MAY LOVE PREVAIL ON EARTH
July 27, 2004
The Arisen Phoenix Series #6: Positive Signs Giving Cause for Hope
Hello everyone
It is always interesting to me how material synchronistically arrives to me and lines up in an often quite cohesive, relevant manner as I prepare a compilation.
This one is a case in point as you'll see
Enjoy and share ;-)
Jean Hudon
Earth Rainbow Network Coordinator
Free subscription to such compilations by sending a blank email to earthrainbownetwork-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
This compilation is archived at http://www.earthrainbownetwork.com/Archives2004/ArisenPhoenix6.htm
"We are living times of great barbarism because solidarity among humans is extremely scarce. 1,400 million persons live with less than one dollar a day, two thirds of which make up humanity of the future: children and youth under 15 years of age, condemned to survive with 200 times less energy and raw materials than their North American brothers and sisters. But, who thinks of them? The opulent countries do not have the minimum sense of solidarity, because they set aside less than 1% of their gross internal wealth to meet this calamity. More than a political revolution is needed to solve this scourge. What is urgently needed is an ethical revolution to awaken the deep feelings of fraternity and familiarity to make intolerable such dehumanization and that precludes the voracious dinosaurs of consumerism to continue with their self centered vandalism. We urgently need, then, an ethos that is in solidarity with all those who have fallen by the side of the path."
- Leonardo Boff - Taken from The "Ethos" of Solidarity - More on this author at http://music-books-online.net/search_Leonardo_Boff/searchBy_Author.html
"People living deeply have no fear of death."
- Anais Nin
Worthy of Your Attention
Most inspiring paintings based on actual celestial glyphs (crop circles)
http://www.janosh-art.com/
You must give a look at the latest 2 celestial glyphs!
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2004/pewsey2004c/pewsey2004c.html
Love is the answer! and...
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2004/woodboroughhill/woodboroughhill2004a.html
A clear depiction of the Light tunnel we go across when we transition (die) from this plane of existence to Nirvana.
Read also the events surrounding the appearance of Pewsey White Horse formation
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2004/pewsey2004B/pewsey2004B.html
Steve Alexander's "Temporary Temples" beautiful website is also worth a long visit!
http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/
He has many formations not shown on the Crop Circles Connector website
Check his pictures of the 2004 formations at http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/2004/index.html
We the People: A Call to Take Back America
http://www.we-the-people-book.com/
This graphic book based on the writings of Thom Hartmann gives much of the history of how corporations have been able to take over the political process in America. "America faces its greatest threat since the Civil War. The worst fears of the Founders are being realized, as powerful corporate interests have taken over our culture and representative government. We the People now face a fundamental choice: take back our country ... or do nothing, and become victims of tyranny and empire." More details also through http://www.google.ca/search?q=We+the+People%3A+A+Call+to+Take+Back+America&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
Recommended by "Gene Latimer" gene@coreway.com">
In case some of you missed it, here is this announcement once again: To review Matthew Ward's latest (July 16) message about the talk of postponing US elections and much more, please CLICK HERE - Here is a brief quote:
"Earth will not permit more desecration to her population in any life form or to her planetary body. Ages-old as well as recent United States policies and activities hold forth only the promise of more of these happenings, and this will NOT be allowed to continue. Restoration and preservation within higher frequencies is Earth's choice, and in accordance with this, her constant high light assistants within, on and beyond the planet are revving up to end actions to initiate or prolong wars, oppression, diseases, environmental destruction, erosion of human rights, and the negativity that these create. This means that the kind of governing that has caused and perpetuated these conditions anywhere must end."
