Donald Chalmers
DonaldChalmers
Interdependent independent. I recognize that "new thought" is merely "old thought" - recycled, since "there is nothing new under the sun". Where good and true old thought is hidden among the froth and bubble of so-called vested interests, then such good thought demands to brought to the surface, for all to see, once again.
In 2009, I was co-opted to speak as "a campaigner for equal rights within religion" at the 5th Parliament of the World's Religions, which happened to be held in my own hometown, of Melbourne, Australia, as shown on page 202 of the Parliament's Program, after hassling CPWR for a couple of years for the right to speak.
I posted off a 3.88kg airmail package from Melbourne to CPWR's Executive Director Rev Dirk Ficca on April 8th 2008 to indicate to him that I hoped that my earlier expression of interest was serious, and not to be fobbed off. The package contained many laminated A4 copies of my "Peace and Harmony" Word, Character and Symbol picture-puzzle Artwork, with its "Life's Lessons" poetic accompaniment, backed with other materials collected and presented at my website http://www.wound-wisdom.tk and http://wound-wisdom-poetry.blogspot.com etc.
In the event, I was able to prepare another 500 or so extra copies of my work and collections, and was able to distribute them by speaking personally to other attendees, speakers, and stall-holders. Among whom were Swami Amarananda and Dr Sakena Yacoobi, mentioned separately here.
I trust that by this means that my work has now been distributed world-wide, so that "wound-wisdom" and the long unappreciated "Wisdom of Solomon" will be appreciated, and brought to the fore, when dealing with (unholy) religious extremists and their sycophants.
Tangentially viewed (the only "right-angled" way of looking at things, really), the sign we use for "Equals" should not imply one line over, above or below an other (as = ), but should be seen as " ll ", where all people are seen to be working "side by side" and "hand in hand" as they work TOGETHER for the good of COMMUNITY. Friends, that is the beauty of "wound-wisdom": each wound has to to be tightly bound to allow the cut to heal from within, and then unwound, cleaned and washed and more lightly bound (held together), until infection is controlled.
After periods of close inspection, the wound has to be "unwound" (freed) and exposed to the air, to freely "breathe", so that the scar tissue can regenerate itself into healthy, "Good-God" living and loving "flesh and blood" - "humane" humans - again, so that "All of Life's Benefits and Blessings may be Ours", ALSO.
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Originally posted approx. 2.15am 09.02.2018. Reposted for the 3rd time 13.03.2019 12.21am:
LOVING-KINDNESS is the KEY to GOOD-GOD living and loving:
If we remember that we are to be kind, even to our animals, how then can we be unkind to ourselves and-or our neighbour ? Loving-kindness is the portal through which we transcend our fallible, mortal selves; it is upon this precious Golden Foundation that all loving and tender Relationships are based.
“LOVING-KINDNESS” is the first attribute of one who loves BOTH God AND Neighbour as SELF. “Loving-kindness” is the product of good thought and kind action. It is the “Fundamental Drone Tone of Creation, Death and Dissolution” as it permeates the Cosmos, through things both material and immaterial, and upon which all melodic and tuneful harmony finds solace, comfort and rest.
In my humble opinion, such LOVE, which IS (according to Swami Amarananda upon his return to Switzerland after attending the 5th Parliament of Religion in Melbourne, Australia in December 2009, "the Immutable Foundation on which to build anything which is of enduring worth"), began with the simple pairing of two zero's ( 0 0 ) - a vast "emptiness" - approached each other so that there was no distance between them ( ꝏ ).
These two zero's, according to my simplistic logic, were then transformed into something “infinitely greater” (the first of the “big bangs”, perhaps), when one of the two entered the others' space at “the only angle that matters” (that is, at a "right angle" - or “90 degrees”, or Pi/2 or “π/2 radians”) - from each other.
When we look at things “Tangentially” (90 degrees) we are in the best position to see things clearly. Such a vantage point enables us to see the “two sides” in “Everything”, rather than remaining immersed, or “stuck in the muck of a rut”, and drowning. If we allow ourselves to do so (as independent, individual thinking beings, conscious of our pre-sent “present”), this opens for us the portal for “awe and wonder” at the Miraculous Nature of Creation.
