August 20th, 2010 → 3:12 pm @ Tom
by Jacob Needleman
Imagine a prison where the prisoners do not know or remember the life of freedom outside the walls. All their efforts are spent trying only to better their conditions inside the prison. Those in crowded, dirty, or isolated cells envy other prisoners who have greater privileges. Some decorate the walls of their cells, paint pretty stripes on the bars, without suspecting what these bars are really for. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 4:04 pm @ Tom
For the best quality grapes, wine makers know the environment cannot be lush and easy. You find flourishing wineries in somewhat dry looking, semi-desert areas. Without challenges, the best flavors of the grape stay dormant. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 4:03 pm @ Tom
Just as farmers allow a field to rest for a year after 6 or 7 cycles of planting, so a wise and intelligent cessation of all effort allows space for the dawning of something new. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 4:02 pm @ Tom
Because of your life experiences, genetics and countless other factors, there is no duplicate to your life-puzzle, or one even similar. Your puzzle is truly unique!
We may investigate the viewpoints and discoveries of others to see what pieces of the jigsaw puzzle they may have found, that we can perhaps find within our own puzzle. However, thinking that any program or given teaching has all the pieces of the puzzle for you, closes off precious possibilities. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 4:01 pm @ Tom
Membrane defined: “Biology: A thin, pliable layer of tissue covering surfaces or separating or connecting regions, structures, or organs of an animal or plant. Chemistry: A thin sheet of natural or synthetic material that is permeable to substances in solution.”
What is the self? Big question. One way to perceive the self is as a membrane, with porous qualities allowing a two way exchange of energy from outer to inner, and from inner to outer. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 4:00 pm @ Tom
“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” (N. Hawthorne) Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 3:58 pm @ Tom
Underwater geysers are rare places in nature where great quantities of life abide. Likewise, spiritual ideas of tremendous power and clarity orbit the center of our Being (the “heart” so often mentioned in the Bible), yet we walk in unawareness of this unfolding paradise. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 2:57 pm @ Tom
The Chinese revere the turtle as a symbol of wise, intelligent living. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 2:56 pm @ Tom
At small airports without radio towers, a pilot wishing to land flies over the airport to locate the wind sock. The pilot lands into the wind, toward the opening of the sock. Read More
June 9th, 2010 → 2:01 pm @ Tom
Picture a movie set. From certain viewpoints the fake homes and businesses appear real and substantial; however, view the movie set from a new place and you see what’s really happening. It’s all a front — a carefully crafted illusion.
Since evil is a false front, with nothing real backing it up, it must have a reaction in order to “exist.” A reaction for it or against it — it doesn’t really matter just as long as there’s a reaction. So to oppose evil is to first believe in it. The crusaders against evil keep evil going.
The effective way to break the spell is to simply shift our viewpoint. For example, Television is itself a conglomeration of false fronts. Observe that primarily, television executives and their many employees crave attention, just like children! That confident person who walks so fast wherever he or she goes? How could you see them differently? A bad mood inside? Is it really a bad mood, or just labeled so?
By Tom Russell