Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

When don't get what we expect

2026-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

No! We don't want to ever suffer! - Calm down, crybabies. Here's the solution: NIRVANA.

(Buddhism Podcast) Live with what we can't change? No, there's much to do beyond that

Accept what we cannot change? No

Why do we fall into the trap of our expectations? The Truth is much better.

Cry, Homer. But it's okay. It'll all be alright.

(Buddhism Podcast) When life, which is full of disappointment (dukkha), is not what we expected.

There are Four Ennobling Truths, four realizations that lead to enlightenment here and now and awakening in this very life, with spiritual liberation and freedom for all time. What are they?

This is disappointing, incapable of ever fulfilling us.
This is how pain/disappointment/suffering originates.
This is the cessation of all suffering (nirvana).
This is the Path to the cessation of all suffering.

Wait, remind me. What is "suffering"?

Many people misunderstand Buddhism because the word "suffering" comes up so much that it seems that's all there is -- depressing talk about pain. This is very misleading. Buddhism is ALL about bringing about the END of all suffering.

I'm not like this. I'm just having a bad day, k?

That is nirvana, attainable here and now, no having to wait till death, which is actually a lot late to be starting to do anything about all the suffering that awaits us for remaining ignorant and asleep. So since we don't suffer, we dismiss anything they Buddha said, thinking it doesn't apply to us. But do we suffer? Well, that depends on, What is "suffering"? The Buddha defines what he is calling suffering (dukkha):

Various sutras sum up what unpleasant things and experiences in countless rebirths we undergo. It is not just the pain that touches us in this life; the process rolls on and on in the "continued wandering on" of saṃsāra.

Oh, the Buddha found the end to all pain?

This process itself (the Five Aggregates clung to as self) is suffering, is unsatisfactory, is disappointing, is liable to great pain, is utterly incapable of ever fulfilling us. Rebirth is suffering (unsatisfactory, disappointing, painful, unfulfilling) as are growth (maturation), aging (slowly breaking down), illness, death, loss, sorrow, crying (lamentation), physical pains, grief, and despair.

Contact with unpleasant (hateful, unloved, unwanted, repulsive) things suffering, as are being separated from the pleasant (wished for, loved, wanted, attractive). Not getting what we want, getting what we don't want, never being satisfied with anything we get, always longing and craving for more...all of it is unsatisfactory, disappointing, painful, suffering.

Things we can control

US killer survives torture with slave philosophy

Stoic philosopher/pilot James Bond Stockdale

And it all comes back to a more fundamental disappointment beneath it all -- the Five Aggregates clung to as self: body (form); feelings (sensations), perceptions, formations, and consciousness clung to as "self."

Emphasis in Buddhism is NOT on belief. That's nearly useless and only preliminary. The emphasis is gnostic like the ancient Gnostics, for whom direct personal experience of the Truth is everything. Part of that is cultivating insight (vipassana, lit. "clear seeing") into the nature of this "suffering" along with the other two marks of existence.

List: Seven Stages of Insight

The process of craving, grasping, and clinging starts with sense-contact, part of the Five Aggregates clung to as self, and how this corruption, this misapprehension, this forming of wrong view, this distorted seeing can be overcome by progressive training of the heart/mind, culminating in progressive insight, which can be remembered as the Seven Stages of Insight.

This begins by moral restraint (virtuous conduct, sila), which makes meditation (the absorptions, jhanas) possible, which makes mindfulness into the four foundations (body, feelings, mind, and mind-objects) possible.

This brings us back to the basics, the foundational summary, of what we need to penetrate -- not memorize, recite, "believe," argue about), the Teaching of the Four Ennobling Truths. What's "noble" about them or about suffering? They are not noble in the English sense of the word. The Buddhist sense of noble is arya or Aryan, which means "enlightened" or "enlightening."

The list is not a formula but a very general outline of the reflections that bring about what the historical Buddha called "enlightenment" (bodhi, "awakening"). We would rather stay asleep and perchance dream a pleasant fantasy full of pleasure and sensual experiences, delights, happiness in all its forms, of which there are many.

But this dreaming is very prone to nightmares, for in pursuit of pleasure, we ill-conduct ourselves and those karmic deeds come to fruition and ripen in great suffering, unimaginable suffering. We already taste that now, when we would dream and be full of pleasure and happiness all the time or, at least, at will. But that doesn't happen. We can't make that happen. We think we can so, like a donkey after that carrot, which is just right there in front of us, we keep going, pulling a heavy load of a cart laden with more and more karma (all our actions).

Buddhist sutras, or discourses, show the broad meaning of "suffering," from the slightest agitation to the greatest agony, coming in three categories:

dukkha-dukkha, aversion to physical pain – which includes physical and mental suffering, such as rebirth, aging, illness, dying, distress due to the undesirable.
viparinama-dukkha, the frustration of disappearing happiness – which is the suffering of pleasurable, pleasant, and happy experiences changing to painful, unpleasant, and miserable ones when the causes and conditions that produced the pleasurable are exhausted or lost.
sankhara-dukkha, the disappointment and unsatisfactoriness of transient, changing, impermanent "things" – the inability of [conditioned] things to give us constant, lasting pleasure and happiness.

So there is an END to all this suffering, now?

This includes a fundamental, inescapable unsatisfactoriness that pervades all things in and states of existence, all situations and future lives in any world (of which there are countless), any plane (of which there are 31), and any sphere (of which there are three), because all things all the time are incapable of fulfilling us and are always changing, hurtling towards destruction, and are ultimately impersonal, not ours, not under our absolute control.

At this level, the term dukkha, "suffering," indicates a lack of any lasting satisfaction, any ultimate fulfillment, any that things can ever measure up to our expectations. More

What is the point of all this talking about or even mentioning "suffering"? Yeah, yeah, we get it; we know we suffer, duh! Can't we just talk about nice things -- bliss, lights, expanded meditative states, magical powers, insights into all physical and mental phenomena, joy unending, nirvana-fication, quenching thirst, dousing the flames of greed, hatred, and smoldering delusion, stuff like that? Suffering is the problem that pleads for a final solution, a state and trait, a condition in need of a cure, an unbearable thing that we at some point have to deal with and bring to a final end.

Four truths to freedom

There's much to do to be free.

The first ennobling truth is the recognition that there is suffering, not because there is but because we don't even recognize it. We think we do. As soon as it pops up, we turn away, move on to something else, jump for distractions. We have next to no idea what it really is or what is causing it.

That is the second ennobling truth: What is causing it? The ROOT cause, the fundamental cause, the ultimate cause is? It is not craving (desire, wanting). It is ignorance (avijja), manifesting as wrong views (miccha-ditthi) and delusion (moha), confusion about reality.

The solution is? Awakening to the Truth, the ultimate truth (paramattha), enlightenment right now -- through realizing the causal links of Dependent Origination, the process by which this suffering is arising. Among those 12 links, of which ignorance is the ultimate cause, is one the Buddha singled as the one we can actually do something about right here and right now directly, and that is craving (tanha). Why do we crave? Ignorance, which is the same reason we have aversion and why we are deluded. The Buddha singles out craving to work on undoing the causes and conditions bringing about suffering. Why?

That is the third ennobling truth: What is not-suffering? Nirvana. Nirvana is the end of all suffering. How do we realize nirvana, directly perceive and experience it here and now?

That is the fourth ennobling truth: There is a Path to the end of suffering. What is it? It is outlined in general in the Ennobling Eightfold Path. However, to be more specific and less general, the Buddha spoke of 37 "things pertaining to enlightenment," the bodhipakkhiya-dhamma, for immediate development to know-and-see nirvana.

Buddhism Podcast (videos); Dhr. Seven (text), Ashley Wells (ed.), Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Sony PlayStation goes all-digital?! (GMG)

2026-09-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED: Apply to be the new DG

Long ago there used to be a writer calling herself "Dukkha Girl." She disappeared, came back, faded again. We love DG. Where is she today? One can only imagine the fate of suburban motherhood or rural farm life with cats. Maybe, just maybe, she became a nun, forsaking the lower-life of householders for the high-life of striving full-time for the ultimate goal of nirvana. Who knows?

Help wanted. Inquire within (in the Comments)

We're sure she'll eventually be in touch to tell us. In the meantime, there's an attention-[whur] we imagine in the role, now that the original DG's been excluded. But this gal's branded a total "poser" and banned. It's got so bad, she lost her business.

I'm not a pose-er. I'm a trained model.

Beloved vegan yogini with a penchant for makeup, what will become of her? Does anyone out there have Cali Vibes Who is the future influencer, the next MrsBeast, doing yoga, eating at Cena Vegan?

She or he must exist out there. Look, there's Luke_7. If only that person would contact us here. Eris is not the most punk rock girl in the world. Will she never learn? For all we know, s/he's reading this right now ready for a close up, an unsung genius with an attitude. Contact us below in the Comments Section. Yes, you.

How to be an influencer; win friends (NPR)

Girl genius syndrome?

The Carbonaro Effect: girl genius revealed: How to be discovered? Apply.

