Friday, October 17, 2008

Infinity Deep

SpheresImage

Owning your life experience brings one to the fulfillment of our human longing to be whole. What is it you really, really want? Basic to our humanity is love, freedom and to be a part of the inclusive whole, the connection to all life. Wholeness being totality- mind body soul in complete harmony and alignment. No conflict with anyone or anything. Oneness. Needing these qualities causes invites a great deal of problems that relate to our perceived separateness from them. The 'human' portion of our human being is the most afraid because the oneness wrests control away from the human's ego, or mind made self. We are the totality but have a false sense of a limited self identified as 'me'. We are taking the belief, an idea of 'me' as the totality which causes suffering and confusion. The 'me' we take to be ourselves is but a fraction of the whole and yet convinces us we are whole if only we do more, achieve more, invent a better personal self. This identity with this image of 'me' leads to separation from the whole and is perceived as 'me' and 'others'. Protecting this 'me' and its accompanying ego becomes the main focus of some lives. It is not freedom and it is not the way to success achieving freedom.

Being an achiever and a success is a conditioned role we adopt which results in taking us away from our true nature. Ever notice that doing something you love requires no effort? Playing a role at home, at school at the office that is really not you is full of effort. By accepting a role that is not truly who you are in reality, you suffer and lose alignment with the natural harmony you have just being you. Refusing to acknowledge the power you have in the present moment, the truth of the moment-Now. Basing the false sense of accomplishment in a past or future event is again, suffering.


Canadian spiritual teacher Burt Harding has a great series on YouTube that explains a lot of what this article points to. Burt Harding has over 300 video clips available for viewing at the
Simple, humble, clear and concise, Burt Harding speaking on love and our true nature is worth a look. No saint / guru/leader issues or even an ego at all, just an informal, gentle wisdom in lessons. Easy to get right to the lessons without any crap. There are also free PDF teachings at
to download for free.


has been an open door to explore the question at the beginning of this article “ What do you really, really want?” Honestly, to know who 'I' really am, to know the truth about life, its purpose and what I owe to life. So what is it one can do to find out about the true self? Just be. Ask yourself in a quiet moment 'Who Am I?” investigate and feel it through, surprise yourself. in a still quiet moment, honestly ask yourself this simple question. Just be. Listen and be.


One Love


Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Drop the Concept

DropTheConcept

To collect and distribute concepts has made a lot of players big bank. Collecting and repackaging content has become industries within industries perpetuating the seed until it is unrecognizable and perfidious. The purchase of concepts has taken reign over many who strive for better ways of delusion. The collection, distribution, purchase and use of concepts has artificially illuminated dark patches of shadow that never existed outside of energy stirred up by concepts. The collection, distribution, purchase, use of and practice of concepts has given rise to the mind's world.

The abandonment and dissolution of concepts has made a lot of players big bank. Abandoning and dissolving concepts pays the individual in seeing, awakening and truth. Only those abandoned and dissolved concepts are transparent enough for seeing, awakening and truth to shine through and permeate. It is in the letting go that the merging takes place. Like letting a garment fall off the body, the dropping of a concept and breathing in of the inexistence of the concept is liberating as it returns the one to the fullness of being. At and in the present moment, no pretense, no conflict, no concept, no reason to be other than now. No magic, no trumpets, volleys or visions from Dreamworks or ancient mystical globs. You, the real you in stillness, in gratitude, in timeless peace. The real nature in you
alive
. Providing this quote from one of the greats- you can read a poem about the 'Bidi Baba', Sri Nasirgadatta Maharaj called "
".
on Wikipedia.


"The very idea of going beyond the dream is illusory. Why go

anywhere? Just realize that you are dreaming a dream you call the

world, and stop looking for ways out. The dream is not your problem.

Your problem is that you like one part of your dream and not another.

Love all, or none of it, and stop complaining. When you have seen

the dream as a dream, you have done all that need be done."

