Whats This Crazy Life All About?

You have no history

2015-03-07T23:48:00.001+10:00

“You have no history” was the common complaint of Australia by European immigrants I grew up with. Their history is the lattice windows of village life or perhaps the rock work of Stonehenge. That history is structure that blinds them from the natural history of Arnhem land that perpetuates the myth of land in terra nullis. There were no monuments, there seemed to be no history.

I suggest the cute windows or rustic hut of a pioneer or convict is also a myth because we see history though the lens of our own story. The story of school documentaries and Time Team. We don’t experience history directly. We experience our story as told by media, our parents, and at times we find letters and artefacts that reshape our personal land collective memories.

History is memory, shaped and reshaped . Unfortunately governments want myths of glory to hide national shadows.

You are a dirty glass

2015-01-31T14:49:00.000+10:00

The truth is water poured into your glass, and mixes with all your muck. Then you go and tell your family and say “here have a drink!” and you wonder why they say “ughh yuk”.

The purpose if spiritual work is to stir up the sludge so you can filter the water and give others a drink.

Unfortunately, some of us have made our spirituality an ego experience. We feel good as the muck loosens from our soul but hang onto it, as if it is “we” who are doing the work. As if “being good” is a trade off, from seeing ourselves. We feel good for bringing the muck to the surface, while our family still only see the mud. As Gandhi said of some Christians, they worry so much about sin , they become great sinners.

Spiritual work helps us make distinctions between truth hand illusion. What upsets us reveals what illusions we value. All our impulses are ego trying to get back in.

Life offers us a crisis, which we seek to negotiate, and eventually we realise the ego doesn't know but tricks us with stories we tell ourselves that life should be. When eventually we let go to life, and trust, we experience an epiphany we feel we have touched the face of God. For months, maybe ears, years we feel we are spiritual, we feel we are blessed, that we are “God’s spoiled brat”, but we are still in our ego.

This is where some spiritual types stay stuck in spiritual pride. Then suddenly life collapses again. We face our dark night of the soul. The shadows that haunted us return, but on a deeper and higher level. It seems we have lost even God. It seems that every day we need ask “What attachments do I need let go in my life?”

The ego drives the millions of micro decisions we make in unconscious guilt. Ever upset is unconscious guilt we have not released and keeps us from peace. When finally we realise that Spirit is in charge “there is no ego to decide there is anything but love”.

If ever that was possible, the glass would clean, and maybe even the glass would dissolve as flow in the river of life.

Blacktracker...Blackwriter....Blacksubject

2015-01-27T20:44:00.000+10:00

Blacktracker...Blackwriter....Blacksubject

Sometimes, when pick up a pen, I’m the blacktracker following an ink-trail across a page of country, to find lost and wayward words. And then sometimes, when the grasp of the pen is very good, I’m the blackwriter , the blackwriter who can sense the resentment of other blacksubjectswho have been denied the Queens diction. With or without the pen though, I’m always the blacksubject, the blacksubject scouting out uponan endless trail of the Queen’s death-notes. Propoganda and poison ink: the medicine the Queens children now use to edit blacksubjects. Occasionally, I’m the blacksubject, blackwriter and blacktracker, and we all ride out together. The Queen pas the blacktracker for some of my dirty work, the blackwriter feels my Dreaming to the Queens tongue, and then blacksubjects don’t come come to my poetry readings, thus I pay for my words. Alienated only as the blacksubject. But with or without the pen, it’s the blacksubject who will inherit the earth. Because at the end of the day, the blacksubject can’t be seduced like the blackwriter, ‘cause the blacksubject will always know ... it’s with the pen that the lies are used to overwrite the Dreaming, and the written word will never be worth the country it’s written on.

- - Samuel Wagan Watson

There no place like .............?

2015-01-21T13:54:00.000+10:00

“We are one, we are many, from al the world we come”

- Bruce Woodley.

Australia is no longer a 19^th century patriarchal domicile behind a 1950’s picket fence. The perfect family is mythical and so are our tangled imaginings of our national home. We all yearn for a place to call home, but home is in our imagination. As imaginary as the bush hero our coast fringed, urban Aussies will never be.

Home is not just a place of heat and rest. Home has always being our source of deepest conflict and transformation. We imagine its peace but are triggered by its shadows.

Australia is a land of immigrants, exiles and the diaspora. Add to this challenge gays and feminists ask of our domicile and home is not so clearly defined. Nor is the identity of the homeland.

The post 9/11 fear mongering inspired the call for Australian Values. But what are they? “You don’t kick a dog when it’s down” was what was an Aussie truth I was bought up to believe. Post Tony Abbot we add “unless you’re a refugee.”

Fear can turn an accommodating people into a mob demanding conformity. This spasm of concern is pimped by politicians with an eros of nationalistic passion. Where three word slogans confuse the common good with vote grabbing.

I am a patriot of informed choice, and considered decisions. I am a patriot for open debate for the long term good of all: Not flag waving Australia Day drunk who cheat the law a week later. I do not believe in a reality built on prejudices, slogans and misconceptions. I do not bow to a mandate that squelches debate.

A true patriot examines the nature of country to find the common good. A true patriot supports his community: we should never under estimate the unique potential of each individuals gifts to flower in the light of encouragement. A true patriot also seeks to peacefully change what is against community long term benefit.

Non violent resistance and protest of injustice are therefore a patriotic act.

But now challenge the media norm and expect a backlash. I understand many fear a loss of community. We seem increasingly like globalised tourists, and vagabonds, homogenised by globalisation.

You may be born here from parents of brown skin of a foreign religion, and never feel at home at home in this land of your birth. The inflated threat of migrant terrorists has made citizenship increasingly precarious. Disagree and you expect to be told “Go home.” I am a 6^th generation Australian born of British descent and yet I have been told to “go back to India”. Why? Because I objected to a father allowing his children throwing stones on a train.

I realise we sentimentally over value some socially imagined common understanding of what we should practice as if that legitimises our shared Australiana. But other than rejecting terrorism, what does that mean?

Social exclusion can also be about how you see yourself; especially if you feel excluded by skin colour, religion or family traditions.

Of course, all nations have shadows that haunt: Aboriginee, woman and immigrants are subtly excluded here.
We hunt refugees and Aboriginee from our awareness like dingoes scattered to the desert. Off the TV screen is out of sight and out of mind. We don’t want to look beyond the Anzac legend, but we are not White Australia.

The other side is stereotype: a faulty stereotype destroyed for me when I first moved to India. I attended a party where one girl was clearly a Muslim. Most were dressed in curvy but modest clothes. Only later, did I realise that 60% of all the girls present followed Islam.

Repeatedly I found most Muslims did not stand out at all. We see first those dressed differently – and I bless their uniqueness – then so wrongly label a whole community by that perception. Unfortunately, identity politics solidifies communities within narrow imagined boundaries. It ignores the shared good and finds instead fearful shadows.

I am a devotee of the god of small kindnesses; a sannyasin to generosity across the picnic rug. I am a pilgrim to the community hall of challah and falafel, of roti and dim sum embraced in the shared gift of every heritage. I honour the sleeping black babe wrapped to a mothers back, and the fruity sip of ouzo at the taverna.

Few of us thrive on our own power. It is the church, or the ashram – in the power of community – that were are inspired to find our gifts and offer them. Alone we sink into our own selfish shadows.

But the boundary posts are shifting. Australians are no longer British on holidays. The nuclear family will no longer model the modern nation state.

We need a new language. We need a new vocabulary broad enough to embrace our new extended family of migrants, exiles and diaspora. Our anthem should be opportunity, and our invocation the responsibility to share our gifts for the greater good of all.

Aphorisms on Nature

2015-01-06T21:55:00.000+10:00

Aphorisms on Nature

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Nature! We are surrounded by her and locked in her clasp: powerless to leave her, and powerless to come closer to her. Unasked and unwarned she takes us up into the whirl of her dance, and hurries on with us till we are weary and fall from her arms.

She creates new forms without end: what exists now, never was before; what was, comes not again; all is new and yet always the old.

We live in the midst of her and are strangers. She speaks to us unceasingly and betrays not her secret. We are always influencing her and yet can do her no violence.

Individuality seems to be all her aim, and she cares nought for individuals. She is always building and always destroying, and her workshop is not to be approached.

Nature lives in her children only, and the mother, where is she? She is the sole artist,—out of the simplest materials the greatest diversity; attaining, with no trace of effort, the finest perfection, the closest precision, always softly veiled. Each of her works has an essence of its own; every shape that she takes is in idea utterly isolated; and yet all forms one.

She plays a drama; whether she sees it herself, we know not; and yet she plays it for us, who stand but a little way off.

There is constant life in her, motion and development; and yet she remains where she was. She is eternally changing, nor for a moment does she stand still. Of rest she knows nothing, and to all stagnation she has affixed her curse. She is steadfast; her step is measured, her exceptions rare, her laws immutable.

She has thought, and she ponders unceasingly; not as a man, but as Nature. The meaning of the whole she keeps to herself, and no one can learn it of her.

Men are all in her, and she in all men. With all she plays a friendly game, and rejoices the more a man wins from her. With many her game is so secret, that she brings it to an end before they are aware of it.

Even what is most unnatural is Nature; even the coarsest Philistinism has something of her genius. Who does not see her everywhere, sees her nowhere aright.

She loves herself, and clings eternally to herself with eyes and hearts innumerable. She has divided herself that she may be her own delight. She is ever making new creatures spring up to delight in her, and imparts herself insatiably.

She rejoices in illusion. If a man destroys this in himself and others, she punishes him like the hardest tyrant. If he follows her in confidence, she presses him to her heart as it were her child.

Her children are numberless. To no one of them is she altogether niggardly; but she has her favourites, on whom she lavishes much, and for whom she makes many a sacrifice. Over the great she has spread the shield of her protection.

