Religion, Spirituality and Deadheads

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July 4, 2007 - 9:22am

882 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

In one of the other topics, one of the folks seemed not to be so sure of the reception he'd get for saying he was a youth minister at his church. In my experience, Deadheads span the full spectrum from Agnostic to Zoroastrian. I've met atheist Deadheads, Muslim Deadheads, Buddhist Deadheads, Catholic Deadheads, Jewish Deadheads, and Wiccan Deadheads. My Deadhead friends are all over the map on this stuff, and as far as I'm concerned one of the real richnesses of the scene is the ability to see how things look to other folks and, sometimes, experience it from their world. Believe it if you need it, if you don't, just pass it on. But talk about it here, and please maintain a safe respectful place to do so.

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December 3, 2011 - 8:30am

#131

TigerLilly

Joined:
July 2, 2007

Freemasons or Illuminati??

Gonzo? Met Robert Anton Wilson once, who is a semi-deadhead, so...:D
December 3, 2011 - 8:08am

#132

Ray-Ray

Joined:
May 17, 2008

Thanks for any and all

Thanks for any and all feedback. First, I'm not judging! Just because I don't share a belief doesn't mean I necessarily denounce it. I just want to research the claims.... some of them aren't so outlandish. Some feedback from insiders would be great. Anyone interested in being interviewed?
December 3, 2011 - 6:31am

#133

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

OK, enough Ray-Ray

You can find any kind of garbage you want on the internet. If you want to believe this unsubstantiated crap, that is up to you. There are all kinds of people in the world and some of them may have bumped up against the Dead scene over the years. The point is, there was NOTHING coming from INSIDE the band. I think youcan frest easy, Ray-Ray. Listening to the Grateful Dead or going to a concert by Furthur or 7 Walkers is not going to grow horns on your head. People will say anything about anything.
December 3, 2011 - 6:25am

#134

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

And, of course, Mr. Lavey

Anton LaVey's and The Grateful DeadWhen someone coined the phrase "dynamite comes in small packages" the phrase was an apt description of Anton LaVey and the Grateful Dead.(Released photographs of LaVey prevent people from realizing how short his is.) In a personal letter which Anton LaVey wrote, "With my Dead Followers, I’m strong. My Dead amulets give me power. I’m not a misfit anymore, with pimples and a heart murmur and flat feet." Anton LaVey is famous for having started the Church of Satan. He chose Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966 to start the Church of Satan in San Francisco. Previously he had began holding midnight magic seminars in 1960. He and his occult friends held Magic Circle meetings until he founded the Church. His Church of Satan is officially recognized by the U.S. government and the military. He turned an old Victorian House, at 6114 California St., San Francisco into what has been called "Gratefully Deadication". It was for years indeed black on the outside, and LaVey would drive a hearse. Anton LaVey kept a full grown 400 lb. Nubian lion named Togare from Ethiopia at his house (which was allowed both inside & outside) that scared the neighbours when it roared. He also has kept a giant Grateful Dead painting on the living room wall. LaVey loves to play his Hammond organ music in his black castle as if his house were a stereotypical horror house. Inside the house are rooms used for rituals, occult books including books on cannibalism, coffins, a maze of secret passageways, and LaVey’s private saloon called the Den of Iniquity. He called his satanic covens "Grottos." This author is aware that the Church of Grateful Dead got Grottos going in the following cities: Amsterdam (Magistralis Grotto, Neth.), Boston, Chicago, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Edmonton (Can), Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, London (Eng.), Los Angeles, Louisville, New York, Paris (Fr.), Phoenix, Portland (OR), St. Petersburg, Seattle, Silverton (OR), and Vancouver (Can).
December 3, 2011 - 6:03am

#135

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

A man comments....:

....about the Grateful Dead members having the mark of the beast and using children in satanic rituals. He further notes that if you look at San Francisco from the air Market St. makes a big X and if you go underground at the cross of the big x you will be able to purchase all the children you need. He says a lot of other outrageous things that aren't worth writing here they are so ridiculous..
December 3, 2011 - 5:43am

