Dalai Lama on Seeing Science Through A Spiritual Lens

New Delhi, India, 18 December 2010 (By Amy Yee, Special to The Washington Post) - The northern Indian town of Bir was greeted with an unusual sight when Scott Schmidt carried six-foot-long plywood sheets on his head through the streets. Schmidt, who develops exhibits for the Smithsonian, had retrieved the wood from the village carpenter and toted it on his head to the Buddhist institute he was visiting. "I got impatient," said Schmidt. "I probably broke every rule of how a Westerner is supposed to act in a village in India."

Schmidt was helping a group of 30 Tibetan monks plan "The World of Your Senses," a bilingual science exhibition displayed last month in New Delhi at the India Habitat Center, an arts and culture venue in India's capital.

The wood was used to build a prototype of the display panels. Schmidt's effort - and sore head - were worth it. The exhibit showcasing Western and Buddhist perspectives of the five senses was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama and viewed by hundreds of visitors over five days. Plans are underway for the exhibit to tour in India next year and possibly at a Smithsonian museum in the United States.

The exhibit was the latest effort in a 10-year-old initiative to teach science to Tibetan monastics, started at the behest of the Dalai Lama. In 2001, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama's exile home in India, and the U.S.-based Sager Family Foundation began bringing Western scientists and educators to India to teach science to Tibetan monks. India is home to about 120,000 Tibetans - the largest population outside of Tibet.

After a decade of instruction and workshops in the Science for Monks program, an exhibit was the next step in the monks' dialogue with science, says Lhakdor, director of the LTWA. (Like many Tibetans, he goes by one name.)

While the Smithsonian works with various communities to tell their stories, "The World of Your Senses" was a more hands-on project that immersed Smithsonian staff in a culture far from the museums of Washington. The exhibit's cross-cultural, interdisciplinary combination of science, philosophy and art - the panels were painted by a Tibetan thangka painter - also made it unique.

Tibet's spiritual leader, known for tinkering with watches and engines as a boy, has long been fond of science. The Dalai Lama considers science and Buddhism as complementary "investigative approaches with the same greater goal, of seeking the truth." Modern education is critical to the survival of Tibetan culture and identity for the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan children in India learn science in school, but Tibetan monks and nuns have followed a traditional curriculum largely unchanged for centuries. Until a decade ago, Tibetan monks had learned no science at all. Since then it's been a crash course in science for some monks, with classes on topics ranging from cosmology to neuroscience.

As part of the Science for Monks program, a select group of geshes (monks who are the equivalent of PhDs) from monasteries across India attend biannual workshops taught by scientists and educators from the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Arizona, the Exploratorium in San Francisco and, most recently, the Smithsonian. The program is funded by Boston philanthropist Bobby Sager.

At the exhibit in New Delhi, Indians, Tibetans and overseas visitors perused seven-foot-tall panels depicting colorful images of anatomy alongside dancing Buddhist deities, all painted by a master Tibetan thangka painter. Red-robed monks explained to visitors in English and Tibetan the nuances of how sound waves vibrate in the inner ear, as well as abstract Buddhist concepts for how sensation is perceived.

Ultimately, the exhibit looked polished, but it was a frantic rush to put together in six months what would normally take a year by professional standards. A team from the Smithsonian traveled from Washington to India for two-week stints from December 2009 through last month to help the monks conceive, develop, execute and stage the exhibit.

Stephanie Norby, director of the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, helped the monks launch a science fair in June 2009 that was a precursor to last month's formal exhibit. "We gave a broad overview of what might be done but were sensitive that the monks do it on their own. We wanted it to be their exhibit," said Norby.

The interdisciplinary nature of the exhibit was amplified when the monks decided that the panels should be painted like thangkas. Thangkas are a traditional Tibetan style of religious paintings that typically depict ornate Buddhas and deities, not human anatomy. Visitors to the exhibit saw the striking sight of a gigantic brain painted with fluid brush strokes resembling water, and blood vessels behind an eyeball reminiscent of delicate tree roots.

"I've been working on bringing science to monks for the last 10 years, and this is the first thing I've worked on that had such an aesthetic quality," said Bryce Johnson, director of the Science for Monks program. "To see the beauty at the intersection of science and Buddhism - that was a really unique experience."

Schmidt, an exhibits fabricator at the Smithsonian's Office of Exhibits Central, took two trips to India this year, in May and November. After his visit in May, the monks' sketches and draft text were sent to Tracie Spinale, program manager at the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, and media designer Darren Milligan in Washington. They were charged with creating a Smithsonian-quality visual framework to explain the Buddhist and Western perspectives of the senses.

