X-Oriente

Here, read this!

I've never been a huge fan of Ken Wilbur, mostly because I haven't read his works. But after reading this, I think I may have to go back and take another gander at his work. I like that his conception of mysticism does not rely on magical thinking. There is enough real magic in the natural world without us having to get lost in the supernatural. I found this interview with Wilbur in Salon.com.

From the interview:

So where does God fit into this picture? Do you believe in God?

God is a perfect example of how these two types of religion treat ultimate reality. You asked, "Do you believe in God?" In exoteric religion, it's a matter of belief. Do you believe in the kind of God who rewards and punishes and will sit with you in some eternal heaven? But in the esoteric form of religion, God is a direct experience. Most contemplatives would call it "godhead." It's so different from the mythic conceptions of God -- the old man in the sky with a gray beard. The word "God" is much more misleading than it is accurate. So there's a whole series of terms that are used instead by the esoteric traditions -- super consciousness, Big Mind, Big Self. This ultimate reality is a direct union that is felt or recognized in a state of enlightenment or liberation. It's what the Sufis call the "supreme identity," the identity of the interior soul with the ultimate ground of being in a direct experiential state.

Read the entire interview here.

Thoughts? Stay tuned for the next episode which I will record as soon as I recover from this blasted headcold.

A man who works

A man who works with his hands is a laborer.
A man who works with his hands and mind is a craftsman.
A man who works with his hands, mind and heart is an artist

But a man who works with his hands, mind, heart and soul is a Freemason.

So mote it be.

Schwag anyone?

I'm toying with the idea of doing some X-Oriente Schwag...shirts, bags, hats, mugs, that sort of thing. I'm a graphic designer in my civilian life and this is a way to express the X-Oriente idea in something more tangible. Visit the beta of the X-Oriente Schwag Shop at Cafe Press and order stuff with impunity. Wear it with pride for yourself and the Fraternity. What will I do with all that money? ;-)

Half the proceeds will go toward offsetting X-Oriente costs (bandwidth and hosting--the hardware is on my dime) and the other half will go towards creating a Masonic Center in Chicago. BTW, even if you decide not to buy stuff, let me know what you think of the designs. And if there is something you want, let me know. If I can make it, I will!

SkypeIn

Want to call me? Leave a message? A Comment? Idle threats? (I'm kidding, please don't do that). Call (847) 380-1881 and you can either speak to me or leave a message for me. Or Skype me at ericdiamondmm. Send me your ideas for the show and anything you'd like to see more (or less) of.

Christmas Show in the Works: Need some help

I'm still put some of the finishing touches on the new format, and working on the relaunch, but this weekend I am going to put together the first Holiday special. Normally, I'm not a holiday special kind of guy but I thought this could be a last hurrah for the music (which will be severely curtailed in the new format) and there is so much really great holiday music out there in the Podsafe realm. I swear, if I have to hear Jingle Bell Rock one more time my head will explode. I promise that the music will be nothing you've heard before and stuff that is good enough to live on my iPod even when it is NOT Christmas. Or Hanukkah. Or Diwali. (I know, Diwali was last month, but what a great holiday anyway!)

If you can, please send me an MP3 audio file of your holiday greeting. Something to your brothers all over the earth, and I'll play it. Or write something, either via email, or here in the comments and I will read it. It is a little gift while you are waiting for the relaunch. I'll put the Holiday show together this weekend and release it next week (probably thursday).