It is snowing very lightly. We have been hoping for snow. We need at least four inches to protect the ground when it gets below zero. In the last open Winter we lost a few shrubs and several perennials that were not quite hardy enough for the conditions. I, also, like the snow for aesthetic reasons, even though, I have a driveway as long as a city block.
We are, also, waiting for 2012 and what that will bring. Many of us who read the Edgar Cayce prophecies and the many, many books about a pole shift, expected significant Earth changes to accompany the end of the millennium. However, many pointed out that the changes were synchronistic with our consciousness and the severity would diminish as our eyes opened. I generally take the position, "let's see what happens". I didn't particularly like the idea of man starting completely over again to see if he could "get it" this time. That seemed to be a likely scenario. It didn't appear, until recently, that we learned enough to prevent our near elimination.
I sense now that many people are waking up and those prophecies can be seen differently. Instead of a geological polar shift; think in terms of a consciousness polar shift. Instead of being betoken to the dark and ruled by the ego; imagine us following the light. Imagine us being able to make the choice to give up fear-based thought forever. That has always been our option; but now, many, many people are able to see the choice. This has created much upheaval in the world. Those who use fear to control the population don't like losing their grip. But they have! It is all over but the squawking.
In the coming days there will be more than squawking. There will be many attempts made to reinstate control of the people. Beware of all attempts to create conflict. Don't believe any news source that attempts to demonize any group. Take the position that all are worthy and deserving of love; period. Don't allow any dilution of this idea. Understand there is no justification for any type of warfare. That time is over.
Our institutions that promote divisiveness, will change or dissolve. The transition won't be smooth, but it will be certain and you will be able to recognize its certainty. The first thing to go will be our financial system. We must be prepared to help each other. It has to be the first to go because of what it represents. It has been the lynchpin of the Old World. It is symptomatic of our abandonment of love for money. You can see why the financial system must be the first to collapse.
Look to the New Year for the rapid changes that lead to our New World. Keep your mind focused on the world that you desire; a world created by unconditional love.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS
We, mankind, have been celebrating this season for 10,000 years, that we know of, and probably much, much longer.
So, whether you celebrate The Return of the Sun or The return of the Son; I wish you a very glorious, joyful and peaceful season.
Peace will soon reign on the Earth as each of us discovers the Peace in our hearts, which is natural to us, and it shall spill over on each other. Love and Peace are our rightful heritage. We can experience it now.
Love and Peace, Gregg
So, whether you celebrate The Return of the Sun or The return of the Son; I wish you a very glorious, joyful and peaceful season.
Peace will soon reign on the Earth as each of us discovers the Peace in our hearts, which is natural to us, and it shall spill over on each other. Love and Peace are our rightful heritage. We can experience it now.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Friday, December 23, 2011
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
It was snowing when I got up. We have about an inch of snow on the ground, just in time for the Holidays. I am a little late getting started this morning. I was about an hour late with my chores and I just put my dishes on to soak. I have no idea what I am going to blog about. Hopefully, something will come to me.
Since my last letter, I have been struggling with the idea of belief. I don't admit to believing anything. I want to be a person who accepts things out of knowing. However, "knowing" while living on this earth is largely illusory. What can we really know? We gather enough evidence from repeated experience that we come to expect 'a repetition of events' and thus make conclusions. Is that knowledge? Then there is what we know intuitively. It feels so right, it must be true. That, too, can be supported by experience.
I realize that I accept many things as true when I have no proof. Is that what belief is? One of those things is the idea of ONENESS. It can be expressed as "God is One"; "Mankind is One"; "All are One". You understand the idea. What you do to others you do to yourself etc. etc. The idea and the realization or, perhaps we should say, the experience, are two different things.
Somewhere along my path, through reading, meditation, etc. I came to accept, wholly, this concept. It makes complete sense to me. I have no doubt about its truth. Yet what would I say to a skeptic? The knowing is an internal, intuitive process. I feel like I know it. Have I experienced it? Not completely enough to convince a doubter. In fact sometimes the battle wages inside myself. It is not that I doubt it. It just that when I am in a low place, it seems that the realization of Oneness is a joke.
Yet the concept has tremendous value as an idea for our personal growth and relations with others. Believing that what you do, think, and say to others is what you are doing, saying, and thinking about yourself is a powerful idea. I have long since seen it operate in my life. I see how my judgements of others reflects my feelings about myself. When I attack another person {usually my wife} I can see how I first attacked myself and then out pictured it. We can't tolerate attacking ourselves: the first convenient target will do. It is usually a loved one. We are usually kinder to strangers.
