silent thunder

Potent topic. Challenging in the extreme. I find I can only engage in it for limited bits. My experience is that Politics concretize and demonstrate our society's communal Spiritual Climate. As such, politics are the distillation of our collective spirituality in practical action to me. Due to the climate shift in Political/Collective Spirituality in America over the last 40 years, it is often untenable for me to participate in certain aspects of political discussion for long, (or at all), in a similar manner that it is untenable for me to go for a walk in certain climates outdoors. I grew up in Minnesota. I recall walking to school and having my watering eyes and runny nose freeze shut when the wind=chill dropped below -40F. I recall the gear I had to use to protect my health, to play outside, or risk real harm. I recall the family who froze to death a few yards away from a pub, when they abandoned their broken down car in a white out blizzard. When walking in certain climates, I must take precautions to ensure not only survival but when possible, vitality. When engaging in certain topics of mind, I find I must take similar precautions or risk internal injury and intense repercussions. When the communal political climate in which I find myself is non-conducive to my own personal health and longevity, I take precautions when engaging, or when I can't maintain sincerity and grow too judgemental, rigid and triggered, I withdraw engagement entirely. It's simply not always healthy to go for a walk outside after all. That said... Politics is Spirituality in action... to me. How Spirit could ever be disconnected from any process, noumenal or phenomenal lies beyond the ken of my mind to imagine and my body to experience. Spirit, Matter, Mind...are no longer perceived as separate at all, but in my mind they coalesce like facets of a fluid gem... distinctly apparent aspects of one fluid process. As such, I cannot find one aspect of manifest reality Politics included that is devoid of Spirit. Spirit infuses every aspect of all i encounter. Pavement, city layouts, sewer drainage systems, the shape of toilets, the consistency of toilet paper, our autos, grocery store layouts, parks, traffic... Spirit infuses all form and the flow of forms interacting, for me. Politics is to me, infused utterly to its core with our collective social spirit. I find a country's Politics to be the most palpable demonstration and the direct result of that culture's collective Spirituality. For it is via the political process that we determine and declare openly, as a culture, all of the most important and pressing issues we deal with. It is through the political process that we decide how we will: allocate our resources, educate our young, decide what we consider to be right and wrong action, how and to what extent we will punish folks for infractions when they do wrong, how we will interact with the environment (protect, ignore, pillage). It is through our political process that we legislate in what manner and how intently we will care of our infirm, the mentally unsound and our elders as they pass their final years. Politics to me, is Spirituality in action... collectively. The seeming fact that folks find politics to be somehow separate from spirituality seems a key indicator of the current tone and shape of our interactions regarding it. I became politically aware at the age of 10, when Reagan swept Carter out of office and the reaction to this by the adults around me that I cared about, cut through my child-mind fog and awakened me to curiosity about the process. My experience of American Politics is that it's a quagmire, a bog, a roiling soup of the consensus of all, that is most often controlled by the loudest and brashest of voices competing desperately for the microphone of influence and the tools of leverage. As time has progressed and extremes have rarified further, I have receeded from all but the most local politics, focusing on family, neighborhood and self. Out of selfishness and self preservation. The climate is bitter and harsh, precautions must be taken for the sensitive. And I will not sacrifice my sensitivity. i have sat the cushion and flowed the forms for too many hours to relinquish what was long earned and hard won. I wear the badge of 'bleeding heart' and 'snowflake' with honor and love. The folks who most desire influence and power, usually seem (to my sensibilities) to be, in character, the most psychotic and least altruistic. There seems an inverse proportional ratio in our current system, that those most drawn to influence, display least the qualities of a beneficial leader. In our current power structure, if a man or woman with integrity and high spirit is even drawn to pursue power (most often i find these are too wise to seek out such positions) and manages to arrive in a position of influence; their character and essence do not and will not possess the spirit to do 'whatever it takes' to maintain that position. Hence, they will inevitably be pushed out of influence by the more desperate and psychotic who will stop at nothing to achieve and maintain influence. How do we take care of the weakest among us? How do we prepare our children? How will we use our resources? Do we rehabilitate those who break our laws, or injure them with punishment? These are not political questions to me, but deeply spiritual ones. The answers I find coming from those avenues of public influence some folks still call news, are often mind shatteringly disconnected, sadistic, selfish and horrific. I have no answers but a few tendencies have developed. Work on self, care for family, care for neighbors, reach out and connect. And to cultivate awareness, presence and readiness to engage personally face to face. When ugliness arises, protect the weak without hesitation and likewise, when altruism and compassion are witnessed, openly praise, connect and support such. Connection is the only workable answer I've come across to the question "what is the meaning of life?"

