Thursday 20th November

BACK ONLINE

The first part of this COMMENT is this:  After about 2 weeks I finally have my internet up, and so we can make a bit of progress.

* * *

RUSSIAN DOLLS AND PROPHETS

I tell you what I like about all the Prophets. 

It is that they generally had a tough time.

But before you leap to conclusions, let us define a Prophet, or what I mean by one.

It is a man who reveals 'God' to his collective in a totally new, modern (for that time) way.

If you think of a Russian Dolls, he is the Overall Doll of a particular set.

That is, he is made up of all the other dolls, or all the other individuals in 'his' collective. 

Notice that many of the 'dolls' become complete before him. 

Indeed, it is they who help bring him to his position of completion. 

For without them he could not be complete.

* * *

Apart from the fact that a Russian Doll is a strangely painted, funny shaped wooden thing and a Prophet is... well... a man, the biggest difference between a Russian Doll and Prophet is that the Russian Doll becomes complete only when the last big doll is fitted together. 

Whereas when a Prophet becomes complete, many others also do at the same time.

'At the same time' can be both before and after his teachings, give or take a hundred years or so.

Now, just because a Prophet is the biggest Russian Doll, it does not mean that he is a magical being.

Nor does it mean that he necessarily has any great powers.

Because, look! 

He is exactly the same as all the others, with the same details, but is just a bigger size!

And what is size, when we consider the whole of Creation?! 

Indeed, what is the magical exercise of a whim, no matter how big we may think it, when we consider the whole of Creation?  Indeed, our whim is part of Creation.

And consider - a Prophet is also part of other 'larger' Russian Dolls, the largest of all is 'God'.

It is just that at the time of a Prophet, that Prophet, or Teacher, and all his 'parts' become complete, which means they also become, at that time, a known part of the 'Big God Russian Doll'.

People attribute this high road to Heaven (for being at One is Heaven, and must be considered as separate from The Other Side), to the Prophet, as if he is magically sending everyone to Heaven.

He does not. 

However, if you recognise his teachings and share his consciousness, you can know that you are nearly ready for your highest and best. 

So, well done you!

But always keep that in mind - it is not the man, but his consciousness that you want. 

And that is in you.

So, never exalt the man. 

Only enjoy what happens when you understand him, and thus understand yourself.

* * *

So, let us hope that we are now a little more clear about what a Prophet is.

Lao Tsu was a Prophet, as was Jesus, as was Mohammed, as was Abraham as were many others. 

Of course, they were, essentially, all the same.  Just for different collectives.

We now have the Global Collective.

* * *

One of the things I like about them, all those true Prophets, is that they all have a hard time.

Mohammed really struggled.  He spent a long time alone in a cave, and was rejected for a long time.

Buddha spent seven hard years on his road to understanding precisely what he had to teach.

Jesus was crucified.

* * *

As far as hard times are concerned, it seems to me that Jesus had the worst of it, because he had to go through the physical agonies of crucifixion.

Understandably he did not want to go through what was coming. 

Hence this example:

Matthew 26:39 "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will." Notice the 'not as I will, but as you will'.

He knew that all is done.

He knew that his fate was unavoidable.

He knew that the overall will (Will of God) cannot be magically transcended. 

He knew that what was written (i.e. the whole of Creation) cannot be changed by Man's will, nor, indeed, the will of a Prophet.

He knew that to find true peace he must let go of his own will, and begin to accept what Creation gives him, not the other way around.

Hence he knew that the most power is in having no power, but instead being the Power of God, which is the Whole as it is - not with how we might magically manipulate it.

* * *

It is worth noting here that I am talking about what is 'written'.

This does not mean that we just sit back and do nothing.

Nor does it mean that we cannot try to make changes.

For we will do what we do.

And we can make changes.

But only the changes we are meant to make - only those that are 'writen'.

Jesus knew is fate.

He knew what was written for him.

There are times when we know our fate, and we know how unavoidable something is.

This is when nothing can be done and we have a glimpse at what is.

But most of the time, no matter how many clairvoyants or astrologers we consult, we do not know what our fate is. 

But we know what it seems to be, and so we know we may do something about it.

Understand that thinking, and you will begin to understand the Nature of Things.

And understand that and you will begin to free yourself from many of the horrors of this world that are cause by the 'I can do what I want and get what I want' ideology.

* * *

Yes, the stories of the Prophets' challenges are good for us. 

They allow us to consider that we are not perfect beings, floating is some weird, numb, painless, controlled, silent utopia you might search for on some shelves at the local bookshop.

