Posts
Dear Friends of the Heart,
Thank you for helping save seals by signing the pledge to boycott Canadian seafood. By joining the boycott, you've joined a large international movement urging the Canadian Government to end the brutal hunts, and pressuring the fishing industry that
profits from them.
Here are some more steps you can take to help protect seals: Download our free pocket guide to boycotting Canadian Seafood (pdf).
Donate to the Humane Society of the United States, and support our efforts to stop the hunts.
Spread the word! Click here to tell your friends about the campaign.
Sign up to get Seal Watch, our frequent update e-mail from the ice.
Learn more about the hunts.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Dualism in Ordinary Reality
*******
It is undeniable that, in our timespace world of relativity, both negative and positive polarities of energy do exist. These exist as polar opposites-- opposite poles on a very wide spectrum of energy.
This is the case in the "physical, material, external" world. Why? Because this world has been designed by the great Mind as a school; and for our lessons actually to teach us, for us actually to learn and grow, it was necessary for the Creator to set up this world with that duality. If there were no "evil" and good, we would be clueless. We could not tell the difference between the polarities, and would be lost.
The good/evil division, then, is a great tool for teaching us. In being attracted to the good, and repelled by the evil, we are able to set up a lifedesign of reason, balance, intelligence, wisdom, and compassion (Love).
But there is a world "more real," and more important, than this relative world of spacetime and matter. For everything in this world passes. The greater, more significant, world is the interior "world" of Mind. This Mindworld precedes and creates the ordinary, everyday world of matter, and contains eternity, outside of time. Jesus called this the "timeless" life (using a Greek adjective, aionian, usually mistranslated as "everlasting.")
In this timeless mind-- which is deep within your Unconscious, there is no time, no matter, and no "outside." The entire "external" or "material" world is experienced in this interior Mindworld. For it is the source of perception, sensation, images, feelings, and every other mindevent. Because the "external" world is not "outside the mind," and because it is dreamed up by the mind, that is why it is secondary in importance. This view makes materialism appear extra foolish and absurd.
In the superior Mindworld, there is no "evil." That means that evil has only a relative existence; it is not absolute. It is a part of the maya, illusion, or dream of this present world. So, negative energies do exist in this world, but have no real, permanent, or lasting existence. They do not exist in pure Mind, and so, are "illusion."
*******
It is undeniable that, in our timespace world of relativity, both negative and positive polarities of energy do exist. These exist as polar opposites-- opposite poles on a very wide spectrum of energy.
This is the case in the "physical, material, external" world. Why? Because this world has been designed by the great Mind as a school; and for our lessons actually to teach us, for us actually to learn and grow, it was necessary for the Creator to set up this world with that duality. If there were no "evil" and good, we would be clueless. We could not tell the difference between the polarities, and would be lost.
The good/evil division, then, is a great tool for teaching us. In being attracted to the good, and repelled by the evil, we are able to set up a lifedesign of reason, balance, intelligence, wisdom, and compassion (Love).
But there is a world "more real," and more important, than this relative world of spacetime and matter. For everything in this world passes. The greater, more significant, world is the interior "world" of Mind. This Mindworld precedes and creates the ordinary, everyday world of matter, and contains eternity, outside of time. Jesus called this the "timeless" life (using a Greek adjective, aionian, usually mistranslated as "everlasting.")
In this timeless mind-- which is deep within your Unconscious, there is no time, no matter, and no "outside." The entire "external" or "material" world is experienced in this interior Mindworld. For it is the source of perception, sensation, images, feelings, and every other mindevent. Because the "external" world is not "outside the mind," and because it is dreamed up by the mind, that is why it is secondary in importance. This view makes materialism appear extra foolish and absurd.
In the superior Mindworld, there is no "evil." That means that evil has only a relative existence; it is not absolute. It is a part of the maya, illusion, or dream of this present world. So, negative energies do exist in this world, but have no real, permanent, or lasting existence. They do not exist in pure Mind, and so, are "illusion."
