sâmbătă, 3 ianuarie 2009

Elias Hicks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Meadow_Waldorf_School#Curriculum
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Graduates of the school have been noted for their independence, sensitivity and creativity.[4]
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inazo_Nitobe#Legacy
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Nitobe, however, is perhaps most famous in the west for his work Bushido: The Soul of Japan (1900), which was one of the first major works on samurai ethics and Japanese culture written originally in English for Western readers (The book was subsequently translated into Japanese and many other languages). Although sometimes criticized as portraying the samurai in terms so Western as to take away some of their actual meaning, this book nonetheless was a pioneering work of its kind.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Japanese_Quakers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker#Hicksite-Orthodox_split
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Hicks#Hicks.27s_reported_views
... Religious Society of Friends ...
... These views were consistent with a Freethought tradition already prevailing in America, particularly among Deists of Quaker heritage such as Thomas Paine. The most original aspect of Hicks's theology was his rejection of Satan as the source of human "passions" or "propensities." Hicks stressed that basic urges, including all sexual passions, were neither implanted by an external Devil nor the product of personal choice, but were aspects of human nature created by God. "He gave us passions—if we may call them passions—in order that we might seek after those things which we need, and which we had a right to experience and know," he claimed in his 1824 sermon, "Let Brotherly Love Continue." Hicks taught that evil and suffering occurred not because human nature harbored these "propensities," but rather resulted from "an excess in the indulgence of propensities."

In 1858, Walt Whitman, one of Hicks's most famous exponents, astutely assessed Hicks as "a wonderful compound of the mystic with the logical reasoner," and explained that Hicks was "destined to make a radical revolution in a numerous and devout Society, and his influence to be largely felt outside of that Society..." The Quaker theology of "God within" (another name for the Inner Light) appeared subsequently in the theory of the Free Love movement, where it was deemed compatible with the religious sociology of Charles Fourier.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_love
The term free love has been used since at least the nineteenth century[1] to describe a social movement that rejects marriage, which is seen as a form of social bondage, especially for women. Much of the free-love tradition is an offshoot of anarchism, and reflects a civil libertarian philosophy that seeks freedom from State regulation and Church interference in personal relationships. According to this concept, the free unions of adults are legitimate relations which should be respected by all third parties whether they are emotional or sexual relations. In addition, some free-love writing has argued that both men and women have the right to sexual pleasure. In the Victorian era, this was a radical notion.

While the phrase free love is often associated with promiscuity in the popular imagination, especially in reference to the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, historically the free-love movement has not advocated multiple sexual partners or short-term sexual relationships. Rather, it has argued that love relations that are freely entered into should not be regulated by law. Thus, free-love practice may include long-term monogamous relationships or even celibacy, but would not include institutional forms of polygamy, such as a king and his wives and concubines.

Laws of particular concern to free love movements have included those that prevent an unmarried couple from living together, and those that regulate adultery and divorce, as well as age of consent, birth control, homosexuality, abortion, and prostitution; although not all free lovers agree on these issues. The abrogation of individual rights in marriage is also a concern—for example, some jurisdictions do not recognise spousal rape or treat it less seriously than non-spousal rape. Free-love movements since the 19th century have also defended the right to publicly discuss sexuality and have battled obscenity laws.

In the twentieth century, some free-love proponents extended the critique of marriage to argue that marriage as a social institution encourages emotional possessiveness and psychological enslavement.

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Clearness committee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearness_committee

Within the Religious Society of Friends, the clearness committee represents a process for discernment. Clearness Committees are often used when a member of the meeting seeks to reach clarity on how to respond to a concern or dilemma. Because Friends believe that every person has within him or her that of God, sometimes called the inner light, the process is one of aiding the person seeking clearness in finding the answer within rather than seeking outside advice or guidance. A clearness committee can be requested by anyone for any reason and will usually be appointed by one of the standing committees of the meeting.

In addition to committees requested by individuals, clearness committees are appointed by most meetings when a person applies for membership and when a couple seeks marriage under the care of the meeting. In these cases, the committee serves the dual purpose of helping the person or couple find clearness that this is the proper step and ensuring that the meeting is ready to take the member or couple under their care.

