tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45435862705734018842024-03-13T04:37:51.998-07:00Serene Promotions (TM)Promoting Education & Entrepreneurship
Through the Power of Positive ThoughtSerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-25280203321080517022012-06-20T03:18:00.002-07:002012-06-20T03:20:42.117-07:00Another Milestone for Our Facebook Page!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YB1t85TotIg/T-GiEamqJII/AAAAAAAAAZ0/cfLlvlgxOho/s1600/redbackgroundwiththankyou2000.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YB1t85TotIg/T-GiEamqJII/AAAAAAAAAZ0/cfLlvlgxOho/s320/redbackgroundwiththankyou2000.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Within 12 days of reaching 1,700 page fans another 300 people decided to help encourage and promote our concept of PEACE! We are grateful for each and every LIKE that comes our way and rejoice that we are building a page that will soon be able to make an actual difference in the lives of Single-Parent Students who are striving to improve their lives and the lives of their children by advancement through education and entrepreneurship. Keep SHARE-ing our page...let's take this from concept to reality and then get busy helping those who strive...achieve!Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-55006211244738881122012-06-07T15:23:00.003-07:002012-06-07T15:25:31.007-07:00Our Facebook Fan Page Hit a Milestone Today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wU_aZ-Lekoc/T9Epx8Obv2I/AAAAAAAAAZg/tBzXG4QK06Y/s320/darkbluecelebrationwiththanks.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-53275384212072989462012-06-07T07:20:00.001-07:002012-06-07T07:20:29.247-07:00Don't Fight the Current<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUd3HsEkbbQ/T9C4W0cuV8I/AAAAAAAAAZU/shd0aU1bqU4/s1600/flowwithquote.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUd3HsEkbbQ/T9C4W0cuV8I/AAAAAAAAAZU/shd0aU1bqU4/s320/flowwithquote.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-4197953748217936772012-06-07T06:23:00.000-07:002012-06-20T03:21:28.714-07:00A Sunshine Coast Kind of Thursday Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZ7bjvLVoFk/T9CrBeqq3yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/c59KoYQ_av0/s1600/deckchairswithgreeting.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZ7bjvLVoFk/T9CrBeqq3yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/c59KoYQ_av0/s320/deckchairswithgreeting.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-5319522888082195722012-03-16T00:41:00.001-07:002012-03-16T00:41:55.058-07:00Good Morning India!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCcPhqXvrCE/T2LujufL8RI/AAAAAAAAAXs/rRrahdv7a3I/s1600/ocean5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCcPhqXvrCE/T2LujufL8RI/AAAAAAAAAXs/rRrahdv7a3I/s640/ocean5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-56154747726042166342012-03-15T23:19:00.001-07:002012-03-16T00:43:35.316-07:00Letting the Storm Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MJm3egLTBs/T2LbRI8PE5I/AAAAAAAAAXk/mJBeXXyul1k/s1600/Ocean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MJm3egLTBs/T2LbRI8PE5I/AAAAAAAAAXk/mJBeXXyul1k/s640/Ocean1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-41724673854332487742012-02-02T11:40:00.000-08:002012-06-07T06:19:59.573-07:00The Principles of Miracles 6-10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9WxbZUnp1U/Tyrkv9nMWZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/sxsNymjKQHs/s1600/A+Course+in+Miracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9WxbZUnp1U/Tyrkv9nMWZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/sxsNymjKQHs/s320/A+Course+in+Miracles.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original book cover<br />
by Helen Shucman and<br />
William Thetford</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following text is excerpted from <b><i>A COURSE IN MIRACLES</i></b>, under public domain law (see notes below)<br />
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If you have not read <i style="font-weight: bold;">Principles 1-5</i> <a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/course-in-miracles-by.html">CLICK this link</a> to read those <b><i>Principles</i></b> before these.<br />
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And here are <b><i>Principles of Miracles 6-10</i></b> (of 50) quoted verbatim from the text, Chapter 1, <b>Principles of Miracles</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">6.</span></b> Miracles are natural. When they do not occur something has gone wrong.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">7.</span></b> Miracles are everyone's right, but purification is necessary first.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">8.</span></b> Miracles are healing because they supply a lack; they are performed by those who temporarily have more for those who temporarily have less.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">9.</span></b> Miracles are a kind of exchange. Like all expressions of love, which are always miraculous in the true sense, the exchange reverses the physical laws. They bring more love both to the giver and the receiver.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">10.</span></b> The use of miracles as spectacles to induce belief is a misunderstanding of their purpose.<br />
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Pay particular attention to <b><i>Principle 8:</i></b> <b><span style="color: yellow;">PERFORMED BY THOSE WHO TEMPORARILY HAVE MORE, FOR THOSE WHO TEMPORARILY HAVE LESS</span></b>.<br />
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While you contemplate these principles keep the following in mind (quoted verbatim from the text):<br />
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From Chapter 2: <b>The Origins of Separation</b><br />
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Because of your likeness to your Creator you are creative. No child of God can lose this ability because it is inherent in what he is, but he can use it inappropriately by projecting. The inappropriate use of extension, or projection, occurs when you believe that some emptiness or lack exists in you, and that you can fill it with your own ideas instead of truth. This process involves the following steps:<br />
<ul>
<li>First, you believe that what God created can be changed by your own mind.</li>
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<ul>
<li>Second, you believe that what is perfect can be rendered imperfect or lacking.</li>
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<li>Third, you believe that you can distort the creations of God, including yourself.</li>
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<li>Fourth, you believe that you can create yourself, and that the direction of your own creation is up to you.</li>
</ul>
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And remember this as you ponder this material:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Nothing real can be threatened.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Nothing unreal exists.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Herein lies the peace of God.</i></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=330554243655925">Public Domain Information Link</a></i></b></span></div>
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<ul style="line-height: normal; list-style-position: outside; margin-left: 1.2em; padding: 0px;"><ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;">If you would like to receive access to the entire </ol>
<ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;">Public Domain version of</ol>
<ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">A COURSE IN MIRACLES </span></i></b></ol>
<ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">JOIN THIS SITE ~ ~ SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM)</span></ol>
<ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;">and the link will be sent to your inbox<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></ol>
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<ol style="padding: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/course-in-miracles-by.html">Principles of Miracles 1-5 link</a></ol>
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</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-31079956352843857892012-02-01T08:29:00.000-08:002012-02-01T08:30:21.854-08:00HAPPY WEDNESDAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0HpULzLgk/TyloECdir-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/SgX-sziOLB4/s1600/Jerk+whisperer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Le0HpULzLgk/TyloECdir-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/SgX-sziOLB4/s320/Jerk+whisperer.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">There are certain times one must realize it is best to just<br />
turn and walk away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-73531234567447055012012-01-31T17:32:00.000-08:002012-02-02T23:57:23.318-08:00A COURSE IN MIRACLES, the Public Domain version<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI55V5R64vM/TyrNkl7cuzI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/tPN5Kcn0pxY/s1600/A+Course+in+Miracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI55V5R64vM/TyrNkl7cuzI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/tPN5Kcn0pxY/s320/A+Course+in+Miracles.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Original Book Cover by <br />
Helen Shucman and<br />
William Thetford</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: yellow;">Please see link at bottom for CND and US Public Domain Law information</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br />
</span><br />
There is a list of fifty <b><i>Principles of Miracles</i></b> in the first chapter of <b><i>A Course In Miracles</i></b>. I will post them, 5 principles per day. Give them some thought. See if they make sense to you; see if you can perceive how each principle may impact your life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Principles of Miracles</b></i></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">1.</span></b> There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not "harder" or "bigger" than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">2.</span></b> Miracles as such do not matter. The only thing that matters is their source, which is far beyond evaluation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red;">3.</span></b> Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes <br />
from love is a miracle.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">4.</span></b> All miracles mean life, and God is the giver of life. His voice will direct you very specifically. You will be told all you need to know.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">5.</span></b> Miracles are habits, and should be involuntary. They should not be under conscious control. Consciously selected miracles can be misguided.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Points 1 -5 are quoted verbatim from the original)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hmmmm. If you can't find immediate meaning in the words put them aside and read them again. Print out this post and read the principles before you drift off to sleep at night, and read them again when you wake up in the morning. Put your sub-conscious mind to work on understanding what is meant. Pay particular attention to Principle number 4. Know, deep inside, that this is true. <b><span style="color: yellow;">YOU WILL BE TOLD ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And keep this in mind as well ~ ~ quoted verbatim from the original except for parts in [ ] ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a course in miracles. It is a required course [in life, I think, is meant]. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all encompassing can have no opposite. This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Nothing real can be threatened.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Nothing unreal exists.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Herein lies the peace of God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<ul style="list-style-position: outside; margin-left: 1.2em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;">If you would like to receive</ol><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;">access to the Public Domain version of</ol><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">A COURSE IN MIRACLES </span></i></b></ol><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">JOIN THIS SITE ~ ~ SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM) ~ ~</span></ol><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(the Join This Site box is at the top of this page on the left hand panel)</span></ol><ol style="padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: center;">and the link will be sent to your inbox</ol></ul><a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2012/02/principles-of-miracles-6-10.html">Principles of Miracles 6-10 link</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=330554243655925"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-small;">Public Domain Information Link</span></a><br />