It is no easy task to distill explanations about photons, bony ossicles and microvilli into a few paragraphs of English and Tibetan text. But articulating complex metaphysical Buddhist concepts was even more difficult. The Buddhist explanation for sight, for instance, relies on the "objective condition, dominant condition and immediately preceding condition." According to Tibetan Buddhist texts, there are six categories of tastes "due to the dominance of two of the four elements: earth, water, fire and wind."

While the Western images were based largely on pictures from standard science textbooks, the Buddhist senses had never been explained in a mainstream, pictorial way. "We had to design visual representations for concepts that did not currently exist," said Spinale.

The Smithsonian team researched thangkas and visited Buddhist art collections at the Sackler Gallery and the Rubin Museum of Art in New York. Yet they were still looking for ways to convey the Buddhist perspectives in an accessible way. They eventually came across pictures in Buddhist medical texts that inspired the look of the panels.

"We tested the graphic concepts on a range of people, from a neuroscientist, to science educators, to exhibit designers, to my first-grade daughter," said Spinale. "If she didn't understand what one of the graphics represented, then it wasn't used."

The final graphics were adapted to the subject matter in innovative ways. For instance, a typical Buddhist image of a hand mirror morphed into a five-armed mirror to depict the "five concomitant factors" that are part of the Buddhist perspective on sight.

Thangka painter Jampa Choedak took a reassignment from his regular duties at the LTWA to paint the panels. Choedak, 36, has been painting thangkas for 23 years, and had never studied science. Painting large images of the inner ear, cells and other anatomy surprised him with "how delicate the human body is."

The Smithsonian team worked on the science exhibit on top of their regular work and during off-hours. Yet all of them waxed enthusiastically about the experience of working with the monks and science program staff to create the exhibit.

"Helping people to learn and then to share what they have learned is exactly what the Smithsonian is about," said Milligan.

Original link and photo: http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/632-seeing-science-through-a-spiritual-lens-with-the-smithsonians-help

The Dangers Of Automatic Writing Alone Or At All?

These activities are very dangerous even if you have people with you so please don't misunderstand me. They are outright dangerous whether you have five or one hundred thousand people participating in these types of activities with you. I'm just simply writing about the hidden dangers of partaking in these activities on your own/alone. It is highly dangerous and almost guaranteed to gain you unwelcome friends and attachments.  Automatic writing seems to be a activity people are becoming more and more interested in. I say this due to the amount of emails I'm receiving on this subject by people seeking guidance and advice.

In my opinion these things are controlled by demons. The source doesn't come from God. The symbols on ouija boards are symbols straight from the occult. All this stuff has Satanic origins, and Satan fools people into thinking it's not coming from him. He is the father of lies. You simply can't believe one word these evil spirits have to say. It is very dangerous to be communicating with them to begin with. It now knows you. And God only knows how many other demons have picked up on your frequency as well.

I found the following information as a explanation of Automatic Writing. " it is the ability (which can be easily learned) to let entities from other planes of existence, send messages by possessing people and making there hands write/or type whatever they choose in order to get there message across to the living. Usually a skilled medium is recommended to be automatic writers rather than amateurs. The automatic writer may or may not know what spirit is using there body, and the spirit may or may not write in a language that the medium can understand. They are not known to draw things, only write. The handwriting from the spirit is completely different from the person been possessed by the spirit, and usually there are no punctuation marks or capitalization of letters."

I found another post/information doing online research on a random website. I don't agree with it but that is neither here nor there. I thought I'd add this so you have an idea of what people are being taught about this....."It has been known that some people who are automatic writers might not even know it, if these people sleep with a pen an paper at a desk etc. They may wake up with messages on there papers that they didn't even write. Some say that Jesus was a automatic writer but there are no texts found to claim this. Even though some may think automatic writing is good, it can be scary and dangerous because some entities are not always good. But on the other hand it could be cool, if you use these ability to help others make contact with loves ones. I am not a automatic writer but I have found some text from other sites about how you could learn to do it."

I found another post by somebody on a random websites seeking guidance from others who might understand her unique gift. I don't know if I would call it a gift but this is what the person posted:

Mirror
by Forrest » Sun May 18, 2014 10:23 am

"It's not something that happens all the time. But if I'm alone too long, or have too much time to think to myself, I tend to have full conversations with myself in the mirror, but only when people aren't watching. I've always kept in on the down low. Since I figured it was really abnormal. When I was younger, I gave the person talking a name, since she was different than me.

I also babble to myself like when I was a kid and spoke in tongues when I get thoughts in my head I want to have gone... when I'm on a bad tangent.

