Im back

It's been 5 years since I last posted on here. A lot has happened since then, its been quite a journey to say the least… Maybe I will share as I go along.

I'm back now as I feel its time to reconnect with this outlet for sharing the knowledge and wisdom that I come across on this journey. I look forward to sharing with you all again

Black Elk wisdom

Black Elk: "The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its Powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real Peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men."

The Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying, page 20

“Sometimes I think that the greatest achievement of modern culture is its brilliant selling of samsara and its barren distractions. Modern society seems to me a celebration of all the things that lead away from the truth, make truth hard to live for, and discourage people from even believing that it exists. And to think that all this springs from a civilization that claims to adore life, but actually starves it of any real meaning; that endlessly speaks of making people “happy,” but in fact blocks their way to the source of real joy.

This modern samsara feeds off an anxiety and depression that it fosters and trains us all in, and carefully nurtures with a consumer machine that needs to keep us greedy to keep going. Samsara is highly organized, versatile, and sophisticate; it assaults us from every angle with its propaganda, and creates an almost impregnable environment of addiction around us. The more we try to escape, the more we seem to fall into the traps it is so ingenious at setting for us. . As the eighteenth century Tibetan master Jikme Lingpa said: “Mesmerized by the sheer variety of perceptions, beings wander endlessly astray in samsara’s vicious cycle.”

Obsessed, then, with false hopes, dreams, and ambitions, which promise happiness but lead only to misery, we are like people crawling through an endless desert, dying of thirst. And all that this samsara holds out to us to drink is a cup of salt water, designed to make us even thirstier.”

— Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Page 20

Technology vs Humanity

As much as technology in terms of communication has created new & wonderful possibilities, it has also destroyed something very very vital about being human & our interactions. The only sense of COMMUNITY we truly have is via things like certain club/music/social scenes, or facebook. I've always felt it in the back of my mind, but it truly hit me earlier this year when I went to a small quiet retreat bang in the middle of the countryside. The local community was so tight. Everyone had their own trade, people traded locally. No such thing as going to the supermarket regularly. Even things like shampoo and soap were made locally by a lovely lady who used natural herbs, plants and flowers to make these products. And they were SO good for the skin/hair and smelt amazing. Same with the food, all grown locally, and everything they used was made and disposed of in harmony with the Earth. No chemical toxins, or rubbish, everything was recycled in one way or another. People didnt spend their days at home chilling out on facebook, looking at photos of someone on their friends list taking photos of themselves on a drunk night out or other peoples holiday pictures or commenting on some random, irrelevant status. THESE ARE DISTRACTIONS. When was the last time you read a book? These people in the community spend quality time with the ones they love in front of big fires/fireplaces, looking at the stars at night, laughing, joking. Yes, u may know most ppl on your friends list but should u really be knowing how they're feeling, what events they;re attending, seeing photos of their weekend?? Don't you have your own life to live? 90% of the shit I see on twitter or facebook is so pointless.

Id rather live life.

Flying Lotus - Zodiac

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching Ch. 59

“The mark of a free man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way.”

The battle within

An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me…It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority. The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generousity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied … “The one I feed.”

Orion Correlation Theory

“The Orion Correlation Theory is a hypothesis in pyramidology. Its central claim is that there is a correlation between the location of the 3 largest pyramids of the Giza pyramid complex and the three middle stars of the constellation Orion, and that this correlation was intended as such by the builders of the pyramids. The stars of Orion were associated with Osiris, the sun-god of rebirth and afterlife, by the ancient Egyptians. Depending on the version of the theory, additional pyramids can be included to complete the picture of the Orion constellation, and the Nile river can be included to match with the Milky Way galaxy..”

"Don't bend it, don't water it down, don't try to make it logical: Don't edit your soul according to the fashion. Rather follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly" -Franz Kafka

The Doors of Perception

I've been having very interesting and crazy dreams lately. It's got to the point now where I know I'm dreaming yet it feels like I'm not. So what I've started to do is pinch myself and touch things around me to see if I wake up, but I don't. Kinda feels like I'm physically in another dimension if that makes sense. This image sums it all up.

