Terrorists have attacked Mumbai in several places.  The attacks seemed to be focused on Westerners, especially those with US and UK passports.  That many others perished does not seem to matter to those who threw hand grenades and indiscriminately used their automatic weapons to deadly effect.  The Taj Mahal and Oberoi/Trident Hotels copped it sweet.  At the time of writing, commandos were still going from room to room in the Taj Mahal hotel to rescue guests holed up in their rooms.  That would be a slow process with hundreds of rooms that could be booby-trapped or harbour terrorists.  Fighting was still going on in the Oberoi hotel.

So, what drives these terrorists?  What is their logic behind all this?

1. Westerners are infidels and must be removed from earth.  Is that it?
2. Mumbai will feel the fallout of these attacks for a long time to come.  Tourists will stay away from this city for some time to come I imagine.  This means that Mumbai, as a city, will suffer very heavy financial losses.  What have the Indians done to deserve that?
3. Business people likewise would be wise not to visit Mumbai for the time being.  This means that international trade probably will suffer as well, as no deals can be struck and so on.
4. It could be that the terrorists consider any non-Westerners who perished or got severly hurt as collateral damage.  Or, is Mumbai being punished because they harbour infidels and do business with them?
5. Further to point 4, if this is true, the terrorists have a gigantic task ahead of them.  China does do business with the West.  So do just about all other countries.  Wow, where is all this going to end?

Western countries cannot seem to even remotely understand what drives these terrorists.  I have reasons to believe that the terrorists do not  understand the Western mind either.  All they succeed in is getting the Western Alliance to dig their heels in.  Nobody can even remotely afford to think in terms of giving up.  I believe that other countries are now inclined to pull closer together to combat these never-ending attacks.

I must quickly admit that I do not begin to understand the reasons behind these attacks.  Yes, I have have heard and read the many scenarios that are possible.  However, from a personal point of view, I am completely stumped.  It seems that some sort of interpretation of a particular faith enables the terrorists to genuinely believe that their attacks are fully justified.  This is why they willingly blow themselves up, as their faith appears immensely strong.

So, what can we really do about all this?  Nobody seems to have a clue.  I think that the answer should not contain further violence, but what is the alternative?  Education seems to be one possible solution.  The question is how does one approach that?

If you have read this far, you probably will have felt my deep distress that is continually fed throught events of this nature.  I sometimes ask myself these questions:

1. What would have happened in this world if Religions did not exist?
2. What would have happened in this world if everybody throughout this world of ours believed in one supreme being without trying to interpret things to their advantage?
3. What would have happened in this world if a system existed that does not involve money or credits?  I imagine that probably no crime would exist.
4. What would happen if countries did not exist and the whole world is considered to be our home without borders anywhere?

I fervently desire that anybody who is capable of doing this projects love towards other human beings no matter how you feel about them.  That would be quite a task, would it not?  But....if we were really able to, could we then look forward to a happier and more peaceful world?

The above questions will not be satifactorily resolved during my lifetime.  I nevertheless do my bit and extend love to everybody out there.

SpiritualGraphics.com

Tags: Mumbai

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MARK 7:3  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Politicians who purportedly are good Christians and purportedly believe in the Bible are extremely good in hiding these qualities.  Whether you look at politicians of all denominations in Australia or the USA or anywhere else in our 'enlightened' world on the tv or hear them on the radio, you will soon discover that many have something in common.  For some reason, they find it necessary to tell the public how ,stupid' the opposition is when they did so and so.  They seem to go all out to focus on how they can find something in a Presidential candidate or senator that can hurt them.  Yes, let us go back 30 years ago, like they did with Barack Obama.  Give me a break please!

Sometimes I watch the parliamentarian proceedings of the Federal Government in Australia.  Oh my God.  People who represent the population at large are shouting at each other in a desperate attempt to score points.  They call each other by unseemly names.  Don't ask me for specific examples, as I approach this subject generically.  I am not saying that all politicians are like that.  I am sure that there are a lot of good parliamentarians who do the right thing and just debate intelligently instead of descending into a state of shouting and ripping each other to pieces metaphorically speaking.

