“Let man, then, learn the revelation of all nature and all thought to his heart; this, namely; that the Highest dwells with him; that the sources of nature are in his own mind, if the sentiment of duty is there. But if he would know what the great God speaketh, he must ‘go into his closet and shut the door,’ as Jesus said. God will not make himself manifest to cowards. He must greatly listen to himself, withdrawing himself from all the accents of other men’s devotion. Even their prayers are hurtful to him, until he have made his own. Our religion vulgarly stands on numbers of believers. Whenever the appeal is made — no matter how indirectly — to numbers, proclamation is then and there made, that religion is not. He that finds God a sweet, enveloping thought to him never counts his company. When I sit in that presence, who shall dare to come in? When I rest in perfect humility, when I burn with pure love, what can Calvin or Swedenborg say?

“It makes no difference whether the appeal is to numbers or to one. The faith that stands on authority is not faith. The reliance on authority measures the decline of religion, the withdrawal of the soul. The position men have given to Jesus, now for many centuries of history, is a position of authority. It characterizes themselves. It cannot alter the eternal facts. Great is the soul, and plain. It is no flatterer, it is no follower; it never appeals from itself. It believes in itself. Before the immense possibilities of man, all mere experience, all past biography, however spotless and sainted, shrinks away. Before that heaven which our presentiments foreshow us, we cannot easily praise any form of life we have seen or read of. We not only affirm that we have few great men, but, absolutely speaking, that we have none; that we have no history, no record of any character or mode of living, that entirely contents us. The saints and demigods whom history worships we are constrained to accept with a grain of allowance. Though in our lonely hours we draw a new strength out of their memory, yet, pressed on our attention, as they are by the thoughtless and customary, they fatigue and invade. The soul gives itself, alone, original, and pure, to the Lonely, Original, and Pure, who, on that condition, gladly inhabits, leads, and speaks through it. Then is it glad, young, and nimble. It is not wise, but it sees through all things. It is not called religious, but it is innocent. It calls the light its own, and feels that the grass grows and the stone falls by a law inferior to, and dependent on, its nature. Behold, it saith, I am born into the great, the universal mind. I, the imperfect, adore my own Perfect. I am somehow receptive of the great soul, and thereby I do overlook the sun and the stars, and feel them to be the fair accidents and effects which change and pass. More and more the surges of everlasting nature enter into me, and I become public and human in my regards and actions. So come I to live in thoughts, and act with energies, which are immortal. Thus revering the soul, and learning, as the ancient said, that “its beauty is immense,” man will come to see that the world is the perennial miracle which the soul worketh, and be less astonished at particular wonders; he will learn that there is no profane history; that all history is sacred; that the universe is represented in an atom, in a moment of time. He will weave no longer a spotted life of shreds and patches, but he will live with a divine unity. He will cease from what is base and frivolous in his life, and be content with all places and with any service he can render. He will calmly front the morrow in the negligency of that trust which carries God with it, and so hath already the whole future in the bottom of the heart.”

Link to the whole essay:  http://www.emersoncentral.com/oversoul.htm

“I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics.  Do not keep saying to yourself, if you can possibly avoid it, ‘But how can it be like that?’  because you will go ‘down the drain’ into a blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped.”  
–Nobel physicist Richard Feynman

“The late physicist John Wheeler (1911-2008), who coined the term ‘black hole,’ advocated what is now called the Participatory Anthropic Principle (PAP):  observers are required to bring the universe into existence.

“…[C]ontemporary science asks us to believe:  that the entire universe, exquisitely tailored for our existence, popped into existence out of absolute nothingness.  Who in their right mind would accept such a thing?  Has anyone offered any credible suggestion for how, some 14 billion years ago, we suddenly got a hundred trillion times more than a trillion trillion trillion tons of matter from–zilch?  How any possible natural random process could mix molecules in a blender for a few billions years so that out would pop woodpeckers and George Clooney?  Can anyone conceive of any edges to the cosmos?  Infinity?  Or how particles still spring out of nothingness?

“Is it not obvious that science only pretends to explain the cosmos on its fundamental level?  By reminding us of its great successes at figuring out interim processes and the mechanics of things, and fashioning marvelous new devices out of raw materials, science gets away with patently ridiculous ‘explanations’ for the nature of the cosmos as a whole.  If only it hadn’t given us HDTV and the George Foreman grill, it wouldn’t have held our attention and respect long enough to pull the old three-card Monte when it comes to these largest issues.

