article on light:

LOVELIGHT

Magazine

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July 2006*** Vol. 3, no.7

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Managing Editors: Richard "Shi" Francis and AdaMaria Francis

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Contributors to this issue: Chris Finer, Noel Harrison, Steve McDaniel, James Mitchell, Teresa Ramsey, Kathy Rice, Electa Robbins, Ty Scharrer, Geoffrey Stoermer

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 email 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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THE PARADOXICAL NATURE OF LIGHT
by Steven E. McDaniel

Cosmology can offer the mystic new levels of awe and wonder. Astrophysics and quantum physics can open spiritual doors and complement self-growth. You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand these. Science prides itself with its "pure language" of geometry/mathematics. Its goal is to keep "meaning" out of any understanding. Since the Tao of Physics, there have been a plethora of books written for the non-scientist. Many of these physicists want the public to understand physics. This is to help them apply its meaning outside the scientific community. These writers include physicists such as Timothy Ferris, Paul Davies, John Gribbin, and many others. They also involve universal educational groups such as the Noetic Society (founded by a former astronaut). The list of wonderseekers and spiritual groups keeps on growing. The late Carl Sagan helped open these doors with the Cosmos tv series. This was one of many ways that scientists have inspired people to truth. Many young people chose careers in astronomy upon hearing Sagan awe them with some simple and extraordinary scientific facts.

One example is: Heavy elements constitute much of our world. These elements, as well as the atoms of our own bodies, are forged from the centers of stars. We are literally stardust, “the stuff of stars”. Sagan wisely commented that the stars are our true ancestors. More recently, Stephen Hawking’s bestseller, A Brief History Of Time, dealt with the subject of black holes. The reader is left to ponder this mystery. These are areas of incredible power from the graves of huge stars.

Again, we dance with the wonder of light and universe. This is the beauty of our history-- born from the cosmos. Copernicus stated that “the universe is the body of God.” From these kinds of insights, we can see into our true constitution, with awe and wonder. I would further the view of Copernicus, and say that God’s body is light. For the whole universe is ultimately light. And even matter, as we know it in neophysics, is nothing more than “contained light.”

God is everywhere. She is "emanating" from you and me. She shines in the stars, and in your eyes, so abundantly as to be amazing!
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Colors are the deeds and sufferings of light.-- Johann Wolfgang Goethe

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Science and art have been enthralled with light ever since humankind left paradise for the grandiose self-absorption of dualistic thought. Since the ancient writings of Plato, light has been heralded with a certain divinity that stands alone. Wordsworth wrote “At length the man perceives, it dies away and fades into the light of common day.” He epitomized what so many others have expressed. He implied that once we realize our true nature, we become light, and at-one with God. This is a long road. It requires great work, and "traveling" down deep mind-corridors of understanding and love. And science need not be a hindrance, but rather, can be a helper.
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"The years of anxious searching in the dark, with their intense longing, their alternation of confidence and exhaustion, and the final emergence into light-- those who have experienced
it can understand it."--Albert Einstein

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A little before the turn of the twentieth century, a fifteen year old boy was dreaming about light. His dream would change the world. Albert Einstein’s visions of "riding" a light beam set the stage for alterations of scientific understanding in a new and dramatic way. Einstein went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics for his research into the photoelectric effect (a particular aspect of light). He is, of course, best known for his theories of relativity. The Special Theory of Relativity deals mostly with the more profound nature of light. This article will focus upon the paradoxical and esoteric qualities of light. Much of light’s truth is contradictory to "reason." Thus, we must aspire to a higher level of understanding. Particularly, without the language of mathematics, we must rely on an intuitive voice. Due to spacetime constraints, I am going to “lightly” touch upon certain more incredible paradoxical facets. We will study God’s true character that we call LIGHT. It is my hope that you will sense, beyond the senses, a truth above words.
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"The soul is light, the mind is light, and the body is light-- light of different grades; and it is this relation which connects [hu]man[s] with the planets and stars."--Hazrat Inayat Khan

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Since the earliest religious and poetic writings, light has been heralded as the illumination and radiation of the Spirit of God. It is the ultimate metaphor for "seeing" with wonder and awe. It is seeing beyond the [ordinary] view into the true vision of the immutable Light. This is of the heart. [This is the mystical "knowing" of God.] It is the highest Reality. Without it there would be nothing.

