Everybody goes down.
Some get up.
Some don't.
Some can't.
I was the biker down in the heading. Went down all by my lonesome self, in front of witnesses, because i couldn't control my bike, because i wasn't paying attention.
I also went down right outside a fire station, sat down on the kerbstone and about 20 medics were all coming to see what happened, yes, serendipitous i know. It happened in Edenvale before the Toyrun meeting, so after a few minutes friends arrived, and a few more minutes a bakkie arrived to take the damaged bike home. Like a very strange dream. Imagine sitting half naked in an ambulance, and your friends wander up and offer you the ice cream they had just bought for you ...
Yes.
As with any "accident" it wasn't one specific thing that went wrong, but a few minor factors that lined up in a perfect bad scenario. A car full of distracted people pulled forward into the next intersection. I shouldn't have gone down, i should have done what i usually do: head up, lightly on brake, back brake, headlight beam and hooter if need be. It was completely avoidable.
Instead i was distracted, braked sloppily, locked the front wheel and then panicked ... that's when the bike threw me off the left into the ground. I don't remember falling, i remember spinning wildy around and around. It was kind off spin *flap* spin *flap* but then i pulled my arms against my chest and spun a few more times. Fortunately the guy had stopped, so instead of riding over me he enjoyed a rather particular show.
My damages: left knee has holes in, and a pulled something or other, right ankle where the left boot banged it, left shoulder quite a nasty roasty, and my left little finger and right thumb. Now here's the thing: I was wearing full gear at the time. My left safety boot was scraped to the metal, my easy overs had 2 holes in them, and my jacket also had holes rubbed in the arm, my helmet had a few light scratches. 3 weeks later my thumb is still sore, and my left knee pains sometimes especially if i bang it. Full gear, maybe 50km/h.
Bike is scratched all along the left, with the headlight assembly badly ruined, front forks bent so not ridable at all. Waiting for insurance *stuff* to go through.
All in all not a bad crash, walked away albeit in pain, but nothing broken. Didn't take long for me to climb on the 250Gn i keep around, and i've been riding that ever since to work and back. 115km/h downhill, 80 uphill, 23 km.l and a fat smile on my face. Since riding her to work very day and especially in the rain i've christened her "The Drunken Squirrel", because she is. If you could imagine clinging to the back of a squirrel (yes you can be a small human for this) which had a little bit too much to drink and being chased by *something* down the road, and if you really need to stop, plan ahead 3 months and confirm the week beforehand kind of planning.
I meant it about the smile :D
The best thing about the Drunken Squirrel is that it's not a car. Don't take this he wrong way, but cars are the dumbest, stupidest, thickest, daftest invention on earth. For getting to work around Joburg at least. Multiple lanes of insanity on an industrial level, each idiot try to beat the idiot in front of him to get somewhere else. Each idiot has chosen a truly unique vehicle, colour, engine size, fuel type, make model and doucheplate to seemlessly merge with the rest of the baubled bunglers. Thousands of individualistic self important suckers who feel some kind of superiority over the similarly suckered suckers surrounding them. Descending to that level of blank eyed staring at the back end of the car in front of you is akin to having a unanethatised lobotomy while on the way to work, every morning. I used the donkey cart for 3 days (not a real donkey cart ok? An old hyundai vroomwagon which i'm quite fond of, but looks like SHEET) and was traumatised each and every time i tried to get somewhere. Fortunately i wasn't actually afraid to drive into other cars, and i think my aura crept ahead of me and tapped people on the shoulder. Useful.
I'm up and alive and looking for something to kick, can't kick myself yet 'cause of the knee, but i'm really patient. There's no doubt i will get another bike, or use the gn, or ANYTHING other than a bloody motor car, but it dawned on me that people using cars and bikes have a very important thing in common: Commuting is a traumatic experience. No way round that, to get to work and home again is a life threatening hell run that will fortunately be forgotten as soon as the petrol runs out.
