[ The Random Factor#40 (1 of 5)] A closer look at the Dalai Lama's teachings

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

Some guy took a lot of notes when attending
teachings of the Dalai Lama in Hamburg Germany,
July 2007. Discussed more in issue #39.

These notes inspired the following 5 part
series.

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities
Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

Part 1 Emptiness

The Buddhist term Emptiness describes the
belief that objects have no independent or
"inherent existence." Instead, it's existence
is dependent on other things, your perception
primary among them.

2000 years ago this was no doubt met with
ridicule. "Well, if the pot doesn't exist,
then why don't YOU clean it."

Yet, thousands of years later, science too
realized that it's more accurate to say
the world we perceive is a product of our
mind, not "out there" as our senses would
have us believe.

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity shows
us that the "actual" characteristics of an
object depend on the relative motion of the
observer measuring it.

And, Werner Heisenberg of "Heisenberg's
Uncertainty Principle" said, "The path [of
an electron] comes into existence only when
we observe it."

Richard Feynman showed us that an object
exists as a wave of probability, or energy
with a certain likelihood of appearing
here, or there. This probability wave only
collapses into matter in "reality" when
it is perceived by the mind.

So, at long odds, these monks of 2000 years
ago appear to have been proven correct.

But, if it's true things do not "exist" in
the way we are used to what is the purpose
of focusing on emptiness or anything at all
for that matter?

Since all suffering is caused by ignorant
grasping of the mind to things which are
impermanent and not truly existent, the
recognition that natural phenomenon is
inherently empty is fundamental to the
Buddhist path for freeing the mind and
eliminating suffering.

With this understanding we can release
the mind from grasping at illusions.

The phases to accomplish this are

1) elimination of non-virtuous actions
2) eliminate the mind/ego
3) eliminate everything

Emptiness is not to be confused with
nihilism or nothingness. There is a true
nature of self behind this world and
outside the mind, which is ultimate reality.

see you there,

Some Guy

p.s. Click here to continue reading
about the Dalai Lama's teachings.
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[#39 The Random Factor] Teachings of the Dalai Lama

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

For those who do not know, I was fortunate
enough to attend 5 days of teachings with
the Dalai Lama in Hamburg Germany in July.
The topic was Aryadeva's 400 Stanzas, also
known as Four Hundred Verses on the Yogic
Deeds of Bodhisattvas, a text at the heart
of Tibetan Buddhism.

The goal of these writings is to explore
the nature of suffering, and to illuminate
the wisdom that dissolves this suffering
and awakens the Buddha in each of us.

The DL also spent time discussing more
general Buddhist concepts such as:

The three poisons: aggression, passion,
and ignorance.

Right Actions: meditation, insight,
discipline, patience, generosity, and
exertion.

Also discussed, but not fully covered,
were the 37 practices of Bodhisattva's.
Check out this great site for more info
on that. http://sealevel.ns.ca/bodhi/

For today, I will focus, just as the DL
did, on the first eight chapters, pulling
my favorite quotes from each and share
the lessons I took from these teachings.

The first 8 Chapters in the Text:

1) Abandon Belief in Permanence
2) Abandon Belief in Pleasure
3) Abandon Belief in Cleanness
4) Abandoning Pride
5) Bodhisattva Deeds
6) Abandoning Disturbing Emotions
7) Abandoning Attachment to Sense Objects
8) Thoroughly Preparing the Student


1) ----- Abandon belief in permanence -----

We look at the past as having gone so
quickly. Why then do we look into the
future and think that we have so far to
go? - paraphrase stanza 3

I found this particularly profound. So far,
this life has gone so quickly, yet when I
look into the future I don't think of it as
being brief.

This chapter reminds us everything is
impermanent. Possessions, creations, and
lives all pass away in the end... an end
which is not far away. Let go of attachment
to this life and invest yourself in
spiritual practice.


2) ----- Abandon Belief in Pleasure -----

"Ordinary people are bent on pleasure; those
who have pleasure are hard to find. Thus it
is as if transitory beings are pursued by
suffering. " - stanza 29

"The high (people with "good fortune") have
mental suffering; for the common ("bad fortune"
e.g. poor) it comes from the body. Day by day
both kinds of suffering overwhelm people of
this world." - stanza 33


This chapter boils down to the notion that
the world provides more pain than pleasure
and that trying to find contentment through
worldly pleasures is futile.

The truth of this is seen when we recognize
that most of us do not experience pleasure
any significant percentage of the time,
despite the fact that we all would choose
to experience pleasure all the time if it
were that easy.

The problem is, one pleasure is not enough,
we always need more. More fun, more money,
more friends, always more. This text argues
that no worldly pleasure, or pleasure of the
physical body can make you content in that
complete and total, once-and-for-all type
of contentment.

A person who is always seeking more will find
on their last day that they have never found
contentment.


3) ----- Abandon Belief in Cleanness -----

"If, except to some people, a pot of filth
is objectionable, Why would one not think
objectionable that from which the filth
comes (your body)." - stanza 68

The theme of this chapter is that you are
dirty. Filthy, in fact... your body is a
"poop machine" (DL's actual words) and so
is that person you want to get naked. If
you recognize that they are a filth factory
your desire will wane.

I guess I had a problem with this chapter
which uses negative associations with the
body to reduce physical attraction and sexual
desire.

I'm not sure what tradition "your body is a
temple" comes from, but apparently it's not
Buddhist.

This chapter made me wonder just how often
they showered back then.


4) ----- Abandon Belief in Pride -----

Even if you become a king with wealth
and power, what good is this when you die.
- paraphrased stanza 94

All beings are interdependent. Even a king
is dependent on his subjects for his wealth
and power.

Even the rich and powerful are dependent on
the poor. Seeing yourself separate from this
web of interdependence is delusional.


5) ----- Bodhisattva Deeds -----

"Not a single movement of Buddhas is
without reason; even their breathing
Is exclusive for the benefit of
sentient beings" - stanza 101

"Without intention, actions like going
are not seen to have merit and so forth.
In all actions, therefore, the mind
should be understood as paramount."
- stanza 104

"In Bodhisattvas, through their intention,
all actions, virtuous and non-virtuous,
become perfect virtue, because they are
in control of their minds." - stanza 105

"Someone may build a precious reliquary
(temple/church) as high as the world; it
is said, training others to generate the
altruistic intention is more excellent."
- stanza 107

"Just as a physician is not upset with
someone who rages while possessed by a
demon, Buddhas see disturbing emotions
as the enemy, not the person who has
them." - stanza 109

"Just as a mother is especially anxious
about a sick child, Buddhas are especially
compassionate toward the unwise." - stanza
111

"When one thinks of giving gifts, now
there will be a great result, receiving
and giving are like trade for the profit,
which will be criticized." - stanza 120

"Even here, nothing harms one with a
powerful mind, and thus, for such a one,
worldly existence and nirvana are no
different." - stanza 122

The lesson here is that actions of the
enlightened are those supporting the
greater good, not just for one's own
benefit.

