It is hard to really even comment on your 'stuff' Mr. Rodriguez, other than;

Awesome!

Peace

Dear Arsenio

I have not been fully in that place, but I have seen it closely.

love, Heather

TROUBLE

I dreamt
the night we met.
In the dream was our world,
dark and still with out the moon.

With out the symbol of love,
the longest time passed in this darkness
and all of a sudden…

An explosion!
A supernova in the far skies
filled my sight,
with thousand moons
in this blinding light of love.

I woke up
and believed
that love would make all the difference
and it did.

So,
I guess there is trouble,
until the supernova explodes.

Dear fresportra

John Coltrane wrote a piece called A Love Supreme. If you like American jazz, you would probably like it. For me, it's about the dark nights -- the darkest, amawasya, and how time shifts them to supernova state, us for God, God for us, us for each other.

love, Heath

I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more.....than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

(instrumental break)

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
*spoken*(you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than Ill never know)
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful
world.

~Louis Armstrong

Love, Passion,

Marek: Isn't that such a cool and "wonderful" song--your timing with the words is perfect--Thank You, Dave

I concur with David Marek; timely quote.

Nice!

Peace

Today is the New Year
We taste the sweetness of the apple
in the wish of a good sweet year.

The next days will be those of reflection
of the past and asking for forgiveness of our sins.

Today's sermon was about chesed,
the acts of kindness that we do for others.

I accept the challenge of an act of kindness to myself, an act of kindness for the environment and an act of kindness for someone else.

Then I ask that someone else to pay it forward
can you?

Dear fresportra,
I love your Trouble,
~ Kate

Dear Joanie,
I will accept to receive kindness, and to offer mine to another. Thank you for the butterfly slide show.
Love,
~ Kate

Hi Marek,
Earlier this summer, I saw a double arched rainbow. It was breathtaking, and special, for it is rare to see where I live.
One day we will meet - where the leprechauns are said to be, and I will know you, even from a distance, I will find you!
~ Kate

Dear Arsenio,
For now, I will let words go .... and rest and dream, and be
Free.
~ Kate

I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer (to coin a Morrison), and yet, I just went to the store to get another beer (and another, and another . . .).

Anyway. On my way to the store, I was passing a party, a very raucous sounding party, and I am thinking “cool.” At the very moment I am passing by, this one kid comes out to meet these other two boys (‘boys’ being relative, b/c they all stood at least 6’2, with more weight than I). And he looks at my sandal wearing pauper looking ass and he says, ‘just keep walking.”

My blood went quickly from self-resignated suicide to kicking some ass.

I said, verbatim, “thank you, thank you very much for letting me walk by.”

He said, “your welcome.”

I said, “what”! Then he turns his head walking away with his buddies, and I keep walking too.

If he would have said one more word, ANYTHING (win, lose, or show), we would have been brawling!

I am no bad-ass, I am no Scott, but, then again, if I have to move, I can . . .

And I am thinking, ‘fuck,’ what am I doing, what am I thinking . . .

And then I get to the store, and the same chick that was there hours ago, b/c, the last seven days I have been going there nightly, she says something, and I don’t even really recall what she said, and I said something, in front of the security guard standing there, about ‘their’ money and how ‘they’ bandy it about like little slaves . . .

And I am thinking what have I become?!?!

Who or what am I?

I am nothing! I have failed my children. I have failed women that have loved me, I mean really really loved me. And who am I to say shit . . .

Anymore I just walk with my head down, not looking at anybody . . .

and I am a piece of shit

heavy, HEAVY, sigh right now . . .

Peace all

F**k. Who have I become? What am I doing? Where, why, when, how . . .

I love AMERICA

Sister Golden Hair

Well I tried to make it Sunday
but I got so damned depressed
That I set my sights on Monday
and I got myself undressed
I ain't ready for the altar
but I do agree there's times
when a woman sure can be a friend of mine

Well I keep on thinkin' 'bout you
Sister golden hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I've been one poor correspondent
I've been too too hard to find
but it doesn't mean
you ain't been on my mind

Will you meet me in the middle
Will you meet me in the air
will you love me just a little
just enough to show you care

Well I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it

Well I keep on thinkin' 'bout you
Sister golden hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I've been one poor correspondent
I've been too too hard to find
but it doesn't mean
you ain't been on my mind

Will you meet me in the middle
Will you meet me in the air
will you love me just a little
just enough to show you care

Well I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it

mmm, bop it dop wat,
mmm, bop it dop wat
. . .
http://[delinker]www.lyrics007.com/America%20Lyrics/Sister%20Golden%20Hair%20Lyrics.html

Yo! Craigy,

Two mornings ago this exact song came to my mind and voice.

