HaPPyMaraXXus

The Beast be a real shit-kicker! (He kind of reminded me of the typical "drunken master" character...) meanwhile, the sucker gets it the roughest. Evil ... -Jessica

There was a thread long ago that I think GT had started, asking about "what kind of music do ya'll listen to"...something like that here's a sweet little band that I like to check out in Cincinnati and Dayton (they do a 1 night concert at each every year the day before and the day after Thanksgiving) Great guys, they are. Lots of raw talent. Unfortunately, they do not do other states. you can check them out here The best album is "Awkwardsville" by far. The only other one that has an albumful of great songs is "Live at Ripleys" which is a 2 discer with about 30 tracks. If anyone would like a copy, I would be more than willing to send it out...just give me a PM to let me know. Anyone else have some suggestions??? New stuff they'd like to share?? LDAPN, -Jessica

Yo Sean, that sounds pretty darn specific, there!!! Well, since I do not have a hottie girlfriend (and I bet you fella's would want a pic of THAT one, wouldn't ya?) I guess I will have to settle for checking that out and jammin' it in my black GT and heading towards the Great Smoky Mts. (I like riding solo anyway)... remember to keep those buns movin'...ya taobums! -Jessica

The previous attachment above is an oil painting which shows the 22 Hebrew Letter Glyphs which are used to represent the 22 lower Paths of the 32 fold Tree of Life. In this mnemonic aid the Letters are shown, beginning with Aleph, at the center of the Golden mean spiral. Aleph means ox and so an ox is depicted. Aleph is also associated with Air and so Clouds and angels flouting in the air are depicted. The Sephir Yetzirah texts allots fire to Shin and Water to Mem, and so one sees fire with the Shin hieroglyph above the center and water flowing from the Mem Glyph below. Tah is associated with Earth and so one sees the earth in the background of the last 22nd image of the Angel waving tah-tah. The entire spiral is superimposed over a traditional tree of Life image of ten spheres, or Sephirah. Their ten Hebrew names appear with each Qabbalistic sphere. The second Glyph of Beth means house and so one sees a house in the second sphere. The third means camel and so one sees a camel in the third, etc. The names of the Hebrew Letters are shown as well. Gimil sounds like Camel (and means camel as well) and so one sees a camel in the third sphere. Dalet sounds like doll (dollet, #4), Hey sounds like Hay (#5), Vah like Vodka (#6), etc. Astrological associations are on the original painting as well, but are too small to appear in this image reproduction. The shape of the Hebrew Letter, in crimson, is also found interwoven into the design of each sphere. The Hebrew Alphabet as follows: Aleph = Ox Beth(vet) = House Gimil = Camel Dalet = Door Hey = Window Vah = Nails Zain = Sword Cheth = Wall Theth = Snake Yod = Hand Kaf = Fist(of Yoda) Lamed = Oxgoad Mem = Water Nun = Fish Samek = Prop Ayin = Eye Pay = Mouth (red lips) Tzaddie = Fish hook Qoph = Back of Head Resh = Head Shin = Tooth Tah = Cross