The DL said that stains (wrong thoughts)
of the mind obscure this highest state.
Stains of the mind, like all things, are
temporary.

And a mind that is clear can be stained
again. It is for this that a "Buddha" does
not refer to one with a pure mind, but a
person who is constantly engaged in the
practice of removing stains of the mind.

Perfect wisdom is the natural state of the
mind. The stains are temporary obstructions
of this perfect mind. By simply focusing
one's wisdom on a stain we see the stain
and can dissolve it with right thought and
right action.

With a powerful mind, and compassion, the
highest path is walked.


6) ----- Abandoning Disturbing Emotions -----

"Desire's activity is acquisition, anger's
activity is conflict. As wind is to all the
elements, confusion's activity is nurture."
- stanza 127

"Desire is painful, because of not getting.
Anger is painful, through lack of might, and
confusion, through not understanding. Because
of this, these are not recognized." - stanza 128

"Desire is no friend, but seems like one, which
is why you do not fear it. But shouldn't people
particularly rid themselves of a harmful friend?"
- stanza 132

"Anger is lasting and certainly makes one do
grave non-virtue. Thus constant awareness of
their distinctions, will bring to an end
disturbing emotions." - stanza 134

"As the tactile sense [pervades] the body,
confusion is present in them all. By overcoming
confusion, one will also overcome disturbing
emotions." - stanza 135

"Buddha told those with desire that food, clothes
and dwellings are all to be avoided and to remain
close to their spiritual guides." -stanza 138

"Whoever is patient with the source of anger
develops meditation. Saying you fear the source
of good qualities is just foolish of you."
- stanza 148

"Who has gone to the next world having ended
all disparagement? Therefore, consider contempt
preferable to ill deeds." -stanza 149


This chapter tells us that wrong action is a
result of disturbing emotions like greed,
hatred, and envy. Wisdom and mindfulness are
the remedy. With our energy focused on these
pursuits our actions will automatically improve.


7)-- Abandoning Attachment to Sense Objects --

"When there is no end at all to this ocean
of suffering, why are you, childish people,
not afraid of drowning in it?" - stanza 151

"On Earth the maturation of ill deeds is seen
to be only deleterious. Thus to the wise the
world appears similar to the slaughterhouse."
- stanza 157

"If 'insane' means that one's mind is unstable,
what wise person would say that those in
worldly existence are not insane?" - stanza 158

"Since all results will not definitely be
achieved, and those that are will certainly
come to an end, why exhaust yourself for
their sake?" - stanza 161

This chapter affirms that objects don't bring
happiness so why waste your energy on such
pursuits?

Rid yourselves of negative thoughts and
recognize delusions in order to break through
the world of illusion and experience the
profound bliss that lies within.


8) ----- Thoroughly Preparing the Student -----

"Just as friendship between people who disagree
does not last long, desire does not last long,
when all things' faults are recognized." -
stanza 176

"While attached to your own position and
disliking others' positions, you will not
approach nirvana. Neither [kind of] conduct
will bring peace." - stanza 185

"Not acting brings about nirvana; acting again
brings worldly existence. Thus, without
complication, nirvana is easy to attain,
but not the latter." - stanza 186

"How can anyone, who has no aversion to this,
take an interest in pacification? Like [leaving]
home, it is also hard to leave worldly
existence behind." - stanza 187

"First prevent the demeritorious, next prevent
[ideas of a coarse] self. Later prevent views
of all kinds. Whoever knows of this is wise."
- stanza 190

"Just as a barbarian cannot be guided in a
foreign language, ordinary people cannot be
guided except by the way of the ordinary."
- stanza 194

"Correct perception [leads to] the supreme
state, some perception to good rebirths. The
wise thus always expand their intelligence to
think about the inner nature." - stanza 196

"Through knowing reality, even if now one does
not attain nirvana, one will certainly gain it
effortlessly in a later life, as it is with
actions." - stanza 197

"On hearing that the body lacks good qualities,
attachment does not last long. Will not all
disturbing attitudes end by means of this
very path?" - stanza 199

This chapter suggests that from a state of
suffering to Nirvana, from darkness to light,
we can break the cycle of suffering and
reincarnation through the cultivation of
wisdom.

Because...

"Desire based on wisdom is ok." - Dalai Lama

Best of luck whatever your endeavor,

Some Guy

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[#38 The Random Factor] Return of the Unenlightened Part 1

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

There and back, the whirlwind in Europe
has come to an end. There is much to
share after a week of fun and a week
of teachings with the Dalai Lama in
Hamburg Germany
http://www.dalailama-hamburg.de/


First let me say to those who were hoping
for regular updates on my trip, sorry not
my style. Some people like to chronicle,
I'm after the essence.

This requires my to "ERE" Experience,
Reflect, Express, or maybe "APC", Absorb
Ponder, Create. I took notes throughout
but instead of posting these as they come I
prefer to take a step back and look at all
the moments and see the patterns and find
a way to weave them together in more
interesting ways.

Let's see how it goes...

The Dalai Lama was an absolutely joyous being.
He laughed a lot even at times when it
seemed totally inappropriate, such as when
he was asked to provide insight into solving
problems in the Middle East.

His answer was dialogue and compassion. He
finished by saying that he hopes they
can work out their differences, "but maybe
that is just a dream" [breaks into laughter]

I had the feeling that he sees trying to
answer questions on issues such as the Middle
East about as logical as the events themselves.

Key points of his teachings are that life
is suffering and that physical reality is
in it's essence an illusion which is why
it's ultimately unsatisfying.

Yet everywhere he goes people him for logical
solutions that will transform the world of
suffering into something else.

It's like asking a top football (American
football) coach how we can watch football
without seeing the giant men smashing into
each other all the time.

"Peace can come to be only through inner peace "
- Dalai Lama

Therefore, peace manifests on a heart-by-heart
basis. As my teacher says "There will be peace
on Earth when there is peace in the hearts of
all people." You, however, don't have to wait
that long.

A cause does not exist without a result, and
so too a result does not exist without a cause.
Since they are dependent we know that to avoid
a result, avoid the cause. To avoid a cause,
be mindful of the result. To manifest a result,
manifest the cause. - paraphrased

The Dalai Lama started off with a disclaimer.

"If you have a great expectation [for these
talks] big mistake. I have nothing to offer.
No miracle powers, [that's] nonsense."
- Dalai Lama

This was pretty funny considering I went
halfway around the world to attend 5 days of
teachings on a book called "400 verses on the
Practices of Attaining Enlightenment." If
"I have nothing to offer" was in the
promotional material I sure missed it.

But, I was not disappointed mainly since for
me this was a cultural experience and a good
old-fashioned adventure. I never had any
expectation of being enlightened by words.
I've tried it already, if words did the
trick I'd be enlightened already.

This was the motivation for issue #34
http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/2007/06/thoughts-on-thoughts.html


The Dalai Lama also had a warning. Generally
speaking, people from other traditions should
not become Buddhist because all religions have
some truth in them and switching religions
later in life often leads to confusion, the
exact opposite of the clarity we are seeking.

