The Face In The Mirror @jgking-blog-blog - Tumblr Blog

Back at last.

Online that is.

Computer is fixed.

Will tumble soon. Promise.

‎'Socialism' is no more an evil word than 'Christianity'. Socialism no more prescribed Joseph Stalin and his secret police and shuttered churches than Christianity prescribed the Spanish Inquisition. Christianity and Socialism alike, in fact, prescribe a society dedicated to the proposition that all men, women, and children are created equal and shall not starve.

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

#Kurt Vonnegut #socialism #Christianity

Mmm Psilocybe Cyanescens. Flying saucers, wavy caps, whatever you call them, they're great. They're also considered to be one of the most potent strains of psychoactive mushrooms in the world. And lucky for me, they grow all over the Pacific Northwest, especially Washington! =)

I'd like to start by saying that mushrooms are one of my top favorite psychedelics along with San Pedro cactus. Here is why.

First off, psilocybin mushrooms are one of the oldest (if not THE oldest) entheogens to be consumed ritualistically by humans. Starting in the grasslands of Africa, our ancestors were munching these almost as soon as we came down from the trees. Terence McKenna, in his book Food of the Gods, even hypothesizes that the ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms may have been responsible for the tripling of the human brain that occurred within a mere 100,000 years (a half-second or so on the evolutionary scale). This jump has very few other explanations, as the human brain is the most complex organ in all nature on Earth. It should have taken millions of years to even just double in size, let alone triple.

Secondly, magic mushrooms are the most common entheogens in the world. There are literally thousands of species of psychoactive mushrooms, found in almost every ecosystem on Earth.

Thirdly, the biology of fungi is completely unique (this section refers to mushrooms in general). -They form mycelial mats of single cells (mycelium) that behave just like neurons. These cells form strands and eventually mats, which can spread over tens of acres. Essentially, mycelium is a natural network capable of storing, processing, and transmitting information to any other living things it might be connected with. -Many strains are natural filters for the planet. They possess powerful antibacterial and antiviral compounds, allowing them to purify and filter groundwater that flows through the mycelium. Many also have the ability to leech heavy metals and other dangerous contaminants from the ground, and store them in the fruiting bodies (the mushrooms themselves) which can then be picked and removed from the ecosystem. For more on mycorestoration see the work of Paul Stamets, specifically Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. -Mushrooms form symbiotic relationships with almost all plant life, and even some insects such as ants, which actively farm fungi as a food source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant-fungus_mutualism). Species of fungi are now known to grow along the roots of trees and other plants, and some species even penetrate the roots at a cellular level (endo- and exo-mycorrhizal, http://mycorrhizas.info/). This allows the tree roots to absorb water and nutrients from anywhere the mycelium is, greatly increasing growth speed and overall plant health. In return, the fungus gets a greater yield of fallen leaves, branches, etc to break down as food.

Ad last but certainly not least, mushrooms are my favorite psychedelics because of their experience. I've yet to find an entheogen that feels more foreign or alien than psilocybin/psilocin, except for maybe DMT by itself, but that makes sense as the molecules are nearly the same. At least for me, you feel totally unhuman. Normal things feel completely different. Drinking water feels like nothing you've ever done before. A cigarette you've smoked a thousand times feels way too light for your hand. Your cat or dog seems to be behaving in never before seen ways. But this is just the beginning, even though you may have taken a full eighth.

To really understand the power that the mushrooms hold, you must jump over the edge. Terence McKenna was constantly warning psychonauts against 'under-dosing' on mushrooms. According to him, you've never had a psilocybin trip until you've eaten five dried grams. May not sound like a lot, but when the average dose is 2.5-3g, it can make all the difference. Five grams of dried mushrooms is referred to as the 'heroic' or 'Logos' dose, and will literally cause one to tap into some type of time-spanning consciousness. I don't claim to know whether it's our cellular memory stored in DNA, an alien or trans-dimensional life form allowing us to glimpse and experience new worlds, a side-effect within the brain, or the Logos being of pure information that extends throughout the universe as Terence McKenna claims. All I know for sure is, you talk to something, and it's way smarter than we are.

