Whole Dude – Whole Spirituality – Page 10 – Whole Spirituality describes the Unity of God, Soul, and Matter using a Ground Substance of Spiritual Nature.

The Discovery of God Connection at Whole Foods, Ann Arbor

Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection?

Humans are social animals: We crave feeling supported, valued and connected.

Research Points To The Benefits Of Social Connection:

Increased happiness. In one compelling study, a key difference between very happy people and less-happy people was good relationships.
Better health. Loneliness was associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure in a recent study of older people.
A longer life. People with strong social and community ties were two to three times less likely to die during a 9-year study.

Mental Health – An integrated approach to Physical, Mental, Social, Moral, and Spiritual Wellbeing

**Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? An integrated approach to Physical, Mental, Social, Moral, and Spiritual Wellbeing**

I recognize Man’s Existence with Seven Forms or Dimensions. These are, 1. the Physical Being described by Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and other Medical Sciences, the human being in health and sickness, 2. the Mental Being, the intellect, thoughts and emotional states of Man described by Psychology and Psychiatry, 3. the Social Being described by Social Sciences, 4. the Moral Being described by Moral Science and Ethics, the power of discernment used by Man to make distinction between good and evil, and right and wrong, 5. the Spiritual Being described by Vital Power, Animating /Sensible Properties, and Conscious/Cognitive abilities of Man’s Corporeal Substance that develops and builds the cells, tissues, and organs of Human Body, 6. the Created Being which is reflected in the existence of man as an Individual with Individuality without any choice, and 7. the Rational Being which directs man to reconcile his behavior with his true or real nature that makes the man to review the actions performed in the external environment.

The Seven Dimensions of man demand an integrated approach to promote the wellbeing of man.

Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? Red Blood Cells provide a very good example of the adaptive subordination of cells to meet the requirements of the Whole Organism. The specialized functions of tissues and organs of human body are possible because of such functional subordination.

The structural differentiation and the functional organization of various organ systems makes man a very complex living organism. This kind of specialized functions of tissues and organs is possible because of adaptive subordination of the cells to the requirements of the Whole Organism. If altruism describes any behavior that appears to favor another individuals’ chances of survival, we can easily recognize this characteristic in the functions performed by the Red Blood Cells. Each Red Blood Cell lives for a very limited life span of its own and during its short period of existence it serves the purpose of the Whole Human Organism with a sense of devotion, with the spirit of cooperation, to provide assistance to all other cells, tissues, and organs of the body in a selfless manner.

I define the term ‘Spiritualism’ as the nature of a relationship, a partnership, an association, or bonding between two individual living entities based upon characteristics such as compassion, sympathy, understanding, cooperation, mutual assistance, mutual tolerance, voluntary subservience to provide some benefit to the member participating in the biotic interaction. Spiritualism is innate and is not acquired by learning experience. The man depends upon the protoplasmic substance for his very existence as a human being and to perform the characteristic living functions. The human form becomes the actuality that it represents by the Nature of its spiritual association with the protoplasmic living matter. Man is a spiritual being because of the spiritual nature of his living substance called protoplasm.

The terms Soul and Spirit belong to the materialistic realm where the Physical Reality of man’s biological existence is established. I have not yet discovered any good reason to use the terms Soul and Spirit as a metaphysical or transcendental Reality.

The importance of human connection

Research shows us that loneliness is on the rise, and that a lack of human connection can be more harmful to your health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.

In today’s age, we live busy lives, trying to strike a balance between work, school, hobbies, self-care and more. Often, our social connections fall by the wayside. But connecting with others is more important than you might think. Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk.

The reality is that we’re living in a time of true disconnection. While technology seems to connect us more than ever, the screens around us disconnect us from nature, from ourselves, and from others. Wi-Fi alone isn’t enough to fulfill our social needs – we need face-to-face interaction to thrive. Technology should be enhancing our connection to others, not replacing it.

The God Connection defines Life as the relationship between energy-yielding Matter and energy-demanding Matter

Whole Foods – Whole Planet – Whole Family – Whole Concept: Salutations to Mother Annapurna the Original Source of Whole or Purna Concept (Always Full, Complete and Perfect). My mother’s name is the equivalent of Whole Foods.

Yes indeed, Life is complicated. Before making the next food shopping trip, I ask my readers to reflect upon the connection between food, man, and the world in which the man finds his mortal existence.

Spiritualism – Matter – Energy – Life and Spirituality:

**WHAT IS MAN? SPIRITUALITY AND SELF-REALIZATION. RESPIRATION PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLE IN ENERGY TRANSFORMATION.**

Man is a Physical Being with matter and form. Materialism is a system of thought that explains the nature of the world as entirely dependent on matter, the final reality. Man must understand what it is to be a substance and what it is to exist. I use a method of investigation or inquiry called ‘Dialectic’ which deals with the nature and relation of things – what each is, how it differs from others, what common quality all have, to what kind each belongs, and in what rank each stands in its kind, and whether its being is real-being, and how many beings there are and how many non-beings to be distinguished from beings.

Life is characterized by the presence of complex transformation of organic molecules and by the organization of such molecules into the successively larger units of protoplasm, cells, organs and tissues. Life comes into existence only when matter has the ability to acquire energy from its external environment. I would like to begin this dialectical inquiry by paying a tribute to people who have significantly contributed to the understanding of matter, and energy transformation in living matter.

The Founder of Modern Chemistry:

Antione Laurent Lavoisier(1743-94), French Chemist and Physicist, a Founder of Modern Chemistry. He was one of the first to use effective quantitative methods in the study of chemical reactions. His classification of substances is the basis of the modern distinction between chemical elements and chemical compounds and of the system of chemical nomenclature. His work established the Law of Conservation of Mass(or Matter). He was guillotined during the Reign of Terror unleashed by French Revolution.

Chemistry is the science that deals with the composition and properties of substances, and with the reactions by which substances are produced from or converted into other substances. The name Organic Chemistry originated to differentiate between those substances derived from plant and animal (organic) sources and those derived from inanimate (inorganic) materials. It refers to the Chemistry of compounds containing Carbon, or chains of connected Carbon atoms. The science called Biochemistry involves the study of the large organic molecules found in living systems and their reactions which make up the life processes. The science called Molecular Biology explains biological events by studying the molecules within cells.

Joseph Priestley(1733-1804), English Theologian, Philosopher, and Scientist. His techniques for studying gases led to his discovery of Sulfur Dioxide, Ammonia, and “Dephlogisticated Air”, the gas that Lavoisier named Oxygen. He had studied Photosynthesis in Plants and Respiration in animals. The most important equations for living things are mutually inverse.Respiration represents the reverse of Photosynthesis in Plants.

The Living Cell is a thermodynamically unstable system. This means that without continuous input of energy, a Cell will degrade spontaneously into a non-living collection of molecules. However, we have to be careful in using the term ‘perishable’. The Law of Conservation of Mass or Matter states that matter may change its form or shape; its mass always remains the same. Mass is the quantity of matter in a body regardless of its volume or of any forces acting on it. The Conservation Laws of classical Physics apply to certain physical properties of an isolated system that remain constant with time. These basic Laws of Physics maintain that the total value of certain quantities like mass and energy remain unchanged during a physical process. Laws of Conservation signify that nature does not change with passage of time. Conservation of Mass implies that matter can be neither created nor destroyed; that is, processes that change the physical or chemical properties of substances leave the total mass unchanged. The Law of Conservation of Energy implies that energy can be neither created nor destroyed although it can be changed from one form into another.

The Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy could apply to both living systems and non-living physical systems. To maintain life, a living system not only repairs or replaces (or both) its structures by a constant supply of the materials of which it is composed but also keeps its life processes in operation by a steady supply of energy. Living systems must be supplied energy for continual synthesis of new organic molecules and to replace or to repair broken organic molecules. Life is a consequence of successive and coordinated chemical reactions – the most important being the Oxidation-Reduction or Redox Reactions.

Oxidation-Reduction or Redox Reactions:

Oxidation-Reduction reactions are complementary chemical reactions characterized by the loss or gain, respectively, of one or more electrons by an atom or molecule. When an atom or molecule combines, or forms a chemical bond, with oxygen, it tends to give up electrons to oxygen. Similarly, when a molecule loses oxygen, it tends to gain electrons. Oxidation is a reaction involving loss of electrons, and Reduction is a reaction involving the gain of electrons. The two processes, Oxidation and Reduction, occur simultaneously and in chemically equivalent quantities; the number of electrons lost by one substance is equaled by the number of electron gained by another substance. The substance losing electrons or electron donor undergoes Oxidation and is called Reductant. The substance gaining electrons or electron acceptor undergoes Reduction and is called Oxidant. Common Reductant substances are Carbon and Hydrogen (readily oxidized). Common Oxidant (substance readily reduced) is Oxygen. Respiration is the process by which an organism exchanges gases with its environment. Organisms that utilize respiration to obtain energy are called aerobic, or Oxygen-dependent. In Biochemistry, respiration refers to the series of biochemical Oxidation-Reduction reactions in which organic molecules such as carbohydrates (sugars), fatty acids (fats), and amino acids (proteins) are converted to carbon dioxide and water. The chemical energy thus obtained is trapped and stored for later use by the cells.

Energy Transformation in Living Matter:

Chlorophyll molecule is the green pigment found in the Chloroplasts of plant cells is uniquely capable of converting active light energy into a latent form(Glucose or Sugar)using the photosynthetic mechanism. Carbon is the central or key element in the compounds of which organisms are composed; the Carbon is derived from the Carbon Dioxide found in atmospheric air or dissolved in water. Plants incorporate Carbon into Carbohydrates and other complex organic molecules. During Respiration or Oxidation, Oxygen combines with portions of Carbohydrate molecule, releasing Carbon in the form of Carbon Dioxide and Water.

Sir Hans Adolf Krebs (1900-1981), German-born British Biochemist who received the 1953 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery in living organisms of the series of chemical reactions known as the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle/Citric Acid Cycle or Krebs Cycle.

Substances formed by the breakdown of Sugars, Fats, and Proteins are converted into Carbon Dioxide and Water, and energy-rich compounds (Adenosine Tri Phosphate or ATP) in a series of chemical reactions. It is the source of two-thirds of the food-derived energy in higher organisms.

Mitochondria are organelles found within most cells which provide the cells with energy by converting Oxidation energy into Chemical energy. They have extensive internal membranes or cristae where Cellular Respiration or Oxidation takes place. They provide energy oxidising Sugars, Fats, and Amino Acids using the Kreb’s Cycle. They have their own DNA and replicate autonomously.

The process by which a living cell acquires energy to perform its living functions is called ‘Nutrition’, the power by which living matter attracts or obtains materials necessary for its growth and maintenance from surrounding matter or environment. The cell takes in nutrients and excrete waste products. The nutrients are either used as building blocks in synthesizing large molecules or they are oxidized producing energy for powering the cell’s activities. Life may be stated as a relationship between energy-yielding substance and energy-demanding substance.

Spirituality, Consciousness and Living System:

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : HOW DO PLANTS KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW? PLANTS KNOW ABOUT LIGHT, THE LENGTH OF DAY, AND THE DURATION OF DARKNESS CALLED NIGHT. THERE IS NO “INTELLECT” INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF KNOWING. THE ABILITY OF KNOWING LIGHT OR PHOTORECEPTION IS EXPLAINED BY PHOTOCHEMISTRY.

Irrespective of the size, shape, and external appearance, Consciousness is the fundamental characteristic of Living Matter. Consciousness has a set of defining features; it is the principle by which a Living System knows the fact of its own existence; it knows as to where it exists and knows as to how it is existing. Consciousness is the awareness of energy-dependent existence in a given environment and this characteristic is common to all living cells. The term ‘Spiritual’ describes the nature of a relationship, a partnership, an association, bonding, or connection between living molecules to provide some benefit to the existence of a living, individual entity. Hence, I describe Consciousness as a ‘spiritual’ function as it establishes a relationship between the energy-dependent and energy-yielding substances. Human Consciousness is fundamentally related to the Subject called “I am” both at the level of the entire organism and at the level of individual living cells that constitute the organism displaying complex structural and functional organization of molecules which acquire, manipulate, transform, and utilize energy for the benefit of the existence of the Individual whom we recognize as a Human Person. Life has to be studied as structural and functional organization of matter in which knowledge is implanted, the presence of this knowledge is reflected in its living spiritual functions of consciousness, intelligence and use of information to manipulate and transform energy to support its own existence in its given environment.

Rudolf is reborn to describe the spiritual connection between the Cell and its Energy Provider

I acknowledge my German heritage that I discovered at Whole Foods. I discovered the spiritual connection between man, food, and Providence. Whole Foods, Whole People, and Whole Planet are connected by a material substance called Protoplasm or Cytoplasm, a divine plan to provide nourishment to Life.

The Rudolf-God Connection discovered at Whole Foods, Ann Arbor can be best described as the concept of Whole Spirituality, the three dimensional spiritual relationship between the multicellular human organism, food, and the Divine Providence.

Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? Rudolf is reborn to describe the spiritual connection between Cell and its Energy Provider. The 3-Dimensional Spiritual Relationship between Man, Food, and God.

Spiritualism – The Cell Theory of Spirituality:

**Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? The Rudolf-God Connection. The Discovery of Whole Spirituality at Whole Foods, Ann Arbor.**

In Biology, cell is the basic or fundamental unit of structure, function, and organization in all living things or it is the building block of life. Let me begin with my respectful tribute to some of the people who contributed to ‘The Cell Theory’, one of the foundations of Biological Sciences. Cells were first observed in the 17th century shortly after the discovery of the microscope. Robert Hooke, british curator of instruments at The Royal Society of London, during 1665 coined the word cell. Dutch microscopist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) made over 247 microscopes and examined microorganisms and tissue samples. He gave the first complete descriptions of bacteria, protozoa (which he called animalcules), spermatozoa, and striped muscle. He also studied capillary circulation and observed Red Blood Cells.

**Robert Hooke, british curator of instruments at The Royal Society of London coined the term cell during 1665.**

**Dutch microscopist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (1668-80) studied capillary circulation and observed Red Blood Cells.**

Improvements in microscopy during early 19th century permitted closer observation and the significance of cells had received better understanding. Matthias Jakob Schleiden (1838), german botanist, Theodor Schwann (1839), german physiologist, and Rudolf Virchow (1855), german pathologist, and others made important contributions to the Cell Theory that describes cell as the building block of all Life.

