Buddha statue baffles York police

HAVE you found spiritual enlightenment?

More specifically, have you lost a statue of the human incarnation of spiritual enlightenment?

North Yorkshire Police have appealed to the public after a large metal statue of Buddha was found at a property in Huntington, and a check of recently stolen items showed no matching reports.

PCSO Laura Harper said she had been with the force for eight years, and this was the most unusual item she'd had to help find the owner of.

PCSO Harper said: "Every day is different in this job at the moment, there are always surprises around the corner but this is probably the most unusual item someone's reported. We normally get bikes, wallets, handbags, rucksacks, and try to locate the owners, but this is the first Buddha we've had.

"It was quite fun trying to search our system to work out what someone has put it in as. We tried everything. That brought quite a few giggles in the office."

PCSO Harper said the statue was found by a resident next to their garage in Skewsby Grove, Huntington, along with other items which are believed to have been stolen in recent weeks.

Although the other items which were found with the statue have been reunited with their owners, the foot-high statue itself has yet to be claimed.

PCSO Harper said: "We believe it could have been involved in some form of crime, but nobody has reported a brass Buddha missing.

"It's fairly heavy so whether it's an inside or outdoor ornament, we're not sure. Either way, we would think someone would be missing it."

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Buddha statue baffles York police

New Book, Jersey Yogi, Explains How Highly Extraordinary Spirituality Can Come to Ordinary People

Matawan, NJ (PRWEB) January 14, 2015

Once upon a time, Jim Starr, author of Jersey Yogi: The Unintentional Enlightenment of an Uptight Man, pictured his future much the same as his past: an average lifestyle as an average NJ man in a cookie-cutter suburban neighborhood.

Thats why, several years later, he was amazed to find himself standing stark naked in a massage seminar, shaken out of a comfortable existence and involved in a world of New Age healing, spirituality and ashrams. In spite of himself, he was on a path.

I was an apprehensive, cynical and pragmatic guy from New Jersey who thought all the New Age bullshit just wasnt for me, but a debilitating back injury and associated emotional suffering triggered within me an improbable series of coincidences that shook me out of my ordinary world, says Starr, a computer programmer and hospice volunteer.

Like so many men from his hometown of Matawan, N.J., Starr was doing his best within the confines of tradition working for a living, paying bills, raising a family and looking forward to the weekend barbeque with friends. But his devastating sports injury would eventually transport him to exotic places, both in terms of location and mentality. He would be lead to his life-changing guru, Swami Muktananda, to the holy Ganges River in India, and, ultimately, to the Himalayan mountains and a spectacular near death experience.

At one point in the mountains of India, I found myself with my friend, Don, barely able to comprehend the danger we were facing. But it was then I found an immutable, spiritual source within that remains with me to this day.

My books title, Jersey Yogi: The Unintentional Enlightenment of an Uptight Man, is ultimately my own. Being Jersey Yogi reminds me of my journey who I am. I am the guy who emerged, and I want others to know that they can, too.

About Jim Starr

Jim Starr is an author, philosopher, certified Rolfer and avid student of the human condition. Currently residing in Colorado, he is also a computer programmer, hospice volunteer and amateur musician. A true native of New Jersey, Starr plays plenty of handball and has won the Colorado state championship in his age division numerous times. He has lived the story of the Jersey Yogi: The Unintentional Enlightenment of an Uptight Man.

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New Book, Jersey Yogi, Explains How Highly Extraordinary Spirituality Can Come to Ordinary People

Owner of stolen statue urged to come forward

HAVE you found spiritual enlightenment?

More specifically, have you lost a statue of the human incarnation of spiritual enlightenment?

North Yorkshire Police have appealed to the public after a large metal statue of Buddha was found at a property in Huntington, and a check of recently stolen items showed no matching reports.

PCSO Laura Harper said she had been with the force for eight years, and this was the most unusual item she'd had to help find the owner of.

PCSO Harper said: "Every day is different in this job at the moment, there are always surprises around the corner but this is probably the most unusual item someone's reported. We normally get bikes, wallets, handbags, rucksacks, and try to locate the owners, but this is the first Buddha we've had.

