Important: New Location for Blog

To our faithful (and faithless) readers:

We have moved!

You can now find us at http://mindfulmonkeys.babygeek.org/

:)

Please update your links and bookmarks.

Bow before me, I am root.

I did it. Not only did I successfully install Linux-Mandrake onto my system, making it a dual-boot, but I also was able to get my cable modem connection working with USB network access. This may not mean much to the average computer user, but for someone who has, as of late, felt as though she had lost the right to have the Linux fish on the back of her car, it means a lot.

That's one of the things that I absolutely LOVE about Linux - it makes me think. It challenges my mind. There are two sides to me - the side that would love to be an English major, and the side that wants to be an uber-geek. The part of me that it satisfied using Windows, and the side that strives for more complexity - the part that made me install Linux.

As I clicked on the 'resize partition' button during the initial install, fear entered the pit of my stomach. "Please Wait," lingered on the screen, making me more nervous as each moment passed. But, in the end, all turned out well. It was difficult getting my internet connection to work, but I did it. Yes, I did it.

So, that being said, I shall now prepare myself for what I hope will be a restful night's sleep.

Bow before me - I am root.

The Existence of the Soul

I made an earlier post on the blog about a book I was reading - Soul Prints by Marc Gafni. I finally finished reading the book yesterday and would definitely read it again.

Spirituality is one of my favorite subjects. I love to research different paths and religions, taking out bits and pieces from each one that resonate within me; wisdom that resonates within my soul. Which brings me to another thought - the soul.

Several months ago, I was studying Buddhism, specifically Zen Buddhism. From all the things I had read while studying Buddhism, I came to the conclusion that Buddhism doesn't believe in the existence of the soul. There is the thought, "What is mind?" There is the question, "From where do my thoughts come from?" I do not know the answer as I have not attained enlightenment, but my instinct would have always been to respond, "My thoughts, my feelings, they all come from my soul; my soul is who I really am."

As of late, I have been studying Judaism, which is actually how I found the book Soul Prints, by Marc Gafni. I was at the public library, thumbing through the shelves for something Jewish, and I saw the book, read the back cover, and found that it was written by a Rabbi. One of the things that 'led me' in the way of Judaism, (which is my heritage), was reading a book by an observant Jew who is also a Buddhist teacher. It's funny how sometimes on the journey of life, you take different paths, which lead to different streets, which then lead to different ideas. I usually believe that everything, well, most things, happen for a reason, and in retrospect, I can see how different choices set up different frameworks, if you will, for different discoveries - kind of like a building. And, the building that I am constructing is my own personal belief system. Some of the bricks are made of Buddhism, some of the landscaping is taken from earth-based paths, and some of the ornate design is now being taken from my ancestral path - Judaism. But, I digress. I question how I can utilize two different belief systems, one eastern, one western, two belief systems who have two opposing views on the existence of the soul.

As I am sure you can probably tell by now, I am quite the thinker. I tend to ask questions that don't necessarily have any 'correct' answer, and that need to and can be answered by only one person - that person being me. It would seem that one of humanity's basic needs, is to find purpose in this thing called life; a driving force or creed to make oneself feel fulfilled and complete. Does that need come from a soul? Does it come from the mind? Or does it come from the collective unconscious? Does that need even exist at all? Is there a soul? Is there a mind? Or are we just monkeys in some kid's science experiment, on another planet, in another galaxy? I came up with a saying when I was a typical Gen-X Angst 18 year old back in 1994:

I now understand that reality in its truest form, is only but a figment of my imagination.

I think I was pretty Zen even back then.

Oh, and to refer back to the beginning paragraph of this poorly structured writing, the book was awesome. I enjoyed it immensely. It emphasizes the need to live your own story, to find your own way, and to be the best person to others that you can be. For every opportunity to share with another, is an opportunity to exchange soul prints, and to make a difference in someone's life. I give it two thumbs up.

Trading Spouses and The Bachelorette.

I am posting from Melissa's computer to ask the question that has been on my mind as of late: What has become of my life?

Why do I ask this? Because I'm about to go watch reality TV - Trading Spouses on FOX, followed by The Bachelorette on ABC. Surely at one time, my brain had more engaging things to do than to watch such dreck. Oh well, the dreck is addicting and I hear the opening theme for Trading Spouses, so off I go.

Will hopefully update more later. No promises, just possibilities.

Technological Dependency.

