Amarantine preformed by Enya

Amarantine means everlasting or immortal. A truly beautiful music video from Enya. As always Enya’s voice is clear and flawless as she sings about love. Magical… a walk through the woods with fairy dust and sparkles everywhere… wow! Album: Amarantine, song: Amarantine (2005). Won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for 2007.

Enya (Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin) was born on May 17, 1961 in Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland. She is a singer, instrumentalist and composer and Ireland’s biggest solo artist. Enya is an approximation of how Eithne is pronounced in her native language. You can read more about Enya at Wikipedia. Visit Enya’s website to watch more videos or for the latest news about her music.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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The Blue and the Red by Jonathon Earl Bowser Oil on Canvas-Panel - 24" x 16"

This striking painting speaks volumes to me. Creation, movement, life, ensoulment, light… as well Void, stillness, innerspace, non-existence, darkness. The Goddess of Darklight (dark matter, innerspace) - Christenya, the Mother, the womb of Creation. It speaks of energy and matter, light and darkness, duality and Oneness. The infinite nature of ‘All That Is’. Of cycles - birth, life, death. Of time as Present Moment.  Fabulous!  Prints are available.

Jonathon Earl Bowser was born in Canada in 1962. He began drawing at age 8, painting at age 18, and graduated from the Alberta College of Art in 1984.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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"New Soul’ performed by Yael Naim and David Donatien

A fun song about a new soul learning how to live  in this strange world. I always sing along. The video is so creative, it seems like it’s about recreating our world… from a new and different perspective. Very cool. I love them both! Yael & David won the Album of the Year Award in “World Music” at the 2008 Victoires de la Musique annual French award ceremony.  Song: New Soul, album: Eponymous 

Yael Naim, singer/sonwriter was born in 1978 in Paris. She spent a large part of her childhood in Ramat Hacharon, a small town not far from Tel Aviv. David Donatien, percussionist/producer was born in France. You can watch more videos of Yael and David at their website and listen to more music at their myspace page. Enjoy!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Jeshua the missing years’  by Akiane Kramarik - Acrylic on canvas 48" x 60"

This spectacular, inspired and powerful painting of Jesus was done in 2004 by Akiane when she was 10 years old. She is an amazing artist and poet; a messenger who paints and writes for God. Spirit moves through her, I get chills when I hear her talk.  I first saw Akiane and her works in the documentary, ‘The Indigo Revolution’ by Emissary Productions.

Akiane has been selected as 1 of 20 most accomplished visual artists in the world by Tribute Entertainment (London) and ABI (United States).

Akiane says about ‘Jeshua the missing years’…

At 14, during one of his meditations, Jesus is talking with his father in heaven about the new earth, where only joy and peace would reign. In the background the galactic hand is reaching out for love and truth…

You can see more of Akiane’s amazing works of art and poetry at: www.artakiane.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Brahma Nandam preformed by Deva Premal and Miten

Deva Premal has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. Clear and perfect, like and angel. You can feel Spirit moving through her as she sings. I got chills as I was listening, as I often do when she sings. Song - Brahma Nandam, album - Dakshina (2005).

Translation of the Lyrics…

Salutations to the inner guru, the inner guiding light.
Who is the embodiment of pure delight,
Who is the giver of supreme happiness.
Who is beyond the dualities of this material world;
Who is as infinite as the sky. 
Who is the sole aspiration and goal of life;
Who is unique, eternal, pure, unwavering.
Who sees with the eyes of wisdom;
Who is beyond emotions and beyond the three gunas (binding aspects of our nature) - Sattva (bliss), Rajas (animal instinct) and Tamas (lethargy).

Brahma is defined as the ‘one self-existent Spirit , the Absolute’.

Lord Brahma is the Creator of the Universe whose essence makes up the cosmos. The supreme eternal deity. He was born within the void before creation.  The cosmic subtle body is believed to be the creator of the entire universe… this is Brahma, the Creator. Brahma’s consort is Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. Creation cannot be accomplished without Knowledge/Wisdom. Because we are form, or in creation, Brahma is not often worshiped. The exceptions, if one wishes to understand an aspect of Creation or to be inspired with creative ideas which serve all.

The triad of Brahma (creation), Vishnu (maintenance) and Shiva (destruction) represent different aspects of God. Life is a manifestation of those principles (creation, sustenance and destruction) such as  birth, life and death.  Or sunrise, day, sunset; as well sunset, night, sunrise and so forth. Brahma is the essence of Soul or Inner Guiding Light.