"It was quite fun trying to search our system to work out what someone has put it in as. We tried everything. That brought quite a few giggles in the office."

PCSO Harper said the statue was found by a resident next to their garage in Skewsby Grove, Huntington, along with other items which are believed to have been stolen in recent weeks.

Although the other items which were found with the statue have been reunited with their owners, the foot-high statue itself has yet to be claimed.

PCSO Harper said: "We believe it could have been involved in some form of crime, but nobody has reported a brass Buddha missing.

"It's fairly heavy so whether it's an inside or outdoor ornament, we're not sure. Either way, we would think someone would be missing it."

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Owner of stolen statue urged to come forward

Sensual Darkness Spiritual Enlightenment by Srila Prabhupada (SB 03.25.07) at Bombay, Nov 07, 1974 – Video


Sensual Darkness Spiritual Enlightenment by Srila Prabhupada (SB 03.25.07) at Bombay, Nov 07, 1974
Lecture by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ISKCON is popularly known as the "Hare Krishna"...

By: ISKCON Desire Tree

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Sensual Darkness Spiritual Enlightenment by Srila Prabhupada (SB 03.25.07) at Bombay, Nov 07, 1974 - Video

India police probe godman over alleged castration of 400 followers

Provided by AFP Indian spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim -- seen here on January 5, 2015 -- heads the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation based in Haryana state.

Indian police said they are investigating a popular self-styled godman for allegedly encouraging 400 followers to undergo castrations at his ashram so they could get closer to god.

The country's top crime fighting agency has registered a case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, known as the "guru in bling" for his penchant for garish clothes and jewellery, over the operations in the country's north.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement late Wednesday Rahim is being investigated for criminal intimidation and causing grievous bodily hurt, saying 400 castrations were allegedly carried out.

The guru, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation based in Haryana state, is already facing trial for conspiracy over the murder of a journalist in 2002 along with claims of sexually exploiting female followers.

The latest case was filed after one of his devotees, Hans Raj Chauhan, lodged a complaint in court alleging he was manipulated into having the "painful" operation at the ashram.

"They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god," Chauhan's lawyer, Navkiran Singh, told AFP on Thursday.

"We will put all the facts of the case to the court and seek compensation for the victims."

He said doctors carried out the castrations over a period from 2000, but for years his client had been too scared to come forward.

The court asked the CBI to undergo an investigation into the alleged castrations.

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India police probe godman over alleged castration of 400 followers

Indian 'guru in bling' allegedly encouraged the castration of 400 followers

Gurmeet Ram Rahim also stars in action movie MSG: Messenger of God in which he fights criminals, sings songs and douses himself in water in slow motion after a rugby game. Photo: AFP

Indian police said they are investigating a popular self-styled godman for allegedly encouraging 400 followers to undergo castrations at his ashram so they could get closer to god.

The country's top crime fighting agency has registered a case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, known as the "guru in bling" for his penchant for garish clothes and jewellery, over the operations in the country's north.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said Rahim is being investigated for criminal intimidation and causing grievous bodily hurt, after 400 castrations were allegedly carried out.

The guru, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation based in Haryana state, is already facing trial for conspiracy over the murder of a journalist in 2002 along with claims of sexually exploiting female followers.

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The latest case was filed after one of his devotees, Hans Raj Chauhan, lodged a complaint in court alleging he was manipulated into having the "painful" operation at the ashram.

"They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god," Chauhan's lawyer, Navkiran Singh, said on Thursday.

"We will put all the facts of the case to the court and seek compensation for the victims."

He said doctors carried out the castrations over a period from 2000, but for years his client had been too scared to come forward.

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Indian 'guru in bling' allegedly encouraged the castration of 400 followers

Prisoners keen on cooking, self-help books

PLENTY OF CHOICE: Canterbury's three prison libraries carry more than 20,000 items between them.

Canterbury prisoners are devouring library books at an increasing rate with romantic poetry, cooking and self-help books proving popular.

More than 57,500 books and magazines were issued to residents at Christchurch Men's Prison, Christchurch Women's Prison and Rolleston Prison last year.

Well-read titles across all three prison libraries included The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Other popular items included Guinness World Records editions, Lee Child titles, yoga books, dictionaries, music biographies, true crime books and copies of New Zealand legislation.

