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In our last lesson we gave you the Inner Teachings of the Yogi Philosophy, relating to the real nature of the Universe, and all that is therein contained. We trust that you have pondered well and carefully the statements contained in that lesson, for in them is to be found the essence of the highest Yogi teachings. While we have endeavored to present these high truths to you in the simplest possible form, yet unless your minds have been trained to grasp the thought, you may have trouble in fully assimilating the essence of the teachings. But, be not discouraged, for your mind will gradually unfold like the flower, and the Sun of Truth will reach into its inmost recesses. Do not be troubled if your comprehension seems dull, or your progress slow, for all things will come to you in time. You cannot escape the Truth, nor can the Truth escape you. And it will not come to you one moment sooner than you are ready to receive it, nor will it be delayed one moment in its coming, when you are ready for it. Such is the Law, and none can escape it, nor alter it, nor modify it. All is Well, and All is Under the Law--nothing ever "happens."
To many, the thought that the Universe and all that is therein contained, are simply "Thought Forms" in the Infinite Mind--Mental Creations of the Absolute, may seem startling, and a sense of unreality may pervade one. This is inevitable, but the reaction will come. To some who have grasped this mighty truth there has come a feeling that "All is Nothing," which idea is embodied in their teachings and writings. But this is merely the Negative Phase of the Truth--there is a Positive Phase which comes as one advances.
The Negative Phase shows us that all that we have considered as real and permanent--the foundations of the Universe itself—is but a mental image in the mind of the Absolute, and therefore lacks the fundamental reality that we had previously associated with it. And realizing this, we are at first apt to feel that, indeed "all is nothing," and to fall into a state of apathy, and lack of desire to play our part in the world. But, then, happily the reaction sets in, sooner or later, and we begin to see the Positive Phase of the Truth. This Positive Phase shows us that while all the forms, shapes, and phenomena of the Universe are but parts of a great show-world, still the essence of all must be Reality, itself, else there would not be even the "appearance" of a Universe. Before a thing can be a Mental Image, there must be a Mind to hold that Mental Image, and a BEING to possess that Mind. And, the very essence of that BEING must pervade and be immanent in every Image in that Mind. Just as You are really in your Mental Images, as well as they in You, so must the Absolute be in Its Mental Images, or Creations, or Thought Forms, as truly as they are in the Mind of the
Absolute. Do you see this plainly? Think well over it--ponder it well--for in it lies the Truth.
And so, this Positive Phase of the Truth, is far from depressing-it is the most stimulating conception one can hold, if he but grasps it in its entirety and fulness. Even if it be true that all these shapes, and forms, and appearances, and phenomena, and personalities, be but illusion as compared to the inner Reality--what of it? Are you not then assured that the Spirit within Yourself is the Spirit of the Absolute--that the Reality within You is the Reality of the Absolute--that you ARE, because the Absolute IS, and cannot be otherwise? Does not the Peace, and Calm, and Security, and Bliss that comes to you with this Realization, far more than counterbalance the petty nothings that you have discarded? We think that there can be but one answer to this, when you have fully Realized the Truth.
What gives you the greatest Satisfaction and Content in Life? Let us see. Well, there is the Satisfaction of Immortality. The human mind instinctively craves this. Well, what that even the highest finite conceptions of Future Life have given you, can compare with the assurance of Actual Being, in and of the Absolute? What are your petty conceptions of "heavens," "paradises," "happy-hunting-grounds," "divine regions of the blessed," and the other ideas of the various religious sects, when compared with the conceptions of your Infinite and Eternal Existence in Spirit--your relation with The One--that conception of Infinite Wisdom, Being, and Bliss? When you grasp this truth, you will see that you are "in Eternity right Now," and are Immortal even this moment, as you have always been.
Now, what we have said above is not intended to deny the "heaven-worlds," or planes. On the contrary, you will find much in the teachings regarding these, which the Yogis enter into with much detail. But, we mean that back of all the "heavens" and "celestial planes," there is a still higher state of being being--the "Absolute Being." Even the "heavens," and "heaven-worlds," and regions of the Devas, or Archangels, are but relative states-there is a state higher than even these exalted relative states, and that is the State of the Conscious Unity and Identity with the One. When one enters into that State, he becomes more than Man--more than gods--he is then "in the bosom of the Father."
And now, before proceeding to a consideration of the phenomenal manifestation of the Absolute--the evolving of the Universe in the Infinite Mind--we will again call your attention to the fact that underlies all the Universe of forms, shapes and appearances, and that is, as we stated in our last lesson:
All Manifestations and Emanations of the Absolute are Mental Creations of the Absolute--Thought-Forms held in the Infinite Mind--the Infinite Spirit in them--and they in the Infinite Spirit. And, the only Real Thing about Man is the Spirit involved in the Thought-Form--the rest is mere Personality, which changes and ceases to be. The Spirit in the Soul of Man, is the Soul of the Soul, which is never born; never changeth; never dieth--this is The Real Self of Man, in which, indeed, he is "One with the Father."
And, now let us consider the Yogi Teachings regarding the creation of the Universe, and the evolution of the living forms thereon. We shall endeavor to give you the story as plainly as may be, holding fast to the main thought, and avoiding the side-paths of details, etc., so far as is possible.
In the first place, we must imagine ourselves back to the beginning of a "Day of Brahm,"--the first dawn of that Day, which is breaking from the darkness of a "Night of Brahm." Before we proceed further, we must tell you something about these "Days and Nights of Brahm," of which you have seen much mention in the Oriental writings.
The Yogi Teachings contain much regarding the "Days and Nights of Brahm;" the "In-breathing and Out-breathing of the Creative Principle;" the periods of "Manvantara," and the periods of "Pralaya." This thought runs through all the Oriental thought, although in different forms, and with various interpretations. The thought refers to the occult truth that there is in Cosmic Nature alternate periods of Activity and Inactivity-Days and Nights--In-breathings and Out-breathings--Wakefulness and Sleep. This fundamental law manifests in all Nature, from Universes to Atoms. Let us see it now in its application to Universes.
At this point we would call the attention of the student that in many of the presentations of the Hindu Teachings the writers speak as if the Absolute, Itself, were subject to this law of Rhythm, and had Its Periods of Rest and Work, like Its manifestations. This is incorrect. The highest teachings do not so hold, although at first glance it would so appear. The teaching really is that while the Creative Principle manifests this rhythm, still even this principle, great though it be, is a manifestation of the Absolute, and not the Absolute itself. The highest Hindu teachings are firm and unmistakable about this point.
And, another point, in which there is much mistaken teaching. In the periods of Creative Inactivity in a Universe it must not be supposed that there is no Activity anywhere. On the contrary, there is never a cessation of Activity on the part of the Absolute. While it is Creative Night in one Universe, or System of Universes, there is intense activity of Mid-Day in others. When we say "The Universe" we mean the Universe of Solar Systems-millions of such systems--that compose the particular universe of which we have any knowledge. The highest teachings tell us that this Universe is but one of a System of Universes, millions in number--and that this System is but one, in a higher System, and so on and on, to infinity. As one Hindu Sage hath said: "Well do we know that the Absolute is constantly creating Universes in Its Infinite Mind--and constantly destroying them--and, though millions upon millions of aeons intervene between creation and destruction, yet doth it seem less than the twinkle of an eye to The Absolute One."
And so the "Day and Night of Brahm" means only the statement of the alternating periods of Activity and Inactivity in some one particular Universe, amidst the Infinite Universality. You will find a mention of these periods of Activity and Inactivity in the "Bhagavad Gita," the great Hindu epic. The following quotations, and page references, relate to the edition published by the Yogi Publication Society, which was compiled and adapted by the writer of these lessons. In that edition of the "Bhagavad Gita," on page 77, you will find these words attributed to Krishna, the Absolute One in human incarnation:
"The worlds and universes--yea, even the world of Brahm, a single day of which is like unto a thousand Yugas (four billion years of the earth), and his night as much--these worlds must come and go... The Days of Brahm are succeeded by the Nights of Brahm. In these Brahmic Days all things emerge from invisibility, and become visible. And, on the coming of the Brahmic Night, all visible things again melt into invisibility. The Universe having once existed, melteth away; and lo! is again re-created."
And, in the same edition, on page 80, we find these words, attributed to the same speaker:
"At the end of a Kalpa--a Day of Brahm--a period of Creative Activity--I withdraw into my nature, all things and beings. And, at the beginning of another Kalpa, I emanate all things and beings, and re-perform my creative act."
We may say here, in passing, that Modern Science now holds to the theory of periods of Rhythmic Change; of Rise and Fall; of Evolution and Dissolution.
It holds that, beginning at some time in the past aeons of time, there was the beginning of an upward or evolutionary movement, which is now under way; and that, according to the law of Nature, there must come a time when the highest point will be reached, and then will come the beginning of the downward path, which in time must come to an end, being succeeded by a long period of inactivity, which will then be followed by the beginning of a new period of Creative Activity and
Evolution--"a Day of Brahm."
