A Rambling Muse On Art, Creating Reality And Business

Image: Adam touching the hand of God, Michelangelo, ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

What is “art”? What is creation and its links to creativity? Is “Build it and they will come” or Ray Bradbury's advise “First you jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.” sound proposals for starting a venture? Do we create our reality or is it all a crap-shoot? Are Art and Science mutual means to realizing ones goals? In today's post I will muse on these things a bit.

Back in the 90's a friend, Chris, and I being totally frustrated with the local arts scene in regard to the prevalent attitude that most crafts were not “art” decided to form an artist's cooperative. She is a bead-worker and I am eclectic in my creations. It was open for a good run but because of location we struggled. One idea made manifest. Enough on that.

The line between art and craft has been debated for years. This article by Denis Dutton on art and craft I found to very good as well as the comments below the article “Tate Debate: When is a craft an art?” I have been thinking on this as I am in the process of attempting to create a new business venture and have put out my feelers for this relying on some of my Social Currency with an emphasis as a basic operating principle of creating a sense of community. I know many folks are out in the community that have "Arts and Crafts” they would love to share and also make a bit of money for their efforts. Two problems I see: Many lack the financial resources to pay the high price of most well established events and fairs and also may not have enough of their creations to fill the standard 10X10 booth space. My intention is to create a space that will accommodate those two needs.

This brings me to the next point of this post. As it has been widely determined , art is greatly defined by Aesthetics. An aesthetic I embrace that flavors my world view as well as art is the aesthetic of Wabi-sabi. In most respects this has served me well for many years. As Bradbuy advised I have always been one who takes the leap instilled with abundant faith in myself and the workings of the universe. Recently I have been consumed with these thought and more. But here is the rub.

Events of recent years have contributed to a gradual decline in my physical abilities and general adventurous spirit which I have identified in terms of “who I am”. Finding the true essence of myself has been clouded in terms of “what I do” to define that self. These may be the inevitable consequences of aging. Perhaps Otium is a state I am ready to embrace? Well there is a spark within me that says “No, not yet.” So “what to do” I ask. Where do I gather and reestablish the ingredients of my Mojo?

Yes, this has been a rambling mini-muse, has it not? Like my nature spirit the frog I am in the mood to take a leap into the unknown again. This post has now evolved into another outreach to vendors of different stripes. Not just artists or crafters but folks of any entrepreneurial persuasion with desire to share their passions. Collectors, musicians, writers, tarot readers and more...

Any one else ready to “build your wings on the way down”

Connect Here

Kether Muse Metaphysical Writings

Back in early 2001 I began experiencing an unusual event. This came about with no conscious intent on my part. One morning I awoke and went about my regular routine of making coffee and sitting down in front of my computer to check my email. I noticed I was having a difficult time waking up. As I sat I was “prompted” to open a blank document and try to write about what I was feeling as it was a very strange sort of blanket surrounding my awareness. What happened next was the beginning of a phenomenon that would keep occurring for many days.

I began writing from a space where I was not fully conscious. Was I channeling? No. Was it automatic writing? Perhaps. Was I lucid dreaming? No. It actually took me many years to come across the word that fit the state I believe I had been experiencing. I was in the state that is termed “Hypnopompic”. Defined as “the state of consciousness leading out of sleep”.

Those pre-dawn altered states of consciousness transpired (not every day) for a year from January 4^th to December 5^th 2001. The result was 74 short writings that I came to call my “muses”. I began emailing them as I wrote them to a handful of close friends. I sent them unedited just as I had typed them. They were received with much appreciation (and soon anticipation) as most found they contained a message worth hearing.

There was a long absence of this state of consciousness as it left me as swiftly and unannounced as it appeared. Then in 2008 I once again was taken by this strange altered state of consciousness and between the dates of December 1^st 2008 to December 11^th 2008 I produced 8 more writings which I subsequently titled “December Walks With Shadow”.

My closest friends have encouraged me to publish them over the years. But because of many reasons I had chosen not to. Recently I started reading them again myself. Many seemed new to me as if I had never read them before and I too was inspired by some. So after all these years I decided to put them into volumes for print. After reading up on all the methods of publishing a book I decided just to do it myself (for now) and have printed a few of them at a local printer to start with. Two books. The original 2001 texts I simply call “Kether Muse” and the 2008 one is, as said before, “December Walks With Shadow”.