National Geographic, NZ Trucking and Dish were hot items when it came to magazines.

Canterbury's three prison libraries carry more than 20,000 items between them.

The collection is enhanced by a relationship with Christchurch City Libraries, which supplies 40 to 50 specifically-requested items a month.

Prisoners in high-security units order items through a catalogue.

Nearly 800 prisoners borrowed 5000 books and magazines in November last year, which the Department of Corrections said was a 30 per cent increase on the same month five years ago.

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Prisoners keen on cooking, self-help books

New Year, New You: Are Juice Cleanses, Detox Diets Healthy?

The holidays are over, and its time to get back on track after weeks of so-called cheat days. Many people will jump on the detox bandwagon, drinking green juice for days on end, but dietary experts say these popular cleanses are not the solution to kick-start your 2015 weight loss goals. Below are four reasons why you should not do a juice cleanse in the new year.

1. Theyre Dangerous

Beyonc Knowles shed 20 pounds in two weeks on the Master Cleanse diet for her role in the movie Dreamgirls. We all want to look like Queen Bey, but sticking to a liquid diet of water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper is actually unsafe.

Most juice cleanses have a calorie intake of less than 1,000 calories per day, which puts the body in starvation mode in order to preserve energy, according to experts. Depriving your body of essential nutrients can also cause dizziness, nausea, constipation, fatigue and irritability.

Cutting out complete food groups in the long term may have adverse effects on an individuals health, Claire Williamson, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, told BBC News. A healthy calorie intake varies from person to person, but the American College of Sports Medicine recommends women eat at least 1,200 calories per day and men eat at least 1,800.

2. They Dont Work

Celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Richie have praised the benefits of juice cleanses, including weight loss. But restricting calories and cutting out entire food groups can actually do the complete opposite, according to experts.

Although juice contains beneficial antioxidants, its also packed with sugar and lacks the fiber and protein in whole produce that fills you up, Jaclyn London, a senior dietician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told Womens Health. You might lose a few pounds from just drinking juice all day, but experts say youll gain it right back once you stop.

Theres nothing wrong with going on a juice fast for a few days, Dr. James Dillard, assistant clinical professor at Columbia University, told WebMD. But its not a great way to lose weight, because youll gain it all back.

Heavily restricting your calorie and nutrient intake slows the bodys metabolism. So, not only will you gain back the weight you lost and then some but itll be even harder to lose it again. In the long run, thatll sabotage your weight-control efforts, Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic, told MyHealthNewsDaily.

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New Year, New You: Are Juice Cleanses, Detox Diets Healthy?

Dalai Lama rumoured to be appearing at Glastonbury festival 2015

The Dalai Lama seemingly announced his slot on 28 June at Glastonbury festival. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Allstar/Sportsphoto Ltd

Glastonbury is the home of spiritual enlightenment for thousands festival goers who make their pilgrimage to Worthy Farm each June, but 2015s event could be a particularly enlightening experience if rumours of the Dalai Lamas appearance turn out to be true.

On his official website dalailama.com Tenzin Gyatso, the 79-year-old head monk of Tibetan Buddhism, seemingly self-announced his slot at this years festival, detailing his attendance at the event on Sunday 28 June.

His Holiness will give a talk at the Glastonbury Festival in the morning, a post on the sites schedule section read.

There is now confusion though, over whether the spiritual leader will be appearing. Festival officials refused to comment on Monday on the Dalai Lamas possible appearance and the original listing on the spiritual leaders website was removed once news began to circulate.

At present, there still remains a Glastonbury shaped gap in his diary: the Nobel peace prize winner is scheduled to give a talk on The Wisdom of Giving and Receiving in Perth, western Australia on 14 June and a public talk on Buddhism in the 21st Century in Middlesex on 29 June. Perhaps a Pyramid stage gig is still possible.

With Glastonbury synonymous with an ethos of peace and love, news of his potential arrival on Worthy Farm is a surprising yet well suited choice: pop culture has long celebrated his spiritual and environmental causes, with the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing for him in 2013, and the Beastie Boys late Adam Yauch regularly working alongside the leader to raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people.