He said if one does desire to become Buddhist
because their religion does not serve them
it is most important to still respect the
tradition from which we came and not get
negative on it as it still serves other
people. The tendency is to be critical to
justify your change, this is not good. It
is important to respect all traditions and
recognize that they give hope and comfort to
humanity.

I never had any intention of becoming Buddhist.
Truth manifests in all forms and realizing this
I guess I am a Perspectivist. I'm not looking
for a religion to explain the way the world works.
I am looking for a world-view that explains why
all religions work for some people and no religion
works for all. I find I get a much better view of
how the world "really is" by looking from as many
points-of-view as possible.

This is, of course, the motivation behind the
"Random Viewpoint Dispenser" at
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/random.php

Of course, it seems obvious that while all
perspectives might be true to some degree,
some are more true than others.

The Tibetan Buddhist way is very peaceful and
loving and the vibe of the event was really
beautiful. The monks chanting to open each day
was one of the highlights for me. Science is
just beginning to recognize the power of
vibrational therapies in healing. They ought
to be taking classes from these monks.

The week was broken up in two sections, 2 days
of public talk, and 5 days study of the 1800-
2000 (conflicting reports) year old text by
Aryadeva, "The 400 stanzas concerning the
practices on the way to enlightenment"

My impression was people connected very strongly
with the Dalai Lama himself and the public talk,
and not so much with the text itself.

This feeling was shared by the people I went
with, and talked to, and supported by the
massive line of people at the coffee stand
during the teachings of the text.

It had never before been taught in the West.
Certainly much of the meaning of the text was
lost in translation as it was written originally
in Sanskrit, a text which was lost but preserved
(re-written?) in Tibetan, which was then
translated for me in English.

Of course, the Dalai Lama has been studying
this text for over 65 years and he said it
is very complicated, some of it even he doesn't
understand.

In my humble opinion, if something can not be
understood after 65 years of study, it's
probably time to consider that those parts
just don't make sense.

I was just going to ignore most of the text
and give you just the gems but a good friend
has said I really should give you all a taste
of the text and my actual experience.

So, I opened randomly to stanza 378

"If through flaws concerning emptiness
[things] were established as not empty, why
would emptiness not be established through
flaws concerning lack of emptiness?" -
stanza 378

Eventually I began to understand that
"emptiness" refers to a lack of inherent
existence of objects in conventional reality.

Does that help?

Let me try again. Since multiple people
perceive a single object differently, it's
characteristics must be in the mind of the
observer and not the object itself. Objects
in conventional reality then is said to have
no inherent existence.

The fact that all phenomenon share this lack
of inherent existence is the Buddhist meaning
of "emptiness," which is not to be confused
with nothingness.

So, then... stanza 378

"If through flaws concerning emptiness
[things] were established as not empty, why
would emptiness not be established through
flaws concerning lack of emptiness?"

Make sense yet?

Well, you can see my challenge in extracting
the essence from these teachings, but I will
try my best.

There is one sneaky possibility that may be
the real reason for the abstract and "subtle"
nature of this book. Perhaps like the Karate
Kid's wax-on wax-off this text has an
ulterior motive. Instead of training the body
and mind as wax-on wax-off did, this text
pacifies the mind in a sort of philosophical
stupor keeping the mind occupied on harmless
pondering rather than leave it open for more
destructive thoughts of violence, envy, and
greed.

If you find it hard to believe that the mind
should be pacified this way, pay attention to the
final quote I've included, and to the teachings
in general.

My belief is that meditation is either the
only or the fastest path to enlightenment.
Yet, the mind will do what the mind does,
so while students aren't meditating perhaps
these teachers have found a good way to keep
the mind busy... just a thought.

Certainly, meditation doesn't seem so difficult
when compared to understanding this text.

After looking at the nearly 15 pages I've
written so far, I've decided to break this
into, at least, 3 sections.

Part 1: Overview, and some random quotes

Part 2: Dive into the teachings in detail

Part 3: My experiences, my missions
including your(?) awesome gift, and the
really great folks I met on this trip.

-------------Random Quotes--------------

The Dalai Lama told a story about a monk who
escaped after spending 18 years in a Chinese
prison. The monk said "There were times when
I faced danger." The Dalai Lama asked "What
kind of danger?" And the monk responded,
"there were times where I almost lost
compassion for the Chinese."

One attendee asked, "How can we expect to
love our enemies when we often don't love
ourselves." The Dalai Lama laughed and said,
"First you must love yourself, then love your
friends, then love your neighbors, then you
can learn to love your enemy."

"Compassion with wisdom and you are ok,
compassion without wisdom can still be foolish."
- Dalai Lama

"Desire based in wisdom is ok." - Dalai Lama

"Once we practice compassion, understanding
comes." - Dalai Lama

"When one is focused on compassion, what room
is there for anything else?" - Dalai Lama

"The best thing you can do is provide the
maximum affection to your children."
- Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama told stories of monks who at death
did not begin to decay, according to the Dalai
Lama a result of having a most powerful mind.
One monk is said to have simply evaporated into
nothingness... or should I say into emptiness,
wait, he must have disintegrated into
"ultimate reality."

"90% of anger is projection, how we feel about
what has been done, not what has been done."
- Dalai Lama

"Human beings are in doubt thanks to the
powerful ability to think." - Dalai Lama

I love that one...

love and light,

Some Guy
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[#37] [The Random Factor] Rejuvenative Foods & the Dalai Lama

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

It's been quite a month. My favorite brother
got married on 7/7/07. I love you bro, thanks
for the sister! I guess I owe you one...

Then I spent last weekend at Energy Park a
gathering of individuals, non-profits and
commercial organizations providing expertise,
knowledge, and materials on renewable energy
at the Oregon Country Fair.

There were groups showing off everything from
electric cars and bicycles to green building
and passive solar home design that minimizes
the amount of energy required to heat and cool
homes. Energy Park promoted everything from
wind-power projects for villages in Nicaragua,
to solar (PV) panels, to tons of information
on organic agriculture.

Let me know what you'd like to hear about first,
I'll probably cover a bunch of these topics in
the months to come. Why?

Renewable Energy Is Homeland Security!

However, today I am getting ready for the trip
to see the Dalai Lama in Germany and also attempt
to personally deliver him some Ambrosia...



I want to thank the 5 (out of 2,724) who
made contributions to this trip. For you the
awesome .00183% who showed me some support I
have some good news... and some bad news.

The good news is you have a great chance of
winning a gift from my trip.

The bad news is it will most certainly not be
lavish : )

It's perfectly fine by me it's worked out
this way. I AM GOING! I felt a little like
a tool asking for contributions in the first
place, I learned of the ongoing problems in
Tibet and felt like a machine shop.

Bottom line is it's pretty ridiculous for me
to not be selling ANYTHING after so long...
so I'm working on that. I think I have a pretty
good idea, I'll tell you about it sometime.

In the meanwhile I feel good knowing that those
of you kind enough to support me are probably
supporting
http://www.supportteamtibet.org
http://www.2008-freetibet.org/

Those of you who were in it for the prize,
GOOD LUCK!

