I had been having a wonderful chat with Stim on voice with the crashing sounds of the waves around us. Now I was hightailing to Pavilion on its little island of peace. Fael was already there and Adams joined us soon after I arrived, and we started by discussing the growing river and had some playful banter about avatars’ looks.
Fael Illyar: Hi Storm :)
Storm Nordwind: Hi Fael!
Storm Nordwind: Only just made it in time!
Fael Illyar: Well, it’s easy to be late :)
Storm Nordwind: I am just looking at the water I put down. It seems nice and relaxing. And will be even better when I join up the bits
Fael Illyar: Hi Adams
Storm Nordwind: Hi Adams
Adams Rubble: Hello Storm and Fael
Fael Illyar: Yes, I noticed the water during 7am session today :)
Fael Illyar: I like it :)
Storm Nordwind: I’m so pleased! :)
Storm Nordwind: It will run all the way to the sea! :)
Fael Illyar: Yes, I followed it with my camera :)
Fael Illyar: a bit abrupt drop though :)
Storm Nordwind: Waterfalls here and there
Storm Nordwind: There are already twisty surveying markers on the route many sims to the west
Fael Illyar: :)
Fael Illyar: Ah, you fixed the hair, Adams, did you resize the hair or head :)
Adams Rubble: hehe. The hair. I couldn’t reduce the size of my swollen head
Storm Nordwind smiles
Storm Nordwind: I am surrounded by much beauty here. I feel like a thorn among roses!
Adams Rubble: No way
Fael Illyar: Well, thorns naturally come with roses but … I doubt you’d suit the role :)
Storm Nordwind: Perhaps not! :)
Storm Nordwind: I have not noticed the logo behind you before
Fael Illyar: I saw the logo there the first time during today’s 7am meeting
Adams had been practising the walking meditation - Faru - that I had first mentioned here: http://playasbeing.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/walking/
Adams Rubble: I used the Faru again this morning, in town this time
Storm Nordwind: Cool!
Storm Nordwind: And how did you find it Adams?
Adams Rubble: It was good. It calmed me down. I had been a little nervous
Storm Nordwind nods
Adams Rubble: I thought it might be a problem when I had to adjust to people
Adams Rubble: but for the most part I was able to just adjust
Storm Nordwind: Excellent!
Adams Rubble: We talked about it in this morning’s session
Fael Illyar: adjust to people?
Adams Rubble: yes rather than bump right into them
Adams Rubble: hehe
Fael Illyar: I’m not sure I understand. Why would you bump into people?
Adams Rubble: The streets are crowded and everyone is rushing
Adams Rubble: it is what we do in America
Adams Rubble: rush here
Adams Rubble: rush there
Adams Rubble: then don’t know what to do when we get there
Storm Nordwind: So true
Fael Illyar: Ah :) I think I remember Storm mentioning something about people being unconsciously unwilling to cross the path of light. Did you notice anything like that?
Adams Rubble: haha
Adams Rubble: not this morning
Adams Rubble: it was “rush hour”
Storm Nordwind: It’s interesting because that works differently for different people
Storm Nordwind: I have a lot of “push” - a kind of manifestation of Chi - and people often avoid that
Adams Rubble: all in all it worked well
Adams Rubble: ah
Storm Nordwind: But it can tell you alot about yourself
Adams Rubble: oh?
Storm Nordwind: A more accomodating personality will reveal itself in the way the light moves
Storm Nordwind: And also how you almost unconsciously “invite” others to tread on it
Storm Nordwind: Like a welcome mat!
Adams Rubble: Maybe as I use it more I will learn to appreciate the subtleties
Storm Nordwind: By the way, the name Faru is early mediaeval Anglo-Saxon
Adams Rubble: You said that, I would love to know more if you know it
Storm Nordwind: It has the same root as the modern verb “to fare”
Storm Nordwind: and we still use that in “Farewell”
Storm Nordwind: Fare as in to journey forth
Adams Rubble: the last time you mentioned magic
Fael Illyar: Ah, so Faru literally means Journey?
