I'm excited to announce that I've finally found a way to upload some of my radio programs to the net so that they are now available to everyone, as opposed to my usual geographically limited audience in New Zealand's Far North.
They're on Odeo.com. In order to ready them for inclusion on that site I've had to compress the one hour shows in an MP3 format that gets each show down to about 7mb in size (from the approximately 600mb size in the original .wav format). Unfortunately this decreases sound quality somewhat. This is a price I'm prepared to pay for now to get the interviews out there.
This interview with Elan Sun Star is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. In addition to dialogue packed with anecdotes and scientific evidence supporting the value of smiling, the hour is sprinkled with smiley songs from the likes of Tony Bennett and Red Grammar. Hear about:
• How smiling assists brain development in children
• The Duchenne Smile
• The value of smiling to astronauts and peace negotiators
• How Norman Cousins cured himself of an incurable disease
• Laughing clubs spring up in India and elsewhere
• The Inner Smile
The smile is quite simply the easiest, cheapest and perhaps most important and available means of attaining radiant health and finding peace in any situation. This is one of my favourite interviews.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Restoring Respect for First Nation Wisdom
I am just finishing the first book by Laurens van der Post that I have ever read. It won't be the last. The book is called A Story Like the Wind and it follows the life of a 13 year old European boy, Francois, living on a remote farm in a country in Africa. His father, a former school superintendent who left public service because he disagreed with the public policy of inferior education for native peoples, home schools Francois. But the true education of this child of the frontier is derived from the native people who help to raise him, principally Matabele and Bushmen. The respect that van der Post paints of the tribal cultures is profound. Laurens was raisedin Africa in the early 1900s in a family with 15 children and he grew up immersed in the stories of the original African cultures. Many of these stories are no longer told. These people had a profound awareness of their connection with the natural world. It is this awareness that we in the West need to foster and expand.
As Europeans colonised the rest of the world they did their utter best, based on a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance, to eliminate all vestiges of tribal culture and wisdom that they could not understand. The European mind, post-Descartes, has been fragmented. Anything that could not be scientifically proven was discarded as primitive nonsense. But the science used to disprove or approve new ideas was flawed. It became increasingly specialized and compartmentalized and reflected the vast collective ‘forgetting’ of the supposedly superior colonisers. Only today with the huge growth in concepts such as ‘The Law of Attraction’ are we beginning to tap into an awareness that pre-existed ours in the wisdom of the ancients. But we colour this new awareness with our culture’s seemingly insatiable need for ‘more’.
I cannot too highly recommend several books that have helped to reawaken in me a respect for the First Nation peoples who have preceded the onslaught of my forebears.. These books have reinforced lessons I have learned while working intimately with nature. I hope you can gain as much pleasure and insight in their reading as I have:
Marlo Morgan's Mutant Message Down Under explores the almost unbelievable powers and practical wisdom of an aboriginal nation during a walk the author shared with them across the vast outback of Australia.
Forest Carter's The Education of Little Tree only became part of my literary milieu in recent years while reading with my children. I continue to pick up the book from time to time and delight in its humour and perception of a native wisdom dying out in the Appalachians.
First Light by Carol O'Biso covers the journey from America to New Zealand and back of the author, who was the conservator of Te Maori, an exhibit that toured the States in the 80s. It is a celebration of Maori culture and the magic it imbues.
Finally, I must mention Millennium: Tribal Wisdom for the Modern World, the compendium of anthropologist David Maybury-Lewis, based on his ground-breaking PBS television series. I continue to dip into its vast wisdom when I feel the need to enhance my awareness of humanity's oneness.
May this awareness grow in each of us daily.
By the way, the touching 1993 film set in Africa called A Far Off Place is based on two Laurens van der Post books.
Love,
John
As Europeans colonised the rest of the world they did their utter best, based on a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance, to eliminate all vestiges of tribal culture and wisdom that they could not understand. The European mind, post-Descartes, has been fragmented. Anything that could not be scientifically proven was discarded as primitive nonsense. But the science used to disprove or approve new ideas was flawed. It became increasingly specialized and compartmentalized and reflected the vast collective ‘forgetting’ of the supposedly superior colonisers. Only today with the huge growth in concepts such as ‘The Law of Attraction’ are we beginning to tap into an awareness that pre-existed ours in the wisdom of the ancients. But we colour this new awareness with our culture’s seemingly insatiable need for ‘more’.