While it would be his debut at Glastonbury, in 2013, the Dalai Lamas Tibetan monks The Gyuto Monks of Tibet, who are exiled with the 14th Dalai Lama in north India performed their chants in the famous Green Fields.

The full Glastonbury lineup is not expected to be revealed until April, with this years only confirmed name remaining soul singer, Lionel Richie, who makes his debut on the Pyramid stage on the Sunday. Tickets for 2015s Glastonbury, which runs from 24th to 28th June, are sold out.

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Dalai Lama rumoured to be appearing at Glastonbury festival 2015

Don't follow any religious leader blindly: Dalai Lama

NASHIK: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today underlined the need to develop an "investigative" bend of mind and appealed to people not to follow any religious leader "blindly".

Addressing the international conference on 'Secular Ethics' here, Dalai said religious differences are borne by "retarded thoughts" and also stressed the need to develop a "holistic, six-dimensional" approach to understand reality.

The gathering was organised by 'Indo-Tibet Mangal Maitry Sangh'.

"It is very important to develop an investigative bend of mind. Do not follow any religious leader blindly. Buddha said question and investigate a thought thoroughly, study qualifications of a guru or a leader, meet them, observe, till you develop a conviction that what the leader says can be followed. This is the Nalanda tradition and time has come that we follow it," he said.

He said many problems in society arise due to short-sightedness or by looking at a view through only one angle.

"Acceptance of humanity should lie in the head and the mind. The reality however is much complex. It is necessary that we look through 6 dimensions or else we may fail to see the reality," he added.

Dalai observed that enlightenment to Tibet comes from India and her inhabitants are "gurus" of Tibetans.

"Tibet remains dark till light from India reaches it. Historically, Indians are our gurus and we are chellas (disciples)," he said while taking questions from the audience on various issues.

When asked about fundamentalism, Dalai said it would be ridiculous to assume that a particular religion teaches only conflict.

"No religion is negative. Any religion that teaches people to live happily cannot be bad. There could be mischievous people in any of the religions but saying that their behaviour reflects the whole of religion will not be correct," he said while observing that faith is important though religions can differ.

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Don't follow any religious leader blindly: Dalai Lama

Don't follow any religious leader blindly, says Dalai Lama

Nashik: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today underlined the need to develop an "investigative" bend of mind and appealed to people not to follow any religious leader "blindly".

Addressing the international conference on 'Secular Ethics' here, Dalai said religious differences are borne by "retarded thoughts" and also stressed the need to develop a "holistic, six-dimensional" approach to understand reality.

The gathering was organised by 'Indo-Tibet Mangal Maitry Sangh'.

"It is very important to develop an investigative bend of mind. Do not follow any religious leader blindly. Buddha said question and investigate a thought thoroughly, study qualifications of a guru or a leader, meet them, observe, till you develop a conviction that what the leader says can be followed. This is the Nalanda tradition and time has come that we follow it," he said.

He said many problems in society arise due to short-sightedness or by looking at a view through only one angle.

"Acceptance of humanity should lie in the head and the mind. The reality however is much complex. It is necessary that we look through 6 dimensions or else we may fail to see the reality," he added.

Dalai observed that enlightenment to Tibet comes from India and her inhabitants are "gurus" of Tibetans.

"Tibet remains dark till light from India reaches it. Historically, Indians are our gurus and we are chellas (disciples)," he said while taking questions from the audience on various issues.

When asked about fundamentalism, Dalai said it would be ridiculous to assume that a particular religion teaches only conflict.

"No religion is negative. Any religion that teaches people to live happily cannot be bad. There could be mischievous people in any of the religions but saying that their behaviour reflects the whole of religion will not be correct," he said while observing that faith is important though religions can differ.

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Don't follow any religious leader blindly, says Dalai Lama

Sedona offers heavenly peace for a New-Age energy reboot

Everyone can relate to wanting more balance in life. The popularity of juicing, of yoga, of meditation and the spinlightening chain SoulCycle? Just the latest evidence that many of us continue to seek a certain equilibrium.

Earlier this year, I was one of those people in need of a serious reboot, but getting on a plane seemed counterintuitive. So I opted for Mii amo spa in Sedona, Ariz., a 7 1/2hour drive from Los Angeles that felt far enough away to qualify as an escape.

