Ultimate Thread Ever. Tao, God, The Universe, Nature, The Earth, Human History, etc.

[Immortal4life]

Falun Dafa, High level Qigong is spiritual cultivation-


http://www.falundafa.org/eng/media.htm
http://www.trinity.edu/rnadeau/Chinese%20Religions/Li%20Hongzhi.htm

In 1992 a remarkable person and remarkable type of gong emerged in China's qigong circles. These were the Falun Gong, which was accepted by the China Qigong Science Research Association as a school of gong, with Li Hongzhi as its founder, directly under the Association's purview. Li Hongzhi made his first public appearance in May the same year. With his completely new approach that changed the traditional theories and methods of gong, and with his unique skills and characteristics, he has been attracting more and more qigong afficionados. All people who have shown interest in practicing Falun Gong are filled with admiration for his profound theories and methods, amazed by the superlative powers of his gong, and have been drawn by the unique effects of his gong. Falun Gong is like a resplendent pearl that, with its dazzling light, is dispelling the accumulated dust in the hearts of gong practitioners and has lit a bright light on the broad path of cultivation and practice (xiu lian da dao).

Li Hongzhi was born into an ordinary intellectual's family in the city of Gongzhuling, Jilin Province on May 13, 1951 (the eighth day of the fourth moon by the lunar calendar).

As a child, Li Hongzhi stood apart from his peers by virtue of his natural intelligence and benevolence. Seeing how hard his mother had to work, he took up, of his own accord, such chores as looking after the house, cooking meals, chopping firewood, and taking care of his younger brother and sister. The latter and his peers liked to play with him, as they always felt safe when they were doing so.

At the age of four, Li Hongzhi was given personal instruction in the highest traits of zhen-shan-ren (truthfulness, benevolence, forbearance) by Master Quan Jue, tenth-generation teacher of Buddhist Dafa, which is passed on to only a single disciple. At first, the master would only play with him and did not teach him Gongfu. If he did something good, the master would be pleased; if he did something bad, the master would show his displeasure. At times, his childish nature would make him deliberately do naughty things, such as fighting with his little friends. But after that, something would always happen. Sometimes he would trip and fall time and again for no apparent reason and would not be able to stand steadily on his feet. At other times, no one knew why, the skin on his hand would break open and blood would flow. Whenever this happened, the master would stand at a distance and look on without saying a word. And when Li refused to admit he had been wrong, some bigger children would suddenly come and give him a beating. The master would still look on very sternly without saying anything. A smile would appear on his face only when the boy admitted he had been wrong.

When Li Hongzhi was eight years old, he suddenly became aware that something had appeared at the corner of his eyes. Gradually, he realized they were the words zhen-shan-ren. It was the master who had impressed these words in his eyes. No one else could see them, but they were constantly visible to him. In the years that followed, the master told him the meaning of these words: Zhen means to do true things and speak the truth; it means not practicing deception or speaking untruths, and not concealing one's mistakes; this will eventually result in the attainment of truth. Shan means to be kind and compassionate, to refrain from bullying people, to sympathize with the weak, help the poor; it means that one should always be ready to help others and do good things. Ren means that, when one experiences difficulties and suffers injustices, one should look at the bright side of things, be able to hold out, refrain from resentment and hatred, refrain from nursing grievances and taking revenge, be able to endure the worst of adversities and things that normal people are unable to endure. These apparently simple words contain an incomparable wealth of intentions; they are the highest of natural mysteries (tian ji) in the universe. Whenever Li Hongzhi recalls this incident in his past, he declares with deep feeling: "The first master stayed with me for a full eight years for the sake of these three words. This shows to what pains he was willing to go. Zhen-shan-ren sounds easy, but are most difficult to practice. The master not only had me see these words at all times, he also wanted to impress them firmly in my mind, and he stayed with me until he saw that I was truly able to carry them out." It was these strict demands that laid a solid xin xing (temperamental) foundation in the young soul of Li Hongzhi.

At the age of eight, Li Hongzhi was already highly proficient in Dafa and had acquired supernatural powers. When he played hide-and-seek with his companions, he had only to think "other people cannot see me" to make himself invisible to others, who could not see him even if they directed a flashlight at his face. With a simple flick of a finger, he could draw long, rusty, and crooked nails out of pieces of wood. When water pipes froze up in winter, he had only to tap them with his hand for the pipes to bend; even he himself did not know how he did this. As he was playing with his little companions in snow-covered fields, he could jump and fly through the air. If he found two people about to get into a fight, he could prevent one of them from approaching the other simply by thinking that that person should not go near the other person.

One day, when in the fourth grade of elementary school, Li left school without taking along his school bag, and when he went back to get it the door of the classroom was locked and the windows had been shut. He thought that it would nice if he could get in. No sooner had the thought flashed through his mind than he found himself in the classroom. Another thought, and he was out again. Even he thought this was miraculous. On another occasion he had this thought: what would it feel like to be in the middle of a window pane? No sooner had he thought this than he found himself positioned in the window. He at once felt as if his body and brain were filled with shards of glass; it was most uncomfortable, so he hurriedly got out again. He did not know, at the time, what was the power of gong; he thought everyone was like this, and paid no attention to the matter.



The first master had a great influence on Li Hongzhi. He planted the seeds of zhen-shan-ren in his soul, conferred on him extraordinary gong, cultivated his xin xing, and caused him to develop many excellent qualities. Li Hongzhi has always been ready to help others; whatever he does, he thinks of other people first. When he sees a stone in the road, he picks it up and throws it to one side for fear that someone else may be tripped up by it. When he was in elementary school, he often went to Nanhu Lake to swim. One day, as he walked past the lake on his way home, he suddenly heard people shouting: "Someone has fallen in the water! That person won't make it!" He approached and saw a person struggling weakly in the water some distance from the shore. Without a word he took off his clothes, jumped in the water, and quickly swam across to the person. "Take a deep breath," he said. "Don't struggle. I will save you!" That person obediently did what was asked of him. As Li Hongzhi pulled the person onto the bank of the lake, he found that the victim was an adult much bigger than himself. After the person had recovered somewhat, Li went home. Such things happened more than once, but he never told anyone about them. Ten or more years later he touched upon these incidents in passing, as though such things were quite natural and deserved no mention. As a youngster, Li Hongzhi was a very compassionate person. He would shed copious tears whenever he saw descriptions in movies and novels about the sufferings of good people.



Li's first master left him when he was twelve years old. Before leaving, the master said to him: "There will be more masters coming to teach you." The second master taught him, in the main, the Gongfu of the Taoist school; simultaneously he studied bare-handed fighting methods, fighting with sword and spear, and both internal and external gong. The master would take him to places where there were no other people and practice gong with him. When practicing the ma bu zhan zhuang (immobile stance with legs spread apart), he would stand like that for hours on end, frequently with sweat pouring down like rain. His body became as flexible as cotton as and hard as iron. Two years passed, season after season. Ordinary people can hardly imagine how much perspiration he expended. He practiced until he attained the acme of perfection. A deep affection grew between his master and himself, yet this master also left. Before leaving, the master told him: "My name is Baji Zhenren and my wanderings take me across the four seas. After I leave, remember just one thing: Work hard at practicing gong." In the years that followed, Li Hongzhi kept that admonition firmly in mind. He worked hard at practicing gong. In the silence of the night, in places no one knew about, come winter or summer, day in and day out, he practiced until his hands were covered with calluses. There is no telling how many shirts and jackets were soaked through with his perspiration. His persistence was rewarded: at an early age, his Gongfu had already reached the highest world levels.



