Small Lotus

Blessings to all who wander here...

Treehugger / Technology | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Lost Egyptian pyramids found ... by Google? | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Mirrors Everywhere

      This title is from 11-3-12, so i guess one could say i could be a professional crastinator (or a non- linear thinker?). The idea was to show how one viewed experiences (and physical entities) as signs and teachings (and joy and inquiry) in daily occurrences. Most of all, it being the most honest and effective way of reflecting - desire - or intent = outcome. The personal truth revealed in the unique situation. The unquantifiable missing formula is past life karma, which may explain all that we can't understand, though we will eventually.
          One scene was about how i came down the hill toward the breadfruit tree one evening - by the breadfruit tree (they smear the fruit along the ground to eat it). Stopping immediately and calmly, i watched him he darted toward one way of escape, then i could feel his heightened tension, as he realized - wrong way - and dashed the other way into the bush, and up to the left (i took a couple steps back)i could hear the powerful crashing as he headed for safety (even the tiniest insect wants freedom and life). And the butterflies, birds and prawns, the neighbors, the body, the water. All mirrors for us to see - the beauty/responsibility... creation that life is. Mirrors and Messages. (And messes)
             Today, for me is a humbling, intense, and en-lightening experience in the mirror.  (Just realized I did not see a human today). I will see how and why i have come here, and time and events will lead to a different adventure, with wisdom earned. What i will remember most about yesterday, while feeling the pain of a lost vehicle (could be any loss) - a partial self blunder(forgiveness)--- is how the rainbow came up at that moment. It is always a beautiful "mirror" to see at difficult times. It has always been a great sign of a remembrance of the inner good within everything in decisive times. . So the inner work and advances are usually met with reverses, as the physical body adjusts to an inner body change. Another way to see it... I also saw connection and support, miracles and magic are also here for us. Now is what it is. We have the same / different viewpoints. " The students argue - the Masters agree." The birds and the whales - one's soliloqy...

Many ponds / Many Wonders

           Along my walk, i decided to take a "road" (a 1 car dirt lane) i'd never gone on before. Have always appreciated traveling and going a new way. This allows for a spontaneous alertness and wonder of the self; to play and be free( and sometimes lost). After a couple miles going down toward the ocean, the road met another and knew my location. Another 3/4  and i could be at the cliffs and see the whales. I feel they have some way of perceiving us, and it was not a question to go - except... You go through peoples property and pastures, and i hadn't been there for a while. At the beginning of the road down, there was a bright 444 sign - an auspicious number, which is the property at the end , tho there are a couple houses before it. Coming down, looking across the vast ocean, i knew i would be seeing my "friends." "It's not a great idea to expect things, Mr. Rational said, but there was no question it would happen. Alas. when getting there, the place where i was last time was gone, replaced by fenced areas and cow pasture. Had to keep going, so farther down, between the fences, a narrow trail, and in the trees, a perfect spot, about 100 ft up from the water. As we often find, our fears are illusions.
         Scanning the somewhat turbulent waters, no sign of of spouts or anything. I just scanned and used thoughts to communicate. After about 4 or 5 minutes, i saw spouts directly in front, a little ways out. It seemed they were not moving much and sometime floating on the surface. They seemed relaxed, in comparison to the South and Westside, where boats seek to watch them, and they keep moving. They also were staying under longer( capable of staying under for 15 mins). They were heading out and i didn't get much of a view. I noticed an orange fish that was kind of caught on a lava rock table pool, with crashing waves with whitewater sometimes covering the pool. The fish looked kind of battered, and i looked at some dangling rope down the mud cliff, and had to decide against the impulse to help somehow. This was the older brother of the orange fish in the pond where i live. That pond served as my metaphor for our environment in these writings. The fish's escape would be difficult. He needed to swim against the current of the waves pushing him the other way. THEN, swim WITH the current to be pulled back out to freedom. Of course, it would demand perfect timing, and trust or instinct or something., to go with the flow...
              So, i decided how much i could spend empathizing with the fish's predicament, which there wasn't much i could do (guess he didn't get my message), or watch  the free and relaxed cetaceans. Looking out i saw the whales had come back to that same spot out from me. It was almost a mile out. Then way out, a giant splash was all i caught of a big breech. I thought: guys this is great, i was kind of wanting to see a little more. Gotta get up that hill before dark. Few minutes - Then - right outside the break at the cove - 2 or 300 yds. out - moving like a dolphin she cruised by right by. Always bringing an excited gasp.
                  Air, O2, the blowhole,breathing through the top of the head, the chakras above the head, all these ideas brought a deeper resonance with these beings. A fantasy of an active mind, a longing - doesn't matter. The subjective experience is yours, but can be shared with those who can hear. All these thoughts, with the breath, allowed the activation again. The breath thru the top of the head, the spine tingling depth of self and at the core: a connection to all...a thankful bliss / to live now...  

