Create Heaven On Earth

Someone's got to say it, but no one will, so I will say it... we CAN create heaven on earth.... we CAN create a loving, peaceful world where people live fulfilling lives in harmony, joy, and havingness. And where does the shift start? Right here, right now, with you and me, by us choosing to live our lives from love, not fear.

"Pollyanna? Unrealistic? In this it's-all-about-me, dog-eat-dog world we live in?," you argue. "Yes," I lovingly and excitedly reply. Initially there will have to be forerunners, those brave enough to trail blaze this new way of living, living from this new paradigm based on this major shift in values, feeling at times like we are swimming against the current of fear, but once the majority of us tip the scales - those who have turned the reins over to love instead of fear - then the remainder will see the light and embrace the greater fulfillment that a life based on love offers.

And by creating heaven on earth from living a life driven by love instead of fear I mean much more than simply being kind and "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you." I mean completely removing fear from the driver's seat in each and every moment of the day, replacing it with love; no longer living a life based on fear. As a result, discovering your deepest heart's desires, bringing them into fruition, and from that, living with passion as you create your ideal life, heaven on earth. And from this awakening, naturally, effortlessly replacing that part of ourselves that thinks "it's all about me" with that part of ourselves that knows "it's all about us." No longer living from the mind and fear, but from the heart and love. It's about recapturing our humanity, our hearts, and our souls, while living in unity, not separation, in cooperation, not competition. It's ALL about love.

Remember when the environmentalists tried to get us to care about the environment? Back then, did you ever think businesses would become "green" by implementing recycling, solar energy, solar heating, and electricity-saving measures such as the use of low-wattage bulbs? Yet, it happened and continues to happen. And not just because it saves them money, but because the consumers, their clients and customers, stopped supporting businesses that no longer demonstrated a concern for the environment. This is how it will be with the shift in values from fear to love, from "it's all about me" and from "it's all about the bottom line (money)" to "it's all about us" fully acknowledging that the entire planet is now completely interconnected, with one country's actions affecting many others, whether those actions be environmental, ethical, economical, or political. The public, those businesses' clients and customers, will shift their voting dollars from selfish companies to selfless companies. Similarly, voters will shift their votes from self-serving politicians to district-supporting politicians whose intentions stem from those they serve rather than themselves. We, the public, can lead this transformation and we can lead it right here, right now with the courageous, bold declaration to live life from love, rather than fear.

So what would a life based on love look like and feel like? How would our lives as individuals change and how would our world around us change as a result? Now this is where the fun begins because let me tell you, the sky's the limit; there is no limit to what you can experience or create in your life. With fortitude and perseverance, where you constantly redirect your will and intention from fear-based motives to love-based motives, all is possible, including heaven on earth.

The next five exercises, to be done whenever you feel like playing or feel inspired, will be fun and life-changing, if you let them.

Exercise 1:

On your next day-off or at work if you can, over a three hour time period, for every action you take, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this action motivated by love or fear?
• Is this action motivated by a positive (feels good) feeling or a negative (feels-bad) feeling?
• Do I feel energized, alive, vibrant when I take this action or drained, down, and "blah?"

I understand that people often do things that they don't want to do such as work and that they do them for the rewards they bring (i.e. - money) or to avoid negative consequences (i.e. - foreclosure). Nevertheless, whatever the motivation, simply observe what motivates your actions, regardless of the activity, its purpose and its reward.

Exercise 2:

After doing exercise one above and, once again, on that same day off or at work, if you can, for the next three hour period, before you take action, only take action if the impetus stems from love, inspiration, and feels enlivening, energizing, exciting, or fulfilling in some positive way. If you find yourself taking action based on fear, simply stop, relax, and wait until a positive impetus moves you towards action.

