Featured post
10/12/15
05/12/15
08/10/15
My favourite spiritual authors (2015)
Despite writing recently about Neale Donald Walsch's books Conversations With God I don't want to give the impression that I subscribe entirely to what he and his God say in those books.
When I first heard of the books when I was getting a Reiki attunement I thought that the idea was pie in the sky. It was not until I was in my late 20's when somebody I was chatting to online on Gary Zukav's old blog (he has a newer one now) mentioned Neale Donald Walsch so I did a Google search for him (not remembering that he wrote the CWG triology and other books) and found his old blog (he also has a new blog now), and read some of his quotes - allegedly from God - and I actually believed them.
I am not going to give a summary of his books as I could be writing for a long time. I regularly reread parts of his books. One thing I will say though is that, in the books God says that he communicates with humans all the time and it is only a question of listening to him. I am inclined to believe that we all have a higer self, or soul, and that our higher self or soul is God or part of God. So these books by Neale Donald Walsch are his converations with his higher self of God. My idea of God is different to that of Neale Donald Walsch (although I believe the vast majority of the material in his books and they have been and continualy are highly beneficial to me) in that I believe in the reality of evil. I don't actually get unduly concerned about possessions and exorcisms and even the devil though believe it or not because the more regular everyday evil we or I come across every day is more pressing and worrying.
M. Scott Peck's books have changed my life more than any other writer ever. Next Neale Donald Walsch's books have helped change, or evolve, me the most and Gary Zukav has a big amount also along with Anthony De Mello's books and those of Eckart Tolle's.
When I first heard of the books when I was getting a Reiki attunement I thought that the idea was pie in the sky. It was not until I was in my late 20's when somebody I was chatting to online on Gary Zukav's old blog (he has a newer one now) mentioned Neale Donald Walsch so I did a Google search for him (not remembering that he wrote the CWG triology and other books) and found his old blog (he also has a new blog now), and read some of his quotes - allegedly from God - and I actually believed them.
I am not going to give a summary of his books as I could be writing for a long time. I regularly reread parts of his books. One thing I will say though is that, in the books God says that he communicates with humans all the time and it is only a question of listening to him. I am inclined to believe that we all have a higer self, or soul, and that our higher self or soul is God or part of God. So these books by Neale Donald Walsch are his converations with his higher self of God. My idea of God is different to that of Neale Donald Walsch (although I believe the vast majority of the material in his books and they have been and continualy are highly beneficial to me) in that I believe in the reality of evil. I don't actually get unduly concerned about possessions and exorcisms and even the devil though believe it or not because the more regular everyday evil we or I come across every day is more pressing and worrying.
M. Scott Peck's books have changed my life more than any other writer ever. Next Neale Donald Walsch's books have helped change, or evolve, me the most and Gary Zukav has a big amount also along with Anthony De Mello's books and those of Eckart Tolle's.
07/10/15
What is the problem with the world at the most basic level?
I am inclinded to agree with Neale Donald Walsch when he says that the problems of this world need a spirtual solution and not political or economic or military ones, or at least not in their current forms.
However if we all actually used our brains we could evolve so much without even having to ask for God's help I think.
"One of the major dilemmas we face both as individuals and as a society is simplistic thinking- or the failure to think at all. It isn't just a problem, it is the problem". - M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled and Beyond.
I know that a lot of you reading this use your brains. Could you imagine if everyone on this earth used their brains and actually sought with curioristy and enthusiasm to increase their consciouness and knowledge of this earth and it's people? We wouldn't have a problem!
However if we all actually used our brains we could evolve so much without even having to ask for God's help I think.
"One of the major dilemmas we face both as individuals and as a society is simplistic thinking- or the failure to think at all. It isn't just a problem, it is the problem". - M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled and Beyond.
I know that a lot of you reading this use your brains. Could you imagine if everyone on this earth used their brains and actually sought with curioristy and enthusiasm to increase their consciouness and knowledge of this earth and it's people? We wouldn't have a problem!
