One: 02-08-2009 (Turning Point, India)

Hi All

Well, I finally I managed to get down to writing this blog. I arrived back a few weeks ago from another pleasant trip to Nieu Bethesda, and now I’m busy preparing for my departure to India. At last my dreams of traveling to the East are coming true, and alarmingly fast; I am set to fly out in just 2 short weeks. A few years ago I realized that my path would take me to the East, that there I would learn all I desired to know, and where I would fully realize my purpose. I know my path lies in service of humanity, aiding its own growth toward a state Peace and Unconditional Love. I have devoted myself to this path, and my time in India will be spent not only assisting with the Boundaryless Multiversity (which I will get to in a moment), but also developing myself so that I may be of greater service.

Before going on, I must say that many people may think that dreaming of such a world, where each person is equal, accepted, and loved is idealistic and unrealistic, or even impossible. If you can think it, then it is possible. While I believe we can expect to see some radical changes for the better, even if that isn’t the case, I would rather work towards creating a peaceful and loving reality for all, rather than sink into the habitual negative and cynical thinking that so many in this world seem to be stuck in.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, and many are actively working towards a better world for all. This is being done in various ways, from simple helping of friends and volunteering at homeless shelters, to large scale fundraisers, empowerment workshops, and community outreach programs. I have been particularly drawn to a friend’s vision of a Boundaryless World, and the university (or Multiversityas it has been called) that he, Munesh, is working towards opening with this vision in mind: to break down the barriers that separate people, and to express unconditional Love and acceptance to all. This university will not simply be about studying for a degree, but more about developing high moral and ethical character. Munesh hopes to have a 14 week event (called Turning Point) from September 21st until December 25th 2009, where all people interested in participating in the development of this university, come together and live as a community on campus [which is in Jabalpur, India] for that time, to embrace one another’s cultures, to celebrate a number of festivals from various cultures that happen during that time, and to share ideas as to how the institution will be run, courses on offer etc.

Unfortunately the number of people able to attend the event is miniscule, and to really make this work, we need a variety of different people. I hope this message finds its way to people who really share this vision of a world that is at Peace, where people Love and support one another unconditionally, and where man lives in harmony with Nature. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a part of this, and wants to make the trip to India for what I’m sure will be a really beautiful experience, please contact me and I will get you in touch with Munesh as soon as I can. [For more info, see the links at the end of this message]

I am excited to be going to India to participate in all this, but as I said earlier, I want to develop myself further so that I may be of greater service wherever I am called to be. So, much time will also be spent in ashrams around India. I have recently taken quite an interest in Yoga and wish to explore this while I am there.

I’m sure I will be met with very interesting challenges and exciting experiences. I believe one should share what they are busy learning about, so I hope to continue my blogs and do just that, in a way that will benefit and inspire those who read these messages.

As always it has been a pleasure writing this. I hope to have another blog sent out before I leave, discussing the concept of Transition Initiatives.

Your brother in Love and Service

Ryan

*Links*

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6873057377
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=92465308367
http://sites.google.com/site/multiversitycampus/


PS

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites or request them via email:

http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188...
http://cid-08431649c454c5cb.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
http://ryansnoopyallan.blogspot.com/
http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/
http://my.care2.com/ryansnoopyallan
http://ryansnoopyallan.wordpress.com/
http://ryasnoopyallan.xanga.com/weblog/

or you can add me on facebook and find my blogs in my Notes section

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?id=521171190&ref=profile

Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me.

I have obtained your email addresses from various sources, adding to my mailing list whoever may enjoy or relate to these words. If you feel the need to pass this email on to any of your contacts, please do so with pleasure. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and comments with me on the various topics. And if you'd like to be removed from my mailing list, feel free to send me an email with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

One: 27-05-2009 (A brief into to Reiki)

Hi All

This week I would like to provide something of a short introduction to Reiki for those who may not be familiar with it. I have always had some trouble explaining what Reiki is, so I hope that in writing this, I will find a decent way of expressing my understanding of it. Most of you are fully aware of the power of human touch; the practice of Reiki builds on our natural instinct of using the human touch to comfort and ease pain.

Reiki, as most may know it, is an ancient hands-on healing technique that was rediscovered in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui around the end of the 19^th century. It involves the use of certain symbols and mantras that are imbued with energy that has a particular effect on the four-body system. The energy of the symbols flows through the practitioner’s hands which rest either just above or directly on the receiver’s body. While these symbols and mantras may be rooted in Esoteric Buddhism, the practice of Reiki is not bound to it. People from both East and West, from all different religions and walks of life, are trained in this ancient healing art. The philosophy behind it, and the knowledge of the body, is very similar to other healing techniques across the globe. A complex energy system exists within and around the body, the flow of which can be disrupted by destructive thoughts and emotions, and resistance to what is. The build up of these tend to cause blockages of energy in certain areas of the body, which often manifest in physical dis-ease. For example: continuously choosing not to communicate something that you really feel you should, will cause a blockage around the throat area which is affected by issues of expression, trust, and communication. Fear and unresolved emotions tend to affect the area around the abdomen. Reiki works to release these blockages that cause dis-ease, and helps restore the natural flow of energy within the body.

Restoring this natural flow relaxes and de-stresses the body, eases physical tension, and balances the emotions, while also bringing clarity to one’s thoughts. Often this process takes a number of sessions, and requires a certain degree of commitment from the receiver. While the practitioner can help to release these blockages in the energy system, and provide insight into the cause, it is up to the receiver to properly address the issues that underlie the dis-ease. During the time that one is receiving frequent healing sessions, and after making a conscious decision to resolve the issues, the receiver tends to experience a range of things that can be pleasant at times and unpleasant at others. Often they will experience physical discomfort for a few days, or alternatively an incredible boost in vitality.

The release of unwanted energy in the form of aches and pains, or unpleasant emotions can go on for some time after each session, but is necessary to go through, allowing consciousness to evolve, and opens the receiver to opportunities and experiences that they have otherwise been held back from. It opens you up so that you can properly reconnect to your true self, beyond the physical body, beyond the emotions, and beyond the mind. This is where Reiki becomes more than a technique for healing, but also a tool for Self-realization. Some may not be all that interested in Enlightenment or spiritual evolution and how Reiki can assist you on that path. Some are only interested in using Reiki to de-stress or ease physical discomfort, which is fine; there is nothing wrong with this. You will however still notice changes in your behavior if using or receiving Reiki on a regular basis. Situations that would normally put tremendous stress on a person will gradually be dealt more calmly and with greater clarity. Sleeping comes much easier. Creativity increases. Health tends to increase dramatically. It gently unlocks one’s potential and joy for life.

Anyone is capable of handling this energy, and is effective both as a practice on its own and to compliment other techniques. Many combine Reiki, which tends to be very gentle, with something like deep tissue massage, creating a good balance between gentle and vigorous techniques.

In the past, Reiki teachers would charge a considerable amount for their courses, but this has changed over the years and it is now much more accessible. The high pricing was particularly to have people be more serious about the course and ensure that they valued the knowledge that was imparted to them. Now it is understood that Reiki is a very natural part of our being and should be shared with all who show interest.

Well, I think that should do well enough as a short introduction into the practice.

As always it has been a pleasure sharing these words with you and I hope that you enjoyed reading them.

Your Brother in Love, Light, and Service.

Ryan

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites or request them via email:

http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188...
http://cid-08431649c454c5cb.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
http://ryansnoopyallan.blogspot.com/
http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/
http://my.care2.com/ryansnoopyallan
http://ryansnoopyallan.wordpress.com/
http://ryasnoopyallan.xanga.com/weblog/

or you can add me on facebook and find my blogs in my Notes section

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?id=521171190&ref=profile

Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me.

