Future Whirl

Dimensional serenade

2011-12-07T12:49:00.001-08:00

I had a very interesting conversation today with two good friends about consciousness, dimensions and the terms we use to describe our experiences to others, and even ourselves sometimes.

It starts with J.G. Bennett’s Kennedy-esque assertion we shouldn’t ask how the earth can serve us, but rather, what purpose we serve here on earth.

I think this is a question of cosmic proportions. If this is indeed our mindset, it changes everything. Why we create art. Why we are friends with our friends. Why we dream our dreams.

It also challenges our notions of freedom and responsibility.

It challenges the validity of power.

It truly touches on the importance of training and discipline.

I have been awakened to the idea that what I am now is not who I have always been or will ever be.

In me has been awakened the spark of truth, a light of being.

It is here now.

Helping Japan

2011-06-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

As life continues as it mostly does...
The skies outside my window are blue, I hear the gentle chirping of birds, and the air conditioner humming in the other room. The thing that reminds me that all is not as it should be, is my bottle of iodine sitting on my desk. But beyond my concern for the invisible ghost of radioactive particles from the Fukushima meltdown, traversing the jet streams from one corner of the world to the next, I am reminded of the immediate loss and devastation that invaded the lives of hundreds of thousands of Japanese several months ago. The silence around me amplifies my thoughts. The media has moved on - especially after the EPA ensured Americans that radiation readings here were too low to worry about (There are other opinions out there). But our awareness should stay focused on this issue, because as with the Haitian earthquake last year, this disaster will have long reaching consequences, not just for Japan, but for the entire world, both economically, ecologically and spiritually.

We can still donate money to the Red Cross to assist in the relief effort. For some it is difficult to find the time to be active or have the means to stage fundraising events. But it is easy to donate. Spread the word and inspire others to do the same. Do not forget that we are all a part of the same human family, and when some suffer we all do - when some of us make a forward leap for the world, we all benefit. If one hundred thousand people donated one dollar tomorrow, the effect would make a profound difference.

A really worthy cause is www.IamJapanese.org, having raised $40.000 already. Feel free to visit their site and show your support!

B

PS: If you are wondering what you can do that might help protect you from radioactive fallout, visit this site: http://www.thebestdayever.com/news/podcast/podcast-64-everything-you-need-to-know-about-radiation/

DESTINY, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD... OR?

2008-08-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

The other night, I dreamt about my grandmother and my grandfather (paternal and maternal). They have both passed on. I also dreamt about my siberian husky, Varga, who died not so long ago. I dreamt about someone who is still alive, but not doing well. The point of the dream was that they were all together, as if they were intimately connected. It dawned on me that they were a part of what so many of us know as soul groups. And as they were now in that other world, they watched over us, the living, protecting us, guiding us. I woke up saturated with the feeling of the dream.

Makes me think...

How many of our decisions are stimulated by supernatural advice, resonating deep within our subconscious minds? It makes me feel less alone in this world. And it makes me realize that destiny is something we share among us. It isn't just a point towards which we are helplessly moved. Destiny is a puzzle in which we are all important pieces, it is a responsibility we must face, and always do our best to uphold. Realizing this makes me feel that life itself is truly sacred.

VARGA 1991-2007

2007-10-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Travel well, my love...

CALLING ALL HEROES AND SUPERHEROES

2007-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

The sun sets upon the world. Its warm rays can't hide the cool breeze of autumn, heralding the coming of winter. Are we prepared to face the unknown?

The world never judges. It exists beyond good and evil. It will accomodate any inclination. But our hearts are forged in the fire of evolution. We strive forward and our heart not only keeps us going, it also beams out into the space around us, its radar eye. We can be taught, we can experience, we can understand the difference between right and wrong.

We eat the food of the dead. We breathe the air and drink the water of the dying. We become what we eat. So we must hurry and train and struggle to keep ourselves ALIVE. Some people are beacons in the world, that our radar will see.

Did you ever dream you were a Super Hero?

Super Heroes fight for what's right and what's good. Most people want a life of dignity and happiness. A hero gives us temporary relief from the bleak places of suffering. A superhero, does that, as well as destroying the source of evil from which all bleakness emanates.

But a superhero is always alone, and must stay hidden in the world and must make many personal sacrifices.