Reverence for whatever “God” (or not) we attribute even the “Heavens” to, should hold no fear in it, for there is no hate or fear in LOVE (perfect UNION). And Doctrines and Dogma’s fall away.
These man-made ideas may have been helpful in the past to raise some up, while putting others down, but has nothing to do with EQUALITY, which when correctly viewed TANGENTIALLY, turns “ = ” on its’ side, and properly views EQUAL to mean “ ll ” (that is, “side by side”, “hand in hand”, working co-operatively TOGETHER), with none over or above or below any other.
But getting back to “Pi”. Pi ( π ) of course is related to a circle, such that (as the ancient Greeks surmised) the Circumference of a Circle is 2 π r (or π.D or π.2.r). Even some thousands of years ago, Mathematicians (the Einstein's of their day) were able to calculate the value of Pi to be 3.14159… . We now know that this value is indeed a never-ending sequence of non-repeating numbers.
The value of "Phi", or "Φ" (which is formed by our two theoretical zero's merged at right angles to each other) is related to Pi and the circle, and valued by Mathematicians as 1.61803… to an infinitely extended number of decimal places. The value of Phi has very many attributes, and it has been proven that all things are related to it as microcosm within macrocosm.
The value of " Phi " can be further appreciated when we think of it as One Zero ( O ) "split" by Unity (one, or 1) as shown: " Φ ". Both Zero's have the same whole value (one) but their single "intersection" at 90 degrees invests them with infinite powers greater than one, which I believe to be the power to Create "something" from "nothing" (no thing at all).
And this ENERGY (the Power of Love), IS, I surmise, the reason that we are “here” at all. “Love” at its deepest level is an act of service. Love is love. And those who serve each other kindly, know God.
LOVE is the Direction, the Goal, the Aim, the Essence, Focus and Source; Love is the Answer to all the problems of this world to which we are confined, until we bring about our own new birth, and those of our children, and our children's children.
The Goodness (GODNESS) of "LOVING-KINDNESS" is the "SALVE" for all wounds to body, mind and spirit, which have to be first bound, tended and cared for, and then unwound (freed), for healing to take place, from the "inside" - out.
PEACE AND HARMONY can be ours too, if we have LOVE to SHARE. See also http://www.wound-wisdom.tk and http://wound-wisdom-poetry.blogspot.com etc.
I trust that my work of love in producing this corpus of work will invigorate others also to work to make a world of difference: UNITE, as ONE, as never before, before we squander the years we have left on planet Earth, our Mother.
I send all my best wishes, from the Land of Aus, downunder…. Bon appétit ! ….
Posted (PS added 09.02.2018): GRAND PERSPECTIVES – reposted for the 3rd time on 13th April 2019:
Humanity is like a bouquet of flowers, in which each flower is beautiful in its own right, yet, the combination of all flowers, and the rich diversity of their colours and forms, is more beautiful.
“Man” is in a state of loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience, and Constancy. Violence and killing have no place in solving the problems of “man”.
Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you: Do unto all as you would wish to have done unto you: Reject for others that what you would reject for yourself.
Show forgiveness, speak for justice, and avoid the ignorant. Share belief in human responsibility, consequences for good and evil deeds, moral teachings, and other values – such as love, peace and justice. Target racism and intolerance, for The Command to be merciful applies to all.
The focus of life is not religion. Religion is a tool to focus humanity. It is a way to read the world, but it is not the main thing. It is your efforts in life; your humanity. It’s OK whoever you are; focus on humanity. The Creator wishes human life to be enriched… by the “brotherhood” of all races and nations.
So long as people suffer abuses, they cannot achieve their full potential, as free and equal members of society. The triumph of humanity over injustice, inequality, and inhumanity, all begins with an idea: a sense of justice and the relentless pursuit of compassion and kindness to preserve human dignity.
Regard power as a trust, in the belief that one has to render an account of one’s actions.