Happy? Miserable? Opinionated? Comment

No one imagines s/he could be a reliable correspondent for the despondent, a reporter of all that is dukkha in life. But someone can. Why not you?

Are you drawn to Daria's tone, to snarky commentary mumbled under breath, wishing to get a message to millions. Wisdom Quarterly has millions of views.

There are so many voices that need to be heard.

Great writing skills not a prerequisite, nor is knowledge of philosophy or religion, just opinions. Remember that episode of Family Guy when Peter got a job at the local news station for a weekly segment "What Really Grinds My Gears"? Like that. Do that. Opine. We'll edit and punch it up, make it relevant to the true extent of dukkha.

QUALIFICATIONS: Opinionated, snarky, willful, mad. Gender: open. Race: open. Religion if any: open. Writing skill level: average. Health: have a pulse. Psych: sass. Location: US or expat in Asia. Meditation practice: preferred. Musical taste: alt. Political leanings: open. Sense of humor: a must. Favorite color: should be purple. How to apply: Send writing sample.

Nominal "Left" also lies for Israel?

(Katie Halper) Sell out Van Jones destroyed by Jewish surgeon who worked in Gaza

Failed submissions (c'mon, people)

Mark viral video submissions: "Short Attn Span Theater"

Superhuman silky smooth movements #skills #tiktok

Deadly? Diary of a Buddhist Yogi: retreat

2026-09-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Diary of a Buddhist Yogi: Vipassana Meditation Retreat

Diary of a Buddhist Yogi (Kindle Edition)

Author Dhammaloka ("Dharma-world" or "Dharma-light or white") Viriya ("energy") knows that liberation (vimutti, moksha, vimokkha) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) comes from the Awakening (bodhi-ification) of the (ennobling = enlightening) Truths.

To be awakened, one needs to practice mindfulness-meditation (satipatthana) by relinquishing attachment to the six senses, which will eradicate the clinging to all [of their attendant] phenomena, before the Dhamma (Truth, Teaching, Doctrine) eventually reveals itself to the practitioner.

Once the practitioner catches a glimpse of the Dhamma, the Ultimate Truth, through direct knowing-and-seeing, the practitioner will know there is no more falling back into the mire of this mundane world.

The Buddha pointed out the way to end of all suffering through mindfulness (sati) practice, and many practitioners since the Buddha’s time have reached that bliss and release from practicing in accordance with it.

However, in the author’s observation, although practitioners in this age find the practice fulfilling, they do not experience the awakening moment and therefore do not see the fruition as they hope to.

What are the challenges of an intensive insight meditation (vipassana) retreat?
What enables a practitioner to experience bliss (piti) from meditation?
What does the practitioner experience when the Dhamma finally appears as direct knowledge and vision?
Vipassanā ("special seeing") Meditators’ Questions

Find out in this book, which is the first-hand experience of a yogi ("practitioner") who went through the trials and tribulations of a vipassana ("insight") meditation retreat at a forest monastery to see for himself the ultimate truths of

non-self (that all phenomena are impersonal),
disappointment (that all phenomena are unsatisfactory and unable to fulfill),
impermanence (that all phenomena are constantly hurtling toward destruction).

Directly knowing-and-seeing these Three Universal Truths produces a life-changing experience.

NOTE: Not all vipassana meditation retreats are affiliated with Indian S. N. Goenka (dhamma.org). Burmese monk U Ba Khin's star student and businessman just popularized it worldwide with a free, volunteer-based, 10-day structure.

You can do "mindfulness" wrong? - Yes.

WISDOM QUARTERLY COMMENTARY

There are dangers in this Wheel?

The Buddha in the usual list we call the Noble (Ennobling = Enlightening) Eightfold Path called one of those factors samma-sati not sati. What's the difference? One might think one is being mindful, but is it what the Buddha or the noble ones call "right" mindfulness? (If there's a right, that implies there's a wrong way to go about it or fool oneself that one is doing it at all). If "mindfulness" only meant awareness, then I'm being "aware" (conscious) right now, right? Yes! Am I being mindful? Probably not. There's a difference, a big difference. Retreat leaders and personal teachers should talk about it more and stop taking it for granted that one will just figure it out or that it is so patently obvious that it needs no defining or delimiting. It does, at least for over-thinkers. Sure, there are some people who will just take to it like guppies or ducklets to water. (They've likely extensively and successfully practiced in past lives).

Wrong mindfulness can be bad (Psychology Today)

We don't know what we're doing, but we got a groupon

Therefore, the most important thing before embarking on a vipassana retreat (whether it's Goenka-based or not), know that it is being defined as satipatthana. That means the fourfold setting up of mindfulness, which is explained in great detail in two sutras (Pali canon discourses or suttas). However, and this is the maddening part, almost nothing is said to define mindfulness (Buddhist sati). That is the most important thing to know, but it gets taken for granted. Or very weak definitions are offered, such as defining it as "awareness." We are aware right now, and more than 99% of us are not being mindful about it. For an extensive definition, see the academic work of Western Theravada professor-monk Ven. Analayo.

The Buddhist version of "mindfulness" called sati, as we understand it, is "bare awareness" with detachment, looking on, dispassionate watching. Sounds easy, but it is very hard because it goes against our deeply ingrained habits and traits. Usually when we are aware of anything, we taint that awareness with the Three Poisons of the heart/mind: liking, disliking, indifference (from the roots of all bad karma poorly translated as "greed, hatred, and delusion."

Three Poisons mutually supported wheel hub

Look up lobha, dosa, and moha. And what becomes apparent is that Pali and Sanskrit terms have wide valence, a range of meaning for a single word. "Greed" or lobha does not mean our idea of greediness. It means liking, preferring, welcoming, grasping, attaching, and getting clingy about pleasant phenomena. "Hatred" or dosa does not mean intense fury or anger; it means disliking, having an aversion to, fearing, avoiding, repressing... It is our customary reaction to any and everything we find unpleasant.

Then there's "delusion" or moha, the worst one, the most embedded one, the hardest one to see. It refers to all the wrong views we hold, consciously and unconsciously, distortions of reality, perversions (seeing what is unpleasant as pleasant, what is repulsive as attractive, what is transient as lasting), confusion, not knowing, not understanding, not fathoming, not knowing, not seeing. This is practically our whole existence, if we think about it, but it might be summarized as failing to notice the Three Characteristics of Existence in all things -- that they are ultimately radically impermanent, eventually disappointing (unable to ever fulfill us), and (no matter how impossible it is to conceive, believe, fathom, or accept) altogether impersonal.

I think I get it, Lisa. - Beginner's luck, Bart!

So to be mindful (to see clearly, which is to practice vipassana) is to look on, watch everything without giving in to the unconscious pull of these old habits. Just watch. Just notice. Just maintain attention. Note how when something is pleasing, greed for it arises. When something is displeasing, aversion with regard to it arises. When something is neutral, dull, confusing, hard to grasp, or boring, delusion arises, which is to say we space out, fall asleep, wander to something more interesting, even if it is a very unpleasant memory. Better than boredom. We do everything but be here now when this is the only real place there is to be. There's only now. The past is done. The future will take care of itself. But all our power is here, now. Let's attend to it. Let's finally see it for what it has always been so as to be liberated by the truth. The truth will set us free. What truth? The Truth, sometimes summarized as the Four Noble (Ennobling = Enlightening) Truths, the ultimate (paramattha) Truth, the true nature of existence (personally penetrating the Three Marks of Existence already mentioned). Need a list? There are the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment (the bodhipakkhiyādhammā). That Truth sets one free here and now, immediately.

But there's something every and anyone who embarks on Buddhist meditation needs to know beyond a good grasp of the meaning of "mindfulness" (sati). And that is that one will meet Five Hindrances whenever one tries to sit still or rest the mind or walk and move about with constant attention to the here and now, which does not involve "thinking" about the here-and-now, just watching it dispassionately.

How Siddhartha reached enlightenment? Details a ll wrong but nice point @DroppingInPodcast

The Five Hindrances one will meet in meditation (and their antidotes)

This is stupid! It doesn't work! Buddha was wrong!

The historical Buddha taught that there are Five Hindrances (pañca nīvaraṇa, Pali pañca nīvaraṇāni), mental factors that hinder, obstruct, derail progress in meditation and ruin daily life [1].

The Theravada Buddhist tradition identifies these factors as specific obstacles to "meditation," which is defined as jhāna (eight stages of stillness, unification, samadhi, concentration, coherence, superconsciousness) in practice.

Contemporary insight meditation teachers identify the Five Hindrances as obstacles to mindfulness meditation and obstacles to samma-samadhi ("right concentration," though "concentration" is problematic because we have many assumptions about what that means). "Stillness" is better, when the heart/mind has settled out, is silent, lucid, observant, directly knowing-and-seeing. But concentration is sometimes useful because ekaggata (singlepointedness or one-pointedness) is a factor of jhana.

The Five Hindrance are part of two types of obstructions (Sanskrit āvaraṇa, i.e., obstacles to insight, realization, awakening, buddhahood), afflictive obstructions (Sanskrit kleśā-avaraṇa, which include the Five Hindrances) and cognitive obstructions (jñeyā-avaraṇa, which bodhisattvas are trying to uproot) [2].

