𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 ... 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Straight Talk About Gravity ...

Everything you should want to know, 

but may not have been asking

This is a long read. So, let's cut to the chase so you can have an idea of where we're going.

About Gravity. There's an aspect to that Universal force which is unrecognized and underappreciated. Specifically, Gravity can easily be enlisted on an individual Human level as a ready at hand, ever present, and sustainable resource for health, well being, top performance, full creativity, and healing. "Healing", being not just about clearing up an owie, but in the larger sense of getting right with things, with reality. Gravity as a guide in this is reliably real. And we now know how to enlist and utilize Gravity for, as Dr. Ida P. Rolf said it, "for a more Human use of our Human being".

[Speculating that perhaps how come it hasn't been promoted widely already is that there's no money in Gravity. It's for free! Like Chris Rock said, "There's no money in the cure. The money's in the drugs."]

If that preamble rings your chimes, read on. If not, read on. For sure. Maybe also in that latter case, read it twice.

Now for that straight talk about Gravity ...

First thing. Gravity scribes a straight line. It goes vertical. Well yah! Who doesn't know that? You drop a ball and it goes straight down. Everybody knows that! As children on a preverbal level we get how Gravity works when we're playing at stacking blocks. 

The interesting thing though it's everywhere. It goes straight vertical here, there, there, and there. Missoula to Moscow. Dubuque to Djibouti. Consistent. Reliable. True. At least true enough for whatever you have a mind to do.

And, so ... ?

But, it is also said there are no straight lines in Nature. So, what is this “line” of Gravity? And, saying that it’s a straight vertical line? Can we see it from both sides? Of course you can. Stay with.

Let’s discuss ...

When we trace the action of Gravity we see it goes from being anchored at the center of planet Earth and extends out to the center of the Universe. [Of course, not just Earth; this is true for any rock you may find yourself on in God’s Great Creation. Elon Musk, take that to Mars with you!] Gravity as Mr. Einstein has pointed out has all to do with the attraction of mass. Like a lot of things, the bigger they are the more attractive. To the eye anyway. To me they're all lovely. But, did I just digress? Oh, yes, Gravity. And, then it comes back again. From the center of Creation back to wherever you may be standing right now. Gravity, that is, does that. Mr. Musk too, we pray will come back. If he ever gets there in the first place anyway.

Gravity doesn’t really travel; we speak of it that way for explanation purposes. You can’t see Gravity. Just its effects. But, you can put your finger on it. We’ll get to that a bit later. It's about a firm grasp of the obvious. Hint: your felt sense is a kind of seeing.

Gravity is really a cyclic constant. That would seem to make it a circle, right. Conceptually, maybe even actually so. Regarding the latter, it does have a sustaining quality; like how it tends to keep things together. On this circle concept, it helps us to understand how it keeps recycling so to speak. Keeps things rolling. 

But let’s augment that and add that the active path of Gravity is indeed a straight line, whether from the center of the Earth to the center of your body, or to the center of the Universe. You can hold two differing ideas in mind at the same time? The world is a duality, why waste your time fighting and promoting just one view. I was once on an airplane flight at sunset time traveling south from New York City. On one side of the plane out the window it was a stunning solid block of azure blue; on the other side, a brilliant glowing orange. Both. Get it? Give the devil his due. In my book that bugger represents the full-on down side of things. Just about stuff. No heart and soul. But, when you think about it, maybe letting that devil do what he do, maybe that’s a necessary part of getting behind the Pearly Gates. Just sayin’. Like no soul got to Heaven still grappling with that unrelentingly persuing and never-giving-in trickster. But, I digress. [The devil made me do it.]

Dig this. Quoting Scott Russell Sanders from his novel The Paradise of Bombs ...

“There is a mystical virtue in right angles. There is an unspoken morality in seeking the level and the plumb. A house will stand, a table will bear weight, the sides of a box will hold together only if the joints are square and the members upright. When the bubble is lined up between two marks etched in the glass tube of the level, you have aligned yourself with the forces that hold the universe together."

Net, net, for all practical purposes, on Terra Firma Gravity’s a line straight enough to call it vertical. This way of modeling our understanding of Gravity is important, and useful. In more that a few ways. Read on. And, that no-straight-lines-in-nature quip while it is true to a point, consider how it's on account of that straight vertical line that we appreciate nature's beauty.

There’s some really good news in that for all us God’s Children.

Let’s explain ...