There is only one thing ever to point to for your own freedom. And it's not a thing, it is this moment. This is where your focus should rest. Not today, not this hour, not this minute nor this second, it is much more simple than that. It is right now, this very moment. To allow everything to be as it is just now. To be present with what is right now. And right now you exist. Right now, there is a feeling of being. In this moment without referring to your thoughts there is this undeniable sense that you are. Notice this. Not "you are a person" or "your are" anything at all. But simply being. It is indescribable, indefinable, but it is you. If thoughts come, let them come, let them go. If feelings are there let them be. Don't resist anything. Don't even resist the resistance. Because if you resist this moment, if you think it should be other than it is, then you are at war with this moment. And no matter how hard you try and manipulate your world in this moment to be the way you would like it to be, it will only be the way that it is. So you either are resting in this moment or you are fighting this moment. You are living as "I am" or your are living as "I want." To be here in this moment, or to be lost in your thoughts. You can't have both. Freedom or limitation. This present moment, or your endless commentary about who you think you are, where you have been and where you are going. Can you let everything be in this moment? Can you stop trying to change and control your world and instead, simply rest with me right now? Just for this second, can you let go and rest in what is here and now? Don't worry if you are doing it right or wrong. Just be here with me. Notice this moment. Notice that in this moment you exist. That you cannot deny this feeling that you are. That it is here, it is now and you are. Very simple. Are you still here? If not, just come back, keep coming back and all is peaceful again Keep coming back and you will see that you never actually left. What else is there besides now? Isn't it all thoughts outside of now? Isn't it all your imagination outside of now? Let all of that go for just this moment. This is all that there is and the only thing. This moment is freedom itself, bliss itself, love itself. So incredibly intoxicating. So nurturing. This moment is you. And the you-ness goes on forever. Now is forever. So easy and so simple. Too simple for thinking. It's too subtle to be figured out or defined. It is you and you alone. And if you find this hard, simply ask yourself "Who am I?" In this moment, who are you? This question simply takes out the thinking you and all that is left is this feeling of being, of just watching. All that is left is this moment. Ask this over and over. "Who am I? Who am I?" The question takes you immediately back to now. Or you can just surrender. Surrender to everything that is happening right here and right now. Let all of your fixing, wanting, needing, controlling go. What will be left is just this moment. Just you. If there is emotion let the emotion be. If there is pain, let the pain be. Feel it completely in this moment, don't label it, judge it or resist it. If you let it be completely you will see that pain is delicious, that emotions are delicious. Because in this moment there is only you and you alone. And you are love itself. You are bliss itself. You are presence itself. You are consciousness. No guru or teacher can give you this. They can point and provide an energetic to assist you but you alone have to let go of who you think you are and rest in this moment. No improving your mind or body will bring you to now. Because now is what you are. You just have to look. Are you still here? Are you still present? Breathe with me here. Sit with me here. Stop trying to fix what needs not fixing. Stop trying to get into a meditative state, or to be peaceful. Just be, and in the being, the one that resists is no more. And if you rest here, you will see that everything is happening by itself. That thoughts come by themselves, that action comes by itself. That everything is moving along just fine without out you pretending to control everything. And then you can rest in this moment, you can dive deeply, unceasingly into this moment and disappear into the sweet nectar of silence. interested in more? http://www.bliss-music.com/index.htm Check it out here...from music to madness!

From top to bottom, right to left (see attachment to show you the number order) A breakdown of the glyphs on the tree of life- YESOD The Foundation of purity, purpose, faith and focus.(Consecrated water) HOD The Quickening of the intellect through Qabbalistic study.(Consecrated oil) NETZACH The social Solidarity of the Dawnborn Family.(Consecrated grain) TEFERET The Harmonious relationship between the heavens and the earth.(Consecrated incense) GEBURAH The Disciplines and purgations that heal and purify.(Consecrated wine) CHESED The Adorations that lift the heart unto Aumen.(Consecrated ash) DAATH The Gnosis that endows and redeems and which becomes operative in sacrifice.(Consecrated salt) BINAH The Compassionate affection of Yesua. CHOCKMAH The Understanding and wisdom of Miryai. KETER The Crowning glory and ever reverberating light of Amin - the Eternal Ones. Qabbalistic Tree of Life Mnemonic Aid Created and Illustrated by Abba Yesai Nasrai