The classic list of Five Hindrances is [3, 4, 5, 6]

craving, desire, lust (kāmacchanda): seeking pleasure through the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and tactile sensation
aversion, ill-will, annoyance, anger (vyāpāda, byāpāda): feelings of hostility, resentment, hate, bitterness
sloth-and-torpor (thīna-middha): mental-and-bodily lassitude, laziness, weakness, lack of energy to strive, half-hearted action with little or no effort, attention, concentration
restlessness-and-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca): the inability to allow the mind/heart to calm down, relax, become tranquil (passaddhi), serene, unflappable, steady, restful, undistracted, attentive, and focused, diligent, vigilant, energetic
Skeptical doubt (vicikiccha): lack of confidence, conviction, faith, trust that one has understood the instructions, the path, or one's abilities to successfully proceed. More

The antidotes are called the Five Factors of Absorptions, the jhana-anga (limbs or factors). By the way, right mindfulness immediately dispels delusion instantaneously.

Bring your beloved truck to the retreat

Or psycho girlfriend might try something crazy like (pushing it off cliff to convert to ad campaign)

Dhammaloka Viriya (diary); Dhr. Seven and Amber Larson (commentary), Ashley Wells (editor) and Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) selection of video shorts, Wisdom Quarterly

Why does Family Guy roast people? 😁

2026-09-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

(The Sawyer) Every country roasted on Family Guy

Sit right here, sir. You're going to love it.

A "roast" is a form of insult comedy, originating in American humor, in which specific individuals, the guests of honor, are subjected to jokes at their expense, followed by genuine praise and tributes.

The assumption is that the roastee can take the jokes in good humor and not as serious criticism or insult and so avoids offense as the audience vicariously relieves steam and tension by seeing the truth exposed in a nonthreatening manner.

Conservatives, Republicans, and MAGA

(Some Family Guy channel) Family Guy makes fun of conservatives for 10 mins. compilation

What kind of planet is this? A mean one (CGI)

The individual roastee is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment during the evening.

The host of the event is called the roastmaster, since it rhymes with and plays on the term toastmaster.

Anyone mocked in such a way is said to have been "roasted."

There is a parallel tradition in some countries in which the host of formal events, such as award ceremonies and annual dinners, is expected to good-naturedly mock the event's attendees. In some cases, this has caused controversy when the host is seen as being too insulting [1,2] or accurate. More

How do other nationalities receive it?

(Awesome World) Koreans react to South Park best Asian stereotypes

Three ancient Asian impossible technologies - Most advanced Asian artifacts ever discovered

Austin Powers promotes Asian stereotyping

What about real life instead of cartoons?

(Too Real Studio) Family Guy cartoon caricatures/characters in real life

Funny viral video sensation compilation

(Daily Dose of Internet) The dumbest [and funniest viral] human moments on the internet

A Tale of Two Christies: Gnostic vs. Biblic

2026-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am the God Yahweh! Obey me...or else!!!

(Gnostic Talk) Gnostic Christ vs. Biblical Jesus: The difference changes everything we were taught about "sin" and "salvation"

Sabaoth (the Son) turned against the Demiurge (Creator, Craftsman, the god)? "I've been sitting in Church for 40 years, and I always felt like I was confessing to a crime I couldn't remember committing."

(Gnostic Talk) What does the Apocryphon of John actually say?

Sabaoth (Gnosticism) turns against the Demiurge (Yahweh/Yaldabaoth, the tyrant, the false god of the Bible)
Who are the Archons (Creators, Rulers)?
GOD (the Monad) is good and immanent
The Gnostic viewpoint concerning the Christ | Gnostic Warrior by Moe Bedard
The divinity/deity Jesus called "Father" is not the God of the Bible but rather the Monad (the Brahman of the Vedas)
Trimorphic Protennoia
The Nicene Creed
The Pleroma (fullness)
Apocryphon of John
Sophia (Gnosticism)
Pistis Sophia
Sophia of Jesus Christ
Is this why they call it Christie's, to cover both bases?
A Tale of Two Cities
Gnostic Jesus Christ ascends from ancient tomes in a dream... (AI Art)

CIA Operative Gloria Steinem dies at 92

2026-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

(AniDom/Family Guy) Mrs. Lois Griffin (born (Jewish Lois Patrice Pewterschmidt) discovers the art of self-pleasure and starts dating neighbor Mrs. Bonnie Swanson (Wheelchair Joe's wife), a woman who understands her the way CIA Liberator Gloria Steinem taught. Lesbianism or a political statement on the patriarchy and its privations?

George Carlin on CIA, U.S. government, media - Lois was bullied by girls in school

Gloria Steinem, the CIA, and the plot to destroy the Dem Party and family

Jewish operative, asset, and possible CIA Agent Gloria Steinem was one of the CIA’s biggest internal recruiters

(Dead Kennedys) "I am the Owl" about CIA/FBI spies like Gloria Steinem and other intel assets

Owl/spy employed by CIA for at least 4 years - Female career comics against feminism?

How can Americans bad mouth our super heroine and CIA feminist icon?

LSNTV (YouTube), Sept. 4, 2026; edited by Wisdom Quarterly

Member of CIA and Illuminati?

Gloria Steinem, the iconic feminist, women's rights, and abortion-rights activist, worked for the CIA from 1958 to 1962, which would seem to make her an "agent."

The Independent Research Service, largely financed by the CIA, is how they got money and instructions/directions/orders to her.

She has defended the CIA as not the murderous, amoral, Orwellian intel Company we all know but as "liberal, nonviolent, and honorable."

Dave Chappelle: one LGBT Car, many movements - US🇺🇲 ranking Top 2 sexist jokes ☠️

The CIA runs the world? - It tries to

The question is unavoidable: how does her later role as a leader of the ever-popular sexual revolution and abortion-rights movement fit with the Agency's Cold War mission?

John-Henry Westen traces CIA Asset Gloria Steinem's personal and political history, attempts to murder her fetus, her successful 1957 abortion, her involvement with the radical feminist group Redstockings, and her eventual CIA-staged emergence as a prominent advocate for women's liberation.

The argument connects the CIA's opposition to Soviet communism with an eagerness to promote social changes that strengthened American capitalism which necessitated weakening traditional family structures.

Thank Goddess for American feminism and the women's movement

(Bernard) Why it sucks to be a rented wife (in Song Dynasty China)

CIA is the Secret Police for capitalism/Zionism

A list of alleged communist objectives -- weakening the traditional American family, promoting sexual permissiveness, promoting abortion, expanding divorce, influencing education and media, undermining oldtimey traditional morality -- resembles developments associated with Gloria Steinem's activism.

Steinem's CIA-backed influence on the abortion debate is enormous: she promoted the Orwellian euphemism "reproductive freedom," co-founded feminist organizations and the CIA's Ms. magazine, and advocated for abortions for decades.

The connection raises questions that American culture has refused to ask: Were the social revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s organic, or were they engineered by the CIA?

The answer may be more disturbing than the culture is willing to admit. The question is whether anyone will ask it.

Ana Kasparian to Piers Morgan 🔥 #Zionism - Michael Knowles vs. feminist morality/delusion

Grooming AOC to undermine us?

‘The tide is coming’: AOC sends defiant message, unloads on Trump in fiery speech

World's largest child sex ring exposed 🕉️

2026-09-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'm Peter Spiegel, and we don't molest kids

(Reckless Ben) Exposing Peter Spiegel and the largest human trafficking ring in the world

Sexual allegations against Hindu Swami Kripalu Maharaj

Temple no longer molesting since last conviction?

In the 1990s, Kripalu Maharaj* was arrested for allegedly raping two young girls. In the end, the prosecution was dismissed due to insufficient evidence [29].

In 2010, Kripalu Maharaj was arrested again in Trinidad and Tobago after a 22-year-old Guyanese woman alleged that he raped her after going to seek spiritual assistance from Kripalu in one of his religious centers. The case was ultimately dropped due to insufficient evidence [30].

Convicted child rapist Guru Swami Saraswati

One of Kripalu's disciples, Guru Prakashanand Saraswati, was convicted of groping two young girls in his ashram in Hays County, Texas.

A 12-person jury declared Saraswati guilty of 20 counts of child molestation, after 50 minutes deliberation, on Friday March 4th, 2011 [31].

I'm a Jewish Hindu. How could I molest kids?

Although convicted, child molester Saraswati was released after CEO Peter Spiegel (TV infomercial entrepreneur, Barsana Dham officer, and founder of the California consumer tech company Ideal Living (ideal Living.com) "put up a $1 million cash bond."

Devotee Peter Spiegel had previously "signed a $10 million indemnity agreement in October 2008."

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Peter Spiegel's attorney Barry Hitchings said that he would contest the agreement.

Peter Spiegel said that he was one of about 40 Hindu followers present for a Sunday dinner at Marsha Kent's home with sex Guru Saraswati the evening before the guru escaped the USA and went on the lam.