That line of Gravity isn’t just a marked static line, like one drawn on a piece of paper. Or even that chalk line snapped on the wall with a weighted string to keep wallpaper going on straight. It’s dynamic. It’s alive really.

As a line, looked at on Earth there are two actions. The one pulling down/inward; i.e., centripetal. The other pushing upward/outward; i.e., centrifugal. So what, you may ask. The thing is we all get the pulling down part. Like when you drop Auntie’s fine bone china handed-down-the-generations Rosenthal tea cup and it falls and cracks into a million pieces to the floor breaking what otherwise was a proper afternoon tea time. And, smart-ass that you are you offer her the excuse that it was Gravity what done it.

The underappreciated aspect of Gravity is how it exerts that upward lifting action. I know, like nobody’s let go the ball and it goes up. Not without a push anyway. So how do we grok this upward thing?

We need to talk centrifugal some more. Okay?

My professional interest is in the process of balancing of the Human body with the Gravitational field of the Earth. Dr. Ida P. Rolf’s brilliant observation is that, “When the body gets working appropriately, the force of Gravity can flow through”. She goes on to say, “Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.” If that is a new idea to you, pause and give it a thought. That’s for real, for real! The approach she developed and handed down is called Structural Integration. Some may be familiar with the nickname “Rolfing”.* There are other brand flavors also. The one common factor is that balancing the body in respect to the demands of Gravity is the main goal.

The core idea with that definitive and peerless approach is in how we already know the body is designed to be arranged in an architectural balance. This is well known science. Both Anatomy and Physics. Architects and builders know this as a central point. In architectural terms the body is just like any other physical structure on Earth. And, since imbalances can creep in and — importantly — since the body is plastic, individuals can learn this simple, basic normal balance and/or be restored to such a healthy balance. 

The standard of balance? Not some smarty-pants cooked up notion. No. You probably know the answer: Verticality. "Balanced" in the Structural Integration view is with the centers of Gravity lined up along the body’s central vertical line; with corresponding symmetries/side to side and everything level/on the horizontal front to back.

So now we have a Human being with a body in balance to match the vertical action line of Gravity. That result is structural integration. The vision and goal of the Rolf process called Structrural Integration.

What then?

Let’s get back to “centrifugal”. Just like a tree, roots go down and the branches go up. Humans too. We don’t have physical roots, but the pull of Gravity confirms our rootedness. We feel that. Especially after a long day of work. Or, that triathalon. Or, a pub crawl. You know what I'm talking about. Right?

As for the up — the centrifugal action of Gravity — some good news! But you gotta be in balance to appreciate that. Some semblance of balance anyway. Otherwise, out of balance, Gravity is entropic; it pulls you down, tears you apart. We live in default of having chronic aches and pains and stress for not recognizing that body imbalances as such are the culprit, in whole or in part. And, that those imbalances exacerbate other health problems. And, we take it for granted that there's nothing to do about it but to take pills. Or, get all cut away or propped and stoked up with some fancy procedure. 

Balancing the body is the natural way. So get in balance!

Here’s the benefit. Here we introduce The Line. Not the line of Gravity, or the center line of the body. When we refer to "The Line" we’re talking about the congruence of those two lines. And, not just as an idea, but as a lived experience. It’s a sound scientifically-based concept. And, it's a sound percept. An unambiguous experience. You feel it. Plain as day.

Gravity, however, is so there there we don’t give it much attention. We do things that involve learning to keep balance, of course. 

But, as an ongoing daily inner event, and how the body stacks up, Gravity is mostly ignored as significant. And, it takes some doing to get into that. That may be why I'm writing going on and on like this. It's a new idea really. And, new ideas don't just get saluted just because you hoist them up the flag pole. And, especially new ideas that involve some real change, and skin in the game. Like becoming sane in an insane world. Takes some courage. Like taking the Red Pill. Pilgrim, Gravity is the Red Pill.

To be clear, it's a non-doing really. It’s subtle, so you have to give it some quiet attention to notice what’s going on. That's all the doing necessary. Believe me, once you get a taste of that elixer, you’ll make a habit of taking your medicine regularly, daily. I know. I do.

When you are living The Line you get the benefit of that other side of Gravity. Centrifugal. It’s uplifting, energizing, supportive, nurturing. It feels good. It feels really alive. It’s not just a concept. It’s alive. You feel it. Unambiguously. It feels right. Right at home.

