tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post114313047589430029..comments2024-03-28T20:04:20.286-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Body Snatchers, Haunted Mansions, and Revelations from the Abyss (3.12.08)Gagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143261672698936312006-03-24T20:41:00.000-08:002006-03-24T20:41:00.000-08:00"I think the most seductive of lies are those whic..."I think the most seductive of lies are those which mirror most closely the Truth."<BR/><BR/>I think Bob puts it nicely in the book blurb: "Fascist = Leftist in a Hurry"<BR/><BR/>All of the Grand Lies - from the snake on to communism to the Nazi master race - are enticing because they offer short cuts to The Truth. On a smaller level we have the old snake oil salesman (hmmm, never made the Eden connection to that term) or infomercial diet fads. <BR/><BR/>God has things planned a certain way, but it's too damn slow, so 'evil' tempts us with another way. <BR/><BR/>I suppose what's so frightening about today is the lack of logic involved. Or maybe it's more that people today are frightened and running from the truth. <BR/><BR/>It's an odd luxury to only know how to run away. <BR/><BR/>At least the masses in, say Germany or Russia, were in a more desperate state where they wanted something. Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, etc. all had a forward looking, but deeply flawed vision. They were perfectionists and their broad appeal was grounded in man's most basic longings for community, achievement, advancement. That, I think, is the deepest level of evil - when one lures another based on the purest longings of the human heart. Like the pathology of preying on a child with an offer of candy. <BR/><BR/>Today, what do our enemies and their hapless appeasers want? To desperately cling to the Teddy Bear of the past (or, in the case of the Islamists, keep the rest of the world in their darkness).<BR/><BR/>It's frightening, because we're dealing with people who have nothing to lose - no standards, not even a real ideology. At least those swayed by the dreams of, say, communism, could - conceivably - come to their senses when it is proven to fail, or is defeated in war. But what do the masses want today? Do they even know?<BR/> <BR/>I'd rather be chased by a healthy animal - it might get tired, or go for easier prey. On the other hand it's much more dangerous to be up against a desperate, cornered animal. And at least the cornered animal has the instinct for it's own survival, rather than delusions of 72 Virgins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143237800322267202006-03-24T14:03:00.000-08:002006-03-24T14:03:00.000-08:00C'mon guys, 67 comments??? This is by far a recor...C'mon guys, 67 comments??? This is by far a record for this blog, and over what? Daily Kos style bickering.<BR/><BR/>I think there is something to the fact that Bob's post on evil brought this on. I'm not going to concur that Benedict is 'evil' I went through an Objectivist phase where we used to call all dissenters evil (which became just about everyone) and it's just not constructive. Lets not take the term lightly. Evil is serious business, and it's not just being wrong or negative. If we are here we have all had our intellectual struggles and have all walked a difficult, often confused path. If being wrong is evil, well, then I was once evil, and, who knows, maybe I still am. <BR/><BR/>The distinction is that there is no hope for evil. Terrorists are evil. Hitler was evil. These are people who consciously, methodically embrace the dark side. <BR/><BR/>Where ever we are heading it's still early in the game and we live in a world and a culture that is not accustomed nor prepared for vision and moral clarity required. This is a period of searching and adjustment for everyone. Some will be slow to the gate, and some - through grace and good fortune - will 'awaken' sooner. If we do indeed believe we are on to something then it is incumbent on us to accept the responsibility of holding that gate open...serving a beacon and not a barrier to others.<BR/><BR/>If there are people who come here and are sincerely put off by our attitudes then perhaps we should humbly take that to heart. It's one thing to chase away trouble-makers, but it would be sad if well-intentioned people are needlessly driven away from these ideas.