Amicorum sunt communia omnia

"Amicorum sunt communia omnia." -Greek Proverb
Friends hold all things in common.

To live a life above the strife
existence devoid of senseless resistance
can one be so free in this crazy society?
hard to imagine that the commune even happens
from the kibbutz to the tribes to all people with communal lives
outside the madness of the main hive where the robots strive to stay alive
In the ages many sages chose to walk away from the charade
a hard path, but nothing really lasts
so why not take a stroll in tune with the commune?
as the social weather grows dark and the situation is stark
the crashing of the everlasting assault by the millions
can abate if you don't hesitate to move to your own grove
take a place and make it your own sacred space
in the land of careless excess and abandon
it's hard to be sure of where you are standing
but if you take the time and rearrange your mind
you too can join with nature and commune with the sublime

This Week

This last week was an interesting one. Like a colossal chessboard with all the pieces in play the tangled web of our modern world forms a mosaic of breathtaking proportions. The hyper consumers are seeing their world of excess fray at its edges whilst the rest reel and squeal under the oppressive authority of the former. People on both sides of the divide are beginning to perceive the impermanence of the status quo and dreaming desperately about what shall come next. The omnipotent and uncompromising environment of our earth is no longer the endlessly exploitable ally that we have grown so accustomed to, and is now reacting to our flurry of activity. In the flowing phantasmagoria that is our collective reality the scientific proverb that energy can neither be created nor destroyed seems perfectly personified in our actions. Although the game is far along, its outcome remains undefined as the generations break upon the rocks of ruthless reality. Still we seem forever in the gentle embrace of the universe which holds us with the loving arms of an eternal mother.
Asia- India and Pakistan both suffer from the temerity of terrorists. Playing people like a microphone, as the bodies pile up, the meaning of their death becomes nothing but a continuation of the cacaphony of senseless human suffering that has sadly been the history of our species. A massive attack upon the Marriott hotel in Islamabad and a story that the Pakistani military fired upon US helicopters that entered its airspace from Afghanistan shows that the situation is escalating daily. The density of population that Asia has attained has become a liability that seems to alter all aspects of inhabitation. The incalcubale scope of what is occuring in this vast scene makes the rest of humanity pale in comparison. In China a large scale tainted milk scandal once more undermines the ruling Communist Party (Four children have died and about 13,000 remain in hospital). The 1.2 billion Chinese are starting to accert their right to think on an ever increasing scale; as often happens with the growth of a powerful middle class. North Korea has commenced working on its nuclear program again despite promises to stop. Rumors are once more circulating of Iran efforts to become a nuclear power, with a report claiming that they have altered a ballistic missle to carry a nuclear payload.

Europe- As the Large Hadron Collider built by CERN runs its tests meant to ascertain the building blocks of nature it seems as though the Old Country is becoming an island of introspection with its low birth rates, high standard of livng and complex history. Since Nato is still actively involved in various conflicts Europe remains very much on the side of the US led world order.

North America- The recently conquered continents people spend another week witnessing the sad spectacle that has become the campaign for president. Cynicism and idealism fuse into one indistinguishable mass with the American public tragically misinformed and manipulated personify the problems and folly of our approach to life. Deepening economic turmoil leads to the largest governmental intervention in the market seen since the Depression. As the Americans continue to export the orthodoxy of Friedman style capitalism upon much of the rest of the planet, the hypocracy is reaching astral heights. Meanwhile, the investment bank model, that has been a cornerstone of Wallstreet for decades is now being abandoned en masse with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both closing shop and switching over to being a regular bank. In a telling move the short selling of stock on about 800 financial institutions was banned until October 2nd, showing the severity of the crises now taking hold at the nexus of the modern market economy.

South America- The political passion that has long distinguished this mixed and virulent land as a poeticly painful performance is in full swing. Economic trouble when added the centuries old conflict between land owner and peasant, have and have not, continues to define the mentality of Latin America. Like a symphony of sweet surrender and bitter struggle the region continues to be a shinning example of the resiliance of hope against our cold and cruel age of excess and exploitation.

