Menorkulturable; Imbibing Art And Philosophy

Before I begin, just dropping in a reminder that next week is the final Final Friday Fiction slot for the year! Also, the 2023 badge will be revealed, and the update to the concept. Now, are you sitting comfortably?

Regular readers will have noted hints at my having been sniffing out interesting things to inspire posts and build narratives. As we plummet down toward 2023, here is a taster of the sort of thing that has been catching my attention. It is more recent than some items on my bookmark shelf, but a more stand-alone item and fitting for a pre-Christmas view/read. 

On Sunday, past, I read an interview with the actor Mark Bonnar. I have followed his career for some years now. He's one of those faces and talents who impresses wherever he appears but is somehow always secondary to the main protagonist of the piece he is in. An actor's actor. At the very least, all of you who have watched the detective drama Shetland will be familiar with him as the slightly dodgy Duncan, a friend of Perez and step-dad to his daughter. Okay, that was fine in itself. However, there was a trigger in there to have me digging further. Something about his childhood and his 'artist father'. That's where I got totally absorbed!

It turns out that Stan Bonnar is one of Scotland's leading urban/environmental artists and is a hugely interesting man. His father, Felix, was a Polish refugee who joined the Polish RAF regiment. Stationed in Scotland, he married and settled here. Stan writes about his childhood and his development as an artist on his excellent website (which is still a work in progress, he says). I was engrossed reading the initial page, covering 1948 to 1972 and have it bookmarked to go and savour with a cup of cocoa each evening. Stan, it turns out, is now as much a philosopher as an artist and has been working on a personal theory of existence and perception based on Quantum Entanglement. How I so wish I could sit and debate with him and introduce him (if he is not already familiar) to Advaitic philosophy... an ancient study that comes to the same conclusions as this 'new' knowledge. There's a reason many physicists are intrigued by the Sanskrit scripts...

It was with surprise and joy that I discovered a television program discussing not just Stan's art but environmental art and its place in Scotland's New Towns. Amazingly, astoundingly, when I looked it up on the BBC player, it was due to expire from viewing on that very evening, so I spent a delightful and entertaining hour in their company. Inspired, I could make it a project of mine to visit some, if not all, such installations - as and when I ever get on wheels again. I really wanted to share it, but that is almost impossible with Beeb productions... unless you have folk who manage to work out ways. Dear viewers, I present you with "Meet You At The Hippos".  I am sure you will consider it an hour well spent. Let me know below!

Meet You At The Hippos

Menorgulating; A Kind Of Cogitation...

As last Friday's post may have indicated, I am currently in a slightly weird headspace. I recognise it. This is what tends to happen when there is a significant change working its way into the script. As with any good story, there is no hint of what is coming. I have many lofty, deep, meaningful thoughts and a heap of menorgulations. Definition? "Mind spew." So grab a cuppa and settle in - I'm off on a ramble.

Remember, dear reader, I am a philosopher. That is my essential nature. It means that thinking - the process of it - becomes my tool. It is not something that 'just happens.' It is the philosopher's task to explore and determine (as much as is possible) the meaning of things. All sorts of things. As with 'all sorts of things,' it is also true that various camps are set up where those of similar thinking congregate. Thus you will find several labels under the umbrella title of philosophy. Far from being an esoteric art, philosophy pertains to everyday life. True, it can become an avenue of intellectual gymnastics just as any subject studied at the tertiary level might, but ultimately we are all philosophers, and we all take a seat in one or other of the various camps. A clear, albeit simplistic, example is that of deciding whether one is an Atheist, Agnostic or Theist. Those, of course, pertain to a specific element of philosophy: metaphysical. The major fields of philosophy are epistemology (knowledge and truth), metaphysics (reality and being), logic (argumentation and reason), axiology (aesthetics and ethics), and political philosophy (the state and government). Within those, the branches are multifarious.

As one who naturally leaned into the camps of Realism (Logic) and Pragmatism (Epistemology), various life experiences ensured that I also had to acknowledge Mysticism (Metaphysic) as having validity. Upon being introduced to Advaita Vedanta (the Unified Understanding of All Knowledge), I immediately recognised my 'home camp'! Therein lay a sublime blend of all three named. Axiology occurs almost by default. 

The thing that stands separately, you will note, is that of politics. It is a field that definitely requires and deserves study. It is difficult to see it being of general service without the application of Ethics also... and in case anybody reading here has missed this bit of news, the current UK government (read, Prime Minister) is operating without the presence of an Ethics Advisor due to two resignations during his term in office by men who couldn't handle his approach to governance. There is something to be said, at least, for the fact that the British Gov't seeks to have such a post (though Boorish De Faffle Jinxson seems to be muttering about not bothering to replace the departed one). The following screenshot from an OECD document makes interesting reading - indeed, the whole thing does.

In the foreword of the document (it refers to itself as a book), it is stated;

In April 1998, the OECD Council Meeting at Ministerial level requested that a report be made on the implementation of the 1998 OECD Recommendation on Improving Ethical Conduct in the PublicService. This book is based on the results of the survey that was conducted in the 29 OECD countries.

(The bold and italics are my emphasis.) 

It is bad enough that many countries are falling somewhat short of expectations. Notable, though, is that India and Russia are not a part of this club. What is happening in India is little short of the stuff that was occurring in Germany in the 1930s... and - well - we all know what Russia is getting up to.

