Archive for August, 2011
Sacred places –Tuzigoot National Monument in Arizona
Aug 23rd
This is the story of an event that happened to me in the mid 90’s while I was living in San Francisco and working my last days in the computer industry. It starts one morning as I awakened in our caravan on our homestead in Northern Victoria [Australia] located just south of Omeo nearer to Swifts Creek. As I awakened, there came to mind the word Tuzigoot. Yes, Tuzigoot. I felt a strong need to go there. I faintly remembered seeing the name and thought perhaps it was in Arizona. Thankfully, I had an old American road atlas and was soon able to find it just west of Cottonwood along theVerde River. I saw that it was a National Monument. Not having access to the internet at the time, I just digested the feeling and filed it away.
Part of the two years I worked in San Francisco, I was a contract instructor teaching both Microsoft and Novell local area networking. I was not able to line up work every week so the first summer I decided to fill a vacant work week with a trip to Cottonwood where I could visit Tuzigoot. I flew in and out of Phoenix and rented a car for the trip north. Arriving around 5:30PM, I decided to have a quick look realizing that the visitors center would be closed. As I made my way via the signposts across the narrowVerde river, I was shocked to find what to me looked like a failed irrigation project. There were huge areas lacking vegetation of any kind. I had a quick look around, checked the opening time and saved ideas for exploration till the following morning. The next morning was bright and sunny as I left the restaurant where I enjoyed my favorite breakfast of eggs and hash browns and headed back to the site. I was waiting at the door at opening time and had a chance to speak to the ranger at the desk. I asked him what the devil had happened to the river bottom down the road. He asked me if I had been to Jerome. “No”, I said.
Then he told me the story of the copper mining activities in Jerome and the ore processing plant a couple of miles west of the site at Clarkdale. To tell a long story quickly, extracting silver or copper ore veins from surrounding rock and quartz requires the crushing and mixing with various acids and noxious washes. The residue was originally dumped into theVerde Riverthrough metal pipes until they corroded. Then they were replaced by redwood troughs. Even though Phelps Dodge closed the Clarkdale smelter in 1950, the river as it runs alongside the monument looks like a moonscape. I was told that there would be another ranger that would lead a tour at 10AM.
I thanked him for the information and headed out to have a look around. Reading various information signs I learned that the site was a pueblo ruin built by the Sinagua [without water] people who lived there from around 1000 till about 1300. The actual name Tuzigoot is an Apache translation meaning crooked water. I soon found myself entering a large restored living area and was leaning over a wall when I was overcome with grief. The intense feeling almost doubled me over as I gushed tears and was choked with emotion. I was embarrassed and hoped no-one would come up behind me. After recovering somewhat, I was overwhelmed yet again, less intense this time. This had never happened to me before and I just couldn’t figure out what and why. As I continued around the site, I read that the Sinagua buried their dead underground in their living areas.
At ten o’clock, along with a few other people, I met the second ranger who if I rightly remember was a Mescalero Apache. The US government came up with the name Mescalero, probably because the mescal plant was a staple of their diet. Although there were several Mexican names for several bands or tribes of Apaches in the Southwest, in 1873 the US Government recognized only three- the Mescalero Apache, the Chiricahua Apache, and the Lipan Apache. These tribes had settled from Southeastern and middle Arizona, through New Mexico and with the Lipans, into western Texas in the beautiful area around and south ofAustin. Evidently they came into the Southwest later than the Puebloan cultures from parts [northern] unknown. I enjoyed the tour and was able to join a small group and learn more from him about the tragedy along the Verde River.
Over the next several days I tried to piece together the significance of my strange and highly emotional response to Tuzigoot. It came to me that I was picking up the sadness from the spirit of these people as they mourned the destruction of their lovely crop growing area. This site is about all that remains of around 50 such Sinaguan living sites.
The experience left me with the belief that we need desperately to protect and preserve these sacred sites that were loved and cared for by these early peoples because there is here to be found a spiritual record of the love of Gaia that can help us re-establish a loving relationship with the Earth.
Warriors of the Rainbow
Aug 22nd
I’ve found a wonderful, en-spirited story from first Nation North American history. The story was told by a woman of the “Cree” nation. No further detail is available but I might add that the name Cree comes from the French. They spoke Algonquian languages and were prominent mainly in Canada. “The Cree are the largest group of First Nations in Canada, with over 200,000 members and 135 registered bands.” [Canadian Geographic]
I especially value the story because of the way the Cree woman, “Eyes of Fire” speaks about Earth. Eyes of Fire prophesied that the keepers of the legends would emerge some day to mend the Earth. They would be called Warriors of the Rainbow. “The Warriors of the Rainbow would show the peoples that this “Ancient Being” (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the “Earth or Elohi” beautiful again.
