notation">E2 to even F6</a>), and among women, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contralto" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Contralto">contralto</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezzo-soprano" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Mezzo-soprano">mezzo-soprano</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soprano" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Soprano">soprano</a> (ranging from F3 to C6). There are additional categories for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera#Operatic_voices" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Opera">operatic voices</a>, see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_type" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Voice type">voice type</a>. This is not the only source of difference between male and female voice. Men, generally speaking, have a larger vocal tract, which essentially gives the resultant voice a lower-sounding timbre. This is mostly independent of the vocal folds themselves.</div>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Physiology_and_vocal_timbre">Physiology and vocal timbre</span></h2>
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The sound of each individual's voice is entirely unique not only because of the actual shape and size of an individual's vocal cords but also due to the size and shape of the rest of that person's body, especially the vocal tract, and the manner in which the speech sounds are habitually formed and articulated. (It is this latter aspect of the sound of the voice that can be mimicked by skilled performers.) Humans have vocal folds that can loosen, tighten, or change their thickness, and over which breath can be transferred at varying pressures. The shape of chest and neck, the position of the tongue, and the tightness of otherwise unrelated muscles can be altered. Any one of these actions results in a change in pitch, volume, timbre, or tone of the sound produced. Sound also resonates within different parts of the body, and an individual's size and bone structure can affect somewhat the sound produced by an individual.</div>
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Singers can also learn to project sound in certain ways so that it resonates better within their vocal tract. This is known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_resonation" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal resonation">vocal resonation</a>. Another major influence on vocal sound and production is the function of the larynx, which people can manipulate in different ways to produce different sounds. These different kinds of laryngeal function are described as different kinds of <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_registers" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal registers">vocal registers</a>. The primary method for singers to accomplish this is through the use of the Singer's Formant, which has been shown to be a resonance added to the normal resonances of the vocal tract above the frequency range of most instruments and so enables the singer's voice to carry better over musical accompaniment.</div>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Vocal_registration">Vocal registration</span></h3>
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<b>Vocal registration</b> refers to the system of vocal registers within the human voice. A register in the human voice is a particular series of tones, produced in the same vibratory pattern of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_folds" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal folds">vocal folds</a>, and possessing the same quality. Registers originate in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Larynx">laryngeal</a></i> functioning. They occur because the vocal folds are capable of producing several different vibratory patterns. Each of these vibratory patterns appears within a particular <i>Vocal range </i> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_(music)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Pitch (music)">pitches</a> and produces certain characteristic sounds. The term register can be somewhat confusing as it encompasses several aspects of the human voice. The term register can be used to refer to any of the following:</div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A particular part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_range" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal range">vocal range</a> such as the upper, middle, or lower registers.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Resonance">resonance</a> area such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_voice" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Chest voice">chest voice</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_voice" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Head voice">head voice</a>.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonation" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Phonation">phonatory</a> process.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A certain vocal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Timbre">timbre</a>.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A region of the voice that is defined or delimited by vocal breaks.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">A subset of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Language">language</a> used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.</li>
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In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistics" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Linguistics">linguistics</a>, a <b>register language</b> is a language that combines <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Tone (linguistics)">tone</a> and vowel <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonation" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Phonation">phonation</a> into a single <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonology" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Phonology">phonological</a> system.</div>
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Within <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_pathology" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Speech pathology">speech pathology</a> the term vocal register has three constituent elements: a certain vibratory pattern of the vocal folds, a certain series of pitches, and a certain type of sound. Speech pathologists identify four vocal registers based on the physiology of laryngeal function: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_fry_register" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Vocal fry register">vocal fry register</a>, the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_register" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Modal register">modal register</a>, and the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsetto_register" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Falsetto register">falsetto register</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_register" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Whistle register">whistle register</a>. This view is also adopted by many vocal pedagogists.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Vocal resonation</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vocal resonation</b> is the process by which the basic product of phonation is enhanced in timbre and/or intensity by the air-filled cavities through which it passes on its way to the outside air. Various terms related to the resonation process include amplification, enrichment, enlargement, improvement, intensification, and prolongation; although in strictly scientific usage acoustic authorities would question most of them. The main point to be drawn from these terms by a singer or speaker is that the end result of resonation is, or should be, to make a better sound.There are seven areas that may be listed as possible vocal resonators. In sequence from the lowest within the body to the highest, these areas are the chest, the tracheal tree, the larynx itself, the pharynx, the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, and the sinuses."</span></div>
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<span dir="auto">Thoracic diaphragm</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;">In the anatomy of mammals, the thoracic diaphragm (E) - or simply the diaphragm </span></div>
(Ancient Greek:διάφραγμα diáphragma "partition"), is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle that extends across </div>
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the bottom of the rib cage. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity (heart, lungs & ribs) from the </div>
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abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration: as the diaphragm contracts, the volume </div>
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of the thoracic cavity increases and air is drawn into the lungs.<br />
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A "diaphragm" in anatomy can refer to other flat structures such as the urogenital diaphragm or pelvic </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">diaphragm,</span><span style="background-color: white;">but "the diaphragm" generally refers to the thoracic diaphragm. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Other vertebrates such as amphibians and </span><span style="background-color: white;">reptiles have diaphragms or diaphragm-like structures, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">but important details of the anatomy vary, such as the </span><span style="background-color: white;">position of lungs in the abdominal cavity.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Function</span></b><br />
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The diaphragm functions in breathing. <br />
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During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, thus enlarging the volume of the thoracic cavity (the external <br />
intercostal muscles also participate in this enlargement). This reduces intra-thoracic pressure: <br />
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In other words, enlarging the cavity creates suction that draws air into the lung, or lungs.<br />
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Cavity expansion happens in two extremes, along with intermediary forms. <br />
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When the lower ribs are stabilized and the central tendon of the diaphragm is mobile, a contraction brings <br />
the insertion (central tendon) towards the origins and pushes the lower cavity towards the pelvis, allowing the <br />
thoracic cavity to expand downward. <br />
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This is often called belly breathing. When the central tendon is stabilized and the lower ribs are mobile, <br />
a contraction lifts the origins (ribs) up towards the insertion (central tendon) which works in conjunction with <br />
other muscles to allow the ribs to slide and the thoracic cavity to expand laterally and upwards.<br />
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When the diaphragm relaxes, air is exhaled by elastic recoil of the lung and the tissues lining the thoracic cavity.<br />
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Assisting this function with muscular effort (called forced exhalation) involves the internal intercostal muscles <br />
used in conjunction with the abdominal muscles, which act as an antagonist paired with the diaphragm's <br />
contraction.<br />
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The diaphragm is also involved in non-respiratory functions, helping to expel vomit, feces, and urine from the <br />
body by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, and preventing acid reflux by exerting pressure on the <br />
esophagus as it passes through the esophageal hiatus.</div>
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In some non-human animals, the diaphragm is not crucial for breathing; a cow, for instance, can survive fairly <br />
asymptomatically with diaphragmatic paralysis as long as no massive aerobic metabolic demands are made of it.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Courtesy Wikipedia </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_voice" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Human Voice</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;"> & </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_diaphragm" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;">Thoracic Diaphragm</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">few critical phrases from the above quotes:<br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.5em;"><b>"</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b>this air pressure is the fuel of the voice"</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b>"</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>The main point to be drawn from these terms by a singer or speaker is that the end result of </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>resonation is, </b></span><b style="line-height: 19px;">or should be, to make a better sound."</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b>"Assisting this function with muscular effort (called forced exhalation) involves the internal </b><br />
<b>intercostal muscles used in conjunction with the abdominal muscles . . ."</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">R</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">emember, all the time we are referring to sound with regard to singing - we consider that the medium of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">transmission is air.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It is quite remarkable how sensitive this medium is for the transmission of sound.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Here is a thought experiment.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Imagine yourself in a fairly large hall - the hall is perfectly quiet.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Another person at an opposite end of the hall utters a soft sound - such as "Pssst".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Not only will you very probably be able to hear that sound quite adequately, but you can also imagine </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">that were you positioned anywhere else in that space, any of the corners for instance - including the top corners</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">- you would be able to hear that sound equally well.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">What this means is that the small sound is transmitting itself, through the air - to every area of that space - </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">simultaneously - it is therefore effecting every molecule of air in that space.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">U</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">nlike any other musical instrument, the processes of the human voice are invisible - it all happens "inside" - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and importantly there are no mechanical, visible references for the pitching of sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are two scientific terms referring to important aspects of sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Frequency & Amplitude.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Frequency </b>is responsible for the "pitch" element in all sound - and describes the number of complete cycles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of vibration in a given amount of time - in singing this refers to the movement of the vocal folds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving at astonishing speeds - for example - to sing the note "A" above middle "C" - requires the vocal folds </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to vibrate at a frequency of 440 Hz - that is 440 complete cycles of movement per second - the "A" an octave </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">above that would require a frequency of 880 Hz.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Amplitude</b> is responsible for the "loudness" element in sound - and essentially describes the excursion of the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">vibrating body - how far it travels in each cycle of frequency - thus communicating "frequency information" to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">more or fewer air </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">molecules<br />.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">H</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">ow do we learn to effect the </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">frequency </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">or pitch of the sound we produce?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It's quite a mystery really - and has its invisible roots in our ability to mimic, and learn how to respond with </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">mimicry as part of communication - part of our language learning skills - skills which are innately engaged </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">in our infancy, but which we adapt constantly throughout our lives - subliminally, naturally and unconsciously.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">A skill that most of us take completely for granted - but which also reveals a host of intricate & complex </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">physiological tricks that we have learned and mastered.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">One of them being our ability to control the output of our voices by imagination alone - we hear inside our minds</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">the sound we wish to produce, and usually, out it comes - the pitch element being just a fraction of the control we </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">have learned - but this skill is obviously of paramount importance to a singer.<br /><br />In the voice there are no keys, no valves, no frets to visually assist pitch accuracy - it is all done with the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">imagination & the will.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It is slightly less of a mystery how we learn about <b>amplitude</b> - if we wish to ensure that we are heard - we learn</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">how to shout - if we wish to impart a secret - we whisper.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In shouting - we energetically supply more air to our message - encouraging the vocal folds to make larger </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">excursions - they in turn, assist us in being heard by raising the pitch slightly from our normal speech frequency </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">range - aspects of registration.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In whispering we do not engage the vocal folds at all - we simply use resonance and articulation to modulate </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">the air of our breath - aspects of resonation.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></b>hese two areas of registration and resonation lead to expose a common but understandably subtle<br />
mis-conception regarding a singer's practice.<br />
<br />
To the novice or the un-initiated - singing appears to be oriented in association with the mouth.<br />
After all, that is the activity we see, that is where the words are formed - that is where the sound escapes - that<br />
is <span style="background-color: white;">where we imagine that </span><span style="background-color: white;">we hear the sound coming from.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">All too often though, effort and focus is wasted in this area, in catastrophic neglect of the <b>root of the sound</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">which is at the vocal folds themselves - hidden - doing all of their work - invisibly.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The vocal folds can only do their work when there is a suitable and adequate air supply.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">It is the nature & control quality of this air supply which has the largest influence on virtually all aspects of singing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
If this relationship between breathing, the role of the diaphragm, the dependence of the vocal folds on the quality<br />
of air supply - and the physiological support of one's singing efforts - is misunderstood, or not personally explored -<br />
it becomes difficult for an individual singer to find areas in which to make dramatic and lasting improvement.<br />
<br />
All other considerations in singing are of secondary importance to practically incorporating the understanding of<br />
this fundamentally critical aspect.<br />
<br />
<b>What does this mean for the singer, in practical terms?</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b>t provides a key to improvement - allowing the focus of effort to shift from an over-reliance on elocution - using<br />
syllables and consonant components as "foot-holds" in which to erroneously place effort.<br />
It allows a singer to strip away all secondary measures for success, which will naturally benefit from a focus on<br />
this area of prime importance.<br />
<br />
<b>Vowel components and Consonant components.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></b>ithout exception, all consonant components of singing - either fully or partially impede or transfer the flow<br />
of air - the air proceeding from the vocal folds.<br />
<br />
Without exception, all vowel components of singing - permit and encourage the free flow of air - the air proceeding<br />
from the vocal folds.<br />
<br />
It is clear then, that on the journey that the air travels, by the time vowels or consonants are formed to modulate<br />
the sound - the vocal folds have already supplied their contribution.<br />
<br />
It is in the control of this contribution that fundamental improvements may be made - affecting all other areas -<br />
affecting psychologically, a singer's confidence & ability to relax, affecting physically the amount of false effort and strain<br />
introduced - it will demonstrably have positive effects on an even tone production and on the perceived tone itself -<br />
it will offer opportunities to improve dynamic range & control.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Recommended method for practice.</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></b>o this end, I recommend the following method of practice - to expose and gain confidence in the root of the sound.<br />
<br />
Separate the vowel components of the song you are working on - ensuring that you identify them correctly as the<br />
actual sounds produced when incorporated into the words.<br />
There are many more than the traditional grammar of A E I O & U - and many of the vowel components are<br />
dipthongs.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"A </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">diphthong</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> - </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Ancient Greek">Greek</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">: </span><span lang="grc" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="grc">δίφθογγος</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">diphthongos</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, literally "two sounds" or "two tones"), also known as a </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">gliding vowel</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><br />
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
refers to two adjacent vowel sounds occurring within the same <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syllable" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Syllable">syllable</a>. </div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Technically, a diphthong is a vowel with two different targets: That is, the tongue moves during the pronunciation of </div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
