Critical Mass 2017

Have you ever popped popcorn in a pot on a stove? It starts off slow-one lonely kernel, a signal. Gradually more join in until it reaches the point where the kernels are popping almost all at once-rapid-fire.

That's where we're at in terms of the awakening of Consciousness on the Planet-those who are more interested in "transforming the fabric of reality for the well-being of all," than in self-enrichment, self-aggrandizement or self-promotion are awakening and recognizing two profound truths: We are One and there's enough-and, Our time has come.

We are One and there's enough. There are enough resources and enough know-how to create a world that is pollution-free and providing abundantly for all its inhabitants. The sticking point is the ignorance that promotes greed. In order to change that the Hundredth Monkey effect has to kick in. And that depends on you-your active participation.

I've been using this particular analogy for more than a decade: Imagine humanity as a singular large body with each of us as individual cells in that body. If we want the body to be enLightened, each of us needs to focus on enLightening our own cell. The more of us who Light up our cells, the Lighter the body will be. That 'Light' is awakened Consciousness, and critical mass in terms of social engineering is a much smaller number than we imagine-somewhere between 10-17%.

Our time has come. We have reached the point where the process of awakening Consciousness is being supported on a mass scale-by Cosmic forces of Universal proportion-and whether you know it or not, if you're reading these words, you are meant to participate in this glorious transformation of a civilization and a planet.

You're not being asked to make any sacrifices, and you're not being asked to spend money you may not have. You're only being asked to step forward and say: "I'm in. I'm willing to take the simple steps that will enable Consciousness to more fully awaken in me. I'm willing to cultivate Love in my own being and generate that Love into my community in order to uplift humanity and 'transform the fabric of reality for the well-being of all.'

Get on board-this is the ride of a lifetime.

 By Sahara Devi

Source

Have you ever popped popcorn in a pot on a stove? It starts off slow-one lonely kernel, a signal. Gradually more join in until it reaches the point where the kernels are popping almost all at once-rapid-fire.
That's where we're at in terms of the awakening of Consciousness on the Planet-those who are more interested in "transforming the fabric of reality for the well-being of all," than in self-enrichment, self-aggrandizement or self-promotion are awakening and recognizing two profound truths: We are One and there's enough-and, Our time has come.
We are One and there's enough. There are enough resources and enough know-how to create a world that is pollution-free and providing abundantly for all its inhabitants. The sticking point is the ignorance that promotes greed. In order to change that the Hundredth Monkey effect has to kick in. And that depends on you-your active participation.
I've been using this particular analogy for more than a decade: Imagine humanity as a singular large body with each of us as individual cells in that body. If we want the body to be enLightened, each of us needs to focus on enLightening our own cell. The more of us who Light up our cells, the Lighter the body will be. That 'Light' is awakened Consciousness, and critical mass in terms of social engineering is a much smaller number than we imagine-somewhere between 10-17%.
Our time has come. We have reached the point where the process of awakening Consciousness is being supported on a mass scale-by Cosmic forces of Universal proportion-and whether you know it or not, if you're reading these words, you are meant to participate in this glorious transformation of a civilization and a planet.
You're not being asked to make any sacrifices, and you're not being asked to spend money you may not have. You're only being asked to step forward and say: "I'm in. I'm willing to take the simple steps that will enable Consciousness to more fully awaken in me. I'm willing to cultivate Love in my own being and generate that Love into my community in order to uplift humanity and 'transform the fabric of reality for the well-being of all.'
Get on board-this is the ride of a lifetime.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9807237

Tolerance Will Win Out

 

One day the Buddha was giving a lecture to all the monks at Jeta Grove, Sravasti. He said that long ago the Heavenly God Indra and his host of devas waged a battle against the Asuras. One day Indra said to the King of the Asuras, “Today let us not count the victor by the amount of bloodshed. Why don’t we decide the winner by holding a debate?” In response, the King of the Asuras said,  “Certainly, but who will be the judge?” Indra said, “Of the devas and of the Asuras there are beings of great wisdom and eloquence. Let us have them decide who should be victorious.” Then the King of the Asuras replied, “You may speak first.” Instead of speaking first, however, the Heavenly King humbly said, “I could speak first, but as you are the previous king of the firmament, you should have precedence. Please speak first.”

The King of the Asuras said, “A foolish person puts up with insults because of fear, and yet prides himself in believing his tolerance makes him superior to the aggressor.” Indra rejoined, “Even though a foolish person puts up with insults because of fear, being tolerant actually brings us the greatest benefits. The virtue of tolerance outweighs all the fame and fortune in the world.”