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I think it is beneath the intellectual stature of the core readership of this blog to waste time and space bickering over one obnoxious person. If someone makes comments that are irrelevant or unhelpful just ignore them and they might go away. If they don't, well, skipping over their words takes less time than filling up a whole thread with this type of teen-chat board nonsense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143225067211458612006-03-24T10:31:00.000-08:002006-03-24T10:31:00.000-08:00Great post yesandno and all I would add to it is, ...Great post yesandno and all I would add to it is, sometimes the truth is not always pleasant! <BR/><BR/>I personally think that part of being alive is to feel the good..the bad...and the ugly. I know that I have much joy when the good is going on and that I learn to be stronger and depend on my maker in the lessons of bad times and I truly learn empathy and compassion in the knowledge of how fragile we all are in all the things ugly.LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143219080639760312006-03-24T08:51:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:51:00.000-08:00The past few years have been in turmoil...on a glo...The past few years have been in turmoil...on a global scale, on a personal life scale...and I find an inability to put it all into perspective at times. Then I read this:<BR/><BR/>"see how anger actually seems to *magnify* your sense of self? How it seems to build on itself? How is actually feels, in a very self-centering way, quite good? And how you'd like it to feel even better?"<BR/><BR/>And I feel like that statement does indeed explain a big portion of what has been going on. In personal things, loosing sense of self to other events and realizing I am alone without any attention, yes on some days it does make me very angry, makes me want attention that only being in a rant can convey. I may be crazy in my rant, but I got your attention.<BR/><BR/>Same on the global scene. A culture that has not progressed over the centuries now gets angry and demands attention of self. And others who support such endeavors seek to also magnify their sense of self by demonizing the honest through a constant tantrum.<BR/><BR/>I am barely off the horizontal in this blog , I know. But I learn everyday. And if it helps me think of new heights, then that is good. <BR/>________________ <BR/><BR/>Why is it always negative to choose between what is right and what is wrong? Between awareness and lack thereof? <BR/><BR/>If one reports a crack in the bridge, many will be grateful for the knowlegde: Some to fix the problem, others just to avoid the path that leads to the bridge. <BR/><BR/>In addition, there will also be a group that complains that you should not have pointed it out to begin with since nothing has happened and is unlikely to do so since the crack has been there for years.....so no problem.<BR/><BR/>No matter the truth, someone will think that you are negative for simply bringing it up for discussion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143217630289301922006-03-24T08:27:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:27:00.000-08:00Lisa--Just wondering if the usual commenters on th...Lisa--Just wondering if the usual commenters on this site (you know who you are) Does it physically hurt to be so smart?<BR/><BR/>Ha Ha...I wouldn't know, since I don't fall under the "smart" category! Is there a 'desire to be smarter?' Thats where I sit...yeah I sit in that section as close to the front as I can!LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143217360724131152006-03-24T08:22:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:22:00.000-08:00oops, sorry Liquid, I did actually think you may b...oops, sorry Liquid, I did actually think you may be female! It's really hard to tell from your picture but as I look closer those are female legs!<BR/><BR/>Just wondering if the usual commenters on this site (you know who you are) Does it physically hurt to be so smart? I am continually impressed by most of the comments on this site. They usually force me to think a bit harder and deeper. Thanks and I am not being sarcastic when I ask that question.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143217199243232772006-03-24T08:19:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:19:00.000-08:00july---Liquid, thank you for eventually making an ...july---Liquid, thank you for eventually making an offer for a meeting of the minds. You put on your brave face when you went to the door, and that reveals a generous spirit. It is inviting. It makes me want to walk into the light rather than remain in the shadows. But honestly, this is not an inviting group as a whole. Perhaps the feeling June was alluding to is that specific feeling of "open discussion not welcome here". If it's not the case, show me that. Don't just tell me that it isn't so..