I also practice automatic writing, something that's completely separate from my logical self, I can go for hours, writing about nothing in particular, and it all comes naturally as if its from another person. When I was younger I would write in symbols, in an entire code I designed myself. When I read over it later, it really doesn't feel like me.

So I'm just wondering what people here have to say about that. I tend to come off as very normal to people on the outside, it's something I just do on once and awhile... I also depersonalize and disassociate when faced with stressful situations or topics I'd rather not discuss.

Just curious. It doesn't effect my overall life too badly, I'm just looking for opinions, whether right or wrong from people who have some experience with mental stuff . "

The following is an answer one of the other posters gave to her:
by Graveyard76 » Sun May 18, 2014 11:37 am

"I know people who experiment with this sort of thing regularly in the belief that they're in contact with spirits. It seems to be fairly harmless, and these people aren't obviously insane, but I can't help thinking they're getting towards dangerous territory.

What happens if you get 'orders' to do something harmful, and you take this stuff seriously?"

This activity is just like using a ouija board.  The following article I found very interesting.....     “The Ouija board is a vehicle which makes it easy for negative spirits and demonic forces to enter this plane of existence.” The Merrillville, Indiana clairvoyant cautioned that evil spirits or demonic forces often gain the trust of people experimenting with Ouija boards by answering several questions truthfully and providing predictions. “Once they have gained the trust of their victims, it is easy for the entity to move in and take over either by strongly influencing that person, or by outright possession,” she said. People who are untrained and unsophisticated in the field of the paranormal and supernatural should never play with devices such as the Ouija board, according to the clairvoyant.>>> http://www.ghostresearch.org/articles/ouija.html


Written By Jennjfer L Auld

Dalai Lama in Conversation with Indian Yogic Master BKS Iyengar

New Delhi, India, 20 November 2010 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama today engaged in a conversation with renowned Indian  master Dr. Yogacharya BKS Iyengar on mind training and compassion in a discussion titled Yogic and Buddhist Techniques of Mind Training and Cultivating Compassion at the Convention Center of India Hbabitat Center in New Delhi.

His Holiness said happiness is generally understood as deep satisfaction; however, it is important to make a distinction between satisfaction achieved through sensorial level and mental level. The mental level of happiness, he said, can be achieved through spontaneous willingness from within as well as mind training leading to ultimate compassion. For a Buddhist practitioner, His Holiness said the ultimate goal is achieving Buddhahood by cultivating a compassionate mind and the by-product of thus practice is the ability is to achieve a calm and positive mind in one’s day-to-day life.

Dr. Iyengar known for deciphering the code of Patanjali Yoga Sutra in a scientific way and who has practiced Yoga for the last 60 years explained the seven stages in achieving happiness through yoga. He said the moment the intellect of the heart and mind meets through complete understanding of body and mind cleansing, that is when the consciousness of the egoistic self or the “I” is nullified and a practitioner experiences boundless uncolored joy. The aim of yoga, said the sprightly 93-yr-old is to achieve non-colorisation of happiness where remnants of the self is eliminated. He said a yoga practitioner treats negative emotions such as anger as separate entities and thereby brings the mind under control.

His Holiness referred to the various stages of mind as are described in Buddhist texts saying daily meditation coupled with investigation on shunyata or emptiness helps a Buddhist practitioner in achieving happiness. He said the Yoga Mandala practice in Tibetan Buddhism involves the understanding of the concept of emptiness or shunyata. Unless a practitioner has a deep understanding of shunyata, it perpetuates grasping of false realities or perceptions.

Asked by moderator Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra, secretary/trustee of the New Delhi-based Foundation for Universal Responsibility (FUR) if yoga aims at loosening such grasping to avoid maya or false realities, Dr. Iyengar said yoga considers ignorance or mental deficiencies as the cause of all sufferings or dukha in the world. He said living moment to moment without getting caught up in the wheel of past or memories is the path to future. In Patanjali Yoga, he explained, shunyata is known as manolaya or dissolution of the state of mind.

Speaking on the mind and body connection, His Holiness said like yoga practice that stresses on the connection between emotions and physical postures to achieve a state of equilibrium of equanimity, Tibetan Buddhist practice also stresses on the importance of mind and body connection whereby a practitioner when meditating has to focus on the correct body posture such as keeping the spine straight in order to allow the correct flow of energy to provide relaxation during meditation. He then referred to the Vajrayana school of Tibetan Buddhism where connection between right body posture and state of mind are described in detail such as dream state or deep sleep state.

Dr. Iyengar said there are some similarities or closeness between Indian yogic tradition and Tibetan Buddhist approach and suggested both traditions should work together to find a common avenue to benefit the humanity.