I understand that people have "responsibilities" such as children and that those people feel these responsibilities often require "sacrifice" yet even with "responsibilities" you can live from love-based impetuses instead of fear-based impetuses. For example, it's Saturday morning. No work. It's your day off. While you're enjoying your breakfast and newspaper, your wife asks you to mow the lawn. Next, your seven year old son asks you to play ball with him outside. And finally, what really gives you the feeling of having lost a day of "r & r," your boss calls and asks for your help with a problem that's occurring at work, even though he knows it's Saturday and it's your day off. But what if, instead of moving from fear... f ear of your wife yelling at you for not mowing the lawn, or your son moping from neglect, or getting fired by your boss, what if you acquiesced by allowing the impetus of love to move you toward action rather than fear. So instead of immediately responding to those demands, waiting until a positive force governed your actions. Envision this alternate scenario. When your boss calls, ask him/her if you can return his/her call in an hour because you're in the middle of something. Then, you enjoy your peaceful breakfast while continuing to read the paper. At the same time, as your wonder what the problem is at work that your boss so urgently needs phone support with, you notice that your concern shifts from one motivated by the fear of getting fired to love, in the form of friendship and seamanship. You then call your boss assisting him/her over the phone from a place of love. After hanging up the phone, you then feel inspired to play ball with your son. While playing with your son, seeing your wife gardening close by, you tell her you'll mow the lawn after lunch, after you've played with little Ricky and had some "r & r." In that context of love and support you add, "And can we eat lunch as a family today?"

Living from love over fear doesn't result in neglect of responsibilities. It means simply waiting for the motivating force to shift from fear to love, which often occurs either by meeting your own personal needs first or by changing one's state of being.

Fulfillment comes in never ending levels. Exercises one and two above are level one. If you would like to take it to the next level try the next few exercises.... if you feel inspired.

Exercise 3:

A short, 15 minute fun exercise.

1) Fill in the blanks.

- My ideal life consists of ____________

- In my ideal life I am/have/do/feel/experience __________________

2) Rate your current level of fulfillment. On a scale of zero to ten, where 5 is neutral, less than five is

unsatisfied, and over five is satisfied. Zero is hell, then is heaven. How fulfilled are you right now, generally speaking, on a day-to-day basis?

3) How can I create an even more fulfilling life now/today/from-this-day-forward?

4) Which, of those answers listed above, will increase your level of fulfillment the most, with the least amount of time,*effort, and disruption in your new life?

5) And which of those actions listed above would you most like to implement now?

This one exercise, that takes just fifteen minutes, can shift the course of your life radically, no matter how small the change. The slightest, most seemingly insignificant change often sets a new course that, years later in retrospect, launched numerous subsequent life changes resulting in an entirely different life style. In other words, you never know where an even small change will lead. Have you ever made on small change in your life and, years later, realized it resulted in an entirely new life style? For example, stepping into a coffee shop one day where you met this person who later introduced you to ideas or experiences that changed your life.

Often, while entertaining the possibility of attending to one's personal needs, or living new dreams and desires, people feel guilty or judgmental, thinking "That's so selfish! I should be attending to the needs of others instead." It is equally as important to meet your own needs as it is to meet others'. Neglect of one's own aspirations kills the soul. The more alive and passionate you feel about your life, the more you will inspire others. The more care, love, and nurturing you give yourself, the more you'll be cable to care, love, and nurture others. Fee yourself so you can feed others. Give yourself the oxygen mask first so that you can give others their oxygen masks.

The next level, the third level, is even more fulfilling, considerably so. And it naturally occurs as one lives a life based on love versus fear and as one creates their ideal life. The more love-centered and the more fulfilled one is, the more inspired they are to give love. Giving love is the beginning of heaven on earth, because then we find ourselves living in a loving, nurturing, supportive environment instead of a predatorial, combative, hostile environment. As a result, our love exponentially grows. Imagine receiving love from yourself and, at the same time, from others at work and home. In addition, also imagine creating a space of love wherever you are such that the environment is loving, supportive, energizing, and comforting, as well as the people you encounter. Your love will compound rapidly. And the more love you feel, the more you'll give.

This next level's exercise, exercise four, is simple, and very satisfying.

Exercise 4:

How can I give love today?

Everyday can be Christmas, with the heart-warming feeling of love, family, connection, closeness, giving, and receiving.

So many people live a life based on "shoulds" and "have tos." These are indications of living from fear. The more you live from your heart, the more you will experience heaven on earth. And, as you raise from living a life based on fear to a life based on love, you will then sift naturally from a life governed by the mind to a life governed by the soul. The mind usually functions from fear, living in an "it's-all-about-me" reality whereas soul functions from love, living in a "we-are-all-one" reality. The mind is never satisfied, but instead, like a junky, always looking for its next fix. The soul is satisfied from simply "being." It's only when it is stifled, suppressed, or ignored that it complains.