Venus is barely making it up now before the sun rises.

As she made her voluptuous approach,

the sun provided a royal golden glow all about her.

Sister Golden Hair...surprise!

She has an afro, who-duh thunk?

But she was not faking it,

El Sol did it for her,

just enough to show He cares.

Venus lays a little before the altar

and then disappears from sight.

But we know she's still up there,

enticing us to meet her in the middle.

It's up to us to climb Jacob's ladder.

"Your Precious Self"

I saw you
Holding your precious creation
The image you created at the time of your beginning

I saw you crying
Afraid to say goodbye
To let go of what you had mistaken for who you were

I whispered –
But you did not hear Me

I whispered –
Take as long as you need my child

Hold your precious creation
The image you mistake as yourself
I’ll not take her from you

Not until you are absolutely certain you are ready
On that day no part of your being will not be screaming in silence
Of your love for Me

But do not rush, my child
Enjoy your play

I am here

You are never from My sight
And your slightest call sends Me running
To hold you

Love, Kristin

The warmth of,
the intimacy, of,
the love,
of everybody's inner dialogue,
sure has my inerchild,
a save haven,
who cares about the weather, seasons..
states of..,

friends,
on your health,
Love, passion,

Craig,

Not trying to sound so positive and all and I'm not trying to be like... Well things will get better and you'll be okay, blah, blah, blah,... but you can get yourself out of your situation the same as you got yourself into it. Put the same amount of effort as you put into feeling bad, into feeling good.

Remember, you are the creator, you're in charge of all your thoughts. Nothing is permanent, everything is temporary. F*** the problems. So you think you failed? Okay then, now move on. Change it, do it different.

I think I've mentioned it before to you... been there, done that. Only you can change yourself. I did it--yeah, I still have those dark thoughts, but I know I can change them. I put them into my drawings and paintings and into scribbles and writings and music. And that's where they stay. I don't get stuck in them and lost there anymore.

I know I'm not telling you things you don't already know and all I can do is encourage you. But if you want something different then change it! Believe me, you can change whatever background and past you've had--it is possible! You don't have to feel how you feel. Don't just say you want to change... intend it and do it.

Not meaning to be harsh to you Craig but things won't get better until you make the first move.

Best of everything to you.

Love,
Tiffany

Craig: Do you think those boys would have been any more "inviting" to a sandal-clad Jesus or Bhudda?

You've heard the saying: Why would I want to join a club who would have me as a member?!

Consider the source from which the comments came--"self-esteem" comes from the Self, and you've got more of that than you judge your-Self to have; or who "they" judge you to be

Remember, Craig, you didn't create yourself, nor did they create themselves: we only make up images of who we think we are, and God doesn't make junk; only our ego-minds do that, and that's not Reality!--Dave

Yeah, uh, sorry. I should never have posted #12. Feel free to delete admin.

I hear you David, Tiffany, and Keith. Ref. 15; nice Kristin!

Peace all

(Again, sorry about that stupid number 12 post).

Craig: There was nothing at all "stupid" about #12!

I've felt exactly the same way, many more times than I could possibly count-maybe, like many of us, you are here in this world to feel all emotions, and think all things, not just what is comfortable and "nicey-nicey."

Without these experiences, how could you possible have developed your great compassion for the humiliating and worthless feelings the downtrodden experience as a daily fare--maybe the development of such compassion is the greater reason for your own soul's seemingly unwitting choices along the journey through the valley of darkness-especially when it seems to broad daylight!