MOONDOG

Moondog was a blind American composer, musician, poet, and inventor of several musical instruments. He learned to play drums on a cardboard box when he was five and sat on the lap of Chief Yellow Calf and played a tomtom made from buffalo skin when his father took him to an Arapaho Sun dance. It was this exposure to Native American instruments and rhythms that would shape his music.

He removed himself from society through his decision to make his home on the streets of New York for approximately twenty of the thirty years he spent in the city. He could be found on the streets of New York wearing clothes he had created based on his own interpretation of the Norse God Thor. Because of his unconventional outfits, he was known for much of his life as "The Viking of 6th Avenue".

His song titles include names like: Tugboat Toccata, Ostrich feathers played on drums, Moondog monologue, Crescent moon march, Elf dance, Sea horse - Piano, Wind river Powwow, Cosmic meditation, Wildwood...




SPEND TIME ON THIS MUSICIAN

Genius Party

Kobyz

The Kobyz is an ancient Kazakh string instrument. It has two strings made of horsehair. The resonating cavity is usually covered with goat leather.

Traditionally kobyzes were sacred instruments, owned by shamans and bakses (traditional spiritual medics). According to legends, the kobyz and its music could banish evil spirits, sicknesses and death.

In the 1930s, when the first folk instrument orchestras were established in the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, a new kind of kobyz came into existence. It now had four metallic strings and thus became closer to a violin. Such a modernized kobyz can be used to play both Kazakh music and the most complicated works of violin literature. One of the few western musicians to use the kobyz is Trefor Goronwy.

The kyl kyyak is a stringed musical instrument used in Kyrgyz music. The instrument is carved from a single piece of wood (typically apricot) and typically measures 60-70cm. It has 2 strings, one to provide melody and the other resonance. The kyl kyyak is played vertically with a bow and can be played on horseback. The strings and bow are normally made from horse hair and many instruments feature a carved horse's head. This all reflects the importance of the horse in Kyrgyz rural culture.

I love how the ending of the song sounds like a wolf howling.

Celestial Lights

Just watched the meteor showers. Kinda puts things in perspective. It was amazingly beautiful

♥

"Why did we replace artisans, mystics and learned architects of form, function, craft and construction with numbers, noise and bright glowing screens, where industry brought us a great powerful opportunity to provide and enslave the masses, as its downfall slowly rears its ugly head, how will we now maintain the humanity that is diminishing?" -Ben Francis

Flying Lotus - MmmHmm

The Science of Conciousness

The Subversive use of Symbolism in the Media

Humans are destined to rise to the level of cosmic consciousness. Each of us is destined to actualize the level of the “Meta-Human.”

This Ascent from the present “embryonic” state cannot, however, be activated by will, desire, or any other conscious force, for it comes as a necessary predicate to human organic existence and is circumscribed by the inviolate laws of nature.

Its impulse lies seed-like within the deepest strata of the Being.

Check it out here

Crystal memory allows efficient storage of quantum information in light

Light makes for a terrific carrier of information—witness the prevalence of fiber optics in telecommunications—and the realm of quantum communication is no different. Photons are key quantum objects that can carry information over large distances and that can be entangled in relatively large numbers.

Continued here

The 7th Sign

Hopi prophecy: "You will hear of the sea turning black, and many living things dying because of it."

Gholamreza Takhti

Gholamreza Takhti, August 27, 1930 – January 7, 1968) is the most famous wrestler in Iranian history. He was most famous for his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship, and he continues to symbolize the essence of sport to the Iranian people. Takhti's family was poor, leaving Takhti with only 9 years of schooling. But he was recognized as a natural athlete and was taken into the Poolad gymnasium for further training.

In 1961, a terrible earthquake occurred in Boein Zahra in western Iran, killing 45,000. Takhti was deeply touched by the suffering. Already one of Iran's biggest stars, he began to walk one of the main avenues of Tehran, asking for assistance for the victims. He inspired other champions to follow in his footseps, and thousands gave to alleviate the suffering.

