Wednesday,
June 01, 2005 
Volume
Nine
Young Tree frog on Stargazer Lily
Photo by John McNally
In This Issue:
Miss Blake Interviews Carmen Silvers
Why Joe Green M.D. Became an Artist by Rene Saada
Seth, War, and Peace by Serge Joseph Grandbois
The YCYOR Coffee House by Brian Gatton
Tribute to Jane by Chiron O'Keefe
Death in Vegas (Part 2) by Dan Scranton
The Universe, While Washing Dishes by judy f. clark
Miss Blake Interviews Carmen Silvers
MB: Hello there Carmen, as a woman I wonder what your
views are on the matter of how the reconciliation of
spirituality and sexuality takes place? Many women
want to bring these two dynamics to a healthier place,
how can this happen?
Carmen: Well these are my thoughts, take them for what you think they are worth, for I am no expert, my life is not neat, and although I would like to say I have some divine wondrous merging of energies in my bedroom every time I have sex, I do not. So, take my thoughts as you like. Basically I think the reconciliation takes place within yourSelf before you ever interact with another, that as you love and respect yourSelf and your qualities, you are better able to love, respect, and accept another. Love construction, or sex can also make you feel quite vulnerable, so the more secure you feel the better, the less likely you are to be a victim or perpetrator of power plays. I think this is true for both men and womyn, but I think womyn have a harder time being selfish, and have historically lacked sexual freedom. I believe this is why our society iconizes female sexuality, their is a conflict of desires and actually having the freedom to express yourself without deleterious side effects.
Components that I think are important for reconciling sexuality and spirituality include: self confidence; trust; respect; truthfulness; acceptance; freedom/enjoyment; love.
Self-confidence goes a long way towards enjoying your sexual activities. If you are always thinking you are less, then you lose out on feelings of comfort, security, and pleasure. Also, lack of self-confidence creates jealousy, not just womyn, for everyone. In addition, having self confidence that you will attract another that has the qualities you desire is very important, you don't want to attract another who doesn't 'get you' at all, or who is disrespectful, etc.
Trust is essential. You must feel safe, and have no fears that your partner/s will disrespect you or harm you. If trust is lacking you are less likely again to enjoy what you are doing, and also less likely to experiment. So it is another factor in removing boundaries, there must be trust betwixt the persons involved.
Respect, the priceless token. Respect each other’s differences, and limits. How would you reach wonderful levels of eroticism if you felt used, strange, out of place, badgered, etc. You cannot give love from yourSelf if you feel disrespected, and you won't give love freely if you do not respect the other/s.
Acceptance of yourSelf, and others, rather opens your heart, I think. I think it not only allows you to love more fully, but if you accept yourSelf for who you are you can be strong in whatever your likes and dislikes are and not feel that you need to waiver for someone else's desires, or to feel guilty about whatever your desires are. Of course, this does go rather hand in hand with respect, but really I think all of these aspects go hand in hand.
Truthfulness is necessary for yourSelf and the other/s to make whatever decisions need to be made, and to build the trust, acceptance, respect that is necessary - another hand in hand point.
Freedom! All of those components allow you to enjoy what you decide to do, but it goes deeper yet. In love making you must be simultaneously giving and taking of each other’s energies and pleasures. So you must be selfish and unselfish, and really I think if you feel free, you don't think about it, it naturally flows that way.
Another viewpoint I have is that sometimes sex is just sex. There's just sex, sex with love, and love without sex. No matter what, love is love, no matter how it is expressed. Sex, when performed truthfully, respectfully is nothing to feel ashamed of or guilty about. Our bodies were made to enjoy sex, we were wired for it, it is not something apart from us, it is us. So although you may not be having sex to create children or reach some higher spiritual aspect, it is nothing to feel guilty about and you should enjoy it.
MB: Is there a denial of human nature embedded within certain attitudes to sexuality, the body and fucking in general?
Carmen: In my opinion, yes. I think long ago at least the Western Civilization wanted to be apart from nature, feared it. In addition you still have religious beliefs controlling who you have sex with, how you have sex, etc., these beliefs are still very much a part of our culture. Examples include homosexuality; monogamous relationships; marital relationships. As far as I am concerned, if people are being respectful and honest with themSelves and the other/s involved sexuality would be in a much healthier place. It doesn't matter if you are gay, lesbian, straight, swinger, open marriage, out of marriage, whatever - as long as you are truthful, respectful I think you should be the only one in control of your sexual activities. You should be able to enjoy your sexual activities without any of the stigmas and stereotypes in our society.
MB: One of your poems, Sex, was featured in Sethnet Journal, what were the feelings that gave rise to it?
Carmen: My poem Sex was a summation of a few weeks of me trying to put together a poem of all the aspects of sex, love and spirituality. I was trying to express that it can be a great out of body heavenly experience, but that 'just sex' has it's value as well. I also wanted to address how sex, such a beautiful act, is painted or relegated to something either meaningless or 'dirty/sinful' if not performed under the correct circumstances.
Another factor that arises for me is the abuse of sex, used as a power tool, in relationships, rape, and incest. In the fall of 2004 I looked around me, at all the womyn I knew who had either been sexually abused as children or as adults, since we create our own realities I was forced to ask mySelf "Why am I surrounded by so much sexual dysfunction?"