Peter Spiegel said, "It never entered my mind that he wouldn't come" to his own trial on multiple child molestation charges [32, 33].

As part of the bond condition, Guru Saraswati was barred from entering the Barsana Dham temple. After Guru Saraswati fled the country, Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Marcum alleged that members of JKP aided Guru Saraswati in his escape and relocation to India.

Deputy Marcum said, "It is the most sophisticated scheme I've seen as far as fugitive investigations go. They were very smart about what they did "[34, 35]. More

Jared Leto Hollywood's most persistent child predator? - Brendan Fraser molested in Hollywood

Trial, conviction, and disappearance

In 2007, three former residents of Barsana Dham (aka Radha Madhav Dham), aged between 27 and 30 years old [33], told Hays County, Texas police that they had been sexually abused at the ashram when they were as young as 12 by Guru Saraswati, who was then arrested on April 25, 2008. A 12-person jury convicted Guru Saraswati guilty of 20 counts of child molestation, after just a short deliberation, on Friday March 4th, 2011 [34]. During the trial, Guru Saraswati had been free on a $10 million bond provided by Peter Spiegel [1, 8]. As part of the bond condition, Guru Saraswati was barred from entering the Barsana Dham temple. In April, following the disappearance of its founder, the temple/ashram changed its name [35].
Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, also known as Swami-ji, (born January 15, 1929) disappeared March 7, 2011) is a convicted child molester, Hindu monk, guru, swami, and internationally wanted fugitive from Ayodhya, India [1, 2]. Previously, he founded the Hindu religious organization the International Society of Divine Love [3] and Barsana Dham (the Radha Madhav Dham) temple in the United States [4, 5, 6, 7]. In 2011, a jury found Swami Saraswati guilty on 20 counts of indecency with a child [8]. He remains a fugitive and appeared on the Fox TV show America's Most Wanted [9]. HISTORY: Swami Prakashanand Saraswati was born in a Brahmin caste family in 1929 [10] in Ayodhya [11, 10]. More

We love all God's kids, really love'em

*Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj [4], born Ram Kripalu Tripathi (October 5, 1922–November 15, 2013) [5, 6] was an Indian spiritual guru [7] who founded Prem Mandir, a major pilgrimage and tourist destination in Vrindavan, India [8, 9] and Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP).

JKP is a Hindu non-profit organization with five main ashrams [10], four in India and one in the USA [11, 12].

On Makar Sankranti, January 14, 1957, he received the title of Jagadguru ("world teacher") from the Kashi Vidvat Parishad [7, 13, 14]. More

Company: Ideal Living

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), previously known as Sadhna Bhawan Trust, is a religious organization in India [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

It was established in 1970 by Kripalu Maharaj [7, 8] and is currently administered by three presidents appointed by him [1, 9,10, 11]. The organization oversees three major temples: Bhakti Mandir in Mangarh, Prem Mandir in Vrindavan, and Kirti Mandir in Barsana [2]. More

How could honest and moral Pres. Trump allow these things to go on in the USA?

(Canada Report 24) Trump erupts after Desi Lydic drops this bombshell on live TV

Reckless Ben (YouTube); Eds., Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Tai chi (chi gong) is NOT an exercise

2026-09-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

(TangSaying) "Tai chi" was never an exercise | What the original actually says

Tai chi is today thought of as a Chinese martial art created for combat and self-defense, but that is tai chi chuan, chuan meaning "fist."

For most practitioners, it has (d)evolved into an "exercise," a relaxation technique, and a sport. As an exercise and relaxation technique, tai chi is practiced in set sequences known as "forms" (taolu), usually in gentle, flowing, circular motions that are often described as "meditation in motion," though they may also be performed in faster and more vigorous routines.

As a sport, competitors are judged on their performance in forms, pushing hands, and free sparring. As a martial art, practitioners master the applications of forms and partner work for effective self-defense.

Master Lam practicing in Sichuan
Qigong (Chi gong) is the movement of energy: It is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation [2] said to be useful for the purposes of spirituality, health, and self-defense martial arts training [3]. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance the mystical life-force chi or qi [4]. Qigong practice typically involves moving meditation, coordinating slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and a calm meditative state of mind. People qigong worldwide for meditation, recreation, exercise, relaxation, preventive medicine, self-healing, alternative medicine, self-cultivation, and training for martial arts [2].

One implies the other in pairs. It is not balance

Many styles of tai chi are practiced, both traditional and modern. While the precise origins are not known, the earliest well-documented practice began during the Ming-Qing transition at Chen Village and Zhabao Village in Henan on the North China Plain, a region where centuries of rebellions, invasions, and adverse economic and social conditions nurtured the development of a wide range of martial arts, including those of the Shaolin (Kung Fu) Buddhist Monastery on Mount Song at the western edge of the plain.

(Inside the Human) Psychology of men who don't chase women

Most modern styles trace their development to five traditional schools:

Chen,
Yang,
Wu (Hao),
Wu,
Sun.

In the early 20th century, Yang Chengfu, Wu Jianquan, Sun Lutang, and others promoted and standardized the art for its health benefits in programs supported by the Nationalist government.

This approach was further expanded and institutionalized by the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) government after 1949. In 2020, tai chi was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. More

If there's awareness, WHO is aware?

2026-09-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

(Buddhism Podcast) "Who" is aware? A Buddhist teaching on no-self

How is this even a serious discussion?

Come on, Buddha, "no-self" is crazy, right?
Why even talk about this "crazy" teaching that couldn't possibly be (conventionally) true? Of course, "I" exist and "you," too! Just look at us! But, of course, what we see and think we see, that is not a real "self" -- not anything we produce, control, direct, own, or command. It's happening of its own; in an ultimate sense, it is impersonal -- even though it feels utterly personal. Because what am I if not this body, these feelings, these perceptions, these mental formations like will (motives, impulses, intentions), and this consciousness (which many sophisticated persons, particularly ancient Brahmins and modern Hindus, to say nothing of Christians, Muslims, Jains, and others) cling to that "thing" which we must really be when we figure out we are not this body or the other attendant mental phenomena. At least, at the core, I must be THE ONE WHO IS AWARE, the watcher, the knower, the decider, the doer. But this wrong view falls apart under careful, mindful, systematic attention with a cleansed and purified mind/heart. Otherwise, all that will be seen are the usual distortions and perversions of view. This Doctrine invites no one to blindly believe or parrot a Teaching, but to "come and see, investigate it."

How can contradictory truths (such as conventional vs. ultimate) both be true? - They can't. Only the ultimate one is ultimately true. Be we don't live in ultimate truth. We live mired by conventions of language and assumptions about reality that are all wrong. For example, there is a very easy comparison to be maid thanks to the widespread teachings of physics. Question: Is this desk right here mostly dense or mostly empty space?
Answer: Well, mostly dense, of course. That's why it serves as a desk.
Okay, now go ask your physics professor the same question and listen to her tell you all about atoms and particles, sub-particles, quarks, muons, and whatnots, finer and more subtle components of matter.
What can she say? I'll just beat my hand down on her desk during office hours to prove to that Egghead that, of course, a desk is solid!
Yes, sure, see where that gets you. Once we understand that an "atom" (an indivisible, uncuttable, irreducible unit of mass) contains more empty space than anything tangible, we'll suddenly see what she's talking about and what science teachers in schools and professors in universities teach.
So what, then what?
Then it will both be true that this desk seems dense and solid -- because our hand can't go through it like it can the empty air -- and yet is not actually true at all. It seems true. It is conventionally true (insofar as it is useful to speak this way to one another to distinguish things like air and desks), but it is not ultimately true. Only what is ultimately true was ever actually true -- even as we walk about like ignorant monkeys never giving it a second though. Desk solid, air empty. Solid things are only relatively solid to less dense things, and hands don't go through because of gravity and energy, not because a bunch of density is resisting. And air is not empty, having a bunch of gases and other molecules floating through it. But it's easier to talk this way in common parlance to understand each other and get things done. As science advances, more will know what it really is like, even if they do not particularly appreciate the distinction.

COMMENTARY

Wisdom Quarterly

Buddha, why are you always smiling? Freedom?