Africa- MEND has launched an all out assault against the oil industry in the Niger Delta that promises to prevent a large portion the areas petroleum to ever reach the lucrative markets of the industrialized world. Mbeki was deposed as South Africa's president leaving the leadership of the country in flux. The birthplace of mankind struggles under the intervention of the outside world to reap the land of resources.

Our Week World

So I've concluded that as much fun as my random ramblings are for myself, they serve very little purpose for others. Thus have I decided to start posting a weekly report to give people a little taste of what transpires on the world stage whilst we mumble, bumble and stumble through the perennial 7 day cycle. Your lifespan will consist of approximately 650,000 hours, which breaks down to a little under 4,000 weeks. This number when compared with the length of human history, or the existence of our lovely little planet Earth, really isn't all that much. Sadly our subatomic structure, for some unknown reason, doesn't like sticking together for any longer. There are many ways to deal with the infinitesimal nature of our existence, the most effective seems to be the grandiose madness of organized activity. This can include just about every aspect of human society. From warfare to religion to procreation and economic activity, it all distracts remarkably well. I myself love to take in the serendipitous show, primarily because it is the only show in town worth watching in my opinion. Some people call it cruel, savage, amazing, complex and a lot of other adjectives; I just see it as breathtakingly beautiful. All those who complain about it remind me of all those art critics that can't produce a damn thing on their own yet feel justified criticizing the work of others. I have an immense amount of empathy for people, but at the same time I acknowledge that this is the path we have collectively chosen to walk down and as a result we have the modern world. I'm the first to admit that the performance isn't what many of the actors want it to be, but the cast generally doesn't write the script. As much fun as imagination and small scale entertainment is, I have yet to find the equal of the main stage. Just as in any performance, you shouldn't take the actors too seriously for the parts they play, it is just their way and given enough time it all becomes OK. The performance has been going of for several thousand years and the story is really starting to get good, so without further ado, allow me to inform you-
Americas- Political crises in Bolivia threatens to spiral out of control. President Morales' economic plan to redistribute the income generated from natural gas to his poor constituency leads to clashes. Wealthy elites of the 4 richest provinces threaten to secede if forced to share revenues with the poor native majority. In a related development Bolivia and the US have each expelled each others diplomats as tensions rise. Hugo Chavez has followed suit by expelling the US ambassador there and threatening all manner of economic and military retaliation if the US tries to interfere with Bolivian politics. Bolivia is the poorest country and the one with the largest percentage of Amerindians on the continent; it also has a tradition of having the shortest lived governments in the region (which is saying something). The battle is primarily over a desire to us the countries massive natural gas reserves to benefit the countries impoverished population, which is completely the opposite of the model used since conquest by the Spanish in 1533.
Asia- With the Occupation of Iraq and Palestine continuing, the war in Afghanistan escalating and neighboring Pakistan looking dangerously close to full scale civil war, South West Asia looks primed for a regional war. Iran's continued efforts to pursue an independent course in the middle of the US led attempt to establish military dominance, when added to newly confident Russia asserting itself in the area, threat of a full scale bloodbath seems far less like a possibility and much more like a certainty. India has also been dealing with a rise in bomb attacks and continued tension in Kashmir. Kim Jong Il of North Korea has apparently had a stroke which raises the issue of what will happen when the nuclear armed and wildly independent country whose government is based as much on a cult of personality as it is any Marxist ideology finds itself without a leader. In short, just another week in Asia.
Africa- It appears that MEND (movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta) has decided to shun peace talks with the central government and once again take its war to the various corporations sucking up oil. Pressure has been increasing upon Robert Mugabe to start sharing some power. His continued ability to maintain control of the country amid the highest inflation rates in the world (11.2 million percent), opposition from every other country, and a record of human rights violations is a testament to the brute force his regime can exert upon its own people. This sets a crucial standard as countries all over Africa (Sudan being one of them) begin to use violence as an acceptable means of keeping power amid huge epidemics of disease and countless rebel movements.
North America- Aside from a Hurricane and the continued decline of the economy, US citizens spent more time concerned over their coming election. Both sides have now announced VP's and are launching all out media blitz's meant to mold the malleable minds of Americans to their various schemes, a large number of which are nothing but demagogic lies meant to mobilize people upon knee-jerk emotional responses to problems which the leaders have no real desire or ability to solve. Much of the rest of the world looks on with astonishment and terror as our two potential leaders each assert their ability to run not only this country, but also police the planet.

