“I Want To Reach Out, And Touch The Flame…”

English: Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia) at sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park near Hidden Valley Campground Polski: Drzewo Jozuego (Juka krótkolistna) podczas wschodu słońca w Parku Narodowym Joshua Tree. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Exactly one year ago today I posted this one. Back then, I called it, “Where The Streets Have No Name . . . ” I hope that you enjoy it . . . and find your freedom.

 

Where The Streets Have No Name. Think about that for a moment. Yes, it is the title of a song by U2, from their landmark recording, The Joshua Tree.

U2, my favorite rock band in history. Not just because of the great hooks, brilliant melodies, and the mesmerizing guitar work of The Edge, but more because of their unflinching idealism and romanticism.

They were hitting their stride during some of the most challenging times of my life; times of life and death…of killing, and hoping not to be killed. I was a fan before then, though, of albums like “Boy,” and “War.” All of that aside, just think about it…Where The Streets Have No Name.

Here are the words:

I want to run…

I want to hide…

I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside.

I want to reach out, and touch the flame…

where the streets have no name.

So powerful, so appealing…such a feeling of release.

What happens where the “streets have no name?” You no longer have a “definition;” you are FREE – not confined to a category.

You are not “this,” or “that;” you are simply free. The Spirit soars like the hawks that are my constant companions.

May you experience this freedom, in its fullness, this holiday, and every day from this day forward.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“A Blank Piece Of Paper…”

Intentionally blank pages at the end of a book. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Archivin’ it! This was one of my first posts – I was definitely channeling some wisdom from somewhere for this one. It was originally titled, “I Wish.”

 

I wish that I had something profound to write about at this very moment, but I’m just not feeling it. That’s the nature of being a writer – writing beckons you, even when you don’t think you have anything to say. A blank page is an intimidating, and yet compellingly beautiful thing. It patiently waits for your words, and has the great decency not to point out what a load of blather you just coughed up. Can you imagine such a thing playing out that way among humans? A perfectly reasonable appearing adult walks up and throws up all over you, and says, “Thank you. I needed to unload that someplace, and you look like the perfect spot for it.” No, that wouldn’t end well; there aren’t many “blank pieces of paper” walking among us. We would take that personally, (at least I probably would). But not a blank piece of paper, (or computer monitor). It makes no judgment, because receiving the thoughts, words, feelings and emotions of others – without any judgment – is what it is designed to do.

Hmmm…now I must return to the first sentence of this post and declare it to be a falsehood. In fact, it was only true for two more sentences, and then something profound began to “come forth.”  I started writing this blog entry a mere twenty minutes ago, with absolutely no idea of any subject to expound upon, and by simply “thinking on paper,” a powerful analogy that describes the essence of what the Spirit, the “Self” [capital "S"], the Christ Consciousness, the Buddha, FILL IN THE BLANK , would have us be, quietly slipped up from my deepest Self and made its way to the page. Wow…heady stuff!

The ultimate goal of our spiritual walk is to become a “blank piece of paper:” to attain the realization that we are here in this physical form for no other purpose than to experience, without judgment, what is presented before us; to move beyond the subjective evaluations of what is “good” and “bad” that our environment has conditioned us to believe; to be pure awareness – which is what we have always been and have failed to realize. There would only be ONE thing, ONE energy, radiating from one who has attained such a realization, who is a human “blank piece of paper” – and that is pure, Divine love.

But, there are precious few who are willing to let go of their attachments. There are precious few who realize, or even wish to consider, that love in its highest form has no element of a need to “possess” anything or anyone, or make any judgment. I certainly can make no claim to be such a one who has fully realized this truth. I am no “blank piece of paper” by any stretch. Nevertheless, I DO set about the work of attaining that full realization every day: to merge with the Divine within, to rest in the love and bliss that is all that remains when you “erase” the conditions that you, (with the media’s help), have established to be happy.

I encourage my students to write every chance that they get, no matter if they think that they “have anything to say” or not. In my book, I phrased it this way: “Writing is an outlet for you and a conduit for God. You need to do it. It is that important.” This post, which started as “nothing,” and ended with great power, is a perfect example of that phenomenon coming to pass – yet again. Write, write, write! The world needs the wisdom that is locked within you.