the vowel. In most dialects of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="English language">English</a>, the words <i>eye</i>, <i>hay</i>, <i>boy</i>,<i>low</i>, and <i>cow</i> contain diphthongs.</div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Diphthongs contrast with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophthong" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Monophthong">monophthongs</a>, where the tongue doesn't move and only one vowel sound is heard in a </div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
syllable. Where two adjacent vowel sounds occur in different syllables—for example, in the English word </div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>re-elect</i>—the result is described as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiatus_(linguistics)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Hiatus (linguistics)">hiatus</a>, not as a diphthong."</div>
<div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Courtesy Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphthong">Diphthong</a>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>O</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">bviously, this technique will be more easily applied to a ballad type song than a rapid-fire tongue-twister - </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but practice benefits are transferable.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sing through the song - devoid of consonants - creating a smooth, perfectly legato "tube" of sound that seamlessly</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">changes from one vowel sound to another - paying attention to dipthongs with regard to the particular component</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">which is dwelt on in preference - and the different posturing of the throat and mouth necessary to enable distinction and purity </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of each vowel sound.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You will find that all of the effort & control is now being supplied by your diaphragm - you will find that you need a </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">lot more air than you thought necessary - for all of those minute and temporary impediments to the air flow (the consonants)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">are no longer there to help you conserve breath.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What you will find also is what is referred to above as "forced exhalation" - the diaphragm in conjunction with the stomach muscles</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- allowing you to control the air flow.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Notice the difference between this and a natural exhalation, which is simply the relaxation of the diaphragm.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Notice also that the requirements of singing necessitate "forced inhalation" as well - sometimes taking a full breath </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in the shortest possible time.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Both are important.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Notice also that it is difficult to transform a natural inhalation or exhalation into a forced (assisted) one - once it has</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> already commenced.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Breathing exercise.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Practice a deep in-breath in as short a time as possible - followed by what I call "the lock" - hold the stomach muscles in the position of the </div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
full breath - and then proceed with an assisted exhalation - being very conscious of how you are rationing the air flow,</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
you are now in control - by increasing the pressure of the stomach muscles during exhalation - you are delivering more air</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
to the area of the vocal folds - what you will do when you wish to sing louder.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Be conscious of the evenness with which you control this exhalation - that will assist in the production of a steady,</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
even tone.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span></b><span style="background-color: white;">o after practicing the chosen & suitable song in this manner - devoid of consonants - and each phrase between breaths</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
is one long tube of sound - no breaks in the sound at all - every note within each phrase is glided to and from - and the vowels </div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
are seamlessly <span style="background-color: white;">changing from one clear, well defined vowel sound to another - you will hopefully notice wonderful </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">improvements in your ability to confidently rise and fall with the contour of the melody - because you have been paying attention </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">to the key area of support in your singing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">N</span></b>ow comes the time to re-apply the consonants.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
We can give them some special treatment as well - & care must be taken.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
We have already discovered that consonants involve restricting or shifting the air-flow - explore for yourselves.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Either the lips, the tongue, the teeth and lips or the glottis - or some combination of those - temporarily stop the air flow.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
and the harder consonants especially - "T" "D" "P" "F" etc. rely on the small explosive release of the air flow to sound.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Others are slightly gentler in action and allow the air flow to continue, but re-channel the air through the nasal passages</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
- consonants such as "R" "M" or "N".</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<br />
However all of this activity can be unsettling for the vocal folds - so care should be taken to incorporate the flow of air from the</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
consonant components into the air flow already in motion from vowel production - keeping it all moving forwards.</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
To realise that consonants also rely on air movement for audibility is a clue as to how to make them more clearly defined</div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clumps of consonants should be gently teased apart - allowing each separate component to sound - for example in the word "tree"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">there is a clump at the beginning of "T" & "R".</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine as far as possible that these consonant components wrap themselves around the long tube of sound already worked on</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in the first part of this method - enclosing it rather than chopping it up.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></b>f course, singing is exceptional because it also carries the component of linguistic meaning - it tells a story.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">As well as employing the subtle and directly emotional language of melody - singing can clarify and focus the emotional content</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">with its use of words - our everyday language.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">However when most singers learn songs and perform the subject matter of the song, it is at most, remotely personal to themselves.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">This brings us to characterization - bringing a song to life - making it your very own.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The process is the reverse of when we normally recount a story from our everyday lives - where we have in place the memories, </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">the pictures, the emotions we can recall feeling - and automatically we engage all of these in our recollection.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">When reciting a song - we need to find all of these factors - we need to understand the logic of the words, from the point of view</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span style="background-color: white;">of the character singing them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">We need to have as clear a picture as possible - in place in our minds - of the circumstances resulting in the song.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Again - it is a task for the imagination - to help make the song our very own - and to make it convincing in performance.</span></div>
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</div>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-80615547093078429892011-03-15T23:51:00.017+00:002011-09-28T22:00:26.336+01:00Immaculate Misconception.<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b> can distinctly remember the moment when my ego was born.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>ell, perhaps not as dramatically as that, for it doubtless spent the previous time assimilating information & getting its bearings in the novelty of the new environment - ex-utero.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP8rCUeMoMj6369cCU2E89RO7gPRiZU5iKTfCrleqjkIXODIr0-D7gUpGhVzhA7IrjJ37_FKlOpajIgg8ZjSmcx1Ib4JU_wUibN9XTSuF_03-8Imv_ArBmDjLcjqPPPoXXaymsY1gSaI/s1600/perfect_parenting-cartoon_h.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP8rCUeMoMj6369cCU2E89RO7gPRiZU5iKTfCrleqjkIXODIr0-D7gUpGhVzhA7IrjJ37_FKlOpajIgg8ZjSmcx1Ib4JU_wUibN9XTSuF_03-8Imv_ArBmDjLcjqPPPoXXaymsY1gSaI/s200/perfect_parenting-cartoon_h.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584473879400157378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy <a href="http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978384697">gather.com</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">B</span></b>orn into the world at some time previously, equipped with a mind that incessantly craved understanding - constantly, but subliminally making its own sense of life and living, endeavouring to create a stable and balanced psyche - from all the available evidence.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b>he physical body had done pretty well up to this point - it had been fed and watered, trained into various habits, it even managed to raise itself to its legs and master at first walking, then running at speed.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">N</span></b>ow when I say understanding, I am referring obviously to the simple things - the basics - it was rather too early for quantum physics or landscape painting.</div><div>All this understanding gradually consolidated itself - forming a world which revolved around the nuturing of a mother, the strength of a father, the constant company of a twin sister - all unquestioned presences in this new world.</div><div>A world which assimilated itself according to how it appeared, to how it felt, to how it smelled and tasted.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgC-YpLTA8EIay7s2YKEXvVGaWaDBncfjMhmw2BKlVnxdetnxBxiopX6Jtw9oqpfWCgVgvmwPj6xqb84mDOm5TOJrIF9Xki8Eqx2sfWkOPUqXxWGaWhx2tHG_pSgTIFYc9TLL_tK2UI/s1600/earth_from_space.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVgC-YpLTA8EIay7s2YKEXvVGaWaDBncfjMhmw2BKlVnxdetnxBxiopX6Jtw9oqpfWCgVgvmwPj6xqb84mDOm5TOJrIF9Xki8Eqx2sfWkOPUqXxWGaWhx2tHG_pSgTIFYc9TLL_tK2UI/s200/earth_from_space.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584474533462261058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Y</span></b>es - I was entirely sure that the world and myself were solid, convinced by the inevitable falls during the learning process. The food that gradually replaced my diet of liquid also felt solid within my mouth, and required chewing and swallowing. My companions and the world they inhabited also showed all the signs of being as solid as I felt I was.</div><div>This was my world, in conjunction with a natural flow of happiness and sadness - instantly expressed with laughter or tears - a world which contained tiredness and sleep - daylight and darkness.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b> had also learned by this time to utter noises, to shape noises into those I would hear, I learned that these noises represented things - different things. </div><div>My learning of this was encouraged and rewarded by the most positive reception - I learned that this was "good" - in fact I learned that I was "good" when my behaviour coincided with the wishes of those teaching me, of those nurturing me.</div><div>Of course, I was most happy to please.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>n this momentous day - I remember being sat in a green armchair - daydreaming - when slowly it dawned upon me that I was actually the name that I had been given. It was an amazing revelation at the time, because this really had not occurred to me before. I realised that this name was referring to myself - that I was this person - and it was the same as this name. Quick subliminal calculations later, and I had it all worked out - that the same applied to my sister - and all my freinds.</div><div>I didn't speak to anyone about this at the time - but how clearly I remember this happening.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsjqZUsbZASzaM_VDp7YXQTrkRBZfbXHfVWlkMmQLBOJIA9WOfHL3QWPR6lYTe8ofxcLxo5UP6xjjdrFKOesqapMX6WL7B9_w733DNp0khJRgdlFadvPzkOEiZgjdlQtMYrP92YR-nrc/s1600/Faceless_Composition_by_larafairie.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsjqZUsbZASzaM_VDp7YXQTrkRBZfbXHfVWlkMmQLBOJIA9WOfHL3QWPR6lYTe8ofxcLxo5UP6xjjdrFKOesqapMX6WL7B9_w733DNp0khJRgdlFadvPzkOEiZgjdlQtMYrP92YR-nrc/s200/Faceless_Composition_by_larafairie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584470781390787378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy <a href="http://stylishwebdesigner.com/breathtaking-photo-manipulations/">stylishwebdesigner.com</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>f course, what that name was associated with - was the solid, bouncy person - living in his solid world.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>till assimilating & accumulating, still naturally inquisitive, curious & craving understanding - as we all instinctively are - being satisfied and educated constantly, by all the evidence available to our sponge-like minds, and all sharpened to a point - the point indelibly etched at the base of all further learning - that I must be good - I am expected to be good, in all of its shapes and colours - goodness, in the eyes of others, is what life is all about.</div><div>I know this, because even my nurturing mother and father withhold their love, they change into angry, nasty people - if I am not good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>f course, this is all happening in a cloud - a drifting bubble of easy happiness and playfullness. Every horizon presents itself as infinite, the colours of the world are vibrant and undiluted - every experience is a mystery of novelty - and I have not learned to care or worry - I am living at full tilt, with all the energy I could ever need.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>oon I am whisked away from the homely comfort, from the warm nurturing nest - to meet teachers, other children - to learn about reading and writing, numbers, playing in sand, strange tasting and smelling food - and being good.</div><div>I am me, my name, a solid body amongst numerous others now - all learning that everything we are taught is part of being good, including lessons about God, our heavenly Father - and how He also wants us to be good.</div><div>It's quite fun learning to write, playing with paint and colours and sand - I have lots of friends - and I'll soon be home again.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">V</span></b>ery soon I am a product of good, I have a head that is stuffed full of being good.</div><div>Very soon, this being good starts to sap my energy - in fact, being good is starting to become tiresome - I'm starting to get my own ideas about what being good really is.</div><div>It's friends and fun and laughter - pretty girls, climbing trees, cycling downhill at speed, keeping secrets - occasionally being bad.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfHjFtn_Vzqjs5Mb6bebVsT42yMIcw0hDORSCZBzE5hhm-t3V4cLfaJc5UTaZIPu7ZR5m0qtnwdcOXThMFTvzUtFLnMi7Ztheigua89zhrxBIraGkstaLTF5tbQTA2Yz5R8l5iDix9iQ/s1600/good-and-bad.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfHjFtn_Vzqjs5Mb6bebVsT42yMIcw0hDORSCZBzE5hhm-t3V4cLfaJc5UTaZIPu7ZR5m0qtnwdcOXThMFTvzUtFLnMi7Ztheigua89zhrxBIraGkstaLTF5tbQTA2Yz5R8l5iDix9iQ/s200/good-and-bad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584476758337457698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy <a href="http://www.protouchblog.co.uk/tag/xen-x5/">protouchblog.co.uk</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b> split has started to appear in who I am - the first of many growing contradictions - cleaving my world apart - contradictions which take sides - either with the rewards of being good, the love that is shown, or the fear of disobeying, the spectre of anger and disapproval - and of course all my badness creates within me a secret shadow of shame.</div><div>Such a deep secret that I am able to cover it up, and pretend, all the while, even to myself - that I am good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>ll painted upon a human canvas, based on the evidence available.</div><div>What else can we do?</div><div>However, our jigsaw of understanding is stressed by being forced into producing a complete picture - when there is one crucial piece missing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>hen that ego descended, and drifted into activity, what was really going on?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t was an immaculate misconception - at that point in time specifically, but also everything leading up to that moment.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b>he piece of the jigsaw that was missing was awareness - not awareness in itself, or I would not be able to have the experience or remember the experience - but an awareness of awareness.</div><div>All of my life had preceded that moment with awareness at its very heart - and proceeded after that moment also - but what was missing was the acute and conscious recognition of that awareness.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>ts essential silence and transparency was lost amidst all the noise - but what was not lost was the constancy, the sameness central to awareness - the sense of "I" associated with all the experiences of that life.</div><div>It was always there - it didn't change dramatically from moment to moment - it didn't change at all in its invisibile & silent, subliminal presence.</div><div>It was the one constant factor amidst all the change, but it wasn't recognised for what it was - and so this constancy was unconsciously mis-attributed as belonging to the character now blossoming within the mind.</div><div>This sense of self, of being "I," was associated instead with the name, with the solid feeling body - and gradually the whole host of experiences encountered in life became attached around this association.</div><div>A picture was being painted of a life, a glorious technicolour picture deeply entrenched in the mind - of the life of a person answering to that name.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b> real life, crammed with real feelings, imaginings, real experiences - present and past - were all being attributed - according to an incomplete knowledge of what was actually responsible for it - yet all the while, the real master, the silent one, the one who genuinely felt all the suffering and delight of being - was held to ransom, forced into obedience by an imposter ignorant that the master was even there, not acknowledging his presence at all.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>eld hostage by a shadow, a reflection - a pitifully small version of what he truly was.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">N</span></b>o wonder at all that there was pain and unaccountable frustration in that being - no wonder that there were contradictions accumulating between the master, already liberated, during his imposed imprisonment.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">M</span></b>aybe his crying will be heard - that's all he can hope for.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">F</span></b>ortunately there is a strange synergy, perhaps in ways similar to the well reported Stockholm syndrome, between a hostage and his captor - and the hostage can reclaim a useful influential power.</div><div>Secretly, stealthily - according to the pleasure principle - often conducted in the enemy territory of "the bad" - the master makes his crys heard - louder and louder.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b> chance meeting here, chemical experimentation there, an interesting and captivating book - slowly & imperceptably - the master casts his spell - his one & only wish for recognition.</div><div>The jailer falls for his irresistible and convincingly persuasive charm, and starts to lend a sympathetic ear.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b> shall stop extending this metaphor about liberation and bring in some pictures instead.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl9H_lVsRvIRbBuj9QlwFNpwUdXkv5Mba3A_UHiM9yhQX_5W2uKy8SUTnlkJfjMop0UgjFIKt0NsM4eRpFmgEV_PUNFlsc9daHQ1NDqMaKnpJZfPc_CKLCa0i5cvgLYnzMo7Q_L0X6pQ/s1600/Self2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl9H_lVsRvIRbBuj9QlwFNpwUdXkv5Mba3A_UHiM9yhQX_5W2uKy8SUTnlkJfjMop0UgjFIKt0NsM4eRpFmgEV_PUNFlsc9daHQ1NDqMaKnpJZfPc_CKLCa0i5cvgLYnzMo7Q_L0X6pQ/s200/Self2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584459524712374978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 195px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b>he circle represents experience - our entire world as perceived through our senses - our thoughts & our emotional existence - everything we have been and ever will be - is entirely enclosed within experience.</div><div>That is our reality - there is no outside to that reality - it is all internal, and circumscribed by the length, breadth and depth of our own experience.</div><div>Everything we have ever encountered, we have done so by experiencing, all of our learning, our understanding, our perception of ourselves, our perception of others - our entire lives - are contained by the fundamental of experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>e may wrongly ascribe phenomena as arising outside, but they do not and cannot arise to perception other than within our circle of experience.</div><div>This circle is our inner world - of which we are the centre.</div><div>Our past, our present, all arises to that central point of "I."</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C5kpgwAmscpnR5OXwAdowdQPC4OOglSbidtWe3kN8Q5sJ2Zg56N8Np4FNbohk5yjqVk1j3nn81Xh8LiQfYX7SH0625cWlZSMVAiqRjQ1g6_2xIXFh4sK_0gUb27r8tbc98HOia4pxBY/s1600/selfcone.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C5kpgwAmscpnR5OXwAdowdQPC4OOglSbidtWe3kN8Q5sJ2Zg56N8Np4FNbohk5yjqVk1j3nn81Xh8LiQfYX7SH0625cWlZSMVAiqRjQ1g6_2xIXFh4sK_0gUb27r8tbc98HOia4pxBY/s200/selfcone.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584467509037676738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 188px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>t the root of all experience is awareness - it is awareness which allows experience to happen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>ur lives are one enormous canvas of undifferentiated awareness - onto which we paint the detail.