DO you believe there is a GOD and why?

[Nagual LoneWolf]

Welcome to the Separate Reality forums. Can you describe the experience?

[The Messiahist]

Thanks for the welcome.





I always had this ability, for some strange reason, where I am able to see into the future through dreams. I started getting dreams
that I would end up in a certain jail because of a certain thing, so it was. I had dreams of doing certain things that I never
thought I would do nor planned on doing and yet so it was. In fact, I even foresaw the tsunamis coming, as there are still some to still come, mainly toward
North America (it appears as Washington State and California await their tsunamis). Anyway, I could write a whole book but that's not my goal here. I
started getting dreams where they were warnings that I need to stop living such a wicked life, and yet I still continued, ignoring what I foresaw, to only have
the harm come upon me that I foresaw, and to only wonder what kind of being I must be to foresee my own future and not be able to do almost anything about it.
It seemed to me that the warning dreams I could manipulate, as if they were saying I need to stop before it happens, and when I didn't it happened. I had
dreams of some of my friends becoming religious and it was so, which seemed kind of strange to me since there was no sign apparent that they would, and why was
I foreseeing someone else's futures? I'm still not too certain about that.





I recall walking one day down the street, not that far away from my house, in a sober state of mind, and all the sudden, I heard what
seemed to be an internal and yet distinguished voice started talking in my mind to me as if it was God. I started freaking out because I thought I was
developing schizophrenia, but in all my life, that only happened to me once, so I wouldn't blame it on schizophrenia.





I recall driving with my friend to a pool club. When we got there, there wasn't anyone there except for a few people, but they were
all inside. I didn't want to be there so I went to his car. I set there for a little bit and I heard what was, strangely enough, omnipresent knocking (as
if on a wooden door), three times. I thought it was someone on the car's window, but looking around for a bit in all directions, there wasn't anyone
there. Then I thought I was hallucinating, but I was sober, so it was weird. A few minutes later, again with the knocking (three times), I looked around and no
one was there, so I check my friend's car stereo, but it was off, and then I looked if there was some kind of device that was making the sound, but I
couldn't locate anything, and I thought it was strange since a device doesn't make such omnipresent sounds, especially knocking. So, I excused it as
something strange happening and started to relax a bit to only have the knocking once more be heard, and that's when I totally freaked out and kept the
matter to myself, supposing I was experiencing something greater than myself (not once did I think it could have been God trying to get my attention). There
was complete silence outside the car the whole time, so it wasn't external sounds. Some thirty or fourth minutes later my friend came back and we left that
area, but I didn't share with him this experience, for it freaked me out.





I recall strange stuff started to happen to me whenever I would try to get high on marijuana. All kinds of strange hallucinations that
freaked me out, and one near death experience where I seemed to have O.D. I do recall this one incident where I was getting less high (my high was coming
down), and I was walking down the street at night, and all the sudden, the sky turned red, and it seemed like the sky was flames and yet transparent, and I
heard loud laughing coming from the sky, that one did a number on me, for I thought to myself how could something as marijuana cause such a hallucination. This
other incident, I get high on marijuana and went to Fred Meyers to listen to some music on their devices with earphones where you scan a CD and you listen to a
few of the sample tracks. Anyway, I started having this weird feeling as if I was dead, and the I felt like I was about to truly
drop dead. Only after I stopped listening to the rap music and got outside for some fresh air was and sat there for a good hour was I able to get rid of the
strange feeling that came over me. Something wasn't allowing me to enjoy marijuana anymore. It got worse off from there, but I won't mention those
incidents since they might even freak you out to hear about such things.





I went through Boot Camp at the age of 17 as an alternative option opposed to a year in juvenile jail. At Boot Camp, I get more sober
since drugs weren't allowed there. After I graduate from Boot Camp, or finished my sentence there, I went home. This still didn't stop my wicked ways,
although it did slow them down a lot. My mistake was starting up smoking again, for I became addicted to smoking cigarettes again.





