July 2009
Friday, 31. July 2009, 17:14:18
hanging in the corridor
back from vacation
extremely raw greeting
nothing to see
and only in the hall
that fishy spirit
is still a mystery
travelling to let us know
it's there and not there
always and forever
and never will it show
Wednesday, 29. July 2009, 14:02:50
From PETA"Dear Friend of the Animals ,
For the past 10 years, elephants in the UK have been spared the torment of a life under the big top. But now, one British circus has made the cruel decision to reintroduce them! For the sake of these magnificent animals, I urge you to help today by joining us in calling for a ban on the use of all animals in circuses and an end to the abuse of animals for entertainment once and for all. Please support PETA today.
Save the elephants
Sonja, Vana Mana and Delhi – three elephants who have already suffered years of abuse whilst being held captive and forced to perform painful and confusing tricks in circuses around Europe for the "amusement" of paying crowds – will now endure more misery in the UK.
The years of abuse have taken their toll on the elephants. Sonja is almost blind, Vana Mana has paralysis of her trunk and Delhi's legs are so damaged that she sometimes has trouble even standing! Despite their horrible condition, there is no rest in sight for these poor elephants: they will be forced into the ring day after day.
Sonja, Vana Mana and Delhi appear destined to live out the rest of their lives confined to cramped cages in the UK, shackled on hard concrete floors and forced to perform tricks they would not naturally do in the wild. The Great British Circus has done an injustice to all animals by importing Sonja, Vana Mana and Delhi for use in their circus!
We cannot stand by and allow any animal in a circus to suffer. Together we must speak out loud and clear – until we are heard. You can help end this and other horrific suffering endured by animals by sending a donation today.
I urge you never to visit a circus and to urge everyone you know to make that compassionate choice as well. Instead, please take the following two actions and help end the abuse of animals for entertainment:
1) Sign our petition to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking for an immediate ban on animals in circuses.
2) Send a donation to fund our vital campaigns and help us save the lives of elephants and other animals.
Animals in entertainment are exploited in many cruel and perverse ways. From the long, drawn-out killing of 40,000 bulls cornered in the bullrings of Europe every year to the hounding of terrified foxes across the English countryside – and from the stage-managed abuse of animals on film and TV to the bleak lives of animals in zoos – PETA is fighting to end the suffering of every animal abused for the sake of entertainment, and we need your help to make it possible.
We've already achieved landmark victories, but this distressing news from the Great British Circus shows that more urgent action is necessary.
It only takes minutes to sign our petition and make a donation – but it could spare beautiful, dignified animals like Sonja, Vana Mana and Delhi from a life that no animal should ever have to endure.
Thank you for caring.
Very truly yours,
Ingrid E Newkirk
Founder
PS They say elephants never forget. I hope, for her sake, that Sonja cannot remember being torn from the freedom she knew as a baby, roaming the African countryside before her mother was culled and she was sold into captivity. But when I see the defeated look in her eyes, I know she can. Please give generously today and help us ensure that animals like Sonja can have a chance at a better tomorrow."
Tuesday, 28. July 2009, 11:45:20
the self that stays the same
the self without a name
the self that changes
the self that deranges
we are more or less the same
Monday, 27. July 2009, 14:18:28
the clouds gathered quickly, the sky went black
soon everything was covered in grey
my head, my clothes, my eyes, my lips, my back
if only things would stay this way
Sunday, 26. July 2009, 19:31:01
when we get there will we know it?
and when we know it will we understand it?
and when we understand it will we rationalise it?
and when we rationalise it we will have lost it.
Saturday, 25. July 2009, 23:10:52
I wonder if Gordon Brown was planning on going to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics or if this was a last minute decision. It seemed to surprise the Key speakers and presenters and myself included as I sat there waving at some of the special Olympic athletes and then noticed this man looking like Gordon Brown come striding alone past the parade of athletes into the VIP designated area, family and security guard trailing behind.
To have the Special Olympics blessed with the Prime minister and family is a huge honour and endorsement for the games. This is the second time Leicester has held the games and it broke the record with 2,700 athletes. A huge accomplishment.
