Massimo D'Onofrio: Personal Notes

Trekkies unite... again

Thu, 19 May 2005 09:20:06 GMT

I would like to voice my outrage at the cancellation of the series Star Trek: Enterprise. I feel that the cancellation of this show on the eve of Star Trek's 40th anniversary is a big slap in the face to all the fans by Paramount. A worldwide campaign is underway by the fans at http://www.trekunited.com/ to save Star Trek. Please come and have a look! max ;-)

How to publish a Book on AMAZON

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 21:30:47 GMT

How to Sell Your Book, CD, or DVD on Amazon. Micro-niche, long-tail publishing [Cool Tools]

Forum Barcelona 2004

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 19:39:59 GMT

RAIMON PANIKKAR, ESPECIALISTA EN CULTURA INDIA E HISTORIA Y FILOSOFÍA DE LAS RELIGIONES: «POR RAZONES POCO CONFESABLES, EN OCCIDENTE SE HACE CAMPAÑA CONTRA LAS OTRAS RELIGIONES»

Modestneeds

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 18:04:55 GMT

Settimo congresso mondiale di medicina alternativa - PSI DAYS 2004 di Basilea, Svizzera

Fri, 10 Dec 2004 17:06:35 GMT

Settimo congresso mondiale di medicina alternativa - PSI DAYS 2004 Per coloro che s'interessano al nutrimento spirituale si è tenuta in Svizzera, a Basilea, il settimo congresso mondiale della medicina alternativa. Durante 4 giorni si sono viste e ascoltate diverse personalità del campo. Illustri psicologi, psichiatri, istruttori della mente, guaritori e sciamani si sono alternati sul palco per far conoscere ed illustrare la nuova tendenza, sempre piu diffusa, di associare alla medicina classica quella alternativa. Non solo parole, test del prima e del dopo hanno dimostrato che i risultati sono comprovati da apparecchiature che misurano l'energia del corpo. Molti i curiosi ma ancora di più le persone che già credono in questi metodi, si sono prestate agli accertamenti necessari per poter dimostrare scientificamente la validità o meno di tali metodi. In particolar modo sui casi ritenuti "cronici o incurabili" dalla medicina classica,la medicina alternativa ha saputo dimostrare un'efficacia superiore al pur importante "effetto placebo". Sono sempre di più coloro che invece di ricorrere tardivamente a queste cure una volta stabilito che non c'è più molto da fare con la medicina classica, vi si rivolgono in modo preventivo evitando così sofferenze inutili. Anche da parte dei medici l'interesse verso questi metodi "naturali" cresce. Sono infatti molti i medici sia generici che specializzati che utilizzano queste opportunità per curare in modo "sinergico" i loro pazienti. Sia apprendendo personalmente le tecniche che inviando i loro pazienti da terapeuti alternativi. In Svizzera, un trattamento "alternativo" è riconosciuto e rimborsato dalla maggior parte delle casse malati. Non è la stessa cosa in altri paesi europei. Quanto si dovrà ancora attendere affiche tutti possano usufruire liberamente di questi trattamenti, o semplicemente perchè essi non siano catalogati come "pratiche", e pubblicizzati nel giusto modo per portarli a conoscenza del grande pubblico? L'equilibrio tra interessi finanziari e interessi morali è delicato ma non impossibile. Il fatto che il congresso si tenga proprio nella città sede di grandissime fabbriche chimico-farmaceutiche ne è un esempio lampante. Adriana D'Onofrio, Reiki Master
Swisspresence dot com LTD

>home:maxlog.ch >keywords: soul, spiritual, spirituality, exploration, holistic, healing, jung, lugano, switzerland, virtual, swisspresence, venue, publishing >submit by: Massimo D'Onofrio [Max's log: the ultimate spiritual exploration linksite.]

22nd Basle psi-days: 7th world congress for spiritual healing

Fri, 03 Dec 2004 21:24:41 GMT

22nd Basle psi-days: 7th world congress for spiritual healing One of the most important world congress for spiritual healing presented by the 22nd Basle Psi-Days in a charming environment. 26th-29th November, 2004 at the Basle Convention Centre I come back from Basel always very excited and positively charged with optimism. To live 3 days in company of some 10'000 people attending this event is quiet an experience, it opens my mind and my hearth like no other places. Dozen of meditations guided by many different interesting people coming from around the world, debates on spiritual and healing subjects, various point of view from Doctors and from talented Healers, demonstrations, music, dance... lot of love around! I started to identify a "common sense" everywhere, in every book presented, every philosophy, every belief every techniques. It is the ultimate goal of this weblog to show this common ground and help human's journey toward awarness. I had also another mission to accomplish: I was looking for as many info as possible on my spiritual guide, a healer called Tom Johanson that died on 2002 and that I met for the first time early 2004 through a medium in Lugano. I was so happy being able to talk with dear friends of him and being able to explain them the real reasons of my curiosity. We all live an amazing time of change!

>home:maxlog.ch >keywords: soul, spiritual, spirituality, exploration, holistic, healing, jung, lugano, switzerland, publishing, swisspresence, exhibit, culture >submit by: Massimo D'Onofrio [Maxlog: the common sense in spiritual matters.Maxlog: il comune senso della ricerca spirituale.]

Sinfonia di Danze

Fri, 03 Dec 2004 21:05:42 GMT

The Concert was offered in the Aula Magna of the Lugano's Conservatory by The Village of MUZZANO with the sponsorship of the local Raiffeisen Bank. The Fondazione ARMONIA organized a superb event with the Orchestra called Camerata dei Laghi, 21 professional artists all coming from the Regione insubrica, which is known as Land of the Lakes. Massimo D'Onofrio, communication manager and board member Fondazione Armonia, Lugano

RTSI - Mondi Vicini

Fri, 03 Dec 2004 20:55:18 GMT

RTSI - Mondi Vicini A rich collection of audio and visual streaming media based on the work of Werner Weick (on picture) and his spiritual path: the Monte Verità, Hermann Hesse, Raimon Panikkar, among other very interesting documentaries. All in Italian and promoted by the local public television, RTSI.

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Trip to Barcelona and Tavertet

Mon, 25 Oct 2004 15:16:31 GMT

A wonderful living statue in the Rambla, Barcelona's main touristic street. Please enjoy all the other pictures following the link: http://www.fondazionearmonia.org/max/Page4.html

Calendario Fundacion Vivarium - TAVERTET - Spain

Thu, 05 Aug 2004 08:40:15 GMT

Apreciado Sr. D'Onofrio:
Tal como nos solicitó, aquí tiene el calendario de la Fundación Vivarium previsto para el curso próximo : Octubre, 16 (tercera setmana); Novembre 13; Desembre 11; Gener 8; Febrer 12; Març 12; Abril 9; Maig 14 (Recés Pentecosta); Juny, 11
Asimismo, le agradecemos mucho la información sobre los artículos que escribió cuando la visita a Chiasso del Profesor Panikkar. Reciba un cordial saludo,
Maria del Mar Palomo (Secretaria Fundación Vivarium)