She spurts forth her creatures out of nothing, and tells them not whence they come and whither they go. They have only to go their way: she knows the path.

Her springs of action are few, but they never wear out: they are always working, always manifold.

The drama she plays is always new, because she is always bringing new spectators. Life is her fairest invention, and Death is her device for having life in abundance.

She envelops man in darkness, and urges him constantly to the light. She makes him dependent on the earth, heavy and sluggish, and always rouses him up afresh.

She creates wants, because she loves movement. How marvellous that she gains it all so easily! Every want is a benefit, soon satisfied, soon growing again. If she gives more, it is a new source of desire; but the balance quickly rights itself.

Every moment she starts on the longest journeys, and every moment reaches her goal.

She amuses herself with a vain show; but to us her play is all-important.

She lets every child work at her, every fool judge of her, and thousands pass her by and see nothing; and she has her joy in them all, and in them all finds her account.

Man obeys her laws even in opposing them: he works with her even when he wants to work against her.

Everything she gives is found to be good, for first of all she makes it indispensable. She lingers, that we may long for presence; she hurries by, that we may not grow weary of her.

Speech or language she has none; but she creates tongues and hearts through which she feels and speaks.

Her crown is Love. Only through Love can we come near her. She puts gulfs between all things, and all things strive to be interfused. She isolates everything, that she may draw everything together. With a few draughts from the cup of Love she repays for a life full of trouble.

She is all things. She rewards herself and punishes herself; and in herself rejoices and is distressed. She is rough and gentle, loving and terrible, powerless and almighty. In her everything is always present. Past or Future she knows not. The Present is her Eternity. She is kind. I praise her with all her works. She is wise and still. No one can force her to explain herself, or frighten her into a gift that she does not give willingly. She is crafty, but for a good end; and it is best not to notice her cunning.

She is whole and yet never finished. As she works now, so can she work for ever.

To every one she appears in a form of his own. She hides herself in a thousand names and terms, and is always the same.

She has placed me in this world; she will also lead me out of it. I trust myself to her. She may do with me as she pleases. She will not hate her work. I did not speak of her. No! what is true and what is false, she has spoken it all. Everything is her fault, everything is her merit.

Mantra for Migrants

2015-01-05T17:03:00.004+10:00

Mantra for Migrants

Always becoming, will never be

Always arriving, must never land

Between back home unfathomable, is me

– By definition: immigrant

I’ll always be oh glorious

Glorious unchangeable

In truth, I am in flux

Immigrant I will forever be

Migrant oh yes, oh migrant me

Migrant immutable amazing unchangeable

Always becoming, will never be

Always arriving, must never land

I pledge citizenship, unerring

Loyalty, to this State of Migrancy

- Shani Mootoo The Predicament of Or

Jonah and a whales throat

2014-08-03T11:00:00.000+10:00

I am reminded of a story told by Buddhist meditation teacher Tara Brach:

A young girl listened as her teacher explained that while a whale is big its throat is too small to swallow a man.

"But Jonah was swallowed by a whale!" exclaimed the distraught girl.

"Well, a whales throat is too small. A whale could not have swallowed him."

"Well, I'm gunna ask him when I get to heaven."

"How do you know Jonah didn't go to hell?" asked the frustrated teacher.

"Well then, you can ask him!"

Me a feminist?

2014-08-02T11:37:00.003+10:00

Recently media has highlighted the campaign of (Western?) women loudly proclaiming “I am not a feminist.”

I am a little amused.

Isn’t the right to stay at home, to not burn your bra, and to be a mother, the right of the femininity of choice?

As Joan Scott reminds us in The question of Gender:

“In the age of democratic revolutions, ‘women’ came into being as political outsiders through the discourse of sexual difference.
Feminism was a protest against women’s political exclusion; its goal was to eliminate ‘sexual difference’ in politics, but it had to make its claims on behalf of ‘women’ (who were discursively produced through ‘sexual difference’). To the extent that it acted for ‘women’, feminism produced the ‘sexual difference’ it sought to eliminate. This paradox-the need both to accept and refuse ‘sexual difference’-was the constitutive condition of feminism as a political movement through its long history.”

In other words ,feminism acted in terms not of its own choosing, but in response to the discrimination of the time.

Women have come along way. Now, at least more woman can choose how they exercise their power, their bodies and their sexuality.

Some may comfortably choose the traditional role, especially if they feel their partners treats them as equal partners. Especially if they glorify in the roll they adore.

However, I wonder if we can go back and learn from some more feminine tribal experience. The Kibbutzes of earlier modern Israel often saw children raised by a sig le mother figure, and in some tribal cultures men are often away, leaving children to a group of women, each supporting each other.

The feminine collective should be encouraged. A place where women can be feminine without response too the gaze, attentions of, or politics of men. Here they can refresh themselves of their feminine energies, recreated and refreshed, when once again they re-engage – hopefully as equals – with men.

The Eros of Nationalism

2014-06-08T14:17:00.001+10:00

While I disagree with him, I have profound respect for Philip Ruddock. He ran former Prime Minister Howard's border protection policy, but he had visited refugee camps before his work with that government, voted against discriminatory policies of his own party and respectfully debates and allowed himself to be interviewed by those he knew opposed his views.

However, the present turn back the boats policy is performed in secret. If history is to judge this policy kindly then it must be open for all to see. In a democracy we should have the facts before us to decide whether we agree. But debate has been censored.

In watching a the recent debate IQ2 Debate: History's Judgement will be to Vindicate our Treatment of 'Boat People', televised on the ABC, I began to wonder.

The government is elected to make decisions including tough decisions. I accept that in International law all nation states have a right to defend our borders. However, if the Australian Government honestly believes policy is to be praised as humane then it should be able to stand up to public scrutiny. Unlike Mr Ruddock, the present Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison can hide behind military secrecy.

Secondly, I have walked the slums, and spoken to the children whose lives are of the type many refugees are trying to escape.

I found it morally repugnant that Foreign Minister Julie Bishop could blatantly compare the refugee camps of Manus Island, when, the same day, it was reported she saw them from a distance but did not enter these homes.

Sadly this was not reported enough.

I believe that all decision makers of government policy must spend time – and I do not mean flying visits, with Ministerial or NGO comforts – living with the people or environment of the people whose decisions will be effected. Try for atleast a week. (Imagine an Environment Minister who never entered a forest, but made decisions about the ecology while only ever enjoying an air conditioned office in his concrete jungle?).
My experiences in India convince me that most businesses and NGO’s entering that country are shown a rent a crowds that support officials with views of minds already decided.

Get among the “stake holders”, as the “Poli-speak” would call them, and see whose lives you will effect.

I honestly believe we must make decisions on the basis of our whole person. That is, we must decide, not just with our disembodied heads, but also with our heart.

I believe a nation can be patriotic without being jingoistic. Unfortunately, patriotism is a lot like erotic love: short term and intense. The ancient Greek writer Thucydides described the erotic decision to go to war against Sicily.
But Sex can other unite or hurt and disillusion. Lust can rush a man or woman to a choice they later regret, just as nationalism can thrust a nation toward passion or hatred.It seems to me that linking the punishment of already marginalised and afflicted with patriotic fervour risks being found out as a dissatisfying and disillusioning experience.

But why choose between Patriotism and universal reason? Could it be that politicians triggering fear against the unknown other simply because we fear the uncertain?

Our Immigration heritage, is often flagged with patriotic joy, much as New York has been for the USA’s immigrant history. The same nationalism rushed both Australia and the US into a war based on misinformation.

So it is I now come back to our debate on boat people arriving in Australia.

I ask if you are a politician debating the issue of “boat people” then please spend a week in a slum, or a detention centre first. Know what peoples lives are like first.

Then, if after that you as a whole person can still defend Australia’s position, then I salute you and respect your for your integrity, even if I grudgingly disagree.

You see, part of the argument has implied the belief that new Australian should uphold a minimum set of Australian values. I believe most do. However, when I went to school e were taught an Australian value I still wish we would uphold:

“You don’t kick a dog when it’s down”.

Sending the Navy against unarmed refugees seems more akin to thuggery.

Back to the Tribalism again?

2014-03-19T13:34:00.000+10:00

The savage who loves himself, his wife, and his child with quiet joy and glows with limited activity for his tribe as for his own life is, it seems to me, a more genuine being than that cultured shade who is enchanted by the shadow of his whole species.... In his poor hut, the former finds room for every stranger, receives him as a brother with impartial good humor and never asks whence he came. The inundated heart of the idle cosmopolitan is a home for no one....- Johann Gottfried von Herder

We all like to enjoy relaxed and friendly unpretensious time of a national holiday but sadly some hooligans turn these days into racist harassment of minorities.

You could say that patriotism is Janus faced phenomenon,. At times it calls for freedom and then its dark face of patriotism verges on fanaticism. Warriors all to often claim they fight for freedom. But freedom for who?

Patriotism can also be expressed as an exclusive pride not just reactionary hype. To my mind, a person who stands up for what is tight – in the hope of redirecting attention to a peoples noble intentions is more patriotic denouncer of any justified critique.A democracy of equality, community and pluralism. The risk is that as markets tighten a renewed dogmatic adherence to ideology will arise under a pseudo claim of pragmatism.

I have said for nearly 15years we were approaching a historic cycle a kin to the 1930’s with its risk of nationalist fervour, abused misuse of history to marginalise decent and the demand for new resources.

The idea of the nation state as we know it is relatively new, developed around the French revolution . But since Wordl War II we can no longer assume a nation has some a collective to agreed view point or historical ideology.

Most myths are full of holes even though we don’t want to collectively admit it.

