Stone Age People Timeless Religion

Papua New Guinea

The island of Papua New Guinea has over 1,000 languages. The western half, known as Irian Jaya to Indonesians and West Papua to the Papuans, has at least 800 languages and 312 tribes. The eastern half has at least 715 languages. Papua New Guinea is made up over 600 islands. The western half is controlled by Indonesia while the eastern half is run as an independent nation. It's biodiversity is legendary. Many researchers believe these wet mountainous lands could even contain a cure for cancer.

The Indonesian government was believed by most of the world to have liberalized with the ousting of dictator Muhammed Suharto.

For the West Papuans that is not the case.

Settlers from Java and Sulawesi have increased the islands population and marginalized the native Papuans. Nearly all jobs go to Indonesian settlers. The forests of this vastly forested country have been torn down. Pro-independence supporters have been thrown in prison, tortured, beaten and killed. Women are routinely victims of rape and sexual violence. Throughout West Papua military personnel are garrisoned to prevent rebellion. The Indonesian government denies that it is committing such atrocities.

Transforming Our Greed, Transforming Our World

The entire western half of New Guinea came to be occupied during the Suharto regime, a two decade long rule that ended years ago and brought democracy to the country of Indonesia, with the exception of the Papuans.
Why is the west so slow to intervene on the behalf of Papuans living under Indonesian rule as has been China? Is it that these countries don't want to upset trade relationships with Indonesia? How could this greed be transformed for the people of West Papua?

Not Losing the Lesson When You Lose a Childhood Treasure

Two days ago I was unfortunate enough to lose a childhood treasure of mine. It was a wooden yoyo I had since I was fifteen that I got in Philadelphia in a sort of recreation of an old colonial town and it had great sentimental value to me. Today though I wrote some haiku which teach of the nature of impermanence and I felt a lot better.
Jack's mother meanwhile, after struggling with cancer, actually seems to be doing a lot better. I have heard from Jack that she had it twice before now, so she already has experience in surviving cancer. Not all can say that. What comes, come and and that is when we will have to deal with it.

Dharma in Your Wallet

I have seen the "million dollar bill" with the gospel message on it and I thought What if there was a Buddhist version of this?
Thich Nhat Hanh advised all his followers to carry in there pocket a card that said, "Wherever you are, you are your true person."  How about this:

This way, modern day American Buddhists could better learn to reconcile money with their spiritual principles.

Tibetan Dream Catcher

At my "home" at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, I have a "dream catcher" hanging over my bed that is an imitation of a Tibetan dream catcher.  I used some carnelian beads, some tiger's eye beads, and some sandalwood beads on a red string which at the end below the beads and at the end there I tied an "eternal knot" (Buddhist symbol representing eternity)

My Altar

Left to right: a statue of the Buddhist saint, the Green Tara; a picture of the Dalai Lama; a Celtic poem called Song of Amergin; a miniature bronze stupa, a gong; and a bowl.


The Green Tara is a Buddhist saint similar to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith.  She was said to be the Nepalese wife of the Tibetan king around the third century C.E. and introduced Buddhism to him and his people along with the king's Chinese wife known as the White Tara, another Buddhist saint.

I am the wind on the sea.

I am the wave of the sea.

I am the bull of seven battles.

I am the eagle on the rock.

I am the flash from the sun.

I am the most beautiful of plants.

I am the strong wild boar.

I am the salmon in the water.

I am the lake in the plain.

I am the word of knowledge.

I am the head of the spear in battle.

I am the God who puts fire in the head.

Who spreads light in the gathering on the hills,

Who can tell the ages of the moon,

Who can tell the place where the sun rests.

Song of Amergin from World Prayer Index

Keeping a Meditation Journal: Gaining a New Perspective on Your Spiritual Life

A meditation journal can help you keep track of your meditation practice over the years and help you understand how your meditation is going for you.  First you will need one sturdy notebook.  Things you might want to include in a meditation journal include:


-General comments like about a local charity, an event in today's news or something from your life; books or films you have read or seen.  Also poetry you have written or by other people.


-Mantras, chants or hymns you use in your spiritual practice.


-Prayers you have said and answered prayers.  George Washington was said to have kept a daily journal of all his prayers which can currently be viewed through the library of Congress.


-Topics covered in your meditation.


-Notes on Dharma talks, Buddhist books and texts


-Excerpts from Dharma texts that our relevant to your current situation.


-Dharma passages, what they mean and how you can apply them to your life.


-Definitions-of words that come up in your spiritual practice


-Questions or concerns about your spiritual practice or teachings.


-Talk about people who give you inspiration.


-New insights you have had about your life or the world in general.


Basically there are no limits to what you can put in a meditation journal.

A Little Reminder to Myself

The truth is my greatest weapon.

                                         -Mahatma Gandhi