Monday, July 14, 2014

Explanation of Demons, Not Ghosts, Part 3

By Rev. Dr. Bradley Luoma

Continued from: Explanation of Demons, Not Ghosts, Part 1
Explanation of Demons Not Ghosts, Part 2


In series part’s 1 and 2 we laid the ground floor to provide discernment that ‘Ghosts’ cannot exist as one would believe.  We used multiple Biblical verses laid out to clearly demonstrate when one dies they face judgment which is either Heaven or Hell.  At the end of part 2 we indicated that this entire false belief of ‘Ghosts’ starts with invitation to the realm to contact a person.

Part 3 - Satan knows man all too well, and Satan knew back then if he could tempt Eve with “eating” an apple and getting Adam to follow Eve’s actions, then he certainly can get people to believe that loved ones can come back to visit you once deceased to provide certain “words of wisdom” or “feelings of peace” that were once held in esteem for that loved person.

To further dive into our next subject – Demon activity not Ghost activity is infestation, oppression and possession, let’s look at the slide pictured in this article.  This snapshot captured is from the 2012 film, “The Conjuring”, which is depicting Ed and Lorraine Warren on a case.   During the movie the characters lay out how Demonic forces come about or infiltrate a person(s) life.  However, they missed the reason this is occurring in the first place – invitation or a generational curse.

The reason the Demonic become activated is two-fold – invitation of a person by their own hand or a generational curse found in the blood line.  The definition of involvement refers to being engaged with or participation with something.  This also refers to an emotional or personal association with something or someone. The invitation act is the direct result of ‘actions’ of said person in the occult world as well as in other aspects, but mostly related to occult activity.

Thus meaning, the person became active due to being involved with playing in the occult realm (I.e. Ouija board, Tarot Cards, Psychic/Medium engagement, Séance, Automatic Writing, Necromancy (going to the grave side and telling a passed one you miss them and wish you could see them one more time, telling a ‘Ghost’ to come forward to make yourself known or even telling a ‘Ghost’ to use my energy to come forward) Witchcraft practices, Satanic worship, Sacrifice of human/animal or both in the name of Satan, etc…).  Realize those discussed are just a small snapshot of occult aspects, but other sins of the ‘flesh’ also result in invitation too (I.e. illegal or legal drug usage (altered mind is what they are after), murder, prostitution, rape, sexual abuse, physical abuse, etc…).

Generational curses also bring forward the Demonic on a person.  These curses are found in the blood lines passed down through the family because of acts or ‘sins of our ancestors’.  Many people do not know what ancestors did 300, 600 or 1000 years ago in pledges to Satan for money, power, love, revenge, etc…  These curses become activated through the family lines causing havoc in the subsequent generations to come.

These curses cause people to become engaged further with activities that they should not be doing.  Many of you will disagree with this, but Exorcisms have confirmed why the Demonic were there in the first place, when they claim ‘Legal Rights’ to this person because of ancestral acts.  This becomes the challenge of the Exorcist to get the Demonic to admit fully what curse or curses are upon this person.  This is part of a ‘Legal Right’ they have to the person.  The sad part of this is (yes true) that even those professed saved in the blood of Jesus Christ, can and often under attack or even possessed by Demonic forces.  That is another story for another time.

The invitation process is not always instantaneous, but it can be for the Demonic.  Basically, the Demonic become activated as they wait for people to commit great offenses (I.e. Sin).  Even though we are all born in Sin, from the flesh of Adam and Eve, the Demons watch us all as they wait to see who continues to do more acts of involvement.  

For logical purposes, realize the Demonic are assigned to people to watch them, study them and then look for the ‘gaping wound’ found in the person.  What we might consider a very small scrape, the Demonic use as a major gaping wound to come upon a person.

The activity of invitation then moves onward towards the infestation aspect.  Infestation mode is designed to cause as much influx of Demonic activity as possible.  This is not limited to but does include: banging, knocking, heavy boots walking across the floor, items moving around, growling in the open air, a mist or a vapor, orbs, shadow figures and the list can go on and on.  During this time people become more aware thus will cause people to become obsessed with finding more answers, or engaging in the wrong manner which further opens that doorway.

