Several months back, I narrated a vintage Sci-Fi short story: “The Four-Sided Triangle”, by William F. Temple. You can get a copy here at WonderAudio Books

 

 The 4-Sided Triangle (Extract) [4:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here’s the Big Event itself. (The London Ukulele Festival last Saturday.) I’m the one in the bright green t-shirt, playing a “blonde” ukulele, and sporting quite big hair

One of my favourite tracks. I found an excellent Uke version.

The Ukulele is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance of late.

I bought a ukulele about a year ago and dabbled a bit. Then I started to dabble some more and really enjoyed it.

Yesterday was also something of a personal renaissance of sorts, when I took part in The London Ukulele Festival.

On the Tube, I met a wonderful bunch of people from Southampton - The Southampton Ukulele Jam , who very kindly “adopted” me for the day as we enjoyed the festival together, as well as taking part in a record-breaking attempt at having 850 ukuleles playing at the same time. (Playing the same song too, of course!!)

This has to count as one of the best days of my life, as before I left for the festival, I hear that my daughter, Gloria, had been accepted by Rose Bruford Drama College.

An a synchronistic note it transpires that Colin - one of the Southampton Posse used to attend the same college some years ago!

 

 The Marriage Guidance Counsellor [2:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Twitter is one of my favourite interactive “social sites”, or services. One of the main reasons I like it is because it is both real-time and interactive.

I have gradually become less and less enamoured of Facebook as it seems so static to me.

Having an addictive nature - like 100% of the population of the world - whether they know it, admit it, or not, I decided to take 24 hours away from Twitter.

I’m pleased to report that I did nor suffer withdrawal symptoms. However, if the period had been longer, I’m pretty sure I would have missed it. Here’s why:

There are literally a handful of people (Tweeters) with whom I really resonate at present. We usually discuss things using what Twitter calls “Direct Messaging”. This is basically the equivalent of having a one-to one private conversation.

I have found the character limit of 144 to be very useful in honing my intuitive faculties. I have, I feel, been able to get an accurate “flavour” of what these people may be like and whether I would actually get on with in “real life” were we ever to meet.

This remains to be seen of course. Some of these people I will probably never meet as they are continents away from me. Others are nearer, and it is quite possible we will meet. In fact, at the time of writing this, there are two who I plan to meet over the next two months.

So it truly is the social apect of Twitter which I enjoy - plus the fact that it is “real time” in nature.

As for everone’s “addictive tendencies” that’s the subject for a future post!

Projection = Perception.

I am not a body.

“Tim Rowe” is a concept.

When “I” look for the “I”, it cannot be found.

This is my confession.

(And please don’t ask “Whose confession?”)

It’s amazing how easily distracted we are. (OK, I should write “I am” - someone once complained that what I have to say may not apply to them!)

However, I think it’s fair to say that we are all very easily distracted. There are so many diversions to tempt us, ranging from what could be considered as lame: Filling in a “quiz” on Facebook, catching up with the latest episode of a soap opera, to the “important”: The economy, health matters, etc.

However, regardless of the seeming degree of importance, they are all nevertheless distractions.

But what are we distracting ourselves from - and why?

Have you noticed how difficult it can be to tolerate a period of silence? Why should that be? We fear that we don’t exist! We fear that we are actually nothing at all - a construct based on concepts we’ve built up from the meaning we have given to our past experiences.

We will do anything to fill that gap. We don’t want to look at all the crap that’s in the deep well of the unconscious. All the hateful and fearful thoughts the ego relentlessly repeats - like the mantra of some evil deity.

But what are thoughts. No - where are they. Are they real? Can you locate them? I can’t find them anywhere - or at least, I can’t find their origin.

Where is “my” mind that I’ve been told contains or even generates these thoughts. I can’t find where that is either.

Am I losing my mind? I sincerely hope so!

Anyway, all of that has distracted me from the topic ;) 

Take an honest look and see what’s distracting you. My current favourite is the Internet.

Maybe it’s time for a sabbatical.

My friend Rob McPhillips interviewed me recently. Parts 1 & 2 are here:
http://livewithoutconflict.com/blog/731/stress-awareness-conversation-tim-rowe/

As is often the case, with the benefit of hindsight, I can think of plenty that could have been said more clearly.

And in fact, I could have spoken more clearly. Considering I do narrations for audiobooks, my vowels seem to have slipped a bit. Must be due to the fact that I live in Sarf East London

I’ve just completed teaching a set of four meditation and stress reduction classes at the local Adult Education college.

What I find interesting is that students usually only require one, concrete, tangible “taste” of the Self beyond their ego structure the “real them” if you will.

Once this is felt (I say “felt” because the experience is ususally accompanied by some somatic sensation - like a deep sigh or a complete relaxing of the body), there is no going back.

Many often want to know more. The fact is that there really isn’t much more to teach. As I mentioned in my previous post, the basis of (self) healing is utterly simple. It merely needs to be practiced.

It is also helpful (but not essential) to meet with like-minded others in a supportive environment periodically too.

One taste is all you need. Then you’re hooked. But in a good way.