LOVELIGHT

Magazine

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June 2006*** Vol.. 3, no. 6

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Managing Editors: Richard Shining Thunder Francis and Adamaria Francis.

Contributors to this issue: Ramona Abella, Steve Barrett, Loretta Carrier, Toni Essarhir, Pat Fields, Chris Finer, David Hem Sagar, Steven McDaniel, Ty Scharrer, Terry Smith, Dennis Spencer.

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LOVELIGHT MAGAZINE: WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT

Lovelight magazine is free. It comes directly to your inboxscreen once a month, to bring a little sunshine into your life. We hope to bring you at least a few laughs, in the "Humor Therapy" section. But life, as we know, is not all laughs. So, we hope also to share with you some pleasant and sweet thoughts-- and maybe even some life-lessons. If you see any, or any jokes that make your roar or cry with silly humor, please send them along to us.

Lovelight wants to promote peace and harmony. We would also love to aid you personally to overcome any problems that you might have. If you are working on any religious, psychological, or spiritual problems, we encourage you to write to us at rmfrancis@juno.com

We also want to present "miniparables" to help you grow. So, if you come across any wise or touching pieces, not copyrighted, fairly short, please share them with the efamily. Please send them to the magazine, at the same address. Also welcome are practical tips that can make life easier or safer. We also welcome short pieces on personal philosophies, interesting facts, wordplays, and spirituality, especially those that emphasize the value of compassion and other forms of Love. We reserve the right to make whatever changes that we deem necessary or desirable before inclusion in Lovelight magazine.

Your email name/address will not be shared. Please share, send, or copy, this magazine, or any parts of it. Share it with all your friends, and all others. Please use it on your websites. Also, if your friends are inclined, please have them send us their ema and request a personal subscription.

This is published as a "light" introduction to spirituality. It is designed especially for those who have little or no interest in the "heavier" aspects of spirituality. Indeed, it has proved useful to reach many with no compelling interest in the subjects of agapology (the psychology of Love) or the Way of Love (spirituality). And it is also great, fun reading for all the rest of us!:) This collection would make a sweet gift for a loved one. Happy reading!:)

Love,

The Editors

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AN EYE-OPENER ON OVARIAN CANCER, sent in by Chris Finer

I hope you take the time to read this, and pass it on to all the women whom you can. Send this to the women in your life about whom you care.

Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything else-- until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness-- but alas, it was too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness.

Kathy's story: This is the story of Kathy West: "As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer. Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the "tumor marker" CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.

Having gone through this, I want to save others the same fate. That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will send it to everybody you know. Each must take TOTAL responsibility for her own health care. I thought I had done that; I had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self breast-exam, went to the dentist twice a year. I even had a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year.

When I had a total hysterectomy, I thought that I did not have to worry about any of the female reproductive organ cancers. LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries, but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer.

These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER. The "CLASSIC" symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather suddenly enlarges, with constipation and/or diarrhea. I had these classic symptoms, and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms are "abdominal", I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacterial infection. These tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with "Irritable Bowel Syndrome." I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was five months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests. They took an X-ray; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe. I couldn't wear any of my slacks or shorts, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly scheduled me for a ct-scan. This is what I mean by "taking charge of our own health care." The scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluid drawn off at the hospital. It was hell! But it was NOTHING compared to what was ahead.

Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed. I had the classic symptoms, yet this simple CA-125 bloodtest had never been given to me. It had not been part of my annual physical exam and was not given even after I had become symptomatic. This is an inexpensive and simple blood test! PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS. Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, "IT ISN'T NECESSARY." Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier. Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take "NO" for an answer. (The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. If the number is slightly above 35, you can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated psa test.

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TREAT MOTHER EARTH WELL, sent in by Pat Fields

Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children.-- native American proverb

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CHUCKLES, CHORTLES, SNICKERS, AND SNORTS: HUMORTHERAPY

This cartoon is an original, drawn by Dennis Spencer. Thanks Dennis

Did you hear about the dyslexic who went to the toga party? He went dressed as a goat.

