Gaia Community: wanderer7's Blog

Into the Wild

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:18:38 -0000

back on Oct 1

take care, w7

The True Measure of Success: ADVERSITY

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:06:01 -0000

we tend to idolise greatness; be really impressed by it. Scale and size impresses us no end.

The Big Players, the Big Money, the Big Stage. This is what first comes to mind when we think of Success or Achievement.

I tend to have a slightly different view.

To me: success to relative to the challenges faced. By this, I mean, what skills and abiliies does a person bring to a task, and then how well do they perform or achieve?

A person with lots of talent needs a big challenge to 'succeed' or be 'satisfied'; an ordinary task for them is nothing; they can do it with their eyes closed and their hands tied in knots. The BIG STAGE, certainly, for these individuals.

But equally, if you have lesser abilities and talents (or are handicapped, perhaps) a smaller challenge is also a measure of success. You have less to bring to the table, and so if you do 'succeed' at your task or job, then that can be as equally an impressive victory; it is all about the RATIO between YOU and the TASK.

so even simple things (like learning to read, controlling one's anger, staying off drugs) can be enormous, gigantic SUCCESS STORIES in the lives of ordinary people; of course, these are not the tales that lace our newspaper columns or make it to the broadcast news; we have to go to the well of social media to read about these. But these STORIES OF ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN can be as INSPIRING and REVEALING as the 'Big Picture' stories we so often see in films and novels.

There is a certain magic in the lives of the ordinary; it is all about the Relative Challenge that each of us faces on a Daily Basis.

Each life is a living human experiment; an experience in adversity.

blessings, and be well

wanderer7

Will Tampa Bay win the World Series?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:13:29 -0000

I'm a convert to the Rays. I've been following the Tigers for the past 2 years (they had such a good first half last year!) but they're a real shambles this year. I blame it all on the Miguel Cabrera trade; all those prospects swapped away for an over-rated player and a poor pitcher; just bad team management in my mind.

The Tigers came so close in 2006 ... and were doing well until the All-Star break in '07 ... then Sheffield got hurt, and that just killed them. That intimidating Home Run Bat just died with that shoulder injury; he still hasn't come back.

But the Rays ... what a surprise! they lead the AL East at the halfway point of the season, and are beating up on Boston as we speak (2 out of 3 in the current series ...)

they've got the pitching, the timely batting, some power, and most of all, the Team Spirit. A very exciting team to watch; and full of coastal energy!

a convert from cricket,

wanderer7

When Teachings Become Too Old

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:26:30 -0000

am I Buddhist? am I Christian?

no, I am not.

why so, wanderer, why aren't you fraternal and social, and join one of these groups, partake in the communion of souls, why do you insist on trekking it out alone, with knottled staff in hand, bearing the brunt of a cold headwind, never ceasing in your travels, constantly confronting obstacles and the settled order? Why sir, do you insist on this hard path?

I do, because the Truth has to be living, and has to be lived. The problem with doctrines and theosophy is that they are ancient and unreliable.

The Buddha lived, the Jesus lived. They lived, and they influenced. But what did they write? Nothing. Not that survives.

So what did they teach? What did Buddha and the Jesus teach mankind? Nothing. Not directly.

everything we know of 'Buddhism' and 'Christianity' is based on someone else's hearsay. Granted, they may have been close followers, and trusted disciples, but it is their word that we are going by. And it wasn't even in English!!

so, it was written and rewritten throughout the centuries ... over vast spans of time ... over many parchments and continents. The word was spread; by hand, by foot, by boat, to the wider world.

How much of these scriptures should we trust? Zero. Zero per cent. It is not the word of Buddha or the Jesus; it is the word of someone else. Interpreted, translated, massaged.

So what's the point?

the one saving grace is that the Truth is Universal. If there is anything of value in the so-called teachings of the Buddha or the Jesus, then it should be amenable to independent and multiple confirmations. Belief should NOT be an issue. Validity SHOULD.

so, the Truth is in YOUR HANDS. Test it out, give it a run.

SEE FOR YOURSELF.

love and light,

wanderer7

You Are Not Your Body; that is just a manifestation

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:24:49 -0000

what a liberating thought to have!

YOU ARE NOT YOUR BODY

all it's ills, all it's pains, all the angst ... this is nothing.

It is just an experience, for a time.

That is not to deny the existence of physical reality (after all, that brick wall is there, right?) but when we understand the TEMPORARY nature of things, the transience, the vehicle that is our body and the world, we aren't dragged down by our circumstances.