[edit] External links

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker#Quaker_organizations

Throughout their history, Quakers have founded organizations for many causes they felt are in keeping with their faith. Within the last century there have been some 100 organizations founded by either individual Friends, groups of Friends or Friends working with others. Amongst others: Amnesty International, Greenpeace, OXFAM, Peace Action, WILPF. (SEE List of Quaker Businesses)

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Mysticism II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker#Experiencing_God

[edit] Beliefs and practices of Friends

On Pendle Hill in 1652, George Fox felt "moved of the Lord" to climb the hill, and see "in what places he had a great people to be gathered". Today Quakers have a wide variety of views and beliefs, and they still place a strong emphasis on direct experience of God, for everyone.

[edit] Experiencing God

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The intention to "see the light" or see "that of God in everyone" is an effort in Quakers to cast aside more superficial differences and focus on the good that they believe to be in all people.

Since Friends believe that each contains God, much of the Quaker perspective is based on trying to hear God and to allow God's Spirit free action in the heart.

...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker#Mysticism

Quakerism is often termed a mystical religion because of its emphasis on the personal experience of God. But at first glance it differs from other mystical religions in at least two important ways. For one, Quaker mysticism is primarily group-oriented rather than focused on the individual. The Friends' traditional meeting for worship (see Unprogrammed worship below) may be considered an expression of that group mysticism, where all the members of the meeting listen together for the Spirit of God, speaking when that Spirit moves them. On the other hand it is also possible to consider the Quakers as a special kind of religious order (like the Franciscans, who also practise group mysticism), living the mystic and monastic tradition in their own way. For example this idea is represented by the Anglican minister and Quaker, Paul Oestreicher, who gave the Cary Lecture at Germany Yearly Meeting in 1991.

Additionally, Quaker mysticism as it has been expressed after the late 19th century includes a strong emphasis on its outwardly-directed witness. Rather than seeking withdrawal from the world, the Quaker mystic translates his or her mysticism into action. They believe this action leads to greater spiritual understanding — both by individuals and by the Meeting as a whole. It is also possible to consider the Quakers as a kind of humanistic religion in the sense of Erich Fromm.[citation needed] In this view mysticism includes social and political activities. For instance the German quaker Heinz Röhr, who held the Cary Lecture in 1992, saw himself as a Friend between Marx and mysticism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker#Education

[edit] Education

Friends have founded many schools and colleges; however Friends have often cautioned against the admission of education credentials as either a form of honouring humans instead of God or as a substitute for a relationship with God[citation needed].

[edit] Oaths and fair-dealing

For more details on this topic, see Testimony of Integrity.

Early Friends believed that an important part of Jesus' message was how we treat our fellow human beings. They felt that honest dealing with others meant more than avoiding direct lies. Friends continue to believe that it is important not to mislead others, even if the words used are all technically truthful. Early Friends refused to swear oaths, even in courtrooms, believing that one must speak truth at all times, and the act of swearing to it implied different standards of truth with and without oaths; this doctrine is attributed to Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (specifically Matthew 5:34-37).

Some Friends have accepted the use of "affirmations" rather than oaths, believing that "taking oaths implies a double standard of truth".[17]

Vivation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivation#Description

[edit] The Five Elements

Vivation consists of five elements, or foundational skills necessary to achieve physical integration of suppressed negative emotions. These elements are: Circular Breathing, Complete Relaxation, Awareness in Detail, Integration Into Ecstasy, and Do Whatever You Do, Willingness is Enough. Each of these skills has its own requisite knowledge base, however all of them are brought to together in a Vivation session to facilitate efficient integration of negative emotions in the most pleasurable and enjoyable way possible.

