Fund Raiser Results

by | Thursday, December 30, 2010 | Announcements, Mount Soma

I am happy to announce that we accomplished the goal and raised matching funds for the $10,000 pledge! Thank you all so much.

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A number of people asked what the desperate need is all about.  The Student Union is under construction.  After construction began and funds were raised to cover it, the county added additional requirements such as a sprinkler system and structural additions, totaling an additional $100,000 in costs.

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At this point, we do not have the money but are proceeding with construction in hopes that we will find additional funding in time. We hope to complete the building by May, making it available for use during the temple consecration.

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Having the Student Union 90% complete, yet unable to be occupied during the Temple Consecration is a very real possibility.  With that in mind, we forge ahead, doing all we can to complete the project on time.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

End of Life Consults

by | Wednesday, December 29, 2010 | Health, World View

There has been debate in the news lately regarding the end of life or so called ‘death’ panels.

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Advocates feel that support and education is a bonus.  Opposition claims it is an imposition of government, herding and pushing people in a direction.  The truth is that it could be either of those things.  It depends mostly upon the bias of the current administrators and implementers of the program.

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Even if a panel of doctors is in charge, some doctors favor a liberal and others favor a conservative perspective.  The matter is really more of a philosophical, personal, and/or religious matter than a purely medical one.

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This addresses an important general issue.  When the government creates policies to channel or guide the public, it opens the door to the bias of whatever the philosophy of the current administration may be.  Even if the current administration is fully well intended, a system would be put in place that would allow for future, perhaps tyrannical, administrations to impose their will upon the people.  It essentially opens the door for a controlling 1984 big brother type of system from either side of the philosophical/political spectrum, if not in the present time, then perhaps in future administrations.

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This is also seen in the arena of food.  People in power have their convictions.  Some say, for example, milk is good for you.  Others say it should not even be allowed in school lunches.  Some say only skim milk, others say only whole milk is okay.  Yet the problem is most complex.  For example, transfats I believe are very unhealthy.  There is much research to support that.  Many feel they are worse for you than cigarettes.  Let us assume that is true. What to do?  Should restaurants be allowed to use them, without their customer’s knowledge?  Where should the line between just government control and over-the-top imposition of will be drawn?  The balance is most delicate.

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As with all things, evolution of consciousness must come first.  Then and only then, will wise government reign.  As is said, we get the government that the level of group consciousness merits.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

Comments on “A Helping Hand” Blog

by | Sunday, December 26, 2010 | Mount Soma | 2 comments

I have been wondering if I should respond to the comments on the ‘A Helping Hand” bog that I wrote the other day.  It is all rather delicate.  I appreciate the passionate support.  At the same time, we do need to be careful not to offend.  Donations need to come from an open heart, not a guilty one.

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It is true that we desperately need support.  It is also true that December 27 is the deadline for the matching funds pledge.  I would only invite you to look within yourself to decide upon these matters.

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Look deeper than fear and certainly deeper than guilt and please do what you feel is right.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

The Brown Mountain Lights

by | Sunday, December 26, 2010 | World View

Last Surya Ram Class the topic of ghosts came up. I referred to a story that has been a source of fascination for many years here in Western North Carolina in a video.

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To see what others have to say about these mysterious lights, HERE is a typical commentary. You can also Google Brown Mountain Lights and see video clips of them.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

by | Saturday, December 25, 2010 | Mount Soma | 4 comments

We are having a lovely Christmas morning here.  Huge, gentle flakes of snow began tumbling down right after daybreak just as we began opening presents.

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Now there is a silencing blanket of snow covering the ground and capping the roof tops…

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a perfectly enchanting Christmas morning…softly echoing the presences of angels

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a quiet whisper that “all is well”…

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a tranquil blessing for the upcoming year.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

A Helping Hand

by | Thursday, December 23, 2010 | Mount Soma | 3 comments

In reflecting upon the school, I realize how big it has all become.

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The days when it was all about classes with Michael are long gone.  It is becoming more and more about Mount Soma, the retreats, Somanath Temple, the Ashram Program, Mount Soma Campus, Mount Soma Vedic University, on and on. This is all necessary to make the vision a reality… to create an enlightened city, if you will.