     
       

Video: In total silence the mind comes upon the eternal - J. Krishnamurti Online

Video: In total silence the mind comes upon the eternal - J. Krishnamurti Online

Pondscapes?

      Some of the newer physics have heartened those, who are drawn to metaphysics, and those who like to see in a more left brain way, by giving evidence that consciousness is non local at the same time. This brings up the ideas of how, and in what way, are we all connected. Besides an egoic nature that starts as a helpless newborn that will need care and protection to survive, we are immersed in a system that is structured to believe that the world revolves around us. I want this - i need that - it is nature's way.  These beginnings, driven by needs and the underlying desire to live and love, are approached in different ways by a multitude of cultures, past and present. Most, if not all, have a structure, built by their forebears, that explain and delineate the various codes,deities,social rules, and origin and purpose of life. A lot of ancient cultures had knowledge of the connectedness of life. Many didn't. A tribe in a jungle may have a totally different culture than their neighbors, 30 mi. away. And as far as we know, we've always fought in the recent past ( the last  5000 yrs) - (we create the conditions that cause pain - must therefore experience the effect). As Dannion Brinkley related in Saved By The Light: In Vietnam he was a special ops assassin. He was  dropped off in Laos with 2 support crew and carried out his mission, which was to shoot a Colonel, who was addressing his troops in the morning. So - Dannion was not a new ager, so his near death and out of body (OBE) experience a few yrs later was not expected. When shown pictures of his life, he would be the one to feel and understand the whole experience. He not only had to feel the pain and surprise of the Colonel, he felt the pain of his children, who grieved for their father. We don't know how we affect it all, and this is our quest - to open to what is deep within... Learning thru time and space...With a very long recovery, Daniel changed his life and has been working with hospice and veteran's groups for decades -

Remix

http://youtu.be/xDZoE7AXmZ8 - Nusrath Fateh Ali Khan  - finishing a couple posts - lotta drafts

Allowing Blissful Experiences

        One thing most everyone can agree to is that we all desire a good life and  happiness. Psychologists,mystics and philosophers have put forth many theories that delineate the needs and wants people pursue, and how one's actions all point to experiencing the attainment of them. This may come under the heading "the common way", and comprehensive logic and experience tells us this is "normal". Have you noticed that the experiencer's wishes are mostly born from observing others attain desired things, or from society or "sales" entities. "Well, she really 'loves' her new smartphone, I will get one just like it." This may partially come from our social nature, (mirroring others), but many view it as what's known in Buddhist thought as " neti neti" - not this - not this. The varied, seemingly endless search for enjoyment goes forth, maybe a fling with someone or something, then on to the next try. Of course, many find enjoyable activities and stick to them for a lifetime. They find levels of "happiness" that no one will argue with. It's entirely your choice that you have been given and rightly so, and it follows that you will be given enough time and opportunity to complete your "destiny." When the eventual time comes when you or the object of your enjoyment have to separate, there is often great trauma. The values people ascribe to things are temporary, so it is eventually lost.  The promising thing is that we have small pleasures from things and in a different way people(hopefully), with the negative - that - rarely are those in this pursuit -
DEEPLY FULFILLED. Because of the sovereignty of all, free will is given - but not to the point of the destruction of the environment, or other planetary habitats. The mysteries and sufferings in this world are long and deep. Sometimes, people turn to atheism, after terrible events which they see as being allowed by God - "How could a loving God let this happen?" Gielgud answers as HIM in Time Bandits: 'I think it has something to do with free will.' The wounded seeker had been told that 'not a blade of grass moves without the hand of the Lord.' That is true because it is all the energy of the source, but it is given to many others to co-create this reality(dream). Certainly the source of compassion has great regard for the creation, but it is obvious that it is given to us to be the ones who care for this world. The amount of beings and energy it takes is beyond our comprehension. Arguing over the name or way of God is beyond our mental power to know, and only makes working together more difficult. The bottom line is: You don't know - And this is not a comfortable position - not knowing. Of course, each path believes it is the best - despite claiming that there are many paths. Some say they are the only way - was there not enlightenment before 2000 years ago? That doesn't seem very compassionate. Once again, we are all in various degrees of illusion. Going deeper we have subjective experiences of bliss, wisdom, and oneness. These gifts you have attracted by your love and compassion. Re - choosing not to judge, by allowing, like the creator. Being one and yet still simultaneously different, we move within the energy of all. Patience will serve to help you to be honest. Saying "I don't really know" is preferable to blindly or fearfully following. If it's true, it'll come to you. What do we know - being truthful - we have love in our hearts, we empathize with others, we're all in the same boat. Judge not, try suspending belief, and give whatever you've got. When you do it while being connected to your deepest self, especially now, you are co-creating a wonderous paradise...