22nd Basle PSI-Days : The 7th World Congress for Spiritual Healing 2004

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 09:23:39 GMT

The 7th World Congress for Spiritual Healing 2004 presented by the 22nd Basle Psi-Days Tele-effects Help from the Spirit World The healer as "pastor" 26th-29th November, 2004 at the Basle Convention Centre Some pictures of last edition taken by max, here ! The Patrons of Psi-Days Psi Association Basle (Basler Psi Verein BPV) Swiss Parapsychology Society (Schweizer Parapsychologische Gesellschaft SPG) Swiss Association for Parapsychology (Schweizerische Vereinigung für Parapsychologie SVPP) The Sponsors Coaching for Health / Beat Schaub, M.D. European Society for Bioenergetics-Extrasens, registered association Research and Teaching Academy for Bioenergetics and Bio Information Processing Snowlion Center Colleges / Rolf Thomas Steiner The Psi-Day Team Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Alex Schneider (CH), Chairman of the Basle Psi-Days, Member of the Management Committee of the Swiss Parapsychology Society Matthias Güldenstein (CH), Vice-Chairman of the Basle Psi-Days, Founder and Honorary Chairman of The Psi Association Basle Eva Güldenstein (CH), Translator, Co-Founder and Director of the Basel Psi Centre, Medium Dr. Donatus Rüetschi (CH), Physician, Healer, Medium ([base "]Forum[per thou]-Organiser) Lucius Werthmüller (CH), Project Organiser of the Basel Psi-Days, Chairman of the Psi Association Basel (Main Programme Organiser) Dr. Harald Wiesendanger (D), Publicist, Philosopher and Psychologist (Main Programme Organiser, Text Writer, PR) Organiser and Congress Office Basel Psi-Days PO Box 384, CH-4009 Basel Tel. +41 - (0) 61 - 383 97 22, Fax 383 97 21 E-Mail: info@psi-tage.ch Internet: http://www.psi-tage.ch General Information Venue: Convention Centre Basel, Messeplatz 21 Languages: German. Consecutive translation into German of all foreign language events. Bookings: www.psi-tage.ch Programme: The main programme, with detailed information, will come out in September 2004.

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HOODIA - forse il piu' sicuro, efficace e potente riduttore dell'appetito della storia!

Mon, 24 May 2004 15:57:40 GMT

"La terra, gli animali e le piante sono regali del Creatore e l'umanità ne è custode; è nostro dovere aver cura di questi doni meravigliosi e di preservarli per le generazioni future." (nativi San)

Tra i molti doni della fitoterapia dei popoli aborigeni al povero occidente risalta il cactus Hoodia che potrebbe risolvere una delle patologie più gravi dei paesi ricchi: l'obesità. Questo cactus è infatti usato da millenni dai boscimani San (Kung) ed altre tribu' per ridurre l'appetito; cresce principalmente nel deserto del Kalahari (ma anche in Nabimia, Angola e Botswana), trovandovi il suo habitat ideale con temperature che arrivano a 50°C. L'uso tradizionale consolidato di Hoodia da parte dei San permette anche a noi un'assunzione sicura e libera da effetti secondari. Ciò è stato confermato dalle prime ricerche. I San masticavano fette di questo cactus specialmente durante la caccia per essere indipendenti dai rifornimenti di cibo e acqua. Hoodia permetteva loro inoltre di mantenere i livelli di energia necessari. Gli Anikhwe del settentrione del Botswana cibano i loro figli con Hoodia per indurre disappetenza. I nativi della tribù Haijlom del settentrione della Namibia usano il succo di Hoodia per trattare le reazioni allergiche degli occhi e per curare gravi dolori dello stomaco. Fanno bollire dei pezzi di Hoodia nell'acqua e bevono la poltiglia. I Khomani del Nordovest del Sudafrica usano Hoodia per dimagrire. Le tribu' San intervistate, compresi gli Xun ed i Khwe, che tuttavia non abitano in Sudafrica, riferiscono che Hoodia serviva loro per reprimere la fame - mangiando il cactus due volte al giorno - durante le escursioni di caccia e per mantenere inalterato il livello di energia. Hanno pure riferito che hoodia ha lo stesso effetto sui cani da caccia. "Ho appreso l'uso di Hoodia dai miei avi, esso è il mio cibo, la mia acqua e la mia medicina" dice Andries Steenkamp , un membro della tribu' dei San. Le sostanze attive di Hoodia replicano l'effetto che il glucosio ha sulle cellula nervose del cervello, inducendo una sensazione di pienezza anche quando questa in effetti non c'è. Una delle molecole attive di Hoodia individuata da ricercatori inglesi della Phytopharm LTD inglese, fu chiamata P57. Essa sembra 10'000 volte più efficace del glucosio. L'uso di Hoodia ha ridotto nei soggetti sperimentali (da test eseguiti in doppio cieco in UK) il fabbisogno calorico quotidianodi 1'000 calorie. L'assunzione di calorie puo' dunque essere ridotta del 30-40%. ATTENZIONE: una riduzione drastica del peso dovrebbe essere fatta solo sotto controllo medico, specialmente nel caso di diabete, cancro e malattie cardio-circolatorie. I bambini non dovrebbero assumere riduttori di appetito che sotto controllo medico. Il popolo San (ca. 100'000 persone) ora vive in una Bidonville, ma un tempo, quando ancora era stabilito nel deserto, le sue antiche abitudini di vita a contatto con la natura garantivano ai suoi membri una vitalità ed una salute sconosciuta agli occidentali. La loro alimentazione era basata esclusivamente su prodotti naturali, con poca carne (da animali selvatici). Il popolo San si è cibato per millenni del cactus Hoodia allo stato naturale, cioè non lavorato, in un contesto di ottima salute e con effetti secondari nulli. Dato che Hoodia è una pianta protetta e molto cara, bisogna accertarsi che esista una licenza delle autorità Sudafricane per la sua esportazione, anche per evitare falsificazioni. USO delle pastiglie: 3-4 pastiglie due volte al giorno almeno mezz'ora prima dei pasti. Dopo alcuni giorni (da 3 a 8) compaiono secchezza buccale o inappetenza. A questo punto basta 1 pastiglia due volte al giorno.

>home:chezmax.com >keywords: diet, soul, spiritual, spirituality, exploration, holistic, healing, jung, lugano, switzerland, virtual, swisspresence >submit by: Massimo D'Onofrio [Max's log: the ultimate spiritual exploration linksite.] >>>[Hoodia facts]

Trekkies' support for 'Enterprise' is out of this world

Mon, 17 May 2004 07:40:22 GMT

Trekkies' support for 'Enterprise' is out of this world! - By Gary Levin, USA TODAY Never underestimate the passion of a Trekkie. "Can that contraption do anything to keep us on the air?" : Enterprise was the top vote-getter on USA TODAY's Save Our Shows poll. Paramount Star Trek: Enterprise won enormous support in USA TODAY's seventh annual Save Our Shows survey, as a record 70% of respondents (in part reflecting a coordinated effort) urged UPN to keep the latest edition of the long-running franchise, which next month completes its third season. Fox's Arrested Development - a critics' favorite but a ratings laggard - also won solid backing: 36.5% of voters wanted to save it. It was followed by Fox's Tru Calling with 28%. More than 43,200 ballots were cast in the survey, most of them online. This year's total is down from last year's record 57,000. The lower turnout might reflect the fact that of 12 shows hovering "on the bubble" between renewal and cancellation - the smallest group yet - most elicited tepid support. Just four (Star Trek, Arrested Development, Tru Calling and CBS' The District) won more votes to support than to dismiss them. The majority of voters said they didn't care what happened to nine of the 12. And fewer than 10% of voters were eager to see four comedies return for second seasons, including NBC's Happy Family and ABC's It's All Relative, another sign of the cooled interest in TV sitcoms. The shows readers most want dropped? NBC's Whoopi, which was given the thumbs-down by one-third of respondents, followed closely by UPN's Rock Me Baby. The Save Our Shows survey asked viewers to vote for those that actually have a shot at being renewed when the networks unveil their fall lineups May 17-20 in New York. The survey results rarely determine the fate of the shows, though they do indicate pockets of loyal support. Far more important are Nielsen ratings and creative, scheduling or financial concerns. But that didn't stop readers from offering eloquent, though futile, appeals for other series, apparently through organized campaigns. Continuing a long tradition of get-out-the-vote efforts for sci-fi/fantasy series, a large group backed Angel, though WB has steadfastly maintained it has no plans for renewal. "Just because the WB has said that it isn't going to change its mind doesn't mean that the question of 'wanting' it back isn't relevant," wrote Kathy McLaren of Chicago.