Another example of his character comes from a match in Moscow. After defeating the then-world champion Anatoli Albul, Takhti saw the sorrow on the face of Albul's mother. Takhti went to her and said, "I'm sorry about the result, but your son is a great wrestler." She smiled and kissed him.

In another instance, he had a match with Russian wrestler Alexander Medved who had an injured right knee. When Takhti found out that he was injured, he never attacked that leg. Instead, he tried to attack the other leg. He lost the match, but showed that he valued honorable behavior more than reaching victory.

Alexander Medved, out of respect, has visited Takhti's grave many times in Iran over the years.

Fars Funk

Persian Funk!

Iran was once a colourful, dynamic and exciting country. Even the Queen of Iran appeared frequently on the front cover of magazines for her grace and beauty.

During the revolution,the government ordered all households to be raided and any records that were found were destroyed. They also put a ban on female solo singers! We will not see this wonderful music die.

I showed my dad the first video and he laughed. Turns out the singer was my grandads homeboy and used to come round their house regularly when my dad was a little boy :)

Listen and enjoy!









join fars funk on myspace or find the page on facebook. If you like this music, cop Pomegranates, a collective of some of the best tunes here

One

"All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves" - Bill Hicks

To all my Hip Hop lovers, here's a sick Tribe Called Quest mix

http://www.mixcloud.com/blitzmixes/a-tribe-called-quest-salute-dec-2009/player/

Salvador Dali's dying words

"When you are a genious, you haven´t got the right to die because they are neccesary to the developement of humanity. Long live the king, long live Spain and long live Cataluña." -Salvador Dali

Volcano

The awesome manifestations of the fiery power contained deep within the Earth.

Survival International

There are over 150 million tribal people worldwide, and almost all suffer relentless persecution.

Government oppression and corporate exploitation tear tribal peoples from their lands and threaten their very existence.

Since 1969, Survival has persuaded governments to recognise tribal land ownership, forced companies to abandon harmful projects on tribal land and helped draw the eyes of the world to the issues tribal people face. But there is much still to do, and many tribes face extinction.

Get involved, you can still make a difference without donating, just by writing to embassies and governments. The website provides online letter writing tools, which makes it easier and quicker. These last indigenous peoples of the world live in harmony with Earth, relying on their land for the basis of their existence.

http://www.survivalinternational.org/

Illusion & Reality

The daily life we perceive with our 5 senses is not reality.

Nuclear war

"they talkin' about nuclear war
it's a motherfucker, dont you know
if they push that button, your ass must go
they'll blast you so high in the sky
you'll kiss your ass goodbye
radiation, mutation
hydrogen bombs, atomic bombs
what you gonna do without yo ass?"

-Sun Ra

The power of pure meditative awareness

An 83-year-old Indian holy man who says he has spent seven decades without food or water has astounded & confused a team of military doctors who studied him during a two-week observation period.

Prahlad Jani spent a fortnight in a hospital in the western India state of Gujarat under constant surveillance from a team of 30... medics equipped with cameras and closed circuit television. During the period, he neither ate nor drank and did not go to the toilet.

"We still don't know how he survives," neurologist Sudhir Shah told reporters after the end of the experiment. "It is still a mystery what kind of phenomenon this is."

"If Jani does not derive energy from food and water, he must be doing that from energy sources around him, sunlight being one".

The HipHop Declaration of Peace

The HipHop Declaration of Peace was presented to the United Nations
Organization on May 16th 2001. It was signatured by various
organizations such as: Temple Of Hip Hop, Ribbons International, UNESCO
and also by 300 Hip-Hop activists, pioneers and UN delegates.In
the first place this document recognises Hip-Hop as an international
culture of peace and prosperity. It is also a set of principles which
advise all Hip-Hoppers on how to sustain the peaceful character of Hip
Hop Kulture and to form worldwide peace.Additionally this
declaration is meant to show Hip-Hop as a positive phenomenon which has
nothing in common with the negative image of Hip Hop as something that
corrupts young people and encourages them to break the law. KRS One,
Pop Master Fabel, Afrika Bambaataa, Ralph Mc Daniels and HarryAllen
were some of the people who had their share in creating the declaration.