As far as I am concerned, and that is just my opinion as is this whole Blog, I believe that politicians waste an awful lot time when they engage in shouting matches.  It does not do anybody any good.  Great is the person in politics who, when one tries to besmirch his/her character does not attempt to hit back in a similar fashion.  I just like to know how many politicians exist who have a great deal to hide themselves when you hear them engaged in attempted character assasination.

They represent our country, these esteemed politicians.  They could give an example to the public at large by behaving in a civilized manner instead of behaving like very immature beings.  I don't like the way our Prime Minister was critized by the opposition in relation to his unlimited guarantee of bank deposits.  Ok, there are already consequences emerging from this situation.  People who have investments in, among other, mortgage funds are now attempting to withdraw funds to bring them into the guaranteed banking environment.  Would it not be better to simply say:  "Hm,  Prime Minister, did you consider this possibility when you guaranteed all bank deposits?  We should discuss this as soon as possible to determine what else we can do to stem the current exit from non-guaranteed funds".  Now, that would be reasonable in my opinion.  You can guess that the opposition addressed this matter in a much more aggressive fashion.

When you are a sales professional, you don't rubbish the competition.  That is a golden rule.  I wish that this rule could also be applied to the world of politics.  I accept that many mistakes are being made by politicians world wide.  Due to the size of the economies, there is alway something that escapes the attention of our leaders.  However, it would be so much nicer if these mistakes could be addressed in an intelligent, empathic way rather than by trying to belittle the efforts of the individual or group of people who genuinely try to find solutions to problems.

I now call on all politicians world wide to create one week in say in September, again say the week commencing the third Monday in this month, to call this week: Politicians Seek Peace Week.  During this week, every year, all politicians should use the following as a refrain: "Cave quid dicis quando, et cui" (Beware of what you say, when, and to whom).  In addition, practise the art of debate in its most civilized form.  Who knows, this practice might eventually extend beyond that week and become the norm in the years to come.

I wish all politicians everywhere enduring peace.

glitter-graphics.com

Tags: Politicians And Others

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I live in the Present, I live in the Present, I live in the Present, I live in the Present, I live in the Present, I...................................................................

I am trying so hard, oh Lord, to live in the Present and thus find my connection to You. I know that I should not worry about the past with all its mistakes and regrets. Nor should I worry about the future with all its unknowns and dangers. Why then, oh Lord, do I still fall into that terrible trap when I just cannot get certain thoughts out of my head?

Spiritual teachers, Lord, tell me how to live in the Present. They say just focus on nature around you and admire its beauty without judgement. Be still and feel at peace. So, Lord, I go into the forest and stare in awe at the beautiful flowers that even bloom during our winter. How good is it to simply sit down somewhere among the trees and just listen to the birds, even to the sharp screeching of sulphur crested cockatoos, watch the sun set slowly in the west, listen to the silence descending on the forest at the end of another day and just think of nothing else. Does this mean, Lord, that I am then in the Present?  Do I really become aware of Your Presence or is my mind not strong enough to perceive you?

My mind is feeble, Lord! No matter how hard I try, my thoughts always return and pull me down. I pray that You give me the strength and courage to continue in my quest to become aware of Your Presence. Lord, spiritual teachers tell me to be still and just be aware. That is all very well, Lord, but it is so difficult to maintain that state of mind.

I pray that You be always with me, oh Lord, until one day I obtain that much needed insight into my purpose here on earth.

Tags: God Present

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What do you do when you have a blue day? A day when the sun does not shine as brightly as normally. A day when nobody smiles at you. A day when you wonder why you even bothered getting up. A day when the black dog of depression keeps popping up in the most unexpected places. A day when fears beset you for no good reason.

I have those days when I cannot get certain thoughts out of my head. I cannot try and ignore these thoughts. They seem more powerful than my wish for them to go away. I try to draw on my considerable knowledge on these matters. Of course, I have the answer. Just get over it! Hm.... that does not help. What else can I do? Read an uplifting spiritual book. Well....I still have these thoughts.