In science, quasars are the oldest and brightest visible lights that seem to emanate from black invisible holes. And all of time has been "photographed" by light, [including objects both] young and old. It is all in the family album of space. Every star in the night sky denotes the entire span of time since the beginning. We observe with telescopes the far reaches of the universe. The light of stars that burned out billions of years ago can still be seen due to the traveling time it takes to arrive at the retina.

Our own nearby sun is the center around which our earth and solar system revolve in gravitational love attraction. Physicists contend that it is gravity that attracts planets to stars, not light or love. But it is by divine orchestration that stars are the largest gravitational objects in the universe. Further, all the vegetation of mother earth reaches towards the light. Nature does not entertain coincidences. To love light is to love God. And that which is most real is set by the example of nature. This is a voice! Yet, what are some of God’s most secret natural characteristics?
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"The light glow from a chunk of burning coal is really sunlight. Leaves on an ancient tree millions of years ago caught, transformed, and imprisoned some solar energy, and these leaves, given time and pressure, became coal. It is the combustion of the coal that releases the hibernating sunlight."-- Neil McAleer

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I have never known a truth without paradox. A contradiction to the reasoning mind, and yet realized as a truth, has been heralded by the saints as “the holy madness.” This is where thought is wonderfully confounded by its limitations. Einstein’s “leap of genius,” or deep feelings, can bridge this gulf of understanding. Science and mysticism have shared paradox throughout the ages. God, or truth, is difficult to understand through reason. For there is no reason to infinite love or light . . . It simply is. And that is true and lasting beauty.
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"The Master who teaches us is absolute Light, not this visibility."--Jelaluddin Rumi

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One of the great paradoxes and mysteries (exposed!) of light became evident at the turn of the century when its velocity was measured. For many hundreds of years, it was assumed that light’s speed was infinite. But it became obvious to deep thinkers that if light speed were infinite, all of light would reach earth at the same time. And thus the whole of the night sky would be aglow. When it was proven to be traveling at about 186,000 miles per second, many insights occurred.
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The following paradoxes are factual, but there is simply not enough time to elaborate on all the science that led to them. Most of them are not new. They have been known to science for (over) seventy-five years. The scientific truth has been stated with spiritual interpretation: What is God(dess) trying to tell us by his/her strange behavior?

Prior to the turn of the century, light was considered to be a wave with no distinguishable parts. Einstein refuted that premise. He proved that light was composed of discrete bundles or packets of energy. These bundles are called "quanta."

When an interaction among objects was observed, he further theorized that light acted as a wave when interacting with itself. Further studies of particle theories show how the observer changes even the outcome of the experiment. The fact that light is both a wave and a particle depending on the mode of experimental observation, has been proven over and over, and is one of the great paradoxes of light. It is the interaction between the object and the observer that breaks the wave into photons (particles). The mystic’s experience of being in the wave state, void of thought, is mirrored by this scientific study. In a state of stillness, with no object of observation, peace and oneness with the universe is experienced . Things disappear into a unity of ecstatic comfort and electric light eternity. This stillness of the mind becomes the wave; and no longer is it the particle or separate idea (names and concepts).

The message is implicit: To find unity and wholeness in our lives, we must ascend beyond the realm of thought and observation. We must "float up" to the non-observational kingdom of God’s light. Thought is the demise of humanity’s unity with God. “Who among you can add one cubit to your stature with thought” Jesus warned. Sri Aurobindo said, “There is
nothing mind can do that cannot be better done in the mind’s immobility and thought-free stillness.” The unreality of thought was taught by many of the great saints and seers. So, what do we want to be, a wave or a particle? Unfortunately, we too often dwell in the world of particle names and observations, far away from God’s domain of the invisible feeling of the eternal life wave. To become the wave of light, we must let go of our ideas and get still. A certain death to the mental trickster, so that the eternal heart can be revealed!

Another paradox of light is the amazing fact that if you approach light’s finite speed, you will become infinite. Time will come to a stop; and your mass will flatten to an atomic plasma. This lightspeed is the "speedlimit" of the cosmos. It is a law that cannot be broken in physical terms. Hence, Einstein stated that the velocity of light was absolute. The wall of light is truly a reality beyond all others. And because light speed never wavers, it is contained in its own absoluteness. It is a kingdom that stands alone. The only “thing” that can travel at light speed is light itself. You must become light to reach its acceleration. If you were to move at the speed of light, you would be everywhere that light is, and in effect, at rest. END OF PART I.

