The Random Factor

Many blessings

2008-12-05T00:47:00.000-08:00

Dear (your God),

Please bless the person reading this and fill his/her heart with love.

Help this shiny spirit always to remember the light inside
and to have it as a source of strength and power.

May this glorious being always be brave,
and never afraid to tell the truth.

May she/he have beautiful dreams -- flying dreams,
full of light and love and beauty.... Amen.

A version to tell your kids when they are going to bed.

Dear _____,

Please bless ______ and fill his/her heart with love.

Help her/him always to remember the light inside
and to have it as a source of strength and power.

May he/she always be brave,
and never afraid to tell the truth.

May she/he have beautiful dreams -- flying dreams,
full of light and love and beauty.... Amen.

Many blessings,

SG

[The Random Factor #40 (5 of 5)] Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

2008-08-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities

Part 5 : Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

The mind can only take you so far,
as it is a staging area for illusion.

Meditation for mental remediation!

How can you heal your mind?

If one is immersed in compassion,
what room is there for anything else?

SG

[The Random Factor #40 (4 of 5)] Clearing the Mind of Obscurities

2008-08-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities
Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

Part 4 : Clearing the Mind of Obscurities

The ultimate nature of mind is clear, and we know it.
Thus, we are bothered when the mind is not clear.

And, when we invest ourselves in wrong thinking such
as anger or a selfish view we are able to recognize it
as such.

Can we truly rid ourselves of all anger & selfishness?

This gap between what is and what should be is the
experience of longing. But, this doesn't mean we
*will* change our actions. For that, a Buddha needs
both wisdom and strength.

"Our knowing is obscured by stains of mind, only
when we cleanse the mind can we expect the
understanding to manifest."- Dalai Lama

To remove the stains of wrong-thinking, we need
only examine the thought in question and we will
see through these stains to the pure mind."
- Dalai Lama

Stains like all objects in the sensory world are
temporary and thus are destined to dissipate too.
Focus of wisdom of thought and strength of action
quickens the process.

So, how do we work with negative thoughts?

"Brain surgery can have some affect, but not to
remove anger... Our neurons carry both bad and
good so if you have surgery to remove the parts
ability to experience both bad and good disappear,
like a robot... that's no good." - Dalai Lama

Instead, just as you add light to eliminate
darkness, to eliminate those things we don't want
we should look to it's opposite.

If anger exists we should focus on compassion.
It's not easy, but we can always find something
we like about a person. Maybe he stole your car,
but, hey, he sure is good looking.

Even when we're joking this changes the wiring of
our brain. For the first time, perhaps, the object
of your anger now has positive associations which
changes your perception of the object. A better
example, perhaps "somebody's baby" helps heal
resentment by associating the person with the
loving bond of mother and child and reminding us
of fundamental similarity.

"If energy is on anger instead must focus on
kindness and love to reduce this negative emotion."
- Dali Lama

"Disagreements are bound to happen even within the
mind of a single individual, so what hope do we have
to avoid them between people? If you look one-sided
the only solution is to fight and disregard what
others feel. Instead, respect other views and
look for opportunity to compromise." - Dali Lama

"Bad and good is relative. Our judgements are too
often from just one angle, and often based on a
single action." - Dali Lama

Much of your opinion is based on your mood. As
waves move through the ocean yet the ocean remains
the same, so too with the Buddha mind. Through your
senses you will experience both ups and downs but
will not create lasting disturbance in the mind if
the mood is good. - paraphrased Dali Lama

Decisions made with a disturbed mind are often bad
decisions. To see clearly the mind must be unbiased
and able to recognize the condition of a disturbed
mind vs. undisturbed mind. Too much attachment is
a sign of a disturbed mind, even though some
attachment is a biological factor resulting from
a physical need. e.g. fear increases blood to the
feet so you can run away faster.

"When we say the obstruction is purified we
shouldn't say it's gone, because this too is
temporary. Instead we need to implement the
process of purification.

When we say someone is a Buddha we are not saying
they are enlightened, we are saying they are
following the path and through true effort will
reach this enlightenment." - Dali Lama

SG

Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

[The Random Factor #40 (part 3 of 5)] - Our mental and physical realities

2008-04-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities
Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

Part 3 : Our mental and physical realities

The 21st century has brought a very high
material standard yet the people who enjoy
these luxuries are mentally and emotionally
not very stable. There is constant stress,
fear, frustration, and jealousy, and these
emotions disturb the mind.

Since all sentient beings innately desire
happiness and therefore do not want
disturbances we seek pleasure to block
these disturbances.

Unfortunately, when you partake in
pleasurable events these actions immediately
begin to become less pleasurable, meaning
we need more next time to get the same
level of satisfaction.

The Dalai Lama talked of meeting
billionaires filled with stress and worry,
and pointed out that this demonstrates the
limits of material facilities in achieving
happiness. Since a contented mental level
is perhaps impossible to achieve through
material means we must instead take a look
at our inner world.

"Mental level is more superior than
physical level because physical can not
subdue discomfort on the mental level but
the mental level can subdue discomfort on
the physical level." - Dalai Lama

Imagine two patients with the same disease
in the same hospital with the same doctor
and the same treatment. Now imagine that
one of them is relaxed and optimistic,
while the other is filled with worry. The
calm and peaceful patient will report a
more positive experience. The mental worry
is an additional problem...

The DL said a scientist assured him it has
been scientifically proven there is a link
between an optimistic outlook and a speedy
recovery. Our attitude, the power of our
mind, is therefore of great importance.

Another perspective; "Traits of the Survivor"
http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/traits-of-the-survivor/

"When the going gets tough the most important
survival skill is contained within your mind.
You need to want to survive, no matter the
situation and prospect of outcome. Survivors
never give up."

After January 1st, 2000 the death rates
spiked as it turned out many dying people
had been "holding on" to see this landmark
event.

So it's safe to say our attitude is related
to not just the quality of life but the
length of it too.

"Like outer space our brain is vast and
not fully explored. We should look at what
makes a good day a good day and a good night
a good night. We can not eliminate our outer
experiences but we can change our inner
attitude. Thankfully, more and more people
are looking inward... it is time to look
more closely... but how to change it?"
- Dalai Lama

"Consider the close link between our physical
well being and mental well being, anxiety,
fear, and anger eat our immune system while
forgiveness strengthens it." - Dalai Lama

"Our physical comfort is important but not
at the expense of ecological and societal
damage. All man-made problems are linked to
our emotions so using force or technology is
NOT the answer. The answer is a deeper study
of the emotional world and analyze what
emotions we have, what causes it, and what
can change it at the mental level."
- Dali Lama

Accepting that the experience of our "reality"
that exists "out there" is a product of our mind
sets the conditions for a happier and more fulfilling
existence.

Some Guy

NEXT: Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities

p.s. Ralph Waldo Emerson's corollary - "People
seem not to see that their opinion of the world
is also a confession of character."

[ The Random Factor#44 ] More Interesting than the New York Times

2008-04-19T18:23:00.001-07:00

Greetings brothers & sisters of Earth!

