A Christian’s Gratitude, or A Sonnet to Tenngeri

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God hath thrown the Sun upon the firmament

Yet gave us respite from its glory,

But even then he shown us all his mercy

With the moon and stars to aid discernment.

When the clouds hold back the gold orb’s blessing

In the midst of what could be a perfect day

God’s gift still mysteriously finds its way,

As the cloud does less shielding than dispersing.

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So I’m aware this is God’s most holy way:

That although I can’t see his profound intent

I understand the best is always meant-

That the gloom of sadness always heralds light.

Must I forgive those who are without knowing:

They have not yet had God’s gift of Joy bestowing.

Bodhisattva

A still from a film adaption of Jean-Paul Satre’s play No Exit, about a hell where people are tormented by each other’s company. It was excellent and I recommend you watch it, although many might not take to even the possibility of its point being legitimate. The following poem is similar, but with a twist. I hope you like it.

 

“A Saint of Light’s compassion is as deep as the sea”

-          From an old Japanese folk-tale

 

From one man to another

She’s traded like she has no will:

Someone wanted this.

 

Confined from now to Death

The criminal tolerates injustice:

Someone thinks that fair.

 

Faced with his demise

Then taken off Death Row:

This jokingly called Mercy.

 

Hated and shunned

After being raped when on a date:

Blamed for victimhood.

 

There is a million scenes unfolding

Just like these ones every day.

Horror will never be exhausted,

Yet Avalokiteshvara

Vowed to find a way.

Elixir of the Spider

 

A fast-striking weapon with scarlet lightning

Streaking the night of its leathery back:

Don’t try something like this

If you’re not ready yet.

 

Like a beam of the sunlight, split in a prism-

The pain that’s inside us blossoms to colour.

The desert breaks open and soil reveals green:

No more do we feel the need to escape.

 

The old self remains as a counter-example:

Its presence continues by our need for its end.

Very Inspiring Blogger . . .

I was nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. A previous version of this post said that I “got” the reward. This is because I didn’t edit the entry to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. Guess what happens when you don’t check for errors? Yeah. You claim to “get” rewards that you are only nominated for.

Anyway, now I have to follow the following rules:

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1. Display the logo on my blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated me.
3. State 7 things about myself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
5. Notify my nominees.

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I’ll follow every rule, except I’ll nominate 10 other bloggers instead.

I have added descriptions of the bloggers that I decided to list, which I didn’t when this entry was first submitted. It seemed to be a good way to increase their traffic. Anyway, without further ado,

Ahem . . .

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Thanks to the generosity of one C.G. Ayling, I got nominated for this:

It is a great feeling, knowing that the words from your own mind are enjoyed and appreciated by others. If someone goes that one step further and says you deserve a reward for your words, then that’s awesome. It is flattering to know that a bright and mature person chose to nominate.

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Seven things about me?

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1. I don’t think my home town is as boring as reported
2. I can get good grades at college and still feel like I done terribly
3. I think the best place in the world right now is the Adelaide University Library
4. My cat failed to jump successfully onto my lap just a moment ago
5. My idea of a hard drug is strong coffee
6. My favourite film is The Ninth Gate
7. Science fiction is not mind-expanding enough anymore so I think I’ll read Chuang Tze

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Now all that’s left is to give shout-outs to the lucky lads and lasses I will nominate, who are:

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Marousia

A poetry blogger with a preference for the interesting and exotic styles of bygone times. Can make some fine watercolours, too.

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Unlearning Economics

This is someone dedicated to teaching aspects of economics that don’t get mentioned too often by either side of the political divide of Left or Right wing. Not afraid to get into rarely-mentioned details of how money is actually used in society.

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Beezknez

More of a free-form poet than Marousia, but that does not mean that she lacks talent. Quite the opposite, in fact.

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Mike Williams, PhD

If you’re interested in religion and spirituality as actually practised and perceived in ancient and medieval times, this guy has the credentials and weblog to tell you about it.

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ChayaChaya

Another free-form poet. This one is more Ezra Pound to Beezknez’ Robert Frost vibe, and equal in talent.

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Max Keiser

An honest look at politics and economics from someone who used to work on Wall Street, but is still a joy to watch and is certainly not all doom and gloom, and even suggests decent ways for the average person to benefit financially where others might not.

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Zero Hedge

This is more of a news source about politics and economics than any of the two people mentioned above. Where other news sources would mention events and not tell you what they entail or what the consequences would be, this one fills in the often-sizable gaps.

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Tibet Truth

A blog that may well change your negative opinions about activism. Despite the primary aim of ending human rights abuses in Tibet, there is still an intense and impressive focus on getting the facts strait and telling things exactly as they are. Not the easiest thing to do when you really believe in something.

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Stjarna Franfall

Articles and essays about Wikileaks can range from appealing to the intelligent and thoughtful, to appealing to the impulsive and ignorant. Neither its supporters nor its detractors are innocent of the crime of writing badly on this controversial topic. This woman is one of the most intelligent and careful writers on that subject that I have seen so far.

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Louise J. Hastings

A nature poet with a genuine concern for the environment and a charming writing style. More like Marousia than the other poets mentioned here.

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Thanks for your time, that’s all for the moment. Signing out.

To The TV Show “Rage”

 

I’d like to thank

Australia’s ABC

For giving the word Rage

A positive meaning.

 

For staying up late

Until 6 AM,

With the most unique songs

Loving all of them.

 

For all the grown-ups

Unwisely brave,

Talking about Rage

When they really mean “rave.”

 

For insights into metal,

Grunge rock and punk,

Since most radio music

Is such obvious junk.

 

For letting us know

Real artistic creation,

Beamed into the homes

Of this listening nation.

 

The Will to Deceive and the Will to Believe: Synopsis

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This is an essay that I was unsure of putting up for others to see. However, feedback on my writing has again inspired me to take the plunge. It is all about the superpowers throughout history, mostly from the 14th century up until the 20th, and the effect they have on the mind of humanity, both within and outside of their own national borders. These effects can be more subtle, complex or insidious than we suppose. There can be a world of difference between what is seen from those seeking power and what they are genuinely getting up to. Even the data uncovered so far from the efforts of Wikileaks and its supporters has been described by Julian Assange himself as “just a shadow of a shadow.” Combining this knowledge with what we have uncovered on the nature of power in previous civilisations is a sobering experience, although a fascinating one.

Like with my essay We Open Governments, this essay is another artifact of my own slow and steady learning process. They bear the marks of my limitations and strengths in understanding and access to information. I hope you find this essay as interesting as I found the information I put into it. Such information can also change the direction of one’s life in the long-term, too, as one’s relationship to the Big Picture changes, inspiring a different set of alliances and priorities.

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You can see my essay by clicking on the link below:

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http://tuigen.wordpress.com/the-will-to-deceive-and-the-will-to-believe-propaganda-and-exploitation/

Imperialism

Note: Despite the reference to rendition – the American term for torture – this is about the behaviour of all superpowers that have been. Soviets, Mongols, the Qin dynasty of ancient China, Emperor Chandragumpta of ancient India; the list of horrors emerging from unchallenged power goes on and on. Hopefully the usual run of history can be curtailed.

 

Nothing outside itself will be understood.

Nothing that questions it will be tolerated.

Nothing about itself is understated,

Everything self-indulgently self-rated.

 

Hypocrisy and rendition.

Punishment on suspicion.

 

Taxpayers need only just enough

To ignore our indulgences abroad.

Until subjugating others costs

More than we can afford.

 

Then see us stop this carnival unfolding,

Like a child’s hand that tires of holding