Still Raging

Though of late, as I was contemplating, ruminating, and formulating how this post might go, I had noted that all the flashy headlines of the war in the east have become almost a side column in the papers... and, as these things go, no sooner had I had that thought than the news sources themselves started to observe (and, I think, President Zelenskiy) the risk that they would fall into the background in much the same manner as other conflicts that remain in the world. It is not that we shouldn't have a focus on all news relevant to our own countries and societies - but all conflicts deserve to be acknowledged and remembered. Particularly this one in eastern Europe, for, let us be clear - while none of us sitting here reading this are hearing bombs or fighters on alert, have tanks passing our windows or are seeing streets littered with the debris of battle (including bodies), we are all being affected by these events. The inflationary factors on our households are in part due to the rush back from COVID (and don't get me started on that one resurging..), but also significantly due to restrictions and sanctions that have, quite correctly, been placed upon trade with Russia and the collateral damage to supplies from Ukraine.

Much of my menorgulating has been a reflection of such thoughts as these. One has to think these things through to decide how one is going to act on any given day. I know that I am using very much less power - not just because of budget constraints but for environmental awareness and the fact that - for now - I am tied as so many of us are to fossil fuel services for electric and natural gas. In doing my weekly grocery shop, I find what was obtainable at £20 is now up around the £30 mark, so the last two shops have been only essentials so as not to buy into the depressive cycle of 'I can't afford it.' We have become so used to easy access to stuff that we really don't need, albeit pleasant to have, and have fallen into the trap of thinking we are being deprived by not having, say, that name brand of butter over the generic supermarket product.

I have been studying alternative power options. They are not applicable to the Hutch, it being one of a set of six in a single unit, and I don't see my neighbours being up for routing out the convenience of electric and gas supply for a windmill in the back yard and solar on the roof. I know that I will have to make a move in the not-too-distant future if I want to have a lighter foothold on the environment. 

However, I also need that move for the sadhvi in me - the roving philosopher needs to be unbolted from this very static, almost rock-like existence that has befallen her. It is as if I am in a waiting room - a holding pattern before landing. As stated at the start, I know this sensation. It builds within, with all kinds of planning going on in the background and then when the time comes, BOOM! 

Then again, I also despair of the possibility that I may be here this time next year with nothing changed at all. Now that is a depressing thought...

Menoreturnagain; Digging The Archive

I was a bit stuck - what to share today? Looked back to the first year of blogging and what was included in 'this week'; stymied, cuz there were etherwobbles. So went back one week. Found this. You may like it.

Sometimes we are so busy bounding around in Life we forget how to stop.  

Then Life finds a way of stopping us.

Before it does, remember this.  

Sometimes, the best remedy is no remedy.  

Sometimes, the best action is no action.  

Sometimes - just sometimes - silence is the panacea.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Menolyrical; Final Friday Fiction

The last Friday of March 2020 and the world is very different from what it was even a month ago. Here in blog land, we are keeping each other good company, and for this, we must be grateful. 

As more of you will have a bit more time on your hands, perhaps you'll have a go at the FFF challenge. See the dedicated page (check tabs up top) to find out how to join in. 

REMINISCENCE
One of the brilliant things about memory is that it generally recalls the good and - mostly - forgets the trials and tribulations of a particular time or relationship. Of course, there are degrees to this, many shades, and there are a few who remember only the dark. Predominantly though, the good times light our paths.

One of the tasks undertaken recently while adjusting to the new paradigm since Covid was a clear-out of my late mother's old dressing table stool. Which, I think was really always a sewing stool (you know the type) but it served in the bedroom too. It would have been her birthday on March 24th. It was a nice way to reminisce.

There was all manner of stuff in there. Clearly, my sisters had had a rummage and, I suspect, 'cherry-picked'. Much of it I could happily trash. Some scribbled notes on scraps of paper in mother's handwriting. Things about knitting stitches, or that something that she had heard from 'Shiela' or 'Wilma' or needed to pass on to 'Betty' or 'Dorrie'. There were cuttings from papers and mags which held no interest beyond the fact they had been of interest to her. Some sewing stuff. The odd nail, washer and screw. An inch of wool kept for 'just in case'. And another and another. This was the quintessential Elsie; always be ready for a rainy day, waste-not-want-not.

Among the items I opted to preserve were these. The photos were taken in Australia. The outside one at Old Sydney Town (historic re-enactment compound). The inside one, from our first visit to the newly refurbished Sydney city storehouse, the Queen Victoria Building. It was quite novel in the late 1980s to have old buildings repurposed to modern mall-style usage. It remains a very popular destination.

Who knows whether the box had been a gift sent from the USA or was a found item, but it is cute. (I have a 'thing' for little boxes and tins). Inside was some costume jewellery, most of which was trashable. I have kept, however, the little roll of bias trim. 'Just in case'. Will use the hair clasp as a paper clip. The diamonte necklace is worth nothing and has some spinels missing. However, I can remember my mother getting it for her 30th birthday and she wore it often when going out with dad. The little diamonte spray brooch she inherited from her own mother and I am happy to have it in my possession. Pure nostalgia.

Then there is the 'roo brooch. A tourist kitsch item, really, but of better quality than would be found these days. Who knew we'd be saying that about 1980s paraphernalia?!

Last, but far from least, the Children's Service pamphlet. Produced by the 'Scottish Council of Churches' (now known as the Action of Churches Together). Where on earth mother obtained this from I have no idea. I don't remember it ever from my own childhood... it is quite possible she picked it up from a bowls club fayre stall in her last years. Possibly finding some solace in the prayers within it? She never attended church, beyond the basic requirements of weddings, funerals and other nominated occasions.

It's a bit of a mystery, then. However, as a spiritual being, a philosopher and researcher of all things faith-related, I shall keep it in her memory. Tomorrow, you will find one of the small prayers quoted here. I hope you will find it fitting.