I am very pleased to announce the results of a
recent poll. The poll question is as follows:

"Read a random article from the New York Times,
and a random article from The Random Factor and
let us know, which article was more interesting?"

The result? A shocking 73% of people find The
Random Factor more interesting than the New York
Times.

http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/253797/
http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/253797/results

This is stunning, of course, as the NY Times
is one of the world's most read and respected
newspapers dedicated to covering the most
news-worthy events of the day.

The NY Times hires the best journalists they can
find and gives them both the credentials they
need to access nearly anybody on the planet and
the expense accounts to get there and back. They
even have fact-checkers and editors who know
grammar great!

This would seem to lead to only one of two
conclusions. Either, the Random Factor really is
more interesting than world events or two, the NY
Times is not actually covering world events.

Since the first conclusion is clearly ridiculous
the second must therefore be true. The NY Times
does not actually cover world events!

Thankfully, they do cover some of it very well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/world/asia/21exiles.html

What is really staggering is we have a winner of
the Nobel Peace Prize revered as a divine
reincarnation by his people and even he can not
stop the violence amongst his own people much
less the Chinese.

Anger is the result of people not getting the
respect they feel they deserve. We should need
no more proof that as sure as people will fight
for their own life so too will a strangled culture
fight for it's existance.

SG

----------------------------------------------

You are experiencing the Random Factor as
requested at www.some-guy.com or partner site.
Nice Move! Thought is a precious gift and
invaluable therefore the stimuli in which
it's rooted.

P.O. Box 15001
Portland OR, 97293

To unsubscribe: http://some-guy.com/random-factor-newsletter
To subscribe: submit your email at http://www.some-guy.com/

[The Random Factor #43] Why Do We?

2008-04-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

"Why do we create the things we create?"
"To be fulfilled."

"Is it fulfilling us?"
"No."

"Are we still chasing it?"
"Yes."

(Prem Rawat, Adi Magazine)

"The peace we are looking for is within."

(Prem Rawat, http://wordsofpeace.org/)

love and light,

SG

[The Random Factor #40 (2 of 5)] The interdependence of all things

2008-04-19T17:14:00.001-07:00

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities
Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

Part 2 : The interdependence of all things

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

Continuing an exploration of Buddhist
thought resulting from a week of teachings
with the Dalai Lama in Hamburg Germany July
2007.

The topic was Aryadeva's 400 Stanzas, also
known as Four Hundred Verses on the Yogic
Deeds of Bodhisattvas, a text at the heart
of Tibetan Buddhism.

Key Concepts

- Emptiness
- The Interdependence of all things
- Our mental and physical realities
- The goal of clearing mind of obscurities
- Meditation on emptiness & compassion

Ok, let's just look at the interdependence
of all things.

------ Interdependence -------

According to Buddhist thought, a great
misconception of the mind is that the
characteristics of an object are part of
the object itself, when "in reality", they
are conceived by our mind and filtered by
our beliefs.

The existence of THE PERCEPTION of these
objects is not refuted, but the objects
themselves are said to not have any
independent or "inherent existence."
Buddhists refer to this understanding
of natural phenomenon as Emptiness.

Because of the nature of interdependence
all objects can appear to exist in
infinite ways. That is to say a starving
person views a hamburger much differently
than a vegan after a big meal. Therefore,
the only "actual" existence of an object
is in it's interdependence.

2000 years ago they didn't have many
possessions or objects to use in
discussion, so in Arydeva's book "the pot"
was the subject of many stanzas. After
hearing about the pot for a week we had
enough of that pot, so I have tried an
updated illustration.

Your computer monitor's existence depends
on the company that manufactured it. This
company is dependent on the companies that
made the components for the monitor. And,
in turn, the companies that made the
components of the components and the
companies that mined the resources that
became the components and the companies
that made the tools used to do the jobs
needed by all the companies making all
the components for your monitor.

And, of course, the monitor is dependent
on the computer the monitor plugs into, and
is therefore dependent on the computer,
not to mention the electrical grid that
powers it all. Without all this in place,
your monitor would not quite be the same,
would it?

Your monitor's existence in your life is
also dependent on the store where you
bought it, and the company that shipped
it.

All the people employed at all these
companies are dependent on food to do
their job, and that food is dependent
on the people who grew, sold, delivered,
and prepared the food.

Your monitor's existence is also dependent
on geniuses who made breakthroughs in
electricity, computing, optics,
manufacturing, even transportation and
economic breakthroughs... and the parents
who raised them and the schools
that challenged them.

And, don't forget about the dinosaurs and
the comet that killed them and time itself
which turned them into crude oil, the big
bad oil companies which drilled for the
oil, and the companies that created the
plastics.

And, definitely don't forget about the
big bang which led to the formation of
the elements from which the monitor,
the components, the food, the trucks,
the people, the dinosaurs, the company
offices, and all the tools are made.

Your monitor exists in the eyes of the
company that made it as "a sale", A genius
looks at your monitor and thinks "good
thing those LCD cathodes don't use more
than 1 kv." the trucker sees "a package",
and the dinosaurs might complain, "hey,
that was my ass!"

This lesson of the nature of interdependence
tells us there is no such thing as "separate."

Such things may have some affect on a person's
perspective on life.

How far would the Dalai Lama's message have
spread without the invasion of the Chinese?

Part 2 of 5 in
"A Closer Look at the Dalai Lama's teachings"

Part 3: Our mental and physical realities

Some Guy

p.s. The Dalai Lama's in the news getting respect
and giving the Chinese fits.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/17/dalai.lama/index.html

For CNN's look at why

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/17/dalai.lama/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[The Random Factor #42] I love you

2008-02-16T20:04:00.001-08:00

Greetings brothers & sisters of Earth,

Wow. This is harder than I remember. I
was hoping to get this to you earlier, but
even the list software wouldn't work.

As most of you know, The Random Factor
was out of commission during the Writer's
Guild of America (WGA) strike.

For those interested, you can read more
about that and how it relates to my
"ambitionz az a writer" if you follow this link

So, now that stressed-out negotiators and mailing
list software troubleshooters have prevailed we
can all go back to... to... well, I hope it was good.

But, first, I want you to know.

I love you.

And, I want you to be safe.

So, here's two highly recommended, and FREE,
protection programs to help keep your computer
and you from battling Internet VD.

The first, SpyBot, is anti-spyware, the other
AVG is anti-virus. They are among the best, if
not the best, tools Microsoft Windows users
can use. That includes well-known and non-free
heavyweights like Norton & McAffee Anti-Virus

Mac users... smiling, aren't you. Well,
here's a tip, the most up-to-date source of
OSX software is at Version Tracker.

Windows users, without further ado.

SpyBot Search & Destroy anti-spyware

There is other good anti-spyware, like Spyware
Blaster, & Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition, but
you only need one.

AVG Free edition anti-virus:

Windows Defender, which is made by Microsoft,
is also another highly recommended free option.

If you're willing to shell out $40 Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7.0
is the best anti-virus software available according to
Consumer research

By running these applications you might find that some of
your software programs are mysteriously disabled.