One could say that it is not "who" is aware, but WHAT is aware? Asked this way, it can be answered. The Five Aggregates (form; feelings, perceptions, formations, consciousnesses) clung to as self (which are all dependently originated) phenomena. Form forms, feelings feel, perceptions perceive, formations form, and [the six kinds of] consciousness are conscious. Each PROCESS is arising, performing a function, and passing away very quickly, billions and trillions of nearly identical but not actually identical "thought-moments" (cittas) after another. Note the semicolon after form. Why is it there? Form means "material form" (fine-material or rupa in superior planes of existence and tangible or kama in this sensual human world), the body, which is not singular but also fourfold, composed of the mahabhuta or dhatus (Four Great Elements, which are not things like "atoms" but rather kalapas, dense fine-material particles, characteristics of materiality not materiality itself). These eight (condensed to five) aggregates are not to be taken on faith or for the sake of philosophy. Through the path of purification, the heart/mind can be temporarily purified, intensified, and trained to directly perceive these eight streams or phenomena. And in seeing them -- seeing them for what they really are -- the mind/heart lets go. One awakens to freedom from all attachment, aversion, and delusion about them. Thus, in no longer clinging to wrong views about them, one lets go and abandons them, glimpses nirvana, and is free. One enters the first stage of enlightenment or stream-entry. The Buddha does not talk about "no-self" lightly nor before one is ready to hear and begin to understand it. But he cannot let it go unmentioned and untaught because it is the basis, the crucial determinant, of awakening. In other non-Buddhist teachings, at the time of the Buddha as now, this teaching does not exist. Therefore, the Buddha said there neither arise beings of the first stage, second, third, or fourth stage of enlightenment, nor are there to be seen individuals on the path to those realizations. Only when a supremely awakened buddha arises in the world does this teaching get taught and the way of realizing it for oneself. For unless one comes to know-and-see it directly, there is no liberation.

Aggi Vacchagotta demands the Buddha answer

What is the Buddha really denying?

(Natasha Yehenara) Anatta ("no-self"): What exactly is the Buddha denying?

Soul traps, Archons, loosh: Gnostics

2026-09-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

(Jason Abadi) Archons, loosh, and soul trap | The Gnostic Revelation

(James Hurt) What an Ethiopian monk revealed about the real Jesus before his passing is shocking

Gnostic texts: The Bible Uncensored

(Gnostic Talk) Apocryphon of John names who built each part of human body

The Bible got it wrong (Ricky Gervais)

2026-09-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Ricky G., have you read the Gnostic version?

Humans picked, chose, copied what Bible says

(Ricky Gervais) Ricky Gervais explains the big problem with Noah's Ark | Out of England

Ricky D. Gervais (/jər-VAYZ/) was born June 25, 1961, and is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the British TV sitcoms The Office (2001–2003), Extras (2005–2007), and Life's Too Short (2011–2013) with Stephen Merchant.

Humans invented their religions?

(Cold Reason) Why religions were created [besides the mysticism]

He also created, wrote, and starred in Derek (2012–2014) and After Life (2019–2022).[1] Gervais was also executive producer of and had cameos in the American rendition of The Office (2005–2013). Gervais has received various accolades including seven British Academy Television Awards, five National Comedy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Satellite Award, and the Rose d'Or twice (2006 and 2019). In 2003, The Observer named Gervais one of the 50 funniest performers in British comedy [2].

In 2007, he was placed at No. 11 on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups [3] and at No. 3 in their 2010 list [4]. In 2010, he was included in the Time 100 list of World's Most Influential People [5]. More

(The Mystery Archives) The Ethiopian Bible just revealed why Jesus' post-resurrection words that were never taught to us

Aikido: martial art for defense not harm

2026-09-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

(SportEye) Everyone underestimated the amazing art of aikido -- until one real fight turned brutal

He angered sleeping beast...who then harmed him - Show no mercy? He who destroys shall be?

Referee chokes violent pro fighter, disqualified

#Understanding #Mercy #Save #Respect #Humanity #Kindness #Hopecore #Defense #Nonviolence

(Jesse Enkamp) Real Aikido is terrifying

(Fighting wow) Aikido moves are no joke. They can be terrifying and very dangerous!

It's fake? Master vs. Sumo wrestlers

(Aikido Shinburenseijuku) "Aikido is fake?" Can an aikido master

really throw morbidly obese Sumo wrestlers around the dojo?

Self-defense move #martialarts #tsukiclosecombat - Technicalthree-stepthrow #martialarts #mma

Don't block kicks; do this instead #mma #muaythai - Capoeira, Krav Maga, Kung-fu: Which wins?

Headlock back of neck grab self-defense 😱🥋 - 🥋 Traditional kung fu conditioning — 4

Aikido stops knife attack, Berlin, 1924
Aikido (Shinjitai 合気道, Kyūjitai 合氣道, aikidō) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles including Aikikai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, and Ki Aikido.

Aikido is now practiced in 140 countries [1]. It was originally developed by Master Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, Eastern philosophy, and Shintoist religious beliefs.

Meaning: how not to hurt the opponent

Shihonage throwing opponent using his own for against him in aikido

Westerners Anatoly Kharlampiev and Alfred Karashchuk learn aikido jujitsu in 1957

Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba

Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves against attacks, while also protecting the attackers from injury [2, 3].

Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with) life energy" [4] or as "the way of harmonious spirit" [5]. According to the founder's philosophy, the primary goal in the practice of aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness [6].

Aikido's founder used the phrase masakatsu agatsu katsuhayabi (正勝吾勝勝速日, "true victory, final victory over oneself, here and now") to refer to this principle [7].

How to put aggressor down without hurting him

Aikido's fundamental principles include: irimi [8] ("entering"), atemi ("strikes") [9, 10], kokyu-ho ("breathing control"), sankaku-ho ("triangular principle"), and tenkan ("turning") movements that redirect the opponent's own attack momentum.

Aikido's curriculum is comprised of various techniques, primarily throws and joint locks [11]. It includes a weapons system encompassing the bokken, tantō, and jō.

Jujitsu (and rifles) in an agricultural school

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu (a form of jujitsu) but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the new Shinto-based Ōmoto-kyō religion (Oomoto). Ueshiba's early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu [12].

You too can learn to fight (UK)
Aikido as practiced by Ueshiba's senior students take different approaches to the art, depending partly on when they studied with the master.

Aikido today is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques formulated by Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker. More

Jesse Enkamp (video); Editors, Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit UPDATED

Why I hate Apple Inc. and Steve Jobs 🍎

2026-09-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

WARNING: NSA's USB phone charger can hack cell phone in seconds: Hacker shows how

DNA better than silicon?

Billy Carson: George Church stored 433 trillion KB - Will Apple get on AI bandwagon now?

Bikini Princess loses her S over car tow

2026-09-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Don't stare at my boobs and don't take my car!

(Sheriff Lamb) FLORIDA, the nation's main vein draining into Trump's Gulf of America - Bubbly (possibly intoxicated) boob-exposing Bikini Princess loses it and commits felonies when police tell her Daddy's Mustang GTO is about to get towed and impounded for racing over 100 MPH ("criminal speeding") while the driver was determined to be operating the vehicle under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.

"Florida" is a Deep South state of mind

Why is Latin-flavored Florida this way? Why are Floridians (living somewhere in a limbo between the East Coast and the Deep South) so out of control, sexy, drunk, "rapey"?

Is it because Trump's Mar-a-Lago recruiting ground and Epstein's Island are close by?

They say the people of Florida are extravagant, impoverished, disastrous, prone to alcohol abuse and consuming excitotoxins, fighting alligators, relieving themselves in public, running from police, sleeping around, hosting a giant metal scene (Tampa), partying on the sand, dancing to Cuban rhythms, engaging in Spring Break madness, and being oh so very entitled...

It can't just be the weather, the tourists, or its proximity of the Bermuda Triangle, can it? There must be something in the air, all those enormous mosquitoes (skeeters), government experiments in progress, or something. Who can explain?

Motorcyclists versus police: funny moments

Proud to be Irish and Catholic? (Bible)

2026-09-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

(Channel 4 Comedy) Sister Michael's Guide to Not Giving a F**k! | Derry Girls | Channel 4

The beautiful Black Irish in the US

Now, WoQy, w' don't mind if y' rite 'bout tha beyootifull Catholick Shurch as a wondrous institution of goode in the Emerald Isle that saved it from Snakes under St. Paddy 'n the scallywag Protestant-Royalists up North, but ye best not be sayin nuthin harsh or rude about that holy mother superior Headmistress Sister George Michael of TV's Our Lady Immaculate College (Siobhán McSweeney) on the teen British sitcom Derry Girls. And if'n y' do, we might forgit to pray fer yer eternal Souls during vespers. D'ya understand? An' der might be a knuckle-ruler waitin' fer yous to halp y'all see da error uv yer wayz, too. Right?

Irish beauty from aos sidhe, Tuatha de Danann
May we post a wee short Family Guy documentary cartoon about our beloved Isle and its traditions?

Well, that should be just fine, Laddys and Lassies. Seth McFarlane is a right good Irish Catholick boy hisself, tizn't he?

The first Western Buddhist monk in history was an Irishman (U Dhammaloka born Lawrence Carroll, Laurence O'Rourke, or William Colvin with the nom de plume "Captain Daylight")
The Irish lass Maura O'Halloran who became a Zen Buddhist saint
Ireland’s forgotten witnesses to the Faith | The Irish Catholic
Luck of the Irish spreads to all Catholics this Lent | The Catholic Sun

Irish Heritage and History

(Gooz Chos) Family Guy: Irish Heritage and History and Science

A good Christian Bible? Far better to read the original Un-Roman Ethiopian version

Seminarians from Pontifical Irish College, Rome ordained deacons | Irish Catholic Bishops' Con

(Abyss Archive) The final words of an Ethiopian Christian monk (relying on his church's 88-book Ethiopian Bible) about Jesus Christ is raising questions for Western Christians.