 

Deva Premal was born in Germany in 1970 and brought up in an atmosphere of mantra and spiritual discipline. Miten born in London, was a rock and roll singer/songwriter in the 70s and 80s.

Deva Premal and Miten’s website has a collection of songs you can listen to with a Flash player.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Mohammed the Prophet (1929) by Nicholas Roerich - Tempera on canvas 74.2cm x 117.3cm

Beautiful, intense and filled with awe, this painting captures the essence of spiritual inspiration. Magnificent!

Mohammed was  born in 570 CE in Mecca. Orphaned at a young age, he was brought up by his uncle. He married at age 25 and worked as a merchant. He was discontented with his life so went into the mountains to meditate and reflect. At age 40, in the month of Ramadan, Mohammed received a revelation from God. The illustration right shows Angel Gabriel giving Mohammed his first revelation. Three years later he began speaking about his revelations. The Noble Qur’an is a collection of God’s teachings through Mohammad. It says…

59:24. He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.

5:16. GOD guides those who seek His approval. He guides them to the paths of peace, leads them out of darkness into the light by His leave, and guides them in a straight path.

Nicholas Roerich (Himalayas, 1929) says …

"Highly interesting are the words of At-Tabari about the prophetic mission of Mohammed (“History of Prophets and Kings”): “The revelation of the divine messenger began with impartations of truth, which came to him as the morning glow. Then he was filled with the desire for solitude and remained in the cave on Mount Hira. And so to him came the eternal True One and said, ‘Mohammed, thou art God’s messenger. I knelt,’ God’s messenger says, ‘and I waited. Then I slowly left. My heart was trembling. I came to Hadija and said to enwrap me, enwrap me, and my fear left. And He came again and said to me. ‘Mohammed, I am Gabriel, and thou art the Messenger of God…’ ‘” The exclamation ‘Enwrap me’ gives authentic occult character to the narrative." 

Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947) — ). Russian scholar, mystic, painter, and designer. He cofounded the Agni Yoga Society with his wife Helena, a channel of El Morya. Master Morya’s heartfelt messages became the foundation of Agni Yoga. The messages from El Morya are available at agniyoga.org. Nicholas Roerich Museum contains a collection of his paintings. Prints of Roerich’s paintings are available at agniart.ru.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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This week I wanted to share with you my journey through some natural remedies, what worked and why I began searching for something in the first place. On with my story…

Ever since I was born it seems I’ve been constipated. Whoops can I blog about this??? Anyway, I used to use all the common and OTC remedies like laxatives, psyllium husks, fiber, prunes, citrate of magnesia, etc. Think I tried them all. Fiber bound me up even more, most laxatives were way to harsh and I never understood the fascination with prunes. Didn’t work at all. So I’d go once a week, if lucky, and usually felt miserable. The picture is the little wee me at 3. Awe! Was I ever that young?

In 1986 went to the doctor, he poked and prodded around my abdomen. Couldn’t find anything. Suggested some tests. Through ultrasound they found I had gall stones. I was completely asymptomatic but they wanted to take out my gall bladder. Was told that ‘I was a ticking time bomb and if I didn’t have surgery one day I’d have an attack and may die as a result’. Oh my GAWD!I asked my doctor if there was an alternative to surgery. He said not that he knew of and if I found one he wanted to know. I began searching and found a natural gall stone flush which I did several times. Saw the little green stones in my stool… it worked!Told my doctor about it. He was amazed and said, " I still think you need surgery." Hummm. My conclusion… he was fixated on surgery, rather then the cause of my constipation. Seemed there was nothing else he could offer. So I opted to keep my gall bladder and went on my own personal search to end my constipation. Looked to natural remedies, various colon cleansers and herbal laxatives like Cascara Sagrada. They worked about as well as the OTC I tried, but didn’t fix the cause.

In May 1989 I traveled to Sedona, AZ for a week long healing retreat at the Healing Center of Arizona. I wanted clarification that a decision I made was on target. I wasn’t really looking to be healed, rather wanted to experience everything I could. The week was filled with all sorts of treatments, crystal healing, ‘Life Healing’, massage, veggie diet, acupressure, past life regression, daily walks on the land and nightly dancing. It was a veritable feast of alternative treatments, joy and fun. I met lots of folks who felt like family and felt truly at home. It became clear that my decision was on target. I felt full of energy and purpose.