"Your own self is your ultimate teacher. The outer teacher is merely

a milestone. It is only your inner teacher that will walk with you to

the goal, for he is the goal."



from A
Net of Jewels

Friday, October 10, 2008

Look What I Did! Controlled Delusion

Balance of Yin and Yang

Continuing from
....What is your current position on how well you are controlling or not controlling your life? Why is it important to you? These discerning questions are
meant to corner you so you can begin to see. See what? Who you really are behind the veil of your mind made illusion you wear, show off and are deeply in love with. You think you have some special skills or powers that others envy or desire. You imagine yourself to be a leader of some sort in your crew or walled-in world you have manifested. You think your are somehow real. You set all kinds of wicked records and high marks at school, at the office at your mosque at your synagogue at the course, in the game, at the strip club. Look What I Can Do! Young and old alike drunk on showing off their mettle, prowess or gifts and how they shine so, so brightly. Smoke.


Ready or not, here it comes, you can't hide. From the depths of the fire.


Who Am I? Answer that honestly without your mind as a tool to figure it out. Sit quietly, get still and ask this until you can't hear the chatter of your mind respond with its facade of concepts that veils your true self. Gonna find you and take it slowly. There is a very sobering yet beautiful explanation from
that illustrates a pivotal point of this encounter with the self, the inquiry of the self and what is found at last. Beautiful quote there that states: “May you never find what it is you think you are seeking, but rediscover instead the eternal presence of your own absence.”

Ready or not, here it comes, you can't hide. Gonna find you and make you want me.


As we looked at last time, t
he mind as a tool is very good at trying to control as many factors about our life as possible. It is useful, practical and healthy. Factors such as weather conditions, behaviors of others and natural disasters cannot be directly controlled by the mind. What the mind's idea of control means to each individual is different, but the same across all beings and cultures. The “Who Am I” inquiry helps peel back the layer of who you are, who you think others think you are. Find out the one who sees.


From the depths of the fire. Gonna find you and take it slowly. Then one can see the lotus land without leaving a ripple on the surface.


This zenrin poetry is on it:

For long years a bird in a cage,Today, flying along with the clouds.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Apparent Loss of Control

ControllingYourself

Losing control is so bad, right? Being past the point of comfort and far away from your normal center in public can be scary and panic laden for some. Loss of control in any form in public, in your private moments, among friends or competition is usually avoided as one of those thought patterns that take away our ease, our 'Me'. Who would we be if we didn't care enough, didn't control how we acted or were perceived? How will others see us if we lose control? Weak? Stupid? Non-professional? Less than? Foolish and capricious?

What about losing control of attachments? Attachments that tend to own more of who you are than what is owned. Still bad? Losing the control of the impulse to add to things and thoughts to the idea we have of our self to amplify that self.


Wanting, desiring, searching for what might better serve our selves in the future is a constant pastime for most folks simply trying to make a better life, a better future, a better illusion. What gave you the idea that you were not complete and needed these things you seek? There is no judgement involved in these questions, rather just a start of an inquiry that may assist in defining in a more real capacity of who you really are in relation to what is or not is in control in your life. 

This is a low grade intellectual exercise, but there is a deeper component to this path if carried out as a personal inquiry. A bit more on that later. For now, what is your connection to control in your life? Beyond the obvious and necessary control events needed to function and maintain health and safety for all involved, the need or desire to control beyond these stages bear further examination. The examination can be helpful in freeing up some blocked chunk that put a veil over why you are actually trying to control objects, others, time and needing to be viewed and understood a certain way to fulfill the ego.

The questioning about what place control has in your life can answer many questions about you connection to purpose and life. What am I trying to control? Why Am I doing it? What am I gaining or losing from controlling or suppressing stuff and urges and others?

The mind as a tool is very good at trying to control as many factors about our life as possible. It is useful, practical and healthy. Factors such as weather conditions, behaviours of others and natural disasters cannot be directly controlled by the mind. What the mind's idea of control means to each individual is different, but the same across all beings and cultures. What the mind will do is process a storm of thoughts which produce the lightening and heat of emotions that make us believe we can control the situations by making us 'feel' one way toward them.

