Aliasinkhorn I like this

Julies Health Club - Where alternative and mainstream health meet | Chicago...

Aug 2, 8:52pm    (1 review)  health, yoga, wisdom, pelosi  http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/...

. From the page: "an empty barn is much better than one full of naughty cows" Apparently this is why Pelosi and all her herd of Democratic Cows vanished from the halls of Congress. .

The Dreams Movie

Jul 8, 7:19am    (26 reviews)  videos, dreams, inspiration, wisdom, motivation  http://www.thedreamsmovie.com/

Dreams are Whispers from the Soul Finding your pupose and passion in Life This beautifully composed video will elevate your spirit. Two thumbs up. .

Proverbs | vinces ear

Jun 18, 10:56am    (1 review)  art, wisdom, parables  http://www.vincesear.com/tag/proverbs/

Pieter's Pictures Portray Plenty Parables From the page: "Some of the most interesting paintings he’s done are Children’s Games, in which at least 50 recognizable games are played in the streets of a village by children dressed in adult clothing (to show adult daily affairs are akin to the games of children), and Netherlandish Proverbs (aka The Blue Cloak, detail above), in which 100 adages and witticisms are creatively portrayed all around a village. You may remember the first post about Netherlandish Proverbs where several proverbs were listed along with their meanings. But these are just too much fun for only one post!" Netherlandish Proverbs Chagrined I wasn't taught this in Art Appreciation. Outstanding article illuminating the 'hidden' proverbs in this famous painting. I have only stumbled this page, but click the links above, review the others, and stumble away.

Apollonius of Tyana Index

Jun 7, 1:41am    (1 review)  history, philosophy, spirituality, books, wisdom  http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/aot/aot/...

Apollonius of Tyana by G.R.S. Mead [1901] The philosopher-reformer of the first century, a.d.; a critical study of the only existing record of his life, with some account of the war of opinion concerning him, and an introduction on the religious associations and brotherhoods of the times and the possible influence of Indian thought on Greece. I had nearly forgotten my dear friend Apollonius. And why call him friend? He was wise, and reading him is real. Take a moment and read this excerpt and see for yourself. "So again, when at Thermopylæ his followers were disputing as to which was the highest ground in Greece, Mt. Œta being then in view. They happened to be just at the foot of the hill on which the Spartans fell overwhelmed with arrows. Climbing to the top of it Apollonius cried out: "And I think this the highest ground, for those who fell here for freedom's sake have made it high as Œta and raised it far above a thousand of Olympuses" (iv. 23). Another instance of how Apollonius turned p. 136 chance happenings to good account is the following. Once at Ephesus, in one of the covered walks near the city, he was speaking of sharing our goods with others, and how we ought mutually to help one another. It chanced that a number of sparrows were sitting on a tree hard by in perfect silence. Suddenly another sparrow flew up and began chirping, as though it wanted to tell the others something. Whereupon the little fellows all set to a-chirping also, and flew away after the new-comer. Apollonius’ superstitious audience were greatly struck by this conduct of the sparrows, and thought it was an augury of some important matter. But the philosopher continued with his sermon. The sparrow, he said, has invited his friends to a banquet. A boy slipped down in a lane hard by and spilt some corn he was carrying in a bowl; he picked up most of it and went away. The little sparrow, chancing on the scattered grains, immediately flew off to invite his friends to the feast. Thereon most of the crowd went off at a run to see if it were true, and when they came back shouting and all agog with wonderment, the philosopher continued: "Ye see what care the sparrows take of one another, and how happy they are to share with all their goods. And yet we men do not approve; nay, if we see a man p. 137 sharing his goods with other men, we call it wastefulness, extravagance, and by such names, and dub the men to whom he gives a share, fawners and parasites. What then is left to us except to shut us up at home like fattening birds, and gorge our bellies in the dark until we burst with fat?" (iv. 3)."

World Hum | Travel Lists | 10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis...

May 22, 6:41pm    (5 reviews)  travel, advice, wisdom, francis-bacon  http://www.worldhum.com/lists/item/10_si...

10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis Bacon From the page: "Rolf Potts repackages the 17th century philosopher’s ‘Of Travel’ essay in the manner of a 21st century magazine feature" Not all his advice will apply, nevertheless this make-over of Francis Bacon's wise counsel is worth the read. By the way, here's Bacon's essay sans remake: http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-19.html

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Government Stifles the Wisdom of Crowds

May 14, 3:59am    (1 review)  politics, betting, wisdom, crowds, political-campaigns  http://www.realclearpolitics.com/article...

