Conscious Times Online

By Sascha Kyssa

Hedonism: Greek hēdonē pleasure; akin to Greek hēdys sweet

 It is commonly assumed that hedonism is identical to carnality; a marked sexual focus for the attainment of pleasure. While it can involve sexuality, in its simplest form, hedonism is simply the principled focus on attaining pleasure. What is pleasure? Our collective definition, according to Webster, is that pleasure is a source of delight, joy, or gratification. The great thing about pleasure is that as we grow, our conditions for delight and gratification also mature. It’s as though we are unavoidably hard-wired connoisseurs of joy.
As a young boy I enjoyed playing with Superhero figurines. It brought me deep satisfaction and excited my imagination. As my adolescence progressed, I became increasingly curious and desired to engage my imagination in a peer setting. I soon became interested in video games, jumping around in playgrounds, and taking apart broken computers. As a teenager, I was no longer satisfied with make-believe and fantasy. I needed to ground my experience in physicality through kickboxing, running, romantic relationships, and other forms of experimentation. Unsurprisingly, my teenage years contributed to my greatest understanding of both “disciplined hedonism” and “impulsive hedonism.” Upon reaching some semblance of adulthood, I developed a renewed interest in metaphysics and community development. I also explored and developed a healthier form of sexuality and affection, free of the great deal of  peer-conditioning I received during my late teen years.
As I integrated my experiences, each imbalanced permission slip for joy and contentment lost its potency. At the same time, I also discovered the actions and avenues in my life that brought about a subtle, resounding sense of contentment. A great many of these resounding forms of contentment were in direct conflict with what many of my hometown peers would consider normal or cool. Yet, the more I let go of the imposed ethical lessons of the media, the church, and even my own parents, greater satisfaction came into my life. As I placed my own internal guidance over the chatter of external influences, the more I experienced a tangible, nourishing daily peace.

This article isn’t just about how great it is to let go of the social norm, so as to experience the pleasure of wild abandon, it’s about disciplined hedonism. Strike that –  to be quite honest, it’s about both; one finds true discipline only after experiencing the negative effects of excess. In other words, some of us have to burn our hand in the fire in order to understand the power of the fire.

A certain percentage of readers may consider this a very dangerous “left-hand” approach to life, and in a sense, it is. The search for our highest joy based on internal guidance can be risky, but I believe it is far more dangerous to follow an external set of beliefs at the cost of our own voice. Part of the discipline of hedonism involves the courage to voice your own inner guidance. It can be as simple and centered as a strong “no,” or as terrifying as expressing the depths of your sadness and anger. This path is not about copious amounts of alcohol, drugs, or sex. It is about the courage to live what you know is right. The intuitive road may not always be clear and even, but in the distance, the light of wisdom guides us on.

The hedonistic path is also thick with moralistic stumbling blocks. In the case of what is “right” and what is “wrong,” there are no clear, definitive answers. Like everything else in our lives, outside events are dependent on the emotional charge we assign them. It is our subtle feeling level that decides whether or not an event is in line with our inner voice. French philosopher Michel Onfray said it best, “Hedonism is an introspective attitude to life based on taking pleasure yourself and pleasuring others, without [consciously] harming yourself or anyone else.”(1) This outlook seeks to utilize the full capacity of mind, body, and heart in order to attain the highest experiences of sustainable ecstasy.

In opposition to conventional ascetic ideals, hedonism asks us to discover our own highest ideals and pleasures, and unify them for the sake of our own well-being and personal growth. Attaining this balance, our own pleasure as well as that of the group, becomes the priority of our lives. It requires each one of us to approach our desires from multiple angles. As we express our pleasures with those around us, we are required to consistently re-evaluate ourselves and our models for understanding – political, erotic, ethical – the list goes on. Our collective desire for joy provides a powerful fuel for innovation and progress. When compared to the power of shame or imposed moralism, the desire for bliss provides a clean and universally desired fuel for societal achievement. The individual conscious approach to pleasure holds the capacity to transform society, free of the stress and strain of our conventional systems of stoicism and aestheticism. Although, if those conventional systems bring you that desired pleasure, more power to you.

Opponents of this school of thought claim that to follow hedonism is to resort to relying on our emotional whims for satisfaction. Ayn Rand, modern philosopher and ethical egoist, argues that ethics are put in place to guide us to happiness.(2) This is in direct contrast to Michel Onfray’s ethical hedonism, in which an individual’s values are guided by conscious pleasure rather than rules written in stone. I find the differing schools of thought somewhat humorous, as Ayn Rand is likely following her own sense of self-satisfaction. In this case, ethical egoism.

In the end, we all follow what we believe will bring us closer to pleasure and further away from pain. In some cases, these actions come from a place of suppressing our guilt or shame, represented in  our participation of activities that may not represent our highest calling. As long as we hold onto self-destructive belief patterns, actions that no longer serve us can be perpetuated in the name of avoiding the greater pain of confronting a painful memory or belief. On the other end of the spectrum, an individual may consciously take part in an activity that outwardly seems needlessly painful or “dark.” In reality, this unpleasant experience may free an individual from a parasitic belief pattern. Sometimes the only way past it, is through it. This is where a conscious understanding of disciplined hedonism shines. Through experience, we learn that through embracing our whole being, highs and lows, we are capable of greater enjoyment and fulfillment. A symbolic closet-cleaning allows us to witness our experience of pleasure with newly liberated eyes.

The avoidance of pleasure due to shame or a lack of worthiness is deeply engrained in Western culture. I experience it on a daily basis. A great deal of these shaming beliefs operate quietly, just below the surface, passed down silently from generation to generation. The only real medicine for this sickness is the willingness to look at our beliefs surrounding the idea of pleasure, fulfilment, total ecstasy. As mentioned previously, we are all pleasure-seeking beings. The question is:  Will do it with conscious intent and discipline, or reactionary unconscious-belief? For those willing to take the conscious plunge, enjoy the ride!

 

“Follow your desire as long as you shall live. Fulfill your needs upon earth after the command of your heart. Behold, it is not given to man to take his property with him…”

- Egyptian Poem; 2120 B.C.E.

 

By Sara Lindsey

When considering the Bible as more than a literal transcription of actual events, the details interestingly become a bit more clarified. For instance, when considering the story of Genesis, it is apparent that the Garden of Eden represents the mundane; daily life without distinction grants no educational gain through the activities of life, but a continual stream of sameness. Through being tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve then experience the biggest question of existence, while handed the opportunity to truly experience something new. Sure – it might be a bit painful, but life can only continue through change. This is what the Yugas are all about, after all. In order to grow teeth, we must feel the effects of teething. The moment the skin of the apple was broken in the Garden of Eden, the Age of Enlightenment ended, to give birth to a new age, then a new age, which would eventually swing back around full circle to another new, brighter Age of Enlightenment. Each cycle allows the world to grow and experience new levels of clarity. After gaining the insight of quantum physics in terms of Transcendental Consciousness, I realized that the fall of Adam and Eve was nothing other than the breaking of symmetry. These transformations of the world are completely in tune with natural law, because the cycles of the universe must be completed. There was no battle between good and evil in the garden, only the continuous motion of creation.

