In a land of strangers more than strangeness, we often find ourselves looking over our shoulders to find something familiar. An evolutionary school of thought might postulate that the eyes are not the first to have been developed in our physiology. If then the eyes are the gateways to the soul, would it mean that the soul came after all our other senses?

It would have been a digression in itself to consider that the soul developed later on or was simply embryonic until sight came along. Others would perhaps say that the soul fermented the aspect of physicality but then the presupposition here is that the eyes functions as doorways to the soul and most importantly that a soul actually exists.

Digression:

I would find myself often wondering how neuroscience has evolved to encapsulate something beyond the physical manifestation of the brain and start to include the gray (no pun intended) areas which evoke nostalgic psalms and hymns from religions more ancient than the vehicles we know and practice these days. When thinking outside the esoteric circle, questions like:

• Is sight something that goes beyond the physical gradient of visual perception?
• Then it is probably not an abortive act (to let go of a fetus) until such time that we are physically conscious of being able to see, the only problem here is, the definition for, when do we See?
• Is perception a construct of the physical brain or the chemical components which make it up?
• Is this thought, whatever thought that exist in this very moment, a physical trillema of synapses, sodium channels of chemical reactions, and/or varietal projects of dendrites and axons?
• If it remains that thought and physicality are in conjunction then the As Above, So Below, statement makes the soul a mere backpack for the pilgrim’s progress in each of us – which then opens up a whole new dimension, a dimension discussing the existence of Spirit.

Traumatically superimposed into our psyches, crossing boundaries and even cultures, is one of the most shocking human experience to ever unfold. 911 will forever be remembered via images of planes crashing into two towering buildings which symbolized an age of commerce and trade. Not an accident by any chance but a perceptive and premeditated Act of, though not limited to, violence and anger. For those enacting this catastrophe, it was a validation of their existence which they felt were overshadowed and undermined by an ideology and way of life. Of course not much have to be said anymore for those of us who, with mouths agape, watched as the drama unfolded and forever change the course of human history.

Now a decade ago, our lives do contain as much, if not more, experiences (drama?) and stories upon closer examination and reflection. In the words of the Wise and the Ways of old, “Merry we part until merry we meet again!” 911 allowed for a spectacular circling to happen within the Human Condition – it was the dagger (Athame) that was aimed to pose a question of our participation and commitment, to only enter In Perfect Love and In Perfect Trust.

It is of course in the same breath that the Wheel turns, faithfully since the beginning of Time. Our existence proving to be a collage of truths, moments, and perceptions in the existential fabric we have defined as Life. Memory is quite the tricky companion and we will have our own special ways in relating how we remember and of course how we choose to carry what we remember. Often times we find ourselves remembering things we choose to forget or forget things we wished we could remember – but then again, can we really wish or miss anything that exists in our consciousness?

This year (2011), the Wheel approaches ever so closely the ancient Celtic New year or what has been commonly called, Samhain. First frost and last harvest it may be but it also allows the ancient days to be one, at least experience-wise, with the present. For Wiccans and others practicing the old ways, this Sabbat is a high feast and will demarcate the process of coming to terms with a new self, an improved version of yourself from what you have learned the past year. While for Christians, especially Catholics, nearly around this time of the year mark the commemoration of the dearly departed via All Saints and All Souls day. It is quite the task after all to celebrate the regale yet humble purpose of living the teachings of Christ and trying to closely imitate his way of life in today’s world.

Post 911, a decade after, it is two months after that day and a play of words and numbers will bring you now to 1011, a month and a year numeric combination. Nearly November but not quite, it is an opportune time brought about by history, astronomy (*astrology), and our cumulative experience to celebrate an act of Being Human. We are not calling forth and standardizing rights, that has its own advocates. We are not preaching a new religion based on old premise, that movement will have its own priests and priestesses. SAMHAIN 1011 is an occasion to practice being human, coming to terms with this role and fully utilizing what the Human Rights Activists have been fighting for while also reflecting on the theologies (*theosophies) of Faith. Not a belief system and not even an argument on higher beings existing but rather a way to come forwards and be able to say, even to yourself, “I am human! I am alive!”