“Language is rife with a myriad of contradictions that we merely ignore.  Ask someone what he or she thinks happens after death, and one common reply is, ‘I think there will just be nothing.’  Now that seems to be a valid statement but as we saw in a precious chapter, the verb to be contradicts nothingness.  One can’t be nothing.  Our frequent encounters with the term be nothing or is nothing have numbed us into imagining that it expresses something valid and logical, when in fact it says nothing comprehensible.

“First Principle of Biocentrism:  What we perceive as reality is a process that involves our consciousness.  An ‘external’ reality, if it existed, would–by definition–have to exist in space. But this is meaningless, because space and time are not absolute realities but rather tools of the human and animal mind.

“Second Principle of Biocentrism: Our external and internal perceptions are inextricably intertwined.  They are different sides of the same coin and cannot be divorced from one another.

“Third Principle of Biocentrism:  The behavior of subatomic particles–indeed all particles and objects–are inextricably linked to the presence of an observer.  Without the presence of a conscious observer, they at best exist in an undetermined state of probability waves.

“Fourth Principle of Biocentrism:  Without consciousness, ‘matter’ dwells in an undetermined state of probability.  Any universe that could have preceded consciousness only existed in a  probability state.

“Fifth Principle of Biocentrism:  The structure of the universe is explainable only through biocentrism.  The universe if fine-tuned for life, which makes perfect sense as life creates the universe, not the other way around.  The ‘universe’ is simply the complete spatio-temporal logic of the self.

“Sixth Principle of Biocentrism:  Time does not have a real existence outside of animal-sense perception.  It is the process by which we perceive change in the universe.

“Seventh Principle of Biocentrism:  Space, like time, is not an object or a thing.  Space is another form of our animal understanding and does not have an independent reality.  We carry space and time around with us like turtles with shells.  Thus, there is no absolute self-existing matrix in which physical events occur independent to life.”

The music was written by Richard Rodgers and the lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical Too Many Girls (1939). Early hit versions included Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. The Crampton Sisters 1964 revival for the DCP label was a Hot 100 entry.

The song was introduced by Richard Kollmar and Marcy Westcott in the musical Too Many Girls. It was performed by Trudy Erwin – dubbing for Lucille Ball in the 1940 film version produced by RKO – and interpolated into the score of the 1957 film Pal Joey, where it was sung by Frank Sinatra.

Kaizen, Japanese for “improvement.” When used in the business sense and applied to the workplace, kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers. It also applies to processes, such as purchasing and logistics, that cross organizational boundaries into the supply chain. It has been applied in healthcare, psychotherapy, life-coaching, government, banking, and other industries.

By improving standardized activities and processes, kaizen aims to eliminate waste (see lean manufacturing). Kaizen was first implemented in several Japanese businesses after the Second World War, influenced in part by American business and quality management teachers who visited the country. It has since spread throughout the world and is now being implemented in environments outside of business and productivity.  (Wikipedia.org)

“If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956

His Kickstarter failed but that didn’t stop Richard Hartnett from continuing his tarot project. He wants brainchild, the Evolutionary Journey Tarot deck, to be published anyway. And indeed, it seems as though this traditional, yet ‘revolutionary’ piece of art is going to see the light of day. You can jump on that moving train and be a part of it. An interview with its conductor.

What made you decide to make your own deck?
As I studied Jung’s work, I started to identify how each of the Major Arcana cards were archetypes. But as I looked at them closely I began to feel something was missing. So I started to look around at Oracle decks and other sources to see if I could find other archetypes to add into the classical tarot deck. Because I was reading professionally I had lots of opportunities to try out my new ideas. I first started working on this concept back in the mid nineties. I was very excited to discover the new cards I came up with *did* work and they added depth to my readings. My clients seemed to like them as well.

What inspires you in tarot art? Did that have any effect on your creation?
I struggle with most of the tarot art that I see. I am bothered by how much gets left off of the cards in the name of artistic license. I am a die-hard fan of Rachel Pollack’s 78 degrees of wisdom (I am on my fourth or fifth copy of that work). That book gives an in-depth interpretation of all the symbols on Pamela Colman Smith’s original artwork under the direction of Arthur Waite. So the Rider-Waite deck is my go-to source. I will say I like the B.O.T.A. imagery and some of Paul Foster Case’s illustrations. I am *not* a fan of Crowley’s deck.

With whom are you working on your own deck at the moment?
My number one artist is well known in the fantasy art-community. His name is Dan Frazier. He and I have been good friends for over 25 years. If you are familiar with Magic the Gathering you know his work. I have three other artists that I am working with.