Storm Nordwind: Faru means the act of going on a journey
Storm Nordwind: I can get my dictionary - it’s here somewhere!
I rushed out to my library. That sounds grandiose but it’s just a tiny tiny room in my manse. (Translation 1: manse = a Scottish church minister’s house. Translation 2: tiny tiny room in most UK houses = bedroom.) Unable to find anything more comprehensive at a glance, I rushed back to the keyboard with a copy Henry Sweet’s Student’s Dictionary of Anglo-Saxon (Oxford University Press, 1896). We took a journey into the history of pre-Christian Northern Europe while Moon joined us.
Storm Nordwind: OK I have it
Storm Nordwind: Faru = “going, transit, journey, march, expedition, course of life, life, proceedings, adventures”
Adams Rubble: Wow, quite a collection
Adams Rubble: makes it even more poetical
Storm Nordwind: Indeed. You have to understand that Norse and Anglo-Saxon literature were full of “kennings”.
Storm Nordwind: Kennings are like very poetical metaphors
Storm Nordwind: So your observation is very accurate!
Adams Rubble: The last time you mentioned magic.
Storm Nordwind: Yes magic.
Storm Nordwind: The whole culture was full of it.
Storm Nordwind: Although more is known about the magic further north and east
Storm Nordwind: in what is now Scandinavia.
Storm Nordwind: One of the things I studied some years back is their use of rune symbols for magic too.
Storm Nordwind: But scholars often do not agree on the underlying practices!
Storm Nordwind: We are working from old documents
Storm Nordwind: and it is sometimes difficult to discriminate between metaphor and reality.
Adams Rubble: yes, understood
Storm Nordwind: And some things are omitted entirely if there were just everyday occurrences
Fael Illyar: Hi Moon
Adams Rubble: Hi Moon
Moon Fargis: hello everzone
Storm Nordwind: For example, it’s impossible to find a detailed description of a Norse wedding anywhere
Storm Nordwind: Hi Moon
Storm Nordwind: Because weddings happened all the time
Storm Nordwind: But people would write only if something interesting happened
Storm Nordwind: that would make a good story for around the fire!
Adams Rubble: :)
Storm Nordwind: (Like someone insulting someone else and getting killed in the process!)
Adams Rubble: yes
Storm Nordwind: This may be a very long way from Play as Being though! :)
Adams Rubble: Well, we have the meditation connection so it is OK. This morning we discussed meso-amaerican culture
Storm Nordwind: cool!
Fael Illyar: Well, sort of, yes but on the other hand PaB seems to be about pretty much every religion/whatever and none :)
Adams Rubble: yes Fael :)
Storm Nordwind: It certainly can be, for sure
It was almost time for Adams to leave. Just before she did we commented on how SL can be like magic and, just as for many experienced resident there are no longer any boundaries between their Real and Second Lives, so in cultures where magic was an accepted everyday occurrence, there was no difference between magic and Real Life. (Rather like, I recall, as there are no differences for me between the spiritual part of life and what some people called the non-spiritual.)
Adams Rubble: and SL is much like magic
Storm Nordwind: Especially - for me at least - as I see no boundaries between it and real life
Adams Rubble: it’s starting to become that way for me…
Storm Nordwind nods
Fael Illyar: I’ve been slowly losing the sense of SL as separate from RL myself too, yes
Adams Rubble: I hate that I have to leave these 1 pm sessions but it is time
Storm Nordwind: I celebrated two years here the other day (not in this av).
Adams Rubble: Oh wow, two years!!!
Storm Nordwind: It is more than “second nature”!
Adams Rubble: :)
Storm Nordwind: Sure. And I have seen many changes
Adams Rubble: Anyway, with much regret, bye Fael, Storm and Moon
Fael Illyar: Ok, See you later Adams :)
Storm Nordwind: Bye Adams!
Moon Fargis: oh bye adams
We settled into silence, one that Moon tried to break up with his singing, dancing antics and quick changes of avatar!
Moon Fargis: so i see today is a silent meetig :)
Fael Illyar: Well, at least until someone speaks :)
Moon Fargis: or..
