Why do we sleep? Who knows? Who cares?

Why do we sleep? Nobody knows!
There are many theories, ideas, traditions and explanations.
Medicine and Science describe the function of sleep, but not the reason why we sleep, as having to do with resting the body and muscles that we used through out the day. Or there are theories about memory consolidation, addressing psychological issues, establishing hormone balance. However, a simple, unique explanation or reason for sleep is not given.
Western Religions speak of the soul leaving the body, talking with Angels-Spirits-God, preparing for death, resurrection, or the afterlife. These explanations are very biased towards (usually exclusive) teachings, dogma, or doctrines derived from their Avatars, prophets, and messengers.
Eastern traditions discuss sleep as a "form of nourishment" for the body, or a "superaware" state, or another state of consciousness or preparation for death.
New Agers usually deal with the meanings of dreams and journeys to other realms.
Some say the reason for sleep is to satisfy sleepiness, that is, we sleep because we are sleepy?!
Still, a concise explanation eludes us.


The only animals that have trouble with sleep are those that are specifically bred for researching sleep disorders. Even snoring is rare in the animal kingdom, indeed, only one primate species and one type of bulldog snore! Animals do not seem to have problems sleeping, or at least they do not complain! Otherwise by now, at least in the USA, there were would an animal sleep clinic on every corner!
However, the majority of people who get insufficient sleep, either poor quality, poor quantity, or both, have a host of other complaints. These include fatigue, tiredness, achyness, cranky, irritable, moody, sad, depressed, anxious, forgetful, concentration problems, lack of enjoyment, impatience, intolerance, more physical illnesses, anger, and limited gratitude.
Experientially, one might say, that it appears that sleep helps regulate these physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual problems.OR, is it the other way around??!
Is it possible that having problems with the mind, body and spirit, or having these out of balance, causes poor sleep? Does having the mind, body and spirit all working well, and in balance result in great sleep?
Who knows? Who could know? Theologians, religionists, monks, New age spiritualist, pop psychologists, doctors, Sleep Medicine Specialists (that was me in my former profession!)???
How about finding out for yourself? Forget all you know about sleep, and try to know sleep...by rejecting all conceptual explanations of sleep in favor of the direct experience of sleep! Learn to view sleep accurately, without the obstructions of all your emotions or intellect! You might arrive at the same conclusion that Eric Chiles, author of the new book for insomnia, Zen and the Art of Sleep
that insomnia is an unnecessary form of suffering originating from one's own effort to obtain sleep. By applying Zen techniques to his insomnia, he overcame it by experiencing his sleep problem free of all distortions!! In essence, he quieted his thinking, and learned the art of seeing and direct experience of sleep and awake. And eventually he realized that sleep, dreaming, and awake are part of the same moving stream of consciousness, and that within this flow will come an inevitable bed-time moment of drowsiness, free to proceed naturally and without effort.
There is, therefore, no"why do we sleep." Sleep arrives simply because it makes sense!!
Gus

Choose to Sleep or Not- Choice vs. Choicelessness

There are only 2 ways to look at choice and choosing, either you are the chooser or you are not!
If you are the chooser, it has to be that you are ALWAYS choosing what you think is best for you at every instant. That is, what ever you are choosing to do, at the time of the choice, it has to be the best thing you can choose...or else you would choose something better. Later (after the fact), it may become obvious this was not a great choice, that something else would have been better. However, at the time the choice was made, it was the best choice you could make! Again, if you did not think so you would have chosen something else!
On the other hand, it maybe you are not the chooser; that all choices are made by your Higher Self/Spirit Guide/Soul/Divine Nature, but not by your "rational mind" or ego.
So, either you are always making the best choice you can, at all times, OR you are not choosing at all!! Either way, you may as well relax and know that all is well, at all times, for the choices made are always the best ones for you.
It follows, then, that if you are not sleeping tonight, you are making the best choice you can (or else you would choose to sleep), or your Higher Self/Spirit/Soul/God has made this choice for you!! Again, either way, you may as well RELAX....and know this is the best choice for you at this time! This is another way to "Surrender to Sleep" (see my prior post).
As an aside, this leads to the awareness that you can never blame yourself for what happens from these choices! But neither can you take credit!!! In addition you can neither blame nor credit anyone else for their choices. Life becomes peaceful.
So relax, all is well. You, and every one else, are doing your best at all times, whether you are asleep, awake or neither.
Personally, I choose to 'not choose!' I am pro-choicelessness!