Gordon Brown and Sarkozy tried to push their version of history. Now Vladimir Putin demands the return Crimea to Russia. John Howard had his photo under a wattle tree as he tried to unify the idea of national identity and shared Australian Values (whatever they are?).

One value may be a respect for diversity.

However, this value in itself implies a cohesive genuiness to that shared ideal that as David Goodhart reminds us could turn on the champions of this open hearted value.

Hmm questions to ponder ...

Adam in Eden's Gilded Cage

2014-02-24T06:22:00.000+10:00

“The Gilded Cage”, St George Hare, 1857-1933

Adam lay naked in his gilded cage

while Joseph is caste naked in his underworld

& from his rib, Sarah and Rebecca,

were concubined

Wives made sisters for the harem

by husbands inept.

If God rescued women from Egypt & Philistia

why didn’t he save Dinah from rape?

What does it say of God

that rLot offered his daughters to be raped?

& Kingship is slavery

of concubines to David and Solomon?

Can Civilisation Be Civil?

2011-12-12T18:56:00.002+10:00

I remember in high School my history class civilisation was defined "scientifically" by the presence of writing, monuments and religion.and social structure. True, The early social scientists of Europe were heavily indebted to Greece, with all its monuments, democracy and history. Still, civilzation was defined by exclusion. Non Greek's were Barbarians, the Chinese described them selves as wise, holy and civilised, the rest uncivil. Islam sees Mohommads light revealled to a darkened world. The Brahman of Banares may believe others too inferior to be touched.

We seem to define civiisation in terms of them and us. In terms of our own ethnocentric culture. We may be civilised but act anyrhing but civil. We are human – but regularly forget to be humane. Humanity is found in all societies and so cannot fit the classification schemes of social scientists.

The result was that in the West atleast an apparently benign classification scheme tended to define Europeans as civilised, Asia as semi civilized with black peoples unworthy of the term. We may see ourselves as less racist, still, textbooks tend to present the dominant ideology to an impressionable audience. The Media adds to division even more since complete anaysis is impossible in 600 word news grabs. Once labelled the process of difference – which seems to divde us further.

Is a monument creating civilisation with no written language uncivilised? By atleast one definition yes. To the British Australia's inhabitants had no monuments – their apparently miserable lot justified to many a belief that survival of the fittest required white society to let them die out. African archeology was often driven by a need to prove racial theories.

It of course works both ways, the Khoikhoi of South Africa were denigrated by the Portuguese as some of the lowest human beings on Earth. Yet, the term Khoikhoi means 'Men of Men' or the 'Real People' was as a collective name for themselves. This implied that only cattle owning people like themselves were real men while the stockless bushmen tribes were not .

We are reminded by Pandit Ganga Prasad Upadhyaya that in all the conflicts of the twentieth century, aggressors used defence of culture to give a while face to make an offender appear less selfish and cover his dark interior (Vedic culture, Vijaykumar Govindram Hasanand, 2001, Dehli).

What interests me here is Upadnhyaya's understanding of a more inclusive use of the terms culture and civilition that has been perhaps lost in millemia of tradition and layered in historical pain.

Upadnhyaya asks us to question the militant social model by asking us to consider the hardship of motherhood. The ancient Shatapatha Brahmana describes a mother as ones first guru and preceptor. "This is the germ of civilisation which nature has put into our mothers" he writes quoting the vedic phrase "Ekoham Bahusyam' 'I am one, let me be many.' A model of selflessness that supports the weaker babe for the future. Civilisation should be defined not by antisocial conquest but by the act of becoming civil or social. The word civil means to become social.

Go back to that ever so misused word 'culture': From the Latin colere it means to till or to worship.Within is found the word cult.

We may not immediately link culture to the idea of tilling a field. We do however, talk of agri-culture, or horticulture.The tiller of the field seeks to aximise his effortsand efficiently harvest from the sees he has planted.

In Sanskrit krishi means to till. Another related Vedic word is Krishti meaning a fully cultured man – but also it can mean the common man. Upadnhyaya reminds us that the word man is tracable to the Sanskrit Manu or Manushya – the thinking being.

"Culture includes all the things, big and small, from beginning to end, which contribute to the actualisation of a sentient beings potentialities or seed powere... It is a sum total of many things which play their part in their own places, but whose function is severally and jointly to turn the seed into a full grown tree. Krishti or man is that tree, and all those small or great things which help the fullest development of this man go by the collective term 'culture.' "

Of course the term is less well used in practice – much as there are good and bad agriculturalists.

Point is that civilisation is one of the seeds that that helps actualise the seed potential of our humanity.

This point of inate humaness is not unique to the Vedas.The Dalai Lama also suggests the maternal instinct of mammals evidence the innate compassion within our design. We are not, says the Dalai Lama in The Art of Happiness, the egocentric Freudian Id driven by nothing than a destructive inner animal.

We are a social animal but we are not just society. We are individuals and there is a tension in growing and building each to synergistically grow the other.

I know that at this point many a Western reader will critically suggest this is not the India they read in history or see described in documentaries. British social policy from 1857 realised the only way to rule India's teaming millions was divisde and conquer – flare up divisions betweem Hindu and Muslim even where they were not been before.

However, the oldest Vedic texts describe a more monotheristic and egalitarian world before caste and sexual domination took hold. Monotheistic reformers like Dayandanda Sarawasti decried what they saw as a corruption of a pure faith that preced the caste system and promoted equal rights for women inclding their education, and making Sanskrit texts available in Hindi. Earlier, Ram Mohan Roy was a prime mover in having the British ban sutee as "cruel murder, under the cloak of religion" (1830, Abstract of the Arguments regarding the Burning of Widows Considered as a Religious Rite) arguing women were as morally strong – if not stronger – than men.His belief of a Divine Unity inspired a dream of a universal religion inspired Rabindranath Tagore to observe that Roy "realized that a bond of spiritual unity links the whole of mankind."

I am not arguing here for any religious view. Rather, I make a simple request for a Western reader to look beyond what (s)he thinks (s)he knows of India and the Vedas. In this, I include myself.

When exposed to a new culture, there is a neurological neccessity to link to what we know. To gain our bearings in terms of past experience – especially at first. Sadly, it limits the questions we seek to ask.

I want to focus on an older ideal to see if it is useful in our modern world.

Consider Upanhyaya's image of culture as a tree again.

Another Sanskrit word for culture is sanskriti from kri (to do) and sam meaning well literally meaning "purification and refinement which ultimately means growth" like a seed buried in the ground the outer husk decays, its obstruction removed and growth begins. "The soul is also covered so to speak with outer coatings, a non -soul matter, so to speak" writes Upanhyaya. These obstacles are to be removed. "Saskriti means its elimination, so thjat the inner qualities may be allowed the fullest play without any hamper.'Krishi' and 'Sanskriti' both mean culture because culture does not mean the outer covering. It deals directly with inner essence. " The elimination of what is foreign to our refinement.

My thoughts are do our cultures promote the greed and lust, or refinement? Or is this part of a greater teleological plan to force us to realise the folly of our ego? Or do we misuse a word to justify our greed? Should culture mean we be a cultured individual. Is it that just as there are good and inneffective agriculturlists there are refined and poor culturalists – or tillers – of the soul?

It is too large a stask to assess every aspect of ancient Vedic ideas here. Gurucharan Dass analyses the moral dilemnas the complexity of Vedic debate with a modern bent in his book The Difficulty of Being Good in the Mahabharata epic. A text where karma catches up with everyone in complex ways just as it does the Greek epics of Homer. Individual characters challenge even basic assumptions most make of India life. No one is black or white but entwined with karmic shadows driving the unconscious with a sympathy that reminds me of Leo Tolstoys works.
Still, I think we can agree civilization implies communing together. You can herd sheep into a group as you can people, but civilization implies a shared intent.

Consider the word for society: Sabha. The related word Sabhyata is called 'for all practcal purposes' a synonym for civilization, the process of making social. Sabha imay be derived from bha, to shine, and sa, meaning together which Upadhyaya describes as 'wonderfully illuminative".
" Sabha means that the individuals of which try to make others shine, so that the lustre arising out of each individual may collectively form a centre of light. " Like light rays that individually not sun, but each makes a contribution to the whole.

This requires we go beyond ourselves. Capitalism sin is Greed says professor Amarya Sen in The Argumentative Indian, the sin of socialist societies is envy. Enforced equality rarely works. So to be truly civilized a society we must be inspired to grow within if we desire to make others shine. If like a mother we have the compassion to be the guru and preceptor to make our one many.

Many of the esoteric traditions believe in a teleological purpose leading man back to a spiritual source, A return that socially mirrors the personal return to meaning after we have exhausted the increasing demands of our ego. Will we mature as a society? Can we go beyond ourselves, or self destruct.

Nobel Lauriat for Chemistry, Ilya Prigogine, demonstrated that we, societies and peoples, grow in direct proportion to the amount of chaos we can sustain and dissipate. All systems go through different life stages. Each time a system is overwhelmed by too much energy it becomes more and more chaotic, being unable to dissipate the excess. Pushed to the brink, the system either breaks down or breaks through. If it breaks through it reorganizes at a higher level and the adjusting system grows dynamically.

In other words, we are forced to do better or we collapse. I dont know if you believe are we bbeing pushed to redesign ourselves the collective good. It my seem a fantasy to a secular mind. So, I ask you, what to you is a usable and civilising model of Civilization? To be more than a collective mob – to be civil – requires a looking above and beyond ourself. We may like to look at that in some practical, even political terms.

But it is all to easy to see the differences, and contrast others, and then condone and justify our own inequalities. We forget we live in a Universe.

"It is called a Universe" writes Upashyaya "because here is a particular unity pervading it - a factor which harmonizes all its different constituents."

