Love Song · Sheila Nicholls from the album Wake ℗ 2015 Essex Girl Records released on: 2002-07-02

In this groundbreaking classic, investigative journalist Lynne McTaggart reveals a radical new paradigm—that the human mind and body are not separate from their environment but a packet of pulsating power constantly interacting with this vast energy sea, and that consciousness may be central in shaping our world. The Field is a highly readable scientific detective story presenting a stunning picture of an interconnected universe and a new scientific theory that makes sense of supernatural phenomena. Documented by distinguished sources, The Field is a book of hope and inspiration for today’s world.  (Googlebooks)

“Education is man’s going forward from cocksure ignorance to thoughtful uncertainty.”

–Kenneth G. Johnson (1922 – 2002), American educator, semanticist, quoted in the Michigan Education Journal

Dalai Lama reflects on Orlando shooting The Dalai Lama reflected the shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub that left 49 people dead. “You cannot generalize because of some of the followers of Islam’s behavior, the whole of Islam is something militant or negative, it is absolutely wrong.  Media: Wibbitz

By Melody Gutierrez (San Francisco Chronicle)

June 20, 2016

SACRAMENTO — In front of state lawmakers weighing a slate of gun-control measures, the Dalai Lama said Monday that ending violence requires inner disarmament and an education system that focuses on teaching moral values, compassion and what it means to be a global citizen.

In a speech to lawmakers in the state Capitol, the Tibetan spiritual leader called a sense of community “the basis of our own happy future.”

His comments came in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando and the deadly attack in San Bernardino in December, which led California lawmakers to introduce more than a dozen gun-control bills.

“Real gun control must come from here,” the Dalai Lama said, pointing at his heart.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate also spoke to the Legislature of the need to care for the planet and the threat of climate change — a hallmark concern for Gov. Jerry Brown — in an address that diverged widely from his prepared comments.

Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama met with Brown in a small, private luncheon at the historic Leland Stanford Mansion, the governor’s office said.

As he waded through the crowded Assembly chambers to the dais, the Dalai Lama quieted the room by urging clapping politicians to sit, saying he did not like such formalities.

He praised California for its focus on climate change, something he said he understands firsthand. He said his home, Tibet, is warming three times faster than the rest of the planet.

“This planet is the only place we can live happily, we can breathe happily,” he said. “There is no other choice but fully protect our home.”

Education is the best platform

The Dalai Lama also called on educators to do more to ensure that compassion, love and citizenry are at the core of what they teach.

“The generation who come from (the) existing sort of society (have a) very much materialist life, materialist culture,” he said. “I feel the existing education system (is) very much oriented about material value and not talking about our inner value.”

The Tibetan spiritual leader said that his generation has witnessed much violence and that today’s youths have an opportunity and a responsibility to create a better world.

However, he said, many places in the world are not preparing young people to grow into compassionate adults, noting religion is helpful in promoting inner peace, but that in a world of many nonbelievers, education is the best platform.

It was the Dalai Lama’s first trip to Sacramento and came five days after he met with President Obama at the White House, a session that angered China. Beijing leaders accuse the 80-year-old Dalai Lama of leading a campaign to divide Tibet from the rest of China by using religion as a cover for the political talks.

Tensions with China

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement that meetings in the U.S. with the Dalai Lama send the wrong message to separatist forces that support Tibetan independence and could jeopardize the relationship between China and the U.S.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a press briefing after the meeting last week that the U.S. has not changed its position on Tibet.

“Tibet, per U.S. policy, is considered a part of the People’s Republic of China, and the United States has not articulated our support for Tibetan independence,” Earnest said, according to a transcript of the media briefing.

The Dalai Lama has called for a higher degree of autonomy under Chinese rule.

He and his followers have lived in exile in the Himalayan hillside city of Dharamsala, India, since 1959, when they fled Tibet following a failed uprising against China.

The Tibetan government-in-exile, which elects its own prime minister and parliament, is not recognized by China. Earlier this year, the exiled government renewed calls for China to grant it autonomy.

The Dalai Lama led the exiled government until 2011, when he stepped down to focus on his role as a spiritual leader.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter:MelodyGutierrez

 

“Truth is unwelcome, however divine.”

–William Cowper (November 26, 1731 – April 25, 1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. Wikipedia

Laura Flanders, Moderator.  Professors Chris Hedges, Cornel West and Richard Wolff begin a ten part series at the Left Form that will focus on the great modern revolutionary theorists. They begin with perhaps America’s only real revolutionist, Thomas Paine, who in his three great works Common Sense, The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason laid down the foundations by which rebellion is morally and legally permissible. They look at whether the conditions set by Paine have been met with the rise of the corporate state and ask whether Paine’s call for the overthrow of British tyranny should become our own.

Chris Hedges:  “Language is mutual knowledge.  Language is a vehicle through which reality is filtered through to you. . . Paine redefined terms like democracy.   Democracy was a pejorative.  The word republic was a pejorative.  Paine reclaimed those words and gave them a new definition.”

Ted talk: In an exclusive preview of his book The Stuff of Thought, Steven Pinker looks at language and how it expresses what goes on in our minds — and how the words we choose communicate much more than we realize.

Those of you who are coming to the Prosperos Assembly and are wondering how to have your family be entertained while you are in workshops or class sessions during the Assembly, or wanting to know things that you can do together before the Assembly begins or after the Assembly ends, then I would suggest checking out some websites about Long Beach activities such as https://longbeach100days.squarespace.com.        

There you will find a CALENDAR OF EVENTS of things to do in the area from MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY. I am sure you can find something to peek your interest.  Be it Movies – some even Under the Star; Live Theater; Art Museums; the Aquarium; For you Active folks – Swimming, Biking, Lawn Bowling, Golf or more found in the listings; FOOD, food, food and drink; Kids Day Camps; There is a lot to look in to, but NOW is the time to start preparing for one of your best Summer-get-a-way’s, here in LONG BEACH.

Those booking their Hotel Rooms, call direct the Westin Hotel, Long Beach, CA. – phone number: (562) 436-3000 for the special $159 per night single or double Prosperos rate, for the dates In on Friday, Sept 2 through and Out on Monday, Sept 5, 2016.  At the time of Booking, if you are planning a few extra days in town, talk to your Hotel Reservationist about extending the special Prosperos hotel per night rate for up to an additional 3 days before or 3 days after the event (based on Hotel availability).

Those with additional questions can e-mail me at things2cal@gmail.com

Aloha, Calvin

“You can’t make peace using military means.”

–Avi Dichter (born December 4, 1952), head of Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service) from 2000 to 2005.  Wikipedia