I have obtained your email addresses from various sources, adding to my mailing list whoever may enjoy or relate to these words. If you feel the need to pass this email on to any of your contacts, please do so with pleasure. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and comments with me on the various topics. And if you'd like to be removed from my mailing list, feel free to send me an email with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

Neighbourhood Sustainability update

Hi All.
I have been doing some thinking about this neighbourhood sustainability idea and realize it will take quite some time to establish. In a few short weeks I will be heading back to Neiu Bethesda to work on projects there before leaving South African shores. With that in mind, it is up to all those who have taken an interest in this idea to take it further.

To briefly recap what the whole idea is about:
I have proposed that groups within the different neighbourhoods and housing complexes start growing their own organic vegetable and herb garden. I have designed a template for a garden that is roughly the size of your average bedroom door (2 x 0.8 meters) which you can request from me. This is a nice starting point for those who don't already have their own vegetable garden, or have very little gardening experience. Once each member of the group has their garden going, and are more confident with working in the garden, the group can discuss who is growing what and make sure that as a whole, a variety of vegetables and herbs are being grown and produced all year round. Ultimately each group becomes self sustainable in terms of food production, the members trading their crop amongst one another (or better yet, sharing freely).
Now in most cases it probably won't be easy getting a whole neighbourhood to participate right from the beginning, so we will have to start small, even if it is only two people in the neighbourhood that are interested, that is fine. Lets work on the idea of just the two people here. These two get there gardens going and produce a decent crop. After they harvest, they invite a group of friends (or even your next door neighbours that you have never spoken to) round for dinner, and whip up a meal using what you have picked straight out of your garden. You tell them about your garden and put the idea forward with them to get their own started, which you would be more than happy to assist them with. They agree, and once they are ready to harvest, they invite people round just as you did and put the idea forward with them. This may be a slow process of getting people involved, but it is a start.
You could even give your guests seedlings that you have thinned out from your own garden to get them started right away, or add to their existing garden. Frequent dinners such as these should also help to develop better relationships with the people living around you.

Growing your own organic vegeatables will cut down on your monthly grocery expense, and also provide you with much more nutritious food that will help you to maintain a healthy body and immmune system.
Initially the garden requires some work, but over time and with a bit of research, you can create a garden that pretty much takes care of itself, and all you need to do is harvest.

I have a small group who have given me their contact details and have shown particular interest in this whole project. For those in PE, if you would like to get together as a group sometime within the next 2-3 weeks, please let me know ASAP so I can arrange something and discuss things further with you.

Hope everyone is keeping well and that your gardens are making progress.

Your Brother in Love and Service
Ryan

One: 11-05-2009 (Putting Self-sustainability, Community work, and spiritual development into perspective)

Hi All

I have been trying to think exactly how all my ideas on self-sustainability fit together in the bigger picture and how they can assist one on their own path of spiritual development.

These ideas on sustainability fist came up when discussing the possibility of a boundariless world, teaching a group of people from a poor community how to start and maintain their own vegetable garden. This would not only provide these people with their own source of food, but it also creates a space for people to come together and develop better relationships with one another.

I then began looking at organic gardening as a way to soften the blow of the economic crisis that began around December 2008. Growing your own vegetables and herbs would be one way of reducing monthly food costs, even if only by a small percentage, depending on the size of space you’ve dedicated to food production. Going the organic route will also provide you with much more nutritious food, helping to maintain a healthy body and strong immune system.

It does of course take time before you will be eating fresh produce from your garden, so it would be wise not only for those who are struggling financially, but also those who haven’t been affected by the recession, to start their own vegetable garden. Many expect that this is only the beginning and things will still get worse, so in case something does happen, if you have started your garden already, at least it won’t be as long before you are eating from it. Sadly, many have already been evicted from their homes and are living in shelters, uncertain whether or not they will have a place to sleep the next night; they don’t have the space to grow their own food. Most shelters may not have a garden to use for food production either, but here is another opportunity for you to help. Once you have a garden going to supply your own family with fresh herbs and vegetables, you could start another small garden that could be used to produce food for a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Your contribution alone would be very helpful, and greatly appreciated I am sure, but just think how many extra mouths could be fed if you, together with a group of friends, each dedicate a small patch in your back yard to producing food for a nearby homeless shelter or children’s home.

This is where sustainability and selfless service meet. While you may start off just supplying food for your family, as you dedicate more space in your back yard to food production, you will soon be able to supply another family or community project with your surplus. I understand selfless service to be key to one’s spiritual development, and the feeling of gratitude that both you and those you assist feel has powerful effects. Most of you by now have some sort of understanding of the Law of Attraction and how powerful gratitude is in shifting into a consciousness of abundance.

Getting involved with such projects builds relationships between people with common concerns and passion for service, and helps in developing a community spirit which many have lost. This is another thing that underlies my neighbourhood sustainability idea. Few of us these days know who our neighbours are, and this project aims to bring together the people within each suburb, helping one another through tough times. If we are indeed in for more challenging times ahead, neighbours and colleagues can support one another, making it easier to cope with the global shift in consciousness taking place over the next few years.

I believe these community projects to have a big role to play in this shift in consciousness. Those working with township communities or with people from violent and destructive backgrounds will show a loving kindness that these people may not be used to. Juvenile violence has been increasing in South Africa, and for most of these children, violence is all they know, it is all they are exposed to. Non-profit organizations and community projects working with these youngsters, whether it be by feeding, clothing, or educating them, have the potential to open their eyes to positive state of being, learning to share the same loving kindness they receive from those helping them.

These projects also bring hope to the people, and for some, that’s all they have. With a little creative thought, you will realize how much you can actually do for these people. Beyond separation you realize that your act of kindness has not only helped someone else, but yourself as well. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform and inspire, and could potentially cause a ripple effect of loving kindness that could increase in magnitude with each heart it reaches.

As always it has been a pleasure writing this and sharing it with you.

Your Brother in, Light, Love, and Creative Service

Ryan

PS… You may want to give this article a read. I found it to be very moving, and was what really motivated this week’s blog. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30644993// )

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites or request them via email:

http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188...
http://cid-08431649c454c5cb.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
http://ryansnoopyallan.blogspot.com/
http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/
http://my.care2.com/ryansnoopyallan
http://ryansnoopyallan.wordpress.com/
http://ryasnoopyallan.xanga.com/weblog/

or you can add me on facebook and find my blogs in my Notes section

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?id=521171190&ref=profile

Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me.

I have obtained your email addresses from various sources, adding to my mailing list whoever may enjoy or relate to these words. If you feel the need to pass this email on to any of your contacts, please do so with pleasure. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and comments with me on the various topics. And if you'd like to be removed from my mailing list, feel free to send me an email with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

One: 19-04-2009 (A Bit On Permaculture)

Hi All.

Blog number 14…here we go….

Let me start by thanking those of you who responded to my last blog and have taken genuine interest in the whole idea of self-sustainable neighbourhoods. I have come across a few people who have already started their own vegetable gardens and are keen to be involved in this project.

At the moment I am in the process of designing a template for a small garden that is roughly the size of your average bedroom door (2m x 0.8m). This garden is intended to require very little maintenance and effort on your part after the initial setup phase. Many people may not have the time or knowledge to start big, complex gardens, so this would be an ideal starting point for those people. Initially this garden will provide a portion of the family’s food, and once they are more confident with their small setup, and are willing to dedicate more space to vegetable gardening, they can expand and begin supplying food to nearby residents.