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LOVELETTERS FROM OUR BUDS, PALS, AND FRIENDS!

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Love,

Thank you so very, very much for the cd's that Debbie gave to me…. I was both surprised and delighted when I opened the package, to discover that they were from Mr. and Mrs. Love….I was able to hear most of the first cd, and it was "perfect" for me. I got a deeper understanding of how God wants to love others through us… It really inspired me to want to be more loving. That Sunday we were there, with Cindy and Steve, was a most beautiful afternoon-- the discussion, the people,… the weather, the food, and your intriguing home, with all of Maria's uniqueness combined with all the Lovenergy throughout the home. Have had the opportunity to share parts of the discussion with friends here, as well as those who live in other places. Coming to your place fulfilled one of my longtime wishes, which was even more than I had expected….Many thanks for everything, and for being at the "Celebration of Life [Church], and for being on the radio, and for your books.

Much, much Love to Both of You,

Electa Robbins

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Dearest Shi,

What a WONDERFUL show tonight. I finally got my streaming audio to work correctly tonight and caught the whole show. I was going to call in, but you had me totally captivated by the variety of subjects you were speaking on, and when you let us know what you'd be talking about before going to break, I was waiting with excited anticipation. You hit on so many good

subjects. it was truly wonderful. Could you let me know what it would cost to send us a copy

of your shows? You sent us 4 of your earlier shows, and they are great to listen to especially while we're driving. I'd love to get a copy of your last few shows.

It would be great if you could offer that as a service. We'd love to get "on your list" for people that would like a copy of your shows. I know keeping up with all of that and the constant mailings could be time consuming and costly.

My suggestion: Maybe you could put a month's worth of shows onto 1 CD and then copy them for those that sign up for the service. It would be wonderful to receive a CD each month with 4 of your "High Spirit" programs!

Do you have a means of copying CDs? If not, maybe I could assist you with that chore. We have 2 DVD / CD recorder / players in our computer. If you can do it, let me know the cost and I'll get a check sent off.

Again, a Wonderful Show, and tell Adamaria that she did a super job reading the questions!

We LOVE You Both,

Dancing Baby Elephants full of Love, Kisses, Hugs, and Blessings,

Kathy [Rice]

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Dearest Shi,

Heeeheeee. I’m feeling those hugs from the baby elephant trunks. What a blessing!

As for my letter, of course you may use it in your Lovelight magazine. Whenever I write to you, it comes directly from my heart; and my heart’s feelings are boundless and borderless.

I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be doing another 13 weeks [renewing the contract for the radioprogram], but totally understand that the Spirit will move you in the direction you need to head. Just know that financial support awaits you if you do choose to continue your radio program. For Kenny and I would be happy to continue our support in this endeavor. Our world needs to, not only read, but hear, and experience all that your wisdom has to offer.

Someday maybe you and Kenny can work together to put your words, and the Joy, Love, Peace, and Sincerity bubbling from your voice onto CD’s with ethereal, meditative music in the background. The wisdom from your “spoken” word touches people at such a deep level in their consciousness. The confidence, child-like Joy, sensitivity, and fluidity of your spoken wisdom calms the listener so she can actually feel the knowledge the Soul has always known, and she is able to open up and resonate with those Truths. You have truly been given a great gift, my dear friend, and we thank you for sharing it with us.

Mega Bunches of Love, Kisses, Hugs & Blessings,

Kathy [Rice]

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Hi there,

In present time, we are being bombarded with a nonstop barrage of negativity, whether it be the gas prices, or the war or our government or guns in schools, and the lists goes on and on and on. It seems almost as prevalent as the air we breathe, which is also depleting because of the destruction of the rainforests. And we focus on all this, get into the "ain't it awful" feeling and actually are fueling all this negative stuff.

When you receive this email, if you would, take five minutes and focus on all the wonderful things that are in your life. Go for ten minutes, if you can. Make it as simple as all the beauty of things that surround where you live. Or, the bark or purr of a pet. Or, watching children play. The smell of grass, or the song of a bird. Spend five minutes focused on all the wonderful things that are present in your life. Don't allow one negative thought to invade your thinking for these five minutes. Just swim in the joy of everything that puts a smile on your face. Gives you the "warm and fuzzies." Buzzes your energy in a HIGH.

