Religious Scholar

Humanity's spiritual quest does not always follow the neat and tidy lines of organized religion. The Black Spaniard by L.L.Holt reveals the spiritual struggle, dark night, and epiphany of a man whose whole world came crashing down around him. Set in the era just after the French and American Revolutions, this book is available for pre-order through Nov. 16, 2016, with a release date of Nov. 17, 2016. Timed for holiday giving, it portrays a spiritual journey that leads to enlightened realization and hope.

For pre-orders, go to the following link:

http://www.unsolicitedpress.com/store/p103/PREORDER%3A_The_Black_Spaniard_by_L.L._Holt.html

After Nov. 17, 2016, you will also find this historical novel on amazon.com .

My first experiences with Pokemon Go have been pleasant ones. One block from home, three monsters appeared on the smartphone screen directly in my path. I saw another off at the distance, but was advised it was too far away. I can see how the idea of invisible monsters around us came from Japan, with its notion of "kami" in the Shinto religion.

According to dictionary.com, kami are "spirits or phenomena that are worshipped in the religion of Shinto. They are elements in nature, animals, creationary forces in the universe, as well as spirits of the revered deceased." Saints and demons from all religious traditions have a similar nature to P-Go's "pocket monsters." I can even imagine medieval Christians taking down demons in their path by acts of penance or special devotions! Tibetan Buddhism, with its rich tantric legacy, is a close match for the sensations of confronting or capturing P-Go elementals.

I am not a game player by nature or inclination, so I may never learn the secrets of buying Pokeballs and deploying them against unseen forces, but it's fun as long as the monsters don't go on the offensive. I understand that once all monsters are captured, there will be a combat of sorts, but I hope we can turn it into a peace rally, don't you?

At today's noon class in Philadelphia, Dr. Vijayendra Pratap shared some insights into the nature of learning, perspective, and how yoga is different than exercise:

What is the difference between yoga and exercise? Yoga takes you in. Exercise takes you out. Going to a party is exercise. Coming home is yoga.

Students grow and learn from the inside. If the inside is not developed, students may not be ready to handle information coming from outside.

Once you know yourself, you know everything.

When you are not calm and see other people rushing, it is not the other people, it is you who are rushing. When you are calm, the world is calm.

Check it out here:

https://www.edx.org/xseries/world-religions-through-scriptures

President Obama: "An attack on one religion is an attack on all religions." Here is a link to the February 3 address to the Islamic Society of Baltimore:  http://tiny.cc/0x3t8x