So, you can see how believing "All is One" will improve all our relationships; whether they be personal, international, business or what have you.
Oneness as applied to the Earth and all its creatures is a concept that, I hope, all will soon embrace. Can you imagine the change that will occur when we treat the Earth and all its denizens the way we want to be treated? Think of the Earth as a living thing; a wholeness with a consciousness like ours. Imagine this consciousness communicates as we do. Our bodies are part of the Earth as the trees and grasses are. In some way, all beings belonging to the Earth must be, now, in communication with each other. We just need to listen.
I guess I do experience "Oneness" as truth. More on this later. I have got to wash my dishes. Have a Happy Holiday! A Merry Christmas! Or a Happy Festivus [Seinfeld]
I plan a short blog on Christmas Eve or Christmas.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Since my last letter, I have been struggling with the idea of belief. I don't admit to believing anything. I want to be a person who accepts things out of knowing. However, "knowing" while living on this earth is largely illusory. What can we really know? We gather enough evidence from repeated experience that we come to expect 'a repetition of events' and thus make conclusions. Is that knowledge? Then there is what we know intuitively. It feels so right, it must be true. That, too, can be supported by experience.
I realize that I accept many things as true when I have no proof. Is that what belief is? One of those things is the idea of ONENESS. It can be expressed as "God is One"; "Mankind is One"; "All are One". You understand the idea. What you do to others you do to yourself etc. etc. The idea and the realization or, perhaps we should say, the experience, are two different things.
Somewhere along my path, through reading, meditation, etc. I came to accept, wholly, this concept. It makes complete sense to me. I have no doubt about its truth. Yet what would I say to a skeptic? The knowing is an internal, intuitive process. I feel like I know it. Have I experienced it? Not completely enough to convince a doubter. In fact sometimes the battle wages inside myself. It is not that I doubt it. It just that when I am in a low place, it seems that the realization of Oneness is a joke.
Yet the concept has tremendous value as an idea for our personal growth and relations with others. Believing that what you do, think, and say to others is what you are doing, saying, and thinking about yourself is a powerful idea. I have long since seen it operate in my life. I see how my judgements of others reflects my feelings about myself. When I attack another person {usually my wife} I can see how I first attacked myself and then out pictured it. We can't tolerate attacking ourselves: the first convenient target will do. It is usually a loved one. We are usually kinder to strangers.
So, you can see how believing "All is One" will improve all our relationships; whether they be personal, international, business or what have you.
Oneness as applied to the Earth and all its creatures is a concept that, I hope, all will soon embrace. Can you imagine the change that will occur when we treat the Earth and all its denizens the way we want to be treated? Think of the Earth as a living thing; a wholeness with a consciousness like ours. Imagine this consciousness communicates as we do. Our bodies are part of the Earth as the trees and grasses are. In some way, all beings belonging to the Earth must be, now, in communication with each other. We just need to listen.
I guess I do experience "Oneness" as truth. More on this later. I have got to wash my dishes. Have a Happy Holiday! A Merry Christmas! Or a Happy Festivus [Seinfeld]
I plan a short blog on Christmas Eve or Christmas.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
GOD ATHEISM AND RELIGION
I would have blogged yesterday but I was flat on my back with a flu bug. Saturday we had a party for Elijah's fourth birthday. One or more of those little guest was a carrier. We all suffered some degree of gastrointestinal difficulty. For me, that part was minimal; I was just laid out. I was able to do my chores but I spent about twenty of twenty-four hours laying down. Today, I am much better.
Saturday night we attended a Solstice Party. It was great. We had a wonderful time. A conversation I had leads to this blogs discussion.
The question comes up; why God? What is behind the question? I can't get into the minds of all atheist, but as a one time atheist myself, I have some insight. Many are reacting to the punitive and illogical experience of religion and they have not reached the point of realizing there is little connection between God and religion.
Religion is always a man-made institution used to control the population. Since they are often based on a genuine "Teacher of God" they may carry some truth and there certainly are serious seekers among the adherents. I perceive the truth in the worlds major religions.
Religion as an institution has been used to control people in many ways. It often teaches us that body function are evil; that being in a body is an inherently negative thing. That God will punish you for wrongdoing. Not only punish you, but send you to hell for all eternity. Then they say, that the only way you can be saved, from this fate, is to adhere to their particular beliefs. If you are a sensitive soul, what refuge would you have besides atheism?
On top of this, religion purports God to be all loving and all forgiving. Huh, how does that fit with the paragraph above? I know there are religious group who base their beliefs only on Christ teaching and avoid the worst of these problems; but, even then guilt finds its way into the system.