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>s explained in the tale above, we generally mis-attribute our sense of "I-ness" because we are consciously unaware of the presence of this awareness being causal to all experience.</div><div>This is only natural whilst it is the only perspective that we have.</div><div>Consequently, we believe ourselves to be according to the detail that we have painted - attaching our just and rightful values to the detail, rather than the blank canvas of infinite potential.</div><div>A confusion of differences - painted upon clarity.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wklp254UzvvTFeSOftLFUkg8NXSxvsNtcjPWYtZSFBcdMVVfnCoou-GrsKE-CqupawR9T1bkPf-K5USspIGjnlgJqz44c0T0j822B2nzcZrXFo4mi83xh8pCaDxRAK1ZyIMT9SsLbag/s1600/Banyai_OtherSide_Page1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wklp254UzvvTFeSOftLFUkg8NXSxvsNtcjPWYtZSFBcdMVVfnCoou-GrsKE-CqupawR9T1bkPf-K5USspIGjnlgJqz44c0T0j822B2nzcZrXFo4mi83xh8pCaDxRAK1ZyIMT9SsLbag/s200/Banyai_OtherSide_Page1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584469294499963730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdSQN65Lc9cqtoMEPR3v9yRzolYTo-RB_GMDVcrt70YVIgSC3d2XfL1vLwt9DrUsqVdN6GOD4UJk6777YZO9nwdyFX44Aa9S3j4MeTMzeg0AXayo9kbbvE9tH3L5oZ3rx03jgUELd8Ow/s1600/banyai_otherside_page2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdSQN65Lc9cqtoMEPR3v9yRzolYTo-RB_GMDVcrt70YVIgSC3d2XfL1vLwt9DrUsqVdN6GOD4UJk6777YZO9nwdyFX44Aa9S3j4MeTMzeg0AXayo9kbbvE9tH3L5oZ3rx03jgUELd8Ow/s200/banyai_otherside_page2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584469506781721842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>e are aware of a constant and consistent presence in our life, but attribute it to a conceptually fixed and static persona - rather than the fluid potential of absolute liberty, constantly supporting and allowing our being.</div><div>Our lives consequently are described in terms of a multitude of experiences, of varying shades and colours - which they are, secondarily - but primarily our lives could be described as a singular experience - the constancy of being aware.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>n a profound sense we are living in an Alice In Wonderland world, where we mistake the reflections for reality - and reality as merely a reflection or shadow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-71288693606121781602011-02-26T00:37:00.030+00:002016-01-11T05:01:13.758+00:00In The Beginning<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVpMb8w8X29tCJSmMOWrIESVRZPMgbqyBNM6UIl7LOdsxHhLymneP3sHYPjAnyODHgxBI_BDIEedfNLePkyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJAbhMXheEw" style="font-size: 78%;">YouTube.</a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>hen watching this short film - please - receive it into feeling - please, let it bypass, unimpeded - into feeling.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t is a film about you - you and me - our reality.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">P</span></b>lease receive it into your reality - into your being.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t attempts to depict creation in a really simple way, using the abstract visualisation of number - thereby avoiding all sectarian or partisan division.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>n such a way, it is hoped that ideas themselves can be represented - fundamental & critical ideas, devoid of any particular bias - and as such, the reality behind the ideas can be seen with a profound clarity.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>fter all - ideas are the inspiration for everything.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>imple, two-dimensional geometric shapes have been used at times to help illustrate the basic simplicity of these ideas - however, it must be respected that even the ideas behind these shapes themselves - do have a reality - and that reality owes its existence to the one, fundamental conception - the mysterious probability of which we are a part.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t must be said, that the story of creation is often framed as an "In The Beginning" story - and perhaps this could be due to our incapacity to frame outside of a reference to time.</div>
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We cannot conceive of an "Always."</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>owever, the basic implications of this film do not ultimately depend on either "Always" or "A Beginning" - as the majestic conclusions are the same in either case.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b> wish to present some of the content for further evaluation.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b>he film starts with words, against a white background - to suggest that we are witnessing an un-manifest singularity, which cannot "de-exist" - but which represents all potential.</div>
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The film labels this singularity as "One" - but in the sense of "All" - not yet in the sense of number.<br />
Because this potential is so obviously a reality, "One" is more appropriate than "Zero."</div>
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<a href="http://smokesignals-ellumbra.blogspot.com/2011/02/spiritual-enigma.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>ords carry meaning </a>- a meaning which illuminates an underlying reality, a reality which can best be understood by feeling combined with intellect, rather than by intellect alone - so please try to connect the words to the enormous significance of their underlying reality, the meaning that they carry - the meaning which is being expressed by your very being - right now.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>nly then will you be able to perceive the significance of "two" - being only an idea in the mind of One . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr7JbBpv6vL9sKL_1dSLU8U03SLEhP4bvu5f42zrGporGcIWK9Co6PscdJ_-5G2jPwvynJZgQE6j7Ku1d5L6EAOfBXBHHDF4jimbD0nytysZjUbIfP3upyGrSO5n7YOEqkW5wtgYRelU/s1600/aran30a16.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577807017870480722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr7JbBpv6vL9sKL_1dSLU8U03SLEhP4bvu5f42zrGporGcIWK9Co6PscdJ_-5G2jPwvynJZgQE6j7Ku1d5L6EAOfBXBHHDF4jimbD0nytysZjUbIfP3upyGrSO5n7YOEqkW5wtgYRelU/s200/aran30a16.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<div>
. . . by seeing the significance of the One, and the sublime originality & portent of this idea of two.</div>
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Remember - we are discussing reality - ideas on a universal scale - and quite reasonably, we will continue the questioning . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOSIY94pXvCUtDldZo-2vkdNRo-j9gHj88MKrmU9U2-mkjl0Bme1blUWAgjAyUXB1k1VIi91XO5SV7NAXq8uhPiVFHtAWprfH6QcucReA93I9qHjIiS4asFDaAakLbV3OwiLVQ0l5oT0/s1600/ARAn30.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577809341851677170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOSIY94pXvCUtDldZo-2vkdNRo-j9gHj88MKrmU9U2-mkjl0Bme1blUWAgjAyUXB1k1VIi91XO5SV7NAXq8uhPiVFHtAWprfH6QcucReA93I9qHjIiS4asFDaAakLbV3OwiLVQ0l5oT0/s200/ARAn30.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
. . . questions that mankind has been asking - probably, since mankind.</div>
<div>
The true answer to these questions being only discernible from the perspective of the One - from a perspective where they are no longer even questions.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>o - from the perspective of the One - two cannot possibly be a reality - it can only be an idea, but this idea is the inception of the idea of number - the inception of an infinitely re-creative process.</div>
<div>
This is itself an enormously profound inception - an idea within which, One itself becomes transformed, from a purely qualitative being - into a quantitative idea - an idea which when extended beyond One - conceives identity - the very possibility of other ones - of other realities - but, only as ideas in the mind of the One.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b>he idea (but what we perceive as our reality) of quantity, allows us to sum one & two - arriving at three - a new & third idea - our perceived reality of relationship - born automatically with the inception of two.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>owever, the potential for identity, for other ones, cannot be realised - therefore relationship itself cannot be realised - if "two" retains its self-knowledge as One.</div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>o there has to be a process of forgetting - of de-science - a descent from omniscience.</div>
<div>
"The nature of the One is hidden in the nature of the One's appearance."</div>
<div>
A process which leaves identity up-for-grabs - available to the highest bidder, or shall we say, to <a href="http://smokesignals-ellumbra.blogspot.com/2009/05/relaxing-in-paradigm.html">the most convincing paradigm.</a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">N</span></b>evertheless - the question of identity only occurs in the realm of mind - the realm in which it was conceived - the mind of the One.</div>
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It is only a matter of mind, not a matter of substance - it is the matter of ideas, not of being.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-ZmijVaIB3SnyV4dM3eNp4xdWBckWo7kvvljyFj0pmjGEnYgy0kaKtKlG_hh373kzVbltDDMh5QF6M_oCAc7b9TtT2o05-nKMobThQgGCz4GwLDYguXOP0fP1sJiwZdbcxD4rcucyiA/s1600/aran35f.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577830273594221058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-ZmijVaIB3SnyV4dM3eNp4xdWBckWo7kvvljyFj0pmjGEnYgy0kaKtKlG_hh373kzVbltDDMh5QF6M_oCAc7b9TtT2o05-nKMobThQgGCz4GwLDYguXOP0fP1sJiwZdbcxD4rcucyiA/s200/aran35f.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>hich brings us nicely to some of the other graphics - importantly, this one - where we can visualise our paradigm (the conceptual realm) - and notice that all other realms are conceptualised within this realm.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>trangely, there is an anomaly in how we interact within our own paradigm - which appears to invert our notions of abstract and concrete.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">C</span></b>onvinced, as we are, that the nature of reality is "concrete" and that the nature of our thoughts is "abstract" - however, close observation will reveal that realistically, it is the other way around - and that from a fluid and emergent "abstract" reality, from a continuum - we elect immovable and concrete "concepts."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b>ur thoughts, our opinions, although abstract and insubstantial in themselves - do have an irreducible and concrete effect upon our being - in both our unconscious and conscious interaction with ourselves and our environment.</div>
<div>
An effect which is by and large influenced by <a href="http://smokesignals-ellumbra.blogspot.com/2009/05/door-to-kingdom.html">the imposing nature of our senses</a> (the perceptual realm) . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rBtRErf9EEe613nT3z6Tj6IQ8KWaTMZ_rBFGdpl0JUVH9doQ33_WCwPZGpZWRyC68v8qTpHQPNl53GLnndsrWg2aNcHKCHmGPWWunYs0wfRtN-_E-JvgvUW2Yu1UHPPmfV_4IGDqs3Q/s1600/aran35e.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577834736808008066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rBtRErf9EEe613nT3z6Tj6IQ8KWaTMZ_rBFGdpl0JUVH9doQ33_WCwPZGpZWRyC68v8qTpHQPNl53GLnndsrWg2aNcHKCHmGPWWunYs0wfRtN-_E-JvgvUW2Yu1UHPPmfV_4IGDqs3Q/s200/aran35e.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<div>
. . . resulting in our conviction of a concrete world - but a conviction which conveniently belies the constant and imperceptible change, happening in and around ourselves.</div>
<div>
A conviction that belies the stark realisation that we ourselves are not concrete entities, on either the physical or any other level of existence.</div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">B</span></b>ut, a part of our very own paradigm is our concrete conceptualisation of "self" - a collection of references from our fixed perspective.</div>
<div>
This is distinctly at odds with the nature of everything - which is change - emergence - process.</div>
<div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">C</span></b>lose observation will reveal that this "phantom self" - is the product of everything contained within "The nature of The One's appearance."</div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>n other words - it is the product of our existence within the mind of the One - it is concomitant with the possibility of identity, bequeathed to us by the One.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t is a natural occurrence born of The nature of The One's appearance & The Experiential Realm (ourselves) - only possible through the ideas of number and relationship (relativity.)</div>
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<div>
Relationship and identity also give us the idea of four - ME & (you) - (you) & ME - for anything existent.</div>
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Flippantly summed up in the film as "by adding you - that is how we forget" (and, as it happens, that is how we "four get" by adding "u" to "forget." )<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn5A2iqHd5Yuan-InFGFUCbS37fiKrXKIDaKyILAOXzNmWahw5HIUjYBf_NOg4K_4BY0hsV2PP1nlL5dq-aIrX7oAJCIvDGCQ8Ch-YVDx3EAwNJHWwUVPGDpMElbRK3udVsPOLxPA9jY/s1600/aran31t.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577866941862423394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn5A2iqHd5Yuan-InFGFUCbS37fiKrXKIDaKyILAOXzNmWahw5HIUjYBf_NOg4K_4BY0hsV2PP1nlL5dq-aIrX7oAJCIvDGCQ8Ch-YVDx3EAwNJHWwUVPGDpMElbRK3udVsPOLxPA9jY/s200/aran31t.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>owever, also making an appearance within our paradigm - is a conceptualisation of the One - which transforms it also from being fluid & emergent - into being objectified - compartmentalised and concrete, alongside our conceptualisation of self - making both concepts available to our attention, but in parallel with all of our other finite concepts, and with a degree of understanding consequential only to our relative paradigm.</div>
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We can see how this objectification succeeds in denying us the awareness of the One omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience - by objectifying it, we are excluding it - exactly the same process that we apply to ourselves.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>hat tends to be overlooked in all of this - is the degree of liberty bequeathed by the One - a liberty, not only to usurp identity, but the liberty to recreate - in infinite quantities - but that also appears to be a part of the plan.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>t is the complete generosity of this liberty, a creative freedom unsurpassed, a love so total and all-encompassing - which grants us our autonomy of mind - our free-will - only limited by the constraints of relativity, the fourfold sphere in which this is all unfolding for us.</div>
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However, it is only an autonomy of mind - not of substance or of being - we cannot really create, only re-create - and only conceptually, with ideas within the paradigm - which is our "overall idea," our understanding thus-far - of ourselves and our environment.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>ttention to our being will confirm that our basic nature, the root at the inception of identity - is awareness.</div>
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Wherever we place our attention - it is our intention which channels our attention - but that attention, wherever it goes - is a focusing of awareness.</div>
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As such, it can safely be said, that our attention can never escape our being - our being is confined within that attention, our being only exists within that area of attention - that area of attention defines our being.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">D</span></b>irecting this attention within the paradigm (our conceptual reality) confines our awareness to this paradigm, where we find that this awareness itself is entirely entwined with and identifies with the conceptualised self within that paradigm.</div>
<div>
The profound subtlety and silence of awareness itself is obscured by the noise of thought, by the imposing presence of gross and subtle mentation, as if the concreteness of thoughts themselves provides an attractive mass which magnetises and imbues our awareness with its own identity.</div>
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Our awareness habitually is attached to the concrete phantom of self - and thus can only interact with the paradigm, from within the paradigm itself.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>o - in order to start again, in order to re-align the paradigm with reality - we need to extract ourselves, our awareness, from the existent paradigm.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>hen we start to do this - we discover that our awareness has no shape, it does not occupy a space, it is fluid but unchanging in its nature - we discover that it seems to be searching for an identity, but it can only find choices within conceptually concrete ideas.</div>
<div>
In other words, its search for identity tries to be satisfied by any idea that appears in the realm of mind - this awareness, which is at the root of itself - is searching for its own identity - but from a realm that is within itself.</div>
<div>
Rather akin to a tree identifying with a leaf.</div>
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It is searching within the content of The Experiential Realm, for the identity of itself, the very thing that gives rise to The Experiential Realm.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b>ithout awareness - The Experiential Realm, or any of the content, could not exist.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>owever, when we observe closer still - we find that the origin of the search, the quest for identity - stems from the residue of the phantom self within the paradigm - attempting to concrete itself, yet again.</div>
<div>
Awareness has been in such a close association with this local perception of self - that it has temporarily forgotten its own nature - which is totally abstract, and can be known only to itself.</div>
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A true "identity" basking in absolute liberty, saturated with pure potential - an identity restricted & limited only by the very same search for identity induced by imprisonment of the self within the paradigm.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>elf (the true identity) cannot recognise its own true nature by appealing to The Experiential Realm. The Experiential Realm will only contain reflections, conjured up (conjure means "with the law" - in this sense, within the constraints of relativity) by its own existence.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">Y</span></b>et without this Experiential Realm, the quest for identity would not arrive - the question would not and could not exist.</div>
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Without the hiding and the forgetting - within itself, the One would have no cause to ask the question of itself.</div>
<div>
Which is why it has to be a real hiding - a real forgetting - and it can only be real (from the perspective of the One) if the awareness of this hiding and forgetting is known by the very same conscience (knowing) as the One.</div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>ence - in its purest state, uncluttered by any other reflections of itself (the hiding) - the Self is aware that its true identity is none other than the One - the un-forgetting.</div>
<div>
The Experiential Realm, within The nature of The One's appearance, can start to experience its nature as it really is . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9_XrK1PmH3z2QD3s-WBLHSjmSlSQFa_ei-fuiI7BBOCnxvZkvGHf29WuxvCTdqITnLXYG8kWRFTOZFyK4uMDpi0t0JPEmATtPbqTlpmdLk65R-LgEyLe9B73nWDVniK-_wNZfzm0O5k/s1600/aran35h.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577866358043432738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9_XrK1PmH3z2QD3s-WBLHSjmSlSQFa_ei-fuiI7BBOCnxvZkvGHf29WuxvCTdqITnLXYG8kWRFTOZFyK4uMDpi0t0JPEmATtPbqTlpmdLk65R-LgEyLe9B73nWDVniK-_wNZfzm0O5k/s200/aran35h.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHZP0O8p1dGFDqKoG3_r4wabf3YoY56szcZ48DH_oJ4FR7WqVLszbKgUecdlWl7x1-bf1vheyCDtfkDT5AS_gHn91wJL7pszF4tyrp_2g5JLKJtDJ0qjkB96Zx7tfXCWE1_7_QVuZp-U/s1600/aran35i.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577867500484098770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHZP0O8p1dGFDqKoG3_r4wabf3YoY56szcZ48DH_oJ4FR7WqVLszbKgUecdlWl7x1-bf1vheyCDtfkDT5AS_gHn91wJL7pszF4tyrp_2g5JLKJtDJ0qjkB96Zx7tfXCWE1_7_QVuZp-U/s200/aran35i.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo2AEJZBiKWjcp3Hfc1xOUUJaWTt6UWwTic0MEWtFBEmx59pp596yC4Tpxsr-zHB2wNy0LblcaXI9hlRcYD3cQr3rN1qBKrhs6iS8WjtPleTCaCPc3A7oiQ_j0ifR4DTt9NtX7nmjhTg/s1600/aran35j.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577867760807722578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo2AEJZBiKWjcp3Hfc1xOUUJaWTt6UWwTic0MEWtFBEmx59pp596yC4Tpxsr-zHB2wNy0LblcaXI9hlRcYD3cQr3rN1qBKrhs6iS8WjtPleTCaCPc3A7oiQ_j0ifR4DTt9NtX7nmjhTg/s200/aran35j.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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. . . the process of liberation can commence, liberation from definition, from identification with the finite, with appearances, with concrete concepts & from the quest for any identity whatsoever.</div>
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Liberty to avail of the whole of the mind of the One - not just a small prison of confinement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutIopmdNdAeIy-e5DusPdU2QF-jf658pazx7_rXF5fly0Ezrxds76c-jYJjhPn4D3DdWSfIfNtvw2OaFVThrGsBP6BTqSeLGRJP6IgKspBpGWkRZdfaTsibiZz9GD3l2lJwSn8E0ux48/s1600/aran35l.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577868693097328642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutIopmdNdAeIy-e5DusPdU2QF-jf658pazx7_rXF5fly0Ezrxds76c-jYJjhPn4D3DdWSfIfNtvw2OaFVThrGsBP6BTqSeLGRJP6IgKspBpGWkRZdfaTsibiZz9GD3l2lJwSn8E0ux48/s200/aran35l.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span">R</span></b>epresented graphically by a paradigm of reality, a paradigm of "self understanding itself," the bigger picture emerging - a paradigm that gradually approaches infinity and eternity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPiXLGxJKXrgMMpVRU0-U5oQ1GDqvcdMqrB3v3EhyV8pBwkZdvXLgwf-Nwhk87MjHCaDiqruQATHh4yfh6L6uS2Ys5BY4qz1F63I3v5YwXloBE1_9YFwvVUTjhbxuj14wNP7y3XU-Bwc/s1600/aran35m.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577869352710440322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPiXLGxJKXrgMMpVRU0-U5oQ1GDqvcdMqrB3v3EhyV8pBwkZdvXLgwf-Nwhk87MjHCaDiqruQATHh4yfh6L6uS2Ys5BY4qz1F63I3v5YwXloBE1_9YFwvVUTjhbxuj14wNP7y3XU-Bwc/s200/aran35m.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>lluminated by the light (real or metaphorical) of true understanding - appropriate, as it is that light of awareness which allows us to see darkness (real or metaphorical.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OvuuMNT6HjfajTJTM4sbbVavco-nUvvAumogJht9ON4AH1foJrF4UscO0bVQvIO3e22bOx9hyphenhyphen1DbUnN5BeDJQnr0RhDTtLW5z5QT25RANp7V3rMt2fjfE1ybmiGGl05NH1j0RbYZGYw/s1600/aran35o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577869617789889938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OvuuMNT6HjfajTJTM4sbbVavco-nUvvAumogJht9ON4AH1foJrF4UscO0bVQvIO3e22bOx9hyphenhyphen1DbUnN5BeDJQnr0RhDTtLW5z5QT25RANp7V3rMt2fjfE1ybmiGGl05NH1j0RbYZGYw/s200/aran35o.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 156px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b>ence the plea to receive this into feeling, your whole being - & not just the intellect.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">J</span></b>ai <b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>at <b><span class="Apple-style-span">C</span></b>hit <b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b>nand.</div>