Appearances are indeed deceiving--Dave

Dear Craig,
It's late but there is an abundance of light shining from a small lamp in this half dark room.
I am here.
Near to you.
With love,
~ Kate

Dear Craig,

No need to apologize about #12. We've all been there in one way or another. I like what Dave said about how God doesn't make junk. Over the years I've experienced the transformational power of forgiveness for others, but what I see now is that it is really myself that I need to forgive. If we could only extend to ourselves the same love, compassion and acceptance that we experience for those we hold dearest. If we could only love and accept ourselves as we are, knowing that "God doesn't make junk." Then we could move ahead. Then those old patterns and demons from the past that say we're no good or don't deserve happiness would completely fall away. What power do they have when we see them for the misperceptions that they are?

Love, Kristin

Kristin: Reading your post to Craig brought two thoughts to mind (I've had a total of four so far today!).

You made me think all.....the way back to who I first heard say that, "God doesn't make junk," and why it stuck that time--it turned out one of my college buddy's I had just quoted it to was dating the daughter of the woman who'd said it--Terry Cole-Whittaker, a powerful speaker I heard during the early 80's.

Another woman who delineates the point even broader and deeper is Marianne Williamson; as you know, one of the world's premier proponents of "A Course in Miracles."

I remember in one of her audio pieces she said something like: What all those victimizers combined "out there" are doing to you is absolutely nothing compared to what your own ego-mind is doing to you ever second of the day (and of course, also doing back to everyone "out there!").

That's where all the junk comes from; all the worldly woes we heap on ourselves and each other--everyone of these woes is what "we've made" of what "God created"--and as you also clearly know, what we've made isn't even real against the greater backdrop of Reality--it just seems concretely real and true in this house-of-mirrors, and so we react to it as being the only Truth.

I do indeed love the fabulous and down-to-earth way of teaching "The Course" that Marianne Williamson's accomplished--and certainly this "Course in Miracles" also indicates that the art-and-science of true forgiveness is universally the case that forgiving ourselves, to the core, well......as the Bard would say, "There lies the rub!"

Soooo.....Craig--with that said, you're not worthy of forgiving! You are the first one I've ever met, in all my earthly lives, and even from beyond the veil as memory serves me, that isn't worth it--you're unique in that way--now have a beer for me, as long as you're at it!

It is nice to finally have a buddy that is so completely and utterly beyond hope of ever developing any redeeming qualities that I can now rest comfortably in your company, and just BE!

And Craig--you know I would never $#&! you about a thing like this--after all, God woke me up this morning and said, "How 'bout a beer with your dear old Dad?"

I said, "Jim, is that you? Are you &%$#?ng with me again; what's all this music I'm hearing coming out of the walls?!"

HE said, ".....and get me some cigarettes too, while you're at the store."

Craig, this place wouldn't be whole without ya bro'! Dave

Craig,
I'm gonna give you my magic mantra,
incantation or affirmation, all in one,
repeat after me, here it is;
'if it's good enough for God,
it's good enough for me'

But I'm not talking about that beer in the morning..;)

what led to that, habit,
you wanna blame someone, blame God, sue, when possible, but watch that liver, you only have one,

I hate to quote Osho, or was it Sai Baba,
anyhow, but with addictions of all kinds, did had a psychological point,
here's my interpretation, say, to your higher self,
'only today, I'm not gonna kid myself any more',
every morning..;)

Love, Passion!,
Ps.
http://www.silvamethod.com/

Dear Marek

That's a great thing to share. Thank you.

love, Heather

My pleasure, Heather, love, or law of least effort..;)

It's the female element in, Craig's, karma..?
or so, I've read..

anyhow, craig, I'm gonna have beer with a polish buddy of mine, and talk about princesses, and
..

on your health! ;)

love, Passion!

Craig, a good friend of mine, just left,
we've shared some magic moments,
some, what's the meaning of all of this? talks,
some drinks, who cares about, the alcohol, addictions, stereo- or arche type's,
who are you? at the end of the day,
it's a bearhug,
from my Polish point of view,
the rest is,
are,
details,

And then there is David and Marek, I was kind of unsure if I should even come back here to intent. Pretty embarrassed! I appreciate the moral support.

In a unsettling twist of events, as I was checking my MSN 'Spaces' last night, where I have cybernetically stored my writings and pictures, and I have found that the 'powers that be' have deleted my space; now I wonder why they did that? Jacobs Spring hath been unplugged.

The voice of the voiceless hath no longer a voice!