But it is destiny.

Calling all heroes and superheroes to remain here to blind all evil with the light of truth and beauty!

STRANGERS WHEN WE MEET?

2007-08-08T18:46:00.001-07:00

On the surface of things, the world is a place of ordinary people and ordinary things. Everything placed in its "proper" order, living and dying pretty much as directed by some internal software put there by some humorous architect (or not).
Every night, I turn out the lights and lay down, listening to the incessant hum of the city. When I was a kid it used to be the river and the waterfall that buzzed by me at dusk. Now its machinery, steel and smoke that weaves its way into the atmosphere and into my dreams. I don't believe in ordinary things. They don't exist. I've seen a glimpse of reality, and it doesn't look like a Monday or a Wednesday. I try to remember this, when my life slows down or gets caught up in routines. And one of the most intriguing and mysterious thoughts I've had in all of this is that the first time we met, was meant to be. You were put there in my path because you had a gift for me, a piece of the puzzle I am trying to solve with all of my life and power. There are no strangers. Every being has a mission, and no one on earth is alone.

ESCAPE

2007-06-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

I have an ideal, a goal, a utopian aspiration for what the great sanctuary of my life will be, for the House of Future Whirl. Dreams weave shrouds of dream around themselves. To use an old buddhist saying concerning Nirvana: If you think it is there, it is not. There is a strange truth to this, revealing itself in moments when we can see the nature of all of life's struggles. Still your racing heart!

Tod und Verklärung

2007-06-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

"In a far away land... a song that has no name..." This is the beginning words to "The Nameless One", written in 2004 in Chicago. I was still living on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, and I was thinking about my family in that "far away land", and how the world we've been given to live in, our personal world, is so fragile.

When I grew up I felt like I was living in what seemed like a magical universe without end. But as my life began to span two continents, time was brought into my world. A lot of people have told me how scary it is to grow older. But I personally don't care so much about that, since I know life is a journey, and all trips must eventually come to a close or transform in a way that does not allow us to continue in the form and shape that we know now. But the beautiful company we can keep in life, is so tied up to that specific journey. Love is such a strong force in us. And like a nuclear bomb, the effect is unbelievable when it comes apart. When we have to leave the world, we might go on in some form. My mind is not closed to that possibility, especially since I have had experiences that indicate this, including messages from those who are now travelling in other realms, to those still here. On the other hand, there is a famous saying: It's all in your mind...

Makes me wonder... My grandfather was my great hero. I lived in paradise. But one day he was gone. I see him in my dreams sometimes. And I believe he travels from the world of the dead to see me. My other grandfather is also gone. I saw him only once or twice in dreams. My grandmother who recently passed on at 91, I only faintly recall seeing again. Perhaps there are various levels of depth to their world, and their mission in the world (of all worlds) decides where they go, or if they stay in the twilight realms to be with us who are still living physically on earth.

But back to "The Nameless One". I am not a realised master so I can't exist in two places at one time (I wonder if there are any truly realized masters in the world, or if those individuals, some of which I have admired so deeply from the vantage point of a curious and awed reader, are merely the result of their followers projected dreams and hopes). So my world became divided. I was wondering where "home" was. As I was travelling between two "worlds". I understood clearly, that whatever place we consider home, as everything else, this place is also subject to the universal force of creation/destruction. We are never safe. Even though we picture life to be ever so calm and harmonious. Storms rage mercilessly on the edge of that world.

I look at old people. I wonder how it feels. I still remember turning 18. It's a long time ago now. But from there to now, it went so fast I can hardly account for how I got here. I am still me, still the same mind and heart beating in my body, and I know I felt the same when I was 8 - and believe I will feel part of that same feeling when I am 80 (God willing!). We're just here in the now. We can't remember being born, so in a sense our present state of being is all we know. We don't know of any kind of beginning. Just that we are, that we experience. And as a result, I don't think we can really see it end. Unless we look at our dreams. They end every night. Every night a world is created and every morning it is destroyed. In our dreams we die every morning! How many deaths have we gone through? I've even missed people I've met in dreams...

"And when I wake... I am gone".

