1. Flexible

Being flexible is the topic of this article. Defined: capable of being flexed; yielding to influence; characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. Introduction: Addison is teaching a basic Hatha yoga class. Addison: This pose is called the “cobra.” It is also known as Bhujangasan. As you rise up from the floor try to keep the elbows straight and notice that the sacral region of the spine is bent. Does anyone have any questions on this move? Student 1: What if I am not flexible enough to do it like you did? Addison: Everyone’s body is different. Some are more flexible than others. You start from where you are and through the regular practice of the moves you strive to become more flexible. Student 2: Why does anyone need to be that flexible? Addison: These moves help to keep your ligaments, spine, and joints flexible. Keeping one’s body strong and flexible helps one to be capable of doing his/her life’s tasks through the optimum range of movement. When you are 80 you will greatly appreciate the work you are doing today. Student 1: Is it necessary to do them pretzel moves? Addison: Those “pretzel moves” as you call them show how flexible some practitioners are. Many people will probably never regain enough flexibility to do them all. However we can strive to do what we are capable of. Alright let’s go on to the next move… [Later that evening in the community center.] Wendell: Addison when did you start doing Hatha yoga? Addison: I learned my first pose when I was around the age of 26. These days I have a simple routine that I do which combines Hatha yoga and Dao-In techniques. Wendell: Dao-In… what is that? Addison: Dao-In is a Taoist practice of doing mostly rhythmic movement to attune and adjust one’s body and energy. These movements help to invigorate your personal energy. So, not only do I become flexible physically, my energy flows well too. Zhi: Did I hear you say Dao-In? This is a very good thing to do when waking up in the morning. Like Addison say, not only do you become flexible physically, but mentally too. Catharsis: Hey guys! I overheard you discussing flexibility. I find the concept of being flexible interesting. On the one hand, if you become too flexible mentally you may become like a wet noodle and not be able to move effectively with focused intent when necessary. This can be caused by being so flexible that you do not know where and how to focus your attention. In this condition anyone and anything may distract you. I am sure most of us have seen a cashier counting change back to the customer when he gets distracted in the middle of the count by a nice looking female walking by. He starts the count over again. And wouldn’t you know it, a fly lands on his hand and he swooshes it away…oops, the count is started over again. Meanwhile the customer is starting to get agitated about getting his change, so the cashier just stops counting and quickly puts the money in the customer’s hand. The customer just got an extra five dollars because the cashier overpaid him from not being able to keep his focus on the count. Wendell: And on the other hand? Catharsis: On the other hand, if you are not flexible enough you may become like petrified wood. While petrified wood looks nice and makes great book-ends, it is not a condition that is suitable for a human. This condition has a double-whammy in that you become rigid physically and usually mentally as well. This can be caused by being unwilling to focus your attention when and where it is necessary. Oops, I ran out of hands! Can someone let me borrow one for the next point? [Everyone starts clapping.] Well, that was not exactly the kind of hand I was referring to, but thank you. Now with my imaginary third hand here, one of the key points when it comes to being flexible is to be one-pointed in one’s focus of attention, and yet be flexible as to when and where it is placed. Wendell: Addison, doesn’t Raja yoga train the mind to be flexible? Addison: Yes, Raja yoga and other practices such as mindful awareness help to keep the mind flexible to remaining open to intuition, harmonizing with one’s core essence, sensing one’s energy flow, accepting information and alternative ways to do things in a more effective manner, among other things. Zhi: In my tradition (Taoism) flexibility can be used to describe the nature of the mind of one who follows the direct path. Flexibility also expresses the elasticity that allows the student of the direct path to adapt to any situation. In order to restore the flexibility of the mind, one has to learn clarity. In this way the mind can exercise itself freely in conceptualization as well as deconceptualization without being stuck in any one way of being expressed. Catharsis: It has been my observation that clarity and yoga are not the only ways to achieving flexibility. Have you ever noticed a drunk? Now granted, he may not be able to focus that well, but he sure is flexible in which way he leans, walks and talks. Not only that but if a regular sober person and a drunk get into an accident, it is usually the drunk who gets away with little to no injuries. That is because the sober person normally tenses up while the drunk remains flexible like a rubber ball. Wendell: I think I would rather do my yoga to maintain flexibility! That way I can be fully conscious in each moment, taking in life to the fullest. And with flexibility I can go in any direction as necessary, when necessary. Zhi: Of course one may have to learn how to do this effectively. On the direct path, what to do and what not to do is a continual learning process; as you develop, you will naturally know what you can and cannot do. Knowing what can and cannot be done helps one to stay fluid in one’s movement throughout life. Addison: Another good conversation. Now I am going to exercise my flexibility and focus my attention on eating dinner! Anyone care to join me? “Sure, let’s go!” “The dessert is on me.”

Tuesday, 01 June 2010 | 235 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

