RevGen

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

Tastes good. What was the Question???? This seems to be an officially Off-topic Topic...

Tastes good.

So good to hear you are home! :clap: :clap: When the body is stressed to a severe degree, "memory" storage is not considered a "vital" function, so what is happening to you in this regard is actually more common than your docs have indicated. The most important thing to do for a recovering brain is REST, so sleep whenever you get the urge--wake up refreshed and not ashamed! Each part of the body has its own requirements for optimal function and healing...you can't play tennis with a broken arm, and you can't think-process-remember with an ailing brain. Stay away from all non-nutritive "foods". And, LAUGH at the looks on people's faces when you ask for "A glass of soap" when you were clearly thinking "juice" (not that I know anything about that)!! If you think in words, you might try writing important things down first (your comments above are well-organized and grammatically sensible). Writing and talking live in different places in the brain. If you're having trouble with connections between things, try playing a game of similarity or 6-degrees-of-separation with people to get them to guess with you half-way. Ex: I remember people by a "photo" of them in my brain with a caption about them underneath (name, occupation, etc.)...sometimes I lose the captions and can SEE who I want to reference, but can't "read" their name..."Tom Cruise" starts out as "Top Gun" + "Far and Away" + "Fired from Universal" + ...this game has ended up being good for my husband's memory as well! LOL It is very annoying for you to have these problems and may be scary for people with you to watch, so a Game can make this all just Something Different. Healing is possible in a real non-miraculous way: Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's Story If you had undergone hip surgery, you would be facing the frustration of not being able to walk for many weeks or months...give yourself the patience you would give to someone else in this situation (so easy to forget that!). And, of course, when you have no thoughts at all, you can trust that the Spirit exists in our Universe for times when words will not serve: 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. --Romans 8:25-27 (NASB, 1995) Know that we send a Daily "Roooooo" skyward for you!

Pass back the news that we continue in a spirit of prayer and support... “Smile, breathe and go slowly.” --Thich Nhat Hanh

Your own feelings should guide you in deciding if you were experiencing a Portent or a Resonance. We often take no notice whatsoever of things around us (the brain's way to keep us Sane!), and frequently take notice of particular people, objects and colors that are relevant to our current experience, mood, etc.. For example, if I say that you will begin to encounter the number 9 this week, your eyes will be drawn to all the 9s around you...not because 9s are actually more prevalent, but because I have suggested that you will see them. The color Red is associated with very strong (to the extent of being passionate) Feelings. You may have charged the air around you with your intercessory connection to family, friends and compassion for another...your brain was naturally primed to take notice of these colorful birds (or they were drawn to your vibe). Birds can signify many many things...a Group of birds resounds with Communal themes. The general demeanor of the envisioned flock reflects your resonance with others in your personal Flock. People dreaming of or experiencing contact with birds often feel exhilarated and spiritually charged...regardless of whether the birds were positively or negatively experienced. Birds are likewise traditionally associated with carrying prayers from Earth...again, resonating closely with your Purpose on this walk. Cardinals are song birds...not meat eaters or scavengers...again supporting the thesis that your experience of this flock was benign and spiritually invigorating. I would suggest that you give some thought toward channeling your more forceful emotions to increase true peace in the world, and to be assured that your daily petitions are indeed reaching their intended destination! ("The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b KJB) Yes, if anyone hears news about D., please Holla!

Wolf Circle sits gently around you. "46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road." --Mark 10:46-52

He's actually kinda fond of saying it...indicating that intimate knowledge of Christ can remove our weird Pair-of-Opposites experience. In terms of this discussion: if we can reduce the Them-vs-Us World View in ourselves, we may be able to reduce the aggressive reactions between other "disparate" parties. The things that people are urged to do for each other are not moral imperatives or rigid social paradigms, but Loving Gifts that will result in a Closer Life Experience. Women aren't Doormats, but Hard-core Helpers. Children are not Property, rather Disciples. Men are not to fancy themselves as Kings, but should dig into the emotional content of their relationships! "4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. 22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." --Colossians 3 (NASB, 1995) "1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise." --Galatians 3 (NASB, 1995)

Well, it certainly has been Used that way. I really prefer a more sophisticated read of this text (see, for instance, the forum discussion on Relativism!), since I tend to Believe that spiritual concepts worth writing down over and over and over and over are more sophisticated than Establishment-Types have been telling us. Instead of Living-In-Oneness (God would come by daily to "Walk"), Eve was offered the Experience of Opposites (Knowledge of Good-and-Evil). Both Resident Humans bit at the chance! God and Man were Divided. Man and Woman were Divided. Man and Animal were Divided. Work and Leisure were Divided. Birth and Death were Divided. Literalist and Poet were Divided. Bishop and Supplicant were Divided. And so the Universe keeps Expanding Out. We have chosen this Opposites Universe, so need to see it through to its End. Its just more super-painful for Some than for Others (a pair of Opposites!). Peace Out.