Schleiden, Professor of Botany, The University of Jena studied plant structure under the microscope, published “Contibutions to Phytogenesis”(1838). He had also published the two-volume text of ‘Principles of Scientific Botany’.

**Schwann founder of modern Histology extended the Cell Theory of Plants to animals in his ‘Microscopic Researches into Accordance in the Structure and Growth of Animals and Plants(1839).**

**Schwann discovered Myelin Sheath covering peripheral axons, now termed Schwann Cells. He coined the term ‘Metabolism’ for the chemical changes that take place in living tissues.**

**Rudolf Virchow, German pathologist in 1855 coined the biological dictum “OMNIS CELLULA E CELLULA” – All living cells arise only from pre-existing living cells.**

The Cell is the smallest unit in the living organism that is capable of carrying on the essential life processes of sustaining metabolism for producing energy and reproducing. Many simple, small, single-celled organisms like Protozoa perform all life functions. In higher, complex, bigger, multicellular organisms, groups of cells are structurally and functionally differentiated into specialized tissues and organ systems. Thus, the Cell Theory includes the following foundational principles of the Biological Sciences:

1. All living things are made up of cells. Cell is the most elementary or basic unit of Life.

2. Cell is a fundamental unit of structure, function, and organization in all living things including plants and animals.

3. Cells only rise from division of previously existing cells.

4. All cells are similar in composition, form, and function. All cells are basically the same in chemical composition (in spite of variations) in organisms of similar species. For example, all the solid tissues in the human body can be shown to consist largely of similar cells; differing it is true, but that are essentially similar to an Ovum.

5. The cells exhibit functional autonomy. The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of ‘Independent’ cells.

6. Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs within cells.

7. Cells contain hereditary, biological information (DNA) which is passed from cell to cell during cell division.

The Cell Theory of Spirituality:

The basic or fundamental unit of life in the human organism is derived from the fertilized egg cell that eventually develops into a complete organism. The most significant feature of similarity between the cells of the human body is the presence of a soft, gelatinous, semi-fluid, granular material inside the cell. This substance known as Protoplasm or Cytoplasm, or Cytosol is similar to the ground substance found in the Ovum or the Egg Cell.

Human Ovum Structure – The Cell Theory of Spirituality is based upon the Substance, Structure, Form, Organization, Function, Action and Interactions of this Single Fertilized Egg Cell that eventually develops into a complete human organism.

This viscous, translucent, colloidal substance is enclosed in a membrane called Cell Membrane, Plasma Membrane or Biological Membrane. A small spherical body called nucleus is embedded in the Protoplasm of the cell. The three essential features of any living cell in the human body are that of the presence of protoplasm, the nucleus, and the cell membrane.

Protoplasm – The Ground Substance of Spiritualism and Spirituality:

I seek the existence of Soul or Spirit in a substance that is basic to life activities, and in a material that is responsible for all living processes. I, therefore, propose that the understanding of the true or real nature of this ground substance of all living matter will help man to discover peace, harmony, and tranquility in all of his internal and external relationships while man exists in a physical environment as a member of a social group, social community, and Society. In this blog post, I would like to pay my respectful tribute to Jan Evangelista Purkinje and Hugo Von Mohl for their great contribution to the scientific understanding of the living substance, living material, and living matter.

Jan Evangelista Purkyne(Czech name), Jan Evangelista Purkinje(German name)also known as Johannes Evangelist Purkinje, b. December 17, 1787, d. July 28, 1869. The pioneer Czech experimental Physiologist whose investigations in the fields of Histology, Embryology,and Pharmacology helped create a modern understanding of the eye and vision, brain and heart function, mammalian reproduction, and the composition of cells.

Purkinje conducted his research on human vision at the University of Prague and later on, he served there as a Professor of Physiology (1850-69). He went to Germany and was appointed the Chair of Physiology and Pathology (1823-50) at the University of Breslau, Prussia. There Purkinje created the world’s first independent Department of Physiology (1839) and the first Physiological Laboratory (Physiological Institute, 1842). He is best known for his discovery of large nerve cells with many branching extensions found in the cortex of Cerebellum of the brain (Purkinje Cells, 1837). He discovered the fibrous tissue that conducts electrical impulses from the ‘pacemaker’ called Atrioventricular node or A-V node along the inside walls of the ventricles to all parts of the heart to help in Cardiac contractile function (Purkinje Fibers, 1839). In 1835, he invented and introduced the scientific term ‘Protoplasm’ to describe the ground substance found inside young animal embryo cells. He discovered the sweat glands of the skin (1833); he discovered the nine configuration groups of Fingerprints used in biometric identification of man (1823); he described the germinal vesicle or nucleus of the unripe ovum that now bears his name (1825), and he noted the protein digesting power of pancreatic extracts (1836).

**Hugo Von Mohl, b. April 08, 1805, d. April 01, 1872, German Botanist noted for his research on the anatomy and physiology of plant cells.**

Hugo Von Mohl named the granular, colloidal material that made up the main substance of the plant cell as “Protoplasm” in 1846. Purkinje invented the word, but Hugo gave more clarity, understanding, and knowing the nature of this ground substance. He viewed cell as an “elementary organ” and in Physiology he explained Protoplasm as an organ of Motion or Movement, Nutrition, and Reproduction. It is the preliminary material in cellular generation. He was the first to propose that new cells are formed by division of preexisting cells and he had observed this process of Cell Division in the algal cells of Conferva glomerata. His observations are very important to understand the Cell Theory that explains cells as the basic building blocks of Life. He was the first to investigate the phenomenon of the stomatal openings in leaves.

The Ground Substance of Spiritualism and Spirituality. The vital characteristics, the animating principles of Protoplasm could be known by observing Amoeba proteus. The Living Substance works as an organ of Motion or Movement, as an organ of Nutrition, and as an organ of Reproduction to generate new cells which have a life span of their own. In these physiological functions, I describe the characteristics such as Cognition, Consciousness, Memory, and Intelligence which have a Spiritual role as they bring functional unity and harmony in the interactions between different parts of the same individual organism while it exists in an environment as a member of a biological community.

Protoplasm is a complex, viscous, translucent solution of such materials as salts and simple sugars with other molecules, mostly proteins and fats, in a colloidal state, that is dispersed but not dissolved in one another. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen constitute more than 90 percent of Protoplasm.

It exhibits properties such as Protoplasmic Streaming or Cytoplasmic Streaming or Motion that is called “Amoeboid Movement.” It has the intrinsic power to change its shape and position. It has the power of Nutrition by which it can attract and obtain the materials necessary for its growth and maintenance from surrounding matter/environment.

The living functions such as Nutrition, Cellular Respiration, and Reproduction performed by Cytoplasm involve acquiring, processing, retaining, and using information to perform tasks in a sequential manner for a predetermined purpose and hence describe Consciousness, Memory, and Intelligence.

The Rudolf-God Connection at Whole Foods. God created Cytoplasm or Protoplasm as the Ground Substance of Spirituality. Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.

**The Rudolf-God Connection at Whole Foods. God created Cytoplasm or Protoplasm as the Ground Substance of Spirituality.**

The Ground Substance of Spiritualism and Spirituality. The vital characteristics, the animating principles of Protoplasm could be known by observing Amoeba proteus. The Living Substance works as an organ of Motion or Movement, as an organ of Nutrition, and as an organ of Reproduction to generate new cells which have a life span of their own. In these physiological functions, I describe the characteristics such as Cognition, Consciousness, Memory, and Intelligence as spiritual attributes of Life as they bring functional unity and harmony in the interactions between different parts of the same individual organism while it exists in an environment as a member of a biological community.

The Spirituality of Substance, Function, Organization, Action, and Interactions:

To establish the biological existence of the human organism, I add the concept of Spiritualism and Spirituality to the Cell Theory.

The Single Fertilized Egg Cell has ground substance that is of Spiritual nature and the Spiritualism and Spirituality consists of the following functional, and organizational characteristics:

1. The Cell is Conscious of its own existence and knows its internal condition and knows it external environment.

2. The Cell is intelligent and it has the cognitive abilities like perception and memory to acquire information, to retain information, to recall information, and to use information in the performance of its complex tasks in a sequential manner.

3. The Cell has the ability to show characteristics such as mutual cooperation, mutual tolerance, and display functional subordination and subservience while being independent.

4. The Cell grows, divides, and develops into a complete organism while it acquires substances and energy from an external environment. The power of Protoplasm/Cytoplasm to attract matter found in its external environment is called Nutrition. The Cell continuously transforms matter to build matter of its own kind for its own benefit to sustain its existence with its own identity and individuality. The Organism represents a social group or a biological community of Cells. The Spiritual nature of Protoplasm/Cytoplasm brings this functional harmony and unity in the Social Group or Biotic Community of Cells by bringing together its Essence and Existence.

5. The Cell Theory is incomplete for it does not describe the conditioned nature of the Cell’s existence. The Cell represents a Living System that is thermodynamically unstable. It requires a constant supply of matter and energy from its external environment to sustain its living functions. The concept of Whole Spirituality formulates the connection between the Cell and its external source of matter and energy.

The Rudolf-God Connection. The Discovery of Whole Spirituality at Whole Foods, Ann Arbor. The Bone Marrow smear from a patient of Leukemia or Blood Cancer helps to illustrate the nature of Biotic Interactions in the Social Group or Biotic Community that represents the singularity called man. The true or real man can only be discovered by the microscopic study of the Cells that constitute the Organism.

The theoretical claims about Spirit and Soul, the religious and philosophical doctrines of Spiritualism and Spirituality must be verified using the Cell Theory that defines the human organism. To describe Soul or Spirit as nonmaterial or immaterial Self will not help man to know the real or true man.

**Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? The Rudolf-God Connection at Whole Foods. God created Cytoplasm or Protoplasm as the Ground Substance of Spirituality.**

Simon Cyrene

Whole Foods, Whole People, and Whole Planet come together in a Wholesome Relationship as God is the Energy Provider, the Original Source of Matter and Energy for Life.

**Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection? Rudolf is Reborn to describe the spiritual connection between the Cell and its Energy Provider.**

Vaisakha Buddha Purnima – My Journey to live in a free nation

A pilgrim in search of a free nation. I am a refugee and who is my refuge?

On Monday, May 12, 2025, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. For I give shelter to the Living Tibetan Spirits in my consciousness, I exist as a slave in a free country. I consciously experience the problem of occupation, the lack of independent existence.

Buddha Purnima, is an auspicious day that marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is believed that this was also the day he attained enlightenment. Buddha Purnima falls on a full moon night, usually between April and May. This year it will be observed on Monday, May 12. Also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vaisakha Buddha Purnima or Vesak.

Buddha Purnima is based on the Asian lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated with great fervour in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and numerous other South East Asian countries including Thailand, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia and Indonesia.

What is the difference between refuge and refugee?

As nouns the difference between refuge and refugee is that refuge being a state of safety, protection or shelter while refugee is a person seeking refuge in a foreign country out of fear of political persecution or the prospect of such persecution in his home country, i.e., a person seeking a political asylum. Some persons who need safety, protection or shelter may live in a foreign country without applying for political asylum.

My Musings on Buddha Purnima. I am a Refugee. Who is my Refuge?

On May 24, 1956, I was in Mylapore, Madras, Chennai, India. I went to the Indian Posts & Telegraphs Office on Kutchery Street to buy the First Day Cover issued in celebration of 2500th Buddha Jayanti.

On that Day, I was not aware that I would fail to see the brightness of the Full Moon on Monday, May 12, 2025. I see darkness. I see gloom. I learned the art of controlling my mind. I learned the art of self-discipline. Yet, I do not experience freedom while living in a free country.

My Life’s Journey began in Mylapore, Madras, Chennai, India. Amongst other places, my Service in the Indian Army Medical Corps took me to Establishment-22 at Chakrata, Dehradun District, Uttarakhand on September 22, 1971. After successful execution of a military operation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts during October 1971 to January 1972, I was posted Delta Sector of Vikas Regiment. I performed this Journey in a transport plane shared by the US and landed in a US built airfield in Doom Dooma, Tinsukia District, Assam, India during February 1972 prior to the US President Richard M Nixon’s visit to Peking. While I was serving in D Sector, Establishment-22 in Doom Dooma, I got married in January 1973. I served in Vikas Regiment during the presidency of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Eventually, I arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1986 without knowing that the US President Gerald Ford lived in Ann Arbor as a student. It’s not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of my journey as a slave in a free country.

I find myself living and surviving inside the belly of a Big Fish or a Great Whale. Prophet Jonah survived his ordeal just for three days and three nights. The Son of Man remained in the heart of the earth just for three days, and three nights. For me the end is not in sight for I am living under a very dark shadow, inside the belly of a Big Fish or a Great Whale without the hope of seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

In my analysis, I am a person in need of Refuge, Shelter, or Protection. I performed my Life Journey under shadow, the darkness of secrecy seeking a false sense of security. I need to break the shackles of secrecy to declare that I am a Refugee. As I am trapped, I can’t go to the Buddha for refuge, I can’t go the Dhamma for refuge, and I can’t go the Sangha for refuge. Who is my Refuge? To Whom, I should address my Petition? If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup of agony from me.

On Monday, May 12, 2025, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup away from me.

Buddha Purnima: Significance of Buddha’s Teachings

Clipped from: https://in.style.yahoo.com/buddha-purnima-significance-buddha-teachings-043009143.html

Buddha Purnima : Significance of Buddha’s Teachings

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm among the Buddhist community as it is one of their most important and sacred festivals. The festival also known as Vesak as it is observed on a full moon in the month Vaisakha, marks the birth of Buddha, the day of his enlightenment as well as the day he entered nirvana and left his human body form.

This year, Buddha Purnima falls on May 12, which is a Monday.

However, it should be noted that different Buddhist communities may celebrate Buddha Purnima on different dates provided there are two full moons in the month of May.

