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#3889 - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - Editor: Jerry Katz
The Nonduality Highlights - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NDhighlights
Allie Kane and Dr. Stewart Bitkoff are featured.
Allie Kane is a soulful poetic storyteller who loves to create images in the minds of her listeners. She has been playing around the Halifax North End open mic venues and house parties for the past four years waiting for moments of inspiration. “I love paying attention to timing in music, watching the crowd, using the silences and the pauses just the same as the sound and movement. It is all a part of the performance; the awkward moments, just the same as the moments where everything seems insinc…” (Allie, 2010)
Allie grew up in Ottawa with roots in Anitgonish and Halifax. She has found memories of her summer vacations out east, finally when she was 18 she moved to Halifax to explore the seashores. Now, living in Halifax for more than five years music is a big part of her life. Songwriting for Allie is a passion that helps to balance her life as a student, yoga teacher and lifeguard. She is close to completing her BA at Saint Mary’s University, majoring in Religious Studies. Studying world religions has been an aid to inspire many of her songs. “I love to hear the teachings of the old religions, they show us our history. I especially draw ideas from the eastern religious concepts such as Buddhism and the way of the Tao. I find the lessons multi-dimensional and constantly re-surface in my path of self discovery.” (Allie, 2010)
The images of the “spiral of time” and “love’s circle” are often found in Allie’s poetry and music. Allie sings from her heart and from the depth of her soul. She likes to keep her music honest and simple. Songwriting and singing for Allie is a constant exploration of humanity. She draws her music from personal experience and what is present in her day to day life. “Most of the time before I write a song, I get into a state of frustration or my mind dwells on a certain lesson or idea… The sensation has to burn enough in me that I have the ache to get rid it, then I remember I can write a about it!” (Allie, 2010)
The future directions for Ms. Kane are to continue on this “path of self discovery” through the practice of yoga and meditation, as well, continue teaching yoga to others. She sees herself making a living by teaching movement classes, singing, and working with children. “In all of the different efforts humans are taking to improve our world situation, I feel my path leads me back to my body and teaching others to feel their own bodies again. Learning one’s own mind is important, and the “mind” of our global world, of course, but being in balance with my body brings a certain joy. Children we learn this from.” (Allie, 2010) Come out and see Allie Kane’s next performance… the joy of being at home.
Listen to Allie Kane's songs on her MySpace. She's good!
http://www.myspace.com/alliekane
Illumination
By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
Turtle and Grasshopper were seated outside Turtle’s burrow, watching dragon flies circle the lily pads. Suddenly, a bull-frog jumped and snatched one of the flies right out of the air. Sitting on a pad, the frog enjoyed a mid-afternoon snack.
After a few moments of watching this, Grasshopper turned toward Turtle and questioned: “What happens when we die? Why does one feed off another? Why this endless struggle?”
With a gentle voice, Turtle replied. “In the order of things, there is a balance. All things are connected and joined. Without the dragonfly, the frog could not live. Without the frog, the balance of the Pond would be lost. The frog helps keep the number of flies and other bugs in order.
In this connection, there is energy and purpose: as the body of the fly joins into the frog, so, the energy of the fly lives on. Also, the spark, which gave the fly life, at the moment of physical death, leaves the body and travels upward. That is the part that lives forever.
Remember, everything is joined. Elements which are in the plants, trees and animals are also within us. These are the elements which make up our body. Yet, the other part, or spark of life, is of another dimension. This is the spirit and is part of the spiritual realm.
Many are the claims about the next world. Each path has a vision of this. While views differ, all are united in that there is life after Pond. This is the distant world.
Just as you and I must one day decay and our bodies become part of the earth and Pond, so another part lives on. Joyfully we rejoin the Light.”
Then Turtle stopped.
As Grasshopper thought about what Turtle said, Grasshopper realized Turtle only answered the first part of the question.
Why the struggle? What really happens at the moment of death?
The Lesson
And as Grasshopper watched the frog leap for another dragonfly, Grasshopper realized something.
This struggle exists so that it might be transcended.
The leap of faith, or understanding, was possible only through intuitive or spiritual knowledge.
The lasting answer was a spiritual one. Words could not describe the transcendent nature of the soul and answer all the mind’s questions.
Reason took you to the door; higher knowledge set you free. It was a matter of knowing or spiritual experience.
Then, Turtle looked at Grasshopper and realized Grasshopper had become illuminated. He was beginning to learn.
A Dream
By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
Estevez the water bug hadn’t been feeling well. He had a headache for days and now his stomach was beginning to ache. When he got like this, it was a sign that his body was shutting down: too much of everything; too many water micros to eat; too many trips to the far rocks to catch micros; and too many discussions with bug-lings about micro-harvesting and the Light of the universe.
At this point, all Estevez could feel was a throbbing in his bug head and a dull pain in his bowels. It was time to sleep and rest and recover. Affixing himself to the underside of a large rock, Estevez fell fast asleep.
As Estevez slept and his body mended, somehow, the world of Pond did just fine without him. Water bugs continued to play and harvest micros. Mothers instructed their bug-lings in the things they needed to know. Bugs, in search of micros, made trips to the distant rocks.
While Turtle and Grasshopper noted Estevez’ absence from their weekly discussion group, both thought Estevez must be doing something really important. They reasoned Estevez wouldn’t miss a discussion unless it was unavoidable. So Turtle or Grasshopper did not worry or check on their friend.
The Lesson
And as Estevez slept, he dreamt of a Pond which was full of Light: a Pond where bugs and creatures thought of others as frequently as themselves; a Pond where the sick and injured were treated with kindness and recognized for a heavier burden they carried; and this was a Pond where bug-lings laughed, and everyone shared the love they held in their heart for each other.
During his sleep, Estevez realized he was dreaming. This was not a real place; this Pond existed in his mind. Estevez was enjoying himself and did not want to wakeup. It was more beautiful and joyful than anything he had ever experienced.
Then, Estevez heard a command. Where it came from, he was unsure: ‘Awake! Make this dream come true.’
When Estevez awoke, somehow, the pain in his stomach was gone and his head was clear. He was filled with energy and purpose, and was determined to make his dream come true. What had been taken from him for the last few days, now, was replaced with something finer.
Unfortunately, Estevez realized he did not know how to make this dream come true. So, he decided to visit with Turtle and seek his guidance.
Turtle explained, ‘Sickness is the great teacher. When we are ill, the physical world is taken. When we lose our every day tasks and activities for a time, we question what is really important and lasting.
Your dream was your answer. Seek the Light in all things and you will be rewarded. Follow the path we follow, and one day the Pond of your dreams will come true. On another level, it is already real. Remember, this dream is for everyone.’
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Also by Dr. Bitkoff, A Commuter’s Guide To Enlightenment (Llewellyn, 2008) and Journey of Light: Trilogy (Authorhouse, 2004); these books are available on Amazon.com or from publisher. To contact author go to www.stewartbitkoff.com.