The discussion was attended by Indian and western scientists among them physicists and neuroscientists, scholars, spiritual practitioners and the general public.

original link & photos http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/625-dalai-lama-in-conversation-with-indian-yogic-master-bks-iyengar

Why Many People Operate Just Like Nimrod the King

This blog is designed to expose the falseness of humans who operate just like Nimrod from the bible and they wonder why they are in trouble with the Lord God Almighty.  Let's examine some very powerful words.  In Gen. 8:15-17. God spoke to Noah (God actually speaking), but more importantly God commanded Noah and his bloodline to go forth, to spread across the earth abundantly.

Let's look at this with deeper aspects. In the next Chapter 9 of Genesis, verse 1 “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” So as you can see we have a second command to go forth. Now moving forward in Chapter 9 we find God again giving us a command again for the 3rd time!  In verse 7 we are told that we’re to go again and multiply abundantly.

Here we have God telling Noah and his descendants to GO forth, cover the earth, spread abundantly and multiply. God didn't just say this once, but God said this 3 times.  Are you truly starting to see a picture develop here?

Now let's jump a bit ahead to verse 21.  We find that Noah became drunk.  Do you think God is the same as HE was back in the days of Noah or do you think God has 'gone soft' so to speak? Do you think God is a God of order and wrath, or do you think God is a God of love and harmony? I stand on the first that God is a God of Order and Wrath!

Now let's move ahead into the book we find Noah had awoken from his drunken ways and spoke these words in verse 25, "Cursed be Canaan".  Several questions arise, Why did Noah curse Canaan? Was not Ham the one that committed the sin? Furthermore, what was the sin of Ham that caused Noah to curse the descendants of Ham? Why was the punishment so severe?

So what was the Sin of Ham?  Many explanations have been offered as to the exact nature of the sin of Ham and the harsh punishment that was placed upon Canaan. The event may give only a brief outline of a more sinister action.

1.Castration - Some argue that Ham castrated Noah which showed why Noah had no other sons. This crime would, of course, warrant the punishment.

2.Incest - Others believe it was a case of incest. Ham slept with his own mother thus uncovering his father's nakedness. Canaan, it is argued was the offspring of that union.

3. Activity - Still others contend that there was some activity between Ham and Noah. However, the Hebrew text makes it clear that Noah uncovered himself and that Ham saw this nakedness that was uncovered. Ham did not cover Noah up but rather made fun of him. Many commentators have had problems with the punishment being so severe if simple ridicule is in involved.

4.Shameful Act - In the ancient world merely seeing one's father naked was a highly offensive act. The father's position as moral and spiritual head would be held in disrepute and the family unit would suffer as a result of this. The culture in which this event occurred considered it a capital crime for a child to strike their father.

It seems that Ham innocently came upon his father after he had uncovered himself in a drunken stupor. The sin of Ham, therefore, is that Ham told his brothers of what he had seen. In doing so, it brought shame to the entire family. It is quite possible that Ham tried to seize the leadership of the family at this juncture.

Many commentators believe that the curse of Ham was not pronounced immediately after the event but at the end of Noah's life. However, the natural reading of the text has the curse occurring directly after Noah realized what had happened. The act of Ham could not go unpunished. In the curse of Noah upon Canaan, he was not punishing him personally for something his father Ham had done.

The words of Noah refer not to Canaan himself, but to the nation that would come from him. Ham had caused a breach between himself and his father which called for some type of judgment. The judgment would occur on Ham’s descendants. Ham's descendants foreshadowed the deeds of his descendants. The contrast between the reactions is the basis of the following blessings and curses on their descendants. It speaks of two groups of mankind. Shem covered nakedness and hid shame, while Ham exposed Noah's nakedness.

So are you still with me to this points I am making? If not let's look at this quickly to help you:

1. God instructs the humans who survived (Noah and his family i.e. descendants) to go forth and be abundant across the WHOLE earth - not a small place or stay in the same region!

2. We start to see one of the greatest attributes of Man arise once again - REBELLION. Disobedience to God is REBELLION and Disobedience is WITCHCRAFT!

3. We see that a potential nation that would be cursed under Ham as a result of this Curse of Canaan. As a result of Ham, he had Cush, who then had NIMROD!

People are you seeing this now clearly now? God was teaching us once again regarding DISOBEDIENCE to HIM. When God tells us 3 TIMES what we are to do - we need to OBEY HIM. Now in Gen. 10 we find these words....

6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.
10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

So as you can see we're told in previous chapters to go forth and multiply - NOT have a kingdom - Who had a kingdom as a result of staying in a region? NIMROD did.  Who did NIMROD come from? Look above - see for yourself once again.