Nothing fictional about today's post, yet, in the recall of memory, it can only ever be coloured by the direct experience of this individual. Whether that would tally with the individual who was my mother, is quite another thing. I know that when family memories are discussed with my siblings, there are often differences in 'view'. Sometimes, one wonders if one actually shared the same space, or whether one or the other is living in la-la-land.

Do we all create our own lives? Is all of this just a fiction anyway, our lives just an imagining; like the sparks from a fire, looking bright and flame-like, but - in the end - falling away to ash and merging with the earth?

©Yamini Ali MacLean 2020

Menority Voices

Tail end of the alphabet now. Letter of the day is "V".

We live in times when, it seems, there is a clamour to be seen and heard. Everybuddy and their donkey (including me by writing here) has something to say and we have been afforded the privilege of technology to enable us.  All Voices have a potential to be heard, if they have access to this technology.

As has been witnessed, this privilege is often abused and frequently misused.

Veritas (truth). Latin root, Verus. This evolved into the English word 'Very'. We use this word to place an imperative emphasis on things. "She was very unwell." "The very thought caused him to shudder." However, the original meaning was closer to its root which was 'genuine, real.'

When we go around the ether finding all these small and less small voices having their say, how we are held by them and respond to them will depend not just on how real or genuine those voices are, but how much so we are within ourselves.

It is a simple fact that the human critter is drawn to that which most reflects similarity and familiarity. Birds of a feather and all that.

This can be useful for those who feel they are in a minority group. Gathering with others who feel this way makes for a larger group and a stronger voice. If this leads to better social integration and improved esteem, for example, then a positive purpose has been served. Nowadays there are many such examples, be it for those with physical or mental disablity  or others with gender difference, to name but two. These are the times of finding one's voice then finding the space to speak.

However, quite often, the technology affords too much freedom. It can be used to spread confusion, untruth, unrest, and all sorts of negativity. Those who might benefit from it instead find themselves adrift and lost or led down wrong paths due to their need and Vulnerability. Others see the anonymity afforded by the technology as a chance to rant and rave in a manner they are unlikely to use in person - though it must be said that manners and etiquette in general appear to have taken a dive in recent times. Social filters have either clogged or broken down altogether.

Verily, I say to you, herein lies a lack of Virtue (Virtis, the son of Veritas). None can claim virtue without also having truth on their side. What many claim as virtue now, when poked with the pin of intellect, proves to be Vanity, in which lies little or no truth at all.

Virtually all that is seen taking place on the technological platforms of today is an explosion of all that has always taken place in society throughout history. What was previously local and contained is now global and - apparently - gone feral. We may tut and shake our heads but, in fact, nothing is new under Sol. It just got big, is all.

Vast, even.

"Vah, vah, vah! The Vanity of Man. Brought upon himself because of desire and lack of Truth."
(Pujya Swami Swaroopananda)

Me-not-avidya; ignorant not

"K" is for Knowledge. Easy right? Well...

Pujya Swami Swaroopananda-ji has been covering some basic principles of the human condition during the discourses this week, using the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita for source material. It's all stuff I am qualifed to teach also. However, every medic, every lawyer, every financier - everyone who lays claim to a professional status also understands that there is a need to both keep current AND to review the basics of their understanding. We can become so caught up in the high-thinking and advanced concepts that the application and practicalities are sometimes left behind.

Everything, in the end, needs to be brought back to the individual. Who we are, why we are the way we are, and what we can do to 'fix' it!

Self-knowledge is one of the most challenging aspects of being human. We can be very adept at not looking at ourselves objectively. Truly without colouration of likes and dislikes, loves and hates, wants and needs. When we look in the mirror trying on a new dress, all we tend to view is the external. For the dress that is fine. For the person wearing the dress, what is there to see? Again we only tend to view the body. The physical. We assess everthing in our lives based upon our attachment to this vehicle of our being-ness and it is this we base our lives around.

We are so clever at justifying our behaviours and thinking. We are particularly good at looking and pointing and correcting others. We are happy to call their bluff, but if they do that to us...?

The true happiness in life is to have no 'skeletons', no drowning attachments, no uncontrolled desires and thoughts or reactiveness. Knowing who one truly is and living according to that, means to pass through life leaving only light behind one. There is no sorrow, no fear. There is no beginning or end to the Self. Knowing the eternal nature of that Self which is "I" alone, is the Knowledge which passes all understanding.

Therefore, Knowledge, of the capital 'k' kind... that takes some work!

Menoflecting; a little surrender

"G" is for Guru.

This week, here in OZ, Emm and I shall be attending discourses sponsored by the Chinmaya Mission. The Head of Mission, Swami Swaroopananda will be here to give practical pointers. He is most erudite and Loving.

When I first went to CM Sannidhi, (seems like a lifetime ago!) it was in complete ignorance. Having been met at the door by the resident 'monk', he was introduced to me as Br. Gopal. ("G") He was my first 'guru'. The short translation is 'teacher'. This Sanskrit word actually means 'remover of darkness'. It is applied to those we might, in the Western tradition, call 'professor', but there are other dimensions to it.

The term is one of those which has been adopted rather loosely in business and other secular areas when referring to an expert in a given field, but this is not really appropriate, for a Guru most definitely has an ecclesiastical purpose as well as providing all secular knowledge to the shishya (disciple/student).

Sw. Advayananda

It was not until attending Sandeepany, however, that the full impact of what it is to surrender oneself to a Guru made itself clear to me.

Now, I didn't go blindly. There are many 'false gurus' out there, or that is to say, charlatans. Then there are those who are teaching what appears to be the same stuff, and many people gain benefit from their teachings, but there somehow lies a contradiction within them. It is so important that we have proof of living as preached.