Sure, there is no perfect life. As the Buddha says, you can accumulate wealth, health, and favourable circumstances, but that can fall apart at any time. Those things are just temporary measures, temporary distractions.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR BODY

what a thought!

the truth will set you free, wanderer7

Generation Gaps - wanderer7

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:29:18 -0000

direct link

GENERATION GAPS

there are 3 main groups in the world today:
Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y
we need to understand each to understand how things interact, how they will eventuate.
each group has it's own agenda, it's own hopes and dreams.

this world, and it's outcome, is in our hands. Love and light.

original music by wanderer7. Scored for clarinet and piano; a fast paced piece, with a clear melodic stream. Enjoy!

Keeping Expectations Low, and Hopes High

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:26:50 -0000

when we start TO EXPECT a lot from the world, that is when we can get REALLY FRUSTRATED.

after all, the world and all its people, aren't here to SERVE US.

everyone else has their own agenda, their own plans, their own special purpose, and they go about their business. The stars spin, the plants reach high, the waves come crashing down. Everything moves in its own way, follows its own path. It's NOT DESIGNED to fulfill all YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

so, don't EXPECT TOO MUCH from things, or you're bound to get disappointed.

of course, that doesn't mean one should do NOTHING :-) one should always do the BEST YOU CAN to get the desired outcome; strive hard, study, plan, and work for what you WANT to achieve. But if it doesn't eventuate, DON'T GET MAD. If it didn't work out, just move on, and try again.

make your efforts, and be grateful for ANYTHING you receive. And know what? when you start moving into that state of grace and GRATITUDE, some really amazing, astonishing things start to happen.

blessings, love and light,

wanderer7

Keeping Oneself Open to New Sources

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:32:14 -0000

routine has it's place in life. For one, it keeps us generally sane. Just knowing what's coming up, how to approach certain things; this is a boon to the conscious mind.

routine, in a way, plans out our future for us.

But it can also be a groove that we become too comfortable in; like walking the same old path to work, meeting and greeting the same people, seeing the same sort of movies and tv shows.

when this happens, routine has become our mental straightjacket; limiting movement, and potential new thoughts.

I find the best example of this is our Information Sources. Where we go to to get new data on the world. Now, we have the traditional 3 big Media Sources (the radio, tv, and newspaper), but now the web opens up the whole vast spectrum of data sources to us. If one is multilingual, what a place to dwell in!

but even so, with the Web out there, each person can only sample of small slice; and even there, we usually move in Information Routines; certain sites that we have come to know, to trust, and rely on.

Part of the problem is just 'finding' new sources. Ventures start up, often quite promising, but how do they get known? Most often, it is just a fortuitous link that falls one way, and here we rely on friends and social networks to keep us informed of 'new sources' or 'new finds'. Rather happenchance, no?

But one thing I have noticed with myself is that I have these so-called Information Routines. And once you recognise it's there, one can maybe branch out a bit more, try and explore and discover Alternative Voices; some that may be Beacons of Hidden Wisdom.

Keeping Oneself Open to New Sources

love and light, wanderer7

Sleeping Waking Piano Fantasy - wanderer7

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:50:00 -0000

direct link

SLEEPING WAKING PIANO FANTASY

sleep. where do we go each night? one third of our lives, spent in bed. what REALLY happens there?

the dream world. magic. inspiration. wonder.

original music by wanderer7
composed in Finale 2007
scored for piano and cello

love and light, my friends

AXIOMS FOR A NEW MUSIC

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:22:07 -0000

AXIOMS FOR A NEW MUSIC

1. Tones are Everything

2. Keys are Nothing

3. Division by Two is the Basic Premise

4. Lines come from Somewhere and Go somewhere

5. Instruments Transform Notes

6. Length is not Important

7. Observe the Bar Line

8. Repeats are to be Omitted.

9. Avoid Chords

AXIOMS FOR A NEW WORLD

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:46:27 -0000

AXIOMS FOR A NEW WORLD

1. Proportion is Everything

2. Intention Sets the Stage

3. Truth is an Ascending Spiral

4. Love is Attraction

5. The Body is a Vehicle

6. The Mind is an Operating Sydtem

7. God does not Exist

8. The Cosmos nurtures Everything

9. Free Will is all there Is

10 Life is Experience, Learning

I Am My Own Master: no one but me

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:59:13 -0000

I think it was Krishnamurti who was one of the first "anti-guru gurus".

he wanted no school, no religion, no group, forming around him. Alas (given his history, and previous 'big-billing' by the Theosophical Society) he became a 'brand', and so lives on today through his followers.

the True Teacher (aka guru) doesn't want to concentrate the energy around him. His sole purpose is to give. if any Light is directed his way, he just puts it back into circulation, straight away. Only the cult leader wants to dominate and become a magnet.

so how does this 'teacher' do his work?

primarily in anonymity. Like Lao Tzu (the person who embodied the Tao) he would be most glad if his presence, his personality was erased from the record. It is of no import. No ego.

there are many who want fame, want the spotlight. They are probably the ones to best avoid.