By the way, if you want to help the Tibetans,
remember passing on information is hugely valuable
folks! Help me out at the same time by passing on
the last issue of the Random Factor now online


The biggest thanks goes to Rejuvenative foods
which, thanks to a work-trade, helped me to
manifest this incredible experience.


It's a great excuse to look a little closer at
raw food and the fascinating human machine.



Sources (mostly copied) from:
Rejuvenative foods
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Wikipedia


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[Random Factor #37a] Why raw food?

Thanks in large part to a work-trade with
www.rejuvenative.com, I am taking part in
seven days of teachings with the Dalai Lama.

But, that's not the only reason Rejuvenative
foods is great. And, it's a great excuse to
look a little closer at the fascinating human
machine.

Rejuvenative produces raw organic nut and seed
butters and cultured vegetable dishes which
can be found at *your* local health food store.

The benefits of organic foods should be well
known, but why raw? Why cultured?

The act of cooking nuts, seeds, and vegetables
kills off enzymes in the food. Enzymes are
proteins involved in such processes as the
breaking down of the large protein, starch,
and fat molecules in food into smaller molecules
during digestion and joining together of
nucleotides (the molecules that form the basic
modular structure of the double helix of the
DNA molecule) into strands of DNA.

Enzymes produced in living cells accelerate
or catalyze the metabolic processes of an
organism. There are thousands of different
enzymes performing many different functions
in every living metabolic action.

In other words enzymes trigger the chemical
processes by which cells produce the substances
and energy needed to sustain life.

It's no wonder that enzymes are also
known as "the life force" of food.

Rejuvenative nut and seed butters are ground
slowly, then cooled, and ground slowly again
several times over to so that the friction of
grinding does not kill off these living enzymes.

Cooking also reduces the amount of vitamins
and minerals in a food, while enzymes on the
other hand help your body break down the
nutrients and minerals in your food so that
the body can better absorb what's available.

Raw cultured "live" vegetables provide an
excellent self-rejuvenating source of
lactobacilli, (micro-organisms & a collection of
enzymes) which aid the digestive process and can
help alleviate digestive disorders. Lactobacilli
is found in mother's milk, and normally present
in a healthy human digestive tract.

"The breakdown of nutrients by one form of
Lactobacilli Lactobacillus Acidophilus
produces lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and
other byproducts that makes the environment
hostile for undesired organisms. Health benefits
include boosted immune system, reduced cholesterol,
relief from indigestion and yeast infections.
Even feeding cows Lactobacilli Acidophilus reduced
E-coli by 61%" -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus

Since it's alive, the human body functions and
metabolizes from enzymes and enzymatic actions.
Your body's organs, especially the pancreas,
produce enzymes for the purpose of digesting
food as well as for the purpose of supplying
your organs the enzymes that they need.

Nature designed people's enzyme-making processes
to be used for the purpose of normal metabolism:
rejuvenation of cells, elimination of toxins,
growing, and strengthening of the immune system,
with a minimum enzyme-producing requirement for
digestion. This has been scientifically proven,
and it makes sense when one considers that when
nature designed the human body there were no
refined or processed foods and there was a
minimum of cooked foods.

It is therefore important to get fresh enzymes
in the diet, especially true when organs
have been overused producing enzymes to process
overwhelming amounts of bulky refined foods.
Enzyme-full raw cultured vegetables give your
body a chance to make enzymes to rejuvenate
itself and not waste a large portion of its
enzymes digesting food.

Wow, I should've put this column together awhile
ago. I knew the stuff was good, but now I'm
feeling lucky to still be alive.

I hope you are too.

namaste,

Some Guy


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[The Random Factor #36] India, Tibet, & China

Hey everybody, I hope you had a wonderful week.

My friend Nick, who bought me the ticket to see
the Dalai Lama in Germany, is currently in India.

He has been sharing his experience over email
with friends and he provides an important
perspective that I'd like to share with you
today.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nick Harris

---------------------------------------------


Today (July 6) is His Holiness' birthday
which involves long life pujas (rituals) for
Him at the temple with dances and celebrations
around the city.

The Tibetans love Him so much that all Tibetan
shops and businesses just close when there is
anything going on regarding him whatsoever.
We have been told to expect stampede's in the
temple... quite literally.

I feel that I must do my part to raise the
awareness and report the current situation
in Tibet. Newcomers (as they are called)
arrive here daily having escaped Chinese
occupation in their country. I have spoken
to many now.

The Chinese make it illegal for them to :

1. Practice any form of their religion (the
penalty for possessing a photo of the Dalai
Lama is now 4 YEARS IN PRISON undergoing FULL
TORTURE).
2. Possess the Tibetan flag (the penalty is
having your hands cut off).
3. In some cases to keep your own house.
Tibetans are being forced to destroy their
homes and borrow money from the Chinese
government in order to build new Chinese style
homes in preparation for the Olympic games.
4. Teach their children in the Tibetan language.
All Tibetan children must take school in Chinese.
5. To leave Tibet. Anyone caught trying to leave
is shot and killed. If they are unlucky enough
to survive they are kept in a prison cell with
no access to light and daily torture for the rest
of their lives.

Furthermore monasteries are burnt to the ground,
nuns raped on a daily basis and any sign of
resistance to this cultural genocide are met
with immediate death through close range bullets.

The journey from Tibet (if you escape the
bullets) takes around 1 month over the Himalaya.
I have spoken to many who have done it. They
talk of water and food running out, arriving
with clothes that are little more than rags
and having to escape from dangerous wild
animals that kill many on the way. Of a group
of 50 to run, around 15 will make it alive
over the border to Nepal and then into India.

Parents too weak to make the journey are sending
their children out with groups running from as
young as 8. They know that they will never see
their children again but feel that it is more
important that they have to chance to live as
Tibetans and follow the Dharma (Buddhist teachings)
than stay to live a life of torture, oppression
and persecution.

The Newcomers are put up in the welcome center.
Their they put up the drawings that the newly
arrived Tibetan children draw in their first
days here overcoming the trauma they have all
been through... I have not seen them myself
yet, I think I will go tomorrow, but I have
heard dark stories....

I met a Tibetan man of 22 years old who left
knowing that he would never see his parents
again. He spoke of his undying wish to just
see his mother one more time but that if he
ever enters Tibet again he will be killed.

All Newcomers are granted a private audience
with His Holiness the Dalai Lama who hears
their stories and consoles them when they
arrive. My friend wanted nothing more than
to just see him - he had never even been
allowed to see a picture. He told me how he
met him and just wept and wept and, even
though he knows he will never see his family
again, knew that he had done the right thing
just by looking into the eyes of true
compassion...

THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW. Our governments
let this happen so that we can buy cheap Chinese
goods and they can keep their trade relations
with a regime which is far from being human.
They would rather remain in silence as one of
the most beautiful people's on the planet are
systematically destroyed in a modern holocaust.
Economic interests seem to have replaced basic
humanity in this world and it is up to us to one
by one stand up and say NOT IN MY NAME!

