 | Walking the Labyrinth |
 | Photos | Jun 30, 2008 |
27 Photos
18 Photos
31 Photos
3 Photos |
 | Video | Jun 26, 2008 |
One Week After California Lifts Ban on Gay Marriages
Rinku Sen responds to news that California has extended marriage to gay and lesbian couples and that a number of those unions include people of color.Previous videos: | ||
| Jun 25 | - | Pro Life is Anti-Woman - George Carlin |
| May 13 | - | Fat Rant - Confessions of the Compulsive |
| May 13 | - | A Fat Rant. |
 | Connections |
- UUA: Visitors
- Feministing
- dykestowatchoutfor.c
om - Kuan Yin Mantra and Legend
- Kuan Yin, The Compassionate Rebel
- SCI FI Weekly
- Suicide: Read This First
- Stop Family Violence - get help, get informed, get involved
- RAINN | Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network | RAINN: The nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization.One of “America’s 100 Best Charities' —Worth magazine
- Gaudiya Repercussions (Powered by Invision Power Board)
 | Say "Friend" And Enter (pedo mellon a minno) | Apr 19, 2008 |
If you would like to add me to your contacts, please give me a little information about you first. I will warn those who are still passionate about Gaudiya Vaishnavism that this may not be the blog for you to read, as it may present contrary viewpoints. If you are very open and broad minded about spirituality, then you may like some of my material. If I know you in real life, be sure to let me know. I have another, active blog at livejournal and that's where I do most of my networking under the user name tapati. I am planning to use this site more for spiritual blogging and am not really trying to build a network here--though I welcome thoughtful and interesting feedback. Blessed be--Tapati
Bio:
I began my journey as a child fascinated by the mystical. I sought spiritual experience at every opportunity, but they were few and far between in my lukewarm Protestant family.
I became a Catholic at the age of 13, then started looking again at 15 when they no longer answered my burning questions. My search led me through every religion they had a book about in our library until I found Hinduism. My friend Carolyn and I celebrated Krishna Day before we even knew about ISKCON. Later we found an ad for Krsna Book on a box of incense. We became registered members writing to Swarup Das in L.A.
I joined the St. Louis temple, moved on to Chicago and out to L.A. (My friend Carolyn was basically deprogrammed by her family.)
I married and had 2 kids (later divorcing my abusive husband), left ISKCON in 1979 over the appointed guru issue, practiced KC until 1989, after I came out as lesbian. There seemed no place for me there. Gravitated to paganism where I remain in an eclectic practice. I love to read the Buddhists also and really appreciate the Unitarian Universalist Church for it's stance on individual religious choice.
Later I came to realize that I am bisexual. I met Dave in 1996 and we married in 1998. I have two grandsons who bring me great joy every day. Dave has become a Grandpa.
I am a lifelong Democrat and active in liberal causes. I have volunteered on a suicide crisis line and continue to stay in touch, I may go back after a bit of a break. I donate regularly. I have been active in Triangle Speakers, an organization that goes into schools and businesses to educate students about GLBT issues in the hopes that future generations won't think we are evil people all out to corrupt them--because we aren't.
I am dealing with a number of health challenges, the most serious of which are heart disease and migraines.
Hobbies: Gardening, sci fi, mysteries, cooking, social activism, suicide crisis line counseling, filling up my ipod.
Music I listen to (not a full list): Ani DiFranco, Tool, Libana, Metallica, "classic rock", blues--Koko Taylor, r&b, NIN, Pink Floyd, Tempest, and other eclectic genres/groups. The older I get, the more my tastes widen. I can enjoy classical in some settings but coming from a working class background I didn't grow up appreciating it and don't seek it out.
Bio:
I began my journey as a child fascinated by the mystical. I sought spiritual experience at every opportunity, but they were few and far between in my lukewarm Protestant family.
I became a Catholic at the age of 13, then started looking again at 15 when they no longer answered my burning questions. My search led me through every religion they had a book about in our library until I found Hinduism. My friend Carolyn and I celebrated Krishna Day before we even knew about ISKCON. Later we found an ad for Krsna Book on a box of incense. We became registered members writing to Swarup Das in L.A.