Li Hongzhi began to work in 1972. Around this time, his third master--a Grand Dao master--came to him from the Changbai Mountains. The Daoist title of this master was Zhen Dao Zi. He differed from the two previous masters in that he did not wear religious vestments; he looked like an ordinary person and he never said where he lived. This master taught the internal cultivation of gong. Most of the practicing was at night, since people did not dare openly practice gong in those days. Sometimes the master would train him by calling out his subjective awareness (zhu yishi) and, even when asleep, he could feel the master putting things in his mind and in his celestial eye (tian mu). The internally cultivated gong of Grand Dao places very strict requirements on xin xing, and the master demanded that he conduct xin xing cultivation in his everyday life. Whenever he did something wrong, the master would censure and admonish him through the mouths of other people. Because of such strict requirements, Li Hongzhi's xin xing attained an extraordinarily high realm. His colleagues, sensing that he was straightforward, sincere, and honest, all wanted to make closer acquaintance with him. He never argued with people. Some people did not understand this and said he was stupid, that he was not getting or demanding what belonged to him. He had indeed reached the state where he had absolutely no regard for the multitudinous desires and personal interests of ordinary people. He let all such things take their natural course, took little interest in them, and treated them with equanimity. Other people would take up the cudgels against the injustices and censure to which he was subjected, but he himself dismissed such things with a smile.

 

[Immortal4life]

continued...

The Grand Dao master left in 1974. After that a Buddhist female master came to teach him the theories and methods of Buddhist Gong. By this time, although Li was only twenty-three or twenty-four years old, his powers of gong had attained a very high level. In 1982, Li switched jobs and went to work in the city of Changchun, where he put even greater efforts into cultivating his gong. In the ten or more years that followed, he would change masters practically every time he reached a new level; some were Buddhist masters, others Daoist masters. At each level he reached, he suffered hardships and tribulations, many of which are inconceivable to ordinary people.

Today, the gong powers attained by Li Hongzhi have reached an extremely high level, some of which can hardly be imagined by ordinary people. One evening in July, 1990, he and several apprentices were practicing gong in the courtyard of a government organization in Beijing. Soon, the sky became overcast. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled, seemingly just overhead, and the apprentices were becoming somewhat nervous. According to the rules of most types of fa, such weather was inappropriate for practicing gong. However, they saw their master sitting with his legs crossed on a large stone, steady as a mountain and showing not the least sign of vacillation or any intention of withdrawing. So they continued to practice gong. Strangely enough, although the clouds were very heavy and very low, and thunder shook the skies, no rain fell. When the practicing came to an end, the master calmly told his apprentices: "It will not start to rain before half an hour is up. You may leave now with your hearts at ease." One of the apprentices lived in the western part of the city, and it took him about half an hour to get home by bus. Just as he stepped through the door of his house, the rain came pouring down, as if a hole had been pierced in the sky. There are many such miraculous stories told about Li, but they will not be recounted in this article, as ordinary people may find it hard to accept them.

After several decades of arduous cultivation and refining, not only did Li's powers of gong reach extremely high levels, but more importantly, he began to see the truth of the universe, to see more and better things that have always existed in the universe, to see the origins of mankind, and to see the development and future of mankind.

As Li Hongzhi experienced all these travails, one thought kept nagging at his heart: Why did the masters teach me Gongfu? Why am I here in the world? He had no time to inquire too much into the matter while he was practicing gong. He would think about the matter occasionally, but never found any answers. Along with the increasingly higher levels of his gong powers, however, he acquired an ever deepening recognition of humanity and human life.

The human race should have been good and beautiful in the first place, but because it has lost its xin zhi (mental wisdom), people's souls are now being corrupted and their bodies are suffering tortures. Their economic living standards are rising by the day, but their spiritual qualities cannot keep up. His heart pained him whenever he thought of this. The people need strong and healthy bodies, and they need good and beautiful souls, if they are to build up a good and beautiful society and a good and beautiful life. He became aware of his own responsibility, and he made up his mind to devote his efforts to making people physically healthy and to constructing a good and beautiful paradise of the soul. He made up his mind to attain this objective by refashioning the Dafa, which he had spent so many years learning and cultivating on his own, into a Dafa suitable for practice by ordinary people. He also saw that this objective, although good and beautiful, would be very difficult to attain; the road would be filled with complexities, hardships, and dangers. Once he had made up his mind, however, he took action without the least hesitation.



Starting in 1984, Li Hongzhi conducted conscientious investigations into the various schools of qigong in and outside the country and participated in a number of qigong teaching classes. He analyzed the characteristics of modern man, since Dafa had to be adapted to the regularities of life of ordinary people if it was to blossom among ordinary people. Ordinary people have to work, and can spend only a limited amount of time to practice gong. Traditional practicing methods are overelaborate and take too long to improve one's gong. Dafa should discard these shortcomings while retaining their advantages and strong points. He saw that the desires of the mind (xin zhi suo zhi) are the foundation of the health of humanity. All people wish for things good and beautiful, but all bad things have emerged because people have lost their xin zhi. Because the practicing methods of Falun Xiufo Dafa that Li himself had practiced in the past were not suitable for wide popularization, he made up his mind to fashion a Dafa suitable for practicing by modern man--the Falun Gong.



Starting in 1984, Li Hongzhi threw himself heart and soul into the fashioning of Falun Gong. The Buddhist Falun (Dharma wheel), the yin and yang of Daoism, in fact everything in the universe, is reflected in Falun Gong. As he was fashioning Falun Gong, his masters all came back. Supreme masters of Buddhism, Daoism, Grand Dao, and other schools all took part. Every movement and position of Falun Gong was determined under the guidance of these masters and after repeated deliberations and repeated drilling and personal experience. That is why Falun Dafa not only reflects concepts from Buddhism, but assembles all the mysterious forces of the universe and is the quintessence of the entire universe. Today, it is concentrated in the person of Li Hongzhi. After Falun Gong was finalized in 1989, Li was in no hurry to spread it in society . For caution's sake, he first had a few of his apprentices practice this gong. After two years of observation, he found all of these apprentices had reached very high levels. In other types of Gong, the level known as san hua ju ding (three flowers assembling over one's head) is attained only after ten or more years of practice, or even after decades of practice. But some of his apprentices had attained this level after only two years of practicing Falun Gong. This shows that their gong powers improved very quickly.



In May 1992 Li Hongzhi, obeying the calls of duty, made his first public appearance. The China Qigong Science Institute had, after conscientious investigations, fully endorsed the theory, methods, and effectiveness of Falun Gong and accepted it as a school of Gong directly under the purview of the Institute. It also rendered much concrete support and assistance for the popularization and teaching of Falun Gong. To date, Li has already been invited to set up several dozen classes to teach Falun Gong in various places in China and has had hundreds of thousands of students. Wherever he goes, he has received an enthusiastic welcome and vigorous support from learners of Falun Gong. Practice has proved that Falun Gong has miraculous powers and has produced inestimable effects. Li is tirelessly traveling from place to place and fulfilling his mission in a down-to-earth manner. All people who have learned Falun Gong realize that Falun Dafa is indeed a great fa for practitioners, that it has a high starting point, and that it offers much to its practitioners and selflessly provides them with treasures of the highest order. This is something that no other schools of gong are able to do.



The selflessness of Falun Gong is first of all manifested in the low charges collected for it. Wherever he sets up classes, Li Hongzhi insists on the lowest possible charges. Some types of gong have been subjected to corrective action by supervisory organizations because their charges are too high, but every time Falun Gong classes are set up, repeated negotiations are held with the supervisory organizations because charges for the classes are too low. It is not possible to waive all charges. Charges are collected for renting venues. The contracting organizations collect service charges. And after transportation fees, fees for food and lodging, and various other fees and charges are paid, very little is left. Everything that is left is used for Falun Gong construction. Li Hongzhi frequently says that, since this is for the salvation of mankind, we should not increase the burden on practitioners. Falun Gong could very well become a means for Li to become rich. Some people have approached Li Hongzhi and, with promises of high remuneration, have wanted to monopolize the teaching of Falun Gong. Some people have even invited him abroad to make big money. But all such offers have been rejected. Li has time and again reiterated his objective to serve the people. He resolutely refuses to engage in cult activities.