Subconscious. Conscience. Higher self. Soul. We have other forms of consciousness and awareness beyond our normal daily consciousness. This we know. And we know when we're feeling out of sorts with ourselves it is often because we are neglecting one of these other forms of consciousness. And while, through the previous exercises, we bring those perhaps neglected forms of consciousness to the surface, still another questions must be asked to create still further fulfillment, further heaven on earth.

In addition to the previously mentioned questions,

• Am I living from love or fear?
• How can I live from love even more?
• How can I create even more fulfillment in my life, even more of an ideal life, of heaven on earth?
• How can I give even more love now?

an additional question must be asked to create more fulfillment amongst ourselves, more harmony, love, joy, and centeredness:

• How can I be even more aligned with my soul (or higher self or conscience) now?

This additional question will take you, as an individual, and us, as a planet, towards much greater harmony, much greater peace, and much greater heaven on earth. Try it now.

Exercise 5:

Do this exercise on your day off or, if possible, at work. For the entire day, every hour on the hour, ask these questions:

1. Am I living from love; how can I live even more now from love?
2. How can I create even more fulfillment and joy now?
3. How can I love myself and others even more now?
4. How can I be even more aligned with my soul, my spirit, my higher-self, my conscience now?

Write these questions down on a piece of paper exactly as written above and take these questions with you throughout the day. Then every hour, on the hour, answers these questions throughout the entire day.

Your level of satisfaction will sky rocket as you open up new doorways of opportunity towards ever increasing levels of fulfillment. Towards heaven on earth.

Geothermal Energy - Heating From the Earth's Core

Geothermal Energy is another type of renewable energy resource that makes use of the large amounts of energy stored as heat in the water deep below the Earth's surface with the most prominent and visual example of this coming from "Geysers" and "Hot Springs" ejecting large columns of very hot water, steam and gases high up into the air. In fact the word "Geothermal" comes from combining together the two Greek words of Geo, meaning "Earth", and Therme, meaning "heat", with the resulting word "Geothermal" actually meaning "heat generated from the Earth", then the expression "Geothermal Energy" literally means "heat energy generated from the Earth".

Geothermal energy is obtained from the hot areas under the surface of the earth that remain at a relatively constant temperature all year around day and night. Once available, geothermal energy can be used either directly or indirectly as an alternative energy resource to both heat and cool our homes. This naturally occurring and free energy is extracted by a series of pipes filled with water buried below the Earths surface. This hot water is then used in our homes for heating, called Geothermal Heating, or to generate electricity, called Geothermal Power.

So how does it work. At the Earth's core, some 4000 miles below the surface, temperatures can reach over 9000 degrees Fahrenheit. This incredible amount of heat originated four billion years ago in a fiery combustion of dust and gas as the Earth was being created. Many scientists believe that radioactive decay of the inner core keeps the heat generating and flowing outward from this inner core to the mantle of harder rock which surrounds the core. When the temperature and pressure is high enough, some of this mantle rock melts. Then, because the melted rock or magma is less dense than the surrounding rock, it rises and moves slowly up to the Earth's crust.

Sometimes the hot magma reaches all the way to the Earth's surface as a volcanic eruption, but usually the magma remains underground and heats the adjoining rock as well as any water that has seeped down through geologic holes, cracks and faults in the Earth's crust absorbing the heat as it travels through these hot rocks. Some of this water, whose temperatures can reach as high as 700 degrees, travels back up through cracks to the Earth's surface and emerges as hot springs, geysers or pools of boiling mud. Far more often, however, the water and magma becomes trapped within the rock, forming a natural underground geothermal reservoir. It is these underground geothermal reservoirs that are able to give us another type of alternative energy resource with incredible potential.

Let us understand that geothermal is NOT mining, as mining removes the mined material forever, it is extraction of the heat from a hydrothermal fluid which is replenished, sometimes over very long periods by the Earth itself. This geothermal energy resources can be used either for direct consumption, heating or for power generation in one of the following three main ways:

Types of Geothermal Energy

1. Direct Geothermal Energy - this is where the hot water is available either on or very close to the Earth's surface and can be used directly for heating, bathing or washing.
2. Ground Source Geothermal - this is where the geothermal hot water is below the ground but not too deep allowing easy access of the geothermal resource using heat absorbing pipes or bore holes.
3. Geothermal Power Plants - these harnesses the extremely hot water or steam using vertical bore holes drilled deep underground and then uses the available super heated geothermal water and steam to generate electricity.