#Mushrooms #Psychedelics #entheogens #Psilocybin #psilocin #cyanescens

When I was very young I must have had a very non-traumatic upbringing, because I discovered early in life a stunning truth that’s made my life very complicated in its wake, (but that I still think is true) and it’s that people are very easy to love. In fact, you can love anybody — if you are not constrained by expectation, class, the momentum of History, race, gender… For a child to make this discovery, and recall it, stick with it, be able to mnemonically pull it up at such situations like this, I think is extraordinary.

Terence McKenna, Wetlands Preserve, NYC (1998).

#Terence McKenna #Love #Philanthropy

The Yonaguni Monument.

A massive formation carved into a solid piece of limestone found off the Japanese island of Yonaguni.

Even though a ten year old could figure out that the formations are NOT natural (90 degree angles, walkways, large steps, carvings depicting animals/humans, etc) mainstream archaeologists either ignore its' existence, or claim the ocean is responsible for the formation.

Why is it so hard for archaeologists to remain open to the man-made nature of the ruins? Simply because the structure would have to have been built at a time when sea level was tens of meters lower then it is today. Sometime around 10,000 BC if I remember right. Which is of course a time when people were supposed to be living nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

Instead of re-evaluating the time line of human history, the scientific community has just denied it.

"However, from a purely archaeological point of view, maybe the most important aspect of the Yonaguni ruins are that that they are located below some tens of meters of water, because this puts it at least many thousands of years back in history. In fact, its seems probable that it is this aspect of the monument that has kept the discussion on its artificiality alive; there is little doubt that if the monument were safely above ground, its artificiality would be beyond question. However, having such a monument of such an age is a very big problem for the known order of history." http://www.altarcheologie.nl/index.html?underwater_ruins/yonaguni/introduction.htm

The best part is, there are other ancient structures that scream human creation on all sides of the monument. The second picture is a large map of the sea floor, with the monument itself circled in red. The other points labeled are other artificial looking structures in the surrounding seabed.

The third picture is a map of the monument alone with measurements and labeling some of the most obscure rock faces.

It definitely seems man-made to me. Time to start rethinking human history =)

#Archaeology #Ancient history #Yonaguni monument #pyramid #submarine ruins

Someone, anyone?

Want to talk? I think I'm about to die from lack of human interaction. Even if it is via the computer =) the full moon is making me crazy.

Song: Keep Talking Artist: Pink Floyd Album: The Division Bell (1994)

Not many people listen to the later stuff from Pink Floyd, but I'm telling you, these guys were making good music up until the last CD. Not to mention the epic Outer Space video!

"For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk."- Intro voiced by Stephen Hawking.

#Pink Floyd #The Division Bell #Keep Talking

Sapo frog, Kambo frog, Giant leaf frog, Phyllomedusa Bicolor, this wonderful creature goes by many names.

It is found in the Amazon rainforest. It is usually only active at night. It's venom (which it secretes through pores on the skin) is used as a VERY powerful medicine by the indigenous peoples of Peru, specifically the Matse people.

When going out to collect the frogs, they first call out to the spirit of the frog. Then, they follow the incredibly deep and UNIQUE ribbit (if you can call it that? It's more like a "BWAAAAAAAAAA" noise) of the frogs. They are incredibly gentle, and many are not fearful of humans. You can simply walk up and pluck them off a branch or leaf. Then the real magic begins.

A good shaman will collect a big number of frogs. One by one, they will tie the frogs legs (as shown in the second photo), spread them out, than poke the frog gently to encourage the secretion of venom. The first bursts are always the most potent, so true healers will only take the first batch from each frog. The venom is collected on a Sapo-stick, or kambo-stick, then dried for later use. NO FROGS ARE INJURED DURING THIS PROCESS. In fact, if they are, it's a sign of terrible luck for the person doing the collecting.

When ready for use, a small jungle vine is lit on fire. While still hot, the vine is pressed to the skin, forming a small, circular burn on the surface of the skin. It's nothing too painful, at least not compared to the medicine itself =) though it will leave tiny, white, circular scars that last for at least a few months

After applying as many burns as desired (the dosage depends on the number of burns, two was intense, though I've heard of people doing four to six, or more!) a small amount of spit (saliva) is applied to the dried venom on the stick. After being mixed up it will form a sort of foam, which is then scraped off and applied directly to the burns.

The medicine is instantly absorbed through the capillaries and you feel it within 30 seconds. You get HOT. Like sweating through every pore in your body hot. Your hearing begins to get strange. The closest thing I can relate it to is like having your ears full water. Your heart starts beating incredibly fast (or at least feels like it does). Then comes the nausea and body aches. You might feel like you're dying for five minutes, but trust me. You'll be fine. No one's ever died from sapo.