I found this in the parampara of Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda. It lives through Gopal-ji (who is now in the orange robes as Sw. Shrikarananda), and in Swaroopananda-ji and in my own direct Guru, Sw. Advayananda, in whose presence I spent two and a half incredible years.

Why is surrender important, what does it even mean?

It boils down to having full faith, total trust, deep devotion, and bright belief that the philosophy of Vedanta can be made one's own if one can, just a little bit, drop the ego and permit a free-flowing channel of communication between oneself and the Guru. To have all those things in alignment... well, that's Glorious!

🙏

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly - PHILOSOPHY

Last in a miniseries of articles which are partly personal history, partly ramble, but wholly geared to prompt more thought...

We have seen that faith must arise from intellectual conviction, trust from emotional and physical intuition, devotion from humility and the desire to serve, and that belief implies knowledge of something, whether proven or not.

Whatever you have faith in, whether or not you express trust, how available you are for devoted activity and no matter to what level you extend belief in anything or anybody, they will all hang upon your philosophy of life. 

There is the academic and formal meaning of the word philosopy, which is to apply reason in an attempt to understand the nature of the world, our existence, and the use and limits of knowledge. It can also encompass such things as morals and ethics. 

Philosophy can also mean, though, a group of ideas or theories related to a particular field of study; two obvious examples here would be religion and science. A subset of this includes things such as Greek philosophical theories (e.g. stoicism), which offer beliefs, values and principles of living not tied to scriptural sources. 

Thirdly, more informally, when someone expresses how they deal with life or view events within it, they are discussing their personal philosophy. It is an essential component of the exploration of things in the abstract. This is because the human critter has a fundamental need to understand itself and what is going on in the world.

We all, then, live with a philosophy, but what we may not have done is appropriately organise our thoughts around it. Thinking - proper, organised, meaningful thought processes - requires effort. 

Then there's putting the theory into practice. Philosophy holds no worth whatsoever unless it is tried on like an overcoat. 

For me, it was imperative to go beyond borders, not just of countries but also of cultures. A deep yearning and a healthy dose of scepticism drove the inquiry which resulted in my entering gurukula and immersing myself in Vedanta - the Sanskrit philosophy, which is the basis of Sanatana Dharma. 

More specifically, this philosophy is Advaita Vedanta, the end of knowledge which results in non-duality. This is the philosophy of Unity. We are All One in That Self. It is the Universal State - True Love (with the capital 'ell' 😊).

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

February is my 'personal challenge month'. There's just something about it... in recent years I have tried to turn the negative to a positive and make it a month of meditation and meaning. This was helped somewhat by the fact that I moved into the Hutch five years ago this week.

Five years. Blink of an eye.

Here, in my guha (cave), kutira (cottage), ashrama (hermitage) - my Hutch (place of shelter), I ponder. Some of my ponderings of late:

FAITH; there are the dictionary meanings, but what does it mean on a personal level?

TRUST; might this seem to be related to faith? Certainly, there is an element of this but again, there may be more than the word to deal with.

DEVOTION; we can sometimes view this as something a little negative. As some kind of bondage. Yet there are bonds which are definitely beneficial to us.

PHILOSOPHY; ...okay, this is a big one. Infinite, even. Particularly when you have a scientific turn of mind. Seeing is believing, right? Well... maybe...

BELIEF; you'd think this would speak for itself. However, many believe without seeing...

Thus it goes, when am left to my own devices - now prepare yourselves. I intend to explore each of these over the coming weeks. They will not be definitive explorations. There's probably not enough space in the universe for that.

Then again, perhaps the universe can be found in a single stare.

"Soksie", the Kolwan Guardian

MenoFest... Shine a Little Light!!!

Today, you are invited to share in the festival of Deepavali - more commonly known as Diwali - with me, by posting images of lamps or candles and spreading the bond of friendship.

Whilst this festival is celebrated mainly as a Hindu event, in India it cuts across religious boundaries and Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and even Muslims in most communities will celebrate... in much the same way that many non-Christians will celebrate Christmas. Outwith the religious parts, it is one big party of Love, light, togetherness. It is also akin to New Year in Western culture. A time to reflect on what has gone before and to realign one's thinking with some expectation of improved performance, enhanced beingness, and increased return on one's investment of time and effort in various aspects of life.

Such reflection, it could be argued, ought to be a daily activity. If we deal with such notions on a daily basis they are much more likely to bear fruit than if we attempt only a yearly 'harvest'!

Diwali actually takes place over five days, for the faithful. Some only celebrate over three days. Others will tell you it is four days. These differences come about from the varying traditions which came together in the one festival. In the North, it was the return of Sita-Ram to Ayodhya, in the South it is the victory of Krishna over the demon Naaraka... There is always included a night for devotion to Lakshmi for another twelve months of prosperity as well as the main celebration of the lights. Deepa means light and awali means row.

Rows and rows of lamps (deeyas) are arranged along walls and ledges and windows and cities, towns, villages everywhere seem alive the entire night! Everyone will have purchased at least one new set of clothing to wear for the event. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. 

Homes will be cleaned thoroughly, coconuts will have been cracked, sweets prepared...  pujas (ceremonies) will be performed in homes and temples and gifts will be given to all who are met. This festival instils charity in the hearts of people, who perform good deeds. On this day, they feed the poor on an incredible scale. Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.

It is common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere. 

The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination. Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.

Even those without spiritual leanings enjoy Diwali, for it brings families and communities together and helps us to focus on being the best that we can be as humans. When one flame touches another, often the resulting illumination is greater than would be imagined from the individual flames themselves...

