Spirituality * Culture * Self-Expression

Category: Uncategorized Page 1 of 7

Queen Elizabeth II

Many books and articles have been written about Queen Elizabeth and many more are sure to follow. This is just a brief note of respect for someone who is possibly the last Christian monarch.

Princess Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926 and never expected to be Queen. Like most people around her, she just thought she would live the life of a fairy tale princess – marry a handsome prince, live in a palace and enjoy an endless stream of leisure activities.

But fate had other plans. Due to unusual events of 1936 that unexpectedly put her father on the throne, followed by his untimely death, she became Queen of the vast British empire on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25.

To her great credit Queen Elizabeth fully accepted the calling and devoted herself, wholeheartedly, to duty and service to her realm. Her long reign exemplified the ideals of traditional values, Christian virtue and the high standards of dignity and grace associated with a good and true monarch.

When she was just 21, still not aware that she would shortly become the Queen, she gave a speech to the world and made this promise to her people:

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

Not only Queen of England, but through the years she was considered the head of state to some 32 different countries around the world. And though in the course of time and changing political spectrum many of these nations broke away from the empire and became approved, independent states, Elizabeth was still hailed as Queen by 15 countries passed away, peacefully, on September 8, 2022.

Seated on the throne for over 70 years, it is known that she was the longest reigning monarch in British history. But some calculate that Elizabeth was also the longest reigning FEMALE monarch in world history. Only King Louis XIV of France had a longer, continuous and verifiable reign at just over 72 years.

Despite all that time in power, there are no serious scandals or controversies connected with her personally or with her rule. She served her people diligently in the way her people wanted her to, with charm, devotion and elegance, all the time seeing herself as someone challenged to represent the embodiment of a Christian monarch, administering her duties with humility and grace.

In one of her televised Christmas messages to her people, she spoke of her faith and sense of responsibility to God:

“To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”

These are not the sentiments of a master, but of a servant to her people.

Elizabeth was a gracious and noble Queen. And for many of us, she was the ONLY Queen we ever knew. I fear we will never see another monarch like her again.

Rest in well deserved peace, Your Majesty.

Happy Easter 2022

The Good Fight

There has never been a good war. Not even World War II. All wars are bad. Lives lost, property destroyed, dreams shattered – nothing is worth that. War is a rich man’s trick. War only benefits the rich and powerful who use it as a means of establishing more dominance over the common people. No poor person ever started a war or truly benefited from one.

But what if one country invades another? Do people have the right to defend themselves against attack?

Yes!

And not only the RIGHT but also the DUTY to defend.

Do I contradict myself?

I think the real issue is in HOW do you defend yourself and fight back – and what, exactly, are you defending.

I advocate for Civil Disobedience. This applies not only to foreign invasion, but domestic abuse by our own leaders.

The path is to stand by your principles (assuming you have any) and resist your oppressors – not through armed conflict, but by simple refusal to submit.

There are two basic outcomes in war or invasion – either your tax dollars and tribute is just redirected to a different master; or, the personal freedom you use to have is totally taken away making you a slave to your new master.

The second outcome is more serious. The method of Civil Disobedience works best in this situation. Gandhi used it very effectively in overthrowing British Imperialism in India and giving his people an independent voice. The method itself goes back much further than Gandhi or even Henry David Thoreau who wrote the essay that empowered Gandhi.

During some periods of the Roman empire, the rulers sought dominance over various populations. They weren’t just raising taxes, they were trying to ensure that taxes would continue to accrue, unhindered. They made, what appeared to be, mild demands on people, buy enforced those demands with the sword.

A specific example is this: the emperors declared that all religions would be permitted (except ones that practiced human sacrifice, cannibalisms, or other such rituals) as long as each person also paid homage to the Roman State religion – specifically honoring the emperor.

In other words, like modern political leaders, they said everyone could express themselves freely as long as they obeyed the will of the leader without question. They were free to do what they wanted as long as what they wanted was agreeable to the State.

Well, honoring the emperor was a fairly simple process in most cases. It involved something as easy as appearing at the local temple, putting a pinch of incense in the fire in honor of the emperor and then receiving a certificate confirming that you did what was required. (Again, sounds familiar)

Most people complied – including people who claimed to be monotheists. Because compliance meant you could keep you job, keep your money, keep your property, keep you freedom to move around, etc.

