http://www.freewillastrology.com/
"All the problems we face in the United States today," said comedian and presidential candidate Pat Paulsen, "can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian." With that as your inspiration, Pisces, I urge you to take inventory of your own "immigration policy." It's an excellent time to do so, astrologically speaking. Here are some questions to guide you. What influences do you allow to pour into your sphere? Are they beneficial for your long-term mental health? What people do you invite to share your resources? Do they bring out the best in you? Do you have smart boundaries that keep out the bad stuff and welcome in the good?
Dear Friends(so far I don't have any friends on this blog but just incase someday I do),
I am going to start a new "segment" to my blog. One of the many methods I use to reflect on the inner workings of my life, is to check my weekly Free Will Astrology maintained and written by Rob Breszny. Rob is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote to Paranoia, which I will refer to a lot in my blog as - it looks like I'm okay with using the word "blog" now. Oh well. Things change. I like breaking rules especially if they are my own.
So I decided what I am going to do is paste my weekly horoscope at the top of my blog entry and do a short reaction to it. I will assess whether the reading is accurate. If it has any meaning for me. Often times Rob's horoscopes have odd references in them. Sometimes his obsure references are as hard to follow as Dennis What'shisnamefromSNL who was an NFL commentator for a while and said things like "that guy is harder to tackle than a rhino at a party with B.B.King and Jefferson Davis."
I'll read over the horoscope again then write my response later tonight.
My response:
"All the problems we face in the United States today," said comedian and presidential candidate Pat Paulsen, "can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian." With that as your inspiration, Pisces, I urge you to take inventory of your own "immigration policy."
Interesting quote. I just finished an American History course up to 1877, which in a college level course is a lot more detailed than what I remember from High School when I took U.S. History with Mr. Shewell my soph year and American Rev and Civil War my senior(easy A). One of my problems with American history is how we (white religious folk) treated the Indians (reddish brown spiritual natives). First of all I think it's stupid to refer to them as Indians just because early explorers were trying to reach India and this continent happened to be in the way. On the same note they did not choose to be American so it's not really fair to call them Native Americans either. I guess it sounds nicer that red man or savage(not that white people aren't known for savagery). Tribal spiritual natives? Native people of this land. I guess there's no easy way to say it.
As for an immigration policy as the source of our problems. Well, I have often wondered. What if instead of killing them off or forcing them to relocate to the shittiest peices of land without proper supplies or compensation we actually tried to incorporate their beliefs into our own. I think if we all had the respect for animals and nature and the spirit underneath it all, we would have rethought how we create our industries, oil rigs, and factories which have literally made us an endangered species. Although it is impossible to go back in time and change things, we have to make real changes in our present day lives which will reverse the destructive force of industry and create a new age where nature and technology and consciousness coexist and are the guiding forces in our lives. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that things have to break down and fall apart before new things can take their place.
"It's an excellent time to do so, astrologically speaking. Here are some questions to guide you. What influences do you allow to pour into your sphere? Are they beneficial for your long-term mental health? What people do you invite to share your resources? Do they bring out the best in you? Do you have smart boundaries that keep out the bad stuff and welcome in the good?"
Astrologically speaking, I can't say how that specifically applies but I'll take Rob's questions. What influences do I allo to pour into my sphere? Well, I've been watching way too much televiosion, playing too much video games, watching too many videos, depending on all these external things, talk show hosts, actors, comedians, filmmakers, even spiritual teachers both wise and opportunistic. Living at home, with my family has not been bad but it is bad in that I cannot grow properly. Sometimes I feel like seed lying on cracked desert hardpan. My roots cannot delve deep into the moist soil underneath. I have not found good soil as my friend, Chris Feild told me long ago. She implored me to find good soil. It was a response to a love letter and carnations I gave her proclaiming my love for her. Offering my heart, a chance for something to grow but she did not accept my offer. I think she was wise beyong her years.
Please, if anyone happens to read this and you know who I am talking about. Chris Feild was my best friend in high school, we were everything but boyfriend and girlfriend. Like twins seperated at birth(by about six months). But she was and probably still is a genius, she was gifted in so many areas. Advanced math, languages(like Spanish V, Japanese) and she was an artist, and could sing like an angel. I knew before I met her that I loved her because my friend Andy liked her, told me so much about her and for some reason I knew, just knew I was going to "steal her" from him. And I did. She and I became instant friends at a football game and over pizza we talked and talked. If anyone has seen or knows Chris, has her e-mail, give her mine. bretth@gmail.com
Pronoia is the sneaking suspicion that the universe is conspiring on your behalf. Agents of revolution, reinvention and rejuvination are working to make sure that all your wishes are heard and the ones that can be granted will. That is part of my method for keeping the dark shit at arms length. Those who believe in the devil are the devil, as Rob would say.