The Most Important News On Earth
http://Lovearth.net/News.php
7000+ Progressive News Links Published In 2004
Spiritual leader Sri Raniji is currently touring North America giving "Taste of Enlightenment" workshops featuring Sri Kalki's powerful enlightenment deeksha and transfer of energy never offered, before this year, in North & South America. Her schedule can be found at http://www.trueawakening.org
Author Seeks People to Interview for Book - Author Robert Schwartz is writing a book (http://www.courageoussouls.com) about why souls choose prior to birth to experience certain challenges in their upcoming lifetime. He would like to interview people who know why their soul chose the specific challenges they have faced. This is an opportunity for people to share stories that may inspire and help others who face similar challenges. If you might like to be interviewed, or for more information, please contact him directly at courageoussouls@yahoo.com
Introduction to all the books written by Jose Arguelles, the "Closer of the Cycle"
http://www.foundationforthelawoftime.org/vision/index.html
For those who want to find out more about the vision behind the just-occurred "Day Out of Time" and the proposed natural harmonic calendar based on the 13-moon 28-day cycle. Check also the "Declaration of The Great Calendar Change of 2004" at http://www.foundationforthelawoftime.org
The Hidden History of the Human Race
http://www.afn.org/~ghi/hhhr.html
Over the past two centuries, researchers have found bones and artifacts showing humans like us existed millions of years ago. But mainstream science has suppressed these facts. Prejudices based on current scientific theory have acted as what Michael A. Cremo and Richard L. Thompson call a knowledge filter. According to Cremo and Thompson, we have thus come to accept a picture of prehistory that is largely incorrect. The Hidden History of the Human Race is a call for a change in today's rigid scientific mindset. Bringing to light a great number of long hidden facts, Cremo and Thompson challenge us to rethink our understanding of human origins and the accepted methods of science itself. Check also the Reviews/Comments at http://www.afn.org/~ghi/hhhrrevs.html and another review at http://www.insight-books.com/ANCC/0892132949.html - Check also this virulent critic of their claim... "Hidden History, Hidden Agenda" at http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/mom/lepper.html
CONTENTS
1. Words of thanks
2. A few thoughts on good and evil
3. Empower the disillusioned
4. Another comment on The disappearance of the universe
5. The Mary Magdalene Within
6. Huge Success in Congress on Darfur!
7. Being Aware of The Negative Game...
8. United Nations: 10 stories the world should hear more about
9. The Holographic Universe
10. Selected Death Tolls for Wars, Massacres and Atrocities Before the 20th Century
11. Art links
See also:
Single 'intelligence center' in brain unlikely, UCI study also finds (July 19, 2004)
http://today.uci.edu/news/release_detail.asp?key=1187
Irvine, Calif. - General human intelligence appears to be based on the volume of gray matter tissue in certain regions of the brain, UC Irvine College of Medicine researchers have found in the most comprehensive structural brain-scan study of intelligence to date.The study also discovered that because these regions related to intelligence are located throughout the brain, a single "intelligence center," such as the frontal lobe, is unlikely.(...) While gray matter amounts are vital to intelligence levels, the researchers were surprised to find that only about 6 percent of all the gray matter in the brain appears related to IQ."There is a constant cascade of information being processed in the entire brain, but intelligence seems related to an efficient use of relatively few structures, where the more gray matter the better," Haier said. "In addition, these structures that are important for intelligence are also implicated in memory, attention and language." CLIP
UN Demands Israel Scrap Barrier (20 July 2004)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3911785.stm
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding that Israel comply with a world court ruling to dismantle its West Bank barrier. The vote was passed with 150 in favour, 6 opposed and 10 abstentions. All EU countries voted in support after agreeing changes to the text with Arab states, but the US opposed it. The resolution, which is non-binding, was drafted after the International Court of Justice ruled the barrier illegally cut into Palestinian land. CLIP
Anti-War Group Agrees to NYC Protest Site (21 July 2004)
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040721_2100.html
New York - An anti-war group on Wednesday gave up its fight for Central Park and accepted the city's offer to use a highway along Manhattan's far west side for a rally before the Republican convention. "We need to move on, so we decided to take the high road here," Leslie Cagan, leader of United for Peace and Justice said at a news conference. "The city forced us into a location we did not want. It's not our first choice." The decision ends a standoff that began last year between city officials and the group. The Aug. 29 protest will begin at 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue, head uptown past convention headquarters at Madison Square Garden, turn west on 34th Street and flow onto the West Side Highway. Organizers have said they expect hundreds of thousands of demonstrators for what could be the largest of more than a dozen rallies planned during the Republican National Convention, which begins Aug. 30. CLIP
1.
Date: 20 Jul 2004
From: calbrowne@aol.com
Subject: Thank YOU
Greetings Jean
I pray all is well with you. As usual, THANK YOU for keeping us focused. As we all are still on the path to enlightenment we cannot give up now in the darkest hours. We must continue to hold on the faith we KNOW is in our hearts, minds and souls. We are on this journey to make our soul voices heard. We have not yet realized the power of thought, speech or action, but the time draws ever so near. Don't give up. We love you.
Peace & Love Always,
Caroline
2.
GREAT WISDOM WORTH CONTEMPLATING
Date: 18 Jul 2004
Subject: A few thoughts on good and evil
From: Barry Snyder barrymartin@att.net">
Dear Jean,
Maybe this will be helpful in this ongoing dialogue.
Love,
Barry Martin Snyder
There is nothing inherently good or evil at the absolute level. It is the act of judgment which makes anything so. Any attempt to avoid one in favor of the other, gives power to the illusion of duality which throws the mind and soul into conflict and suffering. In fact when painful, distorted images arise within or without, there is a profound opportunity to witness whether one is able to simply be with "what is" without reaction or engagement of ego coping mechanisms. That does not mean that there is no pain or feeling, it simply means there is no judgement, attachment or identification associated with the experience. The experience floats through the clear sky of being without travail or suffering.