You can even say that the direction of Human evolution has that vertical component to it. Elon Musk is a smart one for sure. Smart. And his rockets go straight up on a vertical path. There’s a "rocket" in a body in balance tangibly working and connected to one’s very sense of being embodied. It's also smart alright, but it is also in the province of wisdom. And, Lord knows, we can use a good dose of that in our times. In balance you can simply be. And, out of that simple sense of simply being, wisdom arises. Yes? Yes! 

As an inner event within your own experience you will see Gravity also goes up straight on the vertical. How far up it goes, that’s for you to find out. And, where you will go. The self-guided approach to life has it's finality; a dead end. Living connected to the "forces that hold the Universe together", that's really living.

In other words “The Line” is dynamic. Alive. Life. Not just a concept, but a percept. It’s way subtle, but way powerful. Like Gravity, it’s so there there and always and everywhere we’re inured to it. Subtle. Yet, it holds the Universe together. Powerful. What, Pilgrim, are you trying to hold together? Maybe Gravity can give you a hand? A lift? Word!

To recap ... when you’re out of structural body balance Gravity is a downer. In balance, now you’re ALIVE.

Dr. Rolf also observed: “Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: they are off balance, they are at war with Gravity.”

Now you get it that out of balance, it’s only a downer. A lot of what ails us is due to imbalances in the makeup of our body. These have been accrued inadvertently over time. Like the Grand Canyon. Years upon years of slow erosion of flowing water. If you’ve ever been there and taken in the Grand Canyon you’ll know the awe inspiring presence of something so vast and ancient. Profound. You might not be ancient, but being out of bodily balance sure feels that way. Causative factors: repeated bad habits, unresolved accidents and traumas, inadequate or improper training, modeling significant others who themselves may not have been good examples of correct balance.

With the method of Structural Integration the whole thing is about establishing the center line of the body and integrating it into closer alignment with the line of Gravity. This is understood scientifically about the design of the body, both Anatomically and in Physics in respect to the demands of Gravity. Balance. Balance in the three planes. Vertical, level, symmetrical.

That we can learn such balance is due to the natural plasticity of the body. We are shaped by our experience. Some of it misshaped. At any age and with any life experience one can learn the simple balance of the body in respect to the dictates of the force of Gravity. And, undo imbalances accumulated over time due to those contributing factors. Here again, the culprits: bad habits, unresolved accidents and traumas, insufficient or improper training, modeling significant others who themselves may not have been good examples of such bodily balance.

DISCLAIMER: Understand, professionally I practice Structural Integration. Personally, I practice structural integration. My purpose is first to get you engaged with the idea that balance of the body is a good thing. And to engage you in the prospect that this is something you want for yourself. As for getting professional assistance, that's available. But, you can simply start doing things that contribute to a more balanced stance on your own. The choice in the first place is to decide to get things in order. Step by step. And, to get started doing it. Okay?

As my Go-To Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj succinctly puts it, "The entire purpose of a clean and well-ordered life is to liberate man from the thralldom of chaos and the burden of sorrow."

Understand the line of Gravity is not just a scribed line. Like in the building trades using a string and a weighted-mass plumb bob to confirm the vertical. That’s an applied, static method. There’s another method that individuals can take advantage of in their own life. In their own time. Balancing the body with the Gravitational field of the Earth. Be an "Easy Rider", doin' your own thing, in you're own time.

Consider the designers’ and builders’ use of the plumb line. Three things. 1.The plumb bob itself — that weighted-mass which Gravity pulls down. 2.The string. 3.The hand — what holds it in place, and what holds it up, and what decides where to put it to begin with. Notice that it’s the string that connects the two. That string is under tension. That’s dynamic. Same with the weighted mass of the body. It’s like a plumb bob. Gravity wants to pull down on it. Normally we struggle to keep up. That downward pull is a good thing. Metaphysically you can say it is literally pulling down and away what you don't have in the first place. Karma, baby.

But, in balance, the “up” is automatic, built into the systematic reciprocal relationship with Gravity and the living organism. Centered on The Line. In the building trades that line has the intention of making sure things are plumb and square. As regards the Human being, The Line also has a healthy intention. If you look it's there. You feel it. What it's like. Sit down and look within. What you are feeling, that's it. Any imbalances in the body will show themselves. At first discomforting maybe. And, early in this practice with a bunch also of discomforting thoughts. Stick with it! Sit in what J. Krishnamurti advises: "Choiceless awareness". Or, as the Buddhist Masters put it: "Presence Awareness". The thing about doing that in a good balanced posture is that things clear up naturally, spontaneously. Like Dr. Rolf said, "Spontaneously the body heals itself". Let the grass grow by itself. You'll see.