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The minister was praising God, and saying, "Without your grace, we are all but dust."

A little boy asked his mother, in an innocent voice everyone heard, "Mommy, what is butt-dust?"

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BUSH: NEVER GETS IT, sent in by Loretta Carrier

Bill Clinton, Al Gore and George bush were sentenced to die before a firing squad. They were marched out to the prison yard. Clinton was the first to be placed against the wall. He refused to be blindfolded or have his hands tied. Suddenly, he shouted,
"Earthquake!" The firing squad fell to the ground and, in the confusion, Clinton
scrambled over the wall and to freedom.

Gore was the second to be placed against the wall. He refused to
be blindfolded or have his hands tied. Suddenly, he shouted, "Tornado!" The firing squad fell to the ground and, in the confusion, Gore scrambled over the wall and to freedom.

Next, it was bush's turn. He thought, "Aha, I see the pattern here. I simply have to shout out a type of disaster, and I can climb over the wall and be free, too."

He was placed against the wall, and refused to be blindfolded or have his hands tied. Suddenly, he shouted, "Fire!"

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SOME STRANGE THOUGHTS, sent in by Chris Finer

1. If you're too "open-minded," your brains might fall out.***2. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.***3. Going to a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.***4. It isn't the jeans that make you look overweight.***5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.***6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.***7. . Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.***8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.***9. For every action, there is an equal & opposite government program.***10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

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OILCHANGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOMEN, sent in by Chris Finer

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.***2) Drink a cup of coffee.***3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:
Oil Change $20.00
Coffee $1.00
Total: $21.

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OILCHANGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEN

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to autoparts store, and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, writing a check for $50.***2) Stop by 7 - 11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, driving home.***3) Open a beer and drink it.***

4) Jack car up. Spend thirty minutes looking for jack stands.***5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.***6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.***7) Place drain pan under engine.***8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.***9) Give up and use crescent wrench.***10) Unscrew drain plug.***11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil, splashing hot oil on you. Cuss.***12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.***13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.***14) Spend thirty minutes looking for oil filter wrench.***15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.***16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter, splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.***17) Buddy shows up; finish case of beer with him.
Decide to finish oil change tomorrow so you can go see his new garage door opener.***18) Sunday: Skip church because "I gotta finish the oil change." Drag pan full of old oil out from underneath car. Cleverly dump oil in hole in back yard instead of taking it back to recycle.***19) Throw kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.***

20) Beer? No, drank it all yesterday.***21) Walk to 7-11; buy still more beer.***

22) Install new oil filter, making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.***

23) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.***24) Remember drain plug from step 11.***25) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.***26) Remember that the used oil is buried in a hole in the back yard, along with drain plug.***27) Drink beer.***28) Shovel out hole and sift oily mud for drain plug.  Re-shovel oily dirt into hole. Steal sand from kids sandbox to cleverly cover oily patch of ground and avoid environmental penalties. Wash drain plug in lawnmower gas.***29) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.***30) Drink beer.***31) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes.  Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame.***32) Bang head on floorboards in reaction to step 31.***33) Begin cussing fit.***34) Throw stupid crescent wrench.***35) Cuss for additional ten minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.***36) Beer.***37) Clean up hands and forehead and bandage as required to stop blood flow.***38) Beer.***39) Beer.***40) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.***

41) Beer.***42) Lower car from jack stands.***43) Accidentally crush remaining case of new motor oil.***44) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during steps 23 - 43.***45) Beer.***46) Test drive car.***47) Get pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence.***48) Car gets impounded.***49) Call loving wife, make bail.***50) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts $50.00
DUI $2500.00
Impound fee $75.00
Bail $1500.00
Beer $40.00
Total - - $4,165.00. But at least, you know the job was done right!