When Christ presented his disciples with his body and blood during the Last Supper, he is allowing them to, in a poetic tangible way, experience Unity Consciousness. He blesses wine and bread, and in doing so, transforms it on an energetic level to be a part of him, which they can then take in. This symbolizes his gift to them before his departure, which is also a symbol in itself. When Jesus allows himself to be taken and hung on the cross, it is as if the training wheels were taken away from his followers, and they were then left to continue on with their lives  with him in his heart; not so profoundly present, but more subtly so. This reflects the concept of awareness becoming refined, so that something does not necessarily have to be surface level, but rather seen at a grosser scale with finely tuned vision as one reaches higher states of awareness through experiencing the connection with God. Once Christ is supposedly deceased, and the material level of what he is is no longer  readily available, then the truth of what people’s motives and beliefs are come to the surface rather quickly. An example of this would be the apostle Thomas, who did not believe that Jesus had resurrected, stating that he had to feel the wounds in Jesus’ palms himself to believe it. When Jesus did arrive, he simply held out his hands, offering them to Thomas. This is to suggest that this particular apostle had faith, but not of the strongest caliber, and that nature always finds a way to quickly remind us that we are faulted by our doubts, and humbled by the worlds honesty.

However, another interesting example of a disciple who seems to fall from grace before the crucifixion of Christ is Judas, who is responsible for selling Jesus over to the Romans. This seemed to be an evil deed, but was in fact a subconscious act of servitude. Jesus was aware of the upcoming deception, yet did nothing. Why was this? Being an enlightened being, the Son of God (otherwise seen as being in Unity Consciousness, or in his case, expressing the idea of Unity Consciousness), Jesus knows that the plans must fall as they will in order to allow creation to continue in its natural direction. Judas is driven mad with self-awareness of doing something terrible, but according to oral tradition, he is pardoned since he was acting under God, doing what was required, even without knowing it. This could be in a strange way, described as spontaneous right action, which is his case is interpreted as something seemingly negative. However, tasks cannot be judged on a surface level when dealing with the Cosmic.

Once Jesus arises, followers know that he was never truly dead, but just away from them in a physical form. He leaves the body and manifests as pure energy, which is not visible, but is tangible within anyone willing to feel it. The Sacred resides in every living being, and this is known through the rising of consciousness. Since everyone has the potential to experience life on a higher plane, then they must certainly be part of the divine. From the perspective of a person in Unity Consciousness, there are no individual people or deeds left out of the equation.

Jesus represents the personified concept of Unity Consciousness, since he feels absolutely no judgement or hate towards anything. All is one, and he is all. This notion traces back to the old testament, when Gods voice is heard within a burning shrub. He states simply to Moses, “I am that I am,” reflecting the Vedic quotation “I am that, thou art that, all of this is that.” The voice of God is heard throughout all cultures and religions, making strangely similar statements. I do not see this as coincidence, but a very obvious truth that faith is found and expressed through the Self, no matter where you are in the scheme of the world. Through the practice of Transcendental Meditation, the surface level of religious faith is left behind as representations, replaced with deeper understanding of what the origins of religion were and still are. Religion is important when it is used as a true conduit for faith, however, it is often seen as a tool for structure and control. When one discovers God, they should be allowed to understand their personal relationship to the cosmic divinity of God, while simultaneously becoming educated with the tradition of religion. This allows the subtle and gross levels to be experienced at the same time. Meditation is absolutely imperative to this process, because when we dive within, we then incorporate the silence to the dynamism of activity required by the mind to grasp all it is learning.

Jesus, with all of his parables and compelling stories, represents something much more than a simple man with a beautiful mind. He is all things at once. With a human form, he walks amongst people, but his nature of being a self-aware creation of cosmic energy makes him more than human. We have learned that a typical human being may not become fully realized until at least 25 years of age since this is when the brain becomes entirely developed, but Christ was born with self-actualization. This make him an exception to the rule of human evolvement. Jesus was a collection of energy, waiting to burst forth and brighten the hearts of anyone willing to take a step into his light. Meditation is a way to take this step, as is prayer, as are acts of kindness. These are all ways, from the surface to the subtle, to connect with global consciousness, and in doing so, connect with God.

By Sascha Kyssa

 

In an effort to discover my niche in this culture, I’ve come to a number of realizations concerning the current role of The Hunter Archetype. To be more specific, I’ve come to a number of realizations concerning the lack of a true hunter archetype in our society. Understandably, the classic hunter role has dwindled due to an increasingly “secure” food system and an unfortunate lack of prehistoric beasts. We also receive our “protection” from a structured governing body that creates enforced-laws in which each citizen is expected to uphold. In addition, there’s also the demon of the public school system. Blind obedience does a great deal to quell our internal fire.

While not exclusively male-oriented, it was common to find men responsible for a tribe’s hunting needs. The present day nearly extinct male rite of passage even revolved around this once crucial activity. For instance, The Massai warriors still require each boy to complete his rite of passage before he may be included in the hunt. The extinction of our rites of passage contribute to what is now being termed: The Modern Crisis of Human Manhood. Essentially, males are experiencing an unhealthy extension of adolescence. “Boyhood” is now stretching into our late 20’s, 30’s, and in extreme cases, our 40’s. Due largely to a lack of unhealthy role models and distorted media, we are losing an important element of the male and female experience. I am not saying we should get together and shoot animals on the weekend. What I am saying is that the energy and experience of the hunter has been deeply ingrained in our bodies over millions of years. To suddenly shut that down over only a few hundred years has far-reaching consequences. So, how do we express this energy in a time when the classic hunter is no longer required in our western world of excess consumption? Personally, I have no interest in killing anything, yet I have a strong desire to engage my full being in a meaningful act for my tribe.

By Sara Lindsey

Superman. You’d think the name says it all, but really it’s just an outsiders perspective. Superman has a name. Actually, he has three. There is the name he was given at birth, “Kal El.” There was the name given to him upon discovery on earth, “Clark Kent.” And then there’s the name given to him by the public, the name everyone knows, even if they’ve never heard of the other two.

“Superman.”

How does one begin to know who they truly are when so many angles are given to them?

Simply remain within.

In reality, this is the most difficult thing in the world to accomplish. In fact, it’s not exactly normal for most people to do. The magic in watching Superman is that we know he has a secret. Working at the Daily Planet, the main news source in Metropolis, he hides in plain sight behind a pair of Buddy-Holly’s and it makes things more exciting for the reader. Why does this guy even have a job? He could have whatever he wants, easily taking the things he desires. The reason goes past how he was raised, though this certainly created healthy soil for his personal growth. The truth behind his humble nature comes from his own self-awareness, and knowing that he was meant to be here, not belonging on Earth, yet still here.

