This is just for fun...
One of my favorite old hard-rock songs is Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hotrod". And it's funny to me that while the lyrics seemed very nihilistic to me back when, they seem now to have a lot of truth in them, when viewed a certain way. :-)
... Actually, the lyrics I'm referring to are only in the longer single version of the song (the "Redline/Whiteline" version), and are seemingly sampled from the movie Wise Blood (based on the book of the same name, about faith):
"I've come a long way since I believed in anything...
Where you come from is gone...
Where you thought you were going to was never there...
And where you are ain't no good unless you can get away from it."
I could not find the single version on YouTube, but here is the regular version:
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Bill talks
Here's a nice audio recording of a speech by (ACIM scribe) Bill Thetford. (They're not kidding when they say he was funny.)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
"Energy shedding"
I used the term "energy shedding", and I was asked to explain it.
The term comes from me trying to get a grip on the process I experience. Here's my picture at the moment: imagine the ego as a ball of tightly wound rubber bands. Each one is a belief held with emotion and energy. (I'm not sure if emotion is the same as mental energy, or a special kind, or perhaps a quality of the energy.)
You can't get at the deeper ones until you have moved the outer ones, one by one.
Lately it seems to me like they are jumping off by themselves, very fast. It's a very intense process, to say the least.
And by the way, it seems sometimes to me like at least one kind of depression is the energy depletion you have when that process has been very strong.
The term comes from me trying to get a grip on the process I experience. Here's my picture at the moment: imagine the ego as a ball of tightly wound rubber bands. Each one is a belief held with emotion and energy. (I'm not sure if emotion is the same as mental energy, or a special kind, or perhaps a quality of the energy.)
You can't get at the deeper ones until you have moved the outer ones, one by one.
Lately it seems to me like they are jumping off by themselves, very fast. It's a very intense process, to say the least.
And by the way, it seems sometimes to me like at least one kind of depression is the energy depletion you have when that process has been very strong.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bridget Winter
Bridget Winter, Documentary Television Producer, reveals the extraordinary chain of events that in 1985 led her to the filming of the two-part film The Story of A Course In Miracles.
Update: Keren recommends this page with recordings.
Update: Keren recommends this page with recordings.
Getting rid of old thoughts
The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get old ones out. Every mind is a building filled with archaic furniture. Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.
-- Dee Hock
-- Dee Hock
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Big Sponge, a theory of Time
The Big Sponge, a theory of Time
By Eolake Stobblehouse
Time is like a big, spherical sponge.
The center is the beginning of time. The outer surface is the end of time.
Souls start their journey someplace in the sponge, and work their way towards the edge. When they reach the edge, they Awaken, and end.
It's a "sponge" because some souls finish earlier, giving a ragged edge/surface.
The beginning of time at the center starts with one soul-track, which splits into different souls.
The tracks also split whenever a soul has a choice which makes him progress faster outwards, or not. He can't, of course, go inwards or stay level, he always progresses.
The apparency of a life is what is seen as the Big Consciousness is looking at the Sponge, seeing just one track at a time.
All the tracks are there, but if the consciousness chooses the more "Whole" (has less characteristic of split) of two choices, he continues on the track which moves faster towards the edge/end.
Choices which makes for faster progress is any thought which has more unity, and less split. The one which more resembles the Oneness Truth.
... Or at least this is an essential element of Truer Thoughts as it's seen near the Edge.
But *everything* in life helps progress. Any communication through the history of time has helped. Science, religion, commerce, family, all of it plays its role. [footnote]
I think the Many Souls were created very early on, as a solution to no more progress seemingly being available to the finished ego soul (which took an astounding amount of time to develop). (The first soul destroyed itself and rebuilt itself to find out how it had done it, so others could be made (make themselves?).) The apparency of more souls made Communication available, with the theory that if everybody keeps communicating for long enough, eventually all will be known.
The sponge is floating in a Bubble, which is the One Consciousness. The sponge was made as a tool to make the One Consciousness, which is also illusory, realize the illusoriness of its apparent situation, which is one of seeming separation from Source, which is what the bubble is floating in.
Source is infinite.
It is One.
It has no characteristics.
Since it's one, it has nothing to be conscious of, and therefore is not "conscious", though it's aware.
It's our true being.
It is less aware of the illusory One Consciousness or the sponge than an whale is aware of a barnacle on its back.
[footnote]
... Man, I forgot my own favorite: art.
It's my perception that the creation and enjoyment of Beauty is, well, divine. It's a reflection of wholeness and togetherness, and leads outwards.
Late in the game (near the edge) a direct conception or perception of the wholeness is essential. But for most of the time, communication is the most important part. Undeveloped souls (of which it's my perception there are still many) can't really Communicate as we understand it, the best they can do is sort of perceive the warmth of somebody expressive nearby. But they still make progress.