I quite agree with Eyes of fire as: “The day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of all tribes that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to ‘harmony’ with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our ‘Key to our Survival.’”
I’m sure that you will be moved by the story. May it come true, SOON.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/TheCherokeeLady/warriorsrainbow.html
Panpsychism by Peter Ells
Aug 22nd
Panpsychism – A book Review
Panpsychism: The Philosophy of the Sensuous Cosmos, Peter Ells, 20011, O-Books,Hants,UK
This lovely book might have been more accurately named idealistic panpsychism.
Idealistic panpsychism is neither idealism nor is it panpsychism, hence the distinction. It differs from idealism in that it does not stress the extreme importance of human spirit but like panpsychism sees everything as having spirit. It differs from panpsychism in that it does see everything as mind, and not just mind like qualities. Having said this, perhaps Ells used just panpsychism because of the plethora of distinctions around the use of the word. As Ells puts it: “…is the doctrine that the universe is composed of hierarchies of experiential entities, (beings) and of nothing else.” Experiential entities are beings that have both experiential existence and empirical existence. Further, to actually exist then is to be either an experiential entity or composed of experiential entities as is the case of more evolved organisms such as plants and animals. The implications are vast. Obviously, if the universe is composed of nothing but beings and beings are seen as alive, then the universe is alive. This explains the book’s subtitle: The Philosophy of the Sensuous Cosmos.
Ells proposes that science’s claim of objectivity is false. Physicalism, some call it materialism, has achieved its extremely successful reputation off the back of the discipline of science. This is evident in the following: “Science can in principle give a complete account of all the entities in our universe.” Actually, this statement is not within science but about science thus a metaphysical claim. This book sets out to challenge the many assumptions that are metaphysical in character and cannot be upheld through the success of the scientific method. Ells intends in this book to point out how a sensuous cosmos composed of living entities is a far more profound metaphor than the prevalent materialistic view cited above. Further, he criticizes the materialistic paradigm “for imposing a nihilistic helplessness on contemporary culture.”
The author proposes to show that idealistic panpsychism is a superior alternative to physicalism for the following reasons. [1] It reconciles our intuitive, commonsense understanding of ourselves as persons with the revelations of science and [2] provides clarification and solutions to philosophical problems beyond the reach or remit of physicalism. As an aid to understanding, the book compares and contrasts physicalism with idealistic panpsychism finding idealistic panpsychism superior for the two reasons cited above.
Sometimes it is more effective to define something by showing how it affects our understanding of major pieces of life’s puzzle. Thus there are chapters on areas where the implementation of panpsychism makes a difference. First there is a discussion of the present state of Science. Then a section on consciousness. Following that the author provides a detailed investigation of existence revealing explanatory problems with physicalism. One of the more interesting chapters contains a discussion of how mental causation relates to physical causation. Explaining the nature of causation has been a vexing philosophical problem, especially that posed by skeptics from the time of David Hume. For instance, how does a feeling cause a physical action?
Near the middle of the book is a chapter entitled résumé. Here, Ells summarizes in relaxed layman’s language the contents of the preceding three chapters on existence, causation and idealistic panpsychism. I found this particularly helpful. Further, the whole tenor of the book consists of a fugue of a philosophical treatise and ordinary language. Following are chapters on pain and suffering and free will. In the last chapter, sensuous cosmos, I was reminded of the works of Maurice Merlo-Ponty and David Abram and phenomenology.
In conclusion, Peter Ells has not only spoken eloquently and with uncommon clarity but actually fired a fatal shot into the idea that the questionable marriage of science and materialism has unlocked or will ever reveal the mystery of life.
Sky McCain
August 2011
Which is it? It can’t be both.
Aug 11th
Although methane (CH4) has always been included in charts and diagrams relating to greenhouse gasses, The potential hazard from the The East Siberian Artic Shelf which extends for 2 million square kilometers has until recently been ignored.
“In its last major report in 2001, the intergovernmental panel on climate change predicted a rise in global temperatures of 1.4C-5.8C between 1990 and 2100, but the estimate only takes account of global warming driven by known greenhouse gas emissions.
“These positive feedbacks with landmasses weren’t known about then. They had no idea how much they would add to global warming,” said Dr Viner.” [David Viner, a senior scientist at the Climatic Research Unit at theUniversityofEast Anglia]
Ian Sample, science correspondent Thursday August 11, 2005 The Guardian
Since 2005, a few articles have been available to the layperson, however most of the fuss has been about CO2, a direct consequence of industrial, commercial and private activity. Unfortunately, there are several indirect possibilities, some that may be “tipping points” that trip a positive feedback loop which many scientists fear may spiral out of control. The artic tundra is one of them. In a recent article from the BBC news, Michael Fitzpatrick reports:
“The findings come from measurements of carbon fluxes around the north ofRussia, led by Igor Semiletov from theUniversityofAlaskaatFairbanks.