For example, you are planning to golf Saturday, but the weather changes and your car breaks down on the highway in the pouring rain on the way to the golf course. Can't change the weather can you? But the mind will still try to exert control by making your emotions label the situation or yourself as angry, victim, a cosmic joke, abandoned, etc. If you allow yourself to follow the emotion, you will regain control over the situation through an emotional, thought-based reaction. Now you are angry or sulking or feeling abandoned by the universe because you didn't get your wish of playing golf in the sunshine. But you 'feel' closer to 'Me' as the role of the angry victim whom no one understands. Boo hoo, but it's not the
real
you. All that happened is that circumstance, cause and effect has taken place in the physical causing your apparent loss of control in the situation. This existed in the mind as your 'Me' gloriously flailing in the golden sunshine and deep admiration of your friends on a perfect Saturday playing a championship round of golf. Now it has changed and you are waiting by the side of the road for a tow to a service station and a hit on your wallet, and you're catching a cold.


There is a further, very personal exercise of inquiring about the 'Me' and who that really is - and it is not a mental exercise. This inquiry involves a real dedication to finding out who exists behind the eyes that see out into the perceived world. The inquiry has a way of showing how and why you think you are separate from others and why you think 'Me' is real because you have a name, SS# and a heartbeat. We can explore this more in depth in a future post. In the meantime, what is your current position on how well you are controlling or not controlling your life? Why is it important to you?


One Love


Monday, October 6, 2008

All Ever Is

Bidi_Cigarette

Looking at Wikipedia from another site for a reference about an Indian guru-type guy who was a shopkeeper in Bombay, India. He sold
cigarettes (also spelled Beedi) which are hand rolled tobacco cigarettes in a leaf. He was like a regular family man and he had this unique experience where he saw he was one with the universe. Such a beautiful life/mystery lesson. I read more about him and through reading the poem came up. Just what I was feeling after reading stuff at the
Love it- In his photos, he has this piercing gaze, but apparently, he was full of love and wisdom. Photo of the bidi is courtesy of
- Many thanks!







Poem Alert!

All Ever Is

Bidi cigarettes from the small shop

in the alleyway

Old Bombay

1948


The universe delivering

the unmanifested

to the all through

the little man, itself


upstairs in a room

over the small shop

up stairs to heaven

out within consciousness


Who is this ever?

Why, all ever is

Even from before, he speaks

I am That

_ _ _ _ _

One Love




Friday, October 3, 2008

A Feather of Fire

Feather

Chasing truth is like chasing the touch of a feather in the wind. You are aware of the feather but grasping it is not easy. The feather's presence lets you know something is there, like the truth of something in the back of your mind when you confront a decision. For example, you want to go into a business venture with a person your friend recommends, but in the back of your consciousness, you hear “Don't get near that.” That feather is tickling you. It's there, but it can blow away again if not grasped immediately letting you make a decision that may be an ugly one. The choice to accept and surrender to the truth is there as is the choice to go the opposite way and do what you desire.

The truth, connected to your higher intuition will not be false. It may be tough to accommodate in your life, but it will always be what it is. If the truth is acknowledged, the light feather touch responded to, allowed to settle, absorb and grow from inside, it becomes something else. Fire. The fire of the truth once emanating from you fully burns away all pretense from the moment and the situation. No need to get burned as you can simply not acknowledge or accept it. Operate from it and the fire arises. All this amazing life power from a single conscious acceptance. Like Bob Marley's album sublimely titled '
”, the truth will always ever be what it is, now and everlasting. Allowing it to be with you in the same place of life at the same time and it will elevate and liberate. Don't tie the outcome to a personal concept of the truth or resist what it brings as if to label good or bad. Observe it from some objective space and see what really is there.


One Love

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Of First Cause and Origination

Fall Leaf

As this part of the Southeastern US dances into Autumn, morning walks reveal more of the majesty in the air and upon the earth. The spectacular changes in the sunlight based on the planet's gentle tilt makes this deeply invigorating time of year even more inspiring. As the earth's revolution around the sun dwindles the amount of chlorophyll in leaves, we are left with the majesty of color presented to us in nature. The wind sings a September song, the leaves fall to the ground.