Beware the mermaid creatures: Selkies

(Kiki Rockwell) "Selkie" has been spotted in Ireland. Do not ask to marry one, do not consent.

Many Irish cartoon stock photos and royalty-free pictures | iStock

Well that's one way of putting it 👀 #QI #iPlayer

Subscribe to The Irish Catholic...or you may end up in hell. (You really want to chance it?)

Pat Macpherson, Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Irish billionaire Saint Chuck Feeney

2026-09-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

Irish American billionaire’s secret revealed - What is the point of giving in Buddhism?

Irish American Charles Francis Feeney (April 23, 1931–October 9, 2023) was a businessman and philanthropist who made a massive fortune [from the U.S. military] as the co-founder of DFS Group (Duty Free Shoppers Group), the travel retailer of luxury products based in Hong Kong.

Irish-American billionaire Chuck Feeney's company closes Dublin office after 30 years

He was the founder of the Atlantic Philanthropies, one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world. Feeney gave away his fortune in secret for many years, wisely choosing to remain anonymous while doing it, donating more than $8 billion in his lifetime....

PERSONAL LIFE: Wise Saint Feeney was known for his frugality. According to a New York Times article in 2017, "Until he was 75, he traveled only in coach [the lowest class, discount seats], and [he] carried reading materials in a plastic bag."

He did not own a car or a house and wore a $10 Casio F-91W watch [41, 16]. As of 2016, he lived in a rented apartment in pricey San Francisco, California, with remaining assets of $2 million [1]. More

Dāna (sharing, generosity, liberality, giving, supporting, helping) as an internally-motivated spiritual act or a formal, externally-influenced religious act is directed by Buddhist laypersons first at monastics and spiritually-developed persons [37].

In the Buddhist understanding, it has the effect of purifying and transforming the heart/mind of the giver [38], the one who lets go.

Generosity developed through unselfish sharing and generous giving leads to the experience of material wealth and the possibility of being reborn in happy states (defined as rebirth in the human world or the many superior planes of existence above it).

In the Pāli canon's Dighajanu Sutta, "generosity" (denoted there by the Pāli word cāga, which can be deemed synonymous with dāna) is identified as one of the four traits conditioning happiness and wealth in future lives (after this karma comes to fruition and ripens. Just as a seed sown does not immediately burst into a sprout or blossom into a flower or fruit, it is foolish to expect immediately obvious karmic resultants. And it is exactly for this same reason that unskillful misdeeds do not show the harm that comes from them immediately in what John Lennon foolishly popularized as "instant karma." There is nothing instant about most karma, and even to the extent that karma can produce immediate mental benefits, these are not always obvious).

Conversely, lack of letting go, sharing, providing for others, liberality, giving leads to woeful (unhappy) states in the future, after the ripening, as well as poverty.

Dāna (having done acts sharing and generosity) leads to one of the development of one of the "perfections" (paramis, pāramitās, known as dānapāramitā, the perfection of letting go, detachment, giving up, benefiting others).

This can be characterized by unattached and unconditional generosity, giving and letting go [39].

The Buddhist belief that actual letting go, actual giving, the kind without seeking anything in return, rather the transactional variety of this-for-that, leads to great spiritual wealth and immediate mental satisfaction and calm. Otherwise, we are subject to great disappointment.

Moreover, letting go reduces the acquisitive (greedy) impulses that ultimately lead to continued suffering [40] from egotism. More

Could good Saint Feeney (as we call him, when Chuck sought no such title in his life and the Catholic Church has yet to recognize him) have benefitted by living in liberal California, in the Bay Area of all places, surrounded by Asian and Buddhist influences, like so many of the Golden State's remaining inhabitants?

What have we done to be Saint Feeney?

Blonds, stores, traffic: Life in Russia

2026-09-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

What NORMAL, usual Russian neighborhood looks like

Buddhism in Russia (Snelling)

(Arisha in Russia) Buddhism is the third-largest religion in Russia, behind Christianity and Islam. As of 2025, it was practiced by approximately 1.4 million Buddhists, representing about 1.0% of the country’s total population [1].

In America we misuse the term "White Russian" as if that were the exception, when it is the largest of Russia's 93 ethnicities. Russia is massive and includes many indigenous peoples from Northern Europe to the Arctic Circle.

We have so many Russian ethnicities! (Eli)

Buddhism is considered one of Russia's traditional religions -- with the only indigenously Buddhist region in the world in Kalmykia -- and is legally a part of Russian historical heritage [2]. Russian dictator Vlad Lenin, a disaffected Christian who became a nominal/official communist-atheist, had at least one indigenously Buddhist relative.

I'm very Asian and 100% Russian

Historically, Buddhism was incorporated into Siberia in the early 17th century [3]. Besides the historical monastic traditions of the Buryats, the Kalmyks (Kalmykia being the only majority Buddhist republic in Europe), the Tuvans, and a part of the Evenki people (in Buryatia) [4], Buddhism is now spreading all over Russia, with many young ethnic Russian converts [5, 6].

Ancient Tartaria/Tartary was probably in Russia.

The main form of Buddhism in Russia is Vajrayana, particularly the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, to which the Dalai Lama belongs, informally a tradition known as the "Yellow Hats" [6, 7] with other minority Tibetan and non-Tibetan Buddhist schools, such as the Mongolian.

Although Tibetan Buddhism is most often associated with Tibet, it spread into Mongolia. Via Mongolia, Buddhism spread into Siberia before spreading to the rest of Russia.

In the early 20th century, the famous Datsan Gunzechoinei in Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) was the northernmost Buddhist temple in Russia. More

In old Christian scriptures, God is bad

2026-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

(Joe Rogan) How ancient is DMT use? Inca Cueva

Puma bone pipe discovery in ancient N.W. Argentina

Oldest Christian scriptures: GOD is really SATAN | Gnostic Informant

(Danny Jones) June 3, 2024: Danny Jones Podcast (IG, X, Spotify, Apple). To watch this episode uncensored and ad-free, see it on Patreon: dannyjones.

Neal Sendlak's @GnosticInformant‬ YouTube channel (facebook.com/GnosticInformant) focuses on history, mythology, and comparative religion.

OUTLINE

00:00 - Biggest misconception about the Bible
10:22 - Dr. Ammon Hillman and Jesus in the park at night with a naked young boy (Really, that's what's in the Bible)
20:18 - Hebrew vs. superior Greek as religious languages
23:21 - How old is the Old Testament?
33:26 - Yahweh (Yahoo) is Satan
42:25 - Who was Jesus?
53:21 - Was Jesus smart?
01:05:26 - The Dark Ages
01:10:36 - Eleusinian mystery rituals
01:22:05 - The men crucified with Jesus
01:24:28 - Exorcisms
01:31:20 - Burning purple
01:36:19 - Ancient Christian cults
01:41:26 - Jesus is the serpent
01:49:26 - Easter and self-castration
01:58:37 - British Bible scholar John Allegro's sacred mushroom
02:02:02 - Most rebellious Christians
02:05:54 - Oldest Gospels say God [of the Bible] was SATAN
02:18:55 - Valentinians and gematrias
02:27:26 - Jesus Christ's birthday
02:35:52 - Nephilim vs. Anunnaki
02:54:11 - DMT (The Spirit Molecule)

EPISODE LINKS: Neal Sendlak's YouTube Channel: ‪@GnosticInformant. Twitter:‬ x.com/Gnosticinforman, FB: gnosticinformant.

FOLLOW DANNY JONES: dannyjones, jonesdanny LISTEN ON Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4VTLG0H... Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id14...

SPONSORS: 1. bubsnaturals.com/djp. Use code DJP for 20% off. 2. Buy.ver.so/danny. Use code DANNY to save 15% on first order. 3. Whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP. Use code DJP for 20% off.

Classical metal guitar soloist Tina Setkic

2026-09-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata (3rd movement)" Tina Setkic cover

(MD Animations) Where is Yugoslavian French classical metal guitar prodigy Tina Setkic (YouTube's "Tina S"), student of French jazz-rocker Renaud Louis-Servais?

(BERNTH Guitar Academy) I tested TikTok's most viral guitar advice

Heavy metal gone wrong: flops

(Feedback Johnny) Sometimes bands like Metallica sell out to make money

Punk rock: The story of the Germs

2026-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Sound of History) The Germs: the most explosive punk band

The Germs: Bassist Lorna Doom; guitarist Pat Smear; drummer Don Bolles; singer Darby Crash

Darby Crash, April 1980, L.A.

The most interesting thing about Irish American singer and lead vocalist for the Germs Darby Crash (Jan Paul Beahm) is that he was a Buddhist in 1970s Los Angeles. He alludes to it in the song "The Slave."