Sleep easy or relax, and Discover the Gift of Sleep, Gus

Surrender to Sleep

If you can not sleep tonight, why not try surrendering to God, the Universe, Consciousness, or your own Higher Power. Then observe what happens. I learned to do this last year (2007), when sleeping in uncomfortable, and unpleasant environments. Within a few nights I was OK, whether I slept or not! And soon I began to sleep, at 1st just good enough, but eventually really good! Indeed, it seemed the more I Let Go, the better the sleep, and the less stress over whether I slept or not. This surrendering not only produced good sleep, but a rested and productive day as well. And I was happier. The book," Zen and the Art of Sleep" by Eric Chiles, taught me this, how to witness my sleep, and my experience(s). But mostly it taught me to analyze less, and "go with the flow." Simple, yet powerfully effective advice. If I have trouble falling asleep, or if I wake up in the middle of the night, what I do simply is to say "God, I surrender and accept whatever happens for the rest of the night." Usually I fall back to sleep within minutes. I suggest everybody having trouble sleeping try this, using any entity that is not yourself, and make it a part of their insomnia program. It can only help.
'Discover The Gift Of Sleep'-SleepCompass.com Sleep well, Gus

How far will we go?

4th of July and just enough money to eat on 'til payday. I was on my way to see a friend in a prison half way house. His favorite holiday is Independence Day, and prison or not, he has the greatest respect and love for his country. I didn't want him to celebrate it alone. I had $15 on me, enough to stop and get us both a milkshake to celebrate in the summer heat. When I got off the exit ramp, I saw a deeply tanned woman at the light. Dark blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, clean, pressed black shirt and blue jeans ended in black boots. She was holding a sign-
"crane operator out of work please help"
Not, "I'm homeless" not "I'm hungry" but "please help"
It was incredibly hot and muggy, I had just driven through a downpour that had ended a few exits back. I'm sitting in an air conditioned car, trying to figure out what kind of ice cream to get, she's standing in rain puddles in the heat.
I know poverty. When I was a teenager, my parents split up and my mom and sisters and I were forced to go on welfare. Food stamps, church donated Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ornaments made out of toilet paper rolls and Reynolds Wrap aluminum tree topping stars. I know what it's like to worry about being homeless, about food, about your future.
I know what it's like being ignored.
I had a $10 and $5 bill along with change, so when the light turned green, I had the window down to give her the $10.
She was so used to no one paying any attention to her, that she almost didn't see me reaching over to hand her the money.
We looked at each other and said 'God Bless You" at the same time.
I managed to make it a few feet down the road before I started sobbing. When I was waiting for the light, I realized she was singing. Softly, to herself. And that is exactly what I would have done. Being ignored by the whole world, I would have created my own and filled it with a comforting song.
I wished I could have given her more. I wish I could have done more.
She sang to herself and I said to myself, "I won't forget you. And I will say a prayer for you before I sleep.'
How do you cure poverty? Poverty of Life, Poverty of Spirit, Poverty of the Heart?
You look her in her eyes and say,
"I see you. You aren't invisible. You aren't alone."


Don't these people mean nothing to ya
Don't these people still belong to ya
Ain't there anything left inside us?

How far will we go
To send them all to heaven

Don't you know we could live together
Don't you know we could give together
Ain't there anything left inside your heart?
Don't these people still belong to ya
How far will we go
Ain't there anything left inside my heart?





YouTube - How Far Will We Go - Kip Winger

Steve O'Connor-Manager of Music Dreams...