The significance of this day can be understood by the events it upholds. Legend has it that Buddha’s wife Yashodhara, his first disciple Ananda and the Bodhi tree, the holy place under which Buddha attained enlightenment were all born or created on this very day. It is also believed that on this day Gautam Buddha chose to preach his first sermon in Varanasi or Banaras in India.

By the evidence found in history, Gautam Buddha was born between sixth and fourth century BCE.

Buddha was a firm believer of Karuna (meaning compassion) and Ahimsa (meaning non-violence). He spent his life searching for peace and truth. He believed that the material pleasures held little significance in life, and dedicated his life to spirituality and religion.

Since Buddha was born in a Hindu family, the festival holds a lot of significance for the Hindu community. In Hinduism, Lord Buddha is believed to be the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, Buddha Purnima is an auspicious day for devotees of Lord Vishnu and is observed with full fervor in India.

Buddha Purnima has a lot of astrological significance as well. Buddha was born with Cancer Ascendant and Moon in Libra, and with the Sun positioned in the mighty Mars. In His Horoscope, the Moon is also aspected by five planets-Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, and these made Him mentally strong.

In Buddhism, it is believed that for you to be able to enjoy good health, bring happiness to your family, and enjoy peace in life, you must first master control over your mind. In Hinduism, devotees of Lord Ganesh practice a similar belief; that by gaining control over one’s mind, one can find the way to enlightenment. Astrologers believe that to gain control of your mind, you should strengthen the Moon in your horoscope.

How to Celebrate Buddha Purnima

If you want to achieve mental peace and bliss this Vesak, you should follow Buddha’s “Eightfold path”. It is the only true way to celebrate the festival.

According to Buddha, the Eightfold path included-

Having the Right View or Understanding, by knowing the truth,

Having the Right Intention, by freeing your mind of bad thoughts,

Having the Right Speech, which does not hurt others,

Having the Right Action, by working for the good of others,

Having the Right Livelihood, by maintaining an ethical standard in life,

Having the Right Effort, by resisting evil,

Having the Right Mindfulness, by practicing meditation,

Having the Right Concentration, by controlling your thoughts.

It is believed that by following this path, you can be free from your sufferings, bring harmony and peace, and even bring in more positivity and optimism in your life.

For those who may be suffering from malefic effects of Planet Saturn, following the Eightfold Path can help you release mental pressure and also boost confidence in your life.

Devotees celebrate the festival by serving others and feeding the hungry while they themselves keep a fast and do charitable work.

Lanterns are also a special part of the celebrations. Mostly seen in Sri Lanka and South Korea, people light colorful electric lanterns, which signifies happiness and enlightenment. Happiness is believed to be the result of the individual becoming more mindful in their life.

On Monday, May 12, 2025, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup away from me.

Mental Health and the Pursuit of Happiness through the Discovery of Soul

Mental stability and happiness are highly linked. It’s almost impossible to have one without the other, and it can be difficult to achieve both when you’re facing some form of adversity in life.

Emotional and mental health is important because it’s a vital part of your life and impacts your thoughts, behaviors and emotions.

Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or caregiving.

Spirituality Science – Clinical Medicine can verify the mental experience called Anand, Pure Joy, and Pure Bliss

As student of Medical Science involved in investigating man, I use the medical principles of Dynamic Equilibrium shared by Dr. Claude Bernard, Father of Physiology, and Dr. Walter B. Cannon who coined the phrase ‘Homeostasis’ to verify man’s Living Condition at any given time.

**Spirituality Science – Clinical Medicine can verify the mental experience called Anand, Pure Joy, and Pure Bliss**

**Spirituality Science – Clinical Medicine can verify the mental experience called Anand, Pure Joy, and Pure Bliss**
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE DYNAMICS – WHOLE EQUILIBRIUM: IN MAN, HEALTH IS RELATIVE EQUILIBRIUM OF BODY FORM AND FUNCTION WHICH RESULTS FROM ITS SUCCESSFUL DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT TO FORCES TENDING TO DISTURB IT.

The Indian Tradition developed philosophical concept of “ANAND” often described as Pure Joy, or Pure Bliss. I can verify the same using the medical concept of Equilibrium. Students of Physics easily understand the Concept of Equilibrium and Balance.

For example, if clinical examination of man reveals rapid pulse rate, respiration rate, high blood pressure, excessive perspiration, tremors and other signs and symptoms of physical, or mental imbalance, I will be able to easily rule out the Condition or State called “ANAND.” In Clinical Medicine, Final Diagnosis is always arrived after conclusively eliminating other possible conditions.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
BHAVANAJAGAT

FROM: DEVINDER SINGH GULATI

**Spirituality Science – Clinical Medicine Can Verify the Mental Experience called Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss.**

ANAND (Sanskrit. Anand, from nand meaning “to rejoice” or “to delight”) denotes mystical experience, spiritual bliss or a state of consciousness such as that of a Jivan Mukta, i.e. one released while still in body. Anand in the Upanishadic texts is taken to be one of the three inherent attributes of Atman or Brahman, the other two being Sat and Chit. In the Taittiriya Upanishad (II. 15), it acquired this meaning of Pure Bliss.

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Anand

The Self at the lowest or first stage of its evolution is defined as the Annamaya Kosa (the matter) which evolves successively into Pranamaya Kosa (life), Jnanamaya Kosa, man (mind or perceptual consciousness), Vijnanamaya Kosa (Self consciousness, The Knowing Self) and Anandamaya Kosa, Nondual Bliss. In SIKH theology too, Anand is one of the attributes of the Supreme Self; so it can be the state of the Individual Soul as well. GURU Amar Das`s composition Anandu, in the measure Ramkali, gives an exposition of the experience of Anand, of the Union with the Immaculate Hari attained through absorption in “Nam”, i.e. repetition of Divine Name.

That, indeed, which is Jīva (individual soul) is the all-blissful
Divine in disguise, descended to enjoy the self-luminous World
Brahman. This which is the experience of suffering is an experience made of bliss. The All-Blissful enjoys its bliss only.
Who indeed could dare enjoy that which is devoid of bliss? He
only could dare it who is all-blissful. As for him who is devoid of
bliss, he while enjoying the blissless, would still not enjoy it, would
rather perish without bliss. Who can become weak? He only can
who is all-powerful. The weak one indeed invaded by weakness
would not endure, but would perish without force. Who could enter Ignorance? Only He who is omniscient could enter it. As for
the ignorant, he could not endure in that darkness, non-being
would remain non-being only. It would perish without knowledge.
Ignorance is the play of knowledge, concealing itself in itself.
Weakness is the play of power, blisslessness the play of bliss, the
concealment of itself in itself.
Blissfully laughs the Jīva, blissfully cries, sheds tears, blissfully
throbs as if shining in dark Ānanda, agitated by tortures, blissfully
throbs agitated by violent pleasures. For the full enjoyment of the
dark ignorant portion of that Ānanda he (Jīva) conceals It, becoming obscure and ignorant.

Sri Aurobindo echos the Gurbani:

There is Brahman alone, the One without a second. Being and non-being are its forms and It is also beyond Being and Non-Being. There is nothing else except That. All that is contained in the three times and all that is beyond the three times is indeed that One Brahman alone. Whatever is in the universe, small or large, noble or mean, is Brahman alone, Brahman alone. The world is also Brahman. It is true, not false.

That alone is the Transcendent Being, beyond all the three times, beyond all the worlds, penetrating all the worlds, beyond Being, beyond Non-Being, All-Being, All-Consciousness, All-Bliss, without beginning and end, the eternal Divine.

He is without quality and supports all qualities. He has qualities, infinite qualities, and enjoys the state of being without quality. He Himself transcends the state of being without qualities and the state of being with qualities. He is neither without quality nor with quality because He is One and Single.

http://www.auro-ebooks.com/sriaurobindopanishad/
Gulati

Mind and Face Relationship:

**MIND – FACE CONNECTION. FACIAL APPEARANCE OR COUNTENANCE PROVIDES CLUES TO IDENTIFY MENTAL STATE OR CONDITION.**

From very ancient times, medical practitioners all over the world, recognized the connection between Mind and Face. The conditions that affect human body and mind can be diagnosed by careful examination of clues offered by Facial Appearance or Countenance.

For example, Indian tradition describes or uses the term “ANTAHKARANA” that includes four, different attributes of Mind. These are, 1. Manas or Manah associated with Thinking, Thoughts, or Power of Imagination, 2. Buddhi associated with Knowledge and Intellect, 3. Chitta associated with Mood such as Kindness, Love, Compassion, Anger, Fear, etc., and 4. Ahamkara associated with Self-Pride or attributes like Arrogance. Each of these Mental Conditions, States or Mental Faculties are often associated with expression of their contents on Face.

While practicing Clinical Medicine in Armed Forces, I gained practical experience of The Art of Diagnosing Positive, Good Health. Armed Forces demand that men and women should be physically and mentally fit at all times. In military practice, the doctor spends more time in conducting medical examination of people to assess their physical and medical fitness as compared to the time spend on examining people to diagnose Ill health, Sickness, or Disease. Observation of Facial Appearance provides important clues about Man’s mental and physical health. On several occasions, I have diagnosed or suspected serious medical conditions when patient simply arrives in the Clinic or Hospital for medical evaluation. People can be very good actors but it is not easy to express things on Face as the facial expression is not always directed by conscious mental activity like thinking or thoughts. For example, a good actor can project sense of Fear and generate facial expression of Fear but in reality it is not the same as Fear expressed on the face of a victim of Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction.

I agree that it will not be easy to diagnose Mental State, Physical State or Condition by simply examining one photo image. During Medical Examination, I keep the patient distracted and would not let him or her know that I am simultaneously evaluating Facial Expression while performing tests to recognize symptoms and signs caused by various health conditions. I want to assure you that your ‘inner experience’ of truth or reality can be verified by using The Art of Facial Diagnosis.

The Indian tradition describes the mental condition called ‘ANAND’ or Joy, or Bliss as the sign and symptom of Self-Realization. Self-Realized Soul can be medically diagnosed by careful examination of Facial Countenance.

Mental Health and the problem of Loneliness

Mental health is defined as the capacity in an individual to form harmonious relations with others and to participate in or contribute constructively to changes in the social environment

Feeling lonely can have a negative impact on mental health, especially if these feelings have lasted a long time. Some research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.

Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.

Loneliness is a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship, which happens when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of the social relationships that we have, and those that we want (Perlman and Peplau, 1981)

There are different types of loneliness: emotional, and social and existential loneliness.

Emotional loneliness is the absence of a significant other with whom a close attachment or meaningful relationship existed (a partner or close friend).
Social loneliness is the lack of a wider social network of friends, neighbors or colleagues.
Existential loneliness is described as a universal aspect of the human condition which expresses the separateness of the person from others.

Loneliness can be a transient feeling that comes and goes. It can also be situational; for example only occurring at certain times like Sundays, bank holidays or Christmas. Or loneliness can be chronic; this means someone feels lonely all or most of the time.

Loneliness can also be characterised by its intensity, or how strongly it is felt, which can change from moment to moment and over different durations of time.

Man’s Physical Existence:

If man is viewed as a multicellular human organism, we may have to ask ourselves the following question. Who or what is the subject who lives because of the functions of the trillions of cells? Man has to explore the biological basis for his existence in nature. The subjective reality of man’s physical existence is conditioned by his physical, mental, social, moral, rational, and spiritual well-being. Mental health is an important component of the total positive health when health is defined as not the mere absence of disease, but as a state of man’s physical, mental, social, moral, rational, and spiritual well-being.

**Mental Health and the problem of Loneliness**. **The Physiological Basis for Human Existence.**

The man is conditioned to exist under the influence of a grand illusion such as the Sunrise and Sunset which regulates the biological rhythms. The man must find a rational basis for his physical existence as the realities of existing on the surface of a fast, spinning planet impose limitations on man’s cognitive abilities. In the final analysis, the man must face the challenges of living his mortal life finding solutions in a logical and rational manner. Physical conditions and ailments affect mental well-being. Mental health and well-being could have important consequences affecting the physical, and social well-being of the man and may even threaten his ability to maintain the biological integrity to survive as a human organism.

The Unity of Man and God

To account for man’s existence in physical world, the Sanskrit language created a new word known as “Asmi.” It means always present, or ever-existing. Man is a Mortal, Physical Being who leads a transient, or ephemeral existence. However, to establish the Subjective and Objective Reality of man in natural world, man needs to yoke, join, come together, unite, pair, bond, connect, relate, and seek partnership with an external Reality that is always present, or ever-existing. The Sanskrit word “Asmi” thus signifies Unity of man and God which transforms the Subject “I” into an Object that identifies itself as “I am.”

The Instrument of Unity – Gayatri

**THE UNITY OF MAN AND GOD. THE INSTRUMENT OF UNITY IS “GAYATRI.”**

Biological Diversity is a creative process as living organisms have no choice other than that of existing as Individuals with Individuality. Ever since Life arrived on planet Earth, living matter, living substance, or living material has remained the same while diverse forms of life lived and became extinct during different periods of geological time. When we speak about biological diversity, we have to constantly remind ourselves that there are certain values which never change under the influence of time. Things in Nature change if and only if the change is operated by an underlying unchanging principle.

Language is the peculiar possession of anatomically modern humans. Prehistoric man could paint, draw, and carve images but did not use human language. Linguistic diversity has to be known by recognizing unchanging human anatomical and physiological mechanisms involved in generating sound, and perception of sound which includes analysis of sound information. Human Speech and Human Writing are two-faces of same language ability and in Clinical Medicine they constitute problems of Speech Disorders.

Life is about using Knowledge to perform a myriad of living functions. In other words, Life is Knowledge in Action. All living functions without any exception need an external source of energy. Life on planet Earth is possible as living forms have capacity to use energy from an extraterrestrial source. Earth and living forms belong to Natural Realm, and the source of energy belongs to Supernatural or heavenly Realm. We see Sun in the sky, but it belongs to Supernatural or Heavenly Realm. Fortunately, there is a barrier between these two realms to make life possible. For Sun is the Source of Supernatural Power/Energy/Force, Sun is the source of Knowledge that living forms use to perform diverse living functions including the use of Speech. Diversity that we experience on Earth is possible for Sun’s Energy is that unchanging Principle that operates all natural phenomena.