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Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-60156938055821531782011-02-15T02:10:00.043+00:002011-09-29T05:46:10.175+01:00The Spiritual Enigma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlg11f42j3Rtvd1OVe6yjLGhld_b4baSTAsXrl8Q3lbcxMaa5C4m8t2sQBq3dvL23MVWKIslIT_GH5DCNIWTJV954Fiqgp9NgSYN5JKfqukcqRznLt5D8Ynzae66PtFfl66tShV8PpnY/s1600/journey8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlg11f42j3Rtvd1OVe6yjLGhld_b4baSTAsXrl8Q3lbcxMaa5C4m8t2sQBq3dvL23MVWKIslIT_GH5DCNIWTJV954Fiqgp9NgSYN5JKfqukcqRznLt5D8Ynzae66PtFfl66tShV8PpnY/s200/journey8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574044137722448082" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy</span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://townsquare.romasharma.com/?tag=brahmakumaris">townsquare.romasharma.com</a></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><b>F</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span">or those of us aware of the possibility of realising God-consciousness, there sometimes arises the dichotomy between our own metaphors, as to the nature of this specific journey.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>F</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span">or some of the time, it appears to be a journey of self-discovery and at other times the journey seems to be a reverend devotion to and appreciation of God.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">B</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">oth of these metaphorical representations of our journey often borrow from each other's vocabulary - the result of our own fascination and our constant drawing of support and inspiration from a wide variety of sources.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">s this a case, as it were, of simply mixing our metaphors - or could there be weightier considerations as a consequence of this possible confusion?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Is it an example of burning the candle from both ends, tackling the quest from opposing directions - hoping that they will both coincide at the point of imagined destination?</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHyRFtyvSRiHchS-5WiGSYVCyoIx4BjSv_BXXCK8cRKOqO9lxmyN_TYaRcjCm6j-oGgJWyeQCvch7EEZsaZH95CnE8aMS5CKna6RDobqUvZjh4xQhj1RL0BvQmy57xy4_IUckZqBq5ig/s1600/journey4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHyRFtyvSRiHchS-5WiGSYVCyoIx4BjSv_BXXCK8cRKOqO9lxmyN_TYaRcjCm6j-oGgJWyeQCvch7EEZsaZH95CnE8aMS5CKna6RDobqUvZjh4xQhj1RL0BvQmy57xy4_IUckZqBq5ig/s200/journey4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574044921305831554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy</span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/a215.asp">www.weeklygripe.co.uk</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">he two questions above already remind us that we should observe great caution - to never lose sight of the reality - the actuality - which is our subject matter.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">We are exploring reality itself - ourselves - and must constantly seek to place any use of metaphors in their correct context - purely as metaphors.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">ere we have arrived at the very reason behind this discourse - our inability to communicate with each other, and importantly to ourselves - without resorting to subtle or more obvious metaphors.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">M</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">etaphors are bridges or containers for meaning - however, they have a more insidious side to them, in that they influence perception - they determine perspective.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Words are metaphors - cultural memes are metaphors - a journey is a metaphor - even the pristine and precise languages of mathematics and physics - perceived objects - everything is a metaphor - a bridge or a container for an underlying meaning.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Nevertheless - that meaning can be derived from a belief, a consensus or an acutely intimate observation - the understanding of which may itself be influenced by the metaphorical context in which it was perceived.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">This poses the intrigue - can meaning exist outside of any metaphorical context?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Do our metaphors allow us to filter and detect meaning, or do they actually invent & impose meaning?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nLegCRnHaunlRd5AUBDIamVMCe13ugJqAXsPWnMzYx57uWSFed8claO1hm9wdCpSrHwoIft-xX_KDbipHaLr7jmr-lWzZc9pMhT2EQlS65pSI2kPYsnJDFIv-XBDrkniY3NUAgszV-c/s1600/Journey9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nLegCRnHaunlRd5AUBDIamVMCe13ugJqAXsPWnMzYx57uWSFed8claO1hm9wdCpSrHwoIft-xX_KDbipHaLr7jmr-lWzZc9pMhT2EQlS65pSI2kPYsnJDFIv-XBDrkniY3NUAgszV-c/s200/Journey9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574045800698973618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nLegCRnHaunlRd5AUBDIamVMCe13ugJqAXsPWnMzYx57uWSFed8claO1hm9wdCpSrHwoIft-xX_KDbipHaLr7jmr-lWzZc9pMhT2EQlS65pSI2kPYsnJDFIv-XBDrkniY3NUAgszV-c/s1600/Journey9.jpg"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://jitterbuggingforjesus.com/2010/03/11/the-truth-about-ruth-reflections-on-the-old-testaments-wonderful-woman-of-faith-todays-noon-wine/"><span class="Apple-style-span">jitterbuggingforjesus.com</span></a></span><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>U</b>ltimately, metaphors are constructed to bring order and lend a rational framework to two great unknowns, two mysterious enigmas and their relationships with each other, whether we realise it or not - everything alludes to two central themes.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">To journeys of discovery & realisation, involving God and ourselves.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Journeys, rendered in metaphor - between metaphorical subjects - the reality of both journey and subjects being unknown.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Can the meaning be independent of the metaphor?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> feel that it is vital that we never lose touch with our original inspiration, a fundamental fascination - generated by the awe and wonder that we naturally feel, and the resultant inquisitiveness that compels our attention - aligning our lives to the quest for truth.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">The journey that we are upon.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">long the way we will have encountered numerous disciplines, philosophies, creeds, theories, theologies, religious dogma, rituals, cults, orders, establishments - all setting out their own perspective, their own prospectus on truth - in their own metaphorical language.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Some we will have dismissed - one or two we may have adopted for ourselves, and become bent on adhering to a prescribed methodology to lead us towards our avowed goal - or simply find them useful tools of visualisation.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>For truth appears to be approachable via any suitable metaphorical means, including our own, personal perspectives.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP_BEOqfD6QeiI401wk9CSOtsmX-KAfAJIWheo9117U056nvDUTP2O7jSUEb60p_FGjIYTlUp1s5aBKDGGNf3CdmqWftkrkYzBndUYQ7ozuoXazfMRLjqqubyN9QGElkY7VYYzz9eP7s/s1600/journey3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP_BEOqfD6QeiI401wk9CSOtsmX-KAfAJIWheo9117U056nvDUTP2O7jSUEb60p_FGjIYTlUp1s5aBKDGGNf3CdmqWftkrkYzBndUYQ7ozuoXazfMRLjqqubyN9QGElkY7VYYzz9eP7s/s200/journey3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574046603135258194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP_BEOqfD6QeiI401wk9CSOtsmX-KAfAJIWheo9117U056nvDUTP2O7jSUEb60p_FGjIYTlUp1s5aBKDGGNf3CdmqWftkrkYzBndUYQ7ozuoXazfMRLjqqubyN9QGElkY7VYYzz9eP7s/s1600/journey3.jpg"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/home/what-you-can-do/On-the-move/Door-to-door-journey-planning.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">actonco2.direct.gov.uk</span><br /></span></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">f sincere and containing deep relevance to our desired journey, these metaphorical perspectives are about our individual relationship with the absolute - and contradictions in our relationship with ourselves - with echoes back to our first, emerging inspiration, surrounding the relationship between ourselves and the existence that we find ourselves in - about the inspiration to cultivate an accurate and living perception of truth, hopefully to end all contradiction in our being.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">It connects to our first stirrings, our first awakening moments - moments which spoke to us directly or indirectly, hinting at an association with something spiritual and mysterious - bringing a curiosity to our assumptions about God.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">t such a time we were possibly very much the natural products of our culture, and reflected a mix of inherited, indoctrinated cultural and societal memes - having already countless deep and unconsciously formed influences on our perception - a naive vision of God fashioned from the raw diet of parental authority and formal or socially subtle indoctrination - a vision that naturally engendered skepticism, seeming incongruous as our lives lead us away from those early influences and into our own search for liberty and independence.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">omething was stirring in the friction between fear and love - and out of this - our spiritual journeys were born.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONpFSxV8Lys1R81jDCOw6Ba05pgsUfXiEbvZt7uo0iubGcXRWM0F1wyTWWei2XldjYQ-LlvU4ovqHOpfD2vf0nys7TVh2yNBMPDGiH244hMe4c1W21n4YFz2ABlwEukYk4qCU_NF2xgA/s1600/journey7.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONpFSxV8Lys1R81jDCOw6Ba05pgsUfXiEbvZt7uo0iubGcXRWM0F1wyTWWei2XldjYQ-LlvU4ovqHOpfD2vf0nys7TVh2yNBMPDGiH244hMe4c1W21n4YFz2ABlwEukYk4qCU_NF2xgA/s200/journey7.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574047661025896370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONpFSxV8Lys1R81jDCOw6Ba05pgsUfXiEbvZt7uo0iubGcXRWM0F1wyTWWei2XldjYQ-LlvU4ovqHOpfD2vf0nys7TVh2yNBMPDGiH244hMe4c1W21n4YFz2ABlwEukYk4qCU_NF2xgA/s1600/journey7.gif"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://blog.livingforgod.net/2010/06/15/spiritual-journey-unknowing-god.aspx"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">blog.livingforgod.net</span><br /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>T</b>he friction we felt, the questions we felt stirring in our hearts and minds - being generated by the constant movement of two gigantic and permanent states of being - like tectonic plates within reality - our relative and absolute states of existence.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Both in constant co-dependence with the other, both living side by side - as closely related as an object and its own reflection.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Our being in both states simultaneously, causing the fault lines to appear within our paradigms - stirrings - questions.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Questions which arise from our subliminally subjective and our demonstratively objective perspectives - questions arriving from our supplication to emotion and intellect.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Questions for which answers may bring all manner of confusion.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"> beautiful and auspicious confusion.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLbCF6u8fxEnPqMbGu70y6maLAg5tjI-dsymmQmyAemuSPxXROFoQ0v2sJFE8_47avCF2d9CVfQlfP_BYEmx_iImtjl9ozInALgEyjz1xXdn9yZXfAVd95g1CkwVqc_kT83raDkbzJMQ/s1600/Journey2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLbCF6u8fxEnPqMbGu70y6maLAg5tjI-dsymmQmyAemuSPxXROFoQ0v2sJFE8_47avCF2d9CVfQlfP_BYEmx_iImtjl9ozInALgEyjz1xXdn9yZXfAVd95g1CkwVqc_kT83raDkbzJMQ/s200/Journey2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574048296676781986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy</span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28929028@N02/3418564867">www.flickr.com</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span">T</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">he mud has been well and truly stirred up, the detritus of our discarded paradigms, of all the metaphors we are outgrowing.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">The mud of expectation and presumption - the brown murkiness of anticipation.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">n impenetrable gloom, seen often through eyes that are blinded by the black hood of spiritual ego.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">nother auspicious observation - for clarity beckons.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">n our sincere and devoted attempts to further ourselves along our chosen spiritual path - it is often inescapable and unavoidable, that we actually increase the influence and insinuation of the ego - by the very willfulness of our own intent.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Our own previous revelations and insights can play a large part in blinding us, by causing anticipation and expectation.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Our own earnest application in re-educating ourselves, in updating our living paradigm - often results in an accumulation of objectification, as we shape each new discovery to fit within an existing, established or emerging pattern or metaphoric visualisation.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">These metaphorical objectifications often insinuate themselves, re-conditioning our perspective and therefore our perception - drawing a subtle veil of the already known over the very truth we wish to experience - which is always freshly unknown.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">imilar to driving a car at night - you cannot follow any course other than which is illuminated by the beam of your own headlamps.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslX-pZ9Jl1DrM58djp1kEk9y8vPcxmEVZ9T3J-x1J1x9mGZleQxhveP8z5SsGw49dpTyt4JLm0PrWS_OqWQ9cgLoucHNXtGxI_zUhewnOLfKua7r2hQc9e2PL2Jqr0OQffYUGdb25oc/s1600/journey10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslX-pZ9Jl1DrM58djp1kEk9y8vPcxmEVZ9T3J-x1J1x9mGZleQxhveP8z5SsGw49dpTyt4JLm0PrWS_OqWQ9cgLoucHNXtGxI_zUhewnOLfKua7r2hQc9e2PL2Jqr0OQffYUGdb25oc/s200/journey10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574049986215778546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 116px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslX-pZ9Jl1DrM58djp1kEk9y8vPcxmEVZ9T3J-x1J1x9mGZleQxhveP8z5SsGw49dpTyt4JLm0PrWS_OqWQ9cgLoucHNXtGxI_zUhewnOLfKua7r2hQc9e2PL2Jqr0OQffYUGdb25oc/s1600/journey10.jpg"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.autoglassnews.co.uk/index.php?id=blackout-britain"><span class="Apple-style-span">www.autoglassnews.co.uk</span><br /></a></span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">e may observe all of this process of the mind - and find ourselves discarding one perspective - one metaphor - for another.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">We may oscillate between the perspective of God-consciousness (implying God) and self-realisation (implying self) - and whatever the metaphor chosen, that will become the beam - the journey proceeds along that imagined trajectory. </span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">gain, let us refer back to our original inspiration - and see ourselves then - although we may well have been subconsciously cluttered, we had not yet formed our spiritual ego.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">We found ourselves arriving into a conscious relationship with our naive concept of God, we found ourselves at the start of a journey in which we would approach and try to understand more about truth - and at this point, our egos refashioned themselves and started to become cluttered with all manner of spiritual detritus.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">For we were deluding ourselves if we thought we would ever be able to understand - if we thought we would ever be able to satisfactorily objectify truth and simultaneously live a life that was consciously enlightened.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">W</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">hat has happened to our relationship with God?</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">ave we abandoned that at times, to be replaced by a metaphor of self-discovery?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Have we substituted a naturally progressing, mostly unconscious life with a subliminal awareness of God - for a self-conscious and pretentious life, filled with self-ordained ritual and stuffed to the brim with accumulated "new wisdom" & pseudo-science - and an ego that is more restrictive and inhibiting than ever our "old selves" were - obscuring any trace of God, rather than illuminating His presence?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayv8QOVWe0mknTFPTa110vXqq8rziUzLTmuLxxICS4jEOu24up_FahYsPVCE0S7Hs1HYEfddGnvt9oKaWay0iNUcVhfnr00R4HapyHjzAGHcNInoc6DPkGp1290jYpa8tO7zs442fJJE/s1600/journey_planner.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayv8QOVWe0mknTFPTa110vXqq8rziUzLTmuLxxICS4jEOu24up_FahYsPVCE0S7Hs1HYEfddGnvt9oKaWay0iNUcVhfnr00R4HapyHjzAGHcNInoc6DPkGp1290jYpa8tO7zs442fJJE/s200/journey_planner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574051886791933394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayv8QOVWe0mknTFPTa110vXqq8rziUzLTmuLxxICS4jEOu24up_FahYsPVCE0S7Hs1HYEfddGnvt9oKaWay0iNUcVhfnr00R4HapyHjzAGHcNInoc6DPkGp1290jYpa8tO7zs442fJJE/s1600/journey_planner.jpg"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/timetables/journeyplannerguide.htm"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">www.travelsouthyorkshire.com</span><br /></a></span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">t a certain point along our journey - we may well have had that epiphany, that moment of enlightened vision - that "Yes - in truth we are all indeed God" - and our earnestness to live our life as to bring forth the full awareness of that implication becomes an over-riding obsession, the supreme challenge - for we know that somewhere, somehow - we have as human beings the means to realise that knowledge, to inhabit a living heaven on earth with every waking moment.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>We have become trapped by our desiring the lure of some imagined state of bliss and enchantment, the cause of our ego's earnestness - and are side-tracked away from reality.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">owever, I am more and more convinced - that in order to witness that perpetual majesty, magic and mystery in our lives - of knowing, of seeing for ourselves that living realisation - we must include the ultimate gift of self-hood.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">We cannot enjoy the blessings of that self-hood - by attempting to obliterate it, or destroy it with nihilistic philosophies of annihilating the ego - we merely need to understand why it arises - to penetrate and avoid its phantom lure.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span">D</span></b>o we imagine that by closing the mesh of our perceptual filters ever tighter, by attempting to intercept reality with understanding, that we remove the residue of ego from our awareness?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">No - by imposing strict metaphorical filters in that stream we simply are made more aware of ego - it is the grasping and clutching nature of the ego that has insisted on those restrictive filters being in place - in order for it to observe its very own predictions and expectations.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></b>f we open the filters completely - remove them entirely - all the detritus ceases to exist - the phantom has no cause to appear - and its reality was only ever in its appearance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Ego is born from no more than an individuated point of awareness within the field - and the mental habits caused by mis-perception.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">It is no more than the crest of an ever rolling wave - a vantage point, harmless other than the waste produce of its own intent.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Without that vantage point - there is no point to being human.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1Ad7mdJgjKNxOaokHXg4O-Q48X_uUe05B3oW_hKQDVBgdbYS3Oc1U3fz86rtebBYwpX0jwLLf4V93_Y1t5Vn2FKnHloK7Mxn0mMPmgkbfLMK6_VDARGgSUJ3vEfdG83Umh5PrkJNbyE/s1600/dataman.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1Ad7mdJgjKNxOaokHXg4O-Q48X_uUe05B3oW_hKQDVBgdbYS3Oc1U3fz86rtebBYwpX0jwLLf4V93_Y1t5Vn2FKnHloK7Mxn0mMPmgkbfLMK6_VDARGgSUJ3vEfdG83Umh5PrkJNbyE/s200/dataman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574052792718567186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">s human beings - the most suitable metaphor is surely one that revolves around our relationship with God in some way - calling it whatever we may - the Great Other, the Tao - realising that "human being" and "God" are after all only metaphors themselves, representing this experience which we cannot possibly understand - but nevertheless is a very real experience.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A relationship with an absolute respect of that reality - a relationship that permits us the blessings of human appreciation - of discovery - of peace - of love - of joy - of the awareness of being human - the ultimate gift of self-hood.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Rather a paradox - an enigma - but without it, by denying God in our metaphor we deny ourselves the possibility of any blessing.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">S</span></b>o yes - we are God - and we are also God's witnesses - the perspective which permits the relative to gaze upon the absolute.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">That self-hood is God's own unique perspective - allowing a restricted and pin-hole view into the totality - only possible through the focused awareness of individuated perspectives, creating the impression of separate observers, separate beings.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Yes - these unique perspectives are designed in such a way as to attract all manner of confusion, all manner of distortion and bias - but ultimately, they are none other than God's own confusion, God's distortion and bias of Himself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>Are they not God's own metaphors as well - tools to assist our journey - some, which we may find more appropriate for ourselves than others?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCTvUOqo83JSSy7h0dCo1WwTKp-sUrrqUUg8Vsgec7MuxzAL-aPRzAawNUvjCJT44cUObsbOGhfR3Bw97n_dweNW4wHAqKs3dVNZlmbF8c5TFTvOv4hZartkdUrvbqK54DeH_kdZFh6E/s1600/journey5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCTvUOqo83JSSy7h0dCo1WwTKp-sUrrqUUg8Vsgec7MuxzAL-aPRzAawNUvjCJT44cUObsbOGhfR3Bw97n_dweNW4wHAqKs3dVNZlmbF8c5TFTvOv4hZartkdUrvbqK54DeH_kdZFh6E/s200/journey5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574053215900983682" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/site/heathrow/menuitem.e87da634aa88e3fba4b12871120103a0/">www.heathrowairport.com</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span">O</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">ur journey is one that takes us back to its starting point - our relationship with God - still unknown - but unknowable in every moment - our journey has been no more than a focusing, an awakening, a cleansing of perception. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">God - now unknowable consciously - a perpetual and awesome mystery still - an enigma living & breathing with us - and whose blessings we can only share in, with humility.</span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">aving thrown aside all metaphor, or at least peeked beneath the surface of them - perhaps, at last - we will be able to see the truth clearly - in and all around us - understanding (standing-under) its nature as blessed human beings, with humility in our common relationship with the living and ever-emergent truth.