2. Tolerance

In this article we are exploring the concept of tolerance. Tolerance can be defined as the capacity to endure pain or hardship; sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own. The 5th Way team is in an audience of people at the Grand Canyon watching a Native American team of dancers on stage. Wendell: This is great! Naruto: Yes, it is always good to see noble people creatively expressing themselves. [From the other end of the audience is heard] “We sure gave them injuns a good whoopin!” “Yeah…ai yai yai yai…” [Some members of the audience shush the noisy ruffians] Waneta: It makes my heart heavy whenever I see my people being treated like that. Haven’t we been through enough? Catharsis: Addison I think we need to do something to shut these ruffians up. Addison: Alright let’s have a quick huddle here, I have a plan. [Everyone gathers around Addison to listen] Okay, Wendell you stay here and observe, as for the rest of us…let’s do it. [Addison and Catharsis make their way to the stage director, while Waneta, Naruto, Kailoken, and Zhi make their way individually to the other side of the audience to engage the ruffians] Waneta: I could not help but overhear you guys making comments about the dancers. I came here to ask you to please be respectful and quiet to let the dancers continue without interruption. Ruffian #1: Old woman if I wanted your opinion I would have asked for it. Now get out of my face! “Yeah get out of here, you old squaw.” “Get back to your own seat Pocahontas.” [Chimed in some of the others] Catharsis: [Catharsis is now on stage with the microphone] Please give those fine dancers a healthy round of applause. Now we are going to give away a prize to the person sitting in seat number… Waneta: Okay, I have tried to be nice about this, now we will have to do it another way. Ruffian #2: Was that a threat old woman? Why I will show you…. [He starts to grab for Waneta when all of a sudden Naruto knocks him back into his seat while pretending to be an accident as he tries to get by] What the…. Naruto: Oh, so sorry. Please forgive, me very clumsy. [The ruffians now worked up begin to get up from their seats when Kailoken nearby starts jumping up and down excitedly next to them] Kailoken: You won, you won… you won the prize!!! He just called your seat number! [Pointing at ruffian #1] Ruffian #1: Huh… what? Catharsis: [Pointing over to ruffian #1] Yes, that gentleman right there… you have won our prize. Come on up here to claim it… go ahead and bring all your friends with you! Ruffian #3: Wow, Henry, that is so cool! Let’s get up there and see what you have won. Ruffian #2: Yeah, it could be some money or something. [The three ruffians make their way up to the stage to claim the prize] Catharsis: Gentlemen come up these steps here… don’t trip on them… we would not want you to hurt yourselves; right over here next to me please. [They gather next to Catharsis near the microphone] Well, congratulations on winning our prize giveaway, what is your name? Ruffian #1: My name is Henry, what did I win? Catharsis: Why you have won our grand prize of the day but before we get to that please introduce your two friends here. Henry: These are my buddies Virgil and Hank. [Virgil and Hank smile and wave to the crowd] Catharsis: That’s great, welcome to the Grand Canyon. I know you guys are anxious to know what Henry here has won today. Henry are you a single man, and when I say single Henry I mean not currently married or otherwise permanently cohabitating with one or more people within an intimate physical sensual kind of relationship? Henry: Uh, er… [Fidgeting with his shirt while answering] not that I can say at this time. [Virgil and Hank look at each other wryly] Catharsis: That’s perfect because your prize just happens to be a dinner date with one hot lady! She is so hot, she can sizzle your steak without a grill! Waneta come on out here and introduce yourself to Henry. [Waneta now looks like Henry’s vision of the perfect woman] Waneta: Hi, Henry, I am looking so forward to going out to dinner with you and your friends tonight. [She blows Henry a kiss while Henry and his friends drop their jaws in astonishment at seeing her dazzling beauty. Unbeknownst to them, each of them sees her as his perfect vision of a woman. As a matter of fact Virgil and Hank are starting to get jealous.] Catharsis: I told you she was one hot woman. Are you ready for that date Henry?! Henry: You are darn tootin I am man! Catharsis: Alright, that is great; however, there is one catch Henry. Henry: What, what is it man? [Starting to freak out a bit over there being a catch involved] Catharsis: The catch is that you and your friends join us in some role playing. Henry: Some what? Catharsis: In order to go out with Waneta for dinner we want you gentlemen to act some parts in a stage play here. We want you three to play the part of Native American Indians and we will find some other actors to play the parts of Anglo-Saxon pioneers and such. Are you fellas game? Henry: [Looking at his buddies] Yeah, okay… I guess we can do that, as long as we don’t have to wear them tight thingys. [Hank and Virgil just look at each other and shrug their shoulders] Catharsis: Okay, now we need our other actors. Do I have any volunteers out there? [He looks around and selects Kailoken, Naruto, and Zhi] You three come on up here and join us. [The ruffians just smirk and look at the three new arrivals and Catharsis has them introduce themselves] Alright, have you gentlemen ever played cowboys and Indians when you were younger? Virgil: Are you kidding man, we were raised in Texas, we know what real cowboys are! Hank: Yeah, there aint nothing to it at all. Catharsis: Excellent, and you three [motioning to Kailoken, Zhi, and Naruto] have played cowboys and Indians before? Zhi: I came from China as a young boy and never had the opportunity to play this before. It sounds very interesting. Naruto: I come from Japan as a boy and I was never taught how to play this game. Kailoken: Oh sure… I have played this game before but due to my skin color [He is of middle eastern descent] I was always picked to be the Indian. I always wanted to be the cowboy and here I am! [The audience laughs] Catharsis: Very well, the first act of this role playing will consist of you three Native Americans {Motioning to the ruffians] sitting down and enjoying a freshly cooked meal. You other three are going to play the role of Puritans just arriving in the land and looking for food to survive due to ignorantly arriving in the winter without proper foodstuffs. Zhi you are going to be the leader of your party and you come across the Indians eating... go ahead and act out what you will do next. Okay Henry, start eating… and here come the white men… action! [Henry and his buddies stand up as the “puritans” arrive] Henry: How… ugh… Catharsis: Wait a minute, wait a minute, stop the action! Henry, do you really think the Native Americans said those words? [Audience chuckles and Henry turns red] Okay… just to make it easy we will pretend that both parties speak the same language. Let’s start at the beginning… and action! Henry: Hello, we have not seen you around here before. What is it you seek? Zhi: We have just arrived from a far-away land and are hungry. Can you share some food with us? Catharsis: [Catharsis interrupts again] Hold on… Zhi why don’t you just come in with muskets blazing, kill the Indians and just take the food from them? [The ruffians look at each other with disbelief] Zhi: Well, being a peaceful man, I prefer to ask nicely and share with others. Catharsis: Well, that is all good and fine, but you are puritans… historically, you stole from the Indians when you arrived. The Puritans and Indians were hostile towards each other afterwards, give or take. Zhi: If I remember right, the Puritans left their own country for America because their own country was intolerant of their religion. Being a tolerant man myself I prefer to live peacefully with the Indians. Henry: Yeah, why can’t they live peacefully with us? We weren’t hurtin’ nobody. [Hank and Virgil chime in agreement] Catharsis: I see where this is going. You guys are rewriting history here. Alright, let’s try something else. This time you three [Motioning to Zhi, Kailoken, and Naruto] are traders looking to trade with these North American plains Indians. Naruto you lead this time. Naruto: Hello, we are traders and would like to trade with you, are you interested? Henry: What do you have to trade and what are you after? Naruto: [asking Catharsis] What do we have to trade? Catharsis: You have these cheap beads, flashy mirrors, and blankets to trade and you want gold, silver, gems and food. Naruto: We have these cheap beads, flashy mirrors, and blankets to trade with you. Henry: Now why in the world would we want those cheap beads? The mirrors and blankets could be useful. Naruto: Okay, we would like to trade for gold, silver and food. Henry: Those mirrors and blankets are not worth as much as gold and silver. Are you kidding me? Catharsis: Wait a minute, hold on here. Henry you are not supposed to know that. These white men are here to rip you off and make you feel good about it. Henry: I am not going to let any white man take advantage of my people. Let’s scalp these traders! [Henry, Virgil and Hank menacingly approach Naruto and his party. While Kailoken confuses the ruffians, Naruto and Zhi quickly take them down with their martial art skills and put the hurt on them. The audience laughs while the three ruffians struggle to free themselves.] Catharsis: What are you guys doing here? First of all, these white men would not have had those martial art skills at that time in history here in America. No, no, no, this will not do… perhaps if you run away, then take the horse blankets and contaminate them with Smallpox… yeah that’s it. Then you can just set the blankets out in the open, these magnificent people get wiped out, and you just take what you want. Now let Henry and his buddies up. Henry: [Looking at Catharsis] You know you are one crazy man. We didn’t do a thing to these people and you want them to just wipe us out? I think I have had enough of this role playing. I just do not agree with what you are trying to make us do here. These white people should be able to live in peace with us Indians. [The audience claps in agreement with Henry] Catharsis: Henry, you are absolutely correct. I have to agree with you. It is much better to be tolerant and live in peace. Audience, please give all of our actors a round of applause. [Audience claps] Henry we have a table reserved for you and your friends at that restaurant. Waneta join Henry here as his date and let’s go eat! “Woo hoo, I’m starved.” “Let’s get some grub.” [On their way to the restaurant Hank and Virgil discuss how they should have been the ones that got the date instead of Henry. They are starting to get angry about it.] Hank: Virgil, you know Henry does not like that kind of woman…why she is so perfect for me! Virgil: Yep, I have to agree with you. I think we need to rescue her from that womanizing horse’s patoot! After the dinner let’s make sure she is with all three of us. Hank: That sounds like a real good plan there Virgil. [They start snickering.] [Everyone starts sitting around a large table.] Catharsis: Henry since you are our prize winner, you and Waneta sit next to each other right there. The rest of you just gather around the table here. Let’s order some food! [Everyone places their order and they have a wonderful conversation on what it was like to reverse the roles of being white men and Native Americans.] Henry: I never really thought about what happened to them Indians. I guess I should put myself in someone else’s shoes before I spout off like I did in the crowd. Waneta sure is one good looking Indian woman! [He grabs her hand and she just smiles at him.] Virgil: What are you talkin about Henry? She don’t look anything like an Indian. She has golden hair and white skin! [Henry and Virgil look at each other like they are plumb loco.] Hank: Hang on there you two, do you need to check your eyeballs? She has red hair and a nice tan! [The ruffians continue to debate what Waneta looks like, while Hank and Virgil say they should have won the date instead.] Waneta: Boys, boys… settle down! There really is no need to fight over me…there is enough of me to go around! [All three ruffians develop a large smile on their faces. Waneta then stands up and turns back into the old woman.] “What the… [Hank and Virgil start choking on their food while Henry falls backwards in his chair.] Catharsis: Naruto and Zhi please help Hank and Virgil keep from choking to death there. Kailoken please help Henry up off the ground. [Naruto and Zhi start slapping the two on the back while Kailoken grabs Henry and pulls him to his feet.] Henry: Let’s get the heck out of here boys! [All three ruffians trip and stumble trying to get out the door to safety as if their lives depended upon it.] Catharsis: Ah, do you fellas have to cut it short? It was real nice of you to stop by. We hope to see you again real soon! [The 5th Way team laughs as Addison and Wendell join the table from their observation points.]