For domestic applications, one way of extracting this heat energy is by the use of a Geothermal Heat Pump. The geothermal heat pump doesn't create electricity, instead it circulates a thermally conductive liquid mixed with water through long pipes called an Earth loop buried up to 12 feet underground, operating on the same principle as the domestic refrigerator but in reverse.

A Geothermal Heat Pump, also known as a "Ground Source Heat Pump", is a very efficient way to heat and air-condition our homes and buildings as it can move heat in two ways: during the colder winter months, low temperature heat is withdrawn from the ground (the heat source) for direct use in heating buildings and other structures. In the hotter summer months, the geothermal heat pump operates in reverse removing the heat from the building and dissipating it back into the ground.

As a result of this simple process, direct use geothermal heating is becoming very popular for the home owner because it provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive oil or gas home heating systems. Energy savings using a ground source heat pump can be substantial over a long period of time.

Geothermal power on the other hand uses extremely hot water heated by the underground magmatic activity which is pumped to the surface and used for electricity generation. Once this super heated water reaches atmospheric pressure it turns to steam where it is used to operate steam-powered turbines and generators. Geothermal power plants are becoming more common in volcanic areas and countries such as Iceland, were it produces over a quarter of their energy needs.

The main advantages of Geothermal Power is that it is clean, cheap, no additional fuel is needed resulting in no greenhouse gases or air pollution. However, some disadvantages include ground water and waste water pollution, geographically restricted and high maintenance costs. But the biggest disadvantage is that the closer you put a Geothermal power plant to an active volcano or heat source, the larger the potential operational problems you can have.

Polar Shift of Planet Earth in 2012

Many prophecies have been made concerning the end of the world as we know it happening in the year 2012. One possible occurrence that NASA has been conducting studies about is a possible polar shift of the planet. The earth seems to be going through changes that are creating more and more disastrous events in both extreme weather and earthquake intensity. Although indirectly, NASA conducts research in many areas of earths make up as well as our solar system. Some of this research gives us clues as to possible reasons that these disastrous events are unfolding on earth today. Could a massive dwarf star, (Nibiru or Planet X) be aligning with other astral bodies in our solar systems that are causing this effect on the planet? There are many who think that this is indeed happening, and this is the cause of the end of world 2012 prophecies. At this time there is no scientific data that supports this theory and as such cannot be regarded as true or correct. There are many factors that one has to look at before claims of planetary a shift in the magnetic poles happening in 2012 is possible. The scientists have presented the following information on this particular topic:

Our north and south poles are determined by the direction of spin of the earth's inner core. The inner core is made up of iron and hot magma that spins creating a magnetic action that defines our geomagnetic poles. Our planets polarity, of north and south as remained in a constant state for quite some time now. There have been indications that polar shifts have occurred in the past and it is possible that the earth could be past due for a shift in the poles. The last time a polar shift occurred on the earth was over three hundred thousand years ago. Studies have indicated that the earth shifts on its polar axis about every three hundred thousand years. This does tend to indicate the earth is past due for a polar shift. Is 2012 the year this occurs? Will 2012 be the year the new polar shift occurs? Will this be the end of the world? The planet could have a polar shift quite suddenly and unexpectedly as it is overdue.

NASA does state that a shift in the poles are indeed possible, they do not believe that these shifts may occur as abruptly as others are claiming. NASA has been studying earth as well as all other heavenly bodies and is considered to be trusted experts in this area. Any doomsday prophecies or end of the world statements are deemed to be lacking the scientific evidence to be considered or proven as solid truth. Further research needs to be conducted before claims that an immediate destruction of the earth cause by a polar shift can be considered possible. Catastrophic effects causing the end of the world in 2012 by a polar shift or even the sun is very unlikely to occur.