I am reminded of a story. This dude, I think his name was Uddalaka (funny name eh, but no father of mine) once told me to place a cube of salt in a glass of water, and the next day we went back to the glass of water, and he told me to taste it, and I said, "man, that is salty." Meaning; that salt, though no longer seen, was there nonetheless! Then he said something about the invisible braham, essence, self, and the whole world, and he said, "You are that."

The Atman is 'no thing,' and yet it is the deepest truth of everything.

It took Indra a 100 and 1 years to get over himself. I ain't got that long.

When not sleeping dreamlessly, I want to give life to my waking dreams. But in wanting, I in fact do not 'want' anything, in fact I just want to give, I want to help (but yet, no, I do 'want' Linda; her thoughts, her spirit, her company), but even more importantly, I would just like to be a positive force in this world.

Hmm . . . (I guess 'I want' to be a solution that is a period, not a problem that is a comma [O and see the power of the media to shape our informal discourse!!!] har har har)

Ok, I will quite rambling. O and WW, there is no family to rush home to, but nice ode notwithstanding. Shramana am I (almost homeless, almost detatched) . . .

Again, thanks for the words of encouragement friends.

Peace

Dear अग्नि

A beautiful comment. You're still teaching me, yaar.

love, Heather

Dear Craig,
Are you in love? I have found this earlier, and wonder ...
the wound of a kiss ...
or the healing balm ...

Kiss on the hand - I adore you.

Kiss on the cheek - I just want to be friends.

Kiss on the chin - You are cute.

Kiss on the neck - I want you.

Kiss on the lips - I love you.

Kiss on the ears - Let's have some fun.

Kiss anywhere else - You're the best.

"You can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes...

you just might find,

you get what you NEED!"

Rolling Stones

.

I used to run a metal shear and

stared at one wall

for about three years in a row.

I had that line written and pasted

before my eyes so I couldn't forget it.

"Wants" do have a way of aggravating "Needs".

I have to remind my children of this day in and day out.

So still...I cannot forget it,

still I must swallow my own medicine.

"Peace, be still!" Yeah...easier said than done.

Move with peace in your pocket, Keith~

Dear Arsenio,
"Looking for the formulas
that yield that nectar of light somehow." Me too!

Dear Craig,
It's good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing both your joys and sorrows.
Love,
Donatella

Craig, I like the story of Uddalaka too, from one of the Upanishads.

You write beautiful poems, and I have one saved in my prayer book to keep forever. You are loved on IB.

We are all different, with our very own problems, challenges, personalities. We are all unique. God loves all of us equally. We are all His loving children. He created us to perfect ourselves for Him, to face different challenges, to follow our themes, to stay on track.

Craig, look at people who are less evolved than you are, then,you will not be so hard on yourself. Love and God bless.

Dear Geeta,
Your words are sweet.

Hi Craig,
I hope you can feel the community of family for you at intent. I offer my embrace, and love,
~ Kate

I like the following lines from your poem Arsenio.

This longing, mama mia,
this longing is not yet painful enough,
this pain, oh dear God, this pain is not deep enough,
this fed-upness not full enough.

I wish I longed, and yearned for YOU with more depth of feeling,with all of my heart and mind and soul. I wish I thought of YOU with unwavering single mindedness, so no other thought could enter my mind. I wish I did Japa(saying the name of personal God over and over, eg Rama, Rama), Tapa,( meditation),Smarana( thinking of God), singing Bhajans(Songs in praise of God), reciting shlokas(most scriptures are in shloka form, verses, such as Bhagavadgita), chanting mantras(eg OM NAMAH SHIVAYA), visiting holy places, being in the company of sages, enlightened beings all the time.

When and if I do all of that where there is time left to be small, mean, petty, selfish, proud, or wordly?? How I wish I could be engrossed in HIM all the time!! Have I not noticed all kinds of synchronicities, miracles, and such when I have prayed earnestly??

Ah!! I do love your exquisite poetry dear Arsenio. God bless.

I love your words too dear Angel Kate. Love and God bless.

Hello Donatella, Geeta, Kate; thank you ladies.

What!?! What is that? Am getting cybernetically erased . . .

Agni extinguished? O, woe is me . . .

har har

Peace