LOVELIGHT March 2009

LOVELIGHT

magazine

HAPPY SPRING

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March 2009***Vol. 6, no.3

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Managing Editors: Adamaria Francis and a Franciscan Taoist

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Special thanks to, and public acknowledgment of, the following contributors to this issue: Barbara Baty, Mary Butler, Abdul Conteh, Jim Dwyer, "Funny Times", Mick Gallagher, Linda Jung, Karina Sandlin, and Ruth Sembiro.

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LOVELIGHT MAGAZINE: WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT

Lovelight magazine is free, coming to your inboxscreen monthly, to announce the beauty of Love! And we love to laugh!:) So, if you discover any good chuckles, please send them along!:) But no bigoted, prejudiced, scatological, geruntological, low-quality, or poor-taste humor, please.

Still, life is not all laughs. So, we hope also to share happy thoughts. Lovelight wants to promote harmony, among all people, all over the world, and to aid you to feel good!:) If you are working on any religious, psychological, or spiritual issues, we encourage you to read the ezine, and to write to us at rmfrancis@juno.com

Also, if you come across any wise or touching pieces, not copyrighted, fairly short, please share them with us! Also welcome are practical tips, short pieces on personal philosophies, interesting facts, wordplays, and general spirituality (but no "preachy" dogma, please.:). We reserve the right to make whatever changes we deem necessary or desirable before inclusion in Lovelight.

A subscription is free. As a subscriber, your email name/address will not be shared. Please share, send, or copy, this magazine, or any parts of it. Share it as widely as possible, with all your friends, and all others. Please use it on your websites and bulletinboards. Please photocopy, email, or snailmail any parts of it to others. Also, please have friends send us their emailaddress and subscribe. Subscriptions are free.

This is "light" reading. And it is also great, fun reading. A collection of magazines is produced once a year. We have published three volumes, and this would make a sweet gift for a loved one. Happy reading!:)

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LAUGHS, SMILES, GIGGLES, AND SNICKERS: HUMORTHERAPY

MARRIED LIFE, sent in by Jim Dwyer

My wife asked, as I was flipping channels, "What's on tv?"
I said, "Dust."
And then the fight started.
***

My wife hinted about what she wanted for our anniversary. She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in three seconds."
I bought a scale. And then the fight started.

***
Last night, my wife asked that I take her someplace expensive. So, I took her to a gas station. And then the fight started.

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MATURE ENOUGH TO QUALIFY?, sent in by Jim Dwyer. After retiring, I went to apply for Social Security. The clerk asked for my driver's license to confirm my age. I realized I had left my wallet at home. I told her that I would have to come back later. She said, "Unbutton your shirt." So, I did, revealing curly silver hair. She said, "That's proof enough for me" and processed my Social Security application.
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IT''S ALL IN THE MIND, sent in by Jim Dwyer. My wife and I attended my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone. My wife asked, "Do you know her?"

"Yes," I sighed. "She's my old girlfriend. She took to drinking right after we split up, and hasn't been sober since."
"Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
***

MEAT-EATER'S TERROR, sent in by Jim Dwyer. I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter took my order first. "I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please," I said.

He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"
"Na. She can order for herself."

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FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS, sent in by Jim Dwyer. A woman is standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She is not happy and whines to her husband, "I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment."
The husband replies, "Your eyesight's nearly perfect."
***
DRUNK VISION, sent in by Jim Dwyer. I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of beer for $14.95. Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95. I told her that the beer would make her look better, at night, than the cold cream.

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HONESTY?, sent in by Jim Dwyer. My wife asked whether a certain dress made her butt look big. I told her not as much as the dress she wore yesterday.

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GUILTY WIFE, sent in by Jim Dwyer. A man and woman were asleep like two innocent babies. Suddenly, at 3 am, a loud noise came from outside. The woman, bewildered, jumped up and yelled, "Hurry! It's my husband!"

The man leaped out of the bed, scared and naked, and jumped out the window. He smashed himself on the ground, and ran through a thorn bush and to his car, really fast!
A few minutes later, he returned and screamed at the woman, "I am your husband!"

The woman yelled back, "Yeah? Then why were you running?"

***

THREE REASONS NOT TO MESS WITH CHILDREN, sent in by Barbara Baty

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human being because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. [Actually, the original Hebrew account used a word that meant "large fish," and not "whale." It was an allegory anyway.]
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human being; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven, I'll ask Jonah."
The teacher asked, "What if he went to hell?"