It is curious to me that here in Boise Idaho where I live (for neaar 60 years) the “occult” scene is minimal. We have a great pagan focused store (Crone's Cupboard) and other pagan communities here. We also have a pretty good selection of “New Age” folk and alternative healers. But I have yet to find a community of what I consider occultists. Thelemites and Chaos Magicians seem to be hiding from me. So I am going to a few places to seek places where I my have opportunities to sell my books. The folks who own Crone's Cupboard are friends so I will of course go see them. There is also another pagan/wicca placed called Bella’s Grove. But of most interest is a place I am actually surprised I have never checked out in person before, although on my website, KetherMuse, I advertise their events. The Boise Holistic and Metaphysical Coop. Today they are having a gathering of psychics and tarot readers. Perhaps I can arrange to sit sometime and sell my books?

If at all interested in perhaps purchasing one or both of my volumes of writings you can find contact information in the About Page on my website (or a Facebook message). I will email details if you like. The books are spiral bound like this with clear protective covers front and back.

Here is a sample of one of the Kether Muses for your consideration.

1-13-2001 ©

An eerie glow is dancing round about  this morning.

So alive and active though I feel that none can see its stirring but I.

Although it is born of light it enters and exits from the shadows.

I understand and perceive that it is calling to me with a secret to share.

I look deep into its ghostly face and strain my ear from listening.

For its voice is soft and full of echoes.

And as it sees me in my intent, laughter is a melody

running in harmony with its whispering.

" We know you see us for we are of the Light.

But if not for the Shadows you would have no sight."

And I am taken aback for a moment for I know this song.

It's melody has resounded within my meditations

on many quiet morning and in the quiet times

before I close my eyes for dreaming.

So it seems the Spirits have bought their lessons once again, my love my guru.

It is a message of contrast.

A message of Light. 

A message of Darkness.

A message of eternal play and of the dance

where the dancers never stumble

and always flow in rhythm with the music that is offered.

And as we watch these dancers we know that they are lovers.

We know their trust in one another is beyond question.

We know that their dance and their love filled gazes

into each others eyes is all they know.

All that matters to them.

We watch from the edge of the dance floor, my teacher, knowing we are blessed

to witness the awesome beauty of their eternal flowing.

Shall we join the dance?

We know the tune.

It is good to come to the dance. We always have an invitation.

But so often we choose to stay at home or work focused on the day to day

actions of the moment. And often we perceive it to be a struggle to do anything else.

We do not feel the balance that is all about.

Our ears are empty of the tune of Life that is always playing.

The disharmony of our own minds drowns out the Spirits songs.

We do not stop and take a moment to see the beauty

and feel the Joy that lies at the edge of the seam between

the Darkness and the Light.

For there is where true clarity of vision resides.

There stands Balance.

And the door to the dance hall stands open and inviting.

So let us quiet the voices of our minds.

Follow the sounds of the Spirits singing.

And let us pull out our invitations each day.

Knock on the door and enter the hall.

Would you care to dance my love my guru? We know the tune.

Is Brevity A Coffee Drink Like A Latte?

"Brevity is the Soul of Wit."
People argue about what this means but for me I am using the definition that says its meaning is "a good piece of writing, or a good speech should be brief and concise."

Even though I have this blog and post to it seldom, it is on my mind most days. In the daily creation of my website I come upon so many subjects I would love to expand upon and write about. (My site consists of 99% links to other websites with little personal commentary.) But I find myself reluctant to do so as I feel I need a certain length of content to make it notable. But as of late that premise has come into question for me.

On my website I have a small page titled “In Brief” with its stated intent of, "In Brief is a new page where I will post short blurbs, commentary and opinions on many things that will come and go on a regular basis. Even though I have Kether Muse Blog some things just need a moment." Recently a friend wrote a Facebook message to me that said, "It seems like a lot of work to go though, just to create a blog of posts that are shorter than the rest. You can put tiny messages in your regular blog, and it will keep them in context. Rather than create a separate page, I would simply tag your short posts with “in brief” and maybe have a link in your menu to everything with that tag. Just my thoughts."

Well I have been taking her words into consideration and to heart. While doing so I have noticed that many well known and constantly visited web sites are full of articles that actually are rather small. For instance, randomly picked for this post, is an article titled "Survey: Children Spend Less Time Outdoors Than Prison Inmates" from the website “Earth We Are One” (from their website "10+ Million Monthly Readers") accessed from the very popular Facebook site “Peaceful Warrior”. This article has only 839 words. For  “brevity's” sake I will not pull out any more examples and get on with the point of this post.