Much later on, in my twenties, one of my friends who became religious, invited me to go to church with him.
The first time, he asked me to go to the front of the church and pray for forgiveness for all the bad stuff I did. I did so, and some guy came to me and laid
his hands on my shoulder and prayed also. And then he told me friend that there was something wrong. I felt a little change, a little burden off my chest, but
there was something still pulling me towards wickedness. Then, months later on, he took me to a different church and asked me to go to the front and pray for
forgiveness for all the wrong things I did, but I said what good was it, and he argued with me a little and then he finally said he'd go up there with me,
so I agreed to go. I got on my knees and started praying and asking forgiveness, only this time I prayed out loud and more determined. Then some guy came up to
me and laid his hands on my should, and nothing appeared to happen, I was still praying in my own language when all the sudden I was praying something unheard
of, I felt a force in me and yet through me, I felt my mouth moving and speaking extremely fast, way beyond my capability to duplicate such speed and numerous
unknown words or whatever it was, and yet I had full awareness of myself and that my mouth was speaking on its own its own words. I got a bit scared and tried
to stop it, and boy was that hard. The guy, who put his hands on my shoulder, saw that I was freaking out and wondering what's going on, so he came up to
me and said just let it happen, and I stopped struggling and words continued to flow out of my mouth at great speeds, it was almost as if I was speaking more
than one language at the same time from one mouth. Anyway, after I was done, I felt such great peace that it rocked my world, I was surprised and wondered what
this was. My friend later on told me that I received the Holy Spirit and that I was praying in unknown tongues, although some people there did understand what
I was praying.





Some times after that I was to this guy's house, where a few Ukrainians gathered together to pray. I
didn't know the people and they didn't know me. And this one woman started prophesying, and I felt within me that it was towards me, I felt this pull.
But I didn't pay head to it, and when we all stopped praying, she asked me why I didn't come over to her when she called me. I didn't answer
because I didn't know what to say. Anyway, she got the recorder and where did rewind the tape and play that part again, and then she interpreted what it
meant, and it freaked me out a bit, for the message was strong. I won't share what it said, for it's personal. Then there
was another time where I went to a church where devoted Ukrainian got together to pray, and yet here also there was a prophecy towards me. This was also
came true, and yet I'll keep it to myself.





I started having spiritual dreams, dreams where I was in great presence, dreams where I saw Jesus, dreams where I saw what seems to be
my yet-to-be resurrected body, and even dreams of what is yet to come concerning me and the world. As I started living a more holier
life, I started having invasions in my dreams by other beings, whether those beings are demons or some other evil forces, I do not know but their cause
wasn't good. I even had debates with some of these beings. And there was this one spirit dream where what seemed to be angels came to my protection against
some strange force. Then there was this dream where I was in my room, and two beings came in my room and they started laughing like crazy, so I got angry and
followed them, wondering why they were in my house, and I attacked them, and in the middle of the battle the dream ended. In this other dream, a old guy with
white hair came to into my room, said do not be afraid and started to teach me something that I cannot recall, I for some strange reason felt inside me that he
was one of the Apostles, mainly Apostle John, but I wasn't too sure what to make of this visit. Anyway, I had many spiritual dreams that made no sense to
me from a worldly perspective.

[Hawkeye Crow]

Is it not possible that these visions and events are the results of our expectations or focus on various worries and obsessions? Is there really any cure
for failure other than to work at advancement?




God and Evil , Negative and Positive . Although we must live and deal with these things , are there any answers in the silence between these dualities?

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

Is it not possible that these visions and events are the results of our expectations or focus on various worries and obsessions? Is there really any cure for
failure other than to work at advancement?




God and Evil , Negative and Positive . Although we must live and deal with these things , are there any answers in the silence between these dualities?





It has been my experience that there is no mistaking a True Spiritual Experience with anything we can imagine or fear in our "mind's eye".


Spiritual experience goes beyond any expectations or imaginations.


I could make comparisons like an etch-a-sketch compared to HDTV or cartoons compared to reality etc.


But these are much too pale to tell the story correctly.




"Is it not possible that these visions and events are the results of our expectations.."




If you think that you are not even close.




1 Cor 2:9



"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him.



But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."



As far as silence goes, it is a doorway to these things. Not the thing itself.

[The Messiahist]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

Is it not possible that these visions and events are the results of our expectations or focus on various worries and obsessions? Is there really any cure for
failure other than to work at advancement?




God and Evil , Negative and Positive . Although we must live and deal with these things , are there any answers in the silence between these dualities?