 

The King of the Asuras then said, “Lacking wisdom, foolish people need to be forced to do right. They are just like lazy cows that need to be prodded along by the horns of more vigorous cows breathing down their necks from behind. Hence, the best way to control the foolish is by whips and spurs.” The Heavenly King countered, “I think to control the foolish, forbearance is the best way.

When confronted by an agitated person, if one can wait in peace and silence, their fury will die down naturally. A person without hatred or vexations is a saint or the disciple of a saint. This is the kind of person that we should draw close to. A person whose mind is loaded with great anger and therefore gets angry easily will encounter obstacles as high as a mountain. On the other hand, if one can control one’s anger as soon as it arises, like taming a wild horse with a harness, then one will have done a good deed.”

The devas and asuras who acted as judges for the debate thought that the arguments of King of the Asuras were based on the use of conflict and force, whereas Indra advocated putting arguments and competitions to rest with a mind free of anger and malice. In consequence, all of the judges awarded Indra the victory.

The Buddha told the monks, “Indra is freest of care in the heavens because he always practices tolerance and also praises the ways of tolerance. Likewise, if you can practice and praise tolerance, then you are truly leaving the home life.” After they heard the Buddha’s talk, all of the monks felt blessed and pledged to abide by the Buddha’s teachings.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!
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What the joyous solitude of early hermits can teach us about being alone

Loneliness (feeling alone) and solitude (being alone) are not the same thing. jessicahtam, CC BY

In today’s world, loneliness seems to have reached epidemic proportions. Countless studies have highlighted the serious and negative impact that loneliness has on our health, our sense of well-being, and our ability to thrive in an increasingly chaotic world. Most recently, the urgency of the problem led the U.K. to appoint a minister for loneliness. Here in the U.S., winter is a particularly lonely time for elderly Americans.

But loneliness (feeling alone) and solitude (being alone) are not the same thing. And lessons can be learned from those who have found solitude essential for inspiration.

In praise of solitude

Solitude – being alone – has long been praised as a necessary condition for creativity. Author Virginia Woolf, in her book “A Room of One’s Own,” offered an extended meditation on the writer’s need for solitude. So did many poets. In their writings, May Sarton (“alone one is never lonely”) and William Wordsworth (“the bliss of solitude”) were especially eloquent in their praise of solitude. Poet Marianne Moore has even argued that “the cure for loneliness is solitude.”

My research on the history of religious hermits shows that there have long been individuals who seek solitude in remote and silent places, and there are many lessons to be learned from them. The etymological history of the word “hermit” is itself telling: “Hermit” comes from an ancient Greek word, “eremos,” that means both a desolate and lonely place and a state of being alone.

St. George of Choziba hermitage, Judean Desert, Israel. Kim Haines-Eitzen, CC BY

Hermits exist in many of the world’s major religious traditions: They are individuals who choose temporary or permanent solitude in remote and isolated locations, such as mountains, caves and deserts. These locations are frequently depicted as sites for revelation and transformation.

Romantic longing of solitude

The emergence of hermits in early Christianity is particularly striking.

When early Christians read their Bible, they found the word eremos referring to places for important events: the stories of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years, how Jesus went to a “lonely place” to pray, or how he was tempted by the devil in the desert. These stories evoked images of remote landscapes that most Christians never visited.

St. George of Choziba monastery, Judean Desert, Israel. Kim Haines-Eitzen, CC BY

In the fourth century, however, a monastic movement emerged in Egypt, as some Christians began to withdraw permanently into “the desert.” The harshness of a dry and barren landscape suited Christians eager to pursue an ascetic life.

A common theme in stories about early Christian desert hermits is a desire to leave the distractions of urban life and live a precarious existence in isolation in order to achieve holiness.
The most famous Christian hermit was Antony, whose story was told by Athanasius, the fourth-century bishop of Alexandria. As Athanasius tells it, Antony one day heard a passage from the Gospel of Matthew in his church:

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and come follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21)

He felt the passage had spoken to him directly.

Antony sold his property and departed for the desert. The story of Antony’s withdrawal into the desert became an example for later Christians eager to pursue solitude and contemplation. Athanasius says that, in spite of his quest for solitude, the desert “was made a city” by visitors to Antony’s hermitage and by monks who wished to emulate him. Antony needed to move into more and more remote areas to find the isolation he was seeking.