God contains all possibilities in creation, all that we deem good and evil at the relative level. Only we judge them as such, a creative action with results in duality and distortion. To deny or avoid any part of this creation is to engage in separation. The bible is clear about what caused the "Fall"....eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When we have a reaction, it is easy to turn away and thus not avoid what is going on within and without. A great pitfall on the path is to separate from what we call shadow and evil under the spiritual principle of not wanting to give power to such things.
At a deeper level this is often a strategic effort by the spiritual ego to stay in power by deflecting awareness from the unfinished business within which is being evoked by the experience. When we have faced all the inner and outer demons and open our heart to receive whatever arises there is nothing left but love and compassion. All fear and judgment are gone. This is the end of the road, a place that many of the great ones come to. As Christ Jesus came to on the cross, the total compassion of Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. He could only see a lost and sleeping soul, and he had no judgment, only love and compassion.
If we attach or identify with any end of a polarity, we create duality and thus continue the illusion of separation. Beyond this veil, there is no need for a discussion of what to do about any outer appearances on the stage of the world. They simply are as they are. God evolving into greater levels of self realization in mysterious ways beyond our comprehension. Witnessing from this state of unified being, the appearance of duality literally dissolves and the Oneness alchemically emerges from the fragmented polarities now embraced as one. This is a powerful act of healing and re-unifying that one in the enlightened state is capable of. Conflicts and struggle simply dissolve in the face of this illumined consciousness. And from this perspective, the response that also arises must be from beyond separation and duality. It arises empty and free of a self sense that sees things as good or evil, right or wrong.
The Hsin Hsin Ming by Sengstan, speaks so clearly to this...
The Great Way is not difficult
for those who have no preferences.
When love and hate are both absent
everything becomes clear and undisguised.
Make the smallest distinction, however
and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.
When all things are seen equally
the timeless Self-essence is reached.
No comparisons or analogies are possible
in this causeless, relationless state.
3.
Date: 25 Jul 2004
From: Lea Rothrock lrothrock@yahoo.com">
Subject: Empower the disillusioned
Dear Jean,
A couple of compilations ago, you asked if any of us had ideas about how to empower those who are disillusioned with the likely outcome of the upcoming US presidential "election." Here's mine.
All the world's a stage, and we are merely players. So let's try looking at this like it's a movie.
How we must love drama mystery suspense thrillers, because we sure write a lot of that into our script. What would be the most satisfying plot line for a species that apparently likes to push the envelope? We've set ourselves up with a doozy this time, what with secret technologies and contaminants in our food and water, and odds that look insurmountable. The downtrodden heroes have been stripped of their rights, their health, and their livelihoods. Can it get worse? Yes. But there is something, a power that does not depend on wealth, on weapons, or on fear. Quite the opposite. This power depends on faith.
In this movie, the heroes have learned the lessons of ancient wisdom - the secrets that enable huge stones to be moved with nothing but sound - and the discoveries of true science (like Masaru Emoto's revelations that the vibratory energy of thought and word has physical effect on the water in people's bodies, and therefore on them). It is understood that the Word of the beginning, the Creative Force, is "sound" shaped by thought and intent - whether it is heard or not.
So that's our mission. To learn those secrets. The gentleman who built Coral Castle in Florida knew them, he constructed and moved an entire building of huge boulders by himself. He wouldn't tell anyone how, but a group of spying teenagers said they heard him sing to one. The Tibetan monks did it, according to two German doctors who witnessed it mid-last century. They used horns and voices and a precise formation. The power is there, we just have figure out how it works.
In the meantime, let's use Mr. Emoto's discoveries. Let's shape some vibratory energy with thought and intent and beam it at the Democratic National Convention in Boston this week. If we do it collectively, at a given time, maybe we can pop a few light bulbs or something. Maybe we can purify some body water, and who knows what effect that could have? If we all beam some white hot Love at them, perhaps shaped with intent of Truth, and Goodness and Right Choices, maybe something surprising will happen.
If you think it's worth a try, pick a day and time and mail it out. If anybody on the list is going to be there, they can tell us if they saw or felt anything. What a cool experiment!
Love and thanks to you,
Lea Rothrock
4.
From: "Susan McCauley" khai_sfm@hotmail.com">
Subject: The disappearance of the universe
Date: 20 Jul 2004
Greetings Jean:
I am so pleased that Donna has referred you et al to this wonderful book. She beat me to it. I just finished it and it is so profoundly the message that we've been seeking. It refers throughout to A Course in Miracles, which I've had on my shelf as part of a Ph.D. program but which I have picked up and glanced at and returned without any real reading numerous times. I now pick up ACIM and find it to be easy to read, completely soul-nourishing and the perfect guide. Gary Renard's book took me on a mind warp ride and landed me with pure grace and I am forever grateful.
