Oracle Omnibus Issue #3
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 03/16/2008 - 22:25
Note from the President
by Laura
The wind just started roaring outside my window, which reminds me that even though spring is nearly here, aspects of winter still remain… it is a time of transition. For those who are awake, change is visible everywhere. We see the economy faltering, we're aware that mother Earth is groaning from our appetites and overpopulation, we witness the spectacle of the 2008 presidential election, we wonder at the unchecked application of technology, we feel our primary relationships shifting, we finally acknowledge the horror of a war we voluntarily started, and we abandon our birth religions as we question the meaning of God.
In response to all this uncertainty and chaos, some are not waiting to see what the future brings. Rather, some are taking a proactive approach and are creating the future that they want, thereby determining their own fate. One such group of souls is known as the Federation of Damanhur, a self-sustainable community in Italy that has adopted much more than a “green” philosophy. Damanhur also has adopted a “spiritual” philosophy that helps its citizens stay focused on the values that, until recently, have been prized by all humane and civilized cultures, like: personal freedom, artistic expression, morality and ethics, supportive neighborhoods, assisted living for seniors, good food and healthy habits, childhood and adult education, spiritual study and experimentation, and family fun! In short, Damanhur has left the insanity of the last century behind and built a true 21st Century Community
We wish to dedicate this issue of the Oracle Omnibus to Damanhur. We also wish to thank Damanhur for supporting The Oracle Institute through its presentation of two seminars which are intended to help us start a similar Sustainable Spiritual Community in southwestern Virginia. If you wish to learn more about Damanhur, please accept our invitation to the Damanhur events in Independence, Virginia, one of which is posted at the end of this issue of the Omnibus and on our website. And please ponder whether we Americans are finally ready to forego the green god of materialism in favor of a green theosophy that promotes a Paradigm of peace and personal growth
From the Editor's Desk:
Making a Difference
by Pat
As we move into each New Year, people often make “New Year’s Resolutions” – whereby they resolve to lose weight, quit smoking, spend less money, etc. By this point in the year, however, many people already have broken their resolutions or given up any hope of keeping them. Ever wonder why that is?
Well, first of all, we usually compose our resolutions in a manner designed to make us give up something or stop a pattern of behavior… and often it’s something we derive pleasure or enjoyment from. Consequently, unless something MORE enjoyable is to be gained than what we are giving up, the possibility of success is limited.
So, I'd like to suggest a different idea: Pick something you’d LIKE to do for your resolution – something that is pleasant and leaves you feeling good about yourself for having done it. For example, resolve to read a book, take a course, plant a garden, or spend time with your children, significant other, family, friends, or neighbors. Better yet, perhaps you are ready to find a charity you would like to donate time to or, if your budget permits, some cash as well. In other words, do something in your Community to connect with others who need a friendly smile or kind word… there is no better gift than the gift of Love.
The Love is the current writing project of The Oracle Institute. Presently, we have 35 authors participating in this anthology on Love.
The Love is a collection of Love stories, Love poems, and articles on the various types of Love experienced on this planet. These deeply personal expressions of the most powerful force in the Universe illuminate the myriad ways that people of all cultures experience Love.
The Love explains the central message of all the world’s prophets: We must learn to love our brothers and sisters on the Earth Plane before we may join with God in the Ethereal lane. It really is that simple.
Recreating Community
by Pat
The wake-up call of global warming and the various social, political, and environmental problems that currently beset the planet have stirred our awareness that Earth is home to us all, and unless we begin to take better care of it – and each other – we may find that humanity becomes the next species in danger of extinction! It is a sobering thought, and as science scrambles for technological and scientific solutions, perhaps it is time to reconsider a mode of living that is both very timely and very old: Community
Community… the dictionary defines Community as “a group sharing common interests, characteristics, culture or heritage which inhabits a shared location with joint possession, liability and enjoyment.” It comes from the root word “common,” which means belonging equally to or shared alike by all members of the group, and the word “unity,” which means of one mind, purpose or direction. Put more simply: Community is a sustainable way of living and working together for the common good of all members.
