The Dalai Lama in Portland: 5 Things I Learned

The Oregonian, May 17, 2013
By Nancy Haught

The whirlwind that was the Dalai Lama's Portland visit has subsided. Like many people who heard him speak, I'm sifting through what I heard him say.
A creature of lists, I've come up with five things I learned during his visit:

1.  His official Twitter account, @DalaiLama, has, as of today, 6,997,345 followers. He follows 0.

2.  He sleeps the way I dream of sleeping ("eight, nine hours" a night). He eats the way I wish I ate (breakfast and lunch, no dinner, sometimes in the evening "two biscuits") and meditates more than I'll ever manage (five hours each morning).

3.  His quotations are deceptively simple: tiny words convey big ideas too large to embrace with ease: "Compassion is the key factor to one's own well-being . . . . We are social animals . . . . those dogs always barking often remain lonely."

4.  There can be calm in the eye of a storm: Amidst constantly shifting timelines, barking dogs, the steely gaze of cookie-cutter security agents, standing ovations and awkward bows, the Dalai Lama moves unperturbed. As 10,000 people waited patiently, he took the time to dig through his cloth bag to find a trinket for the child who didn't seem all that impressed with him in the first place.

5.  Love, he prefers the word "compassion," is not spontaneous. It's cultivated through practice. As it grows, compassion crowds out anger, bitterness, betrayal and selfishness. Attachment is easier and always fatal.

Bad Bad Thing Award Goes to Former I.T. Worker Claims He's Jesus Christ

By Kirby Robinson

Alan John Miller [AJ]
is now Jesus Christ

Alan John Miller claims he is Jesus Christ and gal pal Mary Luck is his girlfriend Mary Magdalene. Now all we need is The Da Vinci Code's director, Ron Howard, author Dan Brown and star Tom Hanks. All of this is just one more bad bad thing.

We've been warned that as the end times get closer, there will be more and more people claiming to be Jesus Christ the returned. But nowhere does it say he'll come back to Australia with Mary Magdalene or be a former I.T. worker. Here's the brief story:  

http://doubtfulnews.com/2013/05/the-latest-in-a-long-line-of-messiahs/

Do you know of a para-celeb, psychic, ghost hunter, demon chaser, or false teacher who’s eligible for the award? You can take part by sending us a name and why you think they should receive the BAD BAD THING award. Contact freeallspirits@live.com for more information.

Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

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It's a Bad Bad Thing When Believing in Jesus is a Capital Crime

By Kirby Robinson

100,000 men, women, and children die each year because of their crime. What kind of crime do children commit? They are Christians and that is a bad bad thing …

"Credible research has reached the shocking conclusion that an estimate of more than 100,000 Christians are violently killed because of some relation to their faith every year," Vatican spokesman Monsieur Silvano Maria Tomassi said Tuesday in a radio address to the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

We have to ask where the heck is CNN and Fox News? Why are they not reporting this?

http://www.charismanews.com/world/39710-100-000-christians-killed-each-year-for-faith-vatican-says

Do you know of a para-celeb, psychic, ghost hunter, demon chaser, or false teacher who’s eligible for the award? You can take part by sending us a name and why you think they should receive the BAD BAD THING award. Contact freeallspirits@live.com for more information.

Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of NEVER MOCK GOD: AN UNAUTHORIZED INVESTIGATION INTO PARANORMAL STATE’S “I AM SIX” CASE [also in paperback!], INVESTIGATING PARANORMAL STATE, PARANORMAL STATE EXPOSED and PARANORMAL TEACHINGS: THE BEST OF SHEDDING SOME LIGHT and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/

The Truths about Christians and Ghost Hunting

By Stephen Piersall, 
God's Preservation Ministry, http://sfprs.org/ 

I am submitting this blog I found in my archives and wanted to share it with you. I know you hear a few of us talking bad about ghost (demon) hunting all the time and many do not agree with us, even though we have Biblical proof of being correct. This is another person's point of few and I hope it at least plants a seed of hope that if you do not have Jesus as your LORD and Savior or are a Christian but have backslidden and adapted to the worldly views that it will open your minds and make you rethink your views.

Please visit our new updated web page and subscribe by email to get all our updates and new info...http://sfprs.org/

By Shane Raynor

If you aren't familiar with the phenomenon of ghost hunting, you haven't surfed through your basic cable channel lineup in a few years. Yes, the medium that brought you Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo also promotes the paranormal each week with shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and The Haunted. Be afraid, be very afraid.