  • The First Element of Vivation is circular breathing. which consists of three components. The first is that inhales and exhales are connected together, with no pauses in between. The second is the exhale is completely relaxed. By relaxed, this means the exhale comes out all on its own and not forced or controlled in any way. This differs from many other forms of pranayama which have a forced exhale component. Also, because the exhale is completely relaxed, there is no hyperventilation in Vivation. If hyperventilation does occur, it is because the exhale is being forced or inhibited in some way. Hyperventilation ceases the moment the exhale is relaxed again. In Vivation, breathing rhythms occur along a continuum of three quadrants: Slow and Full, Fast and Full, and Fast and Shallow. Slow and shallow breathing takes you out of your body, and so is not used in Vivation. For those who are familiar with Kriya Yoga, Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) also uses three different rates of breathing: slow (8–14 cpm), medium (30 cpm), and rapid (150–180 cpm), however in Vivation these breathing rhythms are adjusted in real-time to resonate with the feelings in the body in the most enjoyable way possible. In this way, it is the experience of the feelings in the body that instructs and leads each session.
  • The Second Element of Vivation is relaxing the mind and body as much as possible. One doesn't do Vivation, so much as relaxes into the experience for what it already there. In Vivation, feelings integrate when one relaxes into accepting those feeling for what they already are. In Vivation, integration is a relaxation of effort.
  • The Third Element of Vivation is awareness in detail of the strongest feeling in the body. Feelings are not analyzed or sought after, only experienced for what they are in that moment. Since each moment is unique, this is the only element that practitioners must remain conscious of, as all other elements become automatic and natural supports of Third Element awareness.
  • The Fourth Element of Vivation is integration into ecstasy. The basic idea is being open and receptive to whatever positive feelings are already present. According to Vivation practitioners, feelings are only experienced negatively because of mental judgments made about them. By relaxing the mind and body in the presence of the feeling, the positive aspects of the feeling become more obvious and easier to accept. According to the fourth element, one doesn't intentionally integrate a feeling, one enjoys the feeling as much as possible until it integrates.
  • The Fifth Element is doing whatever you do, willingness is enough. In Vivation, willingness refers to the willingness to feel a feeling as honestly and positively as possible. There is no prerequisite for having a positive experience, only a willingness to be open to the possibility of experiencing the feeling in a positive way. In Vivation, integration is a function of willingness, and therefore is the most important of the five elements.

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Categories: Meditation Mind-body interventions

Eurythmy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum_of_the_Waldorf_schools#Eurythmy

[edit] Eurythmy

Eurythmy is a movement art, usually performed to poetry or music, created by Steiner and "meant to help children develop harmoniously with mind, body and soul".[5] Eurythmy is a required subject in Waldorf Schools in all years.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurythmy#Eurythmy_as_a_performing_art

There are notable eurythmy ensembles in Dornach, Switzerland; Stuttgart, Germany; The Hague, Netherlands; London, England; Järna, Sweden and Chestnut Ridge, New York (near New York City), USA. All of these groups both perform locally and tour internationally. Many smaller performing groups also exist (see list).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Meadow_Waldorf_School

Green Meadow Waldorf School (GMWS) is an independent Waldorf school located in Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County, New York. It offers parent and child classes, and nursery/kindergarten through 12th grades. The school is accredited by both the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.[1] Founded in 1950, it is one of the oldest and largest of the approximately 170 independent North American Waldorf schools (there are about 1,000 such schools world-wide).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Meadow_Waldorf_School#Curriculum

The school practices an interdisciplinary approach[2][3] based on the Waldorf curriculum, including a strong emphasis on art, music and intercultural understanding; students begin studying two foreign languages (Spanish and German) beginning in first grade.[1] It also provides a strong community service program. Graduates of the school have been noted for their independence, sensitivity and creativity.[4]

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inazo_Nitobe#Quotations

  • "What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone's character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents."
  • "If there is anything to do, there is certainly a best way to do it, and the best way is both the most economical and the most graceful."

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker

    ...

    The Society of Friends is counted among the historic peace churches. Society members are known as Quakers or "Friends".

    Since its beginnings in the United Kingdom

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    Unlike many other groups that emerged within Christianity, the Religious Society of Friends has tended away from creeds, and away from hierarchical structure.[3]

    ...

    or do not accept any religious label.[4] Calls for Quakerism to include non-Christians go back at least as far as 1870,[5] but this phenomenon has become increasingly evident during the latter half of the 20th century and the opening years of the 21st century, and is still controversial among Friends. An especially notable example of this is that of Friends who actively identify as members of a faith other than Christian, such as Islam[6] or Buddhism.[7]

    ... )

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mind-body_interventions

    ... Alexander Technique

    ... Bach flower remedies

  • Bharat Thakur
  • Biofeedback
  • ... Eurythmy

    F

    ... Meditation

    ... Metamorphic Technique

    ... Mindfulness

    ... Movement Shiatsu

    ... Psychoneuroimmunology

  • Neuroimmunology
  • ... Nia (fitness)

    ... Power therapies

  • Protective autoimmunity
  • Psychogenic disease
  • Psychomagic
  • Psychosomatic medicine
  • S

    ... Vivation

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    Theosophical Society

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy#The_three_objects

    [edit] The three objects

    The three declared objects of the original Theosophical Society as established by Blavatsky, Judge and Olcott were as follows:

    • First — To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
    • Second — To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science.
    • Third — To investigate the unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man."[1]

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    touch

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_communication#Friendship.2Fwarmth

    [edit] Friendship/ warmth

    It is more acceptable for women to touch than men in social or friendship settings, possibly because of the innate nature of the person touching have dominance over who they are touching. Whitcher and Fisher (1979) conducted a study to see whether therapeutic touch to reduce anxiety differed between the sexes. A nurse was told to touch patients for one minute while the patients looked at a pamphlet during a routine preoperative procedure. Females reacted positively to the touch, whereas males did not. It was surmised that males equated the touch to being treated as inferior or dependent.

    see Caesar Milan

    Touching among family members has been found to affect the behavior of those involved. Various factors are at work within a family setting. As a child grows older, the amount of touching by the parent decreases.