The Relevance of Sanskrit in Present Times:

The relevance of Sanskrit in present times becomes apparent when we try to account for man’s existence; how does the ‘Subject’ called “I” becomes the Object called “I Am” that can be verified by Science. The thing called “I” will not be known until and unless it is transformed into a living being that claims, “I Am.” Science is not able to fully account for the phenomenon called human existence. We all know that man exists in present day phenomenal world but we are not able to explain it as to how such existence is possible.

**THE UNITY OF MAN AND GOD. SANSKRIT WORD “ASMI” MEANS ALWAYS PRESENT, OR EVER-EXISTING AND ANY KIND OF EXISTENCE DEMANDS YOKING, OR PAIRING OF MAN AND GOD. On bhavanajagat.com**

The Sanskrit word or ‘Sabda’ (verbal sound) called “Asmi” accounts for transformation of “I” into a recognizable entity called “I am.” Asmi describes “Unity” or ‘Eikyata’, the coming together, yoking, or joining of “I” with an external, unchanging Reality, the fundamental basis for all Existence. Things in Nature change under the influence of Time, but every natural change is operated by an Unchanging Principle. There is no natural phenomenon of this world which may not require operation of an underlying unchanging principle.

To answer problems of this age, man has to know himself and know the World in which he exists. Knowing “Asmi” is the beginning of that learning process.

Man never exists all alone

In my final analysis, Man can never have the Subjective experience of the reality of his own physical existence without the Fundamental Unity between Man and God. The problem of human loneliness simply disappears when Man accounts the reason for his own existence in the physical world.

Special Frontier Force pays tribute to CIA Director Allen Welsh Dulles

A Special Tribute to CIA Director Allen Welsh Dulles

Whole Dude – Whole Agency

Special Frontier Force pays this special tribute to Allen Welsh Dulles (b. April 7, 1893, Watertown, NY – d. January 29, 1969, Washington, DC), US diplomat, intelligence expert who was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency during its period of growth. Dulles received M.A. from Princeton in 1916. His service to the nation started during the administration of Woodrow Thomas Wilson (28th President of the US 1913-1921). He served in various diplomatic posts until 1922, and was named chief of the State Department’s Near Eastern Division. He obtained Law degree in 1926, and served as counsellor to the US delegation in Peking. He returned to the US and joined the New York law firm in which his brother John Foster Dulles was a partner. During World War II, Dulles joined the office of Strategic Services (OSS). From October 1942 to May 1945, Dulles served as Chief of OSS office in Bern, Switzerland. He played a critical role in the surrender of German troops in northern Italy. He received the Medal of Merit and Medal of Freedom for his service during the War. In 1948, Dulles served as the Chairman of a three-man committee that surveyed the US intelligence system. After the Central Intelligence Agency was established in 1951, he served as deputy director under General Walter Bedell Smith. In 1953, he was appointed Director of CIA by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the US, 1953-1961). He was the first Chairman of U.S. Intelligence Board. Dulles carried out a number of major operations, notably the overthrow of the governments of Mohammad Mossadeq in Iran in 1953, and Jacob Arbenz in Guatemala in 1954. He was reappointed by President John F. Kennedy. Unfortunately, he had to shoulder the blame for the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in April 1961. He was forced to resign to defend the reputation of the presidency. He was awarded the National Security Medal on November 28, 1961 (and the citation for granting this Medal is attached as a pdf file). President Lyndon B Johnson appointed him as one of seven commissioners of the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He authored several books, notably Germany’s Underground (1947), The Craft of Intelligence (1963), and The Secret Surrender (1963).

Whole Dude-Whole Agency: During World War II, Allen Dulles served as the Chief of the OSS Office in Bern from October 1942 to May 1945. He played a role in the surrender of German troops in northern Italy. — Whole Dude – Whole Agency: During World War II, Allen Dulles served as the Chief of the OSS Office in Bern from October 1942 to May 1945. He played a role in the surrender of German troops in northern Italy.

Whole Dude-Whole Agency: Interesting account of the role of Office of Strategic Services in Europe during World War II. Fortunately, now we have interesting accounts of the CIA's Secret War in Tibet. The credit goes to the Director of the CIA. — Whole Dude – Whole Agency: Interesting account of the role of Office of Strategic Services in Europe during World War II. Fortunately, now we have interesting accounts of the CIA’s Secret War in Tibet. The credit goes to the Director of the CIA.

Whole Dude-Whole Agency: Allen Dulles described the 'Craft of Intelligence' but kept the CIA Operation in Tibet as a Secret. — **Whole Dude – Whole Agency: Allen Dulles described the ‘Craft of Intelligence’ but kept the CIA Operation in Tibet as a Secret.**

Whole Dude – Whole Agency: Allen Welsh Dulles rendered remarkable service to the nation and won the admiration of President John F. Kennedy even though he had to accept the blame for the failed mission in Cuba. I salute him for his support to defend Freedom and Democracy in Tibet. The CIA operation in Tibet had also failed during March 1959, but I would not blame CIA for that failure.

Whole Dude - Whole Agency: On November 28, 1961, Allen Welsh Dulles, the outgoing CIA Director received the National Security Medal from President John F. Kennedy. — **Whole Dude – Whole Agency: On November 28, 1961, Allen Welsh Dulles, the outgoing CIA Director received the National Security Medal from President John F. Kennedy.**

Whole Dude - Whole Agency: President Lyndon B. Johnson demonstrated his confidence in the former CIA Director Allen Welsh Dulles by appointing him to the Warren Commission that investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It was indeed a great honor and speaks of the trust in personal integrity earned by Dulles as the CIA Director. — Whole Dude – Whole Agency: President Lyndon B. Johnson demonstrated his confidence in the former CIA Director Allen Welsh Dulles by appointing him to the Warren Commission that investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It was indeed a great honor and speaks of the trust in personal integrity earned by Dulles as the CIA Director.

The history of Special Frontier Force – Establishment No. 22: 1957 was a turning point. India recognized that its foreign policy of political neutralism was of no use and started depending upon the United States to address the military threat posed by China’s occupation of Tibet. But, the effort was too modest and both India and the United States had grossly underestimated the strength of the People’s Liberation Army.

Both US Government and the Central Intelligence Agency maintain their silence about the support given to the Tibetan Resistance Movement and the eventual creation of Establishment -22/Special Frontier Force, a military alliance/pact between the US, Tibet, and India to fight the military threat posed by Communist China when it occupied Tibet in 1950 and forced His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to lead a life in exile.

Whole Dude-Whole Agency: A special tribute to Allen Welsh Dulles, the Director of CIA who organized training of Tibetans at Camp Hale, Colorado(May 1959 to November 1964). — **Whole Dude – Whole Agency: A special tribute to Allen Welsh Dulles, the Director of CIA who organized training of Tibetans at Camp Hale, Colorado (May 1958 to November 1964).**

However, the US had finally acknowledged the CIA operation in Tibet and India by installing a Commemoration Plaque at the Camp Hale, Colorado training site on September 10, 2010. The Director of CIA was not present at the ceremony to honor the memory of people who were involved in this covert operation.

It is my duty and privilege to pay this special tribute to Allen Welsh Dulles in due recognition of the services he had rendered to defend Freedom, Democracy, and Justice in the occupied Land of Tibet.

Whole Dude-Whole Agency-Allen Welsh Dulles-National Security Medal Citation

The Blessings of Mental Health

The idea of peace is always associated with the idea of well-being and good health. The idea of perfect well-being also includes ideas of mental peace, mental tranquility, and mental equilibrium. The physical, mental, and social well-being are a part of man’s well-being in the environment, and community where he lives. To achieve perfect, and complete peace or Whole Peace, we must include the dimensions of the man’s moral, and spiritual well-being apart from the physical, mental, and social well-being. The aspects of external and inner or mental peace work together to contribute a Blissful Existence while man experiences Joy in his mind, and Love in his heart. Hence, peace is not mere absence of war and strife.

Wish You Less Troubles and More Blessings and Nothing But Happiness Come Through Your Door

Yes indeed, Life is Complicated. The complexity of Life involves the fundamental problem of mortal existence. It evokes a sense of fear and anxiety even if the fear and anxiety are not overtly expressed in behavior and actions. The man can never escape from the need for peace and tranquility to overcome the challenges of existence.

Human existence evokes a sense of fear and anxiety. The fear is associated with the idea that the journey is long and tedious and the uncertainty of reaching the shore line. The anxiety is because of the fact that the life span is over as the time marches on relentlessly. The passage of day and night, the change of seasons, the spring and the winter, the life span is over even if the individual wants to cling to his life.The life span is compared to air bubbles in water and the bubble exists only for a moment. The long journey generates fear and the short life span produces anxiety. When the heart is troubled and when the mind is afraid, there is no peace.

Searching for Peace

May Your Troubles Be Less and Your Blessings Be More

1. For he himself is our peace. (EPHESIANS 2:14)

2. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. (JOHN14:27)

3. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (GALATIANS 5:22-23)

4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS4:4-7)

May is Mental Health Month – Marching together with the Spirit

**May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**

May is Mental Health Month, a time to shine a light on the importance of mental health to personal wellbeing and overcome reluctance to seeking help. Mental health is key to positive relationships and feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Mental health is also closely linked with physical health. Just as with physical health, mental health problems can be successfully treated. Mental Health America, the sponsor of Mental Health Month in the U.S., offers information and tools on its website: https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month. You’ll find helpful information on maintaining mental health and dealing with mental health issues on this website, too, including the following:

Mental Health Is Real

What Is Good Mental Health?

Mental Health Support Is for Everyone

Take Care of Your Mental Health

1 in 5 people will suffer from some form of mental illness in any given year. Break the Silence, Break the Stigma.

A Soldier’s Reflections on the Art of Self-Discipline

Yes indeed, Life is Complicated. The complexities of Life compel us to live our daily lives with a sense of self-discipline, and direct us to practice self-control, self-restraint, and self-regulation in all actions performed in the external world.

The Art of Self-Discipline:

Self-discipline is essentially the same as self-control, one of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. The KJV translation uses the word temperance in place of “self-control” which, like self-discipline, generally refers to our ability to control or restrain ourselves from all kinds of feelings, impulses, and desires, which includes the desire for physical and material comfort.

In the Sanskrit language the term used for Self-Discipline is called “Krama Shiksha.” The instructions to impart physical and mental Discipline has a physiological basis.

**May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. A Soldier’s Reflections on the Art of Self-Discipline. **The above image shows the Seat of Consciousness/Conscience as Cit or Chitta and it is superior to Mind, Ego, Senses, and Body.**

A part of human brain called the ‘Reticular Formation’ functions like Spirit or Soul to control, to guide, and to regulate the Intellect (Buddhi), the Mind (Manah), Ego or Arrogance (Ahamkara), the Senses (Indriya), and the Body (Deha).

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : "KRAMA SIKSHA" THE INSTRUCTION TO IMPART PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCIPLINE HAS A PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS AS A PART OF HUMAN BRAIN FUNCTIONS LIKE SPIRIT OR SOUL TO CONTROL, TO GUIDE, AND TO REGULATE INTELLECT, MIND, AND THE SENSES . THIS IS THE IMAGE OF THE MADRAS REGIMENT TAKING PART IN 65th REPUBLIC DAY PARADE IN NEW DELHI, INDIA. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA” THE INSTRUCTION TO IMPART PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCIPLINE HAS A PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS AS A PART OF HUMAN BRAIN FUNCTIONS LIKE SPIRIT OR SOUL TO CONTROL, TO GUIDE, AND TO REGULATE INTELLECT, MIND, EGO, SENSES, AND BODY . THIS IS THE IMAGE OF THE MADRAS REGIMENT TAKING PART IN 65th REPUBLIC DAY PARADE IN NEW DELHI, INDIA.

This is a tribute to all the men and women who serve India in Uniform after undergoing rigorous training enduring pain and hardships. The drill, such as marching together during ceremonial parades, testifies to the process of teaching the ‘Art of Self-Discipline’.

**May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : IN MY VIEW, MILITARY DISCIPLINE IS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. SUCCESS OR VICTORY IN THE BATTLEFIELD IS ACCOMPLISHED BY DESTROYING THE ENEMY. MILITARY TRAINS TO DEFEAT AN EXTERNAL ENEMY AND A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK TRAINS TO DESTROY ONE’S OWN INTERNAL ENEMIES.

Discipline is training that develops Self-Control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. It may imply strict control to enforce obedience, acceptance of or submission to authority. While Discipline requires training that molds, instructs, and corrects personal behavior, the concept of Self-Discipline is often used in the context of a Spiritual Practice. For all practical purposes Self-Discipline is like Military Discipline which uses training apart from verbal instruction, encouragement, and teaching as its tools. Soldiers master the Art of Self-Discipline to take responsibility for all of their actions, speech, and mannerisms.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : A BOXER WITH GOOD REFLEXES HAS THE ABILITY TO REACT QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY . THE TRAINING FOCUSES UPON DEVELOPING QUICK, AUTOMATIC, OR HABITUAL MOTOR REFLEXES AND THE BOXER REACTS WITHOUT GETTING DISTRACTED BY HIS OWN INTELLECT, MIND, SENSES, AND BODY IGNORING HIS OWN PAIN AND INJURIES. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: A BOXER WITH GOOD REFLEXES HAS THE ABILITY TO REACT QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY . THE TRAINING FOCUSES UPON DEVELOPING QUICK, AUTOMATIC, OR HABITUAL MOTOR REFLEXES AND THE BOXER REACTS WITHOUT GETTING DISTRACTED BY HIS OWN INTELLECT, MIND, SENSES, AND BODY IGNORING HIS OWN PAIN AND INJURIES.

Just like training for Boxing, military training gives the ability to react quickly, effectively in a reflex action. The military Drill disciplines the Mind and Body to make the man to make quick, automatic or habitual responses when he hears the words of Command. Both Military and Spiritual Disciplines recognize their need for training to achieve the objective of destroying an Enemy who hinders the path to Success or Victory. Military Discipline imparts the ability to fight an external Enemy on the battlefield and Spiritual Discipline is about fighting one’s own internal Enemy. Combating and overcoming an Enemy is of utmost importance to both types of Discipline. In either case, Discipline has the following characteristics: 1. Devotion (“Sraddha”), 2. Humility (“Namrata”-“Nigarvi”), 3. Temperance (“Niyama” -“Nigraha”), and 4. Perseverance (“Kshama”). These attributes or qualities are acquired through training and are found in a trained Soldier and a Spiritual Practitioner or “Sadhak.”