PS since then i have a certain sympathy with car crash victims, but when i see a car on its roof i have a certain awe for the driver. How did he do that? How on earth ... ?
peace and love and safe roads
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Dust in the Wind
Joburg after a dust storm. Oil painting by Frank Emanuel. 1895. Museum Afrika collection
Source: http://instagram.com/p/uOPRj0Gyo9/
By
@brodiegal Nechama Brodie
Monday, 22 September 2014
Respect
Respect is something you give, unreservedly, not something you receive.
Every day I ride through the traffic, several thousand cars stretch neatly along either side of me. Lots of expensive cars, old and broken cars, taxis trucks and everything in-between, each one a brightly coloured bauble reflecting the morning and evening sun. And as I ride some cars pull over for me, either to acknowledge my presence or to create an empty space for me, small gestures which help a lot when picking through the cars.
It is my way to try thank those who do, with a thumbs up sign on my left and my left hand throwing a peace sign over my right shoulder. Left hand only of course, my right hand is reserved for the brake. I take joy in seeing these people make way, it validates my decision to use the biker lane every day, a small yet crucial part of the factors which I take into account. Knowing that many cars appreciate my right to pass between them supports me even when the bikers don't, in using the "biker lane". The small, friendly gesture is meant to encourage moving over again, a tiny thank you in the humdrum of tyres and engines. This is not unnoticed, and I'm honestly convinced that it ignites a spark in people which pleases them. Thank you.
Of course, I am only responding to them. It is they who showed kindness first. I merely acknowledge and return a simple sign of respect for my motorcycling folly. I've pondered this a lot over the last while, these many people who show me respect daily, with no other possible reward than a hand gesture. But they do, day in and day out a remarkably consistent number of people are kind, to me, for no apparent reason.
Maybe some wish they were me, maybe some curse my freedom from stuckness, maybe some don't even think of me at all, other than as a problem to be dealt with. That is fine too, because even in my problematic presence that same presence is respected. This is not about me, this is about them. They show me respect, every day, because that is THEIR nature. How could I have missed that? We are sharing a moment of human contact devoid of any triviality, or banality for that matter, they respect my passing, and I respect their awareness. They would never know me again, without my funny helmet, but even that is not a reason to disrespect me.
Traffic is mostly a murderous affair, with everyone being where someone else needs to be, and nobody where they ought to be ... traffic circles writ large. I love to think of that saying, you are not stuck in traffic, you are traffic, if you're in a car at least. In all that maelstrom you find basic human virtues screaming at you all the way to work, it took me 5 years to recognise it for what it was. 5 years to get over my own mental limitations. Not sure who is crazy anymore, me or traffic, but human life and human nature and inherent human goodness surrounds us, despite appearances, and literally begs for recognition.
Recognise
Acknowledge
Return
peace and love and respect
Every day I ride through the traffic, several thousand cars stretch neatly along either side of me. Lots of expensive cars, old and broken cars, taxis trucks and everything in-between, each one a brightly coloured bauble reflecting the morning and evening sun. And as I ride some cars pull over for me, either to acknowledge my presence or to create an empty space for me, small gestures which help a lot when picking through the cars.
It is my way to try thank those who do, with a thumbs up sign on my left and my left hand throwing a peace sign over my right shoulder. Left hand only of course, my right hand is reserved for the brake. I take joy in seeing these people make way, it validates my decision to use the biker lane every day, a small yet crucial part of the factors which I take into account. Knowing that many cars appreciate my right to pass between them supports me even when the bikers don't, in using the "biker lane". The small, friendly gesture is meant to encourage moving over again, a tiny thank you in the humdrum of tyres and engines. This is not unnoticed, and I'm honestly convinced that it ignites a spark in people which pleases them. Thank you.
Of course, I am only responding to them. It is they who showed kindness first. I merely acknowledge and return a simple sign of respect for my motorcycling folly. I've pondered this a lot over the last while, these many people who show me respect daily, with no other possible reward than a hand gesture. But they do, day in and day out a remarkably consistent number of people are kind, to me, for no apparent reason.