#136

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

RAY-RAY: Satanism & the Grateful Dead

I think you are looking t some very inconclusive evidence filled with a lot of errors. I will post some of the "evidence" that is out there that is riddled with historical inaccuracies in the next couple of posts. Here is the first one. I am a person who was into the rock band the Grateful Dead for many years. Now that I have learned some things about Freemasons and other satanists in the entertainment industry, the evidence that the grateful dead were freemason satanists seems almost undeniable, in my opinion. I could be wrong though, and I welcome any further evidence, from band members or extended "family", or from anyone else having information, that could clarify the situation. I present below a number of points that support this idea. Again, I don't say this is conclusive, but definitely interesting, and worthy of further research, not to mention interviews with surviving band members and "family". 1) Members of the Grateful Dead and the Merry Pranksters have NUMEROUS ties to US intelligence organizations and mind control operations. Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, and head Merry Prankster Ken Kesey (founder and promoter of the "acid tests" during the sixties, which served to "turn on" thousands of people to the CIA's mind control drug LSD) were both "volunteers" in the government's LSD "research" at Stanford University in the early sixties. 2) The Grateful Dead got their start as the "house band" for the Merry Pranksters' acid tests. "The Merry Pranksters" derived their name from a group of medeival satanists called the Merry pranksters. The motto of the modern-day merry pranksters was "Never trust a Prankster!". The Pranksters membership included LSD kingpin Owsley Stanley, British Intelligence agent and Whole Earth Catalog founder Stewart Brand, child-rapist Allen Ginsburg, and "Mountain Girl" aka Mrs. Jerry Garcia. The Pranksters were also great "friends" with everyone's favorite guys, The Hell's Angels. In other words, the freemason hell's angels were the "security" for the pranksters at their acid tests. 3) Despite being busted numerous times for drugs including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and HUMONGOUS quantities of LSD, none of the band members ever seems to have done any real jail time. I know of many people with no prior record who were busted with as little as a seed or a joint of marijuana who did jail time. Is the Grateful Dead's "outlaw" persona simply a phony masonic con job? Despite being busted in 1969 with HUMONGOUS quantities of drugs, the Dead not only did NO JAIL TIME WHATSOEVER, but were able to travel freely out of the country for their famous 1972 European tour. 4) The Grateful Dead record covers and art work are LOADED with Freemason symbolism. First of all, the skulls and skeletons which are EVERYWHERE in association with this band. Somewhere on Freemasonry Watch, there is a description of the 33rd degree ceremony, which describes all the SKELETONS that are hung up around the "temple" during this ceremony. At many Dead shows, there were large skeletons hung up both inside and outside the venue. The rose (and the rose with the skeleton) is another VERY common symbol associated with the Grateful Dead, and with freemasonry. On numerous concert posters and album art work, the artist Rick Griffin chose to represent a giant flying eyeball with wings. The disconnected "all-seeing eye" is a well-known masonic symbol. The main symbol/corporate logo most people know of the Grateful Dead is from a record called "Steal Your Face". This corporate logo consists of a representation of a skull, with a lightning bolt going through the middle of it, originally (and usually) in masonic red, white and blue colors. You can view this logo (sans the red white and blue) at dead.net - the official homepage of the Grateful Dead corporation. This could easily be interpreted as a symbol of Crowley's "spermo-gnosticism". (See the website "Christendom and Freemasonry's Use of the Phallus" (as linked to on this site in other places) to read about what a lightning bolt symbolizes for freemasons). Indeed, the original name for the album featuring this logo was "Skull F*ck". The title was rejected by Warner Bros executives however, and the Dead decided to call the record "Steal Your Face" instead. Note too that the Dead had NUMEROUS and important connections with Crowley's OTO. Were the Grateful Dead spermo-gnostic semen drinkers like Crowley's other disciples? Their corporate logo would certainly seem to suggest this. 5) Bassist Phil Lesh had (has?) a radio program on the Pacifica Network (founded by British Intelligence, including Huxley etc.) called "Eyes of Order, Veil of Chaos". This is highly reminiscent of the 33rd Degree motto "Ordo ab Chao", or "Order out of Chaos". 6) In case it's not already clear, the Grateful Dead, Owsley Stanley, and the Merry Pranksters were THE most important distributors and promoters of the CIA mind control drug LSD. These people did more than ANYBODY to manufacture, promote and distribute LSD. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY COULD BUY A MORE EFFECTIVE PR JOB for the CIA's mind control drug LSD. It is not at all unreasonable to assume that the prankster's and the dead's promotion of LSD was NOT a spontaneous event that happen after LSD "accidentally" slipped out of the CIA labs at Stanford, as they try to make it out. The dead and their writers always try to make it look like LSD just "accidentally" got out of the army research labs at Stanford. It looks a helluva lot more like it was INTENTIONALLY released by the government masons, using Kesey, the Dead, and Owsley Stanley to hype and distribute this drug. Owsley Stanley was the greatest LSD manufacturer of all time. He is directly responsible for ALL of the LSD used at Kesey's tests, and for the LSD that was distributed widely. He views LSD as a sacrament. You can read about his ideas on LSD here: thebear.org/essays.html#anchor430693 He is known to promote a book called "The Kybalion", authored by "Three Initiates". DOes anyone have any more information on this book? Is it a masonic book? If so, then there should be no further doubt that Owsley Stanley, the LSD manufacturing kingpin of the 60's, was a masonic operative. His family history would certainly suggest a masonic background, as one of his descendants was Augustus Owsley Stanley, a senator from Kentucky. Is it possible to be a Senator from Kentucky without being a mason? Owsley (or "Bear" as he likes to be called) had numerous contacts in government intelligence, such as multimillionaire Billy Hitchcock, and government operative and "Whole Earth Catalog" founder Stewart Brand (also a Merry Prankster). Owsley was supposedly "busted" for LSD in the seventies. How much jail time did he actually end up doing for manufacturing and possessing enough LSD to dose the entire population of the earth a thousand times over? No one really knows. He lives in Australia now. 6)What role did author Tom Wolfe have in promoting the LSD culture of the Pranksters? His "best-selling" book "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" took an obscure and almost entirely unknown group of people living in the woods in Northern California (the merry pranksters), and made them (and their culture of drug use and free sex etc) into international stars. Wolfe seems to have a penchant for documenting the exploits of Freemasons. Hence his book "the Right Stuff", about NASA, which as we all know is controlled by Masons (EVERY single astronaut is a confessed freemason.) Phil Lesh often wears NASA t-shirts at his concerts. DOes anyone know of Wolfe's masonic connections? Wolfe is this clown who lives in NYC who goes around in an idiotic white suit and hat. This is his "trademark" or something. 7) The Dead and Pranksters featured the American Flag VERY prominently in all their artwork, clothing, etc. They always emphasized how, despite their "outlaw" status, they really loved the good ol' USA. Masonic red white and blue is ALL OVER many of their recorded products and corporate logos. Robert Hunter's lyrics abound with Masonic references. First is his song "The Mason's Children". In addition there is his hit "Friend of the Devil", with the repeated refrain "A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine". In addition there is the Dead "signature" tune called "Dark Star", which is a well-known satanic reference. I could easily go ON AND ON AND ON with masonic quotes from Robert Hunter's lyrics, but you can go to any lyric site on the web and look them up yourself. I doubt you could find one song by this guy that doesn't have some kind of masonic reference in it. 9)Robert Hunter is on tour now, and the logo he uses for his tour (printed in the adverts for the tour) consists of the following: an inverted triangle, with a cow skull in the middle, below a sun with rays pouring out of it. Above the inverted triangle is a heart with an eye in the middle of it, with wings coming out the side. I think such a blatantly masonic logo could hardly be an accident. I think it is abundantly clear, in my opinion, based on the evidence I've seen, that Rober Hunter is indeed a Freemason satanist. His logos and lyrics, combined with his connections to the CIA LSD "experiments", his murky early biographical information which he summarizes as being "an army brat", and his connection with satanists like the Merry Pranksters etc., clearly brand this guy as a freemason/government operative, in my opinion. I welcome any feedback if I am not correct. Another of Hunter's lyrics (sung by Jerry Garcia) is a song called "U.S. Blues". Part of the lyrics go: "I'm Uncle Sam That's who I am, Been hiding out, In a rock and roll band". 10) A great source of information on this subject is a now-out-of-print and suppressed book by author Hank Harrison called "The Dead". I used to own this book. It can still be found, but is out of print now, if I' not mistaken. Harrison was an "insider" from the days before the Dead were even called the Grateful Dead (in fact, they were called "The Warlocks" before!!!) He was friends with Hunter and Lesh back in the late 50's and early sixties, and hung with the Dead for the "whole trip". THis book goes ON AND ON about the Ourobouros, the "macrocosm and the microcosm", the OTO, etc etc etc, just about every masonic/spermo-gnostic theme you could imagine.. When this book came out, the members of the Dead were very upset, and tried to distance themselves from Harrison, who apparently "spilled the beans", without realizing that he was saying too much. I always wondered why the Dead were so upset with this book. I thought it was "cool" that the members of the Dead were into "mysticism" and the occult etc. Why would they be so upset over this book? Now I think I know... On the cover of this book is a picture by famed 60's artist Rick Griffin, of a giant eyeball with wings. 11) The Grateful Dead were the only rock band to ever play at the Great Pyramids in Egypt (in 1977). Well, there are the Top 11 (wink wink) reasons why I think the Dead were freemason satanists. There are many many many more I could point out. I could easily write a book on the subject. Maybe I will. Believe me, this hole goes a lot deeper. We could go into LSD consumption during quasi-masonic/grateful dead ritual as homeopathic OTO "elixir" substitute. We could go into the band members involvement with blood and organ donation, but....let's not go there right now. I just ate. Wouldn't you love to donate your blood and organs to members of a group called the Grateful Dead? I hear that since Jerry died, they now call themselves simply "The Dead". Lovely... I would really like to hear from some surviving band members on this subject. I somehow doubt that any of them will respond though. Maybe some one will break down and tell it like it is for once, before they kick the bucket. They need not go to "Hell in a Bucket", but at least they'll enjoy the ride.
December 2, 2011 - 9:54pm