*******
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Help Us Change the World
We need small businesses and services that have a spiritual orientation, to support the new proposed radioprogram on WCKY. Right at the current moment, nothing is set in concrete; everything is "written on water," in a very fluid state. So, we are not seeking solid contracts, but are simply sending out this letter as a "feeler" to see exactly who is "out there," and who might reap the gigantic benefits of our advertising their services.
*****
We, the team at Love Ministries, have been working, diligently and sincerely, for months, to get the radioshow, "High Spirits," on WCKY.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM. This program will be a one-hour, call-in show designed to aid, advise, and support people in confusion and crisis. We will emphasize practicality. Its theme is "agapology"-- the psychology of Love. This includes Love for the self as well as for others.
ABOUT THE HOST. Richard Shining Thunder Francis has been a spiritual teacher, lifedesign consultant, and psychospiritual advisor for thirty years. His formal training is in psychology (he has a master's in psych), but his passion is spirituality. He has written and published twelve books on spiritual psychology. He has served as advisor for the "Sixty Minutes" tv program, Newsweek and Time magazines, and his work has been mentioned in the New York Times. He is the founder of Love Ministries, Inc., the Institute of Agapology and Metaphysics, and of the
Pneumarium Network of discussion-groups. He has appeared on radioprograms throughout the U.S., and on national radio in Europe. He served as managing editor of Lovespirit and Cosmic Visions magazines, and is current managing editor of Lovelight magazine and the "Universal Love Digest." He has been the subject of three tv series, "The Way of Universal Love," "The Psychology of Spirituality," and, "Spiritual Awakenings." He does all his spiritual work free of charge, and it is all supported solely by Love-donations.
MORE ABOUT THE SHOW. "High Spirits" is planned to be a spiritual program, as no subject is more spiritual than Love. In its overall design, we plan to explore together the fascinating fields of psychology, metaphysics, philosophy, religion, parapsychology, nature, nontraditional and eccentric cults, and a wide spectrum of related topics. We will advocate no single religious path, for all have their jewels. But the show will orbit mysticism, the intercultural, inter-religious Way of Love and enlightenment. This was the path shared by Jesus, the Buddha, Solomon, Lao Tzu, Al Hallaj, and many other spiritual luminaries.
But full success still depends on how many local underwriters that we can drum up. We hope that you will help yourself and our community by becoming one of them!
An "underwriter" is a company, service, or individual who supports the show economically. So, here is our plan:
We are going to gather ten very lucky underwriters. Your cost would be only $2000 to have your contact info broadcast weekly. This could include:
your name
your business-name
your phone-number
your business phone-number
your address
your business-address
your email address
your business email address
your website
Any combination of the listed factors will be highlighted before tens of thousands of potential eager customers once every week! This will also be no ordinary audience. For it will be a "hand-selected" and specialized audience with very specific interests in your products/services. This unique audience will be especially attracted to alternative lifestyles, health and healthy foods, "new-age" materials, and spirituality.
This would not be an expenditure, but a fine investment almost guaranteed to send your business into the clouds! In an instant, more people could learn about your enterprise than with years of ordinary word-of-mouth advertising! Working together, we can change the world!
If you have any questions, please feel free to share them, at: rmfrancis@juno.com
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Richard Shining Thunder Francis
*****
We, the team at Love Ministries, have been working, diligently and sincerely, for months, to get the radioshow, "High Spirits," on WCKY.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM. This program will be a one-hour, call-in show designed to aid, advise, and support people in confusion and crisis. We will emphasize practicality. Its theme is "agapology"-- the psychology of Love. This includes Love for the self as well as for others.
ABOUT THE HOST. Richard Shining Thunder Francis has been a spiritual teacher, lifedesign consultant, and psychospiritual advisor for thirty years. His formal training is in psychology (he has a master's in psych), but his passion is spirituality. He has written and published twelve books on spiritual psychology. He has served as advisor for the "Sixty Minutes" tv program, Newsweek and Time magazines, and his work has been mentioned in the New York Times. He is the founder of Love Ministries, Inc., the Institute of Agapology and Metaphysics, and of the
Pneumarium Network of discussion-groups. He has appeared on radioprograms throughout the U.S., and on national radio in Europe. He served as managing editor of Lovespirit and Cosmic Visions magazines, and is current managing editor of Lovelight magazine and the "Universal Love Digest." He has been the subject of three tv series, "The Way of Universal Love," "The Psychology of Spirituality," and, "Spiritual Awakenings." He does all his spiritual work free of charge, and it is all supported solely by Love-donations.