The HipHop Declaration Of Peace

This Hiphop Declaration of Peace guides Hiphop Kulture toward
freedom from violence, and establishes advice and protection for the
existence and development of the international Hiphop community.
Through the principles of this Hiphop Declaration of Peace we, Hiphop
Kulture, establish a foundation of Health, Love, Awareness, Wealth,
peace and prosperity for ourselves, our children and their children's
children, forever.

For the clarification of Hiphop's meaning and purpose, or when the
intention of Hiphop is questioned, or when disputes between parties
arise concerning Hiphop; Hiphoppas shall have access to the advice of
this document, The Hiphop Declaration of Peace, as guidance, advice and
protection.

First Principle

Hiphop (Hip'Hop) is a term that describes our independent collective
consciousness. Ever growing, it is commonly expressed through such
elements as Breakin, Emceein, Graffiti Art, Deejayin, Beatboxin, Street
Fashion, Street Language, Street Knowledge and Street
Entrepreneurialism. Wherever and whenever these and future elements and
expressions of Hiphop Kulture manifest; this Hiphop Declaration of
Peace shall advise the use and interpretation of such elements,
expressions and lifestyle.

Second Principle

Hiphop Kulture respects the dignity and sanctity of life without
discrimination or prejudice. Hiphoppas shall thoroughly consider the
protection and the development of life, over and before the individual
decision to destroy or seek to alter its natural development.

Third Principle

Hiphop Kulture respects the Laws and agreements of its culture, its
country, its institutions and whomever it does business with. Hiphop
does not irresponsibly break Laws and commitments.

Fourth Principle

Hiphop is a term that describes our independent collective
consciousness. As a conscious way of life, we acknowledge our influence
on society, especially on children; and we shall forever keep the
rights and welfare of both in mind. Hiphop Kulture encourages
womanhood, manhood, sisterhood, brotherhood, childhood and family. We
are conscious not to bring any intentional disrespect that jeopardizes
the dignity and reputation of our children, elders and ancestors.

Fifth Principle

The ability to define, defend and educate ourselves is encouraged,
developed, preserved, protected and promoted as a means toward peace
and prosperity, and toward the protection and the development of our
self-worth. Through knowledge of purpose and the development of our
natural and learned skills, Hiphoppas are encouraged to always present
their best work and ideas.

Sixth Principle

Hiphop Kulture honors no relationship, person, event, act or
otherwise wherein the preservation and further development of Hiphop's
culture, principles and elements are not considered or respected.
Hiphop Kulture does not participate in activities that clearly destroy
or alter its ability to productively and peacefully exist. Hiphoppas
are encouraged to initiate and participate in fair trade and honesty in
all negotiations and transactions.

Seventh Principle

The essence of Hiphop is beyond entertainment: The elements of
Hiphop Kulture may be traded for money, honor, power, respect, food,
shelter, information and other resources; however, Hiphop and its
culture cannot be bought, nor is it for sale. It cannot be transferred
or exchanged by or to anyone for any compensation at any time or at any
place. Hiphop is the priceless principle of our self-empowerment.
Hiphop is not a product.

Eighth Principle

Companies, corporations, non and not-for-profit organizations, as
well as individuals and groups that are clearly benefiting from the
use, interpretation and/or exploitation of the term Hiphop, (i.e. Hip
Hop, hip-hop,) and the expressions and terminologies of Hiphop, (i.e.
Hip Hop, hip-hop,) are encouraged to commission and/or employ a
full-time or part-time certified Hiphop cultural specialist to
interpret and answer sensitive cultural questions regarding the
principles and proper presentations of Hiphop's elements and culture;
relative to businesses, individuals, organizations, communities,
cities, as well as other countries.

Ninth Principle

May 3rd is Rap Music Day. Hiphoppas are encouraged to dedicate their
time and talent to self-development and for service to their
communities. Every third week in May is Hiphop Appreciation Week.
During this time, Hiphoppas are encouraged to honor their ancestors,
reflect upon their cultural contributions and appreciate the elements
and principles of Hiphop Kulture. November is Hiphop History Month.
During this time Hiphoppas are encouraged to participate in the
creating, learning and honoring of Hiphop's history and historical
cultural contributors.