I know! I talk to someone who really does listen. Stop here! It is no good burdening my dear wife with such mundane matters. She tends to get upset, because she knows that I am not well on that day. It would not be fair on her. I think that I shall indulge in one of my hobbies. Yes, I shall make all my chess moves on Internet and really give a lot of thought to every move that I make. It helps, but after the last move, those thoughts return.

Why can I not stop these wicked thoughts? I am so good in telling others how to minimise the impact of negative thoughts, why can I not apply the same to myself. Sounds familiar?

Now it is evening. I am watching a movie and get engrossed in it. Lovely! For the best part of two hours, I did not have a single debilitating thought. Ah well, it is time to put on my intellectual hat and tell myself: "My thoughts are only bits of energy, electro-chemical in nature and have no bearing to reality around me." Why did I not think of this before? And....so ends another blue day.

Tomorrow I shall wake up and feel great. I just know that. The flowers will smell nice, the nature around me will be beautiful. People will smile at me and I shall experience deep peace. I shall walk into the forest opposite our home and smell the eucalyptus that hangs heavily in the air. The birds will be singing as always and the Brumbuks (aboriginal for sulphur crested cockatoos) will start the day as always with a lot of racket and noise. Yes, I am now looking forward to tomorrow for the beauty and peace it will bring me. Of course, I now remember that life is neither good or bad. I am life and life just is!

Tags: Blue

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I have experienced a number of things in my earlier days that made some people wonder whether God looked after me on those occasions. These are some of my "adventures".

• Towards the end of WW2, as a very small child, I once climbed over a fence that gave access to the dunes just outside The Hague, Netherlands. I remember that a policeman shouted something but I could not hear what he was trying to convey. So, I walked on and eventually climbed over a second set of fences and found my self on the beach. Promptly, another policeman grabbed me and I was taken to a police post. There I was treated to a cup of hot chocolate, an absolute luxury in these days. Some years later I finally understood that I had crossed a live anti-personnel and anti-tank minefield, which were part of the sea defences.
  
• On 1 January 1945, A German V2 rocket narrowly missed our flat where we lived. There were 25 dead and 50 wounded. Many houses and flats were destroyed and all windows in our street were blown in.
• When I was 17 year old, I and a girlfriend from Dutch New Guinea were caught in a rip when swimming in the North Sea in Scheveningen, The Hague. It was 1.00pm at that time. As the afternoon wore on, it became clear that we were not going to make it back to the beach. We could not see the boulevard anymore and only just could make out the top of the lighthouse. It became dark and by that time we started to worry for the first time. However, in the last minutes before total darkness set in, we were rescued by the water police. We had been in the water for 7.5 hours and were both suffering from hyperthermia. We were rescued, because the incoming lighthouse keeper customarily swept his binoculars across the sea and thought that he saw something. He warned the police who rescued us an hour and half later.
• In the same year, I swam round out of the harbour (yes, English spelling) when a fisherman waved at me. I waved back and suddenly he ran away. I continued to swim. Minutes later I heared a terrific roar and I saw a huge wave bearing down on me. I dived under and when I emerged again, it was very dark and the wind was howling.  I could hardly see the boulevard and the sea had become exceedingly rough with large waves. I made it back to the beach although another swimmer drowned in the same stretch. It was a water tornado, which cause quite a lot of damage.
• In January 1960, we were caught in the worst hurricane of the century off the coast of New Foundland on board of a passenger liner. Seas were running at 90 ft. We saw a New Foundland fishing boat climbing a huge wall of water, making it to the top and then disappear in a cloud of spray and spume. Some 30 seconds later, we saw the same vessel bravely climbing the next swell. Twice, we listed 60 degrees despite the ship's stabilizers, which was 10 degrees more than the design limit. This hurricane lasted 48 hours and a lot of crockery on board was eventually smashed together with everything that was lose.
• In October 1998, I suddenly lost consciousness when I was at home. I came to and refused to have an ambulance called. I thought that this was one of those things that will happen to you sooner or later. However, my condition deteriorated and I was taken to hospital. I underwent an emergency splenectomy. My spleen had voluntarily raptured and I lost more than half of my blood in my stomach. Again, I made it back but not before I also suffered from a severe pulmonary embolism as soon as I got out of hospital. My left lung had collapsed and I needed another week's hospitalization. I am now still left with a large hernia in my stomach but specialists deem it uncessary to operate on me for the time being.