# M. Scott Peck / Scotty / Scott Peck
30/09/15
Reiki and the Reiki Federation Ireland
Gillian McNamara, PRO Reiki Federation Ireland
Soundbite - Reiki as a complementary therapy as opposed to an alternative therapy
- Reiki Federation Ireland
(2015)
29/09/15
Alcoholism
I remember reading one of Neale Donald Walsch's books where it said that alcohol irrespective of the dose impairs the mind. I just read this page long description on alcohol (well mostly alcoholism) and it is eery how accurate it is to me (I used to have a drink problem) and it makes me look at a lot of people differently: people who I didn't think had a drink problem but now I can see that they have (even if most of them can function by and large day-to-day) - including looking at most people in our society generally differently as I recognise now that most people, or the majority of people, are suffering from damage from alcohol to a greater or lesser extent also.
(In Ireland anyway - I will let others judge and comment on their own respective countries.)
I have highlighted what to me really sticks out. Not many people may be interested in reading the whole page.
Here is the article republished:
Alcoholism is a disease of the body, thinking, emotions and spirit. Progressive damage to these four aspects interact in various ways such that a person is increasingly compelled to drink. Also, once drinking starts they cannot 'always' guarantee when they will stop or how much they will drink.
The Body
A genetic predisposition. Fifty percent of alcoholics have an inherited genetic makeup that almost guaranteed they would become alcoholic when they began to drink heavily. For example, the brain chemistry of some children or grandchildren of alcoholics actually encourages heavier drinking.
Alcohol Metabolism. Alcohol is metabolized differently by some people. As a result the body and brain requires more alcohol to have the same effect than normal drinkers would need.
Cell alteration. All heavy drinkers undergo changes at the cellular level of the brain. Where the brain cells meet extra receptor positions grow to receive the heavy dose of alcohol related chemical messengers. When not drinking these extra receptor positions demand to be filled thus creating a craving for alcohol.
Brain damage. Alcohol, in any quantity, is poisonous to brain cells and kills off cells in their millions. The most critically affected parts of the brain are those that deal with short term memory, decision making and rational thinking. Women heavy drinkers develop brain damage with less drinking than men.
Liver Damage. The most common liver disease of alcoholics is cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. This disease results in reduced and corrupted chemicals being sent to the body which can result in damage to other organs. Women suffer liver damage with less alcohol consumption than men.
Alcoholic Hepatitis (AH). AH is caused by other liver diseases most notably cirrhosis of the liver. More than 60% of persons who develop both AH and cirrhosis will die within four years. AH can cause changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression; shortened attention span; and problems with coordination may occur.
Brain Chemicals. The body and especially the brain relies on the liver to filter important body fluids and excrete wastes. As a result of contaminated chemistry from a damaged liver the brain does not function properly. Typically a person will have cloudy and slowed thinking.
Heart Damage. Heavy drinking causes damage to the heart muscles. The heart pumps less blood and an abnormal heart beat may develop. Women suffer heart damage with less alcohol consumed than men.
Skeletal Muscles. Heavy drinking causes muscles in the arms and legs to shrink. For example, an alcoholic may have legs that are out of proportion, skinnier, than the rest of their body. Sufferers may become embarrassed about their body shape.
Cancer. The risk of cancer increases with greater alcohol consumption - more so in women. Cancer can develop in the upper airways, the liver, breasts and the bowels.
Sexual Organs and Sexuality. Heavy alcohol use shrinks the testicles. In men and women the breasts grow larger. Men produce more female hormones and women produce more male hormones. Men become less virile and women become less feminine. As a result a persons sexuality and libido is altered.
They may sense change in their sexuality and over compensate by becoming more sexually active. Indiscriminate or intoxicated sexual activity raises the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Thinking
As detailed before various damaged body organs and altered chemistry affect how the brain thinks.
This buildup of thinking changes occurs over an extended time period. These small changes are usually unseen by the sufferer. The person reacts by adjusting their reasoning and behavior to accommodate their new ways of thinking. Alcoholics always adjust their thinking in ways that are harmful to themselves. And further, they cannot see the impact of their new coping style.