    Boys distance themselves from their parents at an earlier age than girls. There is more touching with the same sex parent than with cross-sex parents.

    A study of nonverbal communication on how men 'converse' in bars shows that women like men to touch, but it is their touching of other men that intrigues them. The men who are touching others are perceived as having a higher status and social power than those that aren't touching others.

    The study found that women were more receptive to men who demanded the most social space, and that when a woman comes into a bar, men will move their drinks far apart to signal to her that they have space in their 'domain' for them.

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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapeutic_touch
    Therapeutic touch (TT), also called Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch (NCTT) or Distance Healing,[1] is an energy therapy claimed to promote healing and reduce pain and anxiety. TT practitioners say that by placing their hands on or near the patient they can detect and manipulate the patient's putative energy field.[2] Although there are 251 articles on TT on PubMed[3] quality of controlled research is variable. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that TT practitioners could not detect the presence or absence of a hand placed a few inches above theirs when their vision was obstructed.[4][5][6] The existence of a "biofield" or "bioenergetic field," a necessary component of TT theory, directly contradicts many principles of modern physics, chemistry, and biology.[7][8]
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    nonverbal communication

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_communication

    Haptic communication is the means by which people and other animals communicate via touching. Touch is an extremely important sense for humans; as well as providing information about surfaces and textures it is a component of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships, and vital in conveying physical intimacy. It can be both sexual (such as kissing) and platonic (such as hugging or tickling).

    katame waza too ?

    Touch is the earliest sense to develop in the fetus, and the development of infants' haptic senses, and how that relates to the development of the other senses such as vision, has been the target of much research. Human babies have been observed to have enormous difficulty surviving if they do not possess a sense of touch, even if they retain sight and hearing. Babies who can perceive through touch, even without sight and hearing, fare much better. Touch can be thought a basic sense in that most life forms have a response to being touched, while only a subset have sight and hearing.[citation needed]

    In chimpanzees the sense of touch is highly developed. As newborns they see and hear poorly but they grasp strongly to their mothers. Harry Harlow conducted a controversial study involving rhesus monkeys and observed that monkeys reared with a "terry cloth mother", a wire feeding apparatus wrapped in softer terry cloth which provided a level of tactile stimulation and comfort, were considerably more emotionally stable as adults than those with a mere wire mother.[citation needed]

    Touching is treated differently from one country to another. Acceptable touch varies by cultural group. In the Thai culture, touching someone's head may be thought rude. Remland and Jones (1995) studied groups of people communicating and found that in England (8%), France (5%) and the Netherlands (4%) touching was rare compared to their Italian (14%) and Greek (12.5%) sample.[citation needed]

    Striking, pushing, pulling, pinching, kicking, strangling and hand-to-hand fighting are forms of touch in the context of physical abuse. In a sentence like "I never touched him/ her" or "Don't you dare to touch him/ her" the term touch may be meant as euphemism for either physical abuse or sexual touching. To 'touch oneself' is a euphemism for masturbation.

    The word touch has many other metaphorical uses. One can be emotionally touched, referring to an action or object that evokes an emotional response. To say "I was touched by your letter" implies the reader felt a strong emotion when reading it. Usually does not include anger, disgust or other forms of emotional rejection unless used in a sarcastic manner.

    Stoeltje (2003) wrote about how Americans are ‘losing touch’ with this important communication skill. During a study conduced by University of Miami School of Medicine, Touch Research Institutes, American children were said to be more aggressive than their French counterparts while playing at a playground. It was noted that French women touched their children more often than the American parents.[citation needed]

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    somatosensory system

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatosensory

    The somatosensory system is a diverse sensory system comprising the receptors and processing centres to produce the sensory modalities such as touch, temperature, proprioception (body position), and nociception (pain). The sensory receptors cover the skin and epithelia, skeletal muscles, bones and joints, internal organs, and the cardiovascular system. While touch is considered one of the five traditional senses, the impression of touch is formed from several modalities; In medicine, the colloquial term touch is usually replaced with somatic senses to better reflect the variety of mechanisms involved.