At the moment I have no one to share my resources with except maybe for teachers. But most essays I write for school have nothing to do with who I really am. They follow a formula so that I can pass the class or be considered for a transfer to a nice school.
Smart stuff to keep out the bad and invite the good. I think I've already covered that.
One memory of Chris Feild, probably my favorite is when she and my friends Dawn and her boyfriend at the time, Mike, came over for my birthday party. We played Monopoly and Dawn had brought the Aladdin soundtrack which we listened to and sang along with over and over and over until Chris and I had a perfect duet on "A Whole New World." Cheesy I know but at that point I thought that meant we had something a spark, something more than just friends. I had this silly idea, one of those things you wish you could take back. I drew a lamp, like Aladdin's lamp on and index card and wrote a note which read somehting like: I'll grant any wish your heart desires just rub the lamp(or just give me a call). I also recited the lyrics to "Can't Buy Me Love" by the Beatles. I'm sure I butchered the song. But since then, the Beatles have become my favorite band of all time.
So I'm at my dad's computer desk, and there's this genie lamp. Just one of those decorative trinkets you never know where they come from. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I was once schooled in How to Wish by my friend Adriana, and believe that wishes when done sincerely enough or by some coincedental twists come true.
An experiment. I am going to write down three wishes on a slip of paper and put them in the lamp. The genie that imagine lives inside will grant the wishes as he sees fit. This will be an interesting experiment.
Poof!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
I Wish . . .
Once upon a time there was a tree in the middle of a big city. The tree was not a very large tree but it was a prominent inhabitant of the corner in front of a fancy restaurant.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=39.948605,-75.167988&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=20&sll=39.948603,-75.167989&sspn=0.000438,0.000837&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=20
This tree was covered in rather odd foliage. It's breaches sported the typical leaves as well as odd garlands of beads in many different colors: green, blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, red. Legend told that if one were to find one of the beaded necklaces on the ground, one would pick up that beaded necklace, make a wish, and toss it up into the tree. When the necklace lands on a branch, the wish is accepted into whatever mystical realm wishes go. If the necklace falls, the wish is granted.
Although it has never been proven to actually work. I'm sure it would fail Penn and Teller's bullshit test. However, I think the act of wishing creates a sacred space where whatever we wish - the possiblity that it will be answered - is valid. It is a way to recognize that there is a Great Mystery and wishes, dreams, mythology, and prayers are all ways of accessing the laws of attraction and to put our minds into certain pattern of thinking. A wish is not only a silent cry in the wilderness but it is also a good way, if one is paying attention - to reflect on what we really want in our hearts. Even if it's something we know we cannot have or figure out a way to make it happen.
The wishing tree is long gone. It is an empty spot in the pavement. I do not know why it was removed. One guess is that a new owner bought the restaurant and decided the tree did not fit with the owner's idea of how to bring in business. Another idea is that the city had to do some kind of utility work and needed to remove it. Or it could be that the tree became so overladen with unfulfilled wishes that it died of a broken heart or nutritional deficiency. Afterall, how does a tree know that it is a wishing tree anymore than a wishing well knows that it has any other purpose but to allow someone to draw water out of the ground?
My friend, Adriana, mentioned above tought me at least a half dozen or a handful and one ways to wish. There's the classic birthday candle blowout wish, the first cake-cut wish, the wishing bone from a turkey, a shooting star, a penny found face up, on the clock when it reads 1:11, 2:22, or 3:33, etc. Personally, I always catch the clock at 313(my birthday) or 327(Death Star docking bay(SW), Cloudy City landing platform(ESB), Steve's Chevy engine(AG), the day I met Bo*(IRL)).
Do wishes come true?
Absolutely.
To be honest, as much as I adore my friend Adriana, and thought all these things were kind of cool, all the wishes that I have made which came true were never done by any of these methods.
For instance, back in fall of 1997(november-ish), students were given the opportunity to go to MOMA in NYC. I went and my usual circle of friends didn't, so I spent the day alone(not unusual for me back then or now) looking at paintings, thinking about my new friends, college life, etc. It was nice to be away from my roommates. I saw some amazing paintings including the famous "George Washington Crossing the Delaware". In the same wing, I found a little fountain with a ten-thousand wishes sitting in the water. I searched my pockets but had no penny on me.
There was a wish burning a hole in my pocket but no penny onto which I could cast it. It was Friday night, the weekend, and I knew Adriana was going home to Jersey. But I selfishly wished she was going to be around because I would miss her. So I wished.
And later that night I was playing Mortal Kombat with my friend Jeff in his dorm room and Adriana comes in. Turns out her parents were going to pick her up from the train station but the car broke down(I don't remember exact details) and she had to come back to Philly. I was sorry her plans did not work out but I told her the wish I made.
So now that you know the story about the Wishing Tree and wishing in general. I want to create a new segment to my show(er blog- ahh, I said it). TMF presents
I Wish . . .