That's because it had some secrets.

Even RealPlayer, one-time pioneer, has been called out for
it's use of spyware. Check this link to get spyware-free
RealPlayer.

The quarantine option lets you store suspect files in a safe
place in case you notice software that is no longer working.

You can also re-install software if it's disabled, and you need it.

I hope this helps some of you,

love and light,

SG

p.s. And when you're done, windows users, here's the
windows software link:

[The Random Factor #42a] The WGA Strikes Back

2008-02-15T14:26:00.001-08:00

Greetings brothers & sisters of Earth,

As most subscribers know, The Random Factor
was out of commission during the Writer's
Guild of America (WGA) strike.

Now, it is true, I'm not actually a member of
the WGA and clearly I'm not getting any
professional help with The Random Factor, or
otherwise.

And, that's what makes this so difficult.

Long ago I heard this quote

"If you want to be a knight, act like a knight."

That mind-over-matter, decide-your-own-reality
sort of attitude really resonated with me.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to
be a knight.

Instead, I write.

More thoughts on being a knight

Now, imagine my dismay when I discovered some
time ago that the WGA does not consider writing
to be the sole condition for membership.

I can't find it, but I know somebody worthwhile
once said something along the lines of,

"To be a writer one need only write."

Oh semantics, how you soothe.

Unfortunately, the WGA has a more strict
criteria, 24 "units" and $2,500.

Sure, 2,500 people will make their way to
www.Some-Guy.com and www.RandomFacts.org
this very day and they will spend 125 hours
viewing around 15,000 pages of gems like ...

----------------------------------------
"Why do we create the things we create?"

"To be fulfilled."

"Is it fulfilling us?"

"No."

"Are we still chasing it?"

"Yes."

Prem Rawat, Adi Magazine
----------------------------------------

That's nearly one million visitors, 42,000 hours,
and 26 million "hits" a year exploring riddles
and facts and quotes, oh my!

But, these sites clearly were not intended to
be a place for my writing. Which is why I
decided to kick it up a notch with this
newsletter.

However, even while the WGA fought for a piece
of online revenue, receiving millions of web
visitors and thousands of subscribers does
not count as even 1 "unit" towards memebership
apparently as it's not for movies, radio, or
television... or paid. Hey, that just makes it
more challenging!

I guess I have to accept that this medium, while
clearly the future of entertainment, is too easy.
8% of people blog, which makes for at
least 10% of the population who write online.

Tough competition... but, has The Random
Factor been worth reading?

I decided to take a poll.

I guess I thought if I wrote a great newsletter
I'd get published or something. What a dreamer
I am. It occurs to me now I could write a hundred
newsletters, some even good, and not get a lick of
credibility amongst what I understand is a reputable
affiliation of real writers with actual writing jobs.

Now that would be sweet.

And so it was when it dawned on me the first day
of the strike... I've been acting like a writer
this whole time, surely I should take the logical
next step and start acting like a real writer!

Apparently, real writers write books and
screenplays too. It's not as easy as
striking, in fact it's very difficult.

It won't make me happy, but it would seem to
be the natural progression.

I truly appreciate your support, you have
given me confidence to try my best to ramp it
up a notch.

SG

[A Random Factor #41] Hope Agreement

2008-02-15T00:00:00.001-08:00

Hello 2008, may you experience many good wishes to come true!

Too bad is still news how my oh my writers still not showing up to work to word Random Factor. Hope writer's guild of America happy soon and all be happy.

Some guy so far solidarity because wanting to great screenwriter very much... also a writer not so well by self need help badly for good stuff.

Good luck with writers back soon so until next time with hope this not make writers unhappy because we love them and need them.

SG

[ The Random Factor#40 (1 of 5)] A closer look at the Dalai Lama's teachings

2007-10-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

Some guy took a lot of notes when attending
teachings of the Dalai Lama in Hamburg Germany,
July 2007. Discussed more in issue #39.

These notes inspired the following 5 part
series.

Part 1: Emptiness
Part 2: The interdependence of all things
Part 3: Our mental and physical realities
Part 4: Clearing the Mind of Obscurities
Part 5: Meditation on Emptiness & Compassion

Part 1 Emptiness

The Buddhist term Emptiness describes the
belief that objects have no independent or
"inherent existence." Instead, it's existence
is dependent on other things, your perception
primary among them.

2000 years ago this was no doubt met with
ridicule. "Well, if the pot doesn't exist,
then why don't YOU clean it."

Yet, thousands of years later, science too
realized that it's more accurate to say
the world we perceive is a product of our
mind, not "out there" as our senses would
have us believe.

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity shows
us that the "actual" characteristics of an
object depend on the relative motion of the
observer measuring it.

And, Werner Heisenberg of "Heisenberg's
Uncertainty Principle" said, "The path [of
an electron] comes into existence only when
we observe it."

Richard Feynman showed us that an object
exists as a wave of probability, or energy
with a certain likelihood of appearing
here, or there. This probability wave only
collapses into matter in "reality" when
it is perceived by the mind.

So, at long odds, these monks of 2000 years
ago appear to have been proven correct.

But, if it's true things do not "exist" in
the way we are used to what is the purpose
of focusing on emptiness or anything at all
for that matter?

Since all suffering is caused by ignorant
grasping of the mind to things which are
impermanent and not truly existent, the
recognition that natural phenomenon is
inherently empty is fundamental to the
Buddhist path for freeing the mind and
eliminating suffering.

With this understanding we can release
the mind from grasping at illusions.

The phases to accomplish this are

1) elimination of non-virtuous actions
2) eliminate the mind/ego
3) eliminate everything

Emptiness is not to be confused with
nihilism or nothingness. There is a true
nature of self behind this world and
outside the mind, which is ultimate reality.

see you there,

Some Guy

p.s. Click here to continue reading
about the Dalai Lama's teachings.
--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[#39 The Random Factor] Teachings of the Dalai Lama

2007-10-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

For those who do not know, I was fortunate
enough to attend 5 days of teachings with
the Dalai Lama in Hamburg Germany in July.
The topic was Aryadeva's 400 Stanzas, also
known as Four Hundred Verses on the Yogic
Deeds of Bodhisattvas, a text at the heart
of Tibetan Buddhism.

The goal of these writings is to explore
the nature of suffering, and to illuminate
the wisdom that dissolves this suffering
and awakens the Buddha in each of us.

The DL also spent time discussing more
general Buddhist concepts such as:

The three poisons: aggression, passion,
and ignorance.

Right Actions: meditation, insight,
discipline, patience, generosity, and
exertion.

Also discussed, but not fully covered,
were the 37 practices of Bodhisattva's.
Check out this great site for more info
on that. http://sealevel.ns.ca/bodhi/

For today, I will focus, just as the DL
did, on the first eight chapters, pulling
my favorite quotes from each and share
the lessons I took from these teachings.