The two key things I’m busy researching for this design are permaculture and companion planting. Perhaps I should go into this in more detail for those who are not familiar with these terms. So far, this is my understanding of Permaculture, Companion Planting, Polyculture, and Monoculture.

Well the term companion planting is pretty self explanatory. Various plants perform certain functions that aid the growth of other plants or vegetables in your garden whether it be by repelling certain pests, attracting pollinators, or enriching the soil in some way. Examples of this sort of relationship would be the combination of tomato and basil, or the trio of squash, corn, and beans. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, and also enhances the flavour of the tomato, so this combination is a must for any tomato lover. The trio of squash, corn, and beans form what is known to the Native Americans as the Three Sisters. First, the corn provides a trellis for the beans to grow on. With corn absorbing large quantities of nitrogen from the soil, beans are ideal to grow with them as they fix nitrogen from the air into the soil which helps feed the corn. The squash, which is grown around the corn and beans, shades the soil and prevents the growth of weeds. Marigolds are also ideal plants to have in your garden as they are a good natural pest repellant.

Companion planting and polyculture (planting multiple crops in the same area) form a large part of permaculture systems, but permaculture involves much more than just the production of food. It is sustainable, energy efficient and eco-friendly design. Every element is carefully considered, from the sun, wind, and rain, to natural topography and existing microclimates, to the placement of structures such as the house, barn, greenhouse etc. You could consider this to be the Western equivalent of Feng Shui.

With a full understanding of all the elements, they can be manipulated to serve any number of functions, and not-yet existing elements can be placed in such a way that they benefit from the existing ones without damaging them. With intelligent placement and harmonious relationships between all the elements, productivity is maximized, and energy consumption and maintenance costs are reduced.

On this note of maintenance costs and energy consumption, let us look at how most of our fruit and vegetables are produced today in what is known as a monoculture system.

Monoculture is the production of one kind of crop on a piece of land. There are a number of problems that arise with such a system. First is that it is a pest’s heaven as there are no natural defense mechanisms in place such as plants that attract predatory insects that feed on the pests, or plants that release an aroma that is unpleasant to certain pests. This leaves the crop vulnerable to attack, and leads to farmers having to purchase large quantities of pesticides as well as a means of distributing that to their entire crop. This has undesirable effects on the soil and sometimes the consumer as well. As soil quality decreases from both the concentration of only one crop and the use of pesticides, the farmer has to start buying in chemical fertilizers and even truckloads of new soil from an outside source. Keep in mind that this all requires added labour, and as the expense of maintaining that piece of land rises, so does the cost to you, the consumer.

Another thing to note is that with each chemical addition to the growing process, the quality and nutritional value of the food decreases, so in actual fact you begin paying more for food that is of a poorer nutritional value. I’ll take this further and say that while we continue to eat food that is lacking more and more of the nutrients that the body needs, so our body begins to function below its optimum and gradually our immune system weakens with it.

Eventually monoculture food production reduces the land to a desert. Even if crops are being rotated after each season, it only partially slows down the inevitable destruction of the land. Poly- and permaculture do the opposite. They work to maintain the natural state of the land and can even, over time, restore devastated landscapes. Perhaps it may initially require a bit more work and a few extra costs, but in the long run it is more cost effective, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and more pleasing to the eye.

It is no mere coincidence that wild fruits, for example, grow so abundantly forests. It is unnatural to grow only one kind of fruit or vegetable in vast rows with nothing else planted around them. It is because of complex ecological models that they grow as abundantly as they do in the wild. Permaculture acknowledges that and applies this knowledge when designing one’s own piece of land, or even to a small back yard. Food can then be produced without the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and grows together with beneficial plants that serve various functions from pest control to soil nutrition and flavour enhancement. So when it comes time to harvest, you have healthy, organic food that is much higher in nutritional value to what you may generally find in the supermarket. This is beneficial in maintaining a healthy body and strong immune system. Not only is the cost of fertilizers and pesticides eliminated, but also those of extra labour and transport. So both your body and your wallet benefit from the production of home grown, organic foods when making use of permaculture and companion planting knowledge.

There are plenty of websites you can visit that discuss companion planting and what vegetables are compatible with one another, but I will also try to compile a simple database with all that information at a later stage.

Until then, keep sending your comments, and again, I call to those who are seriously interested in getting involved in this neighbourhood self-sustainability idea which I discussed in more detail in my previous blog (One: 06-04-2009) to please contact me (this applies more specifically to people living in Port Elizabeth). For those of you living outside of Port Elizabeth, you are also more than welcome to contact me and we can chat about how you could get something going where you live, or if you already have a similar project running, I would very much like to hear about it.

As always it is a pleasure to share this with you and I hope you have found it to be informative and inspiring reading.

Your Brother in Light, Love and Service,

Ryan

PS. If you could please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested in reading it... that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites or request them via email:

http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188...
http://cid-08431649c454c5cb.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
http://ryansnoopyallan.blogspot.com/
http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/

http://my.care2.com/ryansnoopyallan

or you can add me on facebook and find my blogs in my Notes section

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?id=521171190&ref=profile

Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me.

One: 06-04-2009 [Idea for Self-sustainabilty/support system in your neighborhood]

Hi All
I am officially back home and ready to get started on this project I have had in mind for some time. I have discussed it with a few people already and have received very positive responses from them. Now I would like to put it forward with the rest of you.
I want to create something of a support system within each suburb to somewhat ease the effects that the recession is having on us. Now, perhaps more so than ever before, we need to explore methods of self sustainability and support those struggling with unemployment.

I have discussed vegetable and herb garden ideas a few times in previous blogs, and again, it forms the foundation or starting point for this project. This is intended to lower monthly grocery costs, provide fresh produce that is of a higher nutritional value, and most importantly, bring people together.

I propose that the houses within a suburb are grouped together into groups of, say, ten houses. Each group then specializes in growing certain vegetables. Originally I had thought to have ten houses growing carrots, ten growing potatoes, another ten grow tomatoes, and so forth. But then thought perhaps it would be better to look at permaculture and companion planting so as to avoid the need for transplanting. Vegetables can also then grow within your existing garden beds if you don’t have space to start a separate vegetable patch. Correct companion planting will also eliminate the need for insecticides and such products as certain plants act as natural insect repellants.

So each house, or group of houses, will grow say three different vegetables. A list is then compiled of who is growing what and then distributed to all the residents. Whenever you are in need of a particular vegetable, you can just check the list, ring up one of the residents growing it, and collect from them. Produce is to be given freely. There is to be no cost or need for trading of items. This applies to all residents in the neighborhood.

I suggest this instead of exchanging for the following reasons. One: You may want tomatoes from me, but I have no need for anything you are growing. And if I did, how many tomatoes are to be traded for so many carrots for example. To avoid this uncertainty and also any sort of competition, giving freely is the best option. This leads me to the second point: It is time for people to make that shift to have no expectation of receiving anything in return when they help or give something to another.

This project also aims to develop more of a relationship between all of the residents. So many of us don’t even know who our next-door neighbors are, I would like to see this change; to see neighbors supporting one another through difficult times.

Many of you may not know a thing about growing your own vegetables, let alone companion planting and permaculture. Well, nor do I, but it is something I plan to learn more about. This also provides yet another opportunity for us to learn form one another. Those who have even basic knowledge on this topic are encouraged to share what they know and help with any problems that may arise. The rest of us have the responsibility of making an effort to learn.