One thing we need to realize is God did not make religion. The great spiritual teachers did not found any religions. They tried to teach us to love one another. That this life on Earth was largely illusionary and could be what we wanted it to be. They tried to express its transient nature and that we were eternal beings only having a brief sojourn on Earth.
I do not see how the logical mind can prove or disprove the existence of God. When I was an atheist I could not comprehend how people could believe that ethical behavior arose from religious belief. In my experience the most ethical people were the ones who were more apt to question the legitimacy of religion. Now, as I can view it from both sides, I don't think the question is relevant. We all carry the truth inside us {again a major teaching of the great ones}; we don't need religion to tell us what is right or wrong. We do know.
We will not solve the problem of the existence of God in the logical mind. At least not yet. We can pile up evidence on both sides, but never enough to overcome whatever your convictions are now. And why does it matter? If God doesn't exist; He/She isn't. If God does exist; He/She isn't concerned about your conclusions, because God is Unconditional Love and only wants what is best for you.
The logical mind is hopeless in solving the question of the existence of God. It is not a matter of belief, it is a matter of discovery. There is no need to believe in something you haven't discovered yet. If there is validity in the left brain/right brain dichotomy; it is definitely a right brained function. It is led by your intuition. Begin by asking yourself, "Who am I" "What am I doing here" "Do I have a purpose" As you can ask these question, without your logical mind kicking in, you will get answers. Over the centuries, meditation has been the commonest and most useful tool in seeking answers.
Using the word God can, itself, be a problem for some. Great Spirit, All There is, Unconditional Love, The Great Void, The Silence and many other words attempt to express the unexpressible.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Saturday night we attended a Solstice Party. It was great. We had a wonderful time. A conversation I had leads to this blogs discussion.
The question comes up; why God? What is behind the question? I can't get into the minds of all atheist, but as a one time atheist myself, I have some insight. Many are reacting to the punitive and illogical experience of religion and they have not reached the point of realizing there is little connection between God and religion.
Religion is always a man-made institution used to control the population. Since they are often based on a genuine "Teacher of God" they may carry some truth and there certainly are serious seekers among the adherents. I perceive the truth in the worlds major religions.
Religion as an institution has been used to control people in many ways. It often teaches us that body function are evil; that being in a body is an inherently negative thing. That God will punish you for wrongdoing. Not only punish you, but send you to hell for all eternity. Then they say, that the only way you can be saved, from this fate, is to adhere to their particular beliefs. If you are a sensitive soul, what refuge would you have besides atheism?
On top of this, religion purports God to be all loving and all forgiving. Huh, how does that fit with the paragraph above? I know there are religious group who base their beliefs only on Christ teaching and avoid the worst of these problems; but, even then guilt finds its way into the system.
One thing we need to realize is God did not make religion. The great spiritual teachers did not found any religions. They tried to teach us to love one another. That this life on Earth was largely illusionary and could be what we wanted it to be. They tried to express its transient nature and that we were eternal beings only having a brief sojourn on Earth.
I do not see how the logical mind can prove or disprove the existence of God. When I was an atheist I could not comprehend how people could believe that ethical behavior arose from religious belief. In my experience the most ethical people were the ones who were more apt to question the legitimacy of religion. Now, as I can view it from both sides, I don't think the question is relevant. We all carry the truth inside us {again a major teaching of the great ones}; we don't need religion to tell us what is right or wrong. We do know.
We will not solve the problem of the existence of God in the logical mind. At least not yet. We can pile up evidence on both sides, but never enough to overcome whatever your convictions are now. And why does it matter? If God doesn't exist; He/She isn't. If God does exist; He/She isn't concerned about your conclusions, because God is Unconditional Love and only wants what is best for you.
The logical mind is hopeless in solving the question of the existence of God. It is not a matter of belief, it is a matter of discovery. There is no need to believe in something you haven't discovered yet. If there is validity in the left brain/right brain dichotomy; it is definitely a right brained function. It is led by your intuition. Begin by asking yourself, "Who am I" "What am I doing here" "Do I have a purpose" As you can ask these question, without your logical mind kicking in, you will get answers. Over the centuries, meditation has been the commonest and most useful tool in seeking answers.
Using the word God can, itself, be a problem for some. Great Spirit, All There is, Unconditional Love, The Great Void, The Silence and many other words attempt to express the unexpressible.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Thursday, December 15, 2011
SCARRY TIMES
For many years there have been predictions of great changes for our times; economic, geological, political, demographic, spiritual etc. What is looming on the horizon is a great economic change.