Typically they begin to adopt a siege mentality. Inner-self feedback, and from other people, indicates they are not quite at one with their 'inner' selves or the person they once were. Their experiences seem to paint a picture to the sufferer that people around them are against them, or are better than them, or are just different from themselves. They become insecure, angry, ashamed, depressed and anxious about their altered attitudes and actions.
This siege mentality generates a self-centered perspective to protect their self concept. They become takers and non-givers. "I want what I want and I want it now", sort of thing; "I need a drink, now"; regardless of the needs of others. And, when they do not get it they assert themselves even more, becoming more demanding as the disease progresses.
Alcoholics will increasingly try to cope by drinking more alcohol to take away the pain of their perception of being isolated in thinking and behavior. They slowly adopt a denial attitude to their real condition, which they eventually believe is reality for them.
The alcoholic drinks more due to a different brain chemistry and metabolism, has craving for more alcohol due to cell alteration and organ damage, and drinks more to cope with the effects of their changed thinking and behavior. They are drinking to feel normal.
The Emotions
From the above it can easily be seen that their emotions become strained and twisted. They become emotionally dependent on achieving and keeping a state of denial of their true situation. They deny it to themselves and others. If their alcoholism is in threat of being exposed or their alcohol supply is threatened they may protect themselves with anger, bluff, self-pity, manipulation, depression, running away & etc.
They 'feel' as if they must continue their current emotional and thinking stance at all costs. Alcohol has become their best friend and they are loyal to it.
The Spirit
The spirit of a person is the centre of their personality. If, as seen above, the person is not thinking, feeling or acting as their true self would, not aligned with their spiritual self, they are spiritually ill at ease; or dis-eased.
A Solution
The progression of the disease must be arrested by stopping drinking and restoration of health in all four areas - body, thinking, emotions and spirit.
It is the dis-eased spiritual state that is targeted by the most successful treatment service world wide - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Through the Twelve Steps of recovery each person finds their inner, spiritual self by stripping away the effects of alcoholism and fixing up the wreckage of past thinking and actions. They begin to live a life of freedom from alcohol that has had them enslaved.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/opinions/11632
(In Ireland anyway - I will let others judge and comment on their own respective countries.)
I have highlighted what to me really sticks out. Not many people may be interested in reading the whole page.
Here is the article republished:
Alcoholism is a four fold progressive disease
Robin Foote
Alcoholism is a disease of the body, thinking, emotions and spirit. Progressive damage to these four aspects interact in various ways such that a person is increasingly compelled to drink. Also, once drinking starts they cannot 'always' guarantee when they will stop or how much they will drink.
The Body
A genetic predisposition. Fifty percent of alcoholics have an inherited genetic makeup that almost guaranteed they would become alcoholic when they began to drink heavily. For example, the brain chemistry of some children or grandchildren of alcoholics actually encourages heavier drinking.
Alcohol Metabolism. Alcohol is metabolized differently by some people. As a result the body and brain requires more alcohol to have the same effect than normal drinkers would need.
Cell alteration. All heavy drinkers undergo changes at the cellular level of the brain. Where the brain cells meet extra receptor positions grow to receive the heavy dose of alcohol related chemical messengers. When not drinking these extra receptor positions demand to be filled thus creating a craving for alcohol.
Brain damage. Alcohol, in any quantity, is poisonous to brain cells and kills off cells in their millions. The most critically affected parts of the brain are those that deal with short term memory, decision making and rational thinking. Women heavy drinkers develop brain damage with less drinking than men.
Liver Damage. The most common liver disease of alcoholics is cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. This disease results in reduced and corrupted chemicals being sent to the body which can result in damage to other organs. Women suffer liver damage with less alcohol consumption than men.
Alcoholic Hepatitis (AH). AH is caused by other liver diseases most notably cirrhosis of the liver. More than 60% of persons who develop both AH and cirrhosis will die within four years. AH can cause changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression; shortened attention span; and problems with coordination may occur.
Brain Chemicals. The body and especially the brain relies on the liver to filter important body fluids and excrete wastes. As a result of contaminated chemistry from a damaged liver the brain does not function properly. Typically a person will have cloudy and slowed thinking.