Fast forward… January 1992 started a 3 year spiritual journey  traveling and camping all over the country without a stationary home. Well you can imagine the effect traveling and camping in the backwoods had… hummm, no private bathroom to sit and cogitate. In early 1993 made a brief stop in Sedona where I met a chiropractor. Told him about my constipation and he suggested a product he sold called ChiroCleanse. I bought a box and tried it… was a miracle! It moisturized the stool, was gentle and effective. The main ingredient was Cassia Angustifolia. But I couldn’t find it anywhere else so was still in a bind… so to speak. Blush, ahem.

On another trip (1994) through Sedona I met a man who had the same difficulty. He used Laci Le Beau Super Dieter’s Tea and enemas. I opted for the tea, thank you. It was widely available at health food stores and contained Cassia Angustifolia which I already knew worked for me. Everything was good in my life. I drank a cup of poop tea, as I affectionately began calling it, every night before bed.

Back in Sedona again (early 1995) rented a room for a couple of months from a woman who talked about the value of coffee enemas and green juice fasting. You guessed it! I did a week long fast with daily coffee enemas and poop tea too. Even opted to do another gall stone flush in the process. I felt squeaky clean as a result… but, afterward was still bound up. The only thing I didn’t try during all of this was a colonic.

Fast forward again… in 2004 a friend suggested I read Outlander  by Diana Gabaldon. Are you thinking, "What that heck does Outlander have to do with any of this?" Well it was one of the steps that lead me to a solution. In the ‘Outlander series’, Jamie and his Scottish comrades protest the lack of oatmeal in their diets because they swore it kept them regular. When I read this a bell went off. I added oatmeal a couple of times a week which made a difference. Then another friend suggested I add ground flaxseed too and sent me some to try. It also made a visible difference.

In 2006 still doing nightly poop tea and oatmeal with ground flax… I began wondering about long term deleterious effects of the tea on my body. I didn’t notice any, but hey 13 years of doing any herb nightly seemed excessive to me. Enter my x-husband, his fiancee, son and great aunt. While they were staying with me for a couple of days he let me try some ionic minerals which he took daily and swore by. He mentioned that too much gives one loose stool, so gave me a smaller dose. Wow such an effect. I stopped drinking nightly poop tea. I bought some of the same product he suggested online, used it up and started looking for a local source. Ended up buying ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops and taking 1/2 teaspoon in orange juice daily. I thought the minerals would be a replacement for the nightly tea and most likely I’d be taking them for the rest of my life. Wrong! After 8 months of taking a daily dose, my body started having reactions after I took it. This was an indication the body had enough so I stopped altogether. I thought I’d have to go back to poop tea again. Joyous surprise… I haven’t taken any more tea since.

I continue to eat a bowl of oatmeal with ground flax regularly. I haven’t been constipated at all. Thank God for small miracles!

Here’s a couple of oatmeal/flaxseed recipes I created:

Bonnee’s Yummy Breakfast Oats (microwave or stovetop) for 1 serving

1/2 cup regular organic oatmeal, 1 cup filtered water, pinch of sea salt, handful nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.), handful pumpkin seed (shelled), handful sunflower seeds (shelled), handful chopped or whole dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots, dates, etc.), 1/4 to 1/3 cup ground flax seeds.

Microwave: Put all ingredients except flax into large microwave safe bowl. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add flax, stir and serve with real maple syrup or vanilla almond milk.

Stovetop: In a small stainless steel pot bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in oats cook till soft about 3 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl stir in flax meal, seeds, nuts and dried fruit. Serve with real maple syrup, vanilla almond milk or whatever you like.

Bonnee’s WoW Soft Oatmeal Cookies

Bake 350° 11 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen 2" cookies.

1 cup organic whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup ground flax, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 lb. (1 stick) organic sweet butter, softened, 3/4 cup packed brown cane sugar, 1 large organic egg, 1/8 cup organic unbleached sugar, 3/4 tsp real vanilla extract,   1-3/4 cup organic oatmeal, 1/2 cup mixed raisins, gogi berries and dried cranberries (softened in hot water and drained) and a handful of each pumpkin seed (shelled), sunflower seed (shelled) and chopped walnuts.

Sift together flour, salt, spices, baking powder and soda. Stir in ground flax seed, set aside. In another bowl cream butter, add sugars and beat until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beat until well incorporated. Slowly add sifted flour. Dump in oatmeal, nuts, raisins, and seeds mix to incorporate well. Drop by tablespoon onto Silpat, parchment or greased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool 2 minutes on sheet and transfer to cooling rack. Enjoy!