Much Love to You and All,
Susan McCauley
5.
Date: 18 Jul 2004
From: "James Lawler" jlawler15@cogeco.ca">
Subject: The Mary Magdalene Within
Dear Jean,
Thank you very much for sending out my political message.
On another note:
I just finished reading The Mary Magdalene Within, a channeled book from Mary Magdalene through Joan Norton. It is an achingly beautiful, powerfully moving, and profoundly original story and teaching. I hope very much that this book gets the wide distribution that it deserves. Now is the time for it, as the great popularity of The Da Vinci Code shows. Everyone who has been intrigued by that book will want to read The Mary Magdalene Within.
This book shows what is missing in Mel Gibson's, The Passion of the Christ, which is a blank space in the gospels in general: the full picture of Jesus as teacher of love in and for physical human beings, love of physical existence as the incarnation of the divine, as this is to be found in the sacred feminine of women, and in particular of a woman. Despite the blind spots of the canonical gospel accounts, which were the natural reflection of the unconsciousness of men of the time, the story is told that the resurrected Jesus appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene. Mel however shows Jesus alone and self-sufficient, and so not as a lover of a woman who turned to his beloved first of all.
The Mary Magdalene Within begins with this last meeting of lovers, and then takes us back to the beginning, the stone-throwing, the first experience of a new kind of relationship of man to woman and woman to man in a world that knew nothing of what we now call romantic love. This is the story of the beginning of that new idea, which we still fail to understand in all of its majesty and profundity.
Mary's story of the crucifixion that is told here needs to be contrasted with the blood and gore in which The Passion of the Christ wallows, on the mistaken belief that we are redemed through suffering, through the destruction of the body--rather than through love of the body's beauty, through the embrace of the embodied divinity in each of us.
The book is 135 pages, available for $16.95 US through
Oak Park Avenue Publishing
7301 Oak Park Avenue
Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Best wishes,
Jim Lawler
6.
From: "Jean-Pierre Caron" galacteus@sympatico.ca">
Subject: Huge Success in Congress on Darfur!
Date: 24 Jul 2004
Hello, Jean.
This is another example of the power enlightened people can have on elected officials. Let's hope there will be a follow up to this resolution...
Namaste, mon frère!
Jean-Pierre
----- Original Message -----
From: FaithfulAmerica.org alerts@faithfulamerica.org">
Sent: July 24, 2004
Subject: Huge Success in Congress on Darfur!
Wonderful news! Late last night, shortly before they adjourned until September, the US House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed resolutions designating Darfur a genocide and calling on the US government to stop the killing, including through a possible intervention.
The situation in Congress was touch and go until the last minute with several members threatening to water it down or block the vote. So the more than 52,000 messages sent by FaithfulAmerica.org members came at just the right time. Huge congratulations to everyone; we really made a difference. You can read the resolutions and relevant press coverage here: http://www.darfurgenocide.org/success.htm
These resolutions give us a powerful bipartisan mandate to push the US government to act.
Yet while a significant victory, this means little until we see real change on the ground to save lives. Unfortunately, the situation in Darfur is getting worse. The people of Darfur are still praying that we will answer Gods call to aid our brothers and sisters in distress.
We must redouble our efforts, and make sure this is not a summer we remember with regret. We hope to get a plan of action to you early next week.
Blessings,
The FaithfulAmerica.org Team
For more information on Darfur, or to get involved in local activism, please visit http://www.darfurgenocide.org/
7.
Date: 24 Jul 2004
From: Trevor Osborne wharmony@westnet.com.au">
Subject: Being Aware of The Negative Game...
Hi Jean,
As you know I don't normally focus on negativity too much but after receiving this email from one of our fellow networkers I thought I'd share it with you and your readers.
Even though we might tend towards creating a new positive world I believe we also need to be aware of what is happening in the old negative world so we do not inadvertently get caught in the trap they are setting for us all. One of these traps is to persuade us to divert our positive efforts into trying to counter the negative side. I've learned that trying to fight, or counter the negative side just creates more negativity. Another trap is enticing us us to "play their win-lose game" which takes us off the focus of our mission (very subtle trap). The old win-lose game is an endless one and those who are still playing it are experts, and know every trick that ever was ever invented. However, what they don't know too much about is the win-win game that involves creating peace, harmony, love, cooperation, non-judgement, etc. These are all the traits of the new paradigm society that we are almost ready to start creating physically. I'll be letting you know more about what I am doing towards this end in due course. But, for now my suggestion is for all us to keep focusing on our passion and our dreams with love and integrity as this will contribute more than most of us can even imagine.