The thing is, that I had thousands of such events to confirm for my, personally at least, that there is something great out there. I call that great one out
there EL ELYON, Most High God. You see, other people have different beliefs and call that one something else. And that's fine, because that's there
belief.




I have no other explanation for all my experiences that I had and continue to have.

[Bob May]

The Messiahist wrote:





The thing is, that I had thousands of such events to confirm for my, personally at least, that there is something great out there. I call that great one out
there EL ELYON, Most High God. You see, other people have different beliefs and call that one something else. And that's fine, because that's there
belief.




I have no other explanation for all my experiences that I had and continue to have.





Exod 6:3



Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with
a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.



And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:



And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty (Shaddai), but by my name JEHOVAH (IHVH) was I
not known to them.



And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were
strangers.





You are correct even in the Bible the names may change because our undestanding changes. Different aspects of the One. There are many names to designate God (a
generic term) There is One God, One Spirit with many functions. Just as I am a brother, nephew, uncle, father and son. It's all me.

[Blue totem]

Like Lujan said, seeing is believing...




I grew up as a non-practicing catholic. So I tend to have a shallow description of God from Christianity. I cant say religion as not left a certain mark on me.
But I`m not a believer. Actually, I turn towards Asian and Hindu beliefs, and also Nagualism.




I rarely pray. But it happens. And my prayers have been answered before, it happened. So I`m not sure who this God-spirit is, how he thinks, what he does, and
why he does it. But I think and believe there is something greater than us out there, something that is incomprehensible to our human condition.

[Hawkeye Crow]

Semantics is the study of not just the meaning of words , but , among other things , the emotional and mental effect , especially in a social context , that
words have. Just look at election campaigns and government propaganda. The word 'God' is loaded with all kinds of connotations which affect people
in various ways. Just something to consider.




As a mortal , I cannot deny all that is beyond my abilities or understanding. Also , I do not deny mystical or spiritual experience , that of prophecy, etc.




I have had a few of my own , while sober, by the way. But, the first thing that came to me , as to words, is that the term , 'supernatural' is an
oxymoron because everything is natural , if , or even if not, one believes in a creator. For instance , if I had landed among aboriginals , say 200 years ago
, in a Cadillac, surely I would have been seen as a god or supernatural. Heck , that was possible in some areas 50 years ago. There is no supernatural , only
the UNKNOWN.





So , you can call it God or whatever, but no human knows for sure. And , solidifying beliefs is dangerous in the extreme to the continuation of human life.
Don Juan also said that it's not about a moral code , but , and I agree , knowing what and how things work and behaving within those limits. Remember
that the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again with the same result : failure.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

"Semantics is the study of not just the meaning of words , but , among other things , the emotional and mental effect , especially in a social context ,
that words have. Just look at election campaigns and government propaganda. The word 'God' is loaded with all kinds of connotations which affect
people in various ways. Just something to consider."




So unload it! If the connotations are wrong them drop them. If you call yourself a seeker of Truth you should know that it is not held out on a silver
platter. It takes some effort.




"As a mortal , I cannot deny all that is beyond my abilities or understanding."




Understanding is one of the Spiritual Gifts.




" Also , I do not deny mystical or spiritual experience , that of prophecy, etc."




But you don't believe in the giver of such experiences?




"I have had a few of my own , while sober, by the way. But, the first thing that came to me , as to words, is that the term , 'supernatural' is
an oxymoron because everything is natural , if , or even if not, one believes in a creator. For instance , if I had landed among aboriginals , say 200 years
ago , in a Cadillac, surely I would have been seen as a god or supernatural."




If you would have landed in New York City in a Cadillac 200 years ago it would have been just as impressive.




" Heck , that was possible in some areas 50 years ago. There is no supernatural , only the UNKNOWN."




To equate God with the unknown is incorrect. Once the unknown is known it is part of your tonal.




"So , you can call it God or whatever, but no human knows for sure."




You base this assumtion on what?




"... solidifying beliefs is dangerous in the extreme to the continuation of human life."




So can be not solidifying them. What you just said has no meaning, yet you say it with such authority that I can see your belief is completely solidified.




