Black and White (Pink)

Language has this mysterious power of posing as neutral, objective, symbols to describe what we want to discuss ... so, if we want to discuss power we had better start by examining assumptions about language ... and while we're at it, why not start with another key illusion in this 3D world, opposites, through which stories are created and often conflict, when humans identify emotionally with one pole, projecting value judgements of "good", "worthy" onto it, whilst vilifying its opposite pole, which we may label "evil", "unworthy" ... this starts, it seems, inside the psyche of each individual and when pathological comes into the field of psychology ... since internal conflict is unhealthy and the basis for a lack of ease or dis-ease ... as the thought generated battles rage other levels kick in, notably the chemical, and it is at this level that psychological interventions often start, treating symptoms ... sometimes helpfully, when the pain is too much, oftentimes less so, leading to a lifetime of drug dependency ... which is true for legally prescribed drugs, legal and optional drugs, including alcohol, as well as currently proscribed drugs ...

Opposites may also be called paradoxes. .. opposite suggestive of conflict, paradox not ... in the exploration of paradox comes the opportunity to transcend the polarity ... which was seen beautifully one day after several hours wandering the fells over Stanhope, when thinking fell away and perhaps the perfect paradox presented itself: You are the centre of the universe; at the same time, on a cosmic scale, nothing, and, since all is connected, everything ... examining this is to see the chance to play with life and be unafraid of death, another paradox which is described in previous pages, during a timeless trip with the sea ...

Picking up the title of today's blog, at societal level, apparent opposites of black and white play out ... black sometimes used as a negative, a word itself in need of examination, since positive and negative poles need not necessarily carry value judgements ... yin and yang, at another level, simply try to describe balance between darkness and light ... so, it is clear, that deep in the language, there is an emotional response available ...

An ongoing theme of human evolution is racial differentiation. ..the mechanism for this requires research, though a simplified version suggests skin colour is an adaptation to Sun intensity ... lazy language, wrapped up in historical power, has broad categories of who is called white and who black ... and interestingly, while black is constantly shifting as a word describing Afro-Caribbean races, often in an attempt to ameliorate the embedded bias ... coloured, people of colour and so on, white, whilst no more accurate as an objective adjective, is rarely challenged ... perhaps it would be helpful, whilst we still insist on such arbitrary separation, to say pink instead, possibly provocative and having the benefit of pricking macho pomposity at the same time ... Pink Supremacy, Make America Pink Again and other slogans subtly subvert the power appropriated by certain groups ... seeking security against the imagined dangers of  non-pink people ... amusingly many pink folks spend an inordinate amount of time and money trying to make the skin darker, whether through sunbathing or the quicker fix of spray tanning ... the former method, in moderation, does have the added benefit of Vitamin D ...

Over on the media of mass destruction front, tiring of the liberal line of the Guardian and the Observer, and reluctant to dive into the more rabid rags, which anyway pop up in social media as sponsored pieces just in case their focus on football, sex and fear goes out of fashion... of the weather or non-pink people ... a pink paper draws the attention for a peek at the version of reality written for rich folks ... the FT Weekend ... or Financial Times as it is better known ... plenty to read and maybe a little more truth, since the readership is mostly bought off by the current system, though some of the advertising beggars belief ... hugely expensive trinkets for mostly pink people, albeit tanned,with more money than sense ... indeed, one of the glossy supplements is titled "How to Spend It" ... including secluded getaways in Caribbean paradises, served unlikely cocktails by grateful non-pink locals ... psychological health issues not only an issue for poor folks ... ready access to alcohol and other drugs along with expensive rehab clinics all part of the drama of having too much in a crazy world where others die of hunger ...

Anyway, back to the language theme, here is a chance, having perceived part of the problem, to promote a solution ... and whilst paying too much attention to what we dislike only energises it, playing with words and adjusting their usage may help ... worth a try?

More mundanity ... a little heresy ... humanity and divinity ...