Many people sense or even anticipate a collapse of our economic system. However, the reactions vary greatly. Some, who have been expecting it for along time, eagerly await it as they have been preparing for the creation of a new system and they are confident it can and will be accomplished. Others, are overwhelmed by their compassion for those who will be in fear and great pain of their loss and don't necessarily see that the transition will be short lived. There is great overlap in these two groups; even day to day, one can feel confident and free of fear and the next day paralyzed by it. Then of course there are those that go on without a clue that there is a problem.
It is time to get serious. The M.F. Global collapse is one of many bellwethers that occurred in the last few years. The particular warning about this collapse is: nobodies money is safe; no pension funds; no 401ks; nothing. The big banks knew this was coming for a long time, they are now sucking up everything they can get away with. They can get away with a lot!
Look to your own situation. If you can get your money out - do so. Whether you have investments or not, imagine the turmoil that might occur if your family and friends could suddenly not access their funds {that is what happened in the M. F. Global situation}. Be prepared to help any way you can. I personally don't think all commerce is going to halt; but it will be crippled for awhile. It wouldn't hurt to have some foodstuffs to get you by for a few weeks.
I am one of those who believe this is a necessary change so we can free ourselves to create a new system of commerce. Capitalism has become so corrupt it can no longer be reformed. It is a doomed system that can only lead to corporate fascism.
We have to begin discussions about how we are going to deal with the transition. Universal debt forgiveness is a must. A return to the local production of food and the break up of big agriculture needs to follow. Our transportation system has to be changed completely. Reliance on the automobile needs to end. Creation of communities on the spokes of a wheel of high speed rail {or does it need to be high speed?} We can quit being in a hurry. There are many models out there for a sane functional community. We don't have to reinvent anything. Folks have been thinking about this and preparing for fifty years or more. This situation is not a surprise for many, many people.
Those who are surprised are going to need reassurance and many will need help with food stuffs etc. I believe there will be an amazing pulling together of folks and it will not be as bad as it seems. Individuals will feel a new sense of sovereignty and independence. You will surprised about who comes forward with new ideas and leadership. This is not a time to be afraid. However, be watchful and alert. Things are going to change rapidly. Eagerly anticipate a saner, more peaceful, more loving world.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Many people sense or even anticipate a collapse of our economic system. However, the reactions vary greatly. Some, who have been expecting it for along time, eagerly await it as they have been preparing for the creation of a new system and they are confident it can and will be accomplished. Others, are overwhelmed by their compassion for those who will be in fear and great pain of their loss and don't necessarily see that the transition will be short lived. There is great overlap in these two groups; even day to day, one can feel confident and free of fear and the next day paralyzed by it. Then of course there are those that go on without a clue that there is a problem.
It is time to get serious. The M.F. Global collapse is one of many bellwethers that occurred in the last few years. The particular warning about this collapse is: nobodies money is safe; no pension funds; no 401ks; nothing. The big banks knew this was coming for a long time, they are now sucking up everything they can get away with. They can get away with a lot!
Look to your own situation. If you can get your money out - do so. Whether you have investments or not, imagine the turmoil that might occur if your family and friends could suddenly not access their funds {that is what happened in the M. F. Global situation}. Be prepared to help any way you can. I personally don't think all commerce is going to halt; but it will be crippled for awhile. It wouldn't hurt to have some foodstuffs to get you by for a few weeks.
I am one of those who believe this is a necessary change so we can free ourselves to create a new system of commerce. Capitalism has become so corrupt it can no longer be reformed. It is a doomed system that can only lead to corporate fascism.
We have to begin discussions about how we are going to deal with the transition. Universal debt forgiveness is a must. A return to the local production of food and the break up of big agriculture needs to follow. Our transportation system has to be changed completely. Reliance on the automobile needs to end. Creation of communities on the spokes of a wheel of high speed rail {or does it need to be high speed?} We can quit being in a hurry. There are many models out there for a sane functional community. We don't have to reinvent anything. Folks have been thinking about this and preparing for fifty years or more. This situation is not a surprise for many, many people.
Those who are surprised are going to need reassurance and many will need help with food stuffs etc. I believe there will be an amazing pulling together of folks and it will not be as bad as it seems. Individuals will feel a new sense of sovereignty and independence. You will surprised about who comes forward with new ideas and leadership. This is not a time to be afraid. However, be watchful and alert. Things are going to change rapidly. Eagerly anticipate a saner, more peaceful, more loving world.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Monday, December 12, 2011
A BALMY WINTER DAY
When I got up this morning it was 37 degrees. It actually felt balmy. It is a testimony to our ability to get used to something. Imagine how 37 would have felt in September. I don't have to imagine I remember how cold the 30's felt in the early Fall.