Falun Gong means giving and offering, and it possesses supernatural force. During his teaching classes, the first thing Li does is to adjust the students' physiques, until these students reach a state where they are suitable for studying and practicing Dafa. On this basis, he will place a Falun (Dharma wheel) in the lower abdomen of each student. This Falun, which will be used to help the student practice Falun Gong, spins 24 hours a day and is there for the purpose of fa lian ren (the fa cultivating the person). In other words, a person cannot practice gong at all times, while the Falun at all times helps the practitioner practice gong, so that modern man is absolved of the difficulties caused by the brevity of the time available for practicing gong. Moreover, he also places Falun in other parts of the student's body. Some of these Falun help to practice gong, others cure illnesses. They revolve constantly, and automatically adjust the physical condition of the practitioner. To help students master the essentials of practicing gong, he also places shang qi ji (qi promoting mechanism) on the exterior of the student's body. Like the Falun, these qi ji revolve constantly and lead the students onto the correct path of practicing gong, as well as causing the practitioner's circulatory system (jing mai) to revolve according to the zhou tian (the circulatory system of the universe).



It is safe to practice Falun Gong. No practitioners of Falun Gong will suffer from adverse changes. Li Hongzhi has time and again emphasized that no problems must arise in the practicing of Dafa. Falun Gong has excluded all factors that are likely to lead to adverse changes. For instance, there can be no yi nian in the course of practicing gong, nor can there be spontaneous gong. Also, each student is protected by his or her fa shen (Dharma body); the family of each student, and even the venue where he or she practices gong, is cleansed and protected by a "safety hood" (anquan zhao) that ensures that the student is not affected by evil information.

VHalf a year after Li Hongzhi's first public appearance in December 1992, upon receiving an invitation from the 1992 Dongfang Health Exposition, he personally led his disciples to the exposition to support the country's large-scale qigong activities. At this exposition, Li Hongzhi's name and the Falun Gong that he had devised immediately created a sensation in the capital city. Li Rusong, the general director of the exposition, and Professor Jiang Xuegui, the exposition's chief consultant, spoke very highly of Li Hongzhi's extraordinary gong strength and Falun Gong's enormous power. Li Rusong said: "The first letter of commendation received at this exposition praises Falun Gong. Falun Gong has also received the greatest number of letters of commendation." Professor Jiang said: "I have personally seen how Teacher Li Hongzhi has performed many miracles at this exposition. Falun Gong has proven itself to be the star school of gong at this exposition. As the chief consultant of the exposition, I, on my own responsibility, recommend Falun Gong to all of you."



At the 1993 Dongfang Health Exposition, Li was invited to serve as a member of the exposition's organizing committee, and Falun Gong was demonstrated at the exposition by special invitation. Li Hongzhi's academic report on quigong, presented at the exposition, opened up a new world before his listeners and evoked great interest among qigong afficionados. It had originally been decided that influential qigong masters would each present one report, but because people felt they had not heard enough after Li Hongzhi had given his report, the exposition's organizing committee decided to put on another session. People still felt they had not heard enough, so a third session was organized. All three reports were given to packed audiences, and when no more seats were available some people sat on the floor while others stood throughout the two-hour reports. Li donated all the earnings from his second report to the "China Volunteer-for-a-Just-Cause Foundation" (jian yi yong wei ji jin hui).



In view of the outstanding contributions made to the grand convention of the exposition by Li Hongzhi and by the Falun Gong sponsored by him, the convention's organizing committee and the convention's experts committee jointly decided to present the convention's sole and highest award--the "Borderline Sciences Progress Award"--to Li Hongzhi. The convention also conferred on him a special gold award and the title "Welcomed Qigong Master" in recognition of his merits. At that exposition, Li Hongzhi was honored with more awards than any other qigong master.

Today, Li Hongzhi is leading his disciples to large and medium-sized cities all over China where they are giving classes to teach Falun Dafa and ehlping people who have practiced gong for many years without much improvement rise to higher levels. He is making new contributions to people's physical and mental health as well as propagating Falun and the cultivation of Dafa.

 

[Immortal4life]

Hopi prophecy
http://www.crystalinks.com/hopi2.html
http://ww.w.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2000/11/20/6108.html
http://clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2000/11/21/6096.html
http://www.atlantis.to/hopieldersinterview.htm

Near Oraibi, Arizona, there is a petroglyph known as Prophecy Rock that symbolizes many Hopi prophecies said to be over 10,000 years old. Hopi is an ancient Indian village. Their ancestors passed down many prophecies on the origin, history and future of mankind. They did not use scripts but passed them down by word of mouth from generation to generation. In the 1950's, the prophecies were made public in English for the first time. Due to the remote history, hardly any one can provide an appropriate explanation of the leftmost radiating circle and the swastika in the center. Some websites even removed the left part and only explained the center part. The following is a summary of the past interpretations of the Prophecy Rock.

The time scale starts from the left to right and is in thousands of years along the horizontal direction. The swastika in the sun on the left side represents the origin of the universe. The large human figure on the left is the Great Spirit. The Top Line represents the path of white man's path of science and technology without any spirituality to balance it; the bottom line represents a spiritual path in harmony with nature. There are three vertical lines. The first line is the beginning time of the prophecy.

Each circle represents a cycle of life's annihilation and renewal. The leftmost small circle refers to the annihilation of humanity at the beginning of this cycle of civilization. It may match the "Great Flood" described in legend.

The bar between the paths, above the cross, is the coming of white men (the Cross is that of Christianity). It also shows a time when mankind decides which path to follow, materialism or spiritualism. The four small human figures on the upper road represent, on one level, the past three worlds and the present; on another level, the figures indicate that mankind will travel the white man's path, having been seduced by the glamour of its civilization on the surface. The two circles on the bottom line represent the first and second World Wars. The heavy dark vertical line at the end is the decision time for which path to follow, which is today. It represents the last chance for humanity to turn back to nature before the scientific road disintegrates and dissipates. If the material path is followed, as represented by the top horizontal line, the result is a very jagged line that will result in destruction. If the lower spiritual path is followed, the result will be peace and harmony.

The small circle after the last chance is the Great Purification, after which corn will grow in abundance again, the Great Spirit will return, and the Path of Life will continue forever...

Interesting article on the Grand Canyon finds
http://www.think-aboutit.com/Misc/Grandcanyon.html

 

Explorations in Grand Canyon

------------------------

Mysteries of Immense Rich Cavern Being Brought To Life

-----------------------

Jordan Is Enthused

----------------------

Remarkable Finds Indicate Ancient People Migrated From Orient.

---------------------

The latest news of the progress of the explorations of what is now regarded by scientists as not only the oldest archaeological discovery in the United States, but one of the most valuable in the world, which was mentioned some time ago in the Gazette, was brought to the city yesterday by G. E. Kinkaid, the explorer who found the great underground citadel of the Grand Canyon during a trip from Green river, Wyoming, down the Colorado, in a wooden boat, to Yuma , several months ago. According to the story related yesterday to the Gazette by Mr. Kinkaid, the archaeologists of the Smithsonian institute, which is financing the explorations, have made discoveries which almost conclusively prove that the race which inhabited the mysterious cavern , hewn in solid rock by human hands, was of oriental origin, possibly from Egypt, tracing back to Ramses. If their theories are borne out by the translation of the tablets engraved with hieroglyphics, the mystery of the prehistoric peoples of North America, their ancient arts, who they were and whence they came, will be solved. Egypt and the Nile, and Arizona and the Colorado, will be linked by a historical chain running back to ages which staggers the wildest fancy of the fictionist.