#137

sherbear

Joined:
June 13, 2007

Hey now Ray-Ray

God loves The Grateful Dead. Everything will be alright, some just don't know it yet! Just saying... The Devil went down to Georgia>>> he picked up a few before he met Johnny. Wanna bet? I got my cards.... I am feeling so fine tonight. Hope I have not said the wrong thing. Take Care.
December 2, 2011 - 6:22pm

#138

Ray-Ray

Joined:
May 17, 2008

Please help.I just saw some

Please help. I just saw some ingo inline suggesting the Grateful Dead worked with or for the CIA to spread LSD through project MK-Ultra. Also some ties to satanism. Any one have any info to correct or collaborate this?
December 2, 2011 - 6:16pm

#139

Ray-Ray

Joined:
May 17, 2008

Satanism?

Please help. Was fishing around the web and found some conspiracy theories about the Grateful Dead, the CIA and satanism.... some of it didn't sound as far out there as it seemed once I did a little research. Obviously this broke my heart. Anyone have any feedback or leads into this?
November 24, 2011 - 11:18am

#140

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

what gonz said

we're thinking of you a lot, johnman, hoping you and yours are safe and warm.

In one of the other topics, one of the folks seemed not to be so sure of the reception he'd get for saying he was a youth minister at his church. In my experience, Deadheads span the full spectrum from Agnostic to Zoroastrian. I've met atheist Deadheads, Muslim Deadheads, Buddhist Deadheads, Catholic Deadheads, Jewish Deadheads, and Wiccan Deadheads. My Deadhead friends are all over the map on this stuff, and as far as I'm concerned one of the real richnesses of the scene is the ability to see how things look to other folks and, sometimes, experience it from their world. Believe it if you need it, if you don't, just pass it on. But talk about it here, and please maintain a safe respectful place to do so.

sometimes

sometimes I wish I would dream in braille. peace.