MORE ABOUT THE SHOW. "High Spirits" is planned to be a spiritual program, as no subject is more spiritual than Love. In its overall design, we plan to explore together the fascinating fields of psychology, metaphysics, philosophy, religion, parapsychology, nature, nontraditional and eccentric cults, and a wide spectrum of related topics. We will advocate no single religious path, for all have their jewels. But the show will orbit mysticism, the intercultural, inter-religious Way of Love and enlightenment. This was the path shared by Jesus, the Buddha, Solomon, Lao Tzu, Al Hallaj, and many other spiritual luminaries.
But full success still depends on how many local underwriters that we can drum up. We hope that you will help yourself and our community by becoming one of them!
An "underwriter" is a company, service, or individual who supports the show economically. So, here is our plan:
We are going to gather ten very lucky underwriters. Your cost would be only $2000 to have your contact info broadcast weekly. This could include:
your name
your business-name
your phone-number
your business phone-number
your address
your business-address
your email address
your business email address
your website
Any combination of the listed factors will be highlighted before tens of thousands of potential eager customers once every week! This will also be no ordinary audience. For it will be a "hand-selected" and specialized audience with very specific interests in your products/services. This unique audience will be especially attracted to alternative lifestyles, health and healthy foods, "new-age" materials, and spirituality.
This would not be an expenditure, but a fine investment almost guaranteed to send your business into the clouds! In an instant, more people could learn about your enterprise than with years of ordinary word-of-mouth advertising! Working together, we can change the world!
If you have any questions, please feel free to share them, at: rmfrancis@juno.com
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Richard Shining Thunder Francis
The "Eden" Parable
*******
As was true of the account of the Flood in Genesis, so the story of "Adam and Eve" was also an allegory. Genesis was never meant to be a "scientific" or "historical" document. It was, and is, a spiritual work. So, it tells a parable that has a lesson.
The characters involved-- Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, etc., represent different parts of your own mind. This makes Genesis useful and practical, for it was written about you. Its story is also about me, and about everyone else.
So, if taken literally, it does produce some insoluble puzzles, such as, "Where did Cain and Abel get their wives?" Literalists assume that they married their sisters-- an imperfect solution, as the text nowhere mentions these others. So, it is a foundationless assumption embraced out of desperation-- not from contextual data. It is all sheer speculation, and that, in the spiritual life, can be worthless.
*******
As was true of the account of the Flood in Genesis, so the story of "Adam and Eve" was also an allegory. Genesis was never meant to be a "scientific" or "historical" document. It was, and is, a spiritual work. So, it tells a parable that has a lesson.
The characters involved-- Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, etc., represent different parts of your own mind. This makes Genesis useful and practical, for it was written about you. Its story is also about me, and about everyone else.
So, if taken literally, it does produce some insoluble puzzles, such as, "Where did Cain and Abel get their wives?" Literalists assume that they married their sisters-- an imperfect solution, as the text nowhere mentions these others. So, it is a foundationless assumption embraced out of desperation-- not from contextual data. It is all sheer speculation, and that, in the spiritual life, can be worthless.
*******
The "Flood" of Genesis
*******
Most mystics believe that the Hebrew Scriptures are not literal history, but allegory or symbolic writing. This is especially true of Genesis.
The account of the "Flood" is a good example. Water is the symbol of the Unconscious. It is within the Unconscious that the deepest Mind, the Coremind, Lovemind, or Supermind, dwells. This is a galaxy of purest stainless Love. This is God or Spirit.
It is this Power of Love that is well represented by the "waters" of the Flood. It "kills" (deactivates) all the negative human energies (people) and animal nature (other creatures) within the Mind. In Genesis, the "Flood" occurs because of the "evil" in the world. So, the presence of apparent "evil" in the mind triggers our personal interior and cleansing "flood."