Mii amo is on the grounds of Enchantment, a 70acre resort five miles northwest of Sedona and surrounded by wilderness and the majestic red rocks of Boynton Canyon. The area was originally inhabited by the Yavapai, who consider it their place of origin. ("Mii amo" is a Native American term signifying passage or journey.)

The treatments, activities and cuisine, available to guests of the 218-room Enchantment resort as well as those who choose to stay in one of the 16 Mii amo all-inclusive spa rooms, were designed to promote healing of mind, body and spirit. But virtue isn't the only item on the menu there are cocktails on offer as well.

I left L.A. before sunrise so I could beat the traffic and settle into the idea of relaxing. I passed Palm Springs and Blythe, then eased across the California state line into Arizona by midmorning. Bypassing Phoenix on State Route 303 and heading north on Interstate 17, I began to ascend the Mogollon Plateau, where saguaro cactus gave way to pine trees. Once I took the exit for Cottonwood, turning onto Route 179 North, I caught a glimpse of crimson, a hint of the scenery to come.

Arriving in Sedona at about 2:30 p.m., the towering buttes and cliffs looked like a scrim painted with every possible shade of rouge and ocher. No wonder so many Hollywood directors came here to film westerns. You don't need the road sign to know you have entered redrock country.

The red-ribboned canyon enveloping Enchantment, a former tennis academy that opened as a resort in 1987, is guarded by two spires known as Kachina Woman and Warrior Man, which sit on one of Sedona's so-called energy vortexes and are accessible from the area's many hiking trails.

Scattered throughout the property, the resort's rooms and casitas are nestled into the landscape, with western-style furnishings, spectacular views and thoughtful amenities delivered to your door, such as fresh orange juice every morning and a card printed with a Native American blessing at turndown.

The 24,000-square-foot spa complex, opened in 2001, was designed by Gluckman Mayner Architects, the same firm responsible for the Dia Center for the Arts in New York City and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. Set into the slope of the canyon, the building is low, modern and environmentally appropriate, with peaceful spaces that flow into one another, and lots of red adobe brick, natural light and water elements.

I found myself in a tranquil cairn garden in the complex's central atrium, which set the mood for ahhhh. A cairn is a mound of stacked stones built as a landmark or memorial, and guests can choose from the piles of stones to create their own. Nearby, the Crystal Grotto invites quiet contemplation and is the site of the morning "ritual," a brief, mind-clearing moment of calm guided by a staff member.

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Sedona offers heavenly peace for a New-Age energy reboot

Spiritual tool to alleviate poverty

14 June 2014| last updated at 11:44PM

Nonetheless, compare that to the total number of Muslim population in this country, there is still room for improvement, especially on the need to spread the message that zakat is not only one of the means to provide for the poor and needy but also a commandment that can purify and cleanse one's wealth, as well as soul.

Islam preaches its believers to pursue worldly happiness, as well as to seek the blessings of Allah for the sake of life in the hereafter. The balance between the two has been emphasised in the Quran. This inevitably rejects the notion held by some Muslims and non-Muslims, who believe that Islam abhors those who work hard to gain worldly material wealth. There are also Muslims who think that living in poverty is something that is natural and "Islamic" as long as they devote themselves to the cause of Allah.

As far as Islamic historical facts are concerned, the wealth of Muslim nations in the past, when the glorious Muslim empires were in existence, shows that Islam puts much emphasis on wealth creation. Those who work hard to achieve economic independence are viewed as following the true teachings of Islam and must be commended. But, at the same time, Islam also provides a unique way for a person to purify his or her soul, so as not to be "overwhelmed" by worldly gains and temptations. That way is through paying zakat.

This obligation is reiterated in many of the verses in the Quran to show its significance. More importantly, the injunctions for Muslims to pay zakat are usually associated with the command to perform the daily prayer, which is the second pillar of Islam after professing syahadah (admission of the oneness of Allah). Thus, one can say that after prayer, paying zakat is the second most important obligation in Islam for those who have the capacity and means to perform it.

