A Prison Planet

I decreed my 'twin' into my life in early 1990. It is a story I tell in other books but I think even Edward House would have a hard time topping my gifts. She was the only woman with a brown card in California when she sat on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Prison Reform. A brown card allows you access to all Penal System buildings. She had once been put in prison because the FBI could not catch her Mafia bosses who had duped her and many others in a Huntington Beach land fraud. She would not testify against them until they were behind bars because the Mafia goons had threatened to kill her two young daughters. It is a horror story of corrupt bureaucracy to say the least.

There are many spigots on the societal trough that these pigs line up at for their piece of the pie. The guards and workers in the 'system' would not be happy without their free sex like Linda had to give them in order not to be continuously raped by the inmates. The money they get from drugs or allowing prisoners special favors is disgusting as well as illegal. What about the lawyers passing laws and then benefiting from those laws. The wardens get lots of 'kickbacks' from suppliers or for 'slave labor'. Who cares if the prisoners are fed horsemeat or something worse, instead of the U.S.D.A. beef that was paid for? The political cronies are happy and the politicians don't want the electorate to see the people in prisons as victims who never got a good education or had a fair chance to begin with. It is a great way to maintain the 'status quo' without having to produce results that would benefit everyone. The statistics in Canada show a much better prison system and it seems you have to go to prison to be taught critical thinking skills here too.

Jung's theme of the central human problem relating to fear was something we often agreed upon. She couldn't find a way of making it work for her in her personal life however. Much as I was perhaps too extreme in my faith that the 'forces' would 'bless' me or answer my decrees if I was operating with RIGHT THOUGHT she had a negative anticipatory framework. This lack of self-esteem in male relations that had included a doctor who played Russian roulette with her before committing suicide himself eventually led to her being the 29th victim of the Long Beach rapist that she fingered and testified against. Her dedication and social service is still a great inspiration to me. To say she is a good soul is almost patronizing. To say she was a great soul would not overstate her inner beauty. I LOVE my 'twin' now as much as I ever did.

There was a passage in Simone Weil's book Gateway to God that we read together and that she was able to see my favorite author's meaning through. Krishnamurti and Teilhard de Chardin say it in fewer words but Simone does a great job on page 39 of her book:

"To anyone who does actually consent to directing his attention and love beyond the world, towards the reality that exists outside the reach of all human faculties, it is given to succeed in doing so. In that case sooner or later, there descends upon him a part of the good, which shines through him upon all that surrounds him.

The combination of these two facts - the longing in the depth of the heart for absolute good, and the power, though only latent, of directing attention and love to a reality beyond the world and of receiving good from it - constitutes a link which attaches every man without exception to that other reality.

Whoever recognizes that reality recognizes also that link. Because of it, he holds every human being without any exception as something sacred to which he is bound to show respect... Whoever in fact does not feel this respect is alien to that other reality also."

So many people see their own point of view in these kinds of comments and don't look deep enough to see everyone else's as well. Ego often gets in the way of real thinking and understanding and most people would insist they are respectful as much as they need to be in order to be linked to the collective Simone is talking about. Linda and I never disagreed on 'Brotherhood' issues but I think her fears kept her from the 'blessings' of this 'reality' or world mind. She does so richly deserve all the happiness in the world but then you could say that she and I are too outer-directed. Jung correctly noted that Freud had a similar fear of metaphysics that justified his always negative view of the occult. I like to think my lady eventually got past this academic and religious conventionalism but I do not know it for a fact.

Whatever our disagreements as to the theological underpinning of the empire-builders or old boy network, we certainly agreed there was a real threat to personal growth and freedom that prevails in society. The abuses of power that were evident in the Page Boy Scandal or in the near demonic rule of J. Edgar Hoover and so many other instances of this evil ego were often the topic of our disgust. We could see that 'organized crime' was less organized and insulated than the bureaucrats and professional Bars or Colleges that form part of the hierarchy of the 'old boy network'. She knew full well that the educational system was not structured to maintain or foster a 'Joy of Learning' that we both had made our life's greatest pursuit. I guess we found our greatest common inspiration in Einstein although it was for different perceptions of his deep meaning. Sometimes there was no difference in the meaning and though few in this world might imagine it this is the kind of thing that sets souls who really care, to wanting to know each other more in every way including the sexual. When Einstein says (for example) that: "Small is the number of those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own heart." Linda and I were really able to accept each other were more than just 'twins' in some psychic or astrological sense, we KNEW the depth of the others' own commitment to something real and loving.