To help make the point I am making, let us consider the Jesus and Mohammed stories.

Jesus was a Prophet, and yes, at the very end he was in agony.  

Notice: he had not reached some weird state where nothing matters, where nothing hurts; where a wave of the magic and would solve all; where a quick request made to 'The Universe' would whisk him off to a comfortable hotel after a book signing session; where a little glance at some age old magic 'secret' would have given him a vast armory of powers.

No, not even as 'The Son Of God' could he transcend the physical pain of the world. 

But his vision and undersanding is what transended that pain and included it, which, paradoxically, trancends it. 

The pain, the world, the horrors are all part of it.  The One. 

And he knew that.

Similarly, Mohammed, after he had received The Koran, he did not float about full of complacent platitudes, pretending that life could be transcended by spiritual insight. 

No, he fought wars, had a family, lived his life. 

And yet, I am sure, his understanding would have put it all into perspective, made it more manageable, allowed him to see life in its entirety.

* * *

One wonders then what all this is about a 'Saviour' coming to this world.

One wonders what people mean when 'their man' will swoop down and kill all the 'baddies'.

For who are the baddies in a Whole?

And saved from what?

* * *

There will be no saving.

Saving suggests reliance, giving your power to someone else, not fulfilling youself.

It suggests that you cannot do it yourself.

Mind you, when we consider what really happens, this is, in part, true. 

For your individual self is completely powerless and never will have any power of note.

The True Power comes from the you that is All.

This, in a way, 'saves' you from spinning around being misled by your individual self and what might be a very poor understanding of what power is.

But really, there is no saving as we might think it - you know, like some man coming along bearing wonderful gifts of Russian Dolls and such like.

But there will be insight.

There will be an insight that comes from you at the same time as it comes from others and at the same time as it comes from one unifying man.

* * *

So, let's play Russin Dolls.

Monday 17th November

THE FEARS OF THE NIGHT

I was woken last night by a horrible dream, in which I felt quite ill through eating too much, which I had done in real life.

I was then visited by the Fears Of The Night.

If they had a voice they would have said: 'David, you ate too much.  You will clog up your arteries.  You will get fat and ill.  You must never eat and drink so much again, or death or a stroke will come to you.  It is all your own self undoing.  You are a disgrace!'

And so I listened to my friends of the night, and thanked them for their kind intrusion on my peace of mind - because they had a point. 

And so I was suffused in guilt. 

Was I getting into a pattern of eating too many biscuits and so on each night? 

Was I drinking the odd bottle of beer too many?

Perhaps. 

But, of course, my misdemeanours were nowhere near as bad as the Fears Of The Night had made them out to be.

Nevertheless, they did their job.  They were giving a strong warning.  Too strong, yes, but I knew it would moderate in the morning.

This exciting occasion allowed me to consider a little bit more about fear and guilt.

There are some schools of thought, which many would say are not schools of anything, let alone thought, that say fear and guilt should be dismissed. 

Why, they ask, should we have guilt?! 

Guilt is a nonsense!  They exclaim. 

It should be banned! 

The same goes for fear!

Let us all run from fear!  They cry. 

Indeed, they might add: let us all feel guilty and terrified that we have fear; let us all feel terrified and guilty that we are not fearless and guiltless ideal beings - yes, this could well be their motto.

But, we normal, humble humans who know our limits, know that if we had no guilt and no fear then we would never know when we are in error. 

We would never know when we are wrong. 

We would never know what to focus on, to work on, to limit, to build, to improve ourselves, and to prevent ourselves from falling into the abyss of chaos and self-undoing.

Of course, our ultimate aim is to be free of guilt and fear.  But, while we are in this realm of separates - our phyical realm of matter and energy - we will always experience guilt and fear. 

We can and should reduce it where possible.  That goes without saying.  But we will always have it and we should respect it when we do - within reason, of course.

Yes, as I was saying, we will one day all be free from guilt and fear. 

We will all be free from all separation. 

We will all one day be complete. 

But that will be when we are At One.  It is when we have reached The Destiny.

Yes, as I have said many times, this will come, when the time is right - to all of us.

Meanwhile, if we want to have a happy life, we must acknowledge our fears. 

But, of course, only when they are put firmly in context, and only when we listen to the true message they are giving.

The picture is of the Tarot card, the 9 of swords - the card that depicts those out of proportion fears we endure in the small hours - when our friends, The Fears Of The Night pay us their kind visits.