Why is this? Surely there is a purpose.

As Clark grows older, he learns that his abilities can assist in a planet that needs help. Superman knows Kal El, though is constantly learning more about him, and Kal El knows Clark Kent because he created him. Clarks job is to report the news, which often involves Superman. This is similar to the oral tradition in the Christian faith of the Holy Trinity, or the Vedic concept of Rishi (knower), Devata (process of knowing) and Chandas (the Known). Superman acts because he feels to act…and yet, he is clumsy and ridiculous at times when at his desk job. What does this mean? This is where the true power of this particular comic book hero comes into play. Superman, said to be completely invincible, somehow fumbles around a woman, drops stacks of paper in the hallway, and spills water from the cooler.

This is an unconvincing image of invincibility. Yet, as “Superman,” suited and soaring through the sky, flawed motions are near impossible. You never find him running into buildings on accident or tripping on power lines. This is because he is acting out his full potential. When any living being, human or otherwise, stifles their capacity, they become further faulted and accomplishing nothing but their own image of themselves. When I attended John Hagelin’s quantum physics class, the subject of “Support of Nature” came up. This idea suggests that when we are in tune with the universe and in tune with ourselves, then the universe acts within our will. When we aren’t, then it begins to act almost as an enemy- or so it could seem. What it is really doing is being a harsh Buddha- slapping our wrists, reminding us that we know we could be doing more. This is why we fumble. We could be standing tall, but embarrassment, social anxiety, fear of judgement or pain stands in the way. So, the opposite of standing tall happens. Standing low, sometimes as low as the carpet. Thankfully, when Superman is wearing his suit, there is no self-judgement because he can simply be what he knows he is. Superman serves as a symbol of all living creatures, including human beings. He peeks at us from behind his perfect curl and silently says, “If I can do it, so can you.” And all it takes is, as Jesus put it, “faith the size of a mustard seed.” Buddha preached that we create our own reality. This is easily seen when looking at a comic like Superman…mainly because, the notion of Superman didn’t fall from the sky. It was in fact created by the mind of an ordinary human being. Only that person tapped into his potential, and created a story that has been spreading expansion of self-understanding ever since.

By Christopher James Roberts

 Living in the Mid-West while attempting to maintain a certain level of  Weeaboo can be trying at times. Weeaboo is a slang term that refers to those of us who are obsessed with Japanese culture from anime to food to music to art- you name it, we probably have a healthy amount of interest in it. At times, living in the Mid-West can leave one yearning for the ideal Sushi restaurant – I would know. I’ve been hunting for such a restaurant since my arrival to the Iowa years ago.  Alas! I’ve finally stumbled upon an oasis that rests in The Square know as Shokai Sushi.

 

This delightful little establishment opened up a few months ago here in Fairfield and I have since become a frequent customer.  They have a menu full of options for the raw fish connoisseur, the vegetarian, or the “Plain Jane” ( rice and soup).  They also offer a fine variety of appetizers such as octopus salad (Divine!) or my personal favorite : seaweed salad.  Although I cannot condone such behavior, it should also be noted that Shokai Sushi offers a rather respectable selection of American wine and spirits as well as more traditional Japanese beverages. The service might be a little slow from time to time, but the quality of the food and the friendliness of  the staff  make this minor set-back completely forgivable.

 

There is something so satisfying about sitting down to a table with friends and sharing an enormous platter of sushi. It may be the sharing of a meal that is both tasty and nutritious coupled with being immersed in another culture. For those of you that balk at the idea of consuming Japanese food- or for those of you who have yet to try it- I highly encourage you to take the chance on Shokai Sushi.  Eating sushi is more than just the swallowing of rice and fish. Trust me! A proper sushi experience is a pleasant blend of showmanship, good service, and food that looks and tastes delicious!  I highly recommend that you allow Shokai Sushi to fulfill your sushi cravings. The days of the Fairfield sushi drought have come to an end!  Wwweeeeee!!!

By Writer : Yashar Ali of  The Current Conscience @ www.currentconscience.com

You’re so sensitive. You’re so emotional. You’re defensive. You’re overreacting. Calm down. Relax. Stop freaking out! You’re crazy! I was just joking, don’t you have a sense of humor? You’re so dramatic. Just get over it already!

                                                                                 www.sandiegodivorcespecialist.com

Sound familiar?

If you’re a woman, it probably does.

Do you ever hear any of these comments from your spouse, partner, boss, friends, colleagues, or relatives after you have expressed frustration, sadness, or anger about something they have done or said?

When someone says these things to you, it’s not an example of inconsiderate behavior. When your spouse shows up half an hour late to dinner without calling — that’s inconsiderate behavior. A remark intended to shut you down like, “Calm down, you’re overreacting,” after you just addressed someone else’s bad behavior, is emotional manipulation, pure and simple.

And this is the sort of emotional manipulation that feeds an epidemic in our country, an epidemic that defines women as crazy, irrational, overly sensitive, unhinged. This epidemic helps fuel the idea that women need only the slightest provocation to unleash their (crazy) emotions. It’s patently false and unfair.

I think it’s time to separate inconsiderate behavior from emotional manipulation, and we need to use a word not found in our normal vocabulary.

I want to introduce a helpful term to identify these reactions: gaslighting.

Gaslighting is a term often used by mental health professionals (I am not one) to describe manipulative behavior used to confuse people into thinking their reactions are so far off base that they’re crazy.

The term comes from the 1944 MGM film, Gaslight, starring Ingrid Bergman. Bergman’s husband in the film, played by Charles Boyer, wants to get his hands on her jewelry. He realizes he can accomplish this by having her certified as insane and hauled off to a mental institution. To pull of this task, he intentionally sets the gaslights in their home to flicker off and on, and every time Bergman’s character reacts to it, he tells her she’s just seeing things. In this setting, a gaslighter is someone who presents false information to alter the victim’s perception of him or herself.

Today, when the term is referenced, it’s usually because the perpetrator says things like, “You’re so stupid,” or “No one will ever want you,” to the victim. This is an intentional, pre-meditated form of gaslighting, much like the actions of Charles Boyer’s character in Gaslight, where he strategically plots to confuse Ingrid Bergman’s character into believing herself unhinged.

The form of gaslighting I’m addressing is not always pre-mediated or intentional, which makes it worse, because it means all of us, especially women, have dealt with it at one time or another.

Those who engage in gaslighting create a reaction — whether it’s anger, frustration, sadness — in the person they are dealing with. Then, when that person reacts, the gaslighter makes them feel uncomfortable and insecure by behaving as if their feelings aren’t rational or normal.

My friend Anna (all names changed to protect privacy) is married to a man who feels it necessary to make random and unprompted comments about her weight. Whenever she gets upset or frustrated with his insensitive comments, he responds in the same, defeating way, “You’re so sensitive. I’m just joking.”