Now it is your turn. Light up your posts with lamps or candles and shed a little Love through the flames!
This is a linky party for those who are posting specifically for Diwali. Any non-specific links will be removed. A link back to this post would be appreciated but is not compulsory. Entry open for 48 hrs. Thank you for celebrating with me!!!

Some gremlins are riding the ether and the submit button will not show (have tried three reruns!) - so my dears, link up through the comments box and I will add them here... sigh...

Menoducational; Walk Lightly

AHIMSA

The short 'a' sound in Sanskrit is closer to 'uh' and the longer 'a' sound is more 'aah' - so correct pronunciation is 'uhimsaah'. 

Straight away, with the English appearance of the word, we lose something of the value of the Sanskrit. The most common English explanation for this word is 'cause no harm'. That is fair enough an interpretation, but Sanskrit is one of those languages which holds value and meaning far beyond the words themselves.  

For example, the ending 'aah' indicates this word is feminine gender. Appropriate, really, when one thinks of all the ideal qualities of softness, caring, attention, serving and so on which are, traditionally, associated with a woman's role in life. (We can rant and rave about equality and equity, absolutely necessary in the modern age, but we cannot wipe out the biological imperative.) These are all implied when we use 'ahimsa'. 

The root verb for the word is 'him' - to strike. Placing the prefix 'a' negates words (mostly) in Sanskrit. Thus 'a-him' - do not strike. 'Saa' - she; pertaining to Gauri, mother of All. Mother Nature Herself. Every part of nature is included here, so it is not merely that we must not hurt each other, or other creatures, but also the environment, the very Earth which homes us.

In Hindu philosophy, this does not mean only physical harm. Speech can also cause harm. What is more, our thoughts can too. This is the part which challenges most. The minute we have a darkened thought towards another - whether or not we would ever carry it through to the physical expression - we create a potential of harm to them or the environment, but most of all to ourselves. Ahimsa means leaving out our grudges, our petty jealousies, the back-biting and criticism of others; the bitterness which causes us to pass blame and the anger which haunts us at every turn. Thinking negatively is a downer! 

It can be a hard one, a battle with every thought, but if we would call ourselves civilised, then ahimsa is a way of life to consider.

Menosukhi of the enviro-kind

Yesterday, in the sharing of the Maestro's pals playings, the name of Karine Polwart was given at the end. A very talented and popular performance artist, KP only recently took to theatre work. The stage-piece she developed is called 'Wind Resistance'.

There's a CD - you can get it from the link to her web page just given.

If you love philosophy and care for environment, she's the artist for you. You were given a link in yesterday's post to her song 'Follow the Heron'. If you place her name in the search engine of your choice, you will find there are plenty tubular offerings which feature this talented lady.  There are even some 'making ofs' for this stage work. Here is part one, and you can get the others from there if you so wish.

Why do I tell you about this? Well, apart from the fact that she invited the Maestro to accompany her on stage during one memorable performance some ten or eleven years back, there was also the spontaneity of the night before the Friends of... concert, wherein Mac1 called at 18;45h and said she would like to go the Lyc to see the show and she would pick me up in fifteen minutes if I wished to join

Well yes, than-yuu ma'am.

My word. We were blown away - pun only marginally intended. The story-telling was superb; the linking of several, apparently random facts, outstanding; the music excellent; the lighting and movement mesmerising; the words uplifting, heart-rending, shocking, confronting, comforting and unforgettably thought-provoking.

What shook me a bit, however, was how closely some of her stuff echoed the story which is appearing beneath my fingers for NaNoWrimo. The echos of that universal essential condition of beingness reverberated between that stage and this little critter, sitting 'up in the gods'.

Mac1 and I thoroughly enjoyed our interlude of suddenness. For her it took her mind away from all the pre-show nerves and for me? Well... I was once again reminded that when one clears the mind of all detritus and follows it to the core of existence, one links with all. There is no such thing as original thought in the individual, just variations on The Original, Creative 'Thought'...

Menospection; Delving Deep

I recently copied down all the Mac History posts into OneNote... there's a vague intention to tidy them up and make them into a flowing wholeness. A couple of folk have dropped hints this year that the actual 'menomoirs' seemed to have drawn to a halt. True. A couple of reasons for this; firstly, is anyone really that interested in a nobody's history?.. secondly, can I get over the sense of it being indulgent and, possibly, rather vain? It was found these queries answered themselves, as I do enjoy reading all my pals' moments of introspection and self-expression, and nobody is a nobody to everybody, everyone is a somebody to someone...

It was interesting going back to very early posts... there was a heavy dose of self-consciousness present, no doubt about it!

Then again, am quietly pleased that, however uneven, the blog has been consistent insofar as 'voice' and integrity. What you see is what you get, here at the YAMster's page and, because this one of the four blogs has no particular focus, you get a fair impression of how scattered she can be!!! It's fairly well-contained though. A controlled explosion, as it were. One of the things I love about writing of any kind is that once the pen hits the paper (print hits the screen), it's as much of a revelation to me as to you what appears...

...and very often one ends up at a destination one never knew existed. As it says up there on the left, "that's the adventure, is it not?"

A major part of 'keeping it together' for me in this year, which has not at all gone the way one might have hoped or designed, is the discipline of maintaining morning prayers (the meditation has gone a bit AWOL, but I know it will return) and the evening practice of lighting the lamp at the altar. Small but important things.

It struck me how stablising it is to have 'ritual' in the every day. What's that? You think you don't have ritual? What about the morning ablutions? That first cuppa of the day? Everyone has those... then there are the personal, individual things. For some, it is essential to get their fifteen minutes with the newspaper, or the walk with the dog; for others, it can be the regularity of meals, with set times... there are endless varieties to what each have as their regular habits, which frame the day and hold it in place. For some of us that is offering up a welcome to the day, a giving of thanks. In the Hindu tradition, there is a prayer/mantra for just about every act and moment in life.