Love, Light, & Laughter...
Trevor
---
NOTE FROM JEAN: The article Trevor was including came in fact from my last compilation The Writing on the Wall Series #29: The Day of Reckoning for the Demonic Presidency is Coming Fast
If you want to review this article "Michael Moore Shills for Illuminati Bankers", it is available at http://www.savethemales.ca/000489.html
8.
From: http://www.simedia.org/new/soc-econ-pol/united_nations_ten_stories.html
United Nations: 10 stories the world should hear more about (April 30, 2004)
This UN initiative highlights humanitarian as well as conflict-related emergencies, and points out UN responses to them.
To shine a spotlight on some of the most important international issues and developments that do not get sufficient media attention, the United Nations Department of Public Information presented a new initiative Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About.
The list includes a number of humanitarian emergencies, as well as conflict or post-conflict situations, and covers positive developments the UN has helped bring about. The following is a brief synopsis of the UNs list of top 10 under-reported stories:
(1) Uganda: Child soldiers at centre of mounting humanitarian crisis
With economic growth of more than 8 per cent over the past three years, Uganda comes across as a compelling story of hope for other African nations. However, an armed insurgency in northern and eastern Uganda has created one of Africas largest displaced populations. The 18-year-old rebellion of the Lords Resistance Army against the government has forced over 1.6 million Ugandans half of them children to flee to squalid and overcrowded camps in order to escape wanton attacks and killings. The number of internally displaced persons has almost tripled since 2002. Attacks on civilian targets continue, carried out by child soldiers much younger than their victims.
In Uganda some 30,000 children have been abducted to work as child soldiers and porters
Since the rebellion began in the 1980s, some 30,000 children have been abducted to work as child soldiers and porters, or to serve as wives of rebels and bear their children. These numbers have soared, with 10,000 children abducted in the past 18 months alone. Despite the gravity of the humanitarian situation, less than 10 per cent of the $130 million requested by the humanitarian community for 2004 has been received. In some areas, malnutrition rates as high as 30 per cent have been recorded among children.
(2) Central African Republic: a crisis crying out for help
In 2003, with much of the worlds attention focused on Iraq, the Central African Republic (CAR), suffered another in a long history of coups and uprisings when General Bozize led an army of insurgents to topple elected President Ange-Felix Patasse in March 2003. Today, transitional institutions have been established and an electoral calendar has been issued with planned elections in January 2005.
Nevertheless, the overall situation remains volatile. In spite of its abundant natural resources, CAR ranks 154th among the worlds 174 poorest countries with 95 per cent of its population living on less than US$2 a day. Over 1 million of its 3.7 million population are isolated and without access to healthcare, education and basic services. With 200,000 people internally displaced, farming has been disrupted and the countrys food security is precarious. Some 15 per cent of CARs population suffers from HIV/AIDS, making it one of the worlds 10 most seriously affected countries, while the number of children orphaned by AIDS continues to escalate.
The international community is being called on to provide immediate support not only to stabilize the transition to democracy, but also to enable viable economic development. So far only $700,000 has been raised in response to a special humanitarian appeal made by the UN in November 2003 seeking a total of almost $17 million.
(3) AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa: a looming threat to future generations
While the tragedy of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been drawing increased media attention, one of its most troubling aspects the long-term impact on African societies of 11 million AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa has been featured less often.
The AIDS epidemic contributes to deepening poverty in many communities, because the burden of caring for orphans often falls on already overstretched families women or grandparents with the most meagre resources. Without a safety net, street life is the recourse for many orphans, who often suffer from poor health, trauma and psychological distress, making them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
The epidemic will also have a profound effect on future governance, social structures and growth of the worst-hit countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Dramatically high mortality rates will result in the depletion of much of the labour force, both in urban and rural areas, with the losses having a dramatic impact on the foundations of economies and state administration. With the worldwide toll of AIDS orphans predicted to reach 25 million by the year 2010, this problem should remain at the centre of attention of all concerned governments, the public and the media.
(4) The peacekeeping paradox: as peace spreads, surge in demand strains UN resources
The resources needed to help keep the peace are being strained by so much peace to keep. Recent headlines may seem to contradict it, but today fewer people are being killed by war than at almost any time in the 20th century. Some 25,000 were killed in armed conflict in 2002, just one-tenth the number killed each year during the 1990s. Even 9/11, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, have not reversed the decline in recent years.