If we don't learn about ourselves including our soul, the sensual and physical nature of humanity, our aura or other conscious connections then our emotions become unwieldy and confusing. Brotherhood is all about breaking down the walls between people or their souls. Respect and inclusiveness or integration offers more to a whole and complete or self-realized personhood. These things are so complex and interwoven yet they do lead inexorably to the true potential of humanity. I guess my probative and pompous postulating about these things can get a little tiresome as I proceed much like The Man of La Mancha to fight never-ending windmills. Einstein is seldom thought of as a guru or great spiritual person due to his excellence in other fields. And many are the times when I quote him or his friend Buckminster Fuller, who worked with him at Princeton; that I find people willing to suggest it means nothing that what I say is supported by their thoughts. Consider seriously the following quote from Einstein and make your conclusion about my sanity or level of RIGHT THOUGHT!

"How is it possible that this culture-loving era could be so monstrously amoral? More and more I come to value charity and love of one's fellow being above everything else... all our lauded technological progress - our very civilization - is like an axe in the hand of the pathological criminal."

There are many people who can't even control their own anxious moments and have never learned the basics of meditation and diaphragmatic breathing. A great deal of emotional stability has a connection with the intake of oxygen and its' ability to lessen stress. Prolonged minor oxygen deprivation can build a stress level near to panic! Yoga has so much to offer in connecting the chakra centers and the soul or 'chi' and 'pranha' through our lymph system. Yoga also offers a large variety of other perspectives in its' different disciplines. There is the Raja or Fire and Agni Yoga of intellect that mirrors the Hod of 'The Tree of Life' from Hassidic or Qabalistic knowledge that I have always enjoyed. Who cannot benefit from Bhakti and Tantric pursuits in their sexual union (yoga translated means 'union') and spiritual oneness with the forces we often deify and give names to, like God? We do our fellow man a great disservice by encouraging the papacy or priesthoods control over the matter of our own part in the Divine Purpose of God. This purpose can be thoroughly understood by the soul 'within' or the 'I Am' or YHWH consciousness from the teachings of Jesus.

I love the attitude of Bucky Fuller in relation to thinking and growing. He said that whenever he felt 'complacent and satisfied' with an idea that he would 'bite his tongue'. Indeed we often draw circles around ourselves and I have drawn some very large circles that prevent me from 'fitting' into normal society. I continue to observe and simultaneously challenge all nature of authority in hopes of a more complete understanding rather than simple ease and happiness. Bucky spoke fluently and with passion about the consciousness and things like 'creative realization'. If one is reading him for the first time it is wise to keep a Dictionary and Thesaurus close to hand.

Author of Diverse Druids

Columnist for The ES Press Magazine

Guest 'expert' at World-Mysteries.com

---

Humble Riches

"We come equipped with everything we need to experience a powerful life full of joy, incredible passion, and profound peace. The difficult part is giving ourselves permission to live it." ? Deborah Rosado... Read More

Life Lessons I Learned from My Cat

Even if you are not a cat person, bear with me, as this story goes far beyond cat mania. Our little tabby cat was frightened and highly-sensitive from the day we rescued her... Read More

Tighten Your Connection

It was my first and last experience with a pneumatic drill, which is a jackhammer with a star bit instead of a chisel bit. We four volunteers were to dig a septic tank... Read More

Winning the Thought Battle

If you have read my articles or heard me speak, you know that I always come down to action. We need to act if we are going to be successful!Yet, our success starts... Read More

Top 15 Inspirational Quotations

Get inspired and lift your spirits with these positive quotations that will surely stimulate your soul and perhaps motivate your mind..."No bird soars too high if he soars on his own wings."-- William... Read More

The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and fully loving. Forgiving is the process by which you let go of feeling victimized or having wronged others. It allows you to climb... Read More