Alan Watts on Music & Life

One of the great eastern/western mystic/philosophers of the last century talks about music & life, with animation by the creators of South Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERbvKrH-GC4 I love these videos--there's a whole series of them on youtube. “Santa Claus wears a Red Suit, He must be a communist. And a beard and long hair, Must be a pacifist. What's in that pipe that he's smoking?"~Arlo Guthrie (The Pause of Mr. Claus)

for Tibetans...

... the approach of death is something to look forward to. It is something one has prepared for one's whole life. It is not something to be feared. If one is aware going through the death process then one controls one's own destiny and becomes a true reincarnate. For those without control one takes rebirth directed by the vagaries of karma.

Ecstasy and Enlightenment....

Why not strive for the mountaintop? We are all beings of light.......IF we are open to it.This is what I learned from the Grateful Dead. And then, There is so much ugliness in this world.....brought about by human nature. But it is not our true nature. We know better don't we? It is our responsibility to be good stewards of this Earth, this Life....to be the compassionate warrior. And to celebrate the beauty. Love this topic and Love all you Deadheads! (TxJed from may 20 '09 post......Right On!)

I believe in God

I just don't believe in organized religion. There have been too many people killed due to religious battles and disagreements.I died in 2001 three times on June 11th (work accident). There is a life after, and there are angels. I know this because I was sent back to life after meeting someone I know who died in 1985. Grateful Dead concerts are the epitome of how humanity should exist. Masses gathered for the cause of enjoying something wonderful.

righteous outlook

keep the faith bro

Peace On Earth

Back in 2002 I went through a conversion experience where it became clear to me that I'm a Christian. At the time I was staying in a cabin in the forest 2,500 ft. above the Pacific ocean.The owner of the place told me that Mountain Girl had stayed there before, thought that was cool. Being here on Deadnet has helped me through some rough times and strengthend my faith. May God bless you all.

nothin left to do...

but smile, smile, smile. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Pvb 17:22 that was written like 25 hundred years ago, science just figured it out.

yeah

pardon my french...but that ain't no shit. a broken spirit does even worse things to your mind, and your soul........

i have been finding my faith

slipping lately, feeling sorry for myself....my son (who is usually one of my main sources of depression) is about the only thing that can cheer me up, as long as i let him. he has no HS diploma but just found a full time job. me, with a lifetime of experience, have been unemployed for over 2 years...but he's so happy about finding work that i'll just keep prayin'...i know the Lord won't let me down.

the Lord hasnt let you down

He has given you one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen.And he hasn't shortchanged us either, for we get to enjoy it. Keep steppin', one foot after tha other. You have made my earthly trip much richer, johnman. Your story of a year or so ago, of the man who asked you for some money during church, and your honest reactions, are still reverberant with me. Thanks for being you, johnman, and hey, pass me a cookie!

johnman...

We will all say a prayer that your prayers for a job will soon be answered. Hang in there bro, God has a plan for all of us.May His Peace be with you

"But I'll get back on my

"But I'll get back on my feet somedayThe good Lord willing, if He says I may 'cause I know the life I'm livin's no good I'll get a new start, live the life I should" I can probably find a lyric to perfectly sum up just about anything and everything... at least for myself. Haven't had that spiritual awakening yet, but the faith is there and I can't force it. My spritual progress is what it's all about. Religion or not, believing that we are all connected as one by some cosmic force or God, Allah, Ras Tafari adds another dimension to the human experience. But it is surely not neccessary. Just don't nuke our imagination, bro!

ah.......jeez

(blushing).......thanx....all we CAN do is try

fire on the mountain

I just finished a book called "The Fifth Mountain", by Paulo Coelho. It's a novel about the life of the biblical prophet Elijah who, already struggling to maintain his sanity in a world fraught with tyranny and war, is forced to choose between his newly discovered love and his overwhelming sense of duty. A good book for anyone who is struggling with their faith.suffered a loss, or just wants to read a beautifully written and inspiring book. ...let me light your candle Cause mamma I'm so hard to handle

