Michel's Blog

[Michel]

L.A. Officials To Send Homeless To Internment Camps, Implanted With RFID Chips: http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/report-l-officials-send-homeless-internment-camps-implanted-rfid-chips/#more-44511

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. - Martin Niemöller

[Jhanananda]

I do not find this premise surprising at all; however, Prescott, AZ, still seems like a safe place for the homeless.  We can expect that mystics too will be rounded up and "detained" for "their own good" in detention centers. 

We can also expect that , just as Nazi Germany did, films will be produced that show that these "detentions centers" will be like country clubs, with shuffle board and basket ball, and tennis, when the residents are really being boiled down for their fat to convert to biodiesel, instead of soap.

[Michel]

Well said, Jhananda. It's not hard to see that the world is rapidly moving towards a new dark age. The future looks murderous when you consider all the new technology that is available for controlling the masses. There is a multinational effort to develop a brain scanner to decode what a person is thinking. Soon, for the first time in history, there will be no place left to hide in the entire world.

Bertolt Brecht, a German poet and playwright, put it well when he wrote about Hitler's defeat:

"Do not rejoice in his defeat, you men. For though the world has stood up and stopped the bastard, the bitch that bore him is in heat again."

The next bastard has the potential to be far more powerful and terrorizing than anything the world has ever seen.
 

[Alexander]

You may want to exercise some critical reason here, since the source of that article is Infowars.

[Michel]

The article was originally written by Mac Slavo and posted on his website: http://www.shtfplan.com/

Alex Jones of Infowars liked the article and posted on his site since it supports his crazy views.

I don't know Mac Slavo well and what he's written could be untrue. But I don't think the credibility of the article is the issue here; rather it's a possible scenario that may play out sometime in the future considering how fettered humans are by greed, hatred and delusion. I consider journalism to be a form of literary fiction rich with a diversity of ideas and opinions.

[Alexander]

Keep in mind I have a lot sympathy for these conspiracy guys. But ultimately I think their views are childish and dangerous. They do not want to embrace an adult vision of the world. At the same time, I understand them, because it's a very reasonable way to react to the way the world is developing right now.

[Jhanon]

If there is anxiety or stress about this, why doesn't someone hit 4th jhana and move the mind to see if this scenario will actually play out? Whenever I'm able to reach 4th jhana (my environment is not ideal), I'm able to know whatever I direct the mind to. And surely this is normal, as I've seen it in many teachings and discourses.

[Michel]

Keep in mind I have a lot sympathy for these conspiracy guys. But ultimately I think their views are childish and dangerous. They do not want to embrace an adult vision of the world. At the same time, I understand them, because it's a very reasonable way to react to the way the world is developing right now.

Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges are two notable journalists worth taking seriously, in my opinion. I also like to read Ralph Nader. What journalists do you like to read?

[Michel]

If there is anxiety or stress about this, why doesn't someone hit 4th jhana and move the mind to see if this scenario will actually play out? Whenever I'm able to reach 4th jhana (my environment is not ideal), I'm able to know whatever I direct the mind to. And surely this is normal, as I've seen it in many teachings and discourses.

Next time you hit the 4th jhana find out which scenario will play out so we can all stop reading the bloggers and journalist. Let me know if one day I'll make it to the 4th Jhana.  :-)

[Alexander]

Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges are two notable journalists worth taking seriously, in my opinion. I also like to read Ralph Nader. What journalists do you like to read?

In a sense I am very conflicted Michel. Because in many ways I think I embrace the views of the political right: I like the idea a country is innately good, that its institutions are worth preserving, etc. However, the U.S. is so far to the right that I vote for Democrats.

These days I like to follow economists. Like Paul Krugman, Robert Reich, etc. They tend to have a very good understanding. Chris Hedges is also really great. Finally there is a new book out by the French economist, Thomas Piketty, Capital in the 21st Century, which explains a lot of how the world is developing right now.

[Michel]

I think if the Buddha were alive today he would be an advocate of some form of social democratic governance with moral responsibilities, not just the government, but for its citizens towards each other.

Economic Teachings of the Buddha  - By Bhikkhu Bodhi

Certain modern schools of thought like Marxism regard the economic domain as the primary determinant of social existence and dismiss everything else as mere superstructure, a secondary overlay resting on the material substratum.

