>LOL...amen brother...have to use the whole coin. The List is helping me do >so. I've also printed out and am keeping in front of the Credo for JtF. >Also keeping on my desktop a shortcut to the words of the song and the song >itself.
Golly, Mike. I do hope it helps. >Ok...so now more fatheadedness...what is "Namaste"? Literally "I bow to you." Other people say it here too. I've said "O kage samade" here a couple of times. It's because smileys don't do Japanese bows. It means "Thankyou", a certain kind of thankyou, literally: "In your shadow I thrive." I have some reservations about the following, on Namaste. For one thing, I don't think India or the East have a sole franchise on spiritual wisdom any more than "the West" has a sole franchise on crass materialism. But it explains what Namaste means. Its use seems to be spreading on the Internet, and elsewhere. A useful addition, IMHO. Best Keith Copyright 1993 by Himalayan Academy. "Shake hands and come out fighting." It's the referee's final counsel to two pugilists about to beat each other's brains out with clenched fists. Even outside the ring, a handshake can be a little off-putting. When one returns to the West from an extended sojourn in Bharat or elsewhere in Asia, the hand suddenly thrust forward can seem more ominous than friendly, especially if the hand offered is that of a stranger. Of course, one soon acclimates and the menacing aspect of this salutation subsides. Perhaps that moment of intimidation derives from the history of the handshake. According to one anthropologist, the handshake evolved in medieval Europe, during the times of knights. It seems not all were laudable Lancelots or gallant Gallahads. More than a few would approach opponents with concealed weapons and when within striking distance do the needful, driving dagger or striking sword into the unguarded paladin. To fend off the fear of a foe's foul foil, knights took to offering their open and visibly empty hand to each other. It was a kind of surety, a gesture of trust which said, "See, I am unarmed, so you may safely let me approach." As the story goes, soon the gesture itself took on meaning and the less noble, less lethal man on the street adopted the handshake as the proper way to greet others. In much of the world today, people do not shake hands when they meet. They may hug formally or kiss one another on the cheek, as in eastern Europe and Arab states. They may bow softly, eyes turned to the ground, as in Japan and China. The Hawaiian greeting, termed "honi," consists of placing the nostril gently beside that of the person greeted, a kind of sharing of breath, which is life and Pran(a). For, Hindu(s), of course, the greeting of choice is "Namaste," the two hands pressed together and held near the heart with the head gently bowed as one says, "Namaste." Thus it is both a spoken greeting and a gesture, a Mantr(a) and a Mudr(a). The prayerful hand position is a Mudr(a) called Anjali, from the root Anj, "to adorn, honor, celebrate or anoint." The hands held in union signify the oneness of an apparently dual cosmos, the bringing together of spirit and matter, or the self meeting the Self. It has been said that the right hand represents the higher nature or that which is divine in us, while the left hand represents the lower, worldly nature. In Sanskrit "Namas" means, "bow, obeisance, reverential salutation." It comes from the root Nam, which carries meanings of bending, bowing, humbly submitting and becoming silent. "Te" means "to you." Thus "namaste" means "I bow to you." the act of greeting is called "Namaskaram," "Namaskara" and "Namaskar" in the varied languages of the subcontinent. Namaste has become a veritable icon of what is Bharatiye. Indeed, there must be a Bharatiye law which requires every travel brochure. calendar and poster to include an image of someone with palms pressed together, conveying to the world Bharat's hospitality, spirituality and graceful consciousness. You knew all that, of course, but perhaps you did not know that there can be subtle ways of enhancing the gesture, as in the West one might shake another's hand too strongly to impress and overpower them or too briefly, indicating the withholding of genuine welcome. In the case of Namaste, a deeper veneration is sometimes expressed by bringing the fingers of the clasped palms to the forehead, where they touch the brow, the site of the mystic Third Eye. A third form of namaste brings the palms completely above the head, a gesture said to focus consciousness in the subtle space just above the Brahma-randhra, the aperture in the Crown Chakr(a). This form is so full of reverence it is reserved for the Almighty and the holiest of Sat Guru(s). It is always interesting, often revealing and occasionally enlightening to muse about the everyday cultural traits and habits each nation and community evolves, for in the little things our Big ideas About Life find direct and personal expression. Take, for instance, the different ways that American and Japanese tool-makers approach the same task. A saw for cutting lumber, if designed in the U.S., is made in such a way that the carpenter's stroke away from his body does the cutting. But in japan saws are engineered so that cutting takes place as the carpenter draws the saw toward himself. A small detail, but it yields a big difference. The