A little LIGHTNESS for your weekend.

* Perhaps one of the biggest errors in this wacky playground called LIFE is taking situations and yourself too seriously.

* Ease. Lightness. Being.

* I've heard that one of the precursers to a mental breakdown is considering that your work is of the utmost importance.

* Enjoy existence.

* And lastly, a quote: "I think seriousness is a mask of self-importance and self-importance in turn is a mask for self-pity. So if you're really going to pursue a spiritual way of living in the world, you must be lighthearted and carefree, have humor, be able to tolerate ambiguity and embrace uncertainty, and be forgiving of yourself and everybody else." (Deepak Chopra)

Authentic Transformation

"Authentic transformation is not a matter of belief but of the death of the believer; not a matter of translating the world but of transforming the world; not a matter of finding solace but of finding infinity on the other side of death. The self is not made content; the self is made toast."

[Ken Wilber]

The Experiment

"Humans have learned that what they can touch, smell, see, and hear is less than one millionth of reality."
(from Incubus' song "Redefine")

One of the things I love about meditation teachers is that they do not ask you to believe anything. You are not asked to accept something just because it is said to be true. Instead, they invite you to perform the experiment. "See for yourself," they say. "Dive into the depths and see what is found there."

And one of the things I have been finding there lately is that the external world - this universal playground in which we find ourselves - is simply the crust, or outer layer, of reality. It is the surface of an ocean, within which is an all-embracing abyss - the Unmanifest - the Ground of Being.

And when that place is known and experienced, anything that happens out here on the crust just doesn't carry all that much weight anymore. Yes, this outer life can be experienced and enjoyed, but now with the understanding that no matter what happens on this plane ("where moth and rust destroy"), nothing can touch those depths where our souls dance with the Divine.

Quick Update / Star Wars III

Still on a brief hiatus from blogging, but just thought I should mention that I got to see Star Wars Episode III a whole day earlier than the public (I was someone's Guest at a showing for Theater Employees). I still have my ticket for tonight's Opening Night midnight showing... I guess it depends how exhausted I am whether I go or not (last night's show started at 12:30 in the morning).

Overall, it was an excellent picture. It tied the story together very well, was very entertaining and had a handful of awe-filled, "goosebump" moments. For example, the way the final battle between Anakin/Vader and Obi-wan ends is absolutely breathtaking.

It was not without its flaws, however. My opinion is that the entire prequel is way over the top on digital animation. I think of the clunkiness of R2D2 in Yoda's swamp and the humanity and character development of the entire cast in the original trilogy. Now, R2D2 can fly, shoot weapons and pop out of a speeder like a jack-in-the-box while Obi-Wan rides a gigantic (and might I add ridiculous) digital lizard.

But I suppose I can overlook all of that. Nevermind its moments of over-the-top CGI, Star Wars Episode III is the Star Wars movie that fans have been waiting to see. Episodes I and II were just silly little set-ups to make this film possible.

And, I might add, it appears it was worth the wait.

Need a Hiatus

I'll be taking a short break from blogging. See you all again in a few days... check back soon.

Who's to say?

"A poor farmer's horse ran off into the country of the barbarians. All his neighbors offered their condolences, but his father said, "How do you know that this isn't good fortune?" After a few months the horse returned with a barbarian horse of excellent stock. All his neighbors offered their congratulations, but his father said, "How do you know that this isn't a disaster?" The two horses bred, and the family became rich in fine horses. The farmer's son spent much of his time riding them; one day he fell off and broke his hipbone. All his neighbors offered the farmer their condolences, but his father said, "How do you know that this isn't good fortune?" Another year passed, and the barbarians invaded the frontier. All the able-bodied youg men were conscripted, and nine-tenths of them died in the war. Thus good fortune can be disaster and vice versa. Who can tell how events will be transformed?"

from the Notes to Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao te Ching

Thanks

I just spent a few minutes looking over a few old entries and cruising through the archives of this site. And with a deep, deep gratitude in my heart I would like to thank each and every one of you who shares your comments and love on this silly, little insignificant blog. I've learned so much from each of you - and experienced God through each of you - over the past year-and-a-half. In a weird 21-century way, this little group of friends and community have become a church - a sangha - the body of Christ.