It was very hard to pool all these thoughts into a shorter piece. My initial writings were quite a few pages long. I finally gave up one night when I heard a hypocrite calling a womyn a 'walking sperm bank', and of course a slurry of sexual terms flung around in the context of insult. I was just so sick of the double standards, somehow that moment gave me the insight needed to incorporate all those thoughts into a shorter piece.
MB: Have you found that any of the books in the Seth series have enabled you freer expression of your
sexual self, if so which ones?
Carmen: Now, I am not a well read Seth veteran, to date I have read Seth Speaks, Conversations With Seth Vol. I & II, The Early Sessions Book 2, and I am now halfway through The Nature of Personal Reality. I have to say that his messages I apply to my whole Self, and his ideas in general rather reinforced my ideas about sexuality. In Conversations With Seth, I do not remember the people's names, but there was one womyn who brought up the point that she enjoyed sex, and was or did sneak young gentlemen into her bedroom for some pleasure.
One member of the group thought this was atrocious behavior. Then Seth spoke up, and as I was reading, I was afraid he would say something to the affect that you should save all your sexual activities for your betrothed, but he did not. At least the way I interpreted it, it was that we really do take something so beautiful, view it as a negative and use it as a way to slander each other. There was much more said there, but that was the gist that I remember. I was quite relieved with his response.
MB: Have any other writers been of use in this respect.
Carmen: Well, you know, Cosmo - just joking. Actually, I think a lot of it was innate, but the thoughts and feelings were reinforced reading such books as Marilyn French's The Women's Room, and Marge Piercy's Woman On the Edge of Time.
MB: Did you always think you were creative or is it something that you discovered later on in life? If the latter, how did you discover it? Did you actively seek it out or did it come to you unexpectedly?
Carmen: I have artists in my family! None of them famous! As long as I can remember, I was surrounded by family art. My mother did the paint by number thing before I was born, so I don't have memories of watching her paint. When I was very little I was surprised to find out that my Mom painted those pictures. Even if it was paint by number, she did a damn good job. She doodled everywhere, especially when my Grandmother would call and talk for hours.
My Aunt, of whom I never met physically, was an artist, and I have at least two of her oil paintings. My sister was a great inspiration in reading, writing, and art. She has a keen eye for color, bringing together color combinations you would never dream of; but she is also a very good linguist, and I would say incredibly talented writer.
So with all these influences around me at an early age, what is my scoop? I always enjoyed looking at the creations of these people, but for some reason I was a flighty little thing. I always enjoyed drawing, coloring, projects, sometimes I would try to do what they were doing, but I just didn't feel I was doing it well enough so I would go off and do my own thing.
When I was 9 I received a book from my Grandmother and her boyfriend, it was a collection of various poems from different writers. One of the styles of writing I liked, and used to write a poem about Wheat. Wheat which we didn't grow on our farm and I didn't have any physical experience with, but I took the images I had in my mind and wrote this poem. I forgot about it until I was an adult, as my mother went through some of her things she found it and showed me.
I was surprised she kept it, but even surprised that it was actually good! I was drawing by about 10 or 11, using concepts from artist books my Uncle had left with my mother. Usually, I just did it when I was 'in the mood'. Usually I drew people's faces, then tried animals. So I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but I didn't get much feedback that I did either writing or drawing well, I mostly did it for mySelf.
Once I entered college I thought I would go into journalism, but then decided I would go into biology/ecology. I found little time to be creative, and by the time I graduated I was starved for reading, writing, drawing (that should have been a big clue right then). That is when I started experimenting with pastels. I had a big boom in creativity that fell to the side for another 10 years, and then I just recently restarted this fall. So, I will see where it takes me, that is the fun of the ride.
MB: Is your first love painting or are there others forms that are more important as creative outlets. Whichever form is your first love what is your take on how this came to be so?
Carmen: Hmmm let's see my first love.....I have to say it really is a tie. Hand in hand with writing and with art, because as I write images come to my mind that I want to depict, and as I do artwork thoughts and words come to my mind that I want to express verbally. So I believe the two are really tied together for me at this point, but that may change, you never know. Right now I have to get out of the mind set of doing art when I am 'in the mood', I would like to do it whenever. Writing is a little easier for me that way (knock on wood, I hear writer's block coming), if I am frustrated it is easier for me to write than to paint.
MB: Do you think there is a difference between Art and craft?
Carmen: I know people debate this question, but I find art in everyday life. Cooking, hiking, whatever, there is beauty in the activities we choose to do, and it reflects back to me as an artistic creation itself. So, even though someone may deem something a craft, I will look at whatever it is and see how much of their heart went into what they were doing, and I will think it is art. I figure if a red square can be art, so can the dollmaker's dolls, and so can the quilter's quilts.
MB: There are numerous books, guides, exercises etc., telling people how to access and cultivate their
creativity. Did you ever try any of these? What worked for you and what didn’t?
Carmen: I really haven't. I have been lucky in that the ideas pop into my head, but I haven't had to do it on demand, so perhaps if I did I would hit that same block of creativity.
Ever since I was a child I have spent much time outdoors and have always had a close connection with nature. I think that is helpful. I know Seth has mentioned the important influence being outside has on artists, in fact, I believe the passage I am thinking of was recently quoted on Sethnet, but I cannot find it in the archives, and cannot find it in my copy of Seth Speaks, I apologize.