The automatic changing of seasons and in particular, Autumn, needs no decree, law, administration or act of Congress to occur. There are no captains of men, leaders or enlightened beings granting authority or passage. There are no efforts by neighbors or countrymen to hasten or detain autumn's arrival. There are no advancements in discovery to retain it when it is time for winter's reign. The seasons, as part of nature's grand display of life before us are of first cause and origination. Autumn is beyond yet accessible to each of us, an equal blessing for great or small, rich or poor, man or beast. At a time when the factories of the trees are laying off their green work force and at a time of change, there is a burst of still beauty working that brings us back to a closer understanding of our nature.


Hopefully, this fall you will make the time to reacquaint yourself with the secrets of your youth, your life and your nature. A little introspection, inquiry and meditation on the magnificence of this incredible spectacle we call Autumn can bring more love, more life and more unity.


One Love


Monday, September 22, 2008

Clock Time

In a recent post on CNET's Crave, an article on
unveiling of a timepiece at Cambridge University provoked some contemplation about time and its impact on our lives. The brilliant theoretical physicist and cosmologist has given us a lot to ponder over the years with unforgettable works such as "
" and theorems about black holes and relativity. Hawking's unveiling of the
features the work of John C. Taylor and his uniquely composed device that is a reminder of ephemeral time. The face of the mechanical clock depicts time as a wave emanating from the center of the universe. Taylor's Corpus Clock is meant to inspire contemplation about relative time. It is a magnificent piece of art and craftsmanship which fulfills its duty most wonderfully. A response that arose after viewing the article is below, also included as a comment to the articles original posting:

There is no "time" but the present moment. The concept of time is mind-made and a wonderful swirl of hawking experiential awareness, however clock time is a biological orientation. Timelessness is what the being, of human being is rooted in. Timelessness is not somber, happy, or anything, it just is. One's choice to be somber is again, conceived in the mind or mind-made. It is a mental image we have of our 'self'. That, of course can be any emotion or thought based from what we choose to be aligned with in the present moment. The present moment is all we ever really have.
contains no self to be somber or otherwise. It is, however, a sense of aliveness and being-ness that we all have when we are born because we came from that. Seriousness and somberness are not what everyone seeks. Seeking joy, love, peace, stillness and awareness will bring a lot of answers about timelessness and time without a somber nature or a feeling of loss.

Recommend reading about Stephen Hawking as he is an amazing and inspiring man who has overcome the odds.

How do you view time in relation to our lives? How does clock time equate to timelessness in your life? Do you think you are actually your true chronological age?




Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Infections and Other Wonders

Bugs_Bacteria

Since having the lymph nodes removed on the
The area is subject to infections. An article on the neck dissection, or, removal of lymph nodes can be
. The lymph nodes are used in the body to fight infections. Since the ones on the right side are on permanent vacation, infections seem to schwack the healthy ones on a regular basis. A general weakening since the head and neck cancer treatment is being dealt with on the daily. There is a general article on head and neck cancer found by
.


So far,the Amoxicillin (
Amoxicillin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin.
) that was warding off the insurgent bugs has not been effective in fighting a new infection that has taken up residence in the former lymphnodeville. The new prescription is a really foul-tasting pill that is in the clindamyacin /generic Cleosin family of antibiotics. The swelling infection is slowly responding, so hope to be more active next week and get back to more creative pursuits.

The weather here in Atlanta has been conducive to bugs in that we are 'tween seasons. It is still very humid and warm with our 6 million residents generally applying their very own incarnations of bug juice to most public surfaces with aplomb. The race is on between bugz and anti-bugz. Looks like Cleo will have work cut out for it.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

A Sense of Order

SwirlPic

At times, there is a sense that we are out of step with life and seem to be unattached to anything but impermanence. The feeling of being out of sync with life going on all around is one many people have. Not such a bad thing as it can lead to some good self inquiry and may produce BS or truth that can be useful for sorting out.

Seems that the love and caring of another slows the world down and brings one back into the moment. Love does. The fact that one may have the love, concern and caring of another puts the wide world into a sense of order.

Had this poem about getting to this moment's treasure.