And when you have gone for five minutes, or ten. Ask yourself, why would you allow your feelings to be anything other than what they are, at this moment? And how easy was it to get there? By just seeing all the beauty around you. And as you observe, you will see it multiply. And you feel absolutely AWESOME.

And the only thing you had to do was change your focus. Give it a go. I guarantee you will find it addictive.

Hugs and love everyone. Geoff [Stoermer]

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Dear ones,

This [poem to the Goddess, in last month's issue, called "Pleasing My Lady"] is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read Did shi write it?

love

Noel [Harrison, England]

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Dear shi,

We were able to find you streaming on Wayne's laptop computer. We enjoyed what you had to share. I have been vegetarian primarily, for 21 years. I was straight vegetarian for many years, then about 4 years ago, felt I needed fish occasionally. I have always felt at odds with myself over it. I eat fish about once a month and take omega 3 fatty acid liquids (as in flax seed

oil). in a way I felt relieved to hear what you said about the nervous system of fish, and perhaps it being less cruel to eat fish. But, there is the core of me that just kinda feels like I give thanks for their life to make my brain and nervous system function better. I have a couple of 'bug catchers' that we use around here to catch insects, escort them out, give them a firm message not to come back in or they run the risk of not such a good outcome, and to tell their friends. I also put "ant houses" and insect repellent stuff in the house. They take their chances with that.

Also, finally, the day or the moment comes when we love ourselves enough to begin to forgive ourselves and others and begin to celebrate all of life.

Thanks for your leadership, Shi.

Love,

Tkr [Teresa Ramsey]

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Dear Richard,

It is inspiring to read about the progress of the radio program and, of course, activities like what you're doing with the organized rummage sale - motivating folks to clear out their closets, etc. The actual 'clearing out' can be a metaphor for clearing out their minds as well if we consider the clutter a representation of our life-world projects. That extra, innocuous clutter can also be helpful to someone else.

Metta,

James

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Dear Richard,

That was an excellent piece on vegetarians in today's ULD! It seemed that the smell of cooking animal flesh permeated every nook and crannie of San Francisco over the last couple of days; SF, a place where there is widespread veggie thinking/eating! I'm sure a similar smell permeated neighborhoods all over America. Education is great and necessary, but oftentimes not enough to change people's habits of mind. Articles/messages like yours, for example, hopefully will give folks something else to literally & metaphorically chew on .

Thanks for the reminder of no expectations, demands. Again, good luck with the exams and your other tasks. Be Well.

Peace and Blessings,

James [Mitchell, California]

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TURTLE CREEK FLEE MARKET-- WONDERFUL SUCCESS! THANKS, FRIENDS!, by Adamaria Francis

We had our annual flee market sale May 20, 2006. The day was cool and warm -- just perfect. The night before Greg and Shirley (Sexton) helped us take all of our "good stuff" out to the market using their big truck. Our sweet Pneumarium friends, especially our beloved Pat (Fields), had donated some really nice things for our sale. Richard and Albert (Bollinger) did a great job of pricing and marking everything! What a job!

Richard came out early Saturday morning with me and stayed for hours. His wonderful energy is so sweet to be around. He is so encouraging and funny -- telling me jokes and making me laugh!

Diann (Proffitt) and Edward and Nancy (Theuring) also came out early Saturday morning and helped with the sale. Our beautiful Diann stayed until the afternoon and Edward and Nancy stayed until we called it "quits" for the day. I had such a good time with these beautiful people. Edward and Nancy and I had a chance to visit and talk about life, love and everything in between J It was sweet!

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SNORTS, GASPS, AND SNICKERS: HUMORTHERAPY

Sent to me by a Republican:

MEDICAL ALERT: In an attempt to stop the threat of bird flu, or at least, to get people really good and scared, george bush has bombed the Canary Islands. Turkey is next.

