tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post8923439526929791551..comments2024-03-28T12:10:26.197-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Easter's UndayGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-31702937915092832932007-04-10T08:35:00.000-07:002007-04-10T08:35:00.000-07:00Lastly, what's more important? For you to be absol...Lastly, what's more important? For you to be absolutely Right in your beliefs or to Know that God, at least on one aspect of Jesus' suffering (the gruesome part), did in fact protect Him and didn't let Him be treated like a subhuman. What kind of followers would allow and insist that the physical suffering of Jesus should be real for us to accept Him as our Savior and Son of God? I don't see any Logic, I don't see Beauty, I don't even see Faith.<BR/><BR/>What's the fascination with God's Blood, with Blood in general anyway? What's the fascination with Physical Punishment? I call those: Priests' fantasies. Sado-masochists hearts who look more and more like repentant sinners/slaves to their own ego than true men and women. That's the sick aspect of christianity so dear to the community of the monks. Overly dramatizing Life and suffering as though Life wasn't heavy enough as it was. Plus they ultimately don't want to take any actions, just the contemplation, submission, self-pity, Pardon, who are we to pardon? A circus organized by 'devil', to absolve his own faults, fool God, and put everyone else into task. <BR/><BR/>The Shiite tradition (remember those men in black, in Iraq, walking in a procession, beating themselves with a whip?) of self-castigation and bleeding makes me want to puke. That's not a universal message of Beauty, that's the expression of a pathological mind in search of redemption. Only nobody is listening. How can we fall for those backwards images? It's built in the same vein. Only they are not in white, but wearing black, even more scary. They are not mullahs (those are really cowards) but a bunch of macho men faking Love and faith.<BR/><BR/>A last point, how long it took the catholic Church to reconcile with its Jewish Tradition? I don't think before the Existence of America, catholics were very tolerant towards Jews. How long Jews have been persecuted around the world for a sin they didn't commit? Why Christianity was built in such fashion that right from the start, it would be easy to misinterpret its message and blame a whole culture, religion and people. Even anti-semite atheist are using the same source to justify their hatred.<BR/><BR/>Christianity fascinates us because deep in our heart we know that it hides a true Gem. For some mysterious reason, any mention of Jesus' name has a magical effect on us, like the mentioning of a Friend long gone but always present. We know something is very real about Him, we knows he was higher than life, we know he would never betray, but right now, we can only guess. Just as true sufi believers have saved Islam from itself, true Believers in the West have saved Christianity. And of course, Jesus Himself has saved his own killers and later the Institution of the Church itself. <BR/><BR/>And one final day, AMERICA made all these different traditions and religions, eternally at war with each others, equal in front of the Law. Letting America open to its own destruction by Muslim radicals in search of Power and Conquest. But that's another story.<BR/><BR/>Sorry I hope that was my last word, until we will meet one day.<BR/><BR/>dreamer<BR/><BR/>river, respectfully, thanks but no thanks. I don't understand that type of Language.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-42795514808169394422007-04-10T07:14:00.000-07:002007-04-10T07:14:00.000-07:00Dreamer - oh, they are fighting 'barbarism' alrigh...Dreamer - oh, they are fighting 'barbarism' alright - but their definition is incoherent, indiscriminate and inverted.<BR/><BR/>And so, their hearts are made hard even in their 'kindness' and they will not hear the words of truth.<BR/><BR/>For he who does not see the need for grace will never receive it, though it is continually given.Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-84464951789509582722007-04-10T03:26:00.000-07:002007-04-10T03:26:00.000-07:00River, I can only wish that we Human are not being...River, I can only wish that we Human are not being treated like animals by God, that we would be saved by Him during crucial moments before we could ever feel the coldness of the sword on our neck, the touch of fire on our skin or the sharpness of the nail on our hand.