1. Dr Who - The Meddling Monk
2. Obi Wan Kenobi / The Jedi Order - Star Wars
3. Monk on Fire
4. Chaos Monks
5. Celestine Prophecy
6. Umberto Eco - Name of Rose, Foucault's Pendulum
7. Holy Blood and Holy Grail , Priory of Zion
7. Cathars & Knights Templar
9. Eastern Monastic Traditions / Buddhist Monks
10. Sao Bento/Saint Benedict
11. Franciscans - St Francis of Assisi / Pai Seta Branca
12. Rasputin
I've blogged elsewhere about the meaning of the 8 directions , 108 , The Lions G8 888 Starg8's and the 8 values of Judo but I dont think I ever blogged on the 808
I first became aware of the number when the band 808 state released the track Pacific State. I discovered them around the time they appeared on a classic "Madchester" top of the pops episode alongside the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. The band named themselves after the "Roland TR 808" drum machine and over the many years since I first heard 808 state I have realised the immense influence off the 808 drum machine on Electronic music ; Electro, House, Techno ,Hip Hop, Pop even Soul.
Often referred to as the heart beat of electronic music it's been responsible for inducing more than one ecstatic or transcendent state in hearts and minds on dancefloor globally over the years. Not the least of which was '88 "The 2nd summer of love" and the height acid house.
The symbol for infinity is a 8 on its side while a 8 is two zeros turned upwards
River in Portugal
Click the links for more on Dragons , Dungeons and Dragons , Dragon Dice and Puff the Magic Dragon
When I was a very young child I used to visit my mums home town in Cornwall each summer. We used to spend much of our holidays on the golden sand of the beaches in St Ives Bay, when I was just a Toddler I found a beautiful shell on the the beach the being a Conical Spiral which I have kept safe to this day. Each summer I would look forward to visiting an ornate chapel at the local convent where my Aunt would attend mass. It had a tall spindly spiral staircase which, If I had been well behaved I was allowed to ascend.
I forgot all about Spiral until the early 90's when I encountered Spiral Tribe.
However it was the following events almost a decade later when I attend a rather specialist jungle/ drum and bass club run by Damian Lazarus entitled "pm scientists" , that crystallised this post. Despite having recently started a new job at Sanctuary Housing and it being "a school night" it was an essential night out. I was particularly excited to hear a set by the legendary Rob Playford of Moving Shadow who was on the line up.
I was quite surprised by how few people were there, but it was a small wine bar rather than a club.As I sat alone drinking my pint listening to the music. My eye was drawn to the spindly spiral staircase in the corner that reminded me of my youth and how I now associated spirals with Synchronicity , the Illuminati, 23's , Spiral Tribe, Reincarnation, The Golden Ratio, Fractals , Nature, Evolution. Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I asked the barman , what's through the hatch in the roof at the top of the staircase and he said you better go and look,so I did. I climbed the staircase went through the hatch and at top, into a tiny room which contained only one object, the LP cover of Pink Floyd's "Dark side of the Moon"
Since then I've read sychromystic blogs on the rainbow bridge the No 42 so am more familiar with the meanings behind that symbolism.
In relation to "the spiral" I am reminded of Led Zepplins "Stairway to Heaven" and the Butthole Surfers "Hairway to Steven"
Kazushi,
Buddhas of the Eight Directions
Mahavairocana Buddha (Centre),
Aksobhya Buddha (East),
Ratnasambhava Buddha (South),
Amitābha Buddha (West),
Amoghasiddhi Buddha (North),
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (South East),
Manjushri Bodhisattva (South West),
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (North West),
Maitreya Bodhisattva in the (North East).
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Buddha nature (Awakened Conciousness)
Universal Conciousness
Gaian/Planetary Conciousness
Collective Unconcious
Sub Concious
Altered states of Conciousness
One summer back in the early nineties I visited the United States. I have previously blogged about some of my experiences with UFO's Eckankar and The Justified Ancients of Mu at Camp Kiwago (Bear Mountain ) .
On the first of my few weekends off, I visited New York City. It was the summer that Naz released illmatic and the Wu Tang released the 36 Chambers. I picked up both tapes on the street and popped them into my bag. I was having a hip hop / RnB epiphany that summer having mostly been listening to Jungle , house and techno back in the UK.
As I travelled back to camp, in a minibus with my co counsellors all of whom were young black males from the 5 boroughs that I hadn't yet gelled with, and who were a little suspicious of me. They turned off Funk Master Flex and put the Clan on the stereo. The sound was fresh to us all but I distinctly remember the first thing they played was the "Torture" skit from 36 Chambers and my heart skipped a beat or two.
I had a great summer and returned to the UK in the Autumn. Inspired by legends of the Shaolin vs Wu Tang I took up Kung Fu but it was Goldie that I first heard quote the classic line from "The Wanderers" "Dont fuck with the Wongs"
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.
Over the years I have had a fascination with various organisations that have faced allegations been of being cults
Landmark Forum
The Moonies
The London Church of Christ
Multi Level Marketing Cults (Herbalife/Amway/Younique)
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
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"
White Horses - Jacky Lee
This was one of the earliest 7 inch vinyl records I had.
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
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 ?