Government Stifles the Wisdom of Crowds By John Stossel From the page: "Who will be our next president? If you want an accurate guess, don't ask the pundits. Go where people put their money where their mouths are. Intrade.com (www.intrade.com), for example. It's a prediction market, basically a futures market like those where people bet on the future price of oil, gold and pork bellies. But at Intrade, people bet mostly on politics. The prices on Intrade have been highly accurate predictors of the future. On TV, political "experts" make pronouncements on what they think will happen, but crowds of bettors on sites like Intrade are right more often. In 2004, TV experts like James Carville said John Kerry would win the presidency. In 2006, they said the Republicans would keep control of Congress. But the crowds on Intrade bet against Kerry, and in 2006, "the bettors at Intrade collectively called every single race in the Senate right," James Surowiecki, author of "The Wisdom of Crowds" (http://tinyurl.com/6ngg3g), told me for last week's "20/20" (http://tinyurl.com/68yebw). Wisdom of Crowds? When I think of crowds, I think of mobs. But, Surowiecki says, "[C]rowds of people can be incredibly intelligent. ... [I]f the crowd is big enough and diverse enough, you have access to so much more knowledge."" Take some time out to read this mind tickler on crowds calling the future. And you'll learn who the crowd believes will be the next president.

Milarepa

Apr 21, 9:04pm    (1 review)  buddhism, history, religion, wisdom, milarepa  http://www.khandro.net/TibBud_Milarepa.h...

Milarepa Milarepa became known as a singer of many dohas, or songs of devotion and wisdom. Here is the account of an incident that gave rise to the doha known as Five Comforts. "One night, a person, believing that I possessed some wealth, came and, groping about, stealthily pried into every corner of my cave. Upon my observing this, I laughed outright, and said, 'Try if thou canst find anything by night where I have failed by daylight.' The person himself could not help laughing, too; and then he went away. About a year after that, some hunters of Tsa, having failed to secure any game, happened to come strolling by the cave. As I was sitting in Samadhi, wearing the above triple-knotted apology for clothing, they prodded me with the ends of their bows, being curious to know whether I was a man or a bhuta. Seeing the state of my body and clothes, they were more inclined to believe me a bhuta. While they were discussing this amongst themselves, I opened my mouth and spoke, saying, 'Ye may be quite sure that I am a man.' They recognized me from seeing my teeth, and asked me whether I was Thopaga. On my answering in the affirmative, they asked me for a loan of some food, promising to repay it handsomely. They said, 'We heard that thou hadst come once to thy home many years ago. Hast thou been here all the while?' I replied, 'Yes; but I cannot offer you any food which ye would be able to eat.' They said that whatever did for me would do for them. Then I told them to make fire and boil nettles. They did so, but as they expected something to season the soup with, such as meat, bone, marrow, or fat, I said, 'If I had that, I should then have food with palatable qualities; but I have not had that for years. Apply the nettles in place of the seasoning.' Then they asked for flour or grain to thicken the soup with. I told them if I had that, I should then have food with sustaining properties; but that I had done without that for some years, and told them to apply nettle tips instead. At last they asked for some salt, to which I again said that salt would have imparted taste to my food; but I had done without that also for years, and recommended the addition of more nettle tips in place of salt. They said, 'Living upon such food, and wearing such garments as thou hast on now, it is no wonder that thy body hath been reduced to this miserable plight. Thine appearance becometh not a man. Why, even if thou should serve as a servant, thou wouldst have a bellyful of food and warm clothing. Thou art the most pitiable and miserable person in the whole world.' I said, 'O my friends, do not say that. I am one of the most fortunate and best amongst all who have obtained the human life. I have met with Marpa the Translator, of Lhobrak, and obtained from him the Truth which conferreth Buddhahood in one lifetime; and now, having entirely given up all worldly thoughts, I am passing my life in strict asceticism and devotion in these solitudes, far away from human habitations. I am obtaining that which will avail me in Eternity. By denying myself the trivial pleasures to be derived from food, clothing, and fame, I am subduing the Enemy [Ignorance] in this very lifetime. Amongst the World's entire human population I am one of the most courageous, with the highest aspirations . . . ." I then sang to them a song about my Five Comforts: Lord! Gracious Marpa! I bow down at Thy Feet! Enable me to give up worldly aims. Here is the Draghar-Taso's Middle Cave, On this the topmost summit of the Middle Cave, I, the Yogi Tibetan called Repa, Relinquishing all thoughts of what to eat or wear ...

