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.

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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
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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

One: 06-01-2009

One: 06-01-2009

Blessings and well wishes my brothers and sisters. As with my previous letters, I am guided to share with you the things I am busy leaning about, so I will follow up on last week's message and then move into something that I have recently come to know more about: the use of a mantra in meditation. Last week I encouraged that you recognize your unique gifts and do what you can, as best you can, to manifest positive change in the world around you. Many tend to make the decision to do just that, but very quickly lose motivation or focus. This week I want to remind you to stay true and focused to the changes and decisions you make regardless of what comes your way. Your focus, as well as you sincerity in your practice, will bring you reward. By reward I don't mean material or financial reward, but rather the reward of greater opportunities, and the sight of the change you hoped to inspire begin to manifest all around you. Remaining focused and sincere in your specific goal or practice, you will also begin to notice incredible synchronicity. You start meeting people who are able to help you with the work you are doing, friends that share the same passion for your cause starting flowing into your Life, greater opportunities too start coming your way, all allowing you to manifest your goal on a larger scale if that's what you hope to do. So start paying attention to new people that come into your Life, people, books, articles, courses etc. that you for some unknown reason are particularly drawn to. In most cases these things will be in alignment with what you are doing or where you need to be. Meditation also becomes an extremely valuable practice in allowing you to be much more receptive and able to recognize synchronicity or signs that come your way. Our minds are often so busy and scattered that all too often we dismiss the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) messages that we are given. Meditation helps considerably to focus the mind, and so allowing you to be more attuned to the subtle energies of the Universe and the Divine messages that you would do well to receive. The number of different methods and forms of meditation are about as vast as the benefits one can gain from it, of which an increased ability to focus your mind is one. Perhaps one of the most simple tools for meditation is the use of a mantra: a word, or collection of words (often in Sanskrit) that when repeated affect the body and mind in a particular kind of way. We should all know how words, and the thought attached to them, can affect us. When someone verbally expresses violence or hatred, our body, emotions and mind respond negatively. When someone expresses genuine gratitude or Love, we are moved and often uplifted by their words. Mantras work on very much the same lines. In my first letter i shared with you the Soul or Monadic Mantra which is a fairly long mantra to repeat, but some prefer to use simpler Sanskrit words, which i perceive to be much purer in nature. Because we've attached so many thoughts and emotions to certain words in our own language, it may make it difficult to experience the energy of mantra to its fullest when repeated in English. But when we are introduced to Sanskrit words, they are untainted by our thoughts, so to speak. This allows us to better connect with both the sound and the energy that arises from repeating the mantra. Just briefly on what I mean with English words being 'tainted' by our thoughts: Take the word Love for example. Many don't know the true nature of Love, or may have certain emotions (pleasant or unpleasant) attached that relate only to romantic relationship. When using a Sanskrit word for Love, you are very aware that you are working with something sacred, a Divine or Cosmic Love. Even the word, God, has particular thought patterns attached to it. Using Sanskrit, again one tends to be removed from those thoughts, working with a much purer word form for God. A few Sanskrit mantras I have come across are: "Aum", the pure sound of Creation; "Om Mani Padme Hum", the mantra of the embodiment of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara; and the one I have most recently been introduced to and working with, "Baba Nam Kevalam", which translates to "Only the Name of My Beloved" or can also be interpreted as "God [or Love] Is All There Is." Reiki practitioners should also notice that name of the symbols used in our practice are mantras in themselves. I recommend you spend some time in meditation just focusing on one particular symbol and use it as a mantra. This is something I am starting to experiment with as well. These symbols are tool for healing, so perhaps using them in this way will be a powerful method for self-healing. For those who are interested in meditation, using a mantra is a very good place to start. And for those who are already spending time meditating, I suggest you experiment with using a mantra from time to time. Of course if it doesn't quite resonate with you, then there is no need to do it. I'm sure most of you reading this, in particular the ones who receive this via email, are already doing some form of meditation, but for those who aren't but are interested to know more about it, you are more than welcome to give me a call or email. I will happily share with you my knowledge and help you as best I can. The core thing in any meditation is deep, even breathing, and a point of focus. So if you would like to experiment with a mantra, just find a comfortable spot to sit , where you won't be easily distracted, close your eyes and start relaxing your body. Breath slowly and deeply. Then all you need to do is silently or out loud (it really doesn't matter, though most prefer to silently repeat it in the head) begin repeating the chosen mantra. While there is no set number of times you should repeat the mantra, Tibetan Buddhist tend to repeat it 108 times, with the aid of prayer beads to count the recitations. I have recommended the use of mantras here to help you focus your mind and allow you to be more receptive to intuitive messages, so as to help you further your practice and bring you closer to achieving the goals or changes you wish to manifest in the world. So to end this off, all I can really say is: Enjoy. Please know that I am here to serve and share knowledge with all who seek it, so you are more than welcome to contact me anytime with questions, to discuss the various topics I have been looking at, or anything else you may need. Your Brother in Love, Light, and Service. Ryan PS. The Holistic Day at Animal Welfare Society in Port Elizabeth on 31 January is drawing nearer. Interested stall holders are please to get hold of me so I can forward Michelle's details to you. And for anyone who wants more information about the Holistic Day can drop me an email anytime. I have attached the poster for the event, so if you can, please print it and put it up on notice boards in your area or in the window of your car. That would be greatly appreciated. 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: 28-12-2008