Heart Damage. Heavy drinking causes damage to the heart muscles. The heart pumps less blood and an abnormal heart beat may develop. Women suffer heart damage with less alcohol consumed than men.
Skeletal Muscles. Heavy drinking causes muscles in the arms and legs to shrink. For example, an alcoholic may have legs that are out of proportion, skinnier, than the rest of their body. Sufferers may become embarrassed about their body shape.
Cancer. The risk of cancer increases with greater alcohol consumption - more so in women. Cancer can develop in the upper airways, the liver, breasts and the bowels.
Sexual Organs and Sexuality. Heavy alcohol use shrinks the testicles. In men and women the breasts grow larger. Men produce more female hormones and women produce more male hormones. Men become less virile and women become less feminine. As a result a persons sexuality and libido is altered.
They may sense change in their sexuality and over compensate by becoming more sexually active. Indiscriminate or intoxicated sexual activity raises the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Thinking
As detailed before various damaged body organs and altered chemistry affect how the brain thinks.
This buildup of thinking changes occurs over an extended time period. These small changes are usually unseen by the sufferer. The person reacts by adjusting their reasoning and behavior to accommodate their new ways of thinking. Alcoholics always adjust their thinking in ways that are harmful to themselves. And further, they cannot see the impact of their new coping style.
Typically they begin to adopt a siege mentality. Inner-self feedback, and from other people, indicates they are not quite at one with their 'inner' selves or the person they once were. Their experiences seem to paint a picture to the sufferer that people around them are against them, or are better than them, or are just different from themselves. They become insecure, angry, ashamed, depressed and anxious about their altered attitudes and actions.
This siege mentality generates a self-centered perspective to protect their self concept. They become takers and non-givers. "I want what I want and I want it now", sort of thing; "I need a drink, now"; regardless of the needs of others. And, when they do not get it they assert themselves even more, becoming more demanding as the disease progresses.
Alcoholics will increasingly try to cope by drinking more alcohol to take away the pain of their perception of being isolated in thinking and behavior. They slowly adopt a denial attitude to their real condition, which they eventually believe is reality for them.
The alcoholic drinks more due to a different brain chemistry and metabolism, has craving for more alcohol due to cell alteration and organ damage, and drinks more to cope with the effects of their changed thinking and behavior. They are drinking to feel normal.
The Emotions
From the above it can easily be seen that their emotions become strained and twisted. They become emotionally dependent on achieving and keeping a state of denial of their true situation. They deny it to themselves and others. If their alcoholism is in threat of being exposed or their alcohol supply is threatened they may protect themselves with anger, bluff, self-pity, manipulation, depression, running away & etc.
They 'feel' as if they must continue their current emotional and thinking stance at all costs. Alcohol has become their best friend and they are loyal to it.
The Spirit
The spirit of a person is the centre of their personality. If, as seen above, the person is not thinking, feeling or acting as their true self would, not aligned with their spiritual self, they are spiritually ill at ease; or dis-eased.
A Solution
The progression of the disease must be arrested by stopping drinking and restoration of health in all four areas - body, thinking, emotions and spirit.
It is the dis-eased spiritual state that is targeted by the most successful treatment service world wide - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Through the Twelve Steps of recovery each person finds their inner, spiritual self by stripping away the effects of alcoholism and fixing up the wreckage of past thinking and actions. They begin to live a life of freedom from alcohol that has had them enslaved.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/opinions/11632
31/08/15
22/07/15
19/07/15
UNAIDS 2015 Report
UNAIDS released their 2015 annual report in Addis Ababa in Ethiopa during the week in which they said that they have met the UN Millennium Development Goals target of having 15 million people on antiretroviral drugs for HIV nine months ahead of schedule. They say that there are 19.8 million people in the world who know they have HIV and again that for the first time 15 million of them are on antiretroviral drugs. They believe that there are 36.9 million people with HIV or AIDS in the world but that the other 17 million people are unaware that they have it. They expect that there will be universal coverage of the drugs by the end of the SDGs in 2030. I really hope that it happens a lot sooner though. Getting people tested and those who have HIV or AIDS treated has to be a bigger priority so that everyone who has HIV have as long a life as people without it. Getting everyone who has HIV treated is as important a goal as making sure everyone has enough food to eat and water to drink.