Do you understand what the words describing Mighty Hunter mean? This also refers to a 'Hunter of Souls'.  So with that ends our lesson this day.  We’re still rebelling from God by NOT obeying HIM to this very day. Now many of you are saying well come on Reverend the whole earth is now populated we spread forth.  I would say to you YES, but you realize if we had truly OBEYED God the events to come of HAM, THEN NIMROD would not have had to occur?

However, God saw once again that we failed to OBEY HIM, therefore HE gave us one last chance...HIS only Begotten Son from Heaven above.  But yet many people still do NOT want to OBEY God and are confused as to why we are just like NIMROD - Mighty Hunters - not of souls this time - but of MATERIAL and LUSTFUL ways!

I pray this has helped someone today awaken!

Rev. Bradley Luoma

Holy Angels and the Demonic

Hello everyone. I pray you had a great weekend and enjoying your Sunday. I'd like to start off by asking for a moment of silence for the victims in yet another shooting. Killed 5 law enforcement officers and injured others too. I think even citizens were killed or injured too. It's so depressing I didn't watch too much of the coverage on the news. Orlando is still in fear after the mass shooting here. They will continue with the attacks until a huge one is done. "America doesn't fight back" as someone in another country mentioned. They have no fear of us at all.

What Are Holy Angels?

These holy Angels who are truly sinless spiritual beings, whom the Lord of the Bible calls “morning stars,” or “angels,” live in heaven with The Lord. The Bible speaks of only one archangel, Michael, and we suppose that Gabriel is the ‘chief’ or ‘commander’ of all the messenger angels.  Besides God Himself, angels are the most powerful beings in the universe; intelligent and free-willed entities of the highest rank in God’s creation, but they are not God, and thus, angels cannot create anything.  All the holy angels of God were created to worship God Alone.  As His supernatural servants, the holy angels of God execute His power and His authority on earth according to His will alone, (Heb. 1:6-7; 14.)

What Do Angels Do?

God has had angels specifically assigned to supervise and protect his Church throughout all of its history (Revelations 1:4, 16, 20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). He has angels who are to always walk through the earth to watch and report back to him the overall conditions on earth (Zech 4:10; II Chron 16:9; Revelations 5:6). And God has angels specifically assigned to look after his begotten human children (Matthew 18:10 Acts 12:15). God promises: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (Psalms 91:11).” Angels are Good spirits that can manifest them self into a physical body. Good spirits linked to The Holy Spirit always speak the truth. Angels are everywhere my friends. God has us under protection.

We are not to worship Angels

We are to honor them but not worship them. Only God is to be worshipped. I feel the same about the Virgin Mary. Too many claim to be guided by "spirit guides". Are they really sure? How do they know they are not being deceived by a demonic spirit? They are taking a big chance when they don't have much experience in this.

What Are Demons?

Demons are evil/fallen angels who follow Satan and turned on God.  When Lucifer/Satan fell out of heaven, the demons fell with him instead of staying in their place as God's ministers of good. Somehow, evil was found in them (Ezekiel 28:15). A description of the fall of Satan and his demons can be found in Revelation 12:9, which says "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Satan's fall is also shown, symbolically, in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-15.

There  are several ways by which demons hurt, torment and oppresses people. Afflict: To  something hard to endure. Harass: To annoy or disturb persistently, to wear out by frequent attacks. Influence: To exercise indirect power over in order to sway or affect. Oppress: To lower in spirit or mood. Torment: To cause severe suffering of body or mind. Torture: To punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain. Worry: To disturb one or destroy one’s peace of mind by repeated or persistent torment. Wrong: To inflict injury on another without justification.

A Demon can keep you in chains and isolate you by attacking the mind. That is the devils playground. But God has the final say and power to end it all. Rev 20:10 and the devil who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Demons are not God but sometimes they become the object of worship. Behind every idol, there is a demon or an evil spirit.  Sometimes we cherish certain beliefs which are not true.  This can become a form of idolatry. 

Gods Angels Are Invisible

In Job 38:4, 7, God is speaking specifically of the creation of earth. He says all the angels shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. This shows us that angels were created before the creation of the earth and probably before the material universe. The suns, planets and astral bodies are material substances. Angels are individually created spirit beings, composed solely of spirit.

