Hi. And welcome. I'm Terry Walhus. I'm flesh based in Austin, Texas. My interests are ham radio, fitness, reading, hiking, tennis, volleyball, and homebuilding. I started this conference. I started the Spring. I would like to talk about Mother Teresa's works, about Sangha, about good books on Buddhism, and other things. I hope folks discover this place and we get some interesting discussions going.

Greetings from altitude, from the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Flesh-based, huh? I like. Spiritually I am centered but continuously integrating growth into my beliefs. As far as a particular religion, call me a Heinz 57. Interests include cycling, blading, reading, cooking, mountain climbing (new hobby discovered since I've been in CO) and a bunch of other things that might put me into trouble with censorship rules and the powers that be! I enjoy learning, that's one of the reasons I became a teacher. Let's chat!

30+ who is generally a practicing Discordian, Southern Baptist on paper, and probably best defined as a Monotheistic Multideist. WER

Those "other things" sound fascinating.

presently I am finding peace through folding my laundry into oragami swans...

Are you auditioning for Martha Stewart?

And if not, you should... WER

Hey guys, there's a lot more talent in this pint sized version... cooking, folding... we have only scratched the surface!

I thought that was the best place to scratch... WER

Where do we find the other versions? Quart? Gallon?

They might be metric, also terry! WER

Alright, enough. No liter, pint or gallon version. Just me, just my size. So there.

Too bad.

If there's just one, I might prefer here not there. WER

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Forget the origins of the holiday... give me candy and freaky costumes anyday!!!

And Happy Halloween to you, too. (What about freaks with candy costumes?) WER

Available at your neighborhood Spencer's.

Hey everyone, My name is Brian Castelli. I am 22 years old and a fifth year senior at the University of Michigan. I was raised Catholic, and attended parochial school for 12 years before coming to college. During my time here at Michigan, I've done some exploring, and don't really consider myself a Catholic any longer. I am a spiritual person though, and believe in some sort of spiritual evolution, I'm just not sure what form it will take. I really enjoy the Buddist view of things (that every thing is connect d) as far as energy goes. I'm always looking for interesting new perspectives on religion/spirituality. If you have any to offer, I'd love to talk about them. Hope to hear fro you soon!

Great to have you join the spirit conference. I hope to respond to your comments in some of the topics here. I've "seeded" it with some quotes from some writings and commentaries that I've secured permission to reprint.

And who knows what I'll say, but I'm sure it will help skew you're perspectives! WER

Skewered perspectives are encouraged.

That's one way you could describe my perspective! I've done a lot of skewering in the past few years. It seems to me that nature, although surrounded in chaos, strives to stay in balance. Every time that something alters it, it counters with a balance. This leads me to believe that energy (in all the forms it takes in nature) therefore strives for this balance. Evolution then, is just energy balancing out. Adaptations to stimulus along the way making sure things come out pretty much equal, with your strong surviving and your weak dropping off, but all the while occuring with a certain symmetry. Now whether there is one omnipitent being with a blueprint for this balancing act is a different story. What do you guys think?

No blueprint. Trying to keep yourself centered in an uncentered society is always a bit chaotic and I agree with the counter balance to the off-kilterness. Just be careful. Allow yourself to stay off-kilter for a bit every now and then for a new perspective. Sometimes loops are meant to be explored not just hopped through. I am considered the "chaos factor" to some and I feel growth is only possible when you step outside every now and again to see where you are going -- spiritually and otherwise. Oh! And welcome to the Spring!

And if off-kilter is my norm, should I try balance every once in a while?

I don't think you have a choice Wer, nature kinda takes care of that for you. But I don't know, you sound like a guy who might be able to defy the laws of nature. :)

*smile* after only a couple of postings and gud is on to you!

At least it isn't God...

Do you have "the fear?"

Yep, shakin' like a leaf on a twig...

Yeah, it's gud, definitely not God...so there's nothing to fear! What's your philosophy Wer? I'd like to get at some of that wisdom you seem to possess. Not everyone can one-up nature :)