</span></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-90738266366380737132012-01-31T08:03:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:03:59.066-08:00Good Morning!Good Tuesday morning to all my peeps! I feel GREAT this dark, grey, rainy morning....LOL!<br />
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Wishing everyone prosperous happenings today and every day.<br />
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Be kind to all who cross your path, you may be the nicest person they come across today :)<br />
<br />
Here's a "glass half full" kind of message for you all:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETUpKXl_F-c/TygQ6GWiC4I/AAAAAAAAATE/EK-W7BKu0u0/s1600/Most+of+nothing+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETUpKXl_F-c/TygQ6GWiC4I/AAAAAAAAATE/EK-W7BKu0u0/s1600/Most+of+nothing+left.jpg" /></a></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-73181726867074286032012-01-20T11:10:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:32:26.359-08:00Moral Education: Self-Discipline Starts at Home<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly, some of the worst moments in life are those times when, standing in front of a mirror, you have a hard time meeting your own eyes in the reflection; those times you think, “God, I wish I hadn’t of done that.”<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The feelings those regrettable actions bring up inside you, in your secret place, are just plain wicked; feelings of shame, guilt, regret and self-loathing. These feelings, if they occur often enough, will eventually erode your self-esteem and create a negative reality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we, as parents, teach our children to lessen these occurrences? How do we ensure that our children reach adulthood able to face themselves in the mirror, with a clear conscience, as they gaze into their own windows of the soul?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the guardians of our children’s young hearts and minds it is imperative that we teach them that, as Aristotle pointed out, “our habits make all the difference”. In order that they may develop into admirable adults, the overwhelming influence of the bad and the ugly, so prevalent in today’s society, must be negated by the good. By the daily observation of what William J. Bennett refers to as “successful everyday behavior”, our children receive their primary instruction in self-control and discipline. Reading the collection of tales, fables and anecdotes in Bennett’s, <i>The Book of Virtues,</i> to your young children will illustrate and emphasize your own “successful everyday behavior” while teaching them Lincoln’s truth: “when I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family friends of our youngest generation, we all should remember that “home is the first place where boys and girls first learn how to limit their wishes, abide by rules, and consider the rights and needs of others” (Sidonie Gruenberg).</span></span></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-39453176677018258572012-01-20T11:02:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:02:03.997-08:00MORAL EDUCATION: Whose Responsibility Is It?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his article, <i>The Violent Heart</i>, in the 2010 Winter Issue of <i>Vision Magazine</i>, David Hulme reviews Jonathan Glover’s, <i>Humanity: A Moral History of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century</i>. Hulme agrees with Glover that “knowing what is right and exercising the will to do it” is grounded in “the early and continuous formation of character, [and that] a moral identity is one relevant fact of character”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Glover cites an emotional lack, somewhere in the background, of those capable of “humiliating, tormenting, wounding and killing others”. He claims this emotional lack, leads to a moral lack, which gives license to violent behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Hulme investigates this thread, using Bible passages. He concludes that “religious belief is no indication of a right spirit”, pointing out that throughout history many have justified killing, by their devotion to their notion of God. He finds that violence need not necessarily be physical; verbal abuse can be just as punishing as a slap in the face, or a punch in the ribs, as many an abused individual could tell you from experience. He also calls gossip another weapon in the arsenal of cruelty. He quite rightly defines ‘violence of the tongue’ as “slander, gossip, insolence, anger, [and even] passivity – the failure to speak out against such abuses. He quotes Glover: “the festival of cruelty is in full swing”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the same issue of <i>Vision</i>, Brian Orchard, in <i>The Teaching of Moral Values</i>, cites a complaint by VOICE, a British union of teaching professionals: their classrooms have become chaotic because youngsters, entering the primary classes, are showing up with little or no moral training and are disruptively undisciplined. Philip Parkin, the general secretary of VOICE, bemoans the fact that the present state of familial life, and the oft shifting state of the relationships of the parental generation, bodes ill for the over-taxed staff of the education system and the moral state of the generation now attending primary schools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In <i>The Book of Virtues,</i> Bennett says that to “respond is to answer, and to be responsible is to be accountable”. In the parent/child relationship, the onus of responsibility, by reason of maturity, lies with the parent. As psychological studies have shown, a child’s character is formed during the first five years of their existence. It is quite obvious then, that the primary opportunity to build a solid foundation of character is rooted in infancy and early childhood, in the home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mayhap, the “emotional lack” Glover writes about, in the background of those who choose violence and cruelty as a form of relating to others, is the failure of some parents to instill a sense of morality in their children, before the shutters are closed on the window of opportunity, and the soul loses some of the brighter illumination that comes along with higher standards of morality.</span></span></div></span>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-42187305871217351792012-01-11T10:59:00.000-08:002012-01-11T11:00:04.925-08:00E-Mail to Moira Brown of 100 HUNTLEY STREET -- Crossroads MissionHi there Moira!<br />
<br />
My name is Serena Aubrey and I created a Facebook group called <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WAY-FINDERS of CANADA</span>. We are a group of almost 200 (and growing) like-minded individuals who post and comment on positivity and good works as we seek and quest to <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">FIND our WAY</span> towards spiritual evolution. The <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WAY-FINDER</span> mission is to encourge people to be their best, do their best and encourage the best in others.<br />
<br />
I am also developing an enterprise called, <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM)</span>, with the intention of publishing a print product that will support Single-Parent Second-Chance Students in Vancouver, BC (and potentially further afield) who choose to commit to re-entering formal education institutions in order to improve their reality and that of their children. The intention is to use 100% of the profit to provide grocery certificates, from grocery store partners, in order that qualifying students may be better able to concentrate on the task at hand, rather than worry about where the next meal is going to come from.<br />
<br />
SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM) has developed a concept called<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: x-large;">The New PEACE Paradigm</span> ~~ an acronym for <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms; font-weight: bold;">P</span></span>ositive Thought, <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms;">E</span></span>ducation, <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms;">A</span></span>dvancement, <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms;">C</span></span>ollaboration, <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: comic sans ms;">E</span></span>ntrepreneurship<br />
Copyright, 2011 Serene Promotions (TM)<br />
<br />
Through the Way-Finders group I came into contact with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sandra Baite</span> of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kepac Children's Home in Uganda</span>. She cares for 30 orphans in a home donated by an eldery village woman who helps care for the children. Sandra claims that her home is registered as a legit charity in Uganda. This is not something I can verify though. I have told her on numerous occassions that I can not help her financially, and I can not in good conscious solicit funds from my contacts because of my inability to verify the veracity of her claim to be running this home as fact.<br />
<br />
She has maintained contact with me though and I do believe that she is doing what she claims to be doing.<br />
<br />
After Christmas she informed me that she cares for one little boy who suffers from a heart condition. He was hospitalized at the start of the New Year. He has since returned home and is over his medical emergency, but he requires on-going specialized care, which of course will require funds. Again, I am not in a position to verify any of this. However, neither can I ignore the need of a child. Sandra has told me that she will scan and email me documentation from the doctors at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago Hospital verifying the boy's condition.<br />
<br />
As a member of the 100 HUNTLEY STREET audience I am aware that the CROSSROADS MISSION has a program called "UGANDA: Tapping into HOPE" operating in-country.....and this means that there are qualified people working in-country. Would it be possible to have someone from this program take the time to verify Sandra's predicament? It's a long-shot I know ~~ but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?<br />
<br />
If, in fact, this scenario is an actuality I would like to suggest that Sandra's little boy be introduced to the Prayer Centre. Perhaps someone would be willing to become his benefactor one-on-one. It is after all, caring people who make this world a better place and a place where <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The New Peace Paradigm</span> moves from concept to program.<br />
<br />