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HOLD THE PICKLE, HOLD THE MAYO, sent in by Chris Finer

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's
mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment, scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico,
which was to be the next port of call for the great ship
after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of
mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But, as we know, the
great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an
iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.
The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise,
and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate
at the loss. Their anguish was so great that they
declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still
observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs
each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko
de Mayo. WHAT? You expected something educational?
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BORN LOSER, sent in by Ty Scharrer

Bush and binladen decided to settle the whole dispute and continuing war with one dog fight.  They would have 5 years to breed the best fighting dog in the world. And whichever side's dog won would be entitled to dominate the world.

Binladen found the biggest, meanest Doberman and Rottweiler female dogs in the world and bred them with the meanest Siberian wolves.  They selected only the biggest and strongest puppy from the litter, and removed his siblings, which gave him all the milk.

After 5 years, they came up with the biggest, meanest dog the world had ever seen.  Its cage needed steel bars that were 5 " thick and nobody could get near it.

When the day came for the dog fight, Bush showed up with a strange looking animal.  It was a 9 foot long Dachshund.  Everyone felt sorry for Bush because there was no way that this dog could possibly last 10 seconds with the Afghanistani dog.

When the cages were opened up, the Dachshund came out of it's cage, and slowly waddled over towards Binladen's dog.  Binladen's dog snarled and leaped out of its cage and charged the American Dachshund; but when it got close enough to bite, the Dachshund opened its mouth and consumed Binladen's dog in one bite. There was nothing left of his dog at all.

Binladen came up to bush, shaking his head in disbelief. "We don't understand how this could have happened.  We had our best people working for 5 years with the meanest Doberman and Rottweiler female dogs in the world, and the biggest, meanest Siberian wolves."

"That's nothing,", said bush.  "We had Michael Jackson's plastic surgeons working for 5 years to make that alligator look like a wiener dog."

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GEORGE GOES TO SCHOOL FOR PR, sent in by Ramona Abella

After his talk, bush offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand and bush asks him his name.

"Stanley," responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Stanley?"

"I have 4 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you president when Al Gore got more votes? Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Fourth, why are we so worried about gay-marriage when half of all Americans don't have health insurance?"

Just then, the bell rings for recess, and bush informs the kids that they will continue after recess.

When they resume, bush says, "OK, where were we?  Oh, that's right: question time.  Who has a question?"

Another little boy puts up his hand.  George points him out and asks him his name.

"Steve," he responds.

"And what is your question, Steve?"

"Actually, I have 6 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you president when Al Gore got more votes? Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when half of all Americans don't have health insurance? Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early? And sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"

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COURT-COP, sent in by Chris Finer

If you ever testify in court, you might wish that you could be as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial.  The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman's credibility.

Q: "Officer, did you see my client fleeing the scene?"

A: "No sir.  But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away."

Q: "Officer, who provided this description?"

A: "The officer who responded to the scene."

Q: "A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender.  Do you trust your fellow officers?"

A: "Yes, sir.  With my life."

Q: "With your life?  Let me ask you this, then, officer:  Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?"

A: "Yes sir, we do!"

Q: "And do you have a locker in the room?"

A: "Yes sir, I do."

Q: "And do you have a lock on your locker?"

A: "Yes sir."

Q: "Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?"

A: "You see, sir, we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room."

The courtroom erupted in laughter.

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"I'M THE DECIDER": A STUDY IN SILLY ARROGANCE, sent in by Terry Smith

"I'm the Decider" by Roddy McCorley

[The following is based on bush's statement that he was the "decider."]

 I finally realized what "I'm the decider" reminds me of. It sounds like something a character in a Dr Seuss book might say….. Here is some idle speculation as to what else such a character might say:

I'm the decider. I pick and I choose.

I pick among whats. And choose among whos.

And as I decide Each particular day,

The things I decide on All turn out that way.

I decided on Freedom For all of Iraq,

And now that we have it, I'm not looking back.

I decided on tax cuts That just help the wealthy.

And Medicare changes That aren't really healthy.

And parklands and wetlands Who needs all that stuff?

I decided that none Would be more than enough!

I decided that schools All in all are the best,

The less that they teach And the more that they test.