Tuesday 11th November

Monday 10th November

A BIT MORE LIFE

In the light of Friday's COMMENT, some people have asked me whether or not Zen is THE key to The Ultimate.

Of course it isn't.

Nothing is particular is.

There are many keys.

There are many locks.

And we'll all get there in the end, and be very happy with it, thank you very much.

However, the point I was making is that good, inner awareness and inner understanding are a vital part of a happy life and happy Life, which is happy anyway.

I would also like to add that an understanding of the 'invisible' outside ourselves helps our peace of mind.

If you are only aware of the material outside world - what you can see and measure - and grasp only at this, you will suffer great misery.

The same goes for those who have complete disregard for the material world, and run from its wonders, for that is to ignore half of Existence, and to be very attached to what is not complete. And what is not complete always changes. So, you can never have completion without having the separate, incomplete parts.

Great misery will also end up with those who say they have no wishes for material things, yet they bury themselves in religious doctrine. For religious doctrine is also something of the outside world, and so is the power that it gives.

But if you are aware of your inner self (just for starters!) PLUS the world about you, you will begin to see the outside world in a different way.

You will begin to enjoy it in a different way.

You will also begin to Love more.

You will begin to Live more.

* * *

Why will you suffer great misery if you only identify yourself with the outside world, or parts of Existence?

Is it a great punishment for not doing what 'God says'?

First of all, if we know God to be All Things and all levels, all in One, living now, then everything said is God's words.

So, every word spoken is God's word.

So, there is no punishment for what 'God says'.

However, there is being true to yourself and not being true.

To be true to yourself is to be your essence.

Your essence is Known Unity, or Love, or Life, which is really very good indeed and very nice (not to be confused with being nice to everyone!).

It includes what is within and what is without.

It also includes all levels of what is within and what is without.

Now, if you only identify with what is not truly you, then you will suffer, because all things change beyond your will.

So, if you think that, for example, being wealthy or powerful is the answer to your happiness, then you will be that wealth and that power.

Neither of these last.

And so you will die - or what you think is you will die and you will live in death.

And death is the reverse of beginning.

It is not about what is.

It is about what is not.

And so, when you 'die' (that is, begin not to exist because you have identified with what does not exist) you will experience complete isolation until you realise there is more to life than baubles, such as power and wealth.

Then, when you begin to understand that Life is not a thing, nor is it control over a thing, and you will begin to find lasting happiness.

* * *

So, must we throw away all our riches - all our 'baubles'?

Figuratively, yes.

That is, love them, enjoy them, take delight from them, but know they are like water flowing over a heavy pebble in a stream - a pebble that knows of the sky, the universe and the world. 

Then you will find it easier to allow the agonies of life to flow over you.

Indeed the agonies may diminish to nothing.

For if you 'let go' of what gives you pleasure (that is, know it will pass), then you will not be stuck to what makes you uncomfortable.

So, there is no harm in having material wealth.

It is your attitude to it that can cause and heal problems.

And understanding all levels of being helps you develop the right attitude.

* * *

It's best to be more like a pebble beneath a fast flowing river than a stick being buffeted by the rapids on the surface.

That is, if you are the pebble you will still have the river and all its wonders (including the stick), but you will also have yourself.

And because the pebble is solid and firm, on the floor of the river, it is also the whole world.

And thus you are at one with all, and the vagaries of the river are seen in beautiful context.

Friday November 7th

LIVE LIFE

Now, many of you will be happily aware that I talk about Life a lot.

And so, you will no doubt understand how delighted I was to watch a new TV programme called 'Life'.

Strangely, I was not drawn to the show because of its name.

It was because one of my favourite actors, Damian Lewis, was playing the leading role.

Amongst other things, Damian Lewis was in that excellent World War II series, Band of Brothers.

He is also English, and went to Eton College.

His co-star is a beautiful actress called Sarah Shahi. 

She is very good as his boss.

* * *

Life is about an LA police officer, played by Damian Lewis, who is framed and goes down for life.

Of course, such a jail term is not very pleasant at the best of times, especially if you're not guilty.

Fortunately, after a few years it was discovered that he was innocent, and so he was released with huge compensation.

However, he used the time in prison constructively.

He read up on Zen, practiced it, and went on an inner journey to true unshakeable freedom, which is, of course, within.

Upon his release he re-joined the police as an incredibly free character, one who is open to Life.

As it is often said on the show, 'He got life and came out with Life.'

* * *

We also see a man who lives in this world. 

He has material things, such as sexy girls and great cars, but he is not 'attached' to them. 

So, happily we see how true living can be enjoyed in this world. 