This thought of this law of Rhythm, in its Universal form, has been entertained by the thinkers of all times and races. Herbert Spencer expressly held to it in his "First Principles," expressing it in many ways akin to this: "Evolution must come to a close in complete equilibrium or rest;" and again, "It is not inferable from the general progress towards equilibrium, that a state of universal quiescence or death will be reached; but that if a process of reasoning ends in that conclusion, a further process of reasoning points to renewals of activity and life;" and again, "Rhythm in the totality of changes-alternate eras of evolution and dissolution." The Ancient Western Philosophers also indulged in this idea. Heraclitus taught that the universe manifested itself in cycles, and the Stoics taught that "the world moves in an endless cycle, through the same stages." The followers of Pythagoras went even further, and claimed that "the succeeding worlds resemble each other, down to the minutest detail," this latter idea, however--the idea of the "Eternal Recurrence"--while held by a number of thinkers, is not held by the Yogi teachers, who teach infinite progression--an Evolution of Evolution, as it were. The Yogi teachings, in this last mentioned particular, are resembled more by the line of Lotze's thinking, as expressed in this sentence from his Micro-cosmos: "The series of Cosmic Periods, ... each link of which is bound together with every other; ... the successive order of these sections shall compose the unity of an onward-advancing melody." And, so through the pages of Heraclitus, the Stoics, the Pythagoreans, Empedocles, Virgil, down to the present time, in Nietzsche, and his followers, we find this thought of Universal Rhythm--that fundamental conception of the ancient Yogi Philosophy.
And, now, returning to the main path of our thought-let us stand here at the beginning of the dawn of a Day of Brahm. It is verily a beginning, for there is nothing to be seen--there is nothing but Space. No trace of Matter, Force or Mind, as we know these terms. In that portion of Infinite Space-that is, of course, in that "portion" of the Infinite Mind of the Absolute One, for even Space is a "conception" of that Mind, there is "Nothing." This is "the darkest moment, just before the dawn."
Then comes the breaking of the dawn of the Brahmic Day. The Absolute begins the "creation" of a Universe. And, how does It create? There can be no creation of something out of nothing. And except the Absolute Itself there is but Nothing.
Therefore The Absolute must create the Universe out of Its own "substance," if we can use the word "substance" in this connection. "Substance" means, literally, "that which stands under," being derived from the two Latin words, sub, meaning "under," and stare, meaning
"to stand." The English word "understand" means, literally, "to stand under"--the two words really meaning the same. This is more than a coincidence.
So the Absolute must create the Universe from its own substance, we have seen. Well, what is this "substance" of the Absolute? Is it Matter? No! for Matter we know to be, in itself, merely a manifestation of Force, or Energy. Then, is it Force or Energy? No! because Force and Energy, in itself, cannot possess Mind, and we must think of the Absolute as possessing Mind, for it manifests Mind, and what is manifested must be in the Manifestor, or Manifesting Agent. Then this "substance" must be Mind? Well, yes, in a way--and yet not Mind as we know it, finite and imperfect. But something like Mind, only Infinite in degree and nature--something sufficiently greater than Mind as we know it, to admit of it being the Cause of Mind. But, we are compelled to think of it as "Infinite Mind," for our finite Minds can hold no higher conception. So we are content to say that this "substance" from which the Absolute must create the Universe is a something that we will call Infinite Mind. Fix this in your mind, please, as the first step in our conception.
But, how can the Infinite Mind be used to create finite minds, shapes, forms, and things, without it being lessened in quantity--how can you take something from something, and still have the original something left? An impossibility! And, we cannot think of the Absolute as "dividing Itself up" into two or more portions--for if such were the case, there would be two or more Absolutes, or else None. There cannot be two Absolutes, for if the Absolute were to divide itself so there would be no Absolute, but only two Relatives-two Finites instead of One Infinite. Do you see the absurdity?
Then how can this work of Creation be accomplished, in view of these difficulties which are apparent even to our finite minds? You may thresh this question over and over again in your minds--men have done so in all times--and you will not find the answer except in the fundamental Idea of the Yogi Teachings. And this Fundamental Idea is that the creation is purely a Mental Creation, and the Universe is the Mental Image, or Thought-Form, in the Mind of the Absolute--in the Infinite Mind, itself. No other "creation" is possible. And so this, say the Yogi Masters, this is the Secret of Universal Creation. The Universe is of, and in, the Infinite Mind, and this is the only way it could be so. So, fix in your mind this second step in our conception.
But then, you ask us, from whence comes Force, Matter, and Finite Mind? Well asked, good student--your answer shall be forthcoming. Here it is.
Finite Mind; Force or Energy; and Matter; in themselves have no existence. They are merely Mental Images, or Thought-Forms in the Infinite Mind of the Absolute. Their whole existence and appearance depends upon their Mental Conception and Retention in the Infinite Mind. In It they have their birth, rise, growth, decline and death.
Then what is Real about ME, you may ask--surely I have a vivid consciousness of Reality--is this merely an illusion, or shadow? No, not so! that sense of Reality which you possess and which every creature or thing possesses--that sense of "I Am"--is the perception by the Mental Image of the Reality of its Essence--and that Essence is the Spirit. And that Spirit is the SUBSTANCE OF THE ABSOLUTE embodied in Its conception, the Mental Image. It is the perception by the Finite, of its Infinite Essence. Or, the perception by the Relative of its Absolute Essence. Or, the perception by You, or I, or any other man or woman, of the Real Self, which underlies all the sham self or Personality. It is the reflection of the Sun, in the dew-drop, and thousands of dew-drops--seemingly thousands of Suns, and yet but One. And yet, that reflection of the Sun in the dewdrop is more than a "reflection," for it is the substance of the Sun itself--and yet the Sun shines on high, one and undivided, yet manifesting in millions of dew-drops. It is only by figures of speech that we can speak of the Unspeakable Reality.
To make it perhaps plainer to some of you, let us remind you that even in your finite Mental Images there is evident many forms of life. You may think of a moving army of thousands of men. And yet the only "I" in these men is your own "I." These characters in your mind move and live and have their being, and yet there is nothing in them except "You!" The characters of Shakespeare, Dickens, Thackeray, Balzac, and the rest, were such strong Mental Images that not only their creators were carried away by their power, and apparent ability, but even you who read of them, many years after, perhaps, feel the apparent reality, and weep, or smile, or grow angry over their actions. And, yet there was no Hamlet, outside of Shakespeare's mind; no Micawber outside of Dickens; no Pere Goriot outside of Balzac.
These illustrations are but finite examples of the Infinite, but still they will give you an idea of the truth that we are trying to unfold in your mind. But you must not imagine that You and I, and all others, and things, are but mere "imaginations," like our created characters--that would be a most unhappy belief. The mental creations held by You and I, and other finite minds, are but finite creations of finite minds, while WE, ourselves, are the finite creations of an INFINITE MIND. While our, and Dickens', and Balzac's, and Shakespeare's creations live and move and have their being, they have no other "I" than our Finite Minds, while we, the characters in the Divine Drama, Story, or Epic, have for our "I"--our Real Self--the ABSOLUTE REALITY. They have merely a background of our finite personalities, and minds, before which they may desport themselves. until, alas! the very background fades away to dust, and both background and shadows disappear. But, we have behind our personalities the Eternal Background of Reality, which changeth not, neither doth it Disappear. Shadows on a screen though our Personalities may be, yet the Screen is Real and Eternal. Take away the finite screen and the shadows disappear-but our Screen remains forever.
We are Mental Images in the Infinite Mind--the Infinite Mind holds us safe--we cannot be lost--we cannot be hurt--we can never disappear, unless we be absorbed in the Infinite Mind itself, and then we STILL ARE! The Infinite Mind never forgets--it never can overlook us--it is aware of our presence, and being, always. We are safe--we are secure--we ARE! Just as we could not be created from Nothing--so we cannot be converted into Nothing. We are in the All--and there is no outside.
At the dawn of the Brahmic Day, The Absolute begins the creation of a new Universe, or the recreation of one, just as you may care to state it. The highest Yogi Teachings inform us that the information relating to this event (which is, of course, beyond the personal knowledge of man as we know him) has been passed down to the race from teachers, who have received it from still higher teachers, and so on, and on and on, higher and higher, until it is believed to have originated with some of those wonderfully developed souls which have visited the earth from higher planes of Being, of which there are many. In these lessons we are making no claims of this sort, but pass on the teachings to you, believing that their truth will appeal to those who are ready for them, without any attempt to attribute to them an authority such as just mentioned. Our reference to this high source of the teachings was made because of its general acceptance in the Eastern countries, and by occultists generally.
The Yogi teachings inform us that, in the Beginning, The Absolute formed a Mental Image, or Thought-Form, of an Universal Mind--that is, of an Universal Principle of Mind. And here the distinction is made between this Universal Mind Principle, or Universal Mind-Stuff, as some have called it, and the Infinite Mind itself. The Infinite Mind is something infinitely above this creation of the Universal Mind Principle, the latter being as much an "emanation" as is Matter. Let there be no mistake about this. The Infinite Mind is Spirit--the Universal Mind Principle is "Mind-Stuff" of which all Finite Mind is a part. This Universal Mind Principle was the first conception of The Absolute, in the process of the creation of the Universe. It was the "Stuff" from which all Finite Mind forms, and is formed. It is the Universal Mental Energy. Know it as such--but do not confound it with Spirit, which we have called Infinite Mind, because we had no other term. There is a subtle difference here, which is most important to a careful understanding of the subject.
The Yogi teachings inform us that from this Mental Principle there was developed the Universal Principle of Force or Energy. And that from this Universal Force Principle there developed the Universal Principle of Matter. The Sanscrit terms for these Three Principles are as follows: Chitta, or the Universal Mind Substance, or Principle; Prana, or the Universal Energy Principle; and Akasa, or the Universal Principle of Matter. We have spoken of these Three Principles, or Three Great Manifestations, in our "Advanced Course" of lessons, which followed our "Fourteen Lessons," several years ago, but it becomes necessary for us to refer to them again at this place in connection with the present presentation of the subject. As was stated in the lessons just mentioned, these Three Manifestations, or Principles, are really one, and shade into each other. This matter has been fully touched upon in the concluding lessons of the aforesaid "Advanced Course," to which we must refer you for further details, in order to avoid repetition here. You will find a wonderful correspondence between these centuries-old Yogi teachings, and the latest conceptions of Modern Science.