A Persian proverb reminds us "God did not make five fingers equal." Why was this inequality designed? The answer is quiet clear. to give them a harmony. Exactly five fingers could not have worked harmoniously.

In the garden of ideas and people we call culture, we need to remember that plants and animals come in all shapes and sizes and evolved to fill a niche that services the whole while filling an individual need. When diversity is reduced by mass agriculture other problems surface.
Similarly, we need to respect our differences and see power in diversity. Homogenity only crushes the creative innovative spirit.

For example, I know full well that many from my Western home will scream that there tradition of freedom extends back to Grecian democracy. They object: What about the Indian caste system?, although untouchability was outawed in 1950. But then Athernian Democracy extended only to the 20 percent free male population of Hellas. They forget, or do not know, that Emperor Ashoka, who died 332 BCE, decreed equality for all citizens, 100 percent, of his kingdom of all castes, male or female even animal.
We all know it: both East and West have had moments of tolerance and inhumanity. Both East and West have preached for the benefit of all mankind and equally drifted into selfishness. Many of the corruption issues plagueing the growing India were issues that plagued the West just as grossly up to World War II.

Perhaps to be civilised requires that we should be prepared to accept truth and reject untruth. To seek the whole picture.

The objective of society should be to do good for the whole world - physically, spirtually and socially, claims the Aryta Samaj, founded by Sri Dayananda mentioned earlier. Most other religions and societies agree. But this must start on a personal level - when we act according to our dharma, after considering both right and wrong. What a Christian may call following his conscience, after considering the rights and wrongs of the case.

To be led by the dictates of love and justice and look for ones welfare in the welfare of all. This requires looking beyond ourselves. To see the interconnectedness of all things.

We may call this a spiritual goal. But then, in the Vedic system, says Upadhyaya, "culture begins with the gradual realisation of ourself as a non-material spirit. The more we realise this fact, the more we are cultured."

What do you think?
　

Image: Civilization by ~polatsamuk

Will Chilli Heat Up Atruism on the 9th of Av?

2011-08-10T18:24:00.003+10:00

I have just finished watching a debate on ABC TV(Australia) – “Is Wikileaks a force for Good?”

It has done good – but a force for good? Poker machines raise money for good causes but I could not call them good. I wonder if instead of being a force for good. should we ask if Wikileaks is possible only because of our stage in history?

As my as my Indian friends fry the poha and Jewish friends fast on this the 9^th of Av – the day the temple was destroyed (twice) - I wonder what is good anway?

I am convinced that history repeats in a loosely four generation cycle and we like the post WWI generation want change. Britian had lost the will to keep an empire. The world wanted freedom and an end of all war. Of course the USA – that pushed its 14 point peace plan back then, did not ratify it and kept its military while Britian had 30% less weapons pre WWII than before WWI etc.

Long before the recent recession, I often predicted we would enter economic and social upheaval of the 1920's and thirties. Now I am no prphet – it just seemed logical.

As the US economy size declines compared to China, the West is again repeating the same (economically driven?) call for a reduction in military expense. I often compare the US to Republican Rome which gained much of its power before the empire by military and economic pressure, at times as a mediator between warring sides, negotiating treaties to its advantage.

Now it is China that has the money – and a military presence not unlike the USA had as Britians military declined post WWI. Now the USA struggles over the will to empire.

The only thing I am uncertian of is how Chinas 1 child policy will effect its ability to innovate in future. Innovation is usually fueled by youth.

Will this mean that India will surpass China as an economic power house in say 20 years? Perhaps it will depend on India's ability to deal with its massive curruption problem.

Octavius was declared Augustus after defeating Cleopatra and Marc Antony in what was a battle od different world views. Augustus claimed to be the offspring of Apollo who sedjuced his mother in a temple- rational and military. Cleopatra claimed to be Isis (who the Romans pointed out was to them Venus and as a mother to children of both Ceasar and Antony easy to be labelled a prstitute), whose worship called for knowlwdge in the realms of intoxication. Antony, like alexander the Great, dressed as Hercules.

Are we now fighting a conflict of freedom versus control?

Naval historian Cyril Parkinson, of Parkinsons Law fame (“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”), wrote a book East and West in 1963. He argued that the shifts from East to West and back again are traceable to Babylonian times. He predicted the rise of China.

I wonder whether the shifting sands of time will focus more narrowly in the increasingly universal world of the internet? Will national boundaries bwecome less influential? Personally, I think that greed will force a more universal call to action – but whether it is sustainable will depend on whether we can realise the overall benefit in altruitic action.

I admit I dream of a world much as Rabindranath Tagore:

“I believe that there is an ideal hovering over the earth, an ideal of that Paradise which is not the mere outcome of imagination, but the ultimate reality towards which all things are moving. I believe that this vision of Paradise is to be seen in the sunlight, and the green of the earth, in the flowing streams, in the beauty of springtime and the repose of a winter morning. Everywhere in this earth the spirit of Paradise is awake and sending forth its voice.”

Writers like Tagore, and Sri Aurobindo describe a teleological view of history leading to a utopian future. The Western meta historian Arnold Tovey wrote with a similar bent.

The problem I see is that life is multifaceted. There are two sides to a coin. As I travel the world I see people point to the good of their culture and ignore the bad.

For every good there is always an equal and opposite social force. Sometimes one force is focused in one person or entity – and so holds sway against diffuse apposing ideas.

In the thirties Nazism grew because Germany had no middle ground. There was Communism or Nazism.

Are we becoming as polarised?

There is an idea in kabbalah that describes the ten divine qualities, or sephirot, in three lines or three pillars in the tree of life. The Pillars of Mercy, Severity and Balance. I am not wanting to sound “Madonna – ish” and I admit a gross over simplification here.

Now I admit, Kabbalah is used and abused to jusify anything these days. Anything can be called kabbalah these days. Anything can be called spirituality these days.

One of the triangles on this model balances expansive, kindly, flowing chesed with the fiery focus of gevurah. The middle line is compassionate but practical Tiferet, often described as serving a greater cause. But even there a fighting for a greater cause can degenerate into bigotry when selfishness takes over.

Perhaps it is in moments of calm reflection – in meditative stillness – we can see the balance of forces heaped upon us.

Or perhaps that is not enough. I once read a quote from the Chassidic leader, Rebbe Schneersohn who replied to someone who wrote he was avoiding social activism because it had been feeding his ego: “And without the activism there is no ego? Better a haughty activist than a self-centered do-nothing!”

A friend of mine was raised by Mother Theresa, who according to her, had an ego.

Egoless detachment may be an ideal for observation but ego drives achievement as well.

The question is whether we can turn our desires from self centredness to the greater good. I just finished Bob Geldoffs autobiography, and he certianly had an ego. But used it to make good.

The kabbalistic teacher Michael Laitman, points out that in kabbalah the soul achieves graded attainments called worlds. The word "Olam", world, derives from "Alamah" or concealment.

These are the degrees of concealment of unity. Unity is the ultimate, most intense delight that one can possibly feel. That the collective soul is seeking.

Laitman wrote: “It is said that there is no greater pleasure in our world than settling doubts. After being lost in doubt, after searching and being confused, a person gets confounded in contradictions and is unable to resolve a problem. Then suddenly a person finds a solution. The solution comes because two extremes merge into a single whole and form unity. They complement one another and exist thanks to one another.”

I am agnostic in my wait and see attitude towards messianic chronologies. I dont know if I can pin utopian dates on mankind as do some who see the Messiah in the Rebbe or the revealling of unity that Michael Laitman suggests was predicted by kabbalist Baal Ha Salum.

I do know, that the increasing bipolar division of a schitzoid political debate needs to seek unity. But unity is more than the short term thrill of politcal promises over sold and under delivered.

“Yes we can” …....... but will we? I remember when Kevin Rudd and Barak Obama thrilled us with utopian ideals I really doubted they could pull it off. The cycle of an aging baby boomer generation costs an economy.

Still, from the time of colonialism on, after the hoo haa of cut backs it was trade and exchange that rebuilt the market …. and a public works program that we usually associate with Labor or the US Democrats.

Hopefully we can tackl the swings of history like yachts against the wind, narrowing our focus on an atruistic ideal.

For thinkers like Laitman “this unity which the souls reveal in everything, even in our world, is perceived as the greatest delight ….peace is savored after a war. That is to say, first we sense a contradiction, reveal the lack of unity, completeness; realize the evil. Darkness should precede light because otherwise we will attain nothing.”

Mystics of East and West – and Laitman rejects the label of Mysticism for Kabbalah, atleast not in the sense the word came to used with the rise of Christian thought – describe the seeking of opposites like lovers, opposites merging as one. Sufism, Christian mystics and Jews describe a marriage be it of God and Israel, Jesus and Church or Allah and his worshippers. Ancient Hindu monotheism similarly marries apposing aspects of the divine.

And lovers, like Romeo and Juliet, may go through trial and tribulation to be together to enjoy the sweetness of love.

Meanwhile, the worlds of Montague and Capulet fought on regardless.

What of us?

Rather than divide our world Cleopatra against Augustus, freedom againsy structure, perhaps we need to seek a practical, yet altruistic middle ground. Peace historically has thrived in times of structure which, ironiucally meant there were powerful people gulty of abuses.

Turning back to Wikileaks, I find myself asking is whether it will do more good – or will its revelations be one sided as totalitarian regimes simply keep their secrets hidden and laugh at the free world.

Assange himself has threatens any would be Wikileaks employers with a 12 million dollar fine if they break ranks. Again we see that for every social force we see the opposite even within the same organisation and person.

Freedom and restriction are a matter of perspective.

Of course, we could ask to what extent we are really free – how much of our choices are a product of biology and social conditioning, or the agonies of our personal and historical pasts ….......

…... but that I suppose is another question and for another time.