Many blessings to all…

Rising Hawk

“A Mason Jar Of Monkey Piss…”

Merry Christmas (Bing Crosby album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Well, I didn’t even change the title for this one, from over two years ago. Another one that attempts to put the holidays in perspective and to reduce the stress that so often is a component. Blessings…

 

It’s very strange. In many ways, it feels like Christmas is already over. Do you know the feeling to which I am referring?

It is that feeling that oftentimes comes after you have removed all of the decorations, and it’s January, and everything seems so “empty;” except THIS feeling  can come at the beginning of the holidays and linger throughout. This is a very dangerous time for those who are not “in tune” with what is going on, and who take their cues from the images and ideas that are presented through mass marketing instead of being “in tune” with their higher selves. It is at this time of the year that the suicide rate increases dramatically, across all age groups.

I am thankful that I am not in that group of people for whom this time of year can be so torturous. Despite my opening paragraphs, and the feelings that I described, I know exactly from whence they spring, and can simply walk away from them; I see them, I feel them, I recognize the falsehoods that feed them, and have the wisdom to leave them behind.

All of those feelings that so many experience during the holidays stem from obscenely absurd and totally unsupportable expectations; both the ones that we place upon ourselves and the ones that we’re foolish enough to accept from others.

There’s ole’ Bing in White Christmas – effortlessly crooning his way to a most beautiful, heart-warming finale. Oh, sure, he hit a few snags, but nothing that he and his velvety voice couldn’t fix with cleverness and charm. In the end, everything turned out just perfect [Only later we find out that Ole' Bing, according to his son, was severely, emotionally abusive - NOT so perfect after all].

And let’s not forget Ebenezer Scrooge. Why, this unrepentant, hate-filled miser managed to suddenly live the rest of his life totally “blissed out;” simply because a couple of apparitions gave him a tour of the facility. Indeed! So, what’s your problem? Get with the program!  Haven’t you seen the commercials?

You, (yes, YOU), can make everyone you know happy. Yep, that’s the word on the street. Not only that, it’s your RESPONSIBILITY to make sure that everyone gets, (each in their own, delusional state), what they think will make them happy. Wow, that’s a lot of pressure. And if you do manage to “get it all right,” their happiness might last until the sun sets on Christmas day [the debt that you incurred to provide this "happiness," however, will last for a weeee bit longer. Trust me, I've done it, But not this year].

So what am I saying here? Well, I love those movies that I mentioned. In fact, Sir Patrick Stewart’s turn as old Ebenezer, (done for TNT some years ago), is part of my holiday tradition. The Friday night after Thanksgiving, I watch that DVD, alone, and usually find myself dreaming about feeling this “magic” of peace and harmony that is portrayed. And I want to have Bing Crosby’s whimsical adventures, too; and so do most of you if your honest enough to admit it.

These images and ideas are the “set-up.” These are part of what forms the unrealistic expectations under which you labor. Well, guess what? You could buy nice gifts for everyone on the planet, and somebody would still think you were about as useful as a mason jar full of monkey piss [no offense to monkeys].

“Happy” and “Bliss” are one place and one place ONLY – within you. If you think that you are going to find it somewhere else, or at a certain time of year, then you have placed yourself on a rocket-sled ride to a hellish experience. On my own, personal path to wisdom, I have bought tickets and taken that ride numerous times, (slow learner), and I really can’t recommend the trip; the food was bad, the host mean-spirited, and the toilets were nasty. I would skip it if I were you, and opt for a different plan.

ENJOY Christmas. Enjoy it in the spirit of love, with NO expectations about what you “should” give, or what you “want.” The crass commercialism of these seasons are the perfect impetus for you to turn the other direction – inward – and discover the eternal, unquenchable TRUTH, that is not dependent upon holidays or any other condition. This is peace, freedom and Divine love.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“IF, IF, IF…”

Mind creates life (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Going back into the archives again, this one from about a year and a half ago. Formerly titled, “Can You Change Your Mind.” That question remains valid. Can you?

 

That is really what your entire experience of life boils down to be – whether or not you can “change your mind.”