We can all step into the circle, commit to a communion or even a covenant but before you do so, out of bravery, anger, or even Faith, take the time to reflect the imperatives that allowed you to come to this very point of your life. Look at the Human Condition, look both near and far, and know that a lot of us have failed, have at one point or another allowed other challenges to overshadow our being human. With all the laws and intricate specifics that have been developed over centuries, it is easy to get lost and easy to also rationalize that you have been human all along. Indeed we are born human, we are treated most times as human, but have we recently taken the time accept that role internally? – To nurture that role and proudly display it as our current status symbol?

Beyond catastrophes, massacres, revolutions, celebrations, and other human experiences, both good and bad, we remain that constant sidekick of change. Humans, despite evolution, mutations or whatnot (whatis?), that is the root of our existence. This decade after 911, a 2011 Samhain celebration, be proud to reflect on being yourself – Merry we part until merry we meet again!

Blessed BE!

	Midsummer’s Sigil

*For questions, inspired ideas, proposals, or comments, visit www.awarenessadvocate.com ^{(BETA LAUNCH)}, an awareness campaign on sustainability via ActMind.net’s programmes. Alternatively you may use the online form (https://actmindprojects.wufoo.com/forms/send-a-message/) or email us at: support@actmind.net. Feel free to share if you deem it worthy to be extended in any way, thanks!

They deemed you worthy of support and had everyone voting your way. Did you find this simple illusion of power enough to make you stick around? I am not even talking about the mere presidency…

Common sense and seduction are two aspects of politics which will meet you heads-on at anytime and at any given moment. Where are you going these days? Have you found yourself longing for something as immature as an answer, a simple yes or no from the boy/girl of your dreams?

(Somehow the song seems to remain the same: If You Have to Ask by Red Hot Chili Peppers.)

Three scenarios:

First, I received a text from a good friend whose vote has gone awry. Neglected by the present administration, there is nowhere else to go but to face the music, make new grooves, and even compose new songs. Did we waste time in knowing that we simply supported what was possible and go for the choice that we know will win? Maybe the choice then was to simply support a losing battle, just to invest in change. But who knows? I am no politician, my politics is in seduction – a matter of light and darkness in the shadow world.

Residual politics is in the height of indecision, it is when you are too busy living Life that politics happen.

Second, coherent light has been given its time under the sun – a physicist friend discovers the amalgamation of mysteries hidden in the shadows. How light was ever incoherent is a discourse against waves and particles, against light and darkness. Whatever gravity does not take from you, life will sooner than later find focused and burning against your chest. Coherence is simply birds of a feather flocking together.

Residual politics finds its second tenet stuck amidst the ingraining

shadows of light and darkness, your coherence still affixed on your perception of time.

Third, a short relay of words becomes apparent between messaging applications. She is stuck in a red room with a strange counter window connecting to a kitchen. They cook stories, they let life simmer, but nothing happens when you are stuck thinking of what is not. Without him, you are momentarily paralyzed, forgetting how to become a soul, a spirit flowing between challenges and realizations. It does not matter if you had to flow between sheets and live between beds, you are your own self, aren’t you?

Residual politics finds its Truth in what has been done and what has been left behind – it does not take forever.

I will share the illusions of today, of how relative time seems to be for those of us wishing some semblance of immortality. Immortality in acts, in speech, in dreams? The only truth that we find in living life will be in the politics happening and existing in personal spaces – a space that you and I will gather our Truths, a satsang (do check-out what it means) of sorts. While another friend waits for a Batanes sunset, we in the Metro find ourselves in-heat, reminding me of an old piece written during my dalliance with the university:

YOUR MANILA

steps out of my grasp
into the floor, into the touch
of a Metro in-heat
that refuses to stop
even for, my Manila

The Stranger encounters an interesting write-up and information that might finally give him the Sleep of the Just – And so here’s:

THE COLD TRUTH ON QUALITY SLEEP

Attaining the right kind of sleep with Sleepasil

The temperature has gone down, almost anywhere in the country, giving us a bit of a cold spell. Early mornings, for many of us, have been very difficult to wake up to, as the cold weather makes us want to stay in bed longer. But the cold weather and sleeping longer do not really equate to quality sleep that keeps our body and mind healthy.