As it is, I have just finished cooking Poha Upma, a recipe from Andhra Pradesh. Before I first visited India I would like may a Westerner squrmed at the amounts of chilli in the dish. As in many Indian foods, different ingredients cool what are hot ingredients.

The balancing of tastes makes for a harmonious whole. Ayurveda extends this to personality temprements that left unbalanced go to extremes – just like the chilli if unbalanced in a dish.

And of course for a true democracy – if one really exists – people should be able to make informed choice. But we dont have all the facts – even from Wikileaks which may dump a bunch of pages online but does little to help evaluate the total picture.

Meanwhile, the Jewish crowd go hungry waiting for the ever approaching sunset.

One friend emailed “As the person does not eat or drink for a day, and he know there is nothing he can do about it, resigns to the fact, suddenly he is free of worrying about that part of his body, catering for himself, and suddenly all that energy, activity, thinking process becomes free for other activities.”

Unlike in India, fasting is not a very Jewish activity, as it is associated with Jewish mourning. Still, I witness clarity of thought among fasting Indian friends, who enjoy the cleansing experience. To sit back as if from the distance of Pluto to see that so much of what we call important ultimately is nothing.

Is this what Ken Wilbur meant by adulthood? Someone who takes FULL responsibility for their emotions, and their results in the three basic arenas of life?

We long for freedom but need structure. Without it we will forever be needing Bob Geldoff to form another sing along ….....

I wonder if he looks back and asks about the long term good for all his efforts?

…....... he certianly tried hard enough

I Want to Kill that Bird!

2010-12-16T20:20:00.000+10:00

I want to kill a bird! One of the feathered variety.

Don't worry I wont actually do it. I care about animals.

But ….

The flaming neighbours cockatoo has mastered the sound of a telephone – and squawks ring tones from dawn to dusk …... and beyond.

Its enough to hope they will answer the phone and hold its neck very tightly!

It reminds of my recent travels through India.

On the satellite TV news three lines of banner ads pumped product, news flashes and so much banality it was nearly impossible to concentrate on the news reader.

Maybe the Australian news was more subtle but not the glut of silly season promotions.

As far back as November I heard a barrage of 'you better watch out, you better not cry” wondering if they forgot what it is suppose to be about.

I am all for respecting peoples right of religious belief and practice. It stil makes me wonder. December 25 (December 21/22 Gregorian calendar) was the Roman Saturnalia. Anyway ....

Be that as it may, the advertising is as annoying as that bird.

I wont try and kill your festivities. But, even if I did celebrate Christmas – I don't – I would yearn for a “Silent Night”.

Not the squawking commercialism that is ringing in my ears as annoyingly as that cockatoo.

Reflections on the Aga Khan Palace

2010-09-10T16:44:00.002+10:00

Just around the corner in the suburb of Chinhwad, the road already has two temporary platforms blocking the road for the Garnesh festival, or Ganipati. Idols of the little elephant – promising wealth and prosperity - are everywhere.

A Pune firm has even managed to make an environmentally friendly version.

It is perhaps appropriate that I visited the Aga Khan palace and the Peshawar palace just before the Garnesh festival. In the palace, I read a memorial to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856 – 1920) among the many reminders of Gandhi and his philosophy.

I am told the British had restricted the right of association, and Tilak turned the once small family festival into a major social unifier and nationalist event.

Flouting British restriction, the festival became both a right of association, religious worship and nationalism.

Tilak was impressed by his grandfathers recollections of the Pre-British Peshawar Marathi kingdom – the last to fall to the British in 1817.

In 1833, my ancestor Hannah Cox gave birth to William Hicks Cox on March 25, claims a hand written family record. He died there on June 27, the same year.

So we took off to the Aga Khans palace where I bought a homespun kurta and handkerchief.

The Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III built the palace in 1892 to offer employment following a famine, in Yerwada region in eastern Pune suburb that joins Kalyani Nagar (Kalyani City), also called Neelkanth Kalyani after a city industrialist and founder of the Kalyani Forging company.

The present Prince Shah Karim al-Hussayni Aga Khan IV was a supporter and associate of Gandhi, and it was here, that the British transported Gandhi during his 1942- 1944 house arrest. He gave the palace to the public in 1969 becoming the he Gandhi National Memorial.

To Westerners Gandhi is best remembered for his political achievements which he described being of “little value.” The title Mahatma “pained me” he said.

In the 1925 introduction of his biography,he claimed the had been “striving and pining to achieve these thirty years is self realization, to see God face to face, to attain Moksha.”

“For me truth is the sovereign principle … This truth is not only truthfulness in word, but truthfulness in thought also, and not only the relative truth of our conception, but the Absolute Truth, the Eternal Principle that is God.”

In 1930 Gandhi wrote letters from his Yeravda Central Prison stating “the {Sanskrit} word Satya (truth)

is derived from Sat, which means 'being.' Nothing is or exists in reality except truth. That is why Sat, or Truth is perhaps the most important name of God.”

“It is more correct to say Truth is God, than to say that God is truth.”

Gandhi believed there are “innumerable definitions of God, because His manifestations are innumerable.”

“They overwhelm me with wonder and awe and for a moment stun me. But I worship God as truth only. I have not yet found him, but am seeking after Him.” he wrote in 1925. “I am prepared to sacrifice the things dearest to me in pursuit of that quest. Even if the sacrifice be my very life.”

As shown in .Attenborough's film, Gandhi's wife, Kasturba, and also his long-time aide, Mahadev Desai, both died there while under house arrest. Samadhis (memorials) were built by Charles Correa. To the side lay Gandhi's ashes – although friends claim the majority were separated to an number of locations.

One of the most poignant moments for me was reading Gandhi's words after the death of Mahadev Desai – sadly I could not find a copy online.

Mahadev Desai (1892—1942), a journalist, was born in 1892 in the Surat district of the Indian state of Gujarat. A student of philosophy, logic and law he loved literature First meeting Gandhi in November 1917, Desai joined Gandhi full-time becoming viewed as a son by the Mahatma and his wife.

He died on the August 15th, 1942 in the Aga Khan Palace.

Gandhi wrote he expected he would be buried by Desai. Gandhi could not bear to hand his 'son' to the British – who could not aford to have Gandhi visible in a public funeral. Thet relented allow Gandhi to perform the Hindu rites an d cremation on the grounds.

“ ... [Mahadev Desai] was much more than [Gandhi's official secretary]. He was in fact Home and Foreign Secretary combined.” wrote Verrier Elwin “He managed everything. He made all the arrangements. He was equally at home in the office, the guest-house and the kitchen. He looked after many guests and must have saved 10 years of Gandhi's life by diverting from him unwanted visitors....”

Gandhi's room and bathroom are protected behind glass – much like a shrine to Keterba, who died there. Along with his spinning wheel, its simplicity reminded me how great men often remove superfluous distractions in pursuit of dreams and principles.

There is a walk down to the Samahdi for Desai and Mrs Gandhi. Here Ghandi daily trod the path to his daily observances. Kept free of commercial distraction, this area, like the gardens, are tranquil and reflective

Once a clinic for leprosy and other skin conditions, homespun is available for charitable fund raising..Gandhi loved children and on one side near the Samadhi is a children's nursery.

I bought my first homespun garment – a kurta – for 288 rupees. I also bought two of Gandhis books and one by his grandchild for 30 rupees. The only commercialism (found nearly everywhere) is the far higher entrance price for non Indians.

There is a beautiful air of calm in the gardens. The lawn is mowed by an electric mower and swept clean by women with straw brooms.

Gandhi was arrested for speaking out against war. Curiously, as we sat in the gardens carpark we were approached by a women holding the Watchtower – itself banned for political neutrality during the war.

Then, as we left the Aga khans palace, a flatila of cars and a crowd of young men were gathering outside – the flag of Congress – a fist in bands of Indian Orange, white and green – blazed as the cars drove off. Indira Gandhi's grandson, Rahul was in town – and I found out later, he visited youth in my area of Pimpri – Chinhwad purportedly top hear their concerns.

We discussed the Indira and Rajiv Gandhis earlier policies – his plan for voluntary sterilization. I had recently listened to an Indian professor who described the period of democratic suspension by Indira and Rajiv as a dictatorship but afew friends believed at the time tough – focused leadership was needed. She believes India needs a single President figure, USA style, who can get things done. I still feel a single powrful figure needs a president/Governor General counter balance when the constitution is threatened.

We drove through the older part of Pune - Shaniwar Peth. I hope to return to photograph the beautiful old buildings and then to the Shaniwar Wada. This fort was built by Shrimant Pahile Bajirao Peshwe taking two years to complete in 1732. It was the used by the Peshwa rulers until 1818 when the last Indian kingdom surrendered to Britain.

The massive stone construction has large steps – not the size a child would like to run up - held off the British.

Expanded to include, fountains, courtyards, gardens, offices, quarters and audience halls, it was guttered by an unexplained fire in 1827 that lasted 15 days. What remains of the perimeter and fountains hows it was once formerly magnificent.

My own interest in the city comes from It was here that my ancestor Hannax Cox gave birth to son William on March 25, 1833, claims a handwritten family document. He died June 27.

Although the British base, now a suburb named Camp, is further south, it is Shaniwar Wada that made victory so crucial to the British. The Peshiwar legacy is still a catch cry to freedom in Pune. The dynasties founder, Shivaji, has the most locations and statues named after him. He is also a symbol to Hindu nationalism and Marathi pride.

Although offering helpful services, I wonder whether Gandhi would have preferred a more inclusive less parochial politics.

Truth is straight and narrow, he said, it is a 'razors edge' impossible to be achieved by the arrogant, to attain it the seeker must be “humbler than dust.”

Gandhi believed his message of truth and non violence was not new but “as old as the hills.”