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : IN MY VIEW, A MAN IN UNIFORM IS A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK AS THE TRAINING INVOLVES DEVOTION TO LEARNING AND SUBMISSION TO A SOURCE OF HIGHER AUTHORITY. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” IN MY VIEW, A MAN IN UNIFORM IS A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK AS THE TRAINING INVOLVES DEVOTION TO LEARNING AND SUBMISSION TO A SOURCE OF HIGHER AUTHORITY.

Discipline involves the ability to endure hardship. No Discipline is entirely pleasant to begin with. The training imposes pain and builds up pain tolerance and pain resistance. In my view, a Spiritual Practitioner or “Sadhak” and a Soldier face the same kind of challenges to overcome lethargy, inertia and accept physical and mental fatigue as a necessary burden to win their Battle.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : IN MY VIEW, A SOLDIER AND A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK FACE THE SAME KIND OF CHALLENGES. FIRSTLY, TRAINING DEMANDS TOLERANCE OF PAIN AND HARDSHIP. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” IN MY VIEW, A SOLDIER AND A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK FACE THE SAME KIND OF CHALLENGES. FIRSTLY, TRAINING DEMANDS TOLERANCE OF PAIN AND HARDSHIP.

Devotion (Sraddha) speaks of the fact, quality or state of being devoted. The quality called devotion in physical or mental tasks generates feelings of faithfulness, loyalty, and deep affection. Devotion means to give up oneself or one’s time, energy, etc., to some purpose or activity. The attitude called Discipline involves applying oneself with seriousness or earnestness. The purpose of close-order military drill is that of instilling ideas in the person by repeated exercises. A devoted Soldier dedicates himself to his primary task of fighting a battle and willingly prepares himself to get exposed to the risk or danger of severe bodily injury or even loss of life.

Humility (Namrata – Nigarvi) is the state or quality of being humble; absence of self-pride or arrogance. A trained Soldier takes pride in his Service, takes pride in his Unit or Regiment, and takes pride in the dress or uniform that he wears. But, the training that imparts Discipline transforms the Soldier into a man of Humility for he recognizes that self-pride or arrogance are of no use in the learning process.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : DISCIPLINE DEMANDS THE USE OF TEMPERANCE. A TRAINED SOLDIER IS NOT SELF-INDULGENT. SOLDIERS USE SELF-RESTRAINT IN THEIR ACTIONS AND SPEECH. SOLDIERS USE MODERATION IN THE USE OF FOOD AND DRINK FOR THEY LEARN TO REGULATE ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” DISCIPLINE DEMANDS THE USE OF TEMPERANCE. A TRAINED SOLDIER IS NOT SELF-INDULGENT. SOLDIERS USE SELF-RESTRAINT IN THEIR ACTIONS AND SPEECH. SOLDIERS USE MODERATION IN THE USE OF FOOD AND DRINK FOR THEY LEARN TO REGULATE ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT.

Temperance (Niyama – Nigraha) is the state or quality of being moderate in indulging the appetites; it involves self-restraint in conduct, expression, not self-indulgent, moderate in one’s actions, speech, apart from moderation in the use of food, and alcohol. A basic quality of a trained Soldier is that of Self-Restraint.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : A TRAINED SOLDIER ACQUIRES THE QUALITY CALLED PERSEVERANCE. A SOLDIER IS STEADFAST, HAS THE QUALITY OF PERSISTENCE AND HE CONTINUES HIS EFFORT IN SPITE OF DIFFICULTY AND STIFF OPPOSITION. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” A TRAINED SOLDIER ACQUIRES THE QUALITY CALLED PERSEVERANCE. A SOLDIER IS STEADFAST, HAS THE QUALITY OF PERSISTENCE AND HE CONTINUES HIS EFFORT IN SPITE OF DIFFICULTY AND STIFF OPPOSITION .

Perseverance (Kshama) is the act of continued, patient effort; the quality of persistence to continue the effort in spite of difficulty or stiff opposition. A trained Soldier is steadfast in his purpose, and he continues his physical or mental activity without shifting to another task because of distractions or of a change in stimulus. Perseverance is the other name for Discipline.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : BOTH MAN AND ANIMAL COME TOGETHER TO MOVE WITH DISCIPLINE AS TRAINING MAKES DISCIPLINE THEIR SECOND NATURE. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” BOTH MAN AND ANIMAL COME TOGETHER TO MOVE WITH DISCIPLINE AS TRAINING MAKES DISCIPLINE THEIR SECOND NATURE.

In my view, the training used by military to impart Discipline, and the techniques used by a Spiritual Practitioner to instill Self-Discipline use the same kind of approach to bring harmony in the interactions between the body, and the mind.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : THE TRAINING THAT IMPARTS MILITARY DISCIPLINE AND THE TECHNIQUES USED BY A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK TO INSTILL SELF-DISCIPLINE AIM TO BRING HARMONY IN THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN BODY AND MIND. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” THE TRAINING THAT IMPARTS MILITARY DISCIPLINE AND THE TECHNIQUES USED BY A SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER OR SADHAK TO INSTILL SELF-DISCIPLINE AIM TO BRING HARMONY IN THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE MIND.

In military training, the term Soul or Spirit is not used. The term “Esprit De Corps” refers to group spirit, sense of pride, honor, etc., shared by those in the same group such as a Regiment, or a Branch of Service. Military uses the term ‘spirit’ to describe the frame of mind, enthusiasm, and loyalty shared by a group of its members. If not in Science, in religion, and in philosophy, the terms Soul or Spirit describe a vital, animating Principle that is distinct from the body, and mind. In Indian tradition, it is held that the organs of Sense perception are superior to other organs and tissues of the human body, but more than the Senses, the Mind is superior but more than the Mind, the Intelligence is superior and more than the Intelligence that which is superior is the Seat of Individual Consciousness. Soul or Spirit is intimately associated with the function called Consciousness.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” THE INDIAN ARMY TRAINS ITS OFFICERS AT INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY, DEHRADUN. THESE TRAINEES LEARN ABOUT “ESPRIT DE CORPS” WHICH MEANS GROUP SPIRIT, TAKING PRIDE, AND GIVING HONOR TO THEIR REGIMENTAL AFFILIATIONS.

Science and military training manuals may not use the term Soul but Consciousness and Self-Awareness are important to the learning process at any Military Training Institution.

A good Soldier is precisely like a good Spiritual Practitioner or Sadhak. Both depend upon Self-Denial and Self-Discipline to arrive at their destination or goal which defines their purpose in life.

Discipline develops the character of the individual and Self-Control is the key to overcome the problems of Self-Destructive behaviors.

The Art of Self-Discipline-Napoleon Hill — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : “KRAMA SHIKSHA.” NAPOLEON HILL(1883-1970), AMERICAN AUTHOR IN THE AREA OF THE NEW THOUGHT MOVEMENT. ONE OF THE GREAT WRITERS ON SUCCESS. THE MASTERY OF MIND IS CENTRAL TO THE TRAINING THAT ESTABLISHES SELF-DISCIPLINE.

Self-Discipline is not about regulating human behavior and actions using the authority or power invested in the rules and regulations that man makes to bring orderliness and efficiency in the society. Military training establishes Self-Discipline using repeated exercises that instill ideas to control mental activities without using physical force and without using the strict Military Code for Conduct. The success of military training does not depend upon the ability to punish or reprimand people for their errant behavior. Military is a hierarchical organization and it uses a group of persons arranged in order of rank, grade, class, etc., to define the power or authority invested in each person. Man is a complex organization, and Indian tradition describes a hierarchy of structures or parts of man that can find unity while man acts helplessly according to the impulses born of the modes of material nature or “Prakrit.”

The Indian tradition recognizes operation of a hierarchy of structures as shown in the above photo image. These structures identified as the Body, the Senses (Organs of Sense Perception such as the eyes, and ears), the Mind, the Intellect, and the Soul have positions of importance according to a ranking system, and the thing with a superior rank can control the things with a subordinate rank. However, a force called “Maya” or Illusion can delude the man and break the Chain of Command.

The human organism is a very complex assembly of trillions of individual, independent, living cells and for purposes of structural and functional organization, these cells are components of different tissues, organs, and organ systems. A basic understanding of human anatomy and human physiology explains the relationships between tissues, organs, and organ systems. Brain is a very important structure but it functions if and only if it is continuously supplied with oxygen and nutrients like glucose to maintain its own metabolic activities. But, the human body and vital organs like heart and lungs depend upon the brain structure called Brain Stem which has the vital regulatory centers that operate functions of respiration and circulation. Within the Brain Stem, the structure called the Reticular Formation is identical to Soul or Spirit described in religious scriptures and philosophical writings. The Reticular Formation is the structure that is intimately associated with the control, regulation of those functions that help to establish man as a conscious, and breathing living entity.

I am intentionally sharing several images of the structure known as the Reticular Formation. It is in the central Brain Stem and extends from Medulla to Thalamus. It has connections with almost all other parts of the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as Spinal Cord, Cranial Nerve Nuclei, Cerebellum, Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Striatum , Limbic System , and Cerebral Cortex. This neural structure which I name as Soul or Spirit plays a central role to develop the trait called Self-Discipline. A disciplined Soldier reacts automatically, and effectively when he hears the words of Command . This reflex motor activity is possible because of the integrative role played by the Reticular Formation.

The Reticular Formation consists of more than 100 Brain Stem Nuclei. A single neuron in this network may have synapses with as many as 25,000 other neurons.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : TO UNDERSTAND THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR SELF-DISCIPLINE , I WOULD INVITE MY READERS TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE ROLE OF RETICULAR FORMATION IN COMPOSING THE CONTENTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA” TO UNDERSTAND THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR SELF-DISCIPLINE , I WOULD INVITE MY READERS TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THE ROLE OF THE RETICULAR FORMATION IN COMPOSING THE CONTENTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

The Reticular Formation plays an important role in composing the contents of Consciousness. It filters incoming stimuli to discriminate irrelevant background stimuli It regulates actions such as alert/sleep cycles, wakefulness, and behavioral arousal.

THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE : MILITARY TRAINING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BRAIN AND ITS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ALERTNESS OR GENERAL AROUSAL TO ACCOMPLISH SPECIFIC ACTIONS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD. — **May is Mental Health Month – Reap the Fruits of the Spirit**. THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: “KRAMA SHIKSHA” MILITARY TRAINING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BRAIN AND ITS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ALERTNESS OR GENERAL AROUSAL TO ACCOMPLISH SPECIFIC ACTIONS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD.

The Reticular Formation running through Medulla, Pons, and Midbrain helps to coordinate, integrate, and regulate actions of different parts of the Central Nervous System. It is involved in 1. Regulation of Muscles, and Reflex activity, 2. Central transmission of Sensory impulses, 3. Respiration, 4. Cardiovascular responses, 5. Behavioral Arousal, and 6. Sleep. In Indian tradition, the Spirit or Soul exercises similar control to regulate, guide, and integrate the functions of Intellect, Mind, Senses, and Body. The Art of Discipline involves the use of such regulative, and integrative abilities.

Adi Shankara ignores the fact of his earthly existence in his Discovery of True or Real Self

The Discovery of Self – Shankara describes True or Real Self

**Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul?**

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is observed on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha (the Waxing phase of Moon) of Vaishakha month (the second month of Hindu calendar) and it falls between April and May.

**In his short life of 32 years, Adi Shankara walked across India – twice. May 2, 2025 is Adi Shankara Jayanti.**

**Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? Man is Constituted as a Spiritual Being.**

On Friday, May 02, 2025, I pay my respectful tribute to Adi Guru Shankaracharya and share my thoughts on the realities of my human existence.

**Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? The Man is Constituted as a Spiritual Being.**

What it is to be a Substance? and What it is to Exist? We need to establish knowledge about the man on a firm basis and the information it provides must be tested for its accuracy and consistency with an external reality. We have to make the fundamental distinction between the living and the non-living matter. The scientific advances of the 19th and 20th centuries reinforced the materialistic position concerning the basic similarity of organic living and inorganic physical matter. The man is viewed as a product of natural evolution and is thought to be subject to the same laws of Physics and Chemistry or mechanistic principles.

We need a methodology to study philosophy and to understand philosophical statements. Logical Positivism, also known as Scientific Empiricism aims to clarify concepts in both everyday and scientific language. It describes analysis of language as the function of philosophy. This analysis of language and of concepts is important to understand questions of belief and ideology which affect what we think we ought to do individually and socially. I would use this method of ‘Applied Philosophy’ to analyze the philosophical doctrine of ‘Advaita’ and to study the views and philosophy of Adi Shankara and his efforts to interpret the true or real identity of man and the world.

The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Adi Shankara (c. 788 A.D. – c. 820 A.D.), the founder of the Non-Dualist or Advaita School of Indian Philosophy has shared his ideas about human soul or spirit which is called Atma or Atman in the Indian Sanskrit language. What is the Truth about Soul or Spirit?

Truth is the quality of being in accordance with experience, and verified facts. Truth or Reality can be established by using a reasoning process called verification and validation. To verify or refute a theoretical claim, we need to clarify statements by demonstrating relation between the theoretical claim and the observational evidence. Such a reasoning process could be applied in two manners; 1. The Coherence Theory of Truth, and 2. The Correspondence Theory of Truth.

Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? Nietzsche correctly claims that people don’t want to hear the ‘Truth’. As a human being, Nietzsche is not an exception to that Rule. The Truth is, man needs an Illusion if he has to exist on the surface of fast spinning object called planet Earth.