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The Ambient Orb is the ultimte gadget... coming soon to Europe?

Sun, 18 Apr 2004 16:56:23 GMT

It looks like a size-XXXL chicken egg and glows in colors that change and waver in intensity as it tracks qualitative shifts in financial data from the Internet. But the white plastic Orb was designed to be far more than a barometer of the Dow Jones Industrial average, its programmed out-of-the-box function. Adherents see the glowing $150 device as pioneering a movement in which data generated by computers will be increasingly expressed not on video displays but in objects that fit more naturally into our lives. Ambient Devices of Cambridge, Massachusetts, began selling the Orb a year ago. If the Dow average is up for the day, it glows green. On a down day, the Orb reddens. The colors' intensity reflects the extent of the swing; yellow means the market is stable. Provided with that basic information, an Orb owner can decide whether to go online for more detail. Ambient users have programmed Orbs for a remarkable array of tasks: tracking job openings in Atlanta, measuring the flow of visitors to a Boston-based interactive design agency's website, gauging energy use in a New York City apartment, tracking eBay auctions, notifying someone when a particular person is online or a certain number of e-mails have filled their inbox. "When you think about the magic of the Orb, it's a thermometer for the rest of your life," said author Seth Godin, who writes on business and social trends. Godin hopes to program his Orb to track sales of his books on Amazon.com to save time and "increase my peace of mind." The Orb's power lies in how it can reflect the ease with which humans process basic visual information. "It's based on our brain's natural ability to process many streams of information in parallel," said David Rose, the president of Ambient Devices, which says it has sold about 20,000 to date. "Our perceptual system is great at multiprocessing hundreds of peripheral cues every second. We do it without even trying. Today's computer interfaces completely ignore this." Rose envisions Orbs and related products being scattered throughout people's offices, homes and cars, "dedicated to information they care about." The idea behind Orb came out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, where "Tangible Bits" research led by professor Hiroshi Ishii aims to replace computers' graphical user interface with tangible representations of the data they produce -- giving physical form to information. Paul Saffo, research director at the Institute for the Future, calls the Orb and similar objects "calm computing devices" and believes they augur future relief from information overload. They reflect the "ubiquitous computing" concept pioneered by the late Mark Weiser, former chief technologist at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center, he said. In 1998, Weiser built a water fountain outside his office whose flow and height mimicked the volume and price trend of the stock market. "Ubiquitous computing is roughly the opposite of virtual reality," Weiser wrote in his research. "Where virtual reality puts people inside a computer-generated world, ubiquitous computing forces the computer to live out here in the world with people." Ambient's Rose thinks a huge market awaits the Orb and its descendants: "Once people are aware how easy and delightful it is to have these information devices in their lives, it will become second nature." Ambient Devices delivers information to its products through a nationwide wireless network that the company says reaches more than 90 percent of the U.S. population. Users can register and customize the information their Orbs reflect from the Internet. The Orbs can even be "tuned" to several different data streams. Ambient isn't stopping with the Orb. Spinoffs in development include interactive, color-changing picture frames that let people inform loved ones far away when they are "thinking about them." Each frame has a "proximity monitor" that lets users know how close the person at the other end is. Other inventions include an Ambient-equipped watch, on which prescription-related icons light up at doctor-recommended medication times. An Ambient key-chain fob shifts colors based on user-specified traffic information (congestion, accidents and so on) requested by the user, and the Ambient Pinwheel spins to show users that "they've got (e-)mail." Ambient's newest product, the Dashboard, uses an old-fashioned needle -- like those once found on stereo receivers -- to track information such as a futures market that weighs President Bush's re-election prospects. At MIT, Ishii's group has a project that, like the Ambient Frame, explores the possibilities of interpersonal communication -- but through touch. Using force-feedback technology, its "inTouch" devices let users separated by distance interact through networked physical objects. Other applications of tangible computing include health care, where it's being considered as a way of monitoring weight, daily exercise or depression symptoms from a distance. For now, the challenge companies like Ambient Devices face is persuading non-geeks to buy the technology, Rose acknowledged. The Orb originally cost $300. "The price needs to get down to sort of like the clock range before people would have more than a few around their house," he said.

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The HOODIA CACTUS from Kalahari Desert (click here for more info!)

Sun, 18 Apr 2004 15:27:05 GMT

Bollywood remix of an old time funk!

Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:32:28 GMT

MP3: Don't Stop 'til you Get to Bollywood. A few days ago, Jonno pointed me to a Bollywood-flavored remake of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough," which he found on a supercool sekrit MP3 blog that shall remain nameless. This track is phat. This track is funky. This track makes me want to do a little dance in my ergonomic chair. A little google-digging reveals the song is by a group called the Bollywood Freaks, and came out on a limited edition red vinyl 7" in the UK. I want to send them money for the funk they provide. I want more of their music. If anyone has info, cough it up.

But for now -- look! Someone dumped a copy of said funky track on a server somewhere. Download the MP3 while it lasts. Link

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The iCluck won't make the chickens run...

Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:26:15 GMT

Chicketecture? Chicken Chic? iCluck?. You won't find any subservient chickens in these poultry housing units, which were thought by some to have been an elaborate April Fool's joke -- but were printed as the real deal in the Times of London, The Register, and elsewhere. Designed so that city-dwelling humans can add a little bokbok to their daily lives, the iMac-like eglu may just be "the world's most stylish and innovative chicken house and [a] perfect way to keep chickens as pets."
Link

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Why we sing as a form of meditation? Mantras and Mudras from Tibetan tradition.

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 15:40:01 GMT

Chanting has been an integral part of all religions through the ages. Sound is a form of energy. Each sound has a discrete energy pattern associated with it. Chanting creates energy patterns that soothe and purify the nervous system. Our minds chatter constantly. It is not so bad to have thoughts, but each thought has a pattern of emotions associated with it. Some we like; some we don't like. A pattern of aversion and resistance arises. The more a thought is resisted, the more it persists. Each persistent thought becomes a worry. Singing helps to eliminates such thoughts. Singing allows all the other senses to dissolve into one, and in so doing, it allows the mind to sink into itself. A wonderful meditation exercise is creating a circle and sing all together, improvising without caring about singing "wrong or off key" there is no such a thing, any sound we are producing is a valid energy and comes directly from our 5th Chackra! As we sit together in one place, we all have different thoughts running through our heads. Find an appropriate place, where everyone can feel free of express him/herself and start with an introductory exercise like laughing all-together very loud... force it as a start, then let it groove! As we start to sing, there is but one thought, one rhythm, in all our minds. All minds become one. This oneness creates a profound energy that purifies and enlivens us, for the whole creation is connected and we are all but one. When singing, become fully immersed in the singing. If you feel like dancing or moving, get up and dance, movements helps the sound taking shapes and meaning! As the singing stops, a deep silence dawns. Sink into the silence, and you will hear the music of silence. This is an eternal sound that has been with us through life and death. The purpose of music is to return to the music of silence... to return to the self. One of the best example of the power of chanting and moving accordingly comes from the tibetan Mantras, and soon it will be possible to follow a seminar focused on this in Lugano. Thusday, April 29, 2004 @Studio Dominique Hort, Via Tesserete 51, 6900 Lugano. From 8PM, CHF 50.-- RSVP 079-6512353 snowlionclub@hotmail.com (more info clicking on the title of this blog) I strongly recommend to participate to this exceptional event with Dechen. I had the chance of discovering her the last time she came to Lugano, last November, please read the appropriate blogs under the Tibet House Switzerland Foundation's chapter. Massimo D'Onofrio

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Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 13:47:55 GMT

Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

Born: July 6, 1935

« I am just a simple Buddhist monk - no more, nor less. » by The Dalai Lama
His Holiness was born Lhamo Dhondrub on July 6, 1935 in Takster, Amdo, North-East Tibet to a peasant family. He was recognized at the age of two, in accordance with Tibetan tradition, as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. His enthronement as the 14th the Dalai Lama took place on February 22, 1940 in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people. Lhamo Dhondrub was, as Dalai Lama, renamed Tenzin Gyatso - or - Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom. Tibetans also refer to His Holiness as Yeshe Norbu, the Wishfulfilling Gem or simply "Kundun - The Presence." On November 17, 1950, 80'000 Chinese troops invaded Tibet. In 1954, the Dalai Lama went to Beijing for peace talks with Mao Tse-tung. His efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to Sino-Tibetan conflict were thwarted in Bejing. In 1959 the capital of Tibet, Lhasa was the scene of a huge demonstration calling for China's withdrawal from Tibet, and reaffirming Tibetan independence. The uprising was crushed by the Chinese army. The Dalai Lama escaped to India where he was given political asylum. Since 1960, the Dalai Lama has resided in Dharamsala, India, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. In 1989 the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The citation read, "The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people." His Holiness often says, "I am just a simple Buddhist monk - no more, nor less." In explaining his greatest sources of inspiration, he often cites a favorite verse, found in the writings of the eighth century Buddhist saint Shantideva: « For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world. » by The Dalai Lama From: www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jul/dalailama.html
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Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Spiritual/Political Leader and Humanitarian (1869-1948)

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 10:27:05 GMT

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Spiritual/Political Leader and Humanitarian
(1869 - 1948)

« Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood. » by Albert Einstein about Gandhi

(Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. He became one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the 1900's. Gandhi helped free the Indian people from British rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by his people as the father of the Indian Nation. The Indian people called Gandhi Mahatma, meaning Great Soul. At age 13, Gandhi joined Kasturba, age 12, in a marriage arranged by their parents. The Gandhis had four sons: Harilal and Manilal, born in India, and Ramdas and Devdas born in South Africa. While Gandhi displayed loving kindness to everyone else, he was quite demanding and severe with his wife and sons. Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he accepted a one year contract to do legal work in South Africa. At the time South Africa was controlled by the British. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people. He developed a method of direct social action based upon the principles courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement. Using the tenets of Satyagraha he lead the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for his political activities. More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent. India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion. From: www.lucidcafe.com/library/95oct/mkgandhi.html
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The VRWAY GENESIS - a perspective from one of the creators of the project

Fri, 19 Mar 2004 13:44:02 GMT

The VRWAY GENESIS - a perspective from one of the creators of the project

As co-creator of the original VRWAY concept, I want to express a personal opinion on this project that I consider a little like a "son". That means that although it is growing in size and approaching maturity and independence from my original contribution and vision, I feel that it is time for it (and for the people that are nowadays contributing from the inside to its growth) to step back a little and take into serious consideration the suggestions coming from a genitor who wish only the best for its own child. The conception of this project has been a little problematic, like every most beloved thing should be! On its embryonic version VRWAY was in fact a simple one-dimension "VirtualTicino" vitual tour with a potential tragic destiny of extinction by the end of 1999 following the imminent bankruptcy of the Co. funded by Marco Trezzini and Marco Lüthi. But destiny was that I was involved as Board member in this Co. and I really believed in the potential of the idea. I convinced therefore the 2 Marcos in following my vision and adapt the original concept to a larger scale and a multi-level thickness, preparing a business plan appealing the business world and the capital market of that peculiar moment in history. From the hashes of VirtualTicino a brand new concept was born: an utopia that stimulated and attracted the necessary venture capital for starting a great new dot com startup, called Virtual-Reality-Way abbreviated into VRWAY. It was like living in a dream for a certain time: we dedicated all our energies and time into the project thinking it was the best way of doing and respectful towards the angel's money invested into our idea. Unfortunately we started understanding that VRWAY was not our idea anymore and dozen of people were involved by the angel for "protecting" his interests and deciding what way was best for the all project to follow in order to achieve the IPO stage as soon as possible. As an example I can take the organizational model chosen by the angel and his expensive consultants that pushed VRWAY in opening subsidiaries in countries where internet was not developed in year 2000 like Spain. In addition to that, all those subsidiaries where owned at 100% by the mother Co. and millions of $ were so sent out from the windows instead of following the original business plan that wanted to develop the international growth using the Franchising. My idea was to convert all european "analogic" photographers into digital-photomasters under the VRWAY brand. But unfortunately for the all project and all the persons involved into it, this concept is still something the Angel is not ready to accept! Even today, after all the money costed him the other choices! It is now clear what was the real problem of all that: personal power and control, EGO if you want, on many levels. It all started from the choice of the angel. I always tried to make my 2 partners part of the choice of the "right" investor, even if they were completely ignorant and unprepared to that kind of deal. But they were representing the technical knowledge underneath the VRWAY concept and therefore they were the most important factor in the eyes of the investor/angel. The only problem is that the angel wanted to make VRWAY its own creation, and started refusing systematically all my ideas just because they were more into his field of knowledge. He and his consultants could not understand the technical advise provided by the 2 Marcos, but they certainly could find better ways than what I was proposing... that is what I call "Ego clash" instead of good management! Finally, those continuous fights pushed my partners to bind our promises of mutual faith and unity set at the beginning of this adventure and they passed to the side of the angel. Power and money won over friendship and unity. The utopia started to blow, like the all New Economy. Many downsizing stages after, VRWAY has today almost the original size and problems VirtualTicino had: a lack of vision and a lack of a mission that could make the difference. Ego and strive for power can't appeal the masses, and money without a soul it has no future in the long run. I wish to all my partners the wisdom necessary in accepting their responsibilities but I am not optimistic about it because I know Ego is the worst dark-side of one personality to fight against. (s. other blogs on this subject) But times have changed: in today's world VRWAY needs a real soul in order to survive and prosper, and this is possible only going back to some basic rules of unity and fraternity, leaving Ego outside the equation. Massimo D'Onofrio,
VRWAY concept co-creator

Sicurezza tramite istanze politiche in favore del bene comune (cliccare qui per FORUM)

Thu, 18 Mar 2004 14:16:39 GMT

Conosciamo bene la nostra fragilità. E' facile dire belle parole, esprimere buone intenzioni, ma è difficile fare un passo schietto verso l'altro. Proviamo l'impressione che la società ci insegni un gioco di maschere e di parole, senza aiutarci a raggiungere l'intimo di noi stessi. Spesso chi si impegna in politica lo fa per se stesso o nell'interesse di una minoranza. Diciamo di non amare la politica come se fosse cosa riservata a degli specialisti o qualcosa di sporco. Tuttavia siamo esseri politici, appartenenti alla famiglia umana ed è nostro compito organizzare il pianeta come nostra polis, il nostro grande e comune villaggio. Vivere come esseri politici rappresenta una sfida. Significa vivere come umanità nella stessa polis, nello stesso villaggio che si chiama Terra. Per vivere in collettività, dobbiamo riconsiderare la dimensione politica della nostra esistenza. La politica costituisce una delle piu' alte espressioni del bene comune. Chi è chiamato ad esercitare responsabilità politiche ha la vocazione di assicurare il bene comune, di fronte alle nostre molteplici debolezze e alla nostra brama di possedere piu' dell'altro e di dominarlo. Nel Vangelo ci è dato di leggere questa massima: "Amerai il tuo prossimo come te stesso". E' il principio politco del villaggio umano. L'istanza politica ci educa allora a vivere in collettività, sucita l'amore verso noi stessi e verso il prossimo. L'esistenza di istituzioni a favore del bene comune nazionale ed internazionale è della massima importanza per la nostra sicurezza. Siamo invitati ad amare la politica come espressione della nostra collettività e come strumento per assicurare il benessere e la felicità comuni. Ecco perchè ho deciso di entrare in politica. Massimo D'Onofrio,
candidato al Consiglio Comunale di Muzzano, Ticino, Svizzera, nelle file del PPD (lista#1 - cand.#3). Per visionare il programma cliccare sul titolo di questo blog!

