The Sorcerer's World

Awhile back, Della was working on what she called "the book of tests". The following questions are from the book, and I'm hoping some folks here might want to give it a go.

Food for thought...

MM

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1. You’ve been on your spiritual path for several years when one morning you wake up and your significant other – whom you love deeply - tells you that you must either give up the path or end the relationship. Assuming that no resolution is possible and you must make a choice, what do you do?

2. You find yourself the leader/captain of a lifeboat inhabited by 10 people in the middle of the North Atlantic. The boat has provisions for only 6 people for one week, and you have reason to believe rescue will come at the end of that week. You have no alternative but to select 4 people to send to their deaths in the icy water. Onboard are: a doctor, a nurse, a newlywed couple fresh out of high school, a priest, a 10 year old mentally challenged boy, a fisherman, a cook, an able-bodied ex-con, and yourself. Assuming you are the only one qualified to operate the small lifeboat, who lives and who dies?

3. If you could spend 24 hours with any “real” person in history or from current times, who would it be? What would your agendas be with this person? What would you hope to learn, teach or come away with?

4. Same question as #3, but opening the door to fictional characters – any character from television, a book, a short story, a movie, etc.

5. Science has just proven that we are nothing more than a handful of chemicals. This proof is irrefutable. There is no afterlife, no continuation of consciousness beyond our corporeal life, nothing at all. What is your reaction?

round one.


Q1.

First of all I would assess my feelings to see if I had already considered leaving either a particular path or aspect of the way I live. (sometimes ill just chonk a great big piece off and not even recognise it down the line.)
Then, I will assess my feelings about my relationship in the same way.
If my feelings in my relationship reveal nothing new, then I start to strongly consider the option that since an alternatem seems one sided, my partner is using it as a tool to get my attention, to show they mean business. Since parting ways is perhaps the last thing anybody really wants, the ball is in my court to try and find out the deeper cause within my partner.
I know for a fact that they themselves, may not even really know what the problem is but the big clue is that a big amount of swing has gathered in order to get my attention.
So, in essence, I can assume the problem is, effectively with the way I am handling some aspect of the relationship.
Assuming this is the right avenue of thought, the next part should be a simple case of listening, being very careful not to fall in to the trap of assuming anything about my partnership.
I have to ask questions i already think i know the answer to and I have to treat this person as a true stranger if I want to keep them in my life.


As the layers drop to the floor We meet in the middle at some understanding. I will have opened my heart so wide and been so ruthless, that I will know the real situation at hand, it has been there all along.
Now I can devise a strategy to move forward.
In the end I will know that the paths are clear and the decision will be easy, whatever the outcome.

Q2.

I will watch for sharks, a fin would be a great omen. If i have to take charge, my demeaner will squidge in to the dorkey non threatening guy who speaks the most sense. He is strong enough to be shouted at and kind enough to hear everybody. First i will cultivate a feeling of giving and wanting to give selflessly. I am confident enough that I may never even hear a word about someone for themselves. I really want everyone prepared to leap out the boat themselves. lets not forget that herd mentality does not favour only undesirable behaviour. (i like a good live music show where everybody starts snowballing together on the same vibe, like the line in walking in memphis song that goes; she said boy are you a christian boy and i said, Man I am tonight,:-)) I will propose, we take a vote on every available option, after discussing the possible outcomes of each. It is important that everyone is involved in this process. We may have to be guided to the point of all screaming together that we are sacred and that we do not want to die, No one can be left out. By the end of this feeling out stage, everyone will be gradually forced to show their hand, which will no doubt be a very moving experience for everyone. This is the junction where life will throw in a random rescue which we will all be utterly greatfull for and will all continue a very special bond. some of us may die very soon after in a peaceful way. If it seems that rescue will come at the speculated time, the group have to begin assessing the various courses of action that may be taken. . I will make the case for deep relaxation meditation. I have to try and develop the nurse at my right hand side, other will trust her medical backround. The tone and volume of my voice has already become a whisper since I Will already be in transition, my vital functions slowing, my breathing slowing. when I lie down i should not have a belly full of food or water. My lips should be moist and some shade made available if possible. (effective immediately ) will stand the best chance of revival or even perhaps straight survival:-o
I want all ten people to learn the method and to begin fasting with the idea that only the nurse stay fully active and fed.

I also dont want to suggest this as much as . . . .

