Big Gratitude

I write a tad early because tomorrow I will be spending it with peeps I love and not typing!

I think sometimes we forget about that first Thanksgiving. A lot of people died that winter. And it was the beginning of our steps towards democracy... towards our America as we know it. Now I myself am to blame for this, but we often complain about our leaders and our problems with this country... we declare that we will buy a chateux in France and go be free and read and raise sheep (perhaps that's only my extreme idealistic daydream)... And we forget that in France taxes are indeed higher than they are here. So while we rant about rights and unfair this and how dare that president use the word "folks"-- I mock too, friends-- let's put that aside for today... all I'm asking for is one day... of pure gratitude for what the people who walked before us achieved for this country and let us be so grateful that we can for the most part not be afraid to walk down the street everyday. If you are reading this blog you are so fortunate to have a computer and be able to read this posting that I am writing and to write and publish your own ideas-- for free!-- and not get punished with violence for doing so! So today, you will get many reminders to be grateful for your loved ones... to be grateful that you still have your home after all the crazy fires... and all of that is fantastic! Yes, be grateful for those things too!! But what most people I think may forget, as the holidays round the corner and turkey becomes synonymous with Aunt Bertha's strange green dressing and Uncle Mervin's smelly hugs... what we forget is how amazing this country is to all of us most of the time. When we have a lot of great things it is easy to pick apart the annoying stuff. But seriously, guys. We are so darn lucky we don't even realize it. Google images of a third world country if you need some motivation for gratitude but today I am saying, "thank you, to those who took that first step in crossing the seemingly-infinite waters to get here and thank you pilgrims and indians for choosing to celebrate life and be friends together (at least the ones in Plymouth) and thank you founding fathers... thank all of you who have contributed in letting me be typing with freedom on this keyboard today."

dani's library of literary gems

the foutainhead... the great gatsby... the napping house where everybody's sleeping... the secret history... plato's republic... the elements of style... franny and zooey... think and grow rich... the active side of infinity... the secret... the power of awareness... the yellow wallpaper... heart of darkness... in defense of food... the way of the artist... to kill a mockingbird... a moveable feast... the will to believe... the sovereignty of good and other essays... a walk across america... aristotle's poetics... tender is the night... acrobat of the heart... love in the time of cholera... the alchemist... i capture the castle... siddhartha... demian... and some others i'm forgetting that i will be sure to include at a later date!

cray yoga sex

Here is the link to the video on which I am commenting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2lIqjeZqOs

I don't even know why I'm posting this! But I had the urge. I think it's thoroughly fascinating! So, basically this guy talks about the importance of tantra (you know... that ancient art of the bedroom...) And he lists the number one reason for practicing tantra and elongating 'that feeling' as being the conservation of engery. There is an Ayurvedic (Ayurveda is the holistic science literally translated as "knowledge of life" originating in India long long ago) term that describes the essence or energy behind all life. It is called Oja. This yogi says that everyone is born with a set amount of oja, or life sustanance. The theory goes that sexual energy, when used, uses up your oja... and thus, could lead to less life, or early death if not attended to appropriately. In college I took a course in Chinese medicine and ancient Chinese medicine believes in a similar life-energy called jing (not to be confused with chi). It is said that when a man ejaculates he looses jing. Men in China would go on abstinence hibernations during the winter to preserve, maintain and utilize their jing for staying warm in the winter. I also just read in a fabulous Western science book other day that sex and stress are the two largest taxes on the body, with digestion being the third. (So don't eat in bed!) Now, none of these sources or cultures says to avoid it; au contraire... they mention that it is a natural part of life. Perhaps to ignore its existence would be to ignore one's appetite for food. But even though eating is the third most energy consuming process in the body, we can all agree that it is a completely necessary part of life! I'm not saying to go be careless and give away free love... no! Love can be given many different ways, I assure you. But what I am saying is that there is a time and a place for great f-ing sex. And like all things in life, we gotta balance out work and play. I know people in Hollywood who forgo sex when they are writing or creating. So maybe there really is something powerful in holding onto that sexual energy and redirecting it into some other energy, namely creative energy. And maybe there is something to this tantra... after all, if it increases sexual endurance, stamina, sensation AND prevents the release of too much all-too-precious life-giving oja, well then... I'll tantra to that!