As a child, I was surrounded by books and magazines, so I could travel to all those places in my mind, giving me images that sparked my imagination. The other key component is interacting with people, and your environment, things click in, you get aha moments. Especially when you relate to what you are experiencing with such depth you embrace it, and want to express those strong thoughts and feelings.
MB: Do you feel that every work you make is actually
art? What criteria do you use to assess what works and
what do not?
Carmen: I still don't know if I consider what I do as art. If anything, I feel like a novice, playing with this or that. On one hand I do feel like it is art in that there is an idea, feeling, image I am trying to convey, and I use what artistic knowledge I have to create the images. On the other hand, I have some idea of what professional serious artists consider when creating their work so I feel rather guilty saying, "Oh yeah, I just felt that way, so I did this and this", which is not very technical at all on my part.
I hadn't taken it so very serious until recently when a few people commented on some of my stuff. Mostly my pastels have been an outpouring of what I feel, it just comes out. The wonderful thing I like about the pastels is that it allows me to be very interactive with the media and the paper, using my fingers to guide, blend, or whatnot. The downside is that this does not allow me much detail. I have considered experimenting with acrylics and paintbrushes, but mostly I think I need to take an art class! Recently my sister started taking art classes, and within a matter of months had a painting at an exhibit, so she has really been an inspiration, giving hope that I can cultivate what I have going on into a higher understanding that could lead to more inspirational work.
MB: Once your works are out of you, what do you want
to do with them? Is painting or writing poetry a way
for you to tell a story or make a point?
Carmen: I like to get feedback, but I also like to have time away from the piece and come back to it. This is true for poetry and painting, but especially the painting. Sometimes as you are working on a piece you become frustrated, things are not going down on paper the way you intend for it, so you have to take a break and come back to it.
This is especially true with the painting. One moment I think "this isn't going to work", and I then come back a few days later and say "okay, that wasn't as bad as I thought, we can do this, etc." I have created specific paintings for some individuals, and would love to keep doing that, but most of my work sits in my home, waiting for someone to come in and ask "Did you do that?"
With writing, I feel I bare my soul, I might percolate ideas in my head for days or weeks, but once the words are out, I want to share them with my Yahoo group, receive feedback.
With either forum, I am trying to express an idea, share a perspective, a story, a truth. The creative process itself takes you deeper within yourSelf so you learn new things about yourSelf all the time. A main point for me in sharing my works is the hope people will discover something within themSelves they never thought of, to open their mind up to other points of view, and also for people to find either a voice or an image they relate to. I guess I want to inspire people as much as other people's works have inspired me.
MB: What happens if you don't like a painting or a poem you have made or if you are disturbed by what you have made?
Carmen: I always come back to it. It may be years before I look at a painting again, but I tell you, looking at something with 'new eyes' does wonders. The same with poems, taking a little time away to figure out how to phrase those ideas helps. When I encounter the disturbing, I usually have to work it out in my head first before I can share it. Sometimes it doesn't get any prettier, sometimes there is no answer, but that in itself is a story, part of your quandary that you share.
MB: Are you a professional artist? If not have you ever considered becoming one?
Carmen: No, I am not a professional artist, but I have considered becoming one. My next steps are to take some art classes, see how I do this time around, and in the mean time, I'm just going to act like I'm already an artist, because why not! Lots of laughs!
MB: What does the word success mean to you in an
artistic sense. Do you need to make art?
Carmen: I think having to have lived without writing and painting in the last years really clued me in to the fact that I do need this form of outlet for my ideas. They weren't meant to sit in my head. Success is that I just keep evolving. If I publish, if I sale, great, all the better, I'll be loving it, but I think the whole purpose of this outlet is evolving your whole Self and watching your works evolve with you - the quest for Value Fulfillment.
MB: If you could throw a dinner party for six artists
from any era, who would they be and why?
Carmen: Frida Kahlo - I find her works evoke a lot of emotion and thought, and she was such a strong womyn in so many ways, both physically and emotionally. She had polio as a child, but also was involved in a bus accident that left her with many broken bones, including a crushed pelvis. She walked again (which I don't think doctors thought she would), but endured much pain, and miscarriages throughout her life. She was married to Diego Rivera, they both had affairs, were divorced, and I think reconciled by the end, but I am not [sure]. They seemed to have much passion for each other, despite the affairs. The other great thing about this woman is that she is so free, strong, and at the time womyn like this were not everyday, she was very much her own person, her art speaks for itself.
Diego Rivera - He might have to sit far away from Frida though - I'm not sure if their relationship ended on a happy note or not, but I think it did. I dunno If I can't have them both just Frida, but if possible Diego Rivera. I love the form he gives to his subjects, they just look so full of energy, they speak to you. Whether a beautiful woman or a powerful man, it feels as though the artist was very entrenched with his subjects. Politics and art? Seems like a good person to talk to.
Georgia O'Keefe - Amazing works both botanicly, and thought provoking. Could anyone possibly make a flower more thought provoking? It would also be interesting to hear what it was like entering the world of art from a womyn's perspective. This womyn knew at an early age she wanted to be an artist, her mother encouraged the children to become educated and professional, yet entering the world of professional art didn't seem an easy task in my opinion.
