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February 25, 2007

Diagram of Meditation

by Madame Helena P. Blavatsky

First conceive of UNITY by Expansion in space and infinite in Time. (Either with or without self-identification).

Then meditate logically and consistently on this in reference to states of consciousness. Then the normal state of our consciousness must be molded by:

ACQUISTIONS

Perpetual Presence in imagination in all Space and Time.	Continued attempts at attitude of mind to all existing things, which is neither love, hate, nor indifference.	The Perception in all embodied beings of Limitation only.
From this originates a substratum of memory which does not cease in dreaming or waking. Its manifestation is courage.	Difference in external activity to each, because in each the capacity alters. Mentall the same to all.	Criticism without praise or blame.
With memory of some universality of all dread vanishes during the dangers and trials of life.	Exquilibrium and constant calm. Greater ease in practicing the "virtues", which are really the outcome of wisdom, for benevolence, sympathy, justice, etc., arise from the intuitive identification of the individual with others, although unknown to the personality.

Note: Acquisition is completed by the conception "I am all Space and Time". Beyond that... (It cannot be said).

DEPRIVATIONS
Constant refusal to think of reality of:

Separations and Meetings. Association with Places. Times and Forms.	The Distinction Between Friend and Foe.	Posessions and Personality.	Sensations.
Futile longings. Expectations. Sad memories. Broken-heartedness.	Resulting in absence of anger and bias. (Replaced by judgment.)	Vanity, Remorse, Greed, Selfishness, Ambition.	Gluttony, lust, etc.

Note: These deprivations are produced by the perpetual imagination - without self-delusion* - of "I am without"; the recognition of their being the source of bondage, ignorance, and strife. 'Deprivation' is completed by the meditation: "I am without attributes".

*) There is no risk of self-delusion if the personality is deliberately forgotten.

General Note: All the passions and virtues interblend with each other. Therefore the diagram gives only general hints.

Posted by andrewanissi at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007

Monetary Policy is Critically Important

by Ron Paul
dated February 19, 2007

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies twice every year before the congressional Financial Services committee, and I look forward to these opportunities to raise questions about monetary policy. I believe monetary policy is critically important yet overlooked in Washington. Money is the lifeblood of any economy, and control over a nation's currency means control over its economic well being. Fed bankers quite literally determine the value of our money, by controlling the supply of dollars and establishing interest rates. Their actions can make you richer or poorer overnight, in terms of the value of your savings and the buying power of your paycheck. So I urge all Americans to educate themselves about monetary policy, and better understand how a small group of unelected individuals at the Federal Reserve and Treasury department wield tremendous power over our lives.

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Posted by andrewanissi at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)

February 15, 2007

Statement on the Iraq War Resolution - by Ron Paul

HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
Before the U.S. House of Representatives
Dated: February 14, 2007

This grand debate is welcomed but it could be that this is nothing more than a distraction from the dangerous military confrontation approaching with Iran and supported by many in leadership on both sides of the aisle.

This resolution, unfortunately, does not address the disaster in Iraq. Instead, it seeks to appear opposed to the war while at the same time offering no change of the status quo in Iraq. As such, it is not actually a vote against a troop surge. A real vote against a troop surge is a vote against the coming supplemental appropriation that finances it. I hope all of my colleagues who vote against the surge today will vote against the budgetary surge when it really counts: when we vote on the supplemental.

The biggest red herring in this debate is the constant innuendo that those who don’t support expanding the war are somehow opposing the troops. It’s nothing more than a canard to claim that those of us who struggled to prevent the bloodshed and now want it stopped are somehow less patriotic and less concerned about the welfare of our military personnel.

Osama bin Laden has expressed sadistic pleasure with our invasion of Iraq and was surprised that we served his interests above and beyond his dreams on how we responded after the 9/11 attacks. His pleasure comes from our policy of folly getting ourselves bogged down in the middle of a religious civil war, 7,000 miles from home that is financially bleeding us to death. Total costs now are reasonably estimated to exceed $2 trillion. His recruitment of Islamic extremists has been greatly enhanced by our occupation of Iraq.

Unfortunately, we continue to concentrate on the obvious mismanagement of a war promoted by false information and ignore debating the real issue which is: Why are we determined to follow a foreign policy of empire building and pre-emption which is unbecoming of a constitutional republic?