What were the penalties for NOT complying? Besides losing your livelihood you would be confronted by authorities and told to comply, if you refused, you’d be arrested and told to comply, if you still refused, you’d be imprisoned, and then tortured and then, finally, for those who continued to resist, you’d be killed – often horribly by being thrown into an arena and torn apart by wild animals for the amusement of the mobs who obeyed the mandates.

Things have changed a little since those times, but not much.

Some Christians, with solid principles, convictions and faith, refused to comply. They resisted to the end.

 How did they fight back?

Did they take up arms to kill others?

Did they riot through the streets?

Did they burn down buildings, beat people up, loot stores, block the streets, threaten the lives of the emperor and local authorities?

No.

They simple did not comply with the dictates and accepted the consequences. They even prayed for the health of their persecutors.

Yes, they suffered horribly for their convictions, but eventually, other powerful people, with more wisdom and good sense, stopped the evil practices and changed society.

2000 years later, many of the martyrs of that time are still remembered. Their names are recited in Church services around the world. Their sacrifices that changed the world are honored.

What about the soldiers, local authorities, and emperors who persecuted the martyrs? They are pretty much all forgotten – buried in the garbage heaps of history. The few who are remembered are classed as monsters and psychopaths.

The Roman empire itself collapsed while Christianity became dominate.

People die in wars all the time, innocent people, mostly. But the martyrs who fight the good fight – without resorting to violence, themselves – win a great, moral victory.

Is this a path for everyone, in every instance? No. This is a narrow path for the most courageous people. A path not to be taken up lightly.

Even in modern conflicts between nations or when confronted by violent individuals, those on a spiritual path are not fighting merely flesh and blood opponents, but spiritual forces as well.

If you have principles and faith, then stand firm in your convictions. The war never ends, but the violence within ourselves can be stopped.

Why Meditate?

For My Mother

On April 12, 2020 my mother transitioned from this life to the next.

Because of the China Virus, the authorities would not permit a proper funeral or memorial service – but the family muddled through, as did many other citizens, I’m sure.

Today, on the anniversary of her passing, I decided to post the eulogy I wrote for her, to send my thoughts out to the virtual universe and, perhaps, on to her in Heaven.

Love you, mom.

Martha Michail
May 15, 1931 – April 12, 2020
Beloved
Grandmother, Mother, Sister and Friend

In Memoriam

My mother was a woman much loved by all who knew her and she gave much love to all the people she knew. She was a hard-working, honest woman. She helped everyone she could in a thousand ways. She was always a friend; always a comforter. She has left this world a little better for having lived in it. Everyone who knew her and loved her are better for having lived in the warmth of her understanding. 

She came to this country in 1947 – while still just a teenager. She left behind a country that had been through a great war and was plagued with economic suffering. She came here as an orphan with her two sisters, Georgina and Thanasia, leaving behind a world she could not be part of, hoping to find a place, here in Canada, where she could make a better life. She married my father while still a young girl and had five children – of which I am proud to be one – four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She cared for her family, built a home and did her best to make a good life for all of us. She worked hard. She was a woman who wanted nothing for herself – she wanted only to give rather than to receive. She devoted her life to helping her family and her friends. 

We always knew her as a strong woman. Even as she got older, found it difficult to move around and eventually was confined to her bed, we always thought – and I know she always thought this, too – that she would be bouncing back to full vigor any minute and digging in her garden or preparing another big meal for her family and friends and getting up to dance again at the next party.

She loved dancing and when she couldn’t dance herself, she enjoyed watching her family dance.

Mother liked seeing people having a good time – and she was very open to new people coming in to join whatever party or activity we were having. Whenever one of us kids brought someone home, she was always welcoming and pulled them right into the family – she was happy to be everyone’s Mom and I can recall so many, many people over the years who were happy to be part of the love and warmth she freely gave out. 

I found it strange, sometimes, that people we might have stopped associating with years ago still kept in touch with her – I often heard people declare that she was the kind of mother they wished they had. And I guess that’s the defining statement about her– she was everyone’s Mom.

You know, in a spiritual sense life is like a vacation – sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s disappointing. Sometimes you get a sunburn or you lose your hotel reservation – but many times you see wonderful things and share beautiful moments. Whether its fun or disappointing it is just a vacation and eventually you go home. In the spiritual sense home is not on this Earth but somewhere else.

So now, our beloved Mom is gone – but gone where?

Back home. 