Its just that moral lessons are quickly tainted by greed, power and self interest. We easily totter off the razors edge.

Then we forget - or ignore - the truth that we innately know.

Thus endeth the reflections.

Pune, Rosh Hoshanah and recreating our world

2010-09-10T02:26:00.000+10:00

Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish New Year, birthday of creation, and a time for new beginnings, coincides in India with the arrest and detention of two of three suspects, for the bombing of the German Bakery, Pune.

Alledged bomber 29 year old Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig l was arrested as was Sheik Lalbaba Mohummas Hussain Farid for heading a sleeper cell of terrorists in the wine growing region of Nashik.

The other suspect, Moshin Chowdhary, alleged recruiter for the Indian Mujahabideen, is still on the run and his mother has called for him to surrender and “face the law. If he is guilty he will be punished, else we will all be able to live with pride and dignity.”

He is a suspect in a Hydrabad bombing in 2007. Media footage claimjed that many famous Indian sites, such as the Taj Mahal, were targets.

What has that to do with a Jewish holiday?

Before Passover, news reports revealed that CCTV detected that the bombers had first cased out the Chabad House of Rabbi Kupchick. The explosions occurred around Havdalah on February 13. Police claim that after mistakes made by the bombers in the Mumbai attacks

Pune also has the largest sysnagogu in Asia outside of Isreal, buit by Jewish philanthropist David Sassoon – however, a Rabbi is only available for Sabbath services.

Both Chabad House and the Sassoon Ohel Synogogue are protected by Indian military. You must present your passport at the Chabad House at the bunkered front gate.

As we recreate our lives in this time of renewal, perhaps its a time to reflect on what we can do to make the world a home for God, when military security will not be needed.

Image: Peaceby ~myownlittlecorner

Lament to a Lost Timetable

2010-04-20T21:17:00.001+10:00

I left home just after 3.
The plan, perhaps not strictly structured, was simple. Bus to the city (The 315 from Redcliffe, or 690 to Sandgate and train in), then (guided by the internet) the 178 to Holland Park.

It’s ten to 5, after finally finding the bus stop) and I’m still stuck in the city.

Oh well, that job (funeral director assistant didn’t really have my heart. 5 0ocloch sharp they said for a group discussion. On time or zip.

Well at least I have plan B.

I had been invited to some classes. Either Carindale or Hendra; as it was closer to home, I decided Hendra. Carindale was my original, closer to Holland Park destination.

Doomben line from Eagle junction suggested the net.

Stepping off the train I discover theres no Doomben train - not at this time of night. The office is closed but a passing QR employee tells me either to Taxi or take a bus pointing distantly. It’s nearly 7PM – the class is eight.
Walking to check te the timetable.

The sign is just as upside down as my scheduling. A North Quay timetable in Eagle Junction? I don’t think so.

A few minutes to decide, I take the train back to Sandgate. Then theres a 30 minute wait for the bus.

‘Atleast it’s not a ninety minute walk to Woody Point,’ I think as I walk up to Woolworths for an apple.

There are no lights on the old Hornibrook Bridge that have had to trudge on Sunday evenings with no bus after 7.

Probably unsafe, but at least those nights I get to enjoy the pelicans those nights, like white pontoons tralingtheir necks under the road bridge lights.

Al least they aren’t bothered by lost timetables.

Three Lies of Online Marketing

2010-03-10T14:18:00.004+10:00

Yaro Starak is one of the world’s best blog instructors. He doesn’t show you just how to write a blog – he helps you live off it.

Besides that I can walk to his house (OK I would probably take the bus, it’s just a little more than round the corner, but its close), his advice has helped me get , running and profitable.

Recently Yaro reminded us three lies - big lies – that that hold you back from blogging success.Writing in his blog, Yaro says the wording may be different, but under most barriers holding back internet success are three false beliefs.

Lie 1. You can only make money blogging how to make money

Yaro says that this is a short sighted view that stems from the natural process a new entrant into the world of Internet marketing goes through.

While Yaoro admits he makes money this way, and his example may perpetuate the myth, he said “if you really want to make big money enter the dating, weight loss, health, investing or real estate niches.”

“The truth is that the make money online niche, while good, is far from the best.”

“ First they look for methods to make money online and find a ton of resources, some which are good and some which are not” he said.

It sometimes seems that most only make money by selling products that teach how to make money and this including Starak.

However, he admits there are so many possible niches to make money in, but why you don’t hear about them.

“Those making money in other niches are not teaching how to make money, so there’s no incentive for them to talk about how they do it” he said.

Of course, Yaro, whose program, Blogging Mastermind, is focused on that niche. If your focus is on one niche only then obviouslythat is what you are exposed to and write about.

Yaro’s own program, Blogging Mastermind, is full of examples and interviews of people who have succeeded with health products and Tennis training – all helped by Yaro of course. He is the consummate marketer after all.

Lie 2. You need to be a technology nerd to succeed

“Here’s the truth – technology is a bitch. It’s the biggest pain in the butt for most Internet marketers and we all struggle with it from time to time,” said Yaro, “but that shouldn’t stop you from leveraging it to make millions.”

“why on earth would you spend so much time learning something you’re not good at and don’t enjoy?” he said “Technology is not your problem, choosing to handle it yourself is.”

Hiring a technologically savvy person to design a website for you is relatively cheap and easy. While some object to hiring oversees labour, it can be done ethically in a way that really helps a person say from the Philippines.

3. But there are better experts than me

Yaro admits that when he was making making $5,000 a month from blogging be still did not believe he was good enough to teacch it to others,

“Because cause Darren Rowse were around” he said “who needed me if Problogger.net had all the answers for free already?

He identifies two issues-

Your lack of direction
Your lack of confidence

To be an expert pick a topic, study it and practice it and then teach it, .he said.

As long as you stay one step ahead of your students you can use services like Guru.com you can find experts who would gladly create eBooks or write courses for you in any niche. – and you will spend only a few hundred dollars.

“What you need to do is get focused, pick something and do it long enough to get a positive result (even just making one sale is good) and then build up from there” he said.

Most people put in poor focus and get poor results..

“Expertise is simply a perception created when one person helps another” said Yaro, who admitted that he realized he had something to offer when someone emailed and thanked him for his advice.

It’s simply good to find someone who can give you down to earth no-nonsense, down to earth advice – without all the guru hype and ego that goes along with the online marketing.

To learn how you can live your dream as an online blogger, check out Yaro Starak’s Blogging Mastermind.

Or you can check out Yaro’s Free Report.

It is very easy to think you are on track- it's great when someone so down to earth can put you back on the path.

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The cookie Thief

2010-03-07T20:23:00.008+10:00

A woman was waiting at an airport one night

With several long hours before her flight

She hunted for a book in the airport shop

Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see

That the man beside her as bold as could be

Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between

Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene

She munched cookies and watched the clock

As this gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock

She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by

Thinking "If I wasn't so nice I'd blacken his eye"

With each cookie she took he took one too

And when only one was left she wondered what he'd do

With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh

He took the last cookie and broke it in half

He offered her half as he ate the other

She snatched it from him and thought "Oh brother

This guy has some nerve and he's also rude

Why he didn't even show any gratitude"

She had never known when she had been so galled

And sighed with relief when her flight was called

She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate

Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate

She boarded the plane and sank in her seat

Then sought her book which was almost complete

As she reached in her baggage she gasped with surprise

There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes

"If mine are here" she moaned with despair

"Then the others were his and he tried to share"

"Too late to apologize she realized with grief"

That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief

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Eli Eli by Voices of Eden

2010-02-14T15:12:00.000+10:00

This video is from the group Voices of Eden performing a lovely version of Eli Eli.

Eli Eli was written in Israel in 1942 by Hannah Senesh with music by David Zehavi.

As I do not knowthe full import of this beautiful music, I will let the Teruah podcast tell you the story.

However, it did inspire me to dig out the second LP I ecver purchased, Suzannak Haik Ventura's Music of the Bible Revealled.

"Eli Eli is a powerhouse of a song that has become a classic Shabbat Z'mirot. The song is both a powerhouse because of it's beautiful lyrics and Senesh's story. Not long after composing Eli Eli Senesh volunteered to parachute into Yugoslovia to help Jews escape to Israel. She was caught and executed by the Germans in Hungary in 1944. Despite being written at the height of the Holocaust, the song reflects a deep faith in our the intimate connection with God and a wonderful lyric sensitivity.

Voices of Eden is an ensemble lead by Eliana Gilad, who "is an internationally recognized expert in the conscious use of voice and rhythm as a natural healer, as they were used in ancient times." I'm not exactly sure what that means, other than that it involves "[h]ealing chants, medically proven to induce relaxation and focus, that connect us to our Source." If this sounds interesting, please check out her website. Gilad notes that in this video she "sings into the worlds oldest frame drum, dated 5600 B.C. in the mystical city of Safed." I'm also not sure that that means. Ancient style of drum? I don't see anything on the website clarifying it. But it is a lovely sound."
The song transalates as:

O Lord, my God, I pray that these things shall never end.
The sand and the sea,
the rush of the waters,
the crash of the heavens,
the prayer of man.

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Australia Day – India Republic Day

2010-01-26T12:30:00.004+10:00

Today is Australia Day. It is also India's Republic Day.

While these two nations sharing a colonial history, sadly there is reason for sadness in the last year.

I regularly ask the Indian people I meet if they have been affected by the recent violence. Many say they have been abused by people who think that Australian jobs are being taken away from them. Of course, oversees visitors creates employment and has been a boon to the economy and the cultural diversity of Australia.

There is little point going over the details that have been covered in the media.

Perhaps one of the best observation came from former defense force chief Peter Cosgrove.

Racial tensions over violence towards Indian students will only be resolved when their attackers are brought to justice, said Cosgrove at the 14th annual Australia Day address in Sydney.