Don Juan also said that it's not about a moral code , but , and I agree , knowing what and how things work and behaving within those limits.




Don Juan also said that awareness begins at conception. You write a lot about the insults to a bear cub carcass and not insulting animals etc. But you seem
to be fine with Obama's not signing a bill to require a doctor come to help a newborn baby after a botched abortion. You are correct in your claim that
you agree about no moral code.




"Remember that the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again with the same result : failure."




Again semantics.


That definition of insanity is ..doing the same thing over and over while EXPECTING DIFFERENT results. And taking responsibility for our own actions is a
basic tenet of Don Juan's philosophy. Abortion is anathema to that philosophy.




It sounds to me like your belief system is pretty solid. Keep up the good work.




But your stated beliefs make very little sense.


You believe in Spirit and yet you do not believe in God. The Bible says "God is Spirit."


You seem to be against any religion out there, and I can understand that. Religion has truly messed up people's ability to understand Truth in many
instances.


I see the harm religion can do yet I don't throw out the book. No matter what belief system you hold there is much Truth there.




Anyone can twist a philosophy to their own ends but a seeker of Truth must look past APPARENT discrepancies in order to find that Truth.

[Hawkeye Crow]

Bob May , you are just so certain about some things. You should drop that and invite mystery and not-knowing.




Along Christian thought , try what I'm doing now , read Nikos Kazantzakis' "The Last Temptation of Christ " . I intend to post excerpts on
this forum as soon as I can. It's about possibilities , and the madness of ancient Romans and Hebrews. The author is a Greek 'Hemmingway' who
returned to the faith , also , the author of 'Zorba the Greek' .






Please , let's not mold God in cement.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

"Bob May , you are just so certain about some things."




Yes, I am. That is true. But there are many more things that I am uncertain and even unaware of.




"You should drop that and invite mystery and not-knowing."




Drop the few things I'm certain of? Not on your life. It took many years and effort to become certain of some things.


The Mysteries never end and never will. There is no need to invite them, just look into them and seek them.


"Inviting not-knowing" sounds like your own invention or misinterpretation of Don Juan's teachings. I really don't know what you mean by
that but it sounds too much like altzheimer's for me to be interested. I think I'll pass on that one but thanks anyway.




"Along Christian thought , try what I'm doing now , read Nikos Kazantzakis' "The Last Temptation of Christ " . I intend to post
excerpts on this forum as soon as I can. It's about possibilities , and the madness of ancient Romans and Hebrews. The author is a Greek
'Hemmingway' who returned to the faith , also , the author of 'Zorba the Greek' ."




I'll read your excerps and see if it looks worth a read.






"Please , let's not mold God in cement."




I would not think of it. What I am certain of is that He exists. If I said that I was not certain of this I would be a liar.


If it bothers you that someone can be certain of such a thing, then maybe you have a mystery that needs looking into.

[Hawkeye Crow]

As don Juan said to Carlos, "Of course you would see God as male. "

[Hawkeye Crow]

An old man in the crowd asks Jesus a question , stating that he has followed all the Hebrew laws and rituals completely.


'Mine is a great grievance , Rabbi. When shall I see the Lord ; when shall I find peace ? '


Jesus smiled. 'Old man ', he replied ,' once upon a time there was a marble throne at the eastern gate of an important city. On this throne sat
a thousand kings blind in the right eye, a thousand kings blind in the left eye and a thousand kings who had sight in both eyes. All of them called God to
appear so that they might see him , but all went to their graves with their wishes unfulfilled. When the kings had died , a pauper , barefooted and hungry ,
came and sat on the throne. God , he whispered , the eyes of man cannot bear to look directly at the sun , for they are blinded. How then , Omnipotent , can
they look directly at you ? Have pity , Lord; temper your strength , turn down you splendor so that I , who am poor and afflicted , may see you ! Then - listen
, old man ! - God became a piece of bread , a cup of cool water , a warm tunic , a hut , and in front of the hut , a woman giving suck to an infant . The
pauper stretched his arms and smiled happily . Thank you , Lord , he whispered . You humbled yourself for my sake. You became bread , water , a warm tunic and
my wife and son in order that I might see you . And I did see you . I bow down and worship your beloved many faced face .'