    The system reacts to diverse stimuli using different receptors: thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors. Transmission of information from the receptors passes via sensory nerves through tracts in the spinal cord and into the brain. Processing primarily occurs in the primary somatosensory area in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex.

    At its simplest, the system works when a sensory neuron is triggered by a specific stimulus such as heat; this neuron passes to an area in the brain uniquely attributed to that area on the body—this allows the processed stimulus to be felt at the correct location. The mapping of the body surfaces in the brain is called a homunculus and is essential in the creation of a body image.

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    De (Chinese)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_(Chinese)
    De (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: te) is a key concept in Chinese philosophy, usually translated "inherent character; inner power; integrity" in Taoism, "moral character; virtue; morality" in Confucianism and other contexts, and "quality; virtue" (guna) or "merit; virtuous deeds" (punya) in Chinese Buddhism.
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    Mysticism

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism

    Mysticism (from the Greek μυστικός, mystikos, an initiate of a mystery religion[1]) is the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, or insight. Mysticism usually centers on a practice or practices intended to nurture that experience or awareness. Mysticism may be dualistic, maintaining a distinction between the self and the divine, or may be nondualistic. Differing religious traditions have described this fundamental mystical experience in different ways:

    Enlightenment or Illumination are generic English terms for the phenomenon, derived from the Latin illuminatio (applied to Christian prayer in the 15th century) and adopted in English translations of Buddhist texts, but used loosely to describe the state of mystical attainment regardless of faith.

    Mystic traditions generally form sub-currents within larger religious traditions - such as Kabbalah within Judaism, Sufism within Islam, Vedanta within Hinduism, Christian mysticism within Christianity - but are often treated skeptically and held separate, due to their emphasis on living realization over doctrine. Mysticism is sometimes taken by skeptics or mainstream adherents as mere obfuscation, though mystics suggest they are offering clarity of a different order or kind.


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    joi, 1 ianuarie 2009

    5 (Western) Thinkers

    http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/19/5-western-thinkers-who-understood-inner-travel/
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    Five Eastern Thinkers

    http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/12/17/five-eastern-thinkers-who-understood-inner-travel/

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    Nation Of Soul-Seekers

    http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/05/23/discovering-the-hidden-nation-of-soul-seekers/
    ...
    The presenter of the program described Russian people as the nation of soul seekers, who dwell upon questions about existence even when there is no food in the house.
    ...
    “Here in Russia, we have life and daily survival. Life is about discovery, when you read, or write, or listen to music or just try to answer the questions about existence and the world around you. And daily survival is the job, the cleaning, metro, sleep. Here in Russia most people prefer to live.”
    ...

    Influential Spiritual Books

    http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/10/27/10-most-influential-spiritual-books-of-the-past-50-years/
    10 Most Influential Spiritual Books Of The Past 50 Years
    ...

    Insomnia

    Why it's smart to sleep late

    A little extra shut-eye could be your ticket to a happier and more creative life. » Three studies Wired.com

    How to Get Rid of Allergies

    http://www.suite101.com/blog/oilsdragon/how_to_get_rid_of_allergies

    How to Get Rid of Allergies

    Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner

    ... quicker and more effective ways to remove allergies:

    ...

    ***

    http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/oilsdragon

    ...

    http://www.aikiblue.com/z/content/aikiblue/value_self.html

    Value Yourself

    "It's only me!" How often do you hear this? Only! Only?
    Conversely, that same deep insecurity gives rise to much posturing and aggression in males. Notwithstanding, it arises from the same fear of absolute annihilation that resides deep in the core of each human soul; right next to that Divine spark which is a particle of the Godhead Itself! The Eternal part.


    Poverty, struggle, human suffering and courage. Cancer, addiction, paranoia, foolish behaviour, money-fear of losing it, and aggression.. endless lists of the attitudes, afflictions and actions of futility.

    Does life have purpose? Some say it does and others say it does not.
    Regardless, we are here, now. We live. We can shine. We can reclaim ourselves. It does not matter what method, what arts, what sciences, what personal disciplines you use to reclaim integrity and personal responsibility for deliberately navigating life... It is possible !

    You don't have to measure up to anyone else. You don't have to beat anyone else. And.. you don't have to try to be anyone else! You are you and you are you perfectly. Don't let this sleep. You are full of latent possibility, talent, ability and creative potential. No one exists who is not!