The best clicker was a quote from this website:
As Georgia would work intensely for awhile, and then not work on painting for a few days she gave the principal this reply: "When the spirit moves Georgia, she can do more in a day than you can do in a week"
Andrew Gonzalez and Alex Grey - I do not know very much about either of them other than their works are breathtaking. I found Gonzalez on the web, when I was searching for esoteric art some years ago. His work struck me, as he uses a lot of spiraling energy to his subjects. Something that I myself visualize, but I do not have the detail as he does, so seeing his images it was like "Oh my God, this guy is really good at conveying much of what I feel and perceive". I was especially drawn to his Golden Dakini and The Spiral Dream His images are simply breathtaking, if anyone wants to check this guy out a good site is here or
here.
Grey I also found via the web, but I don't remember under what search. Love his colors, and when you look at the art you think - "Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about" For me It is especially satisfying to see some merging of science and spirituality, wherein you look at the paintings and at once see our physical structures of which medical science has vastly studied, but you see the spiritual aspects as well. Tantra, Wonder, Painting, and Artists Hand are some of my favorites. You can view his works here.
Vincent Van Gogh - That's right! Not Monet! Monet is okay, but Van Gogh elicits awe and wonder for me, and I love his brush strokes! He is capable of blending compositions and compositions where the brush strokes stand out. I always feel like I am in a lucid dream, out of body, or just relating to the view through his eyes. It is common, I know, but I love the Starry Night and love the colors of Olive Grove. He would be a key person to talk to about internal strife, because I believe much of his internal strife was symbolized in physical reality for him.
MB: Where there any specific hurdles you had to cross
to get to where you are now? And what direction are
you taking for the future?
Carmen: I think a main hurdle has just been allowing me to express mySelf. Fear of being damned for my thoughts, or just to sophomoric. To realize that even if no one appreciates my words or art, they are still valid, and are worth doing simply for mySelf. Other hurdles include time constraints, and feeling in limbo between an expressive world (where my passions currently are) and an analytical world (where I work). My next steps are to take some courses at the University where I work. This will take some doing shuffling the time for classes, work, homework, parenting, and domestic duties, but I have to try otherwise I will never know.
MB: Who are your favorite people to spend time with?
Carmen: My favorite people to spend time with are actually right here on the internet! I know it is not an in person thing, where we hang out at the coffee shop, but my favorite people to talk with are people in the poetry group. Otherwise my sister is a great person to spend time with, artistic, intelligent, and so many experiences and groovy stuff she has to share. Truly she is the one I could get together with, bare our souls, explore, and have stimulating conversations with.
MB: How much time do you have left over for yourself in a day?
Carmen I used to fit my activities in at the end of the day, after the children have gone to bed. I am trying to transition out of that so that I can do work in the early morning or here and there in the evenings, but it has not been easy. My house desperately needs cleaning! Maybe I should have an 'Art and Cleaning' party!
MB: If you could summarize your purpose in this
Incarnation in a few words what would they be?
Carmen: Of course, my children are part of my purpose in this life, I hope to help guide them into themSelves, and to be strong in who they are. My purpose in this life is to not be afraid to shine, to not set mySelf aside, to "define mySelf" through my own course of actions. Along the way, I hope I open some minds, plant a few seeds, hope that my mind is opened and new seeds planted.
Why Joe Green M.D. Became an Artist
by Rene Saada
Mister Joe Green, a famous "Shrink"
Was so busy today, had no time to "Even Think".
Relieved, finally home, no appointments to keep
Laid in his bed, closed his eyes, proceeded to sleep.
Images of his patients, in his Dream appeared.
Their hands resting on instruments!, he found that "Weird"
He could swear they were not musicians, but of other professions
They had told him so and more during grueling therapy sessions
What's more, he was certain, Claudia's disease had no cure…
And of Paul's disorder, he was so sure
He had labeled Maria's thoughts as "Unacceptable and Impure"
And Brigitt's Impulses, an "Unfortunate Stigmatism" to "Endure"
As for Bob's problem, Now, that was a "Riddle"
With his "Ups" and Downs', he "Missed" the middle
What was he "To Do" with "Patient John"
Who displayed "Those Strange Emotions", Off and On
And the "Giving of Pills", he could justify
In his cabinet many times! he had seen them cry
Spent countless hours, from their childhood "Had to pry"
The "Truth" that would save them, and their tears "Dry"
Puzzled, there he was in this Concert Hall
Behind guitars, violins and drums, they seemed to "Stand Tall"
What of his Diagnosis, "Logically" they should fall?
They are just "Bowling Pins,” the “Wrecking Life" is the Ball.
All of a sudden, a string was Plucked
In the beauty of it's "Unique" Note ,he felt "Sucked"
Then the Majestic Call of a Horn in Rhythm followed
And by it's Wave he was Carried and almost Swallowed
Sound after sound, the "Symphony Played" and Music filled the space.
He could "Sense" those Human hearts pounding, their Brains race
He even saw for the first time an Aura glowing around one peaceful face.
Humbled by the experience, he realised "As Healer" he was no "Ace"
So the next day, when the nurse showed in patient Kay.
Our "Dreamer" remembered the Music and Cursed the A.M.A,
Smiled at the woman's Sentence" I don't Feel Well Doctor ,you See!,
I wonder what's Wrong" to the "Grievance" he Replied: "YOU, TELL ME!!"