She replied, "Then you ask him."

***
A Kindergarten teacher observed her children while drawing. She walked around to see each child's work.
With one little girl, she asked what the drawing was.
She replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher said, "No one knows what God looks like."

She replied, "They will in a minute!"

*****

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer; she's a lawyer' or, 'That's Michael; he's a doctor.'" A small voice at the back of the room rang out: "And there's the teacher; she's dead!"

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ITALIAN GARDEN, sent in by Barbara Baty

An old Italian man lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, was in prison.

He wrote a letter to Vincent and described his predicament: "It looks like I won't be able to plant my garden this year. I'm just getting too old to dig up a plot. I know if you were here, my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me."

A few days later, he received a letter from Vincent: "Don't dig up that garden! That's where the bodies are buried!" At four am the next morning, fbi agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the owner and left. That same day, he received another letter from Vincent: Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you,

Vinnie"

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PRESIDENTIAL ICE CREAM, sent in by Barbara Baty

Ben & Jerry created "Yes Pecan!" ice cream flavor for Obama. For George W. they asked for suggestions from the public. Here are some of their favorite responses:

GrapeDepression***TheHousing Crunch***Abu Grape***Cluster Fudge***Nut'n Accomplished***"Good Riddance You Lousy Idiot" Swirl***Iraqi Road***Chock 'n Awe***WireTapioca***Impeach Cobbler***Guantanmallow***impeachment Heck of a Job, Brownie!***Neocon Politan***RockyRoad to Fascism***The Reese's-cession***Cookie D'oh!***Nougalar Proliferation***Death by Chocolate***Torture Freedom Vanilla Ice Cream***Chocolate Chip On My Shoulder***Credit Crunch***Mission Pecanplished***Country Pumpkin***Chunky Monkey inChief***WMDelicious***Chocolate Chimp***Bloody Sundae***Caramel Preemptive Stripe***I broke the law and am responsible for the deaths of thousands...with nuts

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LIE DETECTOR, sent in by Jim Dwyer.

John specialty was any unusual gimmick. His wife had given up trying to change him. He came home with an unusual purchase: It was a robot that was actually a lie
detector. It was about 5:00pm when their 11-year old son returned home. He was over 2 hours late.

"Where have you been? Why are you so late?" asked
John.

"Several of us went to the library to work on an extra credit project," he
said. The robot slapped the boy, knocking him out of his chair.

"Son," said John, "this robot is a lie detector. Now tell us where you
really were after school."

"We went to Bobby's house and watched a movie," he said.

"What did you watch?" asked his mom.
"The 'Ten Commandments'," he answered. The robot slapped him, knocking him
off his chair once more. With his lip quivering, he got up and said, "I'm sorry I
lied. We really watched a tape called 'Sex Queen.'"
"I am ashamed of you, son," said John. "When I was your age, I never
lied to my parents."
The robot delivered a whack that nearly knocked John out of his chair.
His wife doubled over in laughter, almost in tears, and said, "Boy, did you
ever ask for that one! You can't be too mad with your son! After all, he
is your son!"
The robot immediately knocked her out of her chair.

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THE LAWS OF ULTIMATE REALITY, sent in by Jim Dwyer

&

Law of Mechanical Repair
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.

& Law of Gravity
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

& Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions.

& Law of Random Numbers
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

& Law of the Alibi
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning, you will have a flat tire.

& Variation Law
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

& Law of the Bath
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

& Law of Close Encounters
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

& Law of the Result
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

& Law of Biomechanics
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

& Law of the Theater
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

& The Starbucks Law
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

& Murphy's Law of Lockers
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

& Law of Physical Surfaces
The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet.

& Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

& Brown's Law of Physical Appearance
If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

& Oliver's Law of Public Speaking
A closed mouth gathers no feet.

& Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy
As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Doctors' Law: If you don't feel good, make an appointment to go to the doctor. By the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

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THE REDHEAD: A GROANER, sent in by Mick Gallagher

A man was dining in a fancy restaurant and there was a gorgeous redhead at the next table. He had been checking her out since he came, but lacked the nerve to talk with her. Suddenly she sneezed, and her glass eye came flying out toward the man. He reflexively reached out, grabbed it, and handed it back.

"Oh my, I am so sorry," the woman said as she popped her eye back in place. "Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you," she said.

They enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and afterwards, went to the theatre, followed by drinks. They talked, they laughed, she shared her deepest dreams and he shared his. They really listened.

After paying for everything, she asked him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap and stay for breakfast. They had a wonderful, wonderful time.

The next morning, she cooked a delicious breakfast with all the trimmings. The guy was amazed. Everything had been SO incredible!
"You know," he said, "you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?"

"No," she replied.
"You just happened to catch my eye."

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MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN, sent in by Karina Sandlin

On their way to get married, a young Catholic couple was involved in a fatal car accident. The couple found themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven. While waiting, they began to wonder; could they possibly get married in Heaven?

When St. Peter finally arrived, they asked him whether they could get married in heaven. St. Peter said, "I don't know.
This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out," and he left.

The couple sat and waited for an answer-- for a couple of months. While they waited, they discussed the pros and cons.
If they were allowed to get married in Heaven, should they do it, considering the "eternal" aspect of it? "What if it doesn't work? Are we stuck in Heaven together forever?" they asked themselves.

Another month passed. St. Peter finally returned, looking somewhat exhausted. "Yes," he informed the couple, "You can get married in Heaven."

"Great!" they said. "But we were just wondering-- What if things don't work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?" St. Peter, red-faced with frustration, slammed his clipboard on the ground. "What's wrong?" asked the frightened couple.

"OH, COME ON!!!" St. Peter shouted. "It took me 3 months to find a priest up here! Do you have ANY idea how long it'll take to find a lawyer?"

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Quotations for Living

From Linda Jung: "Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation."

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From Barbara Baty: "Be as you wish to seem."-- Socrates

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From Barbara Baty: "I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing." -- Socrates

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From Barbara Baty: "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."—Socrates

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From Barbara Baty: "He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have."—Socrates

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From Barbara Baty: "The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms."—Socrates

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BEWARE MSG, sent in by Jim Dwyer

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is MSG!!!!!!!!!!!!! MSG hides behind twenty-five or more names, such as "natural flavoring." MSG is even in your favorite coffee from Tim Horton's and Starbucks coffee shops!

Could there be an actual chemical causing the massive obesity epidemic?

In hundreds of studies from around the world, scientists were creating obese mice to use in diet or diabetes test studies. No strain of mouse is naturally obese, so scientists have to create them. They make these creatures morbidly obese by
injecting them with MSG when they are first born.

The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats (and perhaps humans) to become obese. They even have a name for the fat rodents they create: "MSG-treated rats."

When I heard this, I went into my kitchen and checked the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything -- the Campbell's soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'healthy low-fat' ones.

The items that didn't have MSG marked on the product label had something called "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," which is just another name for Monosodium Glutamate.

It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our children everyday are filled with this stuff. MSG is hidden under many different names in order to fool those who read the ingredient list, so that they don't catch on. (Other names for
MSG are "Accent," "Aginomoto," "Natural Meat Tenderizer," etc.)

But it didn't stop there: When our family went out to eat, we started asking what menu items contained MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore they didn't use MSG. But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly provided, sure enough, MSG (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein) was everywhere.

Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, every restaurant -- even the sit-down eateries like TGIF, Chili's, Applebee's, and Denny's -- use MSG in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender: MSG was in every chicken dish, salad dressing, and gravy. No wonder I loved to eat that coating on the skin -- their secret spice was MSG!

So why is MSG in so many foods? Is it a preservative, or a vitamin? Not according to my friend John Erb. In his book "The Slow Poisoning of America ", he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it has on the human body. It can be radically addictive!

Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby group supporting MSG explains that the reason it is added is to make people eat more. A study of the elderly showed that older people eat more of the foods to which it is added. The Glutamate Association lobbying group says eating more is a benefit to the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?

"Betcha can't eat [just] one," takes on a whole new meaning where MSG is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight! MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes people eat more of it than they would if MSG weren't added. Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity; it is an addictive substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago, MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals, soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat everyday.

The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food. They claim it's safe to eat in any amount. But how can they claim it's safe when there are hundreds of scientific studies with titles such as these:

"The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of exercise in obesity." Gobatto CA, Mello MA, Souza CT , Ribeiro IA. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2002.
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"Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic serotonin release in both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats,"
Guimaraes RB, Telles MM, Coelho VB, Mori C, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro. Brain Res Bull. 2002 Aug.
***
"Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats: An animal model of multiple risk factors," Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N, Yoshinari Fujishima. Hypertens Res. 1998 March.

