How to tear down walls?

So we are here at Checkpoint Charlie (Berlin). Twenty years ago there was a wall here. Unfortunately there’s still another type of wall separating people. So my question this week is: how can we tear down this wall called “the clash of civilizations”?

The Winner Stands Alone – in your mobile

You can now read The First Chapters of my new book The Winner Stands Alone in your mobile.

Your Space in my Blog: 20th of February 2009

This space is for you to share your ideas on anything that you consider relevant today.

You can publish here excerpts from your blogs or news and articles in general that you think make a difference to the world today. Try to make a bit of editing on what you post here – try to highlight passages with copy-paste, rather than simply giving links.

Please keep in mind that this blog is currently viewed by 230.000 unique visitors a month, and chances are that many of them are going to read your thoughts.

Your Space in my Blog: 16th of February 2009

This space is for you to share your ideas on anything that you consider relevant today.

You can publish here excerpts from your blogs or news and articles in general that you think make a difference to the world today. Try to make a bit of editing on what you post here – try to highlight passages with copy-paste, rather than simply giving links.

Please keep in mind that this blog is currently viewed by 230.000 unique visitors a month, and chances are that many of them are going to read your thoughts.

Association of the Week: The Door

The door symbolizes not only a way to reach another space, but it also symbolizes a space in itself. Hence the mysterious dimensions that usually are bestowed upon this object.

The door signifies the entrance towards a fundamental space. In temples, the gates that lead to the holiest parts are usually sumptuous doors that only the high priest can pass under. There’s also the entrance door of the temple – necessary to mark the difference between the sacred temple and the profane world.

In China, the closed door is considered as “yin” (passive, female energy) whereas the open door symbolizes “yang” (masculine, active energy). The universe then is constantly swinging between these two poles.

In Christianity, Jesus compares himself to the door through which all men can be saved. Hence the presence of the figure of Christ in the opening gates of cathedrals as well as celestial protective forces (such as Saint Michael or the apostle Peter).

Now you take the floor : what do you associate with The Door?

Who wants to go to heaven?

Paulo Coelho

A priest – who saw the devil in the pleasures of life – went to the town tavern and asked everyone there to attend church that evening. Everyone obeyed. With the church filled to the last pew, the priest roared out:

- Stop all this drinking! All those who want to go to heaven, raise their right hand!

The entire congregation raised their hand – everyone but Manoel, who was held by all to be a dignified man who fulfilled all his duties.

Surprised, the priest asked:

- And you, Manoel, don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?

- Of course I do. But I still haven’t experienced the life that God has given me, and you want to take it away from me already!

Welcome to Share with Friends – Free Texts for a Free Internet

Quote of the Day

Paulo Coelho

Just before a dream is fulfilled, the Soul of the World decides to test everything that was learned on the journey.
(The Alchemist)

Welcome to Share with Friends – Free Texts for a Free Internet

Wizard of Id

Wizard of Id

Today’s Question by the reader : Valery

Doctor and writer Nikolai Amosov once said: “There is one particular thing about the old age: there is no future”. Are you afraid of old age?

I think that one doesn’t need to be afraid of old age as long as one tends to one’s inner garden, to one’s soul. Age then does to the person the exact same thing as it does to wine – it gets better with time. The most beautiful thing in my eyes is to be in front of an elderly person that has this serenity and authority that only time bestows in those that are wise.