Path @ MindSay

For all who might benefit (kinda random this be):

We may have a lot to do, and a long path ahead of us, and maybe it can be difficult, but we only ever make forward progress
Eventually, we'll all win
Just hang in there
Rest if you need to, sometimes it's more efficient to (I remember when I was at college, I could only think straight after a nap lol)
Nobody's ever alone as long as they have themselves
Animals are nice to spend time with too

Prelude:
I had an odd dream last night, I was typing on AIM (I think to hermie) - and at one point a guy called Reece (who I read about yesterday) showed up in there. At one point, I was trying to talk (I don't know who to, or what I was saying entirely) but I just was not able to type anything comprehensable - I kept pressing wrong keys nomatter how I tried, I was also aware that I couldn't make proper words speaking either. At one point I was able to make a question mark and then get accross 'huh?', which then I got a refrence to dante from 'Reece' - I had heard of 'Dante's inferno' before but in my dream I had no idea what/who dante was, it just sounded familiar. This was the last dream before I woke, so I looked him up in wikipedia.

My perspective:
I don't know whether it's true, but it's still interesting to look at, and his journey an interesting analogy. When I read the bit about 'poetic justice' I realised that me not being able to communicate was sort of poetic justice for me - because it's the main thing I do on the internet, but I also realised it was fairly light, not exactly scary, just frustrating. In my dream I kept trying, I don't know whether I would've given up had it kept going, that I wondered - depends whether it occured to me, in dreams it doesn't always.

What struck me about his supposed journey through levels of hell, through purgatory and into heaven, is that it seemed like a journey everyone takes - that everyone starts at the first and works their way through when each level has done it's job - and that will be to different extents for each person, depending on just how much there was to fix about them. It struck me as by and large a one way thing - it actually said in the article that people only get better and purer - they can go back to previous levels, but deep down they won't change for the worse as people (although what badness is within us may be drawn out for show, but we shouldn't fear that because we need to be purified of it anyway)

Although abandoning hope was part of the hell, and people could exist in one realm forever if they didn't change, I got the impression they were only there to learn their lesson, and certainly the article said about people moving realms - Dante and Virgil, as well as "two in heaven and one (Cato of Utica) in Purgatory"

It's not unusual to come across people hoping for a lighter version of hell if they cannot get heaven, so would , given the choice, choose to stick in limbo or the early levels of inferno, but the journey takes Dante deeper in and repents each 'sin' one by one until he reaches god at the end - indicating basically, you have to go through it to purge yourself in order to get to heaven. Avoiding progressing further down or staying in limbo because you don't want to go into a harsher realm slows down your reaching of the eventual destination of heaven - it's like having to go through a burning coridor in order to get out of a burning house. Much as I wish there was an easier way (like jumping through a window), I cannot think of one that applies to life that would genuinely change people deep down without having to suffer.

I think some things about the story would be wrong - like how someone who lived as a pagan cannot progress even if they repent - that they just vanish - to me there doesn't seem any point in purging somoene if it's not to any end. Perhaps Virgo (dante's first guide, a pagan) - when he disappeared he did go to a more heavenly realm but one notn visible to Dante because Dante may have had beliefs that prevented him being able to see a good end for pagans - I think the whole experience for him was moulded round him, for him, and so reflects his views on famous people quite often, and may look down on philosophers who Dante may not have liked (like Epicurus).

Assuming Dante based his poem on a dream or NDE experience, then because I think this may well be a personalised thing, I think the different realms of heaven/hell may be different for each person - in how we percieve them, how many levels there are, and what punishment/reward works. When Dante reached heaven, he admitted also that what he saw was only what his human eyes alloed him to see, in other words, he saw it as his perspective - for him maybe that was angels on clouds or the usual stereotype of heaven (I'm not sure) - but it could be very different for people with different beliefs, because their expectations seem to shape their experience - after all heaven is meant to be without challenge - so you may well see what you want to see.