By Eolake Stobblehouse
(This is a quick sketch of a new theory. I hope to refine it as time goes. The ideas which went into this has come from various studies, as well as my personal perceptions and research through about 25 years.)
Time is like a big, spherical sponge.
The center is the beginning of time. The outer surface is the end of time.
Souls start their journey someplace in the sponge, and work their way towards the edge. When they reach the edge, they Awaken, and end.
It's a "sponge" because some souls finish earlier, giving a ragged edge/surface.
The beginning of time at the center starts with one soul-track, which splits into different souls.
The tracks also split whenever a soul has a choice which makes him progress faster outwards, or not. He can't, of course, go inwards or stay level, he always progresses.
The apparency of a life is what is seen as the Big Consciousness is looking at the Sponge, seeing just one track at a time.
All the tracks are there, but if the consciousness chooses the more "Whole" (has less characteristic of split) of two choices, he continues on the track which moves faster towards the edge/end.
Choices which makes for faster progress is any thought which has more unity, and less split. The one which more resembles the Oneness Truth.
... Or at least this is an essential element of Truer Thoughts as it's seen near the Edge.
But *everything* in life helps progress. Any communication through the history of time has helped. Science, religion, commerce, family, all of it plays its role. [footnote]
I think the Many Souls were created very early on, as a solution to no more progress seemingly being available to the finished ego soul (which took an astounding amount of time to develop). (The first soul destroyed itself and rebuilt itself to find out how it had done it, so others could be made (make themselves?).) The apparency of more souls made Communication available, with the theory that if everybody keeps communicating for long enough, eventually all will be known.
The sponge is floating in a Bubble, which is the One Consciousness. The sponge was made as a tool to make the One Consciousness, which is also illusory, realize the illusoriness of its apparent situation, which is one of seeming separation from Source, which is what the bubble is floating in.
Source is infinite.
It is One.
It has no characteristics.
Since it's one, it has nothing to be conscious of, and therefore is not "conscious", though it's aware.
It's our true being.
It is less aware of the illusory One Consciousness or the sponge than an whale is aware of a barnacle on its back.
[footnote]
... Man, I forgot my own favorite: art.
It's my perception that the creation and enjoyment of Beauty is, well, divine. It's a reflection of wholeness and togetherness, and leads outwards.
Late in the game (near the edge) a direct conception or perception of the wholeness is essential. But for most of the time, communication is the most important part. Undeveloped souls (of which it's my perception there are still many) can't really Communicate as we understand it, the best they can do is sort of perceive the warmth of somebody expressive nearby. But they still make progress.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Quotes
The real power behind whatever success I have now was something I found within myself - something that's in all of us, I think, a little piece of God just waiting to be discovered.
-- Tina Turner, O Magazine, December 2003
Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life has much difficulty... Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words.
-- Rainer Maria Rilke
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
-- J
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.
-- Walt Whitman
-- Tina Turner, O Magazine, December 2003
Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life has much difficulty... Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words.
-- Rainer Maria Rilke
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
-- J
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.
-- Walt Whitman
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Where your thoughts bring you
You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
-- James Lane Allen
-- James Lane Allen
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
On progress
It occurs to me that steady progress is often as desirable as fast progress, if not more so.
Why? Because with the marriage between the certainty of steady progress and the certainty of time progressing, victory is assured.
Why? Because with the marriage between the certainty of steady progress and the certainty of time progressing, victory is assured.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Time, time, time
Time is that quality of nature which keeps events from happening all at once. Lately it doesn't seem to be working.
-- Anonymous
I like this. It's funny, and also true. The first part of it I think is the literal purpose of the invention of time.
And the second also seems to have some truth to it... it seems that nearing the end of the universe, time seems to be speeding up and even be messed up, maybe because of interference patterns due to reflections from the event horizon of the End.
-- Anonymous
I like this. It's funny, and also true. The first part of it I think is the literal purpose of the invention of time.
And the second also seems to have some truth to it... it seems that nearing the end of the universe, time seems to be speeding up and even be messed up, maybe because of interference patterns due to reflections from the event horizon of the End.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Blake
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
-- William Blake
----
Yes, isn't that a funny thing.
-- William Blake
----
Yes, isn't that a funny thing.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
ACIM-archives
Just launched: ACIM-Archives.org
From the promotional material:
ACIM-Archives offers you original and authentic material from our historical collection, most of which has never before been released. Here you will find first-hand documented selections from both the Foundation for Inner Peace and the Foundation for A Course in Miracles' vast collection of preserved memorabilia of the early days of the Course.
The website features:
articles
archival photos from 1975-1985
film clips
audio recordings
interviews and
newspaper clippings
Also included are the complete, previously unpublished Autobiographies of Drs. Helen Schucman and William Thetford.
From the promotional material:
ACIM-Archives offers you original and authentic material from our historical collection, most of which has never before been released. Here you will find first-hand documented selections from both the Foundation for Inner Peace and the Foundation for A Course in Miracles' vast collection of preserved memorabilia of the early days of the Course.