From the looks of it, the art and contents are very fateful to the Waite-Smith. In what way does it differ from any other tarot deck and in what way is it the same?
Instead of attempting to replace the Waite-Smith you will find that to a significant degree I am faithful to its symbolic imagery. I like to think that I am expanding it with some new ideas. My deck differs because I have worked very hard to align the cards with numerology. That means some cards have different numbers and don’t follow the same sequence as the traditional deck. I am not the first person to move cards around: Justice and Strength had their locations swapped in the past.

The title evolutionary points out the fact you think there has been an evolution in tarot which qualifies for the extra cards and changes in the deck. Could you be more specific?
Yes, that is true but it implies more than that. Sallie Nichols wrote about the Fool’s journey through the Major Arcana as a spiritual journey. I think it is that and more…. I believe each step is a necessary step on a journey in which we evolve. When one arrives at the Sun card, it is a moment of enlightenment. A moment in which one’s consciousness has expanded and as a result you have personally evolved. Each time we take this journey we expand our awareness and evolve.

Which cards did you add and why?
I started out with The Teacher card, The Healer card, the Soul card and (jokers) Humor card. I had a very powerful spiritual teacher as a young man and in so many ways he lit my inner flame and woke me up to a deeper level of reality. He taught me how to think, not what to think. So, I knew that was important. Healer was obvious. So much of what we do is about getting our wounds healed. The Soul card gives us a foundation to stand on when we are trying to change our ego. Humor will get you through hard times and difficult challenges. There is more, but it’s too extensive to cover all of it in one interview.

What, in your opinion, does your deck add to the ever growing pile of new releases?
Honestly, most of the new releases appear to be just artistic variations of the classic deck. At the risk of sounding self-promoting, I think my deck is really different because it’s not an oracle deck that is a completely new system or a deck with cards added at the end. My deck is more than just new cards. It’s a complete system that is highly structured and highly thought out. It’s too much to go into here, but an example is the fact that my Major Arcana is organized into three rows. Each row has a theme, but each column (nine total) as well. And I’ll look at the Minors by numbers instead of by suit. My book on the Minor Arcana [there will be a part 1 and 2, ed TQS] will feature all the Aces grouped together, all the two’s grouped together etc etc. That will be a different way of looking at the Minor Arcana as well, wouldn’t it?

My deck is more than just new cards. It’s a complete system that is highly structured and highly thought out.

If I just like the art of the deck because I am looking for something close to traditional, could I take out the extra’s?
Of course you could. I have honored *all* of the traditional Major Arcana cards and their use could be just like with any other deck. Their numbers might be different, but most people don’t pay any attention to the number of the card while reading. But I would suggest you give my deck a try. If, maybe in a year or so, you still feel that way then drop the additional cards.

Which is your favorite card and why?
My favorite card is the Teacher card. There is a great deal going on with that card, if one is willing to take you past the superficial reading to the deeper issues that are at play. How do we move a client off of the trite question, such as ‘is he going to leave his wife to be with me?’ to the deeper problem of what’s going on in her life, that what put her in such a powerless situation? Seeing the deeper truth can help the client to regain a sense of control in their life. The Teacher card is all about identifying the deeper truth.

I understand, but I work exactly like that with an existing deck. I would get The Hierophant in this case, so what can the Teacher give me extra?
In my deck system the final three cards in the first row are: The Hermit, the Hierophant and The Teacher. The process of investigation into life’s lessons begins with The Hermit, The Hierophant represents conventional wisdom or understanding, but some information is withheld. The Teacher represents the integration of both the Hierophant and the Hermit into a new state of consciousness. Here you’ll learn how to think rather than what to think, to access one’s soul. He teaches us how to bypass ‘your’ Hierophant to find our own *unique* connection with that source. That’s the personal power or empowerment for me.

Do you expect some negative feedback from tarot readers because of the changes you made?
Yes, absolutely I expect negative feedback. It would be easier to call this an oracle deck and completely reinvent the whole thing. But I guess I would rather shake things up. I have said this many times before and I am sure I will be saying it again and again: This is not meant to replace Rider-Waite. I use classic Rider-Waite all the time. This is meant to offer an expanded alternative. If part of what I say or do with this deck doesn’t work for you then it’s not your tool. I have to say, I buy new decks all the time and just as often people give me decks. Most of the time I end up selling them or giving them away because they just don’t work for me.

So, on to the question everyone wants to know: when do you expect to publish?
My hope is to have a complete deck and a companion book on the Major Arcana by the end of the year. If we do not complete the Minors in time I will release a partial deck of just the Major Arcana (A Majors Only deck, ed TQS) together with an ebook and paperback called The Evolutionary Tarot that explains the changes to the Major Arcana first. Anyone who buys the Major Arcana deck will get a reduced price on the second part (the partial Minor arcana deck) so it will end up costing them less if they are willing to support this project by buying partials instead of waiting for the whole deck.