Maybe some wish they were me, maybe some curse my freedom from stuckness, maybe some don't even think of me at all, other than as a problem to be dealt with. That is fine too, because even in my problematic presence that same presence is respected. This is not about me, this is about them. They show me respect, every day, because that is THEIR nature. How could I have missed that? We are sharing a moment of human contact devoid of any triviality, or banality for that matter, they respect my passing, and I respect their awareness. They would never know me again, without my funny helmet, but even that is not a reason to disrespect me.
Traffic is mostly a murderous affair, with everyone being where someone else needs to be, and nobody where they ought to be ... traffic circles writ large. I love to think of that saying, you are not stuck in traffic, you are traffic, if you're in a car at least. In all that maelstrom you find basic human virtues screaming at you all the way to work, it took me 5 years to recognise it for what it was. 5 years to get over my own mental limitations. Not sure who is crazy anymore, me or traffic, but human life and human nature and inherent human goodness surrounds us, despite appearances, and literally begs for recognition.
Recognise
Acknowledge
Return
peace and love and respect
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Duty
"A common and natural result of an undue respect for law is that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart. They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are concerned; they are all peaceably inclined.
Now, what are they? Men at all? or small movable forts and magazines, at the service of some unscrupulous man in power? The mass of men serve the State thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies.... In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well." - Henry David Thoreau, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
Now, what are they? Men at all? or small movable forts and magazines, at the service of some unscrupulous man in power? The mass of men serve the State thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies.... In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well." - Henry David Thoreau, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Need input
Being a regular internet user is sort of like mentally staring over the garden fence at the information byway. Both natural curiosity and a longing for .... somewhere else, something else.
The other side of the fence.
Humans are not the only curious creatures, almost all plants and creatures have a natural curiosity about their environment which is as much self preservation as any "interest", but we are the only animals who are able to examine a fact without assuming it to be true. So, endless curiosity about things that have no real place in our lives ... perhaps. Disasters, wars, uprisings and all these other miracles of modern life, in your life, in your head.
Like a lake, with every splash creating ripples which touch every shore we are infinitely connected to each other. Each part making it's own splash, and affecting other ripples, creating a kaleidoscope of intersecting energies, ebbing and flowing and rippling and splashing endlessly. To claim that nothing affects me, or that something is irrelevant to me is only a matter of distinction, it is not deniable in itself.
How far can we extend our mental tentacles to absorb the ripples and whispers of the others who seemingly surround us? How far should we? And how does this affect us? Feeling the anguished wail of humanity wash over us, and it doesn't matter how far away from yourself ... your spouse, neighbour, countryman or foreigner ... all the same buzz which quickens the pulse for flight and invokes compassion similtaneously.
No denying that humanity is dirty, both in body and spirit, but we only see ourselves reflected anyway, so why not try find something more, while we're already at it? Something which seems new, to expand or strengthen ourselves. But we sit in the mud panning for little gold bits of glint, while all around us the forest sighs and laughs with the play of day.
We have relied on our intellect so long we don't know how to put it down, so used to sitting in the mud we forget where the clear water flows. Just a passing thought.
PS, the title isn't a request for input or comments directly, just a reference to that robot thing from the 80's Short circuit. ;-)
The other side of the fence.
Humans are not the only curious creatures, almost all plants and creatures have a natural curiosity about their environment which is as much self preservation as any "interest", but we are the only animals who are able to examine a fact without assuming it to be true. So, endless curiosity about things that have no real place in our lives ... perhaps. Disasters, wars, uprisings and all these other miracles of modern life, in your life, in your head.
Like a lake, with every splash creating ripples which touch every shore we are infinitely connected to each other. Each part making it's own splash, and affecting other ripples, creating a kaleidoscope of intersecting energies, ebbing and flowing and rippling and splashing endlessly. To claim that nothing affects me, or that something is irrelevant to me is only a matter of distinction, it is not deniable in itself.
How far can we extend our mental tentacles to absorb the ripples and whispers of the others who seemingly surround us? How far should we? And how does this affect us? Feeling the anguished wail of humanity wash over us, and it doesn't matter how far away from yourself ... your spouse, neighbour, countryman or foreigner ... all the same buzz which quickens the pulse for flight and invokes compassion similtaneously.