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Posted by andrewanissi at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2007

Cupid and Psyche

by Lucius Apuleius

A certain king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express its due praise. The fame of her beauty was so great that strangers from neighboring countries came in crowds to enjoy the sight, and looked on her with amazement, paying her that homage which is due only to Venus herself. In fact Venus found her altars deserted, while men turned their devotion to this young virgin. As she passed along, the people sang her praises, and strewed her way with chaplets and flowers.

This homage to the exaltation of a mortal gave great offense to the real Venus. Shaking her ambrosial locks with indignation, she exclaimed, "Am I then to be eclipsed in my honors by a mortal girl? In vain then did that royal shepherd, whose judgment was approved by Jove himself, give me the palm of beauty over my illustrious rivals, Pallas and Juno. But she shall not so quietly usurp my honors. I will give her cause to repent of so unlawful a beauty."

Thereupon she calls her winged son Cupid, mischievous enough in his own nature, and rouses and provokes him yet more by her complaints. She points out Psyche to him and says, "My dear son, punish that contumacious beauty; give your mother a revenge as sweet as her injuries are great; infuse into the bosom of that haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation and triumph."

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Posted by andrewanissi at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)

February 09, 2007

Crispin Glover coming to Dryden Theatre

Dated: February 9, 2007
SOURCE: The Democrat and Chronicle

WHAT IS IT?
Find out at the George Eastman House's Dryden Theater on March 2-3

Crispin Glover, one of the cinema’s most eccentric figures, and a star of the Back to the Future films, The River’s Edge and Charlie’s Angels, will appear at the George Eastman House on March 2 and 3.

Lanky, and typically dressed in black, with long, unruly bangs of hair, Glover has added an odd-ball sensibility to several projects and talk-show appearances. The 42-year-old actor’s offbeat nature and avant-garde interests have made him a cult figure.

At the House’s Dryden Theatre, Glover will present his directorial debut, What is it?, which is described by the Eastman House notice as “a surreal black comedy that tells the inner and outer struggles as a young man facing villains and demons on multiple planes.”

Glover has explained the film, which took more than a decade to complete, as his “psychological reaction to corporate controls of expression limiting the exploration of taboo.”

The screening will be preceded each night by The Crispin Hellion Glover Big Slide Show, featuring illustrations and commentary from eight of Glover’s books. The evening ends with a post-screening discussion of What is it? and a book signing.

Advance tickets are $20 ($15 members and students) and are at the Eastman House admissions desk or the Dryden Theatre box office; online at www.eastmanhouse.org; or by phone at (585) 271-3361, ext. 295. For information, go to www.dryden.eastmanhouse.org.

Posted by andrewanissi at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

February 07, 2007

Fifteen year old German homeschooler forcibly admitted into a mental institution

Dated: February 2, 2007
SOURCE: Netzwerk-Bildungsfreiheit

The day before Christmas, the German newspaper, Erlanger Nachrichten published a picture of the eight-member Busekros family standing happily together around an advent wreath. The title of the accompanying article was “Only families open the way for new perspectives“. On the first of February this year, the Busekros’ oldest daughter was torn from her family by force, thanks to a judge’s ruling : Compulsory admittance to the Klinikum Nuremberg-Nord, a psychiatric clinic for children and young people and loss of parental custody.

For the full article, click here.

Posted by andrewanissi at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)

February 06, 2007

Cruise 'is Christ' of Scientology

By EMILY SMITH
SOURCE: The Sun Online
Dated: January 23, 2007

You could say, Tom Cruise is the top gun of Scientology. But though I have nothing against Scientology, and though I don't support all of the condescending bias against a particular religion just because its not Semitic (i.e. Catholic/Muslim/Jewish), - I'd say Tom Cruise's potential of reaching the popularity of Christ sounds to me like a mission impossible. - ed.

TOM Cruise is the new “Christ” of Scientology, according to leaders of the cult-like religion.

The Mission: Impossible star has been told he has been “chosen” to spread the word of his faith throughout the world.

And leader David Miscavige believes that in future, Cruise, 44, will be worshipped like Jesus for his work to raise awareness of the religion.

A source close to the actor, who has risen to one of the church’s top levels, said: “Tom has been told he is Scientology’s Christ-like figure.

“Like Christ, he’s been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right.”

Cruise joined the Church of Scientology in the ’80s. Leader L Ron Hubbard claimed humans bear traces of an ancient alien civilisation.

Posted by andrewanissi at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)