Today for the first time in my life I am going in for an eye exam and a fitting for glasses. I will be 77 in January and I have never had an eye examination other than holding a hand over one eye and looking at a chart; the thing you have in grade school. I can still pass the eye test for a driving license, but it is getting harder. I use 99 cent glasses for reading. I would probably hold out until I am eighty but certain people in my family have been campaigning against that idea.
Of course the seeing, I am most interested in, is the seeing that happens when we drop the scales from our eyes. The scales are built by judgement and everything we see is filtered through them. I am convinced that Paradise is here, on earth, but we can't see it because of our blindness. Have I seen it? Perhaps, I have seen glimmers. If you are reading this; you probably, too, have seen glimmers. I don't see any better than you; but I have contemplated the subject for forty years. I have experienced an increase in life satisfaction; a greater sense of peace and joy as I have consciously given up my judgements of others. Yes, I still have a ways to go. Ask my wife. No don't. I want you to enjoy the illusion of my near perfection. Huh!
You will find it easier to forgive those distant from you than those close. The more intimate you are with someone the more opportunity for the ego to get involved. When you are judging yourself, you are looking at the world through your ego. You are especially alert for the shortcomings of those who are suppose to love you. At those times, you will come down hard on that other person. If you are verbal about it, a fight may ensue. It you keep it to yourself, you will get depressed. Either way you lose. Judgement is horrible. When the other person in the relationship is also leading with their ego, you can fight, vehemently, over the color of the sky. If you can catch yourself and laugh; you can dispel the curse. {It is like a curse} Laughter is a remedy for many of life's foibles. Of course, it needs to be clear that your laughing at yourself.
We have these automatic judgments we make of the world. They are just bad habits. They are easier to relinquish than we realize. Judgements about religion, nationality, race, gender, body size, wealth, health, etc. etc. Until you decide to make a conscious effort to eliminate them they color your perception. You will not see the other person. You only see a reflection of your idea. Once you are determined to give them up, you will catch yourself. You might give yourself a few seconds to discover where you learned such judgements; parent, friend, teacher etc, it helps. If it works out for you, spend a few minutes before you go to bed and review your day. {This is not for self criticism} Love yourself. Forgive yourself. You are involved in a great project and deserving of great love.
Have a wonderful SEEING day.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Today for the first time in my life I am going in for an eye exam and a fitting for glasses. I will be 77 in January and I have never had an eye examination other than holding a hand over one eye and looking at a chart; the thing you have in grade school. I can still pass the eye test for a driving license, but it is getting harder. I use 99 cent glasses for reading. I would probably hold out until I am eighty but certain people in my family have been campaigning against that idea.
Of course the seeing, I am most interested in, is the seeing that happens when we drop the scales from our eyes. The scales are built by judgement and everything we see is filtered through them. I am convinced that Paradise is here, on earth, but we can't see it because of our blindness. Have I seen it? Perhaps, I have seen glimmers. If you are reading this; you probably, too, have seen glimmers. I don't see any better than you; but I have contemplated the subject for forty years. I have experienced an increase in life satisfaction; a greater sense of peace and joy as I have consciously given up my judgements of others. Yes, I still have a ways to go. Ask my wife. No don't. I want you to enjoy the illusion of my near perfection. Huh!
You will find it easier to forgive those distant from you than those close. The more intimate you are with someone the more opportunity for the ego to get involved. When you are judging yourself, you are looking at the world through your ego. You are especially alert for the shortcomings of those who are suppose to love you. At those times, you will come down hard on that other person. If you are verbal about it, a fight may ensue. It you keep it to yourself, you will get depressed. Either way you lose. Judgement is horrible. When the other person in the relationship is also leading with their ego, you can fight, vehemently, over the color of the sky. If you can catch yourself and laugh; you can dispel the curse. {It is like a curse} Laughter is a remedy for many of life's foibles. Of course, it needs to be clear that your laughing at yourself.
We have these automatic judgments we make of the world. They are just bad habits. They are easier to relinquish than we realize. Judgements about religion, nationality, race, gender, body size, wealth, health, etc. etc. Until you decide to make a conscious effort to eliminate them they color your perception. You will not see the other person. You only see a reflection of your idea. Once you are determined to give them up, you will catch yourself. You might give yourself a few seconds to discover where you learned such judgements; parent, friend, teacher etc, it helps. If it works out for you, spend a few minutes before you go to bed and review your day. {This is not for self criticism} Love yourself. Forgive yourself. You are involved in a great project and deserving of great love.