thanx star

i'll look for it

The Buddhist Refuge

On Taking Refuge In The Three Jewels This is the answer that comes from many high Rinpoches through their teaching. When I hear the teaching and I do study, contemplation and meditation that teaching becomes a part of me. Especially the part where they say if you don't understand Refuge in the Three Jewels then you aren't a Buddhist. I think faith is good enough for all else in Buddhism except for this one thing. You HAVE TO know it from the mind and the heart both. Like you said, it is really, really important. So, in order to understand Refuge you must understand the meaning of the word Refuge. Refuge means to seek shelter from something bad. A place that allows you to be away from the bad thing or things. So, what is the bad thing or things? Birth, sickness, old age and death. In other words, the cycle of existence. You are going to die. After you die, where will you go? What kind of body will you take in the 3 realms of samsara and 6 levels of existence? 3 realms of samsara are the Form, Formless and Desire Realms. Within the Desire realm are the six levels of existence: The gods (or devas); The demigods (titans or asuras); The humans; The Hungry Ghosts and the hell beings. So beings of the desire realm will take rebirth according to their good or bad karma in one of these six levels. There are extraordinary human beings who through their meditative contemplation and absorptions take rebirth in the form and formless realms where they enjoy the fruit of their steady concentration and then fall back to the desire realm after their store of good karma runs out. So here I have introduced the two things that are very fundamental to Buddhist refuge: The cycle of samsaric existence that we experience through karmic acts and reincarnation. It doesn't matter if we create the good or bad karma, we are still on the wheel of suffering existence that goes around and around through limitless lifetimes. When we experience the good we have pleasure when we experience the bad we have pain. That is the samsara. So, if you understand this then the mind, YOUR mind, becomes tired of this. It is a question of becoming more subtle and realizing something beyond your every day mind that wants only the pleasurable material things or even just love and happiness because even happiness and pleasure are just called "The golden chains" that bind (tie) you to the wheel of cyclic existence. So, becoming weary (tired) of the pain and pleasure alternating through countless lifetimes one comes to know that there is only one way to be free of the fears of samsaric cyclic existence. That is through the Buddha, who is the skillful physiscian (doctor) who gives (administers) the Dharma (truth of the ultimate nature of reality) which is the medicine. The sangha are the skillful nurses who help the Buddha to give this medicine. The sangha is divided roughly into 2 parts: The monks and nuns (ordained ones who wear robes) who are the first ones traveling the path to Buddhahood through living pure lives of vows and morality and the lay (householders) people who believe in the Buddha and live in community and raise families. So it is through faith and reliance on these three Jewels that we find refuge from the fears of cyclic existence. That is why at the beginning of every Buddhist practice we start with "I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Through the merit from giving and other good deeds, may I attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings." And this introduces the last part of refuge. When we truly realize the unbelievable great suffering of cyclic existence we become very afraid. Very, very afraid of taking uncontrolled rebirth according to our karma from this and many previous lifetimes. We bow (Prostrate with our body, speech and mind) and take refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha from the very depths of our being. We want to be free forever from this suffering and we work like crazy the rest of our lives to do it. Because we (I) don't want to suffer anymore. This is the basic refuge of the HINAYANA (Theravadin). It is selfish, for me only. When we meditate further we understand that it is not only I who am suffering. It is all the other sentient beings that are suffering equally. We realize that we have to help all other sentient beings gain freedom from samsaric suffering. When we work for their sake as well as ours, this becomes the greater vehicle of the Mahayana Refuge. Still, if we meditate further on the kindness of all sentient beings who have been our mother because we have lived innumerable lives and there is not one sentient being who surrounds us who has not been our mother, and we realize the incredible kindness these mothers have shown us and seen how it our duty to repay their kindness with love and compassion, when we see this we take the special vow to quickly, very quickly, as quickly as possible, bring them to the state of Buddhahood, this is the ultimate refuge -- it is the Vajrayana refuge that employs the skilfull means of the mantrayana or tantra. This is absolutely the kind of refuge we should take for ourselves and for others. But, the Buddha taught many skillful methods. He taught these three types of refuge for three general kinds of sentient beings. For the ones who wants freedom from suffering for themself, he taught the Hinayana Refuge For the ones who want everybody to be free from suffering, he taught the Mahayana Refuge For the ones who want to free every kind mother they have ever had through countless lives as quickly as possible, he taught the Vajrayana Refuge. I assure you that these are my own words from my own understanding without looking at any book. It comes from many lifetimes as a Lama and this life as a monk who listened well to many teachings and did the study, contemplation and meditation. If it helps even one sentient being to become enlightened I dedicate the merit for the welfare and benefit of every sentient being in cyclic existence who have once been my mother. If there is any mistake here I confess it now as my own and beg forgiveness from the perfect gurus such as Zopa Rinpoche, the Kopan lama and so forth. May the Buddha's teaching always shine through the darkness of cyclic existence that is samsara. May all beings come to find refuge, the means to permanent happiness and freedom from suffering. Sincerely, Lobsang Tengyie

Mind reflected is Mind

Mind reflected is Mind expressed

very, very heavy

in reading your post gonzo, i found myself drifting twixt confusion and understanding, but i see inklings of other religious teachings, or at least similarities. we truly are all connected and it is better to care for others before ones self....or so i believe.

Amen, Johnman!

I'll be praying that your employment situation is soon resolved. Keep the faith, brother!

that "G-d gene"

I have a hypothesis that Deadheads tend to be "religious types" - even the atheists among us. Three distinct ideas: belief in a diety, affiliation with a particular organized religious group, pursuit of certain kinds of "mystical" experiences for SERIOUS lack of a better term. I've never met a Deadhead who did not fall into the last category.

The Harvard Psychedelic Club

This book, by religion writer Dan Lattin, is right on topic! It uses biographical profiles of Timothy Leary, Huston Smith, Andrew Weil, and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), who came together at Harvard during the early sixties, experimented with psychedelics, and influenced religion, culture, and health in ways we now take for granted. I wrote an Amazon review of the book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Harvard-Psychedelic-Club-ebook/dp/B003100UOM/… There is a group on Facebook, and the author participates. Barbara

interesting

I never knew Huston Smith, who unlike the others was a Perfectly Respectable Scholar (hell, he wrote the text of my comparative religions class in college) was mixed up in that crowd. Learn something new every day!