stole soul

So we born so we die
yet everything's copacetic
only the dreamers ask why
so no need to be apathetic

As far as I can see
we are all born free
yet we still enslave our brain
making existence simple and plain

for when I cast my gaze at life
behold a dramatic exercise in fantasy
a distaste for pain yet much strife
no easy escape through simplicity

As difficult as the path may seem
this journey seems to make me wise
just enough hope to allow me to dream
being a visionary through the sea of lies

Don't talk to me of resistance
that just leads to mass persistence
and has always been the primary basis
for our brutally cruel mind numbing stasis

Opposition just lead to more insanity
in this game we affectionately call humanity
Changing our complicated ways is so very hard
but how many times we gunna play the same card?

I think we are finally approaching the brink
becomes painfully clear no matter what we think
happiness and balance are the two things we can't
make manifest even if we try our best with the rant

Proverbs

In our over verbalized age it is a pleasure to hear succinct truth expressed in the refined language of brilliance. Here are some great proverbs from Zen Masters, followed by some Indigenous ones.

A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died. Hakuin answered 'How am I supposed to know?'
'How do you not know? You're a Zen master!' exclaimed the samurai.
'Yes, but not a dead one,' Hakuin answered.
Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish your opinions.
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
In the landscape of spring, there is neither better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally, some long, some short.
It takes a wise man to learn from his mistakes, but an even wiser man to learn from others.
Knock on the sky and Listen to the sound.
The ten thousand questions are one question. If you cut through the one question, then the ten thousand questions disappear.
The tighter you squeeze the less you have.
The ways to the One are as many as the lives of men.
Though the bamboo forest is dense, water flows through it freely.
To do a certain kind of thing, you have to be a certain kind of person.
To follow the path, look to the master, follow the master, walk with the master, see through the master, become the master.
To know that there is nothing to know, and to grieve that it is so difficult to communicate this "nothing to know" to others - this is the life of Zen.
When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear.
When you reach the top, keep climbing.
Why do you ask questions? If you already knew the flame was fire then the meal was cooked a long time ago.
I only know a snowflake cannot exist in a storm of fire.
A weed is a plant whose virtues are only waiting to be discovered.
Women may spend their whole lives looking for true love. If you wish for true love, learn to love yourself.
You do not wait for fulfilment, but brace yourself for failure.
A river too pure, yields no fish.
At first, I saw mountains as mountains and rivers as rivers. Then, I saw mountains were not mountains and rivers were not rivers. Finally, I see mountains again as mountains, and rivers again as rivers.
Zen students must learn to waste time conscientiously.
No yesterday, no tomorrow, and no today - Sheng-ts'an
If the problem has a solution, worrying is pointless, in the end the problem will be solved. If the problem has no solution, there is no reason to worry, because it can't be solved.
"Our first teacher is our own heart." Cheyenne
"If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove" Cheyenne
"All who have died are equal." Comanche
"Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf. " Cree
"The one who tells the stories rules the world." Hopi
"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave." Dakota
"The bird who has eaten cannot fly with the bird that is hungry." Omaha
"Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, Wisdom is of the future." Lumbee
"We are all one child spinning through Mother Sky." Shawnee
"Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." Hopi
"It's impossible to awaken a man who is pretending to be asleep." Navajo
"You cannot see the future with tears in your eyes." Navajo

Check it Out

After reflecting upon my last blog, I realized that the alternative to being cornered in our society is not as clear for most as it is for me; so I shall elaborate. Beholding the world of the humans in its expansive insanity and brutality requires a complete commitment to reality and what it stands for- survival. It has gone totally out of fashion lately to admit that the survival of our species, and the world that provides everything it consumes, is our primary concern and operates totally independent of any petty morality. We've inherited many antiquated concepts that accumulated over the course of our journey to the present that are utterly useless in terms of our present condition. I firmly believe that if mankind is going to accomplish anything beyond what we have thus far it is going to require a streamlined version of what is presently called humanity. All the self indulgent megalomaniac nonsense that we expend so much of our energy on will very soon become a luxury we can no longer afford. My advice is simple, learn as much as you can and make the most of your time here. Life is a canvas upon which our actions paint pictures. The thoughtful and committed human living up to his or her full glory is a beautiful thing, and the only path worth walking in my opinion. If such is how you choose to roll, when your present manifestation is over you will have left behind a piece of inspirational art that furthers the cause of life in the infinite expanse of the universe.
"It's impossible to awaken a man who is pretending to be asleep."
"You cannot see the future with tears in your eyes."
Navajo Proverbs

