Obama

Normally political speeches are not included here, as this is not a political blog. However, Obama's speech is an exception because it is inspiring.

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Obama is the unlikeliest candidate to be nominated, let alone to win the US Presidential Elections. He won in a country where the majority are Caucasians and the political establishment still dominated by the Caucasian race. Black Slavary was abolished only in 1865, and up till the 60s, Afro-Americans were only allowed to ride at the back of buses. He also come from a humble beginning, where his father left him when he is born.

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His victory shows that with determination and a worthwhile belief, success is possible.

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I am inspired that at last there is courage for another major change in America, and perhaps changes to global affairs. I think he has succeeded because he has included everyone in his Campaign, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference and physical abilities. He even spoke specifically about those who have voted for the Republican and that he too will be their President; and that he will listen to everyone especially when there are disagreements.

Let's hope this is a turning for America and also for the world to emulate.

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And as for Vic's schoolmates who have been taunting him because he is from an ethnic minority, they should do some self-reflection. How much Love we have is demonstrated by how much we include, not exclude. The students who taunt Vic are excluding Vic, and without being conscious of it, are somehow ultimately motivated by Fear. By embracing all, Obama won the US Presidential race. Those who taunted Vic ought to re-member that. "Re-member" to return to be "One".

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Connect

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Text from Daily OM

Connect - slideshow with music and animation

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Vacuum State 3

Visitors today...
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%age Country

30% UNITED STATES

29% SINGAPORE

15% BELGIUM

03% SAUDI ARABIA

02% CANADA

02% UNITED KINGDOM

02% PORTUGAL

02% ITALY

02% HONG KONG

02% MALAYSIA

02% VIET NAM

02% SLOVAKIA

01% GERMANY

01% CZECH REPUBLIC

01% HUNGARY

01% -

01% INDONESIA

01% AUSTRALIA

01% INDIA

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Thank you for visiting. Come back again!

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Daily Contemplation

Deep down we must have real affection for each other, a clear realization or recognition of our shared human status. At the same time, we must openly accept all ideologies and systems as a means of solving humanity's problems. One country, one nation, one ideology, one system is not sufficient.

-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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Reiki 4 - Usui Pilgrimage

Mr Parag Pattani is my Reiki master. He has written the following account of his recent trip to Dr Mikao Usui's shrine in Japan. I have posted this here because Master Parag is one who follows his heart, and it often lead to interesting and enlightening results. I would be following up on his story in the months ahead, so watch this space...

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For the last few months the calling had been very strong, to pay a visit to Dr.Usui’s (he re-discovered Reiki) grave in Tokyo and Mt.Kurama near Kyoto where he received his enlightenment. Since it entailed a special trip to Japan from Singapore, the cost was high but with involvement in Reiki at an all time high, both in passion and profession, I had to do it. Finally on 13th October,2008 I flew to Japan.
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Grave & Memorial in Tokyo

My first stop was Tokyo. Part of Dr.Usui’s remains are buried at a graveyard in Saiho-ji temple ( He is originally said to have been buried at another private site in Tokyo). There is also a memorial stone erected by some of his disciples in 1927. The inscription in Kanji on the stone speaks about Dr.Usui’s life in brief, especially about his achievements in the field of Reiki. Various Master have travelled to this place before me and some translations of the inscription on the stone are available on the internet. In a nutshell, the following emerges from various translations provided -... read more

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For more about Reiki, read here

Environment 7 - Global Warming?

By now, many of you are probably convinced that the global climate is warming up. The famous Al-Gore documentary, "The Inconvenient Truth" (which I did a private screening last year to a small group), sold the idea that the world is warming and that there are disasters looming.

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Is that really true?

Some prominent scientists believe otherwise. This video shows how they substantiate their claims against the rise in global temperature due to the build-up of carbon-dioxide in the Earth's stratosphere.
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So what do you think?

Do you think you have been sold FEAR?

If it is so, what do you think is the motivation for selling this FEAR?

Is it to support a set of expensive policies that will benefit some people peddling solutions to the perceived problems?

If carbon-dioxide is not the culprit for temperature rise, what will happen to the proposed carbon-credit exchange? Will it work?

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I think, we should clean up the air and water ways against pollution, that are detrimental to our health. At the same time, we should remain open to other scientific evidence against the (now) mainstream perception that climate change is largely due to the amount of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere.

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For posts related to the environment, click here

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Social Enterprise 3a - Appropriate Technologies

I have found more Youtube videos on implementing appropriate technologies in developing countries and empowering the poor...
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Appropriate Technologies.

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Appropriate Technologies Gaining Ground in Developing Countries

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Renewable Energy Opportunities for Women

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Myths about the Global Poor

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Finally,... Is it 'Simple'?

Social Enterprise 3 - Simplicity

Problem: Lack of clean water for a remote village without electricity or affordable energy source. River water is some distance away and has to be laboriously carried manually in buckets.

My immediate idea to a solution is to install pumps and pipes to bring water from the river, through a water treatment unit, to the villagers for consumption. I think most engineers would think of doing just that. However, it is a solution the village cannot afford. They do not even have the resources to buy diesel to operate the pump.

I am therefore very impressed with what an organisation called PlayPump International does. See the video below...

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What's more the solution is fun, self-sustainable and serves the villagers' needs.