I will CC this missive directly to the MISSIONS department and will also post it as a note on the <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WAY-FINDER of CANADA</span> group page. Hopefully other people will become aware of this boy's medical plight and some one, some where, in a position to help will do so.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your time Moira, and thank you for your wonderful work on 100 HUNTLEY STREET. I very much enjoy your hosting every week-day morning. Some links follow:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CanadianBHWCommunity/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/CanadianBHWCommunity/</a> the WAY-FINDERs of CANADA group page<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serene-Promotions-TM/101987616547484">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serene-Promotions-TM/101987616547484</a> the SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM) enterprise page<br />
<br />
<a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/story-of-sacred-stone-logo.html">http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/story-of-sacred-stone-logo.html</a> the SERENE PROMOTIONS (TM) blog and the story of the SEVEN SACRED STONES<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ca.mc1205.mail.yahoo.com/mc/serenenorth@yahoo.ca">serenenorth@yahoo.ca</a> my direct email address<br />
<br />
Kind regards Moira,<br />
<br />
Serena AubreySerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-51349438429783597402011-12-06T12:32:00.000-08:002012-02-01T15:18:55.247-08:00MAHATMA -- It's Time to Allow Your MAHATMA to Shine!<i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MAHATMA</span></b></i> means spiritual person, or person of <span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GREAT SPIRIT</span></b></i></span>.<br />
Without a doubt Mahatma Ghandi falls in this category.<br />
And without a doubt we all harbour that greatness within our souls.<br />
The purpose of our life is to discover our greatness.<br />
We were placed here to implement an impact of goodness.<br />
My hope for humanity is that <i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WE ALL</span></span></b></i> discover our <i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MAHATMA</span></span></b></i>.<br />
And that we leave that impression upon all who cross our path.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjoNLV9xmm0/TynHLQxcdVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/bZnAr3WlCqo/s1600/white+arrow+black+background.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjoNLV9xmm0/TynHLQxcdVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/bZnAr3WlCqo/s200/white+arrow+black+background.png" width="199" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>PEACE</b></i></span></div><br />
<i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P</span></span></b></i><i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ositive Thought</span></b></i><br />
<i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E</span></span></b></i><b><i style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ducation</span></i></b><br />
<i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A</span></span></b></i><i style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>dvancement</b></i><br />
<i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C</span></span></b></i><i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ollaboration</span></b></i><br />
<i style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E</span></span></b></i><i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ntrepreneurship</span></b></i><br />
<i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i><br />
<i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1Qd-fAnHjPg#%21">CLICK HERE for the vid-clip THE GANDHI RAP: Be the Change by MC YOGI</a></span></b></i></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-51109593031515352562011-11-18T11:07:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:07:14.755-08:00Thoughtless Versus ThoughtfulUnfocused emotion is like a drive-by shooting;<br />
Intent is sprayed haphazardly outwards in random action.<br />
<br />
This creates words that harm and hurt,<br />
Words that cause pain, humiliation, heartbreak, sadness, illness, hardship and agony.<br />
<br />
Do not allow thoughtless words to escape an unguarded mouth;<br />
Words that will maim another's spirit.<br />
Instead, take the time to create thoughtful words that leave your mouth gracefully;<br />
Words that will build up the collective spirit,<br />
Both of other's and of your own.<br />
<br />
Let the WILL of Our Creator,<br />
Which lives within you<br />
Exist in your beat, your breath, your blood, your bones -- in your entire being<br />
Be ever aware that the WILL is alive within<br />
It only requires your conscious say-so to awaken fullySerenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-33567702296989467092011-11-17T13:39:00.000-08:002011-11-18T08:59:37.746-08:00Saying Hello From the Ground Level Cafe in Toronto<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwablAr0r_Y/TsV5FpIY-HI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4CTL27fbL6A/s1600/Ground+Level+Hello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwablAr0r_Y/TsV5FpIY-HI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4CTL27fbL6A/s1600/Ground+Level+Hello.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connectivity is available at the GROUND LEVEL CAFE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Checking in from the GROUND LEVEL CAFE in Toronto. I am a fortunate soul I must say. Totally by surprise I was offered a trip to Ottawa to visit a friend I have not seen since 1984 -- she has the sweetest children who arranged a surprise birthday party and sent me a ticket so I could be there as the "gift". How loving is that?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I decided to return to Vancouver via Toronto so I could visit my eldest daughter -- how could you travel clear across the country and not stop to visit?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while in Toronto, how could you not arrange to meet with local members of the <strong><em>WAY-FINDER WEEKLY of CANADA</em></strong> group that you have been connecting with for the past year or so? What a fabulous opportunity!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tp690mOWGg/TsV6r1PcwHI/AAAAAAAAASA/lDyN0PGMpP0/s1600/Serena+Meets+the+Author+--+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tp690mOWGg/TsV6r1PcwHI/AAAAAAAAASA/lDyN0PGMpP0/s320/Serena+Meets+the+Author+--+Grace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So last night <em><strong>GRACE LAROZA</strong></em>, newly-published author of the novel, <em><strong>SIMON SAYS</strong></em>, and I met in the same neighbourhood as this cafe and we joyfully connected in person for the first time. I seized on the chance to conduct an interview of this up-an-coming new writer (she's already working on her second novel) while we did coffee! Grace is a fabulous example of one who persisted until she was successful in <strong><em>FINDING her WAY.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have yet to meet with <strong><em>ROXANNE SPEARS</em></strong> who created the enterprise called, <strong><em>SDG CRAFTS </em></strong>on Eglington Avenue. I will also be conducting an in-store interview with Roxanne. I am very interested in how she claimed the courage to take that leap in faith that allowed her to make the decision that set her firmly on the path to <strong><em>FINDING her WAY</em></strong> to achieving her vision and dream. I am proud of both these young ladies who persisted gracefully until they had the prize in hand -- kudos to them both!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And last, but certainly not least, I have an invite from <strong><em>SWARN LATA</em></strong>, another local <strong><em>WAY-FINDER WEEKLY </em></strong>member who has offered to cook up some genuine Indian food for us to partake in together. Lata immigrated from India and persisted in her intention to create a music school which specializes in teaching the sitar -- an instrument that has always resonated with my soul -- the notes that are coaxed from its strings have always held a mystical quality for me. I look forward to the meal, and also to viewing the music studio/school she has created in the heart of Toronto. I hope that Lata will also grace me with an interview that describes the journey she has taken to <strong><em>FINDING her WAY</em></strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Look for the interviews on this site in the very near future :)<br />
<br />
Please LIKE this site and help support the <strong><em>Single-Parent Student Grocery Fund</em></strong> that the profits of the <strong><em>WAY-FINDER WEEKLY</em></strong> (to be published by <strong><em>Serene Promotions(TM)</em></strong> in the near future) will be allocated to. Clicking LIKE is all we will ask of you ever :)</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-19238666562918612732011-09-13T12:34:00.000-07:002011-09-22T10:29:25.567-07:00THIS SITE NEEDS YOUR HELP!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEzqevu3sKQ/Tm-WPT0NZPI/AAAAAAAAARM/DeeJsZ3XRP4/s1600/left_arrow_green_clip_art_9829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEzqevu3sKQ/Tm-WPT0NZPI/AAAAAAAAARM/DeeJsZ3XRP4/s200/left_arrow_green_clip_art_9829.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>SERENE PROMOTIONS IS READY TO LAUNCH</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>THE</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>WAY-FINDER WEEKLY</em></strong></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: lime;">BUT WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">and it's super easy for you to help us out</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Simply click on the blue</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">JOIN THIS SITE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> box to the left of the arrow and sign on. That's it! That's all we need!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><blockquote>In order for this publication to be a success we need to convince advertisers that our intention is supported by the masses and that their ads will be viewed by a readership that wants to help encourage, promote and support <span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Single-Parent Re-Entry Students</strong></em></span> who have committed to a course of studies that will improve their lives and that of their children. </blockquote><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/p/way-finder-weekly.html">CLICK HERE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">to find out what that intention is</div><div style="text-align: center;">and why <span style="color: yellow;"><strong><em>YOU</em></strong></span> would want to help promote it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to voice your support by leaving your </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">POSITIVE THOUGHTS </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about this endeavour in the comments below! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THANK YOU!</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-39004061978181324882011-09-13T09:35:00.000-07:002011-09-13T09:51:50.295-07:00RESIST NOT EVIL <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGDbUss6Taw/Tm-D_QtDNDI/AAAAAAAAARI/-pxyB90tAsw/s1600/Pap+the+Warrior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGDbUss6Taw/Tm-D_QtDNDI/AAAAAAAAARI/-pxyB90tAsw/s400/Pap+the+Warrior.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pop's Drawing<br />
This 1951 sketch was his perception <br />
of himself as the young warrior<br />
setting out to conquer his world.<br />
He taught me a lot about <br />