Storm Nordwind is astonished at Moon’s gyrations!
Storm Nordwind: I am trying to remember who said, “If what you have to say is not better than silence, then it is better to keep silence.” I sometimes manage to remember that! :)
Fael Illyar: I usually follow that rule. If everyone does, that way, when there is conversation, it’s worthwhile :)
Storm Nordwind: I agree. Well said!
Moon Fargis: yes hehe
Moon Fargis: hmm wich reminds me i wanted to test out some animation hehe
Storm Nordwind: uh oh!
Storm Nordwind: Some kind of cyber-scorpion Moon?
Moon Fargis: storm: hehe yes a freebie
Fael took the chance to share with us a wonderful image, a kind of dream about a dream…
Fael Illyar: I had something bubble to surface during an exploration a couple of days ago. I had quite some problems putting it to words though and I’m still not happy about it but I think I’ll say it :)
Storm Nordwind: Please do Fael, if you feel comfortable
Fael Illyar: a dream from which Being is awakening. Us puppets are discovering we’re just parts of the dream and that’s what will end the dream. Until everyone has realized, Being is not fully awake.
Storm Nordwind nods
Storm Nordwind: That is fascinating :)
Storm Nordwind: Which bit are you not happy about?
Fael Illyar: well, this “dream” might not be the correct word … well, I guess people who’re sufficiently advanced will be able to interpret it :)
Storm Nordwind smiles
Moon Fargis: well illusion maybe?
Storm Nordwind: Well, what in your view will happen to the puppets?
Storm Nordwind: If we realise we are part of the dream, will we disappear when Being awakes?
Fael Illyar: Well, the realization is realizing we don’t exist
Storm Nordwind nods
Storm Nordwind: Or perhaps that we are inseparable from Being anyway?
Fael Illyar: well, that would be another way to express it yes :)
Moon Fargis: who tells you the being the dreams us snt also a dream of another being ?:)
Fael Illyar: Being, not being
Moon Fargis: is there a difference in the case sensitive _
Moon Fargis: ?
Moon Fargis: ahh now i understand what you wanted to day
Fael Illyar: :)
Moon started to have trouble with his keyboard. Perhaps his scary avatar karma was ripening already! Meanwhile, as Quilty joined us, I was interested in finding out whether Fael’s vision had been only that, or whether there had been any accompanying feelings with it.
Moon Fargis: aaarg
Moon Fargis: ill have to relogin
Moon Fargis: sl scrates on mz kezboard agian
Moon Fargis: thos bug gets nastz
Moon Fargis: y
Moon Fargis: brb
Storm Nordwind: When this bubbled to the surface Fael, how did you feel about it?
Fael Illyar: “oh, interesting” :)
Moon Fargis: test 134356786
Storm Nordwind: An intellectual curiousity? Or was there any emotion there too? Or just calm?
Moon Fargis spits out the bit of his keyboard he biten in
Fael Illyar: emotion, yes there was some emotion there, yes
Fael Illyar: no fear though
Storm Nordwind nods
Moon Fargis: hi quilty
Fael Illyar: Hi Quilty
Storm Nordwind: Welcome Quilty!
Quilty Bookmite: Hi all. Sorry to arrive so late.
Quilty Bookmite: I am mad busy at the moment.
Quilty Bookmite: I realised yesterday that I only spent about 20 minutes relaxing all day and that was while watching television with my daughter.
Storm Nordwind: Whoa!
Fael Illyar: Ok, that’s very busy
Quilty Bookmite: And it goes on. :-)
Moon Fargis: ohoh not good :)
Quilty Bookmite: Not for me. I’m not what you would call a high power sort of person. :-)
What Quilty said next I found very touching because it illustrated the warmth and closeness that can so quickly develop in Second Life.
Quilty Bookmite: I am sorry though. I have probably interrupted your conversation.
Storm Nordwind: Oh no. Our conversation was occurring in chunks!
Fael Illyar: Yes, and waiting on me, mostly
Moon Fargis: and biting in keybards
Quilty Bookmite: I am going to be a short chunk. I’m actually quite tired and will go to bed shortly. Just wanted to pop in and talk.