UNAIDS announces that the goal of 15 million people on life-saving HIV treatment by 2015 has been met nine months ahead of schedule | UNAIDS
How AIDS changed everything- MDG6: 15 years, 15 lessons of hope from the AIDS response | UNAIDS (2015)
18/07/15
Darren J. Prior / Mac an Phríora
Posted on Politics.ie.
Backdated on blog to day of posting.
#Conradh na Gaeilge
15/05/15
Team Hope Ireland Christmas Shoebox Appeal - distribution in Burundi School 2010
It is not Christmas yet but I saw this video today (from 2010) for the first time and it is so inspiring and amazing that I have to share!
@TeamHopeIreland
02/05/15
Be aware of the millions of people not being treated for HIV and AIDS today
We all know that HIV is manageable and treatable. In the West people with HIV have access to the anti-retrovirical drugs that manage the illness. If you have HIV and you do not have access to these drugs, or if you present to doctors too late with the illness, you will die of AIDS. I watched a couple of videos on Youtube a while back of people dying with AIDS. One of a young American man who died of AIDS in 1990 when we did not have the anti-retrovirical drugs and who contracted the illness through hetrosexual sex, and another more modern video of a AIDS ward in a country (I forget where exactly) in Africa. Millions of people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries are not receiving the anti-retrovirical drugs.
22/04/15
02/04/15
27/03/15
10/03/15
Raidió Fáilte in 2015
An t-agallamh eile a rinne mé inné ag caint le Fergus Ó hÍr an bainisteoir de Raidió Fáilte i mBéal Feirste. Is agallamh an-fhada ach an-eolasach é ó thaobh Raidió Fáilte!
Alcohol Action Ireland and The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015
A couple of weeks later than I planned but I interviewed Conor Cullen from Alcohol Action Ireland yesterday about the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015! :)
31/01/15
27/01/15
An Fóram Eacnamaíoch Domhanda 2015 agus Oxfam / The World Economic Forum 2015 and Oxfam
I met Sorcha Nic Mhathúna from Oxfam Ireland today in their Headquarters on Thorncastle Street to talk about the report they launched last week a couple of days before the World Economic Forum met in Davos. The launch of this report is just one action as part of Oxfam International's Even It Up campaign to try to overcome the problem of income inequality internationally.
22/01/15
Seoladh Bliain Eorpach na Forbartha / Launch of the European Year for Development 2015
Sheol an tUachtarán Michael D. Higgins an bhliain i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath inniu. Chuaigh mé ann ar son Near FM & Raidió na Life agus rinne mé sé agallaimh ann leis an tUachtarán Michael D. Ó hUiginn san áireamh. Labhair mé le Fiona Coyle ó Dóchas; le Paula Galvin múinteoir agus gníomhaire sóisialta; le Jim Clarken ó Oxfam Éireann agus le Sharan Kelly ó Tearfund Éireann agus an cathaoirleach reatha de Dóchas freisin.
President Michael D. Higgins launched the year in Dublin Castle today. I went to it for Near FM & Raidió na Life and did six interviews at it including with President Michael D. Higgins. I also spoke to Fiona Coyle from Dóchas; with Paula Galvin a teacher and social activist; with Jim Clarken from Oxfam and with Sharan Kelly from Tearfund and the current chairperson of Dóchas.
President Michael D. Higgins launched the year in Dublin Castle today. I went to it for Near FM & Raidió na Life and did six interviews at it including with President Michael D. Higgins. I also spoke to Fiona Coyle from Dóchas; with Paula Galvin a teacher and social activist; with Jim Clarken from Oxfam and with Sharan Kelly from Tearfund and the current chairperson of Dóchas.
14/01/15
12/01/15
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus comharthaí bóithre - cad faoi?