I joined the St. Louis temple, moved on to Chicago and out to L.A. (My friend Carolyn was basically deprogrammed by her family.)
I married and had 2 kids (later divorcing my abusive husband), left ISKCON in 1979 over the appointed guru issue, practiced KC until 1989, after I came out as lesbian. There seemed no place for me there. Gravitated to paganism where I remain in an eclectic practice. I love to read the Buddhists also and really appreciate the Unitarian Universalist Church for it's stance on individual religious choice.
Later I came to realize that I am bisexual. I met Dave in 1996 and we married in 1998. I have two grandsons who bring me great joy every day. Dave has become a Grandpa.
I am a lifelong Democrat and active in liberal causes. I have volunteered on a suicide crisis line and continue to stay in touch, I may go back after a bit of a break. I donate regularly. I have been active in Triangle Speakers, an organization that goes into schools and businesses to educate students about GLBT issues in the hopes that future generations won't think we are evil people all out to corrupt them--because we aren't.
I am dealing with a number of health challenges, the most serious of which are heart disease and migraines.
Hobbies: Gardening, sci fi, mysteries, cooking, social activism, suicide crisis line counseling, filling up my ipod.
Music I listen to (not a full list): Ani DiFranco, Tool, Libana, Metallica, "classic rock", blues--Koko Taylor, r&b, NIN, Pink Floyd, Tempest, and other eclectic genres/groups. The older I get, the more my tastes widen. I can enjoy classical in some settings but coming from a working class background I didn't grow up appreciating it and don't seek it out.
 | Calendar |
 | Music | May 11, 2008 |
 | jcannon wrote on Jun 17 Hi just wanted to know where your grandparents farm is in montrose and if its for sale? email me jcannon1@mchsi.com |
 | tapatim wrote on Jun 2 he said change the channel/i've got problems of my own/i'm so sick of hearing about drugs/and aids/and people without homes/and i said, well,/i'd like to sympathize with that/but if you/don't understand/then how can you act --Ani DiFranco |
| tapatim wrote on May 28 You're welcome, I figured the mail would be held until the fire was under control and that it would be a pleasant surprise. Now if only it tasted better! :) Blessings, Tapati |
 | swarupdas wrote on May 27 Tapati: No mail was delivered here beginning last Thursday when the fire started. We were told we could pick up our mail at the post office in Watsonville (Corralitos shares Watsonville's zip code since we don't have our own). Today was the first day the mail came and the iron you ordered arrived. That was super duper thoughtful and nice of you. Thanks much! At this rate maybe I should enter the "Man of Iron" competition. Hope all's well with you guys. -- swarupadupa |
| tapatim wrote on May 9 Hi Jane, thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know you better. Bright Blessings, Tapati |
 | jane1979 wrote on May 9 Hi Tapati, thanks for inviting me to be friends. You have some very interesting blogs. Have a nice day! |
| tapatim wrote on Apr 26 All the "lab" words are related; labyrinth, labyris, labia, labor, laboratory, label... all having to do with the wisdom and sacredness of the female genitals and womb, the power of Naming - yep, there's a connection!- and the magic of the harvest. The double bladed axe was used as an agricultural too. The Labyris is also a symbol of women's liberation and freedom. --Shekhinah |
| tapatim wrote on Apr 26 The labrys ("lip"), or double-headed axe, was the central ritual symbol and tool prominent in the Cretan region, and was carried only by women. We find this same feminine attachment and reverence for the labrys in the later Amazonian cultures. It is found in Paleolithic cave paintings. The labrys is symbol of the female labia at the entrance of the womb and the butterfly, which is connected with rebirth. The double axe is also associated with the even more ancient hourglass figure of the Goddess. When mounted between cattle horns, the labrys was the holiest of Goddess symbols. The matriarchal Cretans made the double axe in all sizes, from delicate jewelry to nine foot tall specimens which stood at the ends of altars. This symbol also marked the entrance to Goddess sanctuaries. The labrys was a feminine-only ceremonial weapon, also used by women in agricultural working and battle. The two heads symbolize the waxing and waning Moons. The labrys design is found on matriarchal murals and mosaics, pottery, seals, and amulets. It was exclusively a symbol of the Great Goddess, until part of its symbolism was later transferred to the Nordic god Thor. -- DJ Conway |