Well, to return to the main path once more, the Teachings inform us that The Absolute "thought" into being--that is, held the Mental Image, or Thought-Form, of--Chitta, or Universal Mind Principle. This Chitta was finite, of course, and was bound and governed by the Laws of Finite Mind, imposed upon it by the Will of The Absolute. Everything that is Finite is governed by Laws imposed by the great LAW which we call The Absolute. Then began the Great INVOLUTION which was necessary before Evolution was possible. The word "Involve," you know, means "to wrap up; to cover; to hide; etc.;" and the word "Evolve" means "to unwrap; to unfold; to un-roll; etc." Before a thing can be "evolved," or "unfolded," it must first have been "involved" or "folded-in, or wrapped up, etc." Everything must be "involved" before it can be "evolved;" remember this, please--it is true on all planes, mental, physical, and spiritual. A thing must be "put in" before it may be "taken out." This truth, if remembered and applied to metaphysical problems, will throw the clearest light upon the darkest problems. Make it your own.
Therefore before the process of Evolution from the gross forms of Matter up to the higher, and then on to the Mental, from higher to higher, and then on the Spiritual plane--that Evolution which we see being performed before our sight today--before that Evolution became possible there was a necessary Involution, or "wrapping-up." The Spirit of the Absolute first "involved" itself in its Mental Image; Thought-Form, or Creation, of the Mind Principle, just as you may "involve" yourself in an earnest thought in deep meditation. Did you never "lose yourself" in thought, or "forget yourself" in an idea? Have you not spoken of yourself as having been "wrapped in thought?" Well, then you can see something of what is here meant, at least so far as the process of "involution" is concerned. You involve yourself in your meditations--the Absolute involves Itself in Its Mental Creations--but, remember the one is Finite, and the other Infinite, and the results are correspondingly weak or strong.
Obeying the laws imposed upon it, the Mental Principle then involved itself in the Energy Principle, or Prana, and the Universal Energy sprang into existence. Then, in obedience to the same Laws, the Prana involved itself in the Akasa, or Universal Matter Principle. Of course each "involving" practically "created" the "wrapper," "sheath" of the lower Principle. Do you see this? Each, therefore, depends upon the Principle higher than itself, which becomes its "Parent Principle," as the Yogis express it. And in this process of Involution the extreme form of Matter was reached before the process of Evolution became possible. The extreme form of gross Matter is not known to us today, on this planet, for we have passed beyond it. But the teachings inform us that such forms were as much grosser that the grossest Matter that we know today, as the latter is gross in comparison with the most ethereal vapors known to Modern Science. The human mind cannot grasp this extreme of the scale, any more than it can the extreme high degree of manifestation.
At this point we must call your attention to certain occult teachings, widely disseminated, which the highest Yogi teachers discountenance, and contradict. We allude to the teaching that in the process of Involution there was a "degeneration" or "devolution" from higher to lower forms of life, until the gross state of Matter was reached. Such a teaching is horrible, when considered in detail. It would mean that The Absolute deliberately created high forms of life, arch-angels, and higher than these--gods in fact--and then caused them to "devolve" until the lowest state was reached. This would mean the exact opposite of Evolution, and would mean a "going down" in accordance with the Divine Will, just as Evolution is a "going up" in accordance with the Divine Will.
This is contrary to man's best instincts, and the advanced Yogi teachings inform us that it is but an illusion or error that men have created by endeavoring to solve spiritual mysteries by purely intellectual processes. The true teaching is that the process of Involution was accomplished by a Principle involving itself in the lower Principle created within itself, and so on until the lowest plane was reached. Note the difference--"Principles as Principles" did this, and not as Individual Forms of Life or Being. There was no more a "devolution" in this process than there was in The Absolute involving itself in the Mental Image of the Mind Principle. There was no "devolution" or "going down"--only an "involution" or "wrapping up," of
Principle, within Principle--the Individual Life not having as yet appeared, and not being possible of appearance until the Evolutionary process began.
We trust that we have made this point clear to you, for it is an important matter. If the Absolute first made higher beings, and then caused them to "devolute" into lower and lower forms, then the whole process would be a cruel, purposeless thing, worthy only of some of the base conceptions of Deity conceived of by men in their ignorance. No! the whole effort of the Divine Will seems to be in the direction of "raising up" Individual Egos to higher and still higher forms. And in order to produce such Egos the process of "Involution" of Principles seems to have been caused, and the subsequent wonderful Evolutionary process instituted. What that "Reason" is, is Unknowable, as we have said over and over again. We cannot pry into the Infinite Mind of the Absolute, but we may form certain conclusions by observing and studying the Laws of the Universe, which seem to be moving in certain directions. From the manifested Will of the Divine One, we may at least hazard an idea as to its purposes. And these purposes seem to be always in an "upward" lifting and evolution. Even the coming of the "Night of Brahm" is no exception to this statement, as we shall see in future lessons.
From the starting of the process of Involution from the Mental Principle, down to the extreme downward point of the grossest Manifestation of Matter, there were many stages. From the highest degree of the Finite Mind, down to lower and still lower degrees; then on to the plane of Force and Energy, from higher to lower degrees of Principle within Principle; then on to the plane of Matter, the Involutionary urge proceeded to work. When the plane of Matter was reached, it, of course, showed its highest degree of manifested Matter--the most subtle form of Ether, or Akasa. Then down, down, down, went the degrees of Matter, until the grossest possible form was reached, and then there was a moment's pause, before the Evolutionary process, or upward-movement, began. The impulse of the Original Will, or Thought, had exhausted its downward urge, and now began the upward urge or tendency. But here was manifested a new feature.
This new feature was "The Tendency toward Individualization." During the downward trend the movement was en masse, that is, by Principle as Principle, without any "splitting up" into portions, or centers. But with the first upward movement there was evidenced a tendency toward creating Centers of Energy, or Units of activity, which then manifested itself, as the evolutionary movement continued, from electrons to atoms; from atoms to man. The gross matter was used as material for the formation of finer and more complex forms; and these in turn combined, and formed higher, and so on, and on. And the forms of Energy operated in the same way. And the manifestations of centers of Mind or consciousness in the same way. But all in connection. Matter, Energy and Mind formed a Trinity of Principles, and worked in connection. And the work was always in the direction of causing higher and higher "forms" to arise--higher and higher Units--higher and higher Centers. But in every form, center or unit, there was manifested the Three Principles, Mind, Energy, and Matter. And within each was the ever present Spirit. For Spirit must be in All--just as All must be in Spirit.
And, so this Evolutionary process has continued ever since, and must continue for aeons yet. The Absolute is raising itself up into Itself higher and higher Egos, and is providing them with higher and higher sheaths in which to manifest. And, as we shall see in these lessons, as we progress, this evolution is not only along the physical lines, but also along the mental. And it concerns itself not only with "bodies," but with "souls," which also evolve, from time to time, and bodies are given these souls in order that they may work out their evolution. And the whole end and aim of it all seems to be that Egos may reach the stage where they are conscious of the Real Self--of the Spirit within them, and its relation to the Spirit of the Absolute, and then go on and on and on, to planes of life and being, and activities of which even the most advanced of the race may only dream.
As some of the Ancient Yogi Teachers have said: "Men are evolving into super-men; and super-men into gods; and gods into super-gods; and super-gods into Something still higher; until from the lowest bit of matter enclosing life, unto the highest being--yea, even unto The Absolute-there is an Infinite Ladder of Being--and yet the One Spirit pervades all; is in all, as the all is in It."
The Creative Will, of which we have spoken in these lessons, is in full operation all through Life. The Natural Laws are laws of Life imposed by The Absolute in his Mental Image. They are the Natural Laws of this Universe, just as other Universes have other Laws. But The Absolute Itself has no Laws affecting It—It, in Itself is LAW.
And these Laws of Life, and Nature, along its varying planes, Material, of Energy; and Mental; are also, in the Divine Mind, else they would not be at all, even in appearance. And when they are transcended, or apparently defied by some man of advanced development, it is only because such a man is able to rise above the plane upon which such laws are operative. But even this transcending is, in itself, in accordance with some higher law.
And so, we see that All, high and low--good and bad-simple or complex-all are contained Within the Mind of the One. Gods, angels, adepts, sages, heavens, planes,--all, everything--is within the Universe, and the Universe is Within the Mind of the One. And all is proceeding in accordance with Law. And all is moving upward and onward, along the lines of Evolution. All is Well. We are held firmly in The Mind of the One.
And, just as the tendency was from the general Principle toward the particular Individual Soul, so is there a Reconciliation later on, for the Individual soul, as it develops and unfolds, loses its sense of Separateness, and begins to feel its identity with the One Spirit, and moves along the lines of unfoldment, until it becomes in Conscious Union with God. Spiritual Evolution does not mean the "growth of the Spirit," for the Spirit cannot grow--it is already Perfect. The term means the unfoldment of the Individual Mind, until it can recognize the Spirit Within. Let us close this lesson with the
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By Julie Anne Peters
For anyone who has ever felt invisible.
"…Yeah, I loved her. I couldn't help it. She was my brother…"
This book kindly donated by boigrrlwonder
Scroll down to reserve and borrow
Leave your details in the form at the bottom to reserve or borrow, and then return the book next month. Simple!