'The Last Temptation of Christ ' , Chap. 22 , by Nikos Kazantzakis


The author , a Christian , probably Greek Orthodox , ran the risk of excommunication with this book . Educated by Franciscans , the U of Athens , studied
Philosophy in Paris. He traveled the world , and took interest in Nietzshe , Bolshevism , Buddhism , Dante. He was an adventurer and thinker , like Hemmingway.
In the end , his inspiration was a love for Christ and his native land , Crete.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

As don Juan said to Carlos, "Of course you would see God as male. "


Nether male nor female and at the same time both. I find it too much typing to write He/She/It/ and all the names that signify all of the aspects of God.


Lighten up Bob. Why do you care so much what I do or don't believe?


I don't care what you believe.


I am answering the question "Do you believe there is a God and why?"


If you are so intent on arguing then start a thread that asks the question "Who wants to argue?"




I will be more than happy to not put in my two cents.

[Hawkeye Crow]

It has occurred to me to not let my self-importance get hooked. My concern , however , is that I have been shown someone who believes gross misinformation
in current affairs , and probably acts from that place. This is so typical , although not limited to ( I cite the Aztecs) , Christianity , over its history.
I am a partisan of certain Native American viewpoints , which the Christians who came to this land have still not completely rubbed out. More work to do ,
more mobs to enrage with lies.




I heard some Beethoven and other today. It occurs to me that this great music would not have existed without all the misery Western civilization has created.
Then again , if I were to shift to the world of the Lakota , I would not miss what I do not know. Or better yet , I can shed those things I do not need.




As to using 'He' for God , don Juan said that words have power. I do try to use mine carefully. That's why I find it difficult to use the word
'God' and in fact wish I could use it more freely. But , in my opinion that would just add to the misinformation , so I avoid where possible. That
goes double for the word 'Indian' . Semantics , again.






If I 'lightened up' , some couldn't handle it.






Elections have power , too. And consequences. How's business these days?

[Hawkeye Crow]

I am fixing supper and cleaning up a few dishes. I think about why I have the attitude I have . I will be 59 years in a few months , and during those years I
have had Christians shaking their fingers at me , telling me things that aren't true , making threats if I don't ' bend my knee' to them. And
worse , I was an abused child. I prayed to your god for relief that never came. I am alive due only to the choices I made for myself , choices which
sometimes seemed to be wrong , but those were the choices I had to choose from. I accept my fate , I accept my responsibility for myself and no longer feel
self-hatred. Obviously , I am sick and tired of bullshit preachers , and have had to adjust my understanding of a creator. I'll call him Grandfather and
I'll call her Grandmother. It should be easy to see why I would identify with the Dakota , Tuscarora and other Nations. And , dammit , many of these
people , just like don Juan , knew how to LIVE - anywhere - and what life was for. How little the people of today know. I include myself. Hell ,
there's food growing on my land and I don't even know what it is. Got plenty of rabbit , though. Will I be able to afford the ammo?

[Hawkeye Crow]

I am fixing supper and cleaning up a few dishes. I think about why I have the attitude I have . I will be 59 years in a few months , and during those years I
have had Christians shaking their fingers at me , telling me things that aren't true , making threats if I don't ' bend my knee' to them. And
worse , I was an abused child. I prayed to your god for relief that never came. I am alive due only to the choices I made for myself , choices which
sometimes seemed to be wrong , but those were the choices I had to choose from. I accept my fate , I accept my responsibility for myself and no longer feel
self-hatred. Obviously , I am sick and tired of bullshit preachers , and have had to adjust my understanding of a creator. I'll call him Grandfather and
I'll call her Grandmother. It should be easy to see why I would identify with the Dakota , Tuscarora and other Nations. And , dammit , many of these
people , just like don Juan , knew how to LIVE - anywhere - and what life was for. How little the people of today know. I include myself. Hell ,
there's food growing on my land and I don't even know what it is. Got plenty of rabbit , though. Will I be able to afford the ammo?