Welcome! Plenty here of dedicated and insightful folks here to bounce ideas off of and to share experiences with... Glad you found your way here.

the last, an offer a lingering, unending, ever unfolding

sure can't be the news perhaps the storyteller's weaving a mind-tale

Well said. Every prior generation's experience is present in our genetic structure and their former forms are also present materially in the soil we grow our food in. It is as accessible as we are willing or capable of seeking tapping in and accessing it. One of my teachers, (18th generation lineage holder) spoke of this at length. He was a young man child when the Japanese invaded and was trained in the Arts by two Uncles on his Mother's side (one Shao Lin the other Wu Dang), they went into hiding and came to live with his mother when the Japanese were sweeping through, murdering as many capable Arts Masters as they could manage. That same teacher, was imprisoned for decades by the CCP, for this very reason. As I mentioned in my first response, the accumulated experiential vibration of our entire generational past is present in our very genetic structure and is accessible in my experience, on occasion seemingly spontaneously as conditions support it, or through diligent, prolonged effort, training and seeking. In my case, this is why stillness and looking inward are so potent. The past is not lost, or gone in my own unfolding path... it's woven into the very fabric of my body which contains all this wisdom, so poignant, profound and present, that it often staggers my localized awareness when I encounter it. Whispers: Don't think, feel, be present... like a finger pointing to the Moon. While there may be cultural and social amnesia, I find it's very much present individually and is carried on in some families with great alacrity and hardy stewardship. The wisdom in not lost; only dormant, unaccessed in current vibrational tendencies and distractedness. When quiet, still, looking inward, it's all present... hell it's materially present now, our houses are built on it and it's in the soil we grow our food in, which is literally the bodies of our ancestors. Great conversation all, deep thanks. I'm experiencing great benefit from this reminder at this moment. adding: synchronously... two clicks after leaving this conversation I encountered this article on the genetic presence of denisovan and neandertalis dna in our modern structure... Genetic Ghost Hunt

The What If Game. rules: imagine a what if or a thought experiment share it or comment on one that's shared Here are a couple that arise often, seemingly randomly: What transpires when an unstoppable force encounters and immovable object? If I were a source of light... what would I see?

I heartily and happily announce and wholly, fully and unconditionally endorse this free event happening now. It's utterly free, (though you may be inclined to drop a few things at the door to gain full admittance, this however, will be entirely self determined). No requirements, cajoling, cowtowing or pressure will be applied. Event: Present Location: Omnipresent Cost: Free (though some conditions may apply) The invitation is only available now, but paradoxically it is also subsequently always available now as is the event. So won't you join us in the present moment? It's free, endlessly accessible and always open. We here in the present, look forward to your presence!

water sprites unite cascading, flowing ever motion, flowing dao.

Poet-Physicist

Good point. Children are fascinated with death, murder and dying and their play and the stories they weave for one another to pass an afternoon reflect this. Probably, I'm assuming, because of the innate understanding of just how fragile and close to death we all are at any given moment. So they are fascinated and explore the concept at length. For all that we can construct massive monuments of steel and glass and develop entire forests of concrete as a species... as individuals, we are each as fragile as a patch of grass, or a toppling glass, readily rendered into decay by a passing storm, a missed step, or an unattentive driver. Any stick lying on the ground readily becomes a rifle or a pistol in the hands of a child's imagination. Though my sticks always tended to morph into bearded axes, claymores, or katanas.

for to graze anew ephemeral in nature the grass touched with dew

Thought of you again when I read this, Marblehead: You've been in mind frequently of late, Old Friend... And it seems I now rarely think of you, without also thinking of Dad. You two would have gotten on, so alike in mind and humor. Both fiercely intelligent, highly humorous... and utterly, deeply and wholly... materialist. Giving me no end of awesome shit for my 'etheral bullshit' Chuckle a bit when I consider what crossing over must have been like for you both... So much more than mere 'material' were you to me, my friend, whom I never once met in the flesh. So grateful for the impressions you left on me.

back to non-psychological music for me:

what if... the storyteller just ceased? stopped weaving endless tales about being drawn to some things and repulsed by others? stopped the incessant obsession to carve meaning out of the flow?

holy shit. it's still going.

...

I walk. Through my neighborhood. Barefoot. Usually in the hour before Sunrise and/or Dusk. Occasionally in the small hours after Midnight.