Just Musing (In Rhymes) :-)
Rene Saada
Only Life, Only Love, Only Good, Only One
Seth, War, and Peace
by Serge Joseph Grandbois
This article was originally published in the NewWorldView Forums
In much of the body of work by Jane Roberts and Seth there is a link between peace and nature in the Seth Material, making the two as an almost inseparable topic; a topic that can and does affect us deeply. However Jane/Seth also covers the topic of peace on its own merit. In fact, peace and war did affect them, in particular the Vietnam War. There are many references in Conversations With Seth, Volumes I & II by Sue Watkins, and in The Nature Of Personal Reality as well as in several other books.
Exploring and discussing the topic of war and peace is at times difficult because we assume that the human species is a race prone to war and destruction. If the race makes attempts towards a peaceful state, it may at best mean a state without war, as if war and its relatives are inherent in the human heart.
This set of beliefs prevails in many sectors of society, sometimes so much so that it can appear that the desire for peaceful coexistence with our brothers, sisters and fellow creatures is truly no more than a dream. And it is precisely because of these and similar beliefs that peace seems so elusive.
The media persistently focuses on the Middle East, Bosnia, Somalia [Afghanistan, Iraq in 2002-2003 - a recent update], and many other places where it seems that our beliefs in our inherent capacity for war, destruction and conflict are entirely justified. There are many psychological studies on the apparent nature of the human beings' so-called "unconscious", "primal" "aggressive" and "instinctive" thrust towards disorder and chaos. Yet, I've never seen any study on the subject that instead focuses on what Seth called "unnatural" guilt, as in his discussion of the matter in The Nature Of Personal Reality, Chapter 8, Session 634. In this session, Seth approaches the subject along with physical illness in a most original manner.
Basically put, after the 11:10 p.m. break, Seth says: "If you shed the distorted concepts of unnatural guilt and accepted the wise ancient wisdom of natural guilt instead, there would be no wars. You would not kill each other mindlessly. You would understand the living integrity of each organ in your body and have no need to attack any of them [organs]".
It goes without saying that we would understand the living integrity not only of each organ, but of other human beings as well as all living things. Relating war, violence and physical illness seems to blend so well together, making further investigations into the nature of beliefs that much more viable.
Of course, Seth would not be Seth if he stopped there. He continued to describe the relationship that exists between the environment and our feelings in The Nature of Personal Reality, Session 664, just before the 10:55 p.m. break, where he states: "Your feelings are as natural a part of the environment as trees are. They have a great effect upon the weather..."
During break, Rob (Jane's husband) notes that as early as the 613th session in The Nature of Personal Reality, Seth was making statements like this: "Your feelings have electromagnetic realities that rise outward, affecting the atmosphere itself." In the very next session, number 665, at 10:27 p.m., Seth states: "There are as many reasons then for `earth illnesses' as there are for body illnesses.” To some extent the same can be said of wars, if you consider a war a small infection; in the case of a world war, it would be a massive disease. War will finally teach you to revere life. Natural catastrophes will remind you that you cannot ignore your planet or your creature hood..." Obviously, there are relationships between wars, violence, the weather, destruction, health and illness and our feelings (including our creature-hood).
In Conversations With Seth, Book II, p. 328 (Prentice Hall edition), Seth says this on the suppression of feelings and thoughts we might deem negative or inappropriate:
"Once you begin suppressing, you suppress all emotions to some degree, and set up barriers because you are afraid of the reality of yourself. If you cannot express anger, you cannot express love - not only that, you get the two confused!"
The love Seth talks about certainly has many facets, but again, he makes it quite clear where our collective consciousness is at in Conversations With Seth, Book II, page 327:
"You do not understand the holy and sacred nature of life or energy and that you cannot misuse it. You may think you misuse it, but you are not allowed to misuse it. You are not allowed to destroy. While you live with these things, you must deal with them and bear their consequences at this level of your development, but to think that you can destroy a consciousness would make the gods laugh. You cannot destroy one flower seed, much less a man!"
We always equate war with hatred of one people for another, one nation towards another, yet Seth’s views diffuse the notion when he states: "...You do not hate anyone that you are not capable of loving. Remember that".
Now, I do not claim to have answers and solutions and neither does Seth, though I did find something most significant recently in the books. The quote is quite small, though it should be viewed in context with the whole paragraph in question for an even more rounded out explanation. It is from The Individual and The Nature of Mass Events, Session 829, from the paragraph immediately before the (11:01 p.m.) time marker. In fact, the quote takes up the entire second half of the paragraph and it states:
"Christ's message was that each man is good inherently - and yet a civilization based upon that precept has never been attempted. The vast social structures of Christianity were instead based upon man's `sinful' nature - not the organizations and structures that might allow him to become good, or to obtain the goodness that Christ quite clearly perceived man already possessed".
This article barely scratches the surface of situations we have set up as social creatures. Yet, it clearly and provocatively hints at directions we can take towards producing a more fulfilling place to live, both as a person, as a member of the human race and ultimately as "caretakers of an entire planet". As Seth once said. Send in those letters and thoughts. I'd love to hear from everyone, especially Seth groups scattered all over the continent, and the world.
The YCYOR coffee house
by Brian Gatton
Well hello again, I said to the bristle-bearded Barista
What is your drink du-jour?
Oh, you will not like today's selection, he replied
It is full of bitterness
Not a friendly cup at all
Well how about yesterdays cup?