It’s a big subject. Intention. In terms of daily living on Earth let’s understand that The Line has two intentions. One is horizontal. In other words, daily living on planet Earth. Doing this and that, going here and there, getting what have you ... like that. Even Elon Musk and his sending rockets up, that’s really in the domain of the horizontal physical reality. Doing stuff.

The other intention is vertical. In one way, moving down. Oriented, if you will, grounded to the Earth. And ... and, moving up, up toward the Center of the Universe. Which, we might want to refer to as Source, the Creator. It’s that upward movement of the force of Gravity that has the intention to keep you centered and in the moment. Keeping it Real. Connected for life ...

Perhaps with the talking about spiritual matters you're getting that The Line is not just about a better body. We talk about the body because we can get our hands on it. The entire enterprise is what's called "somatic". Entering within yourself at the felt sense bodily level, but understanding that it's a wholistic event. Body, mind, psychology, soul, spirit. We separate these for speaking purposes only. Words will do that. The reality is that it's a unity. In other words, you can think of The Line as the Shepherd's Staff. Guiding a good life. What's a "good life"? Well, having a sense of simple basic bodily balance is a help. You do you. But, be righteous. Righteous? Now with all these words surely you have a sense that it involves simple geometry. As for ultimate matters, when the student is ready the Teacher will appear. Gravity is a teacher. In the Teacher's Hand.

You could say that the thrust of Human evolution is in living in an equipoise balance between those two movements. Up and down. The breath and its action is a good metaphor for that same dynamic. In and out if you're into that tantric Yin Yang thing. 

In other words Gravity has its material side, and its metaphysical side. In the world, but not of the world. Just like it has its downside [centripetal] and its upside [centrifugal]. Yin and Yang if you want to get all Eastern with it.

So, what do we want to take away from all these words. This: Gravity is a sustainable and most readily available resource for living well. For health, performance, creativity.

Get with it!

* "Rolfing" and "Rolfer" are service marks of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute.

𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐢 ... 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭

Tamogoyaki is a Japanese style omelette. It's "rolled". Not like a French omelette which is quickly and loosely scrambled into small curds then finished in the round pan into a graceful, sexy oblong shape. Or, scrambled all mushed up then shaped into that classic rectangular form. No cheating! 

Tamagoyaki is formed a thin layer rolled upon a thin layer, then again and again. The rectagular shape is on account of the squarish pan used in it's preparation. Of course, you can use a round pan, but its cool to be square. 

Rather than slogging through a lengthy master class worth of verbal description let's look at a video for starters ...

PS You'll also see in the last video at the end of this there's also lots of room for add-ins too. 

That's a basic demonstration of the preparation. We'll mention some corrections in the following.

Tamagoyaki is delicious. Very tender, as you can imagine from the thin, lightly cooked layers. If you are interested in doing this at home this article will help get you started. Sharing some lessons we've learned along the way.

First is to decide on the pan. There are tons of non-stick versions. We don't go there anymore. So, the next choice is between a classic copper with tin lining, or cast Iron. We chose cast Iron for our first venture. The copper classic is a bit intimidating, but we're very tempted to try one too. I think I'm turning Japanese ...

 

Here is the cast Iron version we recommend. Ichiwa Iron Tamagoyaki omelette pan. 50 bucks on Amazon. Very well made in Japan. Once it's seasoned, it works like a dream. Best for a 3-4 large Eggs, or 3 extra-large. 

The decision point on choice of pan spins around the size of the finished omelette. If you're preparing Tamagoyaki for breakfast, that pan serves two nicely. But, smalish portions. It's bottom size is 5" X 6". Or, if you have an appetite, make one, keep it warm, then make another. The process is a bit slower than is the French style. So think ahead if you're gonna make two and have them both arrive to table nice and warm. By the way, this style also makes for a great take from home lunch. Eats good room temperature.

For serving more than two, maybe consider the copper version. They are made in various sizes. Just be aware, the seasoning process with the tin lining is critical for a no stick result. Amazon also sells this type pan under the Japan made brand Tikusan. Looks well made. Seems like a good choice for a 3 or 4 family size would the the 7.1" X 7.1" at $85; or,  the 8.3 X 8.3 for $100. If you go this way, know that the wood handle is set in place with a pin. Maybe better to use a very small round head brass screw. Admittedly that's a fussy point, but it's a point. If you stick with the supplied pin just be sure the wood handle is jammed good and tight into the copper receiver before setting the pin. It's no fun with a wobbly handle.