Sunday, 08 November 2009 | 404 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

3. Nonviolence

Tomorrow the 5th Way team is going on a picnic in a mountain meadow. Catharsis: “Okay, Waneta wants buffalo burgers and green salad; Zhi would like bean salad and a rice dish; Naruto chooses to have nori rolls; Kailoken is easy, he will eat from what is there; I already know what Addison likes to eat; I will get some potato salad and all of the picnic stuff; that leaves Wendell. Wendell what would you like to eat at this picnic?” Wendell: “Well, I am a picky eater, being a vegan. So, that means no meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products for me. And can you make sure the food is organic?” Catharsis: “Are you serious kid? We try to always get organic and natural foods here, Addison would have it no other way. And, we always get food that is healthy for the body and mind.” Wendell: “What about food for the spirit? Doesn’t eating things like buffalo burgers degrade the spirit?” Chuckles and smiles come from some members of the group. Catharsis: “What about it Waneta, do you feel degraded from eating those buffalo burgers?” Waneta: “We Native Americans have been eating buffalo for many centuries. We take what the Great Spirit provides with much respect. During that same time we have produced many fine shamans. Some say I am one of them, and that is your answer.” Zhi: “One should always consider the particulars of any food one eats since each food produces a different effect within the body, which in turn influences the mind. Everything must have balance. Everything transforms into something else. If eating meat produces a negative mental state for you, then do not eat it. It is very simple.” Naruto: “Many people are vegetarians and vegans because taking a life for food is repugnant to them. Many point to the Buddhist and the Hindu traditions for reasons not to eat meat, among other things. Many do not realize that Buddha and some his monks actually ate meat on occasion. According to Buddha meat was not to be accepted as food in three cases: if one has seen, heard or suspects that the animal was specially killed for him. So, in today’s world that would eliminate such a person from buying meat, etc., from the grocery store because it is specially killed for the buyer.” Addison: “The main point of the discussion here seems to be focused on nonviolence. Wendell chooses to be nonviolent in how his food is obtained. It is true that many beings as they develop themselves do not desire to eat meat and become vegetarians. However, I suggest that one cannot go through this life without taking life, it is merely one’s intentions in the process that matter.” Catharsis: “You know what is interesting about nonviolence? Being nonviolent can get you killed. Just being alive means there is violence. If you could see the battle taking place within your own body just to keep it alive and well, would make World War II look like a small affair. And, scientists have confirmed that plants feel pain. They may not have a mouth to scream from the pain, but it is there nonetheless.” Naruto: “The challenge seems to be to know when to use violence and when not to. Obviously, in order for one life form to live another must be consumed whether it be mineral, plant, or other.” Wendell: “I appreciate everyone’s comments and Addison is right about me striving to be nonviolent in regard to my food. Kailoken you did not say anything on it, what is your opinion?” Kailoken: “I will have to give this matter some thought and I can better answer that for you at the picnic tomorrow.” More chuckles and smiles come from the group. Wendell: “Why is everyone smiling and laughing about what Kailoken said?” Catharsis: “It is because we have been around Kailoken long enough to know that when he gets a point across it tends to be quite interesting!” Addison: “Okay everyone, let’s meet up here at the center at 7AM, load the truck and get going for this wonderful picnic. Love and light to you.” “Peace to you.” “Namaste” “L&L brother.”… --- The next morning --- Catharsis: “Alright, we have the food chests loaded and in the back…going down my list here…check…check…looks like we have it all.” (notices Kailoken slipping some items into the back and they wink at each other) Addison: “Everyone ready? Let’s hit the road and enjoy the day!” ---Arriving at the picnic spot--- Waneta: “That spot over there next to the waterfall looks perfect, shall we?” Everyone except for Kailoken grabs the picnic items and heads for the spot. Catharsis: “Wendell does this spot meet with your approval?” Wendell: “Yes, it seems great, if I can just remove these clumps of weeds here it will be perfect.” Catharsis: “Hold on there son, can you guarantee me that you will not pull up any worms or other beneficial insects with those weeds?” Wendell: (looking sheepishly) “Well, ah, no I can’t.” Catharsis: “Then we will have to move away from the weed clumps.” Zhi: “That does take us a good distance from the area Waneta picked out.” Catharsis: “I really do not see any other way around it. We can either sit on the rocks there or move over there where we can lay the blankets down flat for comfort. Personally I would rather sit in the grass.” Everyone picks up the picnic gear and moves to the new spot. Wendell: “Kailoken is still sitting in the truck, is he not feeling well?” Naruto: “I will go check on him.” Naruto arrives at the truck and notices that Kailoken is blowing up large balloons with helium. Naruto: “What is going on there Kailoken? Is this a special occasion for someone?” Kailoken: “This is a very special occasion for Wendell. In honor of him not wanting to do violence towards living things I will use these balloons to suspend me off the ground so that my feet do not accidentally injure or kill anything there.” Naruto: “That is very thoughtful of you. May I assist you in attaching the balloons to your body and helping to guide you to the picnic spot?” Kailoken: “That would be very kind of you.” ---After getting the balloons attached the two slowly make their way to the picnic spot--- As the group notices the sight of Kailoken and Naruto making their way to the spot they start laughing hard. Catharsis: “That is quite a feat there you two…do you have an explanation to share with us on what you are doing looking like a Macy’s parade balloon?” Naruto: “Ah, Kailoken honors Wendell in nonviolence. He does not want his feet to harm living things on the ground!” Wendell looks quite embarrassed. Waneta: “Well, you two better be careful because the wind will start picking up here a bit.” Zhi: “Maybe you can hold Kailoken in place by tying him to that shrub there. Then we can all have our hands free to eat.” Addison: “Okay, let’s eat. Please pass that potato salad to me. Wendell how about fixing up a plate of food for Kailoken?” Wendell: “What would you like to have Kailoken?” Kailoken: “Just fix me a plate with a little of everything on it please.” Wendell proceeds to fix up the plate. Catharsis: “Hold on there partner. One of us better handle the meat because we would not want you to be a party to going against your own nonmeat eating principles.” Wendell: “That is very kind of you Catharsis. It would have been a little uncomfortable to me now that I think about it.” Zhi: “The food is very tasty. What a beautiful day as well. Watch out for that ant about to crawl on your leg there Wendell.” Catharsis: “Wait a minute son, let me get that ant for you. I would not want you to be a party to violence against that biting insect.” Waneta: “The wind is arriving now, everyone make sure they have all things wind safe.” Addison: “Looks like you might be in for quite a ride there Kailoken. Are you sure you do not want to come down to earth to sit this wind out?” Kailoken: “No thank you…I shall proceed in my honoring of Wendell.” Addison: “In that case, Naruto can you keep an eye on Kailoken so he does not drift off somewhere?” Naruto: “No problem, Addison. I will keep an eye on him.” As Naruto was saying this Kailoken’s rope broke free of the shrub. “Catch him!” “Oh no!” “Naruto catch that rope!” Kailoken being caught up in the wind is taken up into a nearby tree where the balloons have popped and he lands on a branch. Zhi: “Are you alright there Kailoken?” Addison: “Wendell and Naruto see if you two can get him out of that tree safely.” Catharsis: “Hey Kailoken, while you are up there can you see if there are any Robin or Quail eggs, I have heard they are quite a delicacy.” Kailoken: “If I see any I will let you know but I cannot get them myself out of still honoring Wendell in nonviolence. And how am I going to get back to the truck without touching the ground?” Naruto: “It looks like Wendell and I will have to carry him back.” Wendell: “Yes, we…. Gulp… can do that… I think I just swallowed an insect.” Catharsis: “Naruto grab Wendell and see if you can knock that insect back out of him. Try that Heimlich maneuver on him. Quick before the insect dies!” Naruto grabs Wendell and forces the wind out of him. Zhi: “Are you okay there? It looks like Naruto do very good job in getting wind out.” Addison: “We best take Wendell and Kailoken back to the truck. We may as well finish our picnic in the truck. That way we can avoid more violence.” ---Everyone is now back in the truck finishing their food--- Waneta: (looking at Wendell) “I feel that someone has learned a lesson today on nonviolence.” Catharsis: “What did you learn today Wendell?” Wendell: “I learned many things yesterday and today. First, living without doing some kind of violence even if it is unintentional is not possible. Even when we strive to be nonviolent things happen that are violent. All we can do is attempt to keep violence to a minimum and to use it when it is necessary. The key is to know when to use it.” Addison: “Very good Wendell. I suggest that one strive to keep one’s intentions good towards all living things yet be flexible enough to take measures to meet one’s basic needs and stay healthy as appropriate.” Waneta: “Each life form exists to fill a niche in the earth’s ecosystem. Every life form performs some function that serves others even though we may not see it. For example, the pesky mosquito is quite a nuisance and carries diseases that kills, yet if the mosquito did not exist there would be an overabundance of birds which in turn would severely reduce the insect population which may in turn severely reduce food for humans.” [updated this with a statement about the Birds movie] Zhi: “Yes, everything is connected. It is a matter of finding one’s balance within the great circle while letting other life forms coexist as well.” Addison: “Okay, let’s head back now.”

