Repost @ MindSay 
Lao Tsu: "The unknown is infinitely greater than the known."
Lao Tsu: "The names of the Tao are not the true Tao."
Korzybski: "The map is not the territory."
Blake: "Everything possible to be believed is an image of the truth."
Attributing to this "god," however, anthropomorphic traits I consider ridiculous, and even that term is not strong nor contemptuous enough, but I certainly don't mind your—or anybody's—commentary on anything I post. That's pretty much what we do here on Mindsay.
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a believer, I'm not a disbeliever, not an unbeliever, not an infidel, not an atheist, not an agnostic, not a Buddhist, not a utopian—and, though these labels are constantly stuck onto me, I am as free as I can keep myself of all labels, all religions, all ideologies, all gods, all "holy" books, though I consider them all and use of them whatever I think of value.
My only "god"—though to say this is also to speak an untruth—is nonviolence, period, but even that commitment is not absolute. I'm just Bob, hoping to travel from my birth to my death in this wide world war zone without having to kill somebody. So far so good. But, let me hasten to add, I forgive everybody who has not had the same good fortune and luck. As for the cruel, murderous, genocidal Lord of the Old Testament, fuck Him.
This is a repost of the first poem I wrote when we still had a poetry challenge going. I thoroughly enjoyed it, because it made me get off of my tush and produce. And I think the productions were great for the most part. So I am going to ask my friends who like to write poetry or prose to write on a topic I suggest, and when you have written, to suggest another subject for whoever reads us and wants to join in. Anything will do. Poetry, prose, or just a rant about the subject, so we can interact with one another. Please join in...I, for one, need a jolt and I feel there are others who will be jolted as well if they have something to write about. So, here is my first one, and if you have already got one on this, then you are welcome to repost, either here, or in your own blog if I have you on my friends' list, so I will be sure to see it. Anyone else who wants to post something here, on my blog in the replies, is welcome to, and I will then add you to my friends' list. Thank you in advance. :)
MOVEMENT
A babe with no mom, in infancy,
While my own is bouncing on my knee: it moves me.
AIDS came, took her mom away
When she should have grown old and gray; it moves me.
South Africa, forlorn, bereft
So few full families left; it moves me.
Three out of four remain alive
While the innocent are deprived; this moves me.
I sleep in my bed of ne'er do well
While many take their paths to hell; it moves me.
Will I step out of my comfort zone?
Or try for my sins to atone? this moves me.
Lord, while I am stirred, filled with compassion
Will I just sit and think, as is the fashion? This moves me.
Or will I try to improve the lot
Of those destitute ones, give what I've got? This moves me.
Bonniegirl , September, 2006
This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.
Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:
Dear Mrs.Dierker,
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Dierker are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away. '
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least .
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Thank you Indigo Life Center
SPIRITUALITY vs. RELIGION
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT GOD IS WITHIN US AND THAT WE DON'T NEED ANYONE ELSE TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION FOR US.
RELIGION SAYS THAT WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD AND THAT WE NEED "THEM" TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT WE ARE FREE TO MAKE CHOICES ON OUR OWN AND THAT WE MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS.
RELIGION SAYS WE MUST MAKE THEIR CHOICES AND ACT THEIR WAY.
THE THEME OF SPIRITUALITY IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
THE THEME OF RELIGION IS FEAR AND GUILT.
SPIRITUALITY DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO MAKE DONATIONS.
RELIGION HAS BECOME BIG BUSINESS.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS THERE IS NO HELL, NO JUDGEMENT, NO ANGRY GOD... THAT WE ARE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY.
RELIGION SAYS THERE IS A HELL, GOD GETS ANGRY AND JUDGES US... THEREFORE, WE ARE NOT LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE OUR OWN PATH TO GOD.
RELIGION COMMANDS US TO DO IT THEIR WAY.
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE GO TO GOD TO LIGHTEN OUR BURDEN.
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEAR THEIR GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF OUR SEXUALITY... THAT IT SHOULD BE A SACRED CELEBRATION OF LOVE
RELIGION HAS TAUGHT US TO FEEL ASHAMED, GUILTY AND DIRTY ABOUT OUR SEXUALITY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HONOUR AND RESPECT MOTHER EARTH
RELIGION HAS TOLD US TO "BE THOU FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY AND SUBDUE THE EARTH" I REPEAT... "SUBDUE THE EARTH"
SPIRITUALITY REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ONE WITH GOD AND ONE WITH EACH OTHER
RELIGION TEACHES DISUNITY AND SEPARATION WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY SAYS GOD IS WITHIN
RELIGION SAYS HE IS IN HEAVEN AND THAT "THEY" ARE THE ONLY INTERMEDIARIES FOR US
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE BORN IN INNOCENCE AND PURITY
RELIGION SAYS WE ARE BORN WITH SIN
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE ARE ON A LONG SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE AND JOURNEY WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY END BY REUNITING WITH OUR SOURCE
RELIGION SAYS WE'VE GOT ONE LIFE TO GET IT ALL RIGHT AND THERE IS NOTHING BUT HEAVEN OR HELL AFTER THAT
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE ARE FREE TO EXPRESS
RELIGION GAVE US THE DREADED INQUISITION
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ALL
RELIGION GAVE US THE CRUSADES IN WHICH MANY WERE KILLED AND SLAUGHTERED IN THE NAME OF GOD
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES THAT WE SHOULD LOVE ONE ANOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY AND ALWAYS HONOUR THE RIGHTS AND CHOICES OF OTHERS
RELIGION TREATED NATIVE AMERICANS, THE MAYANS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS CULTURES AS SAVAGE PRIMITIVES WHO "MUST BE SAVED"
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES PEACE AND HARMONY
RELIGION HAS CAUSED MORE WARS AND MORE KILLING THAN ANY OTHER REASON
SPIRITUALITY SAYS RESPECT ALL LIVING THINGS
I NEVER ONCE HEARD ANY RELIGION SAY STOP SLAUGHTERING MILLIONS OF TREES EVERY YEAR FOR CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN OURSELVES
RELIGION TEACHES US TO HAVE FAITH IN THEM
SPIRITUALITY SAYS WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS... THAT WE CAN FIND THEM BY "GOING WITHIN"
RELIGION TEACHES US THAT IT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS AND ONLY ITS ANSWERS ARE THE RIGHT ONES
SPIRITUALITY TEACHES US TO SEARCH FOR THE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS AND OUR HEARTS WILL TELL US WHEN WE HAVE FOUND THEM
RELIGION TEACHES WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCEPT THEIR VERSION OF THE TRUTH
WHICH ONE FEELS BETTER TO YOU? SPIRITUALITY OR RELIGION?
GO TO YOUR HEART FOR THE ANSWER IT WILL NEVER LIE TO YOU
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