I wish that wishes actually came true.
I wish that she was in my arms.
I wish that I was in California.
I wish I still in that state of being, with that sense of purpose, that Inner Beauty and Truth that I found on the windy edge some call Mullholland, and my place under the Sun, and frolicking in the surf at Santa Monica, Leo Carillo, Laguna Beach, meditating all night, doing yoga, listening to Frank or Jim**. Walking down Bellaire, fit, alone but not lonely, filled with Spirit and completely open, ready for anything, ready for love.
But alas
they don't
she isn't
I'm not
I am . . .
I am now here or I am nowhere.
I wish . . .
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=39.948605,-75.167988&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=20&sll=39.948603,-75.167989&sspn=0.000438,0.000837&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=20
This tree was covered in rather odd foliage. It's breaches sported the typical leaves as well as odd garlands of beads in many different colors: green, blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, red. Legend told that if one were to find one of the beaded necklaces on the ground, one would pick up that beaded necklace, make a wish, and toss it up into the tree. When the necklace lands on a branch, the wish is accepted into whatever mystical realm wishes go. If the necklace falls, the wish is granted.
Although it has never been proven to actually work. I'm sure it would fail Penn and Teller's bullshit test. However, I think the act of wishing creates a sacred space where whatever we wish - the possiblity that it will be answered - is valid. It is a way to recognize that there is a Great Mystery and wishes, dreams, mythology, and prayers are all ways of accessing the laws of attraction and to put our minds into certain pattern of thinking. A wish is not only a silent cry in the wilderness but it is also a good way, if one is paying attention - to reflect on what we really want in our hearts. Even if it's something we know we cannot have or figure out a way to make it happen.
The wishing tree is long gone. It is an empty spot in the pavement. I do not know why it was removed. One guess is that a new owner bought the restaurant and decided the tree did not fit with the owner's idea of how to bring in business. Another idea is that the city had to do some kind of utility work and needed to remove it. Or it could be that the tree became so overladen with unfulfilled wishes that it died of a broken heart or nutritional deficiency. Afterall, how does a tree know that it is a wishing tree anymore than a wishing well knows that it has any other purpose but to allow someone to draw water out of the ground?
My friend, Adriana, mentioned above tought me at least a half dozen or a handful and one ways to wish. There's the classic birthday candle blowout wish, the first cake-cut wish, the wishing bone from a turkey, a shooting star, a penny found face up, on the clock when it reads 1:11, 2:22, or 3:33, etc. Personally, I always catch the clock at 313(my birthday) or 327(Death Star docking bay(SW), Cloudy City landing platform(ESB), Steve's Chevy engine(AG), the day I met Bo*(IRL)).
Do wishes come true?
Absolutely.
To be honest, as much as I adore my friend Adriana, and thought all these things were kind of cool, all the wishes that I have made which came true were never done by any of these methods.
For instance, back in fall of 1997(november-ish), students were given the opportunity to go to MOMA in NYC. I went and my usual circle of friends didn't, so I spent the day alone(not unusual for me back then or now) looking at paintings, thinking about my new friends, college life, etc. It was nice to be away from my roommates. I saw some amazing paintings including the famous "George Washington Crossing the Delaware". In the same wing, I found a little fountain with a ten-thousand wishes sitting in the water. I searched my pockets but had no penny on me.
There was a wish burning a hole in my pocket but no penny onto which I could cast it. It was Friday night, the weekend, and I knew Adriana was going home to Jersey. But I selfishly wished she was going to be around because I would miss her. So I wished.
And later that night I was playing Mortal Kombat with my friend Jeff in his dorm room and Adriana comes in. Turns out her parents were going to pick her up from the train station but the car broke down(I don't remember exact details) and she had to come back to Philly. I was sorry her plans did not work out but I told her the wish I made.
So now that you know the story about the Wishing Tree and wishing in general. I want to create a new segment to my show(er blog- ahh, I said it). TMF presents
I Wish . . .
I wish that wishes actually came true.
I wish that she was in my arms.
I wish that I was in California.
I wish I still in that state of being, with that sense of purpose, that Inner Beauty and Truth that I found on the windy edge some call Mullholland, and my place under the Sun, and frolicking in the surf at Santa Monica, Leo Carillo, Laguna Beach, meditating all night, doing yoga, listening to Frank or Jim**. Walking down Bellaire, fit, alone but not lonely, filled with Spirit and completely open, ready for anything, ready for love.
But alas
they don't
she isn't
I'm not
I am . . .
I am now here or I am nowhere.
I wish . . .