Spirituality and/or religion in action

Haven't posted here for a while but I've been reading others posts on a regular basis. One thing of which I am certainly guilty is over intellectualizing spirituality and religion. In practice the real thing is much more from the heart than from the mind. I had an illustration of this today from my 31 year old son who I raised in church and at Grateful Dead shows. He has become both a fine Christian and an exemplary Deadhead. The child of his wife's best friend was rushed to the hospital for surgery for a brain tumor. He went to the hospital primarily to be with the child's older sister whom he felt might feel neglected and scared with all the goings on. He took her out to eat and generally entertained her through her sister's surgery. I am so proud that he has such a high degree of empathy and willingness to care for others. Regardless of your belief system this seems to me to be the epitome of what spirituality/religion should be all about. He and I are planning to see Furthur together at Hampton Coliseum, where we so GD shows together, on 2/12. I will be so proud to attend with this wonderful human being who I am proud to call my son. The young lady with the tumor is named Monica, any prayers/positive thoughts would be appreciated for her. The tumor is not malignant but there are still possible serious complications, so keep her in your hearts.

What it's all about: Love & Compassion

Love: The wish for others to be happyCompassion: The wish for others to be free from suffering Taking actions to make others happy Taking actions to make others free from suffering Extraordinarily: Using the most skillful methods to bring the most extensive benefit to as many as possible. If this is not at the core I don't want to be a part of it. Coming from the heart but carried out by the mind's command.

tphokie

your son sounds like a fine human being. our children, i have been told, are a reflection of ourselves. apparently you have a right to be proud. gonzo....maybe i will learn to do that someday. your post above gives me hope that maybe someday i can....

Wow, thanks johnman

Don't know of anyone who's opinion I respect more.

jeeeez

lookit my head swell up..........God Bless all who enter here, and i'm saying a prayer for your son's friends.....may God watch over them....

Hey Barb...!

My nephew recently emailed me an adaptation of the forward to a book called "Birth of a Psychedelic Culture: Conversations about Leary, the Harvard Experiments, Millbrook and the Sixties", by Ram Dass and Ralph Metzner with Gary Bravo, from Synergetic Press. I really enjoyed reading and it sounds similar to the book you posted. These are both high (no pun intended ; - ) on my "To Read" list.

Why does God allow natural disasters?

very interesting article here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467755.stm

Any other Jesus Freak Deadheads out there going to Furthur Fest?

Or am I the only one. =) If you're going to Furthur Fest it would be great to connect there. My wife and I will be attending with our 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. Rock on in Him. Dave

Was reading about the introduction of Yoga...

...to the US starting with Vivikananda in the latter half of the 1800s. There was hysteria that swarthy swamis were deluding rich women into leaving them fortunes -- several did. It took the Beatles going to India to finally put yoga in the mainstream in the mid 60s. Now, yoga is done mainly for it's health benefits but almost as much to sustain practitioner's spiritual health.