The Chinese are planning to march the Olympic
flame through Tibet on the way to the 2008
Beijing Olympics. The symbol of freedom marched
through a land with has not tasted that basic
right for the last 40 years. This can not be
allowed to happen.

The Tibetans are using the Olympics as a new
wave of raising global awareness of their plight.
They are asking for all beings concerned with
what is happening in their land to BOYCOTT THE
OLYMPICS. They are asking for westerners to
protest and by any means possible to place more
and more pressure on the Chinese oppressors.

Please see what you can do to help by going to
the website:

www.2008-freetibet.org and www.supportteamtibet.org

and please pass on the information in this email.

I hope this email finds everyone well and happy!

Love and blessings to all,

Namaste,

NICK

PS Like the US, China is actually said to be a
wonderful country - it is just the government
that sucks :)


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[Random Factor #35] Good beaver... alright, that's enough beaver

Greetings brothers and sisters...

A little story for you this week, I hope you enjoy it.

This guy on the street walks up to me and asks
"Do you know why beavers are always working?"

"For shelter and food," I answer.

"No, they keep working even when they have their
shelter and food," he replies.

"Hmmm, then I don't know," I said after considering
it a moment, "why do beavers work all the time?"

"Because work is what beavers do... they know nothing else."

Man, that's rough!

Hey, wait a minute... but we're different, right?

We can break our routines (work or whatever),

We can seek new stimuli, and make changes.

Free will, that's what sets us apart... right?


"If you don't like your headspace, change your environment,"

Some Guy

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[Random Factor #34] Thoughts on thoughts

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

From one who has spent (too) much time in his
own head I offer you the following . . .

"Only two kinds of people can attain self-
knowledge; those whose minds are not encumbered
at all with learning, that is to say, not
overcrowded with thoughts borrowed from
others, and Those who, after studying all
the scriptures and sciences, have come to
realize that they know nothing."
- A short life of Sri Ramakrishna

But, why?

"You can not find the truth with logic unless
you have found the truth without it."
- unknown

But, why?

"You are not your mind, you are not your
thoughts, you are the one aware of the
thoughts." - unknown

namaste,

Some Guy

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[Random Factor #33] If you need a reason

"Be kind, for everyone is having a hard battle."
- source unknown

It helps when you're in a good mood...

This might help.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74


Some Guy
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[Random Factor #32] Fun with the Navy

You may have seen the following story in
the New York Times, the Montreal Gazette,
Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People, Public Radio International
News, and also Public Radio's "Car Talk,"
and likely many other places.

In case you haven't heard it, here's how
it goes.

In 1995 the following conversation between
a lighthouse and an aircraft carrier was
recorded by the Chief of Naval Operations,
the transcript of which leaked out to the
general public.

Canadians: Please divert your course 15
degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: Recommend you divert your course
to 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert
your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid
a collision.

Americans: This is the captain of a US Navy
ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No, I say again, divert YOUR
course.

Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier US
Lincoln, the second largest ship in the
United States Atlantic Fleet. We are
accompanied with three Destroyers, three
Cruisers, and numerous support vessels. I
DEMAND that you change your course 15
degrees north. I say again, that's one-five
degrees north, or counter-measures will be
undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. your call

Funny as it may be, this story is a hoax.

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthse.htm


Some Guy

p.s. New to the Random Factor? Check out the
archives http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/

p.p.s. Lucia Iman was one of six bands out
of 4,113 on sellaband.com chosen to perform
live at Gibson Guitar Studios in London
this last Tuesday, see them all in the webcast
http://www.sellaband.com/site/webcast.html

p.p.p.s. 3 of the 6 who performed have already
sold their shares out, but since Lucia's new
to the site there's still time to buy shares
in her next album.
http://www.sellaband.com/lucia/


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[Random Factor #31] What's Next?

Hey folks, how's your week been? Been busy?
Too much to do? Not enough time?

Hopefully, today's Random Factor can help.

Let's say you have 4 projects you need to get
done. To keep it simple let's assume that each
project has 4 one-week phases, that each project
is independent from each other, and that none
have a deadline.

Let's represent the projects as A,B,C,D, and
the 4 phases represented as such:

AAAA BBBB CCCC DDDD

There are two basic approaches.

The intuitive approach is cyclical. Since we want
to keep all our projects moving forward, we take
one week for project A, one for project B, etc.

(1) ABCD ABCD ABCD A*B*C*D*

* marks when the project is finished.

Consider instead the second approach.

(2) AAAA* BBBB* CCCC* DDDD*

With approach (2) project A is finished after
week 4, project B is finished after week 8,
and C is finished after week 12. That means
3 projects are done by week 13, the time it
that project A would be finished using
approach (1).

Since projects usually have a benefit upon
completion, (if only getting it off your mind)
using approach (2) means you benefit from project
A eight weeks longer, project B six weeks longer,
and project C three weeks longer.

Consider also the reality that in a 16 week period
you will likely find more projects (E & F) to do,
so option (1) actually plays out like this:

A B C D A B C D E A B C D E F A* B* C* D* E F E* F F*

Using approach (1) project A is not done until
after week 16, but using the approach (2) by week
16 projects A, B, C, & D are all done.

Unfortunately, in reality, we usually can't focus on
just one thing, but then again, there are usually
low-priority projects that should wait.

to making progress every day,

Some Guy

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[Random Factor #30] Woo-hoo + yee-ha =

It's official! I am going to Germany to
attend a week of teachings with the Dali Lama,
including 5 days of teachings on Aryadeva's 400
Stanzas, also known as Four Hundred Verses on the
Yogic Deeds of Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattva means a
being dedicated to attaining Nirvana. These
writings are part of the foundation of the form of
Buddhism that took root in Tibet and was first
conceived nearly 2,000 years ago.

After nearly giving up I was able to arrange a
partial work trade with www.Rejuvenative.com to
cover some of my expenses to make this trip
possible. Now, not only am I going, but I have
a mission to deliver Rejuvenative's Ambrosia
(which means "food of the gods") and some other
raw organic foods as a gift. Ha ha, i love it,
what a great mission. To top it off today I
learned I have a place to stay for free in Germany.

Thank you universe!

Thank you especially to those who have contributed
to make this trip happen. You are incredibly awesome,
I really don't know what to say... but let me try.

First off, visitors to some-guy.com are thinkers,
as it's discovered most by folks searching for quotes,
facts, and riddles. A truly thoughtful demographic
and a group that no doubt would make for good company
over dinner.

Of the 700,000+ people who will visit this year,
less than 1% will sign up for the Random Factor,
which makes you folks the type that explore your
world and take action. This newsletter aside, you
will all find more to appreciate in your lives than
the average person, you are wise among wise.

In fact, people see you as lucky, & for good reason.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3335275.stm

Then, there is the small percentage of you folks
who have actually taken the time to show me some
love, and to help me to have this extraordinary
experience. I have no doubt that wherever you are,
you're making the world a better place.