The next phase after the infestation aspect is in full swing is the oppression state.  During this state people start to engage in behavior that is not typical of the person.  During this phase, the Demonic will take a ‘sane’ person and turn them ‘insane’.  They will cause the person or even the person’s family to always question every single aspect of their lives, cause major fights amongst each other, severe depression is common in women, severe aggression is common in men and both can be found in young children.

During this phase the attacks upon the person ramp up.  These include but are not limited to: scratching/gouging marks in the flesh, causing one to cut themselves (blood-letting), bite marks, bruising on body in areas they did not do themselves, getting pinned down on a bed/couch/chair, both men and women can be sexually assaulted, smells of sulfur/rotten meat/rotten eggs with no known source, catatonic activity (blank stare for extended periods of time), loss of time hours or days, and partial possession becomes apparent.

Possession the ultimate goal is when the Demonic fully reside in the person.  The afflicted will exhibit behavior that is not becoming or attributed to them.  This can include but is not limited to: ripping/tearing of flesh, tearing of hair off the head, removing all nails, severe mutilation of the flesh, eating bugs, playing/eating with/of fecal matter from the body, speaking in foreign tongues, levitation of the body, multiple voices coming out of the person at once, contortion of the body, breaking of bones, twisting and bending in positions not humanly possible, markings on the flesh with symbols, words, etc… as well as other aspects.  This stage is very severe and requires Exorcism upon the person.  During this extreme phase the Demonic may not allow the person to drink or eat thus sustaining life.  This phase requires both Medical and Spiritual intervention
In our next discussion of Demons not Ghosts, we will describe how the Demonic masquerade in the ways they feel necessary to enact their plans for all mankind.

Rev. Dr. Bradley Luoma

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Is It Dangerous Taking A Interest In Demons And Demonology?

In my humble opinion if this is not a calling from Jesus Christ then yes, it's very dangerous getting to nosy. It can lead to obsession as that is already a major problem that started developing since 2004 when these ghost shows started. Many people out there have no business trying to get involved. I have proof of my education and references starting in 1992 before the reality tv shows. I had to hide this back in the day. My father was mocked being a Preacher and dealing with these things that sadly came with the job for lack of better words. It was just doing funerals, weddings, baptisms and church services. I pray before and after I go over EVP's or video. This is very serious stuff people. Google slender man. You will be shocked and it's only becoming more popular. Let's be obsessed with Angels of The Lord who can take out a army of demons with the snap of a finger. Have you not heard about the wrath of these Angels? There is a reason why demons FEAR they're smite. When a location has demons due to legal rights they never leave until they are banished. That means anyone coming into that building, home or property are in danger. Doing EVP's in your home are welcoming any demonic being to come on in and stay a while. They take that legal right and run with it. Watching these reality ghost hunting shows too much getting way too involved in them paying money to go see these wanna be celebs (not all bust most are) is inviting all that mess in your life. I still do things inadvertently that allow this. I'm human, I sin and I will always make these mistakes but thank God for giving his only Son to die on the cross of Calvary so that we may have ever lasting life. Know this, say this out loud. These evil things shutter at the name of Jesus Christ. My heart is with him and he is in mine. He is my savior and Lord. Nothing will ever change that. I was not forced to believe anything. I was allowed to use my own head to decide this.

One of my favorite shows is Sid Roths "It's Supernatural" on the Christian channel. He is a Jewish man who believes Christ is the son of God. He has some amazing guests who share stories of the experience they have had with the demonic and the supernatural realm that started with harmless ghost hunting or researching and spending a lot of time wanting to know more. It's a slippery slope my friends. In 1992 is when I officially started full force into this and I still very much dislike this ministry. You don't have many friends and you are deemed a liar or nut case. I work for God and I trust whatever he has for me to do. I no longer really care what man thinks or what others say.

Sid Roth He had a guest named Mel Bond who like me had the gift of the Spirit, discernment. God allowed him to see demons and this dark world in order to help people. I always wondered why God allowed me to be privy to the most dark disturbing things that puts your worst nightmare in the category of mild dreams. Half the time I stay quiet as I witness these vile things. This man Mel Bond has a amazing ministry and books that speak about the gift of the spirits and I suggest this as a great read. You can also find YouTube videos as well.

Many who dabble in researching this come across people with strange and outrageous claims. And as a serious investigator for lack of better words, we all know that many people will lie only get their faces on television and attention.