I generally take reality shows with a grain of salt, but ghost hunters, also known as paranormal investigators, aren't limited to television. Groups and societies that specialize in investigating paranormal claims are popping up all over the world. There’s probably at least one of them in your city. Some even claim to be Christian-based.

Ghost hunters use technology and fringe science as they attempt to prove or disprove alleged hauntings of houses and other locations. Some also use occult methods and they bring in psychics, mediums, and channelers to assist with their investigations. I’m guessing that real-life ghost hunting is nowhere near as fast-paced and exciting as the reality shows depict it to be. That's because in the real world, there’s no one to edit out all the boring stuff. And some ghost hunters get more than they signed up for. I've heard accounts of people experiencing demonic oppression and/or possession after taking part in paranormal investigations. Stirring up trouble in the spiritual realm is never something that should be taken lightly.

That brings us to the question of whether Christians should even be involved in paranormal research and investigations. Before I attempt to answer that, I’ll go out on a limb and say that some of what we see on paranormal reality shows is probably hokum. A portion of the “evidence” they uncover is likely exaggerated, and some of it could even be manufactured. Some shows are probably more trustworthy than others, but none of them can survive without ratings, and it’s hard to get ratings if something exciting isn't happening on screen.

But assuming that some paranormal events and phenomena are real (and I do), how should Christians respond to it? It depends. I don't think it’s a good idea to go ghost hunting in places like cemeteries or abandoned buildings for the adventure of it. But a Christian’s purpose is connected to the purpose of Jesus Christ: to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). So when there's a situation where someone is being tormented or harassed by a evil entity , I believe Christians have the authority to step in and confront it. For example, if a family is dealing with paranormal activity in their house, and they need help getting rid of it, then that’s fair game. But there’s always some degree of risk when you confront evil, especially if you don't know exactly what you're doing. If you do get involved in any kind of ministry that deals directly with evil, be prepared to pray and learn as much as you can about spiritual warfare.

Some of the methods paranormal investigators use are dangerous. Christians should not be collaborating with psychics or other occult practitioners. And attempting to communicate with the dead in any way, especially to get information or satisfy curiosity should be avoided. Leviticus 19:31 is fairly plain: "Do not resort to dead spirits or inquire of spirits of divination—you will be made unclean by them; I am the Lord your God" (CEB). Deuteronomy 18:10-12 puts it this way:

There must not be anyone among you who passes his son or daughter through fire; who practices divination, is a sign reader, fortune-teller, sorcerer, or spell caster; who converses with ghosts or spirits or communicates with the dead. All who do these things are detestable to the Lord! (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 CEB) There are good reasons for these warnings, one being that attempts to consult the dead could open the door to powerful demonic activity.

Ghost hunters often use technological tools to help them with their investigations, but some of these methods seem to me to be little more than high tech séances and Ouija boards. EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recorders, ghost/spirit boxes (modified radios that allegedly can be manipulated by spirits), and electronic speech synthesis devices like the Ovilus should be avoided by Christians. EMF (electromagnetic field) meters probably aren't an issue, provided they aren't used to gain information from spirits.

There may be a place for Christians in the world of paranormal investigation, but no one should get involved just for the thrill of it. Many of us will likely encounter the supernatural, both good and evil, at various points in our lives, but our fascination with it should be grounded in who we are in Christ. In Luke 10, Jesus had this to say to the 72 followers he’d sent out who came back with their minds blown because demons had actually submitted to them:

I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don't rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:18-20 CEB).

The spiritual war between good and evil is real, but getting actively involved with it just for the thrill factor or the entertainment value is never a good idea.

The Problem with Haunted Houses

By Lisa Grace

Watching the paranormal shows the first thing the homeowners/renters usually do is call a paranormal group to document or agitate the supernatural beings.

Which of course, is the wrong thing do. Paranormal groups want more connections, not less with these evil beings. They have no interest in driving them out and choose instead to communicate and attract more of them. Many plan on repeating visits, again showing no interest in helping the residents to drive them out.

If someone truly wants evil beings driven out, they call a man of God to bless the house and drive the creatures out, permanently. If the inhabitants are not saved, the creatures could come back, as those who are not saved are easy to "attach" to and to possess.

Unfortunately, doing a house blessing, fasting, anointing with oil, and praying, and then having "no activity" may lead to a peaceful dwelling place, which does not make good TV.

People pay to stay at haunted places, and they have become tourist attractions in their own right. In Jesus' times, possessed people were kicked out of town (or worse), and evil spirits seemed to migrate to caves. Not all demons are equal, some prefer to mimic past living people, others get physical, and others seem almost passive or friendly (they're not). Playing with these entities is dangerous. They can "attach" to anyone who is unsaved. Many people who work against the demonic surround themselves with a strong circle of prayer warriors who pray for protection for them continually.