Well...., these are some of my adventures that flirted with death. I am now grateful for every day that I am alive.

Tags: Adventures

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God is in Hiding

There is a wonderful story told by Osho that goes something like this**.

When God created the world, He lived on earth.  But he was hassled by the incessant demands of people who each wanted their desires met.  God asked His council what He should do to escape these increasing demands and they suggested He hide in a remote place high in the Himalayas.  But God responded that eventually, He would be found by those who conquer mountains.

Someone suggested He hide on the moon, but God responded that one day man would reach the moon too.

Someone else suggested He hide in the stars, but God responded that even there He would eventually be found.

Finally, someone whispered in God's ear and God rejoiced: "Yes, I will hide in the only place where man will never look - in man himself!"  And this is where God has been hiding ever since.

Where are you looking for God?

**How to find God in Everything by Amoda Maa Jeevan p74

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Tags: Dispenza

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Although my mother tongue is Dutch, I have recently started on my German again at a local U3A (University of the Third Age). I did an assignment direct in German about an imagined incident that took place in our time and is relevant to the state of the world today. This little story is the product of my imagination. The astronomical distances and discoveries are correct though. I shall translate this 2-page document into English just in case some of you cannot read German

Final Warning to Earth

The third brigthest star in the sky is actually a system that consists of three stars: Alpha Centauri A, B and closest to us Proxima Centauri at a distance of 4.223 light years. This distance is already unimaginable for most people. Yet, about ten times further is a star that resembles our own sun very much and is called: 47 Ursae Majoris in the galaxy Great Bear. Two planets orbit around 47 Ursae Majoris. The largest one was only just recently discovered by astronomers. They consider that this planet is an exoplanet; this means that it could contain life. However, astronomers are inclined to name all planets that orbit around other stars outside our solar system, exoplanets. Unfortunately, technology does not yet exist to determine whether there is life on this newly discovered exoplanet, which is 45.9 light years from our earth. If only one had known what really lives there!

Hr'Tun saw the sun disappear behind the horizon. The Trellarinerii called this sun, which was known on earth as 47 Ursae Majoris, Drossierrii, what literally means: Giver of Life. For the past about 73 Drierro (about 100 earth years), the Trellarinerii had received strange signals from a rather distant located source. Many of these signals were so different from each other that scientists needed more than 50 Drierro (68.5 earth years) before they discovered something terrible. It appeared that there was always a war happening on this world and these creatures possessed really terrible weapons! This source was located some 33.5 Light Drierro (45.89 light years) from A'clahii (the newly discovered exoplanet). Ja'hu'topa, the president of A'clahii, had said: "That is too near. We have no choice. We must visit this world and destroy it utterly before these beings visit us. Hr'Tun is to lead a special commando group with the task of destroying this world. I authorise Hr'Tun to use the Hr'hash'in to travel to this world in order to destroy it. The Kr'hash'in was the latest spacecraft equipped with planet destroying weapons. The plan was to launch three K'lacht torpedoes against this hostile world. A K'lacht torpedo consisted of two different parts. The first part would operate when the torpedo made contact with earth. It would melt throught about 100 metres of rock and then release anti-matter that would annahilate everything by way of a gigantic chain reaction. One such torpedo should suffice, but Hr'Tun did not want to risk anything, hence the plan to use three torpedoes.