A Thorough Investigation.

Under the direction of Prof. S. A. Jordan, the Smithsonian institute is now prosecuting the most thorough explorations, which will be continued until the last link in the chain is forged. Nearly a mile underground, almost 1480 feet below the surface, the long main passage has been delved into, to find another mammoth chamber from which radiates scores of passageways, like the spokes of a wheel. Several hundred rooms have been discovered, reached by passageways running from the main passage, one of them having been explored for 854 feet and another 634 feet. the recent finds include articles which have never been known as native to this country, and doubtless they had their origin in the orient. War weapons, copper instruments, sharp-edged and hard as steel, indicate the high state of civilization reached by these strange people. So interested have the scientists become that preparations are being made to equip the camp for extensive studies, and the force will be increased to thirty or forty persons.

Before going further into the cavern, better facilities for lighting will have to be installed, for the darkness is dense and quite impenetrable for the average flashlight. In order to avoid being lost, wires are being strung from the entrance to all passageways leading directly to large chambers. How far this cavern extends no one can guess, but it is now the belief of many that what has already been explored is merely the "barracks" to use an American term, for the soldiers, and that far into the underworld will be found the main communal dwellings of the families. The perfect ventilation of the cavern, the steady draught that blows through, indicates that it has another outlet to the surface.

Mr. Kinkaid's Report.

Mr. Kinkaid was the first white man born in Idaho and has been an explorer and hunter all his life, thirty years having been in the service of the Smithsonian. Even briefly recounted, his history sounds fabulous, almost grotesque:

"First, I would impress that the cavern is nearly inaccessible. The entrance is 1,486 feet down the sheer canyon wall. It is located on government land and no visitor will be allowed there under penalty of trespass. The scientists wish to work unmolested, without fear of hunters. A trip there would be fruitless, and the visitor would be sent on his way. The story of how I found the cavern has been related, but in a paragraph: I was journeying down the Colorado river in a boat, alone, looking for mineral. Some forty-two miles up the river from the El Tovar Crystal canyon, I saw on the east wall, stains in the sedimentary formation about 2000 feet above the river bed. There was no trail to this point, but I finally reached it with great difficulty. Above a shelf which hid it from view from the river, was the mouth of the cave. There are steps leading from the entrance some thirty yards to what was, at the time the cavern was inhabited, the level of the river. When I saw the chisel marks on the wall inside the entrance, I became interested, securing my gun and went in. During that trip I went back several hundred feet along the main passage, till I came to the crypt in which I discovered the mummies. One of these I stood up and photographed by flashlight. I gathered a number of relics, which I carried down the Colorado to Yuma, from whence I shipped them to Washington with details of the discovery. Following this the explorations were undertaken.

The Passages.

The main passageway is about 12 feet wide, narrowing to nine feet feet toward the farther end. About 57 feet from the entrance, the first side-passages branch off to the right and left, along which, on both sides, are a number of rooms about the size of ordinary living rooms of today, though some are 30 by 40 feet square. These are entered by oval shaped doors and are ventilated by round air spaces through the walls into the passages. The walls are about three feet six inches in thickness. The passages are chiseled or hewn as straight as could be laid out by an engineer. The ceilings of many of the rooms converge to a center. The side- passages near the entrance run at a sharp angle from the main hall, but toward the rear they gradually reach a right angle in direction.

The Shrine.

Over a hundred feet from the entrance is the cross-hall, several hundred feet long, in which are found the idol, or image, of the people's god, sitting cross-legged, with a lotus flower or lily in each hand. The cast of the face is oriental, and the carving shows a skillful hand, and the entire is remarkably well preserved, as is everything in this cavern. The idol most resembles Buddha, though the scientists are not certain as to what religious worship it represents. Taking into consideration everything found thus far, it is possible that this worship most resembles the ancient people of Thibet. Surrounding this idol are smaller images, some very beautiful in form; others crooked-necked and distorted shapes, symbolical, probably, of good and evil. There are two large cactus with protruding arms, one on each side of the dais on which the god squats. All this is carved out of hard rock resembling marble. In the opposite corner of this cross-hall were found tools of all descriptions, made of copper. These people undoubtedly knew the lost art of hardening this metal, which has been sought by chemists for centuries without result. On a bench running around the workroom was some charcoal and other material probably used in the process. There is also slag and stuff similar to matte, showing that these ancients smelted ores, but so far no trace of where or how this was done has been discovered, nor the origin or the ore.

Among the other finds are vases or urns and cups of copper and gold, made very artistic in design. The pottery work includes enameled ware and glazed vessels. Another passageway leads to granaries such as found in oriental temples. They contain seeds of various kinds. One very large storehouse has not yet been entered, as it is twelve feet high and can be reached only from above. Two copper hooks extend on the edge, which indicates that some sort of ladder was attached. These granaries are rounded, as the materials of which they are constructed, I think, is a very hard cement. A gray metal is also found in this cavern, which puzzles the scientists, for it's identity has not been established. It resembles platinum. Strewn promiscuously over the floor everywhere are what people call "cat's eyes", a yellow stone of no great value. each one is engraved with the head of the Malay type.

The Hieroglyphics

On all of the urns, or walls over doorways, and tablets of stone which were found by the image, are the mysterious hieroglyphics, the key to which the Smithsonian Institute hopes yet to discover. The engraving on the tablets probably has something to do with the religion of the people. Similar hieroglyphics have been found in southern Arizona. Among the pictorial writings, only two animals are found. One is a prehistoric type.

The Crypt

The tomb or crypt in which the mummies were found is one of the largest chambers, the walls slanting back at an angle of about 35 degrees. On these are tiers of mummies, each one occupying a separate hewn shelf. At the head of each is a small bench, on which is found copper cups and pieces of broken swords. Some of the mummies are covered in clay, and all are wrapped in a bark fabric. The urns or cups on the lower tiers are crude, while as the higher shelves are reached the urns are finer in design, showing a later stage of civilization. It is worthy of note that all the mummies examined so far have proved to be male, no children or females being buried here. This leads to the belief that this exterior section was the warrior's barracks.

Among the discoveries no bones of animals have been found, no skins, no clothing, no bedding. Many of the rooms are bare but for water vessels. One room, about 40 by 700 feet, was probably the main dining hall, for cooking utensils are found here. What these people lived on is a problem, though it is presumed that they came south in the winter and farmed in the valleys, going back north in the summer. Upwards of 50,000 people could have lived in the caverns comfortably. One theory is that the present Indian tribes found in Arizona are descendants of the serfs or slaves of the people which inhabited the cave. Undoubtedly a good many thousands of years before the Christian era a people lived here which reached a high stage of civilization. The chronology of human history is full of gaps. Professor Jordan is much enthused over the discoveries and believes that the find will prove of incalculable value in archaeological work.

One thing I have not spoken of , may be of interest. There is one chamber of the passageway to which is not ventilated, and when we approached it a deadly, snaky smell struck us. Our lights would not penetrate the gloom, and until stronger ones are available we will not know what the chamber contains. Some say snakes, but others boo-hoo this idea and think it may contain a deadly gas or chemicals used by the ancients. No sounds are heard, but it smells snaky just the same. The whole underground installation gives one of shaky nerves the creeps. The gloom is like a weight on one's shoulders, and our flashlights and candles only make the darkness blacker. Imagination can revel in conjectures and ungodly daydreams back through the ages that have elapsed till the mind reels dizzily in space.