Tenth Principle

Hiphoppas are encouraged to build meaningful and lasting
relationships that rest upon Love, trust, equality and respect.
Hiphoppas are encouraged not to cheat, abuse, or deceive their friends.

Eleventh Principle

The Hiphop community exists as an international culture of
consciousness that provides all races, tribes, religions and styles of
people a foundation for the communication of their best ideas and
works. Hiphop Kulture is united as one multi-skilled, multi-cultural,
multi-faith, multi-racial people committed to the establishment and the
development of peace.

Twelfth Principle

Hiphop Kulture does not intentionally or voluntarily participate in
any form of hate, deceit, prejudice or theft at any time. At no time
shall Hiphop Kulture engage in any violent war within itself. Those who
intentionally violate the principles of this Declaration of Peace or
intentionally reject its advice, forfeit by their own actions the
protections set forth herein.

Thirteenth Principle

Hiphop Kulture rejects the immature impulse for unwarranted acts of
violence and always seeks diplomatic, non-violent strategies in the
settlement of all disputes. Hiphoppas are encouraged to consider
forgiveness and understanding before any act of retaliation. War is
reserved as a final solution when there is evidence that all other
means of diplomatic negotiation have failed repeatedly.

Fourteenth Principle

Hiphoppas are encouraged to eliminate poverty, speak out against
injustice and shape a more caring society and a more peaceful world.
Hiphop Kulture supports a dialogue and action that heals divisions in
society, addresses the legitimate concerns of humankind and advances
the cause of peace.

Fifteenth Principle

Hiphoppas respect and learn from the ways of Nature, regardless of
where we are on this planet. Hiphop Kulture holds sacred our duty to
contribute to our own survival as independent, free-thinking beings in
and throughout the Universe. This planet, commonly known as Earth is
our nurturing parent and Hiphoppas are encouraged to respect Nature and
all creations and inhabitants of Nature.

Sixteenth Principle

Hiphop's pioneers, legends, teachas, elders, and ancestors shall not
be inaccurately quoted, misrepresented, or disrespected at anytime. No
one should profess to be a Hiphop pioneer or legend unless they can
prove with facts and/or witnesses their credibility and contributions
to Hiphop Kulture.

Seventeenth Principle

Hiphoppas are encouraged to share resources. Hiphoppas should give
as freely and as often as possible. It is the duty of every Hiphoppa to
assist, whenever possible, in the relief of human suffering and in the
correction of injustice. Hiphop is shown the highest respect when
Hiphoppas respect each other. Hiphop Kulture is preserved, nurtured and
developed when Hiphoppas preserve, nurture and develop one another.

Eighteenth Principle

Hiphop Kulture maintains a healthy, caring and wealthy, central
Hiphop guild fully aware and invested with the power to promote, teach,
interpret, modify and defend the principles of this Hiphop Declaration
of Peace.


By signaturing this document we declare our support and membership
to the one and only, real Hip Hop Kulture which is based on rules and
values presented in the aforementioned declaration. We also reject the
wrong image of Hip-Hop Kulture which is often linked with violence and
aggression or is a falsely created stereotype spread by mass media and
commercial pseudo-Hip Hop icons of pop-culture.

This document
presents the intentions of Hip Hop Kulture. When the good name of Hip
Hop Kulture will be threatened by negative actions of people who
identify themselves with Hip-Hop but do not obey the principles of this
declaration, the document (including a list of collected signatures)
shall be sent to the government institutions and mass media.

http://www.declaration-of-peace.com/en/

Christian the Lion

And this, is what we call an excellent vocal musician

Walking home

I dont think many men out there realise what women have to go through every single day. This video is an experimental piece about women ritually facing street harassment as they walk home.



A Third World Newsreel Workshop Production
in collaboration with Messages in Motion
Directed by Nuala Cabral

Cycles of Balance

Sun Salutations

p e a c e

There is not a single instance in history where hate has brought joy to human beings. Hate destroys those who hold it in their mind and bodies. If humanity released all hate, fear and resentment, then no dictator could ever rise and we would have Peace on Earth. Peace on Earth can only occur through Peace within each of us.