The Kr'hash'in took off bald after Drossierrii had disappeared behind the horizon. The spacecraft was almost fully automated and needed only a small crew. Apart from Hr'Tun, there were only 20 crew and two officers. The drive was sub atomic up to the speed of light but a recently developed Husnoch drive enabled the Kr'hash'in to exceed the speed of light by a wide margin. The principle was actually quite simple. The space in front of the spacecraft was folded up to 0.3 light years ahead depending on how fast one wanted to go. For instance, 0.2 Light Drierro was equivalent to a speed of 150 times the speed of light. This meant that the journey could be completed within 0.3 years or 4 months. The more space was folded in front of the vessel, the exponentially faster the journey would be. The top speed was 600 times the speed of light, which was directly related to the multiple dimensions that could be achieved.

Less than 3 months later, there was a lot of excitement when two astronomers coincidentally sharply focused on Neptune. "I could have sworn that I saw something move", John Rysdale said. "Have you drunk to much again?", Bruno Peterson quipped. "I am sure", John countered. He input several figures. "There! What is that!" Bruno stared at the screen utterly astonished. "That cannot be true? The speed is utterly incredible. I shall call the Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin immediately." John said: "We must also notify the White House. Oh....that is impossible! This object is now near the moon. It is abundantly clear that an alien spacecraft is on its way to our earth."

Hr'Tun commanded his second officer to enter the Kr'hash'in into a geo-stationary orbit about 1500 km above a very large city that was known as New York on earth. Drm'hotl'bak, Hr,Tun's second officer said: "I have scanned this whole world. The computer tells me that there are about 6.5 billion creatures. I believe that Ja'hu'topa would never have thought it possible that the source of the signals contained so many creatures. I have also determined that these creatures will not represent a danger to us for at least the next 219 Drierro (300 earth years) if one considers their current state of technology." "I agree with you. Perhaps would it be better to give these creatures a warning. We should destroy something completely, so that they will know that we possess convincing weaponry. I see huge constructions on the other side of that ocean. Do it now!" A few seconds later, many tourists were very afraid and astonished when suddenly the Cheops, Chephren, and the Mykerinos Pyramids started to smoke, shimmer and then soon disappeared completely.

Hr'Tun sent a short message on all frequencies to earth in 39 languages that so far had been deciphered as follows: "We are the Trellarinerii. We are very concerned about your violent behaviour and many wars. We intend to give you 100 earth years to improve your situation. Should you still wage wars after that time, we shall return and destroy your world completely. We have removed three of your constructions so that you now know that we have the technology and mean this very seriously. We will visit your world again and offer you friendship only if all of you live in peace." And so the clock started ticking.

Tags: Earth

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I live opposite a National Park that is called the  Dandenongs in Victoria, Australia. A few weeks ago, I drove my car to the top of One Tree Hill, some 5 minutes drive away and parked it there.  I felt in need of some peace and quiet, so I selected a forest track and started walking.  After some 30 minutes, I reached a spot where I saw a very small track leading away from the main one.  I explored this and barely 3 minutes later this track ended and I sat down.

Suddenly, I became aware of movement in the trees.  I noted small birds flitting to and fro and from time to time I could hear twittering.  I focused my attention on the trees and noted also multi colored birds, Parakeets and Rosellas.  I then became aware of the wind soughing through the top of the trees.  Small whisps of fluffy clouds were visisble.  It was pleasantly warm.  Then I heard "thump, thump, thump" and knew, although I did not see it, that a kangaroo was going about its business nearby.  Then a Lyrebird came briefly in view and disappeared again in the shrubs.  I heard insects buzzing all over the place.  A line of ants were parading in front of me on their way to who knows where.  Wild Rhododendrons displayed beautiful flowers and the smell of eucalyptus hung heavy in the air.  I was enthralled at the beauty of the landscape around me.  I could see the King Lake Mountains between the trees and below me, at some 35 km distance, I saw Melbourne centre with its tall buildings shrouded in a haze.

Before I knew it, a full hour had passed and I had no recollection of the fact that I had been sitting there all the time.  Spiritual teachers will tell you that I must have in the Present, in the timeless Now.  Time then ceases to have meaning.  When in the Present, you don't think of the past nor of the future.  You just are and take in the beauty of the landscape.  My thinking restarted as soon as I started to move but I was grateful for that hour of peace and quiet.

Tags: Spiritual

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