Stardust

Hello, I'm Stardust. I have chosen this as my nickname not to be fanciful but because we are all made of dust which has come to Earth from billions of expired stars. We are not isolated here on Earth, we are part of the whole universe, both physically and spiritually. Physics tells us that all matter is energy. The stardust from which we are made is energy. That energy is also spririt, Universal Ki (Chi), Prana. In my being I am individual Ki, which is Universal Ki, living and working in the place which is my being. I am not separate, I am not an island. I am a part of the universe. When I breathe in, I breathe in Universal Ki; when I act, I am able to act because of that universal energy. In my actions, I am responsible to that Universal Ki, by virtue of which I am alive.

One of the most important things in my life is the practice of Aikido, a non-competitive Japanese martial art. It was created in the twentieth century by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. It is a practical and vigorous martial art, growing from traditional Japanese martial arts, but it is not about 'fighting'. It does not use competition. The name 'Ai-ki-do' translates as the Way of Harmony of Spirit. Aikido uses evasive movements, circular movements, correct breathing, the development of inner Ki, and harmonising with the attacker, to receive, redirect and control the energy of an incoming attack. Aikido is true 'Budo'. This translates not as the 'Way of War', but as the 'Way of Defense against the effects of weapons'.

If you would like to know more about Aikido, or find somewhere to practice it, try the websites: www.bigfoot.com/~lancashireaikikai and
www.bab.org.uk

There are also entries for Aikido on h2g2.

One of the things that concerns me in the world is the climate of strife both within and between religions. Protestant fights Catholic, though both profess to be Christians - followers of Jesus Christ, the man who died for our sins, who turned the other cheek when offered violence. Moslems and Jews fight each other, though both are children of Abraham. Moslems, Jews and Christians are all 'people of the book', from the same original tradition, yet hate and fight each other. Hindus and Muslims fight each other, yet, if I understand it correctly, the Sikh religion came into being to resolve the conflict between them. On and on goes the cycle of hate, violence and revenge reprisal. Yet surely the human race has the intelligence to go beyond and resolve this conflict which only harms everyone and makes our beautiful Earth a very unpleasant place to live?

I am interested in the truths which are contained in all religions, not in the misinterpretations of religion which cause strife in the world. I looked up the word 'Ecumenism', which has a bearing on this idea. It refers to 'A movement promoting worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding'; also 'A movement promoting unity among Christian churches or denominations'. (www.dictionary.com)

If you also are interested in such ideas, you might like to visit the website www.ishval.org.uk, and join in the discussions on the message board,or even browse and buy a book.

Another thing which concerns me in the world is the destruction of the environment by agribusiness. One way which can alleviate this problem is the promotion of organic gardening, horticulture and agriculture. There are a number of organisations which do this. One such is the Henry Doubleday Research Association - the Organic Organisation. It is a charity conducting research into organic methods. It also does research work in this field for MAFF, and works overseas, giving information and practical help to promote sustainable organic production in places such as Africa and Cuba. If you would like to know more, you can visit the website www.hdra.org.uk.

Thank you.

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