Monday, April 27, 2009
Renuvatio
Today is Monday, April 27, 2009, my name is Brett and this is The Mystic Fool.
um, hello
As you may be able to tell, I am new to blogging- blogging, first I HHHHHHATE that word. Can't we find some other word to replace it that sounds more, I don't know, clear? Less like a noise you make after a night of beer pong and tequila shots? Blog is a hideous aputation of the word weblog which is another made up word for the internet. While I am new to this phenomenon(do doo do do doo) I feel a need to make it my own and go against the norm as is my nature to do from time to time. Okay, that's not exactly true because this particular writing style is an imitation of Anthony Daniel's New Wonder Column Inside Every Star Wars Insider. So I feel the need to create something new. Something fresh. I have not written in my constant black composition notebook companion in some time(in fact, I have no idea where it is). So I think this would be an excellent time to bring this into the 21st Century.
First, we are going to toss out the word blog. I refuse to use that word from here on in. This is not a blog. Damn it! I said it again. That word is taboo.
Taboo word 1: blog
From now on I declare this to be the:
The Mystic Fool Daily Thought Column! *
Now,
There are many topics which I have covered in my many years of old-fashioned hand written journaling. I began what the Daily Thought Column(or Journal) in Fall of October and was mainly created as a way to reflect on the new friends, experiences, and all things in between as I began my rocky college career at the University of the Arts. I would write about girls that I was interested. I documented the saga known as my Quest to Woo that Little Ball of Energy named Adriana as well as our nightly adventures into the realms of magic, ghosts, psychic abilities and trying to burn the candle all at once(as opposed to both ends).
One topic that has come up repeatedly is the subject of religion and my personal views on God, spirituality, and asking questions which no one seems to have the same answer for (except for a few very wise people(but as Gandalf once said, "Even the very wise cannot see all ends.")). From my childhood all the way to the present, my family and I have been members of Sandymount United Methodist church. I went to Sunday School and as I got older went to Church as often as my parents did which was pretty much every Sunday. There were times that I questioned things about God and the Bible which did not match up to modern scientific discoveries and what I was learning in school, but on the whole I believed in God and Jesus Christ. I believed all the stories of the Bible and to this day I do not regret having a place to go and hang out with children my age and being a "Good little Christian." Most of my best friends from my childhood up until college I met through church or Boy Scouts(which was not affiliated with the Church except to use the facilities and pray to God once in a while.
When I got to college, I was placed into dormitory on-campus housing at Furness Hall with three other young males. We each were unique in our own ways, one was a punk rocker Seth, one was a stoner Kevin, and the other was a philosophical atheist named Dylan. And there was me, good Christian boy. Dylan did his best to convince me that what I had been taught in church was a lie, there is no proof that God exists, and I only went to church because my parents forced me to. While these are all valid arguements, I could not accept the idea that my viewpoint was wrong and Dylan's insistant attacks on my faith were enought to create a rift in our roommate situation. On the whole, my roommates were obnoxious, often bringing in contraband alcohol, illegally pirating animalistic porn, and getting constant noise violations and disciplinary reports which were often tacked up to the front door like academic awards along with the most obscene, offensive pictures, quotes and other shit.
We were in 2C, which was on the second floor. As a way to escape this den of evil where the chest labeled the Box of Sin served as our coffee table) I would venture down the hall across a walkway which overlooks the courtyard to the wing parallel to mine. There I would hang out with my friends Chris and Jeff who I met in the Summer of 1997. Eventually, I met Adriana and her roommate Jenny. I discovered that Adriana was psychic. She would give tarot card readings and taught me all about tarot cards. The Fool is the first of the Major Arcana cards which have illustrations of magical people, symbols, numbers, and each card has a specific meaning and often change when connected to other cards in a spread. Adriana also taught me about wishing, on pennies, on shooting stars, on beaded necklaces which we would toss up into the Wishing Tree(which is now gone). So I began to incorporate magic and points of view into my belief of supernatural or spiritual entities, energies, whatever.
It is important to note in addition to being a Christian and Boy Scout in my early years, I was also an obsessed fan of Star Wars and all related Expanded Star Wars Universe books, toys, games, etc. In recent years during a cencus in the UK some years ago many people wrote "Jedi" as their religion(I'll find the exact information later), but I think to some degree Star Wars is very much a part of my spiritual foundation. George Lucas himself has been quoted saying that he created Star Wars as a way to bring mythology to a young audiences and also to teach messages about what it means to be a hero, to have dreams and to see them realized, and to give children a spiritual education. A few years ago I read a biography on George Lucas and found out that he is also a Methodist. In a recent interview, he was asked what his religious affiliation was and he responded with "Methodist-Buddist".
If I had to put down an official label on my religious affiliation I think that "Methodist-Buddhist" is the closest one. However, I don't want to be limited by a label, because I believe that religion is just a tool, a method created by man to understand the great mysteries of our Universe. Religion is used to answer questions when science was not as wildly accepted and people were not educated or lacked the technology to provide evidence. On the other hand, I do believe that there is a spiritual core to everything, and that all the major religions have some good ideas on how to get closer to the Source.