Geoffrey Nunberg -- Slippery Slopes

Apr 13, 8:22pm    (1 review)  american-literature, poetry, wisdom  http://people.ischool.berkeley.edu/~nunb...

"An Arab Fable," by Lydia Howard Sigourney, in Gleanings, 1860: Once in his shop a workman wrought With languid hand, and listless thought, When through the open window's space Behold!-a Camel thrust his face. "My nose is cold," he meekly cried, "Oh, let me warm it by thy side." Since no denial word was said, In came the nose,- in came the head, As sure as sermon follows text The long, excursive neck came next, And then, as falls the threatening storm In leap'd the whole ungainly form Aghast the owner gazed around, And on the rude invader frown'd, Convinc'd as closer still he prest, There was no room for such a guest, Yet more astonish'd, heard him say, "If incommoded, go your way, For in this place I choose to stay." Oh, youthful hearts, to gladness born, Treat not this Arab lore with scorn. To evil habit's earliest wile Lend neither ear, nor glance, nor smile, Choke the dark fountain ere it flows, Nor even admit the Camel's Nose.

Narrative and Legendary Poems: Barclay of Ury, and Others From Volume...

Apr 13, 7:59pm    (1 review)  american-literature, love, god, mysticism, wisdom  http://infomotions.com/etexts/gutenberg/...

From the page ... TAULER, the preacher, walked, one autumn day, Without the walls of Strasburg, by the Rhine, Pondering the solemn Miracle of Life; As one who, wandering in a starless night, Feels momently the jar of unseen waves, And hears the thunder of an unknown sea, Breaking along an unimagined shore. And as he walked he prayed. Even the same Old prayer with which, for half a score of years, Morning, and noon, and evening, lip and heart Had groaned: "Have pity upon me, Lord! Thou seest, while teaching others, I am blind. Send me a man who can direct my steps!" Then, as he mused, he heard along his path A sound as of an old man's staff among The dry, dead linden-leaves; and, looking up, He saw a stranger, weak, and poor, and old. "Peace be unto thee, father!" Tauler said, "God give thee a good day!" The old man raised Slowly his calm blue eyes. "I thank thee, son; But all my days are good, and none are ill." Wondering thereat, the preacher spake again, "God give thee happy life." The old man smiled, "I never am unhappy." Tauler laid His hand upon the stranger's coarse gray sleeve "Tell me, O father, what thy strange words mean. Surely man's days are evil, and his life Sad as the grave it leads to." "Nay, my son, Our times are in God's hands, and all our days Are as our needs; for shadow as for sun, For cold as heat, for want as wealth, alike Our thanks are due, since that is best which is; And that which is not, sharing not His life, Is evil only as devoid of good. And for the happiness of which I spake, I find it in submission to his will, And calm trust in the holy Trinity Of Knowledge, Goodness, and Almighty Power." Silently wondering, for a little space, Stood the great preacher; then he spake as one Who, suddenly grappling with a haunting thought Which long has followed, whispering through the dark Strange terrors, drags it, shrieking, into light "What if God's will consign thee hence to Hell?" "Then," said the stranger, cheerily, "be it so. What Hell may be I know not; this I know,-- I cannot lose the presence of the Lord. One arm, Humility, takes hold upon His dear Humanity; the other, Love, Clasps his Divinity. So where I go He goes; and better fire-walled Hell with Him Than golden-gated Paradise without." Tears sprang in Tauler's eyes. A sudden light, Like the first ray which fell on chaos, clove Apart the shadow wherein he had walked Darkly at noon. And, as the strange old man Went his slow way, until his silver hair Set like the white moon where the hills of vine Slope to the Rhine, he bowed his head and said "My prayer is answered. God hath sent the man Long sought, to teach me, by his simple trust, Wisdom the weary schoolmen never knew." So, entering with a changed and cheerful step The city gates, he saw, far down the street, A mighty shadow break the light of noon, Which tracing backward till its airy lines Hardened to stony plinths, he raised his eyes O'er broad facade and lofty pediment, O'er architrave and frieze and sainted niche, Up the stone lace-work chiselled by the wise Erwin of Steinbach, dizzily up to where In the noon-brightness the great Minster's tower, Jewelled with sunbeams on its mural crown, Rose like a visible prayer. "Behold!" he said, "The stranger's faith made plain before mine eyes. As yonder tower outstretches to the earth The dark triangle of its shade alone When the clear day is shining on its top, So, darkness in the pathway of Man's life Is but the shadow of God's providence, By the great Sun of Wisdom cast thereon; And what is dark below is light in Heaven." 1853.