No denying that humanity is dirty, both in body and spirit, but we only see ourselves reflected anyway, so why not try find something more, while we're already at it? Something which seems new, to expand or strengthen ourselves. But we sit in the mud panning for little gold bits of glint, while all around us the forest sighs and laughs with the play of day.
We have relied on our intellect so long we don't know how to put it down, so used to sitting in the mud we forget where the clear water flows. Just a passing thought.
PS, the title isn't a request for input or comments directly, just a reference to that robot thing from the 80's Short circuit. ;-)
Friday, 4 July 2014
The Berenstained Bears
So i found a little gem online recently, the sort of thing you instantly dismiss, until you think about it for a moment or two, and then longer. Before you know it you can't sleep at night. I also discovered that there exists a theory called the Mandela Effect and a number of similar weirdnesses.
The Mandela Effect Website Says:
This website is for people interested in baffling but widespread alternate memories, including Nelson Mandela's death in the 1980s, long before his 2013 passing.
What happens if you discover that your memory is wrong? A fact or detail which you are sure about but it is shown to be different. I don't remember everything, but certain memories carry specific details, some things you can clearly remember thoughts and associations about. Enter the Berenstain Bears.
The Berenstain Bears were a tv show thingy, back in the day:
You recognise them, right?
But they're the Berenstain Bears, with an A.
Now if you were going to argue about it i'll pre-empt you: Yes, that's what i said too.
I remember them being Berenstein Bears, i'm sure of it. So was wifey, and a friend. And apparently a lot of other people do, too. But when anyone tries to check the facts, books buried in attics etc, clearly the Berenstain Bears. Personally i recall reading books of these guys, you don't make that sort of mistake, do you?
Anyway, follow the next two links to read the full story of the guy who discovered this, and perhaps some of the ideas you'll find interesting. In the second post he apologises for some of the conclusions at the end of the first post, he admits he was talking tripe. But he was confused, and so am i.
http://woodbetweenworlds.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-berenstein-bears-we-are-living-in.html
http://woodbetweenworlds.blogspot.com/2014/06/commenting-on-berenstein-bears.html
The Mandela Effect Website Says:
This website is for people interested in baffling but widespread alternate memories, including Nelson Mandela's death in the 1980s, long before his 2013 passing.
What happens if you discover that your memory is wrong? A fact or detail which you are sure about but it is shown to be different. I don't remember everything, but certain memories carry specific details, some things you can clearly remember thoughts and associations about. Enter the Berenstain Bears.
The Berenstain Bears were a tv show thingy, back in the day:
But they're the Berenstain Bears, with an A.
Now if you were going to argue about it i'll pre-empt you: Yes, that's what i said too.
I remember them being Berenstein Bears, i'm sure of it. So was wifey, and a friend. And apparently a lot of other people do, too. But when anyone tries to check the facts, books buried in attics etc, clearly the Berenstain Bears. Personally i recall reading books of these guys, you don't make that sort of mistake, do you?
Anyway, follow the next two links to read the full story of the guy who discovered this, and perhaps some of the ideas you'll find interesting. In the second post he apologises for some of the conclusions at the end of the first post, he admits he was talking tripe. But he was confused, and so am i.
http://woodbetweenworlds.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-berenstein-bears-we-are-living-in.html
http://woodbetweenworlds.blogspot.com/2014/06/commenting-on-berenstein-bears.html
Thursday, 26 June 2014
The time has come again
Manifesto of the emigrant farmers By Piet Retief, 1837
Soon after the close of his correspondence with Lt.-Governor Stockenstrom, Piet Retief left this document behind when he joined other Afrikaners on the Trek from the Cape. This Manifesto purports to represent the real causes of the expatriation of himself and the colonial farmers.