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Native from the Mediterranean to India, the pomegranate was eaten as fruit, juiced and made into wine, boiled down to syrup for sugar, and used for dye. Carbonized fruit from the early Bronze Age has been found in tombs at Jericho.
They are very high in vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. In recent years they have been marketed in the United States for their health benefits, mainly in the form of pomegranate juice. You can buy the seeds ready to use at some stores, but I have never found a batch that was ripe, so I am back to seeding my own.
Here's how to get at these ruby-red jewels of juice:
- Cut the crown off, and score the rind every couple inches.
- Soak it in water for a 10-15 minutes to soften the white membrane around the seeds.
- Break apart the rind and remove seeds from membrane.
You can freeze seeds, or keep them refrigerated for a day or two.
WARNING … Do not wear white! This juice stains!


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Remember from the Members Only Page you can:
• Change Username/Password
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• Add a Visitor Deal
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For a list of FAQs and answers, please click here.
To view the training video, please click here.
Please contact Meredith Williams with any additional questions: 607-535-4300 or meredith@watkinsglenchamber[dot]com.


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Fix for Pen Dragging Canvas in Photoshop 2018 CC after Windows Update
There's a whole lot of Creatives in the Microsoft Surface Answers Forum complaining that after installing Cumulative Update KB4089848 that the pen drags the canvas around instead of drawing. Uninstalling the KB fixes this (and this is the first I've seen that functionality changed dramatically after installing a Cumulative update, but you never never know. And now there may be a "fix" to return to "legacy" behavior.
Pricing for Out of Warranty Surface Exchanges
Microsoft has published current pricing (in US Dollars) for those needing an out of warranty exchange for Surface devices (refurbished devices with a 90 day warranty). Until the end of March, the cost to replace a Surface Pro 3 was $450.00. It's now jumped to $599.00. This is upsetting customers afflicted by the fallout from Batterygate and other issues. That's a lot of money for this device and you definitely can do better looking elsewhere if you want to replace your sick SP3 with another SP3.
Where is the Surface Pro LTE Recovery Image (How to get)
Microsoft's latest addition to the Surface Pro family is the Surface Pro LTE. If you are a road warrior, this is THE Surface SKU to get. While it may not be an "always connected PC" (ACPC) officially, it sure seems so to me. It's being offered to Business customers only, in the Microsoft Store online, and through partners. Note that if you aren't a business, you will have to jump through some hoops to register to your personal Microsoft Account, but this can be done.
Microsoft offers downloadable recovery images for all their Surface SKU's, and while the Surface Pro LTE has been in sale and shipping since early December, it isn't listed in the dropdown to register a new device (as of 1/25/2018):
You actually can download the BMR recovery image today, using a strange work around.
Surface Pro (2017)
I really loved my Surface Pro 3 (purchased June 2014), but earlier this year, it became useless as a portable with a non functional battery. If I hadn't encountered the (well known) battery issues, I would still be happily using my SP3. But being chained to AC outlets isn't my idea of portability. I was hoping that Microsoft would offer a special trade in allowance for SP3 owners in light of the well publicized battery issues afflicting this model, but alas, it didn't happen. Nevertheless, I decided to spend the money and splurge on the new Surface Pro, i7, 512/16 configuration. The form factor is perfect for me and the extreme portability (bad back) just can't be equaled elsewhere.
After three days, my opinion is that this is a dream machine powerhouse.
Surface Pro 3 SIMPLO Battery Issue?
As a Community Moderator on the Microsoft Surface Forums, it's pretty easy for me to pick up trending hot issues (unlike the paid Forum staff who do not triage or correlate). I regularly forward these on to a contact inside Microsoft. At the end of June, I saw an increasing number of reports about a sudden and dramatic decrease in Surface Pro 3 battery capacity. I've been forwarding these along every since, asking that Microsoft at minimum state that "we are investigating reports", but no official MS rep has even posted that they are reading and investigating.
Sadly, once out of warranty, it costs $99 to even contact official support. And the scripted answer is "we will replace your device with a refurb for $450" (etc.). Many folks have gone this route.
I've been scraping the forum and doing my own analysis. The folks who know how to run a battery report (admin cmd prompt, then powercfg /batteryreport) have been posting screen shots or cut and paste text outputs. Based on the sampling, I see only SIMPLO batteries and no LGC batteries. This is disturbing.
I've been begging MS to respond to afflicted users. The silence is deafening.
Below is a sampling of what I am scraping from the Forum. If you have a Surface Pro3 and are seeing diminished capacity, PLEASE post in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro3-surfhardware/surface-pro-3-battery-degradation/783f6a00-19ba-4dcf-a828-0ad87751e15a. Please include a screenshot/capture of the capacity history and the manufacturer of the battery.


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Research Computing distributes scientific software that is licensed for use by FAS faculty, staff and students. Our JMP Genomics license permits us to distribute that software to any Harvard faculty, staff, or student.
Windows software
SAS/JMP Genomics Statistical Analysis Software
- JMP 32 Bit edition
- JMP 64 Bit edition
- JMP License File Updates (for those who need updated licenses to remove the "grace period" message.)
To access this software, you will need to authenticate using your Research Computing account credentials. If you are a student requesting this software for an assignment or project, please enter the name of the FAS faculty member who is teaching your course.
Once you have an account please proceed to the software distribution website for more details.
NOTE: Mathematica and Matlab for all platforms are available from the FAS Downloads site
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at Attribution.