She’s gone from our sight, that’s all. But though we don’t see her anymore her Spirit is still out there full of love and joy just as we remember her. And while we say that she is gone there are others waiting for her and welcoming her home. Like my uncle Bob, whom she loved and cherished and spoke of often after he too passed away. Her parents await her, as does her sister, Thanasia, and other family members who went home before her. Also waiting to welcome her are many of the extra children that she, herself, welcomed into the family and good friends she loved dearly who have also gone on ahead of her – Robbie, Margaret, Mike, Kathy, Darla, Maria and others. And, of course, my father who I’m sure has prepared a special place for her. They are all waiting for her and welcoming her home.

Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the caterpillar shedding its cocoon to become a butterfly. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where we continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow.

Mom has gone home. 

We can shed tears that she is gone – or we can smile because she lived and shared her love with us.

We can close our eyes and pray that she will return – or we can open our eyes and see all the joy and love she left us. 

Our hearts might be empty because we can no longer see her – yet we can know that we are full of the loving spirit that she shared with us, 

We can think about her only as someone who is gone – or we can cherish her memory and let it live on.
 
We can cry, shut ourselves down and be empty inside – or we can do what she would want:

smile, open our hearts, love …

…and go on with the dance. 

Yikes!

“The devil went down to Georgia – he was looking for a soul to steal.”

And he found one – more than one – a whole State. And with the fall of Georgia, the diabolic infection spread faster than the Wuhan Flu, just the way demon worshipper Chuck Schumer foretold.

Schumer proclaimed in the street, “Now we take Georgia and then we change the WORLD.” (His handlers told him to put on his virtue signal mask and then he modified his prophesy – “Now we take Georgia and then we change AMERICA.”)

Thus, it began.

Violence in the Capital building, along with weak, incompetent, cowardly and corrupt politicians and legislators, ushered in a cold, hard suppression of FREEDOM.

Armed with cameras and smiles rioters tour the building looking for selfie locations
Look at that smile – How violent

Demon worshipper Nancy Pelosi, enraged that a mere peasant would dare to be photographed sitting in her chair, demanded BLOOD – particularly the blood of President Trump.

The nerve of this guy

Forget the hundreds of violent BLM, Antifa, Marxist and other left-wing loon led riots in Portland, Oakland, Kenosha, Washington D.C. and other liberal municipalities – those were OK! But now, someone dared to violate Pelosi’s sacred sanctum. Who knows how many blood sacrifices she needed to make to her demon masters to get that office? It doesn’t matter. It was hers, now, and no one was allowed to desecrate her possession.

I suspect that, at some point, Pelosi had a crush on President Trump (who can blame her?) – and you know what they say about a woman scorned.

With a heart full of calamitous intent, she invoked her coven and minions to take action. Demon worshiper Michelle Obama ordered Social-ist Media to ban the President of the United States of America from all platforms and the flying monkey brigade in Silicon Valley, the so-called Tech Giants and Masters of the Universe eagerly did the bidding of their High Priestess of Chaos. The President of the United States of America, universally regarded as the most powerful person on Earth, was banished from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other viable communication platforms, thus effectively silencing his voice.

Yet, this was not enough to sate the mad, blood lust raging within Pelosi’s entrails. She DEMANDED that the President of the United States of America resign from his position just 2 weeks before his term of office was set to expire. She also has THREATENED the President of the United States of America with a new impeachment order, criminal liability and a declaration of mental incompetence if he does not bow to her Luciferian demands. And many, many of the feckless political toadies that claim membership in the D.C. Satanic grotto, shook in their urine-soaked boots and sided with the infernal demands of their mad ruler.

This, then, is where the world stands. The demonic hoards, bolstered by the Main Stream Media, tech giants, plutocrats and entertainment phonies, have revealed themselves. America is on the verge of collapse. And with a senile, compromised, Communist puppet about to assume the mantel of President, the world, itself, is on the precipice.

The stage is being set for the entrance of Antichrist.

Now, more than ever, it is time to put on the full armor of God – for what we are dealing with is not merely material enemies but spiritual powers and forces. We must prepare to stand against the infernal hosts now preparing for battle.

Wake up! Wake up anyway you can. Wake yourself up and then wake up everyone you know. The great Tribulation might be just around the corner – but there is still time to save ourselves from Perdition’s Flames if we take action.

Armor of God

Apollo 11

Today, July 20, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of the famous moon landing. As far as we know this was the first time that a human set foot on another world. This was the pinnacle of human technological achievement – we did what was once considered impossible – a human was sent to the moon, walked there, and was safely returned to the Earth. Astonishing.