In my next MFDTC, I will talk about the problems I have with religious institutions, times I did not know what I believed or considered the fact that Dylan was right, that religion is just a lie, there is no God, "God is dead" as Neitsche said. And then there are times when I have been 100% certain that there is a God and that I know where I stand, what I believe, and who I choose to follow, but there is always someone, either an atheist or Christian who feel the need to argue and prosthelitize their particular faith in God or a lack of God, to win me over to their side whether I'm on their side or not or do not seem to listen when confronted with an answer they never thought of.
For now I have to close and continue this tomorrow.
Peace,
The Mystic Fool
*abbreviated MFDTC (I like using abbreviations so this is the 1st of many)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
LYFYS Quest 4-13-09
On Friday April 9th, I took a walk to the top of my road to the Royal Farms store, bought two Red Bulls, sat down and wrote the following:
There are places I call home
California
Philadelphia
Maryland
Each place has within it smaller places which I also called home
Los Feliz
Burbank
North Hollywood
Santa Monica
Venice
3rd Street Promenade
Logan Circle
Rittenhouse
2C, 2P, Furness
1330 Pine Street
1500 Pine Street
2115 Bethel Road
then there are places where no one knows about but me
The Headsets Bus Stop
The Place Under the Sun
The Windy Edge Some Call Mullholland
The Place of a Thousand Wishes
Some places are restaurants where I have practiced LYFYS or written stories, poetry, journal entries, declarations, and more
Bob's Big Boy
Panda Express
Little Pete's
The Harry Family Restaurant(no relation)
IHOP
Bob Evans
Starbucks
Karma Koffee
The Place of A Thousand Wishes
One night while living in Southern California, I took a walk up Lake Hollywood Drive. It was those Hollywood Nights, I want to say it was in October of 2006, in those Hollywood Hills. I encounters the most amazing lifelike deer lawn ornament which moved and revealed itself to be a real deer. I followed him up the hill until he disappeared into a grove of trees. I pressed on until I came to the place which overlooks Lake Hollywood and the lights of L.A. As I neared the spot, I saw a coyote who eyed me cautiously and slunk off into the night. I stood there looking down on the lights of L.A. looking up and seeing a billion stars. Shooting stars went shooting by. I thought about my friend Adriana, who taught me all about wishes in college. This, I thought, was a place where thousands of wishes zoom by, over L.A. where some wishes come true and others just die. I made a wish but I'm not going to tell you what it was. I will tell you the nugget of truth I discovered when I came back down and walked to the Starbucks in Toluca Lake.
It was the early hours just before sunrise. This moment, I wrote in my journal, is a great metaphor for the Great Awakening that is taking place in human consciousness. A new age is dawning, we are waking up slowly, but the sun has not risen yet, but people are awake or waking up, some are still sleeping.
Now, I am sitting in the Royal Farms at the top of my road. It is 3:35 P.M. Surf Safari by the Beach Boys is on the piped in satelite radio. A song from the American Grafitti soundtrack.
Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Refugee by Tom Petty- "Would you say that to Tom Petty?"
Billy Bob Thorton went on a Canadian talk show with his band but was in an odd mood. He was uncooperative with the DJ, answered questions with answers that were off-topic. He got angry that the DJ mentioned Billy Bob's film career saying, "I told you not the mention that shit." Billy Bob was either A. drunk B. tripping on something, or C. depressed or just looking to create drama. I saw the video on YouTube and of course people had posted all kinds of harsh angry comments tearing Billy Bob apart. Personally, I thought it was funny. People get so bent out of shape becase someone doesn't adhere to interview ettiquette or does something unexpected or "crazy". It's so easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and spout angry harsh opinions about Billy Bob's career.
It is similar to Juaquin(sp?) Phoenix who did an interview with David Letterman a few months ago with full beard, sunglasses, chewing gum, mumbling, giving vague off-hand answers to questions. Saying htings like he is giving up acting, starting a rap career. It was reminisent of Andy Kaufman who pulled a similar stunt a long time ago. There are a lot of actors and celebrities who have had "meltdowns" or "freak outs" or whatever Infotainment reporters call them. Then in a few years they do some indy flick or some role that takes people's breath away and make a huge comeback like Mickey Roarke or Robert Downey, Jr. Like the whole Britney thing. We only like her when we need some distraction from the two endless wars, economic crisis, and rising sea levels.
What does all this have to do with me?
My life is a series of high moments, good moments followed by a fall from grace or mental, financial, or some other kind of meltdown.
Sonny- artist unknown - "thank you for the sunshine."