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Stop These Dream Killers Before They Stop You
Stop These Dream Killers Before They Stop You
Do you wonder why your dreams seem like a mirage? Check out these dream killers. Every man's mountain is his Ignorance. If you are limited in your thought you'll be limited in life. No one could excel above his thinking or thought level. Along with this lines, it's not possible for anyone to kill your dream and success without your permission. Show me the person that says he can't, and then I will show you the person who is defeated in his thought pattern.
If our creator can say nothing is impossible as long as we have focus and belief then it is possible. Jesus confirmed this in Matthew 19:26 and Mark 9:23. Close looks at the scripture quoted we can bring out one point which is "possibility". This possibility is achievable with God. Also, the possibility can be a reality if a man can call into action the nature of God in him, "to him that believes nothing is impossible". How then are you limited? Obviously, the failure and limitation are not from God. He ever remains potent. So, the only answer is man's failure to harness the potential in him to bring about the possibility of his idea. It implies then that man's permission of certain hindrance (s) must have been responsible for this failure.
Therefore, in this piece, I will x-ray some dream killers which are self-imposed lid placed by the man himself which happens to kill his dream. Understanding this fact will affect your approach to God, people, and your situation. I am sorry I will have to disappoint you if you believed so much in demonology. I know there are demons that can truncate great destiny but I don't celebrate them and give them undue reference and place. So, your dream killers may not be demons after all
1. SIN: Though, in this new age of Christianity sin, is prominently absence in the rundown of things that devastate glorious destiny. But, a close look at the Bible from Genesis to Revelation no single factors that nailed and crushed God's purpose for any person or nation like sin. Sin kills dreams more than anything does.
By the way, what is a sin? Sin is lawlessness or infringing upon God's law.If we look at the life of Samson we will see the destructive impart of sin . As a Nazarene, he must not touch death things whether of animal or human-being, drink wine, and keep away from any other profane things.But the violation of all these were in succession, touching death lion and eating honey from it, sleeping with a harlot, marrying a stranger and so forth. Once Samson broke the Nazarene law sin is established. Then the correspondence penalty is set in motion.
Samson was captured and even died with these people he was meant to kill and destroyed rather delivering himself and his nation. He messed up, limited his assigned responsibility, and died untimely. Judas was meat to take the gospel to the world but the sin of greed destroyed him before time. Gehazi could have gotten twice the power of Elisha and four times the power of Elijah but covetousness stopped him. Demas lost his ministry since he couldn't come to term with the sacrifice and demand of his calling. Beloved, sin sting, stink, and sinks
2. Our background: Another dream killer I know is dwelling on our background.I have read a lot about great achievers of this world and bible patriarch and matriarch, they all have one thing in common: poor background. I wouldn't be correct to say our background has nothing to do with our future and I will not be right to say that our family, financial and academic background will always determine what the future holds for us.
Few examples of biblical figure that has nothing to be proud of their background includes Abraham who was a Syrian, Moses a murderer, Esther a slave, Gideon the last in the family from the least tribe, David a poor shepherd boy. Maybe you don't know, our Savior Jesus Christ originated from a genealogy of people of flawed character The likes of Bathsheba the wife of Uriah, David the murderer, Ruth who was not even a Jew etc. If the prodigal son did not allow his failed dream of living large, past wasted life and opportunity deny his fresh start. Yours could not be an exception.
Your parental, academic or financial background should not put a seal on your future glory. "Remember ye, not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert". Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV
You can't win any race while you are looking in reverse.If you ever want to accomplish something worthwhile you should not let this dream killer called your background define you. You shouldn't be a casualty of your experience yet live outside your parental experience. Jephthah, Jabez never permitted their experience to characterize their future. You can redefine your today and tomorrow irrespective of the family, financial, social and academic antecedent.
3. Fear: Whether the fear of failure, rejection, or death, fear kills both physically and spiritually According to Rodolfo Costa criticism is just someone else opinion, even people who are experts in their fields are sometimes wrong. It is up to you to choose whether to believe some of it, none of it or all of it. What you think is what counts. It is a great deceit to think today's celebrities never failed before. Interestingly, you could not even tell you'll fail if you have not made any attempt. The chances of failing are equal to the chances of winning.
The reason you fear failure is because the picture of success is smaller than the picture of failure in your mind. You fail to imagine how glorious it will be if you succeed by taking that step. Your only concern is the momentary ridicule you'll suffer from men. Accomplishing your potential and dream takes faith. The story of the four lepers in 2 King 7:1-19 will teach you something about fear. They discarded their fear and plunged into the unknown and the result was astounding. Imagine what they and the nation of Israel would have lost if not for their bold step.
Among other dream killers is the fear of rejection. Failure is imminent if you always want to satisfy people around you by fixing yourself into their mold. However, nobody has ever satisfied people no matter how you aligned yourself to their design. David would have missed his place in destiny if he had allowed his brother shut him out of his vision. The size and experience of Goliath never deter him from pursuing his vision. Though, Saul, his army, and David were facing the same treat of Goliath. While the former was fearful David was "faith-full".
Nobody accomplishes anything worthwhile listening to criticism. According to Elbert Hubert "to avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing". Something I noticed about that statement is that whether you do something or not, say something or not people will still complain.
4. Wrong company: The Company you keep and the book you read are two major factors that will either mar or make your potential or dream. The latter reveals what you feed your mind with regularly. Since what you feed your mind with determines who you become. The former determines the driven force of your action and attitude in life.
Evil communication corrupts good manner. Absalom had a great destiny but keeping company with a bad friend ruined him. Every one of us is a product of influence, both physical and spiritual. "Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces". Proverb 13:20 THE MESSAGE. Peer pressure will force you to be someone apart from who you were meant to be. Identify wrong company as one of the killers of destiny.According to Maria I. Melendez "if you are surrounded by five broke people then chances.are that you are the sixth one". It implies that you are a by-product of your thought and the company you keep. How do you know that? She gave a proposal. Who are the top five people that you speak to the most? Your answer will uncover where your life and destiny is tilting to.
5. Blame-shifting: Perhaps one of the major dream killer apart from sin and fear is blame-shifting. Failure to acknowledge your fault is like hiding your health status from your doctor and that could kill your dream easily. Not owning up to your mistakes and failure is a mark of irresponsibility and unwillingness to both learn a new lesson and push ahead.This may be one your dream killers you need to stop now. When you fail to admit your failure one message you're trying to pass across is that of a perfectionist. You're saying you could not mess up at any time.
Do you wish to succeed in your endeavor? Then you must stop these dream killers before they stop you. The world is waiting for your manifestation. In any case, failure to deal with these dream killers will truncate that vision and keep you perpetually among people of your age.
How have you dealt with any or all of these destiny killers before? Any other ones you think I have missed? Please add them in the comment below. Also, don't forget to share this with your friends on all your favorite social platforms.
Author: Joseph Akinrinola
Joseph Akinrinola is a Pastor, Sunday school management coach, author, blogger, and a motivational speaker.
Joseph created this blog to help young Christians establish their
feet in Christ, and to provide Biblical time-tested answers to life's
questions about relationship, christian living and personal development.


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Small Groups
It's difficult to feel known and loved in a church of more than 800 people. Small groups make it possible to find real, meaningful friendships that then empower you to love God and grow in your faith.
Search Small Groups Online
Our online directory lets you search for small groups based on location, area of interest and day of the week.
Can't Find the Right Small Group?
If you can't find a group that works for you or have an idea for a small group, fill out our small groups form.
Friendships in the Church
If Jesus calls us his friends, then deep relationships are at the heart of a gospel-focused life.
Read Articles


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2020 Addison Street / Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 644-2020 / email@example.com
The Box Office window is open 12:30pm-7pm and during all performances.
2020 Addison Street / Berkeley, CA 94704
The Box Office window is open 12:30pm-7pm and during all performances.
Paul Thorn
Alice Drinks the Kool Aid opensThursday, June 22, 2017, 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm)
Hammer & Nail 20th Anniversary Tour
$30 adv / $34 door*Purchase tickets online
June 22 8:00 pm
*NOTE: All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee
Alice Drinks the Kool-Aid is a Chicago power trio of veterans of every imaginable musical genre. Alice has toured with the great James McMurtry Band, Saint Asonia, The White Buffalo and others. Their music springs from the urban blues and tell stories conquest and loss, Chicago and beyond.
Listen to sample tracks from upcoming artists.


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The Law Shop is now closed. Please click here to find out more.
The Law Shop is now closed. Please click here to find out more.
Search our Legal Questions and Answers
Q: An employee has resigned verbally but she has not resigned in writing and she has been employed for two months. She said that she is unhappy with the work, but I don't know whether she still wants to resign. I want to dismiss her due to her poor performance – can I accept her verbal resignation?
A: If the employee wants to resign then she needs to put it in writing and then you would need to accept this in writing. If you want to dismiss her then you could call her into a meeting and confirm your decision in writing just to rebut any allegations in future. There are no risks of a constructive unfair dismissal as she was employed under a year and there would be no unfair dismissal claim.
One of my employees is currently off sick. He has been off sick for over a month. He returned to work for one day, then was off sick again. My employee is well known to have alcohol problems and has been off sick in the past. What action shall I take?read more
An employee that came to me under TUPE is request for their hours to be reduced. Do I have to abide by their old contract terms or can I issue a new contract?read more
I have been running a private practice clinic for a year and been using the company name for even longer. There is another practice that has just been set up on the same street with a similar company name and line of business. I would like to see if I can do anything about protecting the company name and object to this, as I have been practicing with this name first. What should I do?read more


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Labradorite Pear Shape Pendant
Regular price $95.00
Legend says Labradorite was created from frozen fire.. 'the result of the dancing northern lights'. With its hues of pearly blues, greys and greens, this iridescent mineral rock is also referred to as the "temple of stars."
It reminds us to dream and keep things magical. This stone is said to enhance perseverance and strength and to assist in spiritual healing and staying spiritually strong in the face of adversity. Special 925 silver chains available in any length.
(Silver Encased Pear shaped free form Blue/Grey Laboradite Pendant/Estimated Dimensions: 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 x 3/8 inch Weight: 17.00g)


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Fabulous 1950s Vintage Dress
Code: 57324
Product Details
Absolutely charming shirtmaker dress. Classic Fifties colors - aqua blue and black cotton plaid with little black polka dots. Aqua blue piping accents and bows as well as candy dot shiny buttons. Darling apron style pockets with ruched edge. Self belt. Sigh! Just a beautifully made Vintage Frock that's irresistible. Excellent condition. Bust 42" - 44", Waist 38", Shoulder to waist 16", Waist to hem 29". Fully flared skirt.
Sorry this item has sold
Enjoy this item from our Vintage Inspiration archive. For similar items, please peruse our shop.


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About the Journal
The Journal of Magazine Media is an international, peer-reviewed electronic journal published twice a year. Founded in 1999, it is the official journal of the Magazine Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
The journal is devoted to advancing research, knowledge, and understanding of magazines and new media and the pedagogy related to those areas. The journal publishes research reports and interpretive articles refereed by members of the editorial board as well as other experts. The journal also prints opinion pieces, essays, and critical reviews of books and teaching materials that deal with magazines and new media.
If you would like to submit an article, please refer to the Submission Guidelines.