Donald M. Nelson wrote: “Today changes must come fast. and we must adjust our mental habits, so that we can accept comfortably the idea of stopping one thing and beginning another overnight….We must assume that there is probably a better way to do almost everything. We must stop assuming that a thing which has never been done before probably cannot be done at all.”

Can you stop a way of thinking and begin a new one overnight? If you can, then you have just that quickly changed your world. If you have changed your mind from “this is bad,” to “this is good, and has wisdom to bless me,” your attitude alters in that split second. You immediately leave the uneasy, unpleasant feelings of the negative perspective, and turn to an attitude of excitement and expectancy.

It is difficult to believe that you can change your experience of your life so simply, but it’s a fact. IF…IF… you can change your mind about something, that “something” ceases to be what it was – it ceases in that instant. How can this be so?

It can be so, and is so, because nothing has any intrinsic value of its own – everything requires the perspective of an observer who will place a value upon it. Some sentient being must “weight” the object, circumstance, etc. in relation to other things before it has a value. And even then, that value is a totally imaginary perception – the object itself has not changed in the slightest, only a subjective perception has been applied to it by the mind.

IF, IF, IF…IF you can change your mind, your experience MUST change, because your perception IS your life – all of your feelings and emotions spring from what you hold in your mind. The gold ring isn’t beautiful or valuable…until YOU believe that it is. The loss of a job isn’t catastrophic until you decide that it is. Nothing in your life has any significance that you did not give it with your own mind, or accepted the evaluation of someone else’s mind.

Do you wish to feel better about your life? Whatever it is that is “preventing” you from doing so is a mental perception. So, CHANGE YOUR MIND about it.

This requires some courage, and your ego may pitch a fit over it, but it is still a simple task for a normally functioning brain. You CAN change your mind, anytime you wish, and immediately have your experience of life change, too…the feelings, the emotions and, amazingly, over time, the circumstances themselves. It’s worth giving it a try, right? You won’t be disappointed.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“Incredibly Beautiful People…”

English: Burma-Myanmar, Young Monks walking in Nyaungshwe, December 2002. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That’s what I saw in a documentary tonight, filmed this year, about the country of Myanmar, (formerly known as Burma).

This country has been under incredibly harsh military rule since the early 1960′s, shortly after obtaining their “freedom” from Colonial Britain.

In the last 20 years, there has been wholesale slaughter of Buddhist monks who peacefully marched against injustice, (and a lot of non-monks were killed, too). So much of the country is destitute – destitute in a way that even the poor of Appalachia would shun.

Children as young as nine or less go to work for one dollar a day, which is what it costs to get enough white rice to eat a meal. Electricity is unpredictable and irregular. Clean water; a rarity. Good medical care? Practically impossible to find nearby, even if one could afford it. In spite of all of this, do you know what I saw? Absolutely beautiful faces with radiant smiles.

The primary religion of the country is Buddhism, which teaches, among other things, to accept your life with peace, and to work for a better “next life.” Perhaps this is the source of the peaceful and easy smiles.

Here in the U.S., where, comparatively, we wallow in luxury, we constantly bitch and moan. We’ve got this upcoming “fiscal cliff,” a situation that if not resolved could cause our taxes to go up. So that’s our bitch? Or maybe we can’t buy enough gifts at Christmas to satisfy all of the conditioned, over-the-top expectations that come along with the season.

The people of Myanmar are ruled by a ruthless military regime, and a lot of the population is lucky to eat one meal a day. We are ruled by arrogant jackasses who are so ego-driven that they will train wreck everything to be “right.” I’m not sure who is worse off; I saw more beautiful faces and smiles among the people who are shit upon every day than I see here, where we have so much.

Sadly, in my estimation, we are not far from the “dictatorial” style leadership that they are saddled with . . . and just as sadly, we seem to lack the peaceful energy to smile and live simply, with little.

This country needs to grow up. “Might” does NOT make right, and we cannot spend enough money to be at peace. Time to start selling things – time to downsize – time to be content because that is what we ARE, not some state to look for outside of ourselves.

I see the lovely smiles of the people of Myanmar, and I see the furrowed brows and tense and anxious faces here in the U.S. It makes me wonder . . . who is the REAL superpower?

