Remembrance

Did you ever feel like you didn’t know who you are?

Like what you did know about yourself was this superficial part?

You know that you are, and you know who you are supposed to be.

But who are you?

Well I have spent eternity seeking the answer.

And I have found out.

You are the universe waking up.

Countless lives, scenarios, events, happenings. An infinite number of relatives, friends, families.

So many costumes, so many different faces. All sharing the same thing.

Yet this thing, as obvious as it is to you is just slightly out of reach.

You have a vague idea, a hunch, a concept in you mind of what that is. You might even call it a feeling.

But you can’t comprehend it. Well, don’t try! Trust me when I say that You will never be able to.              Not in this form, not in this way.

There is a timeless tale about a castle, floating through the clouds. Everybody could see it, but no one would ever come down from there. Once, a young man dedicated his life to go to that castle. He became a legend because he had succeeded. After an entire lifetime he got up there and waved at the people that looked up. They saw him and they knew that you can get there. But how?

One day, an old mad appeared in the town. It was the old man who for years would wave and smile kindly to all the towns people. He would wave from the castle in the clouds.

“How?” they asked as a crowd gathered around him

“How did you get there? What way leads to that castle?”

The old man smiled and said “There is no way. There is no how.”

And with this saying he disappeared in a blinding flash of shining white light.

You seek remembrance, you seek enlightenment . You want to know all the hows? Whys? And whos?

But you don’t have a clue, and yet, you know. Yes, I will state that again: You know.

You seek happiness, you know why you are not happy. You may even know how remove the obstacles that keep you from being happy. You see people, going about their lives without ever realizing that there is another way. That they have happiness in their hearts but they have forgotten they have a heart.                 You see people trying to systematically calculate and integrate the way to happiness, mostly with no success. And you will see a few people, at least one person, who just lives.

If you look around, in silence. Not seeking anything or trying to prove anything. Just observing, you will see that the Whys? Whos? And hows? Are numerous. You will see that there are infinite schools of enlightenment and happiness. But if you go to those schools, find the masters and take their method away from them. How many will be able to be happy still? Without rituals, without the “Understanding”.

Those who truly live see that all the answers are in existence itself. There is no need to translate, you just need to learn the language. Or more precisely, to remember {:

So if you want enlightenment, just lighten up!

Science is the abstraction of reality through the brain

The human brain is a magnificent tool, it accomplishes many amazing things by breaking things into smaller pieces for them to be more easily understood. However, when we view reality through the brain there is an abstraction process that data goes through since the brain functions in that manner.
Let us think about an example of that process:

Scientists (who are pioneers of abstracting reality through the brain tool) try to explain to a person who has never seen an elephant, what an elephant is. They describe to him the height, color and many more visual impressions, they can also mention the biological data about the elephant and the genetics of the elephant.
Now, all of those descriptions come from the brain and are a product of the logical process which the brain operates on. When that person actually sees an elephant and experiences it (vision, smell, touch etc) that experience, could never be explained by the brain. The texture of the elephant's skin may be describes as rugged but the texture of crocodile skin and armadillo skin also fall into that category, but they are not the same experience.

In the same manner for many people their brain is constantly limiting their view of reality, by identifying themselves with their brain chatter they become trapped in the abstraction that the brain puts out into their consciousness.
The brain tried to understand reality by division, compartmentalization and definition. The reality that we live in, however, is a giant fractal. The logic may break down an object to smaller particles, but those particles may be broken down as well. This process goes to infinity, thus the brain can never truly "Get to the bottom of it".

In various meditation techniques the goal is to let go of the brain chatter and to experience reality as it is, without the logical tools of analysis abstracting it. A similar event happens when people watch something like a sunset, a beautiful flower, their child or a majestic mountain.

A very good tool for detachment from the abstraction is to remember a time when you experienced the moment and bring back that feeling to your present moment, whatever it may be.

So as said in many forms, many times before
Think less, feel more.

Monsanto's At It Again

By: Renwick Miller

Frankenfoods and the Sequester Shuffle

So this latest round of fiscal prestidigitation...  Errr, "sequestration",  from Washington  is doing what it's done so well for so many years:  Scaring the shit out of us by waving a paper tiger with one hand, while opening the cage divider between us and a streak (group) of rabid, hungry, real Bengal tigers with the other.

One of the big cats in this show is none other than Monsanto (Surpriiise!), sneaking in on us through a  $700 million hole in the USDA's proposed fy 2013 budget  that effectively loosens regulation on GMO products from giants like Monsanto while simultaneously cutting subsides to small farms and farmers, arguably crippling, if not eliminating competition to, thereby increasing profits for, giant agribusiness.