I remember watching this event as a child and thinking that someday I myself might walk on the moon one day, maybe I would live on Mars, maybe ordinary people like me would journey out to the stars themselves. This should have been the beginning of humanity’s epic adventure to colonize the Galaxy – to become a space faring people. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Somehow we all remained Earthbound. And worse, it doesn’t appear as though we’ve accomplished anything of note since then. All our technological developments since 1969 have really been just derivative of that Apollo mission.

We are still plagued with war, pestilence, disease, famine, poverty, crime and inhumane behavior. We are still little better than ape-like savages pelting each other with rocks and clubbing each other with tree branches. We have not evolved or grown at all in the past 50 years. We’re still just monkeys that once flew to the moon. Sure, we have Twitter and Google and an ever growing number of TV channels to keep us amused but, sadly, we have not lived up to our potential.

Maybe the next 50 years will be different. I hope so. However, I doubt that I will ever see the Earth from space. Humans woke up, for a brief moment, and then went back to sleep. Maybe it’s better that way. What could the likes of us bring to the rest of the universe other than the same confusion and frustration that we live with here at home?

Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues

Ben Franklin, one of the greatest minds in history and one of my personal favorite people, is known for achievements in a dozen fields of human endeavor. We know him as a scientist, inventor, humorist, entrepreneur, composer, diplomat, revolutionary, public servant, principal architect of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and so much more and, possibly, as the first self-improvement/personal development expert, too.

According to his Autobiography, when Franklin was 20 years old, he was returning to Philadelphia after spending some time in England. He decided to use the almost 3-month journey to develop a plan of conduct that would help him become a more virtuous and successful person. His plan consisted of working on integrating the 13 virtues listed below into his daily life.

Franklin’s plan was to commit to focusing on just one virtue per week, rather than trying to transform himself all at once. At the end of the 13th week, he would start all over again and continue cycling through the list four times a year. He followed this plan, as closely as possible, every week until his death at the age of 79. Working on these virtues gave him a sense of comfort and happiness and an effective guide through all the struggles to come for his entire life.

Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues Chart

Franklin created a chart for each virtue and used it to track his progress. The first letter of each day was listed on the top of the chart and the first letter of each virtue was indicated down the left-hand side. Each day, He would add a dot to the appropriate spot on the chart if he felt he had fallen short of meeting that particular virtue. He was known to have carried these charts with him as a reminder of his personal plan of conduct.

These 13 virtues are no less relevant today than they were in Franklin’s time. Next to each virtue on the list is Franklin’s definition. Read through the list and maybe you’ll want to take a crack at this program, yourself.

1. Temperance (“Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.”)
2. Silence (“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.”)
3. Order (“Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.”)
4. Resolution (“Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.”)
5. Frugality (“Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.”)
6. Industry (“Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.”)
7. Sincerity (“Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”)
8. Justice (“Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”)
9. Moderation (“Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”)
10. Cleanliness (“Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.”)
11. Chastity (“Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”)
12. Tranquility (“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”)
13. Humility (“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”)

The True Teacher

People might attend prestigious universities and be taught by scholars with vast learning, distinguished credentials and impressive academic achievements – they might study with brilliant researchers and even Nobel Laureates – and the world might understand and believe that they have received teaching from the ultimate source of knowledge – But would this be true?   Are they getting true knowledge? By worshiping traditional academia, it is easy to lose sight of the TRUE source of higher wisdom.

It might seem naïve to suggest that life’s ultimate teacher – the source of real knowledge – is God. Compared to what can be learned in traditional academia, or, even, in a faith-based traditional university that acknowledges God’s Presence as the Ultimate Teacher, can knowledge gained from a personal, mystical relationship with Divine Spirit measure up?  If the pursuit of scholastic achievement, whether secular or non-secular, becomes the idealized goal then, to attain it, the student must become but a clone or robot, echoing the dogma of the particular academic institution or the theology of the particular denomination to which the student adheres. Life is then scripted, even programmed, from outside sources rather than created by the guidance of the Inner Source, the TRUE Teacher, God or Divine Spirit. The student, though educated, remains asleep to the larger reality of life.

One of the greatest examples of learning from the TRUE Teacher was the Master Jesus.  While learning extensively what Judaism offered in his day, He found that it was too limited.  The traditional teachings spoke about God and how God wanted a person to live, but it did not teach how someone could be taught by God directly.  He had to turn inward, to the source of true knowledge – the God of the heart – Divine Spirit. The traditional doctrine of the time produced parallels to the standard religious universities of today–the cloning of theologies, rather than teaching directly from the Presence of Divine Spirit within oneself.  This does not create whole people, which should be the goal of learning–but rather robots mechanically acting out the programming they’ve downloaded. 