<BR/><BR/>July,<BR/>I don't need to give you or anyone "permission" to join into the open discussion here! Just jump in! I am sorry that you have felt like the conversation has been spinning by so fast here that you had to wait for "June" to inject an opening for you! Its a blog for "petey's" sake! Ha Ha...and I think it's pretty obvious to most that when Bob turned on the comments option that it was an "invitation" for his readers to join in!LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143216756961610212006-03-24T08:12:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:12:00.000-08:00Awww Lisa, never get freaked out over my love for ...Awww Lisa, never get freaked out over my love for Jesus! I do however, understand exactly what you are talking about on the "mistrust" towards Christianity from some Jews. It's most unfortunate, but it isn't mistrust done out of hate in the heart of any Jew...it is based on a reaction to past persecution. <BR/><BR/>I have great hope for the bond between Jews and Christians to become even more stronger because I do believe that we worship the same God! I believe that God grafted us together and I never forget the root! Ephesians 2:12 reminds me to 'remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world'<BR/><BR/>In fact, I also believe that part of Islam's tactic is to do everything it can to destroy the love between the Jews and Christians. <BR/><BR/>P.S.(BTW....I think Bob and now Lisa think I am a guy, hee hee, but I am female)LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143216517019590492006-03-24T08:08:00.000-08:002006-03-24T08:08:00.000-08:00Lisa - I'm neither Catholic or Jewish but I've com...Lisa - <BR/><BR/>I'm neither Catholic or Jewish but I've come to think in some abstract way that both the Catholic Church and the Jews, specifically the state of Israel, are symbolic of humankind's state of spiritual affairs. Microcosms, in short. That is, they are both inherently holy, they carry the flame, and yet they fall tragically short of the goal. Still, they never fall to the point of having to surrender the flame. It's almost as if the Great Drama of all humankind is played out symbolically in their specific dramas.<BR/><BR/>Thus Jews would be found in the most destructive elements of left-wingism and modern thought, Marx and Freud, eg. Then again, Jews tend to be the most creative, courageous, generous, and compassionate of peoples, artists, scientists, philosophers. <BR/><BR/>As for the Church - well, Jesuits led the way to "liberation theology", one of the, if not *the* major perversion of Christian doctrine. And I don't need to tell you about the scandals which rocked the Church. On the other hand, the Church still has the most intellectual of Christian apologists, and it's still the most philanthropic org in the world.<BR/><BR/>If the Church and Israel are indeed symbolic in this manner, what to make of their current dilemma? Israelis surrounded by states swearing to eliminate them, Hamas on one side, Iran on the other, the squeeze tighter than ever. And the Vatican, a little redoubt of spirituality in the sea of secularism that is known as Europe. What does that say about humankind as a whole? At what juncture are we in the Great Drama?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143213299622484462006-03-24T07:14:00.000-08:002006-03-24T07:14:00.000-08:00I agree with Ben-David that the most unfortunate g...I agree with Ben-David that the most unfortunate group is the liberal Jew who tows the democratic party line. I grew up in this group and many of my oldest, used to be closest, friends remain in that group. It is so sad to see them unable to think honestly and use their education as a jump-board to independent thinking. Many of them are so afraid of the Christian right and Bush's religious overtures, that they miss the true source of evil right in front of their eyes. I see their intolerance of Christians and cannot excuse the hypocrisy. In all honesty, sometimes I get a little freaked out by some of Liquid's religious quotes, but then I remind myself that I like Liquid and his ideas and to get beyond my own insecurities/fears about Christianity. If I replace the word Jesus with God, I can comfortably understand the point of Liquid's comment and hopefully even learn from it. It is beautifully strange how the Christian Right has become Israel's best friend and only true ally in this crazy world we live in today.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143210274916764392006-03-24T06:24:00.000-08:002006-03-24T06:24:00.000-08:00I was a bit concerned about making the claim that ...I was a bit concerned about making the claim that I made, fearful (wa-a-a-a-y down deep) that the explanation would be exactly as Bob said, just a gliche. The thought also crossed my mind that good old Bob, clinical psychologist -- at least skin-head deep -- would treat my mistake as symptomatic.<BR/><BR/>I apologize for my mistake.<BR/><BR/>Now, back to home base where I will feel free to explain to my fellow sick people the true nature of multiculturalism and how it relates to those who hear voices from on high.Benedict S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18319073770437347659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143209424684272462006-03-24T06:10:00.000-08:002006-03-24T06:10:00.000-08:00Ben-David - I should add that the psychological/sp...Ben-David - <BR/><BR/>I should add that the psychological/spiritual value of the Satan-as-tester perspective is obvious: it helps one to see the burdens of life as being spiritual stepping stones.