Oy vay. As of yesterday, my computer decided that it no longer wished to be friends. With sheer panic, I disassembled it, put it back together again, changed slots, unplugged things, and did all the things that I know to do, all to no avail. My tinkering was in vain, my soul and spirit crushed. I have been cut off from the Internet and all of technological civilization. Did I mention, oy vay?

I have limited access to the computer. I'm not sure when exactly I will have my machine up and running again. Until then, I shall be reading, writing, and watching TV. Maybe I'll be a little more productive with my Gentle Yoga DVD. Maybe I'll get some more zazen meditation done. Maybe I will be more fervent in prayer. Maybe I'll just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Who knows? The fact is, My name is Samantha and I am technologically dependent.

Until we meet again...

Another Four Years.

The inaugural week is here. The Condoleeza Rice hearing is on television. One can only hope that the next four years of this administration doesn't ruin the good ol' USA. They're spending an absurd amount of money on the inauguration festivities. I love how the Republican party will spend insane amounts on the inauguration, yet when it comes to feeding the poor, housing the homeless, and giving healthcare to those (like myself) who do not have it, there's so much stinginess. What I love even more, is that they tout their moral values, all the while ignoring what Jesus said about how to treat those less fortunate. I'm not a Christian, however, I am very well versed in the Bible. I don't understand how people who can claim to be God-fearing Christians, who love and follow Jesus, can do what the Religious Right does.

I understand the logic behind the Pro-Life movement. I also understand the logic behind the Pro-Choice movement. While I can't conceive of ever having an abortion done, I also couldn't conceive of taking away the ability from women to do so.

As for gay rights, I don't see how keeping us gays from marrying one another desecrates the sanctity of marriage. How can gay marriage desecrate the sanctity of marriage any more than shows such as The Bachelor(ette) and Who Wants to Marry My Dad? I had a conversation with a relative of mine, who said that their only beef with gay marriage is calling it marriage. The word marriage, they said, is a religious term that has religious connotations to so many people, that to use the word marriage, could offend others on a religious basis. While I understand that point of view, wouldn't that pose the mindset that the institution of marriage be specifically reserved for those who follow those specific religions, and that marriages only be recognized by those religions and not our government? Furthermore, wouldn't it suggest that in order to be recognized as a legal couple by the government, each couple would need to have a civil union? If we are going to seperate church and state, should we remove the right to perform marriages from our government officials, and leave it up to a church or synagogue to perform these holy ceremonies? Rather than the tax filing status of Married, should the status be changed to Civilly United? There is so much more to the subject than most people seem to realize. Personally, I don't care whether you call it a civil union or a marriage, just so long as it's federally recognized with the same dignity that marriage is, and just so long as it is recognized from one state to the next, just as marriage is. All I want, is to have the same rights as 'straight' couples who love each other have. I don't think that's too much to ask for. On October 26, 2004, President Bush stated, "I don't think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that's what a state chooses to do so," Okay, Mr. President, put your mandate where your mouth is.

The next four years will be interesting to say the least. I look forward to watching Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday nights, and the Daily Show with John Stewart. If nothing else, the next four years should prove to be entertaining.

Soul Prints

I'm currently reading a book by Marc Gafni, entitled Soul Prints. The concept of Soul Prints, is that each individual person has what he refers to as, a Soul Print. This is, essentially, like a fingerprint -- unique, all your own, and rather than being from a finger, it's from your soul. I know that my description doesn't give his eloquent writing justice, so please, forgive me. I haven't finished reading the book, but an important message that I have gathered from what I've read thus far, is that if you do not know your own soul print, your ability to know anothers' is stunted. Implied in this book, is that the human condition of loneliness, aloneness, is due to our need to connect with others; to exchange soul prints.

As Melissa put it earlier on the blog, so much of our society is obsessed with possessions and success, usually that of the material variety. The capitalistic world that we live in, is full of war, sadness, and grief. Politicians attack one another over 'moral values' - be it war, social security, abortion, gay rights, or the welfare system. Each party deems itself to be the party of the people and in doing so, steps on people.

I wonder what would happen, if just for a few moments, people put down their need to be right, and made themselves receptive to another's soul print. If, rather than shouting their morality from the rooftop, they took a moment to validate and contemplate the moral views of another, to accept the soul print of their foe.

This book is proving to be a very interesting read, and best of all, it's making me think. Which, is my alltime favorite hobby.