I appreciate the proposed adaptations, they seem refined, simple and direct. Particularly appreciate losing OG, which always tasted somewhat uncomfortable and off to me. Don't care for General as a title either. Spitballing possible alternatives: Pathways of Spirit Reflections of Spirit Spirit of The Garden The Spirit's Path The Spiritual Gardens Ethereal Garden Spiritual Pursuits Wanderers and Ponderers (lol)

royal sparkle

My suspicion is that though the methods and tools used to instill violence have become more accessible and unfortunately, exponentially more effective... the motives of, and folks inclined in using them are all too ancient and fully human. my stance on violence and weapons is essentially expressed in my take on verse 31 Weapons; tools of pain, used for violence and fear, wise men abhor them. Yet in direst need and if compelled will use them, with utmost restraint. Peace, highest value. When the peace has been shattered who can be content? Glory in fighting? Those who delight in killing do not know true self. Your foes not demons. Simple beings like yourself. Sage desires no harm. No victory dance. Victory by force, no joy. How rejoice in this? Sage battles gravely, completely, yet with sorrow. Like tending a grave.

My gut says no on games as the source. Humans are violent pack mammals by nature, both within and particularly without their perceived tribes/packs. And this within a world where life, to live must consume other life of one sort or another. Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, Pol Pot, Hitler, Stalin, myriad others... all perfected their murder craft with no video games invented yet. Humans are vicious mammals by nature in a world where in spite of disease, famine, pestilence, toxicity and the myriad of natural disasters, not to mention oppressive and uninhabitable environments, we still number over 7 billion. As a top predator that seems unprecedented to me, (though my knowledge of the fossil history is woefully light). I have come to expect that our self-predation (war, homicide, suicide) may be one of nature's inborn self balance check. Humans outbreed all natural occuring predators and thus have no natural means of balancing their capacity to expand. So perhaps this is why such a propensity seems to arise 'from within our very midst'. I do wonder on the occasions this news comes to me, or I seek it out, if they didn't have guns to use... how many of them would have the fortitude to try and pull this shit with a bare blade in their hand? If the violence was not able to be spent at a distance with a moment's glance, but instead must be up close, in hand's reach, where you could smell your intended victim's breath and feel their skin... Utterly Wretched. Such Lost Ones.

In theory I am with Manitou. 100/100. I have the unshakable, palpable sense that we are all (the entire cosmos, not just humans) one fluid unified process. Yet in practice, I find that there must now be consequences and decisive responses for certain processes, even if I understand they are a part of my overall unified self, my sense of self dictates that certain aspects be excised for the health of the overall organism. I recall reading his account when it was published. It resounded through my awareness so potently as to what we regard as 'our self'. His arm was expendable. Compared to losing his life, the arm was released and was no longer 'part of him', so to speak. On a more mundane and less egregious scale... I do not save my fingernail clippings as they have no intrinsic value. I usually do not save stray hairs, or hair that I shed. I no longer consider it part of myself in some odd way. I have never gathered together my shed skin to save... even though it was part of me. What is part of me, and what is not? Is a fluid ever shifting process... never a thing. We are all verbs. Any longer, I don't perceive nouns, or things... but processes. In my current process, it is much as it was for Aron... a position of relative health of the organism, versus keeping all of it intact as it currently expresses itself. Certain levels of toxicity will bring down not just the organism, but blanc the entire ecosystem if left unchecked. Some aspects that i acknowledge as part of me, i also acknowledge as untenable for the health of the whole and thus, must be brought to a shift, and this action is not only beneficial, but a natural response to conditions as they are...

I am reminded however, that the loudest, brashest and most intrusive of actioners, tend toward those who naturally are drawn to positions power, (which to me is the first prerogative for denying access to it), or gravitate toward them, are those with the least inhibitions to taking any action required to arrive at and maintain a position of power. Those of a tolerant, nurturing and compassionate ken, will by nature be unwilling to take any action to acquire, expand and maintain power among the power seeking. The result is a system in which the least moral, most psychotic naturally gravitate to positions of influence due specifically to their uninhibited use of 'any and all means'. The effects of which litter the history books and news outlets of current events worldwide. Yet I am one small man, and so to affect actual, practical expressions of my spiritual nature is why my actions are all focused locally, hyper-locally... beginning first with self, and then family, and neighbors, then neighboring neighbors. For me, it is no longer possible to stand by and watch the steadily unveiled progression of hate in daily life, nor the proliferation of unregulated greed in use of land and work force.

...

William Ackerman, through his guitar and particularly through his arrangements on this album with its particular progressions, enlivens, or brings awareness and presence to notions within my sense of self, that abide beyond words. Through his music... upon hearing that which arises from his mind and is transmitted through his fingers, to his instrument, through the air and to my ears and thus my mind... I find such familiarity, harmonic resonance and peaceful exuberance that words are unecessary, impotent even and I simply abide in the knowing flow of the music. It causes a recurring question without a pat answer to arise again in my mind which is... where does music live? Is it in the mind of the musician? In the breath, fingers or strings and valves of the instrument? In the air? In the mind of the listener? A friend of 3 decades recently prompted me to begin a list of the albums I have most listened to in their entirety, front to back in my life. This one, is high on the list. Top Five. Perfect Sunday Simplicity.