According to the Coherence Theory of Truth, the standard of Truth is the logical consistency of a proposition with a large system of propositions. According to the Correspondence Theory of Truth, Truth is viewed as a relation between an idea or proposition and its object. To verify Truth or Reality, the Subject and Object of an idea or proposition must have a relationship. Truth when applied to statements or ideas is related to the validity of what we mean and hence it requires correspondence between thought and external reality. It is true that a man has the biological ability and capacity called ‘imagination’, but the man may not have the ability and capacity to translate the power of imagination into an actuality, an external experience that could be observed by others. In my imagination, I can seek the existence of an all blissful entity called ‘Shiva’ while in actuality, I exist in the physical world as a fragile, mortal being. Religion, Philosophy, and Science may represent three distinct fields of learning about Truth and Reality. Scientific knowledge not only provides the knowledge that something is true, but it also provides the reason as to why it is true. Religion, and Philosophy could use different methods to study Truth and Reality, but the ideas they share require verification, corroboration, and validation. In the study of a man, the know-er and the known are one. The man is the observer and the observed fact is that of the man’s nature. If a man has to know the truth about his true or real self, the man has to understand the truth and reliability of his own cognitive powers. If the Subject called man is identified as an Object called Soul, or Spirit, the Truth or Reality of Soul, or Spirit involves a structural/functional relationship between the Subject and its Object.

Adi Shankara’s Nirvana Shatakam or Atma Shatakam:

Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? To know man, the Self, Soul, Spirit, or Atman as the Knower of Body is the first step in man’s inquiry about Self. The Knowledge will help and guide man to reach his destination using his body like a chariot.

Adi Shankara (c. 788 – c. 820 A.D.), the founder of the Non-Dualist or the Advaita School of Indian Philosophy called ‘Vedanta’ shared his ideas about human Soul, or Spirit or ‘Atma’ or ‘Atman’ in the Indian Sanskrit language. In six short poems popularly known as ‘Nirvana Shatakam’, or ‘Atma Shatakam’, he presents his mental concepts about human Soul, or Spirit which he calls “Aham” (Subject ‘A’). Adi Shankara’s primary concern is about establishing the perfect Identity between this Subject ‘A’ and its Object called “Chidananda Shivam” (Object ‘C’). However, Adi Shankara makes no attempt in his propositions to establish the basis for this Identity between the Subject A and its Object C. Adi Shankara is proposing that the Subject A or Aham has no structural, functional, mental, moral, social, and spiritual relationship with its human body or ‘B’. In his view, the human soul or spirit is not involved, and is not concerned with the existence of human body in which the soul or spirit is thought to be residing. In an effort to establish the school of thought called “Advaita” or Non-Dualism, he systematically separates the human body from its human soul. Adi Shankara further extends this proposition to claim that the Subject A is the same as the Object C and the reason he has given is that of a lack of relationship between Subject A and the human body B. Since, A is not the same as B, A is not equal to B. And, therefore, Adi Shankara claims that A is the same as C or A is equal to C. He is neither describing nor illustrating that there is or there could be a structural, functional, mental, moral, social, and spiritual relationship between A and C. If such relationship exists between A and C, Adi Shankara has not presented any observational evidence in support of his claim that states A = C.

Let us briefly review the six verses. Kindly note that the verses are composed in the Indian Sanskrit language and there are several minor variations in the words that are attributed to Adi Shankara. The word ‘Nirvana’ means ‘Mukti’ or Release (the release of the conditioned human soul), death, Sunset, and conclusion of an event (such as the end of Life).

I must clarify that ‘death’ may not be viewed as a static, or final event. Death is a dynamic event like Life which is characterized by changes like growth and development and various stages like infancy, youth, adult, and old age. Just like Sunset which is followed by Sunrise, the event called death is followed by regeneration, renewal, and rebirth. Living organisms arrive with a plan for their own dissolution and such organic decay and decomposition is influenced by the cyclical flow of Time.

Man is a Physical, Mortal Being, a Created Being with a Living Soul:

**The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Nirvana Shatkam, first verse.**

Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naham
Na cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vayuhu
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham

In the first verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara excludes the four mental functions known as Ma-nah ( the seat of thoughts and imagination, the chief sense organ called Mind), Buddhi (the seat of intellect and knowledge), Chitta (the seat of emotions such as compassion, affection, and devotion), and Ahankara (the seat of ego, self-pride, the sense of pride that is associated with the recognition of ‘Self’ or ‘I’ as the existing or living entity) as the basis of his true Identity or Essence (What you are). These four aspects of mental activities are described in the Indian tradition as “Antah Karanam” or “Mano Chatushtaya.” The human nature which has features such as “Chitta” or “Hrudaya,” “Karuna,” or “Daya” and “Bhakti,” is characterized as Compassion, Kindness, and Devotion; the mental qualities that are needed for formulating Spiritual relationships both within the Individual and between Individuals. Adi Shankara gives no reason for this separation of human nature from its human Soul. Similarly, he excludes the five organs of Sense Perception (often described as “Jnana Indriyas,” the organs that provide sensory information and sensory experience such as ears, tongue, nose, eyes, and skin and the Five Primordial Elements described in the Indian tradition as ‘Pancha Mahabhutas’ such as Sky, Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. He thinks that they are not fundamentally related to his True Identity and Essence. He is specifically excluding all known material substances, material structures and forces that operate in the natural world in the description of his True Identity. In my view, I consider that man comes into existence as a newly created object, one of its own kind, original, and distinctive who could always be identified as a specific individual.

I claim that man is a created being and man has no choice other than that of existing as an Individual with Individuality. The physical form, the morphological appearance of man always makes him unique and it has to be explained and accounted for. I suggest that the human Soul is the internal reality; and Soul is the basis for human Individuality and the Soul is the unchanging principle that allows a man to exist with changing external forms with specific physical attributes. The man is constituted by Chemical Elements and hence exists as a Physical Being.

Man is defined by his Structure, Functions, and Behavior:

**The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Nirvana Shatkam, second verse.**

Na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayu hu
Na va sapta dhatur na va pancha kosha
Na vak pani padam na chopastha payu
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham

In the second verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara gives a very detailed description of various tissues of the human body and describes all the vital functions and states that the Subject A or Aham has no structural or functional relationship with the man described by Human Anatomy and Human Physiology. The term Prana refers to the vital life-energy and is generally used to describe the chief characteristic to make the fundamental distinction between living and non-living; the important sign of life is the act of breathing or respiration.The term “Pancha Vayu” refers to, 1. Vyana – the air that is spread in the entire extent of the human body; 2. Samana – the air that is in the navel region; it could be the air that is swallowed during acts of eating and drinking and may refer to the intestinal gas; 3. Udana – the air that is in the throat/neck region; this narrow airway is vital for the respiratory function; 4. Apana – the air that travels downwards and outwards; it could mean the air expelled from the body as flatus or exhaled air from the lungs; and 5. Prana – the inspired air; air that is in the heart, the chief organ of Cardiovascular System that circulates Oxygen throughout human body. The term “Sapta Dhatu” refers to the seven material essences such as the skin, muscle/tendons/nerves, blood, bones, bone marrow, brain (neural tissue), and “Rasa” which describes fluids like semen and lymph. The term “Pancha Kosha” refers to the traditional view about the structure of the Soul. It is believed that the Soul has five coverings or envelopes and each layer establishes human existence and these are called as the five stages of Self-Realization; 1. Anna moya (related to Nutrition), 2. Prana moya (related to vital functions like Respiration), 3. Jnana moya (relates to implantation of Innate Knowledge and Consciousness), 4. Vijnana moya (relates to the ability to make a distinction between human body or the physical Self and Soul as the real or true Self), and 5. Ananda moya (relates to the experience of Bliss, the experience of Peace, Harmony, Tranquility, and Equilibrium as a Living Experience) ; these are the five aspects of Self-Realization and refer to the complete fulfillment or development of a man. I have discussed these five aspects in my blog post:

http://Bhavanajagat.com/2012/03/18/Spiritualism-Spiritual-Being-And-Self-Realization/

Adi Shankara also refers to the five organs of action that are described in the Indian tradition as “Karma Indriyas” which are the five instruments of function such as Speech (Vak), Hand-Grip and Manipulation (Pani), Locomotion (Pada), Procreation (Upastha) and Excretion (Payu). Adi Shankara has not bothered to state as to how these different organs and organ systems could function together to support the existence of the human person who lives because of those varied living functions. Life is nothing but to function and in my view, the human Soul is the central organizational structure providing the structural and functional coordination that is required for the human existence.

Man is a Mental Being, an Emotional Being and a Moral Being:

The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Adi Shankaracharya (c.788 – c.820), Exponent of ‘Advaita’ or Non-Dualism. The man exists on earth under the powerful influence called Maya or Grand Illusion.

Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
Na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavaha
Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshaha
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham.

In the third verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara correctly claims that the human Soul may not contribute to human feelings, and thoughts associated with hatred, sexual passion, greed, arrogance, and envy or jealousy. At the same time, he rejects the traditional Indian view about man’s purpose in Life; the purpose of Right Action or “Dharma”, the purpose called earning money or material wealth to support Life or “Artha”, the purpose of Procreation or “Kama”, and the purpose called God-Realization, Liberation, or “Moksha.” In other words, Adi Shankara is suggesting that human life and human existence may have no underlying purpose. He is also not giving any coping mechanism to deal with the problems associated with human emotional experiences like passionate desires. The Indian tradition consistently recommends that a man can exercise self-control as the human Soul is superior to human mind, human intellect, and human sense organs. If the human body has no structural or functional affiliation with its human Soul, it will not be likely that man can exercise self-restraint and self-control. In my view, man, the Mental Being can establish himself as a Moral Being using the innate discerning ability to make the distinction between right and wrong, and distinguish good from evil by knowing the existence of the Knowing-Self or the Soul.

Man is a Spiritual Being:

The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. In my analysis, man is not saved by acquired Knowledge. Man cannot directly rule or govern his own body for the building blocks of the body called cells are independent and enjoy functional autonomy.

Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkham
Na mantro na tirtham na vedah na yajnah
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham

In the fourth verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara claims that he has no sense of attachment to the consequences of his actions either good (“Punya”) or bad (“Paapa”). He is recommending that man need not perform temple worship, and there is no need to observe religious rituals, sacrifice, and perform acts of pilgrimage. He is rejecting the desire to seek pleasure and comfort (“Saukhyam”) and he may not be able to totally avoid the pain, misery, and the experience of suffering (“Dukham”). He specifically undermines the role of food and its five functions in support of the human existence.

The problem is that of the nature of human existence. In my view, the man at any given age, in any given condition, under all given circumstances including good health or ill-health depends upon the Power/Energy/Force called Mercy/Grace/Compassion, often called Divine Providence. The man is not in control of his own existence. The man needs a guiding, and controlling force called the Divine Providence. In my opinion, the human Soul operates as the Connection between man and the Divine Providence that supports, sustains, and preserves human existence irrespective of man’s experience of pain or pleasure. The man has no choice other than that of seeking Mercy, Grace, and Compassion that is called “Krupa” in the Sanskrit language.

Man is a Social Being:

**The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Nirvana Shatkam, fifth verse.**

Na me mrityu shanka na mejati bhedha
Pita naiva me naiva mata na janmaha
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shisyaha
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham

In the fifth verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara very boldly asserts that he is without a trace of doubt (“Shanka”) and further adds that the Soul that he calls “Aham” has no Father, or Mother. The Indian tradition describes Father (“Pita”) as the originating principle, and Mother (“Mata”) as the sustaining principle. In my view, the human Soul comes into existence (“Janma”) because of the Supreme Will or the Supreme Soul which is the Prime Cause, the Cause of all types of things and all kinds of Existence. The human Soul is conditioned and is not totally independent and hence, the human soul still needs a Divine Mother Principle to maintain its Spiritual Condition and Spiritual Existence and a Father Principle that can account for its origination or the fact of its existence.

Man is a Conditioned Soul:

**The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. The Truth about Soul or Spirit. Nirvana Shatkam, sixth verse.**

Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
Vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
Na cha sangatham na muktir na meyaha
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham
Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivoham

In this final or sixth verse of Nirvana Shatkam, Adi Shankara tries to eliminate the classical dualism that is called the dualism of Universal vs Particular. He claims that his human Soul or “Aham” is the universal entity that is limitless, formless (“Nirakara”) and is without any attributes or attachments (“Bandha”). In his view, the human Soul is essentially free; it is everything, everywhere, every time and is always in a state of equilibrium. He states this view without a trace of doubt (Nirvikalpa”).

Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? Animate vs Inanimate Dualism. Man, Body, and Soul are united by LORD God or ‘Prabhu’ who still remains aloof, disinterested, or separate from both Animate and Inanimate Matter. GOD is a separate order distinct from Animate and Inanimate Matter.

I suggest some caution and ask my readers to recognize the importance of separation between the human soul and the Supreme Soul or the Ultimate Reality. I can understand that there is no disunity between man and his Creator.

I ask my readers to know the philosophical system of thought called ‘Nominalism’ that does not grant universality to mental concepts outside the mind. Universality could be applied only to words or “nomina”, mental habits, or concepts. Nominalism only maintains the objective existence of the concrete, individual thing. It denies all objectivity whether actual or potential to universals. The human soul is attached to the human being and the human being has his existence on planet Earth and hence is not an universal entity. Since the human condition demands existence only on planet Earth and not the rest of the universe, the human Soul cannot escape from its conditioned status while it exists as a human Soul. The Universal Soul as proposed by Adi Shankara is just a mental concept and it can only exist in the mind of the man and it may have no correspondence with the facts of external world and the Universe.

What is Truth, What is illusion?

The Material Basis of Spirituality Science. What is Truth and what is illusion?
Adi Shankara claims: “Brahma Satyam, Jagat Mithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Na paraH.”
Brahma is the Only Truth, the World is Illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and the Individual True Self. My question is: “Where does this True-Self exists? Without Existence, there is no Essence. If and only if a Thing exists, it can define its Essence.

Sri Shankaracharya sums up the entire message of Vedanta in three crisp aphorisms. These are:

(a) Brahma Satyam, (b) Jagat Mithya, and (c) Jivo Brahmaiva naparah.