Contrary to this view, the Buddha recognizes that there are many interdependent spheres of human activity. These cannot be subjected to any simplistic reduction, but must be seen as interrelated and mutually efficacious. The Buddha took note of the importance of economics in human life and he held that for people to be capable of personal and spiritual progress, the economic foundation has to be secure.

In many sutta’s the Buddha has pointed out that poverty can lead to the decline of moral values - to stealing, lying, murder, etc., and eventually to complete social chaos. He teaches not only that economics largely determines man’s moral condition, but also that the government has a responsibility to correct any extreme economic injustice. He advises the king to look after the economic well being of his subjects. He says that the king has to give seed to the farmers for their crops and feed for their cattle, capital to the merchants and businessman to conduct their business, and jobs to the civil servants, etc.

Generosity

Buddhism promotes economic well being in society by its stress on the virtue of generosity. The Buddha teaches all his disciples, whether monks or laymen, to practice giving, to be generous and bountiful. The wealthy in particular have an obligation to give to the poor, to help and assist the poor.

The things that can be given have been minutely classified as follows:

The basic requirements are:
a.Food
b.Clothing
c.Dwelling places
d.Medicine


Secondary objects:
a.Vehicles
b.Books
c.Utensils, lights, seats etc.

The Buddha especially praises, the giving of food. He says that if people knew the benefits of giving food, they would not sit down to a single meal without sharing it with someone if there is an opportunity for them to do so. He says one who gives food gives the following five things and in return receives these five as its karmic result.

He gives :
a.Life (long life )
b.Beauty (good complexion)
c.Happiness
d.Strength (physical health)
e.Intelligence (mind is able to function properly)

Specific advice to laymen

The Buddha gave the following advice to a group of lay people as conducive to their happiness here and now.

(a) Energy and diligence
 You have to be energetic and diligent in performing your job whether it is farming, a trade, business or a profession.

(b) Security
 You have to protect your wealth.

(c) Good friendship
 Associate with true friends, with wise and virtuous people who will help you and protect you, and guide you in Dhamma.

(d) Balanced livelihood
 You should not be too bountiful, spending more than your means allow, and you should not be niggardly, clinging to your wealth. Avoid these extremes and spend in proportion to your income.

Then he gave them advice for their long term benefit: as (a) faith and confidence in spiritual values, (b) generosity, (c) moral discipline and (d) wisdom.

Right Livelihood
 The Buddha laid down four standards of right livelihood to which a lay follower should conform.
a.He should acquire wealth only by legal means.
b.He should acquire it without violence.
c.He should acquire it honestly.
d.He should require it in ways which do not harm others.

Use of one’s wealth
 The Buddha says that having acquired wealth by the proper means one should spend it for five purposes.
a.To provide for one’s own household, one’s relatives and children.
b.To make gifts to friends, to entertain them, to give them presents.
c.To protect and repair one’s property and dwelling.
d.To pay taxes and make obeisance to the deities.
e.To offer alms and requisites to the monks and brahmins.

[Alexander]

There is a very interesting part of the Mahaparinirvana Sutra where the Buddha talks about the Vajjis. He discusses what virtues cause a nation's rise or decline. Might be worth checking out.

[stugandolf]

Be sure to read and digest "The People's History History of the United States" - Howard Zinn.  This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what happened rather than what  we were taught in school.  For example:  Native Americans were deliberately given blankets infected with small pox.  Stu

[stugandolf]

The danger in neurobiology is that people may believe it because it is allegedly scientific.  This is not the case.  The question  to ask is to what extent can the brain be quantified by the brain.  Philosophy of mind now includes neurobiology.  Stu

[Michel]

Be sure to read and digest "The People's History History of the United States" - Howard Zinn.  This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what happened rather than what  we were taught in school.  For example:  Native Americans were deliberately given blankets infected with small pox.  Stu

Thank-you, Stu. I read about that story on the natives and small pox. It looks like an interesting book. It's available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/Peoples-History-United-States-Present-ebook/dp/B00338QF46/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407363573&sr=8-2&keywords=howard+zinn+people%27s+history