St. Anthony visits St. Paul in the wilderness. Albrecht Dürer (Germany, Nuremberg), 1471-1528.

The joy of loneliness

Eventually, forms of monasticism developed that embraced both the solitary and the communal: Monasteries developed around communities of monks in the mountains and canyons of Egypt, Sinai and Palestine. Nearby caves served as hermitages.

Is there joy in loneliness? adrazahl, CC BY-ND

This way of life was in keeping with what many Christians believed – that suffering was necessary for salvation. They praised the hermits who rejected the comforts of city and adopted the communal life. To them, the hermits were models of holiness and, paradoxically, happiness.
Loneliness was transformed into joy. Athansius describes Antony’s face as “radiant” after a long period of isolation.

The lives of hermits may seem distant from our busy contemporary lives. But the romantic appeal of an unencumbered and undistracted life has not disappeared. Hermits in the 21st century come from all walks of life, religious and secular, but share with those from the past a longing for quiet solitude and simplicity.

Could the wisdom of artists, poets, and religious hermits offer comfort in a time of loneliness today?
Kim Haines-Eitzen, Professor of Early Christianity, Cornell University
This article was originally published on The Conversation.

The complex history of 'In God We Trust'

‘In God we Trust’ on dollar bills. Stepan Lytovchenko/Shutterstock.com

In his address to the National Prayer Breakfast on the morning of Feb. 8, President Donald Trump emphasized the centrality of faith in American life. After describing the country as a “nation of believers,” Trump reminded his audience that American currency features the phrase “In God We Trust” as does the Pledge of Allegiance. He also declared that “our rights are not given to us by man” but “come from our Creator.”

These remarks come a week after Trump linked religion with American identity in his first State of the Union address. On Jan. 30, he similarly invoked “In God We Trust” while proclaiming an “American way” in which “faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of the American life.”

But the history of such language is more complex than Trump’s assertions suggest.

President Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The place of “In God We Trust,” and similar invocations of God in national life, have been a subject of debate. From my perspective as a religious history scholar they reflect a particular view of the United States, not a universally accepted “American way.”

The Civil War

Political rhetoric linking the United States with a divine power emerged on a large scale with the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. M.R. Watkinson, a Pennsylvania clergyman, encouraged the placement of “In God We Trust” on coins at the war’s outset in order to help the North’s cause. Such language, Watkinson wrote, would “place us openly under the divine protection.”
Putting the phrase on coins was just the beginning.

In 1864, with the Civil War still raging, a group supported by the North’s major Protestant denominations began advocating change to the preamble of the Constitution. The proposed language – which anticipated President Trump’s remarks about the origin of Americans’ rights – would have declared that Americans recognized “Almighty God as the source of all authority and power in civil government.”

If the amendment’s supporters had succeeded in having their way, Christian belief would be deeply embedded in the United States government.

But, such invocations of God in national politics were not to last. Despite lobbying by major Protestant denominations such as the Methodists, this so-called Sovereignty of God amendment was never ratified.

The 1849 liberty head design by James B. Longacre. National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History.

Though “In God We Trust” was added to coins, it was not added to the increasingly common paper money. In fact, when coins were redesigned late in the 19th century, it disappeared from coins as well.

As I demonstrate in my book, these developments were related to the spread of secularism in the post-Civil War U.S. For many people at the time, placing religious language in the Constitution or on symbols of government was not consistent with American ideals.

The revival of ‘In God We Trust’

The 1950s, however, witnessed a dramatic resurgence of religious language in government and politics. It was that decade that brought “In God We Trust” into widespread use.

In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill placing the phrase on all American currency. One sponsor of that legislation, Congressman Charles Bennett, echoed the sentiments that had inspired the Sovereignty of God amendment during the Civil War. Bennett proclaimed, that the U.S. “was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with a firm trust in God.”

The next year, “In God We Trust” was adopted as the first official motto of the United States.

U.S. Capitol’s ‘In God We Trust’ plaque. USCapitol (

Both of these developments reflected the desire to emphasize Americans’ religious commitment in the early years of the Cold War. Historians such as Jonathan Herzog have chronicled how leaders ranging from President Eisenhower to the evangelist Billy Graham stressed on the strong faith of the nation in setting the U.S. apart from the godlessness of Soviet communism.