We do not need to be governed by strictures and rules that forbid us of this delight, that joy and this pleasure. 

Our understanding, if cultivated as it is by the character Lewis plays, is a natural moderator.

Indeed, it clear that his state of mind, his understanding, 'guides' him. 

He is very sensitive (with a sort of psychic insight) and is hugely understanding of people. 

Also, his character is very light, with a good sense of humour.  

He is not burdened by the heaviness of the trivialities of this material world, because his highly developed perspective allows him to see the material world, like anything else, as something light and ephemeral.

And so he enjoys the things the material can offer but is never weighed down by them.

* * *

I love the show for many reasons.

But one of the most obvious to me is that it gives a clear example of how true understanding and insight into the eternal helps us live well.

It is this that helps us deliver what is right and good.

It is this that helps us live Life.

Thursday November 6th

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

There are two things to lift your spirits today.

The first, and not so incredible, is that, after moving house, after a few days I now have a good access to the Internet - still not perfect, but it's here - in a hotel not far from my new home.

The second is that we all have just experienced a very good sign.

This is the election of Barack Obama.

Politics and economics aside, the significance of this, not just for the United States of America, but also for the people of the world, is very good indeed. 

It is a sign that we are another huge step closer to global unity, collective understanding and freedom.

Obama's victory will, as I said a while ago, do a great good for not only for racial relations but also for international relations.

I think the fact that he wants to create a cautious dialogue with 'terrorists' around the world and nations, such as Iran, can only be a good thing.

If a person has a nagging torment in his mind, it is far better to bring it to light, to face it, to understand it, rather than fight it, ignore it, and thus give it strength and thus create more pain.

And the same goes for a nation, and the world. 

All parts of the whole must be in the best communication with all other parts.

Without any disrespect to John McCain, who is clearly a great man in his own right, we must all agree that the right man was chosen. 

So, very good reasons to be cheeful today.

Monday November 3rd

CHOOSE A GOOD LEADER

There is a good bit in the film Gladiator. 

Emperor Marcus Aurelius says to Maximus: 'I want you to rule Rome.'

Maximus says: 'I don't want to.'

Aurelius says: 'That's why I am asking you.'

And so we have an important message about leadership.

This is, of course, relevant to tomorrow's US election. 

It is also relevant to all politicians nowdays, not least because today's politicians are so commonly accused of spin, of flash PR and marketing, of false smiles, making fortunes, doing it for a 'career', lies and so on.

And so, as I lay in bed this morning, I considered leaders and aspects of leadership. 

The obvious leaders - good leaders - that came to mind were: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

I then considered some of the not so good leaders - effective, yes, but not good, as in essentially good. 

These were Hitler, Stalin, Hussein.

The most obvious difference, apart from all the horrors, is that the good leaders were selfless. 

That is, they truly had their people at heart. 

And because they were selfless they were simple, straighforward men.  They did not have any frills. 

They were not in it for a 'career'.

Churchill, for instance, was as direct as could be, and one of his greatest pleasures was to paint watercolours in peaceful countryside, or, indeed, to build walls. 

He also said that 'honesty is always the best policy' - an idea he clearly followed.

Roosevelt worked exceptionally hard in great pain, not just for America, but also for the free world and his family. 

Gandhi is renowned for his simplicity and his dream of a free India. 

Nelson Mandela, like Gandhi, endured times in prison because he spoke out against repression.  He is known for his simplicity, gentleness and humility.

If we look at the baddies - Hitler, Stalin, Hussein - one of the first things we think of is control of the people, so that the people became them, not the other way around. 

The people had to have the will of the leader. Not the other way around.

In other words, these bad leaders did not have the skill, or the humility, to be able to step aside far enough from their own individual will so that they may channel the positive will of the people, or indeed humanity, or Life.

When we think of Hitler, Stalin, Hussein we may also see images of great parades, ridiculous shows of weapons, great whipping up of people into frenzies of adoration. 

We will also be concerned with their lies, their propaganda, their false promises, their manipulation of the media.

Now, of course, neither candidate of the US elections is anywhere near a Stalin or a Hitler or a Hussein.  Not ever.  Not in a million years.

But the point here is that simplicity, honesty and a true sense of service to the people help make for a good leader, and so must be seriously considered when voting takes place.

So, when we vote in any election we must understand which person it is who is the most stripped down. 

That is, we must choose who we consider to be the most honest. 

We must select the most selfless man. 

We must choose the one who truly wants to represent the people and not himself. 