The first 8 Chapters in the Text:

1) Abandon Belief in Permanence
2) Abandon Belief in Pleasure
3) Abandon Belief in Cleanness
4) Abandoning Pride
5) Bodhisattva Deeds
6) Abandoning Disturbing Emotions
7) Abandoning Attachment to Sense Objects
8) Thoroughly Preparing the Student

1) ----- Abandon belief in permanence -----

We look at the past as having gone so
quickly. Why then do we look into the
future and think that we have so far to
go? - paraphrase stanza 3

I found this particularly profound. So far,
this life has gone so quickly, yet when I
look into the future I don't think of it as
being brief.

This chapter reminds us everything is
impermanent. Possessions, creations, and
lives all pass away in the end... an end
which is not far away. Let go of attachment
to this life and invest yourself in
spiritual practice.

2) ----- Abandon Belief in Pleasure -----

"Ordinary people are bent on pleasure; those
who have pleasure are hard to find. Thus it
is as if transitory beings are pursued by
suffering. " - stanza 29

"The high (people with "good fortune") have
mental suffering; for the common ("bad fortune"
e.g. poor) it comes from the body. Day by day
both kinds of suffering overwhelm people of
this world." - stanza 33

This chapter boils down to the notion that
the world provides more pain than pleasure
and that trying to find contentment through
worldly pleasures is futile.

The truth of this is seen when we recognize
that most of us do not experience pleasure
any significant percentage of the time,
despite the fact that we all would choose
to experience pleasure all the time if it
were that easy.

The problem is, one pleasure is not enough,
we always need more. More fun, more money,
more friends, always more. This text argues
that no worldly pleasure, or pleasure of the
physical body can make you content in that
complete and total, once-and-for-all type
of contentment.

A person who is always seeking more will find
on their last day that they have never found
contentment.

3) ----- Abandon Belief in Cleanness -----

"If, except to some people, a pot of filth
is objectionable, Why would one not think
objectionable that from which the filth
comes (your body)." - stanza 68

The theme of this chapter is that you are
dirty. Filthy, in fact... your body is a
"poop machine" (DL's actual words) and so
is that person you want to get naked. If
you recognize that they are a filth factory
your desire will wane.

I guess I had a problem with this chapter
which uses negative associations with the
body to reduce physical attraction and sexual
desire.

I'm not sure what tradition "your body is a
temple" comes from, but apparently it's not
Buddhist.

This chapter made me wonder just how often
they showered back then.

4) ----- Abandon Belief in Pride -----

Even if you become a king with wealth
and power, what good is this when you die.
- paraphrased stanza 94

All beings are interdependent. Even a king
is dependent on his subjects for his wealth
and power.

Even the rich and powerful are dependent on
the poor. Seeing yourself separate from this
web of interdependence is delusional.

5) ----- Bodhisattva Deeds -----

"Not a single movement of Buddhas is
without reason; even their breathing
Is exclusive for the benefit of
sentient beings" - stanza 101

"Without intention, actions like going
are not seen to have merit and so forth.
In all actions, therefore, the mind
should be understood as paramount."
- stanza 104

"In Bodhisattvas, through their intention,
all actions, virtuous and non-virtuous,
become perfect virtue, because they are
in control of their minds." - stanza 105

"Someone may build a precious reliquary
(temple/church) as high as the world; it
is said, training others to generate the
altruistic intention is more excellent."
- stanza 107

"Just as a physician is not upset with
someone who rages while possessed by a
demon, Buddhas see disturbing emotions
as the enemy, not the person who has
them." - stanza 109

"Just as a mother is especially anxious
about a sick child, Buddhas are especially
compassionate toward the unwise." - stanza
111

"When one thinks of giving gifts, now
there will be a great result, receiving
and giving are like trade for the profit,
which will be criticized." - stanza 120

"Even here, nothing harms one with a
powerful mind, and thus, for such a one,
worldly existence and nirvana are no
different." - stanza 122

The lesson here is that actions of the
enlightened are those supporting the
greater good, not just for one's own
benefit.

The DL said that stains (wrong thoughts)
of the mind obscure this highest state.
Stains of the mind, like all things, are
temporary.

And a mind that is clear can be stained
again. It is for this that a "Buddha" does
not refer to one with a pure mind, but a
person who is constantly engaged in the
practice of removing stains of the mind.

Perfect wisdom is the natural state of the
mind. The stains are temporary obstructions
of this perfect mind. By simply focusing
one's wisdom on a stain we see the stain
and can dissolve it with right thought and
right action.

With a powerful mind, and compassion, the
highest path is walked.

6) ----- Abandoning Disturbing Emotions -----

"Desire's activity is acquisition, anger's
activity is conflict. As wind is to all the
elements, confusion's activity is nurture."
- stanza 127

"Desire is painful, because of not getting.
Anger is painful, through lack of might, and
confusion, through not understanding. Because
of this, these are not recognized." - stanza 128

"Desire is no friend, but seems like one, which
is why you do not fear it. But shouldn't people
particularly rid themselves of a harmful friend?"
- stanza 132

"Anger is lasting and certainly makes one do
grave non-virtue. Thus constant awareness of
their distinctions, will bring to an end
disturbing emotions." - stanza 134

"As the tactile sense [pervades] the body,
confusion is present in them all. By overcoming
confusion, one will also overcome disturbing
emotions." - stanza 135

"Buddha told those with desire that food, clothes
and dwellings are all to be avoided and to remain
close to their spiritual guides." -stanza 138

"Whoever is patient with the source of anger
develops meditation. Saying you fear the source
of good qualities is just foolish of you."
- stanza 148

"Who has gone to the next world having ended
all disparagement? Therefore, consider contempt
preferable to ill deeds." -stanza 149

This chapter tells us that wrong action is a
result of disturbing emotions like greed,
hatred, and envy. Wisdom and mindfulness are
the remedy. With our energy focused on these
pursuits our actions will automatically improve.

7)-- Abandoning Attachment to Sense Objects --

"When there is no end at all to this ocean
of suffering, why are you, childish people,
not afraid of drowning in it?" - stanza 151

"On Earth the maturation of ill deeds is seen
to be only deleterious. Thus to the wise the
world appears similar to the slaughterhouse."
- stanza 157

"If 'insane' means that one's mind is unstable,
what wise person would say that those in
worldly existence are not insane?" - stanza 158

"Since all results will not definitely be
achieved, and those that are will certainly
come to an end, why exhaust yourself for
their sake?" - stanza 161

This chapter affirms that objects don't bring
happiness so why waste your energy on such
pursuits?

Rid yourselves of negative thoughts and
recognize delusions in order to break through
the world of illusion and experience the
profound bliss that lies within.