This is a recurring theme in many discussions: namely, how do we categorize/reconcile/respond to people who are trapped in a Discrete-World-View? These folks are often Raised into their beliefs from the most impressionable ages (during Magical Thinking at 4-7 years old, or as irrational teens before the age of 23 years)...they are often cravenly Fearful for their own Security and the Salvation of others. They inadvertently persecute-from-inside-the-family by placing unreasonable demands and burdens on those around them. It has been shown that the brain contains certain places involved in Religious Belief, and so it may be that some people are physically unable to resist dogmatism. Other people who have experienced Temporal Lobe "damage" report that they suddenly see and feel the Oneness of Everything! As though chains of neurons had been holding them in a World-View Prison before their accident, seizure, etc. Released them! For whatever reason(s), Dogmatists/Literalists/"Fundamentalists" live in a Prison of Right-vs-Wrong-Judgements, and are much to be pitied. How awful to be so anxious and afraid for a lifetime! In your private meditations, first send Love to someone you have Unconditional Regard for (a child works well, but yes, even your pet, if necessary), then send Love to Yourself, then send Love to those who are Close to you, then send Love to those who have Harmed you (whether by intention or accident). Pray most especially that all people everywhere may become enlightened and free from error (whether due to design or instinct). Mercy Road is a short-cut to the Peace Palace. I am filled with gratitude for your Understanding, and Bless you to continue growing in Virtue and Peace! Sorry for the Detour, but I don't think a discussion about Persecution is complete without Forgiveness...

ROFLOL!!! My question exactly! I'll see your Invisible Tattoos, and raise you Imaginary Tattoos. I've been Places in the World where I had to be politically Very Sensitive for the sake of Others...that is, making sure the people I spoke with about their spiritual lives did not get into trouble. Although this was MANY MANY MANY years ago, I still take it seriously enough to Say-No-More about it now. Since I'm not the type to see myself as particularly "persecuted", I have not much minded the askance-looking-peer, etc.. My Path goes toward Peace, and this is what I find.

May those who suffer dwell in happiness! To all sentient beings may I be a wish-fulfilling gem, a vase of good fortune, an efficacious mantra, a great medication, a wish-fulfilling tree, and a wish-granting cow. --Shantideva Wolf Circle sings for Harry tonight...

While holding Lilith notably in mind, the Wolf Circle prays: ...May all beings all breathing things all creatures all individuals all personalities may all females all males all noble ones all worldlings all devas all humans all those in the four woeful planes be free from enmity and dangers be free from mental suffering be free from physical suffering may they take care of themselves happily May all beings be free from suffering May whatever they have gained not be lost...

Sammy Sammy Sammy Love Love Love Peace Peace Peace Beauty Beauty Beauty All the Mommas, Daddys and Babies in the Wolf Circle say "Amen"

You might want to Gift yourself with Thich Nhat Hanh's book No death, no fear (Riverhead Books, Penguin Putnam Inc., 2002). This is a song he has written (and includes in the book) that can be used as a guided meditation: "This body is not me; I am not caught in this body, I am life without boundaries, I have never been born and I have never died. Over there the wide ocean and the sky with many galaxies All manifests from the basis of consciousness. Since beginningless time I have always been free. Birth and death are only a door through which we go in and out. Birth and death are only a game of hide-and-seek. So smile to me and take my hand and wave good-bye. Tomorrow we shall meet again or even before. We shall always be meeting again at the true source, Always meeting again on the myriad paths of life." You can substitute "body, birth, death" with "cancer", "chemotherapy", "nausea", "pity", etc. to suit each moment that you encounter. If you are more mathematically minded, I have written these formulas that have been helpful to many "left" brains: You are Safe right now + it is Always "right now" = You are Always Safe. Everything is OK right now + it is Always "right now" = Everything is Always going to be OK. Sink Not Swim If you find yourself in a boat on the sea: sailing into the unknowable night, just be in the boat. If you find yourself in a storm on the sea: tossed and battered, cold and afraid, just be in the storm. If you find yourself thrown into the sea: just be in the sea. -S. West (from For My Friends, Big Nose Books, 2008) We'll think of you here at Wolf Circle...keep us all updated so we can keep the Vibe ringing on the best tones! G.