One other piece of equipage is with what do you turn the roll in the pan. We use a wide silicone Tamagoyaki spatula. Also available on Amazon. If you watch a number of other videos on the preparation you'll see the pros using chop sticks and flipping the pan to get the roll into shape. The cast Iron pan is a way bit too heavy for such maneuvers. The Copper is lighter, therefore more workable for that. The flip isn't necessary, it's just an efficiency the pros learn making them so often.

We'd say that the ideal way to get into Tamagoyaki is the cast Iron pan first, then graduate to the Copper. But, it is an expense, and how many times are you gonna make that omelette? But, believe us, once you try it, you'll come back for more.

Okay, you got your pan. Now what?

You'll see that the classic Tamagoyaki ingredients are Eggs and a thin liquid mix of Dashi broth, Mirin, and Soy sauce. Sugar too, but that is entirely optional, and a matter of taste. If you're preparing for Tamago Sushi, then the Sugar is de rigueur.

We are Westerners and not so culturally steeped that we consider the Dashi a must. We don't prepare this dish that often and making Dashi soup stock is a bit extra — Bonito flakes and Kombu; or, even instant Dashi powder — and it's not an element we feel makes or breaks the dish. Instead, we use one (1) Tablespoon of water per Egg and a nice spritz of Soy/Tamari and another of Mirin. Don't even know if those two are necessary. But the extra liquid factor seems to be a must. For more on that subject, go fetch. There's plenty online. And, of course, your own taste is what you have to please. Eggs, no matter where in the world, are just fine prepared simple and plain.

What now?

When you watch enough videos on the making of Tamagoyaki you'll notice a few must-do's. After the pan is seasoned, a thin layer of neutral flavor oil is swabbed on. We use Peanut Oil. You choose your choice. And, after each layer is rolled up the entire pan is once again oiled. Entire. The top portion, move the formed egg back up, then the bottom. So do that. You don't want the egg layer to stick, or get browned. If it does brown, Tango on and hide it into the next fold. And, if the whole thing gets browned serve it enthusiastically, without any tableside confessions or apologies. What goes on in the kitchen ...

Side bar: As told to me ... at Thanksgiving dinner the maid enters the dining room through the kitchen door and then accidentally drops the Turkey onto the floor in front of all the seated guests. The hostess, without skipping a beat, says, "Please take that one back and bring out the other one". Lesson: the old-timers kept a kitchen behind a closed door for good reason. Again ... what goes on in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.

Just have to say it ... who thought up the "open" kitchen? No doubt someone who likes the aroma of Bacon permeating the entire house in the morning. Coffee, well who doesn't like that? This Cat knows what he likes, you can bet on that!

The next thing to be fussy about is the amount of liquid you pour into the pan at each step. In the video up front we'd say there was a way bit too much. Pour enough for the layer to set up fairly quickly, not so much that you have to wait and/or scramble it to get it going. You don't, however, have to ever wait until the layer is fully set. A little slick wetness is fine; it'll set up as it goes. 

As was said, we use a wide silicone spatula. The width makes it handy for the flips. It's up to you though. You may use the spatula you have on hand, or go full on Nippon and use chop sticks. 

But, please, don't go full-on "Nippon Nuts". There is a soul to any cuisine; but, as they say, "Saffron robes don't make the monk". Get some skills first. Then when you earn your chops you can dress up.

That's it. Please look at some more videos. Believe us, the order of events making this dish is specific. More than once we've had to stop and figure out like which end of the pan does each successive roll go to. It's a practiced thing. Basic procedure: into a well oiled pan over medium heat — a thin layer of the Egg liquid — you roll from top to bottom — oil the pan again — push the roll to the top— add egg mixture — lifting top roll to get egg mixture underneath — then roll top to bottom again. And, so forth.

𝐋𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

Feeling a little peckish?

More?

We can't help but have a host of mixed feelings seeing such opulent, unselfconscious excess. Not to mention the also unselfconscious contrast of the sports bar attire of the already too well fed patrons. 

[SPOILER ALERT!]

Gaza, anyone?

𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋

“Don't waste your time with the nonessential. Don't fool around. Millions of people are wasting their time with the nonessential, and the irony is that they know that it is nonessential. But they say, ‘What else to do’? They are not aware of anything more significant.

People are playing cards, and if you ask them, ‘What are you doing’? they say they are killing time. Killing time? Time is life! So you are really killing life. And the time that you are killing cannot be recaptured again; once gone, it is gone forever.