Growing your own foods also opens up a door for recycling. Any organic waste and scraps can be used for compost heaps or to maintain earthworm farms, both of which provide food for your garden. Each person could have their own small system going with earthworms or compost heaps, or a group of people in the neighborhood could handle this instead of growing vegetables themselves.

This is just the starting point for the project and I believe it has the potential to go much further. I encourage you to share your thoughts on all this and any ideas that could help to develop it further. I would like to hear from you first before I approach the ward councilors from nearby areas about it. It may not be an easy task getting all of this going. Growing your own foods may initially require a fair amount of work, but I think it is important work to do. It isn’t necessary for the whole neighborhood to be interested or get involved in order for this to work. It can work, perhaps more effectively, with a small group, and then it can grow from there.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and that it inspires some ideas in your own mind. I will write more on this once the idea is more developed and has gained more interest. Again, your input would be greatly appreciated.

Your Brother in Love, Light, and Service,
Ryan

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites:
Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me
http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188...
http://cid-08431649c454c5cb.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
http://ryansnoopyallan.blogspot.com/
http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/
or you can add me on Facebook and find my blogs in the Notes section there-
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/notes.php?id=521171190

One: 24-03-2009 (Quick reflection on my trip)

One: 24-03-2009 (Quick reflection on my trip)

Hi Everyone. I am back in town briefly for 2 nights, before heading back to Cape town for the last leg of my trip, so i thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you a few of my experiences in the Little Karoo village of Nieu Bathesda. I have given lots of thinking to what someone like Mahatma Gandhi has done for the world, and what sort of projects we could start up to help the poorer communities, but then I wanted to see what projects were already in place to really benefit those in the townships. First I came across the Bathesda Arts Centre, run by a woman by the name of Jeni. Here there is a group of about 20 people, all from the nearby township, involved in creating works in a range of mediums ie. ceramics, lino cut prints, and big quilts (which is their main focus). They just recently submitted two large quilts to a competition being held in Hout Bay, South Africa. Currently they are working on the issue of abuse. This is a very real issue for them as some have come from abusive backgrounds, so this project works both as a means of creating awareness and for expressing a topic which they are very concerned about. Along with the various studios and a small library, the Art Centre also consists of guest accommodation, a small restaurant, and gallery for the group to display their works in. This centre has helped to transform these people's lives, learning a range of skills and techniques in the arts, allowing for self- as well as group expression, and a means of generating income for themselves. Next I met the couple who run the bookstore/gallery, Belinda and Sharl. They've been there for 3 months and already Belinda has a group of children from the township area coming to her once a week to draw, sing, and play sport. The group now consist of 60+ children. Initially, it was just Belinda running the show, but this gets quite difficult when you have two babies of your own to take care of at the same time. So the opportunity came up for the nearby drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre to get involved. The ladies from the programme have joined up with Belinda and have divided the children into different age groups. Each group is handled by one of the ladies. Making it easier on Belinda, the children now get a bit more individual attention too. Many would agree that the best method for healing is to get involved in work such as this, where you are helping another, so the rehab group benefit strongly from this as well. The children respond well to them, and a very special relationship has been built. A first aid kit has also been sponsored so each of the children can get their scrapes and cuts cleaned up properly. Until now the children have been coming once a week, but it seems this will soon become twice a week, with the second day involving the gents from the rehab centre. Their focus will be on playing sports with the children. I had the pleasure of doing paper making demonstrations for both Belinda's group of children and a group from the Art Centre. I left all the necessary materials with the art centre and they have continued to make more sheets of paper. This acts both as a method of recycling and provides a different background for them to print on. These two projects had a profound impact on me, and I am grateful to have been a part of them even if only in a small way. Nearing the end of my trip another opportunity came up involving the old township church. The whole township was moved some years ago and this church was left standing and has gradually being broken down. Sharl is greatly drawn to this building and would like to restore it, creating a place where all people, regardless of their differences, can come together. Township or main village, all are welcome, all are accepted, and all are loved. I look forward to heading back to Nieu Bathesda in about two months time to assist with this project. This is another big opportunity for the township and village communities to strengthen the relationship between one another. I have also been spending much of my time thinking about self-sustainability. With the economic situation worsening in America, the whole world will very soon feel the effects of the recession. I am looking at creating something of a support system within the various suburbs when I am back in Port Elizabeth, starting very simply with small veg and herb gardens. The idea still needs to be developed more before I post exactly what it is I would like to do, and what you could start doing in your own suburb, or even just with you close neighbours. But if you have any ideas that you think may be relevant to this, please feel free to share them. This is all to support those who are feeling the effects of the recession. I will hopefully put forward my idea in more detail in my next blog 2 or 3 weeks from now. This trip has brought big ideas and inspiration. Seeing what these people are already doing to help the poorer community makes the idea that we can actually help and make a difference more of a reality. What may seem like a small effort to us, may come as a great blessing to someone else in need. I have posted photos from my trip on my facebook profile. It is a public album, so those who do not have profiles are still able to view it. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79998&id=521171190&l=391ebce7b6 I'm glad to have gotten an opportunity to share this message with you this evening, I hope it brings added inspiration and enthusiasm to your everyday activities. My Love to you all Your Brother in Light, Love, and Service Ryan PS. The next Holistic Day at Animal Welfare Society, Port Elizabeth, is scheduled for April 4th 2009. So if you would like a stall, please contact me ASAP so I can direct you to the organizers. If you would like contact details for Bathesda Art Centre, you can drop me an email and I'll forward them to you. If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites: Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188... http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/ or you can add me on Facebook and find my blogs in the Notes section there- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/notes.php?id=521171190

One: 11-02-2009 [A positive Light]

One: 11-02-2009 [A positive Light]