*enter crazy little dancing squirrel here*

Whatever preexisted all creation, if anything did, cannot be apprehended or portrayed by the senses. Whether something beyond our ken preceded everything is a matter of opinion or theory or faith. It is impossible to explain how existing things may have come from a state of non-existence. It appears to our limited minds that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed. Yet reality greatly exceeds the limits of mind. If the search for the origins of the material world are difficult, we are equally dismayed when we seek to understand how things proceed, interact, and change through time. We cannot easily think of change and time in the abstract. We have difficulty enough recognizing the constant change that affects objects-people commonly act as if the world around them and the people they know are the same from one day to the next. Knowing, understanding and achieving-if done in the way which works fastest, easiest, and best-require nearly no effort at all. How does the universe act? It fills what is empty. The way to knowledge is to empty your mind of knowledge. If you do not know -- if you let go of what fills your mind now -- the natural pattern of the universe will automatically fill you with natural knowledge. When we lose opinions, beliefs, and partial knowledge of the specks and fragments from our brief lives and limited memories, all the wisdom which comes from being empty and open to the universe is available to us. When we do not know what others have taught us or what we have come to believe on our own, our genetic memories and the wordless reality around and beyond us may easily penetrate into our open and empty mind. We learn as we did as infants, when we learned at an amazing rate. To understand, we must let go of our confidence in our understanding. As soon as we accept that we do not understand, our ability to understand-our capacity and power to see and accept and act in harmony with reality-is greatly increased. So, too, with activity. If we wish to achieve without great effort, we need to begin by doing much less. Our activity-our constant busyness, running about ceaselessly, trying to do many things-prevents us from achieving what might be done with very little effort. To do what works best -- quickly and easily achieving all that can be achieved, we need first to stop doing all we are doing. We are too busy to do what will achieve results easily. To achieve more we must begin by doing much less. Then the natural laws will fill this inactivity with activity more natural and productive to us. Letting go of knowledge, understanding, power, activity -- creating an empty space -- is the first step toward freedom, opportunity, wisdom and achievement. When we have cleared our minds of cluttered thoughts, beliefs and opinions, when we stop focusing all our energies on trivia, we can become more aware of the entire universe. Then we may begin to realize the source of all that exists and underlies the constantly changing universe. The ability to be aware of the underlying essence -- the heart of the universe and time together -- is the greatest wisdom. We discover the universal laws -- the way all things exist and change -- by seeing what is common to all that exists and to all the changes that occur. When we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by bits of data, we are misled into taking what appear to be shortcuts. This is the path of many people, so it is a crowded road. We bump and jostle each other through alleys that someone or something has suggested will get us to our destination more quickly. The direct route is invisible. The empty road doesn't exist. We can't find it by looking, by studying the past, by asking others, orvby reviewing what we learned in school. The more we know, the more data we absorb and process, the more easily we are misled. Our efforts lead us into blind alleys that look like shortcuts to happiness, success, peace, and a good life. With an empty mind we can become open to the two extremes of reality which are most valuable to our learning. We can become aware of the totality -- the entire universe through all time -- and we can become aware of ourselves. Knowing yourself and knowing the totality of time and space is a combined knowledge far greater than can be accumulated in the form of bits and pieces of data, the distinctions of words, or the opinions of others or yourself. the deepest place on earth is "within"... -Jessica

The Legend of Zu O Brother, where art thou? Boondock Saints Spirited Away KILL BILL (whole story)

Thanks for the link, turbo! It's always nice to check out some easy to access, free reading material. On top of that, this is some pretty interesting stuff!! Have you read most of this material? Mehkeim, -Jessica

Very, very nice thread... As I've read through some great memories surfaced. I was born and raised a hillbilly type o' gal...so one thing we always did on a daily basis was run through the woods, down the country roads, biking, and in the creeks all barefoot. (granted, the times were MUCH safer, then) There are probably a TON of things we did to generate energy as a child that was completely unconciously. If only we could tag exactly what those things were and hone them in our daily regimens now! Just imagine... Gonna have to kick the shoes off more often on my walks at night. Hmmm...wonder if my little M'geese will leave my toes alone if I do that...*smiles* -Jessica

Hey guys, First, sorry for the delay in the answer for this thread. Looks like a whole lotta bums out there...doing what they can to make a living and continue cultivation. My job at the moment is in the marketing industry, with demands always high and constantly sucking my energy during the daytime...I have to practice twice as hard in the early regimens to keep myself up and then sustain myself with some whole food "good eats" and then back to the real in depth practices by night...and then I cool down with a walk with my two little furballs...it keeps me constantly busy, let me tell ya. I only have to "do time" for a year or so and then should be ready to launch the business of my dreams. This will be a continued health lifestyle institute...offering many services and products, and will be the product of 4 years in the making. Hopefully my homework has been thorough enough to keep the place in good standing for years! We shall see...in time. One of the greatest gifts we recieve is the life we live, and what you do with it shows how much you appreciate it... -Jessica

Most herbs that are on the shelf are safe if taken in moderation, and effective if the customer has researched his or her health problem, understanding the causes of the problem and the benefits and limitations of herbs. There are many herbs that I do not generally recommend. Chaparral "sale" has been questioned and banned in the United States, although it did not remain. It has only been removed from the FDA's "safe list", which I am sure that Mr. Falk knows the name of. *I'm not sure about the technical term, off-hand...but anyway! It may or may not have been the cause of health problems. Because there is not sufficient evidence to implicate it in health problems, and because it appears to be safe when used in a traditional way and when taken in recommended doses for limited time periods, it is not banned in other countries. And when you are dealing in business, unless you have tons of insurance, money, and disclaimers, you just cannot recommend herbs (and there are a few) that have a questionable result. But there are many that I like to use (including the sassafras and comfrey) and since being trained and reading into many huge reference books and gaining a lisence *not to mention many years of practice, generations in the family* have allowed me a sense of security when actually USING them and implementing them as needed. A reference on Chaparral; just wanted to show some sources... This has an opinion going on both sides of the coin Also, taken from this site: some interesting stuff to read about it some details on it, how to use it, what it is, etc. And so...apparently only the "sale" is prohibited. Sounds alot like some other things that are illegal, but if you know how, you can somehow find a way to get your hands on them. There are a hundred or more varieties of plants that are called chaparral. The one that is used medicinally is Larrea divaricata. This is for Lozen, you may want to check this out, I'm not sure if you have heard about any controversy yet but the FDA is trying to put a ban out on this. The only reason I even put that on the list, is because the information was given to me during an herbal intensive class...and that list was more like a "guide to watch and be careful with" and NOT so much a "do not use this stuff its bad for you" kind of list. We can all learn from each other! It was nice to have something to research about, thanks for pointing it out. Keeps me on my toes... -Jessica