Wednesday, 02 June 2010 | 1807 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

4. Physical Fitness

It is Wendell’s first time with the 5th Way team at their gym. Let’s see what happens through Wendell’s eyes. Addison: “Wendell, since this is your first time here I would like for you to just go around the gym observing what everyone is doing, then come to me last.” Wendell: “Okay, Addison.” Addison: “Alright, everyone have a great workout and I will see you in the dining area for refreshments afterwards.” Wendell: Boy, this is so exciting. I can’t wait to see this! Hhhhmmmm… I think I will start with Zhi and work my way from there. There he is. Wow, Zhi is doing some kind of Tai Chi form. He is so graceful, so captivating to watch. I could sit here all day just watching him. Splash! Ah, someone must be in the pool swimming. I will check it out. Oh my goodness, Waneta is naked in the pool!!! How embarrassing. (His face is turning red) I better get out of here before she catches me looking at her. I have to say she does seem to be in very good shape for her age though. Whew! “Ooooosh…. Eeeyiii!!! What was that? Oh, Naruto and Catharsis are doing some kind of martial art. Wow, they are great…I can see why Naruto is in charge of security for the team. (laughing) Even when he is doing martial arts, Catharsis is a character! Well, I better move on and see what Kailoken is up to. Hhhhmmmm…why Kailoken is just sitting there looking at the weights. “Sorry to disturb you Kailoken but are you not working out today?” Kailoken: “Good timing on your part there. Would you please remove 20 pounds of weight off that bar for me?” Wendell: “Why sure I will. Are you doing bench presses?” Kailoken: “Actually, I am lifting the weight with my mind. It seemed a little heavy so I asked you to remove the extra weight.” Wendell: (rolling his eyes) “Well, I will let you get back to your workout there. Talk with you later.” That Kailoken is a real nutcase. You never know what he is going to do. Okay, well, that leaves Addison… I better get on over there. Addison: “Wendell, I see you have made the rounds already. As you can see I am in the middle of my aerobic workout. This Nordic Track gives a great workout. Why don’t you take about 25 minutes, get a good workout on your own and meet up with the rest of us later?” Wendell: “Will do, Addison.” --- The team is forming up in the dining area--- Wendell: “Hello, everyone.” “Greetings” “Namaste” “Welcome” “As salaam alikum” “Aho” Catharsis: “Did you get yourself a good workout there, Wendell?” Wendell: “Yes, I did some yoga…it was quite peaceful and relaxing.” Addison: “That is great; I highly recommend many forms of yoga. Go ahead and grab yourself some refreshment and join us around the table here… Now that Wendell is settled let’s see what you have observed today. Feel free to comment on and question everyone at the table on what he or she was doing for a workout. Everyone feel free to join in at any time.” Wendell: “Since I started watching Zhi first, I would like to ask what form of Tai Chi you were doing? I mean, it looked so fluid whatever it was.” Zhi: “Ah, very good. I was doing The Eight Treasures. It is a very ancient form of energy enhancement exercise, and is said to be at least six thousand years old. With this exercise I tone, strengthen, and stretch to maintain my good health and prevent disease.” Wendell: “Can anyone do it? It looked so easy the way you were going through the motions.” Catharsis: “Don’t let your perceptions fool you kid, Zhi has been doing those forms since he was a child. I would not be surprised if his parents started him off doing the moves while he was still in the womb! Heck, he probably even helped his mom do the flying dragon by lifting her off the ground a few inches with his movement from within.” Zhi: “Ah, that’s a very interesting idea. The great thing about The Eight Treasures is that anyone at any fitness level can do them.” Wendell: “I would like to learn that if you would teach me. And I would like to learn what Naruto was doing too. What kind of martial arts were you and Catharsis doing?” Naruto: “It is called Ju Jutsu. I began learning this as a child in my homeland of Japan. With this form not only do you get a great workout, you can properly defend yourself and others.” Addison: “I suggest that you start with one discipline and work at it until you have a solid grounding and then move on to another with the consultation of your instructors. Zhi would you be willing to take Wendell on as a student?” Zhi: “I would be much honored to have new student. Wendell and I can talk about it later.” Catharsis: “You know what’s scary to many people when they think of physical fitness? They think they will get hurt doing it. ‘I am not going to go running, what if I step on a rusty nail, what if a rabid chipmunk gets a hold of me?!’” Addison: “Yes, people have fears about practically everything in life. Some people fear they will hurt themselves just getting out of bed in the morning. However, there are people that do hurt themselves while performing various types of physical exercise. These injuries are usually due to overdoing something or using a wrong technique.” Catharsis: “Or, they beat each other to a pulp ‘playing’ rugby, football, etc.” Naruto: “If people pay attention and have good instructor, then no problem. Staying physically fit is very important. Even the blessed Buddha say so.” Waneta: “While many of my people have followed the white man into gluttony and physical laziness, physical fitness has been important to us for centuries. We like to run, swim, dance and play outdoor games.” Wendell’s face starts to turn red. Catharsis: “Is something the matter there kid? You didn’t happen to catch Waneta swimming in the buff did you?” (laughing) Wendell: “I, uh, yes. I am sorry Waneta for seeing you like that, I mean for invading your privacy.” Waneta: “Boy, being naked is a natural thing and I am not ashamed of it. Just wait until you see me swimming in the moonlight!” Wendell’s face turns even redder and he looks down and away. Addison: “Try not to let it bother you Wendell, we are all one happy family here. Many things you have been taught by society do not hold up as being true here. What did you observe Kailoken doing?” Wendell: “Well, I did not observe him doing anything but sitting there. He did say he was lifting weights with his mind though.” Catharsis: “That is great, how much did you manage to lift this time?” Kailoken: “I managed to lift 200 pounds. I was taking it easy so as not to strain my mind.” Addison: “What do you make of that Wendell?” Wendell: “Well, uh…. I am not sure.” Addison: “As is typical of my wonderful associate here, Kailoken was making a point that one can actually run through exercises using one’s mind alone. And, as most of us here know, when it is real to the mind, it affects the body as well. Many athletes actually use this technique to help perfect their performance. This is something that people who are bed-ridden and otherwise not able to do physical fitness that well can utilize to get some physical benefit. Those that are really out of shape can perhaps start imagining that they are doing the actual exercise within their minds and then move on to the real thing from there.” Wendell: “That is very very interesting. I never thought of that before.” Catharsis: “You know what I find weird about physical fitness? People who need it the most are the most resistant to doing it. It is like they fall into some black hole of atrophy and cannot break free. ‘Help me! Help me! Get me out of here, somebody!’” Addison: “Yes, many people just do not seem to be able to break that inertia to begin getting started to a healthier state of being. That is why I suggest just gentle movement to start with. Walking, mental exercise, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Hatha Yoga, and swimming can all be good forms of gentle movement for most people at any age. 1.5 miles of walking has been shown to be as good as 1 mile of running, for instance.” “Okay, Zhi and Wendell can talk about Tai Chi instruction. May you all have a spiritually productive day. Love and Light to you.” “Namaste” “Later, Addison” “Peace to you my friend” “I will catch up with you later, Addison” …

Sunday, 08 November 2009 | 446 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