The Call of Duty

Have you ever felt in your heart or gut something so true and real that you knew you must attend to it? If that feeling consumes you it is crucial not only to yourself, but to humanity, that you trust it and follow it. Usually such feelings come in the form of a piqued interest. But more often than not, we do not have consuming feelings-- we have subtle hints, a shudder when we're standing alone thinking a seemingly harmless thought when the wind comes and shakes us into a scary moment of the unknown... Sometimes it is an emotional feeling, sometimes an image, sometimes a thought, sometimes a physical wrenching of the stomach or the thing that pumps our blood. And most of the time... we ignore it. That day comes where we are looking at the ocean and we know for a second that we are looking back at ourselves... that our truest nature is fulfilled and present in that moment. But then a cry from the mother, husband, sister, neighbor or buddy comes and it is broken. We go back inside the house or hotel, forgetting that we're here to learn something. And often we choose not to go back to it... because we know that if we go back to it, we are responsible for going back to it again and again until the consumption is not a mere feeling but a union of the mind, body and spirit with it's purpose in the universe. It can be like looking into a black hole.. not sure if you'll surface once you're in.... So what, then, stops us from going there? From seeking the unknown? Why are people in general, so scared to try new things, be it a new sushi roll or a stranger with an extended hand? I don't have these answers, but I know that it is important to ask these questions. If we are not seeking, are we doing anything? Really, when it comes down to it? Isn't all of life kind of about seeking something?... whether it be metaphysical or tangible... I think maybe. So isn't it in you're highest interest-- in our highest interest-- to seek the truest form of the self? Maybe enough people aren't seeking... maybe that is why the world is seemingly chaotic and cruel. Maybe our focus is off... I live in a culture where success is the driving force throughout day to day life. It's not even that success is bad-- in fact it is wonderful, because when one aims to succeed, one is in a constant stage of seeking and contributing to the betterment of mankind (and hopefully the planet too)-- but I think that while trying to succeed, one must also hold the purpose of allowing oneself to get closer and closer to the true, blissful self. Success is great if it brings bliss.. if it fulfills purpose. But if one seeks success without joy or sense of purpose, what is the point? I like money because I think it buys freedom and the ability to go on adventures and grow... but for me, I would not be able to pursue money in a vehicle that does my soul a disservice.... My point becomes that one must adhere to the self, above all else. Be true to yourself and listen to yourself. And even when other's are bombarding you with opinions that are not your own, listen to them... because even if you do not agree or believe in what they are saying, even one word or image of their speech can expand your mind, grow your spirit and bring you closer to the real you. And I think that when people listen to themselves that deep down, intentions are good. A friend once said to me, "I don't change... I think I just become more and more myself." At the time I thought this person was crazy... now I laugh because it is pretty darn true. When your gut is tries to steer you in a new, potentially scary direction (provided it is not endangering), it is your responsibility to follow it. Even if you do not know what you want, little things you want or like start to point you in the right direction. And when you are comfy in one place and your inner self taps you and says, "umm, I think I'd like to go here and try this" I think it might be a good idea to listen. And I'm not talking about drugs. Or crazy things. You know what I'm talking about. It is your call of duty to be true to your self.... It is your call of duty to yourself.

obama-rama fantastico!

If Obama can do it, you can do it! YES, you can! He goes to show us that anything is possible. Follow your dreams!! Or if you don't know what your dreams are, follow your nose-- it will steer you in the right direction until you find what you are looking for. I was listening to a woman on the radio yesterday who was talking about Obama's example of hope. And she's absolutely right. Obama's election stands for many things-- many great things. He is the first black president which is very cool, but his victory extends far beyond breaking barriers of race. It is a step in the right direction in building universal tolerance, which is something very important to me, as I try to demonstrate in my posting entitled "tolerance." And I am extremely happy that he is our elected leader. And judging by the landslide victory, most of my fellow countrymen agree with me. I think that as the age of aquarius dawns on us, we as a nation and as a human race are becoming more aware. We are becoming aware that our actions have consequences and that we are in need of change so that we can move in a more positive direction. Thats why grassroots movements are so hot right now. Grassroots movements are effective because in a time like this, all we have is each other. People. I'm involved with a network marketing company and that's the thing i love most about it-- just getting to talk to people, different people-- and help spread awareness. In the case of my company it's awareness of health, but i'm also referring to an awareness of other people, in general. The universe is not centered around you. Though I do believe we all contribute to creating it-- that in essence, you do create or manifest as you go. And that you are ridiculously important. But it is so crucial to acknowledge the presence of other people in this universe too.... to know that one's consequences effect the entire world. Like when you put your finger to water and touch it... the water ripples out. The wealthy democrats of hollywood knew that voting for Obama would mean higher taxes for them, and therefore less money in their pockets. But they did it anyway. Because they knew that if they followed their hearts, voted for a more noble, more people-based cause and voted for higher ideals, that the money would come back to them in some other way, some day. That's how the universe works! The mayan calendar ends in 2012. I do not believe that this means the world comes to an end in 2012; but a new beginning. A change, if you will. A re-prioritizing. An awakening. An enlightenment, maybe. Let's all walk together and start opening our eyes. Let's stop complaining and start following our bliss. Let's stop taking things so personally and pretending that everything is about us, when really most of the time when someone offends us it is because that person is dealing with his/ her own shit. Let's spread the love, spread the help, spread the wealth. Let's work, let's play. Let's be open to learning... Change does not come easily; when a snake sheds his skin there is convulsing. There will be ups and downs. Pitfalls and mistakes. But we can get back up again. If we do it together and push forward towards a fantastic future of heightened awareness and higher consciousness... we just may get there. Woo hoo!! ...We really do have some amazing things about this country and now is the time to count our blessings and be grateful for what we do have.