<BR/><BR/>Some fight for minimum wage, in the name of Justice. I fight for Decency. For the Civilized Man to put an end to all forms of Barbarism, still alive around the world, unfortunately a non-issue to too many. And those who care often don't have a clue as to how to stop it. Some are too scared to even see it or recognize it when it shows up. How many thought Iraq should be saved? How many are helping now to save her? <BR/><BR/>dreamerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-27067828842870902007-04-10T01:08:00.000-07:002007-04-10T01:08:00.000-07:00God is Just and Merciful, but if we stay passive, ...God is Just and Merciful, but if we stay passive, or ignore reality or give up on finding the Key to the salvation of the world, Hell will conquer the planet and more suffering and blood of innocents will be sacrificed. That's not Justice. It's Hard Logic.<BR/><BR/>That's why Jesus was sacrificed. He was surrounded by too many Unbelievers and Ignorants.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately the planet will blow up and it will come to us as a relief.<BR/><BR/>I have my own "Road Map to Global Peace and Prosperity". When the time will come, I will reveal it, then hide and ask for government protection. <BR/><BR/>It's very simple. Could even work with minimum violence. The end of Tyranny. The beginning of prosperity for all according to each individual's ambition. The end of all sleazy phony prophets, politicians and crooks. We will name names. Governments can't succeed without the spiritual and material support of their people. In the same way that God can't Save us if we don't save ourselves. Reach His level by Educating ourselves. <BR/><BR/>Too many people enjoy the status quo, the existing suffering of millions; that way, they can go on blaming the rich countries while cashing in on those people's misery and the rich countries's gullibility. We are still surrounded by slave traders. They rule the world but the call themselves saviors. Best example: the United Nations; even networks like CNN.<BR/><BR/>dreamerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-88317903734894265382007-04-09T17:06:00.000-07:002007-04-09T17:06:00.000-07:00Nope, the suffering was complete and literal. And ...Nope, the suffering was complete and literal. And even worse - cast off into hell.<BR/><BR/>That's what sacrifice looks like.<BR/><BR/>Don't mean to be dismissive, but God is as Just as he is Merciful. <BR/><BR/>It was, indeed, God's own blood on that cross.<BR/><BR/>For, rejoice oh, Israel, the Lord your God is one.Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-48834839538272345962007-04-09T07:53:00.000-07:002007-04-09T07:53:00.000-07:00Yesterday night, there was "The Passion of the Chr...Yesterday night, there was "The Passion of the Christ" on TV. Having heard how violent and gruesome the movie was, I wasn't sure I was going to watch it but I knew ultimately I would have to. So I did, and to my surprise it didn't affect me, it was as though I was immune to Christ's suffering, as though I knew that God would never let a Man be tortured that way, any man but especially that man, like an animal, human beings don't have the capacity to bear such physical pains. If I have one prayer for God, it is that one, I pray that once the beating began, Jesus left his body and was preserved from that horror. Not to minimize His strenght and his Suffering in any way. Because the compassionate heart of Jesus Knows what human suffering means, what happens when the innocent is abused by the ignorant, how governments and institutions can bring darkness to humanity. <BR/><BR/>To deserve His Title, Jesus passed thru the Fire, even if it is a spiritual one. Spirit is what makes us real afterall: It would be as if all the negative vibrations (Hatred) of the universe, past, present and future, would be sent to Him, from head, thru body, heart and soul: i.e. a visit to Hell, if Hell was real, alone in the world, with no one to sustain Him, to give him Love, Hope, to tell him that his suffering is temporary, that there is a Logic and a Justice that will ultimately prevail, that the Just will be rewarded, that He certainly shouldn't be there, such a Lover of God, but that even fools wont be punished, after all even they have been created by God, why should they be punished in their afterlife?... <BR/><BR/>To become Jesus, He was asked to Experience Hell (a world with no love, no security, no future, no God), a bad dream that even Jesus with his Knowledge of the truth couldn't Fight, because even Jesus is at the Mercy of God's power, a point in the universe and a disciple that needs to Grow and become strong in order to bring Light and Knowledge to those who need it. In order to Fight Darkness and Ignorance and to stop the Violence that comes as a consequence.<BR/><BR/>9/11 or the beheading of Nick Berg have the same level of horror to me. One doesn't have to personaly suffer a trauma to be opened to its horror. I pray for Nick Berg and the victims of 9/11 in the same manner that I pray for Jesus. I hope from the bottom of my heart that God is using his power to reduce the pain inflicted to the victims - not spiritually, it's already written in their genes, but physically. If it makes any sense. It does to me.