Playing with these entities is dangerous and should not be treated like a game.

Issue 119 – The Case Against Theresa Caputo the Long Island Medium--Part 2

By Kirby Robinson

Continued from Issue 118 The Case Against Theresa Caputo the Long Island Medium, Part 1

Notice that Theresa Caputo has a string of misses and questionable hits so she decides to opt for humor to keep the viewer derailed and bring in the hosts for a laugh.

Theresa tosses out the question, who lost a daughter? No hits, so she jumps on to a brain aneurysm or Alzheimer’s [you don't die from that illness]. A male reacts but she rejects him. Nope, it's a young good-looking woman who takes advantage of the diseases beginning with the letter A. It's easier to bring a woman to tears than a man. This woman accepts everything sent her way, right up to the question "Do you have any of her clothing?" That's a fairly safe one to ask, knowing that you'll get a yes. But when the Long Island Medium starts to ask about recent deaths, it's a big miss and Theresa breaks it off.

So let’s break down this so-called certified medium readings down.  [Ms. Caputo has been certified by the Family Forever Foundation.]

1 Did she give us any names? No.

2 Dates? No.

3 Places? No.

We are left to ask this question--when people pass, do they get dumber? Do they lose the ability to communicate with us? Are they unable to speak clearly through mediums? If we go by what we see of the Long Island Medium, they can show up but are unable to say who they are, whom they are here to visit. The deceased person can't give their own name and the name of the loved one, not do they give a clear message.

People will always ask how can people like this do such things? Theresa Caputo is not unique in any way. She's just one more in a long list of flavors of the month/year when it comes to fake psychics. She's now in the company of The Amazing Kreskin, Uri Geller, Sylvia Browne, John Edwards, and James Van Praagh. Whether they claim to be mind readers, magicians, mentalists, or mediums they all have the same basic foundations.

1 They always claim that the gift came to them early in life. Theresa Brigandi [maiden name] states that her gift always sent her parents and brother into a crazy sort of ghost hunt. At times, it led to having her father climb onto the roof of their home looking for things with green scary eyes. This flies against what she now claims -- to have never seen anything evil looking.

2 They always claim that they did not really use their gift in life while they were children. Except as a way to entertain others.

3 Others always found them different.

4 They'll always find a mentor which in the case of Theresa, was Pat Longo, a Long Island medium herself. Mrs. Longo claims that she can heal you in person or over the phone for just $175. Here's her website: http://patlongo.net/

In bold letters on Mrs. Longo's website it says "…and in some God gave the gift of healing."

That is found in the bible: 1 Corinthians 12

But nowhere will you find the passage: "And some the gift of healing which you can charge $175."

Not to turn this into a Bible thumping blog, but the moment money is connected to anyone carrying out the gifts of the spirit, it stops being a genuine gift from God. The alleged gift of healing means that it's either outright fakery or a gift from someplace other than heaven.

In the May 26th episode, Why Me, we learn that Pat had to deal with cancer and she had an operation. She also mentions that her husband died from cancer five months ago. Why she did not turn to her faith for healing? From the new age viewpoint, cancer is caused by a negative spirit and/or negative energies being blocked at the chakra points. This isn't something we'd expect from a healer.

We don't know if Theresa went to Pat and was told that she was a medium or not. Or did she go to Pat and say you're making a killing in this line or work, teach me how you fake it. I'll take a look at the view that this so-called "spirit" they claim to talk to is a demonic one.

Additionally it seems that Pat feels she can teach anyone to do what Theresa claims to do. That means it is not really a "gift" at all but simply a trade like driving a truck or being a cook.

http://patlongo.net/classes

It seems her teaching days are over as of 6/15/13.

Further digging into the site leads us to a Wordpress blog made up of even more wacky new age teachings on topics that were taught in the new age world back in the 1980s.

But there was a blog that had an interesting title which lead us to a question to even more of her claims. This is written by a participant in one of Pat's healing sessions. The author writes about a mishmash of new age and eastern topics and describes herself as a sensitive soul.

http://opt4joyfulliving.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/7-ways-to-raise-your-vibration-according-to-pat-longo-long-island-theresa-caputos-healer/

7 Ways to raise your Vibration: according to Pat Longo, Long Island Theresa Caputo’s healer.

Pat apparently didn't tell TLC that she was a medium [have you ever heard of a psychic telling their client he/she is not psychic when asked?]. Anyway, she was/is Theresa's mentor as well as her healer. Therefore, the Long Island Medium endorses people that take part in illegal activates. Additionally, nowhere on the site is there any evidence of medical science certifying that she is really a healer.