The power of blogging, a visual analysis of interaction (by S. VanDyke)

Tue, 09 Mar 2004 09:39:12 GMT

Stephen VanDyke analyzes how news travels on the Internet. He uses a a self-explanatory graphic, and in the process of doing this, VanDyke's post becomes a textbook example of how news travels ... smart! I suggest to visit his blog and read the comments on the bottom of the page: many interesting ones. max ;-) Link
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Alcune foto della conferenza - La spiritualita' cosmoteandrica

Thu, 04 Mar 2004 18:32:50 GMT

Il tema centrale della serata lo si potrebbe riassumere in alcuni passaggi iniziali del grande filosofo - se consideriamo la FEDE come "apertura a qualcosa" (non ha oggetto) in contrapposizione alla CREDENZA che è un linguaggio interpretativo del mistero e che esprime una fede, allora potremo ben affermare che tutti gli uomini sono religiosi, hanno fede, dunque perchè distinguere in modo radicale X da Y, una religione da un'altra? Bisognerebbe arrivare ad una fecondazione mutua tra X e Y, senza usare "preservativi" spirituali! L'aneddoto per esprimere questo concetto è preso a prestito da Kant - se le colombe fossero solo un pochino più intelligenti, maledirebbero l'aria che fa' loro resistenza! - Ecco un esempio di uomo che non comprende come convertire questa "resistenza" in utili strumenti di vita. Non assolutizziamo i mezzi, come le religioni, e cerchiamo di non prendere nulla in modo tragico, questa è la ricetta proposta da Panikkar per una vita gioiosa: più`ironia! L'Amore e la Conoscenza devono andare a braccetto, non basta il pensiero analitico da solo, come non basta l'assolutismo religioso da solo. Attenzione a non assolutizzare il Male, ma anche non minimizzarlo, meglio sarebbe accettare anche la dimensione umana malefica. Superare questo baratro in noi è la chiave della saggezza! Un esempio forte portato da Panikkar è quello dell'Alchimia che ha come scopo primario la conversione dell'umanità intera. L'uomo si sente incompleto, indegno, e tende naturalmente al convertire il mondo in cui gli tocca vivere in un luogo ideale. Stimolo alla conversione che se represso diventa sfogo pericoloso in altre cose (terrorismo, ecc.). Forse gli occidentali sono troppo fatalisti e non vedono l'importanza del loro ruolo, la responsabilità di ultimarsi! E allora si tende facilmente a minimizzare il male (pensiamo alle invasioni, alle conquiste, ecc.) ma questo è sbagliato, come abbiamo già visto. Ho cercato di riassumere i pensieri piu' importanti della serata. Spero siano di interesse ed invito ad una discussione o a dei commenti su questi argomenti tanto importanti. MD
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Tra Oriente e Occidente - La spiritualita' cosmoteandrica

Tue, 02 Mar 2004 08:53:30 GMT

Tra Oriente e Occidente: dialoghi con Raimon Panikkar, Ragunath Manet, Emanuele Severino. Mercoledì 3 Marzo alle ore 20.30 presso il Teatro di Chiasso: "La spiritualità cosmoteandrica", prima serata del ciclo organizzato dall' Associazione HOLOS International

Tra Oriente e Occidente è il titolo di un ciclo articolato in tre incontri che si propone di far luce attorno a alcuni dilemmi che attraversano il nostro contesto "globale", che qualcuno, il filosofo Heidegger, aveva chiamato età della tecnica e che oggi è tristemente percepito come età della paura. - Sappiamo troppo, e siamo convinti di troppo poco. La nostra letteratura è un sostituto della religione. E lo stesso si dica della nostra religione - scriveva Thomas Stearns Eliot in Dialoghi sulla poesia drammatica. Attraversato da una crisi profonda, afflitto da un sentimento di angoscia di fronte al niente, di nostalgia, di bisogno dell'essere, di delusione per il fallimento delle grandi ideologie, di perdita della dimensione etica, l'uomo contemporaneo procede senza meta, perennemente in bilico tra misticismo e nichilismo, che sono probabilmente i due volti della medesima inquietudine. C'è chi ha certezza nella fede; chi nella scienza; chi crede a niente; e chi, divorato dal dubbio, ricerca, avendo la percezione di essere lontano da ogni esperienza religiosa. Questo ciclo di incontri - dialoghi con due grandi filosofi del nostro tempo, Raimon Panikkar e Emanuele Severino; e con un guru della danza sacra indiana Ragunath Manet, considerato il Nureyev indiano - vuole tentare di tracciare un percorso verso un'etica dialogica, condivisa, frutto di un disarmo dell'Occidente e dell'incontro con le culture dell'Oriente e le religioni "altre". Mercoledì 3 Marzo alle ore 20.30 presso il Teatro di Chiasso
Dialoghi con il teologo e filosofo Raimon Panikkar - La spiritualità cosmoteandrica. Intervengono: Jiso Giuseppe Forzani - Monaco Zen; dal 1979 al 1987 ha vissuto nel monastero Antaiji in Giappone, uno dei centri più importanti del buddismo giapponese. Oggi è missionario dello Zen Soto in Italia. Ermis Segatti - Professore Storia del Cristianesimo Facoltà Teologica di Torino. Selene Calloni - Studiosa di Yoga, saggista. Giuseppe Baronetto - Studioso del Buddhismo Tibetano, saggista. Orario apertura sportelli: La biglietteria del Teatro è aperta al pubblico per informazioni, prenotazioni, acquisto biglietti, e abbonamenti: da mercoledì a sabato dalle ore 17.00 alle ore 19.30. Telefono 0041.91.6950916
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Elmore Leonard's ten rule for writers.

Tue, 24 Feb 2004 12:49:42 GMT

Elmore Leonard's 10 rules for writing. Brilliant!

10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
A rule that came to mind in 1983. Think of what you skip reading a novel: thick paragraphs of prose you can see have too many words in them. What the writer is doing, he's writing, perpetrating hooptedoodle, perhaps taking another shot at the weather, or has gone into the character's head, and the reader either knows what the guy's thinking or doesn't care. I'll bet you don't skip dialogue.

Link
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Snow mixed to sand from Sahara from my window

Sun, 22 Feb 2004 14:35:56 GMT

Saturday morning 21.2.04 around 8AM from my window. A strange orange light attracted my attention and I took this picture. Only during the afternoon I saw in the news that sand from Sahara travelled up to my region and fell down mixed to snow! MD
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Wood-fired Jacuzzy

Mon, 19 Jan 2004 19:45:03 GMT

Wood-fired hot tub. The Dutchtub is a wood-fired hot-tub that exploits convection to create heat and bubbles. It's portable and can fit in the back of an SUV. Link (Thanks, Ivy!)
[Boing Boing Blog]
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La preghiera del Cristiano

Fri, 09 Jan 2004 16:44:43 GMT

Padre nostro che sei nei cieli ed in ogni luogo, fà che sappiamo sempre rendere grande il tuo nome con la nostra vita; fà che ci impegniamo a costruire il tuo regno di pace e giustizia; aiutaci a compiere sempre la tua volontà. Dacci il coraggio di condividere il pane ed ogni altra cosa con tutti i fratelli che ci hai posto accanto nel cammino; aiutaci a perdonare i nostri fratelli per esser degni di ricevere il tuo perdono; non lasciare che il male possa vincere il nostro cuore e liberaci da tutto ciò che ci allontana dal tuo amore. Te lo chiediamo nel nome di Cristo, nostro Signore. Amen.