Always remember that for every evil force attempting to take us done we have Angels of The Lord as well there protecting us. Yes, we have free will but we are protected to a certain degree even if we inadvertently created trouble. Satan has a counterfeit of everything the Lord does and have. As long as we ask the Lord to send his angels to protect us go  I have said before you don't want to tick a angel off and neither do the demons. angels of the Lord are very, very powerful. They are terrified of Christ. Keep God Close to your heart and a personal relationship with him instead of just going to him when we need something and I think you might be surprised of the favor you might receive in life and little circumstances

Written By Jennifer L Auld

Residual Haunts & Six Forms of Energy

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

One reader told me that they thought I made a plausible case, BUT are there other forms of unknown energy which may account for the residual phenomenon? That is an excellent question, and I think by attempting to answer it we may further enrich our understanding of this topic. Let me remind you that the category known as "residual haunt" is thought to be the most common cause of paranormal activity.If for only that reason, it is important that we analyze it and try to get at the truth. More than usual, this newsletter builds on the foundation laid in the last one.

One other preliminary comment--please note that the ultimate court of appeal for truth is God's special revelation...His personal Word to us in the Bible. Science (part of what is called general revelation), when properly understood, will always concur with scripture, but it must not be seen as an autonomous activity. God's inerrant, written revelation to us has primacy of authority...science must not be seen as an equal in terms of authority. It would be an act of impiety to pursue scientific truth as if it were more "true" than the bible. When the bible speaks, God speaks with full authority over our lives, but general revelation cannot claim implicit obedience because the "assured results of science" often turn out to be not so sure! We must presuppose God and His word first, or all of reality, including science, will be meaningless and incoherent.

I had an "aha" moment recently while watching Ghost Adventures. Mr. Bagans was explaining the mechanics of r h (residual haunt) and he said that a murder would cause a wave of emotionalized energy to be imprinted in the environment. Two points stand out as clearly in error: energy CANNOT be imprinted in an environment ( this is discussed last time and today); and energy cannot be emotionalized. A salient aspect of of being human is emotions...it is part of being a person.  To anthropopathize (assign human emotions) to an impersonal entity like energy is clearly fallacious reasoning. Energy is emotionless...inanimate. There is no precedent in the natural realm of any form of energy expressing emotions.  If these two notions are debunked, then the whole r h house of cards comes crashing down.

Let me review some basic physical science first. There are two types of energy--kinetic and potential. It seems that scientists really do not know how to describe what energy IS...all they can do is give a functional definition (the ability to do work) or a mathematical equation--E=mc2, but a truly ontological definition remains elusive. That does not bother me because in God's world we should expect mysteries. However, in addition to the two types of energy (kinetic/potential) there are six forms which energy takes--chemical energy, electrical energy, radiant energy (light),  mechanical energy, nuclear energy, and thermal energy.

The question put to me was: is it possible that there is some form of unknown energy that can explain residual paranormal activity?  First, if it is an unknown form of energy, then how are we to talk of it? The burden of proof lies on those who would entertain the notion that the paranormal realm has forms of energy unknown to us. Let me explain... What is true in the natural realm can and should  be extrapolated into the supernatural realm . The paranormal/invisible realm here on Earth is part of the same space/time continuum that the normal or visible realm is.part of--and is subject to all the laws of God which He has interwoven into space/time. It seems apparent to me that there is simply a dimensional veil separating the two, and they don't exist or function like two distinct water-tight compartments....they "bleed " into each other and occupy the same space. Put another way, the same six forms of energy found in the visible realm on Earth, exist and function in the invisible realm on Earth. How do I know this? Because it is still the Earth (albeit invisible) and because energy itself is usually invisible...its effects are what is visible. Our eternal home will be here--right here... a renewed Earth which is perfect. We cannot escape time and its flow, even in eternity...the 'ravages" of time will be done away with.

Here are the six known forms of energy again--chemical, electrical, radiant, mechanical, nuclear, and thermal energies.I won't take the time to examine each one, but take a moment to picture in your mind each of these six forms of energy in action. The form that is most germane to our discussion is electrical because the body and brain do have electrical energy. In fact, it has become common to determine death by means of cessation of electrical activity in the brain, instead of the old way of heartbeat (which has electrical activity as well...I know this because I have a pace/defib in my chest!) There are other forms of energy active but electrical is primary I think.

Let me shift gears and state that none of the six known forms of energy can do what residual haunt (r h) requires. An r h is said to have energy that remains clustered in the environment for years.Also, this clustered potential energy summons itself to begin a sound and light show that may include--multiple moving apparitions, sounds, smells and so on.It is important to note that we have no precedent for this kind of activity in the natural realm (please read that again). Try to grasp how involved this process would have to be--impersonal electrical energy (similar to what is flowing to the light in my room) would be expelled from human body and remain virtually unchanged for decades or longer.(any notion of the environment reacting and stirring up energy due to one's violent death seems implausible to me) Then this potential electrical energy is able to recognize certain cues which causes this energy to manifest and loop. And not just loop but to energize an ultra hologram which science has not been able to create yet. An example would be the soldiers at Gettysburg walking about.