Cornered

"To protest in the name of morality against 'excesses' or 'abuses' is an error that hints at active complicity. There are no 'abuses' or 'excesses' here, simply an all pervasive system." -Simone de Beauvoir
As my knowledge of the system increases with my careful study the scale, scope and organization becomes intoxicating in its complexity. People spend whole lifetimes absorbed in the minutest aspects of our complicated world, still not even exhausting that one field of study. This leads to a sectarian society in which many people are on completely different but parallel paths, all under the umbrella of the system. We all find our little corner to inhabit and operate within; which in order to do so we must tacitly embrace the order which permits and facilitates it. The reality of this situation is in no way more clearly demonstrated than in the fact that the political and corporate powers that rule this land need never justify their actions in any rational format. We all know, on some level, where this fantastic wealth that creates our little corners comes from, and thus can only criticize individual aspects that we consider 'immoral' and never the system which neccesitates it. This allows people to not take that virtually impossible mental jump from 'I want change' to 'I will change'. Especially when one realizes in horror that any direct action to oppose the beast which you have found ruling your life makes you the enemy of virtually everyone you know. Their is a way out, but not through ideology or compromise. In a compromise between good and evil only evil can ever benefit. What is 'evil' you might ask- that which destroys life. Don't be afraid when confronted with the monolithic power of the herd, for it is always ready to change course, but the prerequisite is to come out of our little corners and forsake them.
"There are no chains of houses; there are no crowds of men. The colossal diagram of streets and houses is an illusion, the opium dream of a speculative builder. Each of these men is supremely solitary and supremely important to himself. Each of these houses stands in the centre of the world." --G. K. Chesterton

Reality

It has become remarkably popular lately to deny the existence of an objective reality independent of individual human perspective. This is probably the result of academia and politics, both of which have been so self centered that they find it possible to postulate just about anything. They certainly can't be entirely to blame, because they merely create the path, it is the rest of humanity that must tacitly accept it. Reality is not something that can be denied ad infinitum however. The current trend of consuming more than you produce and polluting to an extent that makes our existence untenable are rather glaring testaments to realities uncompromising nature. Science does its best to deal in terms of objective reality, and the testing of theories through the crucible of what is real has made it advance. The social sciences (a hilarious oxymoron) and political thought (another) has operated in a mental void in which reality need not apply. Politicians make incredibly absurd claims that are so inherently contradictory that even questioning their logic requires one to enter that void in which reality and the human facility that detects it, logic, simply can't exist. The fallacies that belch out of the brain factories are a little more difficult to detect, not because they are any less ridiculous, merely because they use more words and arguments so daft that it takes years of expensive training to even consider them as conceivably true. The people of the world seem to have been caught hook, line and sinker in this imbecilic charade. When a person drowns it is because they are forced underwater so long that in panic their brain forces them to breath the water in the desperate assumption that it is in fact air; with the predictable result of death. Much in the same fashion when people are surrounded by an endless ocean of falsities they eventually, out of desperation or depravity, begin to swallow, with the predictable result. I personally am a lifelong fan of reality because it is the only path to any solution to a problem. Trying to solve anything when you fail to perceive the intrinsic nature of the problem is impossible, and yet that is how we are currently going about it. All the ideology, faith and ambition in the world won't cure a single significant problem facing us humans. It's scary out here in reality, no hiding that fact, but things are only going to get worse if people remain willfully ignorant or delusional. Here are some of my favorite quotes on reality by some other humans-
"I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."
-Groucho Marx
"How hard it is, sometimes, to trust the evidence of one's senses! How reluctantly the mind consents to reality."
-Norman Douglas
"Humankind cannot stand very much reality."
-T. S. Eliot
"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality."
-Henry David Thoreau
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
-Martin Luther King Jr.