A friend of mine just said that he didn't want to spend any time around people who weren't really serious about what they are doing. Which is my belief exactly. George Harrison, whose musical/spiritual legacy I admire greatly, said that "everything can wait but the search for God can not wait". It's completely true. We must live in the now, but we have work to do. We have to build our character, we have to prepare for the future, personally, physically, and spiritually. Those preoccupied with self-gratifying actions with no spiritual value and idle relationships can only take away our time. It's like throwing yourself into a waterfall. You feel the chill of the water for a second and swooosh - you're gone in an instant. I try to center myself, to find peacefulness at the center of my being, so that I can enjoy the beauty of life without getting distracted by sadness or fear or other pointless indulgences - good or bad.

This peacefullness, is home.

I admire those who stay disciplined, stay on the path. It's hard, when we are humans, living and dying, having felt the touch of destiny, without really understanding what this force is.

But we have no time to lose.
It's here, now.
Life calls.

NEW FUTURE WHIRL WEBSITE DESIGN!

2007-04-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

www.futurewhirl.com has a new look and more content chronicling what I've been doing for the past 13 years. For a long time I haven't really felt like listening to my older stuff, because in many ways I've moved beyond it, but one day sifting thru the archives, I realised I am pretty darn proud of it. We are what we are when we are...

Take a look!

- Bard

Food safety, the patenting of life and conscience

2007-03-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

The first time I went to the USA, I had heard a lot about genetically modified food, and quite frankly, it freaked me out! So I tried to stay away from anything that said anything about being modified. But as time went by, I guess I got lazy - seemingly a very human characteristic - and let myself sink back into ignorance and indifference. I'd eat mostly everything that I was offered, at home and out of the house. Later on I began to hear about Mad Cow Disease. That was very very scary. So I began to buy organic meat. Flesh never tasted that good. But then, there was chicken... and antibiotics, suffering animals, and feed containing a lot of strange things. Okay, free range organic chicken from now on, please.

Then I rediscovered David Wolfe and his sunfood diet, which I am now truly flirting with, but have yet to fully embrace. I love to cook, and I love to eat great cooked food, but I also realise both the health and spiritual implications of just living by one's taste buds alone (which, besides, can and will change, whenever we *truly* wish it). David Wolfe says that a lot of our cravings are simply that: addictions. And I've seen this myself. Whenever you do less of something, the desire to do it diminishes along with it. Now I look forward to my salads in the morning. It tastes great, it's organic, so it agrees with my conscience.

Like this, I try to stake out a good path for myself, while trying not to bother my fellow humans needlessly. But then I came across the movie "The Future Of Food", focussing on the genetic engeneering of food, and perhaps most shockingly: the patenting of seeds by corporations.

How can someone be allowed to patent life? It's happening! Why are corporations interested in patenting the human gene pool? Why do they want to patent seeds, to own the right to the sustenance of all human beings on the planet. Why do they want to patent animals? More importantly: why are they allowed!?

The only response I can come up with is that our choices are now more important than ever. Our actions do not affect only ourselves, but all of our fellow human beings. Do you believe in God or Divine Providence? Do you believe that God created all living creatures and the world they live in. Is it right for a corporation to take the seed of this life, to alter it and then enslave its destiny for the purpose of generating profits (blood money) or to control the fate and soul of the world? The same question applies if you are "simply" a humanist, if you love the world and its creatures, if you care about the future of your children and their offspring.

We do have choices! May ours be informed, enlightened and responsible. Spread the news and take care!

Watch "The Future Of Food" here.

- B.

[artwork by Ester Hernández]

Promise

2006-09-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

If there is a greater whole to life than what we experience with our most obvious senses, are we obliged to a greater extent, to fulfill the promises we make? Our promises to ourselves and others - are we meant to make them, because in their fulfilment, are the keys to unlocking the gates to our greater destinies?

Do we carry with us a responsibility, not only for ourselves, but also for generations passed. What are we, if not a wave flowing through the secret spaces of time. Are we - each and everyone of us - a specific piece in a greater puzzle that we - in our present state - can not see or fathom. A puzzle that perhaps those who came before can understand in greater depth. And that they depend on us to stand up to the challenge given to us, and complete our mission.
If we are not alone, does that mean also, that the desicions we make are not for us alone. In our lives we carry the hope, promise and fulfilment for all souls that are a part of this special wave as it flows on its path through the deepest oceans of the cosmos.

Be true...