Numerous reports having been circulated throughout the colony, evidently with the intention of exciting in the minds of our countrymen a feeling of prejudice against those who have resolved to emigrate from a colony where they have experienced for so many years past a series of the vexatious and severe losses; and as we desire to stand high in the estimation of our brethren, and are anxious that they and the world at large should believe us incapable of severing that sacred tie which binds a Christian to his native soil, without the most sufficient reasons, we are induced to record the following summary of our motives for taking so important a step; and also our intentions respecting our proceedings towards the Native Tribes which we may meet with beyond the boundary.
We despair of saving the colony those evils, which threaten it by the turbulent and dishonest conduct of vagrants, who are allowed to infest the country in every part; nor do we see any prospect of peace or happiness for our children in a country thus distracted by internal commotions.
We complain of the severe losses, which we have been forced to sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws, which have been enacted respecting them.
We complain of the continual system of plunder which we have ever endured from the Kaffirs and other coloured classes, and particularly by the last invasion of the colony, which has desolated the frontier districts, and ruined most of the inhabitants.
We complain of the unjustifiable odium which has been cast upon us by interested and dishonest persons, under the cloak of religion, whose testimony is believed in England to the exclusion of all evidence in our favour; and we can foresee as the result of this prejudice, nothing but the total ruin of the country.
We are resolved, wherever we go, that we will uphold the just principles of liberty; but whilst we will take care that no one shall be held in a state of slavery, it is our determination to maintain such regulations as may suppress crime and preserve proper relations between master and servant.
We solemnly declare that we quit this colony with a desire to lead a more quiet life than we have heretofore done. We will not molest any people, nor deprive them of the smallest property; but, if attacked, we shall consider ourselves fully justified in defending our persons and effects, to the utmost of our ability, against every enemy.
We make known, that when we shall have framed a code of laws for our future guidance, copies shall be forwarded to the colony for general information; but we take this opportunity of stating that it is our firm resolve to make provision for the summary punishment of any traitors who may be found amongst us.
We purpose in the course of journey, and on arriving at the country in which we shall permanently reside, to make known to the native tribes of our intensions, and our desire to live in peace and friendly intercourse with them.
We quit this colony under the full assurance that the English government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us to govern ourselves without its interference in future.
We are now quitting the fruitful land of our birth, in which we have suffered enormous losses and continual vexation, and are entering a wild and dangerous territory; but we go with a firm reliance on an all-seeing, just, merciful Being, whom it will be our endeavour to fear and humbly to obey.
By authority of the farmers who have quitted the colony.
(Signed) P. Retief.
Source:
Chase, J.C. (1843). Natal, A reprint of all the authentic notices - descriptions - public acts and documents - petitions - manifestoes - correspondence - government advertisements and proclamations - bulletins and military despatches relative to Natal, with narrative of events at that settlement, in two parts: Part the first, from A.D. 1496, to A.D. 1837, Graham's Town: R. Godlonton, pp.83-4.
Source: http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/manifesto-emigrant-farmers-piet-retief-1837
Soon after the close of his correspondence with Lt.-Governor Stockenstrom, Piet Retief left this document behind when he joined other Afrikaners on the Trek from the Cape. This Manifesto purports to represent the real causes of the expatriation of himself and the colonial farmers.
Numerous reports having been circulated throughout the colony, evidently with the intention of exciting in the minds of our countrymen a feeling of prejudice against those who have resolved to emigrate from a colony where they have experienced for so many years past a series of the vexatious and severe losses; and as we desire to stand high in the estimation of our brethren, and are anxious that they and the world at large should believe us incapable of severing that sacred tie which binds a Christian to his native soil, without the most sufficient reasons, we are induced to record the following summary of our motives for taking so important a step; and also our intentions respecting our proceedings towards the Native Tribes which we may meet with beyond the boundary.
We despair of saving the colony those evils, which threaten it by the turbulent and dishonest conduct of vagrants, who are allowed to infest the country in every part; nor do we see any prospect of peace or happiness for our children in a country thus distracted by internal commotions.
We complain of the severe losses, which we have been forced to sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws, which have been enacted respecting them.