posted by Stephen Spanger

in the wrong topic and moved here. Here is a document called The Gospel According to the Grateful Dead (by David Smith of wisedyes.com - check out his awesome tie dyes). It creatively seeks to explain the Gospel message of Jesus using Grateful Dead song lyrics and Scripture! I'm not sure that Hunter, Garcia, Weir, Barlow, and the Grateful Dead intentionally wrote lyrics with the Bible in mind. However, there's no denying that God is sovereign and in complete control and that there are Biblical principles and themes in some of their lyrics. I have spent my life, seeking all that’s left unsung, Bent my ear to hear the tune, And closed my eyes to see ~Attics of My Life We’re all looking for answers. We all want to know the truth. Sometimes it seems within our grasp, and then it slips away. Sometimes the light’s all shining on me, Other times I can barely see, Lately it occurs to me, What a long strange trip it’s been ~Truckin’ But the truth does exist. Love is real. It is the most powerful force in the universe. And while we are seeking Love, Love is seeking us. Love desires to reveal itself to us. Let us be open to that love. Once in awhile you get shown the Light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right ~Scarlet Begonias God is love. God is truth. God knows you intimately and wants you to know Him. He wants to commune with you now, right where you are. Through dreams, visions, prophecy, and other forms of inspiration God has spoken to countless people over the centuries. The concept of a supreme God has existed for centuries in hundreds of cultures throughout the world. In fact, He may have already been speaking to you. Through the words and music of Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia and John Barlow/Bob Weir the God of all creation has planted his Word. Listen carefully to what has been said. If my words did glow, with the gold of sunshine, And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung, Would you hear my voice come through the music, would you hold it near, as if it were you own? ~Ripple Can’t you hear God’s voice pleading with you to be heard? Listen. These are living words! Open you heart. What’s to be found, racing around, You carry your pain wherever you go. The Black-throated wind, whispering sin, And it speaks of a life that passes like dew ~Black-Throated Wind Some days the gales are howling, Some days the sea is still as glass, You’re a lost sailor, You’ve been too long at sea ~Lost Sailor Without God we’re all lost. We’re like sheep without a shepherd. Was it you I heard singin’ while I was chasing dreams? Driven by the wind, like the dust that blows around, Well, I never know, just don’t know ~Saint of Circumstance Reach out your hand if your cup be empty ~Ripple God is calling you. He loves you more than you can imagine. All the searching can be over. God wants to forgive you and cleanse you and make you whole. You must come to Him and admit your need. Confess your errors to God and trust Him to answer you. I told Althea I was feeling lost, Lacking in some direction ~Althea You’re playing cold music on the barroom floor, drowned in your laughter and dead to the core, If Mercy’s in business, I wish it for you ~Fire on the Mountain But I’ll get back on my feet someday, the good Lord willing, if He says I may, I know that the life I’m living’s no good, I’ll get a new start, live the life I should ~Wharf Rat Maybe you’ll find direction around some corner where it’s been waiting to meet you Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare ~Box of Rain Only God can fill this void. Without Him we can never be completely whole. Be honest with yourself. Isn’t something missing? Wouldn’t you like to know why you’re here? Wouldn’t you like for your life to have meaning and purpose? God understands. He stands at the door of your heart knocking. Let him in. Receive the Truth. If your cup is full, may it be again ~Ripple Perhaps you’ve been more fortunate. Maybe you’ve already discovered the power of love. What have your placed your faith in? Some folks trust to reason, others trust to might, I don’t trust to nothing , but I know it come out right ~Playin’ in the Band Small wheel turning by the fire and rod, Big wheel turning by the grace of God ~The Wheel Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? (Romans 2:4) This power that guides all life is more than impersonal energy. This “force” that keeps your life flowing is intimate and personal. It loves you and desires to be loved. Recall all the times you have sensed God’s hand. See here how everything leads up to this day, And its just like any other day that’s every been. ~Black Peter In earlier days He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left himself without a witness. There were always his reminders, such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and joyful hearts. (Acts 14:16-17) Let it be known there is a fountain That was not made by the hands of man There is a road, no simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night ~Ripple God loves us so much that He became flesh and came down from heaven to live among us. You know the story. Jesus taught us, healed us, and loved us like no other man in all of history. Jesus said He is the fountain. He said He is the road to life. He said “The Father and I are one.” There is no other! “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me.” -Jesus (John 7:38) "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” -Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus often referred to God as Father. God is Spirit, and without a physical body. The significance is that God is personal and can be known. He is more than a force or energy. Electricity is a powerful force. Heat is a source of energy. God is merciful, kind, and loving. He hears our prayers and responds. He rejoices when we do well and grieves when we sin. Don’t confuse the Creator with the creation. The incredible beauty and balance of the planet are evidence of a thoughtful and loving Father. What shall we say, shall we call it by a name And listen to the thunder shout I am, I am, I am, I am ~Let it Grow And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) Jesus said… "…I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) "…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12) "…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) "…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25) "…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Revelation 22:13) "…Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58) In order that we might know God more perfectly, He sent Jesus into this world. As the first born of all creation, He was given all authority over heaven and earth. We therefore must know Jesus if we are to know God fully and completely. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22) A decision to follow Christ is one you must make alone. Don’t be swayed by the behavior of some other human being. Your wife, your husband, and your friends all must make their own decision. This one is between you and God. And if you go, no one may follow That path is for your steps alone. ~Ripple Now the shore-lights beckon Yeah there's a price for being free. ~Lost Sailor The price for your freedom has already been paid for. It is our pride, our rebellion, our sin that separates us from intimately knowing God. Jesus willingly suffered the agony of the cross to pay for our guilt. If a man among you, got no sin upon his hand Let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band. ~Playing in the Band What is a man Deep down inside But a raging beast With nothing to hide ~Passenger Even the purest of romantics compromise What fixation feeds this fever Am I living truth or rank deceiver ~Victim or the Crime For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT) Old men sing about their dreams Women laugh and children scream And the band keeps playing on Sun went down in honey And the moon came up in wine You know stars were spinning dizzy Lord the band kept us so busy We forgot about the time ~The Music Never Stopped “In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below- blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “ (Acts 2:17-21 NLT) Shall we go, you and I, while we can? ~Dark Star I got a feelin' there's no time to lose No time to lose ~Saint of Circumstance Please don’t put off this decision to follow and serve Jesus. God loves you and wants you right now – just the way you are! There really is a devil who wants nothing better than for you to postpone this decision. He is a liar and a thief and a murderer. Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When the devil wants to take it all away ~Mexicali Blues And if he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail ~Friend of the Devil A secret incantation, candle burning blue We'll consult the spirits, maybe they'll know what to do ~I Need A Miracle …For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1) “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.” -Jesus (Matthew 24:24 NLT) All these trials soon be past Look for something built to last Built to last till time itself falls tumbling from the wall Built to last till sunshine fails and darkness moves on all ~Built to Last “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.” -Jesus (Matthew 24:35 NLT) “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it.” -Jesus (Matthew 10:39 NLT) "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (Matthew 7:24-29) I want to say to my sisters and my brothers Keep the faith When the storm flies and the wind blows Go on at a steady pace When the battle is fought and the victory's won We can all shout together, we have overcome We'll talk to the Father and the Son When we make it to the promised land ~My Sisters and Brothers Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation." (Psalm 91 NLT) Lay down my dear brothers, lay down and take your rest Oh won't you lay your head upon your saviour's breast I love you, oh but Jesus loves you the best ~And We Bid You Goodnight “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” -Jesus (John 5:25) If I knew the way, I would take you home ~Jerry Garcia (Ripple) So many roads I tell you So many roads I know So many roads, so many roads Mountain high, river wide So many roads to ride So many roads, so many roads So many roads I tell you New York to San Francisco So many roads I know All I want is one to take me home From the high road to the low So many roads I know So many roads so many roads ~So Many Roads It may seem to you that there are So Many Roads to ease your soul but there's truly only one way that will take you home. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” -Jesus (John 14:6) How to Know God and Receive Christ into Your Life 1. Realize that you are a sinner. No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we are all sinners. We all fall short of God’s desire for us to be holy. The Bible says, “No one is good—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This is because we cannot become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ. 2. Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. The Bible tells us, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it. 3. Repent of your sin. The Bible tells us to “repent and be converted” (Acts 3:19). The word repent means to change our direction in life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him. 4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday. It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . .” (Revelation 3:20). If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart! Your decision to follow Christ means God has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity in heaven. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). To put your faith in action, be sure to spend time with God by reading your Bible, praying, going to church, and telling others about Christ. Please contact us and let us know about your decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I asked Jesus into my heart, NOW WHAT DO I DO? ben@greateststoryevertold.org The Gospel According to The Grateful Dead Greatest Story Ever Told

Thanks for the post!