8) ----- Thoroughly Preparing the Student -----

"Just as friendship between people who disagree
does not last long, desire does not last long,
when all things' faults are recognized." -
stanza 176

"While attached to your own position and
disliking others' positions, you will not
approach nirvana. Neither [kind of] conduct
will bring peace." - stanza 185

"Not acting brings about nirvana; acting again
brings worldly existence. Thus, without
complication, nirvana is easy to attain,
but not the latter." - stanza 186

"How can anyone, who has no aversion to this,
take an interest in pacification? Like [leaving]
home, it is also hard to leave worldly
existence behind." - stanza 187

"First prevent the demeritorious, next prevent
[ideas of a coarse] self. Later prevent views
of all kinds. Whoever knows of this is wise."
- stanza 190

"Just as a barbarian cannot be guided in a
foreign language, ordinary people cannot be
guided except by the way of the ordinary."
- stanza 194

"Correct perception [leads to] the supreme
state, some perception to good rebirths. The
wise thus always expand their intelligence to
think about the inner nature." - stanza 196

"Through knowing reality, even if now one does
not attain nirvana, one will certainly gain it
effortlessly in a later life, as it is with
actions." - stanza 197

"On hearing that the body lacks good qualities,
attachment does not last long. Will not all
disturbing attitudes end by means of this
very path?" - stanza 199

This chapter suggests that from a state of
suffering to Nirvana, from darkness to light,
we can break the cycle of suffering and
reincarnation through the cultivation of
wisdom.

Because...

"Desire based on wisdom is ok." - Dalai Lama

Best of luck whatever your endeavor,

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[#38 The Random Factor] Return of the Unenlightened Part 1

2007-08-26T03:09:00.001-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

There and back, the whirlwind in Europe
has come to an end. There is much to
share after a week of fun and a week
of teachings with the Dalai Lama in
Hamburg Germany
http://www.dalailama-hamburg.de/

First let me say to those who were hoping
for regular updates on my trip, sorry not
my style. Some people like to chronicle,
I'm after the essence.

This requires my to "ERE" Experience,
Reflect, Express, or maybe "APC", Absorb
Ponder, Create. I took notes throughout
but instead of posting these as they come I
prefer to take a step back and look at all
the moments and see the patterns and find
a way to weave them together in more
interesting ways.

Let's see how it goes...

The Dalai Lama was an absolutely joyous being.
He laughed a lot even at times when it
seemed totally inappropriate, such as when
he was asked to provide insight into solving
problems in the Middle East.

His answer was dialogue and compassion. He
finished by saying that he hopes they
can work out their differences, "but maybe
that is just a dream" [breaks into laughter]

I had the feeling that he sees trying to
answer questions on issues such as the Middle
East about as logical as the events themselves.

Key points of his teachings are that life
is suffering and that physical reality is
in it's essence an illusion which is why
it's ultimately unsatisfying.

Yet everywhere he goes people him for logical
solutions that will transform the world of
suffering into something else.

It's like asking a top football (American
football) coach how we can watch football
without seeing the giant men smashing into
each other all the time.

"Peace can come to be only through inner peace "
- Dalai Lama

Therefore, peace manifests on a heart-by-heart
basis. As my teacher says "There will be peace
on Earth when there is peace in the hearts of
all people." You, however, don't have to wait
that long.

A cause does not exist without a result, and
so too a result does not exist without a cause.
Since they are dependent we know that to avoid
a result, avoid the cause. To avoid a cause,
be mindful of the result. To manifest a result,
manifest the cause. - paraphrased

The Dalai Lama started off with a disclaimer.

"If you have a great expectation [for these
talks] big mistake. I have nothing to offer.
No miracle powers, [that's] nonsense."
- Dalai Lama

This was pretty funny considering I went
halfway around the world to attend 5 days of
teachings on a book called "400 verses on the
Practices of Attaining Enlightenment." If
"I have nothing to offer" was in the
promotional material I sure missed it.

But, I was not disappointed mainly since for
me this was a cultural experience and a good
old-fashioned adventure. I never had any
expectation of being enlightened by words.
I've tried it already, if words did the
trick I'd be enlightened already.

This was the motivation for issue #34
http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/2007/06/thoughts-on-thoughts.html

The Dalai Lama also had a warning. Generally
speaking, people from other traditions should
not become Buddhist because all religions have
some truth in them and switching religions
later in life often leads to confusion, the
exact opposite of the clarity we are seeking.

He said if one does desire to become Buddhist
because their religion does not serve them
it is most important to still respect the
tradition from which we came and not get
negative on it as it still serves other
people. The tendency is to be critical to
justify your change, this is not good. It
is important to respect all traditions and
recognize that they give hope and comfort to
humanity.

I never had any intention of becoming Buddhist.
Truth manifests in all forms and realizing this
I guess I am a Perspectivist. I'm not looking
for a religion to explain the way the world works.
I am looking for a world-view that explains why
all religions work for some people and no religion
works for all. I find I get a much better view of
how the world "really is" by looking from as many
points-of-view as possible.

This is, of course, the motivation behind the
"Random Viewpoint Dispenser" at
http://www.some-guy.com/viewpoints/random.php

Of course, it seems obvious that while all
perspectives might be true to some degree,
some are more true than others.

The Tibetan Buddhist way is very peaceful and
loving and the vibe of the event was really
beautiful. The monks chanting to open each day
was one of the highlights for me. Science is
just beginning to recognize the power of
vibrational therapies in healing. They ought
to be taking classes from these monks.

The week was broken up in two sections, 2 days
of public talk, and 5 days study of the 1800-
2000 (conflicting reports) year old text by
Aryadeva, "The 400 stanzas concerning the
practices on the way to enlightenment"

My impression was people connected very strongly
with the Dalai Lama himself and the public talk,
and not so much with the text itself.

This feeling was shared by the people I went
with, and talked to, and supported by the
massive line of people at the coffee stand
during the teachings of the text.

It had never before been taught in the West.
Certainly much of the meaning of the text was
lost in translation as it was written originally
in Sanskrit, a text which was lost but preserved
(re-written?) in Tibetan, which was then
translated for me in English.

Of course, the Dalai Lama has been studying
this text for over 65 years and he said it
is very complicated, some of it even he doesn't
understand.

In my humble opinion, if something can not be
understood after 65 years of study, it's
probably time to consider that those parts
just don't make sense.

I was just going to ignore most of the text
and give you just the gems but a good friend
has said I really should give you all a taste
of the text and my actual experience.

So, I opened randomly to stanza 378

"If through flaws concerning emptiness
[things] were established as not empty, why
would emptiness not be established through
flaws concerning lack of emptiness?" -
stanza 378

Eventually I began to understand that
"emptiness" refers to a lack of inherent
existence of objects in conventional reality.

Does that help?

Let me try again. Since multiple people
perceive a single object differently, it's
characteristics must be in the mind of the
observer and not the object itself. Objects
in conventional reality then is said to have
no inherent existence.

The fact that all phenomenon share this lack
of inherent existence is the Buddhist meaning
of "emptiness," which is not to be confused
with nothingness.

So, then... stanza 378

"If through flaws concerning emptiness
[things] were established as not empty, why
would emptiness not be established through
flaws concerning lack of emptiness?"

Make sense yet?

Well, you can see my challenge in extracting
the essence from these teachings, but I will
try my best.