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YOU KNOW YOU ARE A REDNECK WHEN…, sent in by Chris Finer

1. You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree.***2. You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.***3. Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years.***4. You burn your yard rather than mow it.***5. You think "The Nutcracker" is something you do off the high dive.***6. The Salvation Army declines your furniture.***7.You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and she doesn't want it.***8. You have the local taxidermist on speed dial.***9. You come back from the dump with more than you took.***

10. You keep a can of Raid on the kitchen table.***11. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat.***12. Your grandmother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.***13. You keep flea and tick soap in the shower.***14. You've been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog.***15. You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.***16. You know how many bales of hay your car will hold.***17. You have a rag for a gas cap.***18. Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.***19. You wonder how service stations keep their rest-room's so clean.***20. You can spit without opening your mouth.***21. You consider your license plate personalized because your father made it.***22. Your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.***23. You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say "Cool Whip" on
the side.***24. The biggest city you've ever been to is Walmart.***25. Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.***26. You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.***27. A tornado hits your neighborhood and does $100,000 worth of improvements.***28. You've used a toilet brush to scratch your back.***29. You missed your eighth-grade graduation because you were on jury duty.

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LANGUAGE TRICK, sent in by Ty Scharrer

A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class. "In English," he said, "A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."
A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."

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DON'T EVER BE LATE!, sent in by Teresa Ramsey

A priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner. He was delayed, so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited.

"I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here," the priest began. "I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, taken illegal drugs, and gave vd to his sister. I was appalled! But as the days went on, I knew that my people were not all like that; and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people."

Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk: "I'll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived," said the politician. "In fact, I had the honor of being the first one to go to him in confession."

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JEWELWORDS: MEMORABLE QUOTATIONS, sent in by Chris Finer

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."-- Will Rogers

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"I've failed over and over again; that's why I succeed."--

INSECT REPELLANT : SIMPLE SOLUTION, sent in by Chris Finer

Fortunately, there are particular essential oils that are particularly good for different types of bugs. Here is a very simple formula for making your own repellent oil:

Essential choices for stinging bugs!

Here is an easy repellent to make that has a shelf life of around six months. Label jars “mosquito,” “tick,” etc. for quick identification.

10 to 25 drops essential oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.

Here are some suggestions for your choice of essential oils:

Caution: Pregnant women should consult with their doctors before using.

Ticks First Choice: Rose Geranium
Other: Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal
lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)

Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender

Blackflies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint

Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, rose geranium

Fleas: Orange oil

A note about wasps and yellow jackets: Don’t wear perfume, hair spray, or scented deodorant. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing.

If you would like a good, natural repellent, Skreen Products, Inc., has produced an all natural insect repellent. The company researched old family recipes, Seminole Indian remedies, Cajun lore, and the latest science, to come up with Skreen product line, which is designed to repel gnats, yellow flies, black flies, horse flies, deer flies, "no seeums," mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas! Find out more at Skreen Products, Inc.

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GEOGRAPHY NOTES, sent in by Chris Finer

Alaska: More than half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska.***Amazon: The Amazon rainforest produces more than twenty percent of the world's oxygen supply. The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred
miles at sea off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean. The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the next eight largest rivers in
the world combined; and it is three times the flow of all the rivers in the United States .***Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica . This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world. As strange as it sounds, however, Antarctica is essentially a desert. The average yearly total precipitation is about two inches. Although covered with ice, (all but 0.4% of it, Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.***Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.***Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. Canada is an Indian word meaning " Big Village."***Chicago: Next to Warsaw , Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.***Detroit: Woodward Avenue in Detroit , Michigan , carries the designation M-1, named so because it was the first paved road anywhere.***Damascus , Syria was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BCE, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence.***Istanbul , Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.***Los Angeles: Its full name is El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula --and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size: L.A.***New York City: The term "The Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930's who used the slang expression "apple" for any town or city. Therefore, to play New York City is to play the big time - The Big Apple. There are more Irish in New York City than in Dublin , Ireland ; more Italians in New York City than in Rome , Italy ; and more Jews in New York City than in Tel Aviv, Israel .***Ohio: There are no natural lakes in the state of Ohio . Every one is human-made.***Pitcairn Island: The smallest island with country status is Pitcairn in Polynesia , at just 1.75 sq. miles/4,53 sq. km.***Rome: The first city to reach a population of 1 million people was Rome , Italy in 133 BCE. There is a city called Rome on every continent.***Siberia contains more than 25% of the world's forests.***S.M.O.M.: The actual smallest sovereign entity in the world is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (S.M.O.M.). It is located in the city of Rome, Italy, has an area of two tennis courts, and as of 2001 has a population of 80, 20 less people than the Vatican. It is a sovereign entity under international law, just as the Vatican is.***Sahara Desert: There is a town named Tidikelt, which did not receive a drop of rain for ten years. Technically though, the driest place on Earth is in the valleys of the Antarctic near Ross Island . There has been no rainfall there for two million years.***Spain literally means "the land of rabbits."***St. Paul , Minnesota was originally called Pig's Eye after a man named Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant who set up the first business there.***Roads Chances that a road is unpaved in the U.S.A. : 1%, in Canada : 75.***Texas: The deepest hole ever made in the world is in Texas . It is as deep as 20 empire state buildings but only 3 inches wide. I also understand that a village in Texas is missing its town-idiot (moved to Washington).***United States