being self-aware</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I just love it when Divinity reaches down into my life and makes itself SO evident. No sooner had I posted a Facebook comment that <span style="color: yellow;"><strong><em>FEAR is a SHADOW</em></strong></span> , I walked into my dining room and picked up an open book off the table called <strong><em>THE THIRD JESUS</em></strong> by <em>Deepak Chopra</em> and I my eyes fell upon this passage (p. 155-7):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: yellow;">RESIST NOT EVIL</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow;"><em><strong>Applying the teaching:</strong></em> <em><strong>Evil is the collective and personal shadow</strong></em>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are a few paraphrased excerpts from this passage:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;">Evil should not be resisted -- once you fully examine your "shadow" you will find that it is the hidden parts of self, expressing outwardly what you haven't resolved inwardly</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">If you don't learn to understand your shadow it will continuously find new ways to bring back the things you hate and fear</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Shadows are your inner hidey-holes where you store your negative traits -- the forbidden feelings: anger, revenge, jealousy, prejudice, rampant desires, murderous rage</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">The shadow contains all that we feel is unacceptable about ourselves: the things that will jeopardize our standing in the eyes of others, the things that will cause us to "lose face"</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Only by wresting the shadow's power away, can we learn to overcome the shame, the harsh self-judgement, the guilt; and this only occurs if we learn to bring the shadow into the light -- expose it, admit it exists, come to terms with it, forgive yourself and put it behind you</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">The shadow only has power over you if you give it power -- you have to "rehabilitate" your shadow, because you can not get rid of it (the sun will shine and there it will always be, the shadow of you); this is the duality of life -- in order for there to be good, there must be evil</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chopra writes:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote><em>As you begin to re-examine your history in a new light, you can rehabilitate the shadow. It poses as your enemy largely in reaction to your own guilt and fear. The shadow can't be abolished, so don't try. It's this fact, the eternal play of good and evil, that Jesus wants people to see, in order that they can rise to a higher plane of existence. He doesn't ask us to conquer evil. Struggling against evil only brings more energy into its grasp. But if you stop resisting evil and come to terms with it instead, you will be taking steps toward the ultimate realization that evil is a wound inflicted in separation and healed in unity.</em></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-41569044503995042082011-09-12T10:48:00.000-07:002011-09-12T15:16:46.552-07:00THE MANDALA: Seeking the Sacred -- Sacred Art <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-CDGDevV1g/TmCLznLZWuI/AAAAAAAAAPs/KauhlGM0E4M/s1600/Rangoli+from+Simona+Rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-CDGDevV1g/TmCLznLZWuI/AAAAAAAAAPs/KauhlGM0E4M/s320/Rangoli+from+Simona+Rich.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rangoli * Photo Credit: Simona Rich </span><a href="http://www.personal-development-coach.net/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Site Link</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Back in May, while cruising the on-line travel photo albums of my Facebook contacts, I came across a pic that caught my eye and stayed in my head. Simona Rich (<em>an internet e-book marketer, personal development coach and fellow blogger</em>) posted a photo she took at an ashram (<em>a spiritual centre where people gather to meditate and pray</em>) in Surat, India. The picture portrayed an intricate circular design created out of coloured sand. I asked her if she knew of it's specific meaning and purpose...she did not, but another of her blog FOLLOWER's, <em>Anupriya Singh</em> of India (who attends Massachusettes U. in Lowell MA), posted a link for me and offered her expertise and knowledge of anything Indian (<em>thank you Anupriya</em>). Her link took me to the <em>Wikipedia</em> page for <em>rangoli</em> -- traditional Indian folk art. Constructed on living-room floors and in the courtyards of Indian homes, they are believed to attract and welcome deities and to bring good fortune. They are considered sacred. The symbology used in the designs is ancient, passed down through the generations. These designs are created on a daily basis, as they are swept away at the end the day and thrown into a body of water, in recognition of the fact that all in physical life is impermanent.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Intrigued, I continued to dig around on the internet to research this spiritual practice. I believe now that Simona's picture triggered something intuitive in me, some primordial knowledge I was not consciously aware of, that added fuel to the flames of my soul-fire. From link to link I kept looking until I came to some sites that were related to mandala's...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <em>Pocket Oxford Dictionary</em> (1996, 9th Ed.: Oxford U. Press) defines a mandala to be a circular figure used as a religious symbol of the universe. It is a Sanskrit word -- of the ancient and sacred Hindu language. On the <em>Exotic India Art</em> site (<a href="http://www.exoticindiaart.com/">Site Link</a>) the newsletter archives revealed that the root word is <em>manda</em> -- meaning <em>essence</em>; to which <em>la</em> was added -- meaning <em>container</em>. So a mandala is an artistic expression of a <em>container of essence</em>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Further research informed me that the ancient use of mandala's was spiritual in nature and is historically credited to the Bhuddist belief system, and adapted into use by the Hindu belief. Spiritually, it is associated with both the universe and the soul -- or the outer and the inner beings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As representative of the outer dimensions the mandala portrays not only our planet, our solar system and our universe, but also the minutest particles that we now understand all is composed of -- the atom -- pure energy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The mandala as representative of the inner dimension shows our human condition -- from it's outer circumference into it's middle start-point (a dot -- an infintesimally small circle) it portrays our struggle to understand ourselves in relation to our origin; and from that origin point to the outer circumference it portrays our struggle to relate to and understand all else that exists.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_Bu21NkYFU/TmCgvrvBTPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/sUpy2sRdoA0/s1600/yin+yang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_Bu21NkYFU/TmCgvrvBTPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/sUpy2sRdoA0/s1600/yin+yang.jpg" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Segmented into quadrants the mandala leads to an understanding of our duality in both dimensions (and without doubt the Taoist mandala, the Yin Yang symbol of duality, is the most universally recognized symbol of the dualist tradition). There is <em>above and below</em>, <em>before and behind </em>which can be related to<em> birth and death, male and female, good and evil, rich and poor, infinity and impermanance</em> -- each a reflection of the other. Without this duality there is nothingness, none...a void.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKxiSsM4bHs/TmLl5QPhACI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Xzi0b0dxtDo/s1600/Fibonacci+Tiling.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKxiSsM4bHs/TmLl5QPhACI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Xzi0b0dxtDo/s200/Fibonacci+Tiling.png" width="186" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fibonacci images downloaded</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">from <em>Wikipedia</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Sacred geometry or mathematics, within the circumference of the circle, is an integral element of the traditional mandala. In the Yin Yang symbol the sacred Fibonacci number sequence is in evidence in it's dual spirals. The spiral, which follows a proven mathematical sequence, occurs throughout the natural world. It is a repetitive pattern of life. It is interesting to note that although this number sequence and the equivalent spiral is named after Leonardo Fibonacci, an Italian mathematician from Pisa, it was actually a sequence that was recognized through the application of a Hindu-Arabic number system that had been developed between the 1st and 5th centuries. It was considered to be a Sacred Sanskrit number system. Recognizing the ease of use of this 0-9 number system, over the Roman number system in use in the Western world at the time, Fibonacci spent considerable time and energy learning this system by travelling throughout the Meditarranenan region, and points east, to seek out the Eastern mathemeticians who could teach him what they knew. He then introduced this superior system to the Western world, and it eventually replaced the Roman numeral system. In his book <em>Liber Abaci </em>(published in 1202) Fibonacci explained that the sequence begins with 0 and 1. Added together it equals 1, when the last number is added to the number before it in the sequence it adds up to the next sequential number, in this case 2. The sequence of Fibonacci numbers continues in that order:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987...........</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiSlm_xif8Q/TmZ01Vlaf0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/ulwZ2ckzyRA/s1600/Fibonacci+Spiral.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiSlm_xif8Q/TmZ01Vlaf0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/ulwZ2ckzyRA/s1600/Fibonacci+Spiral.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Fibonacci Spiral</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Fibonacci explained how this sequence can be related to the spiral symbol by tiling the sequence numbers and then connecting each tile using a curve on the opposite corner of each square. In this orderly fashioning of squares and curves the spiral emerges.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">He also showed how this pattern of life occurs in the natural world:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKHepsPK5_E/TmaMFUH_GJI/AAAAAAAAAQE/4WlFaT6O5Nk/s1600/5+Parallel+Pineapple+Spiral.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKHepsPK5_E/TmaMFUH_GJI/AAAAAAAAAQE/4WlFaT6O5Nk/s200/5+Parallel+Pineapple+Spiral.gif" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pineapple images</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> downloaded</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> from </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Wikipedia</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI7w2kyc2nI/TmaMJkpxSqI/AAAAAAAAAQI/pTypVzx35pc/s1600/13+Parallel+Pineapple+Spiral.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI7w2kyc2nI/TmaMJkpxSqI/AAAAAAAAAQI/pTypVzx35pc/s200/13+Parallel+Pineapple+Spiral.gif" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">As in the pineapple: one can see where a repetitive 5-parallel sequence spirals around the pineapple. As well as an 8-parallel sequence spiral (not shown), and finally a 13 parallel sequence spiral. Hereby, the Fibonacci number sequence comes into natural play and order with the Fibonacci numbers of 5, 8 and 13.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YsFsQg5T10/TmaMNTsnMaI/AAAAAAAAAQM/b1Rne0fs4O4/s1600/Daisy+%2526+Spiral.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YsFsQg5T10/TmaMNTsnMaI/AAAAAAAAAQM/b1Rne0fs4O4/s1600/Daisy+%2526+Spiral.