THE SLAVE: It starts in your head/ And moves to your hands/ Your body starts shakin'/ 'Cause you're in demand/ You do the slave to the beat/ Of the neuro-sutra can-can/ You're lashed 'twixt the stars/ With your ice and motor cars/ You do the slave to the beat/ Of the neuro-sutra can-can/ Oh yea! Yea! Pull out the Zen/ I've got a Buddhist principle in my hand

The Sound of One Hand Clapping | Medium

Your life seems wasted, your bodies laced in/ Don't stop now, you've got to trace it/ You put your hands together/ Writhe in the shackle/ You twist your body round/ 'Til it starts to crackle/ You do the slave to the beat/ Of the neuro-sutra can-can/ You're lashed 'twixt the stars/ With your ice and motor cars/ You do the slave to the beat/ Of the neuro-sutra can-can/ Oh yea! Yea! Pull out the Zen/ I've got a Buddhist principle in my hand/ Your life seems wasted, your bodies laced in/ Don't stop now, you've got to trace it// Right here right now, shake it in and out now/ Lights on, off now, make it spin and fight now.

So long before there was a Nirvana, long before Darby's guitarist and best friend Pat Smear began playing for Nirvana, there was already interest in bringing about "the end of all suffering," which is the literal meaning of the Sanskrit term Nirvana. Female bassist Lorna Doom went off into oblivion or obscurity, but drummer Don Bolles went on to local greatness with Goth punk 45 Grave. Of course, Darby was a troubled teen in Hollywood, California, so he had bigger things to worry about than ending suffering. He had addictions to develop, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, and remembering to use the microphone near his mouth during live performances on his mind.

Lorna, why won't Darby sing into the mic? - And what became of Pap Smear? We mean Pat

(egi alams) The Germs vs. TSOL punk culture, mischief, chaos of fans

He was clearly a very talented wordsmith on his way to a fabulous career if everything hadn't come crashing down around him. Drugs and drunkenness. They'll be the ruin of most rockers who think they'll be different and go untouched by the predictable three-stage tragedy of use, abuse, and demise. Good thing Joan Jett recorded and produced them so well before it was too late.

Germs original lineup #GoGos #Nirvana #FooFighters - Germs album influenced Flea (RHCP)

(GI) by the Germs is f*ckin classic hardcore

The Germs "What We Do is Secret" (G.I. full album)

Don Bolles went on to play fastest song in world till then: "Black Cross"

(well, there was the lightning fast "Red Tape" by Circle Jerks, too)

(45 Grave) "Black Cross" (Only the Good Die Young)

The Germs reunite without Darby after What We Do is Secret, Sala Boite, Madrid Dec. 2009

Truth about Rock 'n Roll industry: fake

I inspired Nirvana and played with and for Kurt

(Rock N' Roll True Stories) Melvins' King Buzzo (Buzz Osborne): Rock's most brutal truth-teller?

Fecal Matter was a punk rock band from Aberdeen, Washington state. FM was formed in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, Nirvana's future frontman, along with Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. Melvins members Buzz Osborne (also known as "King Buzzo") and Mike Dillard appeared in a later version of the band during rehearsals the following year. The band was short-lived, disbanding in 1986. Songs from the group's sole recording session were issued as the Illiteracy Will Prevail demo tape.

(Aggressive Tendencies) The Melvins' King Buzzo says Nirvana

doc "Montage of Heck" is B.S., defends Kurt Cobain

Her one and only wish #adoption #orphan #fosterchild

addiction, band, corporate, drugs, ego, exposed, grunge, heavy metal, KISS, music, nirvana, profit motive, rock n' roll, selling out, sex industry

The sickening sexual art of Europe

2026-09-02T04:44:00.000-07:00

(Vuecrypte) How we missed this creepy detail for 95 years?

(Vuecrypte) The most disturbing paintings in history

EU loves sexy art, like this naked little boy Eros
The Sin (German Die Versündigung) is an 1880 oil on canvas erotic art painting by the renowned German artist Heinrich Lossow (1843–1897) [1, 2, 3].

The painting depicts a hypocritical Catholic monk engaged in what may be rape, molestation, or patriarchal domination but appears to be consensual copulation (fornication) with a cloistered Catholic nun through an iron gate meant to keep them separated, achieved by using an athletic sexual position; the painting uses the chiaroscuro technique to contrast its two subjects [4].

While little is known of Lossow's formal motivation, the painting is believed to have been a response and thematically linked to the Vatican's secret affair called the Banquet of Chestnuts.

Heinrich Lossow's Die Versündigung ("The Sin")

Everything the Church does is holy. That nun should be burned alive for seducing that poor monk

This real event, purported to have taken place in 1501 in Rome (the Holy See of the Holy Roman Empire), is where Cesare Borgia, an Italian Catholic cardinal deacon and later military leader, hired ~~prostitutes~~ courtesans to attend a Bacchanalian/Dionysian pagan-style Church feast with his holy father, Pope Alexander VI [4, 5] (of the decadent House of Borgia).

(Sculpt Stone) European sculpture in NY shows cannibalism of children?

KKK active in Spain? No, they're Catholics

The anonymous Catholic monk in the painting is sometimes suspected to be Cardinal Cesare himself [4].

The painting caused shame and humiliation as it exposed Church hypocrisy and corruption. There was an uproar in the Vatican, plus significant controversy and outrage in Germany due to its explicit nature and anti-clerical content [6].

Lossow was formally condemned by the Catholic Church [7, 8] for airing the Church's dirty laundry and speaking out of school about the goings on in the administrative heart of the holy Church.

The location of the disappeared artwork is now unknown, but it is believed to be in private ownership [7, 8, 4], possibly rotting in the vast Vatican Archives, a kind of early Smithsonian system for hiding away inconvenient artifacts and specimens that contradict official narratives. More: The Sin (Lossow)

(SpareKey) Three Catholic convents that let the Devil in?

The 8 things that control our lives

2026-09-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

The 8 things that control our lives without us noticing | The Eight Worldly Conditions

(Buddha's Wisdom) AI. Aug. 27, 2026: 🔍 THE EIGHT WORLDLY CONDITIONS SHAPING OUR LIVES — EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL. More than 2,600 years ago, the historical Buddha described Eight Worldly Conditions or Winds that continually affect human life:

(1) gain and (2) loss
(3) praise and (4) blame
(5) pleasure and (6) pain
(7) status and (8) disgrace.

I'm not bored or lonely. And I'm not a monkey!

Known today as the Eight Worldly Winds, this Buddhist teaching reveals why success, approval, comfort, criticism, disappointment, and reputation can move the mind/heart far more than we realize.

The surprising part? Buddhism doesn’t only warn us about loss, pain, blame, and disgrace. Gain, praise, pleasure, and status can consume us, too.

DISCOVER

Why the Eight Worldly Conditions always appear as four opposing pairs
Why the discourse says the pleasant four consume an untrained mind exactly as the painful four do
What the Buddha actually taught about gain and loss, praise and blame, pleasure and pain, status and disgrace
Why the conditions we want can control us as powerfully as the ones we resist
How a famous psychology experiment about sitting alone with your thoughts became widely misunderstood
Why Buddhism sees freedom not as escaping life’s ups and downs, but as understanding their impermanent nature

📚 SOURCES AND FURTHER READING (affiliate links)

Aṅguttara Nikāya (AN 8.6), Dutiya Lokadhamma Sutta (The Eight Worldly Conditions)
Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of AN 8.6, which renders the three marks of each condition as inconstant, stressful, subject to change https://amzn.to/4xpbP6g
Thanissaro Bhikkhu on yasa, translated here as "status" rather than "fame"
Wilson, T. D. et al. (2014), "Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind," Science, Vol. 345
Sun Wukong appears as a story from Journey to the West, referenced as literature rather than as doctrine
Fox, K. C. R., Thompson, E., Andrews-Hanna, J. R. & Christoff, K. (2014), Is thinking really aversive? The authors challenged the popular interpretation of the experiment, noting that many participants who used the shock described curiosity as a motivation.

⚖️ FAIR USE DISCLAIMER: This video references The Social Network (2010, Columbia Pictures) for commentary, criticism, and educational analysis under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act. All rights to the film remain with the copyright holders. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.

🙏 If Buddhism that connects ancient teachings with ordinary modern life is of interest, subscribe and turn on notifications. Buddha's Wisdom publishes twice a week. And after watching, comment on which of the four pairs runs your week most often?

The worst ways to get "enlightened"

2026-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I did my yoga, and I'm starting to see not-self and that I am One. What's for lunch?

Rites and rituals for samadhi in India

(dakota of earth) India's worst way to reach "enlightenment," usually defined in Hinduism as mere samadhi, which is a stage to understanding not the final goal itself in Buddhism.

I think I'm starting to lose my grip on reality.

When one becomes a "saint" (a NOBLE ONE) in Buddhism, having entered at least the first stage of enlightenment (of seven stages usually condensed and described as four main stages), one is immediately rid of four things.

Of these is the wrong view that clinging to rites and rituals could ever lead to enlightenment (bodhi, awakening to the ultimate truth).