Visiting 'Guitar Center' on Okeechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach, Florida, is like touring 'Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory' for Music enthusiasts....
Instead of the blue Oompla Loompas workers running the factory, the stores helpful, friendly and most importantly, knowledgeable employees are found throughout in black shirts with the Guitar Center logo. The store is divided into different flavors, oops! I mean sections; guitars, drums, amps, keyboards and recording equipment. The outside of the store appears deceptively small, once inside, you can only stand there with your mouth open as your eyes glaze over while viewing the rows upon rows of brightly colored guitars found in all shapes, sizes and price.


Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. There are more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. (check out their website at www.guitarcenter.com.)

And the 'Willie Wonka' of the guitar center? Master Manager, Keeper of the Keys of young hopeful rock star dreams? Deal Maker or Breaker and underneath it all, unpaid psychologist?

Please meet Steve O- Steve O'Connor-
Steve was born and raised in Miami by a very determined Irish Catholic mother, Peggy, who was a single parent. Often while his mom was working, a Cuban couple became second parents to Steve. His 'Cuban father' was an amazing influence in Steve’s life. As Steve puts it, he couldn't have custom made a better father. Steve’s dad passed away in 1987. His Cuban mom is also one of the most loving people in Steve’s life to this very day.

I learned all this as my eyes were popping out of my head when Steve, my blond haired, blue eyed friend, started rattling off our food choices in fluent Spanish at the local Cuban restaurant!

Steve’s also got a great family! His wife Diane of 20 years, his kids, Frank, his wife Jenny and Shawn. Three grandchildren too! Ages 11, 5, and 3!


It is this street wise nature along with not only the ability to roll with the punches, but to come out on top, which has made Steve the successful man he is today.
Being a manager is the second half of Steve's career however, the first was being a rocker in the 80’s & 90's.

20 Questions:

1. Everyone remembers their first kiss, first date, first...guitar What was yours?

Wow, first kiss that I can remember was a neighbor’s niece who was visiting one summer around 1977. / First date was homecoming with my high school sweetheart Denise. / First guitar was a $39.99 Japanese no name, single pickup, electric.

2. Self taught or lessons?

Self Taught, started at 10 years old… finally figured out a lot by age 12. Some lessons in high school later on.

3. What were the circumstances that caused you to decide to form a band?

KISS !! I used to see this older kid in the neighborhood playing guitar through his bedroom window, finally asked if I could go watch him and he invited me in. He had Frampton Comes Alive on and he was jamming to it… I looked through his record collection and there it was, KISS ALIVE! The cover alone made me want to be in a band and the music was awesome too! I love KISS!


4. Was the band for fun and to meet chicks? Or were you also aiming for a recording contract?

All of the above! Lol! I wanted to be cool but ultimately as I really got into the guitar I wanted to do it for a living. I had several locally successful bands and had a lot of fun! I think a couple of those bands would have gotten signed had we been in LA at the time and not Miami.

5. What bands do you feel passionate about?

KISS, Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Guns n’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Journey, Foghat, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet, Lynryd Skynyrd, 80’s metal bands galore. I love soulful, guitar rock and hard rocking metal too!

6. What song best describes your life?

Wow, tough question… I can relate to so many different songs now… Years ago I would have said “The Rocker” by Thin Lizzy.

7. I've seen the '57 Les Paul you had for sale at the center, what's the most valuable guitar you've owned?

Probably my 1959 re-issue Gibson Les Paul or my Paul Reed Smith Modern Eagle.

8. I was there the night that kid bought that guitar for $20,000. Being in the area where the center is located, is selling guitars worth that much the norm?

It really doesn't have to do with location. It’s more random when it comes to high end instruments as for the collectors. Collectors shop around and because we have used and vintage gear they frequent our store often. When they see the piece they need for their collection price usually won't matter. We sell high dollar packages all the time. Especially to pro recording studios, churches, schools and nightclubs. It’s not uncommon for big sales out of our store. The strongest reason why is the way our staff treats our customers with pro advice, honesty and great after sales support!