Had a break and saw the options again. So the doctor may just be better to keep awake instead of the nurse, or perhaps with the nurse, tag team. I think as long as my explanation is up to par and hes not too stupid, lol, he will also support me in my recommendation.
I have made it clear to the group that this is merely one of several suggestions. And must make time for every one to voice their suggestions, which I may come to expect through my lengthy recommendation speech ( lengthy in the sense of long term and inevitale)

I realise that I have already decided what is best for the group so I know from this that the rest of the group has already decided so each of these stand points must be lured out. This will be my not doing. To give up my idea and follow the next suggestion with complete abandon, until this course of action is clear in our minds. Down like dominos the ideas will fall. Each a suggestion, as perfect and acceptable as my own. At this point someone may suggest that we all jump in and see whos the best swimmer.

Time is running out and we need to decide what to do. I honestly beleive that by the same power that a bear can sleep for six months, a man can do something to save himself for a week. i have truly listened and no one has changed my mind that this is the best fighting course of action. The group are one and we go in the same direction.

At this point I will be helping someone help everybody to carry out another plan I have not had.
I will be executing volunteers or I will be making straws to draw. I will perform the function in the task of the group as will everyone else play their part. It is always this way, this is my power to know this.

My odds start to look good. After the madness of suicide, murder, drinking urine, collecting ice for fresh water, cutting to drink blood, doing nothing (it is important to bring up the legitimate course of action of doing nothing and the likely outcomes)

My odds start to look good. People are united and motivated.

The best thing for anyone to do is to be very still and quiet. may as well take this to the next level and achieve something great for all of us! the gift of life!

Life has not presented any desirable outcomes. Everyone has agreed to begin. quietly, everyone is guided one by one, to relax so very deeply. The doctor and nurse will ration only what is needed and when. and we do not wait, we fight.

Its not fair to talk or to move around. It will be the most difficult thing that perhaps any of them have ever done. its a sacrifice. it is four lives! four!
the doctor and nurse do not talk either, the group is divide in two and they watch half each. They repeat the breathing instructions in whispers, apply water to dry mouths, patients are surfaced for a small food ration from time to time. The noise of the sea becomes everything. there is no talking, we have all submitted to the rule. In silence we fight for life.

Since day one we have maintained what those do out of exhaustion and dehydration. Day 5 and only half the rations are gone. It is a strange feeling that sweeps through the group. dont blow it doc you bla bla mouth. He makes a mental note that we could make it, at this rate, to day 12 , what will power bring i wonder?

Assuming no other alternatives, I'd probably be a devious shit and deceive my lover to keep her, tell her I'm giving up the path, and go right on doing it. If she found out, guess I'd have to kill her and bury the body in my recap crate. Hell what a choice. I don't believe it's possible for a real warrior/traveler/seeker to give up the path so it may be a nobrainer.




Last time I was on a boat I puked over the side for an hour and got pissed off and swam back to shore. But ok if you all want to think I can captain the boat, the four who are going over the side are the priest, the mentally challenged kid, and the newlyweds. Sorry folks but I'm a ruthless bastard and even tho I'm sure it's the wrong choice I figure the doctor & nurse can take care of anybody who gets sick/injured, the cook better know how to cook something other than sushi or he's history too, fisherman = obvious; the ex-con can probably play poker and cut bait (do we have bait, or can I use the priest for that?) and I'm driving the boat but am otherwise worthless. hehhehheh. Where are we going?




Gee I'd love to say something spiritual like the Dolly Lama but if I'm honest it would be somebody like Charlie Manson or Jim Jones or that fucktard from Heaven's Gate (can't recall his name). Cult leaders interest me because I've always wanted to know what the hell they're thinking when they drag out the koolaid or the pudding or tell their cronies to go slice up a bunch of strangers. I'd like to study that assemblage point.




Lotsa possibilities here. First one that comes to mind is Lestat. Others might be Sherlock Holmes, Don Juan or Nagual Julian.




Fuck the scientists. They're usually only 'right' about something until they are proven 'wrong'. I'd go with what I know, not with what I'm told.

Now what? Is this being graded or are we just whistling Dixie in the dark? Hehhehheh. Sorry, in a funny mood this morning.

I find the quiz questions to have serious fallacies. The first is assumption of omnipotence. The second is assumptions not founded on anything useful.

In the first question of the life boat, 5 days at sea with half rations is not undoable for all 10 people. Some people have survived much longer on much less. Captain Bligh took 18 men across 3000 miles of open ocean in a lifeboat and did not lose a man. So nobody must be put into the icy water at my command. There is more danger that in the tussle of reluctant jettisons, that the whole boat might capsize, and then everyone is exposed to hypothermia. In the boat, more people, more warmth and shade.