And all these rich Pharisees praying in public can go shove it , too. As I learn about the "Indians" , I see the whites considered them as useless
lumps of flesh ; They won't work! Well if the Christian god is true , then the lowly things will be raised up , won't they. A new cornerstone indeed
, maybe by necessity.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

"I am fixing supper and cleaning up a few dishes. I think about why I have the attitude I have . I will be 59 years in a few months , and during those
years I have had Christians shaking their fingers at me , telling me things that aren't true "




So you write off Christianity because of so called Christians?,




".. making threats if I don't ' bend my knee' to them. And worse , I was an abused child. I prayed to your god for relief that never came. I
am alive due only to the choices I made for myself , choices which sometimes seemed to be wrong , but those were the choices I had to choose from."




Sorry to hear you had bad childhood experiences. So did I and so do many others. You are 58? time to grow up. You prayed to YOUR God. Not mine.


That was Your idea of God. You do not know mine. Even I do not because my idea of God changes over the years. And so does my idea of prayer and what it is. I
certainly didn't think the same way about God when I was a boy.




"I accept my fate , I accept my responsibility for myself and no longer feel self-hatred."




No,? So now you direct it outward to God, Whites and Christians.




"Obviously , I am sick and tired of bullshit preachers"




Who isn't?




"..and have had to adjust my understanding of a creator. I'll call him Grandfather and I'll call her Grandmother."




I see nothing wrong with that. That does not mean everyone has to adjust their understanding to match yours.




"It should be easy to see why I would identify with the Dakota , Tuscarora and other Nations. And , dammit , many of these people , just like don Juan ,
knew how to LIVE - anywhere - and what life was for."




And many didn't. They are just people like any others. If you appreciate the way they lived then live like them.




"How little the people of today know. I include myself. Hell , there's food growing on my land and I don't even know what it is."




Then find out. There are plenty of internet sites where you can go to identify plants by their leaves.




"Got plenty of rabbit , though. Will I be able to afford the ammo?"




Learn to build a snare. It would be fun and cheap.


You could probably use a white man's mouse trap for the trigger that is the most difficult part. The rest is just string or piano wire or guitar string
and a flexible sapling or an old fishing rod. And don't forget to thank the rabbit.






"And all these rich Pharisees praying in public can go shove it , too. As I learn about the "Indians" , I see the whites considered them as
useless lumps of flesh ; They won't work!"




Maybe SOME whites would be a more accurate statement.




"Well if the Christian god is true , then the lowly things will be raised up , won't they."




That is already available. You, like so many "End Times" interpreters are looking to the future for something that is already happening. And has
been for 2000 years.











Joh 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will DRAW all men unto me.




"A new cornerstone indeed"




Same cornerstone different perspective of what/who that cornerstone is.

Like I said Bob, you need to lighten up.


There is plenty of evil in this world. You and I have lived long enough to realize this.


But if you let it pull you down, it wins.

[Hawkeye Crow]

You have all the answers, Mr know-it -all Always on top of everything. Actually , you are a wall of stone , nothing gets through. Being positive means
to persevere in the face of the odds , not dismissing difficulties with pablum. You believe in Jesus ? Then why , with all the promises he made , has his
power not manifested after 2000 years. Humanity has followed the same old path the entire time , and those who TRULY lived his way were murdered and removed.
Lighten up , eh ? you're just being a smartass , with no consideration of what I say here or anything that has to do with Castaneda's writings. You
are an evangelist looking for converts , with nothing more to say than to list verses from ONE BOOK !






Here's knowledge: do you eat Tomatoes , Potatoes ? Where did they come from ?






You make me sick. I shall ignore you from now on . You are no warrior. You do not look at me eye to eye. You look down on me , it shows in your words.
Who are you to tell me to "grow up' ? You don't know me and you are no friend , and therefore have no right to criticize me in that way. I'm
on to your kind , and I don't buy it. If I go to hell , I hope to be there to open the door for YOU.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

You have all the answers, Mr know-it -all Always on top of everything. Actually , you are a wall of stone , nothing gets through. Being positive means to
persevere in the face of the odds , not dismissing difficulties with pablum. You believe in Jesus ? Then why , with all the promises he made , has his power
not manifested after 2000 years. Humanity has followed the same old path the entire time , and those who TRULY lived his way were murdered and removed.
Lighten up , eh ? you're just being a smartass , with no consideration of what I say here or anything that has to do with Castaneda's writings. You
are an evangelist looking for converts , with nothing more to say than to list verses from ONE BOOK !