My friend Abbie works for a man who finds a way, almost daily, to unnecessarily shoot down her performance and her work product. Comments like, “Can’t you do something right?” or “Why did I hire you?” are regular occurrences for her. Her boss has no problem firing people (he does it regularly), so you wouldn’t know from these comments that Abbie has worked for him for six years. But every time she stands up for herself and says, “It doesn’t help me when you say these things,” she gets the same reaction: “Relax; you’re overreacting.”

Abbie thinks her boss is just being a jerk in these moments, but the truth is, he is making those comments to manipulate her into thinking her reactions are out of whack. And it’s exactly that kind manipulation that has left her feeling guilty about being sensitive, and as a result, she has not left her job.

But gaslighting can be as simple as someone smiling and saying something like, “You’re so sensitive,” to somebody else. Such a comment may seem innocuous enough, but in that moment, the speaker is making a judgment about how someone else should feel.

While dealing with gaslighting isn’t a universal truth for women, we all certainly know plenty of women who encounter it at work, home, or in personal relationships.

And the act of gaslighting does not simply affect women who are not quite sure of themselves. Even vocal, confident, assertive women are vulnerable to gaslighting.

Why?

Because women bare the brunt of our neurosis. It is much easier for us to place our emotional burdens on the shoulders of our wives, our female friends, our girlfriends, our female employees, our female colleagues, than for us to impose them on the shoulders of men.

It’s a whole lot easier to emotionally manipulate someone who has been conditioned by our society to accept it. We continue to burden women because they don’t refuse our burdens as easily. It’s the ultimate cowardice.

Whether gaslighting is conscious or not, it produces the same result: It renders some women emotionally mute.

These women aren’t able to clearly express to their spouses that what is said or done to them is hurtful. They can’t tell their boss that his behavior is disrespectful and prevents them from doing their best work. They can’t tell their parents that, when they are being critical, they are doing more harm than good.

When these women receive any sort of push back to their reactions, they often brush it off by saying, “Forget it, it’s okay.”

That “forget it” isn’t just about dismissing a thought, it is about self-dismissal. It’s heartbreaking.

No wonder some women are unconsciously passive aggressive when expressing anger, sadness, or frustration. For years, they have been subjected to so much gaslighting that they can no longer express themselves in a way that feels authentic to them.

They say, “I’m sorry,” before giving their opinion. In an email or text message, they place a smiley face next to a serious question or concern, thereby reducing the impact of having to express their true feelings.

You know how it looks: “You’re late .”

These are the same women who stay in relationships they don’t belong in, who don’t follow their dreams, who withdraw from the kind of life they want to live.

Since I have embarked on this feminist self-exploration in my life and in the lives of the women I know, this concept of women as “crazy” has really emerged as a major issue in society at large and an equally major frustration for the women in my life, in general.

From the way women are portrayed on reality shows, to how we condition boys and girls to see women, we have come to accept the idea that women are unbalanced, irrational individuals, especially in times of anger and frustration.

Just the other day, on a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a flight attendant who had come to recognize me from my many trips asked me what I did for a living. When I told her that I write mainly about women, she immediately laughed and asked, “Oh, about how crazy we are?”

Her gut reaction to my work made me really depressed. While she made her response in jest, her question nonetheless makes visible a pattern of sexist commentary that travels through all facets of society on how men view women, which also greatly impacts how women may view themselves.

As far as I am concerned, the epidemic of gaslighting is part of the struggle against the obstacles of inequality that women constantly face. Acts of gaslighting steal their most powerful tool: their voice. This is something we do to women every day, in many different ways.

I don’t think this idea that women are “crazy,” is based in some sort of massive conspiracy. Rather, I believe it’s connected to the slow and steady drumbeat of women being undermined and dismissed, on a daily basis. And gaslighting is one of many reasons why we are dealing with this public construction of women as “crazy.”

I recognize that I’ve been guilty of gaslighting my women friends in the past (but never my male friends–surprise, surprise). It’s shameful, but I’m glad I realized that I did it on occasion and put a stop to it.

While I take total responsibility for my actions, I do believe that I, along with many men, am a byproduct of our conditioning. It’s about the general insight our conditioning gives us into admitting fault and exposing any emotion.

When we are discouraged in our youth and early adulthood from expressing emotion, it causes many of us to remain steadfast in our refusal to express regret when we see someone in pain from our actions.

When I was writing this piece, I was reminded of one of my favorite Gloria Steinem quotes, “The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.”

So for many of us, it’s first about unlearning how to flicker those gaslights and learning how to acknowledge and understand the feelings, opinions, and positions of the women in our lives.

But isn’t the issue of gaslighting ultimately about whether we are conditioned to believe that women’s opinions don’t hold as much weight as ours? That what women have to say, what they feel, isn’t quite as legitimate?

 

This article blessed Conscious Times via The Huffington Post.

Yashar will be soon releasing his first short e-book, entitled : A Message To Women From A Man: You Are Not Crazy — How We Teach Men That Women Are Crazy and How We Convince Women To Ignore Their Instincts. 

By: Sascha Kyssa

Initially made famous by Gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin(1), the Paleo Diet, otherwise known as “healthy eating,” consists of following a similar dietary regime as that of our ancient ancestors – a diet that was the social norm for approximately 2.5 million years. The key argument of the Paleo Diet has to do with evolution. For 2.5 million years, Paleolithic humans subsisted on a diet of fruits, vegetables, meat, seeds, and nuts. Despite the relatively short life span, due mainly to chance infection and injury, our ancient ancestors enjoyed an extremely high quality of health and physical prowess.

It wasn’t until 10,000 years ago, with the advent of modern agriculture and animal husbandry, that anthropologists began to see archaeological evidence of a decline in human health and overall body-mass(2). With the switch to a high-grain diet came an abnormal glycemic load; a distorted dietary fatty acid balance; and a considerable lack of key nutrients.(3) This dietary switch increased the incidents of autoimmune disease, diabetes, depression, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and numerous other diseases related to inflammation and malnutrition.(3)(4)(5)(6)

“But how can grains cause all these problems? I feel fine!”

You may feel “fine,” it is easy to confuse what is “fine” or “normal” with “common”. While you may have escaped a number of the negative side effects of a high-grain diet, there are most likely a number of side-effects you have become accustomed to. Chronic fatigue, poor mental performance, that “spaced out” feeling – these are all extremely common side effects of a high-grain diet. Not to mention the ticking time bomb of a grain-sourced sugar diet over an extended period of time (see: diabetes).