I cannot too highly recommend several books that have helped to reawaken in me a respect for the First Nation peoples who have preceded the onslaught of my forebears.. These books have reinforced lessons I have learned while working intimately with nature. I hope you can gain as much pleasure and insight in their reading as I have:
Marlo Morgan's Mutant Message Down Under explores the almost unbelievable powers and practical wisdom of an aboriginal nation during a walk the author shared with them across the vast outback of Australia.
Forest Carter's The Education of Little Tree only became part of my literary milieu in recent years while reading with my children. I continue to pick up the book from time to time and delight in its humour and perception of a native wisdom dying out in the Appalachians.
First Light by Carol O'Biso covers the journey from America to New Zealand and back of the author, who was the conservator of Te Maori, an exhibit that toured the States in the 80s. It is a celebration of Maori culture and the magic it imbues.
Finally, I must mention Millennium: Tribal Wisdom for the Modern World, the compendium of anthropologist David Maybury-Lewis, based on his ground-breaking PBS television series. I continue to dip into its vast wisdom when I feel the need to enhance my awareness of humanity's oneness.
May this awareness grow in each of us daily.
By the way, the touching 1993 film set in Africa called A Far Off Place is based on two Laurens van der Post books.
Love,
John
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Truth and Corruption
Yesterday I was told a story of a recent conversation overheard between a doctor and a nurse in our local clinic. The doctor asked if their quota for a particular drug had been reached. The nurse replied in the negative. The doctor then said, “We'd better prescribe that drug to the next ten patients then.” Obviously there was an incentive provided by the pharmaceutical company to over-prescribe that drug
We are in the midst of a national political campaign here in New Zealand. Our flawed political system is made abundantly clear when the news is splashed with stories of corporate entities and wealthy individuals making donations to major parties in exchange for political favours.
I recently read an article about a Pittsburgh professor who advocates that children not be allowed to use cell phone because of mounting evidence linking cell phone use to brain development and tumours. Our mainstream media, which most people read, listen to, watch and largely believe, consistently reports research refuting any evidence of the harmfulness of mobile phones. What this same media fails to report is that most of this impartial scientific research is funded, at least in part, by the companies that produce cell phones.
On our local scene I hear of and see developers that grease appropriate pockets in order to get permission to develop land in ways contrary to the greater public and environmental good.
What do we need to do in order to clean up our political, medical and business systems? What do we need to do in order to wake up to the reality of what goes on behind the scenes in these institutions? For too long we have made our doctors, lawyers, business leaders and politicians our gods. I believe we live in times in which each of us is capable of recognizing, revealing and living the Truth. Our conscious media can play a major role in delivering impartial information for people to make truly informed choices. Let's do it.
We are in the midst of a national political campaign here in New Zealand. Our flawed political system is made abundantly clear when the news is splashed with stories of corporate entities and wealthy individuals making donations to major parties in exchange for political favours.
I recently read an article about a Pittsburgh professor who advocates that children not be allowed to use cell phone because of mounting evidence linking cell phone use to brain development and tumours. Our mainstream media, which most people read, listen to, watch and largely believe, consistently reports research refuting any evidence of the harmfulness of mobile phones. What this same media fails to report is that most of this impartial scientific research is funded, at least in part, by the companies that produce cell phones.
On our local scene I hear of and see developers that grease appropriate pockets in order to get permission to develop land in ways contrary to the greater public and environmental good.
What do we need to do in order to clean up our political, medical and business systems? What do we need to do in order to wake up to the reality of what goes on behind the scenes in these institutions? For too long we have made our doctors, lawyers, business leaders and politicians our gods. I believe we live in times in which each of us is capable of recognizing, revealing and living the Truth. Our conscious media can play a major role in delivering impartial information for people to make truly informed choices. Let's do it.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Voices From the North
Each week I do a one hour radio interview program called Voices From the North that is simultaneously carried on cable TV. I interview people from all walks of life. I love to have people who present perspectives that are not ordiarily covered well by mainstream media. I've had Baha'i's, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and people with other beliefs on the show. Mainstream doctors who are switching on to alternative approaches to autism treatment have spoken together with homeopaths, naturopaths and Alexander practitioners. Everyone has a unique story to share and we learn from each other's stories.