The reason for this is to take the focus away from the small ego and place emphasis on the all-round, all-pervasive quality of Nature and Living. It places the individual in perspective against the wider existence. The essence is 'thought before action'. Take one of the morning shlokas, for example;

समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले | विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे || 

          samudra-vasane devi parvata-stana-mandale,
          vishnupatni namastubhyam paadasparsham kshamasva me.

          Oh Mother Earth (The Devi) who is having ocean as Her garments and mountains as                     Her bosom, 
         Who is the consort of Sri Vishnu, we bow to You; please forgive our touching you with                 our feet. 

This is chanted prior to rising from the bed and is intended to make us aware that every move we make upon the earth has an effect upon it. For those who are into the 'mindfulness' movement (Western, monetized, adaptation of Sanskrit, free for all, philosophy... but that's another soapbox...), this will make some sense. To have a chant to be uttered before embarking on a journey, or eating, or joining in a meeting... all help to focus the mind, make it alert to the impending action/event and maximising the capacity to perform and the benefit gained.

Each to their own. Will end it here. See? Who knew we'd share a prayer today?

MenoTreksikkuls; Serious Fandom

Okay; although strictly speaking am 'back' from the week away with the Mac-family, have yet to sort out photos and get thoughts gathered to present to you; so here's a filler.

Warning; this post is unashamedly Trek-indulgent... and there will be lots of third-party links.

It is coming to you by time-warp; as is my wont. One Sunday (let's call it May 14th) I was sitting in the Hutch with the rain and hail pelting the window and decided to go check out a tubular channel I had bookmarked. I would give you the link (cuz I know there are at least half a dozen of you who love it as I do)...but in looking more closely and following my curiosity, I will, instead, provide link to the actual website below. A little more about fandom though.

For those of you who have been around long enough here at Meno-blog, you will recall that the YAMster has been deeply involved with science-fiction fandom in her past; and particularly Star Trek. Am not so much into the fantasy side of things (did watch the early Star Wars, but after the first one, really couldn't be bothered). My escapism has to be intelligent, logical; not that I won't watch other stuff. Dr Who, for example - though I do have to occasionally battle the urge to yell at the telly when there are clear breaches of logic or continuity. I have to remember that the whole point of anything watched, researched, emulated to this degree, other than serious academic pursuit, is to give the human mind and heart some distraction and respite.

That said, this is one entertainment source which has gone WAAAAYYYY beyond itself. One can take Trek a good deal more seriously simply because it is so pertinent to living. How so? It uses hard science, it uses sociology & ethics, and it uses philosophy; and most of all, it looks at the frailty and the strengths of the human critter as it negotiates all that the universe can throw at it. This is not to say it is perfect or necessarily has all the answers, or that the answers it appears to provide are necessarily 'one size fits all'... but at the very least it gets folks talking, discussing the possibilities, and potentially working to better themselves.

Then there are the iconic figures of the original cast. Each covering all the various natures and potentials for interaction. Further to that, there's the excellent story-telling. Here in the Hutch, the FULL collection of DVDs is owned; the entire catalogue of Star Trek, including the animated series. Do I like the renewed film franchise? Am a wee tad split, as it has veered away somewhat from the original Roddenberry vision, I feel. The Spock-Uhuru connection is just plain nonsense and a bit of a turn-off for this pure Trekker; but it is tolerated as there is much else to enjoy.

However, it was an immense joy to discover the fan-driven, but professionally-produced 'ST Continues' shows. There are of course plenty of fan-produced items available on the tubular and elsewhere. This one, though, stands out for its authenticity and values. Came across this interview vid-clip (12 minutes) which gives you a good feel for the why and what of this franchise.

Something else I came upon, is a site with podcasts. Mission Log meticulously goes through a summary of each and every episode, then the two presenters explore the making, the presentation, the context and the effect and relevance of those episodes. More thought-provokery for ya!!!

Lastly but not at all leastly, found out when looking at all this, that there is a new show due for launch this year; ST-Discovery. Very little of any substance available on what it is going to do; I just pray it doesn't fall into the dark side...

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly.

One of the tools the YAMster uses when needing to clear her head and shrug off negativity is to allow a book from her shelf of philosophical and religious texts to fall open. The book is held to the heart and and a request made for guidance then simply permitted to open at whatever page comes first. If it's a prose piece, then a paragraph will naturally attract the eye and only that paragraph is read. If it is a scriptural versification, then a single verse will be taken.

This is the one which appeared during recent tribulation at the Hutch. It is something so common sense, yet to read it as an 'external' gave it a dimension which was extremely pertinent and useful. It is not that one didn't already apply much of what was written, but the affirmation brought relief. It is shared with you in Love.

"What ought to be our attitude while dealing with people?"

Jana Aadr[Iya ivñsnIya n tu z<knIya>.1.

Janaa aadaraniiyaa vishvasaniiyaa na tu shangkaniiyaaH ||1||

People should be respected and trusted, not suspected.

This is echoed in Biblical scripture; 'do unto others as you would have others do unto you'. It is a simple formula, yet how complicated we make it! We should behave in the manner in which we ourselves would like to be treated. It applies in all situations and at all levels in all types of relationships.

Living in harmony with people is difficult. Some find it easier to deal with animals or machines, as they are somewhat predictable and, moreover, are not so likely to answer back. It can be said there are two kinds of folk; those who 'have' difficulties and those who 'are' difficult. There are those who work and those who take the credit. In families we live together, yet have difficulty 'living together'. Strange and awkward are the human relationships! However, retreating into a world of animals or machines does not help us. People have to be dealt with at some time or other. How then to do this? What should our attitude be?