We must realize now that there are those that just want attention. And making claims that the devil is hiding inside of them is often a true way to get the community to notice them.

Though now a days a direct school of thought is that such hoax's might lead to serious incidents and still these bogus claims might just be the devil actually at work behind the scenes.

For those that make the real claims that someone in their life is possessed by a devil or ghosts or diabolical dark forces or often the person of suspicion. Their terrible claims range from extraordinary claims of people walking on ceilings, strange voices coming from peoples stomachs, and what seems to be snippets taken straight out of current movies like Paranormal Activity and the demonic classic of all times The Exorcist. And of course whether we the people alive today believe it or not, there are in this world many individuals that seek out demonic forces. And their intent for such and serious reasons can vary.

Some call up demons to use their aid in gaining success. Others call them to make a man or woman fall in love with them or to leave their spouses and become armored with them alone. Yet still some call on these dark forces to wreck havoc in the lives of others for their own evil reasons. Making any kind of a deal with a demon has serious ramifications when it's all said and done. They hate humans. When I say hate I do mean HATE! Why would they want to help us? Think about this? Look at the Slender Man epidemic. More attempted murders have taken place in the name of pleasing the master demon Slender Man. If something doesn't exist, if given enough attention will take on a life of its own. It will be created from all the hysteria. We need Christ more than ever. Cling to the Father and is Holy name, through only him are we safe from this wicked world that satan is taking over through channels most never even of thought of.

Written By Jennifer Lori Auld

Friday, July 11, 2014

Pledge

Pastor Stephen Piersall, God's Preservation Ministry Soul Care
gpmsc.org/
facebook.com/GodsPreservationMinistry
www.networkedblogs.com/blog/soul-care ​ 



By Evangelist Lynn McKenzie, who is on our staff here at God's Preservation Ministry Soul Care

Pledge...

Once again, here on Life with Lynnie (LwL). The music I am honoring our Lord with today, is by Ray Boltzand is entitled, "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb". Here is a link so you can listen and/or sing along

Pledge...

The lyrics are below:

I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb

I have heard how Christians long ago

Were brought before a tyrants throne

They were told that he would spare their lives

If they would renounce the name of Christ

But one by one, they chose to die

The Son of God, they would not deny

Like a great angelic choir sings

I can almost hear their voices ring

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

With all my strength, with all I am

I will seek to honor His commands

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Now, the years have come and the years have gone

And the 'cause of Jesus still goes on

Now, our time has come to count the cost

To reject this world, to embrace the Cross

And one by one let us live our lives

For the One who died to give us life

Till the trumpet sounds on the final day

Let us proudly stand and boldly say

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

With all my strength, with all I am

I will seek to honor His commands

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain

Who took my place, who wore my shame

I will seek to honor His commands

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

With this past week being a special time of pledging allegiance to my country Canada, and to my secondary country USA, I found this song to be rather fitting.

After all, not only do we need to pledge allegiance to the country we live in, but we must do so to our Lord, Jesus Christ. For we must honor Him.

Just like our sister-in-the-Lord, Meriam Ibrahim has done, plus others too, anyone who has salvation by trusting in/believing upon our Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly saved, would never deny Him.

Why? Because anyone who chooses to deny Christ, will be denied by our Father in Heaven.

Just as we read in Matthew 10:33, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

There is no way I would ever deny my Savior, Jesus Christ. Nope. He loved me enough to give up His life for me. And, for you, if you are believing upon Him. Jesus did this, so that we could have everlasting life.

My friend, I pray that one day I'll meet with you. Either here on earth, or in Heaven.

Until next time...

If you would like to comment, please e-mail: lifewithlynnie@gmail.com

The Mountain of the Dead and Other Musings from Deuteronomy

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

My guess is that a good percentage of you have seen the recent documentary which explores the terrible deaths of a dozen Russian young people in 1959. An American explorer and a Russian interpreter--Mike and Maria--spent time investigating the alleged Yeti deaths of these young people (25 years old and younger). "Yeti" is the generic term for the dozens of names for "Bigfoot". In this documentary was real footage of the doomed outing in the Ural Mountains. I must confess it was some of the most disturbing film/audio I have ever seen or heard. These dozen young adults fled their tent mostly in their underwear, despite the sub-zero weather conditions. The sound of the attacker raised the hair on the back of my neck....it was a horrific howl. Watching the blurry, eye-witness video of them screaming and running away was heart rending. All of them were torn apart by a force much greater then anything we know of in the natural realm.The last pictures they snapped were of an odd light in the sky....and then then blood curdling screams of men and women fleeing in utter terror....with this unnatural scream/howl in close proximity.