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>For we will never comprehend God and His mysteries intellectually - and attempts to do so merely obscure the reality - so we might as well simply just open ourselves to receive & share His many blessings in the sweetest way we can - as human beings - in His universe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7kIJBopJixoT-pbp7AaImaYliXjBJwYBbedAcDoSBlppyL-2snbvBJMALzHbDsp2psqSOiNQQOgAZ173H66sqLB-aVUXWZCt5L4sLWB7fXr3rCkJQiEaic0EAU3wTpMXgnFHLZbk2mQ/s1600/Journey6.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7kIJBopJixoT-pbp7AaImaYliXjBJwYBbedAcDoSBlppyL-2snbvBJMALzHbDsp2psqSOiNQQOgAZ173H66sqLB-aVUXWZCt5L4sLWB7fXr3rCkJQiEaic0EAU3wTpMXgnFHLZbk2mQ/s200/Journey6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574054341305140722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7kIJBopJixoT-pbp7AaImaYliXjBJwYBbedAcDoSBlppyL-2snbvBJMALzHbDsp2psqSOiNQQOgAZ173H66sqLB-aVUXWZCt5L4sLWB7fXr3rCkJQiEaic0EAU3wTpMXgnFHLZbk2mQ/s1600/Journey6.jpg"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span">Picture courtesy </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.lifebetweenlives.co.uk/">www.lifebetweenlives.co.uk</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.lifebetweenlives.co.uk/"></a></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; ">"There was once a Hassidic fund-raiser who set out to raise funds for a worthy cause. </span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>Knowing that in certain towns the Misnagdim (opposers of Hassidism) who lived there did not welcome Hassidim, who were considered a near-heretic cult, the Hassid took pains to disguise his Hassidic behavior, realizing that otherwise he would be thrown out of town without a penny. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>On passing through one such town, he posed as usual as a misnaged. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>His disguise paid off and he received generous donations, however one of the leaders of the community got inkling that maybe this fundraiser was actually a hassid. In order to try to discover his real identity, he went over to the hassid and asked him very bluntly, "What do you have to say about this Hassidic cult?" </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>The hassid thought for a moment and replied, "The cult? I know some of those hassidim, all day long they think and talk about themselves, and they don't talk about God at all. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>The misnagdim, though, they think and talk about God all day and they never talk about themselves." </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>This answer pleased the community leader very much and he gave him an additional contribution. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>Once the hassid had received all the money and was ready to leave town, he called the man over and said, "I'll explain now what I really meant before when I replied to your question. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>You see, for Hassidim, it is obvious that God exists, God is an axiom, the question they ask is 'Do I exist?' </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>So all day long they are contemplating whether or not they exist, because God certainly exists. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>But for a misnaged, the opposite is true, the fact that he exists is obvious to him, but whether or not God exists, that is the question, maybe God never existed? </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>If God exists is He present in my life? </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>Is there Divine Providence? </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>The misnaged questions this all day long, so he is always thinking about God. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>That is what I meant." The hassid then took to his heels and ran off as fast as his legs would carry him.... This story clearly illustrates two different perspectives of our Divine service relative to our Creator. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><i>The contemporary debate whether or not there is an Intelligent Designer to the universe, exactly pinpoints the position of the general public in America today. In Hassidic terminology this is called, "elokut behitchadshut" meaning that God is a conscious novelty, for were it not so, then God would be taken for granted and man would be questioning his own existence. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; ">Hassidism offers the reverse perspective, seeing God as being obvious while man's own existence is a constant novelty, my own experience of existence is not the core of reality; it is merely some exterior shell that hides the true essence of reality, which is God."</span><br /></span><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Courtesy <a href="http://www.inner.org/torah_and_science/torah-scientific-progress-heliocentric-geocentric.php">Torah & Science.</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-44346408148214055312010-12-01T00:26:00.000+00:002013-10-06T22:18:17.116+01:00Jack & The Beanstalk - South Hill Park 2012-13<a href="http://www.southhillpark.org.uk/5531/shows/jack-and-the-beanstalk.html" target="_blank">South Hill Park webpage.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/2123893_south_hill_park_panto_to_go_live_for_sick_children" target="_blank">Pictures courtesy getbracknell.co.uk</a> & <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2122768_giant_fun_at_jack_and_the_beanstalk_at_south_hill_park_this_christmas" target="_blank">getreading.co.uk</a></div>
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South Hill Park panto to go ‘live’ for sick children</h3>
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"Hundreds of poorly youngsters will enjoy a pantomime from their bedside after several children’s hospices and hospitals signed up to receive a live streamed performance.</div>
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South Hill Park’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk will be broadcasted live via the internet on Thursday, December 13.</div>
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Children at Naomi House in Winchester, Helen House in Oxford, Shooting Star House in Surrey, Christopher’s Children Hospice in Guildford and Little Bridge House in North Devon will be saying ‘Oh yes we can’ next month.</div>
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Many hospitals are considering the opportunity with St Thomas’s in London and Basingstoke and North Hampshire keen to participate.</div>
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The project has been made possible through an £141,000 Arts Council grant, which launched SHP Live – focusing on live streaming performances to reach a wider audience.</div>
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Children’s hospitals or hospices which would like to find out more can contact Emma Donald." </div>
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<a href="mailto:emma@digitalmediacentre.org.uk" style="color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">emma@digitalmediacentre.org.uk</a>.</div>
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Chat with <a href="https://twitter.com/Old_Ma_Donald" target="_blank">Old Ma Donald on twitter</a> .<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">By </span><a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/reporter/Caroline%20Cook" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Caroline Cook</strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">October 23, 2012</span><br />
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A handful of beans will be turned into a spiralling staircase to the sky in a magical production at South Hill Park this winter.</div>
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Jack will be inviting adventurers to join him as he climbs up to the clouds, comes face to face with a giant, and tries to get back home in one piece.</div>
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Stars of the show – including a few friendly puppets – gathered at the arts centre last week to launch this year’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk.</div>
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“It’s going to be the best panto in the country!” exclaimed director Julian Hirst excitedly as he introduced Tom Neil, who plays French student Maurice and Amy Newman, who plays Daisy the Cow.</div>
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“There’s going to be a lot of slapstick and we are going to be bringing in some illusions,” said Julian.</div>
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“We are going to make this year very Christmassy too. It’s all part of the countdown.”</div>
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This year’s pantomime promises to be packed with magic, music and larger than life characters including Dame Old Ma Donald, played by Julian.</div>
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“I don’t think we’ve had a director who's been in the show so I’m very brave or very mad,” laughed Julian.</div>
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“Old Ma Donald is a very old-time musical type Dame. The Les Dawson type rather than Danny La Rue.”</div>
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Old Ma Donald also has her own Twitter account – @Old_Ma_Donald – where she will be posting plenty of jokes and backstage secrets in the run-up to the show.</div>
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Joining Old Ma Donald in the panto is Maurice, who arrives in Jack’s village on a French exchange programme.</div>
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“This is my French accent which I’m going to do some work on,” said Tom with a comedy French twang.</div>
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“Maurice is a French exchange student who has come to England to study the British sense of humour except he does not get any of the jokes.</div>
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“He goes around trying these jokes on various different people.</div>
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“They are jokes like ‘there was a man who was in a ’orrible accident and he lost his left arm and his left leg. But don’t worry, he’s all right now’.”</div>
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Daisy the Cow will also be showing off her mooves on stage, when she performs the cow ballet.</div>
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“Obviously it’s going to be very artistic,” said Amy Newman, who plays Daisy.</div>
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Amy, who is a paediatric nurse, was a runner-up in Bracknell’s Got Talent earlier this year and will be bringing her talent show skills to the panto.</div>
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“This is my first professional role and I can’t wait,” she said.</div>
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“Kids read these books all the time and I think when they come to the panto it’s bringing these childhood stories to life.</div>
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“My niece will be coming and she will be so confused when she sees her auntie as Daisy the Cow!” she laughed.</div>
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The show will also be paying a tongue-in-cheek homage to reality talent shows like BGT with cabaret style skits in between acts, performed by 36 local children who are starring in the show.</div>
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“In the past the children tend to be village children and extras but this year what I am trying to do is make sure every child in the show gets their 15 seconds of fame,” said Julian.</div>
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“During a couple of the set changes we are going to have a spoof of Britain’s Got Talent.</div>
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“And there’s one scene where all the principals are tied up in the giant’s castle so it’s up to the puppets and the children to rescue them.”</div>
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And the cast cannot wait to get stuck into all the chaos and magic of the pantomime.</div>
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“The show is an upbeat, laugh-out-loud, slapstick comedy,” said Julian.</div>
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“Panto is about family and it’s something everyone can come and see at the same time.</div>
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“If parents are going to a pay to come along with their children it’s important we entertain them just as much as the kids.</div>
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“South Hill Park has always had a unique take on pantomime in that we tend to be a little bit more theatre and less celebrity and it’s going to be a brilliant show.”</div>
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<br />Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-64730811136738995382010-09-15T13:07:00.000+01:002010-10-27T17:57:34.154+01:00Babel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z-7EgAefG9SsyhStWYn2AqUg7L5gjiPeAF-_4G6WZ-2VwwG36A_LSH23ektPqSLsz3bAF_KbE06NaaPYuPnmUkVrVH9oyydh5KaZ_pBw7aWBDrDZIIDAEejTHi3kCvgG-xenFI6RxZs/s1600-h/babel1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z-7EgAefG9SsyhStWYn2AqUg7L5gjiPeAF-_4G6WZ-2VwwG36A_LSH23ektPqSLsz3bAF_KbE06NaaPYuPnmUkVrVH9oyydh5KaZ_pBw7aWBDrDZIIDAEejTHi3kCvgG-xenFI6RxZs/s400/babel1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245847620326221346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The Tower of Babel by Pieter Breugel - courtesy</span> <a href="http://de-conversion.com/2007/08/24/just-how-high-did-yhwh-fear-the-men-of-babel-would-build-their-tower/">de-conversion.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Please click on pictures to enlarge.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">he traditional representation of the Tower of Babel is that it depicts diverse nations, the multitude of races - in an apparently confused and futile attempt at cooperation to complete the tower itself.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />T</span></span>he gigantic proportions of this construction always seem to hint at a degree of folly, the arrogance of the human race in trying to reach the heavens through any sort of achievement.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The generally accepted premise for the confusion being that all the nations of the world speak a different language.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joxaBHq_kY96MEXNQwCQADfuaei-nMcCKjuv8DNLDk141A4pr8_9EXojaB0NYB6XKRRCmyPkOfgdRp9I2tFT31hRtVsldqUpOJMZ_NfsGlUNciu_h6vaJ0zsb-a3s1cbtDvMXrXjPno/s1600-h/Babel2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joxaBHq_kY96MEXNQwCQADfuaei-nMcCKjuv8DNLDk141A4pr8_9EXojaB0NYB6XKRRCmyPkOfgdRp9I2tFT31hRtVsldqUpOJMZ_NfsGlUNciu_h6vaJ0zsb-a3s1cbtDvMXrXjPno/s320/Babel2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245849779008963906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Turris Babel by Athanasius Kircher - courtesy</span> <a href="http://www.rereviewed.com/roguesemiotics/?p=686">rereviewed.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> propose a subtle alternative - that the confusion is due to the constraints of language itself imposing a powerful influence upon the structuring of our thought patterns.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>t will be obvious that language has developed from the ways in which we interact with our world, it is eminently human and is imprinted with our desire to communicate. </span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />The faculty of language reveals the unconscious paradigm of ourselves and our world.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />But this paradigm is an exclusively human view and is merely a layer, a purely mental construct, superimposed onto what is already there.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>t is intrinsically the language of separation - subject and object.<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Although language has room for words like "unity" & "holistic," they are nevertheless compartmentalised into merely being different concepts, alongside all the others.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />Language confounds us even more with encyclopaedic lists of nouns - can you think of anything without a name?</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />Adjectives permit us to describe what we see or hear, allow us to attach shades of emotion to our experiences - and those emotions themselves come in such a wide variety of colours.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />Verbs blinker our understanding into believing cause and effect, that actions actually occur involving subject and object.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span>s wonderful and necessary as the facility of language undoubtedly is, it is nevertheless only a tool.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">A tool of creative, educational or habitual communication, but merely a tool.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>n many ways it is not ideally equipped to communicate the absolute - having its roots and branches in the world of relativity, but as only a tool, we should not permit language to dictate to us how we think - inhabiting as often as we can, that other world, the world of silence, of the ineffable, the unspeakable - the miraculous world that simply speaks for itself, remembering that being is perhaps more profound than doing - and that the labels of Babel are useful, but not essential.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoVv1QnRAKYYucXLVnMeH8DaP46M9zHHND23OMFQBqjKF-v_-TmwuwS-qVk-cZl-6t93yBXjSgsaCSpGMWTGs3vuJShyphenhyphenYTlwqhD_hH-P3LskfhG42ob8r3Mkmxka_2Hs5SWPjzsOGJsA/s1600-h/tower_of_babel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoVv1QnRAKYYucXLVnMeH8DaP46M9zHHND23OMFQBqjKF-v_-TmwuwS-qVk-cZl-6t93yBXjSgsaCSpGMWTGs3vuJShyphenhyphenYTlwqhD_hH-P3LskfhG42ob8r3Mkmxka_2Hs5SWPjzsOGJsA/s400/tower_of_babel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245852368763406770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Tower of Babel by M.C.Escher - courtesy</span> <a href="http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/escher/jbescher.htm">Jill Britton</a></span>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-62094508906336054082009-05-22T01:06:00.022+01:002011-01-16T06:10:11.405+00:00The Door to the Kingdom<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">A</span> Psycho-spiritual assessment of human experience - using subjective science (or put another way - a whole lengthy post to point out the most simple thing - too simple - let me entertain you.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">E</span>verything is a process - one major process - being the evolution of consciousness.<br />This evolution is unfolding in the eternal now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Q</span>uite literally and emphatically - there is no time - only the process.<br />When we observe a clock - we are watching a process, nothing else.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeYeBatN4qsSfV1XcgIjzxTy-BonWi8Hsx1FsTn3nXsrcFi5qquSXTcFcSmSTE25foN1QpwnRefy60TP_UNzqDeFpWbxXGV7kER4miuxDue0D2YCSXprJmz54oiW2AVG_9yJZV6aMm4E/s1600-h/ball-bearing-time-machine-clock.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeYeBatN4qsSfV1XcgIjzxTy-BonWi8Hsx1FsTn3nXsrcFi5qquSXTcFcSmSTE25foN1QpwnRefy60TP_UNzqDeFpWbxXGV7kER4miuxDue0D2YCSXprJmz54oiW2AVG_9yJZV6aMm4E/s200/ball-bearing-time-machine-clock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339230776211636914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/11/clock-time-machine/">slipperybrick.com</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>ime is purely and entirely a perception.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>he human brain has evolved, as part of the evolution of consciousness - we have evidence of its past stages.<br />It has evolved to support the being, surviving in its environment, being shaped by the gradual understanding of this environment, in terms of sensory cues, spatial awareness, gradual development of subconscious instincts etc - obviously an enormously complex process, a miracle of nature, but nonetheless - a part of the one process.<br />Important to this discourse is the fact that the brain (and mind) have evolved entirely in response to environmental cues and as such are finely tuned for this purpose - observation and survival in our perceived surroundings.<br />The brain has evolved, incorporating this understanding within its very design - as such, if you like it is "forward facing" "outward facing" - a finely tuned partner in conjuction with the physical sense organs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Q</span>uite naturally, born into a human body, we adapt ourselves entirely around the sense of reality inherently projected into the mind - a sense of reality that is 100% the result of interaction with the environment.<br />The structure of our logic, our rationale, our understanding of space, our conceptualisation - prismatically refracting one whole experience into a myriad of compartmentalised moments, events, objects, ideas, theories etc. - the whole gamut of life, of experience - as interpreted by the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">A</span>s a rule - we learn to live with this CPU of the brain interpreting everything for us - the experience we are given is entirely, lock stock and barrel - the consequence of the mind.<br />It is important to fully realise that our entire sense of reality is entirely projected into our awareness by the mind.<br />Reality, as we know it, as we are so comfortable inhabiting, that we take so much for granted - is only a perception.<br />Therefore our very own reality is only conditional - it is a condition of the mind - and that is the process of the mind, taking place every second, minute - every hour of our lives.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMrxu0OzIezxuyG0oz_lvXv7_3bOjMNYCF5_ccGUor3gXulqY-wuW2Gokx00aPNdoi88Dt7RFVyJxQF3Zh_-1s8btHn4djgw_68EID9bAuaykfeKabRMvP2XXMzT482SBh5Tri_lbMDc/s1600-h/time-flies-clock-10-11-2006.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMrxu0OzIezxuyG0oz_lvXv7_3bOjMNYCF5_ccGUor3gXulqY-wuW2Gokx00aPNdoi88Dt7RFVyJxQF3Zh_-1s8btHn4djgw_68EID9bAuaykfeKabRMvP2XXMzT482SBh5Tri_lbMDc/s200/time-flies-clock-10-11-2006.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339230043070923954" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/11/">blogs.discovermagazine.com</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">H</span>owever - that very time itself is a projection of the mind - it is purely a perception.<br />The mind, as it were - smudges the "now" - it draws the experience of the "now" imperceptably into subtle memory, creating a sense of continuity. We could not possibly survive very efficiently without that process - it is where all the cues for continuity exist - in the process of "now" becoming progressively replaced by more experiences of the now.<br />The process that is happening is continuity of consciousness - from within that "now" - there is no other time.<br />Our memory is our previous "nows" - stored as memory, perceived as "nows" gone by - it is the process of memory that is all - and it is that process which creates the perception of time.<br />Time is only that perception - the future exists as a projection of memory - into a presumption of there being a future - simply because we have presumed a past. The whole concept of time as passing, or being linear - is entirely only a perception - a process of the mind.<br />However - it is an enormously strong perception - one that is entirely believable - is not our whole life ordered by this "imaginary" time?<br />Are we not convinced we have a tomorrow - when the process continues evolving - the earth in its orbital process around the sun - time is a product of awareness and the process of the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>he problem we have in even imagining around this state of "no time" - is that "time" - being a perception - contains the implication of observation - even in our imagination - abstract thought.<br />Observation implies awareness.