Adi Shankara is fully convinced in his belief that A (Soul or Spirit or Atman) and the human body B are not connected or related. It must be noted that, A or “Aham” refers to a singular person called ‘I’ and that singular person ‘I’ is in a state called ‘Being’, one who lives, or exists. If A is stated to be existing as an entity called I am, I would like to ask the following questions:

1. Who is Existing?

2. What is Existing?

3. When it is Existing?

4. Where it is Existing?

5. Why it is Existing?

If the Subject A, or Aham (I am), has no size, no shape, and no form, how could we establish the fact that A is existing? Adi Shankara fails to categorically state the place or site where A could be existing. If A is existing, we may like to know the purpose of this existence. If there is a purpose for the existence of A, the question would be, What is that purpose? How is the nature of A or the nature of C is related to its purpose? The Truth and Reality about human Soul, or Spirit can be verified, can be corroborated, and can be validated by knowing the structural, functional, mental, moral, social, and spiritual relationship, partnership, connection, association, or bonding between A, B, and C. Indian tradition suggests that the human body has three aspects; “Tri-ani-pada”, or three-in-one; and the three aspects of human body are, 1. Causal, 2. Spiritual, and 3. Material. There is a material connection between A, B, and C, if the human body has a ‘causal, and a ‘spiritual’ dimension. It would be very interesting to note that Adi Shankara specifically avoids to describe the connection or relationship between the human Soul and the human Consciousness. In the Sanskrit language, Consciousness is called “Chetana” or “Chaitanya” and this term is not used in any of the six verses. Indian tradition believes that consciousness is the evidence for the presence of the human Soul and there is a structural and functional relationship between Soul and the Living Entity that is Conscious. We need to explain the concepts of Subject-Object, Appearance-Reality, Perceptual-Categorical, Immanent-Transcendent, Regulative-Constitutive, Conditioned-Unconditioned Dualism in respect of man’s existence and man’s status in Nature.

Simon Cyrene

Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? What is Matter? and What is Spirit? I ask my readers to learn about the Material Basis of Life and Death. The Laws of Conservation are applicable to both the living, and the non-living matter. Hence, I claim that “Life can neither be created nor destroyed.”

Friday, May 02, 2025, Shankaracharya Jayanti. What is Man? What is Soul? The reality of the Human Existence on the Surface of Earth is Conditioned by the Great Grand Illusion which will not allow the Man the Direct Sensory Perception of the Realities of Earth’s Motion, around the Sun, and the Spinning on its own axis.

Mayday Distress Signal to Defend Human Dignity in Old Age

National Day of Prayer to Defend Human Dignity in Old Age

On Thursday, May 01, 2025, Simon Cyrene, the Bearer of the Cross sends the Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Distress Signal for Prayer to celebrate the International Labor Day, the International Workers’ Day, or The May Day. The Bearer of the Cross is asking for your Prayer in support of alien workers who may have no legal right to their wages or earnings contributed to the Public Trust Fund that pays the Monthly Retirement Income Benefit to workers who attained the Full Retirement Age performing labor in the US as per the US Labor Law. The characteristic of all labor is that it consumes some part of the short days and years of human life. The essence of all labor is that of the time and life it consumes to deliver a wage or earning to support the life it consumes.

May Day is a public holiday celebrated on May 1 in many different cultures around the world. It is a day of unity, togetherness, and rebirth; a day for everyone to come together and celebrate life as we know it!

The characteristic of all labor is that it consumes some part of the short days and years of human life. The essence of all labor is that of the time and life it consumes to deliver a wage or earning to support the life it consumes.

The United States of America – A Slave State:

WholeDude-WholeSlave: Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln during September 1862. United States has officially abolished the practice of slavery and has now institutionalized the practice of Servitude and the Union has transformed from a 'Free State' into a 'Slave State.' — Thursday, May 01, 2025. Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Simon Cyrene Sending the Mayday Distress Signal for Prayer in the celebration of the International Workers’ Day. Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln during September 1862. The United States has officially abolished the practice of slavery. But, the US President Bill Clinton institutionalized the practice of Bondage and Servitude and the Union has transformed from a ‘Free State’ into a ‘Slave State.’

President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’ in September 1862 that went into effect on January 01, 1863 freeing the slaves in all territory still at War with the Union. The term ‘Free State’ refers to any State of the U.S. in which slavery was forbidden before the Civil War. The term ‘Slave State’ refers to any of the States in which slavery was legal before the Civil War. After abolishing slavery, the United States Department of Labor was established in 1913 to administer and enforce statutes that promote the welfare, improve the working conditions of all laborers or workforce.

In modern economic life, the term laborer describes all manual workers whose work is characterized largely by physical exertion, and especially it refers to workers who labor to earn wages on an hourly basis without the benefit of a contractual agreement with their employers.

The term Labor Law refers to legislation that affects workers, and the conditions of their employment. Labor Law is the body of law applied to such matters as employment, remuneration, and conditions of work. In its most comprehensive sense, the Labor Law includes Old Age and Disability Insurance. The characteristic of all labor is that it consumes some part of the short days and years of human life. The essence of all labor is that of the time and life it consumes to deliver a wage or earning to support the life it consumes.

The U.S. Social Security Act of 1935:

Thursday, May 01, 2025. The Bearer of the Cross Sending the Mayday Distress Signal for Prayer in the Celebration of The International Workers’ Day. The characteristic of all types of labor is that it consumes time and life. The hours, the days, the weeks, the months, and the years that alien workers spend performing labor on the US soil must give the basic protection of the meager wages they earn on an hourly basis. SSA has institutionalized the practice of Bondage and Servitude by seizing the contributions made by alien workers for their retirement income in Old Age.

The U.S. Social Security Act (1935) established a retirement insurance plan called Social Security which is a public program providing for economic security and welfare of persons who make contributions to fund the program. The Health Insurance Plan called Medicare was added in 1965. It is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare provides basic hospital insurance for persons aged 65 and over after they make contributions to fund the program. The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) ensures that the wages are reported by the employers and Social Security and Medicare deductions are made from the paychecks of the employees before they receive their paychecks or wages, or earnings. The worker pays 6.2 percent of the earnings as SSA contribution and the employer pays 6.2 percent of the wage earned as SSA contribution to provide a retirement income to that worker. Similarly, 2.9 percent is paid into the Medicare Program, half by the worker and half by the employer.

Alien Workers Pay Social Security and Medicare Contributions:

Thursday, May 01, 2025. Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! The Bearer of the Cross Sending the Mayday Distress Signal for Prayer in the Celebration of The International Workers’ Day. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has institutionalized the practice of slavery and servitude by denying access to the benefits of Old Age Monthly Retirement Income and Health Insurance plan called Medicare to alien workers aged 65 and over who have paid into the system by payroll deductions authorized by Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA).

The United States employs a large number of alien workers and millions of these workers are issued paychecks from which billions of dollars are deducted and flow directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA) every year. For example, for the year 2007, about $11.2 billion went into the Social Security Trust Fund, and $2.6 billion went into Medicare. These funds are utilized to pay the native residents of the United States who receive their Social Security income and Medicare health insurance benefits. At the same time, the alien workers who do not become citizens or qualified residents of the United States will not receive any retirement income from the wages they earned while they labored on the soil of the United States. These alien workers cannot participate in the Health Insurance Exchange, a new program introduced by President Obama through a Law known as the Affordable Health Care Act which went into effect on October 01, 2013. Several of these alien workers have already fully subscribed to the public health insurance program called Medicare and their contributions are taken by payroll deductions. These alien workers aged 65 and over are denied access to health care insurance even while they still continue to labor on the U.S. soil and still are paying into the System that gives them no benefit. These alien workers aged 66 and over have attained their full retirement age working in the United States under the provisions of the U.S. Labor Law which established the principles of equal opportunity and protection from discrimination based upon age, sex, race, or country of origin. It is apparent that the United States has institutionalized the practice of slavery by denying the retirement income and health insurance benefit to those alien workers who made their lifetime contributions according to the laws enforced by the country.

What is Slavery?

The term servant is used to describe a person employed to perform services to earn a wage, or income by providing labor. The term ‘Slavery’ refers to the condition of a slave, serf, or the like which is stated as ‘Servitude’. The term ‘Servitude’ is specifically used to refer to labor in which the person who performs the labor has no right to his earnings from labor. The term ‘Bondage’ implies any condition of subjugation or depriving a person the right to his property or earning. Serf is any person who is oppressed or has no freedom. Both Servitude and Bondage involve subjection of a person to some force, compulsion, or influence that takes away freedom, and dignity of the human being who by his birth is thought to be born free, and equal. In the United States, the Nation, or the State has institutionalized the practice of Slavery by enacting Laws that would empower the State to withhold the property or wage paid by the employer to his employee without any formal approval or consent of the affected worker who performs labor. At the full age of retirement of 66-years, the alien worker who spent the hours, the days, the weeks, the months, and the years of his life performing labor in the United States, gets denied all the earnings he earned for his retirement to lead a life in his Old Age with basic human dignity. I have no term other than that of “Slave State” to describe the country that is holding people in a condition called Bondage and Servitude.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/the-dignity-of-work-and-the-rights-of-workers.cfm

I am sharing the views endorsed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in promoting ‘The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. I want to clarify that I am neither a Communist nor a Socialist. I am affiliated to a military organization sponsored by the United States during the Cold War Era to contain the spread of Communism in Asia.

“The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected–the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.”

Scripture

Genesis 2:1-3

God rests on the seventh day.

Genesis 2:15
God settles man in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
Deuteronomy 5:13-15
The Sabbath is for everyone—all are allowed to rest from their work.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Do not withhold wages from your workers, for their livelihood depends on them.
Sirach 34:26-27
To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder.
Isaiah 58:3-7
To observe religious practices, but oppress your workers is false worship.
Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly.
Matthew 20:1-16
All workers should be paid a just and living wage.
Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
James 5:1-6
Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.

Tradition

I would like to remind everyone, especially governments engaged in boosting the world’s economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: “Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth [Caritas in Veritate. . . ], no. 25, quoting Second Vatican Council, The Church in the Modern World [Gaudium et Spes. . . ], no. 63)

As the Church solemnly reaffirmed in the recent Council, “the beginning, the subject and the goal of all social institutions is and must be the human person.” All people have the right to work, to a chance to develop their qualities and their personalities in the exercise of their professions, to equitable remuneration which will enable them and their families “to lead a worthy life on the material, social, cultural and spiritual level” and to assistance in case of need arising from sickness or age. (Blessed Paul VI, A Call to Action [Octogesima Adveniens. . . ], no. 14)

Simon Cyrene

On this Thursday, May 01, 2025 I am sending the ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday’ Distress Signal to all of my readers who support the rights of workers for Equal Justice and Equal Treatment under Law.

The Evil Red Empire – The Fall of Saigon – April 30, 1975

The Fall of Saigon – April 30, 1975

The Fate of Saigon and its Fall on April 30, 1975 was destined on January 27, 1973 when Dr. Henry Alfred Kissinger, PhD , National Security Adviser concluded Paris Peace Accords to sign the Vietnam Peace Treaty in Paris, the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam. Dr. Kissinger acting on behalf of the United States agreed to withdraw all remaining US ground force without obtaining any concessions from North Vietnam while its troops occupying and controlling much of the South. This Agreement was a deliberate fraud. South Vietnam opposed it for the deal would lead to Communist takeover of the South. Both President Richard Nixon and Kissinger were fully aware of the real consequences of the deal but chose to deceive American people. President Nixon asked publicly for Peace with Honor and had privately agreed for Peace with Surrender. Both Nixon and Kissinger had singularly failed to obtain any assurances from Red China, The Evil Red Empire on whose behalf the Communists of North Vietnam fought the Vietnam War. The US agreed to withdrawal of its troops and South Vietnam and its major cities were left undefended while the US Embassy was still open in Saigon. Dr Kissinger’s desire for unholy matrimony with The Evil Red Empire was the driving force that shaped the US military defeat in Vietnam.

I am sharing photo images of this historical event and I am pleased to share a story titled ” LAST US MARINES TO LEAVE SAIGON DESCRIBE CHAOS OF WAR’S END” by Margie Mason of Associated Press received in my mail box. I again remind my readers that Vietnam War was lost on Thursday, March 29, 1973 when the United States unilaterally withdrew its fighting force without any concern for Pride, Honor, and Valor of men and women in uniform who served in Vietnam paying a price with the lives of over 50, 000 of their comrades. It was a disgraceful loss to pay for the lustful obsession of Dr Henry Alfred Kissinger to forge intimate relations with The Evil Red Empire.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162, USA
Special Frontier Force – Establishment 22 – Vikas Regiment

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : PARIS PEACE ACCORDS WERE A DEADLY DECEPTION . JANUARY 27, 1973 SAIGON WAS DOOMED . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : PARIS PEACE ACCORDS WERE A DEADLY DECEPTION . JANUARY 27, 1973 SAIGON WAS DOOMED .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON - A STORY OF DECEPTION . DURING NIXON'S PRESIDENCY, 20, 000 US LIVES LOST IN VIETNAM . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON – A STORY OF DECEPTION . DURING NIXON’S PRESIDENCY, 20, 000 US LIVES LOST IN VIETNAM .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON - PEACE WITH DECEPTION . PEACE WITH SURRENDER . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON – NORTH VIETNAM’S LE DUC THO WITH DR KISSINGER, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER . PEACE WITH DECEPTION . PEACE WITH SURRENDER .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : JANUARY 23, 1973 KISSINGER WITH NORTH VIETNAM'S LE DUC THO AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER, PARIS . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : JANUARY 23, 1973 KISSINGER WITH NORTH VIETNAM’S LE DUC THO AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER, PARIS .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : NIXON - KISSINGER TREASON IN VIETNAM WAR . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : NIXON – KISSINGER TREASON IN VIETNAM WAR .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : IT WAS NOT — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : IT WAS NOT “PEACE WITH HONOR” BUT IT WAS “PEACE WITH SURRENDER” AFTER LOSING OVER 50, 000 US LIVES IN VIETNAM .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : THE DEFEAT IN VIETNAM WAR BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 1973 . A SURRENDER NEGOTIATED BY DR KISSINGER . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : THE DEFEAT IN VIETNAM WAR BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 1973 . A SURRENDER NEGOTIATED BY DR KISSINGER . A DOOM PREDICTED BY KISSINGER’S LUSTFUL DESIRE TO HAVE RELATIONS WITH THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . DR KISSINGER WAS DRIVEN BY A PASSION TO SERVE THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . DR KISSINGER WAS DRIVEN BY A PASSION TO SERVE THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973. DR KISSINGER'S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973. DR KISSINGER’S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . DR KISSINGER'S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE HAD A VERY HEAVY PRICE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . DR KISSINGER’S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE HAD A VERY HEAVY PRICE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . A HEAVY PENALTY TO SATISFY DR KISSINGER'S LUST FOR THE HAND OF THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . A HEAVY PENALTY TO SATISFY DR KISSINGER’S LUST FOR THE HAND OF THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . THE US TROOPS PAID A VERY HEAVY PRICE TO SATISFY DR KISSINGER'S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO HAVE RELATIONS WITH THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . THE US TROOPS PAID A VERY HEAVY PRICE TO SATISFY DR KISSINGER’S LUSTFUL OBSESSION TO HAVE RELATIONS WITH THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . THE US ARMED FORCES PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR DR KISSINGER'S LUST FOR RELATIONS WITH THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 29, 1973 . THE US ARMED FORCES PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR DR KISSINGER’S LUST FOR RELATIONS WITH THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 28, 1973 AND MARCH 29, 1973 . A NORTH VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVE WAS COUNTING NUMBERS AS THE US WITHDRAWS ITS FORCES FROM VIETNAM . A DISGRACEFUL LOSS TO PAY FOR THE LUSTFUL OBSESSION OF DR KISSINGER TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON ON MARCH 28, 1973 AND MARCH 29, 1973 . A NORTH VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVE WAS COUNTING NUMBERS AS THE US WITHDRAWS ITS FORCES FROM VIETNAM . A DISGRACEFUL LOSS TO PAY FOR THE LUSTFUL OBSESSION OF DR KISSINGER TO BEFRIEND THE EVIL RED EMPIRE .