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“Come Out Of The Wilderness…”

English: Skulls remaining on the field and trees destroyed at the Battle of the Wilderness, 1864. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another “chestnut,” from Christmas two years ago. I am re-charging, with lots of new thoughts building, and while this is happening, there are some older pieces that I was privileged to share that seem eternally valid – like this one. Formerly titled, “The Message Of The Stone,” I offer it again – with some changes and updates. I hope that you enjoy it! [By the way, I still have the stone that I wrote about here].

 

Tonight, I am as mute as the rather large stone that I am holding in my hand; I am not feeling “nudged” by any message pressing to be expressed, (at least not yet).

Ironically, if this stone could speak in such a way that I could hear it with the ears on my head, the horrors that it could tell would doubtless chill my blood. This stone to which I am referring has little visual charm to recommend it – it is mostly a grayish granite, with some inclusions of milky quartz, and a few tiny spots of deep red…perhaps traces of Garnet. But it was there.

And where is “there?”

This stone came from the Wilderness Battlefield in Virginia, site of one of the bloodiest, chaotic and brutal battles of the American Civil War. I found it in the woods near Saunders Field, (where the grisly affair began), in the vicinity of where Confederate General John B. Gordon launched his flank attack as evening approached on that first day. This stone was there that day.

“The Wilderness” was so named for an obvious reason – it was a wilderness – but not just any wilderness. It was second and third growth timber, thick with brambles and thorns, and on the best of days one could easily become lost. Visibility didn’t extend very far, and sounds were masked by the dense growth. Add to this a dry summer, and the muzzle flashes of thousands of black powder weapons, and you get an inferno. If ever a place or a time could fairly be called a “hell on earth,” I suspect that this place in May of 1864 would qualify.

There is no accurate record of how many wounded met their end because they could not escape the flames from the many fires that were started by muzzle blasts, but it was a large and tragic number. Units became lost, couldn’t hear their commanders, and the smoke made what was already a practically impenetrable morass of thickets and scrub trees even more foreboding. And through it all, this stone was there.

It was probably part of a much bigger rock in 1864; since then much weathered and broken into many pieces. If it could talk, I think perhaps I would beg it to hold its tongue. The images it has captured might be more than I could bear.

Today, it shows no external scars. Instead, it appears decidedly peaceful and strong – unaffected. And I guess that is the “message” that I didn’t think I had.

You can survive. You can come through some of the most difficult challenges that any human can face, and be decidedly peaceful and strong when it is over. In fact, you will be decidedly peaceful and strong because of those challenges…if your perspective is clear.

Some of you may struggle emotionally during the Christmas season; MANY people do. It can be its own wilderness of crass commercialism and ridiculous pressures. But, like the stone, you can be a tower of strength in the midst of seeming chaos. Use your difficulties as opportunities to grow in strength and wisdom – to get to know your SELF.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“Don’t Treat Yourself That Way! . . . “

Compassion is Consciousness… (Photo credit: ConnectIrmeli)

This post is fast approaching three years old, originally titled, “Be Gentle . . . The Road Is Hard.” It was primarily about New Year’s resolutions, but I believe that it applies to the pressures of the holidays, and just about every other expectation we place upon ourselves – and then give ourselves a beat-down when we don’t, in our distorted perspectives, “measure up.” I’ve made a few changes and additions, and believe that someone needs to hear it again, (I know I did).

Well, with much hype and fanfare, it will soon be a “new year.” Heck, with the way commercial marketers work these days, Christmas day is practically over already.

Truthfully, though, the only thing that will be “new” on New Year’s Day will be the calendar that you are using; nothing about “you” is likely to have incurred a dramatic change at midnight on December 31st. Yes, you might have set up some “resolutions” to alter certain aspects of your life in a more positive direction, but you won’t have a “new” year:  you will still be experiencing life one fleeting moment at a time…just as you always have.

I personally don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I do not discount them as being foolish, either.

The first day of what our society has come to accept as a brand new segment of time, a year, is a great reference point to begin something more powerful, more useful, and more uplifting for your life. And the odds are good that at least a few of you will make plans to be “better” in some way in 2013.