Global Analysis - J. R. Nyquist &Autarky and Ancient Wisdom& 03/28/2008...

Mar 29, 1:46pm    (1 review)  history, values, wisdom, principles, autarkos  http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch...

Autarky and Ancient Wisdom, by J. R. Nyquist, Weekly Column Published: 03.28.2008 From the page: "In 1892 Congressman William McKinley warned that abandoning American protectionism and adopting free trade would “revolutionize” the country’s values. Today America is flooded with foreign manufactures and our values have indeed been revolutionized. The influence of foreign money, of indebtedness to foreigners, of dependence on foreign oil, hangs over Washington D.C. like a gallows. In 1892 the protective tariff was a mainstay principle of the Republican Party. Congressman McKinley believed that tariffs should be higher, that America needed to maintain its independence; that America would be ruined by free trade. It may be said that McKinley held a classical rather than an economic position. He looked back to ancient wisdom, ignoring the modern economists. It is not that economics is wrong in its principles of efficiency. Merely, economics is one-sided. Economic efficiency is not the be-all and end-all of human existence. And yet, today’s politics would leave you with this very impression. Today’s political thinking, with its emphasis on globalization, free trade and permeable borders would shock a man like McKinley. The ongoing debasement of America’s currency would illicit, from him, groans of disapproval. He would ask: What do the Americans of 2008 think they are doing? In 1896 McKinley ran for president on a platform of high tariff’s and currency “as good as gold.” Searching for an explanation for the success of McKinley’s policy, which stood in opposition to free trade, I was recently shown an article titled “The Influence of Protective Tariffs on the Industrial Development of the United States,” first published in May 1940. It was written by the economist Joseph Schumpeter and begins with the following lines: “I feel strongly that nothing but confusion and misunderstanding can result from any analysis of the effects of protective tariffs from purely economic considerations….” Free trade is economically efficient, he admitted. Yet national independence is even more fundamental. At the end of his article, Schumpeter penned the following memorable lines: “[If] we have got to live in a mercantilist, nationalist, bellicose world dominated by a few great empires, on the one hand, and if the domestic policy of this country is to remain free to shape its own destiny, on the other hand, I do not see the possibility, and I should very much doubt the wisdom, of any major deviation from the policy of protection.” We know the argument for free trade. In the most simplistic terms, free trade intensifies the division of labor. The more advanced the division of labor the wealthier society becomes – and the more specialized. We seldom ask, in this context, whether modern specialization makes a better nation or merely makes a more comfortable nation. As a character in a Robert Heinlein novel once quipped: “Specialization is for insects.” A drone isn’t free, and neither is the hive society to which it belongs. The worker ant is hardly self-sufficient. How curious that national self-sufficiency is not equated with national freedom? In opposition to self-sufficiency, our theorists and politicians talk glowingly of “interdependence” – that form of dependency that draws nations and continents together in a process that ultimately promises “one world,” one “global village” (a.k.a. globalism). It is no accident that we are today afflicted with a reason-withering “political correctness” closing in from all sides. This oppressive ideology pretends that opposing forces can amalgamate under the shaky utopian ramshackle of “multiculturalism.” To solve the problem of human difference, a counterfeit unity has been conceived. Under the rubric of tolerance we have abandoned our own heritage. McKinley was right when he said that free trade would “revolutionize” our values. It has been our mistake to make economics the end-all and be-all. Today’s political conceptions refer back to economics, are justified through economics. As a successful political campaign once asserted, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Friedrich Hayek wondered at Aristotle’s proposition that the ideal order was Autarkos [self sufficiency]. How could the great Aristotle be so ignorant? But have we, in the modern world, built a lasting foundation when all our invention, and all our development, has brought us a ...”