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Daisy image downloaded from <em>Wikipedia</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> Or in the daisy: here you can visually see the spirals created by the naturally occuring inner parts of a simple daisy...but is it really so simple? Or is it evidence of the intricate Divine in the grand scheme of nature? Did these mathematical thoughts just occur in the human mind? Or is it intuitive primordial knowledge that each and every one of us is born with and which is contained, deeply rooted, in our own <em>"container of essence"....</em>our higher consciousness....our soul? What inner whisperings did the earlier creators of the Sanskrit number system of 0-9 listen to in order to develop their system and then to take notice of the numerical sequence; and furthermore to then notice that this sequence occurs naturally throughout the world around us -- not only in flowers and fruit, but in shells, in geological formations, in water waves, in sound waves, in light refraction and even in snowflakes and ice crystals. And what inner whisperings did Fibonacci listen to in order to so enthusiastically pursue that knowledge, in what one could only imagine would be difficult travel scenarios in the late 1100's? And to then introduce that system as the mathematical knowledge the world now uses in every facet of living? Gives some pause for thought doesn't it?</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Geometric shapes other than circles and spirals, such as triangles and squares are also extensively incorporated into most mandala designs. The purpose of these spiritual mandala's was to use them to focus one's thoughts; to quiet the mind, to reach an inner space of stillness wherein one could seek God. Rather than allowing the mind to jump around erractically (like a crazed monkey, as Buddha said), focusing on the repetitive patterns within the Sacred Circle of the mandala can bring one to a state of anxiety-free quietude; a space where it is possible to just listen...listen for that inner voice....listen for that intuitve knowledge....listen for that current of Infinity.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2rvTdY_DcE/TmCsdMVACLI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ZxeI1rfh0pk/s1600/Jacqueline+and+the+mandalas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2rvTdY_DcE/TmCsdMVACLI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ZxeI1rfh0pk/s320/Jacqueline+and+the+mandalas.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Sayyida Rouqqaya Mosque in Damascus, Syria<br />
Photo Credit: Jaqueline Mulders, 2011<br />
My cousin (right), an extensive traveller;<br />
Jacqueline wanders this world and posts pictures of <br />
places that inspire wonder and awe</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Is the religious use of mandala's restricted to Eastern spiritual beliefs, rituals and practices? Certainly not. Almost all religions and faith systems make use of the mandala in one form or another.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Muslim worshippers of Allah reverently offer their devotions under mosque domes decorated in beautifully rendered sacred mandala's. Known by the Islamic art form of <em>arabesque </em>the stylized use of geometrical and vegetal repetitive patterns is said to be indicative of the nature of God: unified, transcendent and infinite. Not only is the use of this sacred art form applied in religious settings, but it also appears in other areas of everyday life: in rug-making, pottery, carving, stonework, etc. It seems that mandala's are pervasive in every-day Islamic life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Christian renderings, sacred mandala art can be found in many variations. Thousands of Catholic Cathedrals, as well as other Christian churches and chapels world-wide, carry this form of sacred art in the beautifully pieced-together stained-glass images that are most often wrought in some form of mandala. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPZsWtQJ6RE/Tmk4WimJOeI/AAAAAAAAAQo/luNIZee89jM/s1600/Notre+Dame+Mandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPZsWtQJ6RE/Tmk4WimJOeI/AAAAAAAAAQo/luNIZee89jM/s200/Notre+Dame+Mandala.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Rose Window at<br />
Notre Dame. Downloaded from <em>Wikipedia.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoCq19QpT2k/TmlBR_BZtsI/AAAAAAAAAQw/bcAeAKorS4g/s1600/Chartres+Cathedral+Labyrinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoCq19QpT2k/TmlBR_BZtsI/AAAAAAAAAQw/bcAeAKorS4g/s200/Chartres+Cathedral+Labyrinth.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devotees walking the <br />
Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth, France<br />
Downloaded from <em>Wikipedia.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">There are other Christian symbols that can be related to the mandala: the <em>halo</em>, the <em>Host</em> (or the communion wafer) and the <em>Celtic cross</em>. All are circular, or have a circular element, and all represent divinity.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">The medieval <em>Christian prayer paths</em>, also known as <em>labyrinths</em>, are also found on many cathedral floors and/or church-grounds. The labyrinths are large -- often as big as a good-sized room. The paths are walked by devotees who use them to focus their prayers and meditations. It is said that it is helpful to walk the path from it's outer edge to the centre, that it brings one closer to one's inner being, closer to God. A path walker enters the labyrinth and follows the path around and around, with each circuit leading closer to the center. Once in the centre, there is room to sit in contemplation. One leaves the circle by following the path back out. Modern marketing has seen the development of personal labyrinths one can trace with a finger, a sort of desk-top version. Again, it is meant as a focussing tool to bring the mind into spiritual focus, to help find the inner peace required for contemplation of the Divine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0tEUGY8I9s/TmlOttguDLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/q0idcv26v3Y/s1600/bighorn+medicine+wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0tEUGY8I9s/TmlOttguDLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/q0idcv26v3Y/s200/bighorn+medicine+wheel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The same use of the circular representation for the physical and spiritual dimensions can be found in most native cultures and spiritual beliefs around the world. In Bighorn, Wyoming the ancient <em>medicine wheel,</em> or <em>sacred hoop,</em> was constructed on the ground using rocks and stones by the Objiwa and the Assinniboine nations. In locations throughout the US there are remains and indications of other medicine wheels. These sacred circles had less to do with biological healing, and were more focussed on spiritual healing. They were in use possibly as far back as 7,000 years, and perhaps even dated back to pre-historic times -- or since the dawn of time. The Hopi people, of northeastern Arizona, also adhere to the spiritual practice of dedicated medicine wheels. Their traditional meaning represents the four directions (north, east, south and west), the four basic elements of life (air, water, fire and earth), the four colours of humanity (red, white, yellow and black), and also include specific animal totems. Indiginous peoples in Australia make use of a circle that is associated with the creator-spirit, Baiame, of their belief system. It is called a<em> Bora Ring, </em>and it is especially significant in the initiation rights of a boy's passage into manhood.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These same sacred hoops are found in Canada, most notably in Alberta where it is said the highest documented remains of ancient medicine wheels are located: over seventy individual wheels. It is reported that outside of Brooks, Alberta there is a sacred hoop that has been dated to over 5,000 years old, which was specifically aligned with the movement of the sun and the summer/winter soltices. Dubbed <em>Canada's Stonehenge</em> by author Gordon Freeman, it purpotedly predates the Egyptian pyraminds. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And then of course there are the Mayan and Aztec calendar rounds; remarkably similar in design to all the other mandala's world-wide. And let's not forget the <em>wheel of the zodiac, </em>a mandala most people are aware of and have seen all their lives....the representation of the celestial universe and all that moves within it, in Divine order, including humanity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJG3hPeFYLQ/TmpWoUO5lYI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ham-ywG6-9o/s1600/Carl+Jung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJG3hPeFYLQ/TmpWoUO5lYI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ham-ywG6-9o/s320/Carl+Jung.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Carl Jung 1875 - 1961</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image downloaded from <em>Wikipedia</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Outside of mankind's spiritual use of these sacred circles, </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carl Jung, the renown pioneer of psycho-analysis treatment, conducted extensive research into the use of mandala's as a form of art therapy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coming from a childhood rooted in dysfunction, Jung grew up seeking inner stability to create a balance within himself. As a young lad he implemented certain personal rituals that gave him peace of mind. One such ritual involved a tiny wooden figure he had carved himself, a stone he had painted in upper and lower halves, and small written messages he would bundle together and stash in a secure, secret hiding place. Whenever his disruptive external life would threaten to unhinge his personal equilibrium he would retreat to his secret space to find the inner peace that would allow him to shake off the anxieties created by the outer turmoil.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, when Jung began to study psychiatry he realized that his personal childhood ceremony was , in fact, an archetypical response rooted in the collective unconscious of human experience. For millenia, long before he stashed his little power bundle of peace in its secret hidey-hole in the attic, both individually and communally, mankind had practiced similar rituals and ceremonies to calm the storm within, in order to relate rationally with the external. As a little boy, Jung had no way of having gained any information about prior use of such a talisman; it was just something that occurred to him from deep within. And that calling from within, led him within, to where he found peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jung's life-long thirst for knowledge and understanding of the human condition led him on a study of world religions. He felt that, deep down inside, people can not ignore the calling of a Divine voice: that to do so works against the psyche. He delved into Christianity, Hinduism, Bhuddhism, Gnosticism and Taoism and became aware of the mandala. Another archetype, Jung thought it to be symbology that somehow filters its way into the sub-conscious to be utilized by humanity throughout the ages. Jung felt a deep kinship with the use of the mandala. He had begun drawing his own personal mandala's, after dreaming of one, and found it to be another useful tool to create an inner space of peace. He suggested to his colleagues that mandala's be introduced into their psychiatric practices as a form of <em>art therapy. </em>He himself made use of art therapy and mandala colouring extensively in his practice. He felt it had real power to alleviate psychic pain, to bring one inside oneself, and heal the wounds of emotional and mental abuse.