Sam
NDS
Spent last weekend going to the Keukenhof (Kitchen Garden) and the beach at Noordwijk.. Share the trip with us at: http://home.hccnet.nl/sam.pas/bolle_streek/
Adithya Comming
NDS
>>Why can't I destroy my ego?
To destroy something it must exists.
Ego is just a phantom, a fictious entity that gets created to go
along with a bodymind when needed. And, sometimes there is a need
for
it ...specially for the protection of a form, a bodymind. The
problem
comes only when you try to carry it all the time, only when you
feel
this `need', `desire' all the time. Anything arising or ending in
a `me' simply creates this need and acts as its fuel, catalyst.
`Wanting' to destroy ego ...is one way to create it.
Let it just be and it dies. It can't exist on its own. It can't
exist
without a `want'.
###
Trying to destroy ego is futile.
It is simply a function not an entity.
The functions gets executed when needed. Sits idle when it is not
needed.
Problem is feeling the `need' all the time.
The `need' to destroy ego is ...just another need.
"My job is to show that the great chasm between these
dualities can be bridged and crossed, and perhaps isn't even
there at all."
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=7541
Spotlight on: Raven Kaldera Together In Faith: Journey Into Inclusiveness
By Jason Michael
Originally printed 4/29/04 (Issue 1218 )
A female-to-male transgendered activist and shaman, Raven Kaldera
is a pagan priest, intersex transgender activist, parent,
astrologer, musician and homesteader. Kaldera, who hails from
Hubbardston, Mass., is also the author of "Hermaphrodeities:
The Transgender Spirituality Workbook" from XLibris Press.
The founder and leader of the Pagan Kingdom of Asphodel and the
Asphodel Pagan Choir, Kaldera has been a neo-pagan since the age
of 14, when he was converted by a "fam-trad" teen on a
date. Since then, he's been through half a dozen traditions,
including Gardnerian, Dianic, granola paganism, Umbanda,
Heithnir, and the Peasant Tradition. He is currently happily
married to artist and eco-experimentalist Bella Kaldera, with
whom he co-founded the Institute for Heritage Skills.
Between The Lines: What is faith?
Raven Kaldera: Trust in the Powers That Be, however you
see Them; trust as strong and stalwart as you can make it. Trust
that They do see wider and longer than you, and that you have a
unique path to follow with Their aid.
BTL: What role does faith play in politics?
RK: Faith has always played a role in politics, if only
because faith creates worldview and is the guardian of values.
The best thing that can happen to our country at this time, when
it comes to faith, is for people to understand that diversity is
a good thing, and that includes diversity of faith. I'm strongly
ecumenicalist; I have a great respect for faith of any kind, so
long as they have respect for my own faith, and I think that
building bridges between faiths is important.
BTL: What is the message that you hope to bring to the
Together In Faith conference?
RK: I'm an FTM transgendered, intersexual shaman. My very
presence is as an avatar of crossing boundaries. I am a walker
between worlds, in many ways - the mundane and the spirit worlds,
male and female, intersex and transgender, ancient paganism and
modern life, and many others. My job is to show that the great
chasm between these dualities can be bridged and crossed, and
perhaps isn't even there at all.
Between The Lines is proud to be a sponsor of the American
Friends Service Committee's Together In Faith conference.
Scheduled for May 22, 2004, the conference is for people of all
religions and spiritualities and aimed at creating LGBT-affirming
communities. For more information, visit www.togetherinfaith.com