I decided those wages You need to get by,

Are much better spent On some CEO guy.

I decided your Wade Which was versing your Roe,

Is terribly awful And just has to go.

I decided that levees Are not really needed.

Now when hurricanes come They can come unimpeded.

That old Constitution? Well, I have decided-

As "just goddam paper" It should be derided.

I've decided gay marriage Is icky and weird.

Above all other things, It's the one to be feared.

And Cheney and Rummy And Condi all know

That I'm the Decider - They tell me it's so.

I'm the Decider So watch what you say,

Or I may decide to have you whisked away

Or I'll tap your phones. Your e-mail I'll read.

'cause I'm the Decider Like Jesus decreed.

Yes, I'm the Decider-- the finest of greed.

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LOVELETTERS FROM BUDS, PALS, AND FRIENDS

Sent in by Steve Barrett:

I consider myself a fairly conservative Christian…. You pegged these phonies right on the money...if you'll pardon my notorious pun. Great chronicle of these charlatans of counterfeit "christianity."

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Sent in by Steven McDaniel:

hi brother,

yes, always, good to be with you and laugh and go deep.  I like the idea [for a video about Love] of the 9-11 visuals with a voice over, could be you talking the VO [voice-over] then transition to you going on....Keep those ideas flowing.

I will be in touch...in the meantime here is something from Whitman I know you will enjoy....and a quote I found of him today in reference to Hermes goes

"I will see Hermes, unsuspected, dying, well-beloved, saying to the people, 'Do not weep for me; this is not my true country. I have lived banished from my true country. I now go back there, I return to the celestial sphere where every one goes in his turn.'"
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From Toni Essarhir (Sonncirae):

Hi Richard,

I will print this out for tomorrow so that I will have the telephone

number with me….

If I am able to make the call, I might not be able to stay on the line

long…. I might be able to

take a small break around that time.

I wish the best for you in tomorrow nights broadcast!

God Bless!

Sonci

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From David Hem Sagar in Darjeeling, India:

Dearest Francisji and Adamariaji [beloved Francis and Adamaria],

Namaste and Sneham!!!! [Divine greetings and Love!]It is always my pleasure to serve Love Ministries as an agent and promoter in India. And whatever I do, I am doing in the friendship and relationship that we have in the Spirit of Love.

Coming to the changes [in the manuscript of the book]: Thanks for allowing me to do that. I will work only on the "Table of Contents," and I will not touch the rest of the text of the book. After doing that, I will send a copy back to you by attachment.

Coming to the COPYRIGHT, I wish you to send [a temporary] COPYRIGHT in the name of the "Love and Compassion Charitable Society."…

The rest is all fine. Thanks for sending your Greetings to my sweet family, especially the kids.

Shanti [Peace],

Bhai [younger brother] Davidji

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KEEP YOUR EYE ON YOUR "DASH," sent in by Chris Finer

I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend.   He referred to the dates on her tombstone,  From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth.   Then spoke the death-year with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved her, Know what that little line is worth.  

For  it matters not how much we own-- The cars, the house, the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our "dash."    

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left,  That can still be rearranged.    

If we could just slow down enough. To consider what's true and real,  And always try to understand  The way that others feel

And be less quick to anger, And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before.  If we treat each other with respect, And more often wear a smile. Remembering that this special "dash" Might only last a while.

So, when your eulogy's being  read With your life's actions to rehash, Would you be proud of the things they say.   About how you spent your "dash"?

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SONG OF THE UNIVERSAL, by Walt Whitman, sent in by Steven McDaniel, edited by shi

COME, said the Muse,

Sing me a song no poet yet has chanted,

Sing me the Universal.

In this broad Earth of ours,

Amid the measureless grossness and the slag,

Enclosed and safe within its central heart,

Nestles the seed Perfection.

By every life a share, or more or less,

None born but It is born-- conceal’d or unconceal’d, the seed is waiting….

Lo! the Soul-- above all science;...

For it, the entire star-myriads roll through the sky.