‘Methane release from the East Siberian Shelf is underway and it looks stronger than it was supposed [to be],’” he said.
Interesting how researchers are frequently revealing that global warming indications are often more serious than anticipated. I suppose it is easier and more politically correct to underestimate and then express surprise than to report on the high side and retract after people have sacrificed perhaps needlessly.
Fitzpatrick continues:
“Methane seepage recorded last summer was already the highest ever measured in theArctic Ocean. Acting as a giant frozen depository of carbon such as CO2 and methane (often stored as compacted solid gas hydrates),Siberia’s shallow shelf areas are increasingly subjected to warming and are now giving up greater amounts of methane to the sea and to the atmosphere than recorded in the past.”
What is a hydrate?
“WHAT do you get when you combine water and swamp gas under low temperatures and high pressures? You get a frozen latticelike substance called methane hydrate, huge amounts of which underlie our oceans and polar permafrost. This crystalline combination of a natural gas and water (known technically as a clathrate) looks remarkably like ice but burns if it meets a lit match. …Because methane is also a greenhouse gas, release of even a small percentage of total deposits could have a serious effect on Earth’s atmosphere.”
https://www.llnl.gov/str/Durham.html
Is this a problem?
Back to the Fitzpatrick article.
The left hand says: “Despite the high readings, Professor Gustafsson said that so far there was no cause for alarm, and stressed that further studies were still necessary to determine the exact cause of the methane seepage.”
The right hand says: “The release of this once captive carbon from destabilised ocean sediments and permafrost would have catastrophic effect on our climate and life on Earth, warn the scientists.”
No wonder we are confused and millions of people are turning a blind eye on global warming. If you are a skeptic, then you can quote the left hand. If you are a believer, then you can cite the right hand. This is somewhat like placing equal bets on the red and black numbers, around the roulette wheel. You are always a winner so it can be business as usual and you can claim that you are a team player.
Being Annoyed
Aug 6th
I get annoyed more and more often nowadays by what I see as exploitation. I also realize that the meaning of words that I grew to understand years ago have changed whilst the implication that they still stand for the former is encouraged. “Truthspeak” I seem to remember from George Orwell. Not everything he predicted in the book “1984” came about by 1984 but there is very little remaining today. I paid £2.16 to mail some bank booklets that could have been sent direct from the bank. However, the bank will only send information to one address and that is the one indicated on the account application. I guess sending you the means to lodge money with them is a “service” and services have no correlation to what would be convenient and helpful to the customer. Procedures are designed for the convenience of the bank staff. When I call “customer Services” the only telephone number I am given is one that I have to pay for. It is especially annoying because we have a small connection charge – free telephone service that we can use everywhere else but the bank. The not-for-profit business that I am involved with is having trouble getting a direct debit removed that we didn’t ask for or authorize. I requested that they deny the implementation of direct debits on our account so this situation could not occur again. Fine, said the first customer service representative, we’ll do that. However, a week later when the erroneous debit had not been removed, I asked them again to remove it and asked them to check on the ban on direct debits. Oh, this rep said, we don’t allow that, you’ll just have to check your statements. Of course this is just one example out of many. Now a process of logical deductions is beginning to form. I am tired of the negativity. One, when the rest of the world looks to be screwed up, you should look at yourself in the mirror Two, as I was walking home this morning, I suddenly heard the following song in my minds ear. “Everything is beautiful in its own way.” Three, The Hsin Hsin Ming came to mind and I realized that I had gone astray again, veered off the path, fallen into the old habit of dissatisfaction with what is because I know how things “outa” be. Four, what does the Hsin Hsin Ming tell us?
Well, how about: “The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.” and “If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.” Or, “Do not search for the truth; only cease to cherish opinions.”
Jean Klein has said: “It is not what you do, it is how you are while you are doing it.”
And so I am reminded again that when you are in the habit of looking out for something that you judge as wrong, there will be no end of those things about. So, if you see this as a problem, then it is your judgement which is the real problem. We really don’t have the wisdom to judge how life ought to be. Acceptance and judgement. They are both important to ponder. Now I am not using acceptance as a reason not to oppose those actions that are obviously harmful to yourself or other beings. Whatever is, is, and it is useless to dwell on your opinion that it shouldn’t be there if you see what I mean. Just feel into the situation, accept it for what it is and look into your intuitive self for a correct action that fits the circumstances. A fruitful response will come to you if you but trust. Returning negativity simply strengthens the negativity.
Jean Klein
Aug 2nd
Jean Klein is a key figure, a galaxy, in my past. I have written a chronicle; reflections on my experience around my relationship with him. See below.