Your stomach will gurgle. It feels like liquid is sloshing around all the way from your stomach to your small intestines. Most of the time you puke. And if you don't, you probably spent the whole time TRYING to puke.

It's best done on an empty stomach, and when you vomit while empty, it will be some of the strangest colored shit you've ever seen. Bright orange bile, black goo, etc. You are literally bringing up toxins, chemicals, left over residue, anything your body is trying to get rid of. The venom is composed of hundreds of different bioactive compounds (meaning they react with receptors in the brain) and only some have been properly researched and documented.

The intense nausea and purging lasts 5-10 minutes. You feel hot for maybe about 20. By the 30 minute mark you are completely back to normal. However, you will most likely feel an intense energy for the rest of the day. Not like a caffeine-tweak. More like a "I feel like I can run 10 miles!" energy.

The medicine frees up receptors that may be blocked, stimulates receptors that may not be as active as they should be, and promotes an all-around chemical equilibrium in the brain. As mentioned before, it also cleans out just about every system in your body. Our bodies store toxins, and sapo causes these toxins to break free. They float around an get absorbed into the soft tissues of the body. Because of this, many users will notice their cheeks, lips, and face swelling. Ironically, when fully swelled, the persons face looks uncannily similar to the face of a frog!

The sapo frog is a huge part of the way of life in the Amazon jungle. They use it to instantly cure colds, boost their immune systems, clean toxins out of the body, and plenty of other things. While it's not for everyone, I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in jungle medicines and overall good health.

For more info, read this article written by Peter Gorman. The first white man to discover sapo and publicize it's properties. http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/gorman_peter/gorman_peter_article2.shtml

#Sapo #Kambo #Phyllomedusa bicolor #frog sweat #frog medicine #Peru

Here's A Question.

Why did the economy plummet after passing the stupid debt deal we 'needed so badly'?

#economy #debt #super congress

But those who pass their whole life never thinking about this final end of life are quite different. Merely because they cannot find any enlightenment within themselves that might serve to persuade them, they do not bother to look elsewhere; they never thoroughly inquire into whether this belief is one of those that people accept through simple credulity, or one of those that, despite its inherent obscurity, nonetheless has a very solid and utterly secure basis.

Blaise Pascal, Pensees, on life after death.

#spirituality #Blaise Pascal #philosophy

Just thought of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood today, and had to give a shout-out.

The show aired from 1968-2001 (895 episodes), and influenced the childhood of millions of Americans of all generations. Not only did it focus on issues of morality such as respect and kindness, but it also taught responsibility and being the best you can be.

When Fred Rogers first saw the television, he immediately recognized the potential and importance of the medium. After years of watching the negative aspects of TV be reinforced, he decided to show its' positive uses in society. Once in an interview years later, he stated "I went into television because I hated it so, and I thought there was some way of using this fabulous instrument to be of nurture to those who would watch and listen". Needless to say, if Mr. Rogers saw TV today, well he would shit a squirrel.

He passed away on February 27, 2003, his wife at his bedside, due to stomach cancer. His legacy was honored with a George Foster Peabody Award (1987), inducted into the Television Hall of Fame (1999), the PNC Commonwealth Award in Mass Communications (2002), a Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002, the highest honor awarded to civilians), an asteroid dedicated to him (26858 Misterrogers), and multiple statues and memorials in remembrance of this wonderful man.

What an amazing man...

#Fred Rogers #Mister Rogers' Neighborhood #Television #Education

It's 3:30 a.m...

And spirits aren't letting me sleep...

I could REALLY use a San Pedro shaman or an Ayahuasqero right now...

In the meantime, I guess I'll tumble about random shit that comes to mind =)

Like aliens. If you think people are crazy for believing in them, you need some edumucation. I'm not saying I KNOW they're real, I'm just saying it's ignorant to throw out the idea (though I happen to be strongly inclined towards their existence).

And isn't it weird how at a core level, every religion ever fucking made (okay, except Scientology) seem to be saying the same thing? Yet for some reason all people ever focus on is their differences, which happen to be ridiculous dogma. If a specific religion gets you where you need to go, take it. Focus on yourself, your own spiritual path, and let others take the road that best suits them. All that really matters is that you get to know yourself, and do your best to live in service to others.