When it comes to soul purification, one needs to firmly believe that by paying zakat, it will cleanse the wealth that he or she gains. This is a very important element of zakat. That a person will receive Allah's blessings, as well as forgiveness, should be considered as the strongest pull factor for people to pay zakat. In other words, Islam views sharing of wealth as significant to achieve social harmony and through it, the poor and needy can be helped through zakat distribution.

At the same time, zakat can provide spiritual comfort for those who pay it. Spiritual enlightenment can only be attained by those who are truly convinced that by paying zakat, they are following the command of Allah without hesitation or reluctance.

The zakat authorities should intensify efforts to promote payment of zakat among the Muslim community, especially the younger generation. In this regards, social media is one of the most effective ways to promote zakat. The more zakat is collected, it is believed that the incidence of poverty can be reduced, if not eliminated.

Nevertheless, admittedly in Malaysia, there is a growing demand for zakat authorities to show transparency, especially when it comes to zakat distribution. It is a fair demand since those who pay zakat deserve to be informed of the way their money is being spent. To this, zakat authorities must provide their annual report to the public.

Ahmad Azhan Mohd Noh,Putrajaya

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Spiritual tool to alleviate poverty

Kwan Yin Healing Announces Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey

Munnsville, NY (PRWEB) December 30, 2014

When Tim Emerson designed Kwan Yin Healings signature program, the Kwan Yin Journey, he knew he was on to something right from the start, and judging from the testimonials, so did his clients. As he explains, People were changed. Their perspectives broadened, and with those energetic shifts, their peace expanded as well. Results followed. Plans came together. Relationships matured. Past pains healed. They set out on new paths, with new options, new excitement, new hope and new successes.

At the same time, he noticed that people would tend to plateau after a certain point. That in itself is natural we grow, we integrate, we consolidate, we grow again, notes Emerson. But I could see a need for help starting that next step. Thats why I created Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey, to both help people forward and to address various stumbling points I noticed from time to time. The new program serves both as a sequel to the Kwan Yin Journey program and as a service for people further along their spiritual development. Participants receive weekly modules of recorded and transcribed material, as well as individual support.

Here are six of the themes that sparked the creation of the new program.

1) Our gifts are not for us.

I first heard Michael Beckwith say this, shares Emerson. Its a key point, especially after all the work with The Heros Journey we do in the Kwan Yin Journey. That Ultimate Boon, that eventual reward for the Road of Trials, is for the heros village, not the hero(ine). And what of the gifts, our Jewel as the Sufis say, we brought into this life? Sure, these can be the basis of a successful career, and thats finebut are we best serving the world? Are we as well-functioning cells in a larger organism? One, we were single-cell organisms gradually becoming more evolved creations. That process continues. How do we best align ourselves with that process?

2) What about good and evil?

The stories and theories about good and evil go back millennia. Weve moved on, though, explains Emerson, from that understanding. This isnt the Middle Ages. How do we reconcile divine peace and order and purpose with negative occurrences? Emerson turns to an example from C.S. Lewis novel Perelandra. The inhabitants of the planet have never heard of evil, he explains. The closest word they have to it is bent. And thats a good way to understand itthe good, pure energies diverted temporarily from their true and eventual place in cosmology.

3) Whats the role of the Oversoul?

At the level of the Oversoul, we arent individualwe are bundles of individuals, parts of a larger creation, notes Emerson. When we get caught up in our individual spiritual journeys, we can tend to compare ourselves to others, hoping to be more advanced. However, as soon as we separate ourselves this way, we are headed not up the scale, but rather missing the point. Individual realization in this sense is meaningless.

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Kwan Yin Healing Announces Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey

What do they really care about?

By TAY TIAN YAN Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE Sin Chew Daily

I have no doubt of PAS' ruling objective.

Son of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, rising star Pasir Mas MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz wrote on his Facebook, "The flood is a reminder to all Muslims to return to Allahs ways and stay away from His wrath. It necessitates the perseverance of the Kelantan government to implement hudud laws."

The remarks brought us back to the theocracy era before the Middle Age.

In that era, humans were useful. Human lives were as little as ant's lives and to survive, they must rely on God's mercy.

However, how did humans know whether God wanted them to live or die?

Then there was a group of people, who might be kings or priests, said,"My power comes from God and I speak on behalf of God, so you must listen to me."