We complain of the continual system of plunder which we have ever endured from the Kaffirs and other coloured classes, and particularly by the last invasion of the colony, which has desolated the frontier districts, and ruined most of the inhabitants.
We complain of the unjustifiable odium which has been cast upon us by interested and dishonest persons, under the cloak of religion, whose testimony is believed in England to the exclusion of all evidence in our favour; and we can foresee as the result of this prejudice, nothing but the total ruin of the country.
We are resolved, wherever we go, that we will uphold the just principles of liberty; but whilst we will take care that no one shall be held in a state of slavery, it is our determination to maintain such regulations as may suppress crime and preserve proper relations between master and servant.
We solemnly declare that we quit this colony with a desire to lead a more quiet life than we have heretofore done. We will not molest any people, nor deprive them of the smallest property; but, if attacked, we shall consider ourselves fully justified in defending our persons and effects, to the utmost of our ability, against every enemy.
We make known, that when we shall have framed a code of laws for our future guidance, copies shall be forwarded to the colony for general information; but we take this opportunity of stating that it is our firm resolve to make provision for the summary punishment of any traitors who may be found amongst us.
We purpose in the course of journey, and on arriving at the country in which we shall permanently reside, to make known to the native tribes of our intensions, and our desire to live in peace and friendly intercourse with them.
We quit this colony under the full assurance that the English government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us to govern ourselves without its interference in future.
We are now quitting the fruitful land of our birth, in which we have suffered enormous losses and continual vexation, and are entering a wild and dangerous territory; but we go with a firm reliance on an all-seeing, just, merciful Being, whom it will be our endeavour to fear and humbly to obey.
By authority of the farmers who have quitted the colony.
(Signed) P. Retief.
Source:
Chase, J.C. (1843). Natal, A reprint of all the authentic notices - descriptions - public acts and documents - petitions - manifestoes - correspondence - government advertisements and proclamations - bulletins and military despatches relative to Natal, with narrative of events at that settlement, in two parts: Part the first, from A.D. 1496, to A.D. 1837, Graham's Town: R. Godlonton, pp.83-4.
Source: http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/manifesto-emigrant-farmers-piet-retief-1837
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Thursday, 5 June 2014
Sunday, 25 May 2014
The Lament of Hermes
“Do you know, Asclepius, that Egypt is an image of Heaven, or to speak more exactly, in Egypt all the operations of the powers which rule and work in Heaven are present in the Earth below? In fact it should be said that the whole Cosmos dwells in this our land as in a sanctuary.
And yet, since it is fitting that wise men should have knowledge of all events before they come to pass, you must not be left in ignorance of what I will now tell you.
There will come a time when it will have been in vain that Egyptians have honored the Godhead with heartfelt piety and service; and all our holy worship will be fruitless and ineffectual.
The gods will return from earth to heaven; Egypt will be forsaken, and the land which was once the home of religion will be left desolate, bereft of the presence of its deities.
O Egypt, Egypt, of thy religion nothing will remain but an empty tale, which thine own children in time to come will not believe; nothing will be left but graven words, and only the stones will tell of thy piety.
And in that day men will be weary of life, and they will cease to think the universe worthy of reverent wonder and worship.
They will no longer love this world around us, this incomparable work of God, this glorious structure which he has built, this sum of good made up of many diverse forms, this instrument whereby the will of God operates in that which he has made, ungrudgingly favoring man’s welfare; this combination and accumulation of all the manifold things that call forth the veneration, praise, and love of the beholder.
Darkness will be preferred to light, and death will be thought more profitable than life; no one will raise his eyes to heaven; the pious will be deemed insane, the impious wise; the madman will be thought a brave man, and the wicked will be esteemed as good.
As for the soul, and the belief that it is immortal by nature, or may hope to attain to immortality, as I have taught you, – all this they will mock, and even persuade themselves that it is false.
No word of reverence or piety, no utterance worthy of heaven, will be heard or believed.
And so the gods will depart from mankind, – a grievous thing! – and only evil angels will remain, who will mingle with men, and drive the poor wretches into all manner of reckless crime, into wars, and robberies, and frauds, and all things hostile to the nature of the soul.