Conclusion: My chronic constipation seemed at least in part to be the result of a mineral deficiency. When the minerals were balanced my chronic constipation was gone. Hope my discoveries and journey were interesting and helpful.

Caveat: Always use discernment with everything in life. Never ingest something to which you are allergic and ask your doctor’s advice before trying something new

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Om Mani Padme Hung sung by Yungchen Lhamo.

Yungchen Lhamo’s voice is sweet, haunting and quieting. It  fills the air with Spirit as she sings the mantra Om Mani Padma Hum to Chenrezig. She is considered by many to be the voice of Tibet.

Happiness is… is a Real World Production. Produced and directed by: Michael Coulson. Director of photography: Axel Baumann. Editor: Jerry Chayter. Song - Om Mani Padme Hung; album - Ama.

Hope you enjoy watching and listening to her as much as I.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Quan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion in Buddhism. She is known as Kannon in Japanese, Guan Yin in Chinese, Chenrezig in Tibetan and Avalokiteśvara in Sanskrit. Avalokiteśvara and Chenrezig are usually depicted as a male or androgynous, while Quan Yin, Kannon and Guan Yin are female.  Illustration left is Kannon.

Guan Yin (觀音, pinyin guānyīn, Wade-Giles: kuan-yin) is an exact translation of Avalokitasvara (अवलोकितेश्वर, Sanskrit). The prefix ava = down; lokita = to notice, behold, observe and svara = sound, noise or sound perceiver. Literally “he who perceives sound (or hears the cries of sentient beings who need help)."  From Tibetan Chenrezig translates as chen = eye; re = continuity and zig = to look. From this one can derive the meaning "he who always looks upon all beings (with the eye of compassion). Illustration right is Avalokiteśvara.

According to legend, Quan Yin was born into this world as Miao  Shan, the daughter of a king of the Chou Dynasty (1050-256 B.C.). Another legend says, in a previous time a devoted, compassionate monk became a Bodhisattva, who later became Avalokiteśvara. Most of the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas have a living breathing man or woman associated with them. This shows humanities ability to become enlightened with dedicated practice.

In the Buddhist teachings, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva postponed his own Buddhahood and vowed to end suffering by listening to and assisting every sentient being to attain enlightenment.

Lama Jigme a Tibetan Buddhist monk explains, "No matter how you address the Buddha of Compassion (by which name), the Buddha of Compassion is still the Buddha of Compassion." He says about the mantra, "Chenrezig’s Six-syllable mantra, Om  Ma-ni  Pad-me  Hum, is the compassionate wisdom of all the Buddhas manifested as sound." Illustration right is Chenrezig.

Bokar Rinpoche writes, "Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."

Duane, Reiki Teacher says "I’ve always found the theory that Quan Yin, Mother Mary, Isis, Avalokiteśvara, Kannon and even Ha Hai-i Wuhti of Hopi Indian lore (amongst many others) are all actually one and the same… manifesting at different times, to different cultures in an attempt to bolster the belief that love and compassion are amongst the stronger powers known to man to be quite fascinating."

Interesting indeed… let’s take that a step further… ultimately we are all One. This implies that you and I are One, as well you and Quan Yin are One. And Quan Yin and I are One… as she and every sentient being are One. We humans just don’t recognize this. We have forgotten and see ourselves as separate from everything and everyone. Isolated and alone… we suffer. This is an illusion! We simply have forgotten our connectedness and our own Sacredness.

A few Souls incarnate with full remembrance. Some of them we recognize and call ‘Buddhas, Avatars, Saints or Messengers of God’. They are us… walking, breathing, talking reminders who impart knowledge. They show us ‘Who We Truly Are’. But we only see their Specialness or Godliness, put them on pedestals and end up worshiping them. We create entire religions full of dogmas based on their messages. We think so little of ourselves that we couldn’t possibly be ‘THAT’. So we worship it, rather then remembering, emulating and becoming ‘THAT’ ourselves.

Even if we have the understanding we are ‘THAT’, we still don’t fully believe. For if we did… when we do… we will walk not only in the footsteps of the Great Masters… we will be the One’s creating the footsteps. All we have to do is set aside our beliefs, forget all we have learned, feel our connectedness and just be… in this moment.

We are all Love and Compassion in beautiful diversity. If we all walked this, imagine the wondrous, magical things we’d create together. Reiki helps us remember, builds our compassion and love, and reconnects us to the Gift of Spirit. Thanks Usui Sensei for this great gift!