Yesterdays cup is a little hard to swallow
If you are not prepared to handle it, he quipped
How about tomorrow's cup, I asked
Well, some say it is rather mellow
But others say it is too dark
It's a bit hard to say
I thanked him for his help
And as I was walking out
I glanced into his back room
And to my surprise
All the drinks were poured from the same pot
I laughed to myself for not seeing this earlier
You're back, he asked as I approached the Barista again
I'll take any cup you have, I replied
Make it hot and steamy to liven things up
But put in extra sugar to erase the bitterness
And extra cream to chase away the dark tendencies
I see, he said
So you're having your usual again?
You know me too well, I laughed
Tribute to Jane
by Chiron O'Keefe
(Jane Roberts was born on May 8, 1929 and would have been 74 if she were with us today)
Happy, happy Birthday to Jane...
We celebrate your birth,
We celebrate your life,
We celebrate YOU!
I wrote the following as a tribute to Jane a few years ago:
To Jane
Stretching word molecules
around the nucleus
of an idea,
your questions
awaken,
stir,
and propel
me,
stretching my
being
to accommodate
who I am
becoming.
Death in Vegas (Part 2)
by Dan Scranton
(When we last left Jerry, Dr. Shivel informed him that he had an inoperable brain tumor and only had six weeks to live. Meanwhile, Jerry's brother Sal owes 50,000 dollars to the mob and his life is in peril.)
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jerry walks along the street, still looking stunned.
He hardly pays any attention to the other PEOPLE and CARS as he walks.
A car has to SCREECH to a halt to avoid hitting him.
Jerry doesn't even break his stride.
INT. JERRY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Jerry rocks back and forth on his couch. The front door is wide open.
JERRY
I'm going to die. I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
SAL (O.S.)
No, you're not.
Sal enters the apartment.
SAL
What is it now? SARS? Tsunamis? Bad
Chinese? Come on. You're gonna be
fine.
Gina enters.
SAL
What are you doin' here?
GINA
I'm comin' with you.
SAL
No, you're not.
GINA
Hi, Jerry. I'm Gina.
Gina leans in to shake his hand, but Jerry doesn't even look in her direction.
SAL
What are you doin' with the door open,
anyway? Usually it's like Fort fuckin'
Knox in here.
Sal SNAPS his fingers in front of Jerry's face.
SAL
I've never seen him this bad. And I've
seen him pretty bad.
Gina sits down next to Jerry on the couch.
GINA
Did something happen, Jerry?
She sees the prescription, which is still in Jerry's hand.
GINA
Percodan? What would he need that for?
SAL
I don't know, but we should go fill it.
GINA
You son of a bitch.
SAL
What?
GINA
You just wanna get high!
SAL
No, I was gonna sell it.
GINA
Great. And whatever pain your brother
is in-
JERRY
I have cancer.
SAL
No, you don't.
JERRY
Yes. Yes, I do.
GINA
Oh, my God.
JERRY
It-, it's inoperable. I'm gonna die.
SAL
Holy shit.
JERRY
I have six weeks left.
Sal gets up and walks away. Gina puts her arm around him.
GINA
I'm so sorry.
JERRY
I've never even had sex with a woman.
Jerry looks at Gina's chest, and she backs away.
SAL
Well, in a way, this could work. I was
goin' to see ma in Vegas, and I wanted
to bring you along.
JERRY
Ma?
SAL
Yeah. You gotta say goodbye, right?
JERRY
It would-, she, how am I going to tell
ma?
SAL
Don't worry. I'll do the talkin'. But
I need you to ask her for some money.
Gina springs up off the couch.
GINA
Is that what this is all about? You
need your brother to ask your mother for
money?
SAL
I didn't wanna tell you, but I got some
debts.
GINA
You-, I can't believe this!
JERRY
I can't see ma right now.
SAL
Yes, you can and you will.
GINA
You-, unbelievable!
JERRY
Just let me die in peace.
Jerry curls up on the couch and snuggles with Mr. Prickly.
SAL
No way. You're comin' with me, and
we're seein' ma, and you're gonna tell
her you need fifty grand.
GINA
Fifty grand?!? Is that what happened to
your finger? They try to cut it off?
SAL
No. If they tried to cut my fingers off, I wouldn't have any.
JERRY
I'm going to die, and who will take care
of you, Mr. Prickly?
GINA
This is just great. You don't tell me
anything! How can I trust you!?
SAL
I didn't tell you cuz I didn't want you
to worry. I can handle it.
GINA
You can't handle anything!
JERRY
I want a burial at sea.
SAL
No. You're goin' to Vegas with us, and
you can die there. We'll get ya a nice
coffin and headstone, and we'll put the
cactus thing in the ground with ya.
Jerry's face lights up.
JERRY
Really? You would do that?
SAL
Of course. You're my brother, right?
JERRY
Oh, Mr. Prickly. We're going to be
buried together! Well, not exactly.
You'll be planted in the desert with all
of your cactus friends, and I'll be in
the ground underneath you.
SAL
That's right. See. Death ain't so bad.
GINA
You are so-, do you even feel emotion?
Sal tries to ignore her.
SAL
We gotta leave first thing in the
morning. We're gonna take a bus, cuz
it's the cheapest way to go. Now, you
got anything we can pawn?
INT. PAWN SHOP - NIGHT
Sal carries the TV up to the counter. Gina follows him.
GINA
This is wrong. It's just wrong.
SAL
Please. I'm doin' the guy a favor.
Without me, he'd a died in that
apartment alone. At least this trip'll
be fun for 'im.