When the soul wishes to experience something she throws an image of the experience out before her and enters into her own image

Learning about Vortex energy spiral Earth grids at 8.30am.

Sometimes I catch myself and cant help but laugh.

Vatican Paedos

After comparing criticism of the Roman Catholic Church over abuse allegations to "the collective violence suffered by the Jews", the Vatican 'clarifies' cardinal's homosexuality abuse by linking homosexuality with paedophilia.

Vatican 'clarifies' cardinal's homosexuality abuse link

Real Talk

Zoroastrianism

The philosophy of Zoroastrianism is based on the cosmic struggle between asa (truth) and druj (lie).

it is interesting to note that the two kinds of spirits are named ahuras and daevas, similar to the asuras and devas of Hindu mythology.

The resulting conflict of truth vs faslehood involves the entire universe, including humanity, which has an active role to play in the conflict.

Active participation in life through good thoughts, good words and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep the chaos at bay.

Zoroastrianism is of great antiquity. In some form, it served as the nation of a significant portion of the Iranian peoples for many centuries before it was gradually marginalized by Islam from the 7th century onwards. The political power of the pre-Islamic Iranian dynasties lent Zoroastrianism immense prestige in ancient times, and some of its leading doctrines were adopted by other religious systems.

Although older (roughly early first millennium BCE), Zoroastrianism only enters recorded history in the mid-5th century BCE. Herodotus' The Histories (completed c. 440 BCE) includes a description of Greater Iran society with what may be recognizably Zoroastrian features. The Histories is a primary source of information on the early period of the Achaemenid eran(648–330 BCE), in particular with respect to the role of the Magi. According to Herodotus i.101, the Magi (followers of Zoroaster who had the ability to read the stars, and manipulate the fate that the stars foretold. This pejorative meaning survives in the words "magic" and "magician") were the sixth tribe of the Medians (until the unification of the Persian empire under Cyrus the Great.

Whether Cyrus II was a Zoroastrian is subject to debate. It did however influence him to the extent that it became the non-imposing religion of his empire, and its beliefs would later allow Cyrus to free the Jews from captivity and allow them to return to Judea in 539 BCE.

Many sacred Zoroastrian texts were lost when Alexander the Great's troops invaded Persepolis and destroyed the royal library there.

Two decrees in particular encouraged the transition to a preponderantly Islamic society. The first edict, adapted from a Arsacid and Sassanid one (but in those to the advantage of Zoroastrians), was that only a Muslim could own Muslim slaves or indentured servants. Thus, a bonded individual owned by a Zoroastrian could automatically become a freeman by converting to Islam. The other edict was that if one male member of a Zoroastrian family were to convert to Islam, he would instantly inherit all its property.

Under Abbasid rule, Muslim Iranians (who by then were in the majority) increasingly found ways to taunt Zoroastrians, and distressing them became a popular sport. For example, in the 9th century, a deeply sacred venerated cypress tree in Khorasan (which Parthian-era legend supposed had been planted by Zoroaster himself) was felled for the construction of a palace in Baghdad, 2000 miles away. In the 10th century, on the day that a tower of silence had been completed at much trouble and expense, a Muslim official contrived to get up onto it, and to call the adhan (the Muslim call to prayer) from its walls. This was made a pretext to annex the building. Another popular means to distress Zoroastrians was to maltreat dogs, these animals being sacred in Zoroastrianism. Such baiting, which was to continue down the centuries, was indulged in by all; not only by high officials, but by the general uneducated population as well.

Despite these economic and social incentives to convert, Zoroastrianism remained strong in some regions, particularly in those furthest away from the Caliphate capital at Baghdad. In Bukhara (present-day Uzbekistan), resistance to Islam required the 9th century Arab commander Qutaiba to convert his province four times. The first three times the citizens reverted to their old religion. Finally, the governor made their religion "difficult for them in every way", turned the local fire temple into a mosque, and encouraged the local population to attend Friday prayers by paying each attendee two dirhams. The cities where Arab governors resided were particularly vulnerable to such pressures, and in these cases the Zoroastrians were left with no choice but to either conform or to migrate to regions that had a more amicable administration. Among these migrations were those to cities in (or on the margins of) the great salt deserts, in particular to Yazd and Kerman, which remain centers of Zoroastrianism to this day.