    Why then? Why then are most of us drones? Why do we fear and kowtow to wrongful, misused authority? Why do we strangle ourselves with debt? Why do we allow ourselves to be duped into believing the lie, the greatest lie of all time.. that we have little or no worth?

    No-one exists who has no worth. No one can. You, we each, contain the wisdom of infinity, the radiance of a million suns and the life force of eternity. Sure, much of it is locked, but if we exist for any reason at all, it is to find ways to unlock our true potential. Eating drinking, defecating, passing wind and water is merely incidental to maintaining the machine of consciousness, sentience and mobility, the Hito Jinja, the Temple of the Living God, if you will.

    So the temple has to be maintained, swept, nourished.. but is that the all of it? The resigned to indignity make of it a hovel of insanity and sad habits. No-one is bound to ignominy. We each and all have the power of choice, even if by the smallest increment we choose to move towards our goals.
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    ki

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizeme

    Kizeme is a Japanese term describing the advanced form of seme when a kendo player has succeeded in causing shift in the mind (attention) of the opponent.[1] Kendoka at that stage takes the offensive mainly through Ki, succeeding in disconcerting the opponent via KI-projection and at much higher skill level without visible gesture.[2]

    Kizeme is act of combat predominant in Kendo and should be regarded in contrast to ordinary levels of combat in which the awareness of the practitioners is limited to the most directly perceptible elements: speed, strength and sheer aggressiveness. The last can be used to delineate 3 levels of combat (see the 3 sketches on your right).[3] These 3 levels were elegantly described in a compelling allegory by Issai Chosan (1727) Neko no Myojutsu ("The Cat's Eerie Skill").[4] Kizeme is depicted as the perfect skill in martial art, where non-violence is still an artifice that can be detected and exploited to dismiss the naturally embedded aggression in the ego and reach harmony - the state of Muga-mushin.

    An instructive attestation of kizeme can be seen in a demonstration kendo match at Noma dojo by Moriji Mochida (ju-dan hanshi) during the Emperor's Cup (1940).

    "Swordsmanship is basically the exercising of the Life Force and,

    therefore, at the beginning of the study the

    Life Force is exercised by means of technique."[5]

    ...

    [edit] See also

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seme_(martial_arts)

    Seme (攻め, せめ? "attack", "offense") is a Japanese martial arts term for a kind of psychological pressure. The seme is the one inflicting something on to the uke. It is also an attitude meant to disrupt the opponents sense of confidence and resolution, prior to an attack.

    = ki + ma-ai rather then mindset only

    The term is mostly used in kendo.

    What's in it for you ?

    http://www.aikido.net.nz/aikido.html

    Aikido

    "The Way of Harmony of Spirit", is a Japanese system of self-defence created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969)

    To those unfamiliar with this gentle, non-aggressive Martial Art, Aikido teaches the principle of yielding, that the softest things can overcome the hardest, that it is difficult to turn back a stream of water but possible to lead it elsewhere. If attacked, the Aikido practitioner would not try to stop a punch by blocking it but would instead step aside and, by diverting the attackers energy, lead them to the ground.

    By its very nature, Aikido is suitable for men, women and children of all ages as it does not rely on physical strength for its effectiveness. Through regular training, students learn to harness their inner strength to overcome others who may be physically much stronger. A student learns to do this by harmonising with his or her training partner. Aikido differs from most other Martial Arts in that it does not teach attack.

    There are no fighting competitions, only demonstrations, in which technique and form may be judged.

    "I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido.

    It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind.

    This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission."

    - Master Morihei Ueshiba

    What's in it for you ?


    • Improved flexibility
    • Betterjoint integrity
    • Muscle toning
    • Conflict resolution and social awareness
    • Improve self-confidence
    • Mental agility, learning new skills
    • Greater overall strength
    • Improved balance & posture
    • Breathing efficiency
    • Falling safely
    • Bi-planal coordination (crossing centre line of body)

    “Rank Versus Skill”

    http://www.aikidojournal.com/blog/2008/12/15/rank-versus-skill-by-salvatore-forestieri/
    Rank Versus Skill
    by Salvatore Forestieri

    In the martial arts we all strive for a purpose. Some of us may have multiple purposes, but in general most of us strive for physical and mental development through shugyo. Some individuals might want to develop a certain skill level; others are more concerned with rank - especially the untrained newcomer. In a recent situation that I’m sure many will recognize, an individual walked into our dojo after contacting me previously on numerous occasions. Almost immediately on arriving, he asked me, “how long would it take me to get a black belt?”. I chuckled and replied, “Oh… around 2-3 days for an average one and about 7-10 days for a really nice one from Japan”. After he looked at me quizzically for a few moments, I explained the joke to him. Fortunately he chuckled and the ice was broken.