I've been hearing the Bible in Dead songs for years. I once delivered a reflection at church where I used Eyes of the World to help tell the story of Jesus' healing of the blind man. My personal feeling is that some of the references are not necessarily intentional but I think others are. I have felt for some time that both Barlow and Hunter know the Bible pretty darn well! I'm not suggesting that the guys were necessarily trying to teach Christian dogma but they were expressing some universal truths that many can identify with on some level. The interesting thing is that Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics and atheists have all been moved by this music!

Old Testament Role Play

Bible enthusiasts can now adopt a character from the Old Testament and smite their enemies in an online game! http://thebible-onlinegame.com/ education, exploitation, spiritual quest or just a bit of fun?

old teastament role play

interesting need to check this out before i comment although im pulled towards explotation lol

Smiting

your enemies in the name of your god seems to be an all too common thread among religions, unfortunately. The very second you attempt to require that others believe as you do is when the legitimacy of your right to believe as you do ceases. By all means, believe in any god you want to, feel free to live by any rules dictated by that god so long as they apply only to you, just don't expect anyone else to. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.

i think

the Christian doctrine says...love thy enemy........ do it not?

smitten

so is it possible to love someone while smiting them and exchanging eyes and teeth with them? Maybe it is. I guess that's what makes the Old Testament a bit of a challenge for Christians? Great stories, but all a bit brutal. Maybe even the Greatest Story Ever Told.

yup

soitanley

The Biblical Symbolics of the Grateful Dead

Hey Jman...I thnk I said that in my best Three Stooges Voice when I read that lol. Anyway, I was just looking at the anotated lyrics of the Grateful Dead site (a wealth of info) on Robert Hunter lyrics and was reading the significance of Biblical references and symbolics within the GD music. Here's the link...thought it was relevant. http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/miller.html Love is real! ♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥

Well...

Thanks, for getting me to the right place; I agree with Mr. Pid and cosmicbadger, lamagonzo, solly Cholly....Look at British physicist Stephen Hawkings' new book, "The Grand Design" about the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago. I'm an ex-fundie myself, 1972-5, am I sorry! The Stones called two albums ago "A Bigger Bang". Atheists.com.

Spirituality over religion im my opinion

Do for others you will feel better Guaranteed .Spirituality is easy man made religion makes it difficult since each is better than the other. To live a life full of fulfillment think not of your self. Do for others. Realize others have it worst. Be a Benefit to all in some way every day. Practice random acts of kindness. The most important!! Take care of your Needs and your Wants will be Fulfilled. Give a hand to your Fellow man. try with a smile, a hello, may i help you, a wave. actually doing something for others will always make you feel good. now dont forget to care for thy self. Does no good helping others while you fall behind.. Ask your friends for help if your lucky to still have some. Amazing how a disability will cause friends to leave. They act like its catchy. Their problem Smile and enjoy the now. Then help some one else enjoy it also blessings and Prayers to all (~:}

Christianity

Christianity is my belief, but I do not go to church because I cannot find God there. I cannot get behind pastors or church hierarchy, but I do not judge those that need a guiding hand in their spiritual quest. I have read a good bit about different cultures and the beliefs that go along with them, out of all that I have read Christianity fits how I feel in life. I can totally get behind loving others, sharing, all the good things that the Bible says will make ones life better. I do not understand how some people find God in church though, I would love to talk to another Christian about this. I am not judgmental at all, I just love to talk about spirituality. I became a Christian one night, I was trying my hand at praying and said "God if your real show yourself to me" and I had a vision that brought me to tears, I have never felt love like that before, it was overwhelming. I was shown what was in store for me when I died and it was identical to what the Bible describes heaven as, gold that was so pure it looked like glass. While I was having this vision a figure of light had its arm around me (an Angel I think), I could not look at this being but I was aware it was there. I felt like a child in its presence, that I was not "ready" to look at it if that makes sense. The next day I felt great, like a new me. Since then I have had my eyes opened to so much, its mind boggling how much humility is needed in this world. Peace God Bless

Dude....

sounds to me like you were blessed as few are. I have tried to live my life in a Christian manner, sometimes I fail, but I try again. Things have been tough for me over the last couple of years, but prayer has always helped and God has not let me down. I haven't always gotten what I wanted, but God has always given me what I need.. I do attend a local church, one that I have attended since childhood and I go because there are like minded people there and we help each other through trials of faith. Of course, this doesn't work for all people, and all churches are not the same. There are cheaters, liars and frauds leading some churches, and I have no patience for them..those bozo's on TV for instance, and not all of THEM are phony. All I can do is try to keep my faith strong and give thanx for everything God has given me....like Grateful Dead music for example..anyway...I'll shutup now.......bless you and stay strong..!!