Somptin Happnin' (Bansuri Rmx)

Somptin Happnin' (Bansuri Rmx)

Ponderings Beyond

      Been a while since lotus flowering season. Strong and determined lilies continue.  Time's ebbing and flow slip and slide in our dreamings... where is home - many ask. Many who i've met witnessed a smile or puzzled look, or a cheeky answer, when asked  "Where are you from?" This year has been focusing on balancing the boundaries, as maybe i'm already more predisposed to feel the bigger picture. There are no pictures on my walls. For me, synchronizing the oneness and simultaneous difference is the teaching needed now. All the health issues of this year, which were not that bad, tell me what needs work. The physical and the inner energy in harmony. As always, evolution is an individual choice, we come in and depart by ourselves, along with our invisible support system. Now, i feel the gradual "quickening" of the last few years has increased markedly.  This the extent of my pre - activation dogma. Things i've noticed in energies over time. I don't align easily with cultish theories or pronouncements from anyone who is convinced of something, tho am open to everything while discerning the reality of the situation. On the 22nd i was not thinking of anything about it, waiting for the man to come by and fix the sink. Until i saw a message from the intention experiment that was (oc)currently occurring. (?) A nice more functional faucet was installed and i put baking soda and vinegar into he clogged drain for about the fifth try. I went out side and went into a overpoweringly deep meditation. I did not want to stop, i did feel that time had gone by and thought " better put more vinegar in, but couldn't or wouldn't get up to do so.  Part of the experience was a replay or based on two experiences from days leading up to the 22nd. One is a session of qi gong that i did, and the other was tuning into and witnessing advanced beings meditating thru video. The particular position of where you are reaching out with your right, and bringing in the energy, and transferring it thru and out the left - with feet connected to the earth. During this meditation, which was in a chair, i felt a pressure on the top of my head and feelings above the head. Now this deep energy is easier to access, and as those inclined absorb them, they share pass them on in a rainbow bridge around the world. The intention experiment folks were measuring the global thought/energy readings around the world.
         I experienced another aspect of this energy while driving. When someone made a choice that i perceived as rude, i realized that with this increased shakti/energy, would come a greater responsibility to maintain control of the emotions. One needs to breathe and integrate and flow with the energy. The pond continues with it's destiny and tank seaweed is under control. And the clogged drain, eventually opened with the natural mixture and a stick (chimps). So now the flow is unimpeded - coming from above thru to below...