From the beginning of life on this planet, human beings banded together for protection and companionship and to share the responsibilities and challenges of survival. For centuries, this gathering into tribes, villages, and small self-sustaining Communities represented the way of life for those who inhabited the Earth. First as hunters and gatherers, then as farmers and herders, people produced what was needed for their family or tribe, occasionally trading with other groups for items they wanted or needed but did not have. It was a very simple existence, and we need look no further than our own Native American peoples, who lived for centuries in this manner – taking only what they needed to live. This was a sustainable, balanced, and natural existence that worked for a very long time.
The advent of the Industrial Revolution changed everything, however, as people left the land for larger cities and towns. Ironically, as more and more people came together in these larger groups, the concept of Community began to disappear. While people lived in closer proximity, they no longer joined in a common purpose or vision. Factories and machines led to mass production and ever-increasing division between members of the group, as some became increasingly affluent and others, who were perhaps less well equipped for the industrial system, lived in increasing poverty and alienation. As the industrialized focus translated to demands for more, bigger, better, we increasingly lost our connection to the Earth and to each other – and our sense of responsibility to both – thereby initiating many of the problems that we face today.
So, what do we do? Go back to farming and small villages and forget about all the cultural, technological, and scientific advances of the last 150 years? Well, not exactly. We have learned a lot over years, and part of the solution is to use that knowledge to repair what needs to be fixed and as a springboard for the discovery of new, more sustainable solutions. But there was value in the lifestyles that was abandoned in the name of “progress,” and the old ways of life need to be reexamined for the 21st Century. The old ways contain a lot of wisdom for how to sustain life and live in balance on the Earth. And, even more important, the joint vision and purpose that brought people together in Community for the common good and the common welfare must be rediscovered and practiced. In sum, we have become separate and fragmented, and our treatment of each other and the Earth is a direct reflection of our lack of connection and awareness. An acceptance of our joint liability and responsibility for the planet and our neighbors must resurface if we are going to fix the problems which loom at the dawn of the New Millennium.
For some, “going green” may actually mean a move to the country or a small Community where they can pursue a simpler lifestyle. Organic farming, sustainable alternative energy sources like wind or solar power which do not upset the balance of the ecosystem, and lifestyles that are less consumer oriented will represent positive choices made with an eye towards the future and our responsibilities to the generations to come. Others may wish to build a Community with like-minded souls who share a commonly held vision and who are committed to a lifestyle that supports and sustains all members. Places such as Findhorn in Scotland and Damanhur in Italy are living examples of these types of communities. In these Communities, people are drawn together by a spiritual focus and by a common interest in the Arts. And there also will be those who elect to remain in the larger cities, but they, too, will build Community by focusing on their neighbors or their city block, and by reestablishing communication, renewing relationships, and creating a healthier city lifestyle.
Food for Thought
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – That is to have succeeded.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Paradigm Therapy
By Tobe
“Paradigm Therapy” is an evolving technique to discover the underlying belief systems that stand between our present understanding of ourselves and our divine nature. This article is a brief exposition of some of the ideas and concepts underlying the therapy.
First, what is the meaning of the word Paradigm? For our purposes, a Paradigm is a set of deeply held beliefs, values, and understandings about a particular subject. The term Paradigm usually is applied to groups of people, often to entire cultures, language groups, or religions. So in order to ponder a Paradigm, we really must consider both individuals and societies, while recognizing the impossibility of separating the two.
The goal of Paradigm Therapy is consciousness because many of the beliefs and assumptions that flow from a Paradigm are unconscious to the individuals who live them. Hence, it’s beneficial to pay attention to the actions, not the words, of the people we know. Observation will help us decide whether to discard an outdated belief system.