So, we must really have the man who wants the job least of all, but is responsible enough to do his absolute best, and knows that, deep down, it is his calling.

With that in mind, let's hope that whoever becomes the President of the United States tomorrow has all the qualities of a good leader.

Nothing more and nothing less. 

If that happens, all will be well.

Friday 31st October

RAINBOW SKIES

Yes, yes, I know it's Hallow e'ne when everyone runs around with masks on, and with pumpkins on their heads, as terrifying devils emerge from the swamps, and cattle dance around oak trees, as badgers are catapulted across the River Thames... but... I like rainbows. 

Yes, I very much love rainbows.

I love those wonderful things in the sky, which curve so perfectly and light up small patches of trees with their many hues.

And, do you know what?

I saw one this morning in next door's field.

It began as a small shaft of many-coloured light. 

Then, slowly, it grew and grew until it was the full enormous arc that has been famous ever since The Arc.

Below it, or within the bow, all was light, and outside it, easily held back, were the gloomy rain clouds.

And, in my delight, I nearly fell out of my window looking at it...

... Well, actually, I did fall out of my window... but my fall was softened by a small pile of pumkins.

* * *

X-FACTOR FOR ME?

Now, I know a lot of you would like me to be on X-Factor, but, I repeat, X-Factor is just not me. 

I can dance very well indeed, with high kicks and spins and handstands, but I can't sing to a good enough standard.

* * *

LONDON FOOD

Finally, I have now returned from a splendid couple of days with friends in London. 

On my little trip, amongst other things, I ate a small steak pie and a cinamen swirl.

Tuesday 28th October

LIGHT UP - IT'S DIWALI

The Sun is bright in the sky and its Diwali.  So, all is bright and well.

Diwali is the Festival of Light, celebrated by millions, because it is, as you probably know, important to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.  It's all about the fact that 'light' prevails, that 'evil' is always cast aside. 

So, Happy Diwali.

* * *

A LITTLE MORE TRUTH

If you read yesterday's entry you will have read about a certain open state of mind.  

You will also have noticed that one would do well to challenge the veracity of anything that claims to be true.

Now let's take this on a step.

Of course, if nothing is true, we have a problem. 

We have no reference points, nothing will be done, chaos will ensue. 

Or so some might say.

And 'Some Might Say' is a song by Oasis, whose second to last album was called 'Don't Believe The Truth'. 

So, that's an interesting point.

But anyway, let's get back to it. 

Truth or not?

The first thing we must avoid is, in pleasant discourse, to be contrary (see Mary in the picture). 

You know those people who always offer an opposite opinion all the time? 

Yes, you say something like, 'The Government is so silly because they have banned naked eating at lunch time.' 

And then the contrary person says something like, 'Yes, but if you look at it this way, in which we consider trumpets and geese, then you will see that they could be right.'

This sort of thing just stops conversations. 

It stops the flow. 

It creates separation, disunity.

No matter how clever or intellectual the contrary person thinks he or she is, they are missing the point.

Challenging the truth of things, doesn't necessarily mean charging at it with alternative views all the time. 

Sometimes it can mean just agreeing, and seeing the coversation as it truly is, which is a flowing connection between two people. 

Truth or accuracy should not necessarily play any real part between two chatting people. 

* * *

Watch the film What's New Pussycat and listen to the dialogue. 

It is very different to what you think it is - in fact you may find that you project your own words instead of really hearing what the characters are saying. 

Indeed, some of it is completely absurd - in the details. 

But the meaning is not lost.

So...

The details are quite irrelavent.

* * *

The second and most important thing to remember is that the net result of an open, questiong mind is simply that - a state of mind - an open, questioning mind. 

This is good. 

It is free. 

It is alive.

Now, pedants may swoop down from their caves of rules and say:

'So, a good, happy, questioning state of mind is good is it?  Well, here's the opposite opionion - I say it is not!'

And well done that person!

However, remember: The details are irrelevant here.

It is not the answers and the details we are looking for - they will take care of themselves when the time is right. 

What we are looking for is that state of mind: the living, positive state of mind you must have if you can question things. 

It is that sense of freedom from what claims to be true. 

This is something we must all experience and enjoy. 

I say this because this state of mind is one closely related to, but a long way beneath, an understanding of The Absolute, or God, or Total Unity. 

It is therefore a sort of What Truly Is. 

Indulge in this and you will experience some sense of freedom.

* * *

But then we may wonder that if we indulge in this state of mind we will be totally detatched from real life. 

We won't get anything done, because we won't be bothered, because nothing is true.