He says Australia cannot afford to be complacent about racism.
Of course, every nation, including Australia, likes to point the finger at someone else. Its easier than doing the real self analysis that society requires.
The majority of Australians are appalled by what has happened. Of course there are the few who find it easier to do finger pointing.

After all, there are some who say, during festivals Muslims are attacked in festivals. Overall, India is a remarkably tolerant society, however, as regular reader of the Indian press I do read of the occasional attack during a festival.

This does not justify Australian complacency.

The series of attacks has generated public anger and widespread media coverage in India, where Australian officials have been accused of failing to deal with the problem.

Meanwhile, carefully worded releases by Victorian police designed to avoid stirring passions has been seen as inaction. Victorian Police Commissioner Overland stated Victoria's police "recognised this problem a long time before it hit the public."

"We've known for over two years that there's been this issue; we've been working away at it."

Working away at it.

Perhaps this mirrors the history of British law, that underpins the Australian system. African poets often bemoaned that their peers could be imprisoned for the minor offense of trying to survive while the land was raped and pillaged in the name of civilization.

Institutions have a tendency to be self preserving – and often it is easy to pick on the low lying fruit of a few minor offenders – it looks like you are doing something – while the complicated hard work goes on and appears to be ignored by the public.

As the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi said Australian police were quick to arrest students for visa violations, such as working more than the allowed 20 hours a week during term time, but did little to catch those exploiting them.

There has been a crack down on may operators and exploiters. Sadly, the Brisbane Indian Times research, suggested that some of the exploiters were Indian nationals.

It is understandable that a student, who is struggling to cover costs, who perhaps finds he is exploited will take on extra work and run the risk of a visa violation.

He has to eat.

The number of Indian 'offenders' for minor infringements is higher than average. However, Indians are underrepresented in any serious crime statistics.

This has also meant that some students have suddenly found the institution they paid for jas been blacklisted in Australia. So what do they do?

Even Ravi wants these fraudulent colleges closed down Yet, without a college, they cannot meet their VISA requirements and are in breach of law.

Perhaps, though Australia has blundered because it has failed to use the media to promote racial harmony. To be fair, australia has developed programs to promote tolerance and racial harmony days were held in schools when the problems hit the media last year.

However, as much as we must act analytically, we must also respond to people's fears. People are not logical robots.

"People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies" wrote marketer Blair Warren.

Perhaps Australian leaders have forgotten what Rohit Revo reminds us in The Indian "Indian masses, glued to TV and print media, give a lot of importance to language spoken by leaders of other countries."

"Kevin Rudd also needs to reach out to Indian public. John Howard failed to create an image for himself and never appealed to Indian public. Statements by Obama on Mahatma Gandhi, his love for India , his Diwali message have all got headlines, thus creating goodwill and warmth for US in India ."

" Rather than focusing on platitudes, there is a need to make a bold statement praising India or softer aspects of Indian society so that the jinx can be broken" he said.

Actually, I believe we can - and must - go further. Australia must examine itself – its social psyche, it's institutions and it's past. The plan to send Shane Warne to India may help - seeing leaders reach ourt to India will do more.

While, the quiet achiever is lauded as a person who gets things done without hype, at times we must reach out beyond our traditional comfort zone and offer comfort to our International friends.

From that dialogue we can often find out much about ourselves.

Turnbull, Bligh and Brisbane

2009-12-02T07:29:00.014+10:00

As I ride my bike past the First Settlement Memorial in Redcliffe, I am reminded of a local whose ancestors were in the second fleet.

A wiz for information about 2^nd fleet descendants, he informed my how stopping in south Africa, the fleet was stocked of vegetables by allowing some on board to work.

Since, Cooks scientific measures aboard the Endeavour found hygiene and cabbage had so effectively saved lives, perhaps it was natural food stocks be sort. The first fleet would nearly starve when supplies were lost. So it was a good move.

Some of the ladies found more sensuous employment with the local males. This doesn't surprise me. Australia had a double standard of morality. There were attempts to scientifically prove the necessity of men to spread their attentions - for reasons of health (yeah right). Convict women needed a male protector lest they be swamped by men – the first fleets arrival has been described as being an orgy when it first arrived – and Lt King, the later governor, had his own tribe born at Norfolk Island that a long suffering wife had to raise. Of course a woman found pregnant on board a convict ship was flogged.

From one of these 2nd fleet women descends Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. I always thought politicians were tarts.

The historical reach of the Endeavour goes beyond purchasing vegetables. Joseph Banks recommended New Holland for settlement to the Beauchamp Commission of 1785 where he romanticized that the Aboriginals would simply allow Settlement. His proposal was initially rejected but the alternative site in Gambia was found unsuitable.

Banks influence is not surprising. The Botanical Gardens at Kew oversaw exploiting natural resources disparate throughout the Empire. The gardens would even supply the merino's that would later be the backbone of the Australian economy.

Banks would also recommend hot headed William Bligh, whose ill-fated voyage on the Bounty was rescued of ignominy by an incredible 5822 km open boat excursion that charted the 'north-east coast of New Holland.' In that boat was Mid Shipman Matthew Flinders who would later circumnavigate Tasmania in a whale boat, proving it an island distinct from the mainland.

Of course Bligh would again be deposed, in the Rum Rebellion , exactly twenty years after Australia's Settlement on the 26^th of January 1808. Intriguingly, one of Bligh's biggest supporters was John Turnbull. Turnbull's ancestor former Opposition Leader Malcolm Bligh Turnbull yesterday seems to have followed the same path to oblivion.

Yes the middle name Bligh is no accident.

Just as Bligh stubbornly dragged his return to London, sailing to Van Diemen's Land then tried to hang off the NSW shore in protest, Malcolm Turnbull hung around even when he was politically dead in the water.

Blighs fall would indirectly shape later Queensland.

Bligh's replacement, Governor Macquarie, arrived with his with his own regiment and disbanding the NSW Corps. He realized that the colony had been allowed to run down. Set against the Napoleonic Wars, needed repairs were expensive. So the freed convicts were a resource that could not be ignored.

Skilled freedmen were given positions of authority which again upset elitist sensitivities. John Macarthur, who had fled to England and successfully defended himself for his part in the Rum rebellion, was well informed by his wife in Australia.

Macquarie introduced Australia's first building code, and name New Holland Australia

But MacArthur hit back and seems to have been partly behind the commission of John Thomas Bigge's. Bigge's accused Macquarie of being too lenient recommended reforms of the legal system, constitutional changes, a reduction in public works and more extensive and rigorous use of convicts in private enterprise

The Bigge's Report was big in name and gigantic in size. Much of it is ridiculous with unrelated facts that in distant England could not be checked. Few fully read it and it was simply assumed to be an exhaustive study.

Although one of Macquarie's last acts before he dying in Britain was to redress some of Bigge's claims, the report was responsible for establishing the Moreton Bay convict Settlement.

Second offenders were unworthy of civilization and cast to the distant north. Governor Brisbane, a highly skilled astronomer, spent more time settling up his observatory rather than governing. He thought that previously discovered Pumistone River may lead to the dreamed of inland sea. But the day after the amity arrived in Moreton Bay, it was found to be a passage.

Short of supplies, (the animals escaped the day the settlement landed), ill of tropical diseases, with insufficient drugs Brisbane's only appearance was unannounced without supplies. Three of the wives were pregnant and Jane Miller, who had just given birth, was tossed from her bed to give Brisbane accommodation.

So as I ride past the First Settlement memorial, calling out 'hello grandpa William – hello grandma Hanah" I am reminded that historians review the past with the questions facing the present.

So perhaps my glib view of history is distorted. But then the influence of history is rarely found in truth, but usually legends and myths shape our public imagination.

Reflections on Grandma's Giving

2009-11-15T20:57:00.003+10:00

My grandmother was always giving.
Thirty-six years after her death, and two thousand kilometers north of her home, I still meet people who remember her for some service rendered.
Her cupboards were full of clothes to be sent internationally, especially New Guinea.
Her husband, who died 8 years before her, had also taken in a dozen people during the Great Depression. There giving continued through the war, he volunteered for guide dogs for the blind.
When he died, my mother, and I a sixteen month toddler in toe, had to rescue her shoes from being given away. They were the only ones mum had flown over with for Grandpas funeral.
Grandma was not a member of mainstream religion, known as Sister Stevens by so many, some thought she was a nurse, others a Nun – she was neither.
Hers was the religion of service – and kindness. True she was a serious type, at least one of her children remembered her husband as kinder.
Her legacy was in its effect in other peoples lives.
I don’t think I heard her quote this, but I imagine she treasured the word’s of the Christian Messiah she loved “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:37-39).
This may conjure a whole lot of theological debates. If givers are blessed how come the bad guy’s seem to be winning.
Many people refuse to believe that our thoughts create our reality and repelled by the idea of a white bearded altruistic force behind all things. However, let’s just think of it psychologically for a minute.
Ignore to quantum claims, dubious speculations and counter claims.
If you act as if you are in control of your reality you achieve more.
“Positive thinking doesn’t work, but optimists achieve more” said James Arthur Ray.
If you generate an air of generous giving and gratitude that is what you will focus on.
Hence there is great benefit beginning the day either in prayer, meditation, or reciting a personal mantra.
Meditation or Reiki can help clear the energetic garbage and refresh you for the day ahead.
This aids us in our pursuit to make the earth a dwelling place for the divine.
Of course, it is so very easy to fall into self castigation when those negative thoughts slip in. We are barely conscious of the thousands of thoughts that float through our consciousness.
Nor does punishment or struggle help us. The more we try to control the monkey mind, the more it fights back.
Yet if we let it go unchecked it also runs away from us.
Hence, the benefit of a daily mental spring clean.
Prayer and meditation can help loosen our emotional attachment to our thoughts. Other tools like EFT, Reiki and Bowen Therapy can help relax our bodies and let the energetic burdens dissolve.
Deepak Chopra suggested the wonderful practice of giving to everyone we meet. It could be offering a simple blessing or prayer. A flower from your garden can be given to a neighbour. A few kind words to a youth on the way to school can gladden a young girls tumultuous teenage years.
Do you remember your grandparents praying or blessing people? This was not religious self sanctification but genuine caring for others.
Today its popular to talk of sending out positive energy to the world. You could simply begin your day blessing people in your mind.
Without any hint of reward, giving has the power to remind us of our many blessings.
Our mid compels us to rush. Don’t waste your time meditating – get into life. Yet somehow we find no problem spending 3 hour a day worshipping the plug-in drug (AKA Idiot Box, or TV).
It seems so hard, not because it wastes time, but because the mind wants to go its merry habitual way.
When I begin my day cleared of emotional l baggage with a clear intention for the day and every second becomes meaningful.
I am no longer being driven by habit.
Reflect calmly about your options and affirm that your unconscious mind knows what is right for you.
Perusing your options in a meditative, unattached state clarifies your options, you can access your intuition and by monitoring your results navigate to your life’s purpose.
We begin to create our own reality.