GINA
Oh yeah. Three days on the road with
you. What a blast.
SAL
Then why are you comin'?
GINA
You think I know? You think I
understand why I love you?! It makes no
sense!
Gina buries her face in her hands.
A PAWNBROKER, 45 and surly, approaches the counter.
PAWNBROKER
Can I help you lovebirds?
INT. JERRY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Jerry still lies on the couch with Mr. Prickly.
JERRY
Maybe now that I know I'm going to die,
and with you right there with me, I can,
I don't have to be so afraid. Yeah.
Jerry slowly rises off the couch.
JERRY
I -, I don't have to be afraid anymore.
I'm going to die, Mr. Prickly! What
could be worse than that?! I'm going to
die! I'm going to die! I'm going to
die.
Jerry dances around the apartment with Mr. Prickly.
NEIGHBOR (O.S.)
Shut the hell up!
JERRY
Yes! Yes, I will shut the hell up!
Jerry drags a chair over to his coat closet. He stands on the chair and grabs a BOOK on the top shelf of the closet. He opens the book, which is hollowed out, and he pulls out a wad of CASH. He looks at the cash with a gleam in his eye. Jerry then grabs Mr. Prickly and exits the apartment.
Will Jerry lose his virginity before he dies? Will Sal keep all his appendages? To find out, tune into next month's installment of Death in Vegas
The Universe, While Washing Dishes
by judy f. clark
3-26-1999
the universe knows me
talks to me in moonbeams
sings to me in birdsong
laughs to be me in me.
the universe
breathes through my cells
tells of me through history
is intimate with my thoughts.
the universe
feels the coolness of it's grass
between my toes
the warmth of its sun
light on my cheek
gazes at it's spansive skies
through my upturned eyes.
the universe
dances with me daily
spins itself on my pointed finger
bows and laughs
on trickling water
in the sink.
Announcements
The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow
MARY MAGDALENE is the subject of a recent rash of books and television documentaries. All over the world, men and women are questioning what has gone unquestioned for hundreds of years. Who, and what, was Mary Magdalene?
In all this clamor, why another book?
Ki Longfellow's novel, The Secret Magdalene, would answer: though the Magdalene is treated as a wife or The Goddess or as the Beloved Disciple or even as The Grail, no one speaks of the original teachings—the "mystery" behind the Mystery Teaching.
Two New Books by Susan M. Watkins
I would like to announce two new books from Susan. Any day now, the
25th Anniversary reprint edition of Conversations With Seth will be
out. This will be published as 2 separate volumes, the way it was
originally done 25 years ago by its first publisher, Prentice Hall.
These editions are coming out now from Moment Point Press.
Also, Susan has just finished work on her totally new upcoming
book--
What A Coincidence!: Understanding Synchronicity In Everyday Life
(due out in September, and now available for pre-orders on Amazon.com
Amazon is currently offering it at the discounted rate of $10.85;
they will ship it out to you as soon as it comes out in September if
you choose to order a copy at this time. The book will be
approximately 224 pages.
What A Coincidence is an extraordinarily original take on the
subject, in which Sue draws from very interesting experiences in her
own personal life and more to hint at an orderly yet magical
framework that unites all of our individual and joint experiences.
More information on the book will be posted in Sue's Yahoo group as its publication date draws closer.
THANKS!
Glen V.
Seth Gathering June 2 – 5, 2005
In The Fabulous Pacific Northwest
Please join us for another great weekend full of invigorating conversation with lighthearted but meaningful interaction using a “intuitive/minds-on” approach to reality creation which hopefully will take us beyond belief(s) and into treasure troves of thought, imagination and expectation.
We will continue our quest from last year to ask distinctive questions so that the ‘answers become experienced” as we playfully push against boundaries of identity.
“You cannot understand perceived events unless you understand who perceives them.” The "Unknown" Reality.
Step into spring with the second:
ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH SETH
Interactive Retreat
Ocean Shores, Washington State
June 2nd-5th, 2005
We feel that Seth still speaks through each of us who resonate with the material, as we are enticed to question, ponder, discuss and listen to ideas about how we view ourselves, and the world at large. Ongoing Conversations will provide an excellent opportunity to collectively share and expand on this sense of inner continuity.
Retreat cost:
Early Bird (before May 1st) $150.00
Tardy Bird (after May 2nd) $195.00
Retreat attendance limited to 40 so don’t delay. For complete hotel and reservation information please email: newalker2@comcast.nett or BettieR@Comcast.net.
The 5th Annual Colorado Seth Conference: Evolution & Imagination
"The fact is that your plane originated because enough entities needed certain types of experience to warrant such a creation, and they set about forming it through the process of evolution." -- Seth: 31; 236; The Early Sessions, Book 1.
DATE:
21-25 September 2005
LOCATION:
The IRON HORSE RESORT
Winter Park, CO
1-800-621-8190, or 970-726-8851
(Denver: 303-573-1545)
email: wpres@eastwestresorts.com
| RATE | BEFORE DATE |
| $290 | June 15th |
| $310 | Aug 1st |
| $330 | Sept 22th |
For more info, see: Colorado Seth Conference website.
Seth Applied
New Haven, CT
October 27-30, 2005
The Fine Art of Forming and Transforming Individual and Mass
Reality, A Fresh Creative Drama?