Ssc 43 Burden

Ssc 43 Burden - trip hop

Tapah

Tapah

Psyche and the Circular Essence

   
     Round and Round...all is the "circular essence" as Doug Heller said in high school, ages ago, brilliant. Or spiral multiverse. Oh, yeah, for me, today is a time for the noticing of a certain amount of earth revolutions of the sun, from the time this body in which i reside entered the air to breathe and start a new phase of existence. Do you really think of it that way? Ok, well, then, happy birthday, and to all... I appreciate your decision to incarnate in this fantastic and complicated time of the world.  -Age - it must have been an issue, i remember asking "what time is it?" when someone would ask the question. Like when someone asks "where are you from?" i always get a puzzling feeling(that i like)? And probably a goofy look on my face. Good question...probably affects our life experience. When asked by a woman in Thailand, i just pointed up. She said: you are from stars. I think we've all been (almost) everywhere, so the narrative just depends on how much one is identified with the story, positively or otherwise.
        Today, as i sat outside for sun connection and slipping into a meditative feeling, a shadow of something flickers - I am noticing the shadow and i am breathing in and out...another flicker  open eyes look and it is Psyche this butterfly. I always think of a goddess and a sign of love when i see and and she came up like she was going to land on my shoulder or arm. I wanted to totally relax and almost expected it... a blessing...to open...to feel...touching nature... life... She circled around through the trees gently gliding - dropping into the small area... i noticed the mind reach out toward Psyche and then the ceasing of reaching and then open...relaxing...breathing in and out...All is blessing...I am thankful...
         Found this story of the legend when looking up Psyche. The word psyche is the Greek word for butterfly. Similar to numerous legends from many traditions, the common thrust is: The gods were given (from whom?) supernatural powers and have often interacted with humans. Have to say - And have created worlds and beings - and - a generous amount of havoc. Often, gods and humans have thought that they were the ultimate creator of all, and with their followers, created much war and strife. The idea pointing to: there are unlimited levels of consciousness or levels of experience that entities desire to interact with. So, the likelihood, of a human having the ability to identify who or what is the Source of all, is very small. The escapades of the demigods and entities in the recent last few thousand years on earth have been notorious. This distilling of mankind and Earth's history is obviously speculative, one who truly listens - will truly hear. Asking for the truth is valuable and brings forth assistance from benevolent entities and energies.
            Since this story begins with references to envy and jealousy, i'm looking to identify any in my psychology. If one truly accepts that he is absolutely responsible for everything in his reality, than one sees it's not possible to be anyone but who you are. I stand by my choices and choose to develop more sensitivity and compassion. I am a protector of the weaker or smaller. There are so many ways to see things. I am thankful to see things this way as opposed to someone who is worried about health, because yesterday the DR. said if it gets bad, go to the ER. I know i'm doing well in taking care of this body and will continue until the rental contract expires. When Eros saw Psyche(in Greek mythology Psyche is the deification of the human soul), his compassion for her was tempered by his knowledge of this world, which is hosting many who are insensitive and dishonest. Do not fear - gentle and innocent Psyche - you are protected...Goodness and balance endures...
             
            This is the first part of the legend from wikipedia:
         Envious and jealous of the beauty of a mortal girl named Psyche, Venus asks her son Cupid (known to the Greeks as Eros) to use his golden arrows while Psyche sleeps, so that when she awakens, Venus (Aphrodite in the Greek tradition) would place a vile creature for her to fall in love with. Cupid finally agrees to her commands after a long debate. As he flies to Psyche's room at night, he becomes invisible so no one can see him fly in through her window. He takes pity on her, for she was born too beautiful for her own safety. As he slowly approaches, careful not to make a sound, he readies one of his golden arrows. He leans over Psyche while she is asleep and before he can pierce her shoulder with the tip of his arrow, she awakens, startling him, for she looks right into his eyes, despite his invisibility. This causes him to scratch himself with his arrow and fall deeply in love with her. He cannot continue his mission, for every passing second he finds her more appealing. He reports back to Venus shortly after and the news enrages her. Venus places a curse on Psyche that prevents her from meeting a suitable husband. Cupid is greatly upset, and decides that, as long as Psyche remains cursed, he will no longer shoot arrows, which will cause the temple of Venus to fall.

What is Real

     A question most worthy of asking, a teacher might say. One to which you will get millions of answers. A symbiotically natural antithesis to "What is illusion?" It is evident, when looking closely, that each has their own unique path through this life, and yet there is an inherent sameness to our experiences. "As the air carries aromas, so the living beings carry their conceptions of life." -   from Bhagavad Gita- Since it is apparent that the human has been given this freedom to conceive or follow a particular concept of life, who can say what is the purpose. In all cultures and in human nature is the desire or tendency to sense or believe that there is more to life than what is visible and along with ethnicity provide most soul's main identity for most. The actual changes that people experience are generally fairly small over a lifetime. We often seem to come in with an essential nature and add or subtract during life. Exceptions such as those who desire to expand and those who use psychotropic substances can introduce massive change or growth. This points to the postulate that it takes much more than one lifetime to find or return to what is real. The answer that it is - that which endures - can bring up more questions than answers, but is worth contemplating. To the human soul, all that is felt is real, and is one of the purposes of being human. To feel... emotions - do they endure? I don't think it matters for you will be drawn toward experiencing the emotions you desire. We see psychiatrists who have found that patients can regress to before this life and are often healed by re or fully experiencing the event again. This is in sync with the philosophy that one needs to fully experience and accept the emotion created, if not, it comes up again. These things are observable and past life experiences have been studied by professionals, who have scientifically recorded data and maintained case studies ( see U. of Virginia - past lives) target="_blank">http://youtu.be/VZTtU7akrfQ - So you decide what is real, you are the unique sojourner that has come to this emerald blue world, in this time of change, yet it's been said that we have done it before - there is nothing new under the sun - or the universes. Maybe it's like a play's run. Some nights with the same show can be different - and you can improvise. The cast changes. Guess you just need to "inhabit" your character, knowing you will experience what the writer was wanting to express. And afterword, i think there is a cast party...