While grains have allowed us to feed high-density populations, it has come at a high price. Cereal, grains, and legumes naturally contain bio-active and anti-nutrient compounds such as gluten, lectins, and phytates–all of which are linked to serious health problems.(7) For example, gluten, the sticky protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley, have been shown to cause a number of negative digestive reactions, including inflammation of the small intestine, yeast-overgrowth (see: Candida), aggravated auto-immune disease, and nutrient malabsorption.(8)(9)(10) Dairy isn’t off the hook either. Casein, the protein found in milk and many dairy products, has been implicated in the development of the pre-diabetic state of low glocuse-tolerance.(7)

“But what about beans?”

Both cereal grains and legumes contain a number of anti-nutrient compounds such as lectins and phytates. These substances have been shown to interfere with the body’s absorption of crucial nutrients.(7)(11)(12) A growing number of scientists agree that these components of the post-agricultural diet promote vitamin, mineral, and micro-nutrient deficiencies and may be the leading cause of many of our current autoimmune-related diseases.(7)(11)(12)

The benefits of the Paleo Diet are obvious; an abundance of available protein, vitamins, minerals, and micro-nutrients (and a considerable lack of anti-nutrients). We have spent 95% (2.5 million years) of our supposed time on this planet evolving to eat a Paleo-era menu. It is only in the last 5% (10,000 years) of our evolution that we switched to grains. To put it simply, we have not evolved to thrive on a high grain diet and the evidence speaks for itself.

Some criticize this type of diet, believing that the inclusion of any meat into the diet will eventually lead to cancer and other health problems. The supposed logic behind this argument comes from the now dismissed China Study. Numerous examinations of The China Study have shown it to be a great example of inaccurate scientific inquiry. Individuals in the study were subjected to numerous lifestyle changes including exercise and other dietary changes besides the avoidance of meat. Using the same logic, I could ask a group of non-smokers to take up smoking, start exercising, and make a number of dietary changes. Chances are, assuming they weren’t smoking 20 packs a day, the over all health scores of the individuals would go up “proving” that smoking was indeed good for your health!(13) Not convinced? Read this beautiful scientific dissection(13) of the China Study by Denise Minger. If any lingering doubts remain after reading her paper, make sure to pour over the accompanying 129 references.

The other side of this debate concerns the ethics of eating meat. This is an incredibly sensitive subject, requiring an entirely seperate article to do it justice. To keep it short, it is possible to follow a similar diet using somewhat natural non-animal key nutrients found in fermented algae supplements. (see: vegetarian DHA)

The argument in favor of this historically tried and tested diet is a strong one. The key is eating fresh, organic, unrefined/unprocessed foods (see: seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, meat). Regardless of how you do it, a diet in line with our evolution just makes sense.  In the end it will be decided by the unique physiological and ethical preferences of the individual. This writer gives it two enthusiastic paleolithic thumbs up!

References:

(1) Voegtlin, Walter L. (1975). The stone age diet: Based on in-depth studies of human ecology and the diet of man. Vantage Press

(2) Elton, S. (2008). “Environments, adaptations and evolutionary medicine: Should we be eating a ‘stone age’ diet?”. In O’Higgins, P. & Elton, S..Medicine and Evolution: Current Applications, Future Prospects. London: Taylor and Francis.

(3) Cordain L, Eaton SB, Sebastian A, Mann N, Lindeberg S, Watkins BA, O’Keefe JH, Brand-Miller J (February 1 2005). “Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century”. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (American Society for Nutrition) 81 (2): 341–54.

(4) Jönsson T, Olsson S, Ahrén B, Bøg-Hansen TC, Dole A, Lindeberg S (2005). “Agrarian diet and diseases of affluence — Do evolutionary novel dietary lectins cause leptin resistance?”. BMC Endocrine Disorders 5: 10

(5) Wood LE (October 2006). “Obesity, waist–hip ratio and hunter–gatherers”. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 113 (10): 1110–16.

(6)  Haag, Marianne; & Dippenaar, Nola (2005). “Dietary fats, fatty acids and insulin resistance: short review of a multifaceted connection”. Medical Science Monitor 11(12): RA359–367

(7) Lindeberg S, Cordain L, Eaton SB (September 2003). “Biological and clinical potential of a Paleolithic diet” (PDF). Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine 13 (3): 149–60.

(8) Klin Lab Diagn. 2004 Nov;(11):11-3. [Circulating immune complexes in the diagnosis of allergic reactions of the immune-complex type. [Article in Russian]

(9) Heading RC, Paterson WD, McClelland DB, Barnetson RS, Murray MS (1976). “Clinical response of dermatitis herpetiformis skin lesions to a gluten-free diet”. Br. J. Dermatol. 94(5): 509–14

(10) Anand BS, Piris J, Truelove SC (1978). “The role of various cereals in coeliac disease”.Q. J. Med. 47 (185): 101–11.

(11) Jönsson T, Olsson S, Ahrén B, Bøg-Hansen TC, Dole A, Lindeberg S (2005). “Agrarian diet and diseases of affluence — Do evolutionary novel dietary lectins cause leptin resistance?”. BMC Endocrine Disorders 5: 10

(12) Cordain, Loren (1999). “Cereal grains: humanity’s double-edged sword” (PDF). World review of nutrition and dietetics 84: 19–73.

(13) Minger, Denise (August 2010). “The China Study: a formal analysis and response” http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/08/06/final-china-study-response-html/

Written by : Christopher Roberts

Revolver was released in 2005, directed by Guy Ritchie. I expected Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, what I saw was a crime thriller masking  the ever so common tale about the human ego. This film uses the trappings of a heist, gun battles, swearing and violence to show the ever expanding cage we, silly humans,  have created for ourselves.  The looming threat throughout the film is an invisible, criminal kingpin known only as Sam Gold. Yon never see Sammy Boy – yet – he sees all, knows all, and is controlling your every action. Pretty common symbol for the human ego, eh?

The Story:

Jake Green (Jason Statham) is newly released from prison. He completed 7 long years in solitary confinement. We’re locked into the mind of Green from the beginning to the end of the film. Flashbacks help us to better understand what it means to be Green – who he is, where he came from, and where he’s going. Long story short –  Jake wants revenge for being put away while working for Dorothy Macha (Ray Liotta). He doesn’t want to kill him, just humiliate him- one of Macha’s greatest fears. Jake plans on doing this using a few tricks he learned in pa-pa-pa-prison.

As Jake begins to move forward in his plan to ruin Macha, he learns he has a rare disease. This disease will put him under ground in 3 days time.  Avi (Andre Benjamin) and Zach (Vincent Pastore), friends from Jake’s past, offer to protect his life in exchange for all his riches. As this goes on, Jake’s mind begins screaming out to fight back, to end the foolishness! Jake’s internal monologue is being exposed via voice overs throughout the entire film. The thoughts in his mind operate as a drunk monkey – bouncing around, flipping over themselves, swinging from one concern to another, enabling him to stay present with the reality of his situation. Sound familiar?

Revolver may be a violent crime/thriller/heist movie, but those are the window dressings. The real heart, the real message of Revolver is that within us lies the biggest con man of all, running the biggest con game of all time. The only way to win is to stop playing the game. Take a breath, take a breath, and jump back into the present moment!