| tapatim wrote on Apr 25 "Believing ourselves to be possessors of absolute truth degrades us: we regard every person whose way of thinking is different from ours as a monster and a threat and by so doing turn our own selves into monsters and threats to our fellows." --Octavio Paz |
| swarupdas wrote on Apr 20 Tapati: Just got home and I've been copy/pasting the stuff you sent me. Wow -- where did all that come from? You're amazing. You know how I know that you still have some sentiment at least left over from KC days? BECAUSE YOU DON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY. Am I right or am I write? Thanks so much for taking the time to do that. I've been procrastinating on this writing thing for so many years. Now I have no excuse. I have the time -- I have a computer -- I have a nice peaceful environment -- I'm not out chasing the bag of dope 24/7 ... and spiritually speaking -- I'm ..how did we used to call it ... oh yeah .. Fired Up. Like a '68 Camaro. My biggest problem with writing was where to start -- write about what? I mean who am I to write about myself? Should I call it Autobiography of a Nobody -- of a breadcrumb on the tablecloth of the universe -- a wart on the hand of humanity? Or how about lifestyles of the poor and unknown? I just got done watching an episode of Breaking Bad at my neighbor Howard's house. What a great show. It's almost too realistic. I think they're airing another episode right after but I can only take so much of that high intensity TV. I'll catch it on a rerun. I also haven't opened/read a few other messages that came in this morning. I'll be up most the night as usual so I'll get to everything. What does Dave do for a living? Tell me about him ... if you feel like it, that is. |
| swarupdas wrote on Apr 19 Hi Tapati: Okay -- I'm gonna come clean here and now. I'm on a mission from God. I want you back. I collected the commission on you a long time ago and spent it. I don't know all those people at GR and frankly, I'm not sure if I really want to -- maybe with the exceptions of Prsni, Dayalu and Zanardi. Maybe there are some others hiding in corners but it's usually the same half dozen or so people that write regularly there. I don't like it that you gave up your shraddha. Before you were abused, misused, neglected, rejected, dejected, suppressed, oppressed, compressed and depressed -- you were that girl in the picture you put up the other day at GR. That beautiful, bright, innocent teenager from Keokuk. I wrote to literally hundreds of people day after day back then and you were my favorite. I even liked your letters more than Pastora's. Do you remember when we first met face to face? Sruta and I were driving cross country and we stopped at that Chicago temple in Evanston. We had a helluva time finding it. It was during a Sunday feast that we pulled in. You were there with Michael. I didn't dig his vibe but you were just so adorable. I wanted to feed you halavah and kiss you right then and there. You can blessed be me all you want sweetheart and tell me with sophisticated language how you've expanded your horizons and no longer limit yourself to one conception and yada yada yada --- but I ain't budging. Do you know how stubborn us Jews are? I'm not letting you go so easy -- so you're stuck with me. It's not by chance that we're communicating at this moment in time on the Internet. Just know two things about me. 1. Whether I'm right or wrong -- I'm right. 2. When I want your opinion I'll give it to you. I'll give you until your 50th birthday to make up your mind. About what? Aha! That's the question of the hour. I refuse to accept your resignation until December 2, 2008. Between now and then I will no longer cause any more trouble with the Bubu, Kali stuffer, Metamucil, Epitome, Princess Dhyana and the rest of the peanut gallery. I'm sure they are all very nice people but they are not in your class. For the most part you are older than most of them -- you are smarter than them -- you came to ISKCON at least during a time when something real and wonderful was being manifest -- and unlike most of them you have never never never said anything offensive about Srila Prabhupada. Oh I'm sure you've got something to tell me after reading this and go right ahead. But my mindset is not open to negotiation right now. LIke I said -- I'm on a mission from God. Your brother in arms, My Holiness, Swarup |