As a thank you, I will be looking for a gift
on my trip. What it will be, I do not yet know, I
will leave this to the universe to reveal. When
I get back I will ask my random generator to
produce a name from those folks that supported
me and to that person the gift will go. Your name
will go in one time for each dollar you contribute.

To support this mission and get in the drawing,
visit http://www.some-guy.com/contribute.html .

By the way, if you contributed in the past and were
expecting to receive a story but did not please let
me know. I separated giving out the story from
contributions but I had written about it in several
places and forgot to change the language in all
places. So, if you were expecting or if you just
contributed and want the story, let me know, I am
more than happy to oblige... it is a great story : )

Still reading? You are awesome. So, let me see, what
nugget of wisdom, what glimmer of insight, what fragment
of truth can I offer you today?

This quote is a favorite of the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

"If you try, you might fail, but if you do not try you
are guaranteed to fail."

Don't like to fail? I know the feeling. But, we really
shouldn't worry because even in the cases we do fail,
it is a powerful part of the process, and it is fear
that is truly the thief of dreams.

Failure and success in the life of Abraham Lincoln

* 1831 - Lost his job
* 1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
* 1833 - Failed in business
* 1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
* 1835 - Sweetheart died
* 1836 - Had nervous breakdown
* 1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
* 1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
* 1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
* 1848 - Lost re-nomination
* 1849 - Rejected for land officer position
* 1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
* 1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
* 1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
* 1860 - Elected President (success)

http://www.school-for-champions.com/history/lincoln_failures.htm

until next time,

Some Guy


p.s. Lucia Iman http://www.sellaband.com/lucia/ was a
winner of http://www.sellaband.com contest, and will be performing live at Gibson Guitar Studios in London,
June 5th, way to go Lucia!

If you missed it check out issue #24


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[Random Factor #29] A tip for knighthood

"If you want to be a knight, act like a knight."

- from the movie Quiz Show

Some Guy




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[Random Factor #28] It was a small world after all?

Hey folks! Today's edition might be a shocker.

I am no geologist, but I did think I knew some
basics about my home planet... for example,

"It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."
- Steven Wright

But how big is the world anyway?

http://www.howbigistheworld.com/

Now, here's a really tough riddle for you...

To answer true, answer these questions two...

1) What are the biggest puzzle pieces on earth?
2) What does the puzzle form?

* hint, it's 3 dimensional and nearby

Got a guess? Well, check out...
http://www.maniacworld.com/Conspiracy-of-Science.html

until next time my friends,

Some Guy


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[The Random Factor #27] 1 in a million

If you say somebody is 1 in a million,
you're saying that there are 1,317 of
them in China.

fyi,

Some Guy

p.s. as of 5/4/2007 according to http://www.cpirc.org.cn/en/eindex.htm


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[The Random Factor #26] Now on the other side of the sun

hey folks, i'm a little bit excited cause this
week marks a full 6 months since we kicked off
The Random Factor. Yeah!

It took me too many years to finally get this
thing rolling... which reminds me of something
a wonderfully funny and insightful friend used
to say.

"Initiative comes to those who wait."
- Chuck Kilmon

Ha, I love it, funny and true. Which begs the
question, is there anything you've been waiting
to get started on?

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it,
boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
- W.H. Murray (not Goethe according to http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth12.htm)


I support you,

Some Guy


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[The Random Factor #25] What would you do?

What would you choose to do if you knew you would not fail?

Some Guy

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therefore the stimuli in which it's rooted.

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[The Random Factor #24] When talent & innovation collide

Last week an incredibly talented musician/singer named
Lucia Iman http://luciaiman.com/ contacted me and told
me about an innovative project over at
http://www.sellaband.com/

Sell-A-Band enables fans to buy shares in their favorite
up-and-coming artists. An artist who sells 5,000 shares
gets an album made with industry pros and anybody who
purchased shares ("believers") receives a limited edition
copy of the album and a stake in the resulting profits.

It's only about 9 months old, but 3 artists have reached
their goals already and albums are being made. The
momentum is just getting started.

You can even sell back your share at the same price
if it's not going the way you hoped. Ever heard of
an investment with that option?

Lucia told me about a contest she was in to send 3
artists/bands to perform a gig in London.

Last week when we talked she was #15 in the contest,
a great start seeing as how she is brand new to the
website. Last week when I heard of it my plan was to
share her wonderful music with you and just mention
the "believers" angle because it's a great idea.

Yesterday when I checked the contest she was at #3
[update: she is now #2] The contest for the London
gig ends May 1st and she's already holding onto one
of the coveted spots. Way to go Lucia!

http://www.sellaband.com/charts/

Last week she contacted me hoping I could help her out.
This week I realize we might be lucky to have this
opportunity. Seems to me she is going to make it
eventually anyways, and now we can benefit.

Sellaband.com gets about 40,000 visitors a day, and
Lucia is featured in their latest publication
http://www.sellaband.com/tribune/edition30/ where
they talk about her surprising surge in the contest.

So enjoy the music, check out this innovative new venture,
and perhaps take this opportunity to invest in the
music business... while helping make someone's dream a reality.

Some Guy

Lucia's MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/luciaimanmusic
Lucia's webpage: http://luciaiman.com/

p.s. I know some of you young folks don't have debit cards,
so for anyone that likes the music but can't buy
a share, please visit Carson Daly's MySpace page at
http://www.myspace.com/carson_daly and send him a message
telling him you really want to see Lucia Iman on the show.

p.p.s. If you buy a share you should really tell
http://www.myspace.com/carson_daly to get her on the show.

p.p.p.s. Pass her links on to your friends, they'll be
impressed you have the inside scoop on such talent.

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[The Random Factor #23] USA : Land of the Free *

"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and
demand your rights, even if you don't know what
your rights are, or who the person is you're talking
to. Then on the way out, slam the door." - Jack Handey

"The first 10 amendments, which constitute the
Bill of Rights, were added within two years of
the signing of the federal Constitution in order
to ensure sufficient guarantees of individual liberties."
united states constitution

The Bill of Rights was the people's response to
their new Constitution, and the first great act of
a new democracy.

So what was the people's response? What did the people
want from their new country more than anything else?

They wanted a guarantee.

Here's (most of) the opening sentence to the Bill of Rights:

"... a number of the States, having at the time of their
adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order
to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that
further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be
added: And as extending the ground of public confidence
in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends
of its institution."

Early America knew that so long as these rights existed
the abuse of power could not.

Today it is said there are certain circumstances where
the Bill of Rights does not hold. According to the
constitution, and according to early Americans, that
circumstance is the abuse of power.

As Yogi Berra once said, "the future ain't what it
used to be"

-------------------------------------
US Bill Of Rights
-------------------------------------

First Amendment : Freedom of religion, speech, press,
and peaceable assembly as well as the right to petition
the government.

Second Amendment : Right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment : Protection from quartering of troops.
(The troops used to crash at your pad if they wanted.)

Fourth Amendment : Protection from unreasonable
search and seizure.

Fifth Amendment : Due process, double jeopardy,
self-incrimination, private property.