But that's assuming a rather materialistic mindset prevails. 

It is assuming that life is all about achievement in material form, in money, in careers, in love affairs, in things we can buy. 

It is assuming that things come first, spirituality or mind or Life come second. 

It is therefore assuming the inverse to Life. 

* * *

Now you must read this: The Unity Game (click here to download).

In that little and delightful item you will see that the children say:

‘We like to do things! Otherwise it’s like being dead!’  We like '...to be alive! And we like to have fun! ... But it’s just better with the lights on!’

Here you will see that, whilst the children understand Unity, or the 'lights are on', they also love to live, to do things - to build structures with their blocks as best as they can. 

Indeed, you cannot understand Unity unless you involve yourself with the world, because the world is part of the One.

However, with the perspective helped by an open mind, one that does not grasp and hold onto anything, one that does not elevate you unduly, you will find that living will be more fluid; you will find it easier to let go, to be open to all, and thus be all, but attatched, or glued to, nothing.

In fact, you will probably improve your social life.

Like I said yesterday, just because the toys are toys, it doesn't mean that we don't want to hold onto them for a while. 

Just because, when we are children, we know that toys are not real, it doesn't mean to say that we don't or can't 'believe' in them for a while.

* * *

Nothing can stay the same. 

And nothing lasts. 

And nothing is true.

But you know you live, because you know you are reading this.

* * *

Everything must be around for some time.

Fully understand this, and you will be around for all time, and beyond that.

You will also smile quite a lot. 

You may also smile when I say that everyone without exception will understand this one day.

Monday 27th October

FREE THE MIND

As soon as you say that something is right, then you have something that's wrong. 

That is, for example, as soon as you give an opinion it can always be argued against.

Indeed, I was once told by someone who knew almost everything (well, he thought he did) that there is a means of argument that can dismantle any proof, no matter how real it is. 

In other words this remarkable reasoning or questioning or whatever it is can prove that even a huge pumpkin on your face is not really there.

And I agree with him. 

The only trouble is that if such methods were in the wrong hands, they can be quite nihilistic, and we don't want that, do we? 

Because nihilism is a miserable state of affairs.

But, if used correctly, we can use such methods of understanding or reasoning to free up the mind, to help the conscious everyday mind begin to transcend the material and all its problems, or put them into a far happier, bigger conext. 

It's rather like an old Greek technique, proposed by Socrates.  Or I think it is.

Anyway, it will also help us dismantle the barriers around the 'reality' that surrounds us, so that we may embrace a different one, a higher one. 

It will also help lead us to a collective understanding that can unify us because it will transcends all things.  That's because such an open insight is very much the same for all people.

But will such an approach to life lead to chaos?  You see, it may well cause you not to believe in anything or identify with anything concrete, and so you might start walking into walls, thinking that you are like a ghost; or you might start jumping off buildings with no parachute or wings, thinking that you can fly.

Well, when I was a child, which I was once (see picture), I knew that my toys were not real, and that Mum and Dad and my grandparents did the real things. 

But that did not make me throw out all my toys.  I just gently grew out of them, when the time was right - and I still play with them sometimes, but don't tell anyone.

So, yes, my toy soldiers, toy aircraft, caps, toy machine guns, funny little men, rubber snakes, and all sorts, were real enough, and yet not so real that they trapped me.

And there's your thought for the day.

Thursday 23rd October

THE CHINESE GUIDE 

My most profound spiritual experiences and insights have often been either delightfully uplifting or very, very funny in a light and inspiring way.

I can understand quite easily why the Jesus of the Gnostic Scriptures is often laughing, not so much at jokes and so on, but at undertstanding The Truth - or with his understanding of The Truth. 

Also, we have Krishna who was known as a great fun fellow, and you have no doubt heard that Buddha was often laughing - haven't you seen those little statues of him laughing?  Well, that's the Laughing Buddha.

So, you can see that it's so funny that so many people take religion and spirituality so seriously, so heavily. 

Of course, I don't mean you have to go around just laughing for the sake of it, or acting like at idiot.  I mean that if you begin to experience some sort of true insight, you will certainly smile, and, if the circumstances are right, you will laugh. 

So, it goes like this: insight first, smiling/laughter follows.

* * *

Anyway, last night the medium class I gave was without doubt touched with this lightness of spirit.

The class began on a generally serious note. 

People were tired after work and so on. 

One had been having a particulary tough time with his fork lift.

But then, after a meditation, we got to work. 