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one-mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other
emergencies.***Waterfalls: The water of Angel Falls (the World's highest) in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters). It is fifteen times higher than Niagara Falls .

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GNOSTICISM IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY: A LOOK AT THREE GOSPELS

Gnosticism is not about usual "knowledge." It did emphasize a wisdom called gnosis in Greek; this can mean "knowledge" (and is a cognate). But gnosis (now English) was not simply data-collection or -processing.

It referred to the immediate, direct, profound experience of the Presence of God in the heart, as living Love.[1] This was a life-changing experience, profound, irreversible, ecstatic. All gnostics believed that all wisdom came from the interior Spirit directly to the aware mind. That is why the orthodox Church condemned gnostics. For they threatened the power-monopoly held by the Church. People did not need the Church, for each was directly "plugged into" God.

Here, we will consider three nontraditional Gospels: "The Gospel of Truth," "The Gospel of Thomas," and the "Gospel of Phillip."

THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH. This is Valentinian. A Greek original likely existed about 150. Its author might have been Valentinus. Jesus' words are not its focus, but deeper spiritual truth. Selfknowledge is a theme; through it, one realizes her "divine" nature, like that of Jesus. All minds come from the One, and are always a part of It. Another theme is "salvic knowing," or gnosis. The Gospel's intended audience was the "enlightened." This work never cites the Hebrew Scriptures. (Most gnostics knew that these were not Christian.) Still, it alludes to themes of the Christian Scriptures. Valentinians always, uniquely among gnostics, saw themselves as a part of the orthodox Church. They felt that the Christian Greek Bible supported gnosticism.

SELECTIONS. For brevity, only the most salient texts can be cited. There outline the core-teachings of the gnostics.

"Truth," in Greek, also could be translated as "reality," as in some philosophers. So, this Gospel concerns what is real, not simply dogma. The "Word," or logos, came from the pleroma, or spiritual cosmos. (This could refer to the world of Mind.) The Gospel defines Logos as "in the thought and the mind of the Father" [Source of all]." It is a "discovery" of those who seek.

All Mind is still "searching for the One from Whom it had come forth." In mysticism, the "material, external" world is neither. It is all a God-dream, "and is Always inside of Him." God is "superior to every thought."

The one Mind had to limit Itself in order to permit matter. "Ignorance" fashioned matter, then made a "creature." Sectarian Gnostics (cultlike groups of the first two centuries) said that the world was created by an evil being. It was not reality, but illusions. "But they were nothing." The material world was error, and the Way out was to "despise error." Matter "fell into a fog" regarding the "Father." It created "oblivions and terrors." (Oblivion is a mind-state supporting ignorance.) This "entices" souls "in the Middle," or ignorance-state. It "captures them" in "matter."

Gnosis ("knowing the Father") appeared that "oblivion [analogous to maya in other traditions] might vanish." Christ is "the hidden Mystery" that facilitates this. For "he discovered them [disciples] in Himself, and they discovered Him in themselves. The truth of mysteries is in a "book" that is "in the thought and the mind," and is reserved for the "slain" (dead to the world). Gnostics are "from above," and do God's will. (Ordinary life is, by comparison, mere "drunkenness.")