Mike and Maria discovered that all of this occurred at he base of the "Mountain of the Dead".

Even though there are many undiscovered species, I am convinced that Yeti/Bigfoot is demonic.I have seen almost every episode of search for Bigfoot (Bobo, Cliff, etc.), and there are two things which seem certain--Something is really there (so many sightings), and this Something cannot be captured...Despite thousands of searchers it remains elusive. That is problematic.

While reading Deuteronomy recently, I was struck by how spiritually polluting human death was/is....Death did not just render one unclean, but death (especially murder) polluted the land. Despite all the differences in the paranormal community, one constant is that human death opens a door...it spiritually pollutes the area. The difference lies in...WHY? HOW?. The Mountain of the Dead or any area where human death has occurred or corpses are laid to rest will act as a magnet to the demonic. They are spiritual vultures and are drawn to the human remains of their "prey".That is why it is suicidal to investigate a cemetery.

Let me shift gears to Deuteronomy 18, where the Holy Spirit juxtaposes the occultic sins of of trying to "pass through the veil" on our own, and the means God has sovereignly ordained for knowing God's will (passing through the veil)--via the prophets....TRUE PROPHETS.  This chapter is exceedingly important in the whole paranormal/ghost debate. One argument goes like this--"God would not have forbidden attempts to speak to the dead, unless it were possible." On the surface, it seems plausible, but it commits numerous fallacies. The Argument from Silence...the text does not affirm the existence of trapped human spirits--one has to construct it from silence, which is fallacious. In addition,  the teaching of ALL SOULS APPEARING IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THEIR JUDGE THE SECOND THEY DIE would be contradicted....Further, to push this logic consistently would lead to all kinds of heresy and weirdness. For example, to be consistent, we would have to admit the existence of false gods (other gods) since we are told not to worship the "gods of the pagans". Why tell us to not worship other gods unless they exist? Why disallow speaking to psychics unless they have the ability to speak to the dead? There are dozens of horrible inferences that could be made if we followed this line of logic. The problem is that even theologians are not trained in critical thinking.Many people have fallen prey to the fallacious reasoning--God would not have forbidden attempting to speak to the dead unless it were possible to communicate with the dead. Following the rules of basic interpretation, we know that alleged other gods and alleged trapped spirits are both demonic.

"They sacrificed to demons that were no gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger." (Deuteronomy 32:17)

The notion of Yeti and (more certainly) the notion of trapped spirits are demonic. Sightings of both are escalating quickly....you will NOT capture a Yeti and and you will NOT capture a ghost---demons don't dig being captured.

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

THE Importance of Understanding REAL Science to the Understanding of the Supernatural

By Lisa Grace

Many in the scientific community lie. They call “theory”—“fact.”  For the purpose of this article, *real* science is that which is provable, (you can get the same results every time when tested).

Lazy scientists are comfortable misleading people because many of their degrees were earned on the backbone of theory—not fact, and since they are willing to lie to themselves, they are willing to lie to everyone.

Many in the public would flunk a fifth grade test on basic scientific principles as we see so often see on the show “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” Is it any wonder they take “theory” as “fact” so easily?

So it’s not surprising that carbon dating, evolution, dinosaurs living before man not during man’s time, the speed of light, the dirt layer theory, big bang theory, etc. are all taught as fact when in reality they are not. They are all theories of which there is *real* science available that disputes and proves they are wrong.

What happens to scientists who disprove that commonly held scientific *beliefs* (which take faith since of course, there is no real science backing them up) are wrong?

Since Galileo’s time, including Galileo himself, THEY GET SHUNNED.

Cut off from the equipment, funding, and academic institutions that they need to continue their real scientific research.

Halton Arp (Hubble’s assistant) found the difference in the z shift anomaly (which is an anomaly itself  in the red shift) fit a formula (the anomaly of the Z shift, not the Z shift itself.)