Sixth Amendment : Trial by jury and other rights
of the accused.

Seventh Amendment : Civil trial by jury.

Eighth Amendment : Prohibition of excessive bail,
as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment : Protection of constitutional rights
not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

Tenth Amendment : The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to
the people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights


Fortunately, "life is like a photograph. We use the negative
to develop." -

Some Guy

* actual freedom may vary


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[The Random Factor #22] What does sound look like?

This is so cool... maybe you too will learn
something new about something quite old...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UR8rZMKlIq4

Some Guy

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[The Random Factor #21] The eye of the beholder

"Before the coming of the white man to the
north, Eskimos believed that if they cut
slabs of ice, organized them in a circle,
formed a dome, and lived inside they would
please the spirits. Apparently the plan worked.
The contented spirits made sure the Eskimos
stayed warm even when the temperature dipped
to 40 below zero outside.

Eventually, Western scientists showed up and
tried to explain how the Eskimos had mastered
an invisible force called thermodynamics.

According to these presumptions foreigners,
the igloo's tunnel-like entrance preheated
outside air, the movable snowball door let
in precisely the amount of this air that could
be further warmed by the seal-oil lamp inside,
and the adjustable hole in the roof allowed
just enough of the resulting rising currents
out to create the convection that kept the
whole thing going." - Bloom, Howard: (From
The Lucifer Principle, a scientific expedition
into the forces of history)

The obvious skeptic argument here is just because
these Eskimos miraculously mastered the art of
thermodynamics does not necessarily mean they
learned it from 'spirits.'

But, what's a bit strange about that conclusion
is that if these same Eskimos were eye-witness
to a crime, and they all pointed out one person
as the culprit, we would not hesitate to convict
based on their testimony.

Funny how that works.

Some Guy

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[The Random Factor #20] Fuzzy math

Subjectivity: the universe's way of making things interesting.

Time: the universe's way of keeping everything from happening at once.

The relative realm: a place where the difference between showing up 5 minutes early and showing up 5 minutes late is more than 10 minutes.

The Random Factor Archives are now available at http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/


Some Guy


p.s. good news, there is at least a 2% chance of seeing the dalai lama! Want to help? Like to share? Send your friends a favorite from the archive
http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/

p.p.s It has come to my attention that evidence of life after death is not necessarily desirable. Sorta obvious now that I think about it... took me awhile to process it myself. For this reason contributions are now independent of the story...

Think the free content is good? A few bucks gets you a dose of the supernatural. http://www.some-guy.com/evidence-of-life-after-death.html

Or just show some love : )
http://www.some-guy.com/contribute.html


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[The Random Factor #19] One small step for some guy

------------------------------------
Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
------------------------------------

"You can fool some of the people all of the time,
all of the people some of the time, but you cannot
fool all of the people all of the time"
- Abraham Lincoln

As you have probably appreciated there are no ads
in The Random Factor, no Viagra, no steamy web cams,
no bunk stocks to artificially inflate, and you're
going to have to talk to someone else about refinancing
your mortgage.

The Random Factor is clearly not a financial enterprise.
However, the universe does not help those who do not
help themselves. So, if last week's "experiment in
manifestation" is to be successful it is time to
explore other possibilities.

Nearly 1,000,000 visitors a year show up at
http://www.some-guy.com and I for one would love to see
what I could accomplish with a little support from the
small but enthusiastic percentage of these folks that
really dig what I'm doing.

A wise friend last year reminded me of this fact,
"Asking is critical to receiving," so for the first time,
I am gratefully accepting contributions at
http://www.some-guy.com/contribute.html

transactions handled securely by PayPal.

And, as a token of my appreciation, I'd like to
offer you something... hmmm, I already offer the
best wisdom and humor I can find for free every day, so
what on earth could I offer that is better than that?

I got it.

For a limited time, when you make a donation of $5.00
or more you will be sent a story that I have long kept
secret and never really intended to tell. It is weird,
funny, and seriously spooky. It is one of the more
incredible stories you will ever hear.

What is so incredible about this story?

Well, let's put it this way. When people ask me if I
believe in reincarnation, I tell them I don't believe,
I know there is life after death. This story is probably
the best evidence I've ever heard regarding life after
death and I assure you, it is 100% true.

So, go ahead, it'll just take a minute. Visit
http://www.some-guy.com/contribute.html to help fulfill
this experiment in manifestation and hear a truly amazing
story that will change (or affirm) the way you see the world.

FYI: This story is NOT sent out automatically, it will take
me a bit to get this sent out to everyone... be patient,
it's worth it.

namaste,

Some Guy

p.s. If you have any other ideas to manifest a trip to
Germany in July, I am all ears.

p.p.s. New subscribers see last week's newsletter to find
out what I'm talking about.

--------------------------------

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[The Random Factor #18] Oh Synchronicity

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Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
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Two weeks ago, after sharing the quote, "God is love...
love is real... therefore God is real" I *stumbled*
upon a scientific  experiment the Dalai Lama helped
facilitate ...

"Eight Buddhist adepts and 10 volunteers who had had
a crash course in meditation engaged in the form of
meditation called nonreferential compassion. In this
state, the meditator focuses on unlimited compassion
and loving kindness toward all living beings.

As the volunteers began meditating, one kind of brain
wave grew exceptionally strong: gamma waves. These,
scientists believe, are a signature of neuronal activity
that knits together far-flung circuits -- consciousness,
in a sense. Gamma waves appear when the brain brings
together different features of an object, such as look,
feel, sound and other attributes that lead the brain to
its aha moment of, yup, that's an armadillo."
- http://www.dalailama-hamburg.de/index.php?id=8&L=1

The article goes much more in depth, but essentially
indicates that thoughts of loving kindness improve the
very mechanism for understanding.  It almost sounds like
they are exercising intuition!

Anyways, last Friday morning I talked to a wonderful
friend in Holland who had previously, of his own volition,
reserved a ticket for me to attend a week of events with
the Dalai Lama in Germany. I told him last Friday I probably
wouldn't be able to make it because of 3 individually
significant problems. I have a lot of work to do, several
events already planned for the summer, and as of now, no
extra funds to visit Germany of all places, one of the more
expensive countries in Europe.

I did share with him that I had reconnected with a former
personal assistant to the Dalai Lama and that she said she
would make a call and try to make his experience there a
bit more memorable.

So, later that day, not an hour after sending out The
Random Factor with the words "talking about synchronicity
increases synchronicity" I ran into this assistant at the
neighborhood store. Of course, I have never her seen her
there or anywhere else *randomly* before.

Is this coincidence? Or will I be in Germany this summer?

Well, following the natural progression. This is clearly
an opportunity to experiment in manifestation.  And a
test of the phenomenon known as synchronicity.

Can *it* really help me get to Europe?