James Brown dancing lesson

Shine

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Extinct: Andaman tribe’s extermination complete as last member dies

The last member of a unique tribe has died on India’s Andaman Islands.

Boa Sr, who died last week aged around 85, was the last speaker of ‘Bo’, one of the ten Great Andamanese languages. The Bo are thought to have lived in the Andaman Islands for as much as 65,000 years, making them the descendants of one of the oldest human cultures on Earth.

Boa Sr was the oldest of the Great Andamanese, who now number just 52. Originally ten distinct tribes, the Great Andamanese were 5,000 strong when the British colonized the Andaman Islands in 1858. Most were killed or died of diseases brought by the colonizers.

Having failed to ‘pacify’ the tribes through violence, the British tried to ‘civilize’ them by capturing many and keeping them in an ‘Andaman Home’. Of the 150 children born in the home, none lived beyond the age of two.

The surviving Great Andamanese depend largely on the Indian government for food and shelter, and abuse of alcohol is rife.

Boa Sr survived the Asian tsunami of December 2004, and told linguists, ‘We were all there when the earthquake came.

Director of the charity Survival International, which is a charity that works to protect indigenous tribes all around the world said, ‘The Great Andamanese were first massacred, then all but wiped out by paternalistic policies which left them ravaged by epidemics of disease, and robbed of their land and independence.

‘With the death of Boa Sr and the extinction of the Bo language, a unique part of human society is now just a memory. Boa’s loss is a bleak reminder that we must not allow this to happen to the other tribes of the Andaman Islands.’

Camouflage : Shapeshifting Octopus

Noble Savage Myth

The concept of what civilizations are built on is and always will be an ongoing and evolving subject. The late American mythologist Joseph Campbell maintained that civilizations are not based on science, but on myth. “Aspiration,” Campbell explained, “is the motivator, builder and transformer of civilization.” Our technological society has been built on Francis Bacon’s myth of the New Atlantis.

Competing with Bacon’s vision of a scientific society based on intelligence, knowledge and innovation, is an older, more persistent fable: the Noble Savage. The Noble Savage is not a person, but an idea. It is cultural primitivism, the belief of people living in complex and evolved societies that the simple and primitive life is better. The Noble Savage is the myth that man can live in harmony with nature, that technology is destructive and that we would all be happier in a more primitive state.

Before Christ lived, the Noble Savage was known to the Hebrews as the Garden of Eden. The Greeks called it the lost Golden Age. In all the ages of the world, otherwise intelligent and learned persons have fallen swoon to the strange appeal of cultural primitivism. In the 16th century, French writer Michel de Montaigne described Americans Indians as so morally pure they had no words in their languages for lying, treachery, avarice and envy. And Montaigne portrayed the primitive life as so idyllic that American Indians did not have to work, but could spend the whole day dancing.

Your gr/attitude determines your latitude

It's important to be grateful for everything in your life. Many people focus on one thing they want and forget to be grateful for all the things they have. Without gratitude you can't achieve anything, because if you're not emanating gratitude, then by default you're emanating ungratefulness. Be proactive... and use the frequency of your being to receive what you want.

The Gaslamp Killer

Crackdonalds

"Light-Echo" from an Exploding Star

Imagine a camera-flash in space ... it's an expanding sphere of light.

In this photo we have a star which has exploded. We are seeing the light-burst traveling outwards in all directions as it illuminates dust and gas previously blown-off by the star.

Size comprehension -
our entire Solar System would fit easily inside the red aura around the star, look again at the dates on the images and remember that light travels at roughly 186,000 miles per second and these pics span 6 months at that speed.

SCALP DEM

Kalash tribe - Pakistan

"A belly dansah, a snake chaaaarmah"

Happy 2010

balls

I would happily rock this

The Crystal Master

"SWAG"