Another thing that struck me was that Inferno and Pergatory were really just different takes on the same thing, albeit with pergatory you could see the happy ending whereas inferno got deeper. I say they're the same because they're both described as realms where people learn + get punished for 'sin' as part of a purification, the main difference seems to be how they are percieved - Pergatory is regarded as a nicer place with 'angels' guarding parts of it rather than the 'demons' of inferno - but in some ways really they're the same thing - guardians to areas where people are tortured to repent, but that maybe they approach things differently.

But this did seem like it's a path everybody takes, there's no avoiding it, we go through hell in order to get to heaven, if it's true, it makes some sense in terms of how people learn, I'd also say feel free to make the mistakes that bring out any bad side that is there so that it can be purged

One thing that bothered me though was how it all seemed to be 'by the whip' - punishment after punishment after punishement, even after a life of suffering, although suffering is the only way I can see for some things, but I try to use words where words will reach so that suffering won't be necessary to make people realise. By the time people get to heaven they must think "what now?". I think it's better to pass through all this quickly if possible, but to spend as much time as you think you need under honour - and if you don't want to, I'm sure people will make you (as was another difference between pergatory and inferno - inferno happened regardless of your will once you were in, people in purgatory sounded like they could take breaks).

Above all though, I don't understand why 'sin' or the bad side of human nature existed in the first place - why should there be anything there to purge? I don't buy the idea that sin was created by adam/eve's temptation to eat an apple - because that very temptation existed before they made their decision, so they were inherently vulnerable to something that existed from the start. In addition, their decision shouldn't have had any bearing on anyone else, it may symbolise their disobedience, but it's only theirs, it's nothing to do with us - and how could curiousity possibly be the cause of much darker, more sinister intentions of humanity, it doesn't make sense - I reckon something was there before, I don't know how or why, but something happened. I also don't buy the story that sin may be to do with satan + others rebelling out of pride, but still, in order for that to have happened, the pride must've existed beforehand, it's not the result of our deeds or our deeds itself, it's like a kind of muck we all start with, admittidly it may pressure us to develop + become strong, but I would very much like to know why it's necessary, so far I've only observed that it can work. I wish I could find another way...

Walking this path consists of achieving an understanding and awareness of how all things are infused with THE DIVINE energy (the Tao)and that we are all connected and how all of us are related. Once you truly gain this awareness, you then are able to tap into this wonderful and awesome Divine energy and everything will then begin to fall into place like the pieces of a jig saw puzzle. It is at this point when you can begin to "work magick" because now you understand how "magick works." It is within you and always has been. You just need to realize it. Walking this spirtual path is not as hard and dificult as some so called 'teachers' would have you to know, for if it was expressed as easy, and something anyone can do, then they would not be needed , right? When we embark on any path we are told that what is needed is desire, and will, and for some spiritual teachers some money. for payment......... but,most of all being able to set one's priorities in order. Here is a story to illustrate my point.

 

 THE STORY

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz," and pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes." The time management expert replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good," he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No," the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!" Then he took a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit more things in it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth is what this illustration teaches us is this: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the "big rocks" in your life? Time with your loved ones? Your faith? Your education? Your dreams? A worthy cause? Teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these big rocks in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question, "What are the big rocks in my life? Then, put those in your jar first!"

Author Unknown

 