    Of late though, I have given the underlying essence of this subject some significant thought. Not long ago, I read a particularly interesting article authored by Stanley Pranin regarding rank. Mr. Pranin made a number of pertinent observations on this subject, which hit home with me.

    These days, it seems that increasing numbers of people are becoming overly-concerned with their rank, and from whom it is received or awarded. In the past, it was almost always a given that a certain level of skill in the art was required in order to achieve a recognized level of rank. Rank then, was an outward sign of progress in the acquisition of such skills. One therefore has to question the point of awarding higher levels of rank, in the absence of a significant set of skills in the art. Just as perplexing, is the all-too-common issue of individuals with outstanding skills not having an appropriate level of rank, due to unfortunate politics.

    Surely in the martial arts, we should all be working on our own path to progress, and not get caught up in the specific successes or failures of others? Surely part of our training is to help those who may need us in a mutually beneficial environment – an environment that gives us the courage to ask for help when we ourselves need it. The outcome of such an environment is integrity. It is this integrity that diminishes thoughts of acquiring or possessing rank for its own sake, devoid of a connection to a particular and recognizable skill level. What good is your training, or your rank, if it has no practical value for you or your family? Perhaps we should ask ourselves the question: if we were really in danger, would we want one of our dojo mates to be present, based on how they train in the dojo?

    There was a time when someone had rank, and it was understood clearly what it meant - where that individual’s mind and body was at. With all of the inconsistencies in rank today, how can we give merit to something that everyone has? What separates us from the superficial? I put it to you that the difference is in our attitude to our training – in how we train and in how we use our training off the mat and outside the dojo. The difference is in how we behave as individuals in society – in our work ethic, in how we practice what we preach. It is found in our communicating Aikido to others through the skills we have worked hard to acquire, through blood, sweat and tears, and not simply by talking about rank or the color of one’s belt, or the level of one’s dan.

    For the sake of preservation, perhaps we should reflect often on those warriors who have gone before us, on those who have passed these skills on to us. Being able to receive these skills is a privilege, and so for us, our very training is a privilege. Perhaps striving to work hard in our training, striving to improve our skills, first and foremost without giving thought to rank, might make us better people.

    When, in time, the rank follows, perhaps then we might then feel better about receiving such rank, because then it truly represents that for which we have worked so hard.
    This, for me, is paramount.

    » Next: Recommended reading: “Interview with Kazuo Chiba” by Stanley Pranin

    » Previous: Recommended reading: “Fewer Words - More Understanding” by David Lynch

    Evolution of Aikido

    http://www.aikidojournal.com/blog/2008/12/14/brian-kagen-pick-from-aikiwebcom-the-continued-evolution-of-aikido/

    Brian Kagen pick from AikiWeb.com:

    “The continued Evolution of Aikido”

    “Why aren’t Aikidoka winning the UFC? You know it only takes 3 generations to completely eliminate just about anything. Is Aikido losing ground with each generation? Everyone knows in order for something to survive, you have to get more of the next generation involved. Yes, maybe Aikido is gonna have to change to survive, or else go back into the shadows and become a forgotten art.”

    Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.

    Click here to view entire thread.

    » Next: Recommended reading: “Fewer Words - More Understanding” by David Lynch

    O'sensei - kime

    http://www.aikidoofelpaso.org/ki_O

    Ki in Translation

    Through budo I trained my body thoroughly and mastered its ultimate secrets, but I also realized an even greater truth. That is, when I grasped the real nature of the universe through budo, I saw clearly that human beings must unite mind and body and the ki that connects the two and then achieve harmony with the activity of all things in the universe.

    ...
    http://www.aikido.net.nz/aikido.html
    ...

    "I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido.

    It is not for correcting others; it is

    for correcting your own mind.

    This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission."

    - Master Morihei Ueshiba

    ...

    Start-up

    http://www.aikiblue.com/z/content/aikiblue/about_us.html
    ...
    he sought to find an Aikido dojo in the Blue Mountains so he could at least watch. None existed..