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the begining of this article I wrote that I believed Simona's picture of the rangoli awoke some primordial knowledge in me. So I shall end this piece with what I think is proof of that assumption:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In October of 2010, the 11th day of that month to be exact (Thanksgiving Day, here in Canada), I sat at my dining room table doodling a logo for one of the Serene Promotions (TM) business ideas under development. Once the <strong><em><span style="color: red;">WAY-FINDER WEEKLY</span></em></strong> publication is up and running (hopefully by end September), and the <strong><em><span style="color: red;">Single-Parent Re-entry Student Grocery</span></em></strong> support fund is operational....the next business move will be to open up an internet-cafe/study-hall. It is to be called <strong><em><span style="color: red;">OPEN YOUR EYES CAFE</span></em> </strong>or the <span style="color: red;"><em><strong>OYE CAFE</strong></em> </span>for short. As I was uploading the mandala pictures for this piece, the bright light went off in my head and I remembered that logo. Inadvertently, six months before Simona's picture sparked a little quest for knowledge about that rangoli, I had somehow utilized that primordial knowledge in the creation of that logo, and without realizing it (until just now as I am finishing this article) I had created a mandala of my own. I now see that I had acknowledged, deep within my spirit, the path that was chosen for me -- "a path that will prosper me and not harm me, a path that gives me hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)...a path that will allow me to be of service to my community and my fellow man.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBVhTd1bKc/TmpvHl9KwrI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/WbVnsoN997w/s1600/OYE+MANDALA_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBVhTd1bKc/TmpvHl9KwrI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/WbVnsoN997w/s640/OYE+MANDALA_0002.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">A final point: after I began this little mandala quest I found three discarded copies of a magazine (still in their plastic shipping wrap) in an apartment move-out pile, in my building's basement (often times, when foreign students complete their studies they just board a plane and return home, leaving their Canadian belongings behind, which the maintenance crew has to clear out. I up-cycle a lot of excellent stuff out of those piles!). You'll never guess what the name of the magazine was......<em>MANDALA: The Official Publication of the Foundation for the Preservation of th</em><em>e Mahayana Tradition</em>....LOL, just a little synchronicity....but that is another article altogether...<em><strong><span style="color: red;">SYNCHRONICITY: The Sacred, Crossing Your Path</span></strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</script> </div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-13436180138355090052011-08-31T13:41:00.000-07:002011-09-02T00:19:45.863-07:00IS IT TABOO TO TALK ABOUT TALKING TO GOD?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>During Oprah's final monologue on the Oprah Show she deviated from her prepared talk and mentioned God and His importance in her life and to her success.<br />
<br />
She did so with a wry grin and immediately acknowledged , "I know, I know, there's going to be people that get their back's up because I mentioned God. Oooohhh, not God, don't bring God into it." <br />
<br />
And she is right. Mainstream society doesn't want to hear it; it's almost taboo. Don't bring up God or prayer at work, you'll be labeled a freak or a Bible thumper. Don't bring up God at your PTA meeting or you will be given strange looks as other parents move away from you as if they may become infected with religiosity. In some situations people will even become angered if the subject is brought up.<br />
<br />
It seems that for many people God and prayer is only acceptable in church, synagogue or temple, weddings and funerals, or when one is experiencing moments of profound misery so great that it causes an involuntary outcry for mercy. And yet, there are multitudes of people who have a personal, spiritual relationship.with God that they maintain and deepen through an active and meaningful practice of prayer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwvbFbqaqdU/Tl6EPqNFiEI/AAAAAAAAAPU/jCPut4jMPo8/s1600/Talking+To+God_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwvbFbqaqdU/Tl6EPqNFiEI/AAAAAAAAAPU/jCPut4jMPo8/s320/Talking+To+God_0001.jpg" width="233" xaa="true" /></a></div>Recently I borrowed a book called, <em>TALKING TO GOD: Portrait of a World at Prayer</em> (2006, Stone Creek Publications) and the truth of this was brought home to my soul in a most profound manner. I believe in God and I converse with Him on a daily basis, but I am one of those people who hedge their bets in public in order to avoid controversy. I skirt around the God issue in conversation or with my pen and keyboard as if He <u>were</u> taboo. I refer to God as the Universe, or the One, or the Source, or the Absolute -- not an outright denial, but certainly couched in terminology that I think would be more acceptable to others who do not think of God on a daily basis, and to whom the practice of prayer would seem alien. And I wonder in my inner space what God thinks of this. It certainly is a bit stand-offish. If my son or daughters were to refer to me as "that woman of my origin" or "she who raised me" instead of Mom, I would be hurt and offended.<br />
<br />
The fifteen essays that are gathered together in <em>TALKING TO GOD</em> contain wisdom and spiritual knowledge. Of the six prayers sandwiched in between the essays, I was only familiar with one -- the other five were beautiful prose offering praise and glory to God that filled my cup and my soul to overflowing. And accompanying the text are vibrant, beautiful, soulful photographs that display the worship, prayers and faith of all the world's major religions. Uplifting and enlightening, the book is a blessing. Here is a selection of the inspiring quotes, blessings and prayers from its' pages:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3iXLOZCHlM/Tl6LTB1owtI/AAAAAAAAAPY/WJrpjY49Tzc/s1600/Talking+To+God_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3iXLOZCHlM/Tl6LTB1owtI/AAAAAAAAAPY/WJrpjY49Tzc/s320/Talking+To+God_0002.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He who is in the sun, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and in the fire, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and in the heart of man</div><div style="text-align: center;">is One.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He who knows this</div><div style="text-align: center;">is one with the One.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Upanishads</span></div><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photographic Credit: Mark Downey - Lowell Thomas Award for Photography</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In Nara, Japan a man stops to offer prayer outside the Todai Temple</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bkZODCuf8Y/Tl6MePJCp4I/AAAAAAAAAPc/njwDqhUhBJ8/s1600/Talking+To+God_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bkZODCuf8Y/Tl6MePJCp4I/AAAAAAAAAPc/njwDqhUhBJ8/s320/Talking+To+God_0005.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
God's answers<br />
are wiser<br />
than our prayers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Unknown</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photographic Credit: Richard Nowitz - 1996 Travel Photography Award</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Russian Orthodox Nuns, Easter Celebration in Jerusalem</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr1zOBTOKwc/Tl6M9-UzDFI/AAAAAAAAAPg/uxdz6RFppqM/s1600/Talking+To+God_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr1zOBTOKwc/Tl6M9-UzDFI/AAAAAAAAAPg/uxdz6RFppqM/s320/Talking+To+God_0006.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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Prayer does not change God</div><div style="text-align: right;">but it changes he who prays.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photographic Credit: Alison Wright -- Freelance, 1993 Dorothea Lange Award</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prayer bridges the generations. Tibetan Buddhist's at Sarnath, India</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdv2EQt9nBo/Tl6O5EZa3LI/AAAAAAAAAPk/ltiB1Ji-7vs/s1600/Talking+To+God_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdv2EQt9nBo/Tl6O5EZa3LI/AAAAAAAAAPk/ltiB1Ji-7vs/s320/Talking+To+God_0007.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<br />
Beauty is before me</div>And Beauty is behind me<br />
Above and below me<br />
Hovers the Beautiful<br />
I am surrounded by it!<br />
I am immersed in it!<br />
In my youth I am aware of it.. <br />
And in old age I shall walk quietly<br />
The Beautiful trail.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Navajo Blessing Way</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photographic Credit: Stephen Trimble - Ansel Adams Award for Photography</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">An Apache Sunrise Ceremony Initiate - covered in cornmeal and earth</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Honouring the Elements</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hKJUUajYro/Tl6Pi6i7O0I/AAAAAAAAAPo/osjQCkvnzvg/s1600/Talking+To+God_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hKJUUajYro/Tl6Pi6i7O0I/AAAAAAAAAPo/osjQCkvnzvg/s320/Talking+To+God_0004.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">The world is holy.</div><div style="text-align: right;">We are holy.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Daily prayers are delivered on</div><div style="text-align: right;">The lips of breaking waves,</div><div style="text-align: right;">The whisperings of grasses,</div><div style="text-align: right;">The shimmering of leaves.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Terry Tempest Williams</span></div><br />
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<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photographic Credit: Louise Gubb - Images of the Apartheid Struggle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mass at Christ King Cathedral, Johannesburg, South Africa</span><br />
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Oh God, help us in this darkened period of human history to remember once again who we are and what the purpose of our existence is here on earth. We have become usurpers of the human state, parading as human beings without full awareness of what it really means to be human. Rather than being a channel of Thy grace for Thy creation, we have decimated the harmony of life on earth, pushing many of the species (including ours) to the verge of extinction.<br />