Any amateur with the right equipment and knowledge can measure this. ALL of Halton Arp’s research (books and books of it, all the numbers, measurements, and  formulas the real data) is based on actual provable measurements and been replicated and confirmed by dozens of others world wide who have a “real” scientific back ground. Thank God for real number geeks.

WHY is this important?
Because it disproves the big bang “theory“, and we know the big bang theory has been taught to be fact. The fact that big bang is wrong (and they’ve known for years there are huge problems with it) is a horrifying concept to all the scientists that were trying to build fact on a quicksand-style theory.

It is so important to get the facts straight in science and use them as building blocks, and not use theory as building blocks.

Many in the science community have forgotten the simple concept of using experiments to get results. The other implication of Harp’s research results (facts) is that it points to our universe as being electric, and also points to the outer reaches as being 3D holographic images.

That is what the results (numbers) of the research indicate over and over again.

If these results (numbers) are correct, and the outer reaches are nothing but 3D images, what does that say about our universe?

You can see now why “real” science is so threatening. Because in every single discipline, real science (based just on measurable, verifiable results not theory) points to a Creator. God bless the science and the scientists brave enough to go where it leads. He created for our universe. He is truly an AWESOME God.


Lisa Grace is the author of the Angel Series which has been optioned for a major motion picture. You can download the first book Angel in the Shadows, Book 1 FREE here:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052AI5W8 or here in any format:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/236544

Buell’s Stalker, Rosalind Hennigar, Queen of the Damned

Of all the people I have ever known online, this lady tops my list as the number one pain in my bunghole and all around self centered egotistical “catfish”.  Many already know her name, from her long drawn out devotional rants on Ryan Buell’s fan page that are daily.  She is the owner of a community Facebook page called “Paranormal View”.

The reason she is such a problem is because, she selfishly protects Buell on one hand, while on the other calling him a crook and even a stalker to her in the past.  It’s fine when she wants to chastise him, but, while she berates ticket holders that have been cheated of their hard earned money from speaking out and just asking what the deal is with the events.  She also attacks me, for standing up and opposing his actions of selling tickets to events that he doesn’t hold.

I’d like to address one of her post, so that people are aware of just a portion of what she does and says and here is a perfect example and these are numbered for illustration purposes;

1. The statement of John Albrecht, whom is a fine journalist for Examiner.com on the subject of the paranormal and well known in circles of the same interest, as having a criminal past that served jail time is false.  John is the person responsible for being the very first journalist who broke the story on Buell’s selling tickets and not having events.  This is an untrue statement and just another form of her ploy to protect Buell by making defamatory statements meant to discredit the person who put the truth out there first in a news article form.  A sort of; don’t look behind the curtain in “The Wizard of Oz” thinking.  Likewise, the rumor of the Examiner.com having computer viruses that has been propagated first by Buell himself and followed by some of his followers including Rosalind, who takes it to a new level of absurdity.

2. We are calling her a stalker.  I’m not quite sure how this relates unless she thinks I am many, which she often does.

3. Her defense of Ryan which is laughable and her usual type of justifying.

4. Her statement of me having a bigger scam in place has to do with my posting a class action suit lawyer so that ticket holders can get their money back and her campaign to derail that effort by saying that I am stealing money and asking for money, (of which I never have.)  I furnished the lawyer’s office address and phone number and I do not have anything to do with the money end myself as the lawyer is on a contingency basis (expected for class action suits) and ticket holders do not need to send money, nor will be billed and the lawyer gets paid when and if he wins the case.  I have stated this many times.  However, Rosalind insists on the lawyer does not exist and I’m just some thief trying to steal money, which is just not true.  I and others I know, have come to a point where we wonder if Rosalind is just delusional or is she just ok with constantly lying.

5. I have hordes that are framing Buell that includes blackmail?  The movement against Buell is because Buell sold tickets to people that were once his fans (some still are) and kept canceling the events the day of or the day before the event and did so for many events that he promoted.  People got upset and started saying something on his page.  I got involved because of what was already being said by ticket holders on Buell’s own fan page when someone alerted me to it.  This is Buell’s own fault and nobody else’s and he will soon have to pay the piper for his OWN actions.  I will hardly ever stand by and idle while something like this happens in a field I care so much about.  I know many that feel the same way.  However, the type of accusations is exactly why so many in the field do not stand up against these types of abuses.