They said it was God's decree when they wanted others to go to war, or serve as slaves.

In short, humans were not allowed to think or doubt as all were God's arrangement. If you did not follow or dared to oppose, then God would punish you.

I thought that today, a thousand years later, theocracy has become a part of myth. The enlightenment of human history has turned human minds from ignorance into rationality, while human's ability and values have been retrieved.

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What do they really care about?

Deborah King Launches New Website, Reinvents Energy Healing

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) December 30, 2014

Deborah King, a New York Times best-selling author and a global icon in the field of energy healing, is excited to announce the launch of an all-new website devoted to energy medicine, http://www.DeborahKing.com.

Deborah Kings new website is the latest inspirational project to be developed by the popular speaker, author, and on-air TV personality. Devoted to encouraging people around the world to heal, thrive, and grow, the site offers a vast new selection of free content to users.

Deborahs warm and compassionate message of spiritual hope has been developed over nearly three decades of study and professional practice. Now, a wealth of free content will offer the practical advice, tools and training readers need to achieve powerful personal transformations.

Deborah Kings engaging, passionate take on how to apply ancient energy healing techniques to modern life has connected deeply with the public. Deborah is a regular guest speaker on prime time network news shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, as well as popular entertainment programming like Access Hollywood and E! Entertainment Television. Her growing social media presence reaches more than 180,000 Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram followers, and incorporates appearances on spirituality-themed web venues like Gaiam TV and Veria.

Heal: Deborah Kings New York Times best-selling book, Be Your Own Shaman, has already inspired millions to heal their own lives with the power of energy, courage, and personal truth. Now, visitors to http://www.DeborahKing.com will find the tools they need to continue that journey, healing from past trauma, abuse, addictions, and emotional pain.

Thrive: Deborahs call to compassionate self-empowerment encourages thriving in all parts of life. Her spiritual guidance and practical training opens the door to reaching and exceeding career goals, allowing more love and intimacy in, looking great, feeling wonderful, and leading a happy and fulfilling life.

Grow: The dynamic coursework, informative blogs, and interactive community experience found at http://www.DeborahKing.com motivates readers to grow into their potential as creative, loving, and intuitive beings. Deborahs students learn how to put dreams into action, by tapping into deep universal wisdom. Understanding the use of energy is the key.

The capacity for energy healing resides within. With practice and training, we can reawaken these innate abilities, says Deborah King. "I am excited about the launch of our new website and the opportunity to spread our message of healing to millions around the globe."

Deborah is currently working on her next book, a definitive guide to energy healing, which addresses the awakening of consciousness that is taking place in the world today and will be an enlightening resource for those who want to learn to heal themselves, seek enlightenment or become energy healers.

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Deborah King Launches New Website, Reinvents Energy Healing

Master Shas Soul Healing Center Leads Toronto Community In New Years Empowerment for 2015s Spiritual Journey With …

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 26, 2014

Master Shas Soul Healing Centre is supporting the Toronto community with a New Years Eve program designed to help individuals experience a more reflective start to the new year by connecting soul to soul and heart to heart with each other and all of humanity regardless of religious affiliation. Master Shas Soul Healing Center is open to everyone on December 31st to provide many opportunities to offer their love, forgiveness, compassion and light to the world. The Centre is located at 1160 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, ON M1P 2X4, Canada. To register for upcoming events, visit https://www.drsha.com/soul-healing-centers or call 416-609-2777.

World renowned Soul Healer Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha has Soul Healing Centers around the world to help individuals live healthier, more connected, more enlightened lives on a community level, while Master Sha connects to audiences on an international level. Master Shas Centers seek to empower individuals to heal and transform every aspect of their life and to transform the world. I have the power to heal myself. You have the power to heal yourself. Together, we have the power to heal the world, says Dr. and Master Sha.

Dr. and Master Sha has personally trained and selected Master Lynda Chaplin, Master Lynne Nusyna and Master Sher ORourke as his Worldwide Representatives to lead and serve the community at Master Shas Soul Healing Center in Toronto, Canada. During this holiday season, they welcome everyone to experience the unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion and light available at Master Shas Soul Healing Center through events, blessings, meditations, teachings and support.