***

"Hypothalamic Lesion Induced by Injection of Monosodium Glutamate in Suckling-period and Subsequent Development of Obesity.'' Tanaka K, Shimada M, Nakao K Kusunoki. Exp Neurol. 1978 October.

***

Hypothalamic dysfunction is a problem with the region of the brain called the 'hypothalamus,' which helps control the pituitary gland and regulate many body-functions, particularly in response to stress. The pituitary, in turn, controls the:

*Adrenal glands,

*Ovaries

*Testes

*Thyroid gland

No, the date of that last study was not a typo; it was published in 1978. Both the medical research community and food manufacturers have known about the sideffects of MSG for decades. But they have done nothing to protect us— only their profits. Many more of the studies mentioned in John Erb's book link MSG to diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's.

So what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping this fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply…? Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of the highest government health officials in Canada . While he was sitting in the government office, the official told him, 'Sure, I know how bad MSG is. I wouldn't touch the stuff.' But this top-level government official refuses to tell the public what he knows. The big media don't want to tell the public either, fearing issues with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on the fast food industry might hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have been addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying the price for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused by an addictive food additive.

But what can I do about it? I'm just one voice! What can I do to stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments are insuring financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us?

This message is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell you the truth that the corporate-owned politicians and media won't tell you. The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from this drug-induced epidemic is to forward this article to everyone. With any luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation protecting those who are poisoning us. The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle on nicotine? If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for us and you don't believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go to the National Library of Medicine at www.pubmed.com. Type in the words 'MSG Obese' and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear there. We the public do not want to be rats in one giant experiment, and we do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic, addicted sheep, feeding the food industry's bottom line while waiting for the heart transplant, the diabetic-induced amputation, blindness, or other obesity-induced, life-threatening disorders. With your help, we can put an end to this poison. Do your part in sending this message out by word of mouth, email, or by distribution of this printout to your friends all over the world; and stop this "slow poisoning of humankind" by the packaged food industry.

Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, so get the word out!

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LOVELETTERS FROM BUDS, PALS, AND FRIENDS

From Maribee Butler:

Dear, dear Richard,

The recent edition of the "Universal Love Digest" [the sister-magazine to Lovelight] contained your article, "The Will of God and Personal Desires," that was so beautifully written that Love enfolded me while reading it. Thank you for all the ways in which this life has been altered for the better through your many gifts. In big ways and little ways, daily ways, profoundly personal ways and "shout it from the rooftop" ways, your friendship and your guidance, have created a loving life that would not have been possible without your presence in it. Reading your article ignited an explosion of Love, going off in my brain and heart like a July 4th display….

***

From Ruth Sembiro:

"Greetings and love to you from the Love ministries Uganda! It is long since I last wrote to you. Our College had closed for holidays and we could not get access to communicate.

I was so pleased to see your love contribution of $84 to the love ministries of Uganda which I received yesterday through western union.

We are going to use this money to buy food for some families that are in great need and also buy some medicine for mzee Margaret as her leg (which was affected by cancer) is in critical condition.

We are so grateful for your Love and kindness to the poorest people. Thank you so much

God bless you

***

Response to Ruth:

020509thurs

Dear Ruth,

Thanks for writing and letting us know that Love Ministries of Uganda did receive the donation of $84. We truly wish that it could have been so much more. Our Lord and Lady of Lovelight has touched the hearts of our sisters and brothers (readers of the "uld" and Lovelight magazine), and we are right now starting to take up another collection. We plan to send out some more donations in March. Please keep up your fine work of healing hearts, minds, and Souls.:)

Joy, Peace, and Love,

***

From Abdul Conteh, Love Ministries of Sierra Leone:

"I receive the sum of $84 in our currency equivalent.

Thank you very much and God bless you.

We do appreciate it especially at this time of the

year. We would be able to cook for the children good

food at Christmas. God bless you.

