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[michael_arnold]

Thanks so much to everyone who had something to say about what I posted yesterday. There are so many discussions that I would love to carry forward with in the different threads, and it is reassuring to hear that the sentiments which I gave voice to are shared. Something is definitely "up". The question is - what to do about it

Comments

[bearringsd]

I think you are definitely on the right track when you think that action begins at the individual level. Let me explain.

It could be said that there's a lot of resentment in the work towards America, thus generating all the bad vibes towards us. This can largely be due to the leaders we have in power and the things we are doing. However, as easy as it is to blame them (and some of the blame falls on THEM) a big portion of this blame fall on each and every one of us. The key word here is APATHYOur leaders are dragging us towards some really nasty roads, but each and every one of us is responsible for turning the other way, for not being involved enough, vocal enough. We (as a nation) are all to blame for the times we choose not to listen, for the times that "Britney Spear's pregnancy" or the latest Micheal Jackson fiasco or the latest reality TV show consumes our attention instead of the thing we can do to improve our collective lives. Don't get me wrong. We all need diversions and entertainment and such, but don't you feel

[michael_arnold]

how do you write this stuff so fast?!? Are you working with speech recognition software?

[bearringsd]

I was thinking about this stuff already. I guess it's my own personal philosophy and you happen to be thinking along the same lines. :-)

[michael_arnold]

Well, you'll have to have a little patience with me to carry on my part of the conversation. I have started a "real" response to your comment five times now without success. I need some time to digest it and develop a cogent argument to continue the dialogue. Thanks so much for making me think though. It truly is nice to have friends that are willing to have the discussion.

[bigreddee]

I was thinking about you and your post yesterday, and how to respond. After a night of pondering this, I think you should seriously consider taking some yoga classes. I know taking classes really helped me focus on some negative energy I was putting out after my breakup with my ex (not saying this is your situation now, just my personal POV). Meditation is a big part of the yoga I was doing, and it really helped to ground me during that time when all I could think about was the negative. I forced myself during meditation to channel all of my positive energy and put it out not only around myself as a shield, a bubble of calm as it were, but to channel it out into the world as well. From many of the posts you've put out in the past, I think this could be a really critical moment for you to focus on doing something for you. It could help with the health issues as well (hell, I'm here to tell you it does). There's a great class at the Center on Thursday nights, taught by my old yoga teacher (and good friend) Mark. He's also a bear

[michael_arnold]

"frankly, if anyone tells me to go meditate on it, well, I think my response would be pretty rude" what is it this power you have over me that I couldn't possibly respond with anything even the least bit rude?!?! Where do you get this magic?

Actually, I've been thinking a lot about yoga lately, as a starting place for some work that I need to do, physically and spiritually. I've never been really good at subscribing to anyone else's spiritual doctrines, since I seem to have been born with a unique set already carved upon my soul, but I have explored lots of different religions and gleaned some truth and much knowledge from each sects teachings. Let's sit and talk about it this week if you have some time. It would be great to do this (at least for the first few times) with a friendly face nearby.

[bigreddee]

Ahhh...darlin', it's all in the meditation...that's why you couldn't get mad at me...see how good it is

[nursetomsf]

I miss yoga at times as well. There is a studio on 25th/Castro that I used to go to at least 3 times a week for a year when it first opened. The guy who ran it (who is sadly no longer there) was the perfect teacher for me - I basically walked into an open class one early morning, said "I know nothing, where do I start?" and had his undivided attention for an hour. After that single experience I kept going back, until finances prevented me from continuing.

Anyway, my point is that I discovered for me yoga/meditation was ideal because it was all about you and only you. I would spend those mornings entirely focused on taking care of me and just letting go. And breathing. It really is amazing how much of an effect simply focusing on your breathing can have on your entire body.

[xenohomo]

if you really want to go the distance, I recommend watching
< ahre="http://www.whatthebleep.com/">this about 5 times, then watch all of the interviews on the dvd.
gimme a call and we'll discuss over coffee...

the possibility of quantum kisses
N

[xenohomo]

ooop, bad code, but the link still works

[jawnbc]

Not speaking about you directly, but I think it boils down to "we" versus "I".

Societies collapse as their members become more and more obsessed with their individuality: rights, power, happiness. Strong societies emphasize collective needs as much, if not more.

Shift the focus to giving to the collective--not stoopidly so--and the contentment comes. And some things that are confusing gain clarity.

[thegreenbear]

'Illusions' is one of the best books out there to make one examine their own mind and spirituality. My personal favorite though is Johnathon Livingston Seagul. As much as I love the book, it is the spoken performance pof the book by Richard Harris that moves themost had the greatest impact. I have a copy of it on cd and it is amazing. I found it on vinyl years ago, but had it transfered to cd a few years back. I have found it a great comfort and source of peace on many occasions. Its insights, its advice, even its drama. I love it all.

Besides, you can only swim in the lawn so long before you need a swimming pool to stand on.

[michael_arnold]

I thought it was a pond or a lake... but thanks for the image - and the smile. I actually read these books backwards, Illusions first, JLS second. Donald and Richard have been wandering around with me ever since. They show up in the most amazing places sometimes. Still, that one lesson. The vampire. I'm pretty sure it's Chapter 13. It IS startling in it's simplicity, and it is with me every waking moment of every day, even when I am wracked with pain or lost in passion.