Truths are "letters," and "each letter is a complete thought," and "written by Unity." Through this, the Logos brings the All "back into the Father," its Origin. Because the Creator is hidden within the human mind, the "Son" (human manifestation) is all that is "hidden of Him." When God (Love) fills the "deficiency" (absence of gnosis) of the material world, he "abolishes its form." In other words, materialism disappears, as it is no longer a reality (truth) in mind.

"In Unity" self is "known," and one is "purified from multiplicity" (Mind-created illusion). Oneness of the whole dream is known. This is "consuming matter" within.

This is anti-error, for "error is empty." The essential error is dualism-- the belief that anything exists apart from the one Mind; its cure is monism. Everything is His "emanation," even before "receiving form,” they "came forth from Him." After getting form, "though truly within Him, they do not know Him." Even pre-creationally, "before all things appear, He knows what He will produce." The world is "like the shadows and phantoms of the night." This includes fear, ultimate unreality. For "when the Light shines on a terror,… it is nothing." "Many illusions" exist. These are "empty fictions" like dreams. For the world is God's dream, and, often, "disturbing dreams" are part of creation. But to "wake up" is to know that it is all "nothing." Mystics no longer mistake the "works" of the world for "solid things." The wise abandon them "like a dream in the night."

A major gift of Christ was, "He gave them thought." That is why gnostics emphasized "interior knowledge." This led, in time, to "perfection in the thought of the Father." The Logos made revelation "while they were still in the depth of His thought." "It was called thought, since they were in it." "It was first to come forth."

Its goal is full Unity. "Name" is identity, "Father" is Spirit and "Son" is human. This is truth: "The name of the Father is the Son." He is "a being without evil,… gentle."

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THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS

This document is divided into verses. It originated about 150 in a Greek, Syriac, or Aramaic version. Its author is Judas Thomas, a legendary twin of Jesus, associated with a Syrian church. It resembles the "Q" document. It traces gnosticism to Jesus. It is esoteric. "Truth" is knowing of one's "divine identity," or mental "oneness" with God. To "return to her Origin" in Supermind, the mystic separates from the natural world, by "stripping off" her "earthly garment" (psychobio-body). For she is not a body, but a mind.

1. …The secret sayings [of] Jesus.…Whoever finds the interpretation… will not experience death. 2. …[The discoverer] will rule over the all. 3. …The kingdom is inside of you….11. [Some were vegetarians.] … In the days when you consumed what is dead,… On the day when you were one, you became two….13. I am not your master….22. These infants being suckled are like those entering the kingdom….When you make the two one [all part of one Mind], and make the inside like the outside ["outside" is only a dream],…then will you enter the kingdom….25. Love your brother like your soul….27. If you do not fast,… you will not find the kingdom….[Jesus found people in the world] intoxicated….29. Great [spiritual] wealth makes its home in [material] poverty…. 37. Disrobe, without being ashamed….42. Become passers-by….49. Blessed are the solitary,…for you will find the kingdom, for you are from it, and to it you will return…. 50. …We came from the Light….52. You have omitted the One living in your presence, and have spoken of only the dead. [His disciples asked about prophets.] 58. Blessed is the person who has suffered and found life….61. I am He who exists from the Undivided. [This is monism, contraindicating dualism; nothing is separate from the One.] If he is undivided, he will be filled with Light….63. [A rich man makes elaborate plans to re-invest and increase his wealth.] That same night, he died….Businessmen and merchants will not enter the places of My Father….

67. Whoever believes that the all is deficient is himself completely deficient…. [The kingdom of God is like a merchant who sold everything that he owned, and bought a pearl of great value. We should be willing to give up anything for the kingdom.] 77. It is I who am the all. From Me did the all come forth, and unto Me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up a stone, and you will find Me there….

81. … Let him who possesses power renounce it….83. … The images are manifest to man, but the Light in them remains concealed in the image of the Light of the Father. [People see the material world, but never see the Mind of Light that dreams it up through smaller minds.] He will become manifest, but His image will remain concealed by His Light….95. If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give it to one from whom you will not get it back…. 97. [The kingdom is likened to a jar full of meal that had a hole in it. A woman carrying it did not realize that it was leaking out all over the road, and when she got home, it was empty. Unless the self is "empty," there is no "inner space" for the Light of Spirit.] 101. Whoever does not love his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to Me…. 108. He who will drink from My mouth will become like Me. I Myself shall become he…. 110. Whoever finds the world, and becomes rich, let him renounce the world…. 111. Whoever lives from the living One will not see death…. 113. The kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it….