Tne next serious fallacy--"worthiness" to live by stated profression. Not enough detail leaves much to assume. Maybe the doctor is a podiatrist or cosmetic surgeon or a doctor of divinity or an abortionist! Maybe he took the voyage because he only has a month to live. Maybe the excon was someone convicted of some mild crime, like stealing a car when he was 17, or a wife beater. Maybe he took the voyage to start life anew elsewhere, as the young couple who may be card sharks swindling passengers or carrying drugs or are missionaries to a third world country. What kind of incapacity of the boy-is he prone to violent tantrums without medicine? Or is he a mild helpful child? The cook and the fisherman and nurse seem simple enough. But what if the fisherman turns out to be a trout angler on artificial lakes or the cook is a cake baker. What if the nurse smothered old people? And so on. What if the priest is a pedophile being relocated? Or going to a leper colony to replace the last caretaker? Titles do not indicate character worth or ability. Some assumptions can be made, but in a lifeboat, it will take all of the survivors to continue to survive. If any should die onboard, their body will provide food and bait rather than uselessly slip away. Two favorite survival stories: The Flight of the Phoenix and Boon Island. And of course, there is the classic: Lifeboat. The rich bitch provides her diamond bracelet as a fishing lure.

So, all can contribute rising in unexpected ways rising to survival. The fisherman and cook can ration the food. The couple can watch the child. The nurse and doctor can attend sunburn and emotional distress and nutrition. The priest can pray with all his ability and bail water. The excon can row and watch for ships. All can be useful within or outside their general title, all can survive. It actually is quite an opportunity to live outside the box of societal definition.

About the so-called spiritual choice. It's nonsense. If someone wakes up suddenly with an ultimatum, it wasn't so sudden, eh? Took time and experience for them to arrive at their decision, which really means, it's about them, their choice. Who wants to be with someone who will wake up and make ultimatums? That is not love or partnership. It may be some kind of agreement that has run out of time.

If a person is jealous of what their partner is doing, whether "spiritual work" or working on their motorcycle, it means they demand all the attention. Sooooo, it's simple, they will leave, or squabble over retaining stuff. They will be leaving in any case. On the other hand, how spiritually aware am I if I do not notice I have left my partner behind in my spiritual pursuit? Maybe that was my intent, and it suddenly came to a head, like a boil.

The main fallacy is, there is no separate doings of spiritual versus living. They are inseparable. Partners come and go as we learn and teach along the way.

Im so pretentious with my big long answers, like ive got something to prove.

I definately play the whos a better warrior game. lets see if i can go five minutes without.

Q3.

I babbled something about some people i met in the london underground.
This unremarkable looking spanish man who picked up my guitar and on a crowed train, began to play and sing a song. I thought at the time that it felt like he was making the song up on the spot and he was singing in spanish about me. I dont know if thats true.
his companion seemed to be really enjoying it!
I had a really interesting time, loosing them and bumping in to them again.

when I left them i said goodbye and said This time I wont come and follow you and I looked at my thought as like, what? I should have been interested enough to go with them! but i didnt.

If I get the chance again I would spend 24 hours with the spanish man.

Historical people, real or unreal. I can't think of anyone although I've tried, to spend 24 hours with. Maybe Theophrastus or Julius Caesar. Fictional? Maybe Merlin. I dunno. Maybe just an hour or so would be more comfy, such as I would in a book or movie. Child of my times.

Huge fallacy, assumption that "Science Says" is more than just a momentary report of one person's point of view. Indeed, many people assume science deals with only material tangibles, but what of astronomy or physics? The word Science lumps many kinds of approaches and all spectra of people, ambitious, pretentious, socially frightened, callous, greedy, cruel, some not even really curious and certainly not beyond their "speciality". Hierarchy and influence drive the scientific community's presence in "news". When a newspaper reports such a statement beginning with Science Says...it really is several steps removed, based upon the reporter's comprehension, their editor's influence and whether it is meant to educate or echo some agenda.

Yes, it's both in my opinon, we are measureable components of star dust, and we are immeasureable spirit. This is the truly remarkable state.

ah, nygtwalker. I think you would make a great captain.

Autum owl, I think that its clear that neither Mel or Della mentione anything about what any of the people were like.

When you say that the exercise was full of assumptions, who did you mean?

sorry owl,

I see what you mean about the inevitale outcome. like being asked to tick a b or c when you dont agree with any.

I meant the assumptions about people. Its not the same thing. We only have one fact about each person.

Q4.

I would like to meet sen, star of the japanese anima classic, spirited away.

All the characters in that film really come alive! Their is such a strong sense of lesson life learning. I salute the genius of man making cartoons, out of this world! ! ! !