<BR/><BR/>In fact, I know that because of this nature of mine I will always be preserved from physical pain. but I know that God has no mercy when it comes to asking me to show my inner strenght and act of Faith. The price may even seem higher but being the coward I am when it comes to face danger, I accept the Deal. Maybe it is the woman in me that is that coward. Maybe Jesus is stronger after all. Maybe he could handle all kinds of Hurts even the most barbaric ones. Compared to Nick Berg, even His pain becomes relative.<BR/><BR/>God is Beautiful, so is life, but if you ask me, I don't think Life is worth living when you know the high price one has to pay for it. Including knowing what happen to millions of innocent people all around the world in the hands of vicious barbaric psychopaths. Last example: the Iraq of Saddam.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, when the movie came out, I understood the goal of Mel Gibson was to undirectly show what happens when too much power is given to Religion, whether Judaism, Catholicism or Islam. He obviously meant the muslim world at that moment in time. I thought he let the people understand it for themselves. Very few did I believe.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, Religion is a poisonous Gift. The catholic church wasn't immune from barbarism and abuse. Far from it. For whatever reason, each time you give power to a religion, Horror will occur. Something must be wrong somewhere. I know where. <BR/><BR/>This is the reason why I have such high esteem for Buddhism. Where there is no room for Abuse of Power, especially from his High Rank Monks. And as the buddha said, there is a justification for violence to save the Innocent and the Precious. That's why I always thought the Dalai Lama would support the war of America against Saddam. We had already heard the Vatican on the matter. No balls, no clarity, I thought. But the pope was so old already. <BR/><BR/>Anyway back to the Dalai Lama, I still have to interview Him. Or Him, me.<BR/><BR/>I hope I didn't depress you. But who can escape the Truth? There is not much Truth in this world. That's why it's called the Illusion. Everybody is living his/her own version of the facts. Then try to sell it to the world. All imperfect systems that makes everyone angry. Only the ultimate truth will unify the world. Minus the true sickos. But at least we wont have useful idiots no more on their side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-49961846765611386792007-04-09T04:24:00.000-07:002007-04-09T04:24:00.000-07:00Good one to note:Psalm 119:71It is good for me tha...Good one to note:<BR/>Psalm 119:71<BR/><BR/>It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.<BR/><BR/>wv: kdzregrt - sometimes they do!Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-8994161805092318162007-04-09T04:15:00.000-07:002007-04-09T04:15:00.000-07:00A reasonable point, setting aside that it is appro...A reasonable point, setting aside that it is appropriate to note and turn back error; and so it is not negative or bad thoughts that are improper inasmuch as untrue ones. Thoughts also that are true but delivered with the wrong motivation, I.E, dwelling on error (instead of fixing it) are also wrong.<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to clarify, as a person who has recovered from a chronic depression as a teenager.Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-48264282241464194512007-04-08T23:35:00.000-07:002007-04-08T23:35:00.000-07:00On the subject of depression:A general disgust wit...On the subject of depression:<BR/><BR/>A general disgust with the world, a recoil, and a vehement denial and turning away from the desires of ordinary life often occurs in the spiritual seeker; this is called "vairyaga" in Yoga and leads upward to a more detached and serene state. It is a temporary step backward that leads to a greater step forward.<BR/><BR/>Contrast this to depression, which is anger and resentment turned inwardly against the self. The spiritual person must never willingly embrace hopelessness or bad thoughts aimed against the self.<BR/><BR/>In cases of brain chemistry imbalance depression can be hard to combat. <BR/><BR/>My main point is that "vairyaga"--a healthy state--is disgust directed outwardly against human nature in general, whereas depression, an unhealthy state, is ill will and disgust directed against the self.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-77022751003427750572007-04-08T22:08:00.000-07:002007-04-08T22:08:00.000-07:00I'll put my twoscents in on the 'good ol depressio...I'll put my twoscents in on the 'good ol depression' question, having been one hit unexpectedly with a sudden complete lack of interest in stuff that mattered 'before'.