5. Acceptance - Introduction

In this article we are introducing a new character to our reading experience. That character’s name is Catharsis. Eventually we will be providing a listening experience as well when we produce podcasts from the many articles that will be written. Catharsis is an interesting character for sure. He is often not always “politically correct,” and can often downright irritate people with his demeanor. Addison and Catharsis have known each other for a long time and they feel it will be quite interesting to work together in this venue. Their personalities are different and will serve to play off each other nicely to bring out various levels of the things being discussed. So, let’s give them the opportunity and see where it goes. Please give them a warm welcome. (clapping) Addison: Greetings to those of you who happen to be reading this latest addition to The 5th Way Community website. The topic today is acceptance. Joining me in this creative endeavor is Catharsis. Now would be an appropriate time for you to introduce yourself, Catharsis. Catharsis: It is good to be here Addison, and thank you for inviting me along on this adventure. Hello readers! Addison and I go back a long ways. Let me scroll up to see what the topic is for today…ah, yes, acceptance. I accept to discuss acceptance. Now what else is there to discuss on this topic, Addison? Addison: Before we actually start into the assigned topic, let me suggest some “ground rules” for these joint discussions. Catharsis: Addison you know I don’t like rules! I play by my own tune and always have. Living within someone else’s rules always feels too claustrophobic to me. Addison: The rules will not be that constricting and they are required to meet the FCC guidelines, as well as the site guidelines, on appropriate language used…as well as to help keep certain emotions within reasonable bounds…so as not to overly offend our readers and guests. Besides, if you do not follow the basic guidelines the administrative team will edit out certain words and may prematurely put our working relationship to an end. Catharsis: You know me all too well, Addison. I accept the working relationship with the basic guidelines as you have submitted to me in the interest of not letting you have all the fun. With the guidelines as they are, I still have plenty of leeway to annoy, frustrate, confuse, irritate, challenge and play the Devil’s Advocate with any guests we may have on. Addison: With that being said, let’s dive right into acceptance. Let’s define this word before we actually get into the discussion. Acceptance can be defined as the following: 1) the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable; 2) the act of accepting: the fact of being accepted: approval. Catharsis: While I find that definition acceptable, Addison, can’t we give it a little more depth? Addison: Sure we can. Let’s take the word accept and we get the following: to receive willingly; to give admittance or approval to; to endure without protest or reaction; to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable; to recognize as true; to regard as having a certain meaning; etc. And if we look into the thesaurus we have the following: bear with, endure, tolerate, agree to,… Catharsis: That is much better. Now we have some room to work. What do you think about taking the first part of that accept definition “to receive willingly” and expanding on it? Addison: That would very appropriate and acceptable to me. As you know I will be coming from the viewpoint of how this relates to the Highest Energy, the One, the Absolute, the great Oversoul, and so forth. And, knowing you we can probably count on viewpoints from other perspectives. That is what will make this a great team. Catharsis: I knew I could count on you to take the “high ground” Addison. When we say “to receive willingly” does that mean I need to willingly accept everything that happens in my life? What if someone smacks me upside the head just for the fun of it? What if someone decides to take their 4x4 and plows through my fence to do donuts in my garden patch? Am I just supposed to just stand there and wave with a smile on my face saying “Oh, that felt good, can you get the other side of my head too while you’re at it?!” “Hey, buddy, you missed the carrots over there with your big old knobby tires!”? Addison: You bring up a very good point, and I am sure many of our readers are probably asking that same question. As we know there are different levels of understanding and different viewpoints relative to that understanding. Ideally one “receives willingly” whatever is necessary to reach and maintain harmony with the Highest Energy. If a person is within that state he/she will not normally go around smacking people upside their heads, nor will they be doing property damage for the thrill of it. Catharsis: That’s all fine and well, however, most people are not within that state of being. I for one will certainly not tolerate someone violating my physical being nor causing property damage for a cheap thrill. There has to be some way to protect oneself while one strives to get to that harmonious state of being. Addison: That is why there are laws in place. They help protect people from bodily harm and help restrict chaotic human behavior. The laws help keep people civil enough so that the spiritual seekers have the opportunity to develop that higher state of being. However, as we know, laws differ from one country to another, and often differ from each other within different sections of the same country. Laws generally reflect the state of the majority of humans making them. Catharsis: What if I do not accept the laws where I live? Addison: Then I suggest that you attempt to work with others to change the laws for the better; to move to a place that has laws that are perceived to be more appropriate for your state of being; or learn to work publicly within your legal system while doing what you feel is necessary incognito. Of course if your state of being is in harmony with the Highest Energy you will know what to do at the appropriate time, and in a way that still allows you to live your dharma (the way conforming to one’s duty and nature). As we can see it is fairly easy to get diverted from the central topic and into related subjects. Let’s bring our core focus back “to receive willingly.” Catharsis: Yes, you are right Addison…we can discuss almost anything here and it will be oftentimes hard to limit the discussion to the assigned topic. We will just have to keep track of these potential topics and discuss them more in depth at a later time. Addison: Agreed. Catharsis: What would you say are some points to consider for someone “to receive willingly?” Addison: That you are here; that you interact within this material realm through that material form also known as your body; that during your existence within that form you will be challenged; that these challenges serve as opportunities for your growth, understanding and fuller awareness of what is; that you can receive willingly these challenges while consciously connecting with the Highest Energy; that through receiving willingly and consciously the connection with the Highest Energy you remember what you truly are and learn to harmonize with that; and while you are living out your existence here you receive willingly the knowing that all other material forms are also connected to the Highest Energy, although many of them may not realize this. Catharsis: Wow, that seems to be heavy duty for many of our readers. Even I find it sometimes extremely challenging to do what you say so easily. Addison: Yes, it is much more difficult to do than it is to say. However, if one takes the first steps in the process and as one makes progress with the steps, one will see “forward” movement and that in itself can serve as a wonderful incentive to carry on. Catharsis: It seems to me that there are too many obstacles and diversions for one to even begin to discover what steps are necessary to make, let alone do them! Addison: That is where the words of others who have made the necessary steps come in. There are authors and poets who have written sound advice and given clues on this very thing, myself included. Of course words written in ancient texts can be useful as well. However, one still has to wade through sometimes archaic, misinterpreted, misperceived, misunderstood, misplaced, and inaccurate words. That is why one needs to develop what Truth feels like to oneself. It may take a while to filter out things to get to this feeling of Truth, such as one’s own ego. When you learn what Truth feels like to you within your present understanding, it will serve as a good guide to help keep you on track to understanding this Truth in greater depth and detail. Catharsis: Why can’t I just pull out the encyclopedia to discover this Truth you mention? To be cont…

Sunday, 08 November 2009 | 401 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

6. Acceptance - Part II

Addison: Encyclopedias can be a wonderful time-saving tool for looking up facts. A fact is a piece of information presented as having objective reality. In other words, a fact represents something that has actual existence. Catharsis: Then anyone can look into an encyclopedia, pick a topic, and have the truth about anything that is covered. What a wonderful time-saving tool. However, if everyone can do this then why is there so much confrontation, conflict, argument, and war taking place on Earth? Addison: That is the trouble with facts. One person’s fact can be another person’s fallacy. Facts are only good as long as they hold true. Catharsis: I thought you said facts were representative of actual existence! It seems to me that if facts keep on changing then they are not Truth. Addison: One has to keep in mind that facts change because perceptions of the objective reality they represent change for the user perceiving them. Facts in an encyclopedia are a collective agreement on what the latest perception is. In other words, they are acceptable to those in authority describing the facts. However, an encyclopedia in one country may differ in its facts than one in another country. Perhaps there are encyclopedias even in the same country differing on many points of perception. Catharsis: This sounds way too chaotic. Why can’t we just have one encyclopedia set with the latest facts listed in it? Addison: Science strives to have a set of facts that are universal about the objective reality that scientists observe and that are repeatable by anyone using the same techniques to observe as well. However, many people choose not to agree with scientific observations and use their own oftentimes nonscientific standards as their guide for what is real or not. These latter people choose to not accept what the scientists say. Catharsis: These latter people seem to be the same ones that used to call the Earth flat. Why do they still hold onto their beliefs when science shows that their facts no longer hold true? Addison: Some of these beliefs are forced to change over time because most people recognize that the beliefs can no longer possibly hold true. The more people that no longer accept the previous belief system, the more the belief system is changed to become acceptable to the majority of people. Of course some never change their beliefs regardless of what anyone shows or says on the matter. There are many pockets of entrenched believers doing this. Catharsis: It seems to me that eventually these pockets of people will die out because most of the people do not accept their ways. Addison: This is quite possible with many of these groups of people. However, today we see another experience taking place. Science, particularly in the area of physics, actually seems to reversing the trend back to confirming many aspects of reality that many spiritual mystics have realized for millennia. Therefore many previously perceived aspects of reality are now being confirmed and are finding new acceptance among many people. Catharsis: This is quite interesting. What seems to be the main issue here on whether to accept or not? Addison: It really comes down to perception. One person’s perception is not necessarily the same as another’s. That is why science is so credible because it is verifiable and repeatable by anyone with the same equipment and techniques. With better equipment and techniques, man is now able to observe much more than one can with just his/her five senses. Catharsis: Then how did these spiritual mystics see what scientists are now confirming when the mystics did not have any scientific equipment whatsoever? Addison: These mystics used and still are using what many call their sixth sense – an internal knowing. This can be exhibited through intuition, psi (formerly ESP), out of body experiences, altered states of consciousness, etc. Catharsis: Therefore we come to what truth feels like to the person perceiving it. Addison: Exactly. When one goes within through certain techniques, one can perceive many aspects of reality. Unfortunately, science will never be able to confirm with their physical instruments what many perceive without them. And there lies a potential and permanent rift between the two. Catharsis: Then why don’t the scientists attempt to use the same inner techniques used by the mystics and the mystics use the techniques of the scientists to help confirm what each other sees? Addison: That would seem to be the most obvious solution. However, as you have many entrenched in their religious dogmas even though many aspects of them have been shown to be unreal, many scientists are just as entrenched in not having anything to do with what they can not perceive with just their five senses. So, many of both sides do not accept the other. Catharsis: That is a real pity.