The True Teacher (aka guru) is probably the one you've never heard of; they go about spreading the seeds of Light and Truth quite unobtrusively, sort of like a gorgeous plant growing when you're not looking :-)

I know we are all inclined to 'hero-worship' at times; but if there is one thing that is true, it is this:

"you are your own master; no one but you"

don't give your power away. To any one.

love and light,

wanderer7

ps this blog is a little disjointed, in two parts. There are 2 aspects at play in the guru / hero-worship dilemma.

1) the 'teacher' should not 'want' to attract followers in the first place

and 2) you shouldn't 'want' to be a follower in the 'first place'

the whole problem gets created when you combine the two sides; and thus religions and control structures become formed, and perpetuate through time.

Quantum Interpretations -- wanderer7

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:13:07 -0000

direct link

QUANTUM INTERPRETATIONS

how much of the world do we really know?

how much do we know of our own lives?

once we accept the 'interpretative' nature of existence, we are then working in a new place, a zone of creativity

each life is an ARTISTIC CREATION; a unique endeavour.

all perspectives offer something of value

original music by wanderer7
composed in Finale 2007
a duet for clarinet and viola.

love and light

Finding One's Calling

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:23:41 -0000

otherwise known as being in the right place, at the right time.

One's Calling isn't a fixed purpose; it is only a temporary state, as are all things in our existence.

One's Calling may be to be a pro-athlete (in baseball, football) but that will only last till you are 40. Then you move on, and the call draws you elsewhere (maybe to stay in the same sport, in an auxiliary field, or changing 'fields' altogether).

and so it is with us, mere mortals. A Calling to Here, A Calling to There; maybe for a day, a week, or a year. We go where the cosmos needs us most. There, our abilities and talents are maximised, we can draw upon our unique rich pool of experiences, to bring a solution to bear. Or we may even be the trouble-maker, stirring up a stagnant pond to promote the conditions for positive-change; after all, there are many catalysts in this world, not all of them savoury and sweet.

So always observe; watch your mind, your dreams, your faint intentions; where might you be called next?

love and light, and all things bright :-)

wanderer7

My First Job: working at mcdonalds

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:31:41 -0000

yeah I was 15, in high school, just naive. So I got a job at McDonalds. It would take me to the end of my school days (about 2 years plus) ... kind of amazing to think I spent THAT much time at that place.

It started off under $5 an hour ... yeah, wow, that was low. But this was in the early 1990's, so maybe it wasn't THAT bad. Anyway, the pay scales were based on age (not seniority), so I can at least claim I got 2 payrises out of them :-) I still remember the first time i got a $100 payslip ... I worked all weekend, and the better part of a weekday evening to earn that ... just slaved my guts out ... and wow, a hundred bucks! for a teenage kid, with an interest in comics and fantasy novels, this was GOLD! real money!

so yeah, real naive :-) I did meet some interesting people in my time there. This Maccas wasn't particularly local, so all the school kids working there came from different schools to me ... so I bumped into a few Catholic School students, plus the add Private School student. Was fun talking with them, learning about their different backgrounds and the like.

I didn't particularly mind my time there ... when you do prove that you can carry out a particular duty, they leave you to it, and don't watch over you all the time. That sort of micro-management in any workplace just bugs me. So I got to sweat it out on the hotplate laying out a dozen 10:1 meat patties at a time, prepping the buns, and running the McNugget / Chicken / Fish Burger section. wow, I can still remember all that terminology. I seriously thought I would have blanked that out by now.

ah jeez, life was carefree back them. Naive, but carefree :-)

love and light

wanderer7

Learning from your 'Enemies'

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:48:07 -0000

are there people in this world you really dislike?

and they hate you too?

there's a lesson to be learnt here. Much of that which we find distasteful is often an unintegrated component of ourselves, the so-called Shadow that we cast, without ever knowing it. Granted, there are things that genuinely do not 'vibe' with you, are a different part of the world, but that which generates the active emotion of 'hate' and 'disgust' points at something deeper; something within yourself, rather than solely 'out there'.

Examine those reactions ... see how certain things you once 'disliked' when younger, have now become common-place friends; as you learnt to appreciate them and integrate these 'elements' into your life.

your enemies are often your best teachers; they get in your face, and shout out: "hey, you've got something to learn!" ... and they do it day after day :-)

what diligence!

love and light

wanderer7

Clouded Consciousness

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:52:47 -0000

do you feel more lucid some days than others? what are the factors that go into determining Quality of Consciousness?

here's some steps to de-cloud -

1) sleep - the one eternal restorative. Sometimes when you are running down, getting strained and worried, it is just due to lack of sleep. With coffee and a hectic work-life, accumulation of a sleep debt is an easy thing to let slip by. And as the days and weeks roll on, the toll mounts. A 10 hour sleep can do wonders.

