Life Story#19: Wait a Minute, Mister Postman
Part One
Christmas, New Year, came and went; so did the job at Black and Decker.
On our last day, I was surprised to see Bob, Tom, and Martin all turn up to work with enormous hiking rucksacks. What were they doing? A big farewell picnic lunch, perhaps.
It took a while for things to click: they were intending to gather a few . . .
Blog#17: The Bottom of the Pit
Part One: Consciousness
Consciousness is key. In fact, consciousness is everything. Outside of consciousness - zilch. Once we begin to realise this, especially through direct experience, in meditation or whatever, then things begin to make a bit more sense.
So what we perceive as 'the world' and 'material form' are . . .
Life Story#18: It's Work
Part One
In 'Songs for Drella', their tribute to mentor and muse Andy Warhol, musicians John Cale and Lou Reed tell of the pop artist's attitude to work. "It's just work" he says. "All that matters is work..... The most important thing is work."
For myself, I have tended to avoid work whenever reasonably possible. By 'work' I don't . . .
Blog#16: The Fight For Survival
The Fight For Survival
Every human being on planet Earth is currently engaged in a fight for survival. Many do not realise this, and persist in believing that they are doing all manner of hitherto unimagined things in order to counter a uniquely deadly illness. Whereas the reality is that they are being attacked on many fronts, the aim . . .
Life Story#17: A Domestic Interlude
Part One
Our summer let in South Parade, north Oxford, was nearly up, with no longer-term living space on the horizon. The prospect of our having to go our separate ways before really starting was a real possibility. And then, at the last minute, one of my contacts came up trumps.
Debora was a rather thin, wan, late forty-something . . .
Blog#15: Dinner With Kundalini
Part One
It was never on my Wish List of things to happen in this lifetime. When the energy most often referred to as 'kundalini' woke up a little more than four years ago, it was unplanned, unexpected, and more than a little shocking. When anybody enquires "I feel energy moving in my body. Is it kundalini?" the answer will be "No". . . .
Life Story#16: In Her Majesty's Back Garden
Part One
Windsor Free Festival in 1972 and '73 was a fairly minor affair. Come summer 1974, rumours are flying around. This year, it's going to be massive. Missing out isn't an option. August Bank Holiday Saturday comes round, and it's time to head off.
The very notion of holding a free festival jam-packed with heads, freaks, . . .