Brian Weiss / Soul Transmigration

As a traditional psychotherapist, Dr. Brian Weiss was astonished and skeptical when one of his patients began recalling past-life traumas that seemed to hold the key to her recurring nightmares and anxiety attacks. His skepticism was eroded, however, when she began to channel messages from "the space between lives," which contained remarkable revelations about Dr. Weiss's family and his dead son. Using past-life therapy, he was able to cure the patient and embark on a new, more meaningful phase of his own career.

A graduate of Columbia University and Yale Medical School, Brian L. Weiss M.D. is Chairman Emeritus of Psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami.    brian weiss.com    also see Ian Stevenson's extensive work

Siddartha's Pools - Buddhist Teachings/ Dalai Lama Downloads

        Lotus pools were made for me at my father's house solely for my use; in one, blue lotuses flowered, in another white, and in another red," says Siddharthain ancient writings attributed to him. "A white sunshade was held over me day and night so that I would not be troubled by cold or heat, dust or grit or dew." (This translation is from Rupert Gethin's "The Foundations of Buddhism," Oxford University Press, 1998.)
           When Gautama was 29 years old, he discovered there was much suffering in the world around him. Traditionally it is explained that he suddenly recognised the problems of sickness, old age and death when visiting the city. Being shocked by the suffering of all living beings, he decided to search for way to end it. He left his wife and child, the palace and even his royal clothes, and started out on a spiritual quest.

                                    

                                              http://viewonbuddhism.org/resources/index.html

Ponds Weekly - You're soaking in it

      It's been a rainy, somewhat eventful week at the pond. The water level is high, but quality still murky. My hypothesis is that the crayfish ate all the snails  ,so it's not cleaned or just that the amount of animals is too much. Over 15 crays have been relocated to the upper pool. They are starting to clear out the seaweed that took over that tank. The water is clear with fish. As i was gazing down into the depths, a toad swam up to be face to face. He just stared for a while, when i felt him saying "What the hell are you doing, bringing all those crayfish in here. I live here and it's not very big and those guys are wild and
voracious." (thinks he understads animal's thoughts). I then explained, thinking in pictures, what we were planning (thinks he can talk to animals). He sunk down a little, eyes half under water, which made him a look skeptical, and then dove under, disappearing in the weeds...I hadn't thought about the few toads who lived in that tank. The lavender lilies are ok. One day at the lower pond, while watching the fish being very competitive for the sparse algae, a cray stuck his claws around the lily roots, one of their food sources. He then came up toward my face, brandishing his pinchers. I made a sound and honored his warrior status. I've been feeding the fish some odd things lately - puffed millet, just things that are around. I circle the pond and let all be fed...
        Today, while observing a crayfish mowing down the algae , i tried to flip him out of the water- unsuccessfully. Am using a tool from the forest: a stick(learned that from watching chimps on tv). Tried again and got one. Got a little worried as he wasn't moving and i didn't want to kill him. Searching for an appropriate device to move him to the pool, i found a large enough leaf  (amazingly laying around ). He was still out but gave a few twitches and i got him on for the ride up, where he was placed on a lily pad and water started covering him. I flashed back to the two birds i shot with slingshot and bb gun when 11 and 12 years old. Back then i had decided to retire from hunting. A sect in India called the Jains wear a mask over nose and mouth to not kill the bugs and life in the air. They sweep in front to avoid stepping on bugs. Although this makes them caring and sensitive, it is impossible to not kill on this planet, a planet of  birth and death. One needs to avoid these pitfalls by consciousness. So - i left him on the lily and when i came back he had awakened and submerged. The only hunting i've done since childhood, was for truth, and i've retired from that as well as it is said: "Grasping at things can only yield one of two results: 
Either the thing you are grasping at disappears, or you yourself disappear. It is only a matter of which occurs first."  Goenka - Seeking, hunting, desiring, asking. allowing, aligning - truth is all encompassing...