Arc one dream

to the work

and parallel destiny

to breath



One Love

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Closer

CloserSymbology

Closer
is an observation on the present where past and future are oriented in the ongoing play of the mind. The poem is below in the video- click to play. Send along your thoughts by clicking 'Comments' link below.


Closer from Psiplex on Vimeo.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Cuzigo

EgoMan

My story, a devotion to my entitlement. Cuzigo where I will. I will be more, feel more, want more, need more. Cuzigo faster, stronger, longer and where u won't. Cuzigo the distance of learning, experiencing, conquering, owning, bettering, always better, will be better. I have educated myself beyond average fools.

Cuzigo where I will n' you won't follow, can't keep up, so go into your corner, this my section-mine. MyLife, this complete understanding of past and future Cuzigo where my gut tells me. You? Really? Just watch and learn CuzIgo international and full throttle. Cuzigo past your weak-ass structures. I can hack your life. Pow! Pnwd! I can't be bothered Cuzigo to a spot where my promotion causes commotion. MyLife, MyLife, MyLife in the sunshine, Cuzigo to the top. Mastery, blasphemy and new rules, Pattern me? Cuzigo personal on you, cuz. I ain't finished, why you walkin' away? Don't judge me, fool.


Met a
Cuzigo
on your journey? Work with one? Live next to one? Avoiding being one? What?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Half

Sky_Grass

The poem that is '
Half
' came about as 2 sections. The first 3 verse sets were almost instantaneous with the words laying in place without the need for an author. The last portion was after coming back to the piece amidst playtime with my beautiful 4 year old Godson. In other words, plenty loud!

Half
is about moments and intentions which are thought objects in the dream of the mind. The 'me' is always trying to analyze and project moments and intentions through the mind. The
of our being acting from the present moment has no need of means that would separate us in the form of duality.

Click to view the clip. Send along your responses – all are welcome.


One Love



Half from Psiplex on Vimeo

Saturday, August 30, 2008

It Was Morning in the Universe

MorningClouds

Grateful to get up and see everything working. Just as it is, perfect in this moment. The sense of gratefulness spreads to well being and allows the creative spark to flow into our consciousness and begin to manifest itself. No agenda, no work order, no specific circumstance, no effort.


Effortless creating is a state of being that can only exist when there is no conflict or questioning. The being aligns with possibilities and the self, when ego gets out of the way. This doesn't mean passion or intensity is diminished or restrained. In fact, one can be more passionate, focused and intense when the mind is not running movies about what should be and shouldn't be. The right color combinations, the right language construct, the right paradiddle or pirouette doesn't exist. The palette isn't limited, the source-unlimited. The journey of staying creative and
is up to you.

Right, wrong, deserving or not, the creative spark aligns with those who align themselves with it. Finding 'it' is the journey and sometimes the meaning. It can't be forced, ordered or willed by any construct of the mind. Although the mind is engaged,it is the limitless and timeless portion of the being operating in alignment with the creative. The mind merely translates the mechanics to the body.


Is this correct? Can you will yourself to be creative or is there a component of inspiration and the divine that must be congruent for creativity to express itself?

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A Stillness in August

RainOnLeavesAtlanta

With the remnants of hurricane Fay sloshing through Atlanta the last two days, there was a chance to get out between torrents to get a nice, peaceful walk. The rain had left a lot of beauty behind on its trek through Georgia. The phone cam snap of a clutch of leaves left me with a peaceful feeling about the calm within the storm. The
is welcome.

The snap went to e-mail then into Adobe Illustrator. The colors were so earthy and full of life, the background was samples from them and the other tones likewise. The effects, sketch, 'sumi' setting gave the vectorized pic a softer look. Clicking on the smaller thumbnail will show a larger version. Would like to see what you think.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Good Morning Cells!

ThanksCells

Rising from a night's sleep, the body automatically kicks off the process of changing gears to meet the day. Once you are vertical,the rest just kind of happens. Body auto pilot is a good thing. Just want to say thanks to all the cells who supported me - good job. Hunt down some coffee or your favorite morning beverage and you're good.