Blessings All. I have recently been observing large numbers of people suffer unemployment due to extensive retrenchments in companies around the world. While this does put quite a lot of stress on a person, along with the rest of the family, it also has a positive side. You now have the opportunity to start something new or move into the career you actually want to be in. The high unemployment rate and unstable economic climate may be the cause of suffering for many people at this time, but it is all part of a great shift taking place in the collective consciousness; one that will move us into a world that knows only Peace and Abundance. While the focus this week is on the unemployment situation, this great shift also has people experiencing suffering and restlessness in other areas of their lives. Many long-term relationships are suddenly falling apart. Some find that they can no longer relate to their current circle of friends. People are getting more irritated and uneasy with jobs they have been in for very long periods while others may constantly be jumping from one job to the next. Any aspect of one’s life that has become mundane, or seemingly meaningless, will cause them to experience intense restlessness. One may be forced to, or perhaps provided with a very appealing opportunity to change their current situation. Either way, these unsatisfactory areas of people’s lives will be pushed out, if not by their own conscious decision, then by some Divine intervention of sorts. This is all in order to make space in people’s lives for more important and fulfilling things, things that will stir real passion in you, and that will bring to point of true happiness. Being stuck in unpleasant and extreme situations, whether they be with relationships, career, finances home or work environment etc, one is more inclined, if not forced, to make some important decisions and changes. One will more than likely be to make a stand and completely remove yourself from the situation, and the next to move into or create your desired situation. Your job through this is to be open to new experiences and have the courage to take on the new opportunities that will come your way. While in most cases, being retrenched or unemployed for some time will put added strain on your financial situation, but certain living costs can be reduced such as your monthly food expense. I suggest, as I have previous blogs, starting a vegetable patch. Growing your own vegetables not only reduces the cost spent on buying food each month, even if only by a small amount, it also provides you with a healthier food source with higher nutritional value. Growing your own food does not have to only be a means of reducing costs. It also opens up some other opportunities that may yield you extra income. In my blog on creating a boundaryless world, I shared a vision around starting your own fruit and vegetable garden while teaching poorer communities to do the same. I want to further that vision here. I want you to picture this possibility in your mind, use your imagination, and add onto it what you will. Also, lets add in the growing of herbs. So these communities I mentioned are now growing a range of fruits, vegetables and herbs to provide its people with the nutrition they need. Being unemployed for some time, you decide now to start a small type of restaurant. But this place specializes in vegetarian meals, fresh fruit cocktails and shakes, and a variety of hot or cold teas. The juices are freshly squeezed, and fresh herbs are used in the making of the teas. While you have your own produce growing at home, it is not enough to supply the business. And so you approach these poorer communities that have been maintaining such healthy gardens, offering to buy some of their produce for your restaurant. Initially they may not be producing enough to sell to you, but they agree to increase the size of their garden in order to produce more. In the meantime, you could purchase your produce elsewhere, but once the community is ready, they are the ones you want to supply you. Friends who have also suffered retrenchment could have a role to play in your business too. If not directly employed by you, they could use your venue to hold weekly cooking classes, small exhibitions or functions, and have live entertainment on certain nights. Starting up this business, you have provided for people a place to connect and socialize, creating not only an income for yourself, but for those from similar situations as well. So through starting with growing your own foods, initially as a means of reducing costs and taking off some financial strain, taking it a step further finds you now running a flourishing business. Some of you may not be very much into the growing of your own foods, but have some other skill you are able to provide. Those with experience in practices such as Tai Chi, Reiki, massage or aromatherapy, or Yoga, for example, could hold classes and sessions for people if you are not already doing so. People are becoming more open to alternative methods for wellbeing, and so your various practices are receiving more interest. If you do have people’s wellbeing at heart, and have a passion for your practice, why not use it as a means to support yourself as well. I must stress though that people’s wellbeing must be your intention, not money. True success is only granted to those of sincere intention. Get together with a group of people who specialize in different practices and perhaps start a small centre where you are all able to provide your service and facilitate your sessions. Again you will be providing a place for people to connect with one another, all while helping them to reach or maintain a healthy and harmonious state of being. There may be those who stay with their current jobs purely for the financial security and are hesitant to take a job in the field they really want to be in due to fear of financial struggle. Let me assure you that being in a job that you actually want to be in, doing something you are passionate about, you will find that money doesn’t seem to matter so much anymore. If you have a family and worry because you have to support them, speak to them, come to some sort of agreement or compromise about lowering certain living costs, and being smart about recycling and energy consumption. The world is changing, and people are starting to realize that material wealth is no longer a good enough reason to wake up for work every morning. So jobs may be lost, careers may change [numerous times in some cases], but this is all necessary in order to push people to take proper control of their lives, So I urge you to use your imagination and to think creatively. You are capable of great things if only you will allow yourself to be. Remain sincere in all that you do, and work passionately towards your goal. From there, everything will just seem to fall perfectly into place. I am honoured to have shared this message with you and hope that it has provoked positive thoughts and inspiration. Your Brother in Love and Service Ryan PS. I will be out of town for 6 weeks from the 15th of Feb and may not be able to provide these weekly messages until I am back. I will still be able to answer your emails and comments, but I may not have the time or facilities to provide these weekly messages until I am back. So don’t worry if you don’t receive anything from me, I have not removed you from my mailing list or anything. Keep well, and see positive Light in every situation you find yourself in. If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites: Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=13188... http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/ or you can add me on Facebook and find my blogs in the Notes section there- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/notes.php?id=521171190 I have obtained your email addresses from various sources, adding to my mailing list whoever may enjoy or relate to these words. If you feel the need to pass this email on to any of your contacts, please do so with pleasure. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and comments with me on the various topicd. And if you'd like to be removed from my mailing list, feel free to send me an email with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

One: 31-01-2009 (The basics of Meditation)

One: 31-01-2009 (The basics of Meditation)