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Be Who You Really Are!
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
(Since I have a new audience, I thought I would continue to repost some of my favorite blogs [this one from 11-11-11] that are related to my current themes about personal growth, power, and a sense of mission. I am focused on these topics because many of us aren't using our full potential of allotted power, or energy given by Krishna, and thus are dissatisfied due to being diverted from making our special, natural contribution. To give you an example, my mission is to provide encouragement and inspiration to my readers or listeners to be the best persons they can in the pursuit of bhakti, or loving devotional thoughts and actions to please God, or Krishna. In this blog I point to the power of spiritual positive thinking while depending on Krishna. Real humility comes not artificially, but as a by-product of our spiritual development. With Krishna's help and our faithful thoughts and actions, all things are possible.) :
In the face of all our apparent problems, mistakes, and perceived failings and shortcomings, it is absolutely essential to remember our spiritual identity as a soul who is part of Krishna. This spiritual understanding is the solution to all problems and is the success of our life. You aren't that body—remember? Don't get so caught up in life as to deny this, or please consider this view if you have never thought of applying it practically. Bodily identification which is created and fostered by false ego—that most insidious and subtle element—encourages us to defend our misconceptions, and thus causes all our conflicts with others and unhappiness. Rather than looking inward, we think we need to add things on to our lives for fulfillment—of course, this is good for the economy!
Many of us suffer from low self-esteem, or a very poor opinion of ourselves, or we may display an inflated grandiose view of ourselves to cover this up (the dirty secret of our unworthiness). Some may not really have faith in the spiritual goal, and so remain with what they think is certain—however miserable or mediocre that may be. We may want to distract ourselves by remaining very busy so we don't have to spend too much time thinking of our wounded, hurt self—or we may always be blaming others for our problems.
Low self-esteem is part of bodily consciousness or thinking we are our sad story. We aren't! You are a glorious spiritual being, part of the Supreme Good, Shri Krishna. Say this out loud: "I am a glorious spiritual being, part of the Supreme Good, Shri Krishna." Our spiritual identity is meant to be our joy (because it is!)!
If you feel bad affirming the glory of your spiritual identity, then in my opinion, you have spiritual work to do. "But we are supposed to be humble," you say. Humility is essential, yet it doesn't mean identifying with our low material conception of who we think we are. Spiritual advancement includes humility, as well as joyful confidence in our relationship to Krishna, which creates enthusiasm to serve. False humility depresses one and leads to inaction.
We are not God, but a servant of God. As part of Him we have his same pure spiritual nature. We are small, tiny, and infinitesimal—that should help us be humble (as well as remembering the saintly)—yet we are so much more than we are settling for in the material world of lack, limitation, and doubt—doubting ourselves, others, life, and God.
Don't argue for your shortcomings or limitations, affirm you Divinity, as part of the Whole. This will take you much further! We become what we think about all day long, so remember Krishna and your spiritual nature! Hare Krishna!
Believe in the possible.
You may or may not be able to change external situations, life may be what it is, yet you can, with Krishna's help, change yourself, or your consciousness and your attitude. This is what our spiritual practice is about.
Impossible is a word in a fool's dictionary.
There is no failure, only feedback. No one is defeated unless they give up!
I find strength not only from our Gaudiya tradition, but from any religion, spiritual tradition, or insightful person. A famous quote from a Christian minister can inspire us: "I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed." And being a more spiritually vibrant and positive person by remembering our soul, the Vaishnava devotees, and Krishna, (or God as you understand him), is a great thing, the most important thing. We certainly hope to help our family, temple, community, country, and the greater family of the world, yet we will be able to do that to the highest degree the more spiritually situated we are.
I would suggest that you make the above affirmation about our true spiritual nature one of yours, instead of negative self-talk about how bad, fallen, and lowly you are. If you think you are fallen and lowly, then surely you don't deserve the mercy of Krishna even if it is personally handed to you, and you might as well just stay in the material world and feel sorry for yourself! Please don't do that to yourself.
Let your light shine, don't empower your darkness.
Chant the holy name sincerely, pray fervently, and read the scriptures about who God is and who you are in relationship to him.
If you are sad or depressed, then do something about it (I realize it is not always so easy, yet we at least have to say it, since staying the same isn't a real option). Inaction, or sitting on the fence doesn't change anything. Find some enlivening and favorable, faithful, spiritually strong association. Take a risk and ask for help. You will not know if you don't make the attempt.
Affirm your divinity! Armed with yoga, take a stand on the Battlefield of life.
Be a spiritual warrior; see your problems as challenges and opportunities for service.
Slay the old limiting self, and let your spiritual-self awaken; arise like the Phoenix from the ashes of your old misconceptions.
This isn't a matter of just pumping you up with encouraging words, or glossing over your problems. I am speaking of a change of consciousness which will change your life, gradually, step by step, moment by moment. This is about allowing you to make a decision to change and accept your true identity. Though this isn't done overnight, it still has to be begun, and fostered, and sometimes revived. Krishna has his loving ways to get our attention—often painfully—to remind us of our real shelter and goal in life, beyond our self-created duties and distractions. Since we are conditioned souls, it is so easy to forget the spiritual truths we have learned. Therefore, we have to remind one another. This is my attempt in writing this blog.
I don't speak down to you from the mountain top, but with you in the trenches of life. Though the details of our lives differ, we all suffer from our lack of spirituality. What I speak, I also have to apply. I teach what I most need to learn. __/\__'O__
Here is my expanded version of a prayer by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu which I hope you will think about in relationship to today's discussion: "I am not a priest or intellectual; I am not a leader or warrior; I am not a businessman or farmer; I am not an artist, artisan, or even a worker. Neither am I a male or female, fat or thin, ugly or beautiful, intelligent or foolish, rich or poor, black or white, Indian or American, Christian or Hindu (or any other material designations you relate with). I also have nothing to do with any social or spiritual stage of life. There are all bodily misidentifications. Though they must be acknowledged, I know they have nothing to do with the real me, or my eternal soul. I must identify myself as an eternal part of the Spiritual Whole (Shri Krishna, lover of his devotees), created to be an instrument for the good of all."
- Karnamrita's blog
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The unknown basics
The idea is to use or senses and possessions in Krishna's service, not deny them or be used by them, but to know they will not be lasting or ultimately bring us the happiness we seek. Said a different way, we are a dedicating unit of spiritual consciousness--an eternal indivisible individual part of Krishna. A friend told me after reading the above, that it is good to remember the basics, yet as basic as this is, the idea that we have value to Krishna, that he loves us, and doesn't buy into our tiny conception of self is often missed even by older devotees. I am trying to balance the idea of our being infinitesimal in relationship to Krishna, yet powerful compared to matter. There are many aspects of the philosophy that require such harmonizing adjustment.
Swarup Hebel wrote me the following: "There was once some discussion about how this person and that were helping the movement and how George Harrison was donating for printing Krishna Book and John let the devotees stay at his place, etc. ... and so the talk was 'oh he is a nice boy' and 'yes, he too .. he is also very nice ...' until finally Srila Prabhupada said that everyone is by nature nice since we are all part and parcel of the Supreme Nice."
I wrote back: "Part of the Supreme Nice! Thanks Swarup! As Prabhupada said, "Give this one life to Krishna!" so to me, what I shared is part of that long haul of doing the needful, dealing compassionately with our conditioned self, while we understand its temporary existence, and that our real nature is pure spirit part the Supreme Beloved, Dear-most Friend, Shri Krishna. We have to balance many conceptions and parts of ourselves."
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Assisting People with Disabilities
'Assist individuals with disabilities' is usually included in job descriptions for employees within the hospitality sector. But how well trained are staff to fulfill this important role? What knowledge do they have of the types of disabilities they may come across and do they know how to meet these needs in a manner that is both sensitive and appropriate?
In the UK 9 million people are living with a disability, and there they already have an estimated spending power of 480 billion AED per year – services that are accessible for all will have greater access to this valuable market.
Disabled people will consistently return to hotels where access and service is good, and actively avoid those where it is bad. Disabled travellers post about their experiences on blogs; travellers with disabilities wanting to visit somewhere for the first time read these blogs for guidance when trying to decide what they are going to do.
Ebdaah provides training in disability awareness for staff and can equip staff to cascade awareness training throughout your organization.
Board Members and CEOs: know your responsibilities under International and federal law and make the appropriate changes in a managed manner. Understand the business case for improving provision for disabled clients and employees.
Senior and Middle Managers, team leaders: understand how to lead your teams to deliver better services and experience for all.
General staff: gain understanding and confidence to deal correctly and well with individuals with disabilities within the workplace.


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Most Efficient Scale System I Know
If you practice these scales with a metronome, they work wonders. I think that they are beautifully set up and extremely economical: you get hours upon hours of really worthwhile practice out of just two pages. But, most of all, you have to think while you are practicing these scales. It is so easy to let your mind drift off when practicing "normal" scales. These modal scales keep you on task, particularly the minor scales in keys with a lot of sharps and flats.
I set my metronome at the quarter note in a conservative tempo (96-104), and practice the scales with sharps on one day and with flats on the next day (the Julius Baker approach). I vary the articulation (the bowings to string players), and I try to do it mindfully and deliberately.
The images will appear full size when you click on them.
Happy practicing.
2 comments:
- socratidion said...
... all of which comes down to: when you're practising scales, don't always start and end on the tonic. There's a whole load of notes below the tonic that you might have to play some day. Maybe it's a bit more than that: it's a different way of thinking about scales, as a quality of key that can be applied to any part of the instrument, rather than a ladder with a bottom and a top. Back in the day when I aspired to be a jazz guitarist (I'm an aspiring viola player now) I did something very like this: stuck in one position, and ran up and down from the lowest possible note to the highest, adapting my fingerings to whatever key I had chosen to be in. You catch me at just the point when I'm beginning to experiment with this on the viola.
- Elaine Fine said...
There's an alto clef version of this (a fifth lower) in the viola transcription of Opus 8. The whole of Sevcik Opus 8 is really valuable for building up a technique and learning to navigate around the fingerboard.