Having an “attitude of gratitude” will focus the mind off of problems and into a more positive space for creativity and connectivity. Positive energy from within you creates a space for others to move freely without conflict. Try it out on your most grumpiest co-worker or family member. They may be their usual gruff selves, but they won't be in contention with you when you are in the present moment with a positive vibe. Your 'tude is your responsibility. Just being grateful for a few things each day (your breathing, your blood flowing, your awareness) is a good start. Just by providing a space for others to interact with you, without conflict is a gift you can give each day.

A big shout out to all my cells out there, mitosis baby!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Steam

SteamFromKettle

Pondering on the amazing things that come up from synchronicity – all the people who appear in our lives at just the right time. Sometimes some are like the oven which warms the kettle. Some are like the kettle that holds the water. Some are like the steam that appears when the kettle is hot. Some are more permanent and some teach us more while they are here for a short while.

More Love, More Life, More Unity

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Walls, Flaws and Treasures

WallsFlawsTreasures

On a morning walk, I passed a tree with a beautiful brown texture as the bark had peeled off. Behind the tree was a pale green wall. The contrast was striking as the early morning light illuminated the area. With only my crappy cell phone camera – really low resolution, I took the snap and kept walking. When I sent the image to the computer, I was surprised to see how the image had turned out. The image had an almost painterly effect from the lighting and low imaging. This, in turn, instantly inspired me to put this short clip together. I was already meditating on life purpose and finding it in what we do when the photo changed everything. Composed in Apple Keynote, then ported to GarageBand and saved out as a Quicktime file, it was uploaded to Vimeo and embedded here to share. The whole spontaneity of the event was so quick, but it all came together nicely.
Click to view the clip.





Short clip on life purpose and the purpose you find in life. Walls, Flaws and Treasures are essentially obstacles that teach us about what is really important. The treasures we have are connected to the family, friends and loved ones we have and not to what we own or our titles.


Would appreciate your comments and take on 'Walls, Flaws and Treasures'.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Connecting Perspective

Needing a ride to pick up a prescription, I called my brother from another mother, Miron, to give me a lift. Although we were born about 8,000 miles apart, Miron has my back all the time. While expertly weaving in dense Atlanta traffic at rush hour, and with a concerned look on his face, Miron turned to me and said “Dude, no offense, but people who have had a near-death experience seem to have a different way of looking at life. You don't care about certain things anymore, right?” he asked. Wishing to oblige him with a reply worthy of his question, I replied “ Well, I am glad to be alive, that's for sure. Everyday is like a bonus and I always find ways to be grateful, the clouds are miracles, even the asphalt is a miracle. I really don't have any need for a title or ownership of one and what I once thought valuable and impressive doesn't mean anything to me anymore. What's important is the treasure we have in friends and loved ones. People who like you the same whether you are up or down, or if you dress badly- it doesn't matter, they like you regardless.”

Not sure if Miron understood my comment about the asphalt being a miracle, but the conversation lead me to think about why life is different after a close call. Truly, there are things that just don't matter anymore. If it isn't based in love or sincerity from the heart, it is superficial and meant to please the ego. Family, friends and loved ones have a direct channel to each other and operate on the same frequency. We treat one another as we like to be treated and don't have anything to prove or one up each other. We connect on a level that is at ease and free of conflict and resistance. There is always a space for them within ourselves, we are always present for them and enjoy listening to them as much as talking with them. We accept each other for who we are unconditionally. We treat each other the same year after year and genuinely care about the other as we care about ourselves. This is our treasure on earth. Gotta say thanks to my buddy for giving me this connecting perspective. If you have an opinion about friends and our true treasure, please share it in the comment section.

Have a great weekend!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Aging and Creativity

More gray creeping in at the sides and more width in the middle, more to do and less time to do it with. The sun's coming round to come up behind you again. There's no fighting it- you are losing your race with time. Your creative bursts are a little bit further apart but still potent, it's just that you can never seem to get enough rest to get fully powered. The kids are into more things, your older parents need you more now than ever.

Pretty soon, you'll be the oldest guy/gal at the club, the old guard. What will you do with this new reality? Does wisdom and life experience in creative pursuits 'fill in' where less physical energy is present? Please take a moment and answer this question about aging and creativity.

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