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, the Satan-as-thrill-killer perspective also heightens one's sensitivity to evil, which is so clearly abundant in today's world - and does need to be recognized for what it is. By this I don't mean the "devil-made-me-do-it" notion, rather that anybody can succumb to the potential for evil, a potential far more potent that most people would think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143208518905190642006-03-24T05:55:00.000-08:002006-03-24T05:55:00.000-08:00Ben-David - Interesting. In some esoteric Christia...Ben-David - <BR/><BR/>Interesting. In some esoteric Christian thought, there is a kinship of sorts with the Talmudic view of Satan. That is, there is a distinction between Lucifer - the angel who fufills the divine plan by being the "tester", the necessary oppositional element, this in order to stimulate spiritual growth, and Satan who is thought to be the perversion of Lucifer. Satan is the Luciferic element that did indeed "fall" and that now seeks chaos and destruction for its own sake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143207127550393722006-03-24T05:32:00.000-08:002006-03-24T05:32:00.000-08:00If you like Adin Steinsalz, you should also read t...If you like Adin Steinsalz, you should also read the books of Rabbi David Aaron:<BR/><BR/>Endless Light<BR/>Seeing G-d<BR/>The Secret Life of G-d<BR/>Love is My Religion (a smaller work)<BR/><BR/>They are available through Amazon.<BR/>This is the real deal - not Madonna-style pseudo Kabbalah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143206985472070562006-03-24T05:29:00.000-08:002006-03-24T05:29:00.000-08:00One important distinction to observe - especially ...One important distinction to observe - especially for Christians - is that in the Jewish view, there is no separate "dominion of evil".<BR/><BR/>The Talmud says: Satan, and the Angel of Death, and the Prosecuting Angel of Judgement - are one and that same.<BR/><BR/>This angel has not "fallen" or left G-d's service. His agency is to introduce doubt and the possibility of wrong choice into this, human world. Our ability to freely choose good over an equally plausible evil is what makes us children of G-d, created in His image.<BR/><BR/>Paradoxically, the obscuring of G-d's presence by physicality is what makes us G-dlike!<BR/><BR/>No such children exist in the other spheres, however enchanting it may be to speculate upon them.<BR/><BR/>This leads us to another statement of the Talmud: G-d's main desire is to dwell in this, lower world.<BR/><BR/>This is precisely because He must be invited into this world, by us and our choices. The uncertainty and choice of this world, in which G-d is obscured, are what make *love* possible. <BR/><BR/>Without free choice there is no love.<BR/><BR/>The "angels" of other spheres may be more perfect, but their service of G-d is not freely willed our chosen. There is no love. That is not where G-d wishes to dwell.<BR/><BR/>The Hasidic saying takes it from another angle: <BR/><BR/>Where is G-d? Wherever you let Him in.<BR/><BR/>So this chaotic, obscured world is of supreme importance despite its low "vertical" position among the other spiritual spheres.<BR/><BR/>It also explains why we sense some positions of the radical left to be not just wrong, but "evil" - because they consistently undermine the fundamental notion of human free will, and the value of that choice. From its focus on class warfare, to the victimology politics of race, to the assertion that sexual and other behaviors follow genetic blueprints and should no longer be judged by moral yardsticks - all these positions undercut the notion of the human being as an individual, a child of G-d in their free will, one whose life - and choices - bridge heaven and earth.<BR/><BR/>So they are attacking the fundamental purpose of this world.<BR/><BR/>The most unfortunate of all are those Jews whose parents and grandparents embraced liberal humanism back when it truly was aligned with this more noble, Judeo-Christian view of humanity - and are now riding their left-liberal affiliation down into the pit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143204375855576382006-03-24T04:46:00.000-08:002006-03-24T04:46:00.000-08:00One other thing, July - Since you declare yourself...One other thing, July - <BR/><BR/>Since you declare yourself knowing of what is enlightened and what is not, why not comment on something other than the commentary? I, for one, would welcome you to do so. As long as you are un-Benedictine, as long as you are not insulting, you won't get any kind of negative reaction from me. You might get a disagreement but it will be expressed in a civilized manner. So, come on, comment on something other than the commentary. Let's see what you got. Step up, get off the sidelines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143202446497543402006-03-24T04:14:00.000-08:002006-03-24T04:14:00.000-08:00And, July, this time I gave you the benefit of the...And, July, this time I gave you the benefit of the doubt in assuming that you are not, in fact, Benedict. Because if I hadn't, I would have expressed yet more of my "self-loathing" sarcasm. <BR/><BR/>Benedict has proved himself venal enough to cloak his identity and then falsely claim he is being censored. Fact is, your folksy pose bears a resemblance to his.