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BETHESDA, Md. (AP) -- Lockheed Martin Corp. said Thursday that CEO Bob Stevens plans to step down and that its president and chief operating officer, Chris Kubasik, will take on the role at the start of the new year.
The announcement came as the aerospace and defense contractor reports its first-quarter earnings climbed 26 percent on a 6 percent rise in revenue.
Stevens, 60, has served as CEO of the Bethesda, Md., company since 2004 and has worked there for 25 years. He will stay on as chairman through January 2014, subject to shareholder and board approval, the company said.
Kubasik, 51, has served with Stevens in the executive office of the chairman since October 2011.
Marillyn A. Hewson, 58, will succeed Kubasik as president and COO. Hewson currently serves as executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's electronic systems segment, a position she has held since January 2010. Hewson has worked at Lockheed Martin for 29 years.
The company said Hewson's successor will be named later this year.
Lockheed Martin also reported on Thursday that its first-quarter net income climbed to $668 million, or $2.03 per share, from $530 million, or $1.50 per share. Earnings from continuing operations rose to $2.02 per share from $1.57 per share.
Revenue for the period ended March 25 increased to $11.29 billion from $10.63 billion.
Analysts polled by Fact Set expected earnings of $1.70 per share on revenue of $10.56 billion.
For 2012, the company maintained its guidance for earnings from continuing operations in a range of $7.70 to $7.90 per share and revenue between $45 billion and $46 billion.
Wall Street forecasts earnings of $7.86 per share on revenue of $45.58 billion.


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Two Cities In the Making
What should we build for the future. Two cities are currently in the making that will last for the coming 15 years or so. Two multi-billion dollar investments to build cities the size of new york.
The first is said to be built to international standards. It has a Villas district with beautiful big houses with private pools and close to large golf courses. It will have a fancy financial district with neighbouring parks and recreational centers. The city center will have pretty office buildings and big brand shops. Restaurants look like you are in metropolis Paris. And it will ofcourse have schools and branches of big universities.
The second is said to be a new hub of education, technology, business, and culture. It will have an airport district, an IT district, a University district, and a Bio Tech district. It will be a green city that will use renewable sources of energy, wind, solar, and geothermal. It will also be a green city in the sense that it will be also a city of parks and open green spaces.
One of these cities will be in Egypt and the other will be in India.
Take a few minutes to look at these two short clips to see how each country is shaping its future.


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Falling PC sales across the world has not deterred Canonical. After striking deals with major OEM brands such as Dell and HP, to sell Ubuntu branded laptops in emerging markets like India, China and Mexico, Canonical announced yesterday that they have partnered with OEM major ASUS to sell high quality yet affordable laptops in the United States. This is the third announcement of a partnership with a major OEM brand this year. Canonical is slowly but surely increasing its partnerships with major OEM brands.
Canonical says these laptops are "world-class" and are perfect for education indicating this time the target will be students and educational institutions. The two models are currently available to buy directly from Amazon. The two models on sale are X201E and the 1015E. While the first one, X201E, seems to be out of stock at the moment, 1015E , which has a smaller screen size of the two and a price tag of only $199 is available for purchase. Interestingly, Amazon doesn't know when X201E will be available next . From the Amazon webpage – "We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. "
Nevertheless, this is a good move by Canonical to promote Ubuntu to school children and educational institutions in the US. Ubuntu has been gaining tracktion which is evident by Dell's sputnik project. Dell's employees are also showing interest in communicating with Ubuntu users. One Dell staff has posted instructions on Dell Tech Center how to install Ubuntu on touch screen enabled XPS 15 and the enterprise workstation Precision M3800.
US is a huge market and a very important one too. All consumer electronic players look to make a mark there. If the students start liking the Unity interface, things might change drastically for Ubuntu and Linux.
Source: Muktware


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IG-'88May 8th, 2013
Check out my shirt on TeePublic.
Chuck liked my Logician profiles and wanted one of his own.
Kidzamo is a registered trademark of Serico Design Ltd.
The trilobite body plan comprises three sections. Anterior to posterior, they are: the cephalon, thorax, and pygidium. Trilobites get their name from the three lobes that run longitudinally from the thorax to the pygidium. The pleural lobes are found on either side and the axial lobe is in the center.
Trilobites from the genus Walliserops are unique for having a dramatic trident-like appendage that extends from the glabella at the front of the cephalon. The purpose of the trident is currently unknown. In fact, at the end of his lecture at the 150th anniversary of Oxford University (2011), trilobite expert Richard Fortey of Cambridge University invites the audience to hypothesize because in his words, "I have no idea what the trident was for."
A mountain's giddy height I sought,
Because I could not find
Sufficient vague and mighty thought
To fill my mighty mind;
And as I wandered ill at ease,
There chanced upon my sight
A native of Silurian seas,
An ancient Trilobite.


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Cruises from Sydney
Known around the globe as the Harbour City, Sydney is currently the only place within Australia offering two terminals for cruise passengers. Sydney is without a doubt a cruiser's dream, offering something for everybody on and off board. With the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney is home to some of the World's most famous and iconic landmarks. Boasting one of the most globally recognised harbours, Sydney is loaded with things to see and do. Visit iconic structures, lie on pristine beaches and make your way through and endless list of multicultural cuisine.
Australia's oldest and most historical City, Sydney is also an artistic, cultural and metropolitan dream. Residing next to miles of coast line, Sydney takes pride of place amongst beautiful beaches that are perfect for the surfers and sunbathers alike.
Port Facilities
Overseas Passenger Terminal
- Taxis
- Cafes/Restaurants
- Toilets
- Escalators
- Lifts
- Souvenir Store
White Bay Terminal
- Food and drink kiosk
- Short term parking
- Toilets
- Taxis
- Payphone
When is the best time to cruise Sydney?
Cruises from Sydney are a fantastic opportunity to take all year round, this is mainly due to the City enjoying around 300 days of sunshine per year. Sydney is well proofed for this weather and air conditioning is abundant in all tourist hot spots, not to mention the majority of public transport. Bottled water and strong sun creams are definitely recommended for all visitors during these luxurious summer months!
February sees the highest peak for Sydney cruises and 2014 met The Harbour City with 39 cruise stop offs. This was a record number and a figure that has almost doubled from previous years and 2015 is even set to exceed that! Sydney really is Australia's cruise gateway and one of the most beautiful ports of call a cruiser can make, grab yourself a bargain and compare deals for Sydney cruises today!
Useful Information
- Currency – Australian Dollar
- Time Zone – Australian Eastern Standard Time
Highlights of Cruises in Sydney
Art, History & Culture
- Sydney Opera House Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. World famous, the Sydney Opera house is a performing arts centre with multiple venues and a must see when in Sydney!
- Harbour Bridge The World's largest steel bridge resides beautifully in the Sydney harbour and has become an iconic symbol of Australia.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Spectacularly located alongside the Sydney harbour, the MCA is dedicated to educating all Australians through exhibiting, explaining and collecting modern art.
- St Mary's Cathedral Dedicated to the spiritual representation of the Catholic Church in Australia, St Mary's Cathedral is a fine example of gothic architecture sure to be appreciated by all visitors.
Nature, Wildlife & Sports
- Bondi Beach Visit Australia's World famous beach, stretching 1 kilometre in length, it is a sun kissed haven for everybody to enjoy!
- Manly Sea Life Sanctuary Get ready for exploration, adventure and immense interactivity at Manly. Scuba dive with turtles and sharks, get involved in the protection program or check out the newly installed penguin cove.
- Sydney Wildlife Zoo An award winning zoo filled with in and outdoor enclosures that showcase a huge variety of Australian wild life and animals, all presented in stunning re-creations of natural habitats.
- Luna Park Located on the Northern Shore of Sydney harbour, Luna Park is Sydney's premier amusement park that is often used for film and TV filming locations!
- Sydney Markets
- China Town
- Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre
- Broadway Shopping Centre
Isreal is passionate about cruises, online marketing, travel and helping others increase their knowledge. My Budget Cruise was started to help people find the perfect cruise.
Isreal is passionate about cruises, online marketing, travel and helping others increase their knowledge. My Budget Cruise was started to help people find the perfect cruise.