One: 28-12-2008

Blessings, Dear Brothers and Sisters I bow in reverence and gratitude to have you here reading my 5th blog. The topic this time, still very closely linked with my previous blogs, deals with our infinite potential to manifest positive change in the world, and that now, more than ever, is the time to focus on doing just that. I've been spending some time wondering what 2009 will bring for us, those with knowledge of numerology will recognize this as the number of mastery, 11. Most of you may already be aware of the shifts taking place on Earth at this time, and understand that we are in transition period. Some of you may be looking at Earth's current state of chaos and perceive humanity to be on the path leading to the complete destruction of itself and the planet. I understand what it is you are seeing and feeling. But this message is here to assure you that while things seem to be getting steadily worse, Hope is far from lost. It is very possible that things may indeed get considerably worse in the future, but if you look closely, the possibility and potential for great (and most certainly positive) change is rapidly rising as well. I am seeing people come together more than before during times of suffering, the bonds between people strengthening, as well as small groups getting together to do good of some kind. While it is good to see this happening, there is still quite a way to go. If positive change is to come about, then every one of us needs to step up and do our bit. Gandhi himself said "Be the change you want to see in the world." Don't merely sit back and expect things to get better without any kind of effort on your part. BE the change, and the world around you begins to shift and change until it is in alignment with your state of BEing. We all possess unique talents, gifts and qualities that we can offer the world. I ask you to take so time to realize this. Utilize your gifts, your infinite potential, to bring more Love into this beautiful world in some way or another. No one is helpless in terms of bringing about positive change. If you are able to make one other person smile, or rather if you yourself are capable of wearing a genuine smile, then i can assure you that you are far from helpless. You are capable of great things, if only you will allow yourself to be. Artists: Use your incredible talent to spread awareness on issues that concern you. Create work that will open the doors to a more conscious state of Being. Art is not merely a sensory thing, it is also an intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual thing. Your work is able to move, uplift and inform people. Use this tool to its fullest potential rather than merely creating a pretty picture for example. Animal lovers: get involved with animal shelters and animal rescue initiatives. Environmentalists: Educate people people on the state of our environment, how to recycle and "think green". For those more people orientated: Get into the poorer communities and teach people how to be self-sufficient by helping them develop skills such as farming and maintaining fruit and vegetable gardens, or carpentry, metal-work, and cooking. This also helps break the barrier between black and white, rich and poor, separations that are still very much evident in most countries. Perhaps you could even get involved with various support groups; so many people out there just need a friend or someone to talk to. Writers: Use your words (whether in fictional writing or a recollection of your own experiences) to motivate people and inspire change. Healing facilitators and teachers have an important responsibility in all of this as well. Continue your practice with even greater passion and Love. Devote yourself to your own spiritual growth so that you may be of greater service to All, in particular you students and 'patients.' Provide them with all the knowledge you can give them to ensure healing and profound growth on all levels. I have found that there are a number of small groups of spiritually inclined groups and individuals in Port Elizabeth that aren't even aware of one another in this small city. I'm sure this is the case in most places around the globe. Many of you are probably already aware of the energy your group creates and what you are capable of. I believe the time has come for all the individuals and small groups to come together, not judging one another, but recognizing the brilliance and beauty of the Light within us all. Working as a unified Whole, not only will our own spiritual development begin to accelerate, but the change we will be able to manifest will also be considerably greater. Many of you may also have dreams of organizing events or start small businesses that aid a particular cause; let 2009 be the year that you bring these dreams to fruit. Don't let Fear (of peoples reactions, financial difficulty etc) prevent you from making your dreams a reality. If you are uncertain, then start small, be resourceful, and get friends and family involved. As I have discussed in my earlier blogs: you have nothing to fear when doing you work with honestly, Love, and for the good of all. Remember also that the smallest acts of Love and Kindness are capable of creating waves of change, so do not think that the work you are doing is insignificant. If 2009 is to be a year of Mastery, then this is my call to you to step into your own mastery. Be the master of your reality. Be the mastery of your practice, and be a master of service for the good of All. There is much to do, and times may get tough, but that is exactly why we need to come together now to support one another. Bare in mind though that the Universe will never throw you more than you can handle, so stand in confidence of your own abilities, of your own potential. And stand with Love in your heart, for that is the key to handling all Life's challenges. As always, it has been my pleasure sharing these words with you, and I sincerely hope they are of some help to you. May 2009 be a year filled with blessings for you, a year where you step into your mastery, One with your True Self. All the best for the year ahead. Your Brother in Love, Light, and Service. Ryan