Having returned to the cottage in Stanhope ready to share it as a mini retreat centre, impending visitors delay renovations, though maybe lack of enthusiasm is playing a part too ... and since a car is required for the first visit, a few days are spent researching the possibilities along with attendant role playing from used car salesmen ... the car chosen comes from the local firm with an ethical reputation, even if the car itself was not the first choice ... anyway, it is blue, which is the main thing ... psyche is examined for any attachment to this new acquisition and there is none, as with the house ...it seems that the integration of no-self prevents the operation of "me" and therefore "mine", which is a liberation ... letting go of stuff has been done before and may be done again ... meanwhile house and car enable enhanced interaction with other humans, which seems a helpful stage, since solitude is seductive and maybe itself an attachment.

Meanwhile the growing library has new additions from David Bohm ... the optimistic "Quantum Theory", hopefully of use to visitors with some knowledge of mathematics and physics, and the philosophical work, "Thought as a System", which examines the ways thought leads to actions and eventually to a world which no sane individual or society would design ... pointing to "The Limits of Thought", co-authored with K ... and the problems inherent in processing incoming data through a conditioned brain ... or, as Bohm puts it:

" ... thought takes sense perception, among other things, as the source of its information; and it says that sense perception is unaffected by thought - that it is just telling you something. And thought will then proceed from there. But it may turn out that the perception has already been affected by thought, and that thought is thus taking something it has done as being a fact independent of thought."

This phenomenon was seen after a retreat at Findhorn some years ago, when, in an elevated state, visions appeared in the form of Christian symbols ... being more interested in Buddha at the time, mind protested ... two possible interpretations seem to be: the Christian fundamentalists are right after all and Jesus is indeed the one true path; a lifetime of steady conditioning has clogged the deeper layers of the brain to produce sub-conscious images ... take your pick! Or add your own interpretation ...

Reflecting on the pervasive nature of the Christian story, a brief foray into the history of calendars shows many alternative ways to measure world or human time, mostly religious and some still used in religious contexts ... however, in the current secular world time is measured from 2018 years ago, which, however you tell it to soothe non-Christian sensitivities, was the supposed incarnation of Christ ... 

Since the day is warm and sunny and free until four, when some envelopes need stuffing with next month's schedule for Wheels to Meals ... a task shared with Gillian who holds the project together, defending wherever possible against any attempts to measure it or ration it ... an angel in the community, a Christian of the Methodist non-conformist tendency, whose Minister likes to evangelize, though that's not Gillian's style ... Churches and Chapels, as elsewhere in the DUK, closing for want of customers ... some finding other uses ...

So, up the hill it is, in shorts and t-shirt, cooling breeze blowing, ground nesting birds twittering to distract predators, gorse filling the nostrils with long remembered aromas, uplifting views all round ... legs glad of the outing, keeping in trim for future adventures ... in harmony with Nature ... divine!

A quick peek at the mundane world ...

Sun is up early in May and options for Sunday included a "news" paper, to keep in awareness what lots of people think is going on ... a liberal source is chosen, since some have become so rabid as to be beyond belief ... unless the conditioning has prepared the ground for such utter rubbish, of course, and if we harbour any lingering resentment at folks not like us, then a little manure makes the prejudices flourish ... The Observer is careful to avoid offending racial, gender, sexual orientation sensitivities, though not beyond a little sneering at those deemed less sophisticated or intelligent ... perhaps forgetting the insight of quantum physics that the observer is not separate from the observed ... objective observation, therefore, a fallacy ... the sneerer and the sneered at connected and maybe, switching to Jungian psychology as a frame, that which we react against is often lurking in the dark recesses of our psyches ... clearing out those corners our contribution to a kinder sneer-free world ...