There are two basic reasons for this decline in war deaths: fewer wars are starting and many old wars are ending. Paradoxically, these positive developments are imposing a strain on resources, with new demands being made on UN peacekeeping. To ensure that some of these conflicts really do end and peace proves sustainable, new peacekeeping missions are beginning in Liberia and Côte dIvoire, with another to be deployed in Haiti.
UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti
Currently, 15 UN-led peacekeeping missions on three continents have some 50,000 soldiers in place. Even if the cost for UN peacekeeping rises to $4 billion a year, which is possible if the UN Security Council calls for new missions in all of the places currently under discussion, UN peacekeeping will still cost less than 1 per cent of what the United States alone spends each year on the military. But in the UN context, the current surge of peacekeeping needs will push the system to the outer limits of its capacity.
(5) Tajikistan: rising from the ashes of civil war
Despite formidable challenges in the aftermath of a civil war, Tajikistan persists on the road to peace and recovery in an under-reported effort. At a time when much of the worlds attention was focused on the conflict in the Balkans, civil war also engulfed this small country in Central Asia. In Tajikistan, which became independent in 1991, fighting between militias representing different regions of the country led to massive destruction. The conflict and its aftermath resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 people and led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with some 1.2 million becoming refugees or internally displaced persons.
The civil war in Tajikistan and its aftermath resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 people and led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with some 1.2 million becoming refugees or internally displaced persons.
Today, Tajikistan is on the way to a hard-won peace brokered by the UN in 1997, which brought an end to hostilities and began the process of reconstruction. The UN Tajikistan Office of Peace-building (UNTOP) and the UN Country Team have played a lead role in a wide array of UN post-conflict activities in the country aimed at consolidating peace and national reconciliation, promoting the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions. As part of that effort, the UN has helped to mobilize international support for programmes promoting demobilization, voluntary arms collection and employment creation for former fighters.
(6) Women as peacemakers: from victims to re-builders of society
While the plight of women in war often gets close media attention, what is often overlooked is the vital role played by women in negotiating peace and rebuilding societies.
In May 2003, Rwandans ratified a new constitution allotting 30 per cent of decision-making positions to women. The results of September 2003 parliamentary elections in Rwanda went beyond the prescribed quota, as women secured 49 per cent of seats in the legislature the highest number of women parliamentarians anywhere in the world an outcome for which Rwandan women lobbied heavily.
Women peacemakers are making a difference in hot spots of every region of the world. Palestinian and Israeli women have joined forces and work together as advocates for peace. In Nepal, women who were victims of violence are seeking representation in peace talks between the government and Maoist rebels. Womens Peace Caravans venture into the most treacherous conflict-ridden interiors of Colombia to protest against the civil war and negotiate with the guerillas. Through their often unseen and unsung work, women are bringing peace to many troubled countries.
(7) Persons with disabilities: a treaty seeks to break new ground in ensuring equality
Governments are considering a breakthrough treaty on persons with disabilities, which, if approved, would create a legally binding framework for the protection and promotion of the rights of the disabled. The treaty would go far beyond the traditional concept of access to the physical environment, to include equal access to social opportunities, health, education, employment, and effective political, economic and social development. Governments that sign on will be legally bound to treat persons with disabilities not just as victims or a minority, but as subjects of the law with enforceable rights.
A unique feature of the treaty is that the process of negotiation is open, consultative and accessible to persons with disabilities and their organizations as they work together with government experts at the UN. This new legal instrument brings to the fore the need to raise awareness on a wide range of issues of concern to the 600 million people worldwide who experience disabilities of various types and degrees.
(8) Bakassi peninsula: recourse to the law to prevent conflict
The resource-rich Bakassi peninsula, and the 1,600 kilometre-long border area between Cameroon and Nigeria extending from Lake Chad to the Gulf of Guinea, have been points of contention between Cameroon and Nigeria since 1913. The disagreement culminated in mounting hostilities and military confrontations in the early 1990s between the two nations. In 1994, Cameroon asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the UN, to settle the dispute.
After eight years of adjudication, the Court decided in part that sovereignty over the Bakassi peninsula and in the disputed area in the Lake Chad region lies with Cameroon. To help implement this decision in a peaceful manner, the Presidents of Cameroon and Nigeria asked the UN Secretary-General to set up a commission to consider ways of following up on the ICJ ruling and moving the process forward.
The withdrawal of civilian administration, military and police forces and transfers of authority in the Lake Chad area in December 2003 marked a significant step forward in the implementation of the ICJ judgment. The two countries have also agreed to initiate a number of political and economic confidence-building measures, and to consider the adoption of a treaty of friendship and non-aggression.
Although more remains to be achieved, this story illustrates the crucial role of multilateral measures, such as the potential of dialogue and conflict resolution offered by recourse to the ICJ. The UN-sponsored commission also represents a notable initiative that can be seen as a model for preventive diplomacy.