Another goal of Paradigm Therapy is to align our thoughts, words, and deeds. Do we wish to live in a world with religious freedom and spiritual unity? Of course we do. But first we need to reject the Paradigm that many still unconsciously embrace: Authoritarianism. This Paradigm of misapplied power permeates our cultural heritage, ensuring that hierarchies of one kind or another continue to control our lives. Whether it be a vision of Heaven or the politics of Earth, many of us still harbor thoughts and perform actions that reflect an assumed need for authority.
If we truly wish to create a new Paradigm, we would do well to ask, “What is the opposite of authority?” Does your mind leap to religious freedom and spiritual unity or anarchy and chaos? How you answer that question will help inform you whether you are unconsciously driven by hope or fear… and whether you might benefit from some Paradigm Therapy.
The Oracle Recommends:
1. That you watch this incredible movie, Zeitgeist: http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
2. That you read these incredible books:
- Waking the Global Heart: Humanity’s Rite of Passage, by Anodea Judith, PhD, Elite Books
- A World Waiting to Be Born, by M. Scott Peck, MD, Bantam Books
- Speak Peace in a World of Conflict, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD, PuddleDancer Press
- Between Two Ages: The 21st Century and the crisis of Meaning, by William Van Dusen Wishard
3. That you meditate daily, or find a spiritual discipline that helps connect you to the Divine in yourself and others. (Consider checking out the series of upcoming curses offered by the Institute on the 5 major religions.)
4. That you find a way to begin creating Community and positive change in your life and the world
5. That you check out the website of the FELS Institute of Government, created by the University of Pennsylvania. This is a nonpartisan site, created and maintained as part of a university research project on government, and related to the 2008 election. It lists factual, up-to-date information on all the candidates including profiles, issues and proposals regarding the challenges facing government now and in the future. It contains information that can help YOU make an informed voting decision in November 2008.
http://www.thenextgovernment.com/
Future Events of Interest
In 2008, The Oracle Institute will be offering classes on each of the five primary religions, to explore what each religion has contributed to our spiritual database about the Supreme Being and also to focus on how each religion may be impeding the next phase of God’s plan for mankind: Spiritual Unity
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The Oracle Institute
is Proud to Sponsor:
Damanhur in Independence
Damanhur is a community of 1,000 people located in the foothills of the Italian Alps. It is almost entirely self-sustainable with over 80 businesses that foster agricultural and economic independence. Damanhur was voted the most evolved community on the planet in 2007, and Damanhur has received world-wide recognition for its innovative approach to life. A member of the Global Eco-Villages Network since 1998, Damanhur was the proud recipient of a United Nations sustainability award in 2005.
- Can sustainable and eco-friendly practices be profitable?
- Can small towns use & create local resources to improve their quality of life?
- Can all this be done while honoring cooperation and community?
- Can Damanhur’s model for success be repeated in the United States?
Damnahur is a place where dreams of a brighter future have been made a reality! One of their goals is to support other communities that want to be self-sufficient. Share an evening with ambassadors Shama and Crotalo Sesamo from the Federation of Damanhur and see how they did it! Also visit: http://www.damanhur.com/
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Please join us and learn how a small town in Italy built a 21st Century community.
- Damanhur is 50% food self-sufficient: with farms that raise cattle, pigs & fish; harvest vegetables, fruits & grains; and produce milk, cheese, oil, wine & honey.
- Damanhur created the first co-operative in Italy to distribute organic products.
- And they maintain a seed bank to ensure that none of their crops contain GMOs.
- Damanhur meets 60% of its own water needs and 30% of its electrical needs with solar panels, photo-voltaic installations, and small hydro-electric turbines.
- And they meet 90% of their heating requirements from wood that is generated through state of the art forestry practices.
| This program will include a 30 minute video presentation on Damanhur, followed by a question and answer period. We invite you to share a special evening that is sure to entertain, inform, and inspire you! |  |
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