6. Followed on 7

7. First of all, Kirby is not a medical doctor and has never been.  This is yet another lie.  She WAS calling him an eye doctor.  Apparently when you tell lies, you forget what you say.  This is yet another instance of trying to defame those who come forward to say something.  As for what she says about me being some mastermind of derailing Buell, it seems a bit conspiratorial and persecutory and more in line with someone who suffers from paranoid delusions to me.  The only thing to “derail” is the bilking of innocent people of money for events that will never happen and are not intended to happen.

8. It’s all my fault Ryan Buell didn’t book his venues and didn’t show up for his promoted events he sold tickets for?  WTF?  Hardly.  This is something that Buell has done for years and still owes people for events never held as far back as even three years ago.  He sold tickets up until the lawyer got involved and then Ticket Leap suspended ticket sales.  Coincidence?  As for the events, Buell sold many tickets, but, never booked the venues.  For some venues, someone called and booked the date, but, they never paid to keep it or paid a deposit.  This is true of many dates in many towns across Canada and America for his tour dates.  It is the one thing that is consistent for all his tour dates and events.  Most of the ticket holders were not even informed of cancellations and didn’t know until coming up to doors of the venue and reading notices taped to the doors.  Which was the venue alerting people and not Buell or PRS.  Many people paid for plane fair or traveling and lodging and were out that money as well.  This is not just Canada, but America.  How convenient that Rosalind only says she follows the Canadian tours when she posts to Buell’s page daily and berates and chastises the ticket holders often from the states as well as Canadians.  She is certainly more aware then that.

9. Actually, she would like to make me the object of all the wrong doing then to believe her beloved boy crush did anything wrong and would like everyone else to believe that too.  She has issues.

I am not alone in feeling that this woman, in her long tirades of defending Buell and thinking whom ever disagrees with her is me (see below) or some minion of mine is completely delusional and suffers from delusions of grandeur and is appearing more as a stalker in her continual posts to Buell.

There is a continued problem with stalkers using social media to stalk and it’s happening more and more.  Being the delusional accusations of me and other’s that speak out against Buell that are baseless and her complete and utter ability justify, blame others and even excuse behaviors of the person she stalks, as well as her ability to lie about whom she is and what her background is, makes one wonder just how off seated she is and if she’s much more like one of these people mentioned in this article.

Read this cautionary article…  One wonders… is she dangerous?  I think she may be.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/07/02/stars-beef-up-security-use-bodyguards-as-more-celebrities-deal-stalking-threats/

Evan Jensen

Producer of Beyond the Edge of Reality Radio Network

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UPDATE – July 9, 2014

It seems that over the past few days Ryan Buell and PRS have suffered some major blows and he may be having that sinking feeling for the next several days.

- A former member of PRS and a cast member of Paranormal State have raised questions about the validity of psychics who appeared on the show. In the past, this same cast member has raised questions about the demonic claims made on the show. THE EYE ON THE PARANORMAL supports this person, as now we are able to identify even more fakery on the show.

- On July 8, Ryan Buell and PRS suffered what might be the final blow that will end this cancer on the paranormal.

Michelle Belanger
7 mins ·
Conversations with the Dead
It's Tuesday, July 8th, and the Conversations with the Dead Tour was rescheduled for this month. After Chip Coffey had to bow out of the tour, Chris Edwards handled rescheduling and I was asked to fill in for Chip.
The tour sounded like fun, and I haven't been traveling as much as I used to. A lot of fans really wanted to see me. I've cut down on appearances so I could focus on my writing (my new fiction novel, Conspiracy of Angels, is due out through Titan Publishing next year), but I felt like I could swing a month on the road.
But ... it is Tuesday, July 8th. I have no plane tickets, no hotel reservations, no idea what the plan is supposed to be. That's not for lack of asking. That's just how things stand.
I'm pretty darned easy-going when it comes to schedules and such. I used to tour on a shoe-string budget with a metal band - I've learned to adapt by the seat of my pants. But with the new book series and everything else that is going on in my life right now, I had to give an ultimatum: there is no way I will be able to participate in the Conversations with the Dead Tour if the dates get rescheduled again.
I know my friends from PRS have a great deal of things going on in their lives - I probably know more than most. But there comes a time when one must admit that their life is too chaotic to responsibly make commitments -- especially with other peoples' money. And I won't continue to enable that.
I am very sorry I won't be seeing those of you who signed up for the tour. Please understand that I was asked to come along as a guest, and I have had neither involvement nor access to the business, administrative, nor monetary side of things. So should you need clarifications on rescheduling, refunds, or what exactly is going on, you will have to reach out to Ryan and/or Serge.
As a side note, Chris Edwards was previously handling most of that contact, but Chris Edwards and Eilfie Music have both resigned from PRS as of this month. By the terms of their contracts, they cannot even respond to emails you may send them on this or PRS-related issues. Please respect that.
Thank you all for your patience during the time in which I had no updates or solid answers for you on the matter of this tour -- and thank you all for continuing to understand that I won't be able to offer any further insight into the circumstances and reasons beyond this public statement. All those details are for Ryan and Serge to share, if or when they are able.
-- M