Meanwhile, in the realm of bread and circuses, the British Royal Family is rolling out another diversion, with a contemporary plot, as the younger son of the murdered Princess and her dashing soldier lover, having been incorporated into the Family without any embarrassing checks on bloodline, is to marry an American actress, ironically carrying the kind of racial blood considered too dark for Diana's last and unborn child ... presented as a progressive move by the liberal press, though enough blue blood heirs are deemed to be in place to avoid a dark skinned King on the throne ... these ancient stories persisting whilst the media draws attention to them, schools comply by inviting children to dress in red, white and blue today, live tv covers the pageant ... in Weardale, the wonderfully eccentric editor of the local newspaper and owner of the world's largest collection of memorabilia on the British monarchy, all in the best possible taste, becomes a celebrity on U.S. tv, joining in the revelry ...

In dreams I fly, though when others join the dream and attempts are made to fly high, perhaps to impress, it's hard to rise more than a few feet from the ground ... any dream interpreting readers welcome to let us know what that means ... once flying entailed running off a cliff, now vertical take off works, using the arms as wings ... other dreams are hanging around on the Camino, loath to leave ... though waking consciousness has adjusted well enough ... a spell of sunny weather helping, along with welcoming words from folks in the community ... a couple of trips out with the elders re-establishing routines ...

The small front lawn is sacrificed for flowers and vegetables, a good time for sowing and planting to supplement Nature's bounty in the woods and hedgerows. .. renovations on hold for now ... no point risking an upside down house just as a visitor arrives ... which raises the question of a car, needed for airport trips and outings to remote spots where public transport doesn't venture ... or not in a reasonable timescale anyway ... to rent or to buy? Easy Car has a platform for brokering personal vehicles, so maybe that's the way to go. .. detracting from simplicity somewhat, though adding convenience ... two buses to Newcastle and three back to have lunch with younger daughter an interesting way to spend yesterday ... direct buses run on Wednesdays and Saturdays in case you were wondering ...

As royal wedding fever takes over the media, polarised positions are taken ... proud to be British monarchists enjoying the spectacle, rabid republicans add their energy by raging against the soap opera ... not realising that ignoring what they don't want is much more effective than giving it attention ... a similar opportunity arises soon as the unlikely President of our closest ally arrives to meet the Queen ... the caricature presenting a mirror to the US people playing a brilliant part in the drama of a decadent empire ...

Well, that's the long overdue post dear readers ... not inclined to write for the sake of it and the daily life of the Camino always seems more conducive to blogging ... luckily you have the monarchical madness to compensate. ...

... with the K tribe ...

Five hours on a train to Durham and plenty of time to reflect on two full days at the Krishnamurti Centre ... WiFi curtailed to support peaceful ambience ... Cross Country Trains offer connection, at a price ... maybe later ... meanwhile, some writing, also abandoned since the ferry ... adjacent seat vacant until Oxford ... let's see how that turns out ...

Sunday taxi arrived just in time for warm welcome from Andrea ... no-one else about ... early to bed and not very early to rise the regime ... though no rules or structure, apart from meal times and requests to desist from smoking, drinking alcohol, playing music, radios ... books and films of the teachings available in the library ... the Centre simply beautiful, grounds and especially the Grove in full bloom ... surrounding bluebell woods full of colour and the elusive perfume in the dappled sunshine ...

Monday breakfast time offered first philosophers from the K tribe and a walk to the woods, pictured by a passing walker ... plenty to learn from fellow ramblers ... and an observation that a full day afloat from Santander to Portsmouth, boat full of fellow Brits, found no matching frequencies ... one brief interaction in a food queue, otherwise nothing ... maybe by mutual agreement, though chats with random strangers normally not unknown ... on the pilgrim trails the rucksack invites a cheery Hola, as common language discovered and conversation, brief or longer, often ensues ... being at Brockwood infers frequencies mostly on same wavelength and frequently resonating and matching, new information shared, deepening understanding (or common delusions) ...