EARTH - Element of Nature

The study and appreciation of the natural elements pervades all wisdom teachings. Nature inspires poets and points a way to those who seek understanding of both spirit and matter.
Although the terms used to distinguish the natural elements differ between eras and times throughout the centuries and there remain differences between oriental and western thought, the essential common understanding is clear. In philosophy we look to the principles that in western teachings are clearly marked as the symbols of Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether.
To the nature lover, these elements are obvious in the outer natural environment. In relation to the first; Earth is the ground, the soil, the sand, the firm surface upon the planet with its innumerable variations in form. There are deserts of sand, mountains of rock, prairies of pasture, high cliffs and valleys that are features in terrain.
Earth provides our stable base for human habitation, activities and physical survival. It supports all the vegetative life upon which our physical sustenance depends and is abundant in the nuts, fruits, seeds, herbs, and vegetables it produces through the wonder and mystery of the laws of growth.
It is also symbolic of the secure base that is our material environment. It is the property of matter that to a large extent is obvious and contactable through our tactile senses. Earth seems then very real to us and governs everything we can see as material reality.
To find satisfaction in knowledge of any kind we seek to apply it in practical application.
Regarding the element Earth, it is seen to dominate all the avenues of material science, technology, construction of all kinds. In human nature that possesses the same inherent five elements, we seek to reflect them in the qualities of our character as in the qualities of our thought. Earth is expressed in our physical body, in our practicality, in our constructive talents, in our productive life, and in the secure base of our reliability in relation to our fellows. Through matter we create things of value, be it in crafts, technological machinery, architecture and the visual arts.
In the combination of the five elements within us, some possess more quality or quality of one element over another. Those who have Earth dominant in their nature are more naturally inclined to be stable, practical and able to cope with the material things of life than others who are a different mix of the active principles.
We are reminded that the overall important value of Earth is that it allows the expression of beauty both in the external environment and within our personal lives. And this beautiful planet called Earth is our home.
Earth gives us a practical base from which we move on to study the other Elements and what they mean in our lives and how to better understand our Astrological Chart.

Elizabeth S. Adams is known for her published "Forgotten Dreams - a collection of Poetry" with additional interests that extend to Astrology, Astronomy and mystical subjects that help us understand who we are and our place in the Universe.
Astrology when applied to self understanding of our personality and deeper soul potentials is a great practical starting point. We also need assistance to unveil the special inner talents of our soul so we feel confident to offer our contribution to the world. Astrology is such an aid.

Mother Earth Song of Tears

Of all the planets around our glorious star, the Sun
One we call home, abundant with life giving waters
The blue orb we will leave behind when we are done
Into the futures hands of our sons and our daughters
Of exquisite beauty, life-full, kind and nurturing
Her life-force, our loving, beautiful Mother Earth
Giving her all, her life breath and endearing self
With abundant water and rich, food-growing dirt
Fresh water streams and wide, land parting rivers
Splendid rolling hills and teasing white-tipped mountains
Fresh life giving oxygen, and protective shroud of ozone
And gift of water-recycling clouds with life-seeding rains
Oceans teeming with countless myriads of life forms
Island paradises at our whim for fun and playing
Home of happiness, peace and hand-holding love
Selflessly given, and all ours for the taking
Flying the skies and sailing her deep blue oceans
Playing in the water, and her beautiful beaches
Tilling her rich soil and using all of her bounties
Exploring her tall, deep forests and rivers far reaches
But what do we do to this awesome home of ours?
How do respond to her giving and her kindness?
In what condition are we leaving her for our children?
And our future grandchildren, how exactly do we bless?
With chemicals we kill her trees and poison her precious soil
We slaughter the whales senseless till the waters run red
And to satisfy our hunger, ego and intense greed for wealth
We rob, maim and kill our very own sisters and brothers dead
The volume of black gold sucked out of her giving bosom
Then spilled in her pure oceans and her golden sands
Forever-lasting refuse, plastic and Styrofoam
Spread, contaminate and filling mountains in all the lands
Now she seems down, defeated and out of breath
Our Mother Earth who we have, for so long forsaken
What can we do differently? How can the human family help?
How can we make up for all the abuse she has taken?
Can we pause for a moment and start using our intellect
And control our quest for wealth and getting richer?
When we create our own artificial flowers and beauty
While steadily ruining our Mother Earth's pretty picture?
Mother Earth is our home... And one of a kind
When we damage and destroy, no where else to go
To protect, preserve and care, we should all say YES!
To contaminate, neglect and abuse, hold a steadfast NO!

I endeavor to put my thoughts into words which, in some way will uplift, inspire and encourage the philosopher and the poet within each of us. In this journey of life, each of us experience our experiences in our own unique way and plays our thoughts to our own music. May we all listen to the whispering poet within ourselves and be motivated to find the time to set it free, and as we do, discover our own truths within.