Hi All. I’ve recently been asked by a few people how meditation works, how it benefits you and how exactly to do it. So this blog aims to help those with little or no experience with the practice of meditation. For the more experienced meditators, perhaps this can further your understanding or motivation to meditate on a daily basis. The simplest way to describe meditation is that it is a focusing of the mind. Often, people who are new to meditation will try to empty their minds or to stop their thoughts. The mind is designed to think, that’s what it does, so do not resist it. Rather direct your thoughts and give them a point of focus. This focus point could be external such as a candle flame, a sunset, or an image of a great master such as the Buddha, Christ, or Krishna. Or it could be an internal point of focus such as your breath or heartbeat. You could also chant a mantra (either out aloud or quietly in your head), focusing only on the sound and meaning of that particular mantra. Instead of directing your thoughts on something specific, your point of focus may be your thoughts themselves, allowing yourself to observe how you think, patterns in your thoughts, and perhaps how your body and emotions respond to them. Generally you will start your meditation with a specific intention, whether it is to relax, bring peace, let go of anger etc. The benefits you gain from practicing meditation will at the very least be in alignment with your intentions, and have a significant positive impact on your entire four-body system (physical, emotion, mental, and spiritual) with regular, long term practice. The main reason for most people getting involved with practices such as yoga or meditation is for better physical health. Practices such as these help to release stress and tension, allowing for a better flow of energy throughout the body. Simply focusing on your breath in meditation helps to lower blood pressure. However, the physical body is not separate from one’s emotional and mental bodies. What is able to benefit the physical can also aid mental and emotional well being. And likewise that which helps to develop and heal the mind, helps one on the emotional and physical level as well. So when meditating with the intention of acquiring better health, know that often it also requires a certain restructuring of how you think and how you respond emotionally to your environment and various people or situations to properly maintain that state of physical well being. Meditating with the intention of balancing one’s emotions is another common reason for many getting involved in this practice. With most people having very stressful home and working environments, with all their worries, it’s easy for one’s emotions to get the better of them. We tend to have very short tempers when under a lot of pressure, and outbursts of anger due to this only make situations tenser and they get handled irrationally. Frequent meditation will find you being a much calmer person. That is not to say you become more passive than assertive, but rather you are able to handle Life’s ups and downs with a much clearer mind and in a calmer manner. This also means your emotions will remain balanced. With most physical dis-ease having an underlying emotional cause, balanced emotions also means a healthier body. Observe how your body reacts when you are scared, or when you don’t express yourself when you need to. These often manifest as pain or discomfort in the stomach and throat areas respectively. For those who desire a much greater purpose for meditation, it is a tool for Self-realization. Meditation is key in understanding who you really are, beyond mere physical appearance and personality traits. It is a means of knowing, and uniting with Divine Consciousness. One cannot truly understand their religion or know their God, without the practice of meditation. It is a means of going beyond what we are able to perceive with our physical senses, to the creative power that lies behind it all. Meditating with this intention will not only help in the reconnection with the Divine, but it will also heal you on all denser levels as well. This can be understood in the following way: When you are focused on God/ Buddha/ Source (whatever it is you wish to call it), when your aim is to be one with this Greater Power, that energy pours into your entire four-body system, attuning you to it. As your connection with God grows, and as you begin to realize your One-ness with All That Is, so things that are not of God begin to leave your system. Sometimes this can be a rather uncomfortable release, while at other times can be quite pleasant and exciting. Ultimately it is an empowering process you go through. So there are a number of different reasons and benefits for why one begins meditating, and so there are also a number of different methods to suit all types of people. If you are meditating at home, I suggest that before you start, light a candle somewhere in the room, and perhaps burn a little incense as well. If you have some really soft ambient music or meditation cds, you may like to play some of that too. These ‘set the mood’ so to speak, and have their own particular relaxing effects on the body and mind. You may choose not to stimulate your senses so much, in which case the music and incense are not necessary. With fewer things to stimulate your physical senses, you may find it easier to focus your attention within. Ideally, wear clothing that is loose and comfortable. You may want to also state your intention in your mind for that particular meditation. Find a nice comfortable spot to either sit or lie down. If you choose to sit, I suggest that you sit on a pillow so that just your bum is raised slightly higher off the surface you are sitting on. Cross your legs in such a way that your right leg is on top of the left with your right foot resting either on you left thigh or calf. This is the half lotus posture. This has a particular effect on your breathing that is ideal for meditation and creative thinking. You could also choose to rather sit on a chair with back support. In this case make sure you are sitting upright and not slouching. As you begin your meditation, put your entire focus on taking at least 3 slow, deep breaths. From here you can move on to your chosen method or meditation technique. If you like the idea of using your imagination and visualizing during meditation, do so in such a way that your meditation is a journey. For example, if you would like to let go of certain emotions, you may want to picture yourself walking through a forest to a waterfall (keeping in mind that our emotions respond to flowing water and that it reminds us that change is a part of Life). You lie in a pool of water allowing it to wash over you, taking with it any emotions that no longer serve you. Observing a sunset, even in your own mind, draws in a beautiful energy that relaxes you and can aid in lifting one out of depression and low moods. Focusing just on your breath while consciously relaxing each area of your body, working from you toes all the way to the top of your head, is ideal to do just before you go to bed, especially if you have trouble sleeping. The use of affirmations and repeating mantras are also very powerful tools to use. I have discussed the use of a mantra in a previous blog already, but I will very briefly discuss it here again. Mantras are words, often in Sanskrit, that when chanted or repeated in the mind, affect the body in certain ways and attune your body and mind to the energy of that mantra. One I have particularly enjoyed using is “Baba Nam Kevelam”, which translates to “God is all there is” or “Only the name of my Beloved.” Affirmations can be used either in meditation, at the start of your day, or before going in to challenging situations. Simply affirming that you are happy, or enjoying an abundant Life, can transmute negative emotions and thoughts into positive ones. Affirming that whatever is bothering you no longer serves you, and that you are now stronger without it, will also find you enjoying your day with profound confidence. You may enjoy the idea of working with Angels or Ascended beings. I then suggest that you invoke their presence at the beginning of your meditation, simply by asking or intending them to be there. At the end of your meditation, thank them for their time with you and for their guidance. A glass of water after your meditation is also a good idea. So that covers the basics of meditation. With serious dedication and sincerity, your experiences will become more profound and more wonderful. Your Life will literally begin to change in the most pleasant of ways. While I do recommend frequent meditation on your own, I would also suggest that you get involved with a group of people who often get together for group meditations. The energy created within a group is that much stronger, and the group acts like a support system, so when you have questions or are going through a difficult time, they are there to help you. If you would like to get involved with a group or get one started, feel free to give me a shout. I would be happy to assist you with this in any way that I can. And if you have any questions about meditation, or experiences you would like to share, I am always available to help. I hope that this helps you to get started in practicing meditation. I urge you to keep it up once you start. There really is so much you can gain from it, and so much you can do for others through it. Again, I am always available if you would like to know more. May Love and Compassion guide you always, Your brother in Light, Love, and Service, Ryan If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites: Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=131880254 http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/ or you can add me on Facebook and find my blogs in the Notes section there- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/notes.php?id=521171190

One: 21-01-2009 [Creating a Boundaryless World]

One: 21-01-2009 [Creating a Boundaryless World]

Blessings All. This week's blog is inspired by a brother's efforts towards creating a Boundaryless World. In previous blogs I have discussed selfless service and transcending war-like thinking; these are keys in making a Boundaryless World become a reality. Stop and think about that for a moment. A Boundaryless World…. What does that mean to you? A world that accepts and respects all human beings for who they are. A brotherhood of man. United in-difference. Your religion, age, race, gender, class… none of these matter… you are my brothers and sisters regardless of these minor differences. We share this planet together, and that is enough for me. I need no other reason but this to Love and honor your presence here. My home is your home. Your goals are my goals. Your happiness is my happiness. And your suffering is my suffering. It is this brotherhood amongst all people that is the foundation for a boundaryless world. As individual personalities, we are all different, unique, but at the core of our being we are all the same. Why should our differences separate us? Instead they should be a reason for a beautiful friendship. The greater the differences between you and I, the more there is for us to learn from one another. But before we can learn from one another, we must accept and respect our differences. Perhaps the difference that causes the most conflict is that of religious preference. Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Muslim and all other faiths should be reason to love and respect one another. All religions are based around the same fundamental Truth. You choose to follow a religion to better yourself as a human being, and to reunite with the one Creator. Source/ God/ Divine or Cosmic Consciousness, these are all just words…different names for the same 'thing.' Every religion has something to offer in helping you better the quality of Life you experience here on Earth, so why confine yourself to just one. Why not embrace all religions? Why not visit places of worship that are outside your chosen faith. God is present in all of these places, so why should you avoid a temple built under a different religion. Recognize the common goal between followers of all faiths, and in doing so, more boundaries begin to dissolve, and religious conflict begins to vanish with it. So you see the need to accept the differences of another, whether they are of age, gender, race, religion, class, music, dress code, culture, subculture, or educational background. Another step towards a boundaryless world comes with selfless service. I was having a discussion with some dear friends the other day about getting involved with poorer communities. I'm going to describe a vision shared with me by one friend so that it becomes more than just a small idea in your mind, but rather a clear picture of what could be: Imagine yourself starting up a fruit and vegetable garden at home. Your intention with this may initially just be as a hobby or as a means to enjoy a healthier diet, but eventually this grows into wanting to share not only your surplus produce, but the knowledge of such gardening as well. So you decide to get involved with one of the poorer communities nearest to you and offer to share your produce with them whilst teaching them how to start and maintain their own community garden. Both surprised and excited. They gratuitously accept your offer. Eventually your harvest is ready and you take you surplus to the community where you find yourself sitting around a fire with the people, sharing your produce while enjoying conversation with them. Your kindness inspires them to do for another community what you have done for them, and so you are involved in helping another community get a fruit and vegetable garden started. However, the first group are the ones doing the teaching this time, passing what you taught them on to this second community. When the first group's produce is ready, they go and share it with the second group in very much the same way in which you experienced: sitting together around the fire enjoying the food and getting to know one another. When the second group's produce is ready, they share it with the first. So two communities are brought together, and the boundaries of race, class and culture begin to fall away. In its place, brotherhood develops between you and the two communities. This is one way in which boundaries can be dissolved through teaching and selfless service. This would also be a good project for younger generations and schools to get involved in. Teaching the youth how to grow healthy fruit and vegetables, and giving them the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to the people of poorer communities. There are numerous ways in which you can contribute to creating this Boundaryless World. I challenge you to think creatively about this and to play a part in bringing this world into manifestation. People are already making an effort and thousands support this possibility. For those of you on Facebook, I want to direct you to a few groups created in the spirit of a Boundaryless World. This is the Boundaryless World parent group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=6873057377 A Boundaryless 'Multiversity' [University] is also in the works and ideas are being shared in this group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29259019150#/group.php ?gid=29259019150 I mentioned earlier visiting places of worship outside your chosen faith; a group is also dedicated to doing this: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52064670019 I have shared with you now only a small part of what a Boundaryless World entails. Take some time to think more on this. The kinds of relationships that people would share. The abundance not only of food and resources, but of unconditional Love and Respect as well. The issue of poverty and unemployment fall away when the people have knowledge of how to sustain themselves in an honest way such as growing their own crops or crafting their own furniture. Those of use who skilled in such areas have a responsibly to share the knowledge with others. The time has come for us to brake down these barriers that separate us, to respect the differences of our fellow human beings, our brother and sisters of Earth. You wish for a better world, one of Peace? I am asking you now to do more than just wish. Make the effort to dissolve your own boundaries that hold you from being compassionate towards another, because such a world CAN exist. And with your help, it WILL exist. As always it has been a pleasure to share this with you. I sincerely hope it helps and inspires you in some way. May Love and Compassion guide you always. Your Brother in the creation of a Boundaryless World, Ryan If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites: Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=3Dblog.ListAll&friendID=3D1318= 80254 http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/ or you can add me on Facebook and find my blogs in the Notes section there- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=3Dlogo#/notes.php?id=3D521171190