<BR/><BR/>In my case, it's been more like trying to recover from an addiction that no longer 'works' & has a similar profile to substance abuse.<BR/><BR/>Went merryly along for decades, filling space/time with the preferred stuff & everything was just peachy. <BR/><BR/>Next an escalation, more & more, giving less & less result. Is this ALL there is?<BR/><BR/>Then a complete shut-down, where no more could be absorbed & only long walks & hours sitting under trees in the park, staring at the river passing, offered any relief.<BR/><BR/>These days, 'interest' is growing again, tho I'm careful to treat all reintroductions to a battery of 'tests', very like allergy-patch-tests done one at a time, for clear evaluation, before giving them a green light. <BR/><BR/>Must say I'm happy with the results. It's like taking everything out of a closet & trying each item on for fit & style, before deciding to bring it back in.<BR/><BR/>I'm with the Restoration of Sanity crowd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-78088831819462076152007-04-08T21:41:00.000-07:002007-04-08T21:41:00.000-07:00Bob Dylan sang, "It's not dark yet, but its gettin...Bob Dylan sang, "It's not dark yet, but its gettin' there." But I say, "It's not light yet, but its gettin' there!"<BR/><BR/>"They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them...and said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"<BR/><BR/>And later, the risen One proclaimed to the apostles, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24:1-6, 44-48)<BR/><BR/>So it all keeps coming full spiral.NoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01100042056270224683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-80534126148936121402007-04-08T21:23:00.000-07:002007-04-08T21:23:00.000-07:00Re the '01 Easter Sunday Cross/Menorah 'controvers...Re the '01 Easter Sunday Cross/Menorah 'controversy': he meant it as a tribute to both faiths, while some newspapers deemed it necessary to drop Hart's strip. Typical horizontal solution to a vertical subject.<BR/><BR/>Hey! If it were happening today, we could send in Lisa to shake her vambhuti to straighten those bozos out.<BR/>You Go Girl!<BR/><BR/>wv: febaqoo (like I said)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-45948019609715639032007-04-08T20:08:00.000-07:002007-04-08T20:08:00.000-07:00Lisa-CCoooontss?Lisa-<BR/>CCoooontss?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-16830581363860745712007-04-08T19:53:00.000-07:002007-04-08T19:53:00.000-07:00"But hey, don't worry about it -- don't get retrau..."But hey, don't worry about it -- don't get retraumatized all over again -- because I have overcome the world (John 16:33).<BR/><BR/>Come again?<BR/><BR/>It seems that in some form or fashion, the world itself -- or worldly existence -- is a trauma. In fact, I am reminded of Bion's theory of thinking, which he believed was foisted upon the mind in order to deal with the catastrophic absence of the breast (literally understood metaphorically)."<BR/><BR/>Thanks B'ob for keeping me abreast of the condition.<BR/>It was nipping underneath the surface and I was fly fishing.<BR/>Time to use bait, metaphorically speaking.<BR/>With a b'obber of course.<BR/><BR/>Metaphysical fishing, looking for the keepers to bite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-80992033745053894302007-04-08T19:44:00.000-07:002007-04-08T19:44:00.000-07:00Nice to know me and my vambhuti have been missed o...Nice to know me and my vambhuti have been missed on this chilly Easter Day. Hope you all had a nice one. Is this why bunnies have furry tails?<BR/><BR/>PS. Ben, I resemble, oops I mean resent that comment! Just because I use springs and straps doesn't mean it's S & M. I try my best not to hurt people, but it is fun to watch them squirm! Good to see some of the old coots, oops again meant coons, out from hibernation! Trust me and don't try to combine those two words!! ;)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-24180354289948198652007-04-08T19:06:00.000-07:002007-04-08T19:06:00.000-07:00Sorry, I attributed Sawdust, but it was Late Conve...Sorry, I attributed Sawdust, but it was Late Convert that said what I quoted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-58419038655010160832007-04-08T19:00:00.000-07:002007-04-08T19:00:00.000-07:00I'll second Alan's hope for Bob to discuss depress...I'll second Alan's hope for Bob to discuss depression, if and when he's inclined. The more I pondered the word, the more different types of experience came to mind. It must be another of those "saturated" words.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps there's a word that better expresses the "shifting of interest away from things of the world and towards matters of the spirit," as Sawdust spoke of it - something that Coons could refer to without all the usual subjectivity attached?