<br />We cannot conceive of unconsciousness - we cannot possibly imagine it - because the very act of imagining can only occur through consciousness.<br />As conscious beings - it is utterly impossible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzbos9rbd_b_RKXSFoFuR-Vf1XV5jquWVqd4BtVnaI1JZjOMBAL2h7STSs5En9iGxHov3a56Sn7QH3l9E2LPKulGb-3zzWrLI0aQs9CzTvJlpshLzMsNyzZNBru5COgplR5dEUDR-9-o/s1600-h/h_consciousness.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzbos9rbd_b_RKXSFoFuR-Vf1XV5jquWVqd4BtVnaI1JZjOMBAL2h7STSs5En9iGxHov3a56Sn7QH3l9E2LPKulGb-3zzWrLI0aQs9CzTvJlpshLzMsNyzZNBru5COgplR5dEUDR-9-o/s200/h_consciousness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339231569978129682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http%3A//www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/140207.php">mi2g.com</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">W</span>hy is all this necessary as an explanation before the Door to the Kingdom?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">OK</span> - I firmly believe that our lives are influenced by the fundamental substance of our being.<br />We form values involving love, liberty, the value of human life - because these represent some of the attributes of our fundamental being.<br />We strive for that liberty, for that love and joy that our fundamental being knows for itself - and these are manifest into our physical existence - intertwined with time and space.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">A</span>s a result of the process of the mind - our firm and established belief in time - we are often separated from the awareness of being - by absorption in the consequences of the mind. We will often miss the subtle experience for the less subtle.<br />The subtle experience is that of awareness itself - easily obliterated by the colourful & busy world of the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">O</span>ne result of this is that we have substituted a limited, relative perception of reality for an awareness of the infinite - within our own being.<br />This awareness is born from the eternal now - and constantly floods into our being - potential experience becoming actual experience.<br />That potential itself - as explained - is not a consequence of the process of the mind - therefore there is no time for this potential - only process.<br />Potential without time is infinite, eternal.<br />Process without time is infinite.<br />I cannot stress enough - time does not exist other than as a perception - a process of the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">P</span>lease pause at this point to realise how even our language refers to our total belief in the presumption of time.<br />The very words I use here - "constantly" "becoming" - even "now" itself. "Now" is perceived to be no more than a window, a moment of passing time - as if it were sandwiched somehow between the "past" and the "future."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">A </span>part of the reality that we experience as a result of the process of the mind - is relativity - where objects appear to exist in separation - a consequence also of the process of individuation - being born as individuals.<br />A part of that reality is that we strongly identify with that individuality.<br />As far as we can instinctively perceive (through the process of the mind in its normal mode of operation) we are indeed separate - why should we not identify ourselves as this individual?<br />Why not indeed - perfectly natural - individuality is our vehicle for experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">P</span>art of the relativity is our system of values, judgements, discriminations, polarities, affiliations, likes, dislikes - the mind has prismatically refracted one whole experience into many - many opportunities for choice.<br />Another part is our conceptualisation of reality into ideas of things, separate things, applying labels, names - further segregation that has been useful in the evolution of our understanding.<br />These processes are those of logic, language, rational, intellect etc. all themselves attributes of the one potential - but shaped and primed from our "forward facing" attitude towards life. Forward facing and completely intertwined with the minds own projection of time. These are all essential processes of our evolution, but we have now come to a turning point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK5BgjRyQaMktwowGifdKUpL8CevSSAKPG6HFjZUsfQHbTGCTz12gjEDtG0jI0qBw5nepLJbb4S4GnzN1ZTAa6CL-m7AcCWTy9I69Y4aYedC48CsEmLdJIl8dHZ7Q3ygYeLcz9IgVWpI/s1600-h/8038~Time-of-Reflections-I-Posters.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK5BgjRyQaMktwowGifdKUpL8CevSSAKPG6HFjZUsfQHbTGCTz12gjEDtG0jI0qBw5nepLJbb4S4GnzN1ZTAa6CL-m7AcCWTy9I69Y4aYedC48CsEmLdJIl8dHZ7Q3ygYeLcz9IgVWpI/s200/8038~Time-of-Reflections-I-Posters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339232320546102786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy <a href="https://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/Time-of-Reflections-I-Posters_i3399735_.htm">allposters.co.uk</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>o see beyond the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">W</span>e should start to consider, that perhaps this door (a metaphor, obviously - for we have very few words to use as signposts in the realm of the unknown) - perhaps this "door" is one that we already have stepped through, on our journey from childhood.<br />When we stepped out of the kingdom and learned to live more and more identifying only with the conceptual world of the mind.<br />As our physical stature grew - our kingdom started to shrink.<br />When our infinite world started to feel the pinch of definition.<br />We should think of this as the front door to the mind - the back door is the one facing outwards and forwards - through the senses.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">I</span>nstinctively, and completely naturally - something that we entirely accept as intrinsic to our reality - is conditionality.<br />The way we perceive ourselves - our self awareness of ourselves - is conditioned by the process of the mind itself.<br />There is great wisdom in Judge not, lest ye be judged - it is the same value system that we apply to our environment that we apply to ourselves - our value system that has been moulded entirely by our perception of the physical world.<br />This gives us a very restricted vision of who we actually are - remember - our perception is our reality all the time we are interfacing with the CPU.<br />How can we observe ourselves without intercepting these limits, these conditions?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">W</span>e import into our subtle but influential perception of ourselves, the "memory" of our physicality, endorsed by our sensory perception of our fellow human beings.<br />Our perception of ourselves is that we are restricted to the confines of a physical body.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">J</span>ust to show you how crazy this can get - your perception of the top of your head - exists for you inside your head - where your awareness interfaces with the CPU.<br />Your perception of the soles of your feet exists inside your head.<br />Critically - your perception of inside your head - exists only as a perception - inside your head.<br />So - where is it really?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>his awareness - this mind?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">O</span>bserve - it can only be inside your head - if you remember your head - and presume.<br />It can only be inside your body - if you remember your body - and presume.<br />In fact - you cannot say "where it is" - you cannot confine yourself to a space at all.<br />Sense your being - feel it - become familiar with the dimensions.<br />How big - how small?<br />Unanswerable.<br />Where?<br />It is all over you - you are all over it - the same - we cannot relate our being to anything we have taught ourselves from merely observing the "physical world."<br />It is in a different realm - the kingdom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">W</span>hen we close our eyes, all of a sudden - we project the perception that we are now "inside our head" somewhere - but all we have done is close our eyes.<br />We remember the perception of our head, or body - and presume the rest - based on the process of the mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">I</span> hope you are following this - it's all very practical - please try it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">I</span>n other words - eliminate the subtle but influential presumptions based on our "physical logic" - and we are in a completely unknown dimension.<br />Where is your mind?<br />All around you?<br />Can you hear it telling you who you are, who you think you are?<br />That is all presumption - perception - it is not as real as you may believe.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">S</span>omething else that we import into our perception of ourselves is our projection of time, interpreting the process of life, of growing, physical change - as being "time based."<br />Convinced that we have a limited "time" - happiness becomes our treasure - reinforced by the pleasure principal itself - reinforced by our fundamental substance being attracted to joyful experiences - reinforced by nature's tendency for balance and harmony - happiness, contentment become permanent goals in our lives.<br />Some may balk at that idea, in denial - believing that some conceptualisation of altruistic value actually transcends this fact. That is probably a concept that is muddled by old fashioned moralistic dogma. It is a myth.<br />Human beings seek happiness - a basic tendency - which we recognise in others - and gives us our basis of morality.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">B</span>ecause of the process of the mind - our happiness is sought linearly, intertwined with our projection of time.<br />This allows us to ignore happiness, temporarily - believing as we do that it exists in our "projected future."<br />From long term projections, to really subtle projections, we defer our happiness from the "now" - into a mythical future - because we are speeding along inside the hamster wheel - our mind - the imaginary scenery being scrolled past - like in the old movies.<br />What Carlos Castaneda wrote about "stopping the world" - is exactly this - stopping that hamster wheel - even for a moment - to glimpse the reality - the reality of our own being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SeFgz4QxunZfejHbRyHozCn8kduaLkeYbSn3XGq2DRIJzqJ_CEOTpBqmtGVlUztMsztfYOn8R-iTQ2aAflNrJh9QcEtXXKZX3zdcT5QcR8_Sut6ndNny42WcFjxzNs51Me-bjeRXM9U/s1600-h/Chakra_00.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SeFgz4QxunZfejHbRyHozCn8kduaLkeYbSn3XGq2DRIJzqJ_CEOTpBqmtGVlUztMsztfYOn8R-iTQ2aAflNrJh9QcEtXXKZX3zdcT5QcR8_Sut6ndNny42WcFjxzNs51Me-bjeRXM9U/s200/Chakra_00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339232998609392898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://essence-of-reality.blogspot.com/2007/06/gateways-to-consciousness.html">essence-of-reality.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>o know that we are indeed, truly infinite beings - in fact - that we are all the one infinite being - the whole, the all - separation is not the reality - nor indeed is our limited perception of ourselves, who we truly are.<br />This is the eternal truth - hard to believe - but that just goes to show how pervasive our perceived sense of reality is - it's utterly convincing isn't it?<br />Yes - until you see beyond that projection.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>o know that in the "now" - the only place that exists - lies the ability to observe the temptations of the hamster wheel - the lures of future happiness - the discontent that awaits a future resolution that will never come - all the colours of the rainbow, refracted from the one whole experience of that "now" - that allow us the projection of "choice" - but also separation, segregation, likes, dislikes.<br />All that becomes united in the "now" - as one experience - in which one has real choice - to obey the dictates of the mind or not - to be dragged by the mind back onto its hamster wheel - or not - if you can only stay in the "now" - where your awareness of infinity affords you such an amazing experience of abundance, of true cosmic mystery - to know - beyond any doubt (which only exists in the mind) of your being - your home - the universe in its awesome majesty - is all there - for this short journey on earth.<br />Such a sense of peace and fulfillment - to feel that abundance - to feel that unity with everything - it is there in that "now."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>here are no negatives in that world, there is nothing lacking - nothing that cannot be.<br />Only fullness, continuance of completion.<br />There is only the gift of this awesome reality.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">W</span>here is the door?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">A</span>cceptance - deep, willfull acceptance.<br />Acceptance beyond effort, beyond the struggle to be - because your being already is.<br />Accept this gift.<br />Your being is calling out to become whole with itself - listen to its cries.<br />Accept - relax - gradually stop the hamster wheel - sink back into the "now" - sink back into awareness - it's always there - that awareness isn't going anywhere - ever - there is no place for it to go - there is no "time" for it to go - it always is - it is you - me - everything - your eternal home - your infinite being.<br />It can only be forgotten while believing in the fairytale of "time."<br />Open yourself up with gratitude - to the abundance of life - of existence - the complete and utter unknown - that is the reality of this experience on earth.<br />Forget the explanations - the excuses - don't put it off - it is "now."<br />Forget the theories - you are not a theory - you are a human being - this is your birthright - this experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">G</span>ratitude - humility - awareness - being.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>he mystery of stillness - is utterly profound.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">T</span>ry it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">P</span>eace and love to all.<br /></span>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-71891915654487175882009-05-06T01:03:00.007+01:002009-05-07T01:34:08.342+01:00Exposure<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> want to use the metaphor of a movie camera (the old type) - containing a reel of film to explain, in conceptual terms (because how else can something be explained?) the mechanics of experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF03hkkM1Wr9CfumeBZQy4x-sgaL-coqlUzz0kxXyNZudNAmEM_B1aCU0zam_Ywilx8SZnpzyBFiPa-HF3-aYCujvqSJpZkiWQC9eZaED1c8VH-xNc9yDbIAWG_mq0BDm21Sn7y_LkX4o/s1600-h/bild.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF03hkkM1Wr9CfumeBZQy4x-sgaL-coqlUzz0kxXyNZudNAmEM_B1aCU0zam_Ywilx8SZnpzyBFiPa-HF3-aYCujvqSJpZkiWQC9eZaED1c8VH-xNc9yDbIAWG_mq0BDm21Sn7y_LkX4o/s200/bild.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332524805154464786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://filmgeekbastard.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html">filmgeek<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>he point at which the unexposed film becomes exposed to the data from the lense is our now.<br />This now is a constant point - the unexposed film is continuously passing that point of exposure - changing from unexposed to exposed - changing from the unknown into the known.<br />Our awareness of now is created at that moment - at the threshold of change - it exists, if you like, as a realisation of the contrast between the unknown and the known.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >B</span>y reviewing the exposed footage (our experiences - in memory) we conceptualise time. We presume that this footage represents the past - only because of this conceptualisation - and we deduce a future from this - unaware that our concept of time is purely a deduction, a presumption.<br />Whereas in reality - there is only the now - the point of exposure - where the unknown changes into the known.<br />That unknown is pure potential - potential experience - consciousness.<br />It is possible for the mind (the lense) to look into that unknown - by focusing the point of experience on itself - by observing experience as it changes from potential to actuality.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>owever - for most of the time, life has a quality of "double-exposure" to it.<br />Not quite the new experience it should be.<br />That is because we literally are looking at all of the new experiences through the reference of the old - we experience the present - the unknown, veiled with a filter of conceptual thought - the known.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>ow can any evaluation deduced from experience (conceptualisation) be in any way valid in trying to put the unknown in any context whatsoever?<br />We cannot measure the unknown by the known - it cannot have a context that we could possibly understand from the perspective of the known. Therefore it cannot have a context - other than its own, known only to itself.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span>e can make guesses as to the context - desire for experience, for life, for love - for lessons - but, still - they are all subject to our own perspective.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >N</span>ow - having explained the mechanics of this process - in a totally conceptual, metaphorical way - let's look a bit closer at the reality - our being.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e constantly refer to the known - it is our library of experience - we identify with that known - but it is quite clear that the root of our identity is in the unknown.<br />Without the potential experience - there would be no experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen5IuKuXyEzHM4j5lWySqiWjEK8HLz1TPQtjKBjNvhad9mfmhvOa2Lcw04Tp5rwItQuPd5iSVglQ6XZ1NoY9eFiR15L3gMwxtPbJ01oliZgoYP5HjKm18ysmO0Nl2Sx46m3qVXyBf58g/s1600-h/Feeling_Good-Feb-07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen5IuKuXyEzHM4j5lWySqiWjEK8HLz1TPQtjKBjNvhad9mfmhvOa2Lcw04Tp5rwItQuPd5iSVglQ6XZ1NoY9eFiR15L3gMwxtPbJ01oliZgoYP5HjKm18ysmO0Nl2Sx46m3qVXyBf58g/s200/Feeling_Good-Feb-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332525437249752306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.abgoodwin.com/mandala/wisdom-gallery.html">abgoodwin<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >R</span>ather than being "film" - potential experience, consciousness is flooding into us, like light from an inner sun, it again experiences the known, the only just known, the long known, by experiencing our conceptual mind. However the experience itself is happening in the only place it can happen - the now - where potential experience is becoming actual.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >L</span>ike flowing water and ice - it is all essentially water - but the fresh water, constantly bubbles up from a distant, eternal spring and the mind turns it into a progressively expanding glacier - that we experience slowly sliding away from us - into what we imagine is our past.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMve9BOz7ryRyaqa4BhZqsYtqMsC3hA8f3X8HTUkU-y3Bk2A8qsBMCtO6eZxaYy25xh6r86CWK72ERRh0jPFiRiEIqfhqoJNo5dsvDbDGR66GT3fzIf2NqOcqdktGECxlmf8uXiVOl-Kc/s1600-h/piedmont01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMve9BOz7ryRyaqa4BhZqsYtqMsC3hA8f3X8HTUkU-y3Bk2A8qsBMCtO6eZxaYy25xh6r86CWK72ERRh0jPFiRiEIqfhqoJNo5dsvDbDGR66GT3fzIf2NqOcqdktGECxlmf8uXiVOl-Kc/s200/piedmont01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332526001026258290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.geography-site.co.uk/pages/physical/glaciers/piedmont.html">geography-site</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>owever that is the only place a past exists - in that glacier of the known - likewise its presumptive projection - the future.<br />Our real "future" - exists as pure potential.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hy is it so critical that we establish, for ourselves, individually - the root of our identity?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >L</span>et me make a critical distinction here - hopefully readers will see that this is all practical, not theoretical - and can be experienced, observed for themselves with suitable attention.<br />What we commonly mistake for "the experience" - is really "the experienced."<br />We confuse the subject (the experiencer - true identity of awareness itself) with the object (the detail of the experience) - although both are simultaneous and co-dependent.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>o realise, unequivocally, beyond doubt - that true identity is the experience of awareness itself - fundamentally the potential for experience - will allow us to become progressively detached from identifying - ie. putting extravagent value, on the completely diverse range of "experienced" (objects of experience) - that make our individual journeys so distinctive and uniquely colourful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hen we look at the "experienced" - we find that there lies the cause for all separation - starting with the fact that all of the "experienced" involves an individual and completely autonomous "physical" body - and that is just the start.<br />All of our values (including the base value of identity) all of our beliefs, concepts, paradigms - everything - in toto - exist in the "experienced" - the known.<br />Many values we will find in common - we can share - but so many others, divide us - because we have attached our identity to them, and not where it belongs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>his is not belittling the experience of individuality at all - in fact it puts it in higher relief than ever before - as we begin to understand how bizarre, how intricate, how cosmically humorous, the nature of this reality actually is.<br />It does not belittle the experience at all - it magnifies it to its true proportion - it allows us a true sense of perspective - at last - a common perspective - shared, experienced at the base level of human life.<br />Simply by observing and understanding the significance of the observation.<br />Observing the unknown become the known.<br />By complete acceptance of our own being - we can allow the glacier to softly slide aside for a while.<br />Obviously the unknown is beyond categories of thought - and applies equally to the believer, the non-believer (I didn't say what the belief or non-belief was - there are potentially an infinite amount) - the milkman, the millionaire, princes, paupers - across the whole spectrum.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >S</span>imply by honestly observing the nature of experience - in oneself.Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-16517175350909227762009-05-06T00:57:00.006+01:002009-05-06T03:34:45.179+01:00Inside - Outside?<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>his is the key question - are we "innies" or "outies" - and the answer will only arrive through contemplation of one's navel.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >S</span>eriously though - I have been thinking about this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJOLWjeClQxmIkRdNBnOTFqWHNrmUUGPdp53GkcpAoHck3j0reiCRuT9_LEPsoM0Rchzvgqr72TLiUJZcnmYYDHJMvkaXDoshFke5QagQ9taztf3mRpDl5wAUwp4Uy9ySZBE2rWEe7Jc/s1600-h/Holding_Baby.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJOLWjeClQxmIkRdNBnOTFqWHNrmUUGPdp53GkcpAoHck3j0reiCRuT9_LEPsoM0Rchzvgqr72TLiUJZcnmYYDHJMvkaXDoshFke5QagQ9taztf3mRpDl5wAUwp4Uy9ySZBE2rWEe7Jc/s200/Holding_Baby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332530593678549586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.vindon.co.uk/archives/48-Stem-cell-Storage-an-exciting-new-venture.html">vindon.co.uk </a><a href="http://www.vindon.co.uk/archives/48-Stem-cell-Storage-an-exciting-new-venture.html"><br /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e are born into the constraints of our reality (our human body) - our reality is delineated by those constraints - and we cannot see outside those constraints.