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Rare species discovery honours wildlife campaigner Steve Irwin

2009-11-14T11:03:00.003+10:00

Queensland Museum scientist Dr John Stanisic has named a rare species of tree snail discovered in north Queensland in honour of wildlife advocate and conservationist Steve Irwin.

The snail, Crikey steveirwini, has swirling bands of creamy yellow, orange-brown and chocolate giving the shell an overall khaki appearance.

The snail has been discovered in three locations in north Queensland's Wet Tropics near Cairns at altitudes over 1000 metres.

Only two lives specimens have been collected the rest been taken from the ground as empty shells, states Dr Stanisic's in the online scientific journal, Zootaxa where the discovery was announced. They were first collected in 1989.

However, one live specimen has been collected from low shrubs indicating that the species is arboreal tree dwelling).

Honorary Research Fellow Dr Stanisic said that like its namesake, the Crikey steveirwini is a unique creature with some interesting qualities that set it apart from other land snails.

The snails habitat is expected to effected by climate change.

"These mountainous habitats will be among the first to feel the effects of climate change and Steve Irwin's tree snail could become a focal species for monitoring this change" said Stanisic.

Dr Stanisic will present a commemorative certificate to the Irwin family this Sunday 15 November as part of Steve Irwin Day celebrations at Australia Zoo.

Steve would have been delighted to have a new species bear both his name and his signature cry said Steve Irwin's wife Terri.

"Steve worked tirelessly to promote conservation, wildlife and the environment and his work enabled the plight of endangered species to reach a whole new audience," Ms Irwin said.

Steve Irwin collaborated with Queensland Museum in his conservation efforts. He was awarded the Museum's highest accolade, the Queensland Museum Medal, for his contribution to the international understanding and appreciation of Australian wildlife and environment.

Crikey steveirwini

'Steve Irwin's Tree Snail'

Species profile:
Crikey steveirwini Stanisic, 2009
Etymology: In memory of the late Steve Irwin, wildlife warrior, environmental educator and Queensland Museum medallist.
Holotype: QMMO 78184, Mount Spurgeon, 7 km north, 16°22'S, 145°13'E, altitude 1250 m. Collected by G.B. Monteith, H. Janetzki, L. Roberts, 19 October 1991.
Description: Shell medium-sized, yellowish cream to creamy brown with dark chocolate-brown spiral bands of various widths, turbinate with a very high spire; whorls rounded, sutures weakly impressed; protoconch with vague radial ridges to smooth, teleoconch with weak radial growth threads and incised spiral striae; lip weakly thickened, brown; imperforate; height to 15mm.
Distribution: Central Wet Tropics (uplands), North East Queensland.
Key localities: Mt Lewis; Mt Spurgeon; Lambs Head, West of Edmonton.
Habitat and ecology: Rainforest; arboreal living on leaves on trees.

Reflecting on Violence Against Indians

2009-11-03T16:41:00.011+10:00

I love India.

So as an Australian I was very saddened when some Indian students were harmed in the southern states of Victoria and New South Wales. At least 14 students were assaulted in May-June in Australia.

At the same time, I was saddened by the Indian press coverage used by some to suggest all Australians are inherently evil.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology, Professor Arun Sharma, travelled to India and encouraged Indian media to avoid 'hype' and correctly portray the situation.

In my area, north of Brisbane, schools had harmony days to promote racial tolerance among students.

I was particularly saddened that Amitabh Bachchan declined an honorary doctorate in Brisbane. I respect Mr Bachchan immensely, however, I believe he missed an opportunity to improve racial understanding – perhaps at the harmony days I just mentioned.

My problem is that in writing ‘my conscience does not permit me to accept this decoration from a country that perpetrates such indignity to my fellow countrymen” he accuses a nation of deliberate action rather than condemn the thugs despised by most Australians.

Not going to a Brisbane, for the attacks in Victoria is comparable to criticizing Chennai for violence in Delhi. Sadly, Australia has areas where most people view unsafe as does India and some of the Melbourne attacks were in these locations.

This is a view I believe is contrary to India’s own history of tolerance. But it must be said that during some religious festivals other religious groups have been targeted in India. However, I would never accuse the Indian nation for the offence.

A dear friend of mine, who established a shelter for 43 children orphaned after the 2004 Tsunami was attacked during the 2008 Ganesh festival.

To be fair, when contacted the local Hindu authorities apologized. India is a melting pot of many faiths living in harmony. The actions of a few individuals do not represent all Indians. Nor should all Australian’s be blamed for a minority’s criminality.

So What Is Happening?

There 1,082 Victorian attacks on Indian students were attacked in the 12 months to June 2007 and 1,447 students registered attacks in the year ending in June 2008 states the South Asia Times. However, I could not verify these figures, however many were similar to attacks experienced by Australians.

Accorsding to prominent Sydney-based Indian activist Yadu Singh, the "issue of security and safety to the highest level" attached to the Indian Consulate who heads a committee concerned with the welfare of Indian students in Australia. He suggested protest rallies were not helpful.

However, Victorian Police have increased policing in areas where Indian students are living.

“Victoria Police is focusing on trouble spots around train stations and the Attorney General has announced the Government will amend the Sentencing Act to take into account racial or religious motives for violence” said Victorian Premier John Brumby.

On the other hand, the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) has accused Deputy Prime minister Jula Gillard of spin to protect the 15 billion dollar industry.

Australia has no longer has institutionalized racism but is accused of not doing enough to curb student violence.

GOPIO Brisbane Queensland President and publisher of the Brisbane Indian Times, Umesh Chandra, met with the Indian High commissioner, Mrs Sujatha Sigh, and Indian students.

He reported there were two broad groups of students with different experiences.

The first group were legitimate students in Australia solely to be University educated, had correct induction and obeyed Australian laws.

The second group attended Diploma trade courses seeking immigration. Unregulated, commissioned agents in India promote a misinformed dream image of Australia and promised permanent residency after completing their course and work experience.

Well trained in sales, and aware of the legalities, the agents do not make written promises. Some agents and colleges are accused of disguising immigrants as students, taking fees, issuing a work permit and not offering education.

Characteristically, diploma students pay 25% of their fees upfront intending to pay for the remainder working in Australia. They are in their 20’s and thirties, with a dependant spouse, from middle income families owning farming land used as collateral to get a loan.

Sadly, many of the students struggle with English and must compete with many of similar students for work. They find low paying employment and share accommodation with 7 or 8 others in homes meant for two.

“Allegedly many Indian students have been exploited by their own countrymen who have Indian restraints and grocery stores” states The Brisbane Indian Times.

Many realize their dream of living in Australia is best abandoned but find that their family tell them their village or family will be shamed if they return. Even if they want to return, all their saving were spent in getting to Australia.

So some husbands take up hard seasonal labour in distant farming communities and some unscrupulous farmers pay only at the end of the season – keeping men from their families.

Some driving schools are accused of falsely promised quick licenses, charged higher fees and drag out the process to charge more, reports The Brisbane Indian Times.

Feeling disillusioned they do anything to survive. In 2007-08 the unlawful rate among Indian students was 1.48%t of 87,145 Indian visa-holders, compared with 0.99 per cent for the average foreign student.

However, Indian migrants are the second least likely nationality to be jailed in Australia.

The flawed legislation that commercialized education to oversees students has been criticized and some of the fraudulant colleges closed down. The Indian government is considering licensing Agents, and Australia wants to insre students are correctly informed about Australia before students travel.

The number of Indian students studying in Australia rose from 11,313 in 2002 to 96,739 of nearly 500000 international students in 2008.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chis Evans, assured students that reporting crime will not to police will not affect their visa status. He has strengthened student visa checks in line with other countries that receive large numbers of student visa applications, such as the United States.

Victoria Police has trained English and Hindi speaking volunteers from the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria and the Victorian International Students to man help lines.

I love history, and recognize that the Australia Commonwealth was founded fearing invasion and many tried to be more British than the British.

This led to a fear of the other felt by each new wave of immigrants. The idea that Australian jobs are being stolen by ‘foreigners’ is used by a few idiots who flare up the noisy minority.

It is true that some Australians think that India is a land of endemic caste exploitation. But then ill informed people of all nations like to find fault with other people to boost their low self esteem.

It is equally true that governments have worked to overcome racism.

As I plan to visit India I hope my nationality will not be used against me.

The silent majority welcome Indians, find them friendly and kind, and enjoy cultural diversity.

I wish there were more here.

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