All too often we are on the defensive and we start out relationships with an element of suspicion, always trying to second-guess what the other is thinking, being suspicious of some underlying motive. We hold back our trust until the other proves themselves to us. However, put yourself in the shoes of the one being mistrusted and suspected. If you have to continually prove your worth, does it not become wearisome, depressing even? Is there not then a tendency to just give up? Similarly, to be the one always doubting means that one is not in a happy space.

Surely, there are those who do not have the most unselfish motives in life, but we simply cannot, for our own sakes, go around all the time suspecting and accusing. When we trust others, we invoke some level of goodness in them in turn. It may not be immediate, but very rarely can those who are 'difficult' resist the force of good will. This is not to say one ought to lack caution; particularly if a history is known. Nevertheless, trust in the values of goodness and warmth of spirit. Almost without fail it will anyway draw the people and relationships to you that you desire and will assist you also in your personal progress. Look for the things which connect you rather than separate you. There are quite likely to be some shared interests and even if these are slender ropes upon which to sling a new relationship, they at least serve as an anchorage from which to explore.

Respect and trust are the firm foundation of all lasting and worthwhile relationships. They are not automatic. They require building.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

Sitting pondering which direction to take you today, I was prompted by  a combination of related things.

Firstly, I had noted that Blogville seemed quiet. Even those who would regularly visit and leave their mark were not around. It didn't take too much to figure out that this was likely to be due to the fact that spring is really pouting now and folks prefer to be outside sundancing, rather than facing a computer screen. Fair enough; but just for one wavery moment I realised how much I love you all and miss you when you are not there! I began pondering what it is to be in community and how we find that. Whilst spiritual practice and intellectual endeavour certainly benefit from an ability to be solitary, the basic human critter is really quite social and needs interaction for a healthy and balanced personality.

Secondly, within the past two weeks, have had email interaction with no less than three of my blogpals who are all struggling. One is in her mid 80s and only started blogging in her 70s! This year, though, health decline is playing a part, but also state of mind. Despite having a wonderful hubby and lots to be positive about, she admits she now all the time frets about the son who has not spoken to her in years. That one negative is cancelling out all the rest. Another lady is in her mid-70s and has been blogging for about 10 years; a grandmother with custody of her younger grand-daughter and who, on a recent family holiday found herself in a freaky accident that has resulted in lengthy hospitalisation and her absence from blogging for many weeks. She has returned in the past few days and revealed something of the horror - but also proving to we, her devoted followers, that she is not one to let even this keep her down. Then there is the third, in her late 60s (I estimate) who is questioning why she is blogging at all and who admits to a state of 'low mood'.

There are all sorts of pressures upon us and at some point we all face the fact that, ultimately, we are alone. Having community can definitely help to keep us buoyant; but even then we can find that we drop the ball. Attitude, state of mind, plays such an enormous part in our coping strategy. The difference of the one lady to the other two is that she is the 'glass half full' type. She is still working, despite her age, and she has a young lady who depends upon her guidance. These give purpose and meaning to these later years of life.

With that trigger in mind I typed the words 'spreading Love' into the ol' wonderwebs and in amongst a whole lot drivel, two pages shone forth. Initially this first one had me wrinkling my brow somewhat. What kind of world is it that there is even a need for such a movement? Then I figured that this is just a large-scale version of what many do on an instinctive level anyway. I remembered that just before Christmas last year there was a news item about a 'Love bomber' in Inverness; all the trees along the river promenade had been tied with messages of Love and Succour for any who chose to read them.

The unfortunate part about such as this is that folk get suspicious; it's a cynical world now and many have difficulty in receiving kindness and offers of help. Or they fear it, because it might obligate them.

The second site is much more focused. The problem it posits is not confined to the States; it is present in a lot of the world now. Young folk are wondering 'what is the point?' However, it is not just young people. WHO statistics show a growing global trend. (NB, there are lots of really useful links within that article...)

All I could do for my three blogpals was send Loving words and some small comparisons to convey understanding... but do you know what? I also know that this is a big thing to do. In a predicament myself recently, I took the big step of reaching out. I just needed to hear some positive stuff in what was a very negative situation. I not only received that, I got the Loving words and the small comparisons. Nobody could do anything about the situation other than myself, but knowing that I had 'vented' and, what is more, been heard, gave the necessary boost to the coping mechanisms. My gratitude for that is beyond words.

Bottom line; no man is an island. Somebody said that somewhere and they were jolly well right. The kindness of strangers counts for a lot; the Love of those we respect and trust in return can move mountains.

Be not 'tight' with your compassion dear ones; a smile and gentle hello can make all the difference to someone's life.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

A few of you, I am sure, will at least know the name Ramana Maharshi, but how many know the story of this recent saint of Advaita Vedanta? Much can be read on the home website of the still-existing ashram, but I did think that, as an introduction, this little edit of rare footage of the saint, which includes a succinct narrative and demonstrates clearly why many believe he was a reincarnation of St Francis, was something you all might enjoy.