Sometimes I feel like Jack Skellington - doing the same thing year after year- trying to hold on to some joyous experience but knowing there;s somehting else- something just beyond the borders of Halloweentown. He finds himself in the Holiday Grove. For me, instead of trees with doors to other Holiday towns, it is the center of my world, a crossroad with signs pointing to places I've been, places I long to go, to explore, etc.
Jack Skellington goes to Christmastown and gets a new perspective on a completely different holiday. He tries to gather what he's found and bring it back to his friends in H-town(the street name?) but they don't get it- they just don't understand- they look ofor what's spooky or twisted about Christmas- they don't understand the joy and wonder, the magic of Christmas.
California is my Christmastown. I've gone to California, stood on a hill of the the mountain of dreams, created some dreams of my own, discovered the teachings of ancient masters, met
spiritual teachers like Frank Sontag, Bo Lozoff, Benjamin Creme, Maitreya and the Masters of Wisdom, my own Master. People who have also felt that there's something else and discovered what it is, but the problem is you cannot know it all at once or it will destroy you. It is a slow-painfully process like a snake shedding its skin.
I have found moments, the briefest of moments of Love, Light, Blissful rolling waves of Consciousness. I have tried to bring them home and share it with people I love, but they just don't get it. Or they only see what they've always seen. They don't see the riches that Idiscovered. they only see a lonesome losrer with no attachment to this world, a Lost Soul. they don't see the way out of the endless cycle of death and rebirth, the prison of sensual gratification, relying on products and experts, no way and really no need to escape, though they my try.
Today I woke up in a dark place, in no mood for adventure, I took a walk to the top of my road, trying to find that point of clarity. That point of light where I know- just know - I see the bars of the prison- I see the guards, hear the change, the keys jingling, an endless playlist of songs chosen by a focus group committee in other to keep us stuck in a pattern so that you believe you have no control when a song gets "stuck" in your head. How does something that is essentially a residual audio memory get stuck? How do we get it unstuck? Do we wait until antoher jingle or song or text to push it out and keep us talking without speaking, hearing without listening.
I don't know where I am going with this. I am at a low point, and I pray for a revolution in my heart to turn this moment around. The Shadow is here, I wear it like a cloak.
Let it go. Socrates says, Let it go.
There are places I call home
California
Philadelphia
Maryland
Each place has within it smaller places which I also called home
Los Feliz
Burbank
North Hollywood
Santa Monica
Venice
3rd Street Promenade
Logan Circle
Rittenhouse
2C, 2P, Furness
1330 Pine Street
1500 Pine Street
2115 Bethel Road
then there are places where no one knows about but me
The Headsets Bus Stop
The Place Under the Sun
The Windy Edge Some Call Mullholland
The Place of a Thousand Wishes
Some places are restaurants where I have practiced LYFYS or written stories, poetry, journal entries, declarations, and more
Bob's Big Boy
Panda Express
Little Pete's
The Harry Family Restaurant(no relation)
IHOP
Bob Evans
Starbucks
Karma Koffee
The Place of A Thousand Wishes
One night while living in Southern California, I took a walk up Lake Hollywood Drive. It was those Hollywood Nights, I want to say it was in October of 2006, in those Hollywood Hills. I encounters the most amazing lifelike deer lawn ornament which moved and revealed itself to be a real deer. I followed him up the hill until he disappeared into a grove of trees. I pressed on until I came to the place which overlooks Lake Hollywood and the lights of L.A. As I neared the spot, I saw a coyote who eyed me cautiously and slunk off into the night. I stood there looking down on the lights of L.A. looking up and seeing a billion stars. Shooting stars went shooting by. I thought about my friend Adriana, who taught me all about wishes in college. This, I thought, was a place where thousands of wishes zoom by, over L.A. where some wishes come true and others just die. I made a wish but I'm not going to tell you what it was. I will tell you the nugget of truth I discovered when I came back down and walked to the Starbucks in Toluca Lake.
It was the early hours just before sunrise. This moment, I wrote in my journal, is a great metaphor for the Great Awakening that is taking place in human consciousness. A new age is dawning, we are waking up slowly, but the sun has not risen yet, but people are awake or waking up, some are still sleeping.
Now, I am sitting in the Royal Farms at the top of my road. It is 3:35 P.M. Surf Safari by the Beach Boys is on the piped in satelite radio. A song from the American Grafitti soundtrack.
Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Refugee by Tom Petty- "Would you say that to Tom Petty?"
Billy Bob Thorton went on a Canadian talk show with his band but was in an odd mood. He was uncooperative with the DJ, answered questions with answers that were off-topic. He got angry that the DJ mentioned Billy Bob's film career saying, "I told you not the mention that shit." Billy Bob was either A. drunk B. tripping on something, or C. depressed or just looking to create drama. I saw the video on YouTube and of course people had posted all kinds of harsh angry comments tearing Billy Bob apart. Personally, I thought it was funny. People get so bent out of shape becase someone doesn't adhere to interview ettiquette or does something unexpected or "crazy". It's so easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and spout angry harsh opinions about Billy Bob's career.