- Bard

Today

2006-08-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

No words...

click for bigger view

«What's up, doc?»

2006-08-17T02:36:00.000-07:00

Here's what I believe: We come into this world as some kind of starter kit. We are born with the tools and basic «stuff» necessary to create a complete human being. By complete human being I mean a being who has reached its full potential and is able to understand its purpose in the world.

I do believe in Divine Providence. Divine Providence is the force that flows through our hearts always – and will show itself when we are sober and at peace. Divine Providence is the sword that cuts through the world's falsehood. We have to make our hearts mirror the image of Divine Providence. This is one reason why I choose to call Future Whirl devotional music.

I have a deep sadness in my heart because of the recent wave of war and terror. I am not a believer in end time scenarios, but I think we're heading somewhere we didn't consciously intend to go, and don't want to go. An invisible hand is pulling us into the deeps, where darkness threatens to swallow us. Be a light in the world. Don't let yourself get pulled down.

I do believe in non-violence. Especially in this world we see that violence SIMPLY CAN'T be used as a means to bring about positive changes. Sure, it will create short term changes, but leaves wounds that some people believe can only be healed by counter-violence. Violence begets violence, it's an old adage, but it's true. Despite all its ills, «Western» society has some deep democratic structures that can be used to change things for the better. In the last couple of years, people have used them, and some good things have come from it.

That's what's up... and I am working on a piece called «Shining Ball». It's been in the making for a long time. It's for a special project, and it's been so hard to complete it. But I think it will be finished within the next two weeks.

Take care!
Bard

DREAM KNOWING

2006-08-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

The alarm is ringing... We have an old fashioned alarm clock in our room. No kind of snooze feature. It just keeps ringing until one gets up, goes over to the closet (I hide it in the closet under a t-shirt, because I hate the high pitched sound it makes) and turns it off. The sound begins to make an impact on my dreams. In dreams - my brain always manages to turn the sound into something else, never an alarm. I'm in denial. I love to sleep – or seen from another perspective, my alternate existence in dream-space. As always, I die to my dream and get born into this world, that we all share, on the far side of sleep. I do not believe that life is just a series of dream sequences. That this life is a dream, and upon dying we wake up in some other world, another dream, and so on. But one never knows. That's one thing most of us have in common, we just don't KNOW.

From today on, I think I want to start looking at what I actually KNOW as opposed to what I THINK. Knowledge is when information – through experience – has become a part of our being. It is not enough to be mere vessels for the energies and impulses of life. We need to absorb life into our very being and really KNOW it.

This could be a good start, if we want to make a change in the world... anyway those were my two cents – as the saying goes – on a thursday morning.

Paz,
Bard

SISTER OF LIGHT – MYSTIC JOURNEY – SUN WHIRL

2006-08-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

"So strong when you move thru me, like the divine mind moves thru the cosmos..."

SOUL

2006-07-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

SOUL

Soul is quality

Not quantity

Free will is not about chosing

left or right

It is about chosing creation

or destruction

with all of ones being

Text & Photo: Bard Titlestad

Alam-i ajsam | Alam-i arvah

2006-07-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

The world of bodies and the world of spirit, these are two sufi terms that I have fallen in love with. I am reading a book by J.G. Bennett, where these are explained in terms of land and ocean. The land and the sea are separate but there is the seashore where they are able to touch eachother. When I read this I was at a beach with my wonderful wife and some friends, and it resonated deep inside me. All knowledge about all things is present everywhere around us. Our work must be to "tune our instrument" so that we can receive the frequencies upon which this knowledge rides.

From the seashore,
Bard

Rant...

2006-07-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

I just reaslied today... I have to do something for this planet! Have you taken a few minutes to look around, and see what's going on? I remember almost 20 years ago, I was interviewed on TV, and I said that I was really, really concerned with the environment and saving the rainforest. I guess I haven't really spent 10 minutes since then, actually doing something to transform my thoughts back then into action. Have you had similar experiences? I think it's time to look at our priorities. Okay, everything costs money! Travelling, living, doing... nothing's free, only thinking's free (is it?)! This world is so beautiful, and it gives so generously of itself. We kill it, yet it does not exact revenge, because vengefulness is not a feeling it is capable of. I wish we were as accomplished!

Anyway, that's my rant for today.

Paz,
Bard