The performances and shows were extraordinary, I've never seen such a display before and it was wonderful to be able to share this evening with a member of our congregration and her two girls who have learning disabilities.
To say that tonights ceremony was special wouldn't do it justice, because the sort of atmosphere that was created by the athletes is what they are used to. From what I gathered everyday is special for them, they find joy and enthusiasm in small things and they have patience and time for the most challenging task which they perform with steadiness and full attention. To them it isn't about putting on a spectacle, it is about living life to the full and to the best of their ability.
Saturday, 25. July 2009, 08:57:19
filled with sorrow, filled with regret, the head hangs heavy
so ashamed and so despondent the head drops down to the chest
staring at the heart
Friday, 24. July 2009, 20:43:06
Friday, 24. July 2009, 12:23:10
the sensual self, that senses the world and delights in the sensuality of the self
the food, the clothes, the water, the air, the perfumes and the magical melodies of the mind
we dance, we twirl, we spin around
the self senses and the senses provide the basis for self
and so our addiction to self grows
Thursday, 23. July 2009, 21:16:45
Here's a great quote,
"I have been impressed with the urgency of
doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Being willing is not enough; we must do. ’
Leonardo da Vinci
Thursday, 23. July 2009, 12:36:32
The special Olympics are coming to Leicester.
It seems to me that the majority of people in England watch sports rather than get out and do it - and in the spiritual domain, it seems to me that more people are 'interested' in learning about Buddhism rather than practicing or Doing it. What we seem to have are fans of an elite class of athletes in the world of sport, and a lot of interest and questions to a select group - not an elite, exclusive or chosen group, but a group that is willing to commit to a life of doing Buddhism as a full-time endeavour. In other words, we've got Buddhist inquisitors rather than Buddhist enthusiasts. To be enthused is to be moved spiritually by an 'other' power. The root of enthusiasm is theos which etymologically means 'God' and God - well let's just say it's another word for 'Other-power'. To allow Other-power to take over would equate to being enthusiastic. Enthusiasm just like faith or intention to act needs direction. I sort of wonder what society would look like if more people played sports and/or open their hearts to an 'Other-power'.
Just as love needs an object, so too, does enthusiasm need expression and for expression to be meaningful it must be witnessed, and if another human isn't around, then God or Buddha will do. To create conditions so that individuals or groups can express their love is what the special olympics have done and will be witnessed by participants and supporters. The message is moving - anyone can be an enthusiast, anyone can open themselves to be moved in a way that is special, anyone can love.
Tuesday, 21. July 2009, 08:45:27
I'm reading Clark Strand's new book 'How to Believe in God' - and it's a breath of fresh air. His style is sincere and personal, his insights and ideas brave and advanced leaving me, the reader, feeling more open. The book came out of a group with two ground rules: to be able to ask questions about the bible and not to discard or reject anything.
They are great rules but not everyone can do both and there isn't really a need to do both - on the other hand, it seems like this is something that one would do if one had faith or belief in God. And this really takes us into the heart of a spiritual journey.
Sunday, 19. July 2009, 11:34:00
Pure Land teachers talk about Self-power and Other-power. Self-power is what we trust, we trust ourselves to know what to do in life. We think and have ideas about life, we feel and express our emotions, and we act according to what we believe will protect us. And yet, Buddhism acknowledges that there is no such thing as 'self' - what is self is a construct that is basically defensive. It's laughable to think that we trust something that is basically a lie.
And then what is 'Other-power'? What does it take to trust something other than self? The faithful seem to be able to fall and to continue to fall - almost like their practice is about falling without needing to be caught. They seem to have a quality akin to floating. Not quite touching the ground and not quite up in the clouds they seem to live contentedly in a third space - the middle ground between heaven and earth. To trust that the universe will save everyone from the harsh realities and spiritually dangerous times is what 'Other-power' is for.
Saturday, 18. July 2009, 22:20:11
days go by and time stands still - thoughts come and I go.
WIDGETIZE