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With all that is planned, I foresee the day when I am but one facet of all that we offer to the world.  It has clearly gotten to the place that I cannot carry it alone anymore.

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As most of you know, we received a generous offer to match any donation, up to a total of ten thousand dollars, that comes in before December 27th.  I understand that at this point we are only a fraction of the way there.

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If you can, Mount Soma could really use your assistance.  The time now is very short. The window of opportunity will be closing soon.

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Click HERE to donate now.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

How Fascinating is the Mind

by | Tuesday, December 21, 2010 | Personal Growth

I have been intrigued by a couple responses to the “Cure for Alzheimers and Dementia?”  blog I wrote the other day.

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Evidently, a couple people looked up Dr. Mercola and were concerned that he has some bad press.  That may well be true. I really don’t know but that’s not the point.

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It seemed worthwhile to at least pass along what I heard, allowing people to research it further if they chose to.  How wonderful it would be if this information actually helps someone. What a shame it would be if I did not mention it when it would have greatly helped someone.

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It is fascinating to see how the mind works.  Once a perspective on something is triggered, the actual statement ceases to be relevant.  The response takes over and seems to irreversibly color perspective.  That perspective overshadows even the literal meaning of the printed word.

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This would be of very little significance if it were not a general principle regarding how our minds work.  In today’s world, we need to look no further than politics for evidence of that.  It hits even closer to home when it colors our personal relationships.

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Often our inner issues, such as transference and projection, color our perception of the spoken, or even written, word far more than the actual meaning of those words.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

Eclipse and Solstice

by | Monday, December 20, 2010 | Spirituality, World View

For the first time since 1638 there will be an eclipse during the winter solstice.
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The full moon will be Monday night…. peaking early Tuesday morning EST with the eclipse from 02:41 am to 03:53 am EST Tuesday,  This is the first time since 1638 that the clips and solstice occurred together.  You can visit http://spaceweather.com for more details if you would like.
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In India, eclipses are considered somewhat inauspicious.  It is advised not to look at them and not to eat during them.  Some do not eat from sunset to sunrise that night and others just avoid eating near the time of the actual eclipse.  It is considered bad for the digestion to do so.  It is therefore not likely to be a great thing that the eclipse and solstice occur on the same day.
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I expect to hear from jyotishi Sanjay Rath about this soon.  When I do, I will post what he has to say.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

Change

by | Saturday, December 18, 2010 | Spirituality

You do not need to look very far to see that our world is in a time of major change.

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Everything from the internet to economic tidal waves to political and social unrest… it is all up in the air, in huge flux.  Understandably, most of us are quite uncomfortable with change.  People fear what might happen and batten down the hatches to weather the storm.

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Many have heard that a new enlightened age is coming and look forward to it with enthusiasm.  Yet in that enthusiasm, you may tend to overlook the reality that the transition to something new is a time of change, complete with uncertainly and tumultuous waves of all sizes and kinds.

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Though contracting in fear is an understandable response, I would suggest another tact.  Enter the storm of change wide eyed.  Look forward to where you would like your life to be and do not yield to weakness.  Instead move with conviction in the direction you believe in.

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That way, when the storm quiets down and the new day dawns, you will land where you want to land.  You will be who and what you want to be.

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Remember that your present state is nothing other than the sum total of your past. Live your present in a manner that you can be proud of your past.  To do that, you must proceed with dedication to your convictions.

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A common theatre theme involves a hero as well as the town coward.  The town coward is usually depicted as a small, wiry-framed, nasal sort of character with very short vision and selfish motivation.  He is always depicted as a most undesirable character.

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The hero, on the other hand, is far sighted, dedicated to laudable goals that will benefit all the people, unwavering to the winds of any storm and certainly unfettered by superficial fads of political correctness or petty motivations.

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We all naturally fancy ourselves as the hero.  In these times of change, it is most important that you live your life in the manner of the hero.  By doing so, you will land on your feet and be where you want to be when the tides of change settle on the shore of a new and enlighten day.

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My one prayer for you is that you ‘go for it.’

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If you do, the rewards will most assuredly be yours.  As you sew, so shall ye reap.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.