Pano 180 degrees ALPS - VALAIS - 2004 by max

Tue, 06 Jan 2004 13:17:56 GMT

Pano 180 degrees ALPS - VALAIS - SWITZERLAND

Shot taken on January 1st, 2004 from Marco Benini's apartment in Thyon, Valais, Switzerland.
Click on title for a QTVR (plugin needed). max ;-)

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Il pensiero influenza la materia: ecco le prove, finalmente!

Sat, 27 Dec 2003 16:24:42 GMT

Pochi conoscono il progetto PEAR che si svolge ormai da 20 anni presso la prestigiosa Università di Princeton. Si vuole studiare se la coscienza umana e la forza di volontà abbiano o no influsso sulla realtà fisica. Indovinate che risultato è stato certificato dagli ormai migliaia di esperimenti tenuti in tutti questi anni: ebbene si è certificato che sotto la legge dei grandi numeri, e cioè con le stesse premesse che sono alla base della Fisica Quantistica (infinitamente piccolo - subatomico) la forza di volontà umana ha un significativo influsso sul mondo fisico! Mica poco come risultato, vero? Vi invito a visitare il sito dell'Università cliccando sul titolo di questo articolo e leggervi i vari trattati in Inglese. Sono molto interessanti se non siete completamente a digiuno di statistica! Mi vengono in mente due pensieri: a) dagli albori dell'umanità si intuiva questa facoltà umana, è mai possibile che si sia studiato solo ora in modo scientifico l'argomento? Perchè la scienza accademica snobba e classa come tabu' argomenti tanto importanti? La presunzione di poter rispondere a tutto con la logica e la scienza, non ci starà forse rallentando un po' troppo? b) visti gli eclatanti risultati scientifici di questi studi, come mai pochissime persone ne sono al corrente ed i media non ne parlano per niente? E' così ridicolo il riconoscere la sapienza di antiche culture che nella loro ignoranza erano di fatto molto più evolute della nostra attuale super-tecno-logica? Secondo me, è giunto il tempo di parlare di queste problematiche a tutti i livelli possibili ed in tutto il mondo, affrontando quel sapere quadrato ed egoistico che ci porterà altrimenti all'auto-distruzione. La modestia intellettuale è un dovere di tutta l'umanità! E questo weblog vuole essere l'amplificatore di questo concetto. Aiutatemi nella divulgazione, se condividete questa visione! Grazie, Massimo D'Onofrio
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Riflessione a margine dell'articolo scientifico sul SAD - di Massimo D'Onofrio

Sat, 27 Dec 2003 15:07:26 GMT

La risposta terapeutica alla SAD (v. blog precedente) è la fototerapia, o terapia della luce, che agisce aiutando i pazienti a risincronizzare l'organismo con il ritmo luce-buio esterno. Riporta infatti la rivista italiana Quark#35 a pag. 137 che "La fototerapia a luce brillante è un trattamento sicuro ed efficace nel 70% dei casi e se combinata con lo sport, ha effetti sull'umore, soprattutto in chi soffre di SAD." Ci sono voluti c.a. 100 anni alla scienza medica per convalidare ciò che sul Monte Verità (sopra Ascona, Svizzera) già si ipotizzava agli albori del XX secolo. I Bagni di Luce combinati ai Balli ed al movimento all'aria aperta nudi sotto il sole ed a una dieta vegetariana promettevano guarigione dai sintomi di quel mal di vivere che accompagna l'umanità fin dagli albori della sua esistenza. Scherniti dai paesani della valle sottostante, si forgiò presto un termine dialettale "i balabiott" (coloro che ballano nudi) per definire questi pionieri del pensiero moderno! Non si può certo negare che la nostra società abbia bisogno di riscoprire quell'Incanto e quel Mistero perso lungo la stretta via dell'Epoca tecnologica. Parlo di quel "mal di vivere" comune a tutta l'umanità, all'origine stessa di tutte le religioni e di tutte le filosofie, che dà un forte impulso anche alle medicine dette alternative, parallele, marginali o di confine. Il caro Carl Gustav Jung, anch'esso frequentatore assiduo del Monte Verità in tempi a noi più vicini (v. ERANOS), è stato forse fra i primi a riscoprire queste origini lontane della sofferenza e del conflitto, con un approccio scientifico ha teorizzato e mostrato in termini comprensibili al mondo occidentale la via da seguire per una guarigione dalla polarizzazione degli opposti Bene e Male. Scopo dell'analisi in fondo è ridare il giusto ruolo al Diavolo, all'Ombra, al Male che è dentro di noi. Raggiungere un equilibrio tra coscienza ed inconscio significa riconoscere le nostre paure, iniziando forse proprio dal capire i messaggi che ci arrivano attraverso i sogni. Il concetto del Diavolo, come Ombra, ciò in cui il paziente non si identifica e che anzi considera come un nemico da sconfiggere. L'equivoco che si presenta ad ogni inizio di terapia è sempre lo stesso: l'analista al contrario del confessore non dona apparente sollievo assolvendo i peccati del cliente, cercherà anzi di farli accettare dal paziente, con metodo e responsabilità. La funzione trascendente del sogno permette quindi un dialogo tra l'Io e l'Inconscio, è un ponte tra i due mondi. Forse non l'unico, ma certamente molto efficace per menti estremamente razionali come quelle occidentali, poiché nel sogno perdiamo ogni controllo e mai ci è possibile decidere consciamente che sogno fare! Ma qualche volta il sogno supera l'ambito personale e diventa collettivo, o archetipico come lo ha definito Jung. E questi simboli comuni a tutta l'umanità non sono forse un primo timido segnale di universalità, di comunione tra tutti gli uomini? La mia impressione è che stiamo superando quel tabù che separa la materia dallo spirito, la scienza dalla spiritualità. Non per niente lo stesso Jung parlava di eventi sincronicistici e si appassionò al Grande Libro delle Mutazioni, l' I:CHING. L'idea di poter divinare degli eventi sincronizzando la nostra attenzione su delle combinazioni apparentemente casuali di bastoncini o di monete che raggruppiamo o lanciamo ripetutamente davanti a noi, è così affascinante e così ai margini del pensiero razionale che non può che spaventare delle menti chiuse e inaridite dalla logica a tutti i costi. Dietro alla filosofia Orientale, vi è da sempre un concetto molto forte: il necessario equilibrio tra Ying e Yang, tra due opposti che si completano l'uno nell'altro. E il nostro compatriota è stato tra i primi coraggiosi esploratori della mente a varcare con spirito veramente libero da preconcetti, un po' come Cristoforo Colombo, il nulla che immaginavamo alla fine del mondo conosciuto. Invito quindi tutti ad esplorare i vari capitoli che trovate sulla destra di questo weblog, dove cercheremo di approfondire varie tematiche qui solo accennate. Massimo D'Onofrio
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The Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Il Disturbo Affettivo Stagionale

Fri, 26 Dec 2003 20:16:40 GMT

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Il Disturbo Affettivo Stagionale What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Some people suffer from symptoms of depression during the winter months, with symptoms subsiding during the spring and summer months. This may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and related to seasonal variations of light. SAD was first noted before 1845, but was not officially named until the early 1980[base ']s. As sunlight has affected the seasonal activities of animals (i.e., reproductive cycles and hibernation), SAD may be an effect of this seasonal light variation in humans. As seasons change, there is a shift in our [base "]biological internal clocks[per thou] or circadian rhythm, due partly to these changes in sunlight patterns. This can cause our biological clocks to be out of [base "]step[per thou] with our daily schedules. The most difficult months for SAD sufferers are January and February, and younger persons and women are at higher risk. Symptoms Include: regularly occurring symptoms of depression (excessive eating and sleeping, weight gain) during the fall or winter months. Full remission from depression occur in the spring and summer months. Seasonal episodes substantially outnumber nonseasonal depression episodes. A craving for sugary and/or starchy foods. Possible Cause of this Disorder: Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, has been linked to SAD. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases. Treatments: Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain[base ']s secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight may be helpful. One study found that an hour[base ']s walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light. If phototherapy doesn[base ']t work, an antidepressant drug may prove effective in reducing or eliminating SAD symptoms, but there may be unwanted side effects to consider. Discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your family doctor and/or mental health professional. For More Information: Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental health center, or: National Mental Health Association 2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone 703/684-7722 Fax 703/684-5968 Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA TTY Line 800/433-5959 Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythm P.O. Box 591687 174 Cook Street San Francisco, CA 94159-1687 www.websciences.org/sltbr
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John Lennon, Happy Christmas (War is over)

Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:02:40 GMT

John Lennon, Happy Christmas (War is over) So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

Dalla parte dell'ombra - Documentari del Filo d'oro su TSI1 (by Werner Weick)

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 16:29:06 GMT

Dalla parte dell'ombra La nuova serie del Filo d'oro Da lunedì 22 dicembre, ore 22.10

Il nuovo ciclo de Il filo d'oro. Il ritorno di Werner Weick. Lunedì e martedì 22 e 23 dicembre le prime due puntate. Lunedì e martedì della settimana successiva le ultime due puntate. L'ombra ci affascina, fa cose strane. È una immagine astratta e immateriale. Di solito, nella vita di ogni giorno, non la notiamo nemmeno. Eppure accompagna tutti i nostri passi. Quando invece la notiamo, abbiamo la tendenza di caricarla soprattutto di significati negativi (nell'ombra si nasconde e si trama) senza nemmeno renderci conto che è invece un prezioso, anzi indispensabile, strumento di conoscenza per la comprensione del mondo materiale e del mondo immateriale, delle leggi della scienza e delle dinamiche della psiche. L'ombra è inseparabile dalla luce, e far luce significa creare l'ombra. Allo stesso modo, la luce della riflessione rivela le zone d'ombra della condizione umana. Nella prima puntata incontreremo Roberto Casati, un ricercatore del CNRS che si occupa della cognizione di oggetti strani, buchi e ombre. Con Casati esploreremo, in un "laboratorio di ombre" creato per l'occasione, la storia di un enigma che ha affascinato le grandi menti dell'umanità. A quali leggi obbedisce l'inseparabile compagna dell'uomo, da sempre trattata con ingiusto sospetto. Nel breve viaggio attraverso le tenebre incontreremo ombre antiche e moderne, sperimenteremo l'ombra del dubbio e faremo luce su alcune ombre della mente. La seconda puntata andrà in onda il 23 dicembre, sempre in seconda serata, col titolo 'La luce dell'ombra'. Il documentario inizia con una citazione di Carl Gustav Jung, padre della psicologia analitica: 'Ognuno di noi è seguito da un[base ']ombra, e meno questa è integrata nella sua vita conscia dell[base ']individuo, tanto più è nera e densa'. Le riflessioni personali di tre psicoanalisti, Giulia Valerio, Marco Gay e Daniele Ribola ci guidano alla scoperta di alcuni nostri lati oscuri, ci accompagnano dentro quell'Ombra carica di tutto il male che pensiamo degli altri, e in cui abitano aspetti essenziali della nostra identità. In questa puntata l'esplorazione si arricchisce di rappresentazioni dell'Ombra colte nelle molteplici manifestazioni dell'arte contemporanea.

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Lost Treasures of Tibet homepage

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 12:47:16 GMT

Lost Treasures of Tibet homepage

It wasn't until 1950 that the first European set foot in Mustang, a hidden Tibetan kingdom in the northwest of Nepal, and it was officially closed to other foreigners until 1992. In the map at left, click on #1 to begin a self-guided tour of this fascinating realm high in the Himalayas. All photos were shot in fall 2000 and summer 2001. (Note: Some of the photos in this tour are panoramas that require the QuickTime plug-in.)

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Bollywood gambles on P2P

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:56:27 GMT

Bollywood gambles on P2P. In the UK Guardian today:

Bollywood movie fans will soon be able to download full-length features with the file-sharing software Kazaa. A deal struck between a partner of Sharman Networks Ltd, the company which owns Kazaa, and IndiaFM.com, a popular entertainment site, will allow Indian film producers to distribute movies, music and other large, rich media files online to an estimated 60 million international Kazaa users. The move follows a pilot scheme in November when Bollywood thriller Supari was offered for sale at US $2.99 and promoted through Kazaa prior to its release in India. The file was designed to self destruct after being watched and could not be copied.

Link >home:chezmax.com >keywords: soul, spiritual, spirituality, exploration, holistic, healing, jung, lugano, switzerland, virtual, swisspresence, vrway, venue, exhibit >submit by: Massimo D'Onofrio [Max's log: the ultimate spiritual exploration linksite.]

Apple to Webcast Jobs keynote at MWSF on January 6, 2004

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:10:45 GMT

Apple to Webcast Jobs keynote at MWSF [The Macintosh News Network]
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Futuro House: a view from Finnish architect Gernsback in 1968

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:02:37 GMT

Futuro House: better living from the Gernsback Continuum. Amazing gallery of photos and video clips from the Futuro House, a UFO-shaped concept dwelling designed by a Finnish architect in 1968. This is Jetpack Futurism at its finest. 20 of these houses were built! Link (via MeFi)
[Boing Boing Blog]
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TUTTI i blogs di Massimo D'Onofrio

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 09:53:31 GMT

Link per accedere a TUTTI i BLOGS di Massimo D'Onofrio. Clicca sul link qui sotto per accedere a TUTTI i miei BLOGS più aggiornati. http://max.swisspresence.com/weblogs_list.html [I blog di Massimo D'Onofrio]

Breve Glossario dei termini usati nei racconti ispirati

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:42:16 GMT

Glossario dei termini usati nei racconti. Breve Glossario dei termini usati nei racconti ispirati. [I blog di Massimo D'Onofrio]

RACCONTO ISPIRATO

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:41:37 GMT

RACCONTO ISPIRATO. Se fossimo un gruppetto di tre anime libere di scegliere come, dove e quando incarnarci, cosa decideremmo? Segue un breve racconto liberamente ispirato da questa affascinante ipotesi. [I blog di Massimo D'Onofrio]

The Tibetan Book of Dead and other related topics

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:38:13 GMT

The Tibetan Book of Dead and other related topics .

Related Topics: Buddhist art and ritual from Nepal and Tibet; photos of Tibet in the 1940s;dissecting the mandala; mandala and temple sacred architecture in Tibet; mandala sand painting; early Tibetan mandalas; Buddhist sculpture and paintings; the Norbulingka Institute.

[TIBET HOUSE SWITZERLAND FOUNDATION]
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Seminario di meditazione tibetana con la guida del Lama Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:36:48 GMT

Seminario di meditazione tibetana con la guida del Lama Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche .

Domenica 16 novembre 2003, sempre nel contesto dei Petali di Cultura Tibetana organizzati dalla Fondazione Tibet House Switzerland abbiamo continuato il percorso spirituale iniziato la sera prima con una giornata di meditazione guidato dal padre di Dechen, il Lama Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche.

[TIBET HOUSE SWITZERLAND FOUNDATION]

Concerto di Dechen Shak-Dagsay

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:35:55 GMT

Concerto di Dechen Shak-Dagsay .

La cantante tibetana è venuta per la prima volta in Ticino a presentare il suo ultimo CD in uno spettacolo multimediale con fotografie di Markus Alpstäg.

[TIBET HOUSE SWITZERLAND FOUNDATION]

La Missione di Tibet House Switzerland Foundation

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:34:58 GMT

La Missione di Tibet House Switzerland Foundation .

La missione di questa Fondazione è quella di diventare un luogo di promozione culturale e di divulgazione della filosofia della tolleranza e della non violenza aperto a tutti.