Biospheres: Reproducing Planet Earth

Dorion Sagan's 1990 paperback Biospheres: Reproducing Planet Earth (McGraw-Hill Publishing, ISBN 0-553-28883-0) does more than deliver a unique vision of the planet's life support system. It also challenges the traditional view of humanity as the dominant feature of life on Earth.

Perhaps that is no less than should be expected from the offspring of astronomer Carl Sagan and biologist Lynn Margulis, whose unorthodox view of evolutionary biology sees life forms merging to produce new ones. Sagan the younger is well known as an author of books on culture, evolution, and the philosophy of science.

Ecospheres to Biosphere 2

Among the more interesting features of the book are the mentions of still-existing institutions that are unexpectedly abiding features of the economic and technological landscape.

For example, Ecospheres Associates in Tucson, Arizona manufactures and sells sealed glass balls filled with water containing green algae, other microscopic biota, and tiny shrimp in a symbiotic community that illustrates the principle of closed life support. It is one illustration of what Sagan calls "permanently recycling systems." Called EcoSpheres, they come in a variety of sizes, from 4 inches in diameter to 9 inches, are priced like small kitchen appliances, and have "replacement periods" of up to a year. With care, they can last for many years. EcoSpheres are a NASA spin-off, the first product of US experiments to create closed ecosystems, ultimately for humans in space habitats.

"Bioshelters", earthbound biospheres for individuals, families, and small groups, were a product of the gone-but-not-forgotten New Alchemy Institute (1969-1991). Between Apollo 11 and Biosphere 2, New Alchemy built several bioshelters it called "arks" at Cape Cod Massachusetts, Prince Edward Island (eastern Quebec), and other places. The Green Center at Hatchville, MA preserves New Alchemy's information legacy.

Ocean Arcs International, founded by the same people who brought you bioshelters, created the self-sustaining oceangoing vessels mentioned in Biospheres. Their idea of sailing Earth's oceans as little sea colonies, without dependence on anything nonrenewable, including fossil fuels, has since mutated into a wastewater processing method that might qualify as a technology for space colonies.

Biosphere 2, 35 miles north of Tucson, was taking shape just as Biospheres the book was nearing completion. The site has become Southern Arizona's best-known technological wonder. Situated among the red rocks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, out of sight of Highway 77 and the ordinary built environment, it is said that on certain summer evenings under one of those ruby Arizona sunsets, all of the visual cues are Martian. From the library tower of the human habitat, across a miniature ocean, rain forest, desert, savannah, and marshland, Biosphere 2 is 3.14 acres of Earth under glass. It has operated since 2007 as a research station and educational outreach project of the University of Arizona under a ten-year, $30 million grant from the Philecology Foundation.

Of Mice and Men

But the book has a downside. Its core philosophy is environmentalism, which is worthy of suspicion because of its tendency to denigrate humanity. Sagan is at risk for this as well, displaying a fairly consistent antihuman drumbeat that is easily the most off-putting feature of his little book.

Each human being, says Sagan, is both a multi-species assemblage and a unit of a larger organism. The typical Homo sapiens' surface is inhabited by a microbiological community of bacteria, fungi, round worms, pin worms, etc. Our guts are densely-packed tubes of bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms. To add further insult, the Lovelockian view of Gaia, Mother Earth, which Sagan describes sympathetically, features humans as mere components. It's almost enough to make one decide to leave all the dirt and non-human DNA behind, and build strictly artificial worlds, just to prove that we can. Except that we can't, as anyone who disturbs the equilibrium of their digestive jungle soon discovers.

Truly, though, there is something disturbing about the idea, also found here, that the Gaia hypothesis could become the basis of some new green theocracy. What power would priests of the green religion have, and to what ends? We find some indication by the value assigned to individuals in the Lovelockian philosophy as Sagan portrays it: Individuals are of no consequence. They are numbers, large amounts of inessential biomass, and those numbers need to be contained. All of us who do not pass from the scene by means best left undescribed are to be midwives in the reproduction of the original biosphere, creating isolated cocoons of life in space, or maybe not. Right there, Sagan loses his clarity of vision. He thinks maybe we should just build protective pods to shield the offspring of Mother Earth from her dying body. OK. That's a little weird. Also, that's enough bashing of Men for their reproductive proclivities. I happen to like people, at least in principle.