American saw can, if leaned into, generate more power, while the Japanese saw provides more control and refinement in the cut, requiring surprisingly less effort. Each has its place in the global toolbox. each speaks -- like the handshake and namaste greetings -- of an underlying perception of man's relationship with things. In the West we are outgoing, forceful, externalized. We are told by Ma bell to "reach out and touch somebody." We are unabashedly acquisitive, defining our progress in life by how much we have -- how much wealth, influence, stored up knowledge, status or whatever. Every culture exhibits these traits to some extent, but in the east Mother is there to remind us, "Reach in and touch the Self." here we are taught to be more introspective, more concerned with the quality of things than their quantity, more attuned with the interior dimension of life. So, there you have it, the whole of Eastern and Western culture summed up in the handshake which reaches out horizontally to greet another, and Namaste which reaches in vertically to acknowledge that, in truth, that there is no other. As a test of how these two greetings differ, imagine you are magically confronted with the Divine. The Paramatma, Almighty, walks up to you on the street. What do you do? reach out to shake His hand? Probably not. Though suitable between man and man, it;' an unseemly expression between man and Paramatma. We never shake hands with paramatma. I mean, what if your palms are sweating? So you namaste instead. the reason it feels natural to namaste before Paramatma is that it is, in its very essence, a spiritual gesture, not a worldly one. By a handshake we acknowledge our equality with others. We reveal our humanity. We convey how strong we are, how nervous, how aggressive or passive. There is bold physicality to it. For these and other reasons, Popes never shake hands. Kings never shake hands. Even mothers don't shake hands with their own children. Namaste is cosmically different. Kings do namaste, Sat Guru(s) namaste and mothers namaste to their own family. We all namaste before the Almighty, a holy man or even a holy place. The namaste gesture bespeaks our inner valuing of the sacredness of all. It betokens our intuition that all souls are divine, in their essence. It reminds us in quite a graphic manner, and with insistent repetition, that we can see Paramatma everywhere and in every human being we meet. It is saying, silently, "I see the Deity in us both, and bow before Him or Her. I acknowledge the holiness of even this mundane meeting. I cannot separate that which is spiritual in us from that which is human and ordinary." And while we are singing the praises of Namaste, it should be observed how efficient a gesture it is in an age of mass communication. A politician, or performer can greet fifty thousand people with a single Namaste, and they can return the honor instantly. In such a situation a handshake is unthinkable and a mere waving of one hand is somehow too frivolous. There are other, more mystical meanings behind Namaste. The nerve current of the body converge in the feet, the solar plexus and the hands. Psychic energy leaves the body at these junctures. To "ground" that energy and balance the flow of Pran(a) streaming through the nerve system, Yogi(s) cross their legs in the lotus posture, and bring their hands together. The Anjali Mudra acts like a simple Yog(ic) Asan(a), balancing and harmonizing our energies, keeping us centered, inwardly poised and mentally protected. It closes our aura, shielding us psychically. It keeps us from becoming too externalized, thus we remain close to our intuitive nature, our super consciousness. Here are some insights into Namaste from a number of Hindu(s): o Namaste elevates one's consciousness, reminding one that all beings, all existence is holy, is the Almighty. It communicates, "I honor or worship the Divinity within you." Also it draws the individual inward for a moment, inspires reflection on the deeper realities, softening the interface between people. It would be difficult or offend or feel animosity toward any one you greet as Paramatma. o Namaste is a gesture of friendship and kindness, also of thanks or special recognition. Mystically it is called "Namaskara Mudra" in the Agami(c) Pooja, and it centers one's energy within the spine. o I've heard it means "I salute the Almighty within you." The true Namaste gesture is is accompanied by bowing the head and shoulders slightly. This is a gesture that lessens our sense of ego and self-centeredness, requiring some humility to do it well -- whereas shaking hands can be quite an arrogant event. o Touching the hands together puts you in touch with your center, your soul. namaste puts you forward as a soul, not an outer personality. o The gesture has a subtle effect on the aura and nerve system. bringing focused attention and a collection of one's forces, so to speak. It also protects against unnecessary psychic connections which are fostered by shaking hands. This might be called a form of purity also -- protecting one's energies. This form of acknowledgment is so lovely, so graceful. Just look at two people in Namaste and you will see so much human beauty and refinement. >Also, I want >to be sure Jason and Weaver read my post to Jesse that included my >excitement about the