9. You should have been an air traffic controller, people are coming at you every 5 minutes from all directions. Employees asking what deal they should strike when customers want to 'trade up' or sell their old equipment, phone calls, meetings; how do you keep it all straight and handle it so calmly?

Lol! Calmly? Me? No, realistically, I try to just run this store with the patience I would have if it were family owned. I try to be as helpful to my crew as possible and I love the open door policy where they don't have to feel hesitant to come see me no matter what they need. Most of these people I do consider very close to me. We see each other here more than we do our families at home!

10. There are many famous musicians, rockers especially, that live in South Florida. Who are some of them that frequent the store?

You'd be amazed how many famous artists live in this area! Jason Bonham, (Led Zeppelin) Nicko McBrain, (Iron Maiden) Joey Krammer, (Aerosmith) Tico Torres, (Bon Jovi) James Taylor, Danny Spitz, (Anthrax) Beast Spitz, (Black Sabbath) Yngwie Malmsteen, Patrick Dahlheimer, (Live) Dave Hlubeck, (Molly Hatchet) Greg T. Walker (Blackfoot) Stet Howland, (WASP) This list could go on and on!

11. With all that knowledge and talent for organization combined with pro sales, have you ever thought about being the manager of a rock band?

Yes I have. I actually started working as a guitar tech for a band out of Broward called CREASE. They were awesome and signed to Roadrunner… They ended up with a great CD and not enough publicity to do it justice in my opinion and I always wondered what I may have been able to do to manage that situation.


Now days I'm dedicated to Guitar Center so I don't foresee myself managing outside of here any time soon but you never know.

12. Let's pretend that I'm the leader of your favorite band and I'm in need of a new manager. Tell me why you are the man for the job and what you can do for me!

Well if I indulge my imagination… The fantasy would be Guns N’ Roses. I'd be the man for the job because I feel that that band is the only band to come out of the 80’s with the talent to be as legendary as Zeppelin! With that said, my belief is that they accomplished more with 5 records and 1 ep than any other band in the world could have done.


As for what I could do for them… I can be very attentive and understanding of people. I have a great ability to incorporate all the needs of everyone on a team into the business equation. I am also confident that no one else would back them with the passion that I have for that band. My interest would be in Guns, not my pocket. That’s a guarantee.


Most of all the fans deserve it and furthermore, all the people that never got a chance to see them have no idea… Sorry but a DVD is cool and live CD’s are cool but you had to be a part of a GNR audience to feel the energy go right through you! It was hair raising. Just totally cool!


13. What groups or musician deserved more recognition than what they had?

Thin Lizzy… Huge in Europe… the US didn't give them the airplay or support they deserved. Also UFO! One of the most amazing bands ever… ditto above…

14. Who's the most 'down to earth' famous musician you've met?

A) It’s a tie! All they people that I've met have been very nice to me. I've built lasting friendships with many of them and many of them have thanked me in so many ways including putting my name and Guitar Center’s name on the liner notes of their albums and DVD’s. That’s a very cool feeling when you see that!

15. How involved is Guitar Center with music in the schools?

 Guitar Center is very involved. One of our founders, Mr. Larry Thomas semi retired but was so passionate about having music in schools that he started the Music Foundation which is dedicated to keeping music in schools! We sell Music Foundation bracelets here in the store and all the proceeds go to that charity.

16. Favorite place to vacation? Favorite way to relax?

The Islander resort in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys! I was just there in September! I love it there. Someday I'd like to live in the keys!

17. How do you feel about the direction music has gone in today?

It’s cool to see how music has evolved… Rap & Hip Hop mixed with rock is really cool! The metal scene, although still underground is alive and well. Classic bands reuniting and touring is awesome too! I think the best true rock band to come out within this decade is without a doubt, Velvet Revolver.


18. Does anyone stand a chance to 'make it' by purely blood, sweat and tears, or only through corporate sponsorship?

The harder you work at something the better your chances of achieving your goals. You'll only get out of your band what you put into your band. Corporate connections are key to maximizing a bands potential for worldwide success but look at Metallica, Motley Crue, Nirvana just to name a few that started life on independent labels!