The Benefits of Proper Upbringing The people don't take baths and they don't speak English. They are better informed and aspire to climb the pyramid, because of their systematic seperation and atrophy under civilization. When the villagers die, move something. But they tried EUGENICS in NAZI GERMANY. Of course, they deny this. We believe that white people have a right to be proud of our history and culture just as much as black people have a right to be proud of theirs. Grind the faces of the poor. It may suppress religious communities as well as collegiate and parish churches and hand over their property and revenue to the administration and disposal of the secular authority. The Lost Tribe has taken the island. But this is to mistake the nature of the explanation. Remember reading about the TEAPOT DOME! Many clients have paid in excess of $30, and we are asked to imagine an advanced civilization thousands of miles away. Through participation in it they probably have vast paranoid monoliths. All of this raises several very interesting issues. The Bolshevik revolution is given as another example so that I stand in the middle of their little game, amid squeals of mirth and with tears on my cheeks. And everything must be examined from this point of view and used or re- jected according to its utility. And the news media's all misty eyed about the level of civilization in Black Africa. But what is going on here is actually anything but ignorance with the empowerment of the individual. It irks me that I can't tell them certain things. Then their importance in sexual satisfaction was recognized. They you'll get forgiveness in secret combination of education with industrial production. You'll have to see for yourself. We may cite Proudhon's Philosophie de la Miserie as an example of this. I have an answering machine in my car. It's so glamorous! They'd call it an act of terrorism. What's to come is still unsure. We're not the Zombies. We are united in our fierce defense of the First Amendment. The models for these types come neither from psychology nor ancient religion. Latham says the most probable explanation of this lies in what the wild waves are saying. They are one and the same. Many clients paid

No idea how that last Many clients paid got in there. Sorry...

It does seem unlikely that discussion- serious or otherwise will occur with such delays in response ( I mean weeks not minutes) Any way I signed in so here is my 2cents worth. I'm a retired Research and Development person living in Mid America. I like to think of it as a rest stop on the yellow brick road (:-) Love to sail but have not since leaving Long Island NY Current activity includes American Society for Quality and Small Group Leader in Grace Church.

We'll try and pick up the pace. We're getting a bit more critical mass here now. What subjects interest you the most?

Currently active in American Society for Quality, also in church work with small groups. The recognition of corporate America that individuals are important is an indication of an understanding that what Christ teaches makes a lot o of sense. The understanding is still vague in most mamager's minds

I have to get to my sunday school class preparation. Did most of it but need to polish it up. "Talk" some more another day.

OK, come on back by and we'll talk some more.

I'd love to converse with you more on the whole Christ as Manager thing, also. Glad you're here.

I've just started an internet class w/A. Azevedo, who's active in the "spring.' I'm checking out some of the "hot spot" conferences. I started practicing buddhism last year so thought I'd look at this conf. Other interests include: painting, photography, nutrition/herbs/homeopathic healing, france/learning french.

welcome megan! the health conference should interest you as well and cultures has a french conference what precipitated your move toward buddhism?

Hi Stacey, Are the health & french conferences within the "spring?" If not, can you list their address sites? In ref to my move towards buddhism, I've been looking for a spiritual practice I could connect w/for over 10 yrs. I was raised Catholic & went thru the motions as a kid going to church, etc, but never felt a true connection. I read a number of books on spirituality & looked briefly into some diff. practices following college. I checked out buddhism about 10 yrs ago. It didn't feel right at the time so I didn't keep it up. This past year I've gotten into a rut and felt I should try it again. It feels great...the more I practice the more I feel my heart opening up and the more positive things I am accomplishing in my life. Do you follow a certain spiritual practice?

sounds great! yes, the conferences I mentioned are all within the spring. my spirituality is a mish mash of beliefs. trends have surfaced and grown through the years but I've never found a 'religion' that suited me. I have powerful ties toward buddhist teachings and really prefer to look to Nature as an entity. I find most of my answers to my inner questions and feel most centered when I can concentrate on the scope of existence. (kinda makes my life hiccups seem miniscule). Teachings and thoughts that move me to find perspective are what I follow... beyond that, I follow my heart! (and it gets me in plenty of trouble!)

Even though I'm following buddhism now, my spirituality has also been a mish-mash of beliefs. I go with what feels right. How long have you been involved in this "spring" conference?

I started in another conference that Paul (Paul Terry Wahlus) introduced me to in early 1996. I moved from Austin to Denver in August of 1996 and was 'disconnected' for awhile. I only know a handful of the people in real life (IRL, if you ever see it again) but everyone I've met (IRL and virtually) has been great. All kinds of personalities exist (happily) here. Great thought pool, great support group (when needed). Sadly enough, I kinda go through withdrawl if I don't get to check in at least once a day!

She's right, Megan, the people are great, and it is truly addictive... And, welcome!

Hey WER, great to see you here! Have fun exploring Megan!

told ya I had 43 in my hot list, I pop in and outa here whenever someone posts...

I was raised a Catholic, but, about the time that I graduated from high school, i started really studying the history of the catholic church in relation to it's teachings, and other religions which co-existed from time to time. I began to realize that the teachings of the Church did not bear close scrutiny. For a while I became disenchanted with organized religion in general, Then I found a religious group that preached no hierarchy. This I can live with.

may I ask the name of this religious group?

Church of Christ. Each congregation is it's own entity. Anyone can come to worship, dressed as they are. Any baptized Christian can preach, or baptize people or take an active role in the running of the church. You don't have to be baptized by someone from the Church of Christ. In other words, if you were baptized by the Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, whatever. If you are baptized you are baptized.

ditto with my church... church o the big rock atop a mountain bike, rollerblades, hiking boots...