The man who wants to become a buddha has to drop the nonessential more and more, so that more energy is available for the essential. Take a look at your life, how many nonessential things you are doing – and for what? And how long you have done them – and what have you gained? Are you going to repeat the same stupid pattern your whole life? Enough is enough! Take a look, meditate over it. Say only that which is essential, do only that which is essential, read only that which is essential. And so much time is saved and so much energy is saved, and all that energy and time can easily be channeled towards meditation, towards inner growth, towards witnessing.

I have never seen a man who is so poor that he cannot meditate. But people are engaged in foolish things, utterly foolish. They don't look foolish, because everybody else is also doing the same.

But the seeker has to be watchful. Take more note of what you are doing, what you are doing with your life – because to grow roses of awareness much energy will be needed, a reservoir of energy will be needed. All that is great comes only when you have extra energy. If your whole energy is wasted on the mundane, then the sacred will never be contacted.”

 
Osho, The Book of Wisdom

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬!

 

Don't Be Trapped in Concepts!! 

Get Out Now!

All your concepts and beliefs, no matter how profound they may seem, are like nets which trap you in dualism.

— Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚'𝐬 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 ...

Jai Gurudev! 

"Lord Krishna has spoken very well about this 'time'. 'Arjuna, there is nothing permanent in this world, everything is temporary, there is nothing eternal. Therefore attain the joy of the Self, and become happy.'

"We don't understand the value of time. Time which passes never comes again. You can obtain anything in your life, but time that has gone cannot be attained again. Therefore, man should make good use of time. Pushpadantacharya has said rightly, "None is ready to know the state of the Self. Just as a deer chases sensual pleasure, in the same way man spends his time chasing sensual objects.

"As the old year has passed and the new year has come, in the same way you should change your old habits and get new qualities. In the whole world, neither ancient nor new things are eternal. Only one thing is great, only one thing is beautiful, that is the inner Self. If man takes birth in this human body and leaves this world without knowing his inner Self, then what is so great about him? Even a dog dies, even a monkey dies, even trees die.

"If one sees goodness, beauty and greatness in others, it is only because of his own goodness. Usually when man looks at himself he doesn't see that goodness and, therefore, he can't see that goodness in other people either. If one burns in jealousy, anxiety, fear and greed, then how can he attain joy from his life? To free himself from these things, man should also become new. Because man has turned to his outer world he has become miserable, but if he turns within he can become new and he can also find joy.

"This whole world is the embodiment of Shiva. You have listened to this many times. Just as you have heard this, in the same way if you experience this, then your new year will be really worth celebrating. Shaivism says, 'This whole world is the play of the Universal Consciousness.' One who looks at the world with this outlook becomes the embodiment of Shiva very quickly. Man should always make an effort to attain this.

"Without joy of the inner Self, man cannot find joy in the outer things. Outer things can only become a means or instrument for him to obtain joy. To work in this life, to work in this body, you have a nose, legs and hands, but they are only instruments. In the same way the outer world is only a means, it is only an aid. The truth is That--the Supreme Shiva. Through Him we live in this world. He dwells inside our bodies and makes the body function. It is only because He dwells inside us that our mind functions, our intellect functions and also our prana moves. Man should really make an effort to see that. After seeing that, man experiences a unique happiness.

"My dear ones, I welcome you all with all my heart. I wish on this New Year's Day that your inner being should become new. I also hope that you spread this mantra, "Meditate on your Self, worship your Self, kneel to your Self, your Ram dwells within you as you."

Sadgurunath Maharaj Ki Jai!

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞

In the afternoon the following questions were put by Mr. Bhargava, an elderly visitor from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh:

(1) How am I to search for the ‘I’ from start to finish? (2) When I meditate, I reach a stage where there is a vacuum or void. How should I proceed from there?

Bhagavan [Ramana Marharshi]: Never mind whether there are visions or sounds or anything else or whether there is void. Are you present during all these or are you not?

You must have been there during the void to be able to say that you experienced a void. To be fixed in that ‘you’ is the quest from start to finish.

In all books on Vedanta you will find this question of a void or nothing being left raised by the disciple and answered by the Guru.

It is the mind that sees objects and has experiences and that finds a void when it ceases to see and experience, but that is not ‘you’.

You are the constant illumination that lights up both the experience and the void.

It is like the theatre light that enables you to see the theatre, the actors, and the play while the play is going on but also remains alight and enables you to say that there is no play on when it is all finished.

Or there is another illustration:

We see objects all around us but in complete darkness we do not see them and we say: ‘I see nothing’.
In the same way, you are there even in the void you mention.