There is one sneaky possibility that may be
the real reason for the abstract and "subtle"
nature of this book. Perhaps like the Karate
Kid's wax-on wax-off this text has an
ulterior motive. Instead of training the body
and mind as wax-on wax-off did, this text
pacifies the mind in a sort of philosophical
stupor keeping the mind occupied on harmless
pondering rather than leave it open for more
destructive thoughts of violence, envy, and
greed.

If you find it hard to believe that the mind
should be pacified this way, pay attention to the
final quote I've included, and to the teachings
in general.

My belief is that meditation is either the
only or the fastest path to enlightenment.
Yet, the mind will do what the mind does,
so while students aren't meditating perhaps
these teachers have found a good way to keep
the mind busy... just a thought.

Certainly, meditation doesn't seem so difficult
when compared to understanding this text.

After looking at the nearly 15 pages I've
written so far, I've decided to break this
into, at least, 3 sections.

Part 1: Overview, and some random quotes

Part 2: Dive into the teachings in detail

Part 3: My experiences, my missions
including your(?) awesome gift, and the
really great folks I met on this trip.

-------------Random Quotes--------------

The Dalai Lama told a story about a monk who
escaped after spending 18 years in a Chinese
prison. The monk said "There were times when
I faced danger." The Dalai Lama asked "What
kind of danger?" And the monk responded,
"there were times where I almost lost
compassion for the Chinese."

One attendee asked, "How can we expect to
love our enemies when we often don't love
ourselves." The Dalai Lama laughed and said,
"First you must love yourself, then love your
friends, then love your neighbors, then you
can learn to love your enemy."

"Compassion with wisdom and you are ok,
compassion without wisdom can still be foolish."
- Dalai Lama

"Desire based in wisdom is ok." - Dalai Lama

"Once we practice compassion, understanding
comes." - Dalai Lama

"When one is focused on compassion, what room
is there for anything else?" - Dalai Lama

"The best thing you can do is provide the
maximum affection to your children."
- Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama told stories of monks who at death
did not begin to decay, according to the Dalai
Lama a result of having a most powerful mind.
One monk is said to have simply evaporated into
nothingness... or should I say into emptiness,
wait, he must have disintegrated into
"ultimate reality."

"90% of anger is projection, how we feel about
what has been done, not what has been done."
- Dalai Lama

"Human beings are in doubt thanks to the
powerful ability to think." - Dalai Lama

I love that one...

love and light,

Some Guy
--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[#37] [The Random Factor] Rejuvenative Foods & the Dalai Lama

2007-08-26T03:08:00.000-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

It's been quite a month. My favorite brother
got married on 7/7/07. I love you bro, thanks
for the sister! I guess I owe you one...

Then I spent last weekend at Energy Park a
gathering of individuals, non-profits and
commercial organizations providing expertise,
knowledge, and materials on renewable energy
at the Oregon Country Fair.

There were groups showing off everything from
electric cars and bicycles to green building
and passive solar home design that minimizes
the amount of energy required to heat and cool
homes. Energy Park promoted everything from
wind-power projects for villages in Nicaragua,
to solar (PV) panels, to tons of information
on organic agriculture.

Let me know what you'd like to hear about first,
I'll probably cover a bunch of these topics in
the months to come. Why?

Renewable Energy Is Homeland Security!

However, today I am getting ready for the trip
to see the Dalai Lama in Germany and also attempt
to personally deliver him some Ambrosia...

I want to thank the 5 (out of 2,724) who
made contributions to this trip. For you the
awesome .00183% who showed me some support I
have some good news... and some bad news.

The good news is you have a great chance of
winning a gift from my trip.

The bad news is it will most certainly not be
lavish : )

It's perfectly fine by me it's worked out
this way. I AM GOING! I felt a little like
a tool asking for contributions in the first
place, I learned of the ongoing problems in
Tibet and felt like a machine shop.

Bottom line is it's pretty ridiculous for me
to not be selling ANYTHING after so long...
so I'm working on that. I think I have a pretty
good idea, I'll tell you about it sometime.

In the meanwhile I feel good knowing that those
of you kind enough to support me are probably
supporting
http://www.supportteamtibet.org
http://www.2008-freetibet.org/

Those of you who were in it for the prize,
GOOD LUCK!

By the way, if you want to help the Tibetans,
remember passing on information is hugely valuable
folks! Help me out at the same time by passing on
the last issue of the Random Factor now online

The biggest thanks goes to Rejuvenative foods
which, thanks to a work-trade, helped me to
manifest this incredible experience.

It's a great excuse to look a little closer at
raw food and the fascinating human machine.

Sources (mostly copied) from:
Rejuvenative foods
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Wikipedia

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #37a] Why raw food?

2007-07-30T04:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks in large part to a work-trade with
www.rejuvenative.com, I am taking part in
seven days of teachings with the Dalai Lama.

But, that's not the only reason Rejuvenative
foods is great. And, it's a great excuse to
look a little closer at the fascinating human
machine.

Rejuvenative produces raw organic nut and seed
butters and cultured vegetable dishes which
can be found at *your* local health food store.

The benefits of organic foods should be well
known, but why raw? Why cultured?

The act of cooking nuts, seeds, and vegetables
kills off enzymes in the food. Enzymes are
proteins involved in such processes as the
breaking down of the large protein, starch,
and fat molecules in food into smaller molecules
during digestion and joining together of
nucleotides (the molecules that form the basic
modular structure of the double helix of the
DNA molecule) into strands of DNA.

Enzymes produced in living cells accelerate
or catalyze the metabolic processes of an
organism. There are thousands of different
enzymes performing many different functions
in every living metabolic action.

In other words enzymes trigger the chemical
processes by which cells produce the substances
and energy needed to sustain life.

It's no wonder that enzymes are also
known as "the life force" of food.

Rejuvenative nut and seed butters are ground
slowly, then cooled, and ground slowly again
several times over to so that the friction of
grinding does not kill off these living enzymes.

Cooking also reduces the amount of vitamins
and minerals in a food, while enzymes on the
other hand help your body break down the
nutrients and minerals in your food so that
the body can better absorb what's available.

Raw cultured "live" vegetables provide an
excellent self-rejuvenating source of
lactobacilli, (micro-organisms & a collection of
enzymes) which aid the digestive process and can
help alleviate digestive disorders. Lactobacilli
is found in mother's milk, and normally present
in a healthy human digestive tract.

"The breakdown of nutrients by one form of
Lactobacilli Lactobacillus Acidophilus
produces lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and
other byproducts that makes the environment
hostile for undesired organisms. Health benefits
include boosted immune system, reduced cholesterol,
relief from indigestion and yeast infections.
Even feeding cows Lactobacilli Acidophilus reduced
E-coli by 61%" -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus

Since it's alive, the human body functions and
metabolizes from enzymes and enzymatic actions.
Your body's organs, especially the pancreas,
produce enzymes for the purpose of digesting
food as well as for the purpose of supplying
your organs the enzymes that they need.