*****

THINGS FOR WHICH TO BE GRATEFUL, sent in by Barbara Baty

The wife who says "hotdogs tonight," because she is home with me, and not out with someone else!***For the husband who is on the sofa, being a couch potato, because he is home with me, and not out at the bars.***For the teen who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means that she is at home, not on the streets.***For the taxes I pay, because it means that I am employed.***For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.***For the clothes that fit a little too snugly, because it means that I have had enough to eat.***For my shadow, because it means that I am out in the sunshine.***For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means that I have a home.***For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.***For the parking spot that I find At the far end of the parking lot or garage, because it means that I am capable of walking, and I have been blessed with transportation.***For my huge heating bill, because it means that I am warm.***For the lady who sings off-key, because it means that I can hear.***For the pile of laundry, because it means that I have clothes.***For weariness and aching muscles, because it means that I have been capable of working hard.***For the alarm that goes off in early morning, because it means that I am alive.***For the crazy people with whom I work, because they make work interesting and funny!

*****

BILLIONS OF BARRELS OF OIL IN USA, sent in by Barbara Baty



Let's go get this stuff (being EXTREMELY CAREFUL to protect the

environment, of course !)  The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April ('08) that only scientists and oil people knew was coming.  But, man, was it BIG!

     It was a revised report.  (It hadn't been updated since 1995).  [It revealed] how much

oil was in the area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota ; western South Dakota ; and extreme eastern Montana.

     Check this out:  1. The "Bakken" is the largest domestic oil discovery… [It] has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign oil.  The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels.  Even if just 10% of the oil is

recoverable,… we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5.3 trillion.

     "When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see their jaws hit the floor," says Terry Johnson, the Montana  Legislature's financial analyst.

     "This… find is… the highest-producing onshore oil field found in the past fifty-six years," reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

 It's a formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly called the "Bakken."  And it stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and into Canada.  For years, U. S. oil exploration has been considered a deadend.  Even the "Big Oil" companies gave up searching for major oil wells decades ago.  However,

a recent technological breakthrough has opened up the Bakken's massive reserves,…  And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!

     That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for forty-one years straight!

     2. And if THAT didn't throw you on the floor, then this next one should-- because it's from two years ago!

     U. S. Oil Discovery-- Largest Reserve in the World!  Stansberry Report

Online - 4/20/2006:

     Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world.  It is more than two TRILLION barrels.  On August 8, 2005, bush mandated its extraction.  In three and a half years of high oil prices, none has been extracted.  With this mother lode of oil, why are we still fighting over

off-shore drilling?

     We have more oil inside our borders, than all the other verified reserves on earth.  Here are the official estimates:

-- eight times as much oil as Saudi Arabia

-- eighteen times as much oil as Iraq

-- twenty-one times as much oil as Kuwait

-- twenty-two times as much oil as Iran

-- five hundred times as much oil as Yemen.

     And it's all right here in the Western United States.  HOW can this be?  HOW can we NOT BE extracting this?  Because  environmentally sensitive people and others have encouraged caution so that we do not destroy the only resource that really counts—the earth itself!  We must take advantage of this blessing without ruining our home!

     James Bartis, lead researcher with the Study, says that we have more oil in this very compact area than the entire Middle East-- more than 2 TRILLION barrels untapped.  That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.

     Don't think OPEC will drop its price-- even with this find?  Think again!  It's all about the competitive marketplace.  It has to!

     3. Please pass this along.

*****

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STRANGE AND UNIQUE HUMAN BEHAVIOR, from the Funny Times, of March 2009:

In Sweden, unemployment is a major challenge. the Haxriket I Norden company announced it would hire twenty "professional witches." They would be conversant with tarot, crystals, herbology, and "contact with the other side," for clients who need "counseling."

***

" Saudi Arabia is host to several camel beauty pageants each year. These are condemned as "religiously fatuous" by humorless Muslim clerics.

Camels can bring $250,000 for the greater status they convey to their owners.

***

Twenty million Chinese live in caves. Some have electrical wiring, plumbing, and even cable. Earthen insulation keeps the inside temperature from dropping below about 55 degrees Fahrenheit even in the dead of winter.

***

In Britain, the ministry of Defense has shown great sensitivity to bats that were living in antiquated military housing in two Hampshire facilities. Remodeled buildings for 18,000 personnel will include special cavities built into the structures so that the bats can resume cohabiting with the military.

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THE WAY OF TRANSCENDENTAL LOVE: INTRO TO SUFISM, MYSTICISM, AND THE TWELVE STEPS

***

Sufism is one of the paths to self-actualization or God-realization. This is the "great end" (goal) to which the Sufi al Ghazzali (died 1111) referred. Sufism comes in two forms: The generic form begins with a small-case "s," and this "Sufism" is synonymous with general "mysticism." A sufi is a gnostic (Christian), kabbalist (Jewish), or mystic (all faiths). All are also generic hindus and buddhists-- people who follow the philosophies of, but do not belong to the formal faiths of, the Buddha and the Hindu sages. For this philosophy was mysticism.