Maybe you will plan to lose weight, or to quit smoking, or exercise more, or have committed to daily meditation, or to be more compassionate…all wonderful goals. It’s that last one – compassion – that I wish to focus upon. As you work toward the new goals that you have set for yourself for the upcoming year, the most important person for you to be compassionate toward is yourself.

Now, I am not suggesting that you give yourself a free pass on what you may choose to commit to change – not at all. Be determined and tenacious in what you have resolved to do, because that is the only way to make it happen. In the midst of all your determined and tenacious effort, however, never lose sight of the fact that you are human. Whatever you have set as your “new you,” be cognizant of the fact that you will quite possibly, at some point, back-slide into old patterns and ways of doing things.

I’m not being negative, nor am I in any way doubting that you can accomplish whatever you have set as your goal. What I AM doing is reminding you that you are human, and will have setbacks on the new path that you have chosen. And, without compassion towards yourself at those moments, you run the risk of reverting to condemnation of yourself for your “failure.” Don’t treat yourself that way! The overwhelmingly negative energy of self-condemnation will put a quick end to all that you hoped to change; you will not be able to proceed effectively under that weight.

On the other hand, compassion towards your own humanity will bless you with the strength to gently pull yourself back to the route that leads to your goal – without judgment.

Be gentle…the road is hard. A misstep is a misstep, nothing more. Lay aside your self-condemnation over those moments, and you will then be able to peacefully glide back to your goal, moving forward in the sure knowledge that you will attain what you have resolved to accomplish. With compassion towards yourself, you will get there.

And one more thing – if you perceive that a change is a good idea for you in some aspect of your life, why wait until the new year? You can begin now, and get a jump on the everyone else. Besides, we don’t even know if we’ll be here on that day so, if it is a positive change, why not go for it right now? Good luck to you!

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“Extremely Dangerous…”

John Trudell on satellite (Photo credit: yksin)

The title of this blog comes from a snippet contained in one of 17,000+ pages of dossier held on one John Trudell – an American Indian activist, poet, and visionary. The words were:

“He is extremely eloquent . . . Therefore extremely dangerous.” – FBI memo

That’s what it takes to be “extremely dangerous;” being “extremely eloquent.”

If you want to know HOW eloquent, you can have a listen to this, (though I wouldn’t recommend listening to it if you are not paying attention – it’s deep):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSct9DcV1hY

“Eloquence” is about speaking, primarily, and writing as well. History has proven that extremely eloquent people CAN, indeed, be extremely dangerous. Why? Because they can INFLUENCE the actions of large numbers of people by the passion that infuses their words. Eloquent people can bring a large group into a specific vibration that agrees with their thoughts . . . and then they have control. If said person has an intent that is malicious, the Hitlers and the Jim Jones’ of the world, that is a problem.

That’s all pretty obvious, but here is my point – John Trudell was NOT, and IS NOT, malicious – he wanted justice for all people . . .  equality . . .  and for the U.S. government to honor its treaties with the indigenous people of this country. Our government did not honor those treaties, and likely never will, which is a sickening blemish on all of the BS rhetoric that we espouse about how much we want to save the world and help the downtrodden.

You see, John Trudell is a very intelligent man, who understands the manipulation, and that scares the shit out of old Uncle Sam. Worse yet, he is “extremely eloquent,” and most Americans AGREE, at the very least in principle, that our treatment of the Native Americans has been unjust. That makes him “extremely dangerous” – not to you and me, but to very wealthy parties within, or aligned with, our government.

Why is any of this important today? Simple . There is a revolution coming in this country, and those who eloquently speak the truth against the injustices perpetrated by our own government . . . well, you’re going on a “list.” In fact, some of us may already be on one. The question is – do you have the courage to stand your ground for what is right? Are you willing to be labeled as “extremely dangerous” for speaking for equality and justice for all?

Many people who read my blog are very eloquent – I know them and the power of their words. It is time that we stood up and spoke with that power. It is time that we stop being “told” by self-serving dimwits how it is going to be, and instead, WE do the telling. It is OUR country – it doesn’t belong to the congress or to the President.