Then will the earth tremble, and the sea bear no ships; heaven will not support the stars in their orbits, all voices of the gods will be forced into silence; the fruits of the Earth will rot; the soil will turn barren, and the very air will sicken with sullen stagnation; all things will be disordered and awry, all good will disappear.
But when all this has befallen, Asclepius, then God the Creator of all things will look on that which has come to pass, and will stop the disorder by the counterforce of his will, which is the good. He will call back to the right path those who have gone astray; he will cleanse the world of evil, washing it away with floods, burning it out with the fiercest fire, and expelling it with war and pestilence.
And thus he will bring back his world to its former aspect, so that the Cosmos will once more be deemed worthy of worship and wondering reverence, and God, the maker and maintainer of the Mighty Fabric, will be adored by the men of that day with continuous songs of praise and blessing.
Such is the new birth of the Cosmos; it is a making again of all things good, a holy and awe-inspiring restoration of all nature; and it is wrought inside the process of Time by the eternal Will of the Creator.”
http://www.philipcoppens.com/thelament.html
And yet, since it is fitting that wise men should have knowledge of all events before they come to pass, you must not be left in ignorance of what I will now tell you.
There will come a time when it will have been in vain that Egyptians have honored the Godhead with heartfelt piety and service; and all our holy worship will be fruitless and ineffectual.
The gods will return from earth to heaven; Egypt will be forsaken, and the land which was once the home of religion will be left desolate, bereft of the presence of its deities.
O Egypt, Egypt, of thy religion nothing will remain but an empty tale, which thine own children in time to come will not believe; nothing will be left but graven words, and only the stones will tell of thy piety.
And in that day men will be weary of life, and they will cease to think the universe worthy of reverent wonder and worship.
They will no longer love this world around us, this incomparable work of God, this glorious structure which he has built, this sum of good made up of many diverse forms, this instrument whereby the will of God operates in that which he has made, ungrudgingly favoring man’s welfare; this combination and accumulation of all the manifold things that call forth the veneration, praise, and love of the beholder.
Darkness will be preferred to light, and death will be thought more profitable than life; no one will raise his eyes to heaven; the pious will be deemed insane, the impious wise; the madman will be thought a brave man, and the wicked will be esteemed as good.
As for the soul, and the belief that it is immortal by nature, or may hope to attain to immortality, as I have taught you, – all this they will mock, and even persuade themselves that it is false.
No word of reverence or piety, no utterance worthy of heaven, will be heard or believed.
And so the gods will depart from mankind, – a grievous thing! – and only evil angels will remain, who will mingle with men, and drive the poor wretches into all manner of reckless crime, into wars, and robberies, and frauds, and all things hostile to the nature of the soul.
Then will the earth tremble, and the sea bear no ships; heaven will not support the stars in their orbits, all voices of the gods will be forced into silence; the fruits of the Earth will rot; the soil will turn barren, and the very air will sicken with sullen stagnation; all things will be disordered and awry, all good will disappear.
But when all this has befallen, Asclepius, then God the Creator of all things will look on that which has come to pass, and will stop the disorder by the counterforce of his will, which is the good. He will call back to the right path those who have gone astray; he will cleanse the world of evil, washing it away with floods, burning it out with the fiercest fire, and expelling it with war and pestilence.
And thus he will bring back his world to its former aspect, so that the Cosmos will once more be deemed worthy of worship and wondering reverence, and God, the maker and maintainer of the Mighty Fabric, will be adored by the men of that day with continuous songs of praise and blessing.
Such is the new birth of the Cosmos; it is a making again of all things good, a holy and awe-inspiring restoration of all nature; and it is wrought inside the process of Time by the eternal Will of the Creator.”
http://www.philipcoppens.com/thelament.html
Friday, 23 May 2014
Conscious
The Conscious Army
Love is the new religion of the 21st century
"On the surface of the world right now there is War and violence and things seem dark. But calmly and quietly, at the same time, Something else is happening underground. An inner revolution is taking place And certain individuals are being called to a higher light.