The "specialized" form of "Sufism" is that generally recognized as "Sufism." This "cap "S" Sufism occurred within the geographic areas conquered by Islam, and peaked between the ninth and eleventh centuries.

Sufism is a very personal approach to the universe. It is the exploration of your own deepest Mind. So, it has no "organized," doctrinal, or "systematized" forms-- no exclusive religion. Since it is mysticism, sufism has a body of teachings, not all of which can be put into ordinary words. Sufism also has a clear goal: The elimination of all "veils" between your mind and God (deepest Mind, or Lovemind).

In mysticism, God is Reality, for only Mind is real; and God is the deepest Mind in the Unconscious (all parts of Mind of which we are unaware). And God is the most perfect form of Mind, of which all partake, and of which all are a part. Only God is real. The "material" universe is God's dream, dreamed up through all smaller minds.

To understand sufism, then, is to comprehend mysticism itself. Mysticism is not a religion, but a Way of being. It is a Way of using the mind to explore deep levels of mind, a path of a "psychonaut." It is deepest inward-turning, to discover that God is Love-- all the Love in all the minds and hearts of all the life-forms of all the planets in all the galaxies. (In this writing, in recognition that "God is Love," Love, when used as a noun, will begin with a higher-case "L.")

"Mysticism" comes from the Greek myein, "to close the eyes," emphasizing its introspective nature. But it is not impractical, for Love is the most practical and applicable form of all spiritual concepts, and it is genuinely life-improving. So, Sufism or mysticism is practiced in "everyday, ordinary" life. For a mystic is also an "agapologist"-- a student of Love-psychology. The mystic's goal can never be reached by intellect alone, although she uses reason to reach her goals.

Very fundamentally, mysticism is Love of God, which is Love of Love. This Love is universal, freely given to self and all other aware (sentient) beings. Mysticism has nothing to do with the paranormal, with magic, or with pre-scientific or anti-scientific ideas. Mysticism makes Love a spiritual path. "God" dwells within all as the mystery of the life-principle. A Sufi named Sarraj said Sufis "prefer God to everything." But this rather painful phrase sets up an artificial duality between God and "others." For, in mysticism, the only Way to "love God" is by loving other creatures. Outside of loving people, there is no such thing as "Love of God," and the only way to love God is by loving other people.

Knowing (the Greek gnosis) of God begins with the knowing of the self. So, this is Mysticism begins by knowing the contents of one's own mind. This includes all weaknesses, strengths, preferences, interests, abilities, limitations, and skills. In mysticism, "self-knowledge" also answers metaphysical inquiries, such as what you are at the core, and your origin, destiny, and purpose. What makes you happy, or sad? What do you hope to do during this life?

Mysticism, arising from Love, embraces the very highest principles of ethics and morality (goodness). It is light-years beyond the standards of any written Scriptures: The goodness and Love of the Sufi, for example, are very high above the commands of the Quran (Koran). For the goal of the mystic is to become a stainless mirror of God (pure Love) in this world.

Generic sufism existed long before Islam. Hindu sufis taught it millennia, and Christian sufis centuries, before the official founding of Islam. Most Muslims, in fact, have never been sufis or Sufis; in fact, they have often violently persecuted Sufism as "apostasy" or "heresy" (false religious teaching).

This sufism can and does stand completely independent of any and all religions. It is absolutely independent of all forms of Islam. For spirituality (mysticism) gives birth to religion, not the other way around. And the "mother" is independent of all her "babies." That is why the ethics of the average Muslim represent a (sometimes distorted) drop from the heights of Sufism.

The name "Sufi" has several meanings. It means "wool," indicating the wool cloaks worn by Sufis. (It also means "pure," and purity is the goal.) The true sufi realizes that she can do nothing without God (Love); so "her" goodness is not hers, but is universal Love (her God) flowing through her.

Generic sufis have a tendency to come together into small, informal groups. We have one of these in Liberty Township, Ohio, called "the Pneumarium" (place of Spirit). We gather every two weeks in a highly informal setting. We recognize no human leaders; ours is the Leader or Teacher within the Heart (the "Christ" or "Buddha).