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THE GOSPEL OF PHILLIP

This Gospel is a collection of theological statements, ethics, and sacraments. Like the "Gospel of Truth," it is Valentinian. Its date is later, from c. 250. Its style is unorganized, disjointed, and a bit rambling. But it is still discernibly gnostic. It might have originally been a kind of catechesis. It might have been used to educate people for initiation into enlightenment. A major theme in the latter part is the allegorical "bridal chamber." Not surprisingly, even some of the anti-orthodox had their sexual hang-ups. The existential malady of our world is actually blamed on the differentiation of the sexes. Would "Adam" actually have been happier or wiser if having been allowed to exist alone, forever? At any rate, the damage is done, and Christ comes to "reunite" the two. This occurs in an allegorical and sacramental "bridal chamber." The sacraments are not appreciably different from those of the traditional orthodox Church.

"When we were Hebrews, we were orphans." This document is more openly anti-Semitic than others. But anti-Semitism was not a racial issue with the gnostics. Instead, it was a matter of "purifying" Christianity, and especially its God, from influences of the Hebrew Scriptures. For the proto-Hebrew "Jehovah" or, more properly, Yahweh, was a wargod of violence and, at times, evil of other varieties. So, Marcion (c. 140) and other Gnostic teachers recommended abandoning the Hebrew Scriptures altogether.

"Those who sow in winter reap in summer." "Winter" is the world, "summer" the afterlife. This is considered the best sequence, living now for life in heaven.

"Light and darkness,… are brothers of one another,… inseparable." This has led some, even in ancient times, to moral relativism. In the Absolute, issues are relative; but in our everyday world, there are major and real distinctions between the opposites of good and evil.

"Those who are above the world are indissoluble, eternal." Being "above," transcendentally, led certain groups, such as the notorious Carpocratians, to dismiss all goodness and morality (especially sexual) as irrelevant and untrue. Since, they said, the Hebrew Scriptures were written by a demon, its commands must all be actively disobeyed, including, "Thou shalt not kill," and, most scandalously, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Some regressive "teachers" taught even that it was mandatory to perform these forbidden acts. This represented the very worst of the formal Gnostic cults of the first two centuries.

"Names… are very deceptive." For example, the name "God" brings to mind a thousand images, but all are "incorrect." A small list of other misdefined terms is included in the text.

"They are not in the aion.” The Greek aion literally means "age." But in ancient writings, it came to mean an entire plethora of conditions associated with not only time, but with place. For example, the aion of earth signified the entire state of being associated with earthly existence. This included the whole biological body and its senses. Similarly, the aion of the afterlife signified a "state" or "condition." The intent of this verse is that "names" are associated with only the earthly aion, not the heavenly or otherworldly. "The name above all things" was the one "which the Father gave to the Son." By grace, the human nature ("Son") is also the divine nature ("Father") deeply concealed in Mind. Today, we could say that God is very deeply within the Unconscious. "They do not speak it." God, in mysticism, is ineffable, indescribable, and illimitable-- quite incomprehensible.

The "truth" invented names, "because it is not possible to teach it without names." Language, however pitiable, is the only tool that we have to discuss the Infinite. "Truth is one single thing, but it is also many things." The one Mind spills Itself into the countless items of the dream-cosmos. But "We learn this one Thing in Love."

So, why does the polyfaceted cosmos appear to be so real? "The powers wanted to deceive man." It is all a part of the "test, lesson, trial, or exam" of being human. If we did not believe in the reality of the world, we would simply dismiss and ignore it. In order for the school of earth to be effective, we must start by believing in the "props.” Lower mental "powers"-- lust, greed, envy, violence-- want man as a slave. These "contend against man."

For "if man is saved, there will not be any [animal] sacrifices." This, too, is a slap in the face of primitive protojudaism where, in the Hebrew Scriptures, its god Yahweh, demands a plethora of animal-sacrifices, ranging from the helpless turtle-dove to the profitable bull. These were offerings to the negative "powers." And, in orthodox Christianity, they were ultimately abandoned, even though the barbarian god-image was not.

[1] Our of recognition of the fact that "God is Love" it is a policy to initiate the word "Love" with a capital letter, when used as a noun.