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143202149225417532006-03-24T04:09:00.000-08:002006-03-24T04:09:00.000-08:00Since those primeval nights we have sought to clot...Since those primeval nights we have sought to clothe evil in ever more elaborate finery, creating at times the garish and at others the sinister. So much so that we mistake the garb for the entity. In God's light all things stand naked, Truth is revealed and the nocturnal is exposed to the light of this Truth. Stripped naked evil quivers for what it is, the image of God denied. Free will is the agent.Bro. Bartlebyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15980379263844521557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143201477761161252006-03-24T03:57:00.000-08:002006-03-24T03:57:00.000-08:00July, since you highlighted me . . .All the commen...July, since you highlighted me . . .<BR/><BR/>All the commentary "negativity" that you perceive centers around Benedict. Let's please keep that straight. 99% of the commentary in this blog is civilized, informative, helpful, and compassionate - and that would include my own. I have disagreed with people calmly and without animus.<BR/><BR/>From the get-go, Benedict proved himself a pompous, egotistical, condescending, self-congratulating, insulting, ass. And he continues to return here to insult. His is a special case. All the opprobrium heaped on his head has been more than merited. If he had not been repeatedly insulting, if he had offered instead well-reasoned disagreements in a civilized manner, he would have been greeted like any other newcomer, ie., with respect and courtesy.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps you are one of those who regards a vigorous response to invasive buffoons like Benedict as being "un-spiritual" and "unenlightened". If so, you are mistaken, period. Please, enough of the New Agey "non-judgmentalism" - if you can't call the Benedicts of the this world for what they are, then you are abdicating spiritual responsibility. And there's more than enough of that to go around, to the great detriment of those who are trying to uphold some kind of spiritual standard.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I was negative in responding to you, just as I should have been.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143193750288899812006-03-24T01:49:00.000-08:002006-03-24T01:49:00.000-08:00This is not unexpected, but it is surprising. Espe...This is not unexpected, but it is surprising. Especially from a group of truth seekers. I chose my words so as not to indulge in or provoke the kind of behavior I was commenting on~~negativity. In retrospect maybe I could have left out the cotton candy metaphor. I was just trying to be sweet. (That's a joke, Lisa;) But I couldn't say what I wanted to say without um, saying what I wanted to say. <BR/><BR/>I am naive enough to have imagined that some constructive discussion might ensue from my agreeing and seconding June's observations. Instead, upon returning a few hours later, I encountered more destructive comments and the very negativity June originally brought to the table for discussion. To wit, Mr. Hinds speculated that I might be a Trinity (thanks JH), then Lisa seconded the speculation, which seemed to provide a runway for Will to launch this bit of dis-cuss:<BR/><BR/><I>" Well, July, I see what you mean. When Bob has referred to you - I'm sorry, I mean to Benedict - as being "disrespectful", "boorish", "paranoid", and, as I recall, "a clueless jackass", (all dead-on descriptions that I agree with), there really is a workmanlike quality in evidence. <BR/>I shall endeavor to jettison all my negativity and evil glee when justifiably slamming you, July - I'm sorry, I mean when slamming Benedict - and shall go about it more workman-like."</I><BR/><BR/>Ease up, brother bear! The justification for this outburst was what...me pointing out that there was negativity coming from the comments section, right? Thanks for helping me make my point. I'll buy the next round, OK? <BR/>Sarcasm is an interesting form of "humor". It carries with it an aspect of self-loathing. (look it up) Whenever I catch myself resorting to it as a first level of defense, I can usually find the root of my anger within rather than without. Check your sources, so to speak.