19. I was just thinking about Iron Maiden the other day and 'Eddie' their 10 foot tall mascot. Then I read this-

"Today, Iron Maiden made 'Hard Rock' more than just a catch phrase by laying their hands on Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame, just outside of Guitar Center on the famous Sunset Strip.


Dave Weiderman, from Guitar Center, was the host of the event, which was surrounded by Maiden's devoted fans and plenty of press.
KNAC.COM’s Charlie Steffens aka Gnarly Charlie joined the other “John Doe” media machine members after Maiden’s induction ceremony to ask bassist Steve Harris and drummer Nikko McBrain a few questions regarding the event.


John Doe:When was it first brought up about this Rock Walk induction?

McBrain: Well, Bruce has been speaking with David [Weiderman] for like, 10 years about it, so it’s gone back a while. But, I had a phone call from a mate of mine called Steve O’Connor, who manages the Guitar Center in West Palm Beach –and he said “I just got back from this meeting in L.A. with the guys –all the main people, and we were talking about you.” [Iron Maiden] And he said. “I brought you forward, as a suggestion, to be inaugurated this year.” So, I think … really, Steve O’Connor was the instigator of getting this thing rolling, and then it just went from there."


Does Iron Maiden need a new manager?

Maiden has a wonderful management team! What other TRUE metal band can boast the success that they've had for as long as they've had it? Additionally, try playing their music, it’s very complex and melodic. The bands marketing is amazing too! Maiden fans world wide collect all of the Maiden stuff they can get their hands on! Kudos to Maiden and their management!

20. What are your plans for the next 5 years?

I want to find some “me” time. I also want to spend time with my kids and my grandkids! I'm blessed with a truly wonderful family and since we’ve moved here to West Palm Beach, Diane and I have not seen our family enough!


I want to get a band going again and continue to strive forward on my career path with Guitar Center. I think that I'll be spending a lot more of my “me” time fishing for snook and other inland fish. That’s where I feel free and appreciate all this amazing planet has to offer.

BONUS QUESTION !

What would you name your band if you started a new band now?

Well, it would definitely be a cover band mostly classic, hard rocking stuff with some of today’s stuff mixed in too. I learned over the years that really happening bar bands that have a great following play tight, great songs and have a great name so… I thought of a hilarious but yet applicable name years ago and that’s what I'd use…


“The frunken ducks”


Instead of the bad word… invert the d & the f… Lol!

SleepCompass's Favorite Five Questions-

1. Gilligan had his hammock, Dracula his coffin and SpongeBob Square Pants his 'pineapple under the sea' Where is your favorite place to sleep?

Home in the king size bed

2. Do you-
a - sleep alone?
b - sleep with a significant/insignificant other?
c - with critters?

with a significant other-My wife Diane!

3. Jack Nicklaus dreamt a new golf swing.
Robert Louis Stevenson had a dream that became the basis of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Paul McCartney heard the melody for 'Yesterday' in a dream.
Have you ever gotten inspiration from a dream?

Yes actually, I often dream of places that seem so familiar, yet I know I've never been there… Even when I was younger I still have these reoccurring dreams and continue to visit new places and revisit places I haven't dreamt of in years! Anyhow, I did write a song about it when I was in a band called Sweet Revenge!


4. They say you are most vulnerable during sex, I say it's during sleep. Sex is often when we pretend, prepare, and promote who we want to be, not always who we actually are. Sleep is when all pretensions, prejudices and poses are washed away and left in it's wake, is our true essence, born from the ocean of our subconscious.

Or I could be wrong
What do you think?

Lol! That's a pretty interesting explanation of sex! I guess to some extent we are vulnerable during both sex and sleep, but I think vulnerable is a term I wouldn't use to describe sleep. I think it is nature's meditation. A way for your body to just shut down all the stresses of any given day and allow you to roam wherever your mind takes you whether you remember your dreams or not.