Mystics, as a rule, are not upset by the scholastic programs of this world. They know that the vast majority of souls that have incarnated into the physical world today are not ready for ultimate teaching. They are, in a mystical sense, asleep and must be taught, gently, by the standards of lesser awareness.  The teachings of the world, teachings offered by traditional academic institutions, are most beneficial for producing technicians trained in a specialty to help others. Medical doctors, scientists, builders, artists, skilled workers of all kinds are valuable and needed for the maintenance of all worldly things – but, to produce whole and complete spiritual people requires something that traditional teaching cannot provide. Real knowledge requires the inspiration of Divine Spirit and that cannot come from a standard institution of learning, no matter how prestigious it might be.

Until a person has awakened to mystical awareness, the inner mystical union with God’s Presence within themselves, they cannot be taught by the True Teacher–Universal Consciousness, Divine Spirit, or God.  It is only by awakening that the knowledge of academia will be seen in an entirely new way by a person becoming whole and complete, where wisdom and the living of it from the True Teacher becomes a way of life.

To experience True Wisdom, synonymous with true Spirituality, and not merely the knowledge of academia, you must seek to wake up. Wake yourself up by any means available. Wake yourself up and then wake up everyone else. Only then will the wisdom of the True Teacher become manifest in your life and the world.



People Will Die!

Is there a plural for Apocalypse? You’d think there should be with all the doom and gloom prophesied by Democrats, Liberals, Globalists, Celebrity Loons and various “Never Trumpers” who identify as “the Resistance.” Every time President Trump says or does anything original, the Resistance explodes with histrionic outbursts of nonsensical terror. “People will die!!” “It’s the end of the world!!” “Prepare for Armageddon!!”

Histrionic Personality Disorder is a real thing, characterized by a long-standing pattern of attention seeking behavior and extreme emotionality. Someone with histrionic personality disorder wants to be at the center of attention in any group of people, and they feel uncomfortable when they are not.

This is a perfect description of the radical left and others who are so enraged that Hillary Clinton (or a more “establishment approved” candidate) lost the election, thus forcing them all out of the political spotlight, that they can no longer distinguish reality from their own warped anti-Trump fantasies. Added to this is the new mental disorder labelled “Trump Derangement Syndrome” characterized by a hatred of President Trump so intense that it impairs people’s judgment. To paraphrase the late Charles Krauthammer, who was never a supporter of President Trump, it’s the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency – nay – the very existence of Donald J. Trump. It is a Trump-induced “general hysteria” among the “chattering classes” – the journalists, social justice warriors, political operatives and pompous celebrities who see themselves as the arbiters of conventional wisdom – these people don’t actually amount to much but they love to hear themselves talk.

Here is a short list of times since the Presidential election when we were told by “the Resistance,” that we should prepare ourselves for imminent doom.

 

Donald J. Trump is elected president

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

               

President Trump withdraws from TPP

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump issues a Travel Ban on people from a select group of countries with ineffective governments and ties to international terrorism

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump withdraws from Paris Climate Accord

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump announces the rollback of regulations that hinder economic development

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump announces his first SCOTUS pick

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump issues his “Tax Cut and Jobs Act”

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump indicates that the “Obama Care” Individual mandate will be removed

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump calls Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea “Little Rocket Man” due to his penchant for launching rockets in conflict with international agreements

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump announces that NAFTA will be renegotiated

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump advocates cuts to EPA

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

The Trump administration argues for the end of Net Neutrality

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump initiates tariffs on various countries in order to promote American interests

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump is the first sitting president to meet with a North Korean leader

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continue.

 

The Trump administration enforces a Zero Tolerance policy for illegal border crossings

The Resistance: People will die!

Reality: No one died.

 

President Trump withdraws from the controversial Iran Deal

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

The U.S. withdraws from Human Rights Council over the U.N.’s anti-Semitic policies

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump announces his second SCOTUS pick

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

President Trump meets with Russian President Putin

The Resistance: People will die! It’s the end of the world!

Reality: No one died; the world continues.

 

It seem very clear that those who identify as “the Resistance” are really just resisting reality.

 

 

 

Page 1 of 7

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén

%d bloggers like this: