blesstheworld.com glossary

Shamanism ~ the ancient spiritual practice of transcending and manipulating the illusion commonly thought to be reality. A shaman is a tribal medicine man and spiritual leader who is trained to work in a dimension other than that which is perceived as the three dimensional world.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Prana (chi) ~ the basic animating force of the universe. Prana is the electricity of atoms and molecules, the vitality of cells, the dynamism of life on any level. Prana is the subtle energy that manifests life itself. See blessthebody.com White Light.

graffiti design

black & white ~  rasta

return to peace shirts

Spiritually, this is the highest vibing image in the (PEACE) WORDS series ~ the combination of peace and ecstasy, the "wahe guru" that is both an epiphany and a recognition. Those who are attracted to this image are unconstrained by their peers, liberated in some aspect of their lives. They are also people who are frequently delighted or giddy or who appreciate unconventional beauty. The "Rastafarian" version of WOW is a dynamic design. It sites well on government buildings. The violet version alludes to yogic perfection and bliss. Wear it for yoga class to become both the epiphany and the ecstasy.

A dear friend of mine always combines WOW and GOD in her car window for a great double whammy. I like to combine WOW with NOW.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Peace ~ in its most superficial form, peace is anti-war, the absence of war. It is the opposite of conflict. This can be applied on a global level, a commercial level, an interpersonal level, or as pertaining to turmoil within one's self, etc. But in reality, peace is much more than the absence of conflict. It is an equalitarian existence, a global life or a personal life of fairness and respect. Those who work for peace in the world know that stopping war is a small bandage on a large wound. War is a symptom of a deeper consciousness that allows unfairness and disrespect to exist. The consciousness of individuals that make war (on each side of the conflict) and the consciousness of individuals who judge those who make war must be altered for there to be peace. While violence is an aspect of animal nature, war is not. And human nature has the power to elevate itself to a nature of peace. See Tao. See Dharma.

holiday hell / yes you are right

i wanted to make a block print for the winter holidays.  since i live in a cultural wasteland, my choices for art supplies are a stationers that has been going out of business for several years and michaels craft store.

i was closer to michaels.

to the salesperson:  i am looking for a linoleum block to make a print.

salesperson:  what is that for?

me:  you carve it, ink it, and make a print from it.

salesperson:  we dont sell that.

me:  yes you do.

salesperson:  no we dont.

me:  yes you do.  i know you do.

salesperson:  we got rid of everything that didnt sell.

me:  no you didnt.  you have it, i just cant find it.

salesperson:  try another salesperson.

me:  i cant find another salesperson.

salesperson:  (walking away, disgusted exhalation)

to next salesperson:  :  i am looking for a linoleum block to make a print.

salesperson:  what is that for?

me:  you carve it, ink it, and make a print from it.

salesperson:  we dont sell that.

me:  yes you do.

salesperson:  no we dont.

me:  yes you do.  i know you do.

salesperson:  how do you know we sell it?

me:  other people have bought it here.

salesperson:  in this store?

me:  yes ( i lied).

salesperson:  well we dont sell that anymore.

me:  yes you do.

salesperson:  I will ask the manager.

salesperson on walky talky mic:  do we sell linoleum blocks?

salesperson to me:  whats it for?

me:  you carve it, ink it, and make a print from it.

salesperson (after repeating and a pause):  we dont sell that.

me:  yes you do.

salesperson:  no we dont.

me:  yes you do.  i know you do.

me:  do you have a brayer?

salesperson:  what is that?

me:  you use it to roll ink on the block to make a print.

salesperson:  we dont sell that.

me:  yes you do. can you show me where the ink is?

salesperson:  ink for what?

me:  (pause)  ink to make a print from a linoleum block.

salesperson:  we dont sell that.

me:  yes you do.  can you show me where there is any ink?

salesperson:  aisle thirteen.

me:  can you show me?

salesperson:  (walking to  aisle fourteen, exhalation of disgust)

salesperson:  (leading me back to aisle thirteen) this is not what you want.

me:  this says ink for linoleum block prints.  these are five sizes of linoleum blocks. these are two sizes of brayers.  this is a kit of carving tools for carving linoleum blocks to make a print.  perfect.  thank you.

salesperson:  (walking away, exhalation of disgust)

cashier:  (as i set down a pile of merchandise) did you find everything you need?

me:  (steely stare)

cashier:  (after ringing six items) we cant sell this.  (she was holding the linoleum block)

me:  yes you can.

cashier:  it doesnt have a tag.

me:  yes it does, you just scanned it.

cashier:  but nothing happens.  we dont sell this.

me:  yes you do.

cashier:  (on walky talky mic to manager, sounding out the words) do we sell linoleum blocks?

manager:  i already told him we dont.

me:  (walking out of the store)  and you are right. (exhalation of disgust)

blesstheworld.com glossary

Numerology ~ the ancient science of ascribing meaning to numbers. Through various methods, numerology forecasts the destiny of a person based on the numerical value of the numbers in his birthdate.

blesstheworld.com glossary

New Age (New Age Movement and New Age Spirituality) ~ a social and spiritual movement that seeks Universal Truth and the attainment of the highest human potential. It combines aspects of cosmology, astrology, esotericism, alternative medicine, music, collectivism, sustainability, and naturalism. New Age Spirituality is characterized by an individual approach to practices and philosophies while rejecting religious doctrine and dogma.

The New Age Movement includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions including atheism and monotheism, pantheism and polytheism, combined with science. New Age practices and philosophies draw inspiration from Buddhism and Chinese folk religions, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Sufism, and Shamanism and Native American cultures, as well as others; with strong influences from Gnosticism and Paganism.

The modern New Age Movement began in the late 1960s and early 1970s, although elements can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It gained momentum in the 1980s and strengthened with the Harmonic Convergence (an astrological phenomenon) event in 1987. Diverse individuals from around the world practice New Age Spirituality.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Naturopathy ~ an alternative medicine which emphasizes the body's intrinsic ability to heal and maintain itself (also known as naturopathic or natural medicine). Naturopaths use natural remedies such as herbs and foods rather than surgery or synthetic drugs. Naturopathic practice includes many different treatment modalities, with practitioners emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care. Practitioners sometimes recommend that patients seek the advice and care of a medical doctor to complement their naturopathic treatments. See Holistic Health.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Metaphysical ~ beyond the physical. Metaphysics refers to that which is beyond the five senses eg: psychic awareness of the true nature of reality; the realm accessed by shamans.

Nadis ~ See Chakras.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Meditation ~ mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind and into a deeper state of awareness. Meditation often involves turning attention to a single point of reference. It is recognized as a component of many religions and has been practiced since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals ~ from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, to creativity or self-awareness, or simply to a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind. As a result of this sense of relaxation and peace, meditation ultimately leads people to find peace within themselves. See blessthebody.com Grace and Peace and Joy.

blesstheworld.com Prosperous House Spritz

This formula removes the obstacles to prosperity and attracts the good luck energy for money and abundance into the home. It also makes you happy. Use it liberally!

For severe money issues, first use the Clean House Spritz to start the abundace-process with a clean environment.

Into a large spray bottle, put half a bottle of blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse and half a bottle of blessthebody.com Grace and Peace and Joy. Add eight drops of essential oil of basil and fill with water.

To augment this spritz, add to the above formula half a bottle of blessthebody.com Gold Light and White Light and eight drops each of essential oils of allspice and bergamot.

Use the Prosperous House Spritz from the New to the Full Moon, before business meetings, and whenever money is lagging. The effects are amazing!

This is more than aromatherapy, this is spiritual healing.

For more information on Feng Shui for romance and prosperity, see Feng Shui Every Day.

 

black & white ~  black & red ~  taupe

return to peace shirts

This is the most aggressive image in the (PEACE) WORDS series. It is demanding. When the t-shirt with the "O" as a red peace symbol was designed, I envisioned militant dykes marching on Washington. (The next version of NOW was in much softer, "lipstick" colors!) We should all be so militant and demanding for peace.

As graffiti, this image intimidates people ~ they smile and put up barriers. While wearing a NOW t-shirt, people won’t look me in the eye. It touches their conscience the same way WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY TO SAVE THE WORLD? does (an image with the same aggressive directness from the Universal Peace series). Possibly, repetition of the NOW image is the magic chord needed to topple the walls we all inherently build.

Without a frame, the word "NOW" with the peace symbol may have been in existence before my design. I always equate it with the National Organization of Women though, like HOPE for Barack Obama, thus far, my version has failed to be endorsed. Maybe I should have added an exclamation point. And stomped my foot!

blesstheworld.com glossary

Medical Intuitive ~ a psychic who specializes in physical illnesses, organ analysis, and disease evaluation. Edgar Cayce is the most famous medical intuitive, though technically, he was a trance channel. See Channel.

blesstheworld.com Romantic House Spritz

Romantic House Spritz

This formula attracts into the home the good luck energy for romance and marriage, ensuring attraction and monogamy. Spray the entire house, including the bedroom, eight days in a row or before a date. To remove difficult, unwanted blockages to romance, see Clean House Spritz.

Into a large spray bottle, put half a bottle of blessthebody.com Be In Love, Gold Light, Pink Light, Love Light, and White Light with four drops of the essential oils of vanilla, orange, cardamom, sandalwood, and ylang ylang. Fill with water.

Use Romantic House Spritz at New Years Eve, Valentines Day, Full Moons, and whenever the kids/parents are gone!

blesstheworld.com glossary

Mantra ~ sacred sounds. Mantras are syllables, words, or phrases that are chanted to create a specific spiritual or metaphysical result. Repetition of the sound vibration becomes a spiritual healing just as any other vibrational modality would. See Vibrational Healing.

blesstheworld.com Cleans House Spritz

Clean House Spritz

This formula attracts into the home the good luck of prosperity and abundance and removes the obstacles to happy romance and vital health. It is the best limpia available. Use it to clear unwanted and unhealthy energy from the home and ensure the best luck in your life.

Put half a bottle of blessthebody.com Aura Spritz and half a bottle of blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse and eight drops of lavender essential oil into a large spray bottle and fill with water. Spray the entire house from top to bottom three days in a row.

For challenging and deeply stuck energy, add to the above mixture: half a bottle of blessthebody.com Radiation Cleanse, half a bottle of Implant Cleanse, and half a bottle of White Light. Add eleven drops of pennyroyal essential oil and eleven drops of tea tree essential oil. (Avoid pennyroyal if someone in the house is pregnant.) Spray the house eleven days in a row. This will remove the most serious energetic problem.

Use the Clean House Spritz at the Solstices and Equinoxes, for Spring cleaning, and after house guests. This is more than aroma therapy; this can save your life.

For more information on Feng Shui, see Feng Shui Every Day.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Mandala ~ originally Hindu and Buddhist, a mandala is an artistic diagram, often concentric, for meditation. Mandalas are used for liberation, healing, and abundance but always through the mechanisms of meditation, not merely as a decorative charm.

blessthebody.com Radiation Cleanse

The degenerative effects of cell phones, microwaved food, television and computer monitors, electric blankets and clocks and appliances are deep to the cellular and atomic levels and lasting. Medical radiation, military and commercial electromagnetic fields, ley lines, and the fallout from nuclear reactions are even worse. Negative radiation is linked to the dehydration of the planet and the trend toward sterilization of the human race. Nothing escapes the dysbiosis caused by radiation.

Radiation Cleanse is an effective antidote to all forms of life-negative emanations. It corrects the mis-polarity of all systems (atomic, cellular, electrical, chakric, auric, etcetera) and repairs the damage caused by negative radiation. It is indispensable in these modern times. Use when other subtle energy work is ineffective.

Symptoms of radiation toxicity can include: dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, weakness, spaciness; but degenerative effects occur before physical symptoms. Combine with blessthebody.com Bright Brain and Chakra Tonic for severe symptoms.
See also Clean House Spritz.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Luck ~ fortune or destiny. It is thought that luck is influenced by astrology, feng shui, talismans... et cetera.

blessthebody.com Bright Brain

The brain is the master computer of the physical body and the main interface with the subtle worlds. Poor diet/nutrition, toxic environment/blood, imbalanced hormones and chemicals, and electro-magnetic and other radiational fields contribute to a decrease of these functions, as do inter-dimensional interferences. Headaches, dizziness, buzzing, inability to focus/inability to remember, poor coordination, mood-swings, insomnia, and general degeneration are all symptoms of a decrease of these functions.

Bright Brain restores vitality and light to the essence of the brain which balances and enhances its functioning. It also strengthens the etheric body, slowing the degeneration of the physical body. Rudolph Steiner said that cancer was a degeneration of the etheric body. Use of Bright Brain as a tonic maintains a strong etheric body.

It is important for serious meditators, students, drug-users, and anyone over forty years of age.

Combine with Radiation Cleanse, Chakra Tonic, White Light for severe symptoms. Combine with Silver Light for chronic anxiety.

black & white ~ purple

return to peace shirts

There is the thought that peace is idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical ~ that it is the stuff of dreams, not meant for this world. But that is not true. Peace may well be the most pragmatic choice available to any society and the most valuable solution to the problems of this world.

That which is contrary to the natural harmony of things takes a toll on its participants far greater than its short-term rewards. War is the greatest counter-harmony endeavor imaginable. And its immediate rewards are lost in the mire of its product.

Conflict in personal matters corrupts both the physical and emotional selves; conflict in social matters corrupts the healthy and fortuitous progress of groups. The energy involved in each is better exerted toward raising the quality of life and the quality of spirit. But somehow, the directness of that idea is lost in the realm of egos.

While aggression may be a remnant of our animal nature, conflict is not the way of longevity. Harmony will outlive dissonance. And the arrogance that is the foundation of conflict will be the undoing of the aggressor. That which is great will fall.

Peace is the only logical choice for a person, a family, a society, a country, a planet. Peace is the only legacy worth endowing, the only life worth living. In every moment, there is the choice between love and fear, harmony and disharmony; wiser is the path of peace ~ peace is the path of the wise.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Karma ~ the underlying issues pertaining to how a person deals with life-experiences and creates new experiences, the Law of Cause and Effect. Patterns of life events, eg: repeated divorces, stem from recurring karma and can create karma. There are numerous forms of karma including hereditary and past-life karmas, group karma, and present-life karma. Release of karma can make life more graceful. See blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Homeopathy ~ a form of medicine where remedies of very dilute solutions are used. It is safer and often more effective than conventional medicine and prescription drugs.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Holistic Health ~ philosophy of medical care that views physical, emotional and mental, and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important. Holistic treatment for any dis-ease considers all these aspects of a patient. See Alternative Healing, Wellness, Naturopathy.

blessthebody.com First Aid

Shock and trauma overwhelm a portion of the psyche, stunting the growth process on all levels. An insect bite or paper cut; a car accident or death in the family — from surgery to a stubbed toe, this is your "first-aid-kit-in-a-bottle". More effective than Rescue Remedy or arnica, use for all minor or major emergencies. It is indispensable if you have children or when travelling; keep an extra bottle in your car and toiletries bag.

First Aid relieves shock and trauma from physical, emotional, mental, psychic, and spiritual stress, both current and historical. Use to relieve childhood and distant trauma as well as everyday circumstances. First Aid calls the spirit back so healing can begin.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Grace ~ the effect of living in the presence of the divine.

Guru ~ teacher, one who brings you into the light.

blessthebody.com Bright Immunity

This remedy brings vibrant light into the immune system and spiritually antidotes the causative agents of illness. Use it to remove the spiritual basis of colds, flu, serious dis-ease, miasms; use it to remove the spiritual basis of side-effects from antibiotics, immunizations, other pharmaceuticals; use it to remove the spiritual basis of fatigue, achiness, mal-digestion.

blessthebody.com Bright Immunity does not negatively interact with pharmaceuticals — prescription or over-the-counter. It has no ill side-effects. There is no over-dose.

While blessthebody.com Bright Immunity is a tonic and should be used regularly to regain/maintain vibrancy, short-term and occasional use is effective. It is highly recommended for anyone over sixty years of age or anyone with a compromised immune system.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Geomancy ~ the ancient science of detecting and manipulating Earth energy, eg: dowsing. Traditionally, a geomancer or dowser would choose the site to dig a well or build a house. This was an early aspect of feng shui.

The Tower of Babbel

Sometime after the great flood, with humans scattered across the Earth in every direction, a group of nomadic people came upon a fertile plain between two rivers and, weary of its own restless lifestyle and craving stability and greater community, decided as a whole to build on that spot a city and a tall tower and call themselves by a collective name that would identify them as a unique culture. These acts, the people thought, would bond them together and enhance their lives in many pleasant ways.

The idea of building a tall tower was neither frivolous nor a vanity; it was, in truth, insurance against the wrath of the gods, in the event of another flood. The fertile plain itself had been a flood plain and could be again, the rivers could rise again. But this could happen anywhere... The site of land between the rivers was a prime location for civilization, for a settlement of housekeepers, for crops and commerce and community; but in flood times, a mountain would be more suitable. Thus, the people, as a unified group, began construction of their mountain, a pyramid, the tall tower.

It was reasonable to prepare for the wrath of the gods –these were not a benevolent and wise brotherhood but a sociopathic group of self-serving deities whose whims were law. Devotees were actually slaves begging for tranquility; the gods were adversarial, eschewing appeasement.

The god of this group of people was no different. To augment his power, he demanded his people be nomadic and spread his religion as far as they could travel. He also demanded they refrain from sexual pleasure; the sexual act, he instructed, was purely for procreation –even aggressively so-- to the point of impregnating sisters and servants. His command was to be fruitful and multiply, he wanted to increase the number of his followers. Thus, settling in one place and maintaining a loving, monogamous household was an act of disobedience and rebellion. And their leader, because of this settlement, became known as a great revolutionary.

At that time in the history of humans, at the genesis of civilization, people everywhere spoke with one language. It was a simple language without a huge vocabulary but, as need arose, new words were cobbled together from already understood pieces of words... and everyone was of the same mind and communication was clear.

This language was the same language as that of the gods... and, at that time, humans and gods had direct contact, interaction.

Construction of the tower began with enthusiasm and the joy that comes of quality craftsmanship. The people produced burnt adobe bricks and mortared and plastered them with tar, completely water-proofing the structure.

As the tower began to rise, the god of this group of people came to view the construction site. He saw the fine construction and fore-saw the erosion of his power by the construction of a structure that water would not erode.

And he panicked.

“If the people speak the same language, if they are of the same mind, nothing is impossible to them,” he said to the other gods on his return. He knew his power over the weather would not suffice to subdue this rebellion.

A common language had been useful and convenient but, with the growth of the human population, that useful tool was quickly becoming a liability to the gods. It would be too feasible for the people of the world to unite together against the tyranny of the masters.

And so a plan was developed.

New and varied languages were not actually created by the gods –those evolved over time and continue to evolve. Yes, evolution is the true nature of things. What the gods created was nonsense.

Suddenly, each person of the community on the fertile plain between the rivers, while thinking he was communicating as he always had, was, in reality, speaking gibberish, as someone having a stroke would. The gods, through magical manipulation, affected a certain center of the human brain and the language of the gods was scrambled, lost. And frustration ensued.

Family groups worked within their own circles to begin the slow process of understanding each other again but, without common communication, trust and community dissolved.

And construction of the tower halted...

And the people scattered again.

The trick by the gods of affecting that certain center of the human brain was used again after the crucifixion of a great teacher. Various languages had developed by that time and the trick was used to a far lesser degree. After meditating together on a holy day, the followers of the great teacher heard a strong wind come into the upstairs room where they met and they all began to babble like the two rivers that bordered the fertile plain, like the river that runs though every civilization, every life. The gods wanted the secrets of the great teacher hidden and those who knew his truths were struck with gibberish until they exhausted the effort to communicate. Afterward, they spoke only of mysteries, not truths.

Some people heard different languages in the gibberish, others thought the followers of the great teacher were drunk. It was a holy day, after-all, a harvest festival, and everyone may have been drunk.

Members of Pentecostal churches to this day submit themselves willingly to this phenomenon, this trick that affects that certain center of the human brain like a stroke,. And the gods enjoy the entertainment, like watching a ventriloquist's doll retell a joke that never grows old.

This story, like the story of the Garden of Eden, is an injunction against independent and rational thought and the attempt toward improving the quality of a dignified life. True believers still adhere to this injunction today.

For those who subscribe to the notion of a liberated mind, however, this story illuminates two important points:

One: if we speak the same language, are of the same mind, nothing is impossible to us (through community, we have the power of gods); and, two: the language of the gods is one step away from nonsense.

blessthebody.com Chakra Tonic

The chakras are portals of spiritual energy which connect to specific points on the physical body. They pertain to psycho-emotional issues which manifest in the physical body and the physical life.

blessthebody.com Chakra Tonic repairs, balances, and strengthens the chakra and nadi (connections between the chakras) systems and their subsidiary systems (the endocrine system, the nervous system, the acupuncture points and meridians systems). It supports the balance of the hormones, brain chemicals, digestive enzymes. It supports the balance of psycho-emotional life-issues. blessthebody.com Chakra Tonic is like "Kundalini-yoga-in-a-bottle".

As a tonic, it is best used regularly over a period of time. This is an excellent basic remedy. Chakra Tonic combines well with the other blessthebody.com Spiritual Remedies — choose to combine remedies to focus the energy to a desired action (eg: Chakra Tonic with Bright Brain for hormone balancing; Chakra Tonic with E-motion Potion for psychological processing; Chakra Tonic with Bright Immunity for strength and vitality).

This is an important remedy during pregnancy (especially for the healthy development of the fetus), menopause, home re-modeling (combine with First Aid), mid-life crisis, or any life-transition. blessthebody.com Chakra Tonic helps you maintain healthy balance.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Feng Shui ~ the ancient science which manipulates the inherent subtle energy of buildings. Feng shui theorizes that features of architecture (form and placement)
affect the inhabitants of that building in real ways such as financial and romantic. Various schools of feng shui emphasize different methods of analysis and treatment. See Feng Shui Every Day.

Feng Shui Master ~ a practitioner of feng shui whose capability with the art is beyond that which is taught or learned.

blessthebody.com Aura Spritz

The aura is a complex, multi-dimensional vibration-bundle which contains all information about you. A small portion of the aura is known as the light around the body, the halo. The complete aura exists both within and without time/space and contains all your spiritual bodies and reaches to the edges of the universe. Ascended Masters have access to the complete aura while most people operate within a very limited energy space.

Damage to the aura affects the physical body, the chakric body, the emotional body; it affects the physical life-process, the spiritual life-process.

The aura is damaged by many antagonists: radiation (use with blessthebody.com Radiation Cleanse); family/inter-personal dysfunction (use with Chakra Tonic); anger, jealously (use with E-motion Potion)...

But most importantly, the aura is damaged by psychic attack, black magic, voodoo. Negative thoughts directed from a casual encounter are very tangible antagonists to the integrity of the aura. Ritual abuse/attack is much worse.

blessthebody.com Aura Spritz cleanses and repairs the aura at all levels and cuts karmic cords to all antagonists. It amplifies all other remedies (eg: see above; also: Silver Light for peace; Green Light for harmony/healing; Love Light for universal compassion, et cetera). For severe auric damage, use with blessthebody.com First Aid. For destructive empathy, use as a tonic with First Aid.

blessthebody.com Aura Spritz is your first line of defense from bad luck in any form because everything exists in your aura before it exists in your life. See also Clean House Spritz.

wow

black & white ~  rasta

return to peace shirts

Spiritually, this is the highest vibing image in the (PEACE) WORDS series ~ the combination of peace and ecstasy, the "wahe guru" that is both an epiphany and a recognition. Those who are attracted to this image are unconstrained by their peers, liberated in some aspect of their lives. They are also people who are frequently delighted or giddy or who appreciate unconventional beauty. The "Rastafarian" version of WOW is a dynamic design. It sites well on government buildings. The violet version alludes to yogic perfection and bliss. Wear it for yoga class to become both the epiphany and the ecstasy.

A dear friend of mine always combines WOW and GOD in her car window for a great double whammy. I like to combine WOW with NOW.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Etheric Body ~ the template for the physical body; the subtle body which informs the physical body on appearance and function. The etheric body, also known as the etheric double or the body of light, is what tells a liver cell to be and behave like a liver cell, for example. It is what informs the kidneys to work as they work, etc. stress in the etheric body results in stress in the physical counterpart. Spiritual healing occurs in the etheric body and is transferred to the physical body by its inherent process. Rudolph Steiner, in lectures to Yale University Medical School, stated that degeneration of the etheric body was the genesis of cancer in the physical body.
See blessthebody.com Bright Brain.

Metaphysical structures includes the chakras and auras and subtle bodies. The subtle bodies are a series of insubstantial "bodies" or spiritual bodies that function in different aspects of a person's existence. The etheric body is the template for the physical body but made of light. Also known as the light body. The emotional body houses emotions ~ a person may live more in his emotional body than his mental body, for example, being in his personality more emotional than mental and vice versa. The astral body (often combined with the emotional body) pertains to dreams. The astral body is one factor in being ungrounded. The astral body is known to travel (as dreams take you away from your life) and astral travel can be manipulated through practice. Each metaphysical structure has its own subtle body, for example: the entire group of chakras is the chakric body, the entire group of auras is the auric body, et cetera. And there is a subtle body which houses each separate type of karma, known collectively as the karmic bodies.

blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse

Karma is the result of choices made during life experiences. Replication of poor choices creates karmic patterns which inhibit the fruition of joy in life. blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse removes patterns which block the easy flow of universal energy through you. It can be considered "White-Tantric-Yoga-in-a-bottle".

blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse removes the blockages to prosperity; intimacy; vitality. It removes mental and emotional blockages. It removes the blockages to spirituality. Karma Cleanse removes childhood patterns that do not serve your highest good; past-life patterns that do not serve your highest good. It removes spiritual patterns that do not serve your highest good.

blessthebody.com Karma Cleanse is definitely the "change-your-life remedy". Combine with E-motion Potion for a dynamic one-two punch. See also Clean House Spritz.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Essence ~ the fundamental nature of a thing. As it pertains to natural and holistic healing, essences are subtle, vibrational waters which carry the information of a substance without the actual presence of that substance in the water, hence the term "spiritual" remedy. Essences can be homeopathic (a very specific and precise procedure to their creation) or new age (eg: flower, gemstone, etc that are created by a softer method). Essences are more powerful than substantial remedies because the delicacy of the essence allows it to penetrate where substance would be blocked. Essences, especially botanical essences, are usually stabilized and preserved with alcohol; blessthebody.com Spiritual Remedies, however, are formulated by a secret process which retains the delicacy of the vibrations without stabilizing or preserving them with alcohol.

blessthebody.com E-motion Potion

Incomplete expression of any emotion results in physical-life and spiritual-life inertia. The three basic negative emotions (fear/anxiety, anger/resentment, grief/disappointment) initiate this inertia.

blessthebody.com E-motion Potion stimulates the emotional body to release suppressed experiences liberating the psyche by completion of their expression. Depending upon your karma, not all experiences must be worked out overtly.

This is an important remedy for anyone undergoing psychological counseling, 12-step therapy, or any regression work. It is also important for people evolving from child abuse, both physical and emotional. But do not think this is a remedy for extreme cases — it can act with subtlety when subtlety is required.

It is common that people experience an "un-winding" — an emotional process which begins with depression, then moves into hostility, then nervousness — as a way of rooting out the origin of the problem. Do not be alarmed; it is a natural process to your clearer self. Combine with blessthebody.com First Aid if the emotional process becomes too overwhelming.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Ecstatic Poetry ~ poetry composed while in spiritual ecstasy or describing spiritual ecstasy. There is a long tradition of ecstatic poetry including the sufi poets, Rumi, Hafiz, Kabir, and Tagore and the haiku poets, Basho, Issa, and Buson. See eating God

roy anthony shabla

Books and Chapbooks

keys (poetry, $10)

conversations (poetry, $10)

i write therefore i am (poetry, $10)

libretti lumi (poetry, $13)

eating God (poetry, $15)

(PEACE) WORDS (memoir, $15)

Child Harold at the Zoo (memoir, $15)

Feng Shui Every Day (self-help, $15)

Foreign Language Books

y i x (poetry, $10)

Soul O (poetry, $12)

CDs

we are connected by words (poetry, $10)

the soul of the king (sound art, $10)

RoyAnthonyShabla.com

http://royanthonyshabla.com/books.html

on facebook:

Roy Anthony Shabla

the green salon

blessthebody.com Silver Light

Hysteria, frenzy, and spacey-ness are antithetical to being productive and manifesting a glorious present and future. Anxiety/nervousness prevents you from being your authentic self.

Silver Light grounds you into the physical world and calms you in your physical life. It contracts your energy so you are not dispersed. This results in the ability to maintain focus. It is excellent for students, meditators, actors, councilors, and any detail-oriented work. Combine with blessthebody.com Bright Brain for deeper effects.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Dharma ~ the law of higher nature, similar to the tao. It pertains to a sense of duty inherent in being a human among humans, inherent in being a human living on the earth. The dharma is what elevates humans from animal nature and is the basis of harmonious culture. Spiritually, dharma is the teachings regarding this law of higher nature. See Tao.

blessthebody.com Gold Light

Inertia, lethargy, dullness are antithetical to being productive and manifesting a glorious present and future. Shyness/cautiousness prevents you from being your authentic self.

blessthebody.com Gold Light stimulates you in the physical world and excites you in your physical life. It expands your energy field so you become dynamic. This results in great magnetism, charisma, attractiveness. It is excellent for performers and other people in the public eye. Combine with Pink Light for attracting romance. Combine with Green Light for attracting health and money.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Channel ~ psychic reader who "channels" another entity. Some channels work consciously, some in trance. Edgar Cayce was a trance channel who spoke for a medical intuitive. Ester Hicks is a trance channel for Abraham. Much of the Bible alleges to be channeled however the material is of such low vibration that it isn’t important. Many channels are fakes and many entities who are channeled are also fakes. Find an out-of-print book called Hungry Ghosts for an expose´. The term "channel" also applies to an artist, musician, poet, or writer who spontaneously composes ~ some of which can be the creation of a dis-incarnate being working through the living human.

my new chapbook

http://royanthonyshabla.com/books.html

blessthebody.com Green Light

Dis-harmony is the basis of dis-ease. Imbalance is the basis of trauma. Health on the physical, emotional/mental, spiritual levels is based on harmony and balance.

blessthebody.com Green Light is the great harmonizer. It works internally/ externally; personally/inter-personally. It balances any condition/situation. blessthebody.com Green Light affects both the present and the future, thus it is a great preventer of dis-ease on any level and in any realm. It is a very important remedy for anyone wishing to transition to a more peaceful future.

Green Light is excellent for healers, politicians/diplomats, contract negotiators, care-givers, large families, anyone over-worked or who abuses his health. It is important during legal battles.

Green Light is a prayer that our mis-spent past may not be the basis of our future. Green Light is a prayer for universal peace. Liberal use of blessthebody.com Green Light will reward you many times over.

one peace for all

black & white ~  harlequin  ~  green & blue  ~  brown  ~  pink & blue

return to peace shirts

Equal to GREAT MINDS, ONE FOR ALL has the most power and depth for me. I never tire of this image and continue to read it differently in different circumstances.

When the ONE FOR ALL image was moved from the breast to the belly of the maternal t-shirt, the resonance deepened. I particularly like this image in black on a man’s white t-shirt: It can make a thug feel like a knight in shining armor.

As graffiti, placement on a church, a political office or city hall, a bank ~ each merges with the site to create another meaning. Re-reading each site/image combination in light of the peace symbol digs ONE FOR ALL into even deeper layers. Juxtaposing this image with bus bench advertising is always valuable. It is amusing to place the ONE FOR ALL image on porn newspaper dispensers.

The Equal Rights Movement (the new Civil Rights Movement) has embraced ONE FOR ALL. You see t-shirts, buttons, and stickers at every rally.

The nobility of the Three Musketeers and the truth of the Taoist concept of universal force combine to illuminate the idea that each and every person is a bodhisattva in the world. Some bodhisattvas have a bottle of medicine in one hand, others have a can of spray paint. Or a pocket full of stickers.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Chakras ~ spiritual portals which transform subtle, spiritual energy into corporal energy, eg: the vibrational centers of the physical body that link to the glandular system. There are chakras that pertain to all aspects of the physical body as well as to buildings and the Earth itself. The link between the chakras and the immediate aura is direct and dynamic. The pathways between the charkas of a living system (similar to the nerves and the acupuncture meridians) are called nadis. See blessthebody.com Chakra Tonic.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Buddhism ~ a group of atheist religions which seek to liberate sentient beings from the cycle of karma, the sorrow of life.

blessthebody.com Pink Light

There is no reasonable response to life but celebration. Every other response is superficial.

Inherent joy is the basis of the universe; it is the basis of health (balance) and the basis of love (harmony). Without inherent joy, the universe would be imbalanced, disharmonious.

blessthebody.com Pink Light is joy in a bottle. It is not a mood- elevator; it is optimism even in the darkest moments.

blessthebody.com Pink Light is romance in a bottle. It is not an aphrodisiac; it is magic in the moonlight.

The ability to manifest a love-relationship depends almost solely on the presence of the color pink in the aura. Karma, astrology, feng shui must all be correct, but the color pink is essential. Superficial circumstances are not the basis of being un-partnered.

blessthebody.com Pink Light will bring up the pink in your aura and stimulate inherent joy in your life.

Combine with Green Light for vital health.

Combine with Gold Light for romantic attraction.

Combine with Love Light for spiritual romance.

Add White Light to amplify any combination.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Kundalini ~ see Tantra

blesstheworld.com glossary

Bau Biologie ~ the modern science of natural and sustainable architecture, an aspect of Architectural Ecology. Bau Biologie is sometimes used in conjunction with feng shui. Interest in Bau Biologie has expanded because of the worldwide "green" movement.

blessthebody.com Love Light

The basic activity of the universe is love.

Any disharmony in your self, your home, your life; any disharmony in your community, your country, your planet — is a situation where the basic, natural activity of the universe is blocked. (If you do not understand this statement, re-read it substituting the word "god" or your equivalent for the word "universe".)

Every activity on any level is either "loving" or "loveless" — from cellular (cancer) to planetary (pollution). Every inter-action on any level is either "loving" or "loveless" — from familial (abuse) to planetary (war).

blessthebody.com Love Light is the experience of love in a bottle. It infuses your self, your home, your life (both actions and inter-actions) with love. It infuses your community, your country, your planet (both actions and inter-actions) with love.

Unblock yourself to the basic, natural activity of the universe and do your part to bless the world.

Love heals all wounds.

Love dissolves all barriers.

And love shall set you free.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Bhagavad Gita ~ the Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu poem depicting a conversation between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna. It is a spiritual dialogue on morals and human responsibility thought of as a self-contained guide to life and synopsis of Hindu philosophy. The Gita is contained within the larger sacred text, the Mahabharata.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Auras ~ holographic layers of subtle eminations pertaining to a specific thing, e.g.: the light around the body, halo. The aura contains vital information and influence regarding the object it surrounds. For living systems, there are numerous auras that extend various distances into the space around and through the entity. See blessthebody.com Aura Spritz.

blessthebody.com Implant Cleanse

Deep-seated encoding and implants from fourth-dimensional interference or hereditary karma can impede the ability of the DNA structure to replicate correctly, causing mutation and illness. Often this is a vibrational disturbance that is subtle and the problem manifests over a period of time. Other cases are more overt and acute.

blessthebody.com Implant Cleanse removes the vibrational disturbance creating the underlying imbalance. Combine with blessthebody.com Love Light for best results. Add Aura Spritz and White Light for particularly difficult situations. This is highly recommended for chronic illness, both physical and emotional. See also Clean House Spritz.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Astrology ~ the ancient science of ascribing meaning to astronomical phenomena. Astrology foretells the future (or explains the past) by comparing the natal chart (the placement of the planets and stars at the time of a person’s birth) with the current chart (or some particular timeframe). Astrological theory is the foundation of most religions, most notably Christianity which still uses astrology to determine the fluctuating date for their Vernal holiday of Easter. The three wise men who followed a star to the birth of Jesus were astrologers. And the decision by the Christian Church to celebrate the Spring birth of Jesus at the time of the Winter Solstice was based on astrology. There are several forms of astrology, including Western, Vedic, Chinese/Feng shui, and Mayan. All of them are valid.

Roy Anthony Shabla / book

conversations This chapbook of minimalist poetry shines a spotlight on the reality of modern interpersonal communication. A delicacy and subtlety unknown to Richard Brautigan permeates this work; a clean starkness visited only by Mishima; a clarity possessed only by the great haiku poets ~ this is conversations. The first review: In his latest literary effort, conversations, Roy Anthony Shabla becomes the proverbial "fly on the wall". From this vantage point, he observes and light-heartedly describes the awkward social interactions inherent in the potential and ongoing relationships of others as well as his own. His inimitable poetic banter is both entertaining and biting and can even be, at times, poignant. A highly readable chapbook, conversations is a welcome addition to Shabla's growing ouvre. $9.99  purchase book from publisher

blessthebody.com White Light

Prana is the basic animating force of the universe. It is the "chi", the life-force, the vitality of all things that exist. It is the energy within atoms; the consciousness of sub-atomic particles, the spiritual within the material. A decrease of prana is degeneration.

blessthebody.com White Light enhances prana and removes all drains to prana, thus increasing vitality. It stimulates life-force in the body, the home, the business. blessthebody.com White Light is also an etheric cleanser. Combine with Aura Spritz to remove unwanted energy from yourself, your jewelry and objects, your room.

To bring light/vitality to the brain, combine with Bright Brain.

To bring light/vitality to the immune system, combine with Bright Immunity.

To bring light/vitality to the chakras, combine with Chakra Tonic.

To bring light/vitality to the aura, combine with Aura Spritz.

To bring light/vitality to the life, combine with Gold Light.

To bring light/vitality to the world, combine with Green Light.

To bring light/vitality to the universe, combine with Love Light.

To bring light/vitality to the darkness, combine with Implant Cleanse.

See also Clean House Spritz.

hope for peace

black & white ~  green  ~  blue  ~  color

return to peace shirts

Years before anyone had heard of Barack Obama, the HOPE banner was hanging on the outside of my house, facing the church parking lot next door. Those people really need some hope. I believe getting this image into the psychic consciousness of the planet laid the groundwork for Obama’s original presidential campaign and Shepard Fairey’s famous poster honoring him. I am proud to have gotten the psychic ball rolling.

Merging the peace symbol with the word "hope" is a perfect combination, understood at a level where the verbal and non-verbal realms unite ~ it is an image of deep and honest emotion. The color of hope is spring green, light and fresh, and the green HOPE t-shirt is the most successful. It affects women with a magnetic force from across a room, melting their defenses and releasing their truth. The greens, the HOPE, and the peace symbol combine to create a magical and transcendental portal to the center of the heart.

As graffiti, HOPE has never received a cross word. Not even from Christians (whose arrogance has no use for the future). HOPE has been an image cherished far and wide. It works well on traffic signs that have an abundance of directional arrows. It makes me cry inside to see it placed in the most impoverished parts of the city (most soldiers are recruited from the populations of the poor). Recently, even Republicans have requested it for their front yards. Never underestimate the power of hope.

After GREAT MINDS, HOPE remains the most popular image of the (PEACE) WORDS series. After all these years, it continues to spring eternal.

Architectural Intuitive ~ a psychic who specializes in the spiritual problems of buildings. Ghost busting, energy clearing, and remote feng shui are regular issues with which an architectural intuitive deals. He may also be a healer (energy clearing is a form of healing) and balancing the spiritual energy (charkas and auras) of the home is as important as it is for the body. An architectural intuitive should be consulted for any major house problems, spiritual imbalances, remodels, or commercial interests. The spiritual precedes the physical in all matters. blessthebody.com Spiritual Remedies are excellent for simple, architectural self-healing. See Spiritual
Remedies.

Roy Anthony Shabla / book

i write therefore i am The lovechild of Dr Seuss and Philip Glass is a Zen master named, i write therefore i am. Or, i am not. This chapbook is a hall of mirrors which reflects more reality than fantastic or fractured distortion. It is a writer’s handbook on why we write; two poems about the soul of poetry. It is music and psychoanalysis and a string of epiphanies knotted like a cat’s cradle. Hypnotic, dizzying… the book is a "must read" for any writer and any reader who considers literature an essential part of life. blog about language poetry $9.99  purchase book from publisher

blessthebody.com Grace and Peace and Joy

This remedy opens your life to the greatest qualities of grace and peace and joy in the world. It makes of your life a deep meditation that spreads itself to the edges of the universe. Use this remedy when you are finally serious about turning your life over to God.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Alternative Healing / Alternative Medicine ~ medical remediation outside the cult of conventional medicine. This is also known as "natural healing", "complementary healing" (if done in conjunction with conventional medicine), or "holistic healing" and aspects of alternative medicine are known as "spiritual healing" and "vibrational healing". Many of these terms are explained further here.

Modalities used in alternative medicine range from the very physical (eg: intraveneous drips/intramuscular injections, chiropractic/osteopathic adjustment, massage) to the very spiritual or etheric (eg: homeopathics, prayer/meditation, hands-on healing, distant or remote healing). Much of alternative medicine is known as "traditional medicine" (eg: herbs, poltices) and most aspects have been or remain illegal in the United States due to political/economic agendas.

An aspect of alternative medicine newly appropriated by the conventional medical community is the idea of "wellness" where patients are treated to prevent serious problems instead of waiting for the serious problem to develop. "Wellness" is a holistic approach to healthcare not understood by the pharmaceutical aspect of conventional medicine. See Wellness.

Roy Anthony Shabla / book

libretti lumi Lyrical and deeply resonant, this book of post-modernist poetry explores the dynamics of inter-personal relationships and communication. Built on classical forms, the work draws a direct line from the modern avant garde back through colonial and medieval literature to ancient Rome and Greece. In many ways, it is a summation of the long tradition of literature in the Western world. But don’t let that intimidate you. libretti lumi is a simple and personal account of the effects of love. You will find yourself and your relationships in this book ~the title implies the epiphany you will have when reading it. Non-narrative in format, libretti lumi is the cycles of poetry for two operas. Actually, it is one cantata (a pre-cursor form to opera) and one opera. It is also thoroughly modern and accessible.

Toying with the game between science and spirituality, libretti lumi sheds light on the inner garden from which both science and spirituality spring. It is a book of emotions rationally explored.

The poetry itself is clean and spare, the style is straightforward. While referencing classical forms, there are no overt classical allusions in the work ~you do not need a PhD in literature to read this book. You just need a heart and soul.

review of libretti lumi

reading of libretti lumi

$11.99  purchase book from publisher

blessthebody.com Skin Mantra

Energetic skin rejuvenation and cellular regeneration. Look and feel youthful again. Effective vibrational skin repair from signs of aging. Reverse wrinkles energetically. Formulated in a base of colloidal minerals, this is the only blessthebody.com remedy that is not made in water.  Apply on clean skin twice a day or as needed. Follow with blessthebody.com White Light. Secondary remedy: Gold Light.

great minds dream alike

black & white ~  rainbow  ~  blue  ~  coffee

return to peace shirts

This is the first and most resonant image in the (PEACE) WORDS series. It speaks deeply to people over and over.

"Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ" is attributed to the great Anonymous but the word "dream" alludes to the collective unconscious in which we all participate and its substitution into the shortened phrase brings peace into the inherent being of all.

As a t-shirt, the rainbow version of GREAT MINDS on a black field is the most significant, describing the commonality of the human race in the great void of existence. A rainbow is not meant to depict diversity, not meant to show how different we humans are; a rainbow is meant to symbolize the bridge between differences ~ it denotes harmony. Coupled with the peace symbol and the words, "dream alike", that particular t-shirt resonates to the core of the issue. It stimulates the emergence of the deep-seated quest for peace within us all and lights that quest with honor.

Wearing a GREAT MINDS t-shirt on a plane always provokes a positive response. Sometimes I sport a wild appearance ~ maybe people are relieved I’m not a terrorist! Revolutionary, yes. Terrorist, no. One man told me "great minds think alike…" were his grandmother’s dying words only a couple weeks earlier ~ they would always be special to him. Most people just smile and nod approvingly. Sometimes they ask as to where they too can get a t-shirt.

As graffiti, GREAT MINDS DREAM ALIKE has been seen in large and small formats for years. I have had a banner on the front of my house long enough to be the "crazy guy in the neighborhood" but one neighbor told me he instructs his daughter to read it every morning on her way to high school. I have left GREAT MINDS up for years with the thought that it may be the only reading she does all day.

The original idea for GREAT MINDS was to write a book of short biographies (two to three pages each) of the recipients of the Nobel Prize for Peace. That would be a powerful and inspiring collection to compose. Hopefully, it will manifest soon.

In my mind, whenever I see this image, I picture Einstein. But it could as easily be Buddha or Gandhi or Martin Luther King. Or (insert your favorite peace revolutionary here)!

I’m not sure if I would have continued the (PEACE) WORDS series if GREAT MINDS hadn’t affected me so deeply. It continues to affect me after all these years.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Chi (Qi) ~ See Prana.

blesstheworld.com glossary

Alchemy ~ spiritual chemistry. The metaphysical science of transmutation which has a goal of the "panacea" ~ a cure-all ~ and immortality. The term "spiritual alchemist" is not redundant ~ it pertains to someone whose work is based in transmuting the non-physical instead of the physical (such as lead into gold).

ART FOR DOWNEY'S SAKE

An Interview with Roy Anthony Shabla

Tell me about yourself as an artist.

I am a painter and a poet. I paint large abstract paintings in the tradition of the American Abstract Expressionists. My artwork is held in both public and private collections. I write lyric poetry and non-narrative narrative poetry and language poetry. I currently have four poetry books and three books of prose in print. I also have a cd of spoken word with music and a dvd of poetry films and I create multi-media happenings alone or in collaboration in Downey and beyond. I am also enamored with printmaking and work with prints in various media.

Did you settle in Downey for the art scene?

I am laughing right now. I was raised in Downey and there was no art scene in those days. There were a few events like concerts in the park, arts-and-crafts in the park... but I don't remember any actual culture. I remember a scandal with the Downey Museum of Art where an exhibit of nudes was closed because of public outcry. I thought I lived in the most provincial of towns ~and maybe I still do! My mother regularly took me to museums ~especially art museums~ and the idea of my hometown closing an exhibit of diaphanous, abstract nude figures was an embarrassment. You really couldn't see any of the good stuff but, nevertheless, it was banned. My professional biographies still state I am from the “Los Angeles area”!!!

But Downey is like quicksand, you never really get out. When I started college, I lived in other cities. And when I dropped out of college, I lived in Europe for a couple years. Those were very productive times, creatively, and I miss them. I miss the culture of those years. But personal matters brought me back to Downey and here I am.

Several years ago, I attempted to connect with local artists. I posted on craigslist, I put fliers at the Downey City Library, I explored transitional areas around Downey... with very limited results. Even though I had season tickets with my mother to the Hollywood Bowl and then, when it premiered, the Los Angeles Opera, I felt alienated from the Downey Symphony and the Civic Light Opera. I wasn't looking in my hometown for what old people had created; I was looking for kids like me who were right now scraping out some new sort of art... and I couldn't find it.

Since that time, the internet and social media have changed the world. After lecturing a dear friend and collaborator in Portland, Oregon about art culture and his artwork, I told myself I needed to listen to my own words. And I found the newly-formed Downey Arts Coalition via google. It has been a distraction ever since.

What do you think of the art scene in Downey now?

It is true that things are happening here. Some wonderful things are happening. But the community of artists and the community at large and the City government are not working together in any reasonable way to support the arts. That aspect is disheartening.

While the Downey Arts Coalition has a few hundred “soft members”, the same handful of core members show to the arts events. Many DAC board members do not show up for DAC events. And that is consistent with the Downey Museum of Art and the Stay Gallery ~ the people running the shows don't seem to have any interest or support for the arts. Neither the members of the board of the Downey Museum nor the Stay Gallery showed to the last free lecture on modern art, VIEW FROM THE EDGE, given by a world-class artist we are privileged to have speak for us. This, by the way, is a Downey Museum of Art function and yet, no one from the museum was able to attend. No one from the Downey City Council has ever attended the free lecture series and the venue is next door the council chambers and City Hall.

While the Mayor of Downey complained that local artists did not step-up to paint the public utility boxes, the Downey City Council removed the Committee for Art in Public Places (removing the avenue for public arts petitioning) and then painted over the utility box I spent three weeks turning into a piece of art. (A documentary on my utility box artwork, WE ARE NOW, is posted to my website, roytube.com) And the Downey City Council has done nothing to return the Downey Museum of Art, after many years without a site, to its home nor get it into another home. Despite regular petitioning. These are not steps in a positive direction.

There are now several arts groups and a city-funded art gallery (Stay Gallery) in Downey. Yes, things are beginning to happen. But I feel that for this movement in the arts to survive, two things are needed. One, education. And two, arts-community alliances.

Many of the people running the arts groups have no arts education whatsoever. There are board members of several groups making decisions who have never been to an art museum. So I started the VIEW FROM THE EDGE free monthly lectures on modern art. World-class lecturers on various aspects of modern art have donated their time to lecture for free in Downey. Attendance has been poor.

I also put together a community art fair, STATE OF THE ART, to introduce the different arts groups to each other and to the community. But apathy prevailed. Our local art gallery, Stay Gallery, was a no-show. The only art store in Downey, Neil's, refused to participate. Other arts groups in Downey would not even respond. It was a lovely day for those who attended (live music, poetry readings, art vendors, crafts for kids...) but once again, attendance was poor.

I realize I sound negative about the arts culture in the City of Downey. It is the current trend to be a cheerleader for everything Downey but that is neither honest nor realistic. And thus far, sugar-coated cheerleading has not produced a positive result. Affirmations are a lie. If this arts renaissance is to survive, we must all work together and support each other. I have been working to make this happen.

What is working in the local arts scene is surprising, however. I started two different poetry groups in Downey and each is thriving with little crossover. I manage only one group now, the green salon, but the other is also going strong. No one expected the only monthly fine arts events in Downey, especially from the Downey Arts Coalition, would be poetry series' and yet, there it is. (Please note: the Downey Arts Coalition also produces the Movie Club, a free monthly screening of movie-lover type movies ~which, incidentally, has also had poor attendance despite its excellent and enthusiastic curation.)

The play reading series, Urban Acts, also worked well. Live readings of the work of local playwrights were well attended and good evenings. One reading was in conjunction with a graffiti show I curated, AMERICA IS AN ILLUSION.

It will be interesting to see how the arts scene in Downey evolves over the next few years. I curated free public arts events in Downey and elsewhere in the past and am currently curating the green salon, THE VIEW FROM THE EDGE (both the lectures and a tv night), and have tried to initiate Downey artist studio tours, fine art exhibitions, avant garde outdoor events... but enthusiasm doesn't equal participation. The best single day of art in the recent history of this city is MAKE MUSIC DOWNEY. We need more of that kind of thing.

In the future, I am hoping to see in Downey the production of good quality avant garde theater and music. I am hoping to see the art museum find a home. And I am hoping we attract other art galleries ~especially fine art galleries~ so we can begin a monthly artwalk with our community gallery. But a bright future is not something that happens without work. It takes a committed local government and community and a spark of creativity!