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Note: not all candidates are featured here.

Be sure to check out

GSC Elections and Candidate Presentations.

Jim Schleppenbach

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

The Zeitgeist of MUM was a huge inspiration for running. I feel a great movement of energy building for the development of sustainability throughout the campus and the city of Fairfield. I’m also inspired by the possibility and opportunity to help integrate the initiatives/projects of the SL Dept. with the greater student body. Since arriving in February I’ve been so well received and inspired by faculty, administration, and students that I felt it was appropriate to step up to the elected position in Sustainable Council. Its also necessary to at least mention Mother Earth and the greater manifest Universe; their constant evolution and movement inspires me to help align my actions and influence others to act in a way that supports (and is supported by) natural law.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

I intend to learn how the university operates -how its channels of communication already flow and where they are getting stuck. By discussing with others how to improve channels of communication between the appropriate students, faculty, and administration I intend to facilitate greater success in manifesting cooperation.

3. Why should I vote for you?

That’s a good question. On a practical level, I’ve been involved in sustainability initiatives in a previous university and I have experience working for student life there as well, which has allowed me to develop a level of maturity and intelligence being a medium between students,  faculty and administration. On a personal level, I like to have fun and I’m rarely stressed out; you should elect me because I am consistently easy to work with and easy-going. Come to Dalby Hall at 7:30pm this Friday to hear the full spiel.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

Instead of having a plastic playgroud in our backyard growing up in New Jersey, my older brother and I had an “official” (wood-framed) dirt-pit (a.k.a. hole in the ground) where we dug and sculpted dirt, hung out, and had dirt-ball fights…which I usually lost.

Cheryllann Wilson

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

A. My inspiration to run for this position is the cultural diversity of the students.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

A. I will collaborate with the University through positive communication.

3. Why should I vote for you?

A. You should vote for me because I am fair, ethical, logical and I will get the job done.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

A.  A fun fact about me is I love to sing ,dance and play.

My first year of forest I decided to do the health and fitness track. All was good until I encounterd the bunny hill and the skating rink. My life flashed several times before my eyes but because I love challenges I kept at the skiing but froze at the ice skating rink.Thanks to Ken Daley I survived.

Bradyn Smith

1. What inspired you to run?

When I first came to this school, the idea of running for GSC was just about the farthest thought from my mind.  However, at the insistence of some of my very best friends here, I have come to the realization that both our school and the world at large are passing through some times of major transition.  The challenges we are presented with today are simply too momentous for me to feel comfortable about just sitting back and seeing how things unfold.  I have decided to run because I feel that I have been called to do so, and I cannot stand down from this awesome opportunity to take on the great responsibility of sparking up this crucial dialogue between all those who dwell in this sacred space that I have come to call home.

2. How will you collaborate with the University to create positive change?

From the level of Unity, we see that the students and administration here are One – there is no separation; our fortunes rise and fall together.  Our student body represents an emergent, passionate culture of determined truth-seekers while our administration embodies the spirit of an ancient and sublime tradition of pure wisdom.  By listening carefully to both the desires of our students (the body) and the overarching vision of our administration (the spirit) I intend to facilitate a synthesis which brings forth a dialogue leading to a common ground – a harmonious, fully diverse, progressive campus community where everyone feels comfortable and totally supported in their personal search for their own highest excitement.  My aim is to ask the right questions to get us all thinking about how to make the best changes for the greatest good of everyone’s interests here, and to promote cross-cultural communication events that will welcome our students across all cultures and nationalities into the greater discussion about the future of this wonderful place.

3. Why should I vote for you?

We are keepers of the flame, warriors of the light, and dreamers of the most fantastic and incredible dream in the whole of human history.  We are on the vanguard of the great evolution revolution, a sacred circle of ecstatic warrior poets who have heeded the cries of our besieged planet and made our own personal sacrifices to join hands together here, in the middle of nowhere, to make a defiant stand against injustice and inequity by burning with a collective brilliance to reach the very farthest corners of time and space.  Change happens today – this is our time.  Vote with your heart and don’t let anything stand between you and your highest intentions of a better world for everyone – no exceptions.

4. Fun Fact/Story

I was born and raised here in Iowa, just half an hour’s drive away from Fairfield – a drive I’ve been making on a regular basis ever since I was old enough to do so.  Here I found my first true love, my first kiss, my first real group of friends, my first home away from home, my first taste of the infinite wonder of the cosmic reality – so much more than just a small town, this place represents the whole universe contained within a grain of sand and is the only place where I’ve ever really felt that I belonged.  I feel a deep sense of devotion and stewardship toward this magical vortex of love and light which has opened my eyes to the ancient and timeless wisdom of our own Mother Gaia – Planet Earth – our one and only island among this vast ocean of stars.

Minca Borg

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

I have been an active member of World Congress (aka Human Development, World Peace, Fundamentals of Progress, and You club) for two years.  It would be sad if it disappeared.  The focus of this group is organizational and social transformation towards “positive change” which I see as an increase of symbiosis in relationships in terms of society and ecology, and on the individual level an increase in peak experiences.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

For the past two years, World Congress members have been available to help facilitate initial project stages, for example the student cafe which will open soon, the Sharing in English Club, and the music department.  In addition, we have both initiated and been invited to facilitate “Community Chats” to help students, faculty, staff, and administration connect with one another on a person-to-person level, share stories, and think together about peak experiences in a particular area of life. World Congress will continue to be available in this capacity, and to generally be aware of student culture and trends of student interest as well topics of concern to help faculty and administration better understand, support, and address student interests and concerns.

3. Why should I vote for you?

Should you vote for me? I have experience on GSC (I served as Sustainable Council VP 2009-2010), I can’t help but be passionate about student life at MUM, it’s true I’m rather introverted, but I quietly really care about and would like to befriend everyone and help everyone to be comfortable and pursue whatever inspires them.  And I promise I will be more outgoing–I just needed a bit of a break after last year.

I just implied being an RA and helping organize EcoFair counts as a break, and honestly it has been easier than my involvement with GSC last year–perhaps in part because I’ve developed.  Both working on EcoFair and being an RA have given me greater ability and confidence in taking on leadership roles, thinking in a longer time-frame, understanding channels of communication at MUM in terms of housing and resident life and in general, networking and collaborating with individuals beyond the MUM bubble, and organizing events.

In terms of World Congress specifically, I have some familiarity and experience applying organizational & social transformation “toolbox” contents: world cafe, appreciative inquiry, memes, open space, clean talk, and spiral dynamics. I would like to further explore these and other tools, for example “invisible structures” of cultural norms, physical community space, the power of narrative and stories, human development, education, non-violent communication, and shadow work (which deals with processing emotions in terms of archetypes.)