Nature designed people's enzyme-making processes
to be used for the purpose of normal metabolism:
rejuvenation of cells, elimination of toxins,
growing, and strengthening of the immune system,
with a minimum enzyme-producing requirement for
digestion. This has been scientifically proven,
and it makes sense when one considers that when
nature designed the human body there were no
refined or processed foods and there was a
minimum of cooked foods.

It is therefore important to get fresh enzymes
in the diet, especially true when organs
have been overused producing enzymes to process
overwhelming amounts of bulky refined foods.
Enzyme-full raw cultured vegetables give your
body a chance to make enzymes to rejuvenate
itself and not waste a large portion of its
enzymes digesting food.

Wow, I should've put this column together awhile
ago. I knew the stuff was good, but now I'm
feeling lucky to still be alive.

I hope you are too.

namaste,

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[The Random Factor #36] India, Tibet, & China

2007-07-17T17:03:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody, I hope you had a wonderful week.

My friend Nick, who bought me the ticket to see
the Dalai Lama in Germany, is currently in India.

He has been sharing his experience over email
with friends and he provides an important
perspective that I'd like to share with you
today.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nick Harris

---------------------------------------------

Today (July 6) is His Holiness' birthday
which involves long life pujas (rituals) for
Him at the temple with dances and celebrations
around the city.

The Tibetans love Him so much that all Tibetan
shops and businesses just close when there is
anything going on regarding him whatsoever.
We have been told to expect stampede's in the
temple... quite literally.

I feel that I must do my part to raise the
awareness and report the current situation
in Tibet. Newcomers (as they are called)
arrive here daily having escaped Chinese
occupation in their country. I have spoken
to many now.

The Chinese make it illegal for them to :

1. Practice any form of their religion (the
penalty for possessing a photo of the Dalai
Lama is now 4 YEARS IN PRISON undergoing FULL
TORTURE).
2. Possess the Tibetan flag (the penalty is
having your hands cut off).
3. In some cases to keep your own house.
Tibetans are being forced to destroy their
homes and borrow money from the Chinese
government in order to build new Chinese style
homes in preparation for the Olympic games.
4. Teach their children in the Tibetan language.
All Tibetan children must take school in Chinese.
5. To leave Tibet. Anyone caught trying to leave
is shot and killed. If they are unlucky enough
to survive they are kept in a prison cell with
no access to light and daily torture for the rest
of their lives.

Furthermore monasteries are burnt to the ground,
nuns raped on a daily basis and any sign of
resistance to this cultural genocide are met
with immediate death through close range bullets.

The journey from Tibet (if you escape the
bullets) takes around 1 month over the Himalaya.
I have spoken to many who have done it. They
talk of water and food running out, arriving
with clothes that are little more than rags
and having to escape from dangerous wild
animals that kill many on the way. Of a group
of 50 to run, around 15 will make it alive
over the border to Nepal and then into India.

Parents too weak to make the journey are sending
their children out with groups running from as
young as 8. They know that they will never see
their children again but feel that it is more
important that they have to chance to live as
Tibetans and follow the Dharma (Buddhist teachings)
than stay to live a life of torture, oppression
and persecution.

The Newcomers are put up in the welcome center.
Their they put up the drawings that the newly
arrived Tibetan children draw in their first
days here overcoming the trauma they have all
been through... I have not seen them myself
yet, I think I will go tomorrow, but I have
heard dark stories....

I met a Tibetan man of 22 years old who left
knowing that he would never see his parents
again. He spoke of his undying wish to just
see his mother one more time but that if he
ever enters Tibet again he will be killed.

All Newcomers are granted a private audience
with His Holiness the Dalai Lama who hears
their stories and consoles them when they
arrive. My friend wanted nothing more than
to just see him - he had never even been
allowed to see a picture. He told me how he
met him and just wept and wept and, even
though he knows he will never see his family
again, knew that he had done the right thing
just by looking into the eyes of true
compassion...

THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW. Our governments
let this happen so that we can buy cheap Chinese
goods and they can keep their trade relations
with a regime which is far from being human.
They would rather remain in silence as one of
the most beautiful people's on the planet are
systematically destroyed in a modern holocaust.
Economic interests seem to have replaced basic
humanity in this world and it is up to us to one
by one stand up and say NOT IN MY NAME!

The Chinese are planning to march the Olympic
flame through Tibet on the way to the 2008
Beijing Olympics. The symbol of freedom marched
through a land with has not tasted that basic
right for the last 40 years. This can not be
allowed to happen.

The Tibetans are using the Olympics as a new
wave of raising global awareness of their plight.
They are asking for all beings concerned with
what is happening in their land to BOYCOTT THE
OLYMPICS. They are asking for westerners to
protest and by any means possible to place more
and more pressure on the Chinese oppressors.

Please see what you can do to help by going to
the website:

www.2008-freetibet.org and www.supportteamtibet.org

and please pass on the information in this email.

I hope this email finds everyone well and happy!

Love and blessings to all,

Namaste,

NICK

PS Like the US, China is actually said to be a
wonderful country - it is just the government
that sucks :)

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #35] Good beaver... alright, that's enough beaver

2007-07-01T00:17:00.001-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters...

A little story for you this week, I hope you enjoy it.

This guy on the street walks up to me and asks
"Do you know why beavers are always working?"

"For shelter and food," I answer.

"No, they keep working even when they have their
shelter and food," he replies.

"Hmmm, then I don't know," I said after considering
it a moment, "why do beavers work all the time?"

"Because work is what beavers do... they know nothing else."

Man, that's rough!

Hey, wait a minute... but we're different, right?

We can break our routines (work or whatever),

We can seek new stimuli, and make changes.

Free will, that's what sets us apart... right?

"If you don't like your headspace, change your environment,"

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #34] Thoughts on thoughts

2007-06-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Greetings brothers and sisters of Earth!

From one who has spent (too) much time in his
own head I offer you the following . . .

"Only two kinds of people can attain self-
knowledge; those whose minds are not encumbered
at all with learning, that is to say, not
overcrowded with thoughts borrowed from
others, and Those who, after studying all
the scriptures and sciences, have come to
realize that they know nothing."
- A short life of Sri Ramakrishna

But, why?

"You can not find the truth with logic unless
you have found the truth without it."
- unknown

But, why?

"You are not your mind, you are not your
thoughts, you are the one aware of the
thoughts." - unknown

namaste,

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #33] If you need a reason

2007-06-22T14:54:00.002-07:00

"Be kind, for everyone is having a hard battle."
- source unknown

It helps when you're in a good mood...

This might help.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74

Some Guy
--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #32] Fun with the Navy

2007-06-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

You may have seen the following story in
the New York Times, the Montreal Gazette,
Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People, Public Radio International
News, and also Public Radio's "Car Talk,"
and likely many other places.

In case you haven't heard it, here's how
it goes.

In 1995 the following conversation between
a lighthouse and an aircraft carrier was
recorded by the Chief of Naval Operations,
the transcript of which leaked out to the
general public.

Canadians: Please divert your course 15
degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: Recommend you divert your course
to 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert
your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid
a collision.

Americans: This is the captain of a US Navy
ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No, I say again, divert YOUR
course.

Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier US
Lincoln, the second largest ship in the
United States Atlantic Fleet. We are
accompanied with three Destroyers, three
Cruisers, and numerous support vessels. I
DEMAND that you change your course 15
degrees north. I say again, that's one-five
degrees north, or counter-measures will be
undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. your call

Funny as it may be, this story is a hoax.

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthse.htm

Some Guy

p.s. New to the Random Factor? Check out the
archives http://the-random-factor.blogspot.com/

p.p.s. Lucia Iman was one of six bands out
of 4,113 on sellaband.com chosen to perform
live at Gibson Guitar Studios in London
this last Tuesday, see them all in the webcast
http://www.sellaband.com/site/webcast.html

p.p.p.s. 3 of the 6 who performed have already
sold their shares out, but since Lucia's new
to the site there's still time to buy shares
in her next album.
http://www.sellaband.com/lucia/

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #31] What's Next?

2007-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, how's your week been? Been busy?
Too much to do? Not enough time?

Hopefully, today's Random Factor can help.

Let's say you have 4 projects you need to get
done. To keep it simple let's assume that each
project has 4 one-week phases, that each project
is independent from each other, and that none
have a deadline.

Let's represent the projects as A,B,C,D, and
the 4 phases represented as such:

AAAA BBBB CCCC DDDD

There are two basic approaches.

The intuitive approach is cyclical. Since we want
to keep all our projects moving forward, we take
one week for project A, one for project B, etc.

(1) ABCD ABCD ABCD A*B*C*D*

* marks when the project is finished.

Consider instead the second approach.

(2) AAAA* BBBB* CCCC* DDDD*

With approach (2) project A is finished after
week 4, project B is finished after week 8,
and C is finished after week 12. That means
3 projects are done by week 13, the time it
that project A would be finished using
approach (1).

Since projects usually have a benefit upon
completion, (if only getting it off your mind)
using approach (2) means you benefit from project
A eight weeks longer, project B six weeks longer,
and project C three weeks longer.

Consider also the reality that in a 16 week period
you will likely find more projects (E & F) to do,
so option (1) actually plays out like this:

A B C D A B C D E A B C D E F A* B* C* D* E F E* F F*

Using approach (1) project A is not done until
after week 16, but using the approach (2) by week
16 projects A, B, C, & D are all done.

Unfortunately, in reality, we usually can't focus on
just one thing, but then again, there are usually
low-priority projects that should wait.

to making progress every day,

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #30] Woo-hoo + yee-ha =

2007-06-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

It's official! I am going to Germany to
attend a week of teachings with the Dali Lama,
including 5 days of teachings on Aryadeva's 400
Stanzas, also known as Four Hundred Verses on the
Yogic Deeds of Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattva means a
being dedicated to attaining Nirvana. These
writings are part of the foundation of the form of
Buddhism that took root in Tibet and was first
conceived nearly 2,000 years ago.

After nearly giving up I was able to arrange a
partial work trade with www.Rejuvenative.com to
cover some of my expenses to make this trip
possible. Now, not only am I going, but I have
a mission to deliver Rejuvenative's Ambrosia
(which means "food of the gods") and some other
raw organic foods as a gift. Ha ha, i love it,
what a great mission. To top it off today I
learned I have a place to stay for free in Germany.

Thank you universe!

Thank you especially to those who have contributed
to make this trip happen. You are incredibly awesome,
I really don't know what to say... but let me try.

First off, visitors to some-guy.com are thinkers,
as it's discovered most by folks searching for quotes,
facts, and riddles. A truly thoughtful demographic
and a group that no doubt would make for good company
over dinner.

Of the 700,000+ people who will visit this year,
less than 1% will sign up for the Random Factor,
which makes you folks the type that explore your
world and take action. This newsletter aside, you
will all find more to appreciate in your lives than
the average person, you are wise among wise.

In fact, people see you as lucky, & for good reason.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3335275.stm

Then, there is the small percentage of you folks
who have actually taken the time to show me some
love, and to help me to have this extraordinary
experience. I have no doubt that wherever you are,
you're making the world a better place.

As a thank you, I will be looking for a gift
on my trip. What it will be, I do not yet know, I
will leave this to the universe to reveal. When
I get back I will ask my random generator to
produce a name from those folks that supported
me and to that person the gift will go. Your name
will go in one time for each dollar you contribute.

To support this mission and get in the drawing,
visit http://www.some-guy.com/contribute.html .

By the way, if you contributed in the past and were
expecting to receive a story but did not please let
me know. I separated giving out the story from
contributions but I had written about it in several
places and forgot to change the language in all
places. So, if you were expecting or if you just
contributed and want the story, let me know, I am
more than happy to oblige... it is a great story : )

Still reading? You are awesome. So, let me see, what
nugget of wisdom, what glimmer of insight, what fragment
of truth can I offer you today?

This quote is a favorite of the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

"If you try, you might fail, but if you do not try you
are guaranteed to fail."

Don't like to fail? I know the feeling. But, we really
shouldn't worry because even in the cases we do fail,
it is a powerful part of the process, and it is fear
that is truly the thief of dreams.

Failure and success in the life of Abraham Lincoln

* 1831 - Lost his job
* 1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
* 1833 - Failed in business
* 1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
* 1835 - Sweetheart died
* 1836 - Had nervous breakdown
* 1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
* 1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
* 1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
* 1848 - Lost re-nomination
* 1849 - Rejected for land officer position
* 1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
* 1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
* 1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
* 1860 - Elected President (success)

http://www.school-for-champions.com/history/lincoln_failures.htm

until next time,

Some Guy

p.s. Lucia Iman http://www.sellaband.com/lucia/ was a
winner of http://www.sellaband.com contest, and will be performing live at Gibson Guitar Studios in London,
June 5th, way to go Lucia!

If you missed it check out issue #24

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #29] A tip for knighthood

2007-06-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

"If you want to be a knight, act like a knight."

- from the movie Quiz Show

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[Random Factor #28] It was a small world after all?

2007-05-11T01:47:00.000-07:00

Hey folks! Today's edition might be a shocker.

I am no geologist, but I did think I knew some
basics about my home planet... for example,

"It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."
- Steven Wright

But how big is the world anyway?

http://www.howbigistheworld.com/

Now, here's a really tough riddle for you...

To answer true, answer these questions two...

1) What are the biggest puzzle pieces on earth?
2) What does the puzzle form?

* hint, it's 3 dimensional and nearby

Got a guess? Well, check out...
http://www.maniacworld.com/Conspiracy-of-Science.html

until next time my friends,

Some Guy

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do

[The Random Factor #27] 1 in a million

2007-05-10T02:20:00.000-07:00

If you say somebody is 1 in a million,
you're saying that there are 1,317 of
them in China.

fyi,

Some Guy

p.s. as of 5/4/2007 according to http://www.cpirc.org.cn/en/eindex.htm

--------------------------------

This text published originally in the newsletter
The Random Factor at www.some-guy.com

To subscribe enter your email here:

I hate spam as much as you do