Your thoughts now seed worlds. It is only because you do
not know that, that what I say sounds strange. You are here
because your thoughts before your births seeded this world into
which you would grow. You did not come here strangers. There
is still, you see, much to learn. ESP Class 29 Sept 1979
As Seth readers we are aware that our beliefs, thoughts and
expectations create our individual and mass reality seed our
world/planet. We know this yet many of us wonder why we continue
to be faced with events that are not pleasing to us, events
that appear to lack value fulfillment for so many, and we wonder
why this is so. Does this happen because we allow our focus
and attention, our fine sense of discrimination to be drawn
away from our inbuilt propensity to form ?dazzling mental and
psychological creations i.e. our civilization its arts and sciences.
During our 'Seth Applied' weekend we aim to re-establish a 'feel'
for those in-born leanings through stimulating discussion centered
on the significance of Dreams, Framework 2, (inner reality),
use of the Imagination, Focus and Expectation. We will also
visit a display of the Jane Roberts papers housed in Sterling
Memorial Library at Yale. And best of all we will take time
to playfully and rambunctiously ?daydream? (envision) a society
more in line with an evolving consciousness intent on value
fulfillment for all. And better still during our weekend we
will apply Seth?'s suggestion to 'act as if' all this has taken
place, as we concentrate on what we want. So join us bringing
not only your ideas of what areas of a society/civilization
you feel disposed towards transforming, but most importantly
your good intent, your sense humor, and ready to share your
personal experiences and successes through use of the Seth material.
The world is changed in imagination. It is changed in dreams.
It is changed in inner creativity and through your dreams, and
then it is created physically.
LOCATION:
MARRIOTT COURTYARD
30 Whalley Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
Room Rate: $115.00 per night (mention Seth event).
Phone: 1-203-777-6221
Fax: 1-203-772-1089
Registration Fee: $270 Early Bird (before September 1st).
After September 1: $300 Leisurely Bird
Registration Fee includes Thursday night pizza and dinner on
Saturday.
Contact:
Mary Dillman
437 Orange Street, Fl 3
New Haven CT 06511-6202
Email: marydillman@earthlink.net
Links
The
Classic Seth Portrait by Rob Butts This is a low resolution
scan for those interested.
Monthly Reminders
Announcing New Seth Books! Volumes 3 and 4 of The Personal
Sessions are now available from Rick Stack and New Awareness
Network! Check: http://www.sethcenter.com
DAS
Handbooks - A series that explores dreaming, art,
and science. Compiled by Miss Blake.
UFOs
and Seth’s "Observations" - A two-part series that
examines the UFO phenomenon. Compiled and comments Mark M. Giese.
A
Brief, Probable History of Sethnet - what/who gave
birth to this group and why? Compiled by Paul M. Helfrich.
Who
is the "You" in You Create Your Own Reality? -
a three-part essay that explores the nature of the Self who creates
all its reality. By Paul M. Helfrich.
Greg Polson's Early Sessions Index, Vol. 9
is now available. (This completes the set of all nine books!)
Alphabetical
Order Page
Order
Check out the Mindscapes
Music CD: "A picture is worth a thousand words,
but a song is worth a thousand pictures." Listen online to the
Mindscapes CD, 22 tracks of new music from Paul Helfrich. Also
available for purchase.
Cool Conscious Creation Resources on the Web
2005
Conscious Creation Calendar of Events
Sethnet
Basics - get the most out of Sethnet
Seth
Library - lots of free articles and material
CCSearch
engine - tons of great resources, photos, articles,
exercises, quotes, etc.
Random
Seth quotes
Conscious
Creation - explore the concepts introduced by Seth/Jane
Roberts, and other sources. Hosted by John McNally and Kristen
Fox.
The
Elias forum - website by Paul & Joanne Helfrich
contains an expansion of many of the conscious creation concepts
introduced by Seth/Jane Roberts, channeled by Mary Ennis.
What if the Seth material was a foundation to be expanded later
by other channeled sources? Can any perennial source ever be
considered complete AND infallible?
Seth readers will want to check out:
Introduction
& Overview
A
Seth, Elias Comparative Overview (Updated!)
Digest:
Seth, Jane Roberts
The
Kris Chronicles - an expansion of many of the conscious
creation concepts introduced by Seth/Jane Roberts, channeled
by Serge Grandbois.
NewWorldView
- provides a forum to explore the practical applications of
integral conscious creation, dream-art science, and more.
Explore the creative worlds of John McNally and Kristen Fox
Cofounders of the Conscious Creation Website and Email group
John and Kristen share interests in writing, art, photography and cooking which they explore on a variety of websites:
John's weblog: Parabolic Mirror
Intuitive Astrology site: Psychic Weather
Writing: Mind Altering Fiction
Photography: http://www.flickr.com/telepathicfrog
Shop: Telepathic Frog Designs
Cooking: Food Follies
Kristen's weblog: FoxVox
Art & Photo Gallery: Art of FoxVox
Art & Photo Prints:http://foxvox.deviantart.com/store
Floral Designs Shop: Flower Bed Gifts
Otherfocus.com
Other Focus.com the personal website of Donald R. Johnson
Useful Email Addresses
Post message: sethnet@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: sethnet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: sethnet-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List Admin: helfrich@cafemuse.com
Yahoo Help: support@yahoogroups.com
Moderation: sethnet-owner@yahoogroups.com
|