I have been told before that sometimes I offer too much information when speaking, especially when I am in conversation on a subject I am passionate about. I wear folks out and that is not good for communication, even though I attempt to be conscious of Thich Nhat Hanh's advise on Deep Listening and Loving Speech. But that is a subject in it's self for another time.

For better or worse the new paradigm is that people want their internet content to be shorter. Sites like Long Form are often passed over choosing instead "fluff" journalism sites such as BuzzFeed, Gawker and Cracked. Now at this point I am inclined to want to go off on a diatribe about the "Dumbing Down" of America". But “Brevity-Brevity”.

I receive emails from an organization called Freedom With Writing and muse on writing stories/articles for others to make a little much needed extra cash. But what stops me is the same stumbling block of whether articles in my mind would be good enough. I'm beginning to think. “Maybe they are.” I read an article and think, "I could have given that subject more justice." Then my negative programing jumps up again. I could use a good session with Byron Katie and ask, "Is it True".

So in closing two more points. Perhaps I will take down my “In Brief” (link may become broken) page and focus more on my blog. And secondly, I am getting so sick of all the films about Jesus where he portrayed as a white dude like some Venice beach hippie, but brevity redirects me from that thought too(for now).

(By the way, this post has 1292 words in it.)

Please visit Kether Muse and help and retired dude out a bit if inclined with a small PayPal donation.Thanks.

#MLKDay Education and War Taxes

#MLKDay

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Yesterday here in Idaho where I live, in the capital city of Boise, Boise State University held their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march and rally. In Idaho the holiday is called Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day one of seven states that have alternate names. It was created on January 16, 2006 by our then republican Governor and former United States Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne. Students, citizens and peace/ justice organizations gather at the university then march from there down one of our main thoroughfares into the heart of the city (Capital Boulevard) to the Idaho State Capital, there to listen to speakers commemorating the day.

The honoring of Dr. King is a wonderful thing as he is unarguably one of the world's most notable figures in the eternal work for peace and justice. But the celebration of Dr. King is not the main focus of this post today.

I saw that directly following the rally there was going to be another rally held at our capital steps. It was billed as the “Stop Tuition Hikes” rally, supporting a ballot initiative to raise cigarette taxes by $1.50 a pack to lower college tuition costs by 22%. A noble cause, as we all know those costs are outrageous. Even beyond that I could use the word “sinful”. Which brings me to the next thought on this post. The tax on tobacco is what is considered a “sin tax”. I have always had a problem with “sin taxes” and  think, “What would government do if they could not collect this money?” Similar to sin taxes after 106 years the federal government stopped the 3% excise tax on our phone bills on August 1st, 2006. That was a phone tax we all paid that went directly to fund war.

“States collectively took in approximately $32 billion in taxes on tobacco, alcohol and gambling in fiscal year 2014. (And that does not include sin taxes imposed on candies, drugs, soft drinks and fast foods.) State legislatures have shown they’re most apt to passing cigarette tax hikes. From fiscal years 2000 through 2015, states enacted a total of 111 tax increases on tobacco products.” Well now. What if all the sinners quit smoking, drinking and gambling? I say, lets tax Bibles. “With estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, the Bible is widely considered to be the best selling book of all time.” Guinness

Studies have shown that sin taxes punish the poor and many consider taxation in general as theft. Ihave a suggestion for the Stop Tuition Hikes folks. Dig into the coffer of the bloated military budget.

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer Amos Bronson Alcott >> “To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.”

Now education is one of the most important things in our society. But I question why we need to resort to the use of sin taxes to educate our fellows. I believe education should be free. (as well as health care)

And when it come to education it is evident that those fighting against education funding are mostly right wing politicians.

Idaho ranks No. 46 in Education (January 9, 2015) Republicans are “sincere” and “conscientious” when they wish to abolish the Department of Education

When our ex-governor, Dirk Kempthorne, (the above mentioned who changed the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), was a senator he voted NO on many national education efforts along with his fellow Republicans.

Now Dr. King was a strong advocate for education and against war.