In spiral roads,...

For it, the partial to the permanent flowing,

For it, the Real to the Ideal tends.

For it, the mystic evolution;…

Forth From the huge, festering trunk—from craft and

guile and tears,

Health to emerge, and joy-- joy universal….

Only the good is universal.

Over the mountain growths, disease and sorrow,

An uncaught bird is ever hovering, hovering,

High in the purer, happier air.

From imperfection’s murkiest cloud,

Darts always forth one ray of perfect light,…

Soothing each lull, a strain is heard, just heard,

From some far shore, the final chorus sounding.

O the blest eyes! the happy hearts!

That see-- that know-- the guiding thread so fine,

Along the mighty labyrinth!

And thou, America!... Thou… to the ideal tendest....

All, all for Immortality!

Love, like the light, silently wrapping all!

Nature’s amelioration blessing all!

The blossoms, fruits of ages-- orchards divine and certain;

Forms, objects, growths, humanities, to spiritual Images ripening.

Give me, O God, to sing that thought!

Give me-- give him or her I love-- this quenchless faith

In Thy ensemble. Whatever else withheld, withhold not from us,

Belief in plan of Thee, enclosed in Time and Space;

Health, peace, salvation universal.

Is it a dream?

Nay, but the lack of it the dream,

And, failing it, life’s lore and wealth a dream,

And all the world a dream.

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PLEASING MY LADY

Nothing is cared for the indentations

Made upon human psyches.

For they are mesmerized

By the glittering baubles

Of poor nanoscopicities.

Like orangutans,

They are fascinated by the empty,

The shining of nothingness

As it is reflected in their eyes.

The passion is, instead,

To please my Lady,

For she is cosmic, unlimited,

The Goddess of Love,

The Goddess of the heart.

Words and acts that fill her with joy

Last into illimitable sunrises and sets,

Exhausting galaxies,

And taking unto themselves

All the light of all the suns,

In magnificent splendor,

Immeasurable luminosity.

She is one with the stars,

And one with the heart.

She is tenderness,

The unsensed warm microbreeze

Stirring the seedpods of

Sister Dandelion,

And filling the world with future yellow splendor.

She is becoming this,

And this, she. For Love mingles sweetly, delicately with Love,

Until only Love matters,

Only Love exists.

And so, in the rose and the butterfly,

In the sound of the stars,

And of the rainbow,

I take her hand in mine,

And we disappear into each other

At the extremities

Of our everlasting embrace.

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SELECTIONS OF SPIRITUAL EMERALDS

One of the greatest and most famous of the spiritual (mystical) classics of all time is the collection known as the Upanishads. These date from the eighth to the sixth centuries BCE. Here are some selections taken from Part V of Luminous Jewels of Love and Light, Volume 2:

"Let a person devoted to the spiritual life carefully analyze the passing nature of enjoyment… as found in good works. It is not by works that one gains the Eternal." This is precisely the same as the Christian teaching of "grace." One can gain neither enlightenment nor salvation by "works," as the apostle Paul made very clear.

The first reference to "the blind following the blind" was found in the Upanishads. Hypocrites are denounced, as is greed. (Compare Matthew, chapter 23.) Greed is said, in fact, to be one of the "doorways to hell."

The ancient text continues, "Let her [the spiritual person] give not a thought to transitory [passing] things, but, absorbed in meditation, renounce the world." This is very similar to Jesus' saying that his disciples are "no part of the world." (REFERENCE)

God is here called the "truly existing." In many schools of mysticism, one of the names for Good is "Reality." For only Mind is real, only Mind exists; all else Is Its great dream. "The Imperishable is the Real," says the text. In this teaching, all the things in the world are like thousands of sparks from a single fire. That "fire" is the Mind, the deepest Unconscious, the Spirit. It is said to be "Selfluminous." It is powered, and enlightened, by only Itself.