This sufism insists on freedom to follow the interior Lord, and on absolute freedom from all Scriptures and all "prophets." The sufis follow only Love, liberating them from the huge complex of laws that mark all organized religions. So, the sufi is always spiritual; but she is not always religious. The sufis are totally free from the Hebrew Scriptures (Judaism) and the Quran (Koran; Islam). They also insist on independence from all Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, and nature-faith ceremonies.

They have their own list of teachers, or models, including Jesus, Solomon, Al Hallaj, Al Arabi, Lao Tzu, and Patanjali, to name only a few.

Thus, while orthodox Islam approves of and supports warfare and murder, sufism never follows the paths of ignorance and violence. And it rejects all Scriptures that do. The Way of sufism has no need whatsoever for Islam or any other formal, organized religion. (Due to cultural or religious programming, many are very confused about this full independence of spirituality, and cannot grasp it. These foolish and ignorant people know nothing of either spirituality or history.)

Further, the idea that sufis accept all "prophets and Scriptures" is just plain wrong. Sufis accept those teachings and teachers who are in harmony with Love; historically, many, if not most, religious teachers have spoken or acted against Love, and sufis do not accept these as having been truly "inspired by God" (Love). Any text, in any Scripture, that supports violence, bigotry, or war is fully and faithfully rejected by the true sufi. These sufis are open to truth from all sources; but this should never be mistaken for open acceptance of all religions or all teachings. It would be incredibly naïve, as well as simply ignorant, to declare that all religions are equally "true," or that sufis blindly accept all the teachings of all. For wisely, they do not.

Sufis do accept as equals all those who have lived, as much as possible, by the standards of Love. They welcome and accept people of all traditions who have taught and lived Love.

To say, as is so often done, that a sufi "loves only God" is to say that she loves all people and all creatures. For she knows that God is Love Itself, and that her God dwells within all creatures as Mind. And Love does not give more "power" to one person than It gives to all. No one person is "more holy" than another, for each is indwelled by the very same God (Love).

From the "outside," the sufi looks no different from her neighbor. All her spectacular wisdom and Love are within her, and cannot be seen by strangers; she keeps her great treasure of God (Love) hidden, and so, avoids all pride, embracing a universal, attractive humility. Lao Tzu writes of the sage, "She wears rough and ordinary clothing; but, inside, she carries the great jewel."

Mystics are not produced or created by other human beings, but directly by the grace (Love) of Love (God) Itself. So, a real sufi need not attend any kind of formal school, or belong to any particular group. For when God (Love) calls the sufi to her path, God calls her individually, irrespective of any groups or communities. (The ignorant also misunderstand this.) The sufi discovers the Teacher hidden within her heart, and needs no human "master" or teacher. She can learn much-- very much-- from books, but needs no apprenticeship under any human teacher.

This sufism is unlike even the intellectuality of religion (requiring formal training for priesthood, for example). Indeed, God (Love) can make sages from pigs or dogs if that is Her will! How much more will God use human beings! For the goal of the sufi is not to teach intellect, but to love. So, the mystic Lao Tzu is famous for having referred to "teaching without words." At times, a saint teaches more than a professor.

The free sufi is free to reject all creeds, no matter what their origin. Mystics have been persecuted because they teach this. They have also been persecuted, even killed, because they do not believe in any "transcendental" god. The God of sufism does not float in outer space, forever hopelessly above, and out-of-touch with, creation. No, the mystic God lives within all creatures, as Mind Itself. All living creatures are sacred because they have the Spirit of life and Love within them. This "imminent" God denies the transcendental god of organized Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. That is why God cannot and will not be found in Mecca or in Jerusalem, but in the human heart. This God is, say the Hindu mystics, "closer to you than the breath you are now inhaling."

Mystics are free to believe in "angels," or not. Often, they are accepted as Love-forces within Mind. Traditional Islam, by contrast, mis-defines "angels" as "pure intellect."