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Oh God, awaken us at the begining of this new era from the dream of negligence and help us to fulfill our responsibilities as representatives of Thy sovereignty here on earth with essential duties toward each other and toward the whole of creation. Help us to remember our true nature, to recall whence we came and wither we shall go. Aid us in the journey of life to do Thy will and to act as the bridge between Heaven and earth, thus fulfilling the role for which Thou didst create us. Shower Thy grace upon us to be a beacon of light rather than a dark cloud for the ambience that surrounds us. Only with Thy aid can we create the peace within and harmony with the outer environment, both natural and social, for which our souls yearn. Only awareness of Thy oneness can prevent us from idolatry and dispersive multiplicity that destroy all that our inner being seeks. We pray Thee to help us remain true to our inner selves, to that primordial nature which we still carry in the deep recesses of our souls.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Seyyed Hossein Nasr</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><em>The holiest Name in the world,</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><em>the name of the Creator</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">Is the sound of your own breathing</span></strong></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lawrence Kushner</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>If you like this article, or if you have an opposing opinion, please leave a comment below. We invite you to browse the site to see what else may interest you. We would appreciate your support of our site and the concepts we encourage and promote by having you join as a FOLLOWER, or by SHARE-ing this article with your FRIENDS on Facebook, or by adding your email address to our mail-list. WAY-FINDER WEEKLY is scheduled to be launched end-September -- its purpose is to assist single-parent re-enty students feed their families during the duration of their studies. This program is not intended to provide stop-gap, food-bank type assistance, but rather, meaningful, dependable assistance they can rely on without a loss of dignity. These striving individuals are attempting to improve their lot in life and to give their children a better foundation. They are deserving of help. Your moral support will help make this worthwhile program happen!</strong></span></div><br />
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</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-54413002462711254922011-08-30T15:41:00.000-07:002011-08-30T16:27:41.831-07:00MORAL EDUCATION: A Series of Articles on Moral Literature for Children<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>ARTICLE 1 </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><em>About Influencing Young Minds</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana;">In Plato's <em>Republic, </em>he asked, <em>"Shall we just carelessly allow children to hear any casual tales, which may be devised by casual persons; and to receive into their minds ideas, for the most part, the very opposite of those we should wish them to have when they are grown up?"</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana;">An excellent question parents should ponder.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana;">A daily barrage of influences, both good and bad, bombards children, in today's society. From birth, their sponge-like minds begin to absorb the things they feel and see, and once their language skills take hold, what they hear. Parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles and family friends all influence what that absorption includes. The media is another source of influence, and a frightening one at that. Plato would be mortified at all the "casual tales" we as parents today allow out children to absorb through television, videos and other forms of media.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana;">Greek mythology and the ancient Greek philosophers gave the world a treasure-trove of "moral-lessons" literature. Their intent? To advance culture and to assist the commom-man to attain a higher level of understanding in order that humanity would strive to live right.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: black;"><em>Aesop's Fables </em>are a wonderful compilation of short little narratives that touch on, and teach about, many moral issues. They are ancient tales, and may seem out-of-date, but can be tweaked and revised into modern anecdotes that teach valuable lessons of good character. The Roman poet Ovid, in his <em>Metamorphoses</em>, wrote about the need for parents to guide their children.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana;">Many modern-day educators and parents have cast away the old moral tales as too violent, too horrific and an inducer of nightmares in small children. To some extent this may be true, but to my mind, these tales were not meant as a bedtime story to delay lights out -- "just one more story, pleeeeassssse!" I think they were written as a teaching tool: to be read together -- parent and child, or teacher and child -- and then discussed. How can this concept be applied to the child's life? These valuable tales were meant for the education and training of the young mind -- to turn the light on -- not off!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">If you like this article, or if you have an opposing opinion, please leave a comment below. We invite you to browse the site to see what else may interest you. And we would love to see you support our site and the concepts we encourage and promote by having you join as a FOLLOWER, or by SHARE-ing this article with your FRIENDS on Facebook, or by adding your email address to our mail-list. WAY-FINDER WEEKLY is scheduled to be launched end-September and its purpose is to assist single-parent re-enty students feed their families during the duration of their studies. This program is not intented to provide stop-gap food-bank type assistance, but rather meaningful, dependable assistance they can rely on without a loss of dignity. These striving individuals are attempting to improve their lot in life and to give their children a better foundation. They are deserving of help. Your moral support will help make this worthwhile program happen!</span></strong></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-28839170144071318792011-08-30T14:24:00.000-07:002011-10-07T13:45:27.661-07:00The New Paradigm: Shifting Us Into A New World Order<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By Serena Aubrey (Copyright, 2011 -- All Rights Reserved)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>ABOUT REGIONAL & INDIVIDUAL AWAKENINGS</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>It starts as a whisper, and if you don't hear it, it builds a little louder. And if you still manage to ignore it, it becomes a SHOUT! And out of that SHOUT comes CHAOS.</em></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;">THEO</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is this thing that starts out quietly, and builds until it creates mayhem? Who hears this whisper, this SHOUT?</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is UNREST this thing that starts out as a whisper. It starts as a whisper in the hearts of men and women who have, for far too long, lived under conditions that do not allow them personal freedom. They have lived under the regimes of mad men, wrong men, powerful men, men who are ruled by greed, men who have no compassion, men who have no love. They have lived under the rule of men who have forgotten how to be human.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it builds up into a SHOUT, this unrest becomes a movement, a revolt, an uprising. This is an awakening of a regional proportion. This kind of awakening gathers momentum as each individual adds their voice to the SHOUT. It moves with an energy and vibration that can not be stopped. The thoughts of many join forces and the vibration strengthens. Finally the SHOUT erupts into CHAOS, and out of that CHAOS comes ORDER. And out of that ORDER there emerges a NEW WAY. One where rulers are forced to hear the words of the ruled. One where voices have more strength than firepower.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Libya in 2011..........the voices overpowered the fear of reprisal or swift punishment. The governments were weakened and the will of the people has, or will, prevail. It is time for the world to SHIFT into a new paradigm. One which will bring PEACE to all people.</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><em></em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage -- to know who we are and where we come from. Without this enriching knowledge there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainment in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and a most disquieting loneliness.</span></em></blockquote></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div align="right"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div><div align="right"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alex Haley</span></em></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Caroline Myss, in her book, <em>Entering the Castle</em> (2007), writes that from the time of our infancy we live our physical life based on the need to gather up what is required for survival -- be that goods, services or attention.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WHAT'S MINE?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From birth we compete for our share. And yet as we get older, most of us feel as if there is something missing -- an empty void -- and we still have questions; deeper questions. Only the focus of the questions tends to change. We stop wondering how much more can be amassed -- maybe because we already have enough, or perhaps because it does not seem to be filling that void any way. Our thoughts begin to turn to more spiritual questions:</span></div><blockquote><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't there more than this?</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For what reason was I born?</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the greater purpose and meaning of my life?</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can I be of service to others?</span></div></li>
</ul></blockquote><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is an inner turning point. This is what the Universe is waiting for. When an individual starts to ask these questions, the FORCE of the SOURCE begins to send answers.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the individual awakening. It is your "soul" asking your "self" to allow it some freedom. Just like the awakening of a region, the soul starts with a small whisper. But it will eventually begin to SHOUT as well. Just like an oppressed people will eventually begin to strengthen their combined voices until their leaders can not ignore them, so too will your soul commence the inner CACOPHONY that will make you pay attention to the questions that beg to be answered. Your soul will engage your mind in the search for truth. And then the seeking begins...........</span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P<span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-size: small;">ositive Thought</span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E<span style="color: yellow; font-size: small;">ducation</span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A<span style="color: yellow; font-size: small;">dvancement</span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C<span style="color: yellow; font-size: small;">ollaboration</span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E<span style="color: yellow; font-size: small;">ntrepreneurship</span></span></span></strong></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace......what does it mean to you? When you think about peace, about living a peaceful existence, about having peace of mind, how do you picture that for you yourself, personally?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My vision of peace means that I have CHOICE. It means I can choose:</span><br />
<ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">where to live</span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">where to work</span></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">where to travel</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whom to associate with</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whom to socialize with</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whom to love</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what to think and express</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what to read</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what to eat and drink</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">how much to spend</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">how much to save</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who to help</span></div></li>