For you clicktivists reading, there's a petition circulating courtesy of care2.com.  According to Care2.com contributor / author Kit B.:

"The Senate has included some very harmful amendments for our food and farmers in the budget they are considering for 2013. Specifically, these amendments would limit the oversight of controversial genetically engineered crops and prevent enforcement of contract fairness provisions for family farmers. 

The need to keep the government running is not an excuse to undermine consumer and farmer protections. "

As of this writing, I've seen no documented proof of the legislation's ties to any one company, but knowing that Monsanto's former V.P. for Public Policy, Michael R. Taylor is now the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Foods kinda leads the mind in some directions, especially considering that part of the mission of this FDA post born in 2009 is to;

"Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty regulation!"

• develop and carry out a prevention-based strategy for food safety,
• plan for new food safety legislation.

No, I'm not shitting you, check the FDA website.  This sort of chutzpah has to happen organically (pardon the pun), I sure as hell couldn't make it up.

A Little History 

Personally, I'm chomping at the bit to see the web of Monsanto connections that leads to these sorts of fiascoes.  It seems a long and storied tradition, the  link between Big Ag and our regulatory bodies, with simple a Google search  for 'monsanto links to usda and fda' turning up a plethora of names, reporting and accusations going as far back as the Reagan administration FDA's approval of  the sugary-sweet neurotoxin Aspartame, with none other than Donald "Rummy" Rumsfeld (then chairman of G.D. Searle & Company) himself spearheading that effort.  See the complete article at Rense.com;  How Aspartame Became Legal - The Timeline.

A more recent article from the blog Dregs Of The Future cites a points of convergence infographic provided courtesy of the natural health website Mercola.com, which lists individual names and their titles as both Monsanto and FDA employees, respectively.

I think it no small coincidence that this looks like a butt.

Wow.

If you've got an idea as to courses of action, reasons for hope, or ideas on how the hell we're going to explain to our grand-kids our lack of fingers on the back of our necks:  "Is that an 'old people' thing, gram'ma?  When did you lose your neck-fingers?"  please post them below.  PLEASE.  Meanwhile, I'm going to finish stuffing my face with chili-cheese & whipped cream flavored corn chips.  Comfort food makes me feel safe.


Reprinted with permission of  fÜdGood! and Renwick Miller

What if Money Didn't Matter?

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!

A great speech, and with a little imagination, it applies to a wide range of current circumstances. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775-

     No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
     This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
     Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
     I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.
     I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.
     And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? 

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!
In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!
     They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? 

Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
     Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!
     Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
     It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, Peace" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! 

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Night

Corruption of corporations.
Governments bent on annihilation.
Power was founded on the backs of the people, 
only people don't matter anymore, 
because now power is only built 
on the ability to declare war.
The dollar is nothing more than a theory or a dream, 
and every single bank is running a different scheme. 
The land of the free is full of prisons and laws. 
Rights are being banned for a "noble" cause. 
We are catalyzed, and ready for action. 
The world is poised for a global reaction. 
We all stand on the edge of the night 
waiting for the burn of daylight. 
Then the sky full of flame 
will shine a light on our new day. 
Who will win
who will lose? 
What ideas 
will you pick and choose? 
Can their be a winner in this fight at all? 
When we slaughter each other,
Doesn't humanity fall? 
With that fall, 
no matter how bright, 
will we ever really see the end 
of our self-imposed night?

LYNX, Grain of Sand

We are shifting as a single grain of sand. 

On this long forgotten desert land. 

And I think. 

If we just got, a single drop to drink 

then this whole place would turn over night.

 Would turn green. 

Do you have any idea what I mean. 

Purple flowers crack breaks through the pavement and grows 

Beams over the cannons tell me

What does the light show 

Desert plains transform 

By an unknown green thumb 

When did it begin and will it ever be done 

If you listen to the stories 

You know that natures always one 

Always one 

transfer information, 

Transformation 

There's absolutely no limitation 

It's on the brink it's gonna make you think 

It's out of control 

One thought comes from nothing but

To say that in fact came from everything 

In a way a lone tree 

A long dream an oasis 

and awake in the possibility of 

This place we call today 

We are shifting as a single grain of sand. 

On this long forgotten desert land. 

And I think. 

If we just got, a single drop to drink 

then this whole place would turn over night.

 Would turn green. 

Do you have any idea what I mean. 

LYNX, Grain of Sand