An Indian Legend

In connection with this story, it is notable that among the Hopi Indians the tradition is told that their ancestors once lived in an underworld in the Grand Canyon till dissension arose between the good and the bad, the people of one heart and the people of two hearts. Machetto, who was their chief, counseled them to leave the underworld, but there was no way out. The chief then caused a tree to grow up and pierce the roof of the underworld and then the people of one heart climbed out. They tarried by Paisisvai (Red River), which is the Colorado, and grew grain and corn. They sent out a message to the Temple of the Sun, asking the blessings of peace, and good will and rain for the people of one heart. That messenger never returned, but today at the Hopi villages at sundown can be seen the old men of the tribe out on the housetops gazing towards the sun, looking for the messenger. When he returns, their lands and ancient dwelling place will be restored to them. That is the tradition. Among the engravings in the cave is seen the image of a heart over the spot where it is located. The legend was learned by W. E. Rollins, the artist, during a year spent with the Hopi Indians. There are two theories of the origin of the Egyptians. One is that they came from Asia; another that the racial cradle was in the upper Nile region. Heeren, an Egyptologist, believed in the Indian origin of the Egyptians. The discoveries in the Grand Canyon may throw further light on human evolution and prehistoric ages.

 

 

[Immortal4life]

Ancient spiritual groups in the past, some systems such as the Essenes or Great White brotherhood came from and were related to the east as well. The Essenes appeared in the west around 500 BC. The purpose was to live virtuosly and to create a perfect eenvironment and physical body for the grandmaster, who was Amilleous, Thoth, Joseph, and others in previous incarnations, to incarnate as Jesus Christ and be a teacher and an example for all people to follow. Jesus, John the Baptist, and Mary were Essenes
http://essenes.net/lifein.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/dss.html
http://www.edgarcayce.org/ancient_mysterie...ient_index.html

A widely held theory is that the Hebrew sect called the Essenes inhabited Qumran. This was an ascetic Jewish religious community that existed in Palestine at the time the occupation of the Qumran site flourished, and which was both contemporary with and pre-dated John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth and the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 A.D.

The Essenes must have been quite important during these times because information concerning them in the ancient literature is more prevalent than for the other two major Jewish sects, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Essenes thrived in a country and at a time that saw the laws of Moses adapted to fit a wide range of philosophies. Jewish, Persian, Iranian and Hellenistic thoughts apparently competed with one another in a quagmire of Messianic fervour, banditry and zealous terrorism.

Edgar Cayce

Recorded history of the Essenes begins around 200 BC and ends around 100 AD. The information channelled by Edgar Cayce tells us that Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the innkeeper at Bethlehem and Jesus himself were all Essenes. Cayce had correctly identified the location of the Essene community eleven years before the scrolls were discovered. Cayce said that only a fraction of the Essenes lived in a discovered monastry. Thousands lived normal lives throughout the Middle East. They were bound together by the conviction that a messiah would be born within their ranks.

Cayce said that the head of the Essenes, called Judy, was incarnated in the twentieth century and came to him for a reading. Among her many functions was record keeper of the Essene material.

Cayce said that there were sects within the Essene movement itself. The philosophical dividing point seemed to be whether man could make things happen or whether only God could make things happen.

The Essene Brotherhood By Joshua David Stone

The Essene brotherhood had its inception at the time of Melchizedek, the great spiritual master who lived on this planet around 1973 B.C. and was the incarnation of Jesus. Thus Jesus actually began the Essene’s movement, as well as facilitating the start of the Jewish religion through Abraham and beginning the Christian religion himself with the help of Lord Maitreya.

The development of the Essene brotherhood over the next two thousand years is embodied in the development of the jewish religion. The Essenes were a Jewish sect representing an esoteric aspect of Jusaism, or Jewish mysticism. The jewish mystics studied the Kabbalah, which taught belief in reincarnation, astrology, channelling, prophecy, soul travel, psychic development, and angels, and which organized itself around the Tree of Life.

The history of the Essene brotherhood can be traced by looking at the development of the Jewish religion. It begins at the time of Melchizedek and the establishment of the Order of Melchizedek. It combines with Abraham (El Morya). It continues through Jacob (the story of Jacob’s ladder and of his wrestling with the angel). It continues through Joseph, an incarnation of Jesus, and his coat of many colours, his jealous brothers, and his eventually becoming the dream interpreter of the Pharaoh.

It continues through the great spiritual master Moses, who led the Jewish people out of bondage in Egypt and spoke to God in the burning bush at Mount Sinai, which was a direct revelation of the Godhead.

Moses was given the Ten Commandments--which are very similar to the teachings that Melchizedek (Jesus) gave to Abraham. Upon Moses’ death when he ascended, Joshua, an incarnation of Jesus, took over and led the Jewish people into the Promised Land.

The Essene, Jewish, Melchizedek, and Christian lineages are, in truth, one lineage, which sets the stage for spiritual teachings for humankind.

Moses brought forth the law. Buddha, five hundred years earlier had brought forth the wisdom of God. Jesus and Lord Maitreya carried forth the law of Moses and the wisdom of Buddha and added the love principle.

Jesus was a Jewish rabbi who had purposely incarnated into a Jewish family that was involved with the Essenes. Jesus was the Messiah the Jewish people were waiting for, but it was only the Essenes who recognized that.

The Essenes were opposed to taking oaths. They simply said “yes” or “no” in common conversation.

They had a great understanding of Astrology. One of the scrolls describes the influence of the heavenly bodies on the physical and spiritual characteristics of those in certain sections of the zodiac.

The Essenes were sometimes referred to as the “silent ones” because of their silence during morning rituals.

The Essenes believed in Baptism.

They believed in tithing.

Some were celibate, others were householders with families.

The principle teacher for the Essenes was the rabban, or rabboni, which means master. The rabban’s assistant was the rabbi, or teacher. The rabbi was assisted by the rab, or assistant teacher.

The Dead Sea Scrolls established the fact that they revered The Book of Enoch (as differentiated from the Keys of Enoch).

In order to preserve their sacred records from the Romans and other profane groups, the Essenes hid such records in caves and crypts, and inside pottery jars especially made for this purpose.

It is scrolls such as these that were found in 1947 near the Dead Sea. Two of these scrolls were called, The Manual of Discipline and The War of the Sons of Light with the Sons of Darkness.

One called The Copper Scroll listed the material possessions of the Essenes.

The Essenes were loosely divided into two groups:

1. Practicai: Practitioners--focused on physical survival--pottery, clothing, pottery, and carpentry

2. Therapeutici: the healers--three categories: Master Herbalists--herbs, roots, leaves, bark Stone healings--clay Spiritual energy--using spiritual energies of the soul, monad, God

The Essenes taught that the physical body was the temple of the soul.

The Essenes were attuned to the angels. They developed the field of Angelology. They developed a sort of tree of life that represented fourteen positive angelic forces. They were expert Kabbalists.

Seven of the angels were of a heavenly nature:
Heavenly Father
Angel of Eternal Life
Angel of Peace
Angel of Love
Angel of Wisdom
Angel of Power
Angels of Creative Work

Seven of a more earthly nature:
Earthly Mother
Angel of Earth
Angel of Life
Angel of Joy
Angel of Sun
Angel of Life
Angel of Air

The tree of life had seven branches reaching toward the heaven and seven roots reaching into the earth. Man was seen sitting in a sort of lotus posture half way between Heaven and earth. The esoteric significance of the number seven was acknowledged clearly.

Their tree of life seems to follow the premise:
“As is above--so is below”.