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7. Peace

We have decided to discuss the concept of peace in this article. As it is customary for these articles to define the word we are focusing on, we will now define the word peace as the following: a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; and harmony in personal relations. Let's imagine that we are looking in on a scene where Addison is starting a discussion on the concept of peace with some members of the 5th Way team... Addison: I would like to start off today’s discussion on peace. I will go around the table here and listen to what each of you feel is peace for you. Let’s start on my left with Zhi and work around to my right. Zhi: for me peace is one of the five greatest blessings. In Taoism we call this Ning, which means a state of being that is neither self-disturbing nor disturbing to others. Wendell: I am rather new to all of this, but one of the main reasons I am here is because I have a great feeling of peace when I am with such beings as you. When I walk through that door my outside cares and troubles seem to disappear. Naruto: for me, when one relinquishes all attachments, destroys all craving, reaches Nirvana, then one is peaceful. Kailoken: when I sit in the bathroom taking my time and being relaxed doing my business, I feel quite peaceful. Sometimes I play with my navel, count the lines on the wall, or read a good magazine. Waneta: the times when I sit outside my front door smoking my herb, feeling the breeze on my face, smelling the lavender planted nearby, listening to the birds chirping in the tree, and gazing upon the mountains in the distance…I am quite relaxed and peaceful. Catharsis: well, I remember a time when I was quite peaceful. You see I was being chased by a gang of motorcycle thugs. I had upset them with one of my impromptu performances. After a long chase I ended up in a church cemetery, finding shelter in a freshly dug grave. I am sure some of those ruffians hadn’t been to church for some time. While I was laying there I was looking at the clouds in the sky trying to pick out shapes. I found it quite peaceful. Addison: that is an interesting collection of ideas relating to peace. If we examine them we see the following – peace is a state of mind or being that can be achieved through a harmonious relationship with oneself, nature, those around you, the physical space one is taking up at the moment, pleasant sensory stimulation, and even during activities such as going to the bathroom. I open up the floor for discussion. Yes, Naruto? Naruto: it is my view that some of the things that were mentioned may only serve as a pleasant diversion from everyday concerns and negative states of mind that most humans regularly find themselves in. Zhi: I agree. Without inner attainment most are not able to remain long in a mental state of peace. Addison: Okay, so it seems that a process of self-regulation may be needed to reach and remain within a more permanent state of peace. For the sake of Wendell here and other novices on the path, are there some basic steps that can be taken which lead to this level of self-regulation? Catharsis: I suggest that one does not go around aggravating people because not only does it put them in a negative frame of mind, their negative frame of mind may literally affect you mentally and physically. I have to say that when I was being chased, my adrenaline was pumping through my body and that certainly does not help in achieving a calm state of being which most normally find peaceful. Addison: Catharsis made a good point when he said “most normally find peaceful.” Do some people find being peaceful too boring or too calm for their minds to handle? Waneta: in today’s world, many are not used to sitting quietly and just being aware of what is going on around them. It seems that many minds have been habitualized to being driven by outside sources. Kailoken­: I once had my mind driven into complete ecstasy and then driven into complete agony a short time later. Wendell­: that sounds awful! What caused that? Kailoken: That was when I was peacefully meditating and then reached a state of complete ecstasy upon finding myself in the presence of Allah, and then when the presence moved from me I was left in a state of complete agony. Addison: that was an interesting personal example, Kailoken. Let’s take the conversation back to some basic things to help people get into a peaceful frame of mind to begin with. I suggest the following – pleasant aromas such as a good fragrant oil or incense; fresh air and ample sunshine circulating within one’s personal space; listening to peaceful music; striving to keep negative people and circumstances at a minimum; getting out into nature and to just be from time to time; and reading positive poetry. When people feel they are ready they can then attempt some meditative practices along with the other things listed in the 5th Way series of books.

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8. Cleanliness

This article is on the topic of cleanliness. Defined – if we take the noun form of clean we get the following: free from dirt or pollution; free from contamination or disease; relatively free from radioactive fallout; unadulterated, pure; having no interior flaws visible; free from moral corruption or sinister connections of any kind; free from offensive treatment of sexual subjects and from the use of obscenity; observing the rules; ceremonially or spiritually pure… [Naruto is taking a bath in the community center after having a great workout.] Naruto: Osssshhhh yeeeeeeeee laaaaaaaa  yama… where is that special soap that Zhi made for the bath… ah, here it is… dooomoooooo ashi…. Zhi: Greetings Naruto, I see you are having a good scrub after exercise. That soap will make your skin good and healthy. Naruto: You and Waneta do a very good job keeping the community center members healthy and smelling good! Zhi: Yes, when body function well, mind can function better. It is very important to keep the body clean. That way mind feel clean too. Catharsis: Hey there special people. Somebody smells good in here! Zhi: Naruto is using new soap. He not only get body clean but smell clean too. Catharsis: Yes, there is something to smell alright. When you smell good people like to be around you. It is like they are using you as their personal aromatherapy. You show up with that special scent and they just tend to follow you around. You can see the smiles on their faces as they attempt to stay within the wake of your scent. They often strike up shallow conversations just to get you close to their noses. “How’s the weather today….sniff, sniff…how about them Red Sox…sniff sniff…” Naruto: [laughing] That is one way to develop a following. Unfortunately, many people mistake outer smell for inner qualities. Someone who smell good and look clean may not be good inside. [Addison and Wendell walk in on the conversation] Addison: Sounds like another interesting topic is starting up here. Can one ever be totally clean physically? Zhi: That be a very good question. One can be free of dirt which most people take to be clean. Catharsis: It seems to me that many people today, for those who actually take a bath or shower, are going to an extreme with certain cleaning products pushed on them by manufacturers. Antibacterial this, super scrub that… they will probably come up with an automated human super clean body wash similar to a carwash one of these days. For $5.00 you can have the machines take off your clothes for you, scrub you down with special chemicals, rinse you off, blow dry you off, apply talcum powder and underarm in the right places, and then put your clothes back on for you. It seems that many people are probably harming themselves more than merely staying clean. Zhi: Yes, as in the rest of the universe, there has to be balance. Using these stronger chemicals on one’s body can actually cause damage to skin, and create stronger bacteria which the body cannot fight off when infected by them. The skin is the largest organ one has; it serves as a protective layer for the body. It has to be properly nourished and cared for to help keep bad things out. Wendell: Don’t you have to remove dead skin cells and clean the pores? Zhi: It is good to scrub away dead skin cells and help to remove toxins through the pores of the skin. However you do not need powerful chemicals to do this. A good abrasive wash cloth, brush, or loofah sponge and a good natural herbal soap work well. The pores are helped by removing excess dead skin, sweating, and through special herbal applications to the skin. Catharsis: I have always found it interesting that people apply “clean” mud to their skin in order to clean the pores. Why pay someone big money to roll me over in a mud bath when I can go out to our garden area and roll around in the wet ground for free? Addison: I would say that most Americans for instance are deprived of quality attention from others. When they cannot get a proper dose of positive attention during the day then many people will pay big money in order to receive that special attention from others. We have established that being externally clean is important for one’s health. Can one be mentally clean as well? Wendell: Do you mean like being morally clean? Addison: That can be one aspect of it. Wendell: I have learned from you that being moral is just conforming to the majority of society in their custom of what they feel is right and wrong behavior. Being moral in society’s eyes is not necessarily the same as being mentally clean if I understand the question right. Naruto: It seems to me that to be mentally clean one has to remove or transform refuse that impedes the mind from functioning at its best. When one plucks the weeds from one’s mind one can grow a special garden of bliss and happiness. Zhi: With a well-functioning mind one can be a conscious part of the integral way of life of wholeness and virtue. Catharsis: Keeping the mind clean and functioning well takes a right kind of work. Most people do not even know they have weeds in their mind…they just know they are unhappy. Most of these unhappy people do not realize that the source of their unhappiness comes from within themselves. They created it through choices they made in life, how they perceive things to be, and so forth. That is one of the main reasons why we came together as a team…to help others to become “clean” again. Addison: Yes, like attracts like. Those who are ready will find us in due time. Good discussion guys, now let’s get on with getting physically clean. Please pass me some of that special soap Naruto!