Quilty Bookmite: Do something non-work related. :-)
Storm Nordwind: You’re always welcome to chunk with us!
Quilty Bookmite: Thank you. :-)
Quilty Bookmite: I can’t tell you how good it is to be here for a short while. I am actually smiling. :-)
Moon Fargis: yaaay
Storm Nordwind: A good smile can be very good medicine!
Fael continued about the feeling that went with her vision and we groped for an adequate description.
Fael Illyar: To continue, I think There might have been some wonder and excitement when this bubbled to surface.
Fael Illyar: or maybe not excitement … I’m having troubles coming up with a word that describes it
Moon Fargis: fael: maybe foltrlopfmlz?
Storm Nordwind: I can almost feel it myself Fael, and I can’t pin down the word either
Fael Illyar: moon, well, might work :P
Fael Illyar: I pondered excitement, joy, delight for it but … none of them feel correct
Fael Illyar: ah, I’ll repeat the idea in words again so Quilty hears it too: a dream from which Being is awakening. Us puppets are discovering we’re just parts of the dream and that’s what will end the dream. Until everyone has realized, Being is not fully awake.
Storm Nordwind: Fael, I think there is a kind of enthusiasm in it too, but that by itself is not it either!
Moon Fargis: fael: maybe contentedness ?
Fael Illyar: Moon, could be
Moon Fargis: this is the feeling when you got no problems ..nothing tat makes you suffer
Storm Nordwind: I wonder if it is a feeling of recognition (?)
Quilty Bookmite: Excitement is short lived. Contentment can go on forever.
Moon Fargis: storm: yes i think its both
Fael Illyar: I do remember thinking some things that certainly are related a few years ago and back then I did feel some fear.
Moon Fargis: a feeling generated by our brain based on social suroundings
Moon Fargis: and some kind of mindstate or beingstate.
Storm Nordwind: I remember feeling something like that once when visiting a place I’d never been before. I was realising that I was home. I moved to live there.
Suddenly, as sudden as the cessation of an evening rain shower, we had to go in our several directions. But we did so in a jocular manner!
Quilty Bookmite: Sorry, I must go. Exhausted. I’m going to be busy for the next week but will drop in when I can.
Fael Illyar: Ok, see you Quilty :)
Moon Fargis: ok quilty see you soon then good nnight
Storm Nordwind: Take a walk in evening air if you can! :)
Quilty Bookmite: Bye and thank you.
Storm Nordwind: Bfn!
Fael Illyar: Bfn?
Storm Nordwind: Bye For Now
Fael Illyar: ah :)
Moon Fargis: “slag”
Moon Fargis: s.l.a.g.
Storm Nordwind: ag?
Storm Nordwind: ah yes
Moon Fargis: hehe “see you lator ali gator”
Fael Illyar: … I see :P
Storm Nordwind: We would not use slag in Britain
Storm Nordwind: It is a term of abuse!
Moon Fargis: oh?
Storm Nordwind: It is what people call a “woman of easy virtue”!
Moon Fargis: wasnt that a slut? ohh im unfamilair wich such words i guess
Storm Nordwind: There are many such names. That is another one.
Storm Nordwind: Slag would indicate perhaps a lack of natural beauty
Moon Fargis: hoho
Fael Illyar: I’ve been wondering if the multitude of words with those meanings is caused by people who seek to ban the use of words commonly used for abuse.
Moon Fargis: then i haveto tell my friend stop saying this then too :)
Storm Nordwind: Hmm… perhaps Fael
Storm Nordwind: There are more words for “drunk” in British slang than probably anything else though
Moon Fargis: ok im also tired ..i will go now.. good ight everyone
Fael Illyar: Bye Moon :)
Storm Nordwind: Goodnight Moon!
Storm Nordwind: I have an appointment to keep too.
Fael Illyar: Ok, talk to you some other time, Storm :)
Storm Nordwind: But I really like your “dream” image
Fael Illyar: Thank you :)
Storm Nordwind: bfn! ;)
Fael Illyar: :)