It is also called "formless." The ancient sages used the pantheon of many Hindu gods and goddesses as only a symbol. These gods and goddesses symbolized the many complex parts of the One, the Mind, God, or Spirit. These wise sages were not polytheistic. Instead of a primitive polytheism, they were aware, as mystics, of a "polymorphic monotheism": God was One, but took many, many forms or manifestations.

"He is the innermost Self of all." God was not only Love, but was the deepest Mind, cosmic Mind. This God was not in the sky, or in outer space. Like all Love, this God lived within the individual. Love does not live in the sky, but in the heart. All the world is the dream of this great Mind: "In Him, all the seas and mountains have their Source." "Thus, Brahman [God] is all, and is within all."

In the earliest Christian texts, it was similarly written, "Christ is all…" )Col. 3:11) This Mind is "action, knowledge, and goodness supreme." The wise exist in Him, consciously, with "mind absorbed, and heart melted in Love." The sound advice followed by sages is, "Lose thyself in Him." This is literally to lose consciousness of yourself as a separate self, as the ego disappears into Supermind.

That is why the Upanishads take the radical step of not hesitating to equate God with the highest Self: "Know Him, the Self, alone." Love expresses as, in, and through the mantra in meditation: "Meditate on Him as aum (om)."

Long before Jesus blessed the "pure in heart," in the famous "Sermon on the Mount," these ancient texts said, "By the pure in heart is He known." Jesus' actual words were, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Mt. 5:8).

Like Christ, "the Light of the world," He is "the Light of life." God is the "one Light that gives light to all." This is exactly the description given to the Christ, "the Light that gives light to all." (Jn. 1:9)

Then, the ancient text says vividly, "All is God." "The Lord is the one Life shining forth from every creature." So, the wise "serves the Lord in all." To love God is to love other people, and to serve Him is to serve others.

The interior knowing (gnosis) of this Lord is here called "superconscious vision." This is interior vision, a seeing of the invisible. This produces "felicity,… free from craving." This is peace and bliss. This Lord is the "pure, effulgent Being in Whom is contained the universe." "Having known the Self, the sages are filled with joy." "Blessed are they, tranquil of mind, free from [sensual] passion, realizing everywhere the all-pervading Brahman [God]." "Deeply absorbed in the contemplation of His Being, they enter into Him." This is bliss unending. "She who knows God becomes God." She is an incarnation of unconditional Love.

In the Mandukya Upanishad, a "shortcut" to "superconscious vision" is the repetition of the sacred mantra. This, thousands of years old, is the simple aum or om, meaning "peace." This text goes so far as to say, "Om, which is the Imperishable God, is the universe." "All that we see outside of ourselves, this is God." "The Self within is also God."

The first part of this Mind is the "universal person," called vaiswanara. But this is the aspect of the Self that is physical. This part of Mind is not well developed. This part of Mind is conscious of only "exterior" objects.

This is further subdivided into the four parts: mind, heart, intellect, and ego. This dull aspect of Mind is called the "enjoyer of the senses."

The second part of Mind is the same "person," but in her intellectual rather than physical nature. This aspect is called taijasa. "She dreams, and is aware of only her dream."

The third aspect of Mind is the same person in deep dreamless sleep. Dreamless sleep was considered by the sages to be an especially profound and spiritual state, when the mind dipped deeply into greater Mind. This part of Mind is called prajna. "She dreams not, and is without [personal] desire." She is covered by the "veil of unconsciousness." All mind-impressions vanish. Experiencing "neither strife nor anxiety," she is "blissful."

The fourth part of Mind is enlightened Mind. It is called iswara. Ishwara, a Hindu deity, symbolizes this aspect. This is the name of Brahman [God] when in contact with maya [illusion]. The iswara mind is not controlled by ignorance, but controls it. This is described as "pure unitary consciousness." Multiplicity is obliterated. (This is "ineffable peace," and the "supreme good.") It is blissmind

Again, "The Self beyond all worlds is the word om."

The Taittiriya Upanishad recommends "a cheerful heart and an unattached mind." This implies courtesy and friendliness, especially to guests: "Let your guests be as gods to you." This is one of several "blameless" actions recommended.