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9. Altruism

Our present article is on the topic of altruism. Defined: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others; behavior of an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits the survival of its species. Introduction: Wendell is volunteering at the local food bank serving food to the homeless and other people in need. Wendell: Sir, what would you like today? Person 1: Man, save the small chit chat for somebody else and give me some of those sweet potatoes and green beans! Wendell: Miss, what can I get you today? Person 2: You can get me a job is what you can do! Now how about some of that rice pudding, sweet potatoes, and salad! [Laughter starts taking place at the end of the line near the door. Soon everyone that can see towards the door is laughing.] Wendell: [Wondering what is going on while serving the line.] Sir, what are you hungry for today? Person 3: Sonny, I can use whatever their having! I don’t think I have heard that much laughter in a long time. I need to get out there and see what’s going on! [At that moment Kailoken comes into everyone’s view dressed as a mime. His clownish antics lighten the place up. Wendell starts laughing with the rest.] Volunteer 1: Who is this guy? We need to get him here again! Supervisor: He goes by the name of Quailokun or something like that. He said he wanted to come in and cheer some folks up and I said go for it. He is good! Wendell: [He did not recognize that the mime was Kailoken and overheard the others talking.] Hey, I know that guy! [Thinking to himself “he sure is something alright!”] [At that moment Addison walks up to Wendell.] Addison: Greetings Wendell. Wendell: Hello Addison! What are you doing here today? Addison: I came here to see how your first day at volunteering was going, and to catch a few laughs from Kailoken’s mime routine. Wendell: Well, I am giving my time and assistance serving up the food, but Kailoken seems to be doing a lot of good too. A lot of these people were in a negative space before the laughter started becoming contagious. Now look at them, they are smiling and being joyful! Addison: Yes, he is quite effective in the humor department. He usually does this with the children at the hospital. Positive humor has been shown to help boost the immune system and of course a positive mental frame is always helpful in healing physically and mentally. In addition, he helps people deal with fear, whether of death or hardship. Wendell: Do all the 5th Way Team members do volunteer work? Addison: Every one of us does something. That is a part of our state of being. Let’s take this week and see what the others do. [The next evening Addison and Wendell are observing Waneta.] Waneta: Take four of these capsules every morning and evening for two weeks and that make problem go away. Patient: Thank you very much for this. How can I ever repay you? Waneta: Be kind to others and that is payment enough. [Patient leaves.] Aho, Addison and Wendell! Wendell: Aho! Do you treat a lot of people? Waneta: Most just need someone to talk with about their problems. When we talk about problems, many of them go away at least for a short while. While we talk I shift them from a negative outlook to an understanding of problem and then to positive. Wendell: I can see how it would benefit everyone to be in a positive frame of mind. But then what? Waneta: We can help people to get in that positive head space but that do not mean they stay there. People have to work on how to stay in positive space. That mean someone have to show them how. As the saying goes, “don’t just give a fish to a person but show him how to catch a fish.” That way people do not rely on us for a long time. Wendell: I never thought of it like that before. I see a lot of people helping others but based upon what you just said a lot of the people being helped are not learning how to “fish” themselves. I suppose the helper has to be knowledgeable about fishing to begin with. At least the people helping are giving them food and shelter. Waneta: Yes, it is good to help people but it is even better to do so with wisdom. [Addison and Wendell leave and meet up the next day to observe Zhi.] Zhi: You come back next week for another acupuncture session and you should be good. Hello Addison and Wendell, what brings you to my practice? You have need for herbs or getting poked with needle? Addison: Greetings, Zhi. I have brought Wendell by to observe you in helping others. Do you have anything to share with him on this? Zhi: Ah, very good. I find very interesting that many of those who devotedly take care of others do not take care of themselves first. The main thing in helping others is helping you first. If you are good then you can help others be good too. Too many people not pay attention to themselves when helping others. They lose chi and get ill from expending much energy on others. They must learn how to keep strong chi first, then help others. Then both be good. Wendell: That does seem to make sense. I mean how can you stay strong if you are wearing yourself out from taking care of others and not yourself? I see so many sacrificing themselves for others and not doing a thing for themselves. Zhi: Yes, many people “live” life for and through others and not really be alive themselves. [Addison and Wendell finish up the conversation with Zhi and meet up the following day with Naruto.] Naruto: [Speaking to self-defense class for abused women.] When somebody approach you like this, you can take care of him like this. Wham! Smack! Believe me he no touch you again. Now you try… [Having noticed Addison and Wendell walking into the dojo.] Okay, class, I would like to introduce you to good friends. This is Addison and Wendell. Wendell why don’t you take your shoes off and help these women practice? Wendell: Well, er, ah… okay. Naruto: Okay, now try not to hurt Wendell for real. He is here to help you practice only. Let’s form a circle and each take a turn with Wendell with the arm bar move I showed you earlier. To refresh your memory I will now demonstrate. Wendell you attempt to grab me like this and I will do move on you to immobilize you. Do not worry I will not break arm! Make sure you tap mat when you feel move good. [Laughter from women.] You grab now… [Wendell goes down into a prone position on the floor and Naruto puts a touch of hurt on him.] tap…tap…tap… Good, very good. Okay, everyone get a try… [All the women take their turn with Wendell. Naruto dismisses the class for the day.] Naruto: How are arms Wendell? Wendell: [Rubbing and stretching his arms out.] I think I will survive another day. That was an interesting class. Do you teach many of these self-defense classes in addition to your regular ones? Naruto: Yes, I teach many classes for old people, handicapped people, children, and women. Too many people like to take advantage of others. I help people to control themselves in negative situations. Better yet to not get in them in first place. That takes awareness of the environment. With these women here today I help them interact again with positive men. Some have never been in contact with a positive man before in their lives. They build up confidence to get on with their lives. Wendell: I am glad I could be of assistance in class. I would be happy to assist you again. Naruto: Through these classes the students learn how to interact better with others with confidence and control. I welcome your help. Through your assistance with me in helping others you will be more effective in helping people in general. [Addison and Wendell wrap it up with Naruto and meet the next day to observe Catharsis.] Catharsis: [Speaking to a group of people outside of a building on the lawn.] So as you can see if you role play the emotion you choose to have then you will produce it. Everyone please put your hand to your lips and turn them into a smile. Now don’t really smile… just put your lips into a smile. See if you can still be your cranky self when your lips are in the smiling position. [Laughter comes from the group as they try the technique.] How many of you sourpusses are now really smiling? [All the hands shoot up into the air. At that moment someone walking by tosses a cigarette butt onto the sidewalk next to where the group is sitting.] Wow, a cigarette butt just fell out of the sky! Did anyone else see that besides me? [Catharsis walks over to the cigarette butt.] God is this a sign? What are you trying to tell me with this God?! [People stare and start laughing including the person who threw the cigarette butt.] Are you saying that I need to raise tobacco? That I need to take up a collection for a cigarette butt urn? That I am the butt of your jokes? [Getting down on his knees in front of the cigarette butt.] Oh, Mr. cigarette butt did I do something bad to you in a past life and you are here to torment me about it? Oh, please forgive me! [More laughter from the gathering crowd. He carefully picks up the cigarette butt and takes it over to dispose of it properly.] May you rest in peace Mr. cigarette butt. [Many people are now clapping as well as laughing.] “Yeah, that was funny man!” “Show them smokers what to do with them butts!” [Catharsis talks with the crowd a bit before leaving. He walks over to Addison and Wendell.] Addison: Greetings, Catharsis. That was quite instructive. I have brought Wendell here to observe you helping others. If you will take Wendell back home, I must part now. [The two say good bye to Addison, and they get into Catharsis’ vehicle.] Wendell: That sure was an interesting group session you had there. Are they always like that? Catharsis: Each session is a little bit different. It depends on whom I am engaging and under what conditions. Some things work better for some than others. Wendell: It seems that you do a lot of role playing. Catharsis: Yes, role playing can be very effective. It seems to be less threatening to most people and still gets the point I choose to make across to them. As a therapist I often have to demonstrate the behavior that my client may choose to emulate. So, you can say that I serve as a role model. Through my behavior I can help entrain someone else to behave in a better way; not necessarily copying my shenanigans but observing the point I make through my playing. Wendell: I have to say you got your point across effectively in my opinion during that session. Addison has been having me observe the whole team during the week in watching everyone helping others. Catharsis: Did you know that young children are naturally altruistic? Being altruistic is a natural state of being until many parents and segments of society condition it out of the youngsters. Wendell: I did not know that. Catharsis: Ironically, the very parents who so altruistically take care of their parents or children, set the example of not being altruistic to people outside their families. I find it very interesting that many who so devotedly take care of a select few will not even give the time of day to others. Wendell: Yes, that is very unfortunate for us all. I just thought of something, I got to see the whole team except for Addison doing something to help others. I am kind of disappointed about that. Catharsis: Son, you have much to learn. First of all, Addison was helping you by taking you to observe the rest of us. And, much of what we all do is incognito…