Hey, man don't take it to personally on here...you are not the first one in this forum to get attacked with criticism...just remember that it is only an opinion. We are all human after all, not the all-knowing all-powerful greatness of the universe. I'm no avid gum-chewer myself, *smiles* but when faced with that thinking "oh, we'll die from the air we breathe, anyway" kind of thought process there is just NO WAY I could accept that and forget about keeping all other aspects of my life healthy. Ya have to constitute the care for your body more defensively these days, it's true... I really love my ozone generator, and water oxidizers, and little gadgets all around that make my home life an air and water purified space. As far as the food industry goes, ya really can't get healthy stuff unless you are going organic, or growing your own. (like I do here) Vegan diets CAN work, if you do them right, by making sure you are making compound proteins to replace meat-They are simply two or three combinations of starch/grains with fleshy vegetables and there are TONS of them, but I will only put them on here if people on this forum are VEGAN and want to see it, (but somehow I doubt it). With diets you have to be careful, and do your research first-nothing you do as a daily regimen can be healthy unless you know exactly what it is you are doing. Quite frankly, I am glad to see another crusader...there just are not that many these days...keep up that great thinking, my friend-you only like to find the way of good health and a better place for us all. If only more would have that same mentality then perhaps a wave of change might touch us... Kind thoughts and happy smiles, -Jessica

I've gotta admit, that would be one very kick ass poster, you know! If this guy could break it down into laymens terms I would really want to read it and check it out. I can't form an opinion either way until I actually look that stuff up...Keep it coming, Sean! -Jessica

To help balance out that spectrum of great and useful herbs, I searched out one of my lists from a former herbal intensive class I took years ago. Here are some HARDOUS HERBS you guys should look out for: Plant/ Potential Danger Borage/ Harmful in large doses; may cause liver damage and cancer Broom/ Toxic; diuretic Chaparral/ May cause illness; banned in the U.S. Coltsfoot/ May cause cancer Comfrey/ May cause liver damage and cancer (but not through external use) Foxglove/ Potent heart toxin Pennyroyal/ The essential oil may cause convulsions in large doses; possibly harmful to pregnant women. Pokeweed/ May cause respiratory paralysis and convulsions Rue/ May cause skin to be more susceptible to damage when exposed to sunlight Sassafras/ May cause cancer The following herbs are potentially dangerous and should be used with caution: Plant/ Potential Danger Aloe Vera/ The juice can be a powerful laxative when used internally (unless labeled) Ephedra/ Should not be used by people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disease Juniper/ Should not be used by women who are pregnant or by people with kidney disorders Licorice/ Excessive amounts may cause fluid retention and high blood pressure Yohimbe/ Side effects include nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, palpitations, insomnia, and tremors

I've rock climbed before, but I'm nothing near a regular at it. One thing I can say, however, is that the ones that I have climbed were a far cry from easy tasks. Well! what kind of places have you gotten to climb that are a step away from unproblematic and ordiary...as a regular you are most likely to have seen some incredible summits. I'd say my top best of the very few were in Tibet and Columbia. Incredible rush. I totally understand the connection with the elements and the forces of all that make life possible/impossible. I suppose if I had the chance to do more training for safety and techniques to better endurance...I'd be doing it more...but you know how it goes, one small step at a time, and finish the things your started first. Just my "two copper pieces", -Jessica

I like the Whizser the best. It's compact and small, but I like it because I travel very often. (I'm more prone to stay nutritionally healthy if things are made easier for my trips) I also like the Jack Lalanne. It's an excellent machine for home use and although it must be cleaned after every use-(this is always a good idea with ANY juicers because if you leave pulp/larger biodegrable substances in it, it will attract pests that you would probably not want to stay around dwelling in your home (gnats, roaches, ants, flies, I suppose this all depends on where you live ) I'm likely going to make a Nutrition section in practice discussion that way people are more free to express ideas and the occasional (at least I hope so) mini-discussion for anything that comes to mind. (or am I mistaken on the premise that contributed articles section is a more kind of "read me" feel?) grateful for the health-minded learning and its benefits, -Jessica