With the cold air hanging about, it may bring sickness to people who are not in top shape. Before we know it, we have caught the colds or are down with the dreaded flu that’ll surely ruin our tempo in everything we do. But we can’t slow down now, can we? After all, the year has just started, right?

Then let us keep ourselves in peak-performance form with the most tranquil and healthy sleep. Quality sleep enhances the capacity of our body to process vitamins and nutrients that keep us healthy. It is during a restful sleep that the body also repairs damaged tissues more effectively. After a soothing sleep, we wake up more focused and energized to do the things we need to do.

We can be assured of the right kind of quality sleep with the help of Sleepasil. This all-natural sleep supplement helps us attain that beneficial rest for our bodies’ daily restoration. With just one capsule of Sleepasil, at least 45 minutes before shut-eye, we’ll definitely have the essential rest we need no matter how cold or hectic our day was. Every Sleepasil slumber helps ease away any stress, fatigue, anxiety and chilly weather sickness. Sleepasil assists in relieving negative stress by inducing the most relaxing sleep every time and give us enough verve to enjoy the cold climate more actively!

Sleepasil is an ALL-NATURAL dietary supplement with a special blend of naturally sleep-inducing ingredients such as chamomile, melatonin and valerian root. All-natural means no side effects and non-habit forming; and that’s the cold truth! Sleepasil is available in all major drugstores nationwide. To know more information on how to attain the right kind of sleep, visit www.sleepasil.com.

And so chillax, now we can go about doing what we do, knowing we can get good quality sleep with the help of Sleepasil. Now we can turn the bitter cold into better cold weather day everyday!

The story often starts with a setting which plays either a comedic or tragic influence to the progression of the character/s journey. For this particular story, it needed the magnificence and turmoil that can only exist in Mindanao, the Land of Fulfilled Promises (or so-called promises?).

Like a fairytale weaved with a sense of magic, a little mayhem (by a little is meant mayhem that is still sort of understood or can be intellectualized about), and most definitely a little sprinkle of a love story here and there, our journey intersected where others chose to part. A nearly doctorate writing from Down Under, a royalty with his unique take on politics, and a Stranger in a strange land, all met during a story night for a couple of ales that spells out a story quite unfinished as of yet.

Like a normal individual, it might take a Herculean effort to try and see the story to the end, to follow the what-ifs, or to even try and participate in it once more. Maybe the brother from Down Under was right but then I would still have to wait for the conclusion in the grand opera he has yet to finish. Maybe it will take a couple more bottles from the cellar to find the muse once again and have him on the wings of chance and change.

Like a poet who often loses words only to find new metaphors to play with, a meeting was nullified for a chance to be updated with the Who’s Who in that big island down south. To this brother I am reminded of your favorite spiritual poet (Jalal ad-Din Rumi) when he said, “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”

And unlike the silent sutras that thread in and out of our consciousness I remain a physical bound mortal running amok with the change that perseveres in the experience we call Life. The next ride in the carousel might not be the same horse but it definitely will bring you around for another ride. Different moments and different modes but The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin) -

I had a dream. Crazy dream.
Anything I wanted to know, any place I needed to go

Hear my song. People won’t you listen now? Sing along.
You don’t know what you’re missing now.
Any little song that you know
Everything that’s small has to grow.
And it has to grow!

California sunlight, sweet Calcutta rain
Honolulu starbright – the song remains the same.

Sing out Hare Hare, dance the Hoochie Koo.
City lights are oh so bright, as we go sliding… sliding… sliding through.

Through (?), maybe one thing has been said, post massacre/martyrdom and post elections blues/bliss, and the challenge has been set. We simply follow through (!) with the words from Down Under in a retirement dream down south, with a royalty awakening from slumbers of legality, and a Stranger who dreams of words that play to a new world order.

That meeting might take place when we heed the same man, who pointed out the actual setting of this fantasy:

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” – Jalal ad-Din Rumi