Sunday, 08 November 2009 | 543 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report

10. Truth

Our present article is on the topic of truth. Defined: the state of being the case: fact; the body of real things, events, and facts: actuality; a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality; the property of being in accord with fact or reality. Introduction: Professor Kailoken assigns his students the topic of defining truth which is due in the next class session. Wendell is a student in the class. Wendell: [Thinking to himself.] Truth? What is truth? How can anyone define truth? People must have been discussing what truth is even before the time of Aristotle. Sure I can look up the definition in the dictionary but I am sure that Kailoken is looking for something different here. This sounds like a perfect topic to ask my mentors tonight. Of course I am expected to do my own work, but they can help me understand much more… okay, until tonight then. [That evening in the 5th Way community center.] Catharsis: That seems to conclude our business portion of our meeting tonight. Let’s move onto any personal and spiritual matters that may be at hand. Let’s have some fun! Wendell since you seem to look a little perplexed why don’t we start with you? Wendell: As you probably know, I am a student of Kailoken’s at the University. He assigned us the topic of truth. With Kailoken’s permission I would like to offer what I think it is and then see what anyone here can add to help enlighten me on the subject. Kailoken: Although things are best experienced and figured out by each individual for his/her benefit, others can often lead to another understanding of the topic. Go ahead and give us what you feel truth is and the rest of us can add to it if we choose to. Wendell: It is interesting that you said the word feel because I was not even looking at it from that angle. So, already you have opened my mind up to new possibilities on this topic. To me truth to most people means something that a scientist or some other authority figure says it is. So, a person who is seen as someone that is supposed to know more than the rest of us in some area is given wide latitude to give us his/her vision of what truth is in that area. For instance, if professor so-and-so says that the moon is made of cheese then the rest of us may ask what kind and get the crackers ready. Catharsis: Moon cheese would make for some interesting hors d’oeuvres for our community meetings, no doubt about it. As we know from history, many of the so-called authority figures have been wrong about a lot of things. The Earth being flat was a biggie. Is there another way to discover what truth is? Everyone feel free to join in. Waneta: The position of the sun rising and setting depends on one’s relationship to the sun. If I and another are at different locations on Earth, I may see the sun here and s/he may see the sun there from our different perspectives. Although it is the same sun we both experience a different aspect of it. That is like Truth – depending on one’s experience and understanding of it the aspect of truth can change. Wendell: It seems then that truth is a rather large and expansive concept and one individual may never know all of it. Zhi: Profound truth is always simple, yet the integral being does not call it either simple or profound. People create many obstacles to knowing the truth and hold fast to their own blindness and falsehoods. They will persuade others to follow them and will persecute unbelievers and even start wars against them. Naruto: Ah, very good. I suppose I should say something profound here. Let me see… the word blindness leads me to say following koan: Eyes open, you exist. Eyes closed, you exist. With no eyes, you exist. Wendell: This is a very interesting conversation. I will have to ponder on what everyone is saying. So far what I get is that each person has to discover what truth is to him/her, perhaps even to know what it feels like. Others may be able to give us their perceived aspects of the larger Truth but we must always try to confirm and discover these things for ourselves. Addison: When something is in accordance to one’s perceptions of reality, it is true for that person, at that moment in time. The main problem for humans has been in perceiving and defining reality. Catharsis: That is an interesting thing about truth. Truth changes depending on the perceiver. It is like those ink blots used in the Rorschach test given by the psychoanalytical shrinks. Many people can look at the same exact ink blot and yet one person may see it as their parochial mother, another may see a wild and exciting woman, and another a flying hippo. [Laughter erupts.] Addison: Another way of looking at this is that truth to a human being is what corresponds with what he thinks he knows. The one main problem with this is if what he “knows” is not factual, then it is not Truth. It may be his/her truth but it is not the Truth. And the interesting thing is, facts seem to be continually replaced with truer facts as man’s ability to perceive reality gets better – thanks in large part to modern scientific inquiry. Catharsis: Yes, that is another interesting thing about truth, as the facts change so does the truth. It seems to me that a good question for Wendell to ponder is: is there a greater Truth that exists that humans may only gather bits and pieces of which may be perceived erroneously? This reminds me of the story about the three blind men who felt different parts of an elephant and came away describing it differently to whomever they spoke to about it – the leg was a pillar to one, the ear a large fan to another, and so forth. Wendell: I think Kailoken used an important word, the word being feel. Is it not possible to feel this larger Truth instead of merely skimming the surface of it? Zhi: Let everything be its own truth, for the truth of one individual is the truth of the entire universe. Let everything be united with the truth of its own being. The totality of truth presents itself to you every time you blink your eyes. It can dance on the tip of your eyelash. It stretches as far as the eye can see and fills as much as the mind can hold. It exists in every moment of time and every bit of space. Is there any instant which does not contain the truth of life? Is there any place which does not hold the truth of existence and non-existence? Take the example of the pine tree. Which inch of the living tree is not the truth? Which hour that the tree lives is not the truth? Wendell: Wow, this is great stuff! There is so much to meditate on here. It just hit me… one needs to quiet oneself in order to be receptive to Truth. Zhi: The one who wishes to hold the truth causes it to slip away from him. Because one departs from his own nature to search for something external, he overlooks the truth of his own being. To be is to be true. The muchness and suchness of truth is included in this very second. If you miss the truth of this moment, a thousand galloping horses cannot catch up with it. Wendell: That’s it! As one’s state of being harmonizes with the Truth it just is. Addison: An interesting conversation indeed. For now we can end the conversation with the following: Truth is what IS regardless of whether you perceive it or not, and regardless of whether you perceive it correctly or not, and regardless of whether you perceive it in its entirety or not. Until next time friends, Light and Love. “Until another moment in time my friends.” “Namaste” “See you good people later.” {Everyone departs until they meet up again.]

Sunday, 08 November 2009 | 665 hits | Print | PDF |  E-mail | Report