It is a silent revolution. From the inside out. From the ground up. This is a Global operation. A Spiritual Conspiracy. There are sleeper cells in every nation on the planet. You won't see us on the TV. You won't read about us in the newspaper. You won't hear about us on the radio. We don't seek any glory. We don't wear any uniform. We come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles. Most of us work anonymously. We are quietly working behind the scenes In every country and culture of the world Cities big and small, mountains and valleys, In farms and villages, tribes and remote islands. You could pass by one of us on the street And not even notice. We go undercover. We remain behind the scenes. It is of no concern to us who takes the final credit But simply that the work gets done. Occasionally we spot each other in the street. We give a quiet nod and continue on our way.
During the day many of us pretend we have normal jobs But behind the false storefront at night Is where the real work takes place. Some call us the Conscious Army. We are slowly creating a new world With the power of our minds and hearts. We follow, with passion and joy Our orders come from the Central Spiritual Intelligence. We are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking Poems ~ Hugs ~ Music ~ Photography ~ Movies ~ Kind words ~ Smiles ~ Meditation and prayer ~ Dance ~ Social activism ~ Websites Blogs ~ Random acts of kindness...
We each express ourselves in our own unique ways With our own unique gifts and talents. Be the change you want to see in the world. That is the motto that fills our hearts. We know it is the only way real transformation takes place. We know that quietly and humbly we have the Power of all the oceans combined. Our work is slow and meticulous Like the formation of mountains. It is not even visible at first glance. And yet with it entire tectonic plates Shall be moved in the centuries to come. Love is the new religion of the 21st century. You don't have to be a highly educated person Or have any exceptional knowledge to understand it. It comes from the intelligence of the heart Embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse of all human beings. Be the change you want to see in the world. Nobody else can do it for you.
We are now recruiting. Perhaps you will join us Or already have. All are welcome. The door is open."
Author Unknown
Love is the new religion of the 21st century
"On the surface of the world right now there is War and violence and things seem dark. But calmly and quietly, at the same time, Something else is happening underground. An inner revolution is taking place And certain individuals are being called to a higher light.
It is a silent revolution. From the inside out. From the ground up. This is a Global operation. A Spiritual Conspiracy. There are sleeper cells in every nation on the planet. You won't see us on the TV. You won't read about us in the newspaper. You won't hear about us on the radio. We don't seek any glory. We don't wear any uniform. We come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles. Most of us work anonymously. We are quietly working behind the scenes In every country and culture of the world Cities big and small, mountains and valleys, In farms and villages, tribes and remote islands. You could pass by one of us on the street And not even notice. We go undercover. We remain behind the scenes. It is of no concern to us who takes the final credit But simply that the work gets done. Occasionally we spot each other in the street. We give a quiet nod and continue on our way.
During the day many of us pretend we have normal jobs But behind the false storefront at night Is where the real work takes place. Some call us the Conscious Army. We are slowly creating a new world With the power of our minds and hearts. We follow, with passion and joy Our orders come from the Central Spiritual Intelligence. We are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking Poems ~ Hugs ~ Music ~ Photography ~ Movies ~ Kind words ~ Smiles ~ Meditation and prayer ~ Dance ~ Social activism ~ Websites Blogs ~ Random acts of kindness...
We each express ourselves in our own unique ways With our own unique gifts and talents. Be the change you want to see in the world. That is the motto that fills our hearts. We know it is the only way real transformation takes place. We know that quietly and humbly we have the Power of all the oceans combined. Our work is slow and meticulous Like the formation of mountains. It is not even visible at first glance. And yet with it entire tectonic plates Shall be moved in the centuries to come. Love is the new religion of the 21st century. You don't have to be a highly educated person Or have any exceptional knowledge to understand it. It comes from the intelligence of the heart Embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse of all human beings. Be the change you want to see in the world. Nobody else can do it for you.
We are now recruiting. Perhaps you will join us Or already have. All are welcome. The door is open."
Author Unknown
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