It is similar to Juaquin(sp?) Phoenix who did an interview with David Letterman a few months ago with full beard, sunglasses, chewing gum, mumbling, giving vague off-hand answers to questions. Saying htings like he is giving up acting, starting a rap career. It was reminisent of Andy Kaufman who pulled a similar stunt a long time ago. There are a lot of actors and celebrities who have had "meltdowns" or "freak outs" or whatever Infotainment reporters call them. Then in a few years they do some indy flick or some role that takes people's breath away and make a huge comeback like Mickey Roarke or Robert Downey, Jr. Like the whole Britney thing. We only like her when we need some distraction from the two endless wars, economic crisis, and rising sea levels.
What does all this have to do with me?
My life is a series of high moments, good moments followed by a fall from grace or mental, financial, or some other kind of meltdown.
Sonny- artist unknown - "thank you for the sunshine."
Sometimes I feel like Jack Skellington - doing the same thing year after year- trying to hold on to some joyous experience but knowing there;s somehting else- something just beyond the borders of Halloweentown. He finds himself in the Holiday Grove. For me, instead of trees with doors to other Holiday towns, it is the center of my world, a crossroad with signs pointing to places I've been, places I long to go, to explore, etc.
Jack Skellington goes to Christmastown and gets a new perspective on a completely different holiday. He tries to gather what he's found and bring it back to his friends in H-town(the street name?) but they don't get it- they just don't understand- they look ofor what's spooky or twisted about Christmas- they don't understand the joy and wonder, the magic of Christmas.
California is my Christmastown. I've gone to California, stood on a hill of the the mountain of dreams, created some dreams of my own, discovered the teachings of ancient masters, met
spiritual teachers like Frank Sontag, Bo Lozoff, Benjamin Creme, Maitreya and the Masters of Wisdom, my own Master. People who have also felt that there's something else and discovered what it is, but the problem is you cannot know it all at once or it will destroy you. It is a slow-painfully process like a snake shedding its skin.
I have found moments, the briefest of moments of Love, Light, Blissful rolling waves of Consciousness. I have tried to bring them home and share it with people I love, but they just don't get it. Or they only see what they've always seen. They don't see the riches that Idiscovered. they only see a lonesome losrer with no attachment to this world, a Lost Soul. they don't see the way out of the endless cycle of death and rebirth, the prison of sensual gratification, relying on products and experts, no way and really no need to escape, though they my try.
Today I woke up in a dark place, in no mood for adventure, I took a walk to the top of my road, trying to find that point of clarity. That point of light where I know- just know - I see the bars of the prison- I see the guards, hear the change, the keys jingling, an endless playlist of songs chosen by a focus group committee in other to keep us stuck in a pattern so that you believe you have no control when a song gets "stuck" in your head. How does something that is essentially a residual audio memory get stuck? How do we get it unstuck? Do we wait until antoher jingle or song or text to push it out and keep us talking without speaking, hearing without listening.
I don't know where I am going with this. I am at a low point, and I pray for a revolution in my heart to turn this moment around. The Shadow is here, I wear it like a cloak.
Let it go. Socrates says, Let it go.
Lose-Yourself-Find-Your-Self Quest
In course of my life I have studied many spiritual practices and ways to tap into the great Source. The Great Mystery, God, The Force, Whatever you choose to call it. One way is a prank of sorts that I have developed mostly out of times of pain, crisis, joy or inspiration. It is part of one of my deeper, darker urges to disappear whenever things just get too intense or life just doesn't make sense.
It is inspired in part by an essay by Rob Breszny in his book, Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia, in which he talks about how he created the Beauty and Truth Laboratory while at Burning Man festival. (www.freewillastrology.com) He felt the urge to do a walking meditation out in the middle of the Utah desert (where Burning Man is held each year) he found dried out baby wipes and a felt tip pen and proceeded to pen the essay which outlines what pronoia is about and what his guiding principles are. LYFYS Quest is also inspired by a scene in the movie Peaceful Warrior, as well as the book on which it is based, Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior, in which Dan's teacher who he calls Socrates, tells him to go sit on an old car in the movie, on a rock in the book, and don't come back until he has something of value some nugget of truth to share.
Here are the rules of LYFYS Quest(sounds like "Life is. . ." Quest):
1. Find a little notebook, notecards, a compostion notebook, something to write on and a writing implement- pen, pencil,
note: You could also use a laptop or tablet PC, however if you are tempted to check your e-mail, your Face or your Space page, or whatever it will distract you from the quest and defeat the purpose.
2. Get in your car, make sure it has enough gas, and drive
OR
Take a bus and ride
OR
Just start walking in any direction
3. Drive, ride, or walk to some place where you can sit and be at peace for a while, it can be a completely new place or a place you've never been before, turn off your cell or put it on vibrate, let people know you will be out of contact for a while(however long it takes) if you know you'll be missed.