Dhutanga of living under a tree
Attachment to rites and rituals (sīlabbata-parāmāso) is one of the subtle fetters binding beings (who are constantly becoming and never actually being) to samsara, the Wheel of Life and Death. Śīla refers to "virtue" or "moral conduct" + vata (bata) to "religious duty, observance, rite, practice, custom" [25] + parāmāsa to "being attached to" or "a contagion" (clinging, upādāna) and has the connotation of "mishandling" the Dhamma [26], Buddha's Teachings. Together sīlabbata-parāmāso translates as "the contagion of [adhering to] mere rule and ritual, the infatuation of good works, the delusion that they suffice" [27] or, more simply, "fall[ing] back on attachment [clinging] to precepts and rules" [28]. Whereas the fetter of "doubt" (vicikiccha) can be seen as pertaining to the dharmas of competing wandering ascetics (samanas) during the time of the Buddha, the fetter regarding clinging to rites and rituals likely refers to some practices of contemporary Brahmanical authorities [29]. More
I punished the body (Erika Tanith)
The former prince Siddhartha Gautama (the future historical Buddha), as a wandering ascetic on a quest for enlightenment, practiced these futile things -- particularly extreme fasting -- for years until he finally stopped blaming the body for the mind's defilements and accepted the blissful meditative absorptions (jhanas) as the real path of purification and path of freedom to seeing things as they really are and thereby finally being able to let go of lust, clinging, attachment, and all that binds us to interminable rebirth and suffering in samsara.
The 13 Sane Ascetic Practices (dhutangas)

Then I realized I was that One God incarnate

Until then, a person might do any useless thing -- particularly engaging in the extremes of severe austerities and bodily mortifications (tapas, penances, extreme austerities, attempts at purification) to purify oneself or hedonism, debauchery, and excess with the excuse that "anything can be used in the service of liberation, including the very poisons -- alcohol, drugs ("Crazy Wisdom"), sanctified or twisted sexuality (tantric sex), meat eating and cannibalism (as in Aghori holyman practices), fasting and self-starvation (inedia), self-mummification (sokushinbutsu)...

What's wrong with drinking alcohol?

2026-09-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

(Typical Life Stories) The habit/addiction that took everything

Liquid ignorance tastes bad.
FIFTH PRECEPT: Surā meraya majja pamā daṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhā padaṃ samā diyāmi, which means, "I undertake the training-precept to abstain from consuming intoxicants that may occasion heedlessness."

The fifth precept prohibits the use of intoxicants that occasion heedlessness such as alcohol, drugs, or other means. Its virtues are mindfulness and self-responsibility [12, 13] applied to food, work, behavior, and with regard to reality [132] and the true nature of life.

Awareness, meditation, and heedfulness can also be included here [125].

Let's drink this and start breaking other precepts.

The most famous Buddhist commentator in the Pali canon Buddhaghosa writes that whereas violating the first four precepts may be more or less blameworthy depending on the person or animal affected, the fifth precept is always "greatly blamable" because it hinders one from understanding the Buddha's Teachings and may lead one to "madness" [18], which is the karmic result in the future of indulging in alcohol now.

Morbid facts about Charlie Sheen's addiction

It's a natural product of rotten sugar.

In ancient China, Daoshi described alcohol as the "doorway to laxity and idleness" and as a cause of suffering. Nevertheless, he did describe extraordinary circumstances when drinking might be considered less bad than what it prevents. For example, there's the case of a queen who distracts the king using alcohol to prevent him from murdering.

However, Daoshi was strict in his interpretations. For example, he allowed medicinal use of alcohol only in extreme cases [152].

Early Chinese translations of the Three Baskets or Collections (the Tripitaka of Sutras, Disciplinary Code, and the Higher Doctrine) describe negative consequences for people breaking the rule on drinking, for themselves and their families.

The Chinese translation of the Upāsikaśila Sūtra, as well as the Pāli language version of the Sigālovāda Sutta, speak of terrible consequences from intoxication such as the

loss of wealth,
ill health,
a bad reputation,
being accused of misdeeds,
"stupidity" [in future rebirths],
culminating with rebirth in hell [18, 153].

I need a swig every night to be regular in my poo.

The Dīrghāgama adds to that that alcohol leads to quarreling, negative states of mind, and damage to one's intelligence.

The Mahāyāna Sanskrit version of the Net of All-Embracing Views Discourse (Brahmajāla Sūtra) [Note 6] describes the dangers of alcohol in very strong terms, including the crime of selling alcohol [154], which is listed among one of the forms of wrong livelihood proscribed in the Noble Eightfold Path.

Similar arguments against alcohol are found in Nāgārjuna's writings [155]. A strict interpretation on the prohibition of alcohol consumption in Buddhism can be supported by the Upāli Sūtra's statement that a disciple of the Buddha should avoid drinking alcohol "even [so much as] a drop on the point of a blade of grass."

However, in the writing of some Abhidharma commentators, alcohol consumption was condemned depending on the intention with which it was consumed. For example, an intention that was not condemned was taking alcohol in a tiny amount as a form of medicine [156] or because it is used in the extraction and preservation of plant medicines (syrups, potions, decoctions, concoctions, etc.)

Sanity and sobriety in practice

A little "water of life" never hurt nobody. *Burp*

The fifth precept against consuming alcohol is regarded as extremely important because drinking alcohol leads to lack of self-control and sluggishness [72, 157], which is extremely likely to lead to breaking the other precepts [18] that one would normally if sober avoid breaking.

In Spiro's field studies, violating the fifth precept was seen as the worst of all the five precepts by half of the monks interviewed, citing the harmful consequences [18].

Nevertheless, in practice abstention from alcohol is often disregarded by lay people [158]. In Theravada Buddhist Thailand, drinking alcohol is fairly common, even to the point of drunkenness [159].

Do all bad things as "crazy wisdom," Dummies!

Among Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhists, drinking beer is common, partly because it is very weak and only slightly alcoholic [155].

Medicinal use of alcohol is generally not frowned upon [145], and in some countries like Thailand and Laos, smoking tobacco is usually not regarded as a violation of the precept to avoid intoxicants.

Thai and Laotian Buddhist monks have been known to smoke as part of their culture, but monks who have received more training in Buddhism are far less likely to smoke [43, 160].

Let's live it up, steal, and break things. Woo-hoo!

On a similar note, as of the year 2000, no Buddhist country prohibited the sale or consumption of alcohol, though in Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist revivalists unsuccessfully attempted to become prohibitionist by getting full prohibition passed in 1956 [43].

Moreover, pre-communist Tibet used to prohibit smoking in some areas of the capital, Lhasa. Monks were prohibited from smoking, and the import of tobacco was banned [43].

Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh included even mindful consumption in this precept, which consists of unhealthy food, unhealthy entertainment, and unhealthy conversations, among others [137, 161]. More

What about the dollar, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs?

(The Jimmy Dore Show)

Michelangelo: Sophia, God, Jesus, Mary

2026-09-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is actually the anatomy of the brain embedded in Michelangelo's art. In the God's left arm is the Goddess of Wisdom Sophia marked with red circle (Michelangelo's Creation of Adam)

Chiasm in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel brain

(Vuecrypte) Once you see it, you'll never unsee it

What Michelangelo encoded in the Creation of Adam

Chrism is consecrated oil or cerebrospinal fluid
CHRISM (also called myrrh, myron, and holy anointing oil) is a consecrated oil used in many forms of Christianity:

Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Nordic Lutheran, Anglican, and Old Catholic churches in the administration of some sacraments and ecclesiastical functions.

Jesus Christ is called "Christ" because he is said to have been "anointed" the "Anointed One" (kristos) like the "king of heaven" or "prince of peace" would be by his monarch sky-father when Christian divinities are viewed as Greco-Roman-European ideals of imperial rulers.

What was Jesus really "anointed" with, his own internal cerebrospinal fluid or DMT-containing, melatonin, and other hormone-containing pituitary and pineal gland exudation?

Name

Dr. Frank Meshberger: Ancient Egypt encoded biology into art the way Michelangelo did?

I'll be a nun now like you wanted

The English chrism derives from Koine Greek via Latin and Old French. In Greek, khrîsma (χρῖσμα) was originally the verbal noun ("[the act of] anointing," "unction") of "anoint" (χρίειν) [1].

By extension, along with khrîma (χρῖμα), khrîstai (χρῖσται), and later khrísma (χρίσμα), it came to be used for the anointing oil or ointment itself.

Khrísma came into Latin as chrisma, which appears in the works of Tertullian.

We need a Jesus for Rome

This was adopted directly into Old English as crisma, which developed into Middle English crisme and various related spellings [1].

In Old French, the original Latin was conflated with cramum ("cream"), developing into cresme, which was also borrowed into Middle English around 1300 as "creme" and various related spellings.

The spelling chrism after the Latin original was generally adopted in the 16th century, after which "cream" came to be restricted to its present meaning [1]. More

(Unframed) Nobody noticed Michelangelo hid something in the palm of Mary.

[Is it really the Gnostic apostle-wife Mary Magdalene, rather than the idealized Virgin Mother Mary? Mary Magadalene was deleted from the post-Gnostic Christian tradition. And it became a heresy to say anything nice about Mary Magdalene or anything that might promote the sacred feminine or female divinity because it works against a patriarchy trying to establish all-male control.]
Remastered art Creation of Adam Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo | Pixels