The website features:
articles
archival photos from 1975-1985
film clips
audio recordings
interviews and
newspaper clippings
Also included are the complete, previously unpublished Autobiographies of Drs. Helen Schucman and William Thetford.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Never Forget To Laugh
Never Forget To Laugh, biography of Bill Thetford by my friend Carol Howe. I've only just ordered it, but I have a good feeling about this one. Partly because Carol has been talking about it while writing it, and I've given my input and advice, which I'm sure has been invaluable. :-)
Update: it's a very good book. I recommend it for anybody interested in A Course In Miracles and Bill Thetford's life, his trouble-filled relationship with Helen Schucman, how he finally "made it", and how to make "advanced forgiveness" a lifestyle.
Update: it's a very good book. I recommend it for anybody interested in A Course In Miracles and Bill Thetford's life, his trouble-filled relationship with Helen Schucman, how he finally "made it", and how to make "advanced forgiveness" a lifestyle.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sage Sagan
Where we have strong emotions, we're liable to fool ourselves.
-- Carl Sagan
And funny enough, it is where we have strong emotions that we are the most sure that we are right.
And, I've found at least in myself, that when I see others have strong emotions about something, I tend to believe them right also.
-- Carl Sagan
And funny enough, it is where we have strong emotions that we are the most sure that we are right.
And, I've found at least in myself, that when I see others have strong emotions about something, I tend to believe them right also.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The price of ideas
To be willing to die for an idea is to set a rather high price on conjecture.
-- Anatole France
Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
-- Abigail Adams, 1780
Life is full of obstacle illusions.
-- Grant Frazier
Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.
-- Robbie Gass
-- Anatole France
Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
-- Abigail Adams, 1780
Life is full of obstacle illusions.
-- Grant Frazier
Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.
-- Robbie Gass
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Morcheeba - "Enjoy The Ride"
I love the fact that the lyric line which accidentally (through being in the middle of the song) is "the day that you stop running is the day that you arrive".
Sunday, October 11, 2009
O'Keeffe etc
Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting convictions, which move with him like flies on a summer day.
-- Bertrand Russell
Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.
-- Arthur Rubinstein
There is one piece of advice, in a life of study, which I think no one will object to; and that is, every now and then to be completely idle - to do nothing at all.
-- Sydney Smith
I said to myself, I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me - shapes and ideas so near to me - so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn't occurred to me to put them down. I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.
-- Georgia O'Keeffe
-- Bertrand Russell
Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.
-- Arthur Rubinstein
There is one piece of advice, in a life of study, which I think no one will object to; and that is, every now and then to be completely idle - to do nothing at all.
-- Sydney Smith
I said to myself, I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me - shapes and ideas so near to me - so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn't occurred to me to put them down. I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.
-- Georgia O'Keeffe
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Quotes, vision
We go where our vision is.
-- Joseph Murphy
Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
-- Joan Lunden
When you build bridges you can keep crossing them.
-- Rick Pitino
-- Joseph Murphy
Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.
-- Joan Lunden
When you build bridges you can keep crossing them.
-- Rick Pitino
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Zimmermann and Du Bos
Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of truth.
-- Johann Georg von Zimmermann
The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
-- Charles Du Bos
-- Johann Georg von Zimmermann
The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
-- Charles Du Bos
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Very Important Books
A quick list of my own VIBs (very important books) from recent years:
The Disappearance Of The Universe.
The one-book-on-an-island-book. For my money, the clearest and simplest overview about what is the universe, what's wrong, and what can we do about it. (Preview.)
If there's more interest in A Course In Miracles, the lectures (his books are too dry for my taste)) of Ken Wapnick. Get MP3 CDs (at facim.org) and an iPod.
Jed McKenna's three books for important things about imploding egos and the nature of Truth that nobody else tells you. This man does not sugarcoat anything. (He may be off on some details I suspect, but probably nothing major.) Read them in sequence, "Spiritual Enlightenment, the Damnedest Thing" is first.
Adyashanti's "The End of your World" (audio or paper, though the CDs are expensive) for understanding some of the mental and energy-phenomena which occur before and after awakening.
The Disappearance Of The Universe.
The one-book-on-an-island-book. For my money, the clearest and simplest overview about what is the universe, what's wrong, and what can we do about it. (Preview.)
If there's more interest in A Course In Miracles, the lectures (his books are too dry for my taste)) of Ken Wapnick. Get MP3 CDs (at facim.org) and an iPod.
Jed McKenna's three books for important things about imploding egos and the nature of Truth that nobody else tells you. This man does not sugarcoat anything. (He may be off on some details I suspect, but probably nothing major.) Read them in sequence, "Spiritual Enlightenment, the Damnedest Thing" is first.
Adyashanti's "The End of your World" (audio or paper, though the CDs are expensive) for understanding some of the mental and energy-phenomena which occur before and after awakening.
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