~Bonnee

This blog post was inspired by ‘Reiki Sense of Compassion‘ by Duane Flowers

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Kitaro is an inspired musician, he plays for spirit. Here he is live, playing his song Dance of Sarasvati; album Mandala (released 1994, Nominated for Grammy Award).

Sarasvati (pronounced as sə.rəs.ʋə.ti) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and the arts and the consort of Brahma. Sarasvati literally translated means: the knowledge of self or the essential part of self. sara = the essential part, knowledge, energy, motion, strength or power; sva = one’s own (self); ti = for, after. One says or sings the Sarasvati Mantra for higher knowledge and wisdom, and to come to the understanding of true, essential self. Kitaro sings, ‘Om namo Sarasvati’.

I first heard of Kitaro in 1989 when I lived in Kauai, Hawaii. Bought every album I could find I loved his music so much. Enjoy Kitaro and Dance of Sarasvati!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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“Bees are dying everywhere but in cities …. The bees are speaking to us.”
- Olivier Darne

There are more than 300 known colonies in the French capital, up from about 250 five years ago, according to the National Beekeepers’ Association. Hives have appeared on the roof of the Opéra Garnier, on balconies and in parks.

Bees are thriving in cities because “flowers and plants are changed constantly and there aren’t pesticides,” said Moncelli, who co-owns the hotel with her husband, Pascal.

The success of a three-year-old French program to encourage beekeeping in cities, the largest such project in the world, is sparking hope of a revival among their country cousins. Global agriculture, valued at € 153 billion, or $214 billion, relies on pollination by bees, according to the French National Institute of Agricultural Research, or INRA.

As in the United States and in Britain, where bee colonies are dying, about 300,000 to 400,000 French hives have disappeared every year between 1995 and 2007, victims of pesticides, pollution and disease.

- International Herald Tribune: Link.

Via Technocrat.net.

~ Karl Jones

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Wonder by Alex Grey is innocent, sweet and profound. 

Alex is an incredible visionary artist who draws the world of energy, spirit and unfoldment.  Wonder is a portrait of Grey’s daughter Zena gazing at the moon. 16" x 20" acrylic on paper done in 1996. Many of his beautiful works can be seen in the galleries at alexgrey.com.   Spectacular!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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~a poem by Bonnee Klein Gilligan

Yes dear friend we all get hurt

   and others they can stir up dirt.

In love or out it matters not

   for human love is not what’s sot.

We look here and we look there

   and try to find love everywhere.

But what we find is half at best

   and breaks our hearts, perhaps the rest.

It’s not the love we’re seeking friend

   it’s half at best and in the end

We remember what we’ve lost

   at such a great emotional cost.

It’s God’s love, not the human kind

   that fills us with a gift Divine.

And when two in this space of love

   find each other, they find the Dove

This is the gift, these are the plans

   this is what our God demands.

To love like God, with heart and Soul

   and open up… let go control.

Connect with body, soul and mind

   into a place of Love not blind.

but wholly seeing, holy knowing

   this is the seed that God is sowing.

To love each other like God loves us

   and this my friend takes perfect Trust.

It takes letting go ways of thinking

   that hem us in and keep us sinking.

And letting go of future and past

   for these are false and do not last.

Now is all we have to love in

   so open gentle heart… begin.

Love opens us to possibilities

   and tears down all of our hostilities.

It heals all wounds, and mends all harm

   so let go the past, let go alarm.

Open up to life and love

   and live again, fly like the dove.

Open to God’s Divine Plan

   live in Love and hand in hand

Heart to heart and soul to soul

   watch the Divine gifts unfold.

Beautiful is life with of love

   it is the magic of the Dove.

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This week I’ve been talking to people and reading a lot about the condition of the economy. But from the most gut wrenching levels… the effect financial mis-management has had on the people and the world at large.

Did you know there are increasing numbers of people who are jobless and homeless too? Some people are living in their cars or in tents. I lived in a tent and a car for 3 years so I know what it’s like, but mine was by choice, not necessity a very different thing.

The foreclosure rates are soaring in the USA. 102,000 in August alone. Year-to-date, 1,450,000 US homeowners (19.6 of every 1,000 households) faced pre-foreclosure. That is mind boggling.