Trusts’ fulfillment must be guided by a sense of responsibility, beyond mere conformity to set rules. We are all one people. We have come to a better day; a day where skin colour no longer matters; a day where all people are aware of their dignity, and are aware that each and every one on this wonderful planet has the potential to shine, in the light of God’s pure and brilliant light. Let us all work towards it.
Well educated, balanced individuals can make a positive contribution to their families, community and society. Whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden, but Whoever helps another will be granted help from God.
Wisdom brings peace, security and justice. Therefore, Work for social and economic justice, minority empowerment, and reconciliation, and Work together to establish peace, justice and prosperity… worldwide.
Love finds its greatest form by loving good. Loving one’s neighbors recognizes that there is more than one path to the truth.
Injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment. Those who engage in attacks against innocent persons shall stand condemned for God is all-knowing, all-aware. Therefore, Condemn all forms of violence, the contemptuous disregard of international conventions and the poisoning of regional relations. Demand that justice be met for ALL… for It is an inherent right of all human beings.
All human beings are equal. Enjoin what is good; struggle against the vices. Violence against women finds no roots in religion. In the matter of modesty, All are at liberty to decide for themselves their individual comfort levels and the choice of their dressing. A justly balanced community bears witness to the truth. A logical fruit of a merciful attitude is to love….
Therefore, love All, for A true believer is always prepared, after meeting the needs of family, to assist other people in need. Amen ! Action ! Be Kind ! Let it be so ! Let it begin with me ! Praise God ! Love ! .... ....
It seems to me that all people of goodwill can easily relate to this, no matter what faith tradition we spring from. There really is no division between us: “All people are created equal members of one human family”.
PS: I had to work hard to extract and put together these lines hidden within many pages, smothered as they were by partial "religious" verbiage. I admit to having added some joining words, and changing a couple, so that everyone can see the wisdom shining through, without getting caught up in schism. Surely, every religious group should take pleasure reading such words ? Please let me know if you know of any group which would not.... And why ? ….
1st Posted 2am 09.02.2017(?), and reposted for the 3rd time on 13.04.2019: I am that I am: The 3000 year old "WISDOM of SOLOMON" summarized:
Take a look at this common-sense, centrally placed, important, but most neglected book of the Bible !
Life is Useless: (Editor’s Note: This begs the question, “Or is it ?”} – see www.wound-wisdom.tk :
“Life is useless, all useless. You spend your life working hard, and what will you have to show for it in the end? Generations come and go; the sun still rises (and sets); the winds continue to blow; but the world stays just the same. Although our eyes and ears can never see or hear enough to be satisfied, what has happened before will happen again, as it has from the very beginning.
It is like chasing the wind. You can’t straighten out what is crooked, and you can’t count on things that aren’t there. And so I started to think about the differences between wisdom and knowledge, and foolishness, and madness.
Wisdom (enlightened knowledge) is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness, for wise people can see a little of where they may be going. Fools cannot, but we must all die, wise and foolish alike.
All we can do is to be happy and do the best we can, while we are still alive. All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. This is life’s benefit (gift). A human being is no better than an animal, because we all die and return to the earth (creator). Sometimes I envy the dead, and even those never born, for they have never seen the injustice that goes on in this world.
It is better to have only a little and have peace of mind (i.e. be satisfied); for one can rise from poverty or prison to become a leader, but if in old age will not take kindly advice, is not as well off as an intelligent poor person.
IF you go to church or temple, go to learn, rather than offer sacrifices as foolish people do. Think before you speak, and don’t make rash promises which you can’t keep. The more you worry, the more likely you are to have bad dreams; the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish. And no matter how much you dream, how much useless work you do, or how much you talk, always stand in awe of your God Creator.
Have RESPECT !
Know that every bureaucracy oppresses the poor in some way, and that every official tries to protect their own position and interests. But we leave this world just as we entered it – with nothing. There is nothing we can take with us! The best thing anyone can do is to eat and drink and work and enjoy the short life which has been allotted. Be grateful. Be kind – even to your animals. Be satisfied with what you have, rather than always wanting something else. Internal happiness is the gift of God, our Creator.
The living should remember that death is waiting for us all, and that the day you die is better than the day you were born. Remember also that sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding.