2) purging / fasting - parasites and other ickies can sap one's strength from inside. Don't believe me? look at our common pets (cats and dogs) and see how plagued they are. Granted we don't roll around in the dirt (or at least not as regularly as they do) but we can only monitor our foods so closely. Once they get in, worms can destroy us from inside. Worth checking out for cases of chronic fatigue.

3) week off work - taking a 7 day break from your normal routine can help put things into better perspective. Seemingly large and insurmountable problems get reduced back to their true state; that is, trivial on the scale of cosmic existence. It really don't matter; that work project, that angry boss; it's just water washing away on the sands of time. You are eternal; these things are NOTHING. Taking a break will let you see this truth.

4) no more pill-popping - get off meds and any of the other pharmaceutical poisons you may be imbibing. And get rid of artificial sweeteners at the same time. Small things can cause big damage; and pills and sweets are amongst the true Destroyers of Mankind. Consciousness will thank you once you decide to stop poisoning yourself.

5) chiropractic visit - our backs get strained through too much sitting. Throw in unseemly laptop postures, and one's neck and shoulders get continually strained. A quick visit to get your back hammered out can do wonders for the mind. One can stand tall once more!

feel free to share any of your own tips.

love and light

wanderer7

Being English-Centric

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:19:06 -0000

is there any real need to learn a foreign language these days?

I mean, if you already know English, then everyone else has to learn it, right? So the native-English speaker has an advantage; he doesn't need to struggle with a foreign tongue.

it sounds like sheer arrogance given the diversity and range of languages on this planet, but I think this may be the case in reality. It seems everywhere in schools around the globe, English is taught, by standard, as the second language. it goes along with their maths and science studies.

So, what an advantage for the person born in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. Everyone speaks YOUR LANGUAGE!

even though this may be the case, I still harbour a love for languages other than the Dominant One. In my university days (among other things) I used to dabble with foreign scripts (arabic, hindi, japanese); just learning the alphabet, and going through dictionaries. I never learnt to read these fluently, let alone speak them. But just seeing the different forms of expression dazzled me.

I guess for many US citizens learning a working knowledge of Spanish is almost de rigeur these days; so the trend is not all one way. But for the moment, it looks like the Latin Dream has been reborn; a universal, global language. And that would be English. So, I guess the Brits did end up with their global worldwide empire; French recedes, and the Anglo-tongue is heard everywhere.

here's to language, and the artistic use of it.

wanderer7

Citizens of Planet Earth - wanderer7

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:39:42 -0000

direct link

CITIZENS OF PLANET EARTH

before any one country, or nation, we are citizens of planet earth. This is who we are, a united peoples.

forget the UN, forget the NWO, we are human beings first of all, and this UNITES EVERYONE.

never forget this.

original music by wanderer7

scored for two bassoons. Has a distinct 'medieval' lilt to it. Dynamic interplay; joyful, present. The duet form is one that I hake to quite readily; as in the Inventions of Bach.

love and light

The Descent into Matter

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:53:29 -0000

so what are we doing here? we wake up each morning, look around, and here we are, in the flesh, the same old body as yesterday, when we went to sleep. So what's going on? what is this matter plane, the physical existence?

the fact the we drop off the earth for 8 hours a day, in sleep, effectively dead to everyone (and even yourself!) should give you a clue. We go 'missing', AWOL, are absent from earth. We sleep, and while we do, we no longer interact, have no consciousness, have nothing (except, perhaps, for a few dreams). Sleep is a mini-death. And this is a third of our lives!

what is going on here? We sleep, and while we do, matter ceases to have meaning to us. There is a body, but we are no longer there.

you see, this is a descent into the physical form, from the more ethereal planes. When we sleep, we effectively 're-ascend', and leave physicality behind, just for a while. This is a spiritual re-charge; we can only handle so much of the physical world (in fact, only usually 16 hours at a time) before we find it too taxing and strenuous; we need a break from harsh matter reality. So, for 8 hours we dis-appear, go back to spirit; reunite with the Godhead, get refilled with emotions, inspirations, fantasies, and wonders; things we can bring back down to earth the next time we wake up. We learn from the spirit world, and manifest it here; in real 3d physical reality.

think about it, what REALLY HAPPENS when you sleep? and think about it, people go PSYCHOTIC when they are sleep-deprived (personal experience here :-), too too much caffeine in my time). Sleep is one of the great mysteries; one third of your life, my friends; truly think about what happens in that time.

love and light,

wanderer7