But it leaves all the human goodness (Noah and his family) as well as all the positive uses of animalmind (creatures in the "ark") intact. For "animal" force, or bio-energy is not bad. It just makes a nightmarish "master." Used to serve Love, it can be very positive and helpful.
*******
Most mystics believe that the Hebrew Scriptures are not literal history, but allegory or symbolic writing. This is especially true of Genesis.
The account of the "Flood" is a good example. Water is the symbol of the Unconscious. It is within the Unconscious that the deepest Mind, the Coremind, Lovemind, or Supermind, dwells. This is a galaxy of purest stainless Love. This is God or Spirit.
It is this Power of Love that is well represented by the "waters" of the Flood. It "kills" (deactivates) all the negative human energies (people) and animal nature (other creatures) within the Mind. In Genesis, the "Flood" occurs because of the "evil" in the world. So, the presence of apparent "evil" in the mind triggers our personal interior and cleansing "flood."
But it leaves all the human goodness (Noah and his family) as well as all the positive uses of animalmind (creatures in the "ark") intact. For "animal" force, or bio-energy is not bad. It just makes a nightmarish "master." Used to serve Love, it can be very positive and helpful.
*******
Significance of Five
*******
In numerology, including the spiritual and archetypal varieties, each of the ten numerals from zero through nine has a symbolic meaning.
The meaning of five in alchemical and metaphysical (as well as spiritual and astrological) numerology has always been those factors that are specifically human. This is due to the synchronicities of nature: Human beings have five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, five extensions from the trunk, and vfive normal senses.
So, it is a number that represents human art, human science, human religion, human philosophy, and even human history. Mostly, however, it represents human psychology, including human Love. Human Love, although somewhat limited, is a true form of genuine Love, and can be a human being's greatest delight.
The coming date 050505 is a great time to pursue the human social calender, to join hands with other people to accomplish goals that truly help human beings and fulfill human needs. Specifically, it is the perfect time to aid others medically, nutritionally, and physically. It would be an "auspicious" time to begin a nutrition-program, for example, or a physical-therapy or exercise program. It would also be a great time to begin any new human path, which does not imply spirituality (we are only "part human") or the higher paths, but things concerned with the human world-- economics, relationships, selfesteem, and other human concerns, which are many. If we do these "human" tasks well, they become or express Love, and thus, are no longer limited to the "human" factors.
Dates such as 050505 remind us that new beginnings are always enriching, even if they seem to "go nowhere" or to "fail." For we can always learn from them, and that is the very reason that we have come to earth. Earth is no place to "live," and no one "lives" here, but it is one heaven of a school!:) We are all "jvtp"-- just visiting this planet!:) Soon, we will be "outta here"! So, while we share this blue nanosphere, for but an eye-blink, it is a great time to strengthen our human Love in relationship by communication, giving, tenderness, forgiveness, and "little" acts of kindness. There is, after all, no "small" act of Love! Each is gigantic and megalithic in our cosmic history.
Since the month of May is under the influence of "taurus" energy in the early part, we can especially do "taurus" activities. We can give to charity, start or increase giving, or saving; we can work with flowers, trees, and living things; we can increase our own, or others' comfort; we can give ourselves the gift of moderate and healthy food and exercise; we can organize our homes; and we can act deliberately to break the harmful habits of procrastination: We can stop putting off that long-anticipated project, and actually begin to do it!
*******
In numerology, including the spiritual and archetypal varieties, each of the ten numerals from zero through nine has a symbolic meaning.
The meaning of five in alchemical and metaphysical (as well as spiritual and astrological) numerology has always been those factors that are specifically human. This is due to the synchronicities of nature: Human beings have five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, five extensions from the trunk, and vfive normal senses.
So, it is a number that represents human art, human science, human religion, human philosophy, and even human history. Mostly, however, it represents human psychology, including human Love. Human Love, although somewhat limited, is a true form of genuine Love, and can be a human being's greatest delight.