Have a wonderful SEEING day.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Friday, December 9, 2011
A BEAUTIFUL DAY
It was cold and Sunny this morning; about zero when I got up. It didn't feel particularly cold, there wasn't much breeze and the Sun felt marvelous. Doing the chores was a privilege and, all and all, it feels great to be alive.
Every Morning could be like this, right! It would be if it wasn't for that silly thing called a mind. What is a mind anyway? Where is it located? Is it in our brain? I don't think so. What does it do? Well it figures things out. It is a wonderful builder. It is a wonderful solver of problems. Why the difficulty then? Can't we always be excited and happy to be alive?
It must be that trickster, that ego, that invites fear into the mind. A little fear attracts worry, which comes in all shapes and sizes. We know that worry solves nothing, that it robs us of life's enjoyment. Yet we get seduced into listening to bothersome thoughts by that trickster. That wily ego tells us we can solve everything with our mind and blames all problems outside itself. The truth is the mind is a tool and it works marvelously but cannot function independently of the heart. One of our troubles is believing the mind should rule over the heart, when in fact the heart must rule the mind. The heart is unconditional love, it is the energy of the universe, it is what makes our mind possible.
The ego cleverly uses the mind to separate us from each other and the rest of the universe. It has been remarkably successful. As long as we allow the ego to introduce fear thoughts into our mind, we will remain separate from ourselves as well as each other.
We must begin to make ourselves whole. Recognize that the mind must be subject to the heart or if you prefer, the spirit or universal energy. When we eschew fear and the mind is clear it[the mind] recognizes its connection to the whole. It won't try to operate independently of unconditional love.
As individuals, our task is to realize that no amount of fear is helpful. It is no way protective. Worry is so seductive, but completely worthless and dangerous to our physical and mental health. We will learn to catch ourselves when a worry seed is planted in our mind and pull it out before it germinates. It takes practice, but once you realize the value it becomes easier and easier. It is great to be happy, peaceful and joyful. It is our birthright!
Have a wonderful carefree afternoon.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Every Morning could be like this, right! It would be if it wasn't for that silly thing called a mind. What is a mind anyway? Where is it located? Is it in our brain? I don't think so. What does it do? Well it figures things out. It is a wonderful builder. It is a wonderful solver of problems. Why the difficulty then? Can't we always be excited and happy to be alive?
It must be that trickster, that ego, that invites fear into the mind. A little fear attracts worry, which comes in all shapes and sizes. We know that worry solves nothing, that it robs us of life's enjoyment. Yet we get seduced into listening to bothersome thoughts by that trickster. That wily ego tells us we can solve everything with our mind and blames all problems outside itself. The truth is the mind is a tool and it works marvelously but cannot function independently of the heart. One of our troubles is believing the mind should rule over the heart, when in fact the heart must rule the mind. The heart is unconditional love, it is the energy of the universe, it is what makes our mind possible.
The ego cleverly uses the mind to separate us from each other and the rest of the universe. It has been remarkably successful. As long as we allow the ego to introduce fear thoughts into our mind, we will remain separate from ourselves as well as each other.
We must begin to make ourselves whole. Recognize that the mind must be subject to the heart or if you prefer, the spirit or universal energy. When we eschew fear and the mind is clear it[the mind] recognizes its connection to the whole. It won't try to operate independently of unconditional love.
As individuals, our task is to realize that no amount of fear is helpful. It is no way protective. Worry is so seductive, but completely worthless and dangerous to our physical and mental health. We will learn to catch ourselves when a worry seed is planted in our mind and pull it out before it germinates. It takes practice, but once you realize the value it becomes easier and easier. It is great to be happy, peaceful and joyful. It is our birthright!
Have a wonderful carefree afternoon.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Monday, December 5, 2011
AN ORDINARY DAY
Winter has arrived here. It is snowing and cold and it is supposed to remain below freezing for the next week. Christmas party invitations began flowing in; we already have three events scheduled and we haven't decided what we are going to do Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, yet. We may host a dinner party.
We had a wonderful venison steak dinner last night and I finished the left overs for brunch. The venison was supplied by my son and grandson; the two main hunters of the family.