The Writings of Philo

In 20 A.D., Philo, the Jewish philosopher wrote of a Jewish sect numbering about 4,000 whom he called Essaie because of their saintliness. He wrote that they were worshippers of god who did not practice animalistic sacrifices. They had no slaves, as all humans were equal. Moral philosophy and ethics were their chief preoccupations. The seventh day was their sabbath. They taught piety, holiness, justice, and the art of regulating home and city, but the essence of their teachings was love of God, virtue, and love of humankind. They were indifferent to money, worldly possessions and pleasure.

The Words of Josephus

Josephus writing around 80 A.D. said that the Essenes were Jews by birth but seemed to have a greater affection for one another than they did for the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their piety toward God was extraordinary. They wore chitw garments. They used no profanity. They were ministers of peace. They spend a great deal of time studying the writings of the ancients.

To become an Essene there was a period of preparation and purification that extended over three years. First the candidate (male or female) was required to turn over all property to the common treasury. The candidate was then the ordinances and rules, a spade, an apron, and a white robe. After year of probation the candidate was allowed to enter the second stage during which he enjoyed loser fellowship with the other candidates and was involved in more of the ceremonies and closed rites. At this stage he could not hold office or sit at the common table.

The candidate entering the third stage was required to take an oath never to reveal the secrets of the Essene order and to practice piety toward God, and charity toward his fellow humans. He could do no harm to his fellow man, either of his own accord or at the command of others. He would at no time abuse his authority or put himself above the others. Any Essene caught committing a crime would be cast out of the society. He could now attend the secret meetings called hadoth.

They lived long lives-often beyond 100 years. When captured or tortured by the Romans they could not be made to shed a tear or flatter their tormentors. Their doctrine was that their physical bodies were corruptible, but their souls were immortal.

Many of the Essenes were great prophets of the future and were seldom wrong in their predictions.

They were a happy, industrious, and an optimistic people.

They were very clean, rarely argued, and were very loving.

They had their own panel of judges if they disobeyed the rules.

Qumran is one location the Essenes definitely lived at-


Cleansing pools



Dead sea caves






Essenes also at Mt. Carmel-

 

[Immortal4life]

The Essenes and an Essene Monastery- Map of monastic ruins in the Wadi 'ain Essiah (Essenes). Karmeliya (The "Carmelite") ridge on the south (top of map) and Kalabir ridge on the north (with double cave) enclose the lower monastic complex consisting of about one acre of land. Acerage on the sides of the wadi were also used for growing terraces and for cave and hut construction. (In this map the entrance to the complex is to the left which was westward toward the lower gardens and lower spring and the sea.) The entrance and lower Edah hall would have represented one level of purity, that of the lay Mandai, or Gnostic Nazorean. Up the spiral stair would have been a second level of purity. Around the Temple would have been a third area of holiness, with the most holy area and degree of purity being behind the Temple at the "Essene Well" and Bridal Chamber grotto. These four levels being represented by the four purification pools at the entrance house


THE GREAT WELL SPRING - the "Well of the Essenes" ('Ain Es-siah), was the source of all life in Wadi Essiah (Essene Canyon). Flowing from an oven shaped opening in the southern Karmeliya ("Carmelite") Ridge and thence flowing through covered rock channels to all other areas of the ancient Nazorean Way Monastery. Yeshu and Miryai would have drunk deeply from this pure flowing "Essene Well", and would have drunk wine and eaten fresh garden produce produced from its healing waters.


Remains of covered water channels, or "misra", which began at the "tanna", or "oven spring", and took purifying water to various purification pools and areas throughout the compound, including the entrance area. At the entrance there are four multilevel purification pools, about 6 feet across, where waters cascade down in various grades of purity. Niches, cut into the stone face above the spring, once held votive statues, probably of various Nazorean Gods and Goddesses of Life which are described in the ancient texts as existing at the source of bubbling water and living springs of light.


More "misra", or purity canals flowing south of the Temple structure. Other "misra" channels also flowed on other sides of the temple, creating a sacred and pure place through water flow. At certain festivals in the sacred year some of these cover stones would have been removed and the temple structure splashed inside and out for further purification and consecration.


The double Bridal Chamber Cave, known now as the Cave of Elisha (lower) and Elijah (upper), is just across from the high spring in the more holy eastern area of the monastic compound. Only more advanced initiates would have frequented this area on a regular basis.



Troughs in the lower "Elisha" cave, (probably carved during the Latin hermit phase of the monastery, or even later. These troughs were probably cut after the Essene phase into previously existing stone benches that could have previously served as seating during advanced ritual work of the ancient Nazorean initiates in this marriage cave.)


A stone pillar in the lower cave supporting the cavern above. The upper and more holy chamber is entered from the lower chamber by a small stone stair. The upper chamber, representing the womb of Heavenly Mother, would have been utilized for only the most holy ordinance work of the Bnia-Amin.


More cells, or habitation caves on the lower southern slopes of Karmeliya ridge where the married monks and nuns would have performed some of their daily disciplines, spiritual exercises and prayers.


Remains of stone terraces on Karmeliya ridge of Siah canyon where dedicated monks and married Nazorean nuns would carry jugs of holy spring water to nurture the grape vines, olive trees, and other garden plants grown for fresh food, oil and wine by the monastic community. These terraces on the slopes of Karmeliya would have trapped much of the winter rain water for utilization by the vines and trees planted on them.


An ancient winepress ruin that exists just to the left of the Temple entrance. (May also have been used as a "Maswetta" baptismal font fed by water flowing from the spring through the misra channels.) Nazorean Nazarites, unlike their Jewish counterparts, drank wine and were known as Gupnia, or little grape "vines." They had long, uncut hair.

[Immortal4life]

Remains of the bread oven that are found just south of the Temple structure. This kitchen might have been called Bethlehem, the House of Bread. A holy child born in the adjacent cave would have been born "at Bethlehem" (as Jesus the Nazorean was said to have been.) People in Canaan and ancient Israel consumed between 330 - 440 lbs. of wheat and barley per year, usually in the form of flat coarse breads. Essenes would have also eaten sweet sprouted breads. "Grain constituted over fifty percent of the average person's total caloric intake, followed by legumes (e.g. lentils), olive oil, and fruit, especially dried figs" (Judaism: Practice and Belief, 63 BCE-66 CE, 1992, page 129).


Remains of what is now known as the Prior's cell, located at the western entrance of the monastery. This porter's guard house consists of two chambers and four or more large and cascading washing pools fed by water channels from the distant spring. No meat, pork, poultry, fish or eggs, or those who eat them, would have passed beyond this point, but only monastics (Nazoreans) and lay village Essenes (Mandai or Essai) entering the lower Edah Assembly Hall.





Remains of an ancient sanctuary, built atop a still older Temple structure, consisting of three chambers 20' by 20', with an entrance porch about 16' by 20'. The eastern holy of holies section is raised above the other two, and is toward the east. The flowing wellspring of life was just behind this holy of holies, which fed water channels that surrounded, and purified, the ancient Temple complex. Essenes would not have entered this sanctuary without more purification washings, perhaps even a Tamasha immersion in the flowing mikveh near the entrance. (The Bethlehem "caves" are at the top left of the image.)


After preliminary Rishama purification's in the various pools, representing different stages of purity, and possible changing into white pure garments in the outer Porter's chamber, one could enter the western entrance into the lower Edah Assembly Hall. The steps seen above took those more advanced in Nazirutha to a raised dais and then to the upper levels of the Monastery.


Floor plan and interior of the Double "Bridal-Chamber" Cave, with stair and altar on the right


View of the Bridal Chamber Cave entrance


view of Temple site entrance (looking westward out the front entrance toward the more modern chapel built near the top of the winding stairs)


Waterworks and steps cut into the rock slope


Stairs at Wadi Essene Well

[Immortal4life]

Stairs at the ancient Nazorean Monastic complex at Wadi Essiah


The graves of an elderly man and one with an older man and young woman were found carved into the rock at the entrance to the Temple site.