Blessings and love to you all. And again,

thank you.

By Their Fruit

Regarding those who are truly on the right path (spiritually), Jesus said that it is by their fruit that we will recognize them. It is not enough to simply talk about spirituality or wax theological - the one who lives and experiences the God-life is the one who passes from speculation into actualization.

I mention this because Jon over at his blog - the Wild Things of God - recently had a post regarding the loss of his job. It is just very obvious that, for him, his spiritual practice is not mere talk or supposition, it is the very foundation of his life and has transported him beyond the realm of human drama into the wonderous playground of God.

May we all follow Jon's example as one who looks beyond the veils of surface-level drama and illusion and peers into the very heart of the "Eternal One."

Here we go again!

Today, Trev Diesel commences his 26th trip around the sun.

Essential Reading

If you were able to choose only 5 books to read for the rest of your life, what would they be? (all scriptures excluded) I've read a number of books on a variety of subjects, but there are 5 of them to which I continually return. These books are my "essentials" because literally every time I read them, I find a freshness in their words. What follows is my ultimate "Top 5" list. The books listed here continue to speak to me even after multiple, multiple readings and I cannot tell you how instrumental they have been on my journey. They are (in no particular order):

• The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley - A virtual anthology of Western and Eastern mysticism that helps us to see God within and in the world while also encouraging the challenging act of "dying to self" so that God might live in us (or through us).
  
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - I've read this book probably more than any other. Every page reminds me to climb out of my worrisome and troubled mind into the peace, joy, and bliss of the present moment.
  
• Be Here Now by Ram Dass - This is the book that started it all for me and continues to burst open the glorious world of Spirit. It is a magical ride through the realms of consciousness and of God.
  
• Sabbath : Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller - I avoided this book for a long time because I thought it was a shallow self-help book about how to overcome stress. It is anything but that. Although it is very easy reading, it provides the much-needed antidote to modern man's strain, stress, and toil. If you've ever felt burned out, depressed, or pushed to your limits, this book can help you slow down, appreciate more, simplify and appreciate the beauty of the ordinary.
  
• The Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living by Diane Osbon - This book is a summation of all of Joseph Campbell's work. It is exactly what the sub-title says it is: reflections on the art of living. Each "chapter" is only 1-4 pages long and covers so much ground that it will blow your mind. Quite literally.
  

And what about you? What is your ultimate "Top 5" list?

(Remember that The Bible and other scriptures are off limits... of course those books are meaningful... what I'm referring to here is anything other than "official" sacred writings. ALSO - your books don't have to be spiritual in nature ... just anything that means something to you or that you can read and re-read over and again.)

Two Tech Questions

Can anybody help?

1.) Have any of you switched to Vonage yet (Vonage is using your broadband service as your local/longdistance phone provider... and it's way cheap)? If so, got any feedback? I'm thinking of doing it.

2.) Is there any way to print your blog - in order (from first post to most recent)? Can you make it include comments? I know you can just print from your web-browser, but I don't really want all the sidebar stuff and it's in reverse order ... I'm just wanting the posts (and possibly comments) printed in chronological order. Any ideas?

Spirit for Sale

Sometimes I chuckle to myself when I pick up "spiritual magazines" such as Yoga Journal and Christianity Today and see how many rediculous ads there are in there - everything from prayer paraphernilia to retreats to holy computer software to special OM drinking water to ...

ugh.

For publications that are supposed to promote contentment and dying to self, they sure know how to whore out things related to spirituality. But, alas, I guess we all have our vices.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you all the ad that made me laugh the most. I just can't even believe this is real, it's so damn funny.

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You. Israel. This summer.

Oh yeah! This is not your parents' tour of Israel! You'll still see where Jesus lived, died, and arose. You'll have the chance to reaffirm your baptism in the Jordan River and take part in a messianic Passover Seder.

But, you'll also go sailing, snorkeling, swimming, white-water rafting, rappelling off cliffs, and enjoy 4-wheel drive, off-road adventures - whith other people your age (18-25)!

Call for your free "Live the Land" tour brochure: (800) 92.................