Ryan Buell is clearly the CHIEF--the Chief of one.


Monday, July 7, 2014

Dalai Lama on the Perfection of Wisdom & Consecrating a Statue of the Buddha

Likir Gompa, Ladakh, India, 30 June 2014 - The Summer Seminar on the Perfection of Wisdom opened for the first time at Likir Monastery with the assembly of monks reciting verses of homage to the Buddha and the first chapter of Maitreya’s ‘Ornament of Clear Realization’. Geshe Lobsang Samten, Ngari Rinpoche’s Manager, welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Ganden Tri Rinpoche among other dignitaries and guests. He spoke about the re-establishment of the Tibetan monasteries in India and the opportunity this has provided for Ladakhis to study. He also mentioned the value of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and that it deserves to be preserved for the good of humanity.

“But,” he said, “such preservation will be achieved not by recitation of prayers and mantras, but through study. And this is one of our motivations for establishing this seminar.”

There followed a demonstration of Buddhist dialectical debate focussing on different modes of the awakening mind of Bodhichitta and questions such as whether the Buddha has any sense of self-interest.

President of the Ladakh Gompa Association, Geshe Konchok Namgyal spoke and expressed the general appreciation of the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Ganden Tri Rinpoche and Ministers of the State Government. He mentioned the re-establishment of Tibetan centres of learning in such places as Dehra Dun and South India. This has enabled Ladakhis to study once more, much as they did in Tibet. He concluded with the wish that His Holiness lives very long and that the sun of the Dharma shines once more over Tibet.

Chapel Sopa, in his capacity as advisor to the Ngari Tsang Monastic Cultural & Educational Society, greeted His Holiness, Tri Rinpoche, and the Sangha, Abbots, Ministers and other guests. On behalf of the Likir Monastery Education Committee he thanked everyone who had made the event possible. Noting that previous speakers had praised the new Perfection of Wisdom Seminar, he also remarked that the re-establishment of Tibetan monasteries in exile, under the inspiration and encouragement of His Holiness, had, to some extent, countered the disaster that befell Tibet in 1959.

Degrees of Geshe, Kachen and Ngagrampa were awarded by Ganden Tri Rinpoche, Rizong Rinpoche, to successful candidates from the seven monasteries of the Ngari community: Phuktar, Lingshey, Garsha, Muni, Rangdom, Tongdey and Likir. Each graduate was given a certificate and a statue of the Buddha. Tri Rinpoche then offered counsel to the assembled monks including advice on how to approach the forthcoming Kalachakra Empowerment.

In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama joked that while Ladakh was sometimes too cold, today it was too hot. He remarked that when he first came to India more than 50 years ago not much was going on. Great development has taken place since then, including widespread study of the Nalanda tradition for which he congratulated everyone involved.

“All the classical Buddhist treatises studied in Tibet were primarily composed by scholars at Nalanda University. Being unaware of the roots of Tibetan Buddhism in Indian literature and tradition, some Western writers have erroneously described it as Lamaism. Nevertheless, the Perfection of Wisdom studied in Tibet is also studied in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam and Nagarjuna principal proponent of the Madhyamaka or Middle Way is admired in them all too.”