The coming date 050505 is a great time to pursue the human social calender, to join hands with other people to accomplish goals that truly help human beings and fulfill human needs. Specifically, it is the perfect time to aid others medically, nutritionally, and physically. It would be an "auspicious" time to begin a nutrition-program, for example, or a physical-therapy or exercise program. It would also be a great time to begin any new human path, which does not imply spirituality (we are only "part human") or the higher paths, but things concerned with the human world-- economics, relationships, selfesteem, and other human concerns, which are many. If we do these "human" tasks well, they become or express Love, and thus, are no longer limited to the "human" factors.
Dates such as 050505 remind us that new beginnings are always enriching, even if they seem to "go nowhere" or to "fail." For we can always learn from them, and that is the very reason that we have come to earth. Earth is no place to "live," and no one "lives" here, but it is one heaven of a school!:) We are all "jvtp"-- just visiting this planet!:) Soon, we will be "outta here"! So, while we share this blue nanosphere, for but an eye-blink, it is a great time to strengthen our human Love in relationship by communication, giving, tenderness, forgiveness, and "little" acts of kindness. There is, after all, no "small" act of Love! Each is gigantic and megalithic in our cosmic history.
Since the month of May is under the influence of "taurus" energy in the early part, we can especially do "taurus" activities. We can give to charity, start or increase giving, or saving; we can work with flowers, trees, and living things; we can increase our own, or others' comfort; we can give ourselves the gift of moderate and healthy food and exercise; we can organize our homes; and we can act deliberately to break the harmful habits of procrastination: We can stop putting off that long-anticipated project, and actually begin to do it!
*******
Giving In, not Just Giving Up
*******
Life whips us around a bit, and it feels painful and even abusive. But this can really be the action of the deep Lovemind in the Unconscious. It is trying, due to our deeper Dreamind (Coremind or Creatormind at the Center), to force us into the position where we completely "give up." Only after that, when we realize that we cannot regulate our lives and create the best harmony, are we ready truly to surrender to the great Unconscious (God, Spirit, or Love). This is the best decision that you can or will ever make, but "getting there" is no fun!
So, you are making precisely the decision that the great Mind wants you to make. You are deciding to surrender control of your lifedesign. This is not easy, and it often takes several tries. It is not "copping out," or trying to avoid responsibility. It is just that your lifedesign is beyond your true responsibility. It is also beyond your personal capacity. Why? Because God (Lovemind) wants the job!
For example, a keyboard that had a life of its own-- things that IT wanted to write-- would be useless. To be an effective instrument, it has to serve the will of the person using it. And to be useful to God (Love), we must give up the many personal "I want" programs, and finally say-- even if we say it in discouraged exhaustion-- "Thy will be done."
*******
Life whips us around a bit, and it feels painful and even abusive. But this can really be the action of the deep Lovemind in the Unconscious. It is trying, due to our deeper Dreamind (Coremind or Creatormind at the Center), to force us into the position where we completely "give up." Only after that, when we realize that we cannot regulate our lives and create the best harmony, are we ready truly to surrender to the great Unconscious (God, Spirit, or Love). This is the best decision that you can or will ever make, but "getting there" is no fun!
So, you are making precisely the decision that the great Mind wants you to make. You are deciding to surrender control of your lifedesign. This is not easy, and it often takes several tries. It is not "copping out," or trying to avoid responsibility. It is just that your lifedesign is beyond your true responsibility. It is also beyond your personal capacity. Why? Because God (Lovemind) wants the job!
For example, a keyboard that had a life of its own-- things that IT wanted to write-- would be useless. To be an effective instrument, it has to serve the will of the person using it. And to be useful to God (Love), we must give up the many personal "I want" programs, and finally say-- even if we say it in discouraged exhaustion-- "Thy will be done."
*******
Godimages and "New Thought"
*******
Thanks for the uplifting words re the brochure. And many, many more thanks for sending it along to interested parties!!:) That is great, and precisely what we hoped would happen!!:) We do so very much appreciate your kind and thoughtful cooperation with the great mission of teaching Love to others.