Which brings me to a brief cultural commentary. If people spent less time watching Kim Kardashian, The World According to Paris (the biggest airhead ever, who doesn't have the thought process to form her own personal opinions about the world, ain't that ironic), Joy Behar Nancy Grace and The fucking View, stupid reality TV shows (which are the farthest things ever from actual reality), those god damn vampire shows that seem to be so popular (yet they never last more than a season until they scrap it and start a new one), and all the other thousands of brain-eating shows I've failed to mention; and started spending more time pondering the mysteries of life, the beauty of nature, the state of the world, the human condition, or how incredible they really are (if they would only choose to accept and love it), THE WORLD WOULD BE SUCH AN AWESOME, ENJOYABLE, INTERESTING, HAPPY, FREE, AND LOVING PLACE.

Next rant = people and their fear of being themselves. Who cares what other people are wearing, and why should it matter if you happen to not like it? Dress in whatever way allows your soul to shine! Pursue the things that YOU enjoy doing simply because YOU enjoy them! You will never, I repeat, NEVER find happiness if you aren't able to accept yourself. And no one worth knowing will accept you either. You'll simply stumble through life half-blinded by a mask glued onto your face. Sure, the other sheeple will welcome you with open arms. After all, people love to surround themselves with things and individuals that make them feel better about themselves. But TRUST ME on this one, breaking out of the imagined emotional need to impress others by putting on a front is the best thing you can possibly do for yourself, and those you truly care about.

And love! Strange how the word is such an integral part of our society, yet few people ever REALLY experience it. Precisely because in our society, it's just a word! I don't buy into that crap about there being multiple kinds of love. I think there's just plain old fucking L-O-V-E. Love is putting others before yourself; doing what's best for the other person, regardless of how it affects you. Whether it be your mom or dad, your significant other, your dog, your god, if you can't set your ego aside for a minute and think about what would be best for them in a given situation, you are NOT loving them. Which is exactly why love is so god damn rare. Love goes hand in hand with empathy; and empathy is something our world lacks on a mass scale.

Anyways, now that I've had a good emotional release to the amazing people on tumblr, maybe the spirits will have a little sympathy. Time to attempt Sleep: Round 2.

I LOVE YOU!

#rant #love #life #spirituality #individuality #freedom

Man has to eat to live. Without animals to kill and eat, man does not survive. The aboriginal knows this. He is not ashamed of killing the animals, of making spears out of flint, of cutting the flesh. He is part of the story. He is very aware of the things he is dependent on. He sings the songs of the animals he hunts and kills. He respects them. The concept of the slaughterhouse is unthinkable, for why kill an animal if you're not going to eat it?

The Dreaming Universe, Fred Alan Wolf

#Nature #Aborigines #Hunting #The Dreaming Universe #Dr. Quantum

The new Super Congress and what it means for American liberty.

And the verdict ain't good.

#Super Congress #Keith Olbermann #Politics #America

An EPIC remix of the "Dayman" song by Charlie Day/Kelly.

I tried to find the original but they ain't got it, so this will just have to do.

I'm thinking about recording the entire play on VHS and playing it at my wedding, and possibly my funeral. Okay definitely at my funeral...

"If you want to get the boy'sSoul, you'll have to pay the troll toll!" "Stop! Frank it sounds like you're saying boy's hole"

#It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia #Television #Dayman

"Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

www.whatis-theplan.org We are Anonymous. Expect us.

#Anonymous

FDA claims walnuts are 'drugs' due to health benefits. Lulz!

Article can be found here.

Made me giggle.

"The nut company has been selling its products with packaging which states the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.

But while the claims are backed up by research, including 35 published medical papers supporting assertions that eating walnuts improves vascular health and may reduce risk of heart attacks, the FDA is said to have insisted the company is 'misbranding' its foods because the 'product bears health claims that are not authorized by the FDA'.

The letter from the FDA reportedly stated: 'We have determined that your walnut products are promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease.'

It went on to emphasise that the nuts are 'misbranded' because they 'are offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners.

'Therefore, adequate directions for use cannot be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes.'

Critics have slammed the FDA for the supposedly 'tyrannical' manner in which they have accused the walnut sellers of dealing in drugs."

#FDA #Health food #Walnuts #Omega-3

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