The mood lightened, and by the end, we were all in laughing, not least because of a connection with a Chinaman, who was someone's 'guide' or close spiritual associate. 

Now, as a rule I don't allow 'guides', because we can't usually validate them, and we often find that they are the result of an active imagination. 

But this time it made sense, and he was a delightful guide, who wanted to extend happiness, by helping bring an atmosphere of lightness and humour to all of us.

And it was funny in that special, light spiritual way - the way that uplifts, liberates and has a great sense of self and universal knowledge about it.  So, in a way it is sort of very grounded.

Indeed, it may sound strange, but there was something very self assured about this humour, and this guide. 

He was very powerful indeed in that he knew exactly what and who he was, which was something that I think was received by the students, adding a little to their confidence. 

And whilst he was not laughing himself, the guide certainly had a twinkle in his eye and was pleased to see plenty of happiness spread about with his help.

So, thank you to everyone in the class, including the guide. 

We really got close to the real purpose of medium work last night.

Wednesday October 22nd

Monday October 20th

UFO'S, SPIRITS, GOD, AND GREAT HUMAN POTENTIAL

Some old government files are now coming from the dusty recesses of the Ministry of Defence in the UK. 

These files are full of stories about mysterious things seen in the sky. 

I watched a news item that said that 96% of these sightings are explainable.  But 4% are not.  And, as you will see if you read the article here, one of tat 4% is a most remarkable near miss between a UFO and an airliner.

Now, I am fully aware of individuals from different levels of existence connecting with us, and I am reasonably aware that lights in the sky and such like are connected with some of these individuals (for a full, but not yet complete, run down of my position regarding the situation, just go along to the ALIENS page on this site).

But sometimes all the lights in the sky and and all that stuff just goes too far and loses any sense of context.

For instance, I was recently contacted by someone who asked about a rumour that was going around.  Apparently some people had been 'channelling' stuff about a UFO lights show that would appear on the night of the 14th October. 

To practice the accurate art of Horary Astrology, I drew up a chart to find out whether or not there was any truth in the rumour, and, as expected, the chart proved that the rumour was utter nonsense. 

But then, as most people will know, when people 'channel' messages they are invariably dealing with nonsense - mere reflections of their own subconscious desires, or just their imagination.

The only way any proper connection with beings from other levels can be made is to start with psychic work and get accurate results.  Then one must progress to medium work (contact with the Other Side).  The medium work must be able to produce accurate details on individuals on the Other Side, such as what they looked like, how they passed over, where they lived, what they are like and so on.

Then, when you know your mind well enough to discern what is subconscious, what is imagination, what is purely psychic and what is true connection with other individuals from other realms, you can begin to make claims of connections.

As my medium classes show, this is easy enough to do, but it is often ignored.

Nevertheless, my main concern here is that 'aliens', angels, those on the Other Side, and such like are over-exalted.  Hence many people treat medium work, UFO's, Angels and such like as some sort of religion.  Which is a shame, because that is completely misleading, and can put interesting and good work in these areas well into the shade. 

It is best to remember that individuals such as Angels, Light Beings and so on, are just parts of the Whole, just like everything else.  Ultimately they are just other individuals we experience. 

Of course, enjoy them if you experience them, but, the most important thing to understand is The Whole, the Absolute, The One, The Absolute Unity or, as most people call it, 'God'. 

Know and understand that and its Nature, then everything fits into place. 

* * *

Yes, some of the tools for 'knowing God' can be psychic work, medium work, connection with other beings and so forth.

That's because, as I have already suggested, a proper understanding of these helps gives you insight into the geography of the mind and, indeed, the various levels of 'The Creation'. 

They help give you an insight into the Nature of All Things. 

By actually experiencing medium work and so on you will actually find a greater sense of true context.  That's why I like to teach people how to do medium work, because the experience of these levels can be very mind-expanding towards greater things.

BUT, please note: such things are only helpful when they are firmly put into conext, and only if they interest you. 

They are not the be-all-and-end-all.

Mind you, any person who has a true insight into God will certainly not dismiss the many levels of consciousness and perception that we have, nor will they dismiss Eternal Life.  Their minds will be open, with a broad and happy vision of All Things.

Having said that, an understanding of psychic things does not neccessarily suggest any true insight into God. 

And it's always good to know this: if you know you exist, you can know that you will achieve the greatest happiness you could ever want, and that it will be Eternal - ie out of time, space - it will be One.

* * *

When we know the wonderful Unity of God at a collective level, the planet will be complete. 

Then we will see evidence of our astonishing human potential, and the fulfilment of that potential. 