This is one of those days when I have no idea what to write about. When I first started writing this blog I had fantasies of writing every day. As you know, that didn't last long. The news of the world remains dismal with sabre rattling and various threats being toted by the powers that be. I try not to pay attention to it and I know there is good news out there somewhere, too. There appears to be a new Homesteading Movement emerging. This time, much of the focus appears to be in cities such as Detroit and St. Louis. People have sent me information about this phenomenon and I will pass on some information, via websites, when I learn how to do it. There are lots of things on the internet that I would like to share with you but I need to learn how to do it properly. My Tech savvy kids show me how to do things but I promptly forget unless I have an opportunity to repeat what I have learned soon after.
Talk about an ordinary day; my mind must be extraordinarily ordinary today as my creative impulse lies dormant. I would erase this whole message, but you might as well know what an ordinary folk I am. I need to focus on the beauty of my natural surroundings and re-energize. It is a winter wonderland out there with giant snowflakes that look like giant white butterflies floating down. I will go outside and tilt my head up, like a child, and catch one in my mouth.
Love and Peace, Gregg
We had a wonderful venison steak dinner last night and I finished the left overs for brunch. The venison was supplied by my son and grandson; the two main hunters of the family.
This is one of those days when I have no idea what to write about. When I first started writing this blog I had fantasies of writing every day. As you know, that didn't last long. The news of the world remains dismal with sabre rattling and various threats being toted by the powers that be. I try not to pay attention to it and I know there is good news out there somewhere, too. There appears to be a new Homesteading Movement emerging. This time, much of the focus appears to be in cities such as Detroit and St. Louis. People have sent me information about this phenomenon and I will pass on some information, via websites, when I learn how to do it. There are lots of things on the internet that I would like to share with you but I need to learn how to do it properly. My Tech savvy kids show me how to do things but I promptly forget unless I have an opportunity to repeat what I have learned soon after.
Talk about an ordinary day; my mind must be extraordinarily ordinary today as my creative impulse lies dormant. I would erase this whole message, but you might as well know what an ordinary folk I am. I need to focus on the beauty of my natural surroundings and re-energize. It is a winter wonderland out there with giant snowflakes that look like giant white butterflies floating down. I will go outside and tilt my head up, like a child, and catch one in my mouth.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Friday, December 2, 2011
LOOKING ON A FORGIVEN WORLD
When you can see the world without judgement; you will be able to see paradise.
To accomplish this, you must forgive yourself. You must recognize your innocence and that of your neighbor. No amount of guilt is good. It was fashionable during the eighties for some people, even psychologist, to postulate that a little bit of guilt was a good thing. That is nonsense; it is like saying a little neuro-toxin won't hurt you.
It is human to regret hurting somebody. It is an error needing correction. A person needs to recognize their error and decide not to make the same mistake; thus forgive themselves. Because you are human, you may have to do this again and again. Guilt is the feeling that you are a lesser person because of your mistake; a flawed human being. Feeling guilty always perpetuates the behavior you are feeling bad about. It never, never prevents it. To truly forgive yourself or others you must be whole yourself and not be diminished by guilt.
You can't forgive yourself if you insist on hanging on to your judgements of others. It takes practice to see others as innocent. It seems a jerk is a jerk deserving of your condemnation. Here is where compassion will aid you. When you see a person behaving in a negative manner, remember that they are the one in pain, whether they know it or not. See them with compassion and understand their behavior as a call for love. With practice you can learn to see through their craziness {ego} to the beautiful spirit they are. This won't happen overnight. Don't expect too much of yourself. At first just remind yourself, when you see somebody being a jerk, that they are in some kind of pain. Eventually you will see their innocence.
A good exercise when you find your self judging yourself is to say, "I have forgiven myself and I look upon a forgiven world".
At this point we have no idea how powerful our perception is. We cannot really see the truth that is outside ourselves as long as we look through a filter of judgement. Every judgement you make affects what you see. We remain prisoners of our judgements until we can give them up.
That is why in the conclusion of my letter yesterday I used the present tense, I wrote "............dream of the glorious world" You don't need to think of this beautiful world in the future. It is here now, we just need to open our eyes.
Love and Peace, Gregg
To accomplish this, you must forgive yourself. You must recognize your innocence and that of your neighbor. No amount of guilt is good. It was fashionable during the eighties for some people, even psychologist, to postulate that a little bit of guilt was a good thing. That is nonsense; it is like saying a little neuro-toxin won't hurt you.
It is human to regret hurting somebody. It is an error needing correction. A person needs to recognize their error and decide not to make the same mistake; thus forgive themselves. Because you are human, you may have to do this again and again. Guilt is the feeling that you are a lesser person because of your mistake; a flawed human being. Feeling guilty always perpetuates the behavior you are feeling bad about. It never, never prevents it. To truly forgive yourself or others you must be whole yourself and not be diminished by guilt.