It was a pleasure to respond in detail to your question re "God as Energy." Many people make this spiritually fatal error, and thus, come to see God in the language of "machinery," or dumb "energy." Thus do they lose touch with the central belief of reality or truth: God is Love. The moment that we forget this, we fall into many kinds of illusions, including false godimages such as "big daddy in the sky,"
"Santa Claus," the "genie," or the "white knight."
Some "new thought" teachings are indeed very profound and wise. But others are foolish, or just plain silly. Still others are wrong, or even dangerous. "New thought" is not homogeneous, but quite a "mixed bag.":)
*******
Thanks for the uplifting words re the brochure. And many, many more thanks for sending it along to interested parties!!:) That is great, and precisely what we hoped would happen!!:) We do so very much appreciate your kind and thoughtful cooperation with the great mission of teaching Love to others.
It was a pleasure to respond in detail to your question re "God as Energy." Many people make this spiritually fatal error, and thus, come to see God in the language of "machinery," or dumb "energy." Thus do they lose touch with the central belief of reality or truth: God is Love. The moment that we forget this, we fall into many kinds of illusions, including false godimages such as "big daddy in the sky,"
"Santa Claus," the "genie," or the "white knight."
Some "new thought" teachings are indeed very profound and wise. But others are foolish, or just plain silly. Still others are wrong, or even dangerous. "New thought" is not homogeneous, but quite a "mixed bag.":)
*******
Responsibility and Selflove
*******
In this ultrabusy life, we must "carve" out the blocs of time to be good, and kind, to ourselves. This path of selflove allows for periodic and minor "indulgences," which are not "bad," as some religions claim. The needs of the world are vast and overwhelmingly colossal. You or I personally will never fill them, and so, it is good to structure your time with moderation, "scheduling in" time for selfrenewal. And no one should make the mistake of regarding herself as indispensable. If you do not get something done, the divine Mind will use another heartmind to do the job. You want always to do the best that you can, never "copping out," or avoiding true responsibility re other creatures. But the idea that ONLY you can do a task is antispiritual egotism. So, be sure to take time to rest and renew yourself.
*******
In this ultrabusy life, we must "carve" out the blocs of time to be good, and kind, to ourselves. This path of selflove allows for periodic and minor "indulgences," which are not "bad," as some religions claim. The needs of the world are vast and overwhelmingly colossal. You or I personally will never fill them, and so, it is good to structure your time with moderation, "scheduling in" time for selfrenewal. And no one should make the mistake of regarding herself as indispensable. If you do not get something done, the divine Mind will use another heartmind to do the job. You want always to do the best that you can, never "copping out," or avoiding true responsibility re other creatures. But the idea that ONLY you can do a task is antispiritual egotism. So, be sure to take time to rest and renew yourself.
*******
Reincarnation, Justice, and Meaning
*******
Thank you very much for your most valuable, and deeply appreciated, feedback on the show "Heartmind." Your suggestions re a show or two on the subject of reincarnation is especially welcome. This is a very good idea, and we have put it in the agenda for the near future.:)
After having read about, and carefully studied, all the philosophies and religions of the world, for decades, I've come to the conclusion that "polybiography," or reincarnation, is the only one that explains and fully addresses the apparent "horrors" and "injustices" of life on earth.
(Btw, it was a common concept among most early Christians, as well as among mystical Jews.) Only within this matrix can the "grotesque unfairness" of earthlife be explained as having meaning within a context of justice and Love.
*******
Thank you very much for your most valuable, and deeply appreciated, feedback on the show "Heartmind." Your suggestions re a show or two on the subject of reincarnation is especially welcome. This is a very good idea, and we have put it in the agenda for the near future.:)
After having read about, and carefully studied, all the philosophies and religions of the world, for decades, I've come to the conclusion that "polybiography," or reincarnation, is the only one that explains and fully addresses the apparent "horrors" and "injustices" of life on earth.
(Btw, it was a common concept among most early Christians, as well as among mystical Jews.) Only within this matrix can the "grotesque unfairness" of earthlife be explained as having meaning within a context of justice and Love.
*******
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