Pat seems she know how to make a buck as she appeared on her student's show in the second episode of the past season. If you want to see the pair together in the Season 2 episode called Drumming and Healing, you can go to Amazon and see it for $1.99. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ORWB86

This season, Theresa complained that her shoulder hurt. Did she go to her healer for that magic touch? No, she went to All-Star Physical Therapy. http://www.all-starpt.com/

Her brother is on the staff there and took care of her needs. http://www.all-starpt.com/about-us/staff

Michael Brigandi PT, MS

Guess she's afraid of making Pat Longo a big star…

Next week we just keep digging to uncover the truth.

The EYE ON THE PARANORMAL wants you as a blogger!

Want to join the best team of paranormal reporters? Do you want your blog to get hits and comments? If so, you can blog for us as we have spots open. Contact: freeallspirits@live.com

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EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of NEVER MOCK GOD: AN UNAUTHORIZED INVESTIGATION INTO PARANORMAL STATE’S “I AM SIX” CASE [also in paperback!], INVESTIGATING PARANORMAL STATE, PARANORMAL STATE EXPOSED and PARANORMAL TEACHINGS: THE BEST OF SHEDDING SOME LIGHT and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/

Dalai Lama Meets Interfaith Groups

By Senge Sering

His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently spoke about religion and tolerance in front of interfaith groups in Washington, DC.

I was not expecting an extremely busy person like his eminence who daily shakes hands with a thousand people to remember me, especially since I had met him 14 years ago for a mere 10 minutes.

“We have met before,” says His Holiness the Dalai Lama when I introduced myself as “nga Baltipa in ju.” Surprised and with my jaw open, all I did was clasp my hands together and nodded happily in agreement before I once again lowered my head to show respect.

The Dalai Lama was in Washington, DC on the invitation of the University of Maryland.

Sensing his interest in meeting the Muslims of America, the Marist College of New York and Washington-based Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies co-hosted a private meeting and lecture on inter-faith harmony on May 7, 2013. The twenty or so people who we invited belonged to all faiths including Hinduism, Scientology, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, and were representing the interfaith NGOs of Washington.

We also ensured that all sects of Islam, like Shias, Sunnis, Sufis, Alevis, Ahmadis and Ismailis were represented in that room. The Dalai Lama spent forty-five minutes with us. Afterwards, he moved to the auditorium to address Islamic Sufism and Buddhism. Our dear friend Lobsang Chophel introduced the group members to His Holiness before the lecture.

One thing that the group liked about the Dalai Lama was his comment about emotional attachment with one’s religion which can limit objective thinking and analysis. He stressed on having compassion for people of other faiths. If understood, his message can help reduce killings and wars which happen in the name of protecting or maintaining superiority of one religion over the other.

Throughout the lecture, he talked about promoting humanity and showed concern about the growing gap between the rich and the poor. He called himself a son of India because India nourishes his body and mind through the food he consumes and the knowledge he receives from the Nalanda scriptures.

The Dalai Lama is unique among other world leaders as everyone irrespective of their religious background can relate to him

For us, he is a spiritual father figure who can instill hope and the sense that he belongs to all of us and not just one faith or racial group.

I requested His Holiness to pray for the freedom of Gilgit-Baltistan. I was hardly able to look at his face while trying to control my tears. I am not sure if I even used the right Tibetan language (Shesa) to communicate to him since Baltis do not know Shesa. But he smiled when he heard me talking in Balti and held my hand. Love for the Balti community was noticeable on his face.

On behalf of our group and Marist College, John Thomas Pinna presented a framed picture and a DVD movie to the Dalai Lama which will remind him of the times when Tibet was still a free country. The DVD was produced by a broadcaster, journalist and photographer, Lowell Thomas, who had visited Tibet before the Chinese occupation and filmed his meeting with His Holiness in Lhasa. The Dalai Lama liked the gift very much and desired to meet our group again.

His Holiness and I greeted each other with the phrase ‘Thsering shoks’ or may you live long. As I was praying for his health and long life, I was also hoping to meet him again.

Senge H. Sering is the President of Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies and hails from a Tibetan speaking region called Baltistan (Baltiyul), which has been declared a disputed area between India and Pakistan by the United Nations. There are about 600,000 Balti people residing in India and Pakistan who profess Islam and speak archaic Tibetan. Read other articles by Senge. http://www.sharnoffsglobalviews.com/dalai-lama-074/