I am absolutely passionate about the need for us to use the media to speak peacefully and clearly about natural ways of living; natural ways that don't harm our fellow humans or any of the other beings residing on this beautiful planet.
My book In Search of Simplicity is about to be published. I want to speak on the radio as a means of making the public aware of the book. Any suggestions of radio stations or programs that you know of would be appreciated.
I am absolutely passionate about the need for us to use the media to speak peacefully and clearly about natural ways of living; natural ways that don't harm our fellow humans or any of the other beings residing on this beautiful planet.
My book In Search of Simplicity is about to be published. I want to speak on the radio as a means of making the public aware of the book. Any suggestions of radio stations or programs that you know of would be appreciated.
Positive Media Obligation
Hi,
A friend told me earlier today that they had been listening to New Zealand's National radio station yesterday. A pharmaceutical company executive was interviewed about vaccinations. He said that the average American child now receives 15 vaccinations by the age of five. He was suggesting that New Zealand should adopt legislation to encourage a similar number of jabs for youngsters here.
My wife and I have two homeschooling daughters, 15 and 17 years of age. They have never been vaccinated. They've also never had to visit a doctor or had so much as an ear ache.
I feel, in light of the one sided conversation we hear on mainstream media, that we have an obligation to do whatever we can to present a complete pictures of issues such as vaccinations. Now is the time to come out of the caves and the deserts and to stand up and shout. What about? About reverence for all life on this planet and beyond, about unity, about intelligent and informed choices including the way that we vote.
In New Zealand we have a system of voting in place called MMP. I don't know what the letters stand for, but I do know that it allows the little parties, like the Greens, to make a significant impact on governmental policy choices.
Let's get these concepts talked about in every kitchen and in every lounge. Lets inundate (gently) the airwaves with positive messages like the inevitability of world peace.
I'm a lucky man. I work for a radio station that censors nothing that I present. My guests can speak about the things that matter to them and my listeners hear that, and they love it.
By the way, I've had spinal meningitis twice in my life, both times not long after receiving vaccinations. The second time I lay in a coma in a hospital in Norway and I wasn't expected to live. I did and nobody will stop me now from doing whatever I can to make this world a better place for my children and my children's children. Like John Lennon said,
“You say I'm a dreamer.
But I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us.
And the world will live as one.”
Love to you all,
John
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A friend told me earlier today that they had been listening to New Zealand's National radio station yesterday. A pharmaceutical company executive was interviewed about vaccinations. He said that the average American child now receives 15 vaccinations by the age of five. He was suggesting that New Zealand should adopt legislation to encourage a similar number of jabs for youngsters here.
My wife and I have two homeschooling daughters, 15 and 17 years of age. They have never been vaccinated. They've also never had to visit a doctor or had so much as an ear ache.
I feel, in light of the one sided conversation we hear on mainstream media, that we have an obligation to do whatever we can to present a complete pictures of issues such as vaccinations. Now is the time to come out of the caves and the deserts and to stand up and shout. What about? About reverence for all life on this planet and beyond, about unity, about intelligent and informed choices including the way that we vote.
In New Zealand we have a system of voting in place called MMP. I don't know what the letters stand for, but I do know that it allows the little parties, like the Greens, to make a significant impact on governmental policy choices.
Let's get these concepts talked about in every kitchen and in every lounge. Lets inundate (gently) the airwaves with positive messages like the inevitability of world peace.
I'm a lucky man. I work for a radio station that censors nothing that I present. My guests can speak about the things that matter to them and my listeners hear that, and they love it.
By the way, I've had spinal meningitis twice in my life, both times not long after receiving vaccinations. The second time I lay in a coma in a hospital in Norway and I wasn't expected to live. I did and nobody will stop me now from doing whatever I can to make this world a better place for my children and my children's children. Like John Lennon said,
“You say I'm a dreamer.
But I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us.
And the world will live as one.”
Love to you all,
John
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