LAST US MARINES TO LEAVE SAIGON DESCRIBE CHAOS OF WAR’S END

By MARGIE MASON

FORMER U S MARINES MASTER GUNNERY SGT JUAN VALDEZ ON THE LAST HELICOPTER LEAVING SAIGON ON APRIL 30, 1975 .

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES TELL THEIR STORY . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES TELL THEIR STORY .

HO CHI MINH CITY, (SAIGON)Vietnam (AP) —

As the Marines scrambled to the roof of the U.S. Embassy, they locked a chain-link gate on every other floor to slow the throng of panicked Vietnamese civilians sure to come behind them. They knew if the crowd pushed through to the top, they could easily be overrun by hundreds of people desperate to get a seat on one of the last helicopters out of Saigon.

The men barricaded the rooftop door using heavy fire extinguishers and wall lockers and waited nervously as Vietnamese gathered outside rammed a fire truck through an embassy entrance. They could hear looting going on below and watched as cars were driven away and everything from couch cushions to refrigerators was carted out of the offices. South Vietnamese soldiers stripped off their uniforms and threw them into the street, out of fear they would be shot on sight by the northern enemy.
It was still dark when the U.S. ambassador left the roof on a helicopter around 5 a.m. April 30, 1975. A message went out over the radio with his code name, “Tiger, Tiger, Tiger,” followed by “Tiger out,” to signal that the diplomat was en route to safety.

As the sun came out, the remaining Marines realized they had been forgotten. The pilots mistakenly believed that the call meant everyone had been evacuated. The Marines had no way to contact U.S. airmen ferrying Vietnamese allies and Americans to aircraft carriers offshore because their radio signals didn’t carry that far.
The last U.S. servicemen in Vietnam were stuck alone atop the embassy, hoping someone would realize they were there before the city fell to rapidly advancing communist forces.

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES SGT KEVIN MALONEY(LLEFT), LANCE CORPORAL JOHN STEWART , ATTEND A CEREMONY TO DEDICATE A PLAQUE TO THEIR FALLEN COMRADES . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES SGT KEVIN MALONEY(LEFT), LANCE CORPORAL JOHN STEWART , ATTEND A CEREMONY TO DEDICATE A PLAQUE TO THEIR FALLEN COMRADES .

In this Tuesday, April 28, 2015 photo, former U.S. Marines Sgt. Kevin Maloney, left, of Hollywood, Florida …

On the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon on Thursday, a group of Marines who were there that day returned to what is now Ho Chi Minh City for a memorial ceremony at the site of the old embassy, which is now the U.S. Consulate. They had been in charge of guarding the embassy and the defense attache office beside Tan Son Nhut airport, and were tasked with helping to get the last Americans out.

The days leading up to the end of the Vietnam War were chaotic and exhausting. Northern enemy forces had been sweeping southward for weeks, capturing major South Vietnamese strongholds as they went. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the capital, Saigon, also fell. Rumors of a looming bloodbath gripped the city, and Americans along with their South Vietnamese allies were being evacuated on cargo planes from the airport.

Lance Cpl. John Stewart, now 58, of Nacogdoches, Texas, was assigned to take a bus through Saigon to pick up those eligible to leave. He was just 18 and had only been in the country a couple of weeks, but he saw anger growing among those on the streets as people realized the end was near and the U.S. was pulling out its last remaining citizens. At one point a rocket hit near the bus and it was shaken by shrapnel, but no one was injured and the evacuation continued.

“We were having to pull people off or physically keep them from getting onto the buses,” he said. “You couldn’t blame them for wanting to get out, but it had gotten to the point where we could only take those that we absolutely had to. We couldn’t take everybody. That’s when your brain tells you this is really happening and we’ve reached the end, and hopefully we’ll get out before the end gets here.”

Stewart and the others were already shaken after a rocket attack killed two Marines — Cpl. Charles McMahon and Lance Cpl. Darwin Judge — early April 29 while they stood guard at the defense attaché compound. They would be the last U.S. servicemen to die in a war that killed some 58,000 Americans, up to 250,000 South Vietnamese allies and an estimated 3 million North Vietnamese and civilians.

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES PAYING TRIBUTE TO FALLEN SOLDIERS , LAST US SERVICEMEN KILLED IN VIETNAM AT THE US CONSULATE IN HO CHI MINH CITY . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER US MARINES PAYING TRIBUTE TO FALLEN SOLDIERS , LAST US SERVICEMEN KILLED IN VIETNAM AT THE US CONSULATE IN HO CHI MINH CITY .

Former U.S. Marines Sgt. Kevin Maloney of Hollywood, Florida, left, and Lance Cpl. John Stewart of N …

Thirteen of the original Marines on Thursday placed red roses in front of a plaque and saluted it on the old embassy grounds as taps played.
The bodies of McMahon and Judge were found by Sgt. Kevin Maloney, now 62 of Hollywood, Florida. But there was no time to mourn. Like Stewart, he had to help load buses.
While in the city, he locked eyes with a little boy with light brown hair. He was only supposed to pick up Americans, but he shoved the kid and his mother into one of the front seats anyway, knowing that the child was most likely the son of a GI. He has no idea whether they made it onto a plane and on to America, as many Vietnamese did after being evacuated.

Once the airport became too bombed out to continue operations there, helicopters were ordered to land at the embassy for the final flights.
Maloney was later moved there to help. He spent hours going over the wall to help pull Americans and allies from other countries out of the mob and into the compound so they could be airlifted. He grabbed their hands to pull them up, while beating back the Vietnamese. He left his pistol inside the compound, fearing someone might grab it from his holster and fire shots into the thousands of people.

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER MARINE SGT KEVIN MALONEY PAYING TRIBUTE TO FALLEN COMRADES . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER MARINE SGT KEVIN MALONEY PAYING TRIBUTE TO FALLEN COMRADES .

Former Marine Sgt. Kevin Maloney of Hollywood, Florida, holds a U.S. flag during the unveiling ceremony …

The scene became so insane that Sgt. Don Nicholas, now 62, of Green, Ohio, was sent to the attaché office to guard millions of U.S. dollars before the cash was burned and the compound blown up by the Americans to keep the enemy from raiding it and obtaining classified documents. He later stood watch at the embassy and was shocked when a Vietnamese man, desperate to get into the compound, ran a spike from the gate into his foot as he climbed over the wall. Others began offering “anything and everything” to get inside.

“Women were like, ‘Take us in, we’ll have sex with you. Here’s gold. I have this money, here’s jewels. Please just let me in!'” he said. “Within 48 hours, that’s all I heard. People begging.”

Once the Marines got word that they were to abandon their posts and prepare to evacuate, they moved up to the roof, where they could see parts of the city burning. Many had not slept in two or three days and were running only on adrenaline. No one knew what would happen when the Americans finally left and the city was overtaken by the enemy.
There were about 80 men crowded on the rooftop. One stood guard next to a small window where Vietnamese, who had forced their way inside and through all of the locked gates in the stairwell, were pressed — hoping and waiting more helicopters were coming for them to board.

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER MARINE SGT JOHN GHILAIN(LEFT), SGT KEVIN MALONEY — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON : FORMER MARINE SGT JOHN GHILAIN(LEFT), SGT KEVIN MALONEY

THE EVIL RED EMPIRE - THE FALL OF SAIGON - TRIBUTE TO FALLEN COMRADES CORPORAL CHARLES McMAHON, AND LANCE CORPORAL DARWIN JUDGE THE LAST US SERVICEMEN KILLED IN THE VIETNAM WAR AT THE OLD US EMBASSY NOW US CONSULATE IN HO CHI MINH CITY . — THE EVIL RED EMPIRE – THE FALL OF SAIGON – TRIBUTE TO FALLEN COMRADES CORPORAL CHARLES McMAHON, AND LANCE CORPORAL DARWIN JUDGE THE LAST US SERVICEMEN KILLED IN THE VIETNAM WAR AT THE OLD US EMBASSY NOW US CONSULATE IN HO CHI MINH CITY .

Former U.S Marines pose for a group photo during the unveiling ceremony of a plaque dedicated to the …

A couple of hours passed. No choppers.
“They literally forgot about us,” said Master Sgt. Juan Valdez, now 77, of Oceanside, California, who was the detachment commander. “Everybody was in their own thoughts. I was on one side thinking, ‘What was going to happen next?’ My worst thought was if they were able to direct artillery fire to (the air base), what was to keep them from directing artillery fire on the roof?”

The men passed around a bottle of whiskey and waited. Finally, they heard the whirring of helicopter blades. They stripped off their flak jackets, helmets and packs to save weight and stuffed as many people as possible into the last birds that landed. After one last glance to make sure all of his men were gone, Valdez was the last man to board the last helicopter.

On the chopper out ahead of him, Sgt. Douglas Potratz, now 60, from Fullerton, California, watched Saigon burn.
“I felt sad because I felt like we had lost the war and so many lives had been spent on the war here,” he said. “I felt like we were entrusted to keep the traditions going and to not let the country go to communism and we had failed, and I felt very low at that time. I felt like it was the end of the world.”

The scenes of the women with wailing babies frantically begging to be saved outside the embassy walls haunted his dreams for years, but he said coming back four decades later to what is now called Ho Chi Minh City with the same men he left with so long ago has helped him heal.
“When I saw that that the country had moved forward, it gave me a little peace in my mind and let me move forward mentally knowing that it wasn’t frozen in time anymore,” he said. “Things do progress. Things do move forward, and I could put the past away and have better memories instead of just bad memories about this country.”

Mason covered Vietnam as an AP correspondent based in Hanoi from 2003-2012. Follow her at twitter.com/MargieMasonA

Staying Connected for Mental Health – What is God Connection?

Research Points To The Benefits Of Social Connection:

Mental Health – An integrated approach to Physical, Mental, Social, Moral, and Spiritual Wellbeing

The importance of human connection

The God Connection defines Life as the relationship between energy-yielding Matter and energy-demanding Matter

Spiritualism – Matter – Energy – Life and Spirituality:

The Founder of Modern Chemistry:

Oxidation-Reduction or Redox Reactions:

Energy Transformation in Living Matter:

Spirituality, Consciousness and Living System:

Rudolf is reborn to describe the spiritual connection between the Cell and its Energy Provider

Spiritualism – The Cell Theory of Spirituality:

The Cell Theory of Spirituality:

Protoplasm – The Ground Substance of Spiritualism and Spirituality:

The Spirituality of Substance, Function, Organization, Action, and Interactions:

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A pilgrim in search of a free nation. I am a refugee and who is my refuge?

What is the difference between refuge and refugee?

Buddha Purnima: Significance of Buddha’s Teachings

How to Celebrate Buddha Purnima

On Monday, May 12, 2025, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup away from me.

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Spirituality Science – Clinical Medicine can verify the mental experience called Anand, Pure Joy, and Pure Bliss

FROM: DEVINDER SINGH GULATI

Sri Aurobindo echos the Gurbani:

Mind and Face Relationship:

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Man’s Physical Existence:

The Unity of Man and God

The Instrument of Unity – Gayatri

The Relevance of Sanskrit in Present Times:

Man never exists all alone

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A Special Tribute to CIA Director Allen Welsh Dulles

Whole Dude – Whole Agency

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Wish You Less Troubles and More Blessings and Nothing But Happiness Come Through Your Door

Searching for Peace

May Your Troubles Be Less and Your Blessings Be More

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A Soldier’s Reflections on the Art of Self-Discipline

The Art of Self-Discipline:

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The Discovery of Self – Shankara describes True or Real Self

Adi Shankara’s Nirvana Shatakam or Atma Shatakam:

Man is a Physical, Mortal Being, a Created Being with a Living Soul:

Man is defined by his Structure, Functions, and Behavior:

Man is a Mental Being, an Emotional Being and a Moral Being:

Man is a Spiritual Being:

Man is a Social Being:

Man is a Conditioned Soul:

What is Truth, What is illusion?

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National Day of Prayer to Defend Human Dignity in Old Age

May Day is a public holiday celebrated on May 1 in many different cultures around the world. It is a day of unity, togetherness, and rebirth; a day for everyone to come together and celebrate life as we know it!

The United States of America – A Slave State:

The U.S. Social Security Act of 1935:

Alien Workers Pay Social Security and Medicare Contributions:

What is Slavery?

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Scripture

Tradition

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The Fall of Saigon – April 30, 1975

What to read next:

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