You are the witness of the three bodies: the gross, the subtle, and the causal, and of the three times: past, present and future, and also this void.

In the story of the tenth man, when each of them counted and thought they were only nine, each one forgetting to count himself, there is a stage when they think one is missing and do not know who it is; and that corresponds to the void.

We are so accustomed to the notion that all that we see around us is permanent and that we are this body, that when all this ceases to exist we imagine and fear that we also have ceased to exist.

Bhagavan also quoted verses 212 and 213 from Vivekachudamani in which the disciple says: “After I eliminate the five sheaths as not-Self, I find that nothing at all remains”; and the Guru replies that the Self or That by which all modifications, including the ego and all its creatures and their absence (that is the void), are perceived, is always there.

Bhagavan continued and said:

The nature of the Self or ‘I’ must be illumination. You perceive all modifications and their absence.

How?

To say that you get the illumination from another would raise the question how he got it and there would be no end to the chain of reasoning.

So you yourself are the illumination.

The usual illustration of this is the following: You make all kinds of sweets of various ingredients and in various shapes and they all taste sweet because there is sugar in all of them and sweetness is the nature of sugar. And in the same way all experiences and the absence of them contain the illumination which is the nature of the Self.

Without the Self they cannot be experienced,
just as without sugar not one of the articles you make can taste sweet.

(Later he continued):

First one sees the Self as objects, then one sees the Self as void, then one sees the Self as the Self; only in this last case there is no seeing because seeing is being.”

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 ...

First, some necessary background ...

On Gravity. As everyone knows, Gravity is there. There, all the time and everywhere and all at once. Even in space, where there's the absence of Gravity. Seemingly. At least at the individual experiential level. We may think there's no Gravity in outer space on account of we experience weightlessness there.  But, don't make no mistake, Gravity is even working in the presence of its "absence". On the cosmic scale, and down to the particles of dust. If not down-down-down into the Quantum.

The main takeaway to please take away is this: The force of Gravity is a resource for Human health, well being, performance, and creativity. It can be enlisted — "uploaded" — easily, by everyone. Now, just to recognize that it's a choice ... and to choose it! Who? You! Yes, you! The simple approach is to foster balance of the body in respect to the dictates of Gravity. It's basic science. Yet, not pretty much applied. Yet. 

Naturally we've come to recognize that bodily balance in respect to the demands of Gravity is something that's worthwhile for us to learn. However, you could say that as a species we Humans are still evolving along those lines. And, a way to go it looks like. Look at the average individual, living with all those accumulated imbalances! Egads! It's so commonplace we've become inured to the situation and it goes unnoticed for what it actually is: We are at war with Gravity. Perhaps Mssrs. Musk and Ramaswamy might fold that gem into their DOGE agenda. [Pass it on, s'il vous plaît'] 

Think about that when you want to understand what's in the news. Our outer condition projected out into the world. If that idea is new to you, check it out. It'll save you a lot of trouble to relate to the world by taking responsibility for what you see as a posture in Life.

Let's now get back to that "Blondell".

As seen in the photo first shown above, we're talking about the eponymous "Blondell" approach to bodily balance. Yet another method based on the theory of follicular continuity and synchronicity with the neuro-myofascial system. Simply put, you pull the hair, that stimulous enters the brain, which neurons in turn connect to the corresponding anatomical location in the myofascial matrix which is linkd to said follicular locus on the keppe. 

The deal with the fascial aspect of all this is that the body is plastic. The body is plastic. Not just elastic, like a rubber band ... PLASTIC. We are shaped by our experience. Literally. That shape is carried by the Fascial system. Among the cognoscenti it's referred to as the Organ of Structure. It's a ubiquitous, continuous three dimensional "fabric" — "matrix", "bedding" — going from directly under the skin, down to the bones, around and through and through muscles and organs, and intimately connected and integral with the walls of the cells. Stop a moment and visualize that. It's even a new point of view in science. 

The Fascial component is rich in protein micro-fibers which form chains/linkages of continuity. Think of how the short fibers of wool are woven together to make a strand of yarn, then to make a knitted garment. Like fiberglass and carbon fiber forms. This fibrous Fascial matrix is theorized to hold shape, maintain relationships. Not rigid, but dynamic. Elastic. Also, being plastic, it forms semi-fixed patterns according to how we use our bodies. Muscle memory? It also takes on imbalanced patterns which are results of repeated bad habits, unresolved accidents and traumas, insufficient learning, and modeling significant others who themselves may not present balance in the makeup of their own bodies.