Recently, however, Princeton University historian Kevin Kruse has shown that religious language was not merely rhetoric against communism. “In God We Trust” reflected domestic concerns as well.
The belief in American religiosity that put “In God We Trust” on coins and made it the national motto in the 1950s had emerged over several decades. Conservative businessmen had allied with ministers, including Billy Graham, to combat the social welfare policies and government expansion that began with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. These wide-ranging programs, designed to tackle the Great Depression, irked many conservatives. They objected to government intervention in business and Roosevelt’s support for labor unions.

As Kruse notes, this alliance of conservative business leaders and ministers linked “faith, freedom, and free enterprise.”

In this way then, President Trump’s repeated assertions of “In God We Trust” could be said to reflect certain American values. But, as my research shows, for much of U.S. history, the acceptance of such values ebbed and flowed.

“In God We Trust” is a not a motto that reflects universally shared historical values. Rather it represents a particular political, economic and religious perspective – one that is embraced by President Trump and the modern GOP.

This is an updated version of an article originally published on Feb. 2, 2018.
David Mislin, Assistant Professor, Intellectual Heritage Program, Temple University
This article was originally published on The Conversation.

Research shows smacking makes children more aggressive and at risk of mental health problems

shutterstock

It might be seen by some as one of the ultimate parenting taboos – to admit that you smack your child. Yet research from the Children’s Society reveals just 14% of adults think slapping children is unacceptable. It’s clear then that a lot of parents still see the odd smack as an acceptable form of punishment – for when all other methods of discipline have failed.

Many parents rationalise this type of punishment with the fact they too were smacked as a child and claim it didn’t do them any harm. But did it?

Recently, researchers in the US examined over 50 years’ of research involving more than 160,000 children and concluded that smacking children does in fact cause more harm than good. The researchers found smacking often “does the opposite” of what parents want and rarely results in increased immediate compliance by children. It was also shown that children who are smacked are more likely to exhibit higher levels of aggression and mental health problems as they grow up.

Smacking and the law

It is legal for a parent or carer to smack their own child in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as a form of “reasonable punishment”. This is despite the fact that current laws prohibit adults from smacking, pushing or shoving other adults – and also protect pets from violence.

Under the Children Act 2004, parents can smack their children provided it does not cause bruising, scratching or reddening of the skin. In this sense, the law limits the use of physical punishment, but it also sends out a dangerous message that it is legally acceptable to assault a child.

Spanking usually does more harm than good. Shutterstock

This is at odds with many of our European neighbours – 24 European countries have abolished parents’ right to use any form of physical punishment. And yet unlike Austria, Croatia, Denmark or Norway, in the UK parents can still smack or hit as a form of punishment.

Police, lawyers and prosecutors have the difficult task of deciding when hitting is hurting a child – both physically and mentally. The visibility of bruising is often used as a test of whether a smack has been too hard. But this is ineffective as different children have different colour skin and bruise in different ways. The current law also leaves things vague for parents, and makes it hard for them to know what degree of force (if any) it is okay to use.

Lasting consequences

An outright ban on physical punishment across the whole of the UK would be much easier to police. And it would also be consistent with the country’s obligations under international law that children must be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence.

Technically, the fact that children can still be punished using physical and mental violence is in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is something the United Nations has urged the UK government to change – instead encouraging and promoting positive, participatory and nonviolent forms of discipline and respect for a child’s equal right to human dignity and physical integrity.

Longitudinal studies show that spanking increases aggression in children. Shutterstock

Although at the time smacking can seem like a quick fix, it is clear it has long-lasting consequences. As the latest research shows, discipline involving the infliction of violence can be damaging to a child – both physically and emotionally. It is clear then that the legal acceptance of beating children must end, thereby putting the child in exactly the same position as adults and pets in respect of the law.

Ultimately, a ban on smacking would not only provide children with greater protection, but it would also let parents know clearly what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to disciplining a child. But beyond all this, it would also help children to grow up happier and healthier – and what can possibly be more important than that?
Raymond Arthur, Professor of Law , Northumbria University, Newcastle
This article was originally published on The Conversation.

Grade 8 learner stabbed at modderdam

And the story  revealed, that the victim of the stabbing and her friends have been bullying this new learner since the start of school. Her mother has been at the school everyday this week, but the school had done nothing, she then went to Lavis Saps and opened a case.

Today this girl just lost it, and stabbed one of her attackers, who is apparently related to the 28s gangs in the hele Kriefgat, her life is in danger, police took her away.

