Sanctuary

The Cult- She Sells Sanctuary

Sanctuary Housing

Church Sanctuary

Sanctuary Church Staple Hill

Bristol City of Sanctuary

Temples

Temple of Psychick Youth

Temple Gate

Shaolin Temple

Jen Wai Tong Temple

Bamboo Forest Temple 

Rainbow Villa - Buddhist Temple - Rainbow Chi Gung institute, True Buddha School

My Sweet Lord /Hare Krishna/ Jesus loves you

 

I always liked the songs "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison  and "Generations of Love" by Boy George/Jesus loves You.

I am not a vegetarian but lean in that direction.I have been told on more than one occasion the  Hare Krishna's publish excellent vegetarian recipes.My first real experience of Hare Krishna's was at  an underground rave by Tribal Energy at the "Cool Tan Arts Centre" in Brixton.We arrived at the venue not sure what to expect.A group of Hare Krishna's who were running the cafe were onstage chanting and drumming.It was getting later and later and people were getting restless but the chanting went on . Eventually a "crusty" entered the stage took the mic  and said "We are not going to be intimidated any longer we are here to play some Hardcore Kick Ass Techno!" With that the lights went down and the most awesome rave began of hard industrial acid techno with a memorable performance by the Tribal Energy "angle grinders."

Since those days I learnt about Christ Conciousness in San Francisco  have been exposed to the "Sant Mat" of Eckankar , studied Buddhism and even spent in a year living in the Buddhist temple of my Kung Fu teacher. I have also practised Capoeira and played percussion. Marching down the street with the Capoeira bateria has on more than one occasion be likened to the Hare Krishna's.

Cults, Quasi Cults, and Spoof Cults

 

Over the years I have had a fascination with various organisations that have faced allegations been of being cults

The London Church of Christ 

The Church of Scientology

The Church of Subgenius 

Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth

The Cult of Yellow Tango

Eckankar

Yellow Dragon / Jen Wai Tong

Multi Level Marketing Cults (Herbalife/Amway/Younique)

Landmark Forum

Jo Jo's

For the past few years I've been taking my son to judo  classes at a club called "Japan Arts Centre" often referred to as JAC's  or Jo and Chris's after the two coaches that run the club. 

Back in the late nineties when I was training Kung Fu at the Yellow Dragon Centre I remember the first the time I was asked to Spar. My Master had been giving a private lesson to a young lady named "Jo" who had done some Wing Chun. I entered the dojo at the end of her class and my teacher asked me to spar with her.I had never fought before but he reassured me with the rules "No punches to the face, no kicks to the groin and no kicks to the knees." Without further a do we commenced with a bow. Before I knew it I was promptly punched in the face kicked to the groin and kicked round the knees. I learnt never to underestimate my opponent or women fighters.Despite this I became reasonably good friends with Jo who was part of the underground free party techno crew "Chiba City Sound" with another friend of mine named "Joe" from the "23 faceless Techno Scooter crew."

Around the time I was invited by a another Discordian "Lisa Lovebucket" to the staging of "The Warp" a play by Neil Oram originally staged by Ken Campbell. It was due to be staged on the full moon at an all night / all day rave in conjunction with Megatripolis at the Dome in  London Bridge . The marketing promised it would be a night to remember so I decided to go. I arrived at about 23:00 hrs wearing my signature Helly Hanson Sailing Jacket and Yellow hat, which was "en vogue" at the time . Almost immediately upon entering the club I locked eyes with Korean woman who I soon learnt was named "Joh" we became great friends and hung out alot that summer , including including dj'ing together at "Enter the Yellow Dragon" and attending the legendary Madame Jo Jo's in Soho together until she returned to her home Korea in the Autumn.

RIP Joh

The Dub Pistols

Dub Pistols release their latest Album "Addict" this week which on one song features the MC Navigator the friend  of a friend (Nev G) . The band have had  a revolving line up over the years and friends of friends have been involved on a number of occasions eg  Billy Borez  of Zero B and Drum Monkeys.  Although I dont know the main man  "Barry Ashworth"  personalIy I was aware of him since his big beat days . I was also fan Rodney P from the "London Posse" and later the "scratch" nights in kings cross. Long before I saw him with the Dub Pistols. I've followed the Ragga Twins since the heady days of rave and their work with Shut up and Dance 

I've had so many memorable experiences at Dub Pistols gigs (good and bad)

 I first saw the band at a "Rise against Racism" festival in Finsbury park  which I attended with my wife  shortly after we met and while we were courting . They were amazing and were joined by Terry Hall and Neville Staples of "The Specials" on stage to perform "Gangsters"

We saw them again at "The Lumiere"  where my wife came back from the ladies introducing me to her new friend, a while later this new friend was up on stage and turned out to be Lindy Leyton

Saw them again at Koko (Camden Palace) where they were joined by Ashley Slater and  supported by "The Herbalizer"  and again at Brixton Jam with Akala

Unfortunately I accidentally upset Seanie Tee at a gig in Bristol he was introducing the band and I said what I thought was an under my breath comment "so wheres the special guest?" (For some reason I was under the impression the Ragga Twins were was going to be a special guests) , unfortunately my comment came out very loud and probably sounded rude Seanie Tee called me out on it, in front if the whole audience , It was a bit embarrassing really but it was smoothed over by a friendly rasta doing security - No harm done just hurt pride.

Lately my sons been singing an alternative version of "mucky weekend" in  the car, apparently he nicked the lyric from an internet  meme.

"Hey you dont touch me there,  this is my no no square"

Navigators

Flight of the Navigator

M.C. Navigator (Dub Pistols)

For more on Our lady of the Navigators click here

SweatBox

 Sweatbox - Gym (Pedro Bessa BJJ)

Sweatbox - Punishment

White Horses

 White Horses - Jacky Lee

This was one of the earliest 7 inch vinyl records I had.

The White Horse - Cherhill  

Possibly the closest white horse to my house and five minutes from my friends

   

Ride The White Horse - Laid Back

80's electro synth pop

The White Horse - Chess

     The archetype the white knight ,from the game of warriors

Justice

Yesterday I was chatting to an old friend who was talking about the need for Justice and he sent me an image of the tarot card of the same name.

This morning as I did my daily meditation which I usually start by drawing 1 tarot card from the pack and reflecting on its meaning, I thought to myself I wonder what the commentary on Justice is ? (thinking I should read it later as its unlikely to be the card I draw.) And low and behold what card did I draw ?

Click the links for more  Metallica