Sagan says we ALL like people, and not just in principle. We like them so much that we are on the way to becoming a superorganism made up of individual humans the way our bodies are made of cells. To prevent these "cells" from reproducing wildly into superorganism "tumors", Sagan feels we shall adopt new cultural norms like infanticide and abortion, maybe also a little criminality and sexual perversion. Before too long, by way of demonstrating the effects of crowding, he works his way around to the rodent experiments of Dr. John B. Calhoun. If one takes the results at face value and allows them to be projected upon the human future, then, as Sagan points out, only grim conclusions are possible.

Sagan would have done well to point out that the standard interpretation of Calhoun's results is not necessarily the best one. The mouse "universes" of John Calhoun's creation did become crowded over time (though never reaching more than about 80% of capacity). They were also closed from the start, making emigration impossible. Population biologists regard emigration and death in the same light. That is because they are unable to follow individuals once they leave a controlled area. But, as any human explorer knows, emigration and death are not the same thing. A more complete interpretation of Calhoun's outcomes reflects the impossibility of a breakout, concluding that the mouse populations failed, not because they were dense, but because they were trapped in an enclosure.

Such side trips down depressing rabbit holes explain why the book in some ways stumbles rather than soars. Not until near the end do we again take up the ennobling view of Man the Builder of Worlds as opposed to Man trapped inside some kind of planet-sized monster in space. We pick up the thread at the Soviet Bios program of the early 1980s, which maintained two human beings in a complete life support system independent of Earth for a five-month simulated space journey.

Biospherians

Ten years later than Bios, much bigger, and more Capitalist, Biosphere 2 is a significant extension of the theme Sagan tries to express. A project of Edward P. Bass's Decisions Investments (as Space Biospheres Ventures), it is the largest and most complete simulation of the earth ever undertaken. The apparatus is as much a technological object as a biological one. Its basement "technosphere" includes systems for controlling temperature, filtering water, balancing internal pressure, fighting fires, and supporting the scientific activities of eight "biospherians." It is also art, a self-portrait of Man in the late twentieth century. Like the book, Biosphere 2 is more of a quest than a destination. Both are pearls, not so much because of what they say, or fail to say, or how they say it, but because of the questions they raise, most notably, "Who are we?"

The Healing Power of Earth Energy and Feng Shui

In our modern age of technology, the Green movement is urging us to re-examine our relationship with the Earth and how we can get back to basics and benefit more from the natural environment.

Our Earth is a solid, grounding force giving us a feeling of security. It is "terra firma" under our feet. Its revolutions create gravity and secure us to the planet. In traditional Feng Shui practice, we use the earth element to "ground" particular energies inside or outside a home. For example, extra earth is often placed between a house and an electrical transformer on a telephone pole to neutralize excess static electricity that might create what is known as negative energy or "sha". Likewise, it is a common practice for fuel tankers to load flammable fuel on what is known as a grounding pad that will neutralize any positive electrical ions or sparks that might start a fire. It is also a standard practice in Feng Shui to create raised earth or a "mountain" remedy in front of a home to help balance and support the "people" aspect of many houses. The earth remedy is protective and includes anything made of mineral composition including clay, brick, ceramic, concrete, cement, stone, sand or stucco.

Most homes are built on concrete slabs or footings giving a structure strong stability. Homes that are raised above the ground, allowing water or air to pass freely underneath, are considered to be "destabilized" and can affect an occupant's health negatively. The type of soil a home is built on is also important. Soil compaction and composition are looked at carefully before a home is constructed. The soil around a home ideally should be able to stick together allowing compaction which can hold a greater weight load. Soil that can be compacted also shows an ability to hold moisture as this is the optimal kind of land to live on. Soil that is too sandy or clay has more difficulty in nourishing plant life. Plant life helps retain moisture, creates oxygen and also holds the land together protectively with their roots, preventing erosion.

Earth tone colors and shades of brown also have a psychological stabilizing effect on us as well. We love chocolate, our morning coffee or teas, and the comfort of fresh baked bread or pastries. Skin tones too come in all shades of brown from the lightest pinkish tans to deep mahoganies and ebonies. Skin colors are reflections of the earth. All colors, when mixed with their opposite hue, will create the thousands of shades of brown we find so comforting and familiar.

