: It is good to meet the wise, even better to
live with them.  But avoid the company of
the immature if you want joy."
                                      Dhammapada  206

One Day

Matisyahu - One Day

Sometimes I lay
under the moon
and thank God I'm breathing
then I pray
don't take me soon
cause I am here for a reason
sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
because
all my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
there'll be no more wars
and our children will play
one day
it's not about
win or lose cause
we all lose
when they feed on the souls of the innocent
blood drenched pavement
keep on moving though the waters stay raging
in this maze you can lose your way (your way)
it might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you no way (no way)
sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
because
all my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
there'll be no more wars
and our children will play
one day
one day this all will change
treat people the same
stop with the violence
down with the hate
one day we'll all be free
and proud to be
under the same sun
singing songs of freedom like
one day
all my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
there'll be no more wars
and our children will play
one day
ooooooohhhhhhhhh...

Freedom

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose, and you ain't got nothing, and you ain't got nothin if you ain't free.  -Janice Joplin

APCIA Logo

APCIA's logo which speaks loudly as to who we are.  There is the "cross", the Taoist ball known as Yin and Yang, the Buddhist Praying hands, the Jewish star of David and backing all of the major symbols  is the marijuana leaf representing the desperate need in this world to listen to the ongoing change of people's outlooks on living life to the full.  These symbols are meant to speak towards the variety and diversity of beliefs in the world today and in some ways are ancient, but in all ways we as a community will embrace.  There are no other groups in the United States that I know of that welcome and advocate the use of marijuana medicinally as part of the picture of people of faith.  That doesn't mean that there will be smoking at services and classes, but those who are licensed will be encouraged to gather together on certain occasions to share and express their experiences in attending faith communities as well as special "potlucks" from time to time.

The logo speaks to our interconnection in this world to all human beings and itself resembles a living plant.  We will be open to learning about alternative health  approaches to what ails us such as Eastern medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine.  Another aspect of the logo is the representation of diverse cultures living peacefully together as one.  The logo itself speaks of peace and compassion the need we have in this world and this life now to learn we may believe differently then another, but freedom points us towards accepting others and understanding the wide variety that make up the world today. 

Like Bob Marley would sing:

  

"One love, one heart,

Let's get together and feel all right One love, one heart

Let's get together and feel all right

Hear the children crying (One love)

Hear the children crying (One heart)

Sayin', "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right."

Sayin', "Let's get together and feel all right."

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

"Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One love)

There is one question I'd really love to ask (One heart)

Is there a place for the hopeless sinner

Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?

Believe me"

"One love, one heart

Let's get together and feel all right

As it was in the beginning (One love) "

Wisdom Paths

Wisdom paths are within each spiritual tradition as well illustrated by Matthew Fox's book, "One River Many Wells.  If we are to move into community more and more in society we will find it necessary to not judge others and see that there is wisdom in each tradition.  Alcoholics Anonymous even is mentioned to be a "well", their definition of G-d as "the G-d of your understanding" shows well to a community of no judgement.  As we see more and more deeply that we are connected to all living beings and how we treat them we treat ourselves and loved ones we might wake up and live by compassion not fear and hate.   No wonder Lau Tzu (the Taoist monk responsible for writing the Tao Te Ching road out of town backwards on a water buffalo, he saw no hope for society to become community.   APCIA chooses to live, learn and teach how to live in community.   Each person who is a part the Peace Community is welcome and invited to participate in all activities offered at the community gatherings for after all the goal or direction is to be community.

Buddha taught the first noble truth to be that "life is suffering/struggle", secondly that this is brought about by "desire" or "clinging" The way away from this type of living according to Buddha is by learning "mindfulness" the more we live mindfully the more we alleviate our own suffering and the world we live in.  This type of transformation brings us into peace and freedom and in this way happiness is available to all, all.

"He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
He who strides cannot maintain the pace.
He who makes a show is not enlightened.
He who is self-righteous is not respected.
He who boasts achieves nothing.
He who brags will not endure.
According to followers of the Tao,
        "These are extra food and unnecessary luggage."
They do not bring happiness.
Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.

Practice, practice, practice.

Sitting mindfully alleviates negative karma.