Monday afternoon is for a second wander in the warm sunshine ... Shiraya, who helped with the booking and here in a staff role after time as a voluntary helper and next door neighbour during work week last year sharing ideas and converging on Place to Be concept ... timing to be seen, but cooperation and a visit strongly in the probability field ...

Tina, a student at the school, taking advantage of their offer of a retreat at the Centre, shares some insights, youthful energy and inspiration for the old generation ... from China, encouraged by her aunt who knows the teachings, she arrived at the school aged 14, free from fear, she says ... such a gift in a world where fear is promoted daily through mass media ...

Sunset in the Grove shared with Dusicka, from Slovenia, also here as a guest helper last time ... busy translating the films for subtitling ... an invitation to Slovenia ...

Tuesday morning's walk to West Meon is with Bhairavi, here from Toulouse via India, with her daughter, a prospective student at the school ... the afternoon bluebell walk shared with Dusicka and Mariella ... after all the solitary walking, there is company all the time ... and walking pace and distance more like resting ... not to mention a lack of rain ...

And so to the train, a walk to the stop with Shiraya, bus on time and comfortably at the station with 15 minutes to spare ... time for a random chat on the subject of death, the Samaritans poster at the end of the platform reminding the desperate that someone is ready to listen ...

As for Tribe, the concept is challenged ... no easy rides here, they challenge everything. .. some even daring to challenge the teachings ... itself, of course, quite in line with teaching about not accepting authority without question ...

And the mystery train neighbour? No sign, no neighbour to bother, plenty of space to spread out ... until Sheffield, when Chris, a neighbour from Weardale gets on and chats until York ... a journey through England, avoiding London, increasingly seen as a City State, along with other huge cities ... national boundaries in question anyway, since in the economic and therefore ultimate political power sphere, corporations operate globally ...

Two buses from Durham and time for some shopping for supper and the little cottage in Stanhope has survived the winter, no sign or smell of damp, just as it was left three months ago ... grass has grown and likely to be replaced with food plants ... bluebells have appeared and other species ... feeling rather like home ... for now ...

To Brockwood ...

A good night's sleep in the rather dear cabin ... 4 beds for one person rather excessive and pilgrim rate for sharing would help ... though it's not a market of much interest to Brittany Ferries, originally set up by a farmers' cooperative to export to UK ... now catering for tourists with cars and freight on lorries, not to mention the hordes of Brit expats in France, Spain and Portugal ... foot passengers unusual on this boat, which has no reclining chair option ... just the one today, hoping for a speedy exit to arrive at Brockwood before lock up at 9 pm ... though emergency alternative in place ...

The sea route home preferred to flying, which seems too fast somehow ... a perfect sailing day, sunny and smooth ... on board entertainment includes an enthusiastic presentation on whales and dolphins ... from Orca, wildlife charity based in Portsmouth ... interrupted amusingly by a tannoy announcement about nail and other treatments, in English, Spanish and French ... apologies offered by Orca presenter, who explains about the multilingual nature of the ship, with no trace of irony as the talk continues only in English ... still, interesting enough and preferable to earlier television programme from British Bullshit Corporation interviewing politicos with their predictable patter, polarised positions defended, neither offering anything very useful ...

Kit review suggests: Osprey rucksack, lighter than Deuter because without frame, but designed to allow air flow; Cape brighter colour, all black outfit not ideal for walking hard shoulder in rain; shoes, Scarpas fine, though boots needed if walking Primitivo in February; otherwise fine ... two changes of underclothes could be reduced to one, sleeping bags reduced to one silk liner and rely on blankets; however if hammock to increase options outside, warmer bag needed; technology ... maybe smarter phone to improve bed finding and route finding ... though aware of downsides ...

Anyway, all that's for another time, meanwhile a few days at the Krishnamurti Centre before a train to Durham on Wednesday and two buses to Stanhope ... see how the deserted cottage has fared over the rather harsh winter ...

And next month, a special visitor, reconnecting from the days on the Portugues, Santiago, Fisterra ...

Santander to the sea ...