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >U</span>nderstanding what those constraints are however - can illuminate the answer to this question.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >B</span>ecause our equipment (senses - brain) is so seamlessly efficient and works so incredibly well - and importantly we have learned to exist and co-operate with them, we have never had cause or reason to question or to actually explore the nature of our inner environment.<br />We take it completely for granted and just carry on with our lives - believing that we have a direct interface with a solid, physical reality - out there in front of us, below us, around us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >N</span>ow all of this can be confirmed subjectively - by anyone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur identity is rooted in awareness.<br />It exists inside a panorama of thought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3gg3mg1HXhRli8pP_o7EMpj-Ui2quHFugGCbwoH1cVxMpzic1GVJNnkT7SkhrU6OcXQzQ3h_A2p2PmECzfjApV3-9Tm9A8VfdkurX-SDRJZHJKjBzmBecGRhyphenhypheny5BfoSkIKAKTBjYvo4/s1600-h/6a00d8341bf7f753ef00e5518605c78834-800wi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3gg3mg1HXhRli8pP_o7EMpj-Ui2quHFugGCbwoH1cVxMpzic1GVJNnkT7SkhrU6OcXQzQ3h_A2p2PmECzfjApV3-9Tm9A8VfdkurX-SDRJZHJKjBzmBecGRhyphenhypheny5BfoSkIKAKTBjYvo4/s200/6a00d8341bf7f753ef00e5518605c78834-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332531042914657090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/human_brain/">dailygalaxy<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >D</span>espite learning that in fact we have a brain - we do not subjectively experience our brain - I have never seen my brain.<br />We experience within a panorama of understanding presented in the mind - we conceptualise from within this panorama.<br />Usually, when we are conscious of it - thought implies a conceptual "identity" thinking - inside this panorama - a sort of "avatar" - I suppose - but nevertheless, our entire sense of reality is created by the mind - in conjunction with awareness.<br />This is the holistic experience - relevent to a human being - much more so than any pretence at objectivity.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>he panorama of thought is a representation of the consequences of the brain. For our awareness - in terms of the conclusions and assumptions made by the brain - interpreted into an understanding, this is our entire sense of reality. The world we live in. The brain provides the meaning to the data it receives through the sensory organs - which the mind knows as thought.<br />We are so convinved that we are dealing with "reality" - out there - but we are actually living in a world of thought - because of course - that is our reality.<br />That is the nature of our reality.<br />A world which from birth to death, we are so convinced exists "out there" - does not in fact exist out there as far as our actual awareness is concerned.<br />It exists inside the mind - it is a panorama of thought - incorporating everything that we know or have known.<br />Our entire existence has been unfolding for us at this point of interface between awareness and thought.<br />However - because the integration is so seamless - and because it is the only reality we have ever known - it is our normality - we totally accept it - no questions asked.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>t is the brain and the ear which transform the consequences of air pressure into sound for our awareness - which in turn gets transformed into the separate conceptualisation of sound - in our conceptual thoughts.<br />It is as a consequence of light hitting the eye - inverted by the brain - that we see - that we have a picture in our mind - comprised of understanding relative to our environment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>ith a different brain, with different eyes or ears - our world would be different - yet to us, it would be our normality - hence our reality.<br />Similarly - if the same data were input into our brain, representing any given sensory data, an experience could be totally replicated - yet different from the actuality of the physical environment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span>lthough this is a model of our reality - we can easily see the similarities between this model and what we know as "virtual reality."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-ci76y9Dj-_FabpBCeB78dIBz1rhZ_LYO8nvSqcG8FWtRAujpG4OtigqNMGGQAVK5jGwYBWVNXw0tsoiMPyv3CpLRrIUn0EKYKKdFd3761-sDJVUmeP7Asjqb3xmqzgEmrM2HkZL9c0/s1600-h/virtual-reality-6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-ci76y9Dj-_FabpBCeB78dIBz1rhZ_LYO8nvSqcG8FWtRAujpG4OtigqNMGGQAVK5jGwYBWVNXw0tsoiMPyv3CpLRrIUn0EKYKKdFd3761-sDJVUmeP7Asjqb3xmqzgEmrM2HkZL9c0/s200/virtual-reality-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332531263266364834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://futureupdate.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/americans-spend-most-of-day-detached-from-reality-study-shows/">futureupdate<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hy is this pertinent?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>t is so pertinent because the presences in our reality are manifold - they are not limited to representations of just our physical environment - but of every single aspect of our lives. Wall to wall.<br />We perceive objects as thoughts.<br />We perceive other people as thoughts.<br />Our feelings, our reactions are all conceptualised into this inner environment - so critically interactions in our environment affect our emotions - our environment contains desire and fear, likes and dislikes.<br />It exists completely as conceptual thought - as a result, everything will have an opposite - presenting us with choice - with preferences. Our inner environment is entirely created from thought and concepts - so our conceptualised emotions impact on our reality as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span></span>ur judgements, our thoughts, our emotions - all perceived as conceptual thought will impact directly and immediately on our total paradigm of reality - just as our reality is created immediately and directly (as far as we can perceive) in our thoughts - it is a two way street - but a street that doesn't lead anywhere "out there" - it is all at the interface between awareness and thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >So</span> the answer to the question as to which effects which - inner or outer.<br />The truth is that as far as our experience goes (which is our reality as human beings) - there is no outer.<br />It is only a perception - a perception that exists in thought alone - and an emotional perception that is changed by thought alone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e are aware that data is streaming through our sensory organs - but we construe that data as the concepts and "reality" presented by the mind - and that is the world we live in.<br />The concepts in turn - lead us to believe in duality, in opposites - there is no duality in the data itself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>hat is the nature of our reality - our life is awareness - our identity is awareness - and that is how we interface with our environment, by bringing the environment inside and letting us re-create it according to choice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrkHdTzJXbJzDt-BWjO6KdCVjsdhzXupZmY6oD1JznQmnX4WA-imIznzxUgYSRdAwBOM9_dUHUnRew0X2cXPK4XpKNJ_fS3AUcFsAQyTuQMtL11ElEMET7WJVC7jeoKcFdHSj2pIIwPI/s1600-h/where_heaven_and_earth_meet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrkHdTzJXbJzDt-BWjO6KdCVjsdhzXupZmY6oD1JznQmnX4WA-imIznzxUgYSRdAwBOM9_dUHUnRew0X2cXPK4XpKNJ_fS3AUcFsAQyTuQMtL11ElEMET7WJVC7jeoKcFdHSj2pIIwPI/s200/where_heaven_and_earth_meet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332531558838087170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.kreations.net/essence/essence.shtml">kreations.net<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>t is only our conceptualisation itself that creates the divisions inner and outer - therefore using them as terms of reference is misleading.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >N</span>obody who doesn't understand this nature of reality can have a conscious choice to change their inner environment, although the same rules operate - when they think they are happy, their world temporarily changes - as their reality is fixed for them by accepting the environment and conditions as real - which, therefore they are. Real is only permanent if no change is possible. This acceptance over-rides any conscious contributions they may from time to time just wish for themselves. So you can see - to a great extent our "reality" is formed and transfixed by our environment - but it exists only as our inner awareness of it inside our world of thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hat is transformed is the perception of reality - as an inner environment existing entirely in conceptual thought.<br />As such, and very really, our perception represents the totality of our reality.<br />This is not the same as being able to manipulate "matter" - but that our world is only our conceptual interpretation and understanding of it - and it does not exist anywhere else - as far as we are concerned.<br />We cannot take a short cut to our environment which circumnavigates the mind and the sense organs.Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-5424775436320291562009-05-06T00:54:00.004+01:002009-05-06T04:16:36.543+01:00Relaxing In The Paradigm<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hatever "sense" we make out of our take on reality, I feel that somehow we have to arrive at a balance that allows us to continue with some degree of acceptance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iBo4kBaoMuRJFIZha6M9TMjQN-zJgIlRNI7sok5hswIBo9nufyyBgM8cireDt8uh9Xhd-aRBikDpTpy-yeh9peKE8h1LqPOFgJvdtuM1q_Irv6Pu2mvaigeW6NEjURz4XGfKRlNxGgg/s1600-h/friend-or-foe-robert-ball.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iBo4kBaoMuRJFIZha6M9TMjQN-zJgIlRNI7sok5hswIBo9nufyyBgM8cireDt8uh9Xhd-aRBikDpTpy-yeh9peKE8h1LqPOFgJvdtuM1q_Irv6Pu2mvaigeW6NEjURz4XGfKRlNxGgg/s200/friend-or-foe-robert-ball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332539593693207186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/friend-or-foe-robert-ball.html">fineartamerica</a></span><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/friend-or-foe-robert-ball.html"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >P</span>ossibly, by being partial in our observations our paradigm is being constantly created from a selective source of information.<br />The constraints already imposed on us by the equipment of our "physical" body already act as a filter on our perception, combined with the restraining, limiting perspectives we cause ourselves by viewing reality through a selective range of conceptualisations and frames of reference.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >F</span>or some of us, our paradigm, the residual effect of our worldview, may be more or less influenced by politics, by religion, by scientific study, by psychology, by philosophy and also profoundly by our interaction with our fellow beings and by our observations of ourselves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >P</span>erhaps the summation of these influences leads us to adopt one of two basic stances - that we see the world as a hostile place, requiring defensiveness, suspicion, security - a conclusion of fear.<br />Or that we see the world as a friendly place, inviting openness, trust and liberty - a conclusion of love.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdGQByQsQH-uGZ0kYRo17HW2d3PIe7JdaRINrHrF6yTX_qHbeTzHhVr8gTS_zrjn5wFIpePFj25JimP9OmSHAZAJbPyd4ehX_D8m8NNYFJfQ5RQ6ciLZr2RXJCbyA9G1uFNZ4zIWv2EA/s1600-h/Lotus-foil.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdGQByQsQH-uGZ0kYRo17HW2d3PIe7JdaRINrHrF6yTX_qHbeTzHhVr8gTS_zrjn5wFIpePFj25JimP9OmSHAZAJbPyd4ehX_D8m8NNYFJfQ5RQ6ciLZr2RXJCbyA9G1uFNZ4zIWv2EA/s200/Lotus-foil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332539837505182146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/love%20or%20fear/gilbertmaui/test/Lotus-foil.jpg">gilbertmaui</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span> feel that these run so deep within us that although we assimilate and compensate in order to create that balance within our being - they nevertheless influence our entire perspective - even as we relax within the arms of our paradigm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >S</span>o strong is the influence of this basic stance that it puts a bias upon all new information absorbed - because we have to assimilate that information somehow into an already established balance.<br />In other words, we subjectively distort information, shaping it to fit within a context already allowed for, by our own paradigm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span>ll this takes place in the realms of emotion and thought.<br />We are obsessed by a compulsion to balance - to create equilibrium.<br />In most cases I think we acheive this - we are able to continue with our lives - carrying around this sense of emotional and psychological balance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdmaTV-6Av6RB1fPijzavaMcUNgx162sZL0Wfp2Wd0VIqo6GRs-iTDnvQlY-S13BC0as6Uzz9QT7QHbSpN05Byb4WZm928e6NCUhNttQ8yXcBFTPmHAgYqBWiA2jkie4jAmCib5x3IQk/s1600-h/balance.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdmaTV-6Av6RB1fPijzavaMcUNgx162sZL0Wfp2Wd0VIqo6GRs-iTDnvQlY-S13BC0as6Uzz9QT7QHbSpN05Byb4WZm928e6NCUhNttQ8yXcBFTPmHAgYqBWiA2jkie4jAmCib5x3IQk/s200/balance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332540048981083410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wilson_tim/win-mac.php">creativecow.net<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>here does the compulsion for this balance originate?<br />Not from the paradigm itself, but from the emotional needs of our being.<br />Those emotional needs, although influenced by the paradigm itself, are shaped by their own requirement of balance and equilibrium.<br />In fact they are almost exclusively the motivating force for anything we do - and are themselves responsible for how our paradigm has been shaped.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e cannot therefore hope to reshape our world view, our paradigm and the basic emotional attitude we adopt unless we can somehow input into those emotions themselves.<br />Aptly demonstrated by what happens when we "fall in love" - the world becomes a different place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span>t this point we enter a closed circle - our emotions are conditioned by our paradigm - and our paradigm is in turn influenced by our emotions.<br />Neither are free to change.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e need to find a source of inspiration, that has not yet been consumed, rendered impotent - by being absorbed into our conceptually defined world view.<br />We need to find a source of inspiration outside of the limited emotions that are conditioned by that world view.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>ithout this constant source - to take us from wherever we are, emotionally, conceptually - to somewhere else - we will remain forever defined and therefore dead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgSF2oDeFteCOCEnS3u2TWoAJZj80FFsLqawv6aLlvvUc80ApIJm2V6zDSZCKv-5OFp-tqFdxGtx2GaOWZOJdqSGKnkWFNRUeQe2eb1ptxUjxXOw2RGypH34fYFNheYLG3hIdiDhJpsY/s1600-h/0_21_crop_circle1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgSF2oDeFteCOCEnS3u2TWoAJZj80FFsLqawv6aLlvvUc80ApIJm2V6zDSZCKv-5OFp-tqFdxGtx2GaOWZOJdqSGKnkWFNRUeQe2eb1ptxUjxXOw2RGypH34fYFNheYLG3hIdiDhJpsY/s200/0_21_crop_circle1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332540385549359522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://angelinoview.com/2007/07/08/crop-circle-discovered-in-switzerland/">angelinoview</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e need to open a window to the unknown.<br />We need to plug ourselves in to that indefinable mystery, that constant source of awe and mind-numbing majesty - our being.<br />Realising that each moment is in fact new - that we enter the unknown every second - with each beat of the heart, with each breath - we are on a journey into the unknown. Everything we do is completely at the mercy of a totally uncomprehendable universal law - allowing existence. Everything we think is only possible because of that law - a whole law - of which we have observed the merest, tiniest fraction - and in our conceit - we call it knowledge.<br />What else is capable of inspiring our hearts and minds?<br />Filling our hearts?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e are all entering this unknown together - right here - right now.<br />By reflection on that, within oursleves - we can find a very real unity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >P</span>art of our paradigm is an acute awareness of death.<br />More than anything else perhaps, death represents the unknown.<br />Life - we think we can handle - we think we've understood, we have created our securities while we are here, by transforming the unknown into the known, precisely to defend us from realities like death.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZVq2dl9C6r0ePQAKnRPc6XwwHdxsKznqFs14xPnk7va44JLyut9r2Ex9742OdhiqbQciHG-npH90dxjHYhf3PK5vA1eNU3VfeLPp2lzvnaFTr4_XGXspfvqOP3H62y8a41JpBGGpKWM/s1600-h/Life___and_death_by_Redjuice.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZVq2dl9C6r0ePQAKnRPc6XwwHdxsKznqFs14xPnk7va44JLyut9r2Ex9742OdhiqbQciHG-npH90dxjHYhf3PK5vA1eNU3VfeLPp2lzvnaFTr4_XGXspfvqOP3H62y8a41JpBGGpKWM/s200/Life___and_death_by_Redjuice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332540642198556098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://redjuice.deviantart.com/art/Life-and-death-49885704?moodonly=158">deviantart.com</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur awareness of death creates a division in our being - like a scalpel cutting through reality - on one side, fear and negativity - on the other, love and positivity.<br />Our attitudes, our stance exist somewhere along the line stretching between those two conceptual poles - as positive acceptance or negative resistance - likes or dislikes - we draw our personalities with a matrix of these lines.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>n closer examination however - we will find that although these poles exist (conceptually) they are unified by the actual concept itself.<br />We tend to ignore that unity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >F</span>or example - without death (which is really one end of the line - "physical life") - what we conceptually visualise as its opposite - life - could not exist. It would be absolutely devoid of meaning, of value. There would be no compulsion, no motivation, no recognition. In fact death defines life - birth and death being the two ends of that conceptual line. Without two ends - we could not know it as life - as anything.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>he same applies to any other polarities we care to think about - they are born out of the polarity of life and death.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>hey are the relative attribute of existence that allows it to be known.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>owever it is crucial to understand that all polarities only exist in conceptual thought - in reality they are united as one attribute.<br />For example - black and white - the same attribute of reflectivity of light.<br />Loud and soft - the same attribute of pressure waves causing sound.<br />Pleasure and pain - the same attribute of physical/emotional sensation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>f we are honest with our awareness - we can experience this.<br />Total acceptance of our being implies being absolutely honest with ourselves - simply observing and letting be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>he polarised, conceptual nature of reality is essential for accumulating understanding.<br />By pulling separate conceptual threads from the weave - and viewing them from a limited perspective - it can give rise to an understanding - but only an understanding that is of value to that particular perspective.<br />It is a piecemeal understanding - arrived from observation - this we call "knowing."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>owever there is another form of understanding - another form of knowing - beyond the capacity of logic and reason.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur conceptual "knowledge" although useful, is second-hand knowledge, piecemeal and from observation only - and is exclusively human in relevence and origin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq14hqXOJ8Bg9JDWdbATvIty5_0gYf5tx_Px0ooXHp4q8StJsAxNT1c2vXJruUkrRpONwljwKfC95IM0z7pTjE8RHz8XVuO6vHpV4gVeIvbq-hzt2Hi_M3m_9TNRWthRmNenzJ7vxdP4/s1600-h/creation.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq14hqXOJ8Bg9JDWdbATvIty5_0gYf5tx_Px0ooXHp4q8StJsAxNT1c2vXJruUkrRpONwljwKfC95IM0z7pTjE8RHz8XVuO6vHpV4gVeIvbq-hzt2Hi_M3m_9TNRWthRmNenzJ7vxdP4/s200/creation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332541036194830578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Photo courtesy <a href="http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/%7Ejrmead/ID.htm">uweb.ucsb.edu<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>here is another form of knowledge - whole - first-hand, and creational in its relevence and origin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur second-hand knowledge cannot create - only conceptually can it create - so really it can only re-create, re-fashion what is already there.<br />First-hand creational knowledge - well - it's obvious isn't it - is behind, within creation - and importantly it is whole - or reality would not exist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >B</span>y stepping aside from our conceptual view - we can enter into this wholeness - this newness every moment - as we are constantly being sustained by that whole law.<br />By simply being aware - here - now - without judgement - without conceptualisation - without trying to understand.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>otal acceptance of our being - by accepting ourselves, completely, absolutely, individually - we are automatically accepting the entirety of existence - for it is one and the same.Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-60361360518862356662009-04-27T02:43:00.023+01:002009-05-06T04:27:06.927+01:00Taking Liberties<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToHf4ioRB94ZZ2jUFBzpCL2XalJ-dZ3CAtyyEeP7bkCsyKYZRYmmXQ6ukhyEBZxJjJdxtAjdqNC8xFkPfb89kTYSHYN6x2EKqLa7vGunEWbmMPII0wbu5RFa8bFjbwqhSea9RHmOtwb4/s1600-h/ball-and-chain.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToHf4ioRB94ZZ2jUFBzpCL2XalJ-dZ3CAtyyEeP7bkCsyKYZRYmmXQ6ukhyEBZxJjJdxtAjdqNC8xFkPfb89kTYSHYN6x2EKqLa7vGunEWbmMPII0wbu5RFa8bFjbwqhSea9RHmOtwb4/s200/ball-and-chain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329924774571074466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;" >Image courtesy bbc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>s not a window<br />But a see-through wall?<br />There's more we shall know<br />By not looking at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>t's just occurred to me that the unknown is identical to the known.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >L</span>et me try and explain.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span> would equate "knowing" with understanding - the bedrock of our being.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e may not know the entirety of our being, subjectively, but it is there - and we are still "being" it nevertheless.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span> different kind of "knowledge" is the term we use for collecting empirical "facts" or "theories" - which by definition - require us to adopt a certain perspective with which to contain their reference - because a "fact" or "theory" without a frame of reference cannot exist.