So how does setting ones priority in order help you to stand on one's spiritual path? I believe that the 'BIG ROCKS' in ones life are : FAMILY,RELATIONSHIP , AND GOD/DESS, SELF, if these large rocks are placed first in ones life then everything else that is important to you will fall into place as well. Walking a spiritual path, is innate in all of us, the Supreme Soverign Spirit has placed in all of us that hunger and desire to be in at-one-ment with HER. It is what comes natural to all of us, believe it or not. So just how does one grow, and develop on ones path? Diligence , patience, trust, focus, and being in the magical space called 'eternal' which we can all step into when we are focused in the present moment which is called 'The Eternal NOW". It means walking in the spirit with awareness. Now specifically, when one walks on the path of the Wise, or any Earth based spirituality ,when one sets out on these Magical paths ,you start out by focusing ones awareness on the elements of the natural world around you ,sensing the differences of energy around you in accordance with the phases of the moon and the seasons of the earth, by focusing on the diversity of life that is all around you, taking note on how the natural world is always in at-one-ment with their Source, and that they never live in the past nor the future but remain focused in the present moment of NOW ,Simply put, it does not make a whole lot of sense for the novice on any path to want to command the forces of nature and the universe out there and the universe that is within them, if one does not fully comprehend or understand that these forces are all around us and within us. Not to be in awareness of this is to only invite failure and discouragement and the inability to be successful in ones endeavors in life . So how does any one walk a spiritual path and do it successfully? Set priorities in life, get out of doors daily and tune in to the world that is around you , focus, and be in awareness of the moment, to do so opens the door to the realm of the Eternal which is beyond time and space. Many folks beleives that Eternity is time non ending, but ETERNITY is a state of being, it is At-one-ment with the Source of life, and you do that just by beeeeing in the moment, and beeeing in awareness that the Source of life which is hiding within you......shhhhh!..........don't let that secret out , because then what would all the so called "teachers' be able to profit from if they could no longer peddle for finacial gain the things of Spirit.

for what it is worth in

Her service

bright blessings

Remember when you wear Green  today regardless of your culture back ground,  you are celebrating a Man who decimated and killed thousands of ppl for having faith in a different path then he did.

 

You are promoting the celebration of  Religious Genocide and Terrostic Attacks done on many of today's ppl's ancestors.  No different then the Religious Terrorists of the Middle East for killing those who have faith or think differently then they do.

 

Hope your proud of yourselves!

 

Me and Mine will be celebrating our Ancestors by wearing various Snake jewlery, shirts, ink, and other items to show that our Ancestors are NOT forgotten and that they did NOT die in vain. 

 

 

I can't seem to think straight
I'll sit in the corner
No one can bother me
I think I should speak now
I can't seem to speak now...

What if I had the answers and no one would listen? I know you are thinking that I had beaten this topic to death, but it is what is on my mind at the moment. It is much like the fact that entries that I wish would be read, those that I feel are important in context or style, are not. And those that are have nothing to say of importance seem to be the ones that end up having a great many folks reading them...

It is just strange how my life seems to have such problems though I know that most of the problems I face are of my own creation. It is the little demons that appear and trip me, force me from the path that I find myself walking upon, hold me back from where I need to be. I have try and have failed to exorcise these minions of evil and for all the ones that I have defeated and sent to the pit, there are many more that follow. They are an army without limit, and endless stream of destructive forces that threaten to drown me. If I only had the answer to my questions, if I only had a way to defeat the enemy within, if there was something I could do to make it stop. But I know I cannot, I know that this is My Private Israel and I cannot destroy the invader without destroying the host...

And such is this and all things. Such are the problems that I face as I struggle to exist another day. Such is this place in this time. This is who I am and I know of no other path. I have walked the path of destruction and yet I remain. I have stepped into the jaws of Death and here I am still. My path may not be the easiest or the happiest or the path that makes me a wealthy man, but it is my path, and my path own. And though I may call to the masses, "Follow me," I know that I walk alone and no one can walk down my road with me...

For this is the Truth, we all walk our own paths and one can ever follow nor can anyone every lead. We have chosen our own destinies and no can come along for the ride. Six billion or more paths that may cross, intersect, touch, and yet no two paths go in the same exact direction. We are all alone with the direction we head; we are prisoners of our choices. We walk alone and alone on our paths we shall remain. This is a fact, not a condemnation of the fate of man. We are just lone astronauts riding this big blue ship through the universe...

We all have struggles that we must face, and the outcome is what it is and nothing more. And through every struggle, every moment of doubt, every unexpected bump on the Road of Life, we are alone and this we cannot change for no one but ourselves can live the life that we have chosen...

And I shall sit here in My Private Israel with only my self to blame or to thank...

This is the Word of the Antirust...

Praise is ye who Read the Word for ye are blessed amongst humans...