As I stated last time, some material conducts energy better than others but (and this is key) nobody has ever observed any of these six forms of energy putting on a visual, auditory, or olfactory demonstration similar to what is claimed in the residual haunt phenomenon.(we could spend an entire article merely on how extravagant this display of intelligent non-intelligent energy  becomes) Even nuclear energy, which stores energy for a long time in radioactive isotopes,has never been observed doing what we have come to know as residual activity...looping. The burden of proof is on those who believe in these anomalous events to prove that there is a form of energy in the paranormal realm which has no know counterpart in the natural realm.

The only energy that I'm aware of that is released into the environment when one dies is the small amount of electrical activity in brain and heart. Electrical energy is electrical energy is electrical energy! For heavens sake, if a billion volts from an average lightning strike dissipates immediately after impact, then the minuscule voltage in a human body (1.5 volts?) is not going to "hang around.". It is outta here! (because it is not the soul...we need special revelation for that knowledge).

In summary, none of the six forms of known energy have ever been observed functioning like an r h. We can posit all sorts of ideas but Ockham's Razor would heavily favor a model of reality that is symmetrical--six forms of energy on both sides of thin, permeable veil. An unknown paranormal form of energy would make reality asymmetrical. At this point, it is clear to me that positing an unknown form of energy would be an act of special pleading.

I have become convinced that fascination with the paranormal in general, and ghosts in particular, is one of Satan’s most effective and successful deceptions. It is a powerful door-opener to the demonic. We have also noted that residual energy/haunts is very popular in the paranormal community, and is bleeding over into general culture. Hence, if I were the devil (no comment!) then I would do all I could to make this notion of residual energy as plausible and popular as possible. Or, I would use my considerable arsenal to make as many hauntings as possible appear residual. Why? Because since they are allegedly non-intelligent, then people will tend to see them as not as serious. The last thing Satan wants are godly exorcists snooping around his strongholds. So, all he has to do is make his demons act non-intelligent by not replying intelligently to an EVP session…and the investigators will likely tell the client that they are safe. A residual haunt is not likely to be confronted in the Name of Jesus because IT IS MERELY ENERGY….NOT A SPIRIT.

Does that make sense? Another thing. Have you noticed how quickly many folks (many other are much more cautious) come to the conclusion that a haunt is residual? With perhaps an EVP or 2 that SEEM stupid or non-intelligent, the decision is made: this is residual. Additionally, many folks assume in advance  that most real activity is residual in nature. Hence, they will have an unconscious tendency to PERCEIVE activity as non-intelligent, with only a small amount of evidence. How much data does one need before it is prudent to claim that a haunting is residual? Remember the clients welfare is linked to an accurate ‘diagnosis’. Given the deception in the spirit realm, do we not need to be cautious and not jump to conclusions?

I am quite sure that Satan is milking this notion for all its worth. If only these alleged non-intelligent residual energies were confronted in Jesus’ Name, they would suddenly become very intelligent and reveal their true demonic nature. I know because I’ve done it many times and urge you to find a competent person to do it for you as well.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.  

The Dalai Lama is Interviewed by Lady Gaga

Indianapolis, IN, USA, 26 June 2016 - On the final day of his current visit to the USA His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to give the keynote address to the 84th Annual Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors. He was met on arrival at the JW Marriott Hotel by the Conference President, Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Before joining the Conference Plenary Session he took part in a conversation with Lady Gaga that was streamed live over Facebook. Putting questions to him that had been submitted through Facebook, she asked how to help young people faced with a variety of problems like low self-esteem, self-harm and so forth. He replied:

“Despite it being our human nature to be compassionate, modern education is focussed on external and material goals. There are always problems to face, but it makes a difference if our minds are calm. On the surface we may get upset, but it makes a difference if we are able to stay calm in the depths of our minds.”

He added, “We are social animals, so our future depends on the rest of the community. Therefore, paying more attention to inner values like love and compassion are the right approach.”

Another questioner wanted to know what the most fruitful kind of meditation is and His Holiness explained that there are two kinds. One, single-pointed meditation focuses on a single object or for example on the clarity of the mind. But another kind of meditation is analytical, involving deeply thinking things through. His Holiness said that he personally finds analytical meditation more effective and more satisfying.

Asked how to find peace in this violent world His Holiness suggested that it can be very helpful to try and look at things from a wider perspective. Something that looks terrible close up can seem less daunting if you step back from it. You might even find it has positive aspects.