I for one am excited to find out,


Some Guy


p.s. Read this story of synchronicity: Saving Valentino
http://www.some-guy.com/synchronicity-story.html.

p.p.s. Which one of you is flying your private plane
from Portland Oregon to Germany in July? Just kidding,
sort of.

p.p.p.s. Find out what *stumble* is
[ http://www.stumbleupon.com/ ]
(highly recommmended, not a paid ad)
--------------------------------

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therefore the stimuli in  which it's rooted.

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[The Random Factor #17] The Positive Spiral

------------------------------------
Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
------------------------------------

There were some nice comments after last week's
Random Factor that really made me feel all warm and
fuzzy. It is beautiful that focus on universal love
increased the love. A good thing to remember, no doubt.

It reminds me of a rule i heard somewhere once that
says "focusing on synchronicity increases synchronicity."
So, let's give that a shot.

Carl Jung believed that many experiences perceived as
coincidence were due not merely to chance, but instead,
suggested the manifestation of parallel events or
circumstances reflecting a governing dynamic he called
synchronicity.

"Synchronicity: the experience of two or more occurrences
(beyond coincidentally) in a manner that is logically meaningful
- but inexplicable - to the person or persons experiencing them.
Such events would also have to suggest an underlying pattern in
order to satisfy the definition of synchronicity as developed
by Carl Jung." - wikipedia

If you have any stories of synchronicity you'd like to share
I would love to hear them. Email me directly or add them to
the website
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/index.php?request=add


Some Guy

reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity

--------------------------------

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therefore the stimuli in  which it's rooted.

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[The Random Factor #16] Spreading the Love

For years www.some-guy.com has collected perspectives
with the notion that surely every person has unique
insight into this life.

That is not just super cheesy, it is also the inevitable
consequence of combining individual predispositions with
unique life experiences.

As of recently 279 viewpoints and nearly 3000 spam had
been submitted to my site through this form. ARG. Spam
has all but crippled the "Random Viewpoint" feature,
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/random.php. A truly
sad state of affairs.

Who would've thought when I was a kid that spam-bots
would be my greatest foe?

That is, until now.

Well, turns out these spam-bots (spam-bots are software
applications that submit spam to forms on websites) have
a fatal flaw, and if you share your insight at
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/index.php?request=add
you will see what stops spam-bots in their tracks..

So, thanks to this new insight, and several hours of
deleting spam, the "Random Viewpoint" feature is back
at http://www.some-guy.com


And, just in time for me to share the following quote
for valentines day (week) submitted by Lucas Marquez,
age 16.


"God is Love, Love is real, therefore God is real."


one love,

some guy


More Random Viewpoints: http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/random.php
Share Your Viewpoint:
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/index.php?request=add
--------------------------------

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[The Random Factor #15] Going balls to the wall

------------------------------------
Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
------------------------------------

We've all heard the phrase "balls to the wall" and
know it to mean "going full speed" or "going all
out." But, where did that phrase come from?

Any guesses?

It's not an outdated mating ritual, nor a test of
manhood. The phrase comes from the world of the
fighter pilot.

A pilot accelerates by pushing the plane's throttle
forward. At maximum speed the "balls" or knobs of the
throttle are pushed all the way forward pressed to
the "wall" or panel.

Going balls to the wall (and particularly when combined
with a sharp turn) can also stretch our understanding of
space-time. G-force is a unit of acceleration approximately,
32.174 ft/second, or as it's more commonly known, gravity.
Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your mouse, right now
you're experiencing 1 G.

So, what the heck does "2 Gs" mean?

Simply put, 2 Gs is when a 150 lb. fighter pilot weighs
300 lbs. This begins to make sense when you consider the
sensation and appearance of being smashed into the seat
during acceleration.  When a pilot turns at high speeds,
they might "pull" 8-10Gs. Modern jets, and amazingly their
pilots  (with the help of special suits) are able to
withstand Gs in the teens. John Stapp, a colonel with the
US Air Force survived 46.2 Gs during a lifetime of training
that smashed him up pretty good.

While the average pilot can handle a relatively large number
of Gs for a short duration, it is the sustained Gs from
prolonged acceleration that causes "problems" ... such as
passing out. [side note: Is it a coincidence that losing
consciousness is a symptom of testing the limits of space-time
or is this a glitch in "The Matrix?" Apparently, like sleep,
traveling at high speeds will trigger a "pilot eject" button
seperating your consciousness from your body, or as Ram Das
called it, your "space-time suit."]

For us land-lovers the motorized-vehicle translation of
"balls to the wall" would be "pedal to the metal." But this
would seem to fall well short of the experience of going
"balls to the wall."

That's ok though, because while going full speed is great,
it is not so important as going the right direction.

Blessed are those who's compass is true,

Some Guy
http://www.some-guy.com


references
- http://www.f1nutter.co.uk/tech/glossary.php
- http://www.swairfest.org/page.aspx
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_John_Paul_Stapp
- http://www.copanational.org/non-members/safety/2003/safetyPPDec03.htm

P.S. There is another fact relating to "balls to the wall."
It would appear that there is an urban myth around the
origin of this phrase.

The myth goes that in the days of the steam engine, there
was a mechanical device called a governor which had two steel
balls mounted at the ends of two arms, attached to a vertical
shaft inside the engine.  The balls start out hanging but as
speed increases the shaft begins to rotate and centrifugal
force forces the weighted balls outwards towards the inside
of the casing.

At maximum speed the balls are parallel to the ground and
nearly touching the wall of their metal housing, therefore
an engineer driving at full speed is going "balls to the wall."

Interesting story, but not true according to
http://www.wordorigins.com

--------------------------------

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therefore the stimuli in  which it's rooted.

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[The Random Factor #14] A true gem

------------------------------------
Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
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"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson


--------------------------------

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[The Random Factor #13] Filth for healthy living

------------------------------------
Riddles & Facts & Quotes, Oh My!
------------------------------------

A fact that's bothered my since I was young is
that a sponge in the kitchen sink will collect
far more bacteria & pathogens then a toilet seat.
This, thanks to one of the guiding principles of
life... critters love moisture.

Your lord knows I am no clean freak, but the idea
of washing dishes or methodically wiping the counters
with a bacteria magnet has always been disturbing to me.
In fact, if it were not for the following fact, I would
have a phobia.

A child that attends day care will have a far stronger
immune system then a child who does not. The child who
goes to school is exposed to colds and illnesses which
has the effect of exercising and strengthening the immune
system.

Now I'm not a Filth for Better Living advocate, but it
is a fact that has allowed me to cope. That, and extra soap.

This week a report came out saying 99% of pathogens are
killed by microwaving your sponges.  I wish I knew more
about the 1% of mutant pathogens, they may or may not be
extremely good for you. So long as you're careful...

"Firefighters have warned of the dangers of zapping
sponges and cloths in the microwave despite a study
showing it could kill harmful bacteria. Microwaving
kitchen sponges for just two minutes can kill 99% of
living pathogens, a US study in the journal of
Environmental Health claims. But Shropshire fire service
warned that one fire had already occurred when someone
in Telford tried the technique.

The researchers said people should only try to
microwave damp sponges."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6293735.stm?ls


Be safe, and occasionally filthy,


Some Guy
--------------------------------

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