Practically speaking, my main goal is connecting people to people within and beyond the MUM community; facilitating strategic achievement of goals that enrich student and community life; and helping to create learning opportunities.

What about class?  Learning isn’t confined to the classroom.  Some of the most important personal development opportunities for me have been outside of the classroom setting–such as Destination Imagination, GSC, sustainable council, world congress, and ecofair.  Taking an inspiring class–particularly in the Sustainable Living department–leads me to want to learn HOW the knowledge can be applied, and to devote more time to understanding patterns.

If you vote for me, and if I get elected, and you see me looking tired next year, force me to take a break.  I’ve learned over the past two years the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, and I’ve improved and am continuing to improve.  But I just got distracted by writing this and missed dinner, so clearly there’s still room for improvement.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

• I once divided myself by zero.
• I am a rainbow bathtub.  (Only those who took Systems Thinking and came to an optional class will understand the metaphor.)
• I am a lemming.  (Only my fellow lemmings will understand.)
• I am a dog.  Sometimes a cat.  More dog.  Some friends and acquaintances are aware of this.  Sometimes I wish I could wag my tail, or prance over to people and look up at them in that way dogs do that so clearly means “I love you,” or simply cheer people up by leaping about or nuzzling their hands.  You see, I would be an extrovert if I was a dog. Instead I am a timid and quiet little human.  I cannot purr or rub against ankles like a cat, though sometimes it is difficult to resist pouncing on strings that slowly drag past.
• I was a squirrel but became a chipmunk. (One of my friends informed me of this.)
• My favorite representation of myself is a question mark: ?
• As a general rule I do not like hugs–personal space appreciated.
• I have several imaginary friends who live in poems.
• If you tell me that intellect and heart are separate, I shall become very indignant and either sulk or protest.
• I adore the concept of “embodied reason,” as expressed by George Lackoff in Cognitive Policy:

“. . . a deep rationality that can take account of, and advantage of, a mind that is largely unconscious, embodied, emotional, empathetic, metaphorical, and only partly universal.  . . .  reason shaped by our bodies and brains and interactions in the real world, reason incorporating emotion, structured by frames and metaphors and images and symbols, with conscious thought shaped by the vast and invisible realm of neural circuity not accessible to consciousness.”

• I consider cognitive policy–unspoken frameworks of beliefs, emotional associations, and values woven of neurons responding to life experience–to be extremely powerful, fascinating, and often beautiful, for these unarticulated associations and assumptions give rise to ethic or operating principles, to behavior, and to physical and relational realities.
• I am always grateful for statements and questions that turn my perception of reality inside out and upside down

Oliver Huntley

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

Inspiring an inner evolution based on Love is my motivation to run for GSC President. In my 2 years here as a student at MUM, I have gone through an evolutionary transformation and a heart-awakening process. It was through this journey of self-discovery that I felt Unconditional Love for the first time in my life. I quickly came to see that it was not our intellects and thinking, but our hearts and Love that truly hold the power to change the world. This is what I want to bring to the school. I want us to focus not only on outer changes/ fixing “problems” as our goal, but also to see that real change comes from within. The outer always reflects the inner.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

The best way we can accomplish positive change at the school is to realize there are no problems – only opportunities to transform energy. Einstein was right when he said “no problem can ever be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” To meet the challenges facing our school and student body, we all must grow and evolve together. I intend to meet and greet every one of these growing opportunities with love and collective understanding. My goal is to not overcome all the challenges myself but to act as a channel and a catalyst who inspires students to face these moments together, in unity, for the betterment of us all. We are the solutions we have been waiting for! I want every student to truly know and feel that.

3. Why should I vote for you?

I am here not to lead but to walk with you… to show you that inner transformation and heart awakening is possible, and is something that can change our lives and the future of the school. We are entering into a time of great awakening and transition. During this time, it is critical that we have people in power who understand how this process unfolds both for individuals and for the collective. I am here to help anchor in these new energies to the school and to help open the space of evolution for every student. This is the time where we must first master ourselves so that we can be the future leaders of light and Love as the new world arises.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

Right now, one of the most important things we can each do to support our own evolution is the purification of our whole being. One of the easiest ways to start this purification process is with our bodies. I am now on day 109 of my Organic-Raw Superfood diet. So much positive change has come into my life since I switched to a healthy natural diet. We don’t always realize the impact that impure foods and toxins can have on our body until it manifests as illness or pain. With the cleansing and natural nourishment of my body, I have not been sick for quite a long time. I sleep less and feel much more energy throughout the day. I feel my meditations and spiritual experiences reaching new heights, and most of all I just feel happy. This is just one aspect of my own inner transformation that I hope inspires other students to better themselves.

Bariş Türkkan

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

I want to maximize the progressive and solution oriented voice of the students with my position in the GSC as the President of Student Forum.

The reason I am running for the GSC is actually my wish to have the maximum joy and the greatest experience from the MUM while I am studying.

I know that this doesn’t depend only on me. The experience I have also depend on my friends, classmates and everyone that is related to MUM in whatever way. Whether someone who you are spending everyday together, or someone who you never had a chance to talk to, everyone on this campus, hugely influence each one of us. That’s why, I believe that if there is any problem anyone experiences, that is a problem for each one of us.

I want to be part of the solution for any problem, and that is only possible if we know those problems in detail. The place to start solving all the problems is identifying needs of the students. If we can have a powerful way to express our needs, than we will have the chance to fulfill those needs.

Student Forum is very important!

Communication between students and administration is crucial for a peaceful and satisfactory college life and with the Student Forum, I will do my best for providing fluent and effective communication to be available all the time and everywhere.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

I want to emphasize the progressive and solution oriented discussions where we empower each other to create a better world.

There are topics that we know, which concern many of us. I want to arrange Topic-Specific meetings with students where we can dive deeply into all aspects of a particular topic. This way we can find solutions for problems together and let everyone know our solutions.

I want to reach out to everyone to talk about their experiences. I am planning to create online surveys and discussion groups as well as gatherings where appreciative inquiry and other methods of collaborative practices will be applied.

I will be openly and without any bias, convey every message that comes from the student body in a respectful way to necessary people in the administration.

I believe that many of the problems we have, depend on lack of trust, which has the basis in lack of communication. I will work on improving both-ways communication between students and administration.

3. Why should I vote for you?

I am from Turkiye (Turkey), a Eurasian country, whose goal and duty has been to serve as a bridge between east and west. I believe I also have that quality to be able to address everyone equally, while bridging the gaps of interaction and lack of communication.

I have a great interest in bringing together everyone to understand each other better and live together more harmoniously. My position in the GSC as the president of Student Forum will enable me to bring all those together even more effectively.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

There are many stories or fun stuff that can be told, but really for me the biggest fun thing is life itself! Think about it, from the days you are a finger tall to all those funny years in tiny pants running around as a small kid, to this year. The year you are in a educational institute, trying to understand a tiny bit of the universe. Maybe some maths, computer science or business. But what about the reason we are here? What about what we should really do in life?

