The Wave Number 2

The Wave

A Newsletter & Resource for Devotees

Volume 1 Number 2 July 31, 304 Dwapara Yuga
______________________________________________________________

Second Issue of the Wave

Convocation in Los Angeles is nearly here or is in progress. Our mini-convo in Encinitas advances similarly. Soon we will have the pilgrimage tour to Encinitas where devotees from around the world converge on our community.

The response to the first issue of The Wave was good. The total number of copies printed was 50. All the advertisers (all two of us) received increased business as a result of advertising in The Wave. This second issue is larger and contains more ads and articles.

Recycling Computers
Mark Millman

People are often upgrading their computers to keep pace with technology and often have no idea what to do with their ‘old’ one. They are a hazard in the trash and difficult to throw out. What many people don’t realize is that many of the parts, such as memory, hard disks, CD ROM drives, network, sound and video cards, power supplies, keyboards, mice and monitors are nearly all recycle-able. The same applies to old laptops. Not only does recycling these parts help keep the hazardous trash levels down, but it provides ‘inexpensive’ upgrades for low and fixed income people who cannot afford new computers. So, if you have an old computer that no longer has value to you, call the PC Doctor (Mark) and I will take it away for you or you can bring it to me. Call me any time on (760) 613-2257 or drop me an email at pcdoctor@cox.net. Please note that broken or faulty printers these days are not (in most cases) repairable, so only working printers will be collected.

Aum
"...is released from the innermost reaches of the breathing system, starting as it does in the root sound 'ah', passes from the lowest part of the diaphragm through the throat without touching any part of the palate or tongue, narrows down to 'oo' to roll through the mouth and is cut off finally by the lips in the closed sound of 'mm'. The guttural 'ah', the labial 'oo' and the nasal 'mm' are the physical limits, according to Hindu theorists, to all the possibilities of basic articulation." --The Music of India by Peggy Holroyde, 1972 page 59.

Best Spiritual Movie
Regarding awards for Best Spiritual movie, ideally to be given out at Convocation:

I have been trying to discover people who can recommend current movies that might be at the top of the category for the best spiritual movies.

Along with that, I think we should, each year, give an award for outstanding "classical" spiritual movie. We could easily start that process with movies such as "Song of Bernadette," and "The Reluctant Saint."

If we can find a person to take charge of Spiritual Movie selection, he can try to track down a prominent living representative for those films, to whom we can present the award at convocation. It would also be appropriate to inform some news media that the awards will be presented.

The Incredible Shrinking Universe
I think I may have stumbled upon some higher law of physics--the universe seems actually to be shrinking. I think it has to do with objects that tend to be stationary or relatively immobile. For example with the passage of a certain period of time I have noticed that certain narrow passageways that I used to get through with ease have become restricted, making my transit more difficult. I especially notice this phenomenon in my closet. Articles of clothing left unattended for periods of time show definite signs of decreasing size or shrinkage. Shirts and trousers that once fit easily are now found to be much too small. I can only attribute these observances to a kind of closing together of the atoms of the known universe. What other explanation could there be?

A Sort of a ModelLet's say we have a big piece of property somewhere. Let's say we drill a well and have a water supply. Let's say we have our own energy supply somehow, through solar or whatever. If we have a community of people we can grow our own food and pretty much survive and be self-sufficient. In addition, from time to time people can go out into the world and perhaps acquire items that we don't produce ourselves. And some items can be just donated from the outside and by people in the process of moving into the community. We should easily be able to be self-sufficient without having to think about using money. Money immediately creates unnecessary complexity. We can make our own soap and toothpaste or we can trade some of our services, but let's stay away from money. The time spent in accounting and various pushings of paper is horrendous. We could have our hands in the soil or be sitting under trees meditating instead.

Letter
Hey Kevin, great good first newsletter. Sounds like you're on a roll and are letting the Universe unfold as you go about doing the work you're in "tune" with! Thanks for sending this as an attachment. I was able to open it with no problems. Best wishes to you and all in this much needed service.

In Master,
Karen Dornatt

Improving Encinitas as a Devotee CommunityEncinitas is already, and long has been, one of the locations where devotee communities exist. As well as the ashram communities for monks and nuns, the community of devotees forms a loose-knit though extensive network.

The main focus that keeps the devotee community in existence is, of course, the temple and ashram center. To help make the lives of the devotees more fulfilling and successful, it is appropriate to try to bring about additional facilities and services. I want to list here some ideas that may enhance our community of devotees in Encinitas. I hope that you will send in ideas of your own. These are just some suggestions:

A devotee Information/Network CenterThis might be located in an existing business or in an extra room or building. It already exists to varying degrees at the temple, at Encinitas Imports, at The Wave, and various other locations. (Let me know if your business serves this function to some degree.) An ideal devotee info center would be centrally located (in the temple/ashram area), would be available to devotees most of the time, would have someone available who can help with questions, and would contain or connect to resources that can assist devotees in many ways.

A Devotee Newsletter
To keep people up to date on activities and businesses involving devotees, to serve as a medium for sharing ideas and resources. Listings of devotee businesses and personal ads would form an important part of such a newsletter. The Wave is one attempt to manifest this concept. There may be other newsletters existing or in the planning stages and it would be great if we can link these together.

An Online Information Network
This can serve devotees all over the world and can be an extensive listing of resource and exchange. Mark Millman is currently working on such a project. There are some websites that offer some services and help to connect people.

Devotee businesses
To provide an avenue where devotees can work, learn, meditate, and grow together. Such businesses can provide support for other devotee activities. WaveOfTheSea.com is setting up an online listing of various devotee-produced craft items as well as harmoniums that are for sale.

Library
At The Wave we are gradually increasing our collections of books and videos that might be useful and interesting to devotees. Our space is limited and it would be great if we can find more space for this purpose.

Voluntary League (VL)
I am surprised that some people have not heard of the voluntary league concept. I think that the VL ultimately comprises all the service activities undertaken by devotees, especially activities that are reaching out to help others. Initially we can help our own devotees by sharing surplus items such as clothing and utensils. Eventually I can see that we can help to feed and look after more and more people who are in need, ideally in a mutually supportive family-type atmosphere.

Schools and universities
Schools that focus more-and-more on Master's teachings and how-to-live principals, SRF universities that introduce our basic concepts, scientifically explore spiritual principals, and prepare devotees for lives as either householders or monastics. Dramatic and other artistic presentations can be an important way for young people to learn to interiorize and become familiar with SRF principals.

Get-away Retreats and Rural Communities
Places where devotees can live, work, and meditate in natural settings -- away from turbulent cities and the need to commute and compete. I visualize a number of villages where devotees can live and serve for varying periods, in order to heal and grow. Members from these communities can travel to various ashram centers to help with the SRF work, returning to the communities as needed to recharge.

Senior and Rehabilitation Centers
These might best be combined with the rural communities and even with the schools. Bringing together young and old and people with various strengths and needs can be the most "organic" way of integrating the sharing of knowledge and assistance.

Hikes, Camping Trips, and Other Recreational Adventures
Organizing fun activities to contribute to health and physical development.

Devotee Restaurant or Other Food Services
Food co-ops, community farming, and SRF-type restaurants to help introduce people to our teachings and lifestyle.

Many of these concepts are already taking place in varying ways and on various levels. My purpose here is to focus our attention on the general concepts so that we can more effectively work together to bring about these methods of enriching our lives together, and supporting the continuous flow of new devotees to our community.