three of us either living near or having ties near >where each of us live. Any suggestions? Thanks. Mike D > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Keith Addison" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <biofuel@sustainablelists.org> >Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:13 PM >Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water and Other Nonsense > > > > >Hi Keith...and List...thank you. I had read, but forgotten (shame > >>on me), the Credo before I asked to join. It gave me the confidence > >>to ask to join. Wonderful to be reminded of, wake up with and read > >>this morning. Is that sunshine I see peaking through the clouds?!!! > >>Getting ready to Look on the Bright Side of LIFE!!! Mike DuPree > > > > Hey Mike, you just made my day. Not only it helped but you read it before. > > :-) > > > > You mean that crazy song actually works?? LOL! > > > > This thread has covered a lot of ground from where it started to > > where it is now. Interesting. Interesting last few posts from you > > too, and nicely put, both sides of the coin, the bright and the dark. > > One side of a coin doesn't buy you much, does it, you have to use the > > whole coin. > > > > Namaste. > > > > Keith > > > > > >>----- Original Message ----- > >>From: "Keith Addison" > >><<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >>To: <<mailto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org> > >>Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:38 AM > >>Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water and Other Nonsense > >> > >> > Hi Mike > >> > > >> >>----- Original Message ----- > >> >>From: > >><<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>mark>mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>mark > >>manchester > >> >>To: > >><<mailto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org>mai > >>lto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> >>Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 4:22 PM > >> >>Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water and Other Nonsense > >> >> > >> >>Hi Jesse...thanks for writing. You wrote: This is surely the most > >> >>depressing post I've ever seen. A sign of the times??? You > >> >>wrote: Mike! What sort of response were you thinking you'd get? I > >> >>wasn't thinking, at least about what response I might get. I felt > >> >>frustrated, perhaps mostly by my own illusions. You wrote: How can > >> >>anyone respond to this. One way is how you have responded. You > >> >>wrote: No dream no agriculture no biodiesel no... simple > >> >>answer. It depends on the question. For me in my post the question > >> >>deals with how do I personally deal with the madness on the > >> >>planet that appears to be becoming more so everyday. Biodiesel is a > >> >>way. And I'm excited to see it develop. But I feel overwhelmed by > >> >>something much bigger. I could call it Big Energy, Big Gov't. Big > >> >>whatever. But I'm afraid it has something more to do with me than > >> >>with anything outside of me. But then it's not just me...it's the > >> >>sheer size and weight of humanity on the planet (and growing growing > >> >>growing). > >> > > >> > Plenty of room to spare, no room for dogs in the manger. > >> > > >> >>So I could do as you said: Leave!! But you and I both know > >> >>it isn't that simple. For you it is your reasons. For me, I'll try > >> >>to explain in answer to your question: What are you there for? > >> >> Jesse I've thought about writing to Keith personally and asking > >> >>him to remove me from the List since my original intention of > >> >>joining the List has changed. > >> > > >> > You're welcome to change your intentions. It's not like a contract > >> > you're not allowed to break or something. A lot of people like the > >> > diversity of the list. There are these message snippets from various > >> > members at the website list subscription section, for instance: > >> > > >> > - "I came to the list strictly interested in getting my biodiesel > >> > project off the ground. Following the various postings I have > >> > discovered that I see the world as if from the bottom of a well. The > >> > view is expanding ever so slightly, ever so slowly. Thanks to all." > >> > > >> > - "The Biofuel list has awakened me to many ways I can directly help > >> > make a difference. The knowledge I have gained from reading the list > >> > in a few short months has encouraged me to try again." > >> > > >> > - "I benefit very much personally from the list, and I have yet to > >> > make one drop of biofuel! But the insights that I get from the list > >> > are amazing." > >> > > >> > - "I like the global view. It's good to have your beliefs challenged." > >> > > >> > - "This list has proven to me how little I know, so many times." > >> > > >> > The only time I'd remove you is if your intentions changed to those > >> > of a dog in the manger and you couldn't be reasoned with. > >> > > >> > Otherwise, if you want out, you'd have to do it yourself, it's none > >> > of my business. > >> > > >> > I guess this is the background to the way the list runs, have a look, > >> > it might hearten you: > >> > > >><http://journeytoforever.org/community.html#credo>http://journeytofore > >>ver.org/community.html#credo > >> > > >> >>I came here with the intention of learning how to make