And as we increasingly connect with other levels, a firm and modern understanding of 'God' will give us a grounded understanding that will help us take 'lights in the sky', connections with Light Beings and 'Spirit' all very nicely in our stride.

More of this will be discussed on the new UNITY page on this website.  And in other places on thsi website.

Meanwhile, have a splendid week.

Thursday October 16th

MERCURY DIRECT

Today you will find that things begin to fit into place just a bit easier than yesterday.  Frustrations may also lift slightly.  Generally a movement forwards should be felt. 

This is all related to Mercury, which, after a few weeks of going backwards in the sky (retrograde), it is going forwards (direct) in the sky. 

That is, it's going in the right direction.  So, enjoy that!

* * *

THE END TO 'I WANT I GET'

I noticed on the news today that many factories in China are closing because of the 'Credit Crunch'.  And my reaction was one of a little acknowledgement for the financial difficulties people may be experiencing, and a thought for the ensuing unemployment.  But I also remembered my concerns as the world recently began to overheat with greed.  There was and is not only severe damage to the environment, but, most important, damage to the soul.

The 'I want I get' approach to life is what is causing most of the pain in the world right now.  The mad attitude 'I can do anything or be anything and have anything' adds to the sting. 

If, however, people's aims in life go beyond trivialities such as short term material fixes the financial problems of the world would fall into perspective.  And, I think, that is the purpose of this 'Crunch'.  The people should begin to consider a little beyond getting what they want when they want it.  And if they do this well enough they will be much happier than they ever imagined.

* * *

JUST HIT THE BALL!

I recently read something in John Frawley's excellent book, The Sports Astrology. 

He said that one of his clients was a champion tennis player.  John Frawley wondered what the trick was in winning at tennis.  The champion said that when he played the game he just focussed on hitting the ball.  As soon as he thought of the trophy or the money he was scuppered.  And such is life.  As soon as you ignore what it really is, you will fall.

N.B. Thais is not to say that we should live austere miserable lives.  It means that we can actually have wealth and delights, or not, as the case may be.  Hence the tennis player can win trophies and prize money.  But he knows that the real truth can only be found by simply hitting the ball as best as he can.

* * *

BIG CHANGES

And so we see that the State has stepped in to nationalise the banks in many countries.  That is, we, the people, have bought the banks, but will have very little say in the process.  In Britain, the country with the most spy cameras in the world, this take-over adds another layer to the current trend for State control of everything.

Meanwhile, of course, bankers have made millions from bonuses, some which would have come from the extortionate penalties taken from poorer people for accidentally going one penny overdrawn without permission. 

So, it's bad news on all sides, unless, of course, you're in with the in crowd. 

The good news, however, is that we are seeing the beginning of the changes that will happen to the corporations and the governments of the world as Pluto ventures through Capricorn (and as Uranus soon ventures into Aries).  And it's good news, because these changes are leading us to a very wonderful place indeed.

Hence these changes will be so strong that it would actually be very bad news to be in with that in crowd, and very challenging for anyone who does not, as the tennis player might put it, focus on 'hitting the ball'.

The most important key to our success in the future is to be people, and not consumer machines, with an ever-increasing desire for more and more and more material things.  

It is to be happy and fulfilled within a collossal eternal Existence; happy with an open, alive mind, one that can see beyond the barriers that prevent us from seeing the delightful wonder of All. 

Put it simply, we have to learn to live again, but in a new and modern way.

* * *

PRESIDENT OF THE CREATION

And, after a period of my absence from this page, how could I not mention the US election? 

It would be impossible.

So, to that election...

First of all, wouldn't it be good to see a winner, who has integrity? 

Wouldn't it be good to see a winner who is not in it just for the power and the show? 

Wouldn't it be good to have a winner that is not full of puffed up promises? 

Wouldn't it be good to have a winner who is honest, straightforward and open - not slick, clever, and dangerous?

But then, as we know, everything is done.  It is already written who will win.  The future will be what it is.  And whoever wins will be part of the changes the world is undergoing at the moment.  They will get their position because that is what is meant to happen.  And in time they will lose their position because that is what is meant to happen.

So, if the new US president is not a good one, then so be it. 

This is what is meant to happen.  Whoever they are, they do not have the real power.  Hence it is always best to go for the modest and honest one, for they are less of themselves and more of everything else.

But anayway, best thing to do is just sit back, relax, do what is right for you, and see a far bigger picture. 

And learn how to hit that ball!

Fully understand that and you'll be President of the Creation.