Swami Chinmayananda, from whose lineage this poor student draws inspiration, before embarking on spiritual purpose himself, had been an atheistic journalist. It was his encounter with Sri Ramana-ji which first planted the seed of possibility in his intellect that, actually, maybe there was something more worth investigating. After this, Bala Menon, as he was then, went to the Himalayas and met Swami Sivananda who impressed him as much as the Maharshi had, but who also could address the keen, indeed towering, intellect and answer all the logical mysteries and questions and doubts. There was no turning back, and in his turn, Gurudev became a significant teacher and leader of Advaitam.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

Easter Sunday came and went, here at the Hutch. At the end of the day, I was left pondering; news of North Korea, news of Syria, news of Turkey... verbal attack from a neighbour as I try to sort out the repair problems. There was a comment left by 'Peppylady' on the Easter post about how there seemed to be a lot of 'angry out there'. I couldn't help but agree. The mood was not helped by the climate (wet, windy and cold), nor by a couple of programs I chose to watch. They were good productions, intelligent and informative; but they were somewhat draining, borderline traumatic.

We must be informed, we must take notice. How not to become overwhelmed, though? How not to curl up in a ball and bawl???

A little bit of me wanted to do that. A small sense of despair ... disgust? ... was setting in, tears were welling, heart was swelling. So often that tired old accusation has been cast at me, "what God can allow this to happen? How can you believe in God?" The answer is easy. My concept of God is not what people think it is. Besides, it has nothing to do with God or any concept which is represented by use of that appellation.

It does have everything to do with humanity and the lack of it. A rather weak analogy (but all I can come up with at the moment) is that of the parent who does everything they can for their child, living and modeling all the values considered 'good', only to find much later that the person they produced has gone on to live a life of debauchery or thievery or thuggery... who is to blame, the parent or the person who commits the erroneous behaviour? Conversely, there are countless tales of children rising out of very poor examples of parenting and social background, making good and positive contributions to the world. This is not done by 'God', but by humans living their lives.

That said, it is the concept of something greater than us which can be uplifting, anchoring, balancing and protective. To have a strong and positive philosophy  and purpose for taking action in any given day is what keeps the world turning.

I am not talking doctrine. Doctrine is what gets God a bad name all too often. Doctrine is what has permitted far too many men over history to commit animal acts and pass them off as being the will of God, when it is NOT; it is the carnal will of beasts, wrapped up in personalised extrapolation. Man's interpretation of the pure philosophy of beingness, the anthropomorphisation of spirit. "God" is not a he or a she or even an 'it', but we are so limited in our capacity to comprehend That, we are forced to bring it down to our level. The philosophy of spirit gives us all something to live up to. If we fail and fall, who is to blame?

There I was, pondering all this. Faced with warring neighbours in a tiny tenement in a tiny town in a tiny country, I couldn't help but think there was a correspondence with the greater world. That lady over the way who appeared to be attacking me out of anger was put off kilter by finding that I did not cower, did not back away, did not raise my voice in return. Instead, I spoke gently, inquisitively, firmly, and standing my ground on the matter. I kept moving towards her, one slow step at a time, until we were standing in her doorway and not mine; after some minutes, we parted with civil goodbyes and an admission on her part that it wasn't really me she was angry with. My observation throughout (not voiced) was of a woman shaking with fear; her response to fear was to attack. Confrontation does not have to mean aggravation or escalation.

The attempt to bombard was defused by Love. Do not mistake this for meaning small love, or even liking that person. I called on that Higher Essence within which is the Essence in All. The training of the mind which has been undertaken over these past decades was finally paying off. A test of the philosophy I live by is under way. I pray to That which is Greater than me that I can pass.

As the world twists and turns on itself, as neighbour countries 'across the way' agitate and blow smoke, as populations tremble, the question arises as to whether we have the leaders who understand the pressure of Love over the bullying of bombs. I pray to That which is Higher than us that we do...

Menosundays; Life Lived Lovingly

A couple of weeks back, I shared with you a direct insight into the world of Advaitic philosophy, that which sees All as One in the expression of Love. In earlier posts, I have mentioned that 'namaste', the more well-known Indian greeting, means 'the spirit in me is the spirit in you'. It is an acknowledgement of that basic tenet of Hindu philosophy; that there is no difference between us. For those who may have missed it, 'Hari Om' (which has several meanings) is said by those who accept the unity; it says 'you am I' or 'That Alone Is'; there is no difference. (Note the 'between us' is dropped; if we accept unity, there is no 'us'.)

Since that post, Chinmaya Mission has released a snippet of film from Gurudev's last discourse on the Bhagavad Gita, which pertains exactly to the concept. It is subtitled, so no concerns about accents.

Menoracular; On Higher Teaching pt 7

Thus the new layout at Pradeep has the offering of the little walk through temples permitting contemplation on the Mahaavaakyas. I hope you were not too bamboozled by that summary of their essence. It felt important to share it with you. These statements arise from the Upanishads and are therefore very pertinent to the discourse which Guruji was presenting.

Another gem of the new setup was the 'walkway to realisation'. The Mahaavaakyas having now been explained in a nutshell to you, there was also a physical representation on a boardwalk incline.

© Yamini MacLean

There are quotes and prompts for contemplation to help us understand what is involved in this process.

As stated, it is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a full-immersion experience.

There are warnings also, of the many hurdles and pitfalls along the way. No matter how adept one may become, there is danger right until that goal is at last attained. It can be quite easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of self-work which must be undertaken.

The aim is to purify oneself right down to the seed of each thought. A daily struggle!

The walkway also gave encouragement and hope.

© Yamini MacLean - beware the ego pit!

© Yamini MacLean

© Yamini MacLean

At the top of the boardwalk, one turns around and can see more clearly. There is no clutter to one's vision, no distracting pattern or colour.
There is clarity.

This part of Pradeep also gave much joy.

The tie-in  to the teachings under way also added to this I suppose. 'Stuff' was getting stirred up. There was reminder of one's purpose, which may have gotten a bit crusted-over in the past three years.

There was also a sense of an ending and beginning. Exactly what that's about remains to be discovered!!!