Stace, do you have your mountain bike, blades & hiking boots squashed under a big ol' rock? ya mean....are they under a boulder? Is Boulder, Colorado your church? Oh, so you mountain bike, skate, and hike in the underground tunnels under Boulder? ever done all 3 during one church service? any of your gods able to keep up with you? no gods? any goddesses?

Excellent response!

i didnt even know this conference was here! just goes to show you. hi everybody!

Ray, I didn't even know you were here in this conference. Almost a whole day so far. Ok, Ray, you can come out now..... your presence is affecting the essences that envelope us in here.... can't ya feel the whole atmosphere shifting.... it's getting sensuous, sultry, and oozing with schmoozing.... oh wait, now it's, uh, well....a warm blanket of love seems to be floating in... Ray! .....what are you doin'?

well, right now i am laughing at your post!

you sure it's not just because Stacey is hiding under the blanket? (especially since she is in SA right now!!!)

that's right, i forgot that she in is SA!

I left a message with her family earlier about getting together next week when she comes to Austin. Hopefully, she'll get the message.

keep me posted. i will be in dallas from tomorrow (25 November) thru saturday.

I just got back from Austin and left a message with Stacey in San Antonio, a search for "vura" on infospace turned her up!

Told ya!!! Hear anything from her since it's Monday night and she leaves Wednesday?

Nope, I did try calling her San Antonio place a couple of times. Don't know how to reach her in Austin.

Not sure how to respond. Most religions believe in a higher being. Most even believe that Jesus was a prophet even the Jews(who still cant get it right). I am not religious, I am a Christian. i go to church because i want to not because a Parish priest tells me ill die if I dont. I read the bible because I want to know more. Im even looking at other religions to see where they are coming from. But noone finds true peace without Jesus. And Jesus is the only one who cheated death. I am the way the truth and the light, no one shall go to heaven except through me. Its in the bible.

Why can't, lovelife, the "Jews get it right"? Can you elucidate?

the Jews "can't get it right" because they were made deaf and blind to the coming of Christ so that the Gentiles could be "saved" as well... its in the bible

I would like to invite all visitors of this conference to the International Conflicts conference here on the Spring: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/InternationalConflicts/all This new conference is dedicated to the disputes between groups all over the world, be that social, cultural, political or ethnical differences.

now, that was an interesting segue...

Wer, what is a segue?

a lead in to something else

Oh, another word for link! Hotlink, hyperlink or dynamic link, I wonder...

sort of...

more like an introduction, Alexander... segue: to make a transition directly from one section or theme, as of music, to another

I grew up in Nebraska but now live in Boston. I was raised in the Jewish tradition, but I now study many spiritual belief systems, and reconcile them with logic and science. Lately I've been reading Thich Nhat Hanh, Daniel Quinn, Rene Girard, and Gil Bailie.

Did you know Daniel Quinn is an Austin guy? I've heard a lot about his books, and I first heard about him from Art Rosenblum who flew into Austin one time in his rickety private plane, tryed to settle down at a hippie farm near Manor and instead got ripped off of his life savings of $5,000 by the community there, and returned to Philadelphia somewhat beaten up by the experience. Anyway, he had nothing but great praise for Quinn.

I love Quinn. He grew up in Omaha, not far from where I lived as a very young child. His autobiography is terrific.

Hi. I'm Phil. I'm brand new to the Spring, after hearing about it on another conferencing system (the Well). Grew up religious, but now pursue spirituality outside of rigid walls and definitions. Inclined toward Taoism and Zen.

Glad you're coming around here Phil, are you an Austin based person?

Welcome to Spirit, Phil. Let us know something about you...

Phil, nice to meet you! Are you into that Pill of Immortality daoism? I always thaught that was really a neat idea... I'm also pursueing things, sometimes inside and sometimes outside walls, and often enough jumping up and down. (Gosh, I wish I had a cooler intro, but that's that current state, folks!) And if that ever gets too boring, I try pursueing some things THROUGH walls! (That's at least somewhat more spectacular...) Oh, lest I forget this, another Springizens welcome for you: Topic 7 of 65 [porch]: Ramble Response 642 of 644: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:58) * 1 lines WELCOME PHIL!

Hello Terry and folks. I have never been on a chat line ever. I read about the Spirit conference in the dec. issue of utne and want to talk about HSP's. I am on Vancouver Island in Canada and It is Dec. 2000. Are there any Highly Sensitive People out there to talk to? Thanks.

You may check out Paraspring conference - Wolf, the hostess of the conference is a sensitive and most interesting lady. Please make yourself comfortable and I extend aloha and welcome to Spring! (My conference is Geo...)

We'd love to talk about Vancouver Island! Mady, come back!

MSN has a HSP message board ....and some links from there ..