Wise people think about their death. If you take a bribe, you ruin your character. Patience is better than pride. Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbour a grudge. Don’t wonder why “things were so much better in the old days”, because that is not an intelligent question. Wisdom should keep you safe, but bad luck can happen to anyone.
When things are going well, just remember that life sends both happiness and trouble, and we never know what is going to happen next – good people may die while other evil ones live on. Strive to find a balance. There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake.
Beware of those who would trap you with undue lust, for their arms around you will hold you like a chain, catch you like a trap, or a net. Watch out for people who grin and wink at you, for they have thought of something evil already. Wisdom can help you avoid these traps, so that you are not filled with worry, and can smile a lot.
None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us. No one can put off dying, or put off the day of death. That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat our way out.
Sometimes righteous people get the punishment of the wicked, and sometimes the wicked get the praise and reward of the righteous. Wise people may claim to know all, but they don’t! All we can tell is that the same fate will come to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the bad, to those who are religious or who are not, to those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. One fate comes to all alike.
While we are alive in the world of the living, there is hope, so enjoy life with the people you love, as long as you can. Eat your food and be happy; drink your wine and be cheerful. It’s all right with God. Work hard at whatever you do.
Fast runners do not always win races, and the brave do not always win battles. However they try, wise persons do not always earn a living, intelligent ones do not always get rich, and capable folk do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone. You will never know when your time is coming – when we will be trapped at some evil moment when we least expect it.
It is better to listen to the quiet words of a wise person than to the shouts of a leader at a council of fools. Just as wisdom does more good than weapons, and one fool can undo a lot of good, so dead flies can make a whole bottle of perfume stink, and a little stupidity can cancel out the greatest wisdom.
A country is fortunate indeed if its leader can make wise decisions for the benefit of all, and who control themselves so as not to be gluttonous or drunk with power. Make sure you do not criticise unnecessarily, and if you do, think ahead and question thoroughly, with solutions in mind, so that a way can be found to move forward, not backwards.
Put your investments in several places – many places even – because you never know what kind of bad luck may happen at any time. This principle applies also to the people we love. Love, and be good to as many as you can.
Be grateful for every year that you live, for no matter how long you live, you will be dead much longer. You aren’t going to be young very long, so enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your hearts desire, remembering always to respect your Creator God, for we must all return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God who gave it to us.
These words are like the sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep, and are as lasting as firmly driven nails. They have been given by God, the one Shepherd of us all.
PS: Since the world has progressed for the better in many ways in these last 3000 years, I have removed the misogynistic (unequal) thinking rampant at that time. We must all ponder on these questions if we are to lead a worthwhile and meaningful life, to be remembered with gratitude by those we leave behind to take our place. Surely we should encourage our children and our children's children to study Solomon's WISDOM, and ESPECIALLY his life's end concluding thoughts recorded for us in his Book of ECCLESIASTES, since he is known to be "the wisest man who ever was, or ever will be". No doubt, he pondered on his mistakes, and of his taking 700 wives and 300 concubines into his household. Even for a man in his exalted position, one or a few would have been more than enough. Surely ?
Posted 03.07.2018: The GOLDEN Rule (Reposted 11.04.2019):
It never hurts to consolidate our thoughts on page, especially when these are the best thoughts humanity has had over thousands of years, so that we can concentrate our efforts upon those things which will bring forth good fruit – in the future yet to come, for our children’s sake:
THE GOLDEN RULE: SAME THOUGHTS, DIFFERENT RELIGIONS:
Christianity
All things whatsoever ye would that people should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).
Brahmanism
This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you Mahabharata (5:1517).
Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful (Udana-Varga 5:18).
Confucianism
Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you (Analects 15:23). " Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is perhaps the word "shu" (reciprocity). Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire (Confucius, Analects).
Islam
No one of you is a believer until he/she desires for his/her brother/sister that which s/he desires for him or her self (Sunnah). Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you (as recorded from the last sermon of Muhammad).
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow “man”. That is the entire law; all the rest is commentary (Hillel, the Talmud, Shabbat 31a). Solomon’s “end of life” conclusions in ECCLESIASTES supports this view.