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- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Recreation
- Dance Programs
Mountlake Terrace Dance Programs
Get up and Dance!
Dance Academy Classes offer children 3.5-19 years old a full year's dance curriculum with two theater performance opportunities. One in the Winter and one in the Spring. This program offers Creative Dance, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I-VI, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz I-V, Tap I-III, Hip Hop I- IV, Irish Step Dance I-V and combination classes. Children are placed in class level by age and ability at the director and teachers discretion.
Quarterly Dance Classes offer children 3 - 6 years, adults and teens 13+ the opportunity to try something new and to have a recreational dance experience with a short term commitment. We offer Creative Dance, Pre-Ballet, beginning, intermediate or open level Ballet for teens and adults, beginning and intermediate Tap for teens and adults, Clogging, Flamenco, East Coast Swing, Salsa, and Funky Jazz for teens and adults.
Summer Dance Camps are offered after the 4th of July for 7 weeks. Dance camps are a great way to introduce kids ages 3-19 to new dance forms or to immerse them in the dance they love.
In General:
- Never wear your dance shoes outside. Always change your shoes at the studio door
- Everyone's hair must be secured off their face so they can focus on learning to move
- Jeans and other non flexible fabrics are not appropriate for dance
Creative Dance
Boys - sweats or shorts and a plain t-shirt, bare feet
Girls - any color leotard, footless tights or leggings, bare feet
Creative Pre-Ballet & Ballet I-VI
Boys - plaint t-shirt, black tights or leggings, black leather ballet shoes
Girls - black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes
level II-VI must have their hair in a bun, pre-ballet & level I are practicing buns
Tap & Ballet
Boys - plain t-shirt, black leggings, black leather ballet shoes & black tap shoes
Girls - black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes, hair in a ponytail or bun
Tap / Jazz / Jazz Combo Classes / Lyrical
Boys & Girls - black jazz pants, plain t-shirt or leotard
Tap shoes, Jazz shoes, Bare Feet - respectively
Hip Hop
Boys & Girls - clean dance sneakers that haven't been worn outside, sportswear
Irish Step Dance
Boys & Girls - sportswear, black ghillies or black ballet slippers
Adult / Teen Dance
Dress code is a guide for quarterly classes
Dancers can adapt the dress code to be comfortable and may take class once before purchasing shoes


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For information about the Department of Justice and Community Safety you can view:
- the Board of Management
- a list of ministers
- a detailed organisational structure chart
- a list of statutory entities
Our executive
The Board of Management is the peak body in the department corporate governance structure, advising the Secretary on the management and administration of the department to ensure compliance with government directives, guidelines and legislation. It is responsible for integrating governance functions across the department and working collaboratively with portfolio agencies.
Board of Management
Rebecca Falkingham, Secretary
Rebecca has been Deputy Secretary, Social Policy and Service Delivery Reform at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Her achievements in that role included leading the establishment of Family Safety Victoria, the commencement of the Treaty process with Aboriginal Victorians and the ongoing transition of the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Simon Cohen, Deputy Secretary, Regulation
Simon has been Deputy Secretary for Regulation since August 2015. Prior to this Simon was the national Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, and Victoria's Public Transport Ombudsman. Simon is the Victorian Government's representative on the Gippsland Regional Partnership, and current Chair of the ANZSOG Regulators Community of Practice.
Anna Faithfull, Deputy Secretary, Justice Policy and Data Reform
Anna has most recently led the employment practice at Social Ventures Australia. In 2019, Anna began an executive MBA at Melbourne Business School and a PhD on the social implications of the fourth industrial revolution. Anna has over ten years' experience in government, leading and implementing whole of government reform including the Government's response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence and the Government's transition into the NDIS.
Peta McCammon, Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery Reform, Coordination and Workplace Safety
Peta has built a successful career over the last 18 years in the Victorian Public Service in the Department of Justice, the Department of Human Services, Treasury and Premier and Cabinet. Peta is committed to social policy reform and has most recently held executive positions supporting the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the implementation of the 227 Royal Commission recommendations into Family Violence.
Corri McKenzie, Deputy Secretary, Police, Fines and Crime Prevention
Corri has held several senior executive positions in social policy, service design and delivery in government and in the community sector. Prior to joining the public service, Corri was the General Manager of Community Services, Mission Australia and was also the Corporate Communications Manager at Google Australia and New Zealand. She has led reforms including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and the implementation of impact measurement and performance reporting in community services.
Andrew Minack, Deputy Secretary, Emergency Management (EMV)
Andrew Minack has had an extensive public sector career working at an executive level in a number of state and local government agencies. Most recently he was responsible for leading the work on a number of highly complex reform projects including the Government's fire services reform package and establishment of new legislation that governs the funding of political parties and donations. He has also held executive roles in Victoria Police where he was responsible for corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement and performance improvement. Andrew has also worked as an executive at Parks Victoria and the Warrnambool City Council.
Andrew Crisp, Emergency Management Commissioner
As the Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew has overall responsibility for coordination before, during and after major emergencies, including the management of consequences of an emergency.
As the former Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, Regional Operations, Andrew has almost 40 years' policing experience in roles focused on community safety across metropolitan and regional Victoria and overseas, including key emergency management leadership positions.
During his career, he has been involved in responses to several major incidents, such as the Ash Wednesday Bushfires, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, Christchurch earthquake, Queensland floods and the 2017 Bourke Street Tragedy.
David Nicholson, Deputy Secretary, Corporate Governance and Support
David joins us from serving as the Deputy Secretary Policy, with the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), Tasmania since June 2016. Prior to that appointment, David held the position of Deputy Secretary, Corporate at the Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania. He commenced his career working in the private sector as a management consultant in Melbourne in a range of sectors.
Ryan Phillips, Deputy Secretary, Corrections and Justice Services
Ryan has led the department's Criminal Law Policy and Operations function as Deputy Secretary from 2017. Prior to his appointment in the department, he was employed in a range of senior executive positions, including as General Counsel. Ryan has held a diverse range of policy, social justice and legal roles across the government, Aboriginal community and private sectors in Melbourne, Broome and Sydney.
Brigid Sunderland, Deputy Secretary, Youth Justice
Brigid joined the department in June 2017 as the Executive Director of Youth Justice Policy, Strategy and Business Services, working as part of a team to reform Victoria's Youth Justice System. Prior to joining the department, she held senior positions in both the public and private sector including the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department and practised as a lawyer in a several private firms. Notable achievements have been in leading the state-wide roll out of the Family Violence Support and Safety Hubs and establishing The Board of Inquiry into the Hazelwood Mine Fire.
Josh Smith, Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Justice
Josh Smith is a Dunghutti man from the Macleay Valley Coast in NSW and was previously Executive Director of Aboriginal Victoria with the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In the Victorian public service, he has held various executive roles across health and human services, family violence, justice and Aboriginal affairs.
After practising law as a solicitor for the NSW Crown Solicitors Office and at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Josh has held executive positions within the Victorian public service across family violence, health and human services portfolios.
Josh is a passionate community member and has advocated for better outcomes for Aboriginals through policy development and enhanced Aboriginal self-determination.
Corinne Cadilhac, Chief Executive Officer, Community Safety Building Authority
Corinne Cadilhac is the CEO of the Community Safety Building Authority. Corinne is a senior executive with extensive experience in public administration, civil engineering and infrastructure. Her most recent position was leading Infrastructure, Planning and Major Projects at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She has also worked at the Department of Transport and Department of Infrastructure as well as in the private sector as a consultant with Sinclair Knight Merz.
Emma Cassar, Commissioner, Corrections Victoria
Emma has worked within Corrections Victoria and the Corrections System for more than 20 years in a range of roles, starting as a Forensic Psychologist after she finished her clinical doctorate and then moving to the custodial environment. She managed several prisons across the state and acted as Director and Deputy Commissioner on several occasions.
Emma has worked across both the non-government and private sector. Prior to this role she worked at KPMG in a role that focused on developing the justice and security sector. She has been the Australian representative for the global justice and security forums and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the national and international justice arena.
Dishella Overend – Director, Business Operations
Peggie Tobin – Director, Policy
Nicola Brown - Chief Transformation Officer
Our ministers
The department and its Secretary are responsible to four ministers who cover the following portfolios:
- The Hon Jill Hennessy MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety
- The Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Police and Emergency Services
- The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support
- The Hon Marlene Kairouz MP, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.


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Our inhouse-developed content management system, Mara CMS grew out of a frustration with the mainstream CMS products, especially in terms of their overcomplexity and security flaws.
Having had a number of Joomla-based client websites defaced by hackers, we decided that there just has to be a better way of doing things. It may have seemed at first that Wordpress was that better way of doing things, however recent experiences such as the hacking of the Mint Linux website suggest otherwise. Basically, all of the mainstream products suffer from a number of fundamental security issues. -Issues which can never be entirely solved, no matter how much patching or updating is done. Key among these issues are the use of SQL databases and parameterized URLs.
Mara is a file based CMS. It is by no means the only file based product of its kind. For example Kirby, Statamic, Pico, Laravel are all file based. As such, they all offer a substantial security improvement over the SQL-based products. Most are extremely good products, and we'd suggest you give them a try instead of following the pack with a sheep-like acceptance of the Swiss-cheese security of the 'big three' SQL based products.
Two things set Mara aside from the rest though, and those are that real URLs are used instead of parameters, and that the pages are written in industry standard HTML.
By contrast, the majority of file based CMS require that pages are written in a special code termed markdown. Thus, you will have a conversion job to do for any pages you want to import. Perhaps more importantly though, this is a lock-in situation because transfer out to another CMS may be even more problematic. Mara uses HTML, the industry standard way to describe webpages. Sticking to standards, saves trouble.
It's been a long road, and a lot more work than was originally envisaged. Then again, it's the biggest project we've taken on to date. There are still a few rough edges, but most of it works remarkably well. Because of the sheer amount of coding time involved we're looking for a backer to support further development of a product which is the only one of its kind, and which we think has the potential to be a game-changer in the website design industry.
To get a feel of what Mara CMS is capable of, swing on over to our demo site. Have a browse first, then try editing with the guest logon. I think you'll agree that the editing interface is superbly easy to use, in fact it almost needs no instructions. Plus, in most cases you get to see the effects of your editing rightwaway.
The new v7 is available on Sourceforge or our download page, and offers drag-and-drop editing.