Richard Hartnett; minister, counselor, published author and professional reader. He began his spiritual quest in the early seventies, is inspired by Jung and his archetypes and has taught many a student how to read tarot cards: Next step: seeing his own tarot deck come to fruition.

_{NB. Hartnett is self-publishing the companion book and deck. The best way to find updates and eventually the release date(s) is to follow him on Facebook: Quantum Spirituality. While there isn’t a kickstarter anymore he still accepts funds of course. If you want to know more about the deck or do some sort of pre-ordering you can mail him at Quantumspirit(at)ecentral.com}

FYI –

Did someone you loved rob you by demanding all of your attention, always, while giving you none?

By Anneli Rufus (alternet.org)

He watched his mother talk—about her hair, her friends, her car—for twenty minutes. When she paused for breath, he said: “I got promoted at work. They’re sending me to—”

“Hey,” she said. “Have you seen that new TV series about Brahms?”

“No,” he sighed. “By the way, my friend Jed is going blind.”

“That reminds me,” she said. “I need new glasses.”

He wanted to punch himself, but he did not know why.

Hearing the stories of those who were raised by narcissistic parents, knowing some such parents in the flesh, has sparked some of the fiercest loathing I have ever felt.

I’ve come to see such parenting as outright theft.

Narcissists steal their children’s self-esteem.

They shred, stomp, squelch and siphon it away.

Did this happen to you? Was your childhood a crime scene? Were you robbed?

Did someone you loved rob you by not listening to you, by gazing instead blankly into space as soon as you opened your mouth to speak?

Did someone you loved rob you by demanding all of your attention, always, while giving you none?

Did someone you loved rob you by feeling no joy when you were joyous, by not hurting when you hurt?

If so, this robbery began when you were too young to know what theft even was, much less to know that stolen goods can be material but also metaphysical: Faith in oneself, autonomy, resilience can be stolen clean away.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a serious condition, cited in theAmerican Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Considering narcissists sick, as helpless victims of their own mental illness, makes us feel compassion for them.

Even so, forgiveness is entirely optional.

Knowing you’ve been robbed, even knowing by whom, does not undo that robbery or magically restore your stolen goods. Forgiving narcissists, walking that landmined maze, requires sacrificing precious time, attention, care—of which you’ve already given them so much. Forgiveness also tricks us into toxic expectations: Does my forgivee sufficiently appreciate what this forgiveness cost me? Does he or she now appreciate me more?

These are dangerous questions when it comes to narcissists.

Focus instead on what they stole and how to get it back. First, understand that thieves—burglars, carjackers and self-esteem stealers—as a rule neither apologize nor tearfully return the stolen goods.

So if you want your stolen stuff back, or at least its same-value equivalent, don’t ask the thief. Don’t beg, plead or prevail upon the thief.Why not? Because thieves are thieves. So are narcissists. And thieves, while your emotions distract you, will just steal more.

The savvier among them sometimes mimic concern or even regret: stroking your hair, making a vow, their blank stares giving them away only to viewers jaded or experienced enough and/or acquainted with enough non-narcissists to know.

You want what was and is rightfully yours? You’ll never get it from that sick, deluded, cares-only-for-him-or-herself criminal.

Get it from somewhere else.

Not that self-esteem stores exist. (I know; I’ve looked.) Nor self-esteem-replacement databases. (Those too.) This is a highly subjective search, different for everyone—but, to get started, seek self-esteem in your own accomplishments, healthy relationships, life’s random glories, well-placed love both without and within.

And remember: If narcissists raised you, they robbed you.

Was their love conditional? Were their promises false? Did they demand that their dreams, desires and dogmas also be yours? Were you their unpaid, always-on-call counselor, doctor, friend? Did they live so vicariously through you that you barely lived, yourself? Did their rage and fear paralyze you? Did they break your heart?

If so, lacking points of comparison, you thought you deserved this. Assuming that those narcissists who raised you represented all humanity, you thought you really were that boring, worthless, ugly, extraneous, irritating and invisible.

You started conscious life believing this, feeling it reinforced day after soft, hyperabsorbent childhood day, bringing it with you, in you, everywhere you went.

What if other theft victims remained unaware that they’d been robbed? Observing their ransacked, half-empty houses and the vacant pockets that once held their wallets, would they swear that they’d discarded all those things at their own will, themselves?

Anneli Rufus is the author of several books, most recently The Scavenger’s Manifesto (Tarcher Press, 2009). Read more of her work at scavenging.wordpress.com .