(9) Overfishing: a threat to marine biodiversity
Fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of 200 million people, especially in the developing world, while one in five people worldwide depends on fish as their primary source of protein.
However, global fish stocks are in jeopardy, increasingly pressured by overfishing and environmental degradation. According to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimate, over 70 per cent of the worlds fish species are either fully exploited or depleted. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg, South Africa, called for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which many experts believe may hold the key to conserving and boosting fish stocks. Yet, according to the UN Environment Programme, less than 1 per cent of the worlds oceans and seas are currently in MPAs.
The Johannesburg forum stressed the importance of restoring depleted fisheries and acknowledged that sustainable fishing requires partnerships by and between governments, fishermen, communities and industry. The summit urged countries to ratify the Convention on the Law of the Sea and other instruments that promote maritime safety and protect the environment from marine pollution and environmental damage by ships.
(10) Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation
Far from the eyes of the world, some 64 indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation in Amazonian Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia are condemned to gradual extinction. These tribes avoid all contact with strangers and prefer the isolated existence they have maintained for centuries. What little is known about them has been gleaned from other indigenous groups and from chance encounters with developers and rights groups. But it is clear that their numbers are rapidly dwindling.
Indigenous people in Ecuador
Governments around the world have increasingly acknowledged the rights of indigenous peoples. In part, this has been the result of a process of empowerment by such groups, who have pressed their demands on governments. In the case of groups living in isolation, responding to their needs is far more difficult. The Brazilian Government was among the first to take steps to adopt a policy of creating territorial reserves for people living in voluntary isolation that are no-go zones to extractive industries and migrants. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are also looking at similar action. The challenge facing the governments of the region is to balance the further use of the riches of the Amazonian belt in the name of development, and the protection of these fragile indigenous groups, and the cultural heritage they represent.
---
MORE DETAILS ON EACH OF THESE STORIES THROUGH http://www.un.org/events/tenstories/
For more on what the UN does worldwide on a whole range of issues, please go at http://www.un.org/NewLinks/
Check also http://www.un.org/english/
9.
From: "Mark R. Elsis" mark@lovearth.net">
Subject: The Holographic Universe
Date: 21 Jul 2004
Author Talbot writes that"...there is evidence to suggest that our world and everything in it...are also only ghostly images, projections from a level of reality so beyond our own it is literally beyond both space and time." Hence, the title of his book. Beginning with the work of physicist David Bohm and and neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, both of whom independently arrived at holographic theories or models of the universe, Talbot explains in clear terms the theory and physics of holography and its application, both in science and in explanation of the paranormal and psychic. His theory of reality accommodates this latest thinking in physics as well as many unresolved mind-body questions. This well-written and fascinating study is recommended for science collections.
- Hilary D. Burton, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, California
Today nearly everyone is familiar with holograms,three-dimensional images projected into space with the aid of a laser. Now, two of the world's most eminent thinkers --University of London physicists David Bohm, a former protege of Einstein's and one of the world's most respected quantum physicists, and Stanford neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, one of the architects of our modern understanding of the brain --believe that the universe itself may be a giant hologram, quite literally a kind of image or construct created, at least in part, by the human mind. This remarkable new way of looking at the universe explains now only many of the unsolved puzzles of physics,but also such mysterious occurrences as telepathy,out-of-body and near death experiences, "lucid" dreams,and even religious and mystical experiences such as feelings of cosmic unity and miraculous healings.
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
http://Albert-Einstein.com
---
NOTE from Jean: Here is an evaluation of this book I found at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060922583/qid=1090391948/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-1051132-4713504?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Theodicy of Scientific Ideas, December 18, 2003
Reviewer: Richard Schwartz (Haskell, New Jersey)
I usually can determine a good book from the way it remains in the memory after subsequent time passes. In this case, almost a year later and I'm still thinking about Talbot's book.
Some notes I have made regarding wonderful points raised by Talbot.
1. The Mind fills in the physical holes in the eye's retina: completing eyesight with what the MIND perceives (not the eye sees) it to be; as opposed to naked reality.
2. Schizophrenia; the possibility of different souls, different persons, living in one body, as each personality contains entirely different electrical brain impulses, opposing patterns, and physiological variations, conflicting allergies, negative and positive physical traits that cannot be found in one individual.
3. Energy patterns leave traceable fingerprints in the holographic universe, traumatic events leave stronger residual patterns. An individual's energy pattern, angle and strength, may align itself with the remaining pattern of a previous event, thus illuminating and/or creating the observation of a ghost, an apparition of past events, places and peoples.