One: 22-12-2008

One: 22-12-2008

Blessings Brothers and Sisters.... Blog number four.. here we go.... This time I'll be quite briefly discussing Suffering: why we need it, and why we should be grateful even for our painful experiences. Suffering takes many forms, but is typically an unpleasant and painful feeling. This does not necessarily mean that suffering is a bad thing though. When looking at Buddha's teachings, we come to understand that one of the primary causes of suffering is due to the fact that people are generally desirous. The fact that we desire something is to say we are not satisfied with the present moment or our present situation. Often when a desire is apparently satisfied, we are not. We find something else to become the object of desire, further denying the perfection of the Present, of the NOW moment. One desire after the next, we are never satisfied, and never truly happy, forever in a state of suffering. To transcend this form of suffering, we have to recognize the beauty of the Present, and that we have all that we need. Rich or poor, solitary or surrounded by friends, Happiness comes with contentment and acceptance of what IS. Suffering, as I mentioned, is not all bad. It has the power to bring people together and opens the door for great changes to be made in one's Life. Most of us have experienced the death of a friend or family member. This can be an incredibly painful thing to come to terms with, but observe how people come together to Love and support one another during such a difficult time. The bonds between people strengthen and they come to see Life with a clearer perspective and greater appreciation. In times of suffering, people are more inclined to seek help or to grow themselves spiritually so they can transcend their suffering. During difficult times we spend greater amounts of time in meditation, but when things seem to be going well, we spend less time doing so. I would like to add that this has an adverse effect on one's spiritual evolution. Meditation should be a frequent practice regardless of how great or terrible life seems to be at any given moment. Suffering causes us to make changes, and strengthens us as human beings. All of our experiences, good and bad, have brought us to this very point in our Lives, to this perfect moment that is NOW. For this we must be grateful.. Had it not been for our painful, as well as joyous, times in our Lives, we would not be the person that we are today. Some might say that they do not like who they are today...Well let me remind you that you are perfect and beautiful in every way, regardless of what you may think. If you are unhappy with who you think you are, or with your current state of suffering, then realize that you have an infinite power and potential to manifest change in your Life. The greater the suffering, the greater the potential learn and grow beyond it. As 2008 comes to a close, express your gratitude for all the year's experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant. Allow yourself to let go of any pain attached, whether it be mental, emotional, or physical pain, making space for new and wonderful experiences ahead in 2009. This has just been a short message this time round, but as always, i sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it. May you all have a blessed Christmas and New Year, All the best for 2009 Your Brother in Light and Love Ryan