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam speech by MartinLuther King, Jr ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. on War and Civil Disobedience

~ Martin Luther King Jr. – Quotes onPeace and War

Currently the defense budget is $534.3 billion in June of 2015 according to the National Priorities Project and $607 billion according to The International Business Times on November 10^th 2015. From War Resisters League: "Current military” includes Dept. of Defense ($586 billion) and the military portion from other departments ($196 billion). “Past military” represents veterans’ benefits plus 80% of the interest on the debt. Also according to the National Priorities Project: "In fiscal year 2015, military spending is projected to account for 54 percent of all spending between mandatory and discretionary spending, " Others have similar numbers. Why doesn't education have a lager piece of the pie? It has been estimated that $154 billion in education spending accounts for approximately 4.2 percent of the entire federal budget. 4.2 compared to 54! All I can say is, “WOW!” (well I could say more)

With tax time coming up I hope you give a little thought on these matters. What are your priorities? It was reported it cost $500 million to train a few Syrian soldiers to fight ISIS. The cost to train one Marine to kill? How much does it cost to train a Navy SEAL or Green Beret? Estimates: Something like $500,000 in each case, more for the medics, plus $100,000 or so annually after joining their unit. Again, “WOW!” In 2014 it costs $65,000 to train a drone pilot.... How many college grads leave being $60,000 in debt??

Being a founding member of the Idaho Peace Coalition this is not new to me. War, fairness/justice and war taxes. This post could go on for quite a while but for now I will end with a bit of info on resisting those war taxes. Be well. Work for Peace. Be inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr and work for change.

For More Peace Resources Visit That Page At KetherMuse Website

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Ethics and War in Comparative Religious Perspective

Ethics vs Morals

Henry Thoreau and 'Civil Disobedience'

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau Full Text

Profiles of War Tax Resisters

Conscientious Objector

War Tax Resistance

Here is a great article from Alternet (over a dozen years old but still relevant) on beginner's guide to tax resistance.

War Resisters League and the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)

Conscientious objection to military taxation

The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund

Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act

National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund Wikipedia

Peace Churches

Church of the Brethren ~ Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) ~ Mennonites

Nonresistance ~ Nonviolence ~ Pacifism

Why don’t Amish serve in the military?

Mennonite Voluntary Service ~ Mennonite Central Committee

October 21, 2001 Article On TheChalleges Of The Amish And War

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Churches of God (7th day)

Anglican Pacifist Fellowship

Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America

Canada and Iraq War resisters

Catholic Worker Movement

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors

Christian anarchism

Center On Conscience

Conscientious objection to military taxation Wikipedia

Fellowship of Reconciliation

GI Rights Network

Pax Christi

Peace movement Wikipedia

Peace Pledge Union

The Seventh-day Adventist Church from 1914 has a long history of noncombatancy service within and outside the military. Though some church members choose combat, the church stands by its official position, which dates to a resolution made in 1867

Dickinson v. United States ~ Parisi v.Davidson

Matthew 26:52 King James Version (KJV)

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Revelation 13:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Romans 12:19-21 King James Version (KJV)

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 King James Version (KJV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Ephesians 6:11-18 King James Version (KJV)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Science, Scientism, Metaphysics and the Occult

I recently watched the series Fringe from the beginning on Netflix and also started re-watching the X Files. I have always loved science fiction and the paranormal but since the creation of my website, KetherMuse.Com I have discovered and learned so much more about these subjects.

I am certainly no scholar. Just a simple man who asks the questions that we all ask. Why are we here? Is there a purpose to it all? Are we alone in the universe? What is the nature of “god”. Is there a god? Is there life beyond death? Why when I think of someone, often I run into them or get a call? Or when I think, "I need a rubberband" and suddenly there is one on the ground in front of me. Magic? What is Our Place in the Cosmos?

In creating my site it quickly became obvious that all things are intricately connected. Religion and mythology differ but have so many overlapping aspects. And as Arthur C. Clarke noted in 1962 in Profiles Of The Future, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This made for quite a challenge to sort all the subjects I wished to explore into independent pages. Like taking a bucket filled with a dozen differing colors of left over paint and trying to separate them into individual cans.

I have learned that there is science and then there is scientism. The debate goes on ( video –11:52 ) What did Einstein think about priest/physicist Georges Lemaître? Is there a “primeval atom” as Lemaître said? The channeled entity Bashar has a similar concept he calls the "prime radiant". Concepts the New Age folks embrace via Quantum Mysticism. And what of Buddhism and Quantum Physics? His Holiness the Dalai Lama loves science. Metaphysics and scientists are finding common ground with these people but the ones who embrace scientism are going nuts. Science has its limits and I think when they come upon some things, like the paranormal, they put their heads in the sand. Big one for me, what is consciousness  Mr. Scientist?

Many scientist even think Transhumanists are whacked. But they say “We May Look Crazy to Them, But They Look Like Zombies to Us” They will think the world has fallen apart if a Transhumanist gets selected to be president!