<BR/><BR/>Liquid, thank you for eventually making an offer for a meeting of the minds. You put on your brave face when you went to the door, and that reveals a generous spirit. It is inviting. It makes me want to walk into the light rather than remain in the shadows. But honestly, this is not an inviting group as a whole. Perhaps the feeling June was alluding to is that specific feeling of "open discussion not welcome here". If it's not the case, show me that. Don't just tell me that it isn't so.<BR/><BR/>Now Petey, I won't take the time to find the chapter and verse, so let me risk paraphrasing Reverend Bob: careful reading pays off. I state pretty clearly, twice, that Bob is not the source of the perceived negative vibe. But you instruct me for two paragraphs on how to read Bob so as not to perceive him so negatively. Please devote some of this excess energy you have (from not having to lug around a body) toward two paragraphs worth of how to reverse the polarity of the Bobbleheads as they meet and greet new visitors and guests. <BR/><BR/><BR/>And pass this on to Bob, on the off chance that even though he knows it, he might not be in rememberance of it: the enlightened aren't here. The unenlightened are. If he has truth to tell it will go over just fine on its own. You don't have to sell a hamburger by telling everyone how bad a hotdog is. Of course Bob will say that for his points, he does. Naah. He doesn't. Remind Bob to emphasize the loving aspect of that wrathful, vengeful God from time to time. Encourage him to stop thinking (just for a moment) and feel the love. He can close the blinds and do it in secret if he feels the need. No one has to know... This Love business...It's still one of God's top selling points. And Petey: <I>wink</I>. Pass it on.<BR/><BR/>So there. I spent my dime. Off with my head? Have at it, brethren. I've been kicked around, and feted, by better gods than you.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your time,<BR/> ~~JulyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143178532374384532006-03-23T21:35:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:35:00.000-08:00Dilys - Bob could inform you better than I re the ...Dilys - <BR/><BR/>Bob could inform you better than I re the glandular system, but yes, Edgar Cayce, for one, had any number of "readings" on the link between the glandular system and the higher perceptual capacities. I'd recommend him.<BR/><BR/>The pineal gland, for example, is linked to the fabled "third eye".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143178320829651292006-03-23T21:32:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:32:00.000-08:00Most definitely!Most definitely!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143177723584339372006-03-23T21:22:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:22:00.000-08:00Right, Lisa!This blog is Pilates without the machi...Right, Lisa!<BR/><BR/>This blog is Pilates without the machines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143177109715795462006-03-23T21:11:00.000-08:002006-03-23T21:11:00.000-08:00Wow! That was a crazy experience. I just linked o...Wow! That was a crazy experience. I just linked on that frontpage link from Dilys about the pathetic "academic" paper. My leg fell asleep and was throbbing pains and needles and felt sick to my stomach as I was reading. I came back and read Will's last post and started laughing and felt perfectly fine and even light! I don't care what anyone says, this is a fun blog!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1143176196143249352006-03-23T20:56:00.000-08:002006-03-23T20:56:00.000-08:00Lisa- There's always a Benedict. Always. I think m...Lisa- <BR/><BR/>There's always a Benedict. Always. I think maybe if he didn't exist, we'd have to invent him. <BR/><BR/>You know Gurdjieff, the guy who, back in the 20's, devised a method of "waking up"? Long story there but in his classes he used to hire a really really annoying guy to just hang with the students and . . .well, be annoying to the max. And the students would have to do their best to maintain their spiritual sangfroid while Annoying Guy continued to be annoying. Thus Annoying Guy was, in Gurdjieff's scheme, a necessary item, a test, if you will. Same as when the zen teachers scream at their students who are in meditation.<BR/><BR/>NO, I don't think Benedict is a plant. Well, maybe he's a plant "from above", so to speak. Actually, that Bob's blog has attracted a Benedict is yet more validation that the blog and what ensues in here is definitely worth it, spiritually-wise.<BR/><BR/>There's an old saying, "the closer you get to the sacred, the closer you get to the profane."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com