One: 13-01-2009 [Transcending War : Part two]

One: 13-01-2009 [Transcending War : Part two]

Blessings. This is the second part of this weeks blog discussing the issue of war and reaching a state of non-violence. I shared with you on Monday a passage emailed to me over the weekend. To sum up what was said: War cannot be outgrown while one takes one side over another. This only fuels the conflict. In order to outgrow war, we need to first rise beyond the thinking that got us into the current situation, for that state of thinking that got you into it will not get you out of it. War is a manifestation of Fear and separation. When one moves beyond these two factors, war begins to fall away. Second, we need to embrace the possibility that a world without war can exist. If two people can be at Peace with one another and Love the one another unconditionally, or rather, if one can be at Peace with THEMSELVES, then a world in which war ceases to exist, is more than possible. We must come to the realization that all beings are One, our minds exist as One, as a unified consciousness. War is a result of unhealthy and fear-based thinking. To remove war from our reality, we must remove it from our minds. That is not to say we must dismiss the fact that war is a very real problem in today's world, but rather me must transcend the thinking that brings war into existence. One must develop the mind to a point where war is seen as unnecessary and insane, which is exactly what it is. As each person begins to raise their level of consciousness to new heights, so the collective consciousness begins to rise as well. A step towards Peace in your own mind is a step for Peace in all minds. Some may look at nations at war and say "That's terrible, but it doesn't affect me" or "It's not my problem". I say to you now that it DOES affect you, and it IS your problem. It doesn't matter what races, religions or nations are at war, these are are fellow human beings, brothers and sisters sharing this planet with you, suffering unnecessarily. You may ask "But what can I do?"... The solution lies in shifting our way of thinking beyond thoughts of violence towards others and yourself. Begin training your mind to think differently. The mind is an incredible tool, and if used correctly, is capable of great things. You are already aware of how "thoughts become things." The world around you reflects your state of thinking. With that in mind, I challenge you to harbor thoughts of Peace, Love, and Compassion. When you live your Life with these qualities steady in your heart and mind, the world you know starts shifting to align itself with that state of being. Bare in mind also that violence cannot be overcome with the use of more violence. "Violence breeds violence". Only through Love can violence be resolved. " Wherever there are wars, wherever we are confronted with an opponent, conquer with Love. I have found that the certain law of Love has answered in my own Life as the law of destruction has never done." Mahatma Gandhi In reaching a state of non-violence, one must also learn to be forgiving, again of others and oneself. . War and crime never pay. The billions of dollars that went up in explosive nothingness would have been sufficient to have made a new world, one almost free from disease and completely free from poverty. Not an earth of fear, chaos, famine, pestilence, the danse macabre [dance of death], but one broad land of peace, prosperity, and widening knowledge. The non-violent voice of Gandhi appeals to man's highest conscience. Let nations ally themselves no longer with death, but with Life; not with destruction, but construction; not with hate, but with the creative miracles of Love. "One must forgive, under any injury," says the Mahabharata. "It hath been said that the continuation of the species is due to man's being forgiving. Forgiveness is holiness; by forgiveness the universe is held together. Forgiveness is the might of the mighty; forgiveness is sacrifice; forgiveness is quiet of mind. Forgiveness and gentleness are qualities of the Self-possessed. They represent eternal virtue." Nonviolence is the natural outgrowth of the law of forgiveness and Love. [Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda] Forgiveness must be granted not only in current situations, but to all issues of the past as well. Hanging on to past hurts will hold you back from attaining this state of ahimsa [nonviolence]. Forgive those who did you harm in the past, and forgive yourself for allowing yourself to become a victim. Forgive yourself if you have done harm to another, or if you have made choices that have perhaps held you back. Accept differences between human beings, but recognize that, at the core, we are no different from one another. We are made of the same energy, all expressions of Divine Consciousness, of Cosmic Mind, of God. Treat all beings as such. These steps taken to raise your own vibration, to evolve to a higher state of consciousnees, will not only bring a remarkable change in your own Life, but a massive change in the entire world as you raise the level of consciousness of all beings. Remember that as you do this, so it becomes easier for the next person to do so. A world that knows only Peace and Compassion is within grasp, but an effort on your part, as well as mine, is required if that utopia world is to come into manifestation. Unite, dearest brother and sisters, in this cause for a world that knows no war, only Peace; no hatred, only Love and Compassion. Unite, knowing that our combined efforts make the possiblilty of such a world increase exponentially. You are capable of bringing about this change, your task now is to BE that change. Your Brother in Peace, Love and Compassion Ryan

One: 12-01-2009 (TRanscending War : Part One)

One: 12-01-2009 (TRanscending War : Part One)
Good Morning Dearest Brothers and Sisters. I hope you are all well rested after the weekend and are ready to enjoy the week ahead.
This week's letter comes in two parts as I don't want to overwhelm you with too much reading at one time. So in this first part I want to pass on to you a message that was mailed to me this weekend titled : Towards A Miracle In The Middle East. I then leave you with some time before sending you part two in which I will go on to discuss the topic of war and reaching a state of non-violence.

Towards a Miracle in the Middle East

Today is a day to cry for Israel. Today is a day to cry for the Palestinians. Today is a day to cry for all of us.

Today is a day of war.

War anywhere, at this point in our history, is an action that threatens peace everywhere. Particularly when it comes to the Middle East. From its spiritual significance to its political significance, it is humanity's hot spot. It always has been and probably always will be. It's where all the rivers of human perspective meet, to become either a cauldron of hatred or an ocean of love.

While it might be tempting to "take sides" between Israel and the Palestinians, spiritually there are no sides to be taken. God does not give us victory in battle but rather lifts us above the battlefield. As a generation, our moral imperative is to end war period, to somehow move beyond the idea that war is an acceptable means of solving problems. Anything less then that makes us attitudinal conspirators with a line of probability leading to nuclear catastrophe.

According to Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, humanity's biggest problems cannot be solved; they must be outgrown. Our task is to create a field of consciousness in which the idea of war has dropped from the ethers.

So how do we outgrow war?

The first thing we do is to accept the possibility that the end of war is possible. In fact, in the words of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, "We must challenge the belief that war is inevitable." We must embrace the possibility that a world without war could exist.

Secondly, we must mature beyond the belief that the thinking that got us into this mess is thinking can lead us out of it. "The problems of the world will not be solved on the level of thinking we were at when we created them," wrote Einstein. We must realize that the mortal ego will not provide us with a solution to the existence of war, because it itself is the problem. Notions such as, "The Israelis have a right to defend themselves," and "The Palestinians have taken so much abuse; what do you expect them to do?" are both insidious drivers of war masquerading as principled stands. They keep us attached to the very duality that is the root of separation and war.