Generous giving is also to be done, "with Love and respect." And gifts should be "given in abundance," with "joy," for the wise have abandoned all clinging, attachment, craving, and greed. It is their real pleasure to give. This giving expresses Love.

Also, body-care is spiritual. For "the body… is the physical sheath of the Self." As the Mind consists of a number of layers, so the bodymind consists of "sheaths" within "sheaths." But the highest Self is beyond all these layers.

"God decided that He should make of Himself many forms." So, He went into meditation-- an altered state in which He could dream up the cosmos. "Creating all things, He entered into everything," for it was all the dream "inside his head."

Before dreaming, God existed as the "Unmanifest." Then, "from Himself, he brought forth Himself." The one who finds this God within is "without craving," or totally satisfied and content. "Verily, he who knows this truth overcomes the world." This reminds us of Jesus: "I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33).

The enlightened no longer dualizes the world into "good and evil" that are equally real and equally powerful. The ancient text says, plainly and clearly, "Mind is God." It also says, "Joy is God."

The path or Way is equally simple: "Let her worship God as God, and she will become God." To worship Love is to grow into Love.

The Aitaraya Upanishad says that God is pure Mind, or pure consciousness. It is "the Reality" behind all the cosmos. All other beings in existence exist only "in Him."

In the Chandogya Upanishad, there are three marks of the holy life: study and almsgiving; austerity (simplicity, nongreed); and living every day as a humble student.

"The Light that shines in the hearts of people" is the supreme Light. The mind should be "free from the taint of [sensual] passion."

"A person is, above all, her will." Also, "as is her will in this life, so does she become when she parts from this life." For then, she will be pure mind, without limitations. She will perfectly reflect and represent her true mind, filled with the visions of paradise, or hell. So, the very best use of timenergy is its transformation into Lovenergy. The goal is "attaining God."

The Self is said to be tiny, like a mustard-seed-- a symbol borrowed, and often used, by Jesus. But, paradoxically, this same Self is greater than the earth. For Mind has no physical dimensions. You can speak accurately of the "size of your brain," but never the "size" of your mind.

The whole cosmos-- symbolized by the "four directions"-- is a "part of the Lord."

Earth, sky, sea, and heaven are all "portions of Him." If one knows the "true nature" of the world as Lovedream, it can do no harm to her.

For the soul cannot be hurt or affected by anything at all in the material world. For that soul is indwelled by the Invulnerable and Invincible. God also "indwells" both lightning and fire. That is why, as in native American tradition, "friendly" fire can exist.

"To her who knows shall no 'evil' cling." For all "evil" is absent from perfect Mind.

How do you know this cosmic Self? By knowing the smaller self. You start where you are, and your own mind is the conduit or gate for the cosmic Mind. Just as knowing one item made of clay or gold allows you to know much about all items made of clay or gold, so knowing yourself is the start of knowing Godmind. This is the most profound meaning of the Socratic, "Know thyself."

"He [God] thought to Himself, 'Let Me be many,'" and the worldream exploded into being all around Him. "Out of Himself, He projected the Universe." Thus, "He entered into every being." God was, and is, the "subtle Essence" of everything and everyone.

Your true identification begins with the realization that you are actually projecting, indwelling, and exteriorizing (from Mind) everything and everyone. This realization is the core and meaning of the most famous phrase in all of Indian mysticism: Tat tvam asi, or, "That thou art." This is a convenient reminder that, whatever you encounter is a fragment of (your own) greater mind-- the Core of Mind. So, enlightenment takes you, ultimately, to the point where there is nothing "ugly" or absolutely "evil" in the whole cosmos. NOTE: This is not a license to practice evil-- the deliberate harming of any living creature. By the time that you realize your interior purity, you will be at such a level of spirituality that this would not even occur to you. In Christian terms, regeneration in Spirit proceeds the fullest realization of grace (which makes a being "sin=-free").