I am not suggesting violence in any way, I am encouraging all of us to use our greatest power – our eloquence – to set things right around here, because it is a mess. Anybody else willing to be labeled as “extremely dangerous” because they refuse to be mute in the face of injustice? I hope so.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“14,500…”

English: This Cougar was hit in Al Anbar, Iraq by a directed charge IED approximately 300-500 lbs in size. All crew members survived the blast and went out the next day. This photo was taken by the U.S. Military, declassified, and released to the public. As such, it is not bound by copyright. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That is how many wars that there have been since the beginning of RECORDED history – 14,500.

Wow, thank goodness we are “civilized,” and the supreme intellect of all the species on this much-maligned and blood-soaked orb that we sail around upon. Just imagine how much worse it would have been if we weren’t such a reasonable species!

Getting killed on the battlefield is the easiest thing in a war. How can I say that? Because I see the human wreckage of the survivors, and it isn’t just them. Their struggles can destroy families for generations – alcoholism, serious and often untreated mental conditions like PTSD, abuse and rage that scars children, or total dissociation – which the families of survivors then carry to another generation, and so on.

We’re too quick to shoot, as a nation. Americans are an arrogant people in general, with large egos to feed – after all, even our poor have everything compared to the poor of most countries, and we will show you a thing or two if you piss us off. Perhaps you take issue with my generalized characterization of the American people – and that is your right. Nevertheless, if you examine our history objectively, I think that you will see a pattern that sort of makes it hard to deny my assertion.

How many wars, (or conflicts), have we, me included, supported that, in the end result, cost us WAY more than we ever hoped to gain? The answer is: most of them in the modern era. Even when we fancy that we are “victorious,” when we depart the foreign soil, there is animosity.

One side got our help – in truth an “unfair advantage” given our abilities – and the opposition took a beating. Do you think that they will forget? No, they won’t . . . and sooner or later there will be war again.

Yes, we can deliver a serious beat-down to pretty much any country on the planet – but that doesn’t mean it is a wise choice.

I met a young man today – he won’t get on a plane, or a train, or a bus. Why? Because he was hit with 9 IED’s while in Iraq. His body is intact, but his mind – totally undone. He came home alive, yet a large part of him is dead. He is one of thousands with similar stories.

My point is this: I believe that we need to think a LOT harder before we commit ourselves to ANY conflict. The costs are invariably FAR greater than the death toll.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk

“In This There Is Peace…”

Water Drop (Photo credit: Isolino)

This is a re-blog from a post I made back in August 2011, then titled, “Let It Drift Away.” My intuition said it needed re-expression. Enjoy!

 

“Let the past drift away with the water” – Japanese saying

This is such a peaceful and liberating thought, particularly when you engage your consciousness with the imagery that is presented.

There it is, right in front of you; a gentle, meandering stream. The birds are singing with joyful abandon, the water gurgles by you with the most enticing and  beautiful, unutterable words, and the most pleasant of breezes tickles the leaves on the trees and caresses your face. No traffic, no phones, no “dragons”…just peace. Take a moment to place yourself there and absorb this magical energy.

As you look upstream, you notice a leaf coming down the stream towards you, on a journey to some vast unknown – just like you.

NOW is your opportunity. Whatever mental “dragons” there are in your past that are disrupting the peace of your now – be it past decisions or actions, failed relationships, hurt feelings, fears, some regret over what “could have been,” or whatever else it may be – put them on that leaf and let them “drift away with the water.” If you feel it to be too much for one leaf to handle, be patient; another will be along shortly for the residue – as many as you need.

You CAN let them go. There is no strange, inescapable rule that says you cannot be mentally free from your past.

There is no universal law that states that you must wrap yourself in the shadows of that which ceased to exist the moment after it arrived, (that being your past).

There is no requirement that you grasp old leaves in some form of ego-driven pity and regret over what belongs far, far downstream in your life’s current.

You can let them drift downstream anytime that you choose, and begin with a renewed state of mind right now. You can even change all or part of your name if you choose if it helps you to begin anew…fresh…”clean.”

It is only this moment that matters; it is all that you have. LIVE IT, and let that which has passed STAY passed. Don’t gather up the leaves that have fallen as your experiences, but rather let them come, and then go, upon the river that is your life. In this there is peace.

Many Blessings To All…

Rising Hawk