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-61466508292080841382007-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:00Sawdust,My sense is the Millennial Depression lies...Sawdust,<BR/><BR/>My sense is the Millennial Depression lies mostly within the hearts of Leftists agonizing over the appalling stress their delusions are under. <BR/><BR/>There are great stressors about, so all isn't well. We came off the worst (dot com) bubble in a generation, and started another bubble, learning nothing in the process. Now we have ~3 million households facing foreclosure in the next three years. And that's just for starters.<BR/><BR/>We can navigate these rapids, like we've navigated so many before. But the Leftist Mind-Rending is certainly an unwelcome complication...<BR/><BR/>WV: ahreazder (Ah Ha, Reader?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-82909491012155601732007-04-08T18:38:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:38:00.000-07:00I agree with van and late convert - though there i...I agree with van and late convert - though there is a good chance of depression among those on the path (another way the ego/parasites play with us), in my humble experience most friends have some fairly major realignments of what they value in their lives. For some it happens in an instant, for most it is a slow process that sneaks up on you. Perhaps Bob will cover this in a future post?<BR/><BR/>Re; the wiz - I fondly remember waiting for my piano teacher (a nun in a convent) reading paperbacks of the Wizard of Id comics - it was one of my first ways of getting a sneak peak into the world of how adults think (at least I looked at it that way then!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-70067707398156352202007-04-08T18:11:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:11:00.000-07:00Sawdust said:"Talking about losing interest in thi...Sawdust said:<BR/><BR/>"Talking about losing interest in things of the world, it has been my experience with Those Who Know Such Things, that what we have here is good ol' Depression."<BR/><BR/>It's more a shifting of interest away from things of the world and towards matters of the spirit. I view it as a matter of sanity rather than one of depression.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-63566821526308346202007-04-08T18:10:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:10:00.000-07:00Wizard of Id!! Crowd: "The peasants are revolting!...Wizard of Id!! <BR/><BR/>Crowd: "The peasants are revolting!"<BR/><BR/>Wiz: "They certainly are!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-10913910403454052032007-04-08T18:04:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:04:00.000-07:00Joan of Argghh!,Ahh... Sunday morning as a kid, my...Joan of Argghh!,<BR/>Ahh... Sunday morning as a kid, my brother & I would wake & race into my parents room, jump on the bed and see who would be first to get to the page of the funny papers with B.C., Wizard of Id & (what was the western?...)Rick O'Shay(?).<BR/><BR/>If you got to go, and we all do, that's the way to do it.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-65871005963138356082007-04-08T17:53:00.000-07:002007-04-08T17:53:00.000-07:00Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.Quia quem meruisti...Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.<BR/>Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia<BR/>Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.<BR/>Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia<BR/><BR/>Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.<BR/>Quia resurrexit Dominus vere, alleluia!<BR/><BR/>A blessed Easter to all celebrating.<BR/><BR/>I have some thoughts on T = C, from a different perspective, but they'll have to wait.<BR/><BR/>El Guapo is coming and I must "sew, old one! Sew like the wind!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-31835309727632138642007-04-08T17:45:00.000-07:002007-04-08T17:45:00.000-07:00Sawdust said "...Talking about losing interest in ...Sawdust said "...Talking about losing interest in things of the world, it has been my experience with Those Who Know Such Things, that what we have here is good ol' Depression."<BR/><BR/>I think there's a difference between losing interest and shunning, retreating or hiding from them....Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-22824786045636297772007-04-08T17:42:00.000-07:002007-04-08T17:42:00.000-07:00Our loss, Heaven's gain."He had a stroke," Hart's ...Our loss, Heaven's <A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070409/ap_on_en_ot/obit_hart_12" REL="nofollow">gain.</A><BR/><BR/>"He had a stroke," Hart's wife, Bobby, said Sunday. "He died at his storyboard."<BR/><BR/>Just an awesome way to go completely vertical... doing what you love!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com