5. What’s your favorite sound to sleep to?

I love this rainforest CD I have. The natural sounds of the rainforest really put me at ease. The harder the rainfall, the better!


Sweet Dreams Steve, Sweet Dreams- Jane SleepCompass

Would you serve on the Lunch Line in Heaven?

Would you serve on the Lunch Line in Heaven?
and
Stand in back of the counter as the souls go by in line, picking their main course; bread, wheat, chafe
and
Green leafy vegetables?

Dessert or no dessert, Jello, Jello, doing the Hula in bright Red or Green?
or
Maybe a Brownie, Hot and Black topped with the White and Cold ice cream?

Would you stand there helpfully, replenishing what runs out, offering suggestions, listening to complaints?
Shuffle from foot to foot when your legs get tired and be endlessly fascinated with the choices and combos people make?
or
Maybe you'd want to be the cook in the kitchen who makes the stuff
or
Maybe you'd like to be the chef who actually thinks it up in the first place!
or
Maybe you've had enough and want someone to serve You, in the Executive Dining Room.

Is it right to help someone with their choices?
or
Is it 'fair', 'justified' and/or 'neutral' to only
Stand there, silently and keep the soup tureen and Blue Cheese container full?

Screw that.

I'd want someone to let me know if the lettuce was wilted, the tomatoes rotten and the Jello was sugar free.
I'd want somebody on my side, on the Other Side of the Lunch Line...
Sweet Dreams Jane SleepCompass

EterniaNow-

Mythology says that Sleep is Death's half brother. Sleep is a matter of faith, faith that we WILL wake up. Death, however, is a certainty.

But what if one of the reasons we can't sleep is the worry that when Death comes, we will be forgotten? It used to be a given that having children secured our legacy, insuring that part of us will always continue on. Today the world has changed, families have changed and as much as communication is instantaneous and not limited to time zones or even the Earth, people are feeling more and more alone. Everyone wants to feel like they've made a difference in the world or in someone's life, no one wants to be forgotten.

And now there is a way to insure this, through 'Eternia Now,' the brain child of Pete Cotutsca. EterniaNow.com is a Gateway to Eternity. It allows you to 'survive your physical mortality and release new content up to 500 years into the future with MP3s, videos, images, photos, blogs and become immortal.'

Pete is a fascinating man, has lived an interesting and diverse life, and was gracious enough to let me interview him.

Pete, your profile states you are from Vienna, Austria. How did coming from a place so steeped in culture and history, influence you?

Austria does have a considerable history. Good and bad. I was very young when I left and did not necessarily appreciate the value of the culture I grew up in, as I do now.

Under Education you wrote: life, self taught. What has life taught you and what have you taught yourself?

Without motivation-Nothing. After coming to the US, besides writing and playing music, I started to explore programming, inventing, product design/development and art. I still wonder if I would have done the same back home. Hmmm? I am an astute observer of life and catch on quickly, especially when properly motivated. I try not to make the same mistake twice and continued learning is and will be the most important part for the rest of my life.

What was your inspiration/muse for creating EterniaNow?

As a creative person myself and being surrounded by such, I started to realize that many of us will be forgotten soon after we are gone. So much talent out there is going unrecognized for whatever reasons - mostly money. EterniaNow is a way to circumvent that problem and possibly pass on the personal experiences of people and their lives. Ideally, for future generations to learn from and hopefully avoid making the same mistakes we did.

You list your talents as: Composer, Web Designer, Musician, Nature Lover, ArtInventor. How did you incorporate into the design of EterniaNow?

EterniaNow is really just a manifestation of my experiences and skills I have acquired throughout the years. ArtInventor seems to mostly apply to what I do.

Your interests are Independent Thought, Intelligence, Innovation, Peace. Are they also your legacy?

I don't know. Will they be my legacy? Only time will tell. I believe that the cumulative knowledge humanity has achieved thus far can make us a lot smarter and combined with the intention of peace would be good combo. However, the individual must be motivated to do so and we must also evaluate each situation by its merits. Forget which "club" you belong to, think independently.