On a spiritual level, our greatest service to both Israelis and Palestinians is to reach for a higher truth within our own minds. An essential principle of metaphysical reality is that all minds are joined; as any of us are drawn to higher thoughts, then all of us are drawn to higher thoughts. As we ourselves embrace a higher truth, we help create an anti-gravitational force field that lifts all minds above separation, hatred and war.

For all our talk about wanting to be the change, how many of us are siding now against one side or the other in the current Mid-East conflict? If you really want to help the situation there, ask God to remove from your heart any judgment you have against the Israelis or the Palestinians. Any thought of judgment you hold is like a gun that you yourself are firing.

The human race is evolving to the realization that what is happening on the level of consciousness both precedes and determines what happens in the world. War is just an effect, not a cause. With the power of our minds, we can move beyond the level of effect to the level of cause. There, and only there, can we wipe out what President Franklin Roosevelt called the "beginnings of all war."

As Americans, we have a creed --- a set of principles enshrined and institutionalized in our founding documents. First and foremost among them is that "all men are created equal." Period. End of story. Don't be lured into thinking that either Israelis or Palestinians have been either the perfect innocents or the perfect victims here; such thinking serves neither. The greatest gift you can give to both is to realize that on a spiritual level, Israelis and Palestinians are one. Their only true reality is the reality of whom they are in this moment, freed from any thoughts of the past.

Complexity is of the ego; do not linger there. Of course there is a complicated history to the struggle currently playing out in the Middle East, and that complicated history has significance and relevance for traditional political formulation. So leave that to the traditional politicians. Our task as seekers and purveyors of a higher human consciousness is to move beyond traditional political notions, to a holistic politics that embraces the relevance of psychological and spiritual realities to the political issues of our time. As students of Gandhi and Dr. King, we know that moving beyond the violence in our own hearts is essential if we are to be conduits for the creation of a world at peace. The truly new politics goes beyond mere "post-partisan" hand-shaking and collaboration among former rivals. It takes us to a new kind of thinking as a basis for the creation of a new kind of world.

Traditionalists can call us naïve all they want to. But anyone who thinks that human hatred can simply be bombed away…they are naïve. Anyone who thinks we can continue to tolerate violence on this planet at ever-increasing levels and have such conflagrations not lead to the ultimate cataclysm of nuclear catastrophe… they are naïve. Anyone who thinks that the narrowness of a rationalistic, mechanistic human perspective can lead us out of the hell which that perspective itself has created…they are naïve. And those who see prayer as merely "symbol, not substance"… they are naïve. Prayer is hardly just symbol; it is a mover of hearts, and thus a mover of mountains.

Mountains we now need desperately to move.

Through the grace of God we are not powerless; according to A Course in Miracles, moving mountains is small compared to what we can do. War is at heart a spiritual problem and it can only be eradicated with a spiritual solution….a solution that lies within all of us.

Martin Luther King Jr. said there is a power in our hearts more powerful than the power of bullets. He described Mahatma Gandhi as the first person in the world to take the love ethic of Jesus Christ and turn it into a broad scale social force for good. (To Gandhi himself, non-violence was not just the love ethic of Jesus, but rather the heart of all religion and the heart of reality itself.) On today's geo-political landscape, we see hatred turned into a political force all around us; the politics of non-violence turns love into a political force. The question for any conscious human being, much less spiritual seeker, is, "How can I help do that?" Only the power in our hearts will be able to eradicate the idea of war, then the reality of war, from the experience of the human race.

According to Gandhi, the problem with the world was that humanity was not in its right mind. And arguably, we still are not. War, quite simply, is insane. For those of us who wish to be part of the solution to war - not part of the problem -- it is time to change our own minds, to accept a healing of our own war-like thoughts, in order to create a new field of possibility. Whether dealing with the transformation of the individual or of the transformation of the world, only what is changed on the level of consciousness becomes a fundamental change in the conditions of the world.

For five minutes each day, be a spiritual activist.

You probably already know what to do. Turn off the TV; neither CNN, MSNBC or FOX know the news. They only know data.

Turn off the bright lights. Put down the newspaper. And go within.

However you do it, turn your attention to the God of your understanding. Surrender your own hatred, give over your own wars, and ask that this year you be lifted above the violence that still lives inside your heart.

With your eyes closed, see on one side of your inner vision the Israeli people. See their physicality, their mannerisms, as you recognize them on the material plane. Now see a light within their hearts, and slowly watch that light expand, extending beyond the confines of their bodies. See the bodies begin to fade before the greater light of their eternal selves.

Now with your inner eye look to the other side of your inner vision, and see there the Palestinian people. See their physicality, their mannerisms, as you recognize them on the material plane. Now see a light within their hearts, and slowly watch that light expand, extending beyond the confines of their bodies. See the bodies begin to fade before the greater light of their eternal selves.

Now using your inner eye - your greatest source of power - bear witness to what happens as the inner light of the Israelis begins to merge with the inner light of the Palestinians. Bear witness to the merging of their spiritual selves. Simply watch and focus, for what you focus on grows stronger.

You are bearing witness now to a higher truth, thus using the power of your mind to draw a heavenly truth into material manifestation. In the presence of higher thought forms, lower ones fall of their own dead weight. In the presence of light, darkness disappears. In the presence of eternal truth, temporal lies begin to fall away.

In the words of Dr. King, "No lie can last forever." The idea that the Israeli and Palestinian people are truly separate, or have separate needs, is simply a lie of the mortal mind. Spiritually, we are all one. Israelis and Palestinians were created by the same God; in Him they are equal and they are joined eternally. Only thought forms have separated them. Thought forms of guilt and separation have been handed down to children born innocent of such lies, generation after generation; those are the true enemy here, not either group of people.

As any of us move beyond the fear-based thought forms of separation and guilt to the truth of our eternal oneness, it becomes easier for everyone else to do so as well. Let's give up the way-too-easy, so-American way of chiding either Israelis or Palestinians for their difficulty in forgiving the past. What both peoples have endured is almost unimaginable, and only the truly sainted among us should even for a minute consider judging either side.

We don't have to; and when in our own right minds, we don't want to.

Use the power of your mind to create a new possibility… a miracle in the Middle East.

As the poet Rumi wrote so eloquently, "Out beyond all ideas of right and wrong, there is a field. I'll meet you there." So go there now. Such thoughts are not just poetry, or even symbol, any longer. In the world that's being born, they're the stuff of a new politics.

No more simply asking, "But what can I do?" Go even further, to "What can I think? What can I pray for? What can I meditate on?" Pray for the removal of all walls that separate any of us from any of us, not only on our earth but also in our minds. Pray for the removal of the guns that still fire within your own mind as you accuse or withhold your forgiveness from anyone. And pray that at this perilous hour, those of us whose lives have not been touched by the horrors of war can be of service to those whose lives have been.



Dear God, please deliver them.
And dear God, deliver us all.


Now I ask that you, as mentioned above, to .."embrace the possibility that a world without war could exist." The outer world reflects our inner group state of consciousness. So work for Peace within your own mind. As you do, the world around you begins to change. As more people focus on Peace within themselves, so Peace begins to manifest and reflect around the globe. I will go further into this in part two.

I thank you for taking the time to read this. May you have a pleasant day filled with Love and Peace of Mind.
Your Brother in Service
Ryan