[TIBET HOUSE SWITZERLAND FOUNDATION]

Arounder Website launches with Lugano, Switzerland

Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:47:17 GMT

AROUNDER WEBSITE LAUNCHES WITH LUGANO, SWITZERLAND. New travel and tourism site launches with sixty 360-degree panoramas of Lugano, Switzerland, complete with city and area information, maps directories and fullscreen In-mages. VRWAY Communication is proud to announce the launch of AROUNDER, a concept that combines 360-degree panoramas with television promotion on the EuroNews channel. The first feature is the beautiful lakeside city of Lugano, Switzerland, featuring panoramas of this lovely city nestled against a lake and surrounded by mountains.

Visit Arounder Lugano and view the fullscreen panoramas.

The essence of AROUNDER is the panorama, or In-mage. AROUNDER plans to produce 39 features per year distributed on the Internet, and broadcast on TV by the EuroNews broadcast channel. Customers can also have their In-mages printed in magazine format and DVDs AROUNDER, published on the Internet and broadcast on television, epitomizes the old axiom that a picture speaks a thousand words. Take the city of Lugano: What better way to promote this picturesque jewel in the Italian canton of Ticino than through 60 panoramas, many in fullscreen and linked with internal hotspots for seamless navigation? Potential visitors to this lovely area can read about the attractions while browsing the panoramas through directories and maps. ]We are incredibly excited about AROUNDER and the feedback we've received, says Marco Trezzini, VRWAY founder and Head of R&D. We've signed several contracts already, with more in the pipeline. It's the perfect vehicle for tourism, bringing the beauty and special features of a city or region to a wide audience in a very evocative and attention-getting fashion. I'm thrilled that our hometown of Lugano, Switzerland will be the focus of the first AROUNDER issue as I'm well-acquainted with its renowned charms. AROUNDER will publish each of its 39 issues on the Internet via the AROUNDER.com website with interactive and immersive In-mages and maps, along with relevant stories and descriptions that provide all information pertinent to the region or city of subject. It also connects viewers, via an html link, to further related sites where the viewer may book travel arrangements, find more product information or explore related subjects. The main content is based upon the In-mages, shot by AROUNDER's in-house professional photographer, Giuseppe Pennisi. EuroNews, the leading pan-European news channel, reaches 3.9 million cable and satellite viewers every day, and an additional 1.4 million through terrestrial windows. It reaches 124 million households in 77 countries. EuroNews can be viewed in the most prestigious European hotels, at airports, railway stations, on PDS's, onboard leading airlines and around the world on it's companion website, EuroNews.net. Arounder has secured primetime commercial spots that will broadcast each issue in a distinctive and visually arresting way -- with panorama In-mages. [3z's log: The Ultimate Virtual Reality linksite.]
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The Taj Mahal

Sun, 21 Dec 2003 18:41:38 GMT

THE TAJ MAHAL. The Taj truly is a poem... It is not only a pure architectural type, but also a creation, which satisfies the imagination, because its characteristic is Beauty. Did you ever build a Castle in the Air? Here is one, brought down to earth, and fixed for the wonder of ages; yet so light it seems, so airy, and when seen from a distance, so like a fabric of mist and sunbeams, with its great dome soaring up, a silvery bubble, about to burst in the sun, that, even after you have touched it, and climbed to its summit, you almost doubt its reality.[per thou] Bayard Taylor, journalist and novelist, after his visit to the Taj Mahal in 1850. In December 1631, the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commenced the construction of one of the greatest monuments of all time, the Taj Mahal. It is a mausoleum built in the memory of his beloved and favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, fulfilling one of the promises that he made to her as she lay on her deathbed. The first was never to father another child, and the second was to erect a monument to match her beauty.[per thou] So begins one of the narratives on the truly one-of-a-kind interactive website, Explore The Taj-Mahal, developed by the Armchair Travel Company . The site is a feast for the senses: 360-degree panoramas capture the beauty and architecture of this world wonder; short narratives give the viewer perspective and context; movies and text add depth for those hungry for deeper knowledge -- learn about preservation efforts, Islamic decorative schemes, even Princess Diana's visit in 1992. The amount of information available on the site is extensive, yet not overwhelming, because it is so well organized and offered in a thoughtful manner. The deeper one digs, the more information one finds, offered in a choice of delivery. Upon entering the site, viewers are greeted with a colored map of the structure and grounds. Red dots represent interactive panoramas and rolling over one brings up the title of the pano. Clicking on the dot opens the pano within the same window and as one scrolls left or right, a blue circle with an arrow around the red dot simultaneously displays the viewer's perspective within the map. Hotspots within the panos allow the viewer to jump to another pano. Panoramas are available in QuickTime or Java. Each panorama has an option to listen to a narrative of the scene or read the short transcript. Each panorama is also accompanied by several movies that delve deeper into some aspect of the architecture or history. For instance, the Cenotaph pano has six accompanying movies, one of which describes the doubled skin architecture of the main dome, complete with drawings and close up photographs. Another movie, for the same pano, is about the calligraphy and inscriptions in the main cenotaph, while yet another discusses Lord Curzon's Brass Lamp, which hangs above the tombs in the mausoleum. The image of the Taj Mahal is perfectly reflected in the central water tank, which is also known as the 'celestial pool of abundance'. The Taj Mahal is split into three sections and the forecourt is the second in importance. The other two sections are; the main mausoleum area, or Taj proper; and the bustling Taj Ganj, which actually lies outside of the smaller gate. The imposing sandstone gateway is the main entrance into the mausoleum and the Qur'anic calligraphic inscriptions around the doorframe are inviting the visitor into the gardens of Paradise. Two royal tombs are situated here including that of Satti-a-Nisa-Khurram, a favorite lady-in-waiting of Mumtaz Mahal, in the southwest corner,[per thou] one of the movies informs me. The site is a must-visit for tourists and anyone interested in this historic structure; students, in particular, will enjoy the site and the ability to learn interactively. In fact, the website has won numerous awards and accolades from teachers' groups and London newspapers and architecture magazines. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching calls it inspirational, and The Daily Mail, London calls it "THE most sophisticated virtual tour... You can almost hear your footsteps reverberate around the rooms." William Beckett, Armchair Travel's director of business and marketing claims that to see and hear everything on the Web site would take over two hours. Although a couple of free panoramas are available, viewing of the complete site requires payment of a US $3.00 charge, which allows lifetime access to both the Taj Mahal and Kew Gardens site. (Schools are charged $10 for the entire school.) All major credit cards are accepted as well as BT[base ']s [OE]Click and Buy[base ']. I paid by credit card and the whole process, including receipt of my password, took about one minute. The Web site is now available in English, French, Japanese and Hindi, and will soon offer a Chat and Tour function where members can chat to others online while they tour the site. Related Articles: An Interview with Armchair Travel. Armchair Travel's Experience with Micropayments. [3z's log: The Ultimate Virtual Reality linksite.]
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The Five Types of Dreams

Sat, 20 Dec 2003 23:18:27 GMT

The Five Types of Dreams. According to Gillian Kemp, author of "The Dream Book", there are five different types of dreams: Ordinary, lucid, telepathic, premonitory, and nightmare. They often blend and merge with one another....Read more.... [Psychology] [Psychology Society's Radio Weblog]
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In Archimedes' Puzzle, a New Eureka Moment

Sat, 20 Dec 2003 23:16:32 GMT

In Archimedes' Puzzle, a New Eureka Moment. A historian of mathematics appears to have solved the mystery of a treatise written 2,200 years ago by Archimedes. By Gina Kolata. [New York Times: Education] [Psychology Society's Radio Weblog]
>home:chezmax.com >keywords: soul, spiritual, spirituality, exploration, holistic, healing, jung, lugano, switzerland, virtual, swisspresence, vrway, venue, exhibit >submit by: Massimo D'Onofrio [Max's log: the ultimate spiritual exploration linksite.]