The Earth is our physical mother in a profound sense and we literally benefit by re-connecting with her on many levels. Many spiritual practices start with "grounding" exercises in which we re-establish our connection to the earth to strengthen our bodies, as our vessel, in turn empowering our spiritual exercises. Yin and yang balance, very important in Feng Shui practice, is constantly being harmonized by the Earth's energy and rhythms. The Sun provides a plethora of positive ions (yang) that circulate freely in our atmosphere above a primarily negatively charged Earth (yin). Positive ions are known to irritate us and create anxiety --and negative ions can restore our good moods and boost our health. The Earth is our primary generator of these healthful negative ions often called vitamins of the air.

It is very interesting to note that Sunspot activity (magnetic anomalies) on the Sun's surface is very regular and occurs about every 11 years. When Sunspots happen, they cause solar flares to explode into space towards the Earth and our ionosphere captures these extra positive ions which then circulate freely in the atmosphere. These charged particles give us the Aurora Borealis. When sunspots increase, activism and wars also increase especially during the 5 year peak periods of sunspot activity, and this has been charted for hundreds of years. Our biggest and most destructive wars occur during these peak sunspot periods. Although the cause of wars have not been proven scientifically, the theory is that an abundance of these extra positive ions increase testosterone levels, making humans more aggressive and anxious. The Earth--and the natural environment-- are our richest source and biggest generator of the opposite polarity ion. You can get a calming dose of negative ions by simply taking off your shoes and walking barefoot on soil, grass or sand. The health benefits are amazing --besides the earth-- pine trees, salt lamps and water resources like waterfalls or the pounding ocean surf on sand are all great producers of negative ions. Take off your flip-flops next time you are at the beach and see if you don't feel better.

In the smaller micro-climate, when we work all day in a room full of computers and electronic equipment, that extra dose of positive ions makes us more irritable and anxious. In our technological age, there are so many devices which create an excess of draining positive ions. Positive ion generators include TVs, computers, iPhones, electronics, wireless appliances, heaters, ovens, air conditioners, dust, pollution and car exhaust to name a few.

The stabilizing energy of the earth will heal many of our modern day ills if we can just get back to nature's basics. So kick off your shoes and start enjoying the natural environment once again and get grounded! The earth can naturally provide a wealth of benefits if we just embrace it. A classically trained Feng Shui consultant can advise you of the best areas in your home to use the earth element and guide you in making the best choices to balance and promote your home's natural healing energy. The skillful use of earth is very important in traditional Feng Shui and can boost your life in many positive ways.

Saving the Earth With Reusable Shopping Bags

Every day we can read news about the destruction of our nature on the internet or television. We are the ones who are responsible for the degradation of our environment and we have to stop it now. We hear negative news such as global warming, hastening climate change and deforestation. Our irresponsible use of natural resources does not only destroy the environments but we are also bringing chaos to our society. So we must act now! You might ask yourself, "but what can I really do to save the environment?"

You don't need the power of a politician or the influence of a celebrity to make a change because the truth is you can protect and save the earth even in your simplest ways. And one of the easy things that you can do as an individual is to reduce the quantity of plastic bags that we dispose.

The plastic bags that you thought are given to you for free in the grocery or department stores are one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gases, which is a key contributor to the destruction of our environment. Billions of plastic bags are being dumped every year. It is estimated that 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic shopping bags are made and discarded every year. That simply means that we use more or less than one million bags every minute of our lives, the figures might be overwhelming but that is the truth. For that reason, environmentalist encourages every individual to help reduce the use and disposal of plastic in our ecosystem. And one of the suggested things and practices that we can do is to reduce, reuse and recycle. And we can do that by using environmental friendly products and reusable shopping bags instead of plastic-made bags.

The easiest thing to do is to cut down the number of plastic that you use and use reusable shopping bags. This environment friendly bag is useful in many ways. Aside from the environmental concerns there are other benefits that you can get from using a green bag: it is more durable than plastic bags, green bags have the capacity to carry at least twice as much as most standard plastic shopping bags. Also, it is very comfortable to use and handy. These bags are made from environmentally friendly materials like recycled or organic cotton and non-hazardous and non-allergenic. Furthermore, these environmental friendly bags are washable and are created from high quality fabric that lasts for many years.

In our own little way we can do something to nurture and protect our environment. Using reusable shopping bag in your daily life allows you to contribute in making our planet a greener and cleaner place to live in. This can be a very simple step yet it makes a huge difference in lessening the pollution that is slowly killing the life in our planet, the Earth.