One: 15-12-2008

One: 15-12-2008

Blessings everyone. My third blog/newsletter here has yet again the spirit of giving and selfless service, though I will be looking more specifically at the illusion of sacrifice. This illusion comes from something that can be termed a scarcity-consciousness and an incorrect understanding of the Universe. Those that have watched or read The Secret should by now understand the power of thought and manifestation, and that nothing is ever lacking in our Universe, All is in abundance. When we step into this abundance-consciousness, the illusion of sacrifice begins to dissolve. The scarcity-consciousness (This can also be seen as due to the Ego's insecurity and fear of not having enough) that people has so long been trapped in, thinking that there is a lack of certain things in the Universe, whether they are tangible are not, has caused people to hesitate and even prevented them from helping someone in need. This also causes humanity to come to a near halt in terms of the evolution of consciousness. Selfless service is perhaps the most wonderful and effective way of raising one's vibration as well as that of others. Helping another inspires both that person and others to offer themselves in service of another, thus raising their vibration along with yours. So we can see the positive ripple effect selfless service can have. Most of you have seen the movie Pay It Forward and thought "Hey, wouldn't that be nice"... I'm telling you now that this is more than possible, and is not at all difficult. The smallest act of kindness can have monumental effects. In shattering the illusion of sacrifice, we need to first understand the nature of things. Science has already shown us that all things are merely energy, taking a certain form and always vibrating. Science has also taught us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. We know, or at least we should know by now, that there is an infinite supply of energy in the Universe, and its our thoughts (which are forms of energy in themselves) that determine the form that this energy takes. To transcend the scarcity-consciousness, one must realize this infinite supply of energy and how to utilize it. 201: Everything We seek to manifest Is Energy The next key in my manifestation work has been the understanding that whatever i seek to manifest is Energy. Everything is God's Universe, including the material universe is energy vibrating at different rates of speed and resonance. The money and material things we seek to manifest are energy. All manifestation - whether healing the physical body or Ascension or material things- involves working with energy. Begin to see everything you are doing as moving and shifting energy. Then you will have begun to tap into one of the true golden keys of the process of alchemy, transmutation and manifestation in every aspect of your Life. (Golden Keys To Ascension And Healing, by Dr Joshua David Stone) When you realize that that bit of money in your wallet is quite easily regained if "lost", you would be more willing to use it in a way that is beneficial to someone in need without hesitation when the opportunity arises. This applies not only to money, but all forms of energy, material, emotional, or mental. "To lead a pure unselfish Life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance." There is an infinite supply of energy and all things, and here this quote provides us with the key to living in this abundant Universe. When you count nothing as your own, the illusion of sacrifice falls away. One can also approach this from the perspective of Oneness. "He who experiences the unity of Life sees his own Self in all things, and all things in his own Self, and looks upon everything with an impartial eye." When offering yourself selflessly in service of another, you who realize yourself to be One with, are you really sacrificing anything. You give of your self to your self. No loss, no gain. The illusion of sacrifice disintegrates. I share this with you because I believe that transcending the scarcity-consciousness and illusion of sacrifice is key to allowing ourselves to be of greater service to humanity and speeding up our evolution in realizing our True selves. I'll leave you with another Golden key shared by Joshua Stone in his writings to emphasize selfless service 216: Serve Without Attachment to the Fruits of Your Labors. This golden key is serving humanity without attachment to the fruits of your work. What matters is that you have given the service freely and with Love. Leave the results to God (Source, the Divine, the Creator, however you with to term it). Sometimes seeds are planted that will not sprout for many years. This is fine. What is important is that you give Love. Do not look for people to give something in return. Our job is to shine our Light and Love regardless how it is received. Thus we remain at cause in our reality. Our job is simply to give Love and service unceasingly and focus only on this. The all will flow back to us in great abundance. (Golden Keys To Ascension And Healing, by Dr Joshua David Stone) As always, I hope that you enjoyed reading this, and that it aids you in some way. Your brother in Light and Love, Ryan