Here's another way to imagine the Fascial matrix. Like in an Orange. Peel the skin and it's a whole peeled orange. Separate the segments. And, if you look closely, lots of individual juice filled cells. That's like Fascia. All that stuff that keeps everything together. Now wouldn't you say that's a really "appealing" idea?

Relationship, another related big point. The idea of bodily balance has to do with getting the relationships of the parts of the body into a normal anatomical pattern. Scientifically we understand the Human body is designed for verticality, horizontality, and symmetry. And, very significant also, the whole body's relationship to the Earth. Actually, the whole Human being's relationship to the planet. The simple Physics of structures. Same verticality with everything level and even.

Last point. Since the Human body is plastic — shaped by experience — imbalances can also be worked out just as well. How this is accomplished has been extensively documented around the approach called Rolf Structural Integration. Lots on that in other posts on RolfInk website. 

This here write up covers some of the other little known approaches. And, jest aside, maybe there's something to the notion that the hair-as-integral hypothetical can stimulate some thinking about other, even simpler approaches. Maybe even something in a bottle? But, I'm not suggesting literally a pill. Big Pharma would love to cook up something for that! But no, more in a way to do it yourself, at home. Of course, Structural Integration is the definitive and peerless approach should you want individualized, tailored assistance.

Kapische? If not, then stop reading immediately! What follows presumes aforementioned understanding. Like, no dessert until you clean your plate. Sorry. [Not.] Now, go away.

Now, for those who are not dumbasses ... [Say "yes" in the comments, or I'll have to assume there's no one in that category left.]

The twist here with the "Blondell" is that it's indeed a sort of a do-it-yourself approach. Where you set up the apparatus in the comfort of your own home and communicate your felt sensations to a technician — an AI version is in the works — via telephone, who in turn inputs that data into a computer synced with those gizmos pulling on your hair. Obviously, modulating the input tensions on the follicles according to algorithms based on coordination with recipient’s real time subjective verbal reporting. "Yes, yes ... OMG, yes!" Not "OUCH!". And a host of other stuff too technical for me to bother to explain to you. Trust me, it's the shizz. A snippet of which calculus is shown here, thusly:

At this point in Human history we have an “Atomic View” of things. Even our most abstract sciences, they break everything down to particles. Those "Quantum" types, even bits you can't see; but somehow you know they're there on account of tracks made in who knows what and how come. I won't get into it; it'll be over even your head, and that's not the point here anyway. 

Back to the "Atomic View". That’s why we see the universe as composed of separate bodies and constellations of bodies. And even larger aggregations. Even so vast, still as separate bits. Atomic. 

There's another view. By the way, "view" is not the same as "truth". And, there's "truth" and then there's "Truth". The former is relative. The latter, well it just is. So there there — not unlike the force of Gravity — that we can overlook it for all those relative distractions. Of the bits that vie for our attention, don't you know.

A view may be truthful insofar as it helps us get to the truth. There's the “Wholistic View”. To see the Oneness of it all. That, dear friend, is in the realm of The Truth. 

Take a look at this image, and see what I mean. And, let me ask you Pilgrim, how come you think in the spaces between things there's nothing there? If indeed the Universe is a Oneness, a unity, then what's keeping all those bits together? Riddle me that! Gravity? We could get into a discussion of Quantum Entaglement, which posits that a fart — or, whatever — on Earth has repercussions throughout the Universe, out even to the most distant stars. But, why repeat the obvious.

In case you're thinking that the idea having been presented is a one-off, or maybe even a joke, let me assure you that early stage science can be a gritty business. Many other approaches have undergone clinical trials behind the core theory of the hair-as-extention-of-the-neuro/myofascial-web.

Witness ...

After years literally pulling out our hair to come up with a sure-fire technical approach to balancing the Human body with the Gravitational field of the Earth witness an early pre-IT/AI approach. Besides the plainly obvious in-your-face presentation of the actual line path of Gravity via a simple trade’s plumb bob, the genius electro-mechanical apparatus literally pulls on the hair in a proscribed pattern(s) thereby inducing neural stimulation at the origin hair follicle level, which in turn trains down to nerve pathways based on a proprietary “Neural Trains” mapping of the routes from brain stimulation to precise musculoskeletal end points. The various tensions at the hair follicle origin points are modulated in a precise, direct ratio to equilibrate and evoke balance in the corresponding tensional relationships in the whole of the myofascial system. It’s really that simple!