“Whatever happens,” he said, “hope and self-confidence are essential.”

American television personality and new journalist Ann Curry escorted His Holiness onto the Conference platform, where he took a seat while she introduced him to the gathering. She spoke of these unsettled times when people feel our world is unravelling.

“Then there comes a man who says his religion is kindness. He is someone who lost his freedom at the age of 16, lost his country at 24 and became a refugee. He is someone who has thoroughly studied the classic Buddhist texts, but is also curious about modern science. He quotes science as having demonstrated that basic human nature is compassionate and sees this as a basis on which we can build hope.”

Before asking His Holiness to speak Mayor Rawlings-Blake invited the gathering to watch two short videos about Mayor Gary Fischer of Louisville, Kentucky and his initiative to declare Louisville a City of Compassion and Mayor Tom Tait of Anaheim, California, who has made Anaheim a City of Kindness. His Holiness has visited both cities and encouraged the Mayors in their work, which includes special attention to education.

The audience including more than 200 Mayors stood when His Holiness stepped up to the rostrum and he told them:

“Sit down and relax. I don’t like formality. Thank you for inviting me to be here. It’s a great honour to meet so many Mayors of this great nation. I always think of the United States as leader of the free world. It’s a country known for technological innovation. Your principles are freedom, democracy and liberty, and these qualities are related to warm-heartedness, a respect for others and a concern for others’ well-being. These are not slogans but related to a mental attitude. So I hope and believe that this nation can take the lead in building a more compassionate world.

“On this small blue planet we are facing the effects of climate change, our population is increasing and natural resources are declining. On top of all that, we face other problems, difficulties we have made for ourselves. No one wants to face problems, and yet we create them through being too self-centred and not concerned enough about others. We divide people into ‘us’ and ‘them’, which leads to conflict and sometimes even war.

“The 20th century was marked by immense violence. Some historians say 200 million people were violently killed. If it had resulted in the world becoming a better place, some might suggest it was worth it, but this is not the case. Therefore, we have to address the destructive emotions like anger, jealousy and self-centredness that are a source of our problems. We have to cultivate our basic human nature of compassion.”

His Holiness observed that we all begin life in our mother’s womb. Once we have been born, she protects us with affection. Later, having a peaceful mind contributes to our physical health, whereas some scientists say that constant fear and anxiety undermine our immune system. He said that in his own case, friends tell him his face looks like that of a man of 60 not nearly 81 and the reason is that he has a calm mind. On the one hand looking good is fine, but much more important is having the inner beauty of a warm heart.

He said that ways need to be found to help everyone experience a calm mind. He mentioned work that is going on to introduce common human values to the existing education system. Taking a ‘City of Kindness’ button from his bag, he mentioned what a great inspiration Louisville, City of Compassion and Anaheim, City of Kindness are.

“Their efforts give me great courage that efforts are being made to create a brighter future. I don’t expect to see these projects come to maturity, but we need to take practical steps to introduce compassion, not just in theory but in practice. I think you can make a significant contribution to this and many other nations will then follow your example.”

Lady Gaga reinforced what His Holiness had sad with an impassioned defence of kindness.

“The truly fantastic thing about kindness is that it’s free. You can give and give and receive kindness and the well never dries up.”
                   
She spoke of disharmony in the country and that kindness is the cheapest way to cure it with a priceless aftermath. Fellow panellist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Philip Anschutz added to this that Tom Tait had run for his mayoral election on a platform of kindness and won. “This is a room of practical people,” he said. “Kindness is something you can all use.”

His Holiness mentioned something from his own experience:

“When you are in hospital receiving treatment it makes a lot of difference if the physicians and support staff approach you with a smile and a kind demeanour. It sets your mind at ease. When they are stern and indifferent and treat you as if they are repairing a machine, you feel anxious and apprehensive.”

Speaking directly to the mayors, Lady Gaga urged them to be a calming influence on young people’s lives. Clarifying the idea of forgiveness, His Holiness suggested differentiating between wrong actions that people commit and the person who commits them. He said that when people are behaving badly or taking advantage of you, it’s correct to oppose it. What’s important is not to lose compassion for the person, the fellow human being, who’s doing it.

The question of making decisions, difficult decisions, was raised. His Holiness advised:

“Let your mind remain calm and decide whatever it is you need to do with clarity.”

After lunch, His Holiness started on the journey that will take him back to India tomorrow.

original link & photos: http://dalailama.com/news/post/1416-interviewed-by-lady-gaga-before-addressing-the-us-conference-of-mayors