Meet Master Lynda, Master Lynne and Master Sher at these upcoming events that bring in the New Year with the life-changing power of soul teachings on December 31, 2014:

12:00pm Meditate with The Source Ling Guang Calligraphy (Honor Fee: $15) Thousands of people have flocked to experience Dr. and Master Shas Ling Guang Calligraphy scrolls featured in the Soul Healing Miracles book. Because Master Sha channels the Source, he transmits blessings to the calligraphies, instantly incorporating the teachings and wisdom into these sacred scrolls. When meditating with The Source Chinese Calligraphy scrolls, participants can adsorb the healing field created with the Source (frequency and vibration) power to transform all life, including boosting energy, stamina, vitality and immunity, as well as healing individuals spiritual, mental, emotional and physical bodies, thus preventing sickness, transforming relationships and bringing success to every aspect of a persons life.

1:00pm Chant for Love, Peace and Harmony to Offer Service to Humanity (Complimentary) Merging with 48 days of continuous chanting for World Love, Peace & Harmony, The Centre will instruct participants how to use chanting, singing and positive visualization to help the world and all its inhabitants heal and harmonize.

2:00pm Dr. and Master Shas New Years Eve Blessing (Complimentary) Join thousands of spiritually-guided beings for Dr. and Master Shas annual New Years Eve Blessing teleconference which is expected to bring together people from more than 50 countries. Dr. and Master Shas extraordinarily uplifting one-hour spiritual ceremony is the perfect way finish the last few hours of 2014. During Dr. and Master Shas New Years Eve Blessings teleconference, he will lead individuals to chant to create love, peace and harmony and will bestow soul blessings to humanity, all souls, all animals, Mother Earth and all universes.

Please register for services in advance by calling 416-609-2777.

The spiritual team at Master Shas Soul Healing Centre in Toronto are honored to serve the community and to personally guide individuals in developing their soul healing abilities, opening their spiritual channels, and advancing on their souls journey. These special holiday and new year programs are in addition to the Centres regular services and programs.

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Master Shas Soul Healing Center Leads Toronto Community In New Years Empowerment for 2015s Spiritual Journey With ...

THE BIG PICTURE: The Church of Christ

With all the cultural decay going on around us, it is not surprising that we should see problems within the bosom of the institution called the Church.

The Church confronts an increasingly secular paradigm characterised by burgeoning hedonism, crass materialism and an obsession with power and status that breeds selfishness and exploitation.

In the 20th century, scientific and technological advances as well as trends in humanistic and social scientific thought, seriously diminished the spiritual parameters in western culture.

Long before, Emmanuel Kant had observed that the impact of liberal enlightenment on our spiritual life was such that if someone walked in while you were on your knees praying, you might be profoundly embarrassed.

Much is said about the failings of the Church by which is meant what the Reformation scholars called the Visible Church, organised religious organisations, always to be distinguished from the Invisible Church, the brotherhood of all believers and known only to Christ.

Someone once observed that the Church is a hospital for sick Christians and we are reminded that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Thus it might be fitting if the Church is full of persons in want of spiritual healing, and who among us are not.

The historic visible church has never been immune to schism, heresy, and moral pollution reflecting the sinful nature of mankind, for it may have been St Augustine who voiced that nothing straight has ever been created out of the crooked timber of humanity.

It is not difficult to be cynical about organised religion considering the plethora of denominations springing up all over the place each claiming to have some monopoly on truth and each pastor, apostle, and prophet, most with their qualifying doctorates of divinity, assuming to hear the voice of the one true God. Scandals over the past two decades in almost all sects, not least the Catholic paedophilia scourge, has weakened faith in many of the proclaimers of Christs Gospel.

However, he himself said that many would come in his name, hirelings whose own the sheep are not. When Pope Francis ascended the papacy and began his reforms, a friend in Argentina advised him to be careful because the friend warned: The Borgias are still in the Vatican, a reference to the infamous family a scion of which (Rodrigo Borgia) became Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503).

As with all mythologies (mythology used purely to mean a theoretical construct), Christian claims to ideological purity and certitude has historically led to gross intolerance and obscurantism of dogma.

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THE BIG PICTURE: The Church of Christ