"We are living in a realm of desire"

"Because our eyes, ears, nose, and so forth are the very gateways of desire, those wishing to break free and achieve liberation from this circle of suffering are encouraged to become especially distrustful of the five physical senses...

"When following this type of training we combat the tendency of running blindly after objects of attachment, and thereby falling victim to pain and disappointment, by teaching ourselves to focus on those aspects of the object that will reduce our desire for it. For instance, we can neutralize our longing for a beautiful person by concentrating on the unclean parts of his or her body... =)

"Compared to a system like tantra, which actually uses the energy of desire, this cautious approach to the spiritual path is considered inferior. But this is not to say that such an approach has no value...

"Tantra's approach is very different. Instead of viewing pleasure and desire as something to be avoided at all costs, tantra recognizes the powerful energy aroused by our desires to be an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. Because the goal is nothing less than the realization of our highest human potential, tantra seeks to transform every experience - no matter how "unreligious " it may appear- into the path of fulfillment. It is precisely because our present life is so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire's tremendous energy if we wish to transform our life into something trascendental.

"Thus the logic of tantra is really very simple: our experience of ordinary pleasure can be used as the resource for attaining the supremely pleasurable experience of totality, or enlightenment... According to tantra, we cannot hope to attain our goal of universal and complete happiness by systematically making ourselves more and more miserable. This is contrary to the way things actually work. It is only by cultivating small experiences of calm and satisfaction now that we will be able to achieve our ultimate goal of peace and tranquility in the future. And similarly, it is only through the skillful use of desirous energy and by building up the habit of experiencing what we might call true pleasure that we can hope to achieve the everlasting bliss and joy of full illumination."

Guess what...

... that part of the perfection consists also in believing in monogamy =)

Heavenly Perfection
You're 92% Poly =) 96% tolerant of the poly lifestyle =) (But... you're 1% just in it for the sex =))

Ooooooohhhh Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh

You're poly.

You're tolerant of poly lifestyle. (Good for you you like yourself!)

You're not just here for the sex.

And you won't lie to your mate.

I *Like* YOU.

Congratualtions on being a pretty good person =)

Gabriel_Night

Oh - just so you don't go off wondering - the first question? the one about monogamous cultures? the answer is 16% of recorded cultures have been monogamous - 84% have been non monogamous! how about that? =)

This test tracked 4 variables.

How the score compared to the other people's:

You scored higher than 93% on True Poly

You scored higher than 92% on Tolerance

You scored higher than 1% on Sex Only

You scored higher than 25% on Honesty

Link: The Polyamorous Test written by Gabriel_Night on Ok Cupid

Robert Capa, photographer

Robert Capa is best known for his picture of the "Falling soldier". On June the 6th 1944 (D-Day), he was the only photographer in Omaha Beach and his pictures are the only graphic testimony left of the first moments of the invasion. He died on May the 25th 1954 steping on a mine while covering the French Indochina war. He took his last pictures seconds before.

At the top of the world

Not always you have the opportunity to listen to a Nobel prize (R. Timothy Hunt) and a climber of the Everest (Jake Meyer) the same day. That was one day of the last year.

Today Jake celebrates the first anniversary of his successful climb. Congratulations!

Capa in Bristol

This is for me a curious picture by Robert Capa, showing the campaign headquarters of the socialist politician, Jennie Lee (1904-1988).

"Born in Lochgelly in Fife, Lee became the youngest ever woman elected to Westminster in 1929 when she won the north Lanark by-election for labour. An ardent supporter of the Soviet Union and energetic campaigner, Lee stood in Bristol Central in 1943 as an independent candidate in support of a two-front war. She lost the election to the government's candidate, Lady Viola Apsley, whose pro-Churchill campaign was described by the press as 'a monument of decorum'".

© Robert Capa/ Magnum Photos

Ivor Cutler, beyond comedy

In Spanish we have "Les luthiers".

It seems to me that in English they have, ladies and gentlemen:

Ivor Cutler.

Once upon a time in Atenco, Mexico...

May 3, 2006

Ever wondered about chromium?

The roman god Janus had two faces, not to say that they ment to be two personalities but only to face different directions. He was the god of doors and gates.

The element chromium (Cr) has two well know faces... but two "personalities":

Chromium (III)

"Chromium (III) is an essential nutrient that helps the body use sugar, protein, and fat. Cr (III) is a very stable oxidation state for chromium. In this state, the chrome is labile and kinetically very slow to react or form complexes. It is not a strong oxidiser and the human's natural body acidity is enough for the chrome to keep to this Cr (III) state. (reference)"

Chromium (VI)

"Breathing high levels of chromium (VI) can cause irritation to the nose, such as runny nose, nosebleeds, and ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. Ingesting large amounts of chromium (VI) can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death."

"The main reason why Cr (VI) is so toxic is that one of the reduction products of Cr (VI) is Cr (V). Chrome (V) is a known carcinogen and will lodge in any tissue to form cancerous growths. There are reports that chromium (V) is also a factor leading to premature senility in parts of Russia."

"In the body, the acidity and action of enzymes on Cr (VI) will promote the formation in small quantities of Cr (V). However, as the size of this is normally too large to be adopted by a tissue, the Cr (V) will pass out. The only place where the Cr (V) is likely to lodge is in some of the fine capillaries in either the kidneys, intestines or lungs."

"One of the most well known cases of how Cr (VI) impacts the human body is depicted in the movie blockbuster Erin Brockovich. This true story involved a controversial lawsuit against the world’s largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as a direct result of a massive communications effort mounted by Ms Erin Brockovich."

How likely is chromium to cause cancer?

"Several studies have shown that chromium (VI) compounds can increase the risk of lung cancer. Animal studies have also shown an increased risk of cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that chromium (VI) is a human carcinogen. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that certain chromium (VI) compounds are known to cause cancer in humans. The EPA has determined that chromium (VI) in air is a human carcinogen."

Source: Corrosion Doctors