biodiesel and > >> >>having a support group while doing so. I have since decided for a > >> >>multitude of reasons to not go this path. But the List, as you > >> >>know, is about more than just biodiesel. It is...hmm...well, I > >> >>guess that depends on who you are and I am and any one of us is and > >> >>especially who Keith lets it be. > >> > > >> > It has a mind of its own. I'm just the skivvy. > >> > > >> >>So I haven't written to Keith, because for me, what I have observed > >> >>and come to look for in my email, is someone else trying, just like > >> >>me, to survive the madness...not to Leave!!...but to Live!!! Or > >> >>maybe I misjudged what I have been reading. > >> > > >> > I don't think so. I do think there are better options around than > >> > just surviving it though. > >> > > >> >>Consequently, if this List is not the place for me to have expressed > >> >>what I have how I have, then it isn't. > >> > > >> > Some might think it is, some might think it isn't, but if you think > >> > it's the place then it is the place, just as long as you're not being > >> > a dog in the manger. > >> > > >> >> Ah well, the glaciers are fading (check out pics in June, > >> >>2006, Men's Journal...staggering...we're fried folks!) > >> > > >> > Too soon to tell. Definitely not too early to be wide awake and up > >> > and doing about it though, among other things. A lot of people think > >> > the Biofuel list is the right place for that too. > >> > > >> >> as the planet heats up, BushCo not only not helpful but profoundly > >> >>hurtful, US debt and the decline of the US dollar are poised to > >> >>reveal to Americans the slaves all of us really are, even as jobs > >> >>are disappearing for many here to many, many more Wall Street will > >> >>pay less (actually the same according to some variations of the > >> >>SOLVE act if it is passed) and conscript into its Death Machine, etc > >> >>etc etc, apparently AD INFINITUM. So let me tell ya...I'm smilin > >> >>babeee...I mean "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel > >> >>fine...." Toto?!! Toto?!! Oh TOTO!!!! "And I feel fine..." > >> > > >> > Once again, all together now, women and children first, just follow me: > >> > > >> > uh-one, uh-two, uh-one, two, three four... > >> > > >> > ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE - TA-DUM, TA-DUM TA-DUM TA-DUM. > >> > > >> > > >><http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=720675&q=lo>http://ww > >>w.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=720675&q=lo > >> > > >> > > >><http://www.thebards.net/music/lyrics/Always_Look_Bright_Side_Life.sht > >>ml>http://www.thebards.net/music/lyrics/Always_Look_Bright_Side_Life.s > >>html > >> > Always Look On the Bright Side of Life (from Monty Python's Life of > >> > Brian) > >> > > >> > Best > >> > > >> > Keith > >> > > >> > > >> >> Mike DuPree > >> >> > >> >> > >> >>From: "M&K DuPree" > >><<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]>mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >>unflower.com>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >>Reply-To: > >><<mailto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org>mai > >>lto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> >>Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:30:57 -0500 > >> >>To: <<mailto:biofuel@sustainablelists.org>biofuel@sustainablelists.org> > >> >>Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water and Other Nonsense > >> >> > >> >> > >> >>Hi D and List...Looking forward to watching What The Bleep Do We > >> >>Know? Checked out the website, synopsis, and trailer. Wow. Thanks > >> >>D. > >> >> Big Energy, Big Government, Big Religion, Big Bad...why do I > >> >>feel so sad? Just ain't no hope for the little guy...probably never > >> >>was. David vs Goliath just another fairy tale. "I HAVE A DREAM..." > >> >> Sorry pops, just a dream. The mountain of insolvency just too Big > >> >>too overcome. "Dang me, dang me, guess I'll take a rope and hang > >> >>me." No hope anywhere...oh!...build myself a biodiesel plant...but > >> >>wait...my neighbor's doin same. Last one to the WVO loses!!! > >> >> Another dream defiled. Where's my bicycle...gotta be a problem > >> >>there too...frame made in China??? Go buy some food...too stupid, > >> >>poor, lazy, or just simply born at the wrong time in the wrong place > >> >>to grow my own, to say nothing of the locust invasion last year that > >> >>kept me out of the fields and meant me needing to buy from who knows > >> >>where on the planet...DANG ME!!!! What a rotten Reality. Oh, I > >> >>see, not supposed to SEE...just dream..."Imagine"...and take four > >> >>bullets in the back. Lovely. Good morning, WORLD!!! I LOVE YOU!!! > >> >>PEACE!!! Hey, give me back the shirt off my back. Ah well...takin > >> >>my can of worms and goin fishin in that polluted water over > >> >>there...and dream...with my gun by my side. Mike DuPree > >> >> > >> >> > >> >>----- Original Message ----- > >> >>From: D. Mindock > >><<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >>To: <mailto:Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> >>Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 4:52 AM > >> >>Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water > >> >> > >> >>Mike, > >> >> Just want to add my 2 cents on this subject. If BlackLight, or > >> >>anyone else, comes up > >> >>with a solid system to create vast amounts of energy from > >> >>water/hydrogen, it will be > >> >>snatched up by Big Energy and then controlled by them. Not much will > >> >>change. Our > >> >>monthly energy bills won't go away. > >> >> I think we can rely on the gov to allow Big Energy to parcel out > >> >>energy to we wee folks and keep their > >> >>profits in the 100's of billions of dollars per year. Congress > >> >>writes the laws that Big Energy dictates. > >> >>It is Big Energy that is gluttonous. > >> >> The masses are bombarded with propaganda and hardly realize how > >> >>they're all being manipulated. > >> >>I am still waking up from this soup of B.S. we've been immersed in > >> >>here in the U$A. > >> >>Peace to all, D. Mindock P.S. I agree that we are all > >> >>inter-connected, more than we can imagine. > >> >>I saw the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?" a couple years ago, and > >> >>nothing's been the same > >> >>since. > >> >> > >> >>----- Original Message ----- > >> >>From: M&K DuPree > >><<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >>To: <mailto:Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > >> >>Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 12:28 PM > >> >>Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fw: Car runs on water > >> >> > >> >>Thanks Bob...it's all new to me, and I'm thankful I have the List to > >> >>present my inquiries. PS You noted earlier and Joe Street agreed, > >> >>"In my mind, infinite energy is the worst case scenario I can think > >> >>of- energy to spare, energy to drive the gluttonous behavior of > >> >>everybody on the planet. NO THANKS" LOL...well...yes, I kind of > >> >>agree, because I know way too many fatheads who would take advantage > >> >>of ulimited energy in just such a manner. But then I also disagree. > >> >> What WOULD unlimited energy mean for the planet and its' peoples??? > >> >> To me, that question seems to point to a question of human nature, > >> >>which your statement indicates you believe is utterly without hope > >> >>for a true social consciousness and conscience. Maybe you disagree, > >> >>but I'm just citing your words. Contrarily, I witness something > >> >>very different present. Please hang with me for a moment while I > >> >>try to explain. "Independence" is an illusion. Let me say that > >> >>again, "Independence" is an illusion. I recognize "individuality," > >> >>but "independence"...NOT!!!! Every individual one of us is part of > >> >>the same planet and ultimately the ever changing universe. This is > >> >>the truth; this is true. More specifically, we each breathe the > >> >>same air, drink the same water, eat the same dirt, at least as > >> >>concerns the source. But it doesn't look, feel, taste, etc, that > >> >>way because we each receive a modification of the source. Some get > >> >>more of the source than others. Some get better quality of the > >> >>source than others. Enter politics. Enter religion. Enter > >> >>whatever enters to confound each one's sense of their connection to > >> >>the same source and thereby to each other, the planet, LIFE. So, so > >> >>what??? Who cares? Good question. So what if we are all > >> >>individuals inherently connected to each other? How does that > >> >>change all or even any of us from being "gluttonous" at heart??? I > >> >>suppose in one way it doesn't, because LIFE, being so full of > >> >>itself, of ONLY itself, must necessarily be "gluttonous." Don't > >> >>tell me there is LIFE opposed to death....NOT. There appears to be > >> >>birth and death (technically, birthing and deathing intertwined as > >> >>the same thinging...lol....which is LIFE)....but LIFE remains and > >> >>will remain...FOREVER. It must, otherwise, I couldn't be and you > >> >>couldn't be and no one could be. Some thing does NOT come from no > >> >>thing. In fact, there is NOT any THING; there is only somethinging. > >> >> Still with me??? lol Consequently, I guess in my heart of hearts I > >> >>have to agree with Alfred E. Newman, "What? Me worry?" No, I don't > >> >>like getting dicked around or worse, but it happens, as much because > >> >>of people having an incredibly narrow perspective on their lives. > >> >> So they get "gluttonous." Not "everybody," however. Whether or > >> >>not they are, however, it seems to me an unlimted source of energy > >> >>would have the very opposite reaction...rather than more gluttony, I > >> >>believe we would see more feeling of and acting upon concern for > >> >>each other, if for no other reason than LIFE would have a better > >> >>chance on a more widely accepted level to be viewed more as it is > >> >>than as the politicians and priests are able now to construe it as > >> >>something limited. Anyway, I'm sure everything I've written here > >> >>can come under the severest attack. This List is a wonderful place > >> >>to help keep a guy honest and precise with his words. I've tried to > >> >>do that, and I'm sure the LIST will help me do that better. We're > >> >>all on a JourneyToForever, and the best any of us can do, it seems > >> >>to me, is to be here to help ease the pain of our individuality a > >> >>little or a lot. Each of us must discover that for him or herself. > >> >> Mike DuPree _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/