Credit-card debt is on the brink of imploding and will be the next storm to hit. Innovest StrategicValue Advisors, a consulting firm, forecasts that banks will charge off $18.6 billion worth of credit card receivables in the first quarter of 2009 and $96 billion in 2009 — that would be 261% more than in 2007 and 131% higher than the level it expects by the end of 2008.

Makes one wonder why? Since 2004 the interest rates on credit cards have climbed from 4% to more then 24.99%. This is for those with good credit scores who maintain a balance and pay their bills on time. The credit lenders promoted card usage by upping available credit limits, issuing checks and offering 0% rates on some new cards. Some credit card companies even issued cards to those who had just filed bankruptcy. Would this be considered questionable credit lending practices? Some people abused the system, over spent and were irresponsible. But many, perhaps unwisely, used credit cards to supplement income; to buy food and pay bills, insurance premiums and medical expenses. Thinking they’d be able to payoff the balance at the current interest rate. But the rates kept getting higher and higher which can be devastating financially. 

As well subprime and prime mortgages were written with questionable financing. I have a disabled friend that refinanced his home in 2007. Said he couldn’t afford the principle and interest payments, so opted for interest only for 5 years. Another woman I know purchased a home 3 years ago and her payments ($4,600/mo.) are more then 75% of her income. Why would any responsible lender do this? Why didn’t they deny the loans? Have we put our trust in a faulty system?

Even if the lending practices were responsible life circumstances can change. Another woman I met over coffee last week said she lost her primary income source and is doing everything she can to keep her home. She has it up for sale, but the slow markets keep her house poor. What little income she’s able to generate goes to the house payment. She applied for food stamps but was ridiculed and investigated because she owned a home. She opted instead to visit the local food bank to survive. Do we sometimes judge others to harshly? Or come to sweeping conclusions which are erroneous?

These 3 good, honest people are on the brink of financial collapse. If anything else is added to their plates they may all end up homeless. And these are only a few of folks I know. Imagine what it must be like nationwide or perhaps worldwide?

And we’ve got the opposite end of the spectrum. WAMU’s CEO Alan Fishman worked 3 weeks, now is headed out the door with $19 million in his pocket. There are too many other stories like that I won’t write about. I’m certainly not against people getting bonuses, but when the CEO gets $19 million and the stock holders get zip… that’s convoluted.

When there is so much disparity, one may ask, ‘What’s wrong with this picture’?

Global Financial Crisis?

U.S. turmoil churns up an ill wind worldwide (1 October 2008) Park Yung-Chul, a Korea University economist, who also has taught at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says of the USA, "On finance, you’re becoming a second-class economy. How could you do so badly managing your economy and managing international affairs? And now you’ve created this global financial crisis for which everyone is going to suffer!"

Put Climate Change Solutions on hold?

In Australia there is talk about a 60% or even 90% reduction  in green- house emissions by 2050. News.com.au (30 Sept 2008) Rudd’s expert wants tougher carbon goals. Top climate change adviser Ross Garnaut has warmed to the idea of a deep cut to greenhouse emissions - but he thinks it probably won’t happen. The Business lobby group, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said tackling climate change must be approached cautiously because of global financial instability.

Let’s rethink this…

Global financial instability is a reality. Global warming is also a reality.

Green ecology…

Massive change is needed in the world financial markets for survival of the global economy. Just like massive change is needed in the current pollution of the environment for survival of life. While the financial world is being restructured it is an excellent opportunity to consider greener ways of doing business, living life, interacting with each other and our environment.

This is Green ecology -  the interrelation of people, the environment and the economy. It considers the big picture.

Green finance…

Green finance specifically considers money and how it is managed. The creation and distribution of money with consideration given to how it impacts not only the economy but society as a whole, the earth, and all life. How we can wisely manage money to benefit all… not just a few.

With wise restructuring of money also comes the wise use of resources and the impact on society and the environment. Green finance as I see it is a holistic approach. It is no longer possible to live on our small planet without rethinking… implementing and living in harmony with consideration given for all life.

Green consciousness…

Green consciousness considers our interactions with one another. It addresses the issues of our peaceful co-existence and the creation of a worldwide balanced, equal, loving, supportive, helpful environment.

The way things have been done in the past no longer work. Rethinking, devising a plan and implementing changes on all fronts is necessary for our survival financially, economically, socially and environmentally. The alternative… we have economic chaos, social disorder and an inhabitable planet. 

It is a critical time. An exciting time. It’s not too late to turn this mess around if we all jump on board and come from a place of  compassion and love for all life. It’s time for action…

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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