Dinny McGinley TD (2009)
Éamon Ó Cuív TD (2012)
+ Nuashonrú / Update (2024):
Comh. Naoise Ó Muirí (2020)
Peadar Tóibín TD (2021)
Olltogchán General Election 2016
http://www.politics.ie/forum/elections/233479-ge-2016-dublin-west.html
Services
Micheál Martin made a great point when interviewed on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday that he would prioritise funding to services before (small) tax cuts etc. in future budgets. As he said what is the point in a lot of people having an extra €200 a year (which a lot of if not most don't of course since the last budget with Irish Water also coming in) and they can't access decent services. I agree with him of course.
Even it Up
The inequality in Ireland and in most countries in the world is actually unbelievable. Even if we in Ireland and other Western countries are not dying of starvation like in some countries in the Sahel in Africa the level or degree of inequality in Ireland is unbelievable. A drive around Dublin and other cities will tell you that.
Anyway Oxfam Interntional launched a huge new campaign and report a couple of months ago called "Even it Up" to try to change the shocking level of inequality around the world- in rich countries and poor- and I interviewed Sorcha Nic Mhathúna from Oxfam Ireland about it. (Tá an dara agallamh as Gaeilge.)
Anyway Oxfam Interntional launched a huge new campaign and report a couple of months ago called "Even it Up" to try to change the shocking level of inequality around the world- in rich countries and poor- and I interviewed Sorcha Nic Mhathúna from Oxfam Ireland about it. (Tá an dara agallamh as Gaeilge.)
Gorta - Self Help Africa
Gorta Ireland's oldest overseas development NGO merged a few months ago with Self Help Africa and they are now called Gorta-Self Help Africa in Ireland and Self-Help Africa in Africa. They work in ten African countries and hope to help three million people to help themselves in these countries in 2015! They do great work and I am happy to help them as a volunteer in Ireland. :)
The Hope Foundation - Raidió na Life
Seo é agallamh a rinne mé anuraidh le Róisín Higgins saorálaí leis The Hope Foundation in Kolkata san India. Déanann siad obair iontach le páistí ann!
Toilets & Sanitation in Developing Countries
I first became aware of this issue even existing only around two years ago. I have since interviewed two specialists on it- Niall Roche a WASH specialist and lecturer on global health and Brynne Gilmore from the Irish Forum for Global Health and the Centre for Global Health at Trinity College (interviews below) and I also discussed the topic with Claire Lynch of Aidlink who works on this matter in Uganda and with Hans Zomer when discussing the recent Millennium Developments Goals Report and the post-2015 International Development Goals targets.
Snáitheanna Gaeilge faoi chúrsaí idirnáisiúnta
Tá roinnt snáithe idirlíne tosaithe agam trí mheán na Gaeilge le os cionn dhá bhliain anuas faoi chúrsaí idirnáisiúnta:
Oibrithe Deonacha ag Sárú an Bhochtanais i dTíortha i mBéal Forbartha- Tuairisc Raidió na Life (15/10/13)
Géarchéim in Iarthar na hAifrice 2012-2015- Tuairisc Raidió na Life
Géarchéim sa tSiria- Tuairisc Raidió na Life
Géarchéim i bPoblacht na hAfraice Láir CAR- Tuairisc Raidió na Life
Tuilleadh foinsí nuachta Gaeilge:
Community & Voluntary & Development Sector on Social Media
If anyone wants to show that you work in the Community & Voluntary & Development Sector I started a Linkedin and Facebook page called just that so we can display on our profiles on those social media sites that we work in the sector.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/community-&-voluntary-&-development-sector
https://www.facebook.com/commvoldevelopment
https://www.linkedin.com/company/community-&-voluntary-&-development-sector
https://www.facebook.com/commvoldevelopment
Help your own country
http://www.globalcitizen.org/Content/Content.aspx?id=d941ab82-aaa2-481c-8db9-51cb3b8e8144
http://www.one.org/us/2014/03/04/the-problem-with-little-white-girls-and-boys/
http://www.one.org/us/2014/03/04/the-problem-with-little-white-girls-and-boys/
I still think we need the International Development NGO's though of course. It can be easy to forget about it for me interviewing mostly Irish people from the development sector, but I think that most staff working for the Dev NGO's abroad are actually from those countries.
04/01/15
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