The first step towards the approach of the "allgood" cosmos of the mystic is to throw away your labelmaker. For as you judge others, you are yourself judged, as Jesus reminded us in Matthew 7:1. Why? Because the same one who judges others-- yourself-- also judges you. And, more deeply, by judging those others, you are selfjudging your own projected thoughts.

Judgment means labeling a person as irretrievable, hopeless, without a particle or spark of good or God. It does not mean simply forming an opinion about behaviors. It can be recognized that a cruel man is cruel, and an ignorant man ignorant, without practicing "judgment." For this is "discrimination," and the mystics warn us repeatedly that it is a necessary part of the deep spiritual life. For without it, you could not distinguish or discern the difference between good and evil. You would not be enlightened; you would be lost.

Pure Love, as God, is much more real than our labels. It is the only absolute Reality. Sooner or later, even the most antispiritual and nonmystical person must "return" to this state of pure and utter Love, return to God.

Every night, and every day, the mystic can "go there." For at night, "in dreamless sleep," she is "merged in that one Existence." This dreamless sleep is nature's own meditation, and it is supremely deep, creating and perfecting both bliss and consciousness.

All people sleep. So, all are given this stainless opportunity. Even so, on a conscious level, "they do not know that they are merged in Him." Only the sage knows.

When the higher Self (soul) leaves the body permanently, the body dies, "but the Self dieth not." Its secret? This: "Mind is the Way to happiness. Meditate on God as Mind." But will is as important as Mind. So, "meditate on will as God" is also advised. Higher Mindfactors, such as "discrimination, concentration, and insight," are also God.

To find joy/bliss, we must discover this highest Self; for joy simply does not exist in the world. That is why greedy persons are never happy. When, in the diversity of spectacular multiplicity, you know nothing but the One, you have grasped the Infinite.

This contrasts stunningly with "poor and finite" materialism. This truth is not hard to find; indeed, there is nowhere in all the cosmos , anywhere that you go, where It is not.

Entire galaxies exist within inner space. "As large as the universe 'outside' is the cosmos within." Lovemind is God; It is the Self.

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All 'evil' shuns That.,… for That is free from all impurities." Evil is illusion, and disappears when touched by absolute Mind.

This text emphasizes the importance of "continence" (selfrestraint). This it defines as taking a "vow of silence," or, alternatively, practicing regular silence. The practice of vms (voluntary minimal speech) would also qualify. "Dwelling in the forest" is also a form, and here, living in simplicity and nongreed is a good approximation.

When one realizes God, she "obtains all the worlds, and all desires." For before the Self can be "obtained," she must rid the Mind of all selfish or personal desires. This leaves her free to will (want) only what the Self wills.

That the body alone is to be worshipped or served is the teaching of "demons" (ignorance and stupidity). Instead, the free Lovemind "that moves around in dreams," is our only Master. Only when fused with a body is It "subject to pleasure and pain." So, as long as this conceptual bond continues, "freedom from pleasure and pain" remains elusive. And only as this "association ceases," bondage to the twin masters also disappears. This is "rising above physical consciousness." You must know the Self "to be distinct from the senses of the Mind."

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that the Self dwells like a fire in wood, in "all forms." It is "hidden behind" the names of things, and the forms of things. And It is "dearer" than anything else. The sage realizes that her Self is also the Self of all humanity.

The goal is to know the "kingdom of the Self." This is the "kingdom of God" of Jesus, which is "within." (Lk. 17:21) This is an "ocean" or "well" of "inexhaustible virtue." As an expression of this goodness, "Brahma is forgiving," exactly as is the Christian God of Love. True worship also makes the human being forgiving.

In deep, dreamless sleep, one "falls into" the Mind of the highest Self (God). She enters the "seventy-two thousand nerves." Consciously, she knows nothing at all, but has been refreshed and renewed by her "stay" in heavenly Mind. For, unconsciously, she has fused or melded with It. She brings goodness back from the deepest Mind. This is an ecstasy of Love.

Of this Mind, it is written, "His secret name is Reality." And Love for others is the only real devotion.

All is God.