<br />This is the term we use for objective knowledge - looking through a narrowly defined window of perspective - of which there are an infinite potential variety - this kind of knowledge exists only in our conceptual mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur conceptual mind overlays reality with a veil - usurping the being of that reality with the conceit of pretended knowledge - it is deceitful - stealthily substituting the truth of that being with a token (not a fair exchange) - a word, a label or a theory - based on only its selective, relative and dualistic perspective - dividing and defining an unknown whole - and replacing it with a sum of parts derived from its own imagination.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>hat is why I say that the unknown is identical to the known.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>t is identical if we refer subjectively - and also if we refer objectively.<br />Subjectively we can be no more or no less than 100% of our being - so whether known or unknown - it changes nothing.<br />Objectively - we are merely dealing with tokens - the known or the unknown are simply more tokens - more deceit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>K - let's ease up a while - objectiveness, our relative perspective is not the villain I make it out to be - or is it?<br />It is our innate perspective - the one we are educated to see by our senses - by our individualised nature.<br />Like the crest of a rolling wave - formed and yet formless - at the threshold between subject and object.<br />A moving point of awareness - but it is not concrete - it is as free and undefined as we care to allow it to be.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>n some ways - it is the classroom.<br />Where and how we learn - in our relationship to our environment and fellow beings.<br />Where we associate with pain of differing types - emotional and physical.<br />Where that pain becomes the biggest educator of them all.<br />Where we start to question.<br />Where we start to explore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>e start to search.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >S</span>ecretly - I believe that all of us, deep down, are aware that our sense of "I" ness is mysterious, is magical, is miraculous.<br />Our being is a most precious gift.<br />Either from gratitude - or in supplication through suffering - or just from an awesome sense of wonder at it all - we turn our minds to questions of origin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >N</span>ow we're in trouble - especially if we are determined for an answer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span>ou see - our conceptual minds work entirely with a dualistic perspective - a perspective that operates almost identically to our rules of language.<br />Subject, adjective, noun, verb, object, cause and effect etc.<br />We are already dealing only with the tokens issued by that mind to substitute reality.<br />They are not connected to that reality in any relevant way - other than for defining and labelling it within the constricts of a relative state.<br />With the limited perspective available to it - the conceptual mind (aware that it did not create itself) is at the mercy of the following restricted supposition.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span> (subject) exist (verb) and I (subject) did not create (verb) myself (effect/object) - therefore I must have a creator (cause/object.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>f course this dialectic is supported, at least superficially, by most major religions - and with their added authority - do we really need to look any further?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >H</span>ow much further dare we look?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">L</span></span>et's be extremely courageous - and dedicate our purpose to sincerely discovering the truth - then we can expect to be welcomed back to our creator and to be forgiven if that's where we are led.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span> quick recapitulation at this point - we have already discussed that we cannot be more or less than 100% of our true being - whether known or unknown - we are that very being right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur understanding of the conceptual mind has lead us to see that we might have invented the concept of a creator as being separate from the creation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Y</span>et we still have the sense of mystery, of awe, of the miraculous.<br />Why?<br />Because inescapably, existence, our being feels like that - at times.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >O</span>ur being.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>f we could accept our being, totally - right now - stop asking questions - stop cheating ourselves with deceitful answers - allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by that mystery, that awe - the miracle - could that make a difference?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>ould it matter then - if we could find that unconditional acceptance - which if we are honest - we spend every waking moment chasing for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >D</span>o you disagree?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >W</span>hy do we turn to alchohol, or drugs, or relationships, or seeking more?<br />Or seek oblivion by obsession?<br />Do we accept ourselves - or are we trying to prove something to win approval to our own set of conditions - inherited or invented?<br />Why do we invent tomorrow, if not from fear or desire?<br />Tomorrow we will approve ourselves - but not today - tomorrow - over the fence, where the grass is emerald green - and actually belongs to our neighbour - which is why it matters not that we throw all our rubbish there - from today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >T</span>he ability to accept - now - this miracle.<br />If we do all those things in the cause of finding happiness - we are really denying that it exists.<br />If we search for it - we are denying that it exists - here.<br />Denying that happiness and ourselves can co-exist - now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span>ccepting our own being unconditionally, automatically takes us beyond conceptual thought, to a state where we accept the whole - beyond division, beyond separation.<br />That includes everything within our awareness - and beyond.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I</span>f we were to find that ability - would it make any difference?<br />Would it make a difference to what we called - being?<br />Would it matter what origins that being had?<br />Scientific - natural - spiritual - only labels.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >B</span>eing - contentment - acceptance - of ourselves - unconditionally - can lead to joy.<br />Honest, unattached joy can lead to gratitude.<br />Gratitude can lead to action.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A</span>nything else is a condition that is being met - and not liberty.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>hanks for sharing this journey with me.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Another extraordinarily delightful website on this topic -</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;" > <a href="http://www.yoism.org/">Yoism</a><br /></span><br /></span>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799711731360231873.post-9546337942261124302009-04-26T16:33:00.001+01:002011-03-02T05:01:40.769+00:00A Journey, Love & Abuse.<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span>hat started my mind whirring in the direction that resulted in this post being written?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZweftp6yrzCtZ-mwMObUzO7zWzCIfHSLS48ywySXBl_nA4_ubCd4eWmdUCJrxX8kn-SZzkHSo-vsbO4WfIb2huIcw61HnVLVtyzl25OXycufevRkAsnzjID4Vvl8r1vRJ1asDvOPBZY/s1600-h/lane_with_18_signs.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZweftp6yrzCtZ-mwMObUzO7zWzCIfHSLS48ywySXBl_nA4_ubCd4eWmdUCJrxX8kn-SZzkHSo-vsbO4WfIb2huIcw61HnVLVtyzl25OXycufevRkAsnzjID4Vvl8r1vRJ1asDvOPBZY/s320/lane_with_18_signs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253324419204455218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy<a href="http://www.abd.org.uk/jjleeming.htm"> JJLeeming abd.org.uk</a></span><a href="http://www.abd.org.uk/jjleeming.htm"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q</span></span>uite simply - a journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span></span>riving home after a Saturday morning doing some work - it's a lovely sunny day.<br />Faced with the contrast of the motor cars on the road, the tarmac roads themselves - set against a backdrop of natural surroundings - fields, trees, grazing cows - all very pleasant and acceptable.<br />But somehow there seems a subconscious division between the natural and the man-made.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwxvEyn8wAWcSCdK79xFuyIDtGl4RQodabuhxabj06mWGFfoC9s4xg6dKDngSeVqDYK6QQ7yIbcVXfxZ26SJCCRUsvvZbLkpd2oco_i53Dn71sEEB3q525XNap08k5pCLQXOnj0O2Ca4/s1600-h/egremont_cows_in_pasture.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwxvEyn8wAWcSCdK79xFuyIDtGl4RQodabuhxabj06mWGFfoC9s4xg6dKDngSeVqDYK6QQ7yIbcVXfxZ26SJCCRUsvvZbLkpd2oco_i53Dn71sEEB3q525XNap08k5pCLQXOnj0O2Ca4/s200/egremont_cows_in_pasture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253325226861362290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/2007/03/25-week/">treehugger.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>hen the mind kicks in - it intercepts this perception, interrogates it as to its validity.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>his vision of the world transforms into a historical perspective - what I see now is merely a glimpse, a snapshot of mankind's evolution.<br />Life and matter.<br />Mankind enjoying it's recreative ability - the way it can transform and manipulate matter to make human life more amenable.<br />But somewhere in this equation is a motivating force - an energy.<br />We could call it the life force.<br />Such a powerful force that has the will, the irrepressable urge to recreate & procreate, survive & thrive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZECe8uPrKUPocF0UP4mZQbg3tlQu3VE8opuBmv1G1nFAD_mwOfkcUNYMeXROTKprKnsQYaZzzCUyEztAyPkUKsTySlsr5euXvcA4DkN4pwWB3XKVWN1chLBrmbnOEqMJhvnjrWGz8dxc/s1600-h/shailesh4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZECe8uPrKUPocF0UP4mZQbg3tlQu3VE8opuBmv1G1nFAD_mwOfkcUNYMeXROTKprKnsQYaZzzCUyEztAyPkUKsTySlsr5euXvcA4DkN4pwWB3XKVWN1chLBrmbnOEqMJhvnjrWGz8dxc/s200/shailesh4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253326031316194914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy <a href="http://www.earthecho.com/share/shee/shailesh.html">earthecho.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> want to examine the word "love."<br />I feel at times it is grossly overused and abused.<br />What do we mean when we say "I love" something or somebody?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">L</span></span>et me offer this definition.<br />We mean that some deep part of us is moved to - identify with, attach itself to, desire the experience of, intimately associate with - the object of this love.<br />It can be used at a very casual level or a very profound level.<br />We use the same word for french fries, a TV programme or a significant partner in our lives.<br />We may even use it when describing a relationship with the Divine.<br />As such it is used as a verb.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span></span>ow about as a noun - as in "making love?" Two (or more?) individuals accommodating their expression of a mutually shared - identification with, attachment to, desire for the experience of, intimate association with - each other.<br />How about as in the phrase "an act of selfless love?"<br />Implying an inner motivating force, the love, which compells one to perform a selfless act.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>he common denominator in all the above is that "love" is always referring to something that seems to be universally understood, recognised and appreciated, valued and treasured - no matter how the word is applied, it is always in the context of the positive, an ideal, a pleasant experience or harmonious co-existence.<br />You may agree or disagree with my definitions, but I am certain you will not deny that love exists.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span></span>ack to the car journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> realise that although I am seeing the world in all its colour and glory - maybe I am blind.<br />Just as this very computer can only deal with binary information - my eyes can only deal with a certain spectrum of visible light.<br />That's what they were designed to do - and function extraordinarily well - but nevertheless, it is a highly selective form of "vision."<br />I cannot see television broadcasts without a TV set, I cannot see x-rays, the ultra or infra.<br />I have a paper bag over my head - I think my vision is all encompassing - but it isn't.<br />The same can be said for all my other senses.<br />I am perceiving a highly selective band of "reality" through my variety of receiving apparatus.<br />I am living in a world of experience, defined and limited by a human body.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh24zEGpiN-A6FcKgSGVxjubl60myTeek6MLI71S3pqWQXH3zIUpacdUqf33OWIwJCx8HWxW9UYecSfN1XKfn-414AK0xUpNIGTAyJSv_ZDCcK32y1VnCVjFZyDL0pDcC2NTANPj-AZ-o/s1600-h/larrycraigpdfmask.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh24zEGpiN-A6FcKgSGVxjubl60myTeek6MLI71S3pqWQXH3zIUpacdUqf33OWIwJCx8HWxW9UYecSfN1XKfn-414AK0xUpNIGTAyJSv_ZDCcK32y1VnCVjFZyDL0pDcC2NTANPj-AZ-o/s200/larrycraigpdfmask.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253327198504806226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy <a href="http://boingboing.net/2007/10/21-week/">boingboing.net</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I </span></span>am also living behind the filter of conceptualisation.<br />For example, as above I outlined various conceptualisations of the word "love" - do I choose to ignore the reality that love is a powerful motivating force in my life - it must have an origin - do I allow myself to get tangled up in the complicated, highly subjective issues of morality, of ethics - concerned more with the interpretation, definition and expression of this "love" in human conceptual terms - rather than explore its actuality?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRieadOiBDGwOHTjlAm5_XaR0vUqv0tyZRB0wrjGtWfm__Hvndld08w0BWWwIE7McKMdiS3GPnMDwue5y9BQ4Os1tiGm638r9VGtmu12giAbYPLiHkgQz7DSxWGSYxKflYMsNtbJUDBU/s1600-h/home_page_graphic.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRieadOiBDGwOHTjlAm5_XaR0vUqv0tyZRB0wrjGtWfm__Hvndld08w0BWWwIE7McKMdiS3GPnMDwue5y9BQ4Os1tiGm638r9VGtmu12giAbYPLiHkgQz7DSxWGSYxKflYMsNtbJUDBU/s200/home_page_graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253328208840036482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy<a href="http://www.enchantedmind.com/"> enchantedmind.com</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">L</span></span>ove - as a force, an energy, a power?<br />A force that moves us so deeply, that is common to all life, recognised universally?<br />What if we had eyes of a slightly different design, that allowed us to see love?<br />What would it look like?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span>ould everything sparkle - be covered in a fiery incadescence - a fluid shimmering energy - full of eddies and swirls - dancing between, around, all amongst us - would we see it obedient to our will - would it transform as we interacted with each other?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT7-SjC1ej9jlU4oKD82EXqo6wMwzcQavHrroiI_yizMIGWC9ef6irKCDamfu1WVLJkYmjoRGax6-yEda1sC7PqZX2iTibYTxeBSn7tWHcOARDT6FGvC7S2wxemSnEcmI4whp9DU-plY/s1600-h/woman3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT7-SjC1ej9jlU4oKD82EXqo6wMwzcQavHrroiI_yizMIGWC9ef6irKCDamfu1WVLJkYmjoRGax6-yEda1sC7PqZX2iTibYTxeBSn7tWHcOARDT6FGvC7S2wxemSnEcmI4whp9DU-plY/s320/woman3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253330051338126354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy<a href="http://www.dreamingheart.com/home.htm"> dreamingheart.com<br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q</span></span>uantum Physics is right now toying with the notions that perhaps gravity and mass, such primordial essences, are the attributes of certain specific sub-atomic particles. These theories have yet to be proven as science is stretching itself to design and build the experimental equipment required, such as the LHC at CERN (see other post <a href="http://smokesignals-ellumbra.blogspot.com/2008/09/10-09-08.html">10, 09, 08 . . .</a>)<br />Whereas science requires demonstrable, quantifiable proof<br />- most of us are content with personal experience to teach us - and we do not really need further acknowledgement to prove that love exists.<br />But maybe "love" is another sub atomic particle - existing in the Quantum world - at a level of infinite smallness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">I</span>t doesn't really require an emormous stretch of the imagination to formulate an equation, beyond any conceptualisation, dealing with the actuality of love as a power, a force, an energy - suffused with pure potential, pure will, pure consciousness.<br />Adequate will to manifest itself from a pure state into the creation of a universe.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">God=Love or Love=God</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">L</span></span>ove also supplies the reason for creation - if one were needed.<br />Creative activities & indulgencies sometimes bring a breath of that force, that power, that love - a stirring in the heart of absolute joy and wonder.<br />A love so vast, so powerful that we cannot imagine - implying such a recreational liberty that our conceptual world cannot contain its understanding.<br />Love provides an adventure for itself - a journey - an evolution.<br />Why?<br />For no reason other than because it can - and for the joy of the experience.<br />What other reason can such an infinite power have?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">N</span></span>ow remember, we are discussing a real power here - a real force - not the result of a human thought process, but the very cause of it - and the potential for everything else.<br />It is beyond obligation, beyond honour, beyond guilt, beyond aspirations, beyond hope or dreams - it is our very nature.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span>e could call such a power God - referring to Him, Her or It - would it matter?<br />We could even dispense with the upper case letters.<br />Would it matter?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span>uch a God, with such an infinite power - would not be at all perturbed by what we thought, by what we did - after all - we all have a contract with the laws of the universe - and there is no escape clause.<br />Such a God certainly would not be concerned with how we portrayed Him - because such an infinite power can be portrayed in an infinite amount of ways - all equally suited.<br />Would such a God require us to worship him?<br />No.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span>ny such discussion is really nonsense.<br />Any discussion or perception of god, because of the confines of language and because of the way we think - automatically creates a subject/object division - a separation - which cannot be true.<br />It is simply a convenient way of approaching the subject for our everyday awareness.<br />But often it becomes a convenient excuse - if we fail to realise that Divine intervention is in our own hands.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span>theist or believer - they are only labels and do nothing to alter the reality.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat7RvHdViythh3cCv-pF4evQw5QZcFqxO_0mHm0oQ9ic7ruNLUJZ22m3NEknu4Drj72lbWthoHGrB_Dkp46WYHCgq92kVX_0YQAwB6mFPJ1d_nMGKoBDsGeFbJgY_m6jUjKjHTDczqNU/s1600-h/space.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat7RvHdViythh3cCv-pF4evQw5QZcFqxO_0mHm0oQ9ic7ruNLUJZ22m3NEknu4Drj72lbWthoHGrB_Dkp46WYHCgq92kVX_0YQAwB6mFPJ1d_nMGKoBDsGeFbJgY_m6jUjKjHTDczqNU/s200/space.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253331119944126498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy <a href="http://fp.enter.net/~rgupta/bookmain.htm">fp.enter.net</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span></span>eligions of a devotional nature are admirably suited to acheiving enlightenment in a way that is so comfortably human - dealing as they do with the primal force of love as it manifests in human relationships - or a relationship with a deity.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span></span>umility is the recognition of something so totally beyond our comprehension, our logical capability to understand - beyond the familiar spheres in which we operate as human beings.<br />Nevertheless - this Divinity is something in which we have an intimate share.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span></span>umility levels the ground - it doesn't detract or weaken.<br />In fact - with its recognition of the truth - humility restores, amplifies and provides enormous strength - and allows for a space in our hearts and lives to become filled with even more of that infinite love.<br />A space created automatically when all the junk collected by the ego is thrown out of the attic.<br />It permits true understanding - which is, after all, standing-under.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span></span>ur only obligation, if we choose, is to our true selves, to realise this in our lives, to see it and live it as the true reality - and what a liberating and joyful prospect that is.<br />How severe a discipline is it anyway - to become what we already are?<br />Can we conceive of a discpline that is pure joy?<br />Can we emerge from the shadows of fear?<br />Can we reach that true liberty?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">N</span></span>one of this can possibly do anything to detract from the awesome nature of the universe, of life - the miraculous reality of existence.<br />It does nothing to lessen the majestic power of creation.<br />Nor should it prevent us from feeling blessed with such abundance and giving thanks.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span></span>hat it does is simply include us as a part of the equation.<br />In ignorance or enlightenment - whatever, whenever, wherever - it is all a part of that equation - that journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>t is the journey itself that is the reality - and we are all fellow travellers - right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span>ome religions refer to it as a journey through Maya - or illusion - a journey from darkness and ignorance to enlightenment and understanding - and the final recognition, love re-knowing of itself - shining brightly, undeniably, within its own cunning disguise.<br />The disguise - is you and me - but so is the essence, the motivating force, the love.<br />Illusion carries no stigma, as it is an essential part of the plan - necessary rather than negative.<br />We are the seed, the tree and the fruit - the beginning, the middle and the end of this journey - this evolution.<br />Love is our inner guide, our constant reminder - our map.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span> satellite navigation system to blow your mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJVX_RrWCo07KG_T5Wooqu33pacM_j3pa-UYjwYc4NGN2uKZ4jNWTpMd52QLx9ZHTaRJZSjXhnTvo7y9gvXSWJwkZdf7HjuNzx2L5_6bnL6EcweIHzNa6qOYZx0h7mSu54i9ArR8jRME/s1600-h/cygnus_cgps_radioir.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJVX_RrWCo07KG_T5Wooqu33pacM_j3pa-UYjwYc4NGN2uKZ4jNWTpMd52QLx9ZHTaRJZSjXhnTvo7y9gvXSWJwkZdf7HjuNzx2L5_6bnL6EcweIHzNa6qOYZx0h7mSu54i9ArR8jRME/s320/cygnus_cgps_radioir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253332115122709538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:78%;">Photograph courtesy <a href="http://homepages.wmich.edu/~korista/stargal-images/cygnus_c%20%20gps_radioir.jpg">wmich.edu</a></span>Ellumbrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04692032656434354445noreply@blogger.com2