    In desperation he put an ad in the local paper, "One person wanted to practice Aikido..." Instead several people came, hoping to learn. None had practiced Aikido before. And so it fell upon him to pass on the art in order to continue to pursue his training.. Having no alternative than to share what little he could, things began to grow and he was back in training and sharing what he loved most. Many times his health failed and classes stopped altogether. For years only one or two people turned up to train. But he persisted doing what little was possible, gentle , regular installments within the ability of the day. Despite serious disabilities, he continues to teach and coach, deriving great joy from the growing development and skill of the students

    From these modest beginnings slowly emerged and grew the very first Blue Mountains Aikido School, The Aikido-Way of the Peaceful Warrior Dojo..


    ...

    Courtesy

    http://www.aikidojournal.com/blog/2008/12/26/it-sometimes-does-happen-by-nev-sagiba/
    ...
    Sensei would exemplify and then we would attempt to match his example. He had gone first and there were at least eight, maybe ten attacking him. Because we thought Sensei was invincible, we would go all out and as hard as we could, trying to plant a strike.

    He didn’t mess around either. It was like being hit with a Mac truck padded with cotton wool or the wind at the edge of a cyclone. But we’d get up as he’d taught us to, and re-attack again and again.

    On this fine day I was one of the uke. I must make it clear, for the record, in those days we did not “TAKE” ukemi for Sensei. We ATTACKED with all our might using real attacks brought from other disciplines such as judo, karate, boxing etc. Simple as that.

    And we would end up flying regardless. We would keep getting up and repeating until he finally called, “Yame!” We considered it a courtesy to attack as hard, fast and ruthlessly as possible, holding nothing back, so that Sensei could continue to improve himself. It was our obligation to him for so selflessly providing impeccable instruction.


    ...

    ”AIKIDO, The Co-ordination of Mind and Body for Self-defence.”

    http://www.kime-karate.com/
    ...
    Kimé \kē-may\
    1. focus
    2. the coming together of mind, body & spirit

    ...
    http://www.aikidojournal.com/blog/2008/12/26/it-sometimes-does-happen-by-nev-sagiba/
    ...
    Tohei Sensei on page 168 in the 174-page hard cover book he published via Rikugei Publishing House in 1961, and later in England by Souvenir Press Ltd, London in 1966. ... The book is called:
    ”AIKIDO, The Co-ordination of Mind and Body for Self-defence.”

    In the very last chapter, titled “Self Defence In Its Deeper Meaning” he explains some key points ...

    Tohei Sensei describes how nature already protects life. That when we sleep, whilst we have no control, there is a benign protecting force ensuring the heart continues to pump, and so many other functions, so you can awaken to another day. He goes on to say how budo is not about ego or bragging, but rather following the principles of nature and to improve and integrate your personality.

    ... was written and published when O’Sensei was still alive and with his supervision. Tohei Sensei writes a poignant foreword and a remarkable introduction. The book is replete with salient anecdotes, philosophy, body-mind explanations and rare photos. The section on The Founder alone is worth the trouble of finding this old hardcover publication.

    ...

    “Remember, always that you live under the protection of some mysterious force of nature….. Therefore true self-defence does not stop with defending yourself against others, but strives to make oneself worthy of defence by nature herself. … Budo respects the principles of nature… True self-defence must be in consonance with the harmony of nature… When man observes the harmonious principles of nature, he helps to make them the principles of humanity because they are directed towards the good of humanity… True self defence must be in accord to the will of God.. One who whole heartedly practices this will have learned true self-defence.”

    He then elaborates, and concludes with “This is true self-defence and the chief purpose of training in AIKIDO.”

    In another book, the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, concurs with: “The secret of Aikido is to harmonise ourselves with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself.” ” Aikido training is to straighten and correct our warped mind, purify our heart and be harmonized with the activities of all things in Nature.” “Winning means winning over the mind of discord in yourself.

    The secrets of so called “no touch” or some of the other mysterious things you will experience if you train for more than a couple of years half heartedly, but instead seriously and as a way of life, all your life; are no mystery at all. They are not ego driven, they are not short cuts, they are not movie magic for the lazy, they cannot be bought or sold; and they are not any of the other much talked about but unproven fantasies.

    These “mysterious” happenings occur spontaneously as required, as a gift from nature and the universe. But not until you have made yourself ready and worthy through constant participation in the shugyo of self-purification and clear thinking, with pure intent dedicated to functional Aikido/Budo adding to the greater good and protection of all life. They happen not because of your volition, but regardless of you. They are the result of ongoing dedication to excellence in skill, and service to life, where you will have made youself a vessel and instrument worthy of defence by nature herself.

    Nev Sagiba
    aikiblue.com