You can't forgive yourself if you insist on hanging on to your judgements of others. It takes practice to see others as innocent. It seems a jerk is a jerk deserving of your condemnation. Here is where compassion will aid you. When you see a person behaving in a negative manner, remember that they are the one in pain, whether they know it or not. See them with compassion and understand their behavior as a call for love. With practice you can learn to see through their craziness {ego} to the beautiful spirit they are. This won't happen overnight. Don't expect too much of yourself. At first just remind yourself, when you see somebody being a jerk, that they are in some kind of pain. Eventually you will see their innocence.
A good exercise when you find your self judging yourself is to say, "I have forgiven myself and I look upon a forgiven world".
At this point we have no idea how powerful our perception is. We cannot really see the truth that is outside ourselves as long as we look through a filter of judgement. Every judgement you make affects what you see. We remain prisoners of our judgements until we can give them up.
That is why in the conclusion of my letter yesterday I used the present tense, I wrote "............dream of the glorious world" You don't need to think of this beautiful world in the future. It is here now, we just need to open our eyes.
Love and Peace, Gregg
Thursday, December 1, 2011
A LAZY MORNING
I have yet to do my dishes. They are still languishing in the sink, waiting patiently for me. I have been a little slow to get to things. I did my animal chores with Elijah, my almost four, grandson, and then he entertained me for a couple hours. We learned counting with Richard Scarry and Grandpa tried to catch a little snooze but Elijah found ways to keep Grandpa's eyes open.
It puzzles me why there is not more open communication about these times. There is a great deal of writing on the internet about the changes that are occurring. I lived through the back-to the-land movement of the 70s, there were groups formed all over the country and several magazines catering to the movement. In our area we formed a Homesteading Club that had several members and held together for several years. It was a rich and rewarding experience.
What is happening now is a much, much bigger event. It is a major upheaval and yet it is not talked about among the people I know. The collapse of the economy and the rest of the social structure, as we have known it, is on the verge of being clear to everybody. Yet, I don't know of many people coming together in anticipation of future needs. I hear a conversation, occasionally, but so far no real coming together. I have a friend who built a root cellar and I know other folks who have gradually stored up non-perishable food stuffs. However, I don't see the coming together that I did in the 70s.
In the 70s the feeling was hopeful. We were convinced that we were a vanguard of people who were preparing the way for the rest of the population to follow. We dreamed of a society where the vast majority would live close to the Earth, raising our own food and contributing to the whole. We believed we could live with nature and were dedicated to restoring the Earth to its pristine beauty. Then came the 80s. It became clear that the world was not going in our direction. Most of us returned to fulfill roles in the old world. I don't think our hearts were changed.
Today, we are on the verge of great changes. Is there much coming together? Many of my friends and acquaintances seem to feel the coming changes acutely, but I think they feel helpless or even dread. That is very sad. It is a hopeful time! Even a time for celebration! I think it is time, again, for folks to come together and dream of the glorious world.
Love and Peace, Gregg
It puzzles me why there is not more open communication about these times. There is a great deal of writing on the internet about the changes that are occurring. I lived through the back-to the-land movement of the 70s, there were groups formed all over the country and several magazines catering to the movement. In our area we formed a Homesteading Club that had several members and held together for several years. It was a rich and rewarding experience.
What is happening now is a much, much bigger event. It is a major upheaval and yet it is not talked about among the people I know. The collapse of the economy and the rest of the social structure, as we have known it, is on the verge of being clear to everybody. Yet, I don't know of many people coming together in anticipation of future needs. I hear a conversation, occasionally, but so far no real coming together. I have a friend who built a root cellar and I know other folks who have gradually stored up non-perishable food stuffs. However, I don't see the coming together that I did in the 70s.
In the 70s the feeling was hopeful. We were convinced that we were a vanguard of people who were preparing the way for the rest of the population to follow. We dreamed of a society where the vast majority would live close to the Earth, raising our own food and contributing to the whole. We believed we could live with nature and were dedicated to restoring the Earth to its pristine beauty. Then came the 80s. It became clear that the world was not going in our direction. Most of us returned to fulfill roles in the old world. I don't think our hearts were changed.
Today, we are on the verge of great changes. Is there much coming together? Many of my friends and acquaintances seem to feel the coming changes acutely, but I think they feel helpless or even dread. That is very sad. It is a hopeful time! Even a time for celebration! I think it is time, again, for folks to come together and dream of the glorious world.
Love and Peace, Gregg
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