"HUMANS ANONYMOUS" MYSTICISM AS A TWELVE-STEP PROGRAM. Mysticism is a path of Mind. In ancient times, references to mind used the words "soul," or "Spirit." This kind of mysticism is represented in a wide spectrum of thinkers and illustrated especially by the mysticism of Jacob Boehme (1575-1624). It redefines even the ultimate Reality as "Mind," synonymous with "higher Power," "Spirit," and "God." So, it is a system of spiritual psychology. Mystical psychology is, in fact, the very basis for the famous "Twelve-Step Programs." Their founder, Bill Wilson, was fascinated by the writings of the traditional mystics of history, whose major goal was "abandonment" of egoself, or "surrender" to God. This is true of both "theistic" mysticism, and non-theistic forms, for the latter emphasize an unknown Power behind the universe. (In Taoism this was called the "tao.") Anyway, in history, mysticism ranges through dozens of forms from ancient Egypt and China [1] through the twenty-first century. (This God lived deeply "within" them, as deeper Mind.) [2]

A Twelve-Step Program is an approach to life that is practical mysticism. [3]It is largely "universalized" by being stripped of religious language. It is presented instead as a form of practical, common-sense pop-psych strategies for living. Its goal is recovery from the consequences of an addiction, compulsion, or another harmful influence.

The components of mysticism begin in the very first "step" to recovery. For this reflects the universal admission of the mystic that she is "powerless." She is forced, not only by "alcohol," but by life itself. Mysticism might be seen as a kind of "Humans Anonymous." For, abandoning ego as a false identity (thus, "anonymous"), the awakening person is faced with helplessness in personal life-design and life-control. But she sees this "giving up" as celebratory, not regrettable or sad. She does so with the fullest awareness that the Lovemind (Mind of Love Spirit, or God) deep in her Unconscious, will take over and make her life-decisions. For the realization of the Twelve-Stepper is precisely the same as that of the mystic: Her life has become "unmanageable." This is why the mystic must often be driven into the Way by a crisis.[4]

The Second Step also mirrors the mystic. For the recoverer accepts that "a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." The mystic, too, must come to believe that this Power exists; she finds It within her own mind. She defines It as Love. .

Next, Step Three advises, "turn our will… over to the care of God." When the mystic stops controlling, she must depend upon this internal Lovemind to make decisions for her. [5]

In Step Four, the mystic takes an interior "inventory." This selfexam alerts her to where improvements are needed, and what she needs to "throw away"—all that is antiagapic (against Love). [6]

Step Five is to "admit" your "wrongs." At least one other person must hear this, which turns it into a kind of "confession." Mystics know that the first step towards improvement is admitting that improvement is needed. This is not a path for the self-righteous or the perfectionistic.

In Step Six, one is "ready to have God remove all these defects." This is the stage in mysticism when the mystic relaxes into the perfect Flow of Love, and allows It to carry her. She exchanges "self-improvement" for "self-dissolution," and seeks to be absorbed, dissolved, into the perfect interior Mind of Love.[7]

In Step Seven she " humbly" asks Him to remove her shortcomings." This is the mystic's request to be filled with unconditional Love to the absolute exclusion of any antiagapic qualities. This is also the mystical "inner death" of the "lower nature." [8]

Step Eight is about making "amends." This is the mystical recompensation for any wrongs committed. To clear her conscience, and to prepare the mind to receive pure Love, the mystic must not be haunted by guilt. (Guilt is a form of fear, the conceptual opposite of Love.) To rid herself of guilt, the mystic must repair, fix, undo, and compensate for past errors. She does her honest best to do so at the very beginning of her interior Journey. (Step Nine, about making direct amends, is included here.) [9]

Step ten has to do with continuing this process.

Step Eleven is also a continuation, expanding the original discovery of cooperation with a higher Power to continue selfmonitoring. The mystic does not live under an automicroscope, but is aware of the finest ethical and moral behavior, using it as the yardstick by which to measure her own behavior. Her commitment is to the highest, most impeccable and stainless standards of goodness, compassion, kindness, and Love. This Step even mentions "meditation"—an indispensable tool of the mystic.

Step Twelve implies that this path should be shared with others. A large percentage of mystics have been called, after their magnificent experience, to be teachers. They feel impelled to share a system which answers so many vital practical questions. This Way can help all of humanity—even those not recovering from a specific addiction—to be better and happier people. But for those with addictions, mysticism was seen to contain all the answers for the restructuring of their lives, answering every question, and promoting those changes in behavior, and even brain-structure, necessary to facilitate their fullest recovery.

REFERENCES:

[1]

1. The Catholic Encyclopedia, "mysticism" subheading "Historical Sketch"

2 www.gurbani.org

3 For an overview of the relationship between mysticism and practical psychology, please see questia.com