Reflecting the 2D Image of the 3D Cornerstone of Reflection

Greetings my gentle readers to another week's instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time when we can all stop and reflect on ourselves, our interface with others and nature and the big blue marble that we call earth, plus the heavens and all things good in between. There are so many aspects that we can stop and look at like we discussed last week in mindfulness, but what do they mean to us through Reflecting? Do we take our red door and paint it black? (Rolling Stones)

No matter what we do it has an association with us. It may be a sepia tinged memory of a song or taste or something that has stated ina  way that we must be. There are so very many lenses and filters that we reflect with. Awareness of those filters is key.  There are the 4 cornerstones to the pyramid and right beside mindfulness comes reflection. Or if you perfect, the scond layer of our 5 layer parfait!

This week let us take a look at stopping and reflecting. Reflections. These are mirrored back if the surface that is creating the reflection is good and true. Small ripples or aberrations in the reflecting source will cause a corresponding change in what is seen. Awareness through us, our society and our value system will help us determine the pain or validity of what we see and feel. There are inward and outward reflections. These are often driven and impacted by our personal, cultureal and as stated ego driven or societal expectations. But really, why should things be assigned different values? What really is big vs small if you take away the societal filter? Should not there be equanimity in the world of person, plant, animal and mineral and equality?

Perhaps filters and reflections can actually be made stronger through our acts of mindfulness and beinga ble and aware, plus WILLING to step outside of the box? Match two things together that perhaps are never usually matches and then see the feelings through mindfulness. Reflect on the days and experiences past through reflection.  

So...let us reflect on actually how we reflect and when we do, what is the filter or surface that mirrors the reflections back to us. We know that the tincture of time tends to heal things and adds a reflective filter of sepia that we consider to be nostalgia. There are more sinister, yet hidden reflective surfaces. One is that of self delusions and the other that of self preservations. Both of these surfaces or filters are inherently what I would call an "Ego-Filter" and as such the reflection that is considered is one of fallacy as it is created to enact and preserve one's own objectives, even at the cost of others. These forms of reflections often come across as gross hypocrisy to then informed and mindless pandering to the general population and wise expressions of insincerity to the uniformed mindless ones who are not able to reflect on their own. In my experience, the latter category people are more worries by people that I call "Boobs Cubed". The body fixated ones, the TV type (immersed with their shows and fashion) and the blunder (self-image) type.... all self (and false)- idoltry. That is a reflection of delusion sadly. Expectations and filters are set in a way that cannot be collected.

What we need to REALLY do is to look at HOW we reflect and our meditative patterns that create that patterns. It should be in line with reality, as easy as that. And sometimes those reflections and corresponding honesty and truth hurt. I know that from experience. The ego-centric "all important ME" takes over and defends, cajoles and then pummels into submission those that dont reflect the way we want. "Tell the Truth"- you cant handle the truth unless you are able to SEE it my gentle friends!
So, how do we gain this clarity of filter? By example. By practice. By a fearless acceptance of the truth. By listening. By self-reflection and honesty. Our closest friends are the ones that can give us the clarity of honesty and allow us to see our filtering system as it really is. By mindful reflection, we can actually FEEL and be at ease in the head, heart and gut if what we are thinking is indeed accurate. Children and their thoughts and play and perceptions in youth is pure and they speak that of wisdom in honesty. They appreciate the beautiful sounds and such for what they are, not what they see, or even worse are TOLD to see.

To filter through a defective filter is to get an altered image.  I love the idea of a polished reflective filter that is within and without. That I am able to look at myself and have others look at me in the same way and through fairness. That sepia toned as discussed above can give some incredible memories and reflect on the days gone by and when willing to fearlessly use that information can reflect on a bright promise and future of Light and prosperity. Cross reflections here with some matching of mirroring filters and reflective moments with fun along the way, stepping away from the dictates and demands of the 2D that is out there all the time in society with a 3D bent to it. What the heck, what lies BEYOND that wall if we wish to hunt? I believe this will allow me to be good to myself and others. Join the filter polishers and be yourself, often

--- Rev Dr. Joel Lamoure    May 2012

Being a General with a Platoon of Idiots

From:http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. There has been so many things that have transpired in the worlds of nature, politics and rumblings at a small and large level on so many fronts. A time for reflection on who is wearing a mask and who is true... addressing old party lines along a new perspective. A time where the old have fallen and the new jockeying for acclaim beyond their time in shameless displays of self-perpetuity. A time when the real core of individuals come out and please allow me to state, it isnt pretty. Man truly does have many sociopathic traits and truly does not play well with others. But whats new?

Enough on my lament on the discourse of human beings and human behaviours in situations that are stoked by things that at then end of the day truly do not matter. I have and would rather to continue to practice with pride, honour and integrity and lose than to cut someone down... and then that it it is allowed to be continued to propagate at a minor and local level, which will ultimately translate into larger failings. Ouch.

Ok... I diverted again from my initial thoughts. That being to define what is truly important at the end of the days. I know that I have said over before in this very venue that an infusion of $50 bills (Canadian polymer pending) being run through and IV line will not save you. At the end of the day, it comes down to the person that we are and what we believe, which defines  what we think which defines our thoughts and thus defines our outcomes. People are quite predictable if you can look at and assess their root belief system. One can see how good they will be in the good days and in the challenging days.

Who are you? What do you stand for and what is your belief system? if its all about you and you are a General in your own army, then you are leading a platoon of fools my friend. Soory to say that. If you do truly believe that you know best and not open to the concepts that your way may not be the best, then the logical way you react is to attack. Scorched earth policy and hurt everyone before those darn liberals come out and nail you with their books and rhetoric. Yet the liberals may also react the same way in their bunker of books and suffer from their own rhetoric, plus smoke inhalation (puff-puff-pass dude).
Yet as trite as those comparisons are, they do certainly not capture the real essence, and that is the root analysis of humanity. And who are we and what are we able to do? Especially if we can link together and realize we are neither general nor soldier... nor liberal or conservative. There is a root humanity that we should really address and that is an intelligent concern for others, plus ourself.
We need not look to the large picture as we will get lost, but rather look to the smaller gifts and thoughts in the days. There are evil people and evil deeds and the converse. But in ourselves, we have that ability to make the decision of which way that we wish to be in this game of life. And to find the big picture and the grand schema, we must honestly look to the smallest and insignificant pieces in life. For these are NOT insignifant, but of great importance. The ability to be alive and to love, to express intelligent concern for others. To offer a gentle hand to others and not suspect or worry of them lashing back, but merely to do it for the sake of helping. Only we can truly decide how we feel about things and events.

I would rather be at one with nature and appreciate that we are made in The Image and to be comfortable in our own skins. For that is to be at- ease. And to be at ease will prevent dis-ease which is the root of disease. It is your call and your choice under the Free Will Covenant.

You can find me out looking at the stars and watching the patterns as the water freezes and looking at things with the wonderment of a child. You may join, or go on fighting your own battles and tilt away at a windmill General. Your call. Sir.

I like to think that intelligent concern for others and the simple things will quite simply, let us be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   January 2012