To answer your question, BOB, Yeah, I am talking about the beetroot. Some of these suckers can get as big as your head. They are easy to find in big city fresh markets, or bigtime markets with alot of variety. They should be near the fresh spinaches, fresh herbs, kolrabi and white beets. These guys pack so much nutritious punch you can literally feel the difference in the morning when drinking the juice before a major meal or as an afternoon refresher. Energy tonic better than any of that crap in cans they are selling now! (ie: No fear, Red Bull, etc) Let me know how these are! I'm gonna start a section in contributed articles OR just a thread in off-topic pertaining to healthful recipes for smoothies and juices. Which do you guys think is more appropriate for this kind of material? May you all live long healthful experiences, -Jessica

Okay, BobD... looks like I've finally gathered come great juice elixirs for ya. Digestive Cocktail This is terrific after a tough workout--or a big meal!! 1 orange 1/4 grapefruit 1/4 lemon, with the skin *Peel the orange and the grapefruit, leaving on as much white pith as possible. Cut or break the fruit into segments, and slice the lemon. Process the fruit in the juicer. The Arouser This is really great in the summer time over ice. As for the name--it does the trick every time. You can also add 1/2 an apple for a more complex flavor, if desired. 2 (4-ounce) bunches of black grapes, organic if possible, with stems 1/2 cup black cherries, pitted *if the grapes are not organic, remove the stems. Process the fruit in the juicer. Ginger Jolt Powerful antioxidant with a warm tingle. The benefits of this juice is exceptional when using to soothe motion sicknesses and stomach upsets. 2 apples 1 pear 1-inch knob of gingerroot *Cut the apples and pear into narrow wedges. Pare the skin off the gingerroot. Beginning and ending with the apple, process half the apple and pear wedges in the juicer. Process the ginger. Process the remaining apple and pear wedges, beginning and ending with apple. AAA Juice You cannot beat this juice for keeping your immune system healthy, which explains its triple-A rating. 3 carrots 1 stalk of celery 1 apple 1/2 beet with the greens 1/2 handful of wheatgrass, if available 1/2 handful of parsley *Trim the carrots and cut them into 2-3 inch pieces. Cut the celery into 2-3 inch pieces. Cut the apple and beet into narrow wedges. Beginning and ending with the carrot and celery pieces, process the vegetables and apple wedges in the juicer. Hope you try at least one and enjoy it! In order to reach your destination, as long as you are facing in the right direction, all you have to do is keep on walking... -Jessica

Supplements for increased energy *Bee pollen *Coenzyme A *Coenzyme 1 (sold under the brand name Enada) *Free-form amino acid complex *Kyo-Green (from Wakunaga of America *N,N-Dimethylglycine (DMG) *Octacosanol *Siberian Ginseng *Spirulina *Wheat germ you can get "Enada" here Huge center with a wide variety of products My most favorite place for stocking up!! has anyone used any of these? -Jessica

As a child, you learn the basics. Then you learn contradictions, abstractions, complications... Leaving your original child-like form in the dust. As a child, you look around your being more often than the later years, in which you avoid such unimportant things, when your time is more demanded and your endeavors more mechanical...striving harder day by day to make a living... But in fact, you are not living...you are obligating every second of your life. When you used to look around in wonder of all the things surrounding you, coloring your life, making every day somehow fixated, meaningful, with so many gifts to offer-so many things to learn... And do you remember not being able to wait to learn them all? Being in the world of nature has healed my spirits and my soul more than anythings else in existence...and with years of time and growing, I came to learn it well-and with the gift of being able to enjoy it fully as a child, while running through fields, forests, creeks, soggy swampland, treehouses, campgrounds, expeditions to lakes in weekend getaways, it has been an AMAZING experience to get to know the many faces of nature's sweet offerings. I'd have to say that forests have been my enjoyment of choice. Something in them reminds me that life- is forever changing, becoming things that I will not always understand... And even if I fight hard to find meaning and face struggle, I am always reminded to be patient...the cycle of life is endless and will eventually turn in another direction that may lend ease to my troubles. And just by being with them, sharing company in this too-crowded, overburdened, self-interested world... Lets me feel a sense of freedom from these horrendous forces: giving me the gift of mercy, silence, and most important of all- support. NEVER take nature away from me. If that happens...I am afraid I will lose the very foundation of my living spirit.