               

Toad Nature

      They gave me a laugh, to look in the trap ad see two toads on top of each other. They and their tribe from the pond were probably up all night in nature's dance of life with it's relentless drive to continue. This may be one of the drivers of mankind's often destructive thirst for more/bigger/better/newer/more.  The sacred beautiful act of creation becomes a double edged sword. It helps to think that it didn't start out only like that, and that it will not always be like that. And that all the landfills and toxicity we made will someday return to a mass of atoms. These creations show the alienative  (?) relationship, with the earth, that modern man has. The will to grow,create and expand needs a loving steward. The feeling is different, the when the cycle is functional and nature thrives. It is mysterious how the soul and body interface, and how things seem to rise and fall. And how it all interacts. With the toads, I noticed at sunset last night - that time of the moon - they were moving around outside. Amazed by the varied and detailed creation in this pond of ours --  moments of nowness  --- Then another surprised laugh when i look four inches in front of my face - another toad in the grass (obviously hungover). Have missed the hormone vitamin d. Now in autumn till spring, Drs(Chopra,Oz, S. Khalsa) say supplement if above latitude line at Atlanta, Ga. You can feel the sun in your bones. This can bring up issues of Southern and Northern people but gonna leave that for another time.  Listening to master Po - (Kung fu http://youtu.be/uR6qocmTwhA) helped me to understand the harmony of nature. Theoretically, i knew if all is one, it must interact with itself, but as complicated as it can be, it can be in harmony. It can also be affected to be out of harmony, like this time of the world - with the industrial revulsion. Probably, when designed, it was more functional and has deteriorated in this time, with man misusing freewill. Or?  Shalom...Shanti...Salaam...

Territorial - a place called home

    It happened last week and today - checking the trap, and finding a crayfish in there, with no food in it. Haven't been going to the pond/sun sessions lately,due to health issues. Nothing very serious, but enough to go to the er(first time) and though the Dr. wanted to do surgery( an ez but unnecessary remedy). Then there was the meds mixup - the nurse on the phone said don't take anymore of it -
"don't worry - if you had the worst reaction, you would have been dead yesterday" ( So - i thought - today is a pretty good day). They are so surprised when someone takes the lead on certain medical decisions.  The patient often has more insight because of being able to feel what's happening. Research and second opinions are valuable. Of course, physical problems always have an internal source. There are methods to determine if your body is alive or not, just for reference(Tibetan book of the dead, etc.) Like looking at your feet, clothes, or in the mirror. If one attains lucid dreaming skills, the soul is practically free...
     So, in the pond, entities compete for resources and seek a place or den where it is peaceful and safe. Even if the food is gone and he could have gotten out. We stake our territory(maybe subliminally) and defend and use it. This may be the greatest source of conflict along with the others we've mentioned above. This mentality can be remedied by building our sources of enjoyment on inner values. Also, by remembering the temporary nature of the material world. Desire will continue the day to day happenings - but desires can be CHANGED - thank heaven. By awareness and communication, and the thirst for deeper feeling/meaning - one can see and desire a healthier reality...

The Unique Way We See Things

Reminded of a certain ability , i realize some improvement in this skill. Maybe through age, energetic escalation,  or experiences. ---- It is thinking about something as if you "were" someone else or "from" somewhere else ( essentially by empathic feeling their emotions and thinking -or - at least - trying to visualize from how that personality might possibly see things - mostly concerning real people you are interacting with(being more functional) and then comprehending the dynamic of the situation) - then being able to communicate more effectively. These three reasons - and more - have been valuable. Each perceives in their own unique way. Evolution, Earth origins, creating of events - these all seem to be part of the mystery. The human primate needs a group or tribe, and seeks and forms bonds naturally. This time in earth history, as the groups are having contact through technology and geography, there is great opportunity for groups and tribes to understand the commonality of their experience which harmonises a planet that has endured much pain and suffering from tribal wars and conflict amongst peoples.  - When i was in 9th grade, i had an idea for a story while walking the daily 1 mi. to the bus stop. I would walk two blocks over and get on the next stop. When i did - i saw myself - already on. (Good thing- didn't spend much time writing that one). Something already in one's nature for many.  Mostly, though, a few years back, i thought - "you mostly think about "yourself"(probably depends on which "self")- one reason i came to work at place - and practice.  We have had experiences - especially as a child or teen, that make our identity that forms the ego self. -- So it is a skill that can be learned or practiced and it is valuable also... for peace for your place... and acceptance...and gratitude...