Taoism
Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss (T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien).
Zoroastrianism
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself (Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5). Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others (Zoroaster, Shayast-na-Shayast).
Mormonism
Whatsoever you would that others should do to you, do you even so to them (3 Nephi 14.12). Love your neighbour as yourself, so that there be no contention among you (Mosiah 23.15). There should be an equality among all people. Therefore, esteem your neighbour as yourself: labour with your own hands for the support of all (Mosiah 27.4).
This list is not meant to be a complete list. But it does show the importance of the “Golden Rule” (mutually desired sustaining reciprocity; that which is pure and holy) among all cultures, throughout history.
" O son of man…. forsake the things that profit thee (alone), and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." (Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf)
It is “ No wonder, then, that Jesus Christ spoke of His "other sheep" that were not of His fold that must be brought into one fold by one Shepherd. As the Lord demonstrated, God's love and message are for all of His/Her children, not just some of them. Therefore, our love must also be all-embracing – extending, as the Lord has directed, to even the "other" – and the perceived enemy.
“ There should be NO Compulsion in Religion (Koran 2.256). Many are the leaders who in falsehood defraud people of their possessions and bar people from The Path…. (Koran 9.34). The highest aspect of ‘jihad’ (internal reform toward the good) is to ‘speak the truth’ in the face of tyrants and the tyranny of their unholy, cruel practices and deceits, which rob other people of their human rights, which are inalienable, before God.
Initially posted 28.06.2018, 3.40am re ROTARY INTERNATIONAl. Reposted 11.04.2019, 11.27pm:
According to Wikipedia (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_club ), “The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wanted to create in a professional club with the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices”.
“ A service club or service organization is a voluntary non-profit organization where members meet regularly to perform charitable works either by direct hands-on efforts or by raising money for other organizations. A service club is defined firstly by its service mission and secondly its membership benefits, such as social occasions, networking, and personal growth opportunities that encourage involvement.
“ Many of the service club organizations have become worldwide movements, and have obtained official recognition by the United Nations and various governments as non-governmental organizations (NGO).
My own knowledge of a service club is from my involvement in my local area Rotary Club for 15 years. Although Rotary has since moved on to include women in its ranks, it was nevertheless guided by its founding principles, and I was made aware of “the 1933 speech of Rotary Founder Paul P Harris” which stated – “In the spirit of the Golden Rule, practice friendship and cooperation… Mighty oaks from little acorns grow… Neither riches, political, nor religious (or racial or gender) boundaries constitute barriers to membership (of the human race)…
The principles Rotary developed over its’ history (now her story too) have stood the test of time. These include:
“ Of the things we think, say or do, Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
" The Four-Way Test (which has been translated into more than 100 languages) was written by Chicago Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor - RI President 1954-55 - during a business crisis in 1932 (the Great Depression) and adopted by Rotary International in January 1943.
According to https://www.rotary.org/ , there are 35,000+ Rotary Clubs with 1.2 million members all over the globe, where “people from all continents and cultures come together to exchange ideas, and form friendships and professional connections while making a difference in their backyards and around the world”.
This is not fake news. Surely it is something that Presidents Trump, Putin, Xi Jinping (etc), along with Religious Leaders everywhere should be aware of, for their own good. Unless, of course, they want to become unpopular, and irreligious bags of wind, easily pricked, and dispensed with. Rotarians and like-minded people, it’s up to “us” to keep the bastards (illegitimate leaders) honest, so that the Golden Rule is honoured (do not do to others that which you would hate for yourselves, etc) !
“ The pith of sense, and pride of worth, Are higher rank than all that.
“ Then let us pray that come it may – As come it will for all that – That sense and worth, over all the earth, May bear the prize, and all that. For all that, and all that, It’s coming yet for all that, That “man” to “man”, the world over, Shall “brothers” (and sisters) be for all that !
Many thanks to Scotland’s people-poet Robbie Burns, for these last inspirational quotes, which can be found in their entirety (A man’s just a man for all that) at http://wound-wisdom-poetry.blogspot.com etc.
Service Clubs like Rotary International, are Lions, Apex etc….