His Holiness said that it is important to distinguish between teachings that were originally intended for particular individuals, citng the visions received by the Indian adept Virwapa that are essential to the Sakya lineage and the many teachings that follow the model of those Milarepa received from Marpa that make up the Kagyu tradition. On the other hand, teachings belonging to the Nalanda tradition are not only observed among the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, but also in all the Buddhist countries of the Northern transmission. He said:

“If you don’t want to be like a white crow, you should study the commonly accepted texts of the Buddhist tradition and become part of the mainstream. If you don’t understand these commonly accepted treatises, you won’t be much good when it comes to teachings intended for particular individuals.”

His Holiness mentioned that during the conversations he has had with scientists and other thinkers over more than 30 years he has not discussed topics like the next life, but practical issues like how to achieve inner peace here and now. These can be discussed on the basis of reasoning and logic. He said that of the five Buddhist Sciences the most important are the Perfection of Wisdom and the view of the Middle Way, supported by logic and epistemology. He added that while there has been great development in India since he first visited in 1956, there should also be corresponding spiritual development.

“Although I don’t personally know much about the Buddha Dharma,” His Holiness remarked, “I’ve already forgotten many of the details I learned when I was young. But since I’ve kept up my studies since then I remain familiar with the key points. And I am quite prepared to employ these in other contexts such as science, which I view through the Nalanda tradition.

“Some scholars have described Buddhism not so much as a religion but as a science of the mind, which is true. In my discussions with scientists and philosophers we have agreed that the destroyer of inner peace is our destructive emotions. Some medical experts have shown that constant anger and fear undermine our health by eating into our immune system. Meanwhile, they find that the compassionate mind is good for our physical well-being. More and more scientists are showing an interest in learning from ancient Indian and particularly Buddhist psychology. You monks here are investigating the mind by using human intelligence to transform our human emotions.

“We can think of the Buddha as a thinker and philosopher. He cautioned his monks and followers not to accept what he had taught at face value on the basis of faith alone, but to examine and investigate it for consistency and only then accept it.”

His Holiness expressed appreciation of the foreign guests for their interest and support. He told the Indian guests that he often points out that Tibetans regard ancient Indian scholars and practitioners as their gurus. Adding that Tibetans are not merely disciples but reliable disciples because they have scrupulously preserved traditions that have faded away from the land of their birth. As a result growing numbers of Indians are showing interest in Buddhist knowledge of the mind and dependent origination.

A short musical performance took place in which a local man sang sweetly to the accompaniment of pipe and drum. Following this, Geshe Lobsang Gyaltsen offered words of thanks and the assembly dispersed for lunch.

In the afternoon, His Holiness drove down the road to Leh some way and back up into the hills to the village of Ney, where he had been invited by the Buddha Shakyamuni Statue Construction Committee. The colossal statue of the Buddha, whose foundation stone he laid in 2002 was now complete. Walking round the base he visited the temple within and admired the paintings of several meditation deities. Taking his seat and gazing up at the tall image he recited consecration prayers.

Addressing the crowd he said:

“This magnificent statue of the Buddha, the fourth Buddha of this fortunate aeon, stands before us complete. Well done; congratulations to everyone involved. You should pray that the merit you have created will benefit all sentient beings and bring them to enlightenment.

“However, of the Buddha’s three spheres of miraculous activity, the main one was his teaching. Of the activities of body, speech and mind the most important is speech. He said:

Buddhas do not wash unwholesome deeds away with water,
Nor do they remove the sufferings of beings with their hands,
Neither do they transplant their own realization into others.
Teaching the truth of suchness they liberate (beings).

“The Buddha taught a path that puts an end to the process of dependent arising. Although we earn merit by gazing at such a body, as I told devotees in TsoPema who asked for the consecration of a huge statue of Guru Padmasambhava, these great images may last 1000 years but they will never speak. What we also need is the speech of the Buddha as contained in the more than 100 volumes of the Kangyur. The verse expressing the essence of dependent arising includes the essence of the Four Noble Truths that are the root of all the Buddha’s teaching.

Of those things that arise from causes,
The Tathagata has taught those causes,
And also what their cessation is:
This is the doctrine of the Great Sage.”

His Holiness concluded by giving a short transmission related to Buddha Shakyamuni that included a verse and the mantra. He drove back to Likir Gompa. Tomorrow, starting early in the morning, he will give an explanation of the Heart Sutra.

See photos at the original link: http://dalailama.com/news/post/1144-summer-seminar-on-the-perfection-of-wisdom-and-consecrating-a-statue-of-the-buddha