One: 04-12-2008

One: 04-12-2008

Blessings Dear Ones. I know this newsletter comes quite shortly after my first one, but it comes in the spirit of this weekends Holistic Day at the Animal Welfare on Saturday. For those who dont know about it, this is the second Holistic Day to take place at the Animal Welfare Society in Port Elizabeth. Last time we had a variety of stalls selling a range of things such as books, crystals, tri-vortex products, animal chews and toys, fresh veg (and mushrooms so big you could almost wear them on your head, haha), incense, art by Maristha (http://spiritualart.weebly.com) , jewelary and natural skin care products. There were also Tai Chi and yoga demostrations, a labyrinth, and Michelle did fair amount of animal communication. Tomorrows Holistic day welcomes Lucinda with her Angel Readings and couple of other new stalls. The focus with these days is of course on the animals. We are not here only to learn and serve humanity, but all beings on Earth, and with the Holistic we are doing our bit in service of the Animal Kingdom. Not only has AWS been experiencing serious financial difficulty, but the animals that find thier way there are in dire need of Love. In having events such as this on site, we open the door a little wider for people to come visit the animal, take them for a walk, and possibly even adopt one or two, providing them with the Loving home they deserve. So if you haven't already guessed it..the focus of this weeks email is surrounding animals. Animals provide us with very important lessons, and as i'm sure we've all experienced, they often sense dis-ease within ourselves and offer healing energy and comfort exactly where and when we need it. People have for many years recommended interaction with animals to curb depression, to bring calmness, cheerfulness, and even aid with the development of autistic children. Its quite easy to see how precious and important these creatures are when we realize the positive effect they have on humans. Attached is a little something i found on the net a while back which you should find interesting to read.... Continuing from the last newsletter and the issue of service, i suggest that before ending your meditations, whether they be individual or group, you spend some time on healing the Earth or sending healing energy to places that are in need. Planetary Service Work: Healing the Earth This golden key has been a commitment to healing the Earth through both spiritual methods and positive action. I frequently end individual and group meditations by focusing on healing the Earth, humanity and all of creation. We do this by sending Light and energy around the globe to people, cities and countries that need help. Use all spiritual methods, including the power of prayer, light, sound, visualization and affirmation. And take action by getting involved in environmental causes. An aspect of this work is a commitment to keeping abreast of world affairs. (Golden Keys to Ascension and Healing by Dr Joshua David Stone) So keeping to the focus of animals here... why not look at directing healing energy, Love, and positive thoughts at organizations such as Animal Welfare Society, Cat Care, Save-A-Pet, where so many animals are finding themselves after traumatic experiences or just being abandoned. Make a stand against issues and businesses that contribute to global warming and mass deforestation. Note that issues such as these are not only affecting land ecosystems, but those of the sea as well. Whaling and shark finning are also a big issue, and reefs are suffering with the amount of pollution and increase in sea temperature, which in turn causes entire ecosystems to go out of balance. Remember the interdependence of all things.. here is a short piece out of the Dalai Lama's How to See Yourself as You Really Are Dependent-Arising and Realism The theory of dependent arising can be applied everywhere. One benefit of applying this theory is that viewing a situation this way gives you a more holistic picture, since whatever the situation is - good or bad- it depends on causes and conditions. An event is not under its own power but depends on many present causes and conditions as well as many past causes and conditions. Otherwise it could not come into being. When you think from this viewpoint, you can see much more of the whole picture, and from this wider perspective, you can see the reality of the situation, its interdependence. With the help of this relational outlook, the action that you take will be realistic. So we see all things are linked, and so all current affairs are linked too. As one gets worse, it has an affect on other issues, often increasing their magnitude and intensity. But on the flip side, proper attempts and actions to solve one issue, to help those involved, you affect other issues as well. Good intention and action for one cause will somehow aid in another as well. A simple example could be here, with our work to help animals in some way, we also come together as people, uniting against a common cause, and gradually dissolve the seperation between us. As this happens, communication improves, we accept and Love each other, we grow together. Now that we all become strong together, so our ability to manifest positive change grows, allowing us to address more issues, on a larger scale, and so bring even more people together. In the last newsletter we saw how , as an individual, simple acts of kindness can have incredible effects. Together we are capable of even greater things. So I hope to see many people come together at things such as this Holistic day, dropping all judgement and ego, and working together to make Life more pleasant for these animals. The Holistic day is tomorrow, 6 December 2008, starting at 10:30 and running until 15:30. I hope to see you there. My Love to you all Your Brother in Light Ryan