Here's knowledge: do you eat Tomatoes , Potatoes ? Where did they come from ?






You make me sick. I shall ignore you from now on . You are no warrior. You do not look at me eye to eye. You look down on me , it shows in your words.

Hi Bob,




My advice to Lighten Up was a suggestion for your own benefit. You are ready to blow a fuse.




"You have all the answers, Mr know-it -all Always on top of everything. Actually , you are a wall of stone , nothing gets through."




That's not true. Two hours ago I had to have my dog put to sleep. I'm still crying as are my two sons and my wife. I still have to inform my oldest boy
who the dog (a brittany spaniel) was purchased for. He is a hunter. He is in Texas and we don't look forward to the phone call.




" Being positive means to persevere in the face of the odds , not dismissing difficulties with pablum."




The dog's name was Pete. He was named after my father who was a beligerent alcoholic. Many times in my boyhood I was dissappointed in him. Many times we
fought a few times with fists. Many times I watched him wake up ashamed of his actions the day before and many times he did not remember what he had done. But
he was my dad. I loved him and still do. We'll leave it at that.




"You believe in Jesus ? Then why , with all the promises he made , has his power not manifested after 2000 years."




I do and it has. If you are looking at the outside world to see it you will miss it. I was as bad a drunk as my father was when I was young. I am not anymore.
In fact I don't even like drinking but will have a little occasionally. I've had some spiritual experiences which I have shared here.


"Two shall be grinding at the mill one will be taken the other left." These things are not necessarily experienced by more than one person at a time.


We can have earth shattering experiences that cannot be shared. Only pointed to.




"Humanity has followed the same old path the entire time"




Humanity is made up of humans. Humans have the right to believe what they wish. Some listen, some don't




".. and those who TRULY lived his way were murdered and removed."




Yes, they were.




" Lighten up , eh ? you're just being a smartass , with no consideration of what I say here.."




No, I'm not. I am being serious. You should lighten up.


When you start with all of the hate talk I do consider what you are saying. I just have no respect for it. Especially when you assume you know what someone
else thinks and then begin ranting and raving at them for some imaginary flaw that they only seem to have in your eyes.




".. or anything that has to do with Castaneda's writings..."




I have a lot of respect for Don Juan's writings. I do not think that they go as deep as the Bible does. I have made that perfectly clear on many
occasions.


"You are an evangelist looking for converts , with nothing more to say than to list verses from ONE BOOK !"




I am not an evangelist. I have shared things from the Qabala also.




"Here's knowledge: do you eat Tomatoes , Potatoes ? Where did they come from ?"




Uh, Native Americans. I also smoke cigarettes and those come from the same source.


What is your point?




"You make me sick. I shall ignore you from now on . You are no warrior. You do not look at me eye to eye. You look down on me , it shows in your
words."




Who is looking down on who?




A little friendly advice before you begin ignoring me. Grow up. Lighten up. Take it or leave it.

[Bob May]

Hawkeye Crow wrote:

Speaking of "grow up" , I wasn't the one who went crying to Lonewolf about 'intolerance' to believers.



If I remember correctly I said that I was sick of people running new visitors off. I said that anytime someone with anything interesting to say (I believe I
worded it "a few brain cells clicking together") came new to this forum they were made to feel unwelcome. It had nothing to do with believers. Just
interesting conversations.


But you are usually the one who is crying about something or other.

[Nagual LoneWolf]

I have no one crying to me...you both have different point of views.....the difference is nominal.

[Bob May]

Nagual LoneWolf wrote:

I have no one crying to me...you both have different point of views.....the difference is nominal.
You are right. I'm done with it.

[Hawkeye Crow]

Racism betrays the American spirit


by Carmen Alicia Moncayo in Vol. 15 / Iss. 15 on 11/05/2008




Through the attic window, I can see the snow: so white, so light. It covers everything, like a beautiful blanket, and I ask myself again how it is that I am
here? So far from the steep streets of Quito, its colonial-style houses with blue balconies, its tall, modern buildings and majestic mountains.




It seems like only yesterday that I was playing with the children and laughing as if I were one of them, singing songs and teaching them about Jesus, my
Master, who taught me to love. But then a group of "gringuitos" arrived at my church on a mission trip to Quito, full of sweetness, generosity and
love, their lifestyle matching their preaching.