Some people say this doesn’t make sense, we are here few decades and we are gone. Just a glimpse of an eye.

I think that the real fun is exactly there: Fun of realizing and understanding life in a limited time. It gets even more enjoyable when you can achieve and grow faster and easier. For me, it is the greatest game to be played: Game of Life.

Josh Wilson

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

First, let me begin by saying that it would be an honor to serve the students of MUM and I have grown tremendously in the past two years serving you, the students. This is not a position to be taken lightly and definitely one not to be wasted or abused. We all made a journey to this community for a reason. You came here because you believe in what this World can be. Together, we are on that journey.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

I will assist in the facilitation of drawing the new roadmap in making MUM the best that it can be. I will be continually open to feedback and will be open-minded in hearing what you think. I want to serve as your representative.

I will continue to hold an open space for students and staff for growth and development.

For those of you that know me, you can attest to me continually pushing to incorporate cultures and to address the issues important to us as students and as members of the world community. One example is my involvement in The World is MY Family: Diversity Lecture Series, where I personally have given some of the lectures and act as this years’ Coordinator. The point is that I want to get the topics out there that are important and dear to our hearts and to help to incorporate them into our small community. You will also know that I am always there to any students who need assistance, whether it be welcoming you when you first arrive here, to answering any questions that you may have.

3. Why should I vote for you?

My primary focus as President will be to improve YOUR experience at MUM. In my previous position as Global Student Council Treasurer, I utilized my skills as an auditor to revamp procedures to create a more efficient and fair system, in which all students are treated equally and fairly.

I vow to keep the dialogue going between the students, faculty and the administration, so progress can be made, leaving parties feeling good about the outcome.

Some key issues that we face for 2011/2012:

*Incorporating international students into our family, so they feel welcome, loved and valued. One way to do this, would be to expand the current Peer Mentor Program (in which I am the current Coordinator of the program), to include all students, not just undergraduate students.

*Community service to the greater Fairfield community, so we can show the community that we truly are thankful to be here and want to be an integral part of the community.

*Efficient use of Saturday class, whether or not it is needed, making it a project-oriented day, etc.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

I worked in the corporate world of banking for over 9 years before considering school. This allowed me to grow and mature in an environment where I would learn skills that I was able to take with me. Living in Los Angeles, I found that many are cynical and that there is very little in a positive manner to look forward to in life. I knew deep down in my core, that there is more to life and that I was ready for the next chapter of growth in my life. No sooner did this occur, that I lost my job due to the financial crisis.

सत्यमेव जयते “Truth alone triumphs”

Soné Sanders

1. What inspired you to run for this position?

I was inspired through working of Eco-Fair. Seeing how I could help my fellow students have fun while learning and creating long-lasting memories made me want to continue being active within the student body. I’ve always been attracted to altruism so GSC just makes sense.

2. How will you collaborate with the university to create positive change?

I will work WITH the faculty.  Student liaisons are the best way to create positive academic change so I will most definitely be using my position to get liaisons implemented for each and every academic department.

3. Why should I vote for you?

A vote for me will be a vote for getting things done both fun and efficiently. We need actual results of both progress and accomplishment with the arising issues presented to our student body. My combination of persistence, realism, planning, and working smarter is what is takes to actually get things done.

4. Tell us a fun fact or story about yourself!

Fun fact: I’m kind of tall. Last month I got my height checked and the nurse got really silent when she checked my height and said I was 5’8. The doctor reports said I’m 5’9.6”… Apparently the nurse lied because being shorter was supposed to make me feel better. I told my mom my height and after a long pause of devastation she was like, “Oh no. That’s not good. That’s too much. You need to stop.” Like the doctor told me I was morbidly obese or something. I can’t lose height!

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Interview by Leora

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If you shop at the Golden Dome Market, you have probably noticed one student employee who never stops smiling.  Today at CT, we want to publicly express our appreciation for Adissu Mengistu, an MBA student (E-commerce) and Internet Marketing major from Ethiopia who exudes kindness, warmth and dedication in everything he does.  Despite a racing schedule juggling a full-time job, an internship and an evening/weekend MBA program, Adissu always manages to remain upbeat and friendly throughout the day.  We were lucky enough to snag a few moments with him to find out more about how he stays so positive while immersed in so much activity.

Q. I think you may be one of the busiest students on campus.  Tell us a little bit about your schedule.

A. Usually, I wake up at 6 A.M. every morning. At 7 A.M. I arrive at GDM where I work as a Shift Manager.  At 12 P.M or 1 P.M. I finish my job at GDM and go to lunch. From 2-5 P.M. I work at a company called Galaxy Ninja where I have an internship. I come back to my room at 5:20 P.M. and start doing assignments, projects and homework. After dinner, I attend the evening class. Though my schedule looks a bit tight, I always feel happy and keep smiling because I feel that being happy is one way of being wise and one of the purposes of life. God created us to live a life of happiness. Besides, the work I do in both companies is very close to my passions in life. Economics and Business and Computer Applications are among my major passions. In the morning I work in the business world and in the afternoon I work on Search Engine Optimization, both of which are dear to my heart.

Q. Where are you from?

A. I was born in one of the most beautiful cities of Ethiopia called Debre Zeyit. It is about 30 miles away from the nations capital, Addis Ababa.

Q. How did you find out about MUM and how long have you been here now?

A. From friends. Two years.

Q. You recently began an internship in the afternoons in town. Can you tell us about it? Where is it and what do you do there?

A. It is here in downtown Fairfield at a company called Galaxy Ninja. My internship is on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It is the process of setting up a website so that it ranks well for particular keywords within the organic search engines, including Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. Reading, writing, admiring nature and exploring new things are my hobbies. I always try to finish a book per two weeks.  I “read” audio books voraciously while I do other things. If I can’t go out and philosophize something about the moon or clouds or any other natural things, then my soul just dies.

Q. What are your goals and dreams for the future, and where do you see yourself five years from now?

A. My dream is to live a life of my passion. I do have different passions among which software engineering, Business and Economics and Social Studies are the major ones. So far, I have been studying to get sound knowledge about Business,  Economics and Social Studies. I have had enough of them now.  Since last semester, I have started reading software programming languages, which is a prerequisite for the Masters program in Computer Science. My short-term goal is to get my Masters in Computer Science. My long-term goal is to connect all the disciplines I studied and do something which may uplift the life of human race. I want to see myself advancing in my career goal, learning new things and taking on new responsibilities.

Q. What is one thing you miss about your country?

A. Family, and the ancient Monasteries and Churches

Q. What is one thing you appreciate about MUM/ Fairfield?

A. Remarkable community, friendly people

Q. You are graduating this June. What are your plans after graduation?

A. Looking for a job and continuing to study!

Thanks for your time, Adissu. You are an inspiration.