</ul><div align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other words, PEACE for me, means freedom. I live in Canada, and for the most part I live in peace. I do not experience war, I do not experience suppression, I do not experience abuses. I come and go as I please, I express myself as I see fit, there are no external rules regarding what I eat or drink, and my income is mine to spend as I see fit. And these days I am thinking I need to choose something, or some one to help. For these freedoms I so enjoy as an integral part of my life, are not shared by all. And why not?</span></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are we not all created equally? Are we not all a part of one Great Creation? Is it right for me to enjoy my freedom, and my choices, while others do not? Is there not something I can do, as an individual to help foster a Peace For All? Is it that incredibly difficult to help my fellow beings on this earth? It can't be, it just simply can't be.</span></div><br />
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</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-90872080140173447642011-08-30T13:39:00.000-07:002011-08-30T16:44:18.595-07:00MORAL EDUCATION -- A Series of Articles on Moral Literature for ChildrenBy Serena Aubrey -- Copyright 2011 by Serene Promotions (TM) * All Rights Reserved<br />
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Based on the thought-provoking books by William J. Bennett, <em>The Book of Virtues </em>(1993) and <em>The Moral Compass</em> (1995), amongst other sources, this series of articles presented by Serene Promotions (TM) strives to provide food for thought. It is hoped that you, dear reader, will give pause to thought: about how you, as a parent, grand-parent, aunt or uncle, or family friend have an opportunity to influence our young people who struggle to grow into admirable adults through the ever-increasing morass of today's whirlwind society.<br />
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An African proverb reminds us, "it takes a village to raise a child", and we should all take this message to heart. Today's youngsters are tomorrow's leaders. It behoves as parents, educators and members of our communities to raise children with high moral standards. The <em>Fourth Nobel Truth</em> of the Buddhist belief -- similar to the belief's in every one of the world's main religions -- says that right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration leads to a life lived with high standards: ultimately leading to happiness and the cessation of suffering. Each week, articles on this topic and others, will be featured on this blog as well as various publications produced through Serene Promotions (TM). We hope you enjoy the various stories, links, quotes and messages from our sponsors and partners.<br />
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Don't miss any of the articles in this series. Be sure to sign up as a FOLLOWER of the Serene Promotions blog by any of the various means available to you (on the left hand panel) to receive notification of when a new post is submitted. We hope you become a member of this community and help us to promote PEACE for all.<br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><a href="http://serenepromotions.blogspot.com/2011/08/moral-education-series-of-articles-on_30.html">CLICK HERE</a></strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to read </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Article 1</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Moral Education:</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong> About Influencing Young Minds</strong></em></span></div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-62434014205473503172011-07-19T19:44:00.000-07:002011-07-21T09:14:43.226-07:00After A Hiatus -- I Return With A Message of Tolerance<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOL! It has been a bit difficult to get back into the swing of things......I took off a few weeks to spend some quality days with my far-flung family who all managed to be in the same place for the first time since 1998 -- all except for my youngest daughter, Erika, whose absence was keenly felt by us all. Maybe next time we will ALL be together....maybe for Christmas, 2011?????</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As a special re-introductory video I present my blog friends with:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OUTER COVERS: How Can You Tell Who & What I Am?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcBzm-z-togoMLOjEhUyOVvUUI14AkjyyympQx2bJE3hXKT6ffBalj9ARPK8y7dr5FXG-g4ctiuvHsY7R5XQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Audio Track:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Looking For It (Finding Heaven)</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Jann Arden<br />
(Used with artist's permission -- Thank you Jann!)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">from the CD:</div><div style="text-align: center;">living under june</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Copyright, 1994</div><div style="text-align: center;">A&M Records</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543586270573401884.post-1590114388178773742011-05-30T09:26:00.000-07:002011-06-04T10:23:50.898-07:00The Beauty of Human Movement (As In Travel) and CreativityBy Serena Aubrey (Copyright, 2011)<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">This morning my daily digging around unearthed some photos and videos that blow me away. I began today's internet searching on <em>Facebook</em>, where I clicked on my friend, <strong><em><span style="color: red;">Tracy Fischer's</span></em></strong>, travel phlogs. She updated her Wall with a comment about her current travels to <em><strong><span style="color: red;">Greece</span></strong></em>. It led me to check out her previous photo albums from her trip last year to <em><strong><span style="color: red;">Jordan</span></strong></em>, where she was involved in an archealogical dig in the <em><strong><span style="color: red;">Wadi Faynan</span></strong></em>. While there the archeaological group took the opportunity to visit the ancient ruins of <strong><em><span style="color: red;">Petra. </span></em></strong>I met Tracy in my <span style="color: red;"><em><strong>Creative Writing: Fiction</strong></em> </span><span style="color: #cccccc;">class</span>, at <em><span style="color: red;"><strong>North Island College </strong></span><span style="color: #cccccc;">(instructor, <span style="color: red;"><strong>Steve Schoenhoff</strong></span>)</span></em>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Tracy is a beautiful young lady with an intense desire to see and experience the world up-close and personal. She works at a local bar in Cumberland, BC on Vancouver Island, just outside of Courtney, BC. Her daily grind, serving alcohol, belies her vast inner life and desires. I greatly admire her enthusiasm for life and her dedication to travel and the exploration of this amazing planet. I cheat these days. I used to travel extensively, but I see the world now through the lenses of other people's cameras and the pictures they so graciously post on their internet pages so I too may explore, albeit from my desk. Here are some of Tracy's pics from Jordan </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">downloaded from Tracey's album titled:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <strong><em><span style="color: red;">RESIST THE DONKEY</span></em></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> (click on the images to see them in a larger format)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqWyHdCcvKY/TeO8HN7RSFI/AAAAAAAAALk/vwQ-JbhRMSQ/s1600/Tracy+in+Petra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqWyHdCcvKY/TeO8HN7RSFI/AAAAAAAAALk/vwQ-JbhRMSQ/s320/Tracy+in+Petra.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tracy in the Petra ruins</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uP3kyevvn3I/TeO8K1-SdUI/AAAAAAAAALo/bsNatB2RmeU/s1600/The+Pillar+of+Tracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uP3kyevvn3I/TeO8K1-SdUI/AAAAAAAAALo/bsNatB2RmeU/s320/The+Pillar+of+Tracy.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Pillar of Tracy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qndgV4EsWLs/TeO8N6Q78TI/AAAAAAAAALs/mzctNG972v8/s1600/Tracy+on+the+Rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qndgV4EsWLs/TeO8N6Q78TI/AAAAAAAAALs/mzctNG972v8/s320/Tracy+on+the+Rocks.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tracy on the Rocks</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDrP4M2OxJA/TePOmEhvanI/AAAAAAAAALw/AB8yJXg1iO8/s1600/Built+Into+the+Side+of+the+Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDrP4M2OxJA/TePOmEhvanI/AAAAAAAAALw/AB8yJXg1iO8/s320/Built+Into+the+Side+of+the+Mountain.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> An Amazing Feat - Built Right Into the Side of the Mountain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bctkk7FpDOk/TePOpyTOdgI/AAAAAAAAAL0/oT_AaM0BEWg/s1600/Awesome+Ancient+Architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bctkk7FpDOk/TePOpyTOdgI/AAAAAAAAAL0/oT_AaM0BEWg/s320/Awesome+Ancient+Architecture.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome Ancient Architecture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l0VZHNbGE8/TePOuGaIJ2I/AAAAAAAAAL4/xYahbdEw-hE/s1600/The+Height+and+Breath+of+Ancient+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l0VZHNbGE8/TePOuGaIJ2I/AAAAAAAAAL4/xYahbdEw-hE/s320/The+Height+and+Breath+of+Ancient+Building.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tracey's Archeological Group Dwarfed by the Height and Width of This Massive Stone Structure</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Tracy's online album made me curious about Petra, so I went on to find out more about this ancient site through a Google search and I ended up on <em>Wikipedia</em> where to my great pleasure I found some videos that I want to share with my readers. They show, in a most awesome way, the creativity of the human mind. Using the resource at hand - SAND - these artists have developed talents that creatively honour their land, their beliefs, their being. The apparent ease with which they create these awesome masterpieces can in no way tell the tale of the many, many hours they must have practised to perfect the style and skill they draw forth from their souls. I am sure you will agree:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ldBfCAMHtuM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVRXFYjmTI4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If you want to see more of these wonderful demonstrations of art expressed in the sand medium there are countless other videos posted on YouTube. ENJOY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo Credits:<br />
Resist The Donkey Album by Tracy Fischer, Copyright 2010 - All Rights Reserved</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Video Credits:</div><div style="text-align: center;"> No. 1, Copyright Sept, 12, 2008 - All Rights Reserved</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sand Bottle Demonstration, Petra, Jordan by daddyliu/YouTube</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No. 2, Copyright Jan. 15, 2009 - All Rights Reserved</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sand Art by World Renown Sand Artist David Alcala by sandartist1/YouTube</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Music copyright from Musicshakedotcom - associated with YouTube)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No. 3, Copyright Aug. 26, 2007 - All Rights Reserved</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sand Art Worship Painting by bigjr7769/YouTube</div><div style="text-align: center;">Featuring the art and skill of Mauricio Palacio</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Music copyright info not available)</div>Serenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141146639359442939noreply@blogger.com0