Brilliance in Balance

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else." - Ralph Waldo EmersonThe sun creeps above the eastern horizon, and shoots its long... Read More

5 Things That Americans Can Do To Remember Reviving, Surviving and Thriving in the Wake of Sept 11

For those people who lost friends and loved ones in the September 11th World Trade Center attacks, the anniversary will re-open the wounds and renew the pain of great loss. For the... Read More

Without Love

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 30, 2002Kendra and I have been dating almost six years. For the past three years I have constantly asked myself if she is the... Read More

Attaining Financial Freedom

Financial freedom is not about having enough money to spend to your heart's delight, without seeing red. It is freedom from the control of money; freedom from being a slave to money.Attaining financial... Read More

Naomi and the 5 Life Lessons

Not long ago, I attended a seminar that featured Naomi Judd, half of the legendary country music duo, The Judds. Naomi, with her talented daughter, Wynonna, set the standard for country music by... Read More

The Serpents Genesis 1 and 2

Not long after the beginning a being fell from the heavens to the earth. Even as the Spirit of God hovered overhead, the Serpent swam the waters below. As light divided from darkness,... Read More

The Essence Of Freedom

Life is too hard and too risky in the eyes of many. By contrast, others are such proponents of a virile existence, demanding great courage and giving great pride, that they are ready... Read More

Discovering The Art of Bending Your Mindset And Manifesting Your Multiple Intelligences

Discovering the Art of Bending Your Mindset and Manifesting your Multiple Intelligences in selling.Doctor's cant' sell Real Estate! What's your mindset? A number of people related this statement to me when I first... Read More

Lance Armstrong an Inspiration

Lance Armstrong has already proven he is the greatest athlete ever in the present period. Many ask what drives a man to press on, where does such strength of character come from. How... Read More

Do We Really Want to Be There Yet

The beauty in creation is in the process, in every single step along the way.A lot of attention is given a thing that is under construction or in the building stages. The activity... Read More

Safety ? Are You OK?

Safety is an interesting concept. When we think of safety we almost intuitively think of its opposite, danger. Some people say that "our thoughts create our reality." I would differ with that in... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back over the last week ? a week filled with adversity. We all go through it and it is during those times... Read More

Favorite Quotations... What Do They Say About Us?

Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are saying about you and your life experiences?How you relate to them? How they relate to you?Today... I decided to take one of my... Read More

Never Jump to Conclusions

Human mind which is well known as a fluctuating prodigy presumes itself to be a great judge. It is so natural for the mind to judge anything that appears to it especially so... Read More

Top 20 Love Quotations

"In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love, you want the other person." -- Margaret Anderson"Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible -- it... Read More

The Fuel for Creative Vigor

Writing a book or creating a killer headline requires a special blend of imagination, inspiration, and knowledge. Whether the ordeal is like enduring a root canal or soaring on a cloud, depends on... Read More

Mitigating Factors

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 30, 2002I am writing for advice on a personal dilemma of the most personal nature. I am male, mid-40s, married 20 years.After all these... Read More

The Power of Gratitude

When my older son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, my first reaction was relief ? I finally knew the reason for his behavior. However, I was also overwhelmed with sadness, fear... Read More

How Do You Do That? Demystifying People With Disabilities

IntroductionNearly all employers and human resource professionals are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Yet, how often do you, your colleagues, or the average individual have contact with someone who is... Read More

Do You Have a Vision?

You must absolutely have a vision, or a dream, for your life. Your dream is what will cause you to jump out of bed in the morning instead of waking up with anxiety... Read More

Songs of Life

I imagine when we die we find out how in-tune with our hearts we should have been. Not an easy thing to do with all our mere mortal vices getting in the way.How... Read More

Ask the Angels - Get Specific !

There are Angels for everything and they are just waiting for us to ask for their help. They can't help if we don't ask.Our request doesn't have to be long and lengthy. It... Read More

Self Acceptance ? Lessons From My Hair Affair

For our diet and, indeed, in every aspect of our lives, we must remember to relax from the demands of the unrealistic ideal. For those trying to lose weight, you cannot be the... Read More