Prior's Cell at western entrance, with cascading pools on the right


Restored Entrance to the medieval oratory constructed over the still older (Essene Temple) site.


View eastward over the central courtyard between western Assembly Hall and Temple site


View of building ruins south of the Temple site


Another view of Temple site toward the northwest entrance


View from the Bethlehem Cave westward toward the entrance



Actual historical acount by a scholar from the time of the Essenes. Doesn't mean everything is exactly accurate, but these historians lived in the same time period
http://members.aol.com/Wisdomway/deadseascrolls.htm
http://www.religiousstudies.uncc.edu/JDTABOR/DSSEssay.htm

[Immortal4life]

Different cultural practices more related than thought? Throughout history?
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/illnesswel.../YogaPrayer.htm

more "Modern" history
http://www.fsmitha.com/timeline2.html

Christian Prayer beads


Muslim Prayer beads


Buddhist prayer beads



Painting qigong?
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&cl...65132853C559183
http://www.buddhanet.net/budart.htm


Man


Davinci Secrets, Mary Magdalene and Jesus
http://www.artunframed.com/images/artmis69/vincie.jpg




Taoist water reflection Meditation
http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/...471/ai-lien.htm


Scrying
http://www.paralumun.com/mirror.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s43993.htm
http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa062998.htm

Complete Pwnage

[Immortal4life]

Nostradamus

 

 

 

Advancement-

In 1697, a French Jesuit missionary in China, Joachim Bouvet, introduced the I Ching to German mathematician and philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibnitz, who was amazed by the Book of Changes and its use of binary arithmetic, then unknown in Europe. Leibnitz spread the good word, and thus our civilization was first introduced to binary arithmetic, which is not only the cornerstone of the Book of Changes but also the language of all modern computers. Leibnitz was not the only great mind fascinated with the I Ching. Foremost among those who extolled its merit was no doubt psychologist Carl C. Jung, who saw in the Book of Changes the most perfect illustration of his own Theory of Archetypes and referred to the I Ching as "the most profound book ever to come from the East."

Books that relate the history of computers generally credit the digital theory that is the foundation of computer systems to Gottfried Leibniz, who is many times referred to as "the father of the digital revolution". The picture on the left is an illustration of the binary system that Leibniz created, and the picture below is an illustration of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching. There is not much difference between the two illustrations as the picture on the left merely uses the numbers 0 and 1 rather than the symbols of Yin and Yang.

In his article Explication de l'Arithmétique Binaire (1703) Gottfried Leibniz writes that he has found in the hexagrams a base for claiming the universality of the binary numeral system. He takes the layout of the combinatorial excercise found in the hexagrams to represent binary sequences, so that |||||| would correspond to the binary sequence 000000 and |||||: would be 000001, and so forth.

 

 

The picture on the left is the coat-of-arms that Niels Bohr, one of the founders of quantum physics, wore on his formal dress when he received his knighthood in 1947. He created the atomic model, consisting of protons and electrons. In the I Ching, the Tai Chi is the all-encompassing totality and, simultaneously, all of its component parts. The Tai Chi is formed by Yin and Yang, much like the model of an atom that consists of the proton (Yang) and the electron (Yin). Bohr's reverence for the principles of the I Ching were apparent in his decision to wear the Tai Chi symbol when advancing into knighthood. He is also known for his creation of the Theory of Complementarity, which states that opposites are complementary, reflecting the mutual dependence theory of Yin and Yang formulated in the I Ching. Bohr stated that the “great truth is a statement whose opposite is also a great truth.”

 

 

 

 

George Washington had intense meditative visions.
http://www.urantiagate.com/visions/GW.html

NOTE: The following was originally published by Wesley Bradshaw in the National Review, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 1880 (and handed down to me by my grandmother)

The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on July 4, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then 99 years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more.

“Let us go into the hall,” he said. “I want to tell you an incident of Washington’s life - one which no one alive knows of except myself; and, if you live, you will before long, see it verified.

“From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill; one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to spend the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen our dear commander’s care-worn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington’s going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.

“One day, I remember well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly, he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of the officer I mention who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command said to the latter:

“‘I do not know whether it is owing to anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.

“‘Presently I heard a voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn,” while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world---Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. I saw rolling and tossing, between Europe and America, the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.

“‘“Son of the Republic,” said the same mysterious voice as before, “look and learn.” At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating, in the hollow air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.

“‘A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was dotted with them. Again I head the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.”

“‘At this the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word “Union,” bearing the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said, “Remember ye are brethren.” Instantly, the inhabitants casting from them their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.

“‘And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” At this, the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass, there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country, and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up.

“‘As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat., I again heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast.

“‘Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word “Union,” and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”

“‘As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.

“‘Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities, springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, plating the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice: “While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.” And taking from his brow the crown on which was blazoned the word “Union,” he placed it upon the Standard, while the people, kneeling down, said “Amen.”

“‘The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who in the same voice I had heard before, said, “Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted. Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third.”

“(The comment on his word ‘third’ is: The help against the THIRD peril comes in the shape of Divine assistance; passing which, the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union.)”

“‘With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the UNITED STATES.”

“Such, my friends,” concluded the venerable narrator, “were the words I heard from Washington’s own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.”

As did his successer Abraham Lincoln
http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa022100a.htm

 

Lincoln's Premonition
That Lincoln had a precognitive dream about his own untimely death is well documented. He related the dream to his close friend, Ward Hill Lamon:

About ten days ago, I retired very late. I soon began to dream. There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible. I went from room to room. No living person was in sight, but the same mournful sounds met me as I passed alone. I was puzzled and alarmed. Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room. Before me was a catafalque on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng or people, some gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. "Who is dead in the White House?" I demanded of one of the soldiers. "The president," was his answer. "He was killed by an assassin."

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/meditat.htm
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=1090

 

 

Meditation on the Divine Will
Washington, D.C.
September, 1862

This fragment was found and preserved by John Hay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, who said it was "not written to be seen of men." Some of the thoughts expressed here, written after discouraging days of personal sorrow and military defeats, also appear in Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address of 1865.

Hay said that in this writing "Mr. Lincoln admits us into the most secret recesses of his soul .... Perplexed and afflicted beyond the power of human help, by the disasters of war, the wrangling of parties, and the inexorable and constraining logic of his own mind, he shut out the world one day, and tried to put into form his double sense of responsibility to human duty and Divine Power; and this was the result. It shows -- as has been said in another place -- the awful sincerity of a perfectly honest soul, trying to bring itself into closer communion with its Maker."

The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true -- that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By his mere great power, on the minds of the now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And, having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2013 by Immortal4life

[Immortal4life]

Ultimate history for the win!

[Vanir Thunder Dojo Tan]

because we vote on the most glamerous history to be "true".

Highschool's product.

[Immortal4life]

Yeah, high school is propaganda.

 

There is a saying "history is written by the victors". If Europeans didn't win and take over America from Native Americans for example, the truth of who was who in history would have been written very differently. Columbus would certainly not be viewed like a hero or explorer, but as the bringer of strife, war, and suffering. Another example would have been if Hitler had won WW2, the history books would explain him very differently than they do now.

 

When you talk about what is taught in history books in schools I like to say.......History? No, His Story.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Immortal4life

[Vanir Thunder Dojo Tan]

it would be nice if we were able to connect with "THE" [true] Story...

It would be nice to resolve all ignorance; like an alkaseltzer.

Edited March 1, 2013 by Northern Avid Judo Ant

[Immortal4life]

Yeah, it would be nice.

 

Most people are stuck in their social conditioning, but what you can do is you can work on yourself.

[Immortal4life]

Real History, not, His Story.

 

[Immortal4life]

Hey, this is a cool video I found, it takes ideas and images from this thread

[Immortal4life]

For some inexplicable reason the sequel thread to this one titled "The Current Times and Future" has vanished. Apologies to anyone who missed it.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Immortal4life

[manitou]

" Zhen means to do true things and speak the truth; it means not practicing deception or speaking untruths, and not concealing one's mistakes; this will eventually result in the attainment of truth. Shan means to be kind and compassionate, to refrain from bullying people, to sympathize with the weak, help the poor; it means that one should always be ready to help others and do good things. Ren means that, when one experiences difficulties and suffers injustices, one should look at the bright side of things, be able to hold out, refrain from resentment and hatred, refrain from nursing grievances and taking revenge, be able to endure the worst of adversities and things that normal people are unable to endure. These apparently simple words contain an incomparable wealth of intentions; they are the highest of natural mysteries (tian ji) in the universe."

 

 

immortal - I didn't cut and paste this very well but this is direct from one of your posts. To me, this is the ultimate challenge and the essence of the Dao.

 

Thank you for all the work you did on this thread. Really interesting posts, and it always amazes me how similar in nature the "truth" as perceived from one discipline is so very close to the "truth" as seen in another discipline. Many of your articles mention things that I read in my metaphysical books - Besant, Manly Hall, Blavatsky; the very same conclusions are triangulated. As far as I can see, the real "truth" of anything is in the triangulation of all of it.

 

Have you ever read a tiny little pamphlet called the Gospel of the Essenes? This sounds crazy, but one of the things that Jesus would talk about according to that gospel (his folks were Essenes, of course) is the magical properties of grass! He's talking about the common everyday variety that we walk upon (not the cannabis variety, although that wouldn't surprise me either). As you think about it, though, I'll bet there's something to it. Healing properties? Who knows? But grass is probably the first form of vegetation that evolved on land, wouldn't you think? That grass is the stepping stone between 'mineral' or seemingly inanimate life (although minerals have an animation of their own) and plant and animal life. It's so simple that it boggles my mind, and yet it makes sense. In the mundane-ness of the grass we walk on, there may be many magical qualities.

[Immortal4life]

" Zhen means to do true things and speak the truth; it means not practicing deception or speaking untruths, and not concealing one's mistakes; this will eventually result in the attainment of truth. Shan means to be kind and compassionate, to refrain from bullying people, to sympathize with the weak, help the poor; it means that one should always be ready to help others and do good things. Ren means that, when one experiences difficulties and suffers injustices, one should look at the bright side of things, be able to hold out, refrain from resentment and hatred, refrain from nursing grievances and taking revenge, be able to endure the worst of adversities and things that normal people are unable to endure. These apparently simple words contain an incomparable wealth of intentions; they are the highest of natural mysteries (tian ji) in the universe."

 

 

immortal - I didn't cut and paste this very well but this is direct from one of your posts. To me, this is the ultimate challenge and the essence of the Dao.

 

I would agree, and it's not an easy thing to actualize. Easy to say, harder to do.

 

Thank you for all the work you did on this thread. Really interesting posts, and it always amazes me how similar in nature the "truth" as perceived from one discipline is so very close to the "truth" as seen in another discipline. Many of your articles mention things that I read in my metaphysical books - Besant, Manly Hall, Blavatsky; the very same conclusions are triangulated. As far as I can see, the real "truth" of anything is in the triangulation of all of it.

 

Yes, you have gotten to the essence of the point I am making. There are many paths, teachings, ideas, and people on their path. They can appear quite different at first. They are all like different people climbing up the same mountain. At the bottom of the mountain, all you see is yourself, and you don't know that others are climbing that same mountain. We start at different places, but we are all climbing towards the same point at the top of the mountain. Some paths may be quite close to the top, yet still don't recognize others on that same climb on the other side of the mountain. The closer we are to the top, the more we see that others are on that same mountain.

 

Have you ever read a tiny little pamphlet called the Gospel of the Essenes? This sounds crazy, but one of the things that Jesus would talk about according to that gospel (his folks were Essenes, of course) is the magical properties of grass! He's talking about the common everyday variety that we walk upon (not the cannabis variety, although that wouldn't surprise me either). As you think about it, though, I'll bet there's something to it. Healing properties? Who knows? But grass is probably the first form of vegetation that evolved on land, wouldn't you think? That grass is the stepping stone between 'mineral' or seemingly inanimate life (although minerals have an animation of their own) and plant and animal life. It's so simple that it boggles my mind, and yet it makes sense. In the mundane-ness of the grass we walk on, there may be many magical qualities.

I haven't read it, but I have heard of it. It sounds like it corroborates many of the things I have read about the Essenes.

 

I love Manly P. Hall and am planning to read the Secret Teachings of All Ages again soon.

 

Hehe, well, a lot of people these days think wheat grass juice is very healthy. It can actually be kind of tasty too.

[manitou]

Hehe, well, a lot of people these days think wheat grass juice is very healthy. It can actually be kind of tasty too.

 

 

I wish I could stomach that stuff. I've tried it blended and it just makes me gag. I do eat grass when I think of it though, just a pinch here and there. It's my favorite "meditation" - laying face down on lush grass on a summer day. The energy is unbelievable.

 

I've also read "somewhere on the internet" (which of course makes it true!) that cannabis oil was used in the oil the old boys used to anoint each other. I wonder if this doesn't explain some of the more 'mind-expanded' visions, etc.

 

And yes! The mountain! The way I've said it to many people is that from where I stand, the rocks and shadows look like this. From where you stand, the rocks and shadows make it look like 'that'. But it's all the same mountain. I love the metaphor.

Edited March 15, 2013 by manitou

[Immortal4life]

I've also read "somewhere on the internet" (which of course makes it true!) that cannabis oil was used in the oil the old boys used to anoint each other. I wonder if this doesn't explain some of the more 'mind-expanded' visions, etc.

 

You might find this interesting

 

Jesus 'healed using cannabis'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/06/science.religion

Edited April 21, 2013 by Immortal4life

[adept]

Hello Immortal4life.

I would like to say sorry for my comments to you on the subject of Falun Gong a while back.

It was disrespectful and immature just because I didn't agree with your point of view.

Your threads and posts are very informative and I always like to read them.

I offer you my hand of friendship and would like you to accept my humble apology.

Best wishes.

adept

[Immortal4life]

 

Hello Immortal4life.

I would like to say sorry for my comments to you on the subject of Falun Gong a while back.

It was disrespectful and immature just because I didn't agree with your point of view.

Your threads and posts are very informative and I always like to read them.

I offer you my hand of friendship and would like you to accept my humble apology.

Best wishes.

adept

Yes, of course I accept

 

Best wishes to you

[manitou]

 

Hello Immortal4life.

I would like to say sorry for my comments to you on the subject of Falun Gong a while back.

It was disrespectful and immature just because I didn't agree with your point of view.

Your threads and posts are very informative and I always like to read them.

I offer you my hand of friendship and would like you to accept my humble apology.

Best wishes.

adept

 

Adept, you are the essence of what humility is about. Kudos to you.

[manitou]

You might find this interesting

 

Jesus 'healed using cannabis'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/06/science.religion

 

 

amen on that article!! it makes total sense. I only know that with my own cannabis experiences the "3D-ness of thought becomes quite apparent; the triangulations are readily visible. I use it as a transport for ceremony on occasion; the time Joe and I had the incredible success with the kundalini coming up through the ground and zapping someone's breast cancer was done with the help of cannabis.

 

Quite a mind expander, if used correctly. I like to smoke it and read Manley Hall or Blavatsky. Wow, lol.