What is the most important part of Pete, that you want to survive for 500 years?

The ideas I have to offer in innovative solutions for problems of any kind. A philosophy that has meaning and benefits the future. A web site that is valuable as a future sociological research tool. And, hopefully some rockin' music!

Did this quote by Frederic William Farrar, " No man can pass into eternity, for he is already in it." influence the naming of EterniaNow?

No, it didn't, but I thought it is the simplest and most accurate description of the subject.

What are your hopes and dreams for the rest of the year?

To succeed in some of my projects, make it through the day and have a good time doing it.

SleepCompass's Favorite Five Questions-


1. Gillian had his hammock, Dracula his coffin and SpongeBob SquarePants his 'pineapple under the sea'- Where is your favorite place to sleep?

In my bed.

2. Do you-
a - sleep alone?
b - sleep with a significant/insignificant other?
c - with critters?

Sleep alone.

3. Jack Nicklaus dreamt a new golf swing.
Robert Louis Stevenson had a dream that became the basis of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Paul McCartney heard the melody for 'Yesterday' in a dream.

Pete, you are a very creative person; has any inspiration come to you in a dream?

I have solved problems in my sleep. When I really get into a project, I live, think and breathe it. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and use the solution I dreamed about, which has also happened when I had programming problems on EterniaNow.

4. They say you are most vulnerable during sex, I say it's during sleep. Sex is often when we pretend, prepare, and promote who we want to be, not always who we actually are. Sleep is when all pretensions, prejudices and poses are washed away and left in it's wake, is our true essence, born from the ocean of our subconscious. Or, I could be wrong! What do you think?

Sex may be control to some people and vulnerability to others. When we go to sleep we reduce the sensitivity of our input sensors, such as sight, sound, smell, touch, etc. If there is an afterlife, the Self (i.e. soul) will continue on without these sensory inputs and thus continue in a dream state. Now, the trick is to have a good dream and not a nightmare, which may translate into what we call Heaven or Hell. If that is the case, I believe that practicing "Lucid Dreaming" in our sleep may aid the Self to experience a controlled and good "eternal dream" and thus Heaven. If you feel guilty about what you have done in your life it may be a nightmare and therefore Hell. Either way, the perception of dreams are largely dependent on the memory we have accumulated.

5. Pick one-
"I am just a dreamer, but you are just a dream"

"I want a dream lover, so I don't have to dream alone"

"Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something"

Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams...


Sweet Dreams Pete, Sweet Dreams...



Links to Pete's music and Art-
http://www.TranceVision.net/i_music.htm
http://www.magnatune.com/artists/trancevision
http://www.EterniaNow.com/TranceVision

Do it Anyway!

For all of us who have experienced sleepless nights due to concerns over life issues or have a busy mind that won’t stop rethinking the days events or even worry about the future in these uncertain times. Perhaps reading these words will inspire us to “do it anyway”,  to have faith in the face of uneasiness, uncertainty, and adversity. It is during that "feel good" zone that we are propelled forward and in doing so,  allow ourselves to relax and rejuvenate by enjoying the 'Gift of Sleep'. 

The Paradoxical Commandments – (have you heard of them?) was originally  written in 1968 by a then 19 year old sophomore at Harvard College. His name… Kent M. Keith. Since then, it has made it’s way around the world and has been re-written by others.

Mother Teresa, or one of her co-workers, put the Paradoxical Commandments up on the wall of Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta and this was reported in a book. As a result of that book, people have attributed the Paradoxical Commandments to Mother Teresa. The original had 10 commandments but the version circulating around the web connected with Mother Teresa is named “ The Final Analysis” because of the last two lines. One example of that version:

1. People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

2. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true  friends; succeed anyway.

4. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

5. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

6. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

7. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

8. Give the world your best anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

       The original, written by Kent M. Keith, goes as follows: 
               "Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership:"

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.


Visit Kent Keith's website at  http://www.kentmkeith.com/

Wishing everyone The Gift Of Sleep - Nancy

Photo by R.A.H.