4. Wherever you are. Sit. Watch people pass by if in a public place. Or listen to the birds, observer, experience whatever is happening at that moment. Just be in that moment.
Do not think about where you will be tomorrow, next week, or a year from now
Do not think about where you were yesterday, last week, or years ago
Be in the moment Here and Now.
5. When you get the urge: Write. Let whatever you have to say flow from your pen or pencil, do not censor it. If you can't think of anything to write, wait for it, watch, observe, listen.
The result may be 3 or 4 pages long enttry or a single line summing up this moment. If you hear music write down which songs come on the radio and what they mean to you.
6. Share it with someone you love, someone you think would benefit from your words, you may post it on this blog or email it to me at bretth313@gmail.com or just keep it to yourself, save it for someday down the road. You may read what you wrote and find it's the exact words you need to hear or you will see changes in how your thoughts, feelings, ideas have changed or how you reacted to things then as opposed to now.
7. If you find it works for you, do it once a month or as often as you feel you need in order to get the most out of it. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it.
It is inspired in part by an essay by Rob Breszny in his book, Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia, in which he talks about how he created the Beauty and Truth Laboratory while at Burning Man festival. (www.freewillastrology.com) He felt the urge to do a walking meditation out in the middle of the Utah desert (where Burning Man is held each year) he found dried out baby wipes and a felt tip pen and proceeded to pen the essay which outlines what pronoia is about and what his guiding principles are. LYFYS Quest is also inspired by a scene in the movie Peaceful Warrior, as well as the book on which it is based, Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior, in which Dan's teacher who he calls Socrates, tells him to go sit on an old car in the movie, on a rock in the book, and don't come back until he has something of value some nugget of truth to share.
Here are the rules of LYFYS Quest(sounds like "Life is. . ." Quest):
1. Find a little notebook, notecards, a compostion notebook, something to write on and a writing implement- pen, pencil,
note: You could also use a laptop or tablet PC, however if you are tempted to check your e-mail, your Face or your Space page, or whatever it will distract you from the quest and defeat the purpose.
2. Get in your car, make sure it has enough gas, and drive
OR
Take a bus and ride
OR
Just start walking in any direction
3. Drive, ride, or walk to some place where you can sit and be at peace for a while, it can be a completely new place or a place you've never been before, turn off your cell or put it on vibrate, let people know you will be out of contact for a while(however long it takes) if you know you'll be missed.
4. Wherever you are. Sit. Watch people pass by if in a public place. Or listen to the birds, observer, experience whatever is happening at that moment. Just be in that moment.
Do not think about where you will be tomorrow, next week, or a year from now
Do not think about where you were yesterday, last week, or years ago
Be in the moment Here and Now.
5. When you get the urge: Write. Let whatever you have to say flow from your pen or pencil, do not censor it. If you can't think of anything to write, wait for it, watch, observe, listen.
The result may be 3 or 4 pages long enttry or a single line summing up this moment. If you hear music write down which songs come on the radio and what they mean to you.
6. Share it with someone you love, someone you think would benefit from your words, you may post it on this blog or email it to me at bretth313@gmail.com or just keep it to yourself, save it for someday down the road. You may read what you wrote and find it's the exact words you need to hear or you will see changes in how your thoughts, feelings, ideas have changed or how you reacted to things then as opposed to now.
7. If you find it works for you, do it once a month or as often as you feel you need in order to get the most out of it. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The New Daily Thought Journal
Dear Friends,
Welcome to my little verse in the great song of the Universal Mind. While I have blogs and notes on other me-me-me ego-spheres like the Space or the Face, I have decided to focus my energy into a more honest, humble, and hopefully less narcissistic outlet for expression.
This is a chance to open dialogues about the changes taking place in our world, our nation, and community. It will also be a way to test out stories that I am working on and write them out in a public forum. I may even publish the series that has been pushing its way out of my creative womb.
It will also be a forum to discuss my film, book, music, or other entertainment reviews, as well as commentaries on current events.
Please contribute wherever you choose. You are my co-author.
Peace,
Brett
Welcome to my little verse in the great song of the Universal Mind. While I have blogs and notes on other me-me-me ego-spheres like the Space or the Face, I have decided to focus my energy into a more honest, humble, and hopefully less narcissistic outlet for expression.
This is a chance to open dialogues about the changes taking place in our world, our nation, and community. It will also be a way to test out stories that I am working on and write them out in a public forum. I may even publish the series that has been pushing its way out of my creative womb.
It will also be a forum to discuss my film, book, music, or other entertainment reviews, as well as commentaries on current events.
Please contribute wherever you choose. You are my co-author.
Peace,
Brett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