Are people like Graham Hancock too far out there or even Dr. Michio Kaku? The worlds of Heinlein,  Clarke and Asimov seem to be becoming reality. Cassandras of the times? Are the ideas of Aubrey de Grey to be treated as Galileo by mainstream scientists? Is SETI a waste of time and money? Blavatsky, Edgar Cayce clearly are a joke, right? From Shamanism to the new advances into the study of the psychedelic mind. The lines are getting fuzzy and it's getting wuzzier all the time. As Socrates (may have) said, “I know that I know nothing”. But I sure wish I did..

Please visit Kether Muse.

Better to be a dog than homeless in Boise

This weekend is an annual event in my town, Boise Idaho. "See Spot Walk" The story related in this meme (originally created for Facebook)  is true and always comes to mind for me when the before mentioned event happens. The plight of the homeless is one of my heart wrenching passions. I have been homeless myself due to life circumstance beyond my control. Just as in any city, the homeless in Boise have a very hard time. We can pay for wars so easily but why not a free education and a home for everyone in America? Hmmmm. Yes, Time to Create a "See The Homeless Walk" event...
Nino Kether-Kether Muse on Twitter
Kether Muse Website

Working For Peace In Boise Idaho

I am a proud founding member of the Idaho Peace Coallition in Boise Idaho.

More than 200 events will take place across the nation for the

2015 Campaign Nonviolence Week of Nonviolent Action.

Here in Idaho, the Idaho Peace Coalition and our friends have a full week of events planned.

Please note that the location for the Practicing Nonviolence Family Ceremony has been changed from Kathryn Albertson Park to Memorial Park at the corner of Fort and 6^thSt, adjacent to the Federal building.

Taking Action for a Culture of Peace

Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions 2015

Organized by the Idaho Peace Coalition and friends
Events Hosted by Idaho Peace Coalition and Idaho Campaign Nonviolence:

 Silent Walking Meditation for Peace and to Abolish the Idaho Death Penalty – The silent walk is an appeal to Idaho citizens, the Governor and the Idaho Legislature to end the Idaho death penalty. This walk also celebrates the United Nations International Day of Peace. Members from several faith and peace traditions will lead the walk, circling the Capital nine times.  Everyone is welcome to join for all or a portion of the event.

September 21, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Idaho Statehouse

Walk to Protect Idaho from Nuclear Waste

September 22, 12 pm -1:00 pm, gather at 8^th and Bannock.  Co-hosted by the Snake River Alliance.

Walk for the Climate

September 24, 12 pm – 1:00 p.m. gather at 8^th and Bannock.  Co-hosted by Idaho 350.org

Walk to Add the Four Words

September 25, 12 pm – 1:00 pm, gather at 8^th and Bannock. Co-hosted by Add the Four Words.

Practicing  Nonviolence Family Ceremony

Join us for a family-friendly ceremony to celebrate the practice of nonviolence. Come enjoy music, art, sharing, centering and play.

September 26, 9:00 am – 10:00 am, Memorial Park, 900 N 6^th St, Boise

Music and singing with Shannon Commers!

Yoga and centering with Lisa Shultz, RYT-200!

Inspiration from Marc Schlegel!

Art, refreshments and sharing too.
Independent events we are promoting for 2015 Campaign Nonviolence Week of Action

Idaho Sierra Club "Reach for the Sun" Electric Vehicle show

September 20, 1:00 pm, MK Nature Center

Shadows of Liberty – This film reveals the extraordinary truth behind the news media: censorship, cover‐ups and corporate control. Idaho premiere co-sponsored by the Idaho Peace Coalition.

September 22, 7:00 pm, IBEW Local 291, 225 N 16^th St, Suite 110, Boise, free

Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty

September 23, 12:00 pm -1:00 pm at 8^th and Bannock

Bloodsworth-An Innocent Man  - Come join Kirk Bloodsworth, the 1st death row inmate in the US exonerated by DNA, for a special preview screening of the new documentary about his life. This one-night-only engagement will feature a special preview screening of the full-length film before it is locked for film festivals and wider distribution, and will be followed by a Q&A with Kirk Bloodsworth, and the film's director, Gregory Bayne.

September 25, 7:00 pm, BSU Special Events Center
Idaho Peace Coalition or on Facebook  
Facebook Campaign Nonviolence

The Idaho Peace Coalition is a non-profit organization supported by
community donations. Please support our work by making a donation.
Mail your donation to PO Box 7804, Boise ID 83707.

Work For Peace
Please visit my website for Peace Resources