Grade 8 learner was stabbed at Modderdam few say was a girl some say is a boy and confirmation is that a girl named Ilene was stabbed.

 

Source - Gangwatch Online

Better, Healthier Baking

(Family Features) Olive oil is a flavorful and versatile cooking oil that is often trusted in popular cooking methods such as sauteing, stir-frying, dressing, marinating and grilling. It can also earn your trust when it comes to baking.

With seven olive oil varieties to fit almost any need, each Filippo Berio olive oil has its own distinct color, aroma and flavor characteristics. Among those seven, the Extra Light Olive Oil offers a delicate aroma and subtle flavor that can complement your favorite baked goods. Its high smoke point helps keep those goodies moist, and with strong flavors like chocolate, it also lets the sweetness come through.

Additionally, it provides high levels of mono-unsaturated fat (“good” fat) and low levels of saturated fat (“bad” fat), making it a more nutritional choice when compared to butter or margarine. Because you need less olive oil than butter in baking, you’ll save calories as well.
One easy way to incorporate olive oil in your baked goods is during the prep work: where recipes call for buttering or flouring pans, instead brush the pan with olive oil and dust with flour for the same effect as butter.

Avoid Olive Oil Enemies

Maintain olive oil’s flavor and quality by avoiding exposure to heat, light and air. Be sure to store olive oil in a cool, dark place and not over or near the oven.
Explore more tips and recipes using olive oil at filippoberio.com.

Dark Chocolate Souffle

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
Servings: 2

• 1/2       tablespoon Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil, plus additional for coating pan
• 1/4       cup granulated sugar, plus additional for coating pan
• 4          ounces 70 percent cocoa dark chocolate
• 1          ounce 30 percent heavy cream
• 3          egg whites
• 2          egg yolks
• pinch of cream of tartar

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Grease two 6-ounce ramekins with olive oil and dust with sugar.
2. In double boiler, melt chocolate, 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and cream; let cool. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
3. Whisk egg yolks into cooled chocolate mixture; fold in egg whites, 1/4 cup sugar and cream of tartar. Pour into prepared ramekins; bake 15 minutes.

Tips: This recipe can be easily doubled. Garnish with fresh berries, if desired.

Double-Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Salted Chocolate Caramel Icing

Recipe courtesy of Chef Sharon Sanders
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8-10

• 1/2       cup, plus 2 tablespoons, Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil, divided, plus additional for coating pan
• 1          cup all-purpose flour
• 1          cup granulated sugar
• 1/4       cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2       teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4       teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4       teaspoon table salt
• 1/2       cup half-and-half
• 1          teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1          large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4       cup, plus 1/3 cup, mini dark chocolate chips, divided
• 1          cup canned dulce de leche
• flaky sea salt (optional)

1. Position rack in center of oven and heat to 350° F. Lightly coat 9-inch round cake pan with olive oil and line bottom with parchment paper. Lightly coat parchment with olive oil.
2. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in half-and-half, 1/2 cup olive oil and vanilla. With electric mixer, beat in egg until well blended. Scrape batter into prepared cake pan and sprinkle top with 1/4 cup mini chips.
3. Bake cake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Place cake on cooling rack 10 minutes then turn cake out onto rack and let cool completely.
4. In medium saucepan, heat dulce de leche over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add remaining olive oil and chocolate chips and stir until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Remove pan from heat.
5. Transfer cake to serving plate. Pour icing over cooled cake, sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired, and serve.

Double-Chocolate Biscotti

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 40

• 3          cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2       cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2    teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/2       cup Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil, plus 1 tablespoon for coating pans
• 1          cup packed light brown sugar
• 2          eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
• 1/3       cup milk
• 1          tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1          cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate morsels

1. On sheet of waxed paper, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
2. Using electric mixer, beat olive oil with sugar until smooth and light. Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating until smooth. Add milk and vinegar; beat until smooth. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Stir in chocolate morsels with large spoon; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
3. Heat oven to 325° F. Grease two large baking sheets with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil each. On lightly floured surface, divide dough into quarters. Roll each piece of dough into log, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place logs on baking sheets, leaving space in between. Bake about 30 minutes, or until golden and set. Transfer to rack; let cool 10 minutes.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 300° F. On cutting board using serrated knife, cut each log into 3/4-inch-wide slices diagonally. Place slices, cut-side down, on baking sheets. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until toasted. Transfer to racks; let cool.

SOURCE:
Filippo Berio