A very special couple-Ormand Williams and Daphne, his wife-loved me particularly, and I loved them from the start. Before leaving for the United States, they
invited me to come study at Mars Hill College and even offered to pay my tuition. So I came and lived with them, and they treated me like their own child.




I was 18 years old then, and because this was my first experience away from home, away from my country, my nostalgia just grew and grew. The world seemed way
too big: There were so many stores, so many products, so many people, so many opportunities for new life experiences.




My dear daddy, Gerardo Moncayo Moncayo, was a university professor. And from the time I was a child, he taught me English-one of the most important and
precious gifts he gave me. English has opened doors for me, allowing me the rare privilege of getting to know interesting people from all over the world. Most
of all, it has enabled me to understand life with the richness that only diversity can bring.




But I've also experienced a culture shock that I haven't been able to completely overcome.




During my first winter here, I was struggling through the snow, my arms full of art materials for my classes. Just like in the movies, two kind gentlemen
rescued me, helping me across the street. As they left, however, some classmates told me coldly and boldly that if I ever talked to "black men" again
they would never talk to me.




I told them angrily that they were just showing their ignorance and racial prejudice, and that I would never go along with such an absurd attitude. After that
it was a long, cold, silent winter.




When spring finally came, I had the honor of sharing my life with students from many countries: Thailand, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina,
Colombia. We learned together, enjoying our cultural differences as we shared the common dream of becoming better human beings.




I also had the joy of living with my beloved host family in Weaverville. Through them, I learned to love the Southern-style breakfast: grits, sausage, eggs,
homemade biscuits, and most of all the incomparable warmth of a traditional family.




But intertwined with that joy were a steady stream of painful comments and outrageous questions: "Do you dream in black and white?" "Do your
people live in trees?" "I am sure that in your country there is no need for clothes, right?" "How do you feel as someone from a Third World
country?"




All this and much more was part of my experience as an 18-year-old here. But that was 24 years ago, and things haven't changed that much. In some ways,
they've gotten worse.




I went back to my country in 2006 and had the honor of being by my daddy's bedside during his final days. He admired this country for men like Martin
Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and many others. My daddy was one of the first Ecuadorian students to receive a scholarship to study in the United States. He
earned the highest grades, and it was here that he learned his love for the English language, which I share.




I came back this year with a thousand dreams-but at a time when it's wrong to be of Latino origin, making it extremely hard to find a job. Despite being
educated, proficiently bilingual and having the requisite legal documents, I have not had much success. Every single application has included a section asking
about race and national origin-ironically, a federal requirement designed to help prevent discrimination-way before it asks about skills, abilities and
experience.




Nonetheless, I feel a healthy pride in being Latino-a culture that not only contributes hard work and cheap labor to this society but that enhances the overall
cultural richness through the many flavors of Latin American culture.




We bring in music, color, customs, traditions, family values and food. And we also make a significant contribution to the economy of our host country, the
United States of America: the country that gave birth to real democracy, freedom of belief and respect for cultural diversity.




Since being back, however, I've been hungry, sick and anxious, and I haven't found a single job opportunity. Meanwhile, I am once again hearing the
same type of hurtful questions: "Why don't you try to go to Mexico to teach? It would be easier there." "Oh, you're from Ecuador? You
must be so relieved to be here, far from the burning heat of Africa." "What do you want here? I bet the only thing she cares about is getting the
papers." And, of course, "You don't have to pay taxes, right? You're just an alien!"




So I appeal to your hearts, your values and to the honored memory of those who came before you. And I ask you, as people of the United States of America, to
lift up your voices to match your country's spirit, so your children can enjoy a wonderful legacy of peace, of diversity, of love. Don't let this story
become part of a sad historical fact!




11/5/08 www.mountainX.com

[Hawkeye Crow]

There are many gods. Sure as heck looks like I don't believe in yours. In fact , what I am seeing reminds me of why I have come to be very wary of Faith
in general. I see people being led down a dark path. Ah , the hell with it . Kill 'em all and let God (whose?) sort it out. After all , folks like me
are too misled and blinded to ever know , right? Castaneda has been hijacked. , by one and all.