4. Repressed energy can result in the manifestation of poltergeist activity, appearing to be from external sources.
5. Advanced meditation results in equality and replacement to entheogenic drug use in mystical experiential consciousness. The example of Ram Dass (Richard Albert) encounter with an Indian Mystic more capable of mystical experience than the strongest dosage of hallucinogenic.
6. Non locality: the aspect of all reality, projected into the illusion of time and space, of separations.
7. Thought Bursts; this is an amazing idea. While all information is conveyed point-to-point, in thought bursts one obtains groups of thoughts at once time, that is increased levels of awareness. The result; head rushes, or revelations, inspirations. It is suggested that death experiences of entire lifetimes passing in a matter of a split second are of this nature.
This book has much more to relate. Five stars on my part.
10.
LOOKING BACK TO HISTORICAL RECORDS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONCLUDE THAT, OVERALL, PEACE IS GRADUALLY TAKING OVER ON EARTH. SEE FOR YOURSELF...
From: http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat0.htm
Selected Death Tolls for Wars, Massacres and Atrocities Before the 20th Century
JUST UTTERLY ASTOUNDING STATS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS...
Total War Dead Throughout History
Primitive War
Ancient World
Biblical Atrocities
Ancient Greece
The Roman and Byzantine Empires
Europe to 1800
Multinational European Wars
European Civil Wars and Massacres
Colonial Activities
Slavery
Christendom
Islam
Decimation of the Native Americans
Outside Europe
Miscellaneous Oriental Atrocities
Slavery in the Mideast
Thuggee and Suttee
Non-European Wars (1600-1799)
Nineteenth Century
Miscellaneous Religious Activities
Biblical Atrocities
Religious Martyrs
Thuggee and Suttee
(Possibly) The Twenty (or so) Worst Things People Have Done to Each Other:
Rank
Death Toll
Cause
Centuries
1
50 million
Second World War
20C
2
40 million
Mao Zedong (mostly famine)
20C
3
40 million
Mongol Conquests
13C
4
36 million
An Lushan Revolt
8C
5
25 million
Manchu Conquest
17C
6
20 million
Taiping Rebellion
19C
7
20 million
Annihilation of the American Indians
15C-19C
8
20 million
Iosif Stalin
20C
9
19 million
Mideast Slave Trade
7C-19C
10
18 million
Atlantic Slave Trade
15C-19C
11
17 million
Timur Lenk
14C-15C
12
17 million
British India (mostly famine)
19C
13
15 million
First World War
20C
14
9 million
Russian Civil War
20C
15
9 million
Thuggee
13C-19C
16
8 million
Fall of Rome
3C-5C
17
8 million
Congo Free State
19C-20C
18
7 million
Thirty Years War
17C
19
5 million
Russia's Time of Troubles
16C-17C
20
4 million
Napoleonic Wars
19C
21
3 million
Chinese Civil War
20C
22
3 million
Huguenot War
16C
(...) Footnotes:
One contender for worst century has to be the Seventeenth (the 1600s). The 30 Years War was the bloodiest single conflict in Europe until World War One. Russia began the century in bloody chaos. The Manchu conquest of China was certainly responsible for one the top population collapses in East Asia, while the Mughal invasion of South India caused the highest alledged body count in South Asian history. Meanwhile, the collapse of the Native American population bottomed out, and the Slave Trade was accelerating. All this was clobbering a world with a population only a fifth that of the world in the middle of the Twentieth Century.
The primary cause of this was a quantum leap in military technology. The development of efficient muskets and artillery was allowing entire civilizations to be brought under the command of a single dynasty, creating so-called Gunpowder Empires. Although in later centuries, these new Empires would be a stabilizing influence, they began by destroying ancient power balances and unleashing chaos.
11.
Date: 25 Jul 2004
From: George Douvris gsrain@yahoo.com">
Subject: Art links
http://www.iasos.com/artists/annenberg
www.venosa.com/
www.martinahoffmann.com/visions_fantasy/visions_fantasy.html
www.alexgrey.com
www.cjbarnaby.com/
www.erowid.org/culture/art/artists_e/art_essig_roger.shtml
www.LCaruana.com
www.egallery.com/pablo.html
www.JoeColeman.com
http://www.sublimatrix.com/html/jean_delville.html
www.ernstfuchs-zentrum.com/
http://www.haveyouseengod.com/
http://www.sacredlight.to/
http://art-bin.com/art/aklarwein.html
http://www.galactivation.com/info.php?sid=&e=
www.artofimagination.org
www.brigidmarlin.com/
http://www.dilettantepress.com/Artisthtdocs/Paul_Laffoley.html
http://www.stevee.com/
www.rubinovs-lightning.com/
www.dali-gallery.com/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/bosch_hieronymus.html
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