So, I was thinking about a friend of mine who describes himself as a perfectionist. I thought about his view of things and came to the realization that perfectionism requires an extraordinary amount of faith. Faith in what? That’s what I can’t tell.
It makes me think of Joseph Campbell saying “Funny thing about faith…I don’t need faith, I have experience.” Another thing Joseph Campbell said is “God is terrible! I mean, the end of the world!” He was talking to Bill Moyer about Revelations and the emphasis people place on the positive attributes of God; love, compassion, all that. God…that’s a lot right there.
How could I be more perfect than God? I don’t even think about it.
I’m reading about Shakti. I found her by googling Hindu goddesses and looking for a face. I don’t know why, but a few months ago I found myself thinking about Kali. I knew her yoga pose and started doing it from time to time. I looked her up online, printed a photo, and kept her around. But now I feel like I need a new image. So, google, a face, and Shakti. Her colors feel right to me now.
Joseph Campbell talks about making mandalas to keep yourself centered, as a tool to help you find and visualize your center within the Universal wheel. I think I’ll try that. Maybe make a painting. For now, read more about Shakti.
I like the image above. I snagged it from some website. It makes me think about how chess orginated in India. Persians disagree – just check out the comments I got on this post. But look at Indian temple design? They really knew the game.
I went to yoga this morning, had a nice breakfast at Teaism, thought about the blogging training materials I need to write, and got sidetracked by Clay Shirky as soon as I got to my desk. I opened an email that lead me to browse a site called govloop.com, where I found a link to a film, usnowfilm.com. The film is about the ways communications technology has empowered us to reinvent social systems, including government. Clay Shirky was in it.
If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the guy who said “the Internet runs on love.” He says this because the Internet shows us that, despite institutional and personal fears and distrust, we can work together. In the video below, he talks tech. And he says “love is a renewable building material” in reference to the way opensource programming works. See. I’m not the only one who has compressed work and spiritual worlds. We are able, now more than ever, to work with love. That is good news. So whatever darkness you may find online or in your life, remember: love works.
He advises, if you want to predict the success of something out there, programming language, but could be lifestyle or product, ask yourself if the people who like it take care of each other. And he argues, where before we needed money to do big things, now we can do big things with love.
I’m not trying to diet or anything, but my body suddenly hates carbs. I noticed it Monday when I ordered a colorful side of potatoes and bell peppers. It looked so good, but the potatoes made me gag. I tried eating a bowl of ice cream; I couldn’t finish it. I haven’t had a beer since I had two for breakfast on Sunday (sure, not a long time, but the feeling change in me is dramatic). Also, my coffee machine at home is broken. I threw it out and am waiting for a French press to ship, but I must admit I’ve been enjoying tea much more lately.
I wouldn’t think much of this. It is a dramatic change in feeling, but I would think perhaps it’s my renewed yoga practice doing its thing. And I’m sure yoga is a factor. It does put me much more in touch with what my body actually wants and needs.
But, what is odd to me is an article I read on Post Awakening Substance Intolerance. Not trying to interpret anything, but I think it’s an odd “fact” and that’s why I’m sharing it. Will I ever love ice cream again (got mint chocolate chip in the freezer)? Oh well. I can still smoke. Or can I?
We’ll see. No worries. I’ll enjoy all things I enjoy. Change can’t change that.
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