Simplicity, one of the three treasures of the Tao, is seriously challenged in this transition from pilgrim in Iberia to whatever in Stanhope. .. wandering around for three months, two known Caminos into Santiago plus the final circular route via Fisterra, Muxia, Coruna, Betanzos and the Ingles, resting between in Tavira ... all seemed simplicity, embracing the challenges step by step ... going inside deeply in solitude, practising interbeing for 8 great days ... solitude, it seems, an essential but temporary stage in this human incarnation ... leading to experience of the interconnectedness of everything eventually, then up a level to the joys of sharing time and space with another ... and others at La Espiral of love ... an encounter at the Cathedral, just after writing this, with a Brazilian couple, together more than 40 years, thinking of walking the Way, or part of one ... resisting solitude and opening an idea that couples living together so long may be considered a superorganism ... a so-called individual anyway also a superorganism of cooperating cells and alien entities working symbiotically ... a sense of self, as seen and mentioned before, illusory ...

Patience, the treasure most challenging, is tested as the logistics of boats, connections to the next bed, some days with the K folk, all prove tricky ... equanimity, not named as a treasure, but linked to patience perhaps, is sustained ... though tomorrow is another day ... boat booked, taxi at Portsmouth also ...

Australian family on the Norte at the Pension last night raised questions about authentic pilgrimming ... this time in the context of full Albergues ... bus assisted early arrival seen as cheating ... the numbers on the Ways are picking up now May is under way ... plenty passed going the other way yesterday ... confirming the decision to walk from February ... lots of rain, but plenty of space to stay ... numbers increase every year ... bed spaces increase too as private albergues spot the opportunity, albeit seasonally ...

Which takes us back to the ongoing question of what it is to be a pilgrim ... Simplicity, Patience and Compassion are part of it for sure, and unpacking the details, embedding the lessons, the opportunity ... Compassion, the other treasure, comes into play, perhaps, when invited to judge others on the Ways ... pilgrims, turigrinos, hospitaleros , bar and restaurant folks ... discernment and judgement being closely related, but not the same ... and as observed before, you really can't cheat your own Camino, a part of us knows we will do it better next time the lesson arises ... listening to listen, resisting glib advice, we help each other examine the learning ...

And since there is all day to explore this beautiful city and the Sun is shining, a wanton wander around the peninsula, no longer cutting them off to save time and distance, but embracing their power ... sharing the paths with locals and tourists on Saturday exercise and relaxation ... reaching rather upmarket parts, where resto bar appears less than delighted to see the rucksack ... or maybe the plugging in of the charger to keep communication alive ... as for simplicity, the coffee is over milky and over priced, the decor busy and arty farty ... simplicity gone missing again ... nearby a hungry beggar gratefully accepts a banana, regretfully declines a cake, since he doesn't ingest sugar ...

Strolling back to the ferry port, a vegan restaurant appears in time for wonderful menu del dia ...simplifying the challenges of corpse dodging ... not there is any judgement on chosen diet, of course ... as a "vague 'un" flexibility is the key, especially to surviving along the Caminos. .. Marianne, running the restaurant, previously looked after the pilgrims at the Albergue in Serdio, near San Vicente de la Barquera and loved it .. still has the conch shell ...

Ready for a night and a day afloat. .. sea calm enough for Bay of Biscay ...

Santillana to Santander

Since the road is known, a hard shoulder short cut sets up Santander for today and a strange route marking at Mogros Station suggests taking the train a couple of stops to avoid a perilous stretch of road ... a longer route possible, but not desired ... and once on the train, pilgrim sensitivities are suspended and the final 15kms are covered in comfort ... an early lunch and some research uncovers a bed for the night, a boat for tomorrow and some questions about the consequent late arrival in Portsmouth ... left to ripen, since that issue is for Sunday evening ...

Tomorrow mooching around Santander, maybe some touristic activity ... taking a while to change roles after all the pilgrimming ...