Why did the Chicken cross the road?

 

To see why the caged bird sings!

I spent the past few days in Mystic, Connecticut. The fall foliage was beautiful and the change in pace was refreshing. I went to Mystic Seaport, which is the reconstruction of a 19th Century seafaring community. History is portrayed in every exhibit, and you can witness the lifestyles that existed during this time period. Walking into the woodworking shop, I was able to see a craftsman working on various signs and plaques used throughout the Seaport. I stood there for about twenty minutes, watching other visitors come and go. Some of these visitors brought their children to see how things were done in the past. A couple of them engaged the workman in conversation, mostly about the type of wood or the tools used for each job. There was a break in the stream of people entering the shop and I was able to talk directly with Thomas, the workman. Our discussion was about the time spent working on each piece, and whether or not Thomas would have had job satisfaction back 100 years ago.

Thomas thought a while and asked me a profound question: "Did the Wall Street bankers who wrote sub-prime mortgages that ended in foreclosure have job satisfaction? And, if so, what remains of their work?" This made me think about my own working career, especially the long hours and struggle I went through over the years to succeed. I had to agree that most of the products of my toil were no longer in existence, and that a lot of my work went into what is called "pencil pushing" tasks. However, Thomas told me that he can still look at his work around the Seaport, as well as the work of craftsmen who came before. This really impressed me!

I went further and asked Thomas if his work gave him joy and provided meaning to his life. He stopped working and walked me over to a back storage area that contained a few plaques that were not prominently displayed at the exhibit. He chose two in particular to show me. They were both in Latin. The first one Thomas showed me asked the question: "Why did the Chicken cross the road?" The plaque also answered the question - "To see why the caged bird sings!" At this point, Thomas put the plaque down and waited for my response. I liked the way the letters were formed into the wood and the labor of joy Thomas must have experienced making the plaque.

Why does the caged bird sing?

Thomas and I could have stopped right there, but I pursued a further question: "And, I asked, why does the caged bird sing?" Thomas smiled at me and picked up a second plaque that read: "A caged bird sings because it's his ART!" Thomas returned to his workbench and simply stated that each one of us might have an occupation that we attend to on a daily basis, but it's our ART that gives our life meaning and brings us happiness! His laugh, and the smile on Thomas' face, said it all; he obviously had his art...and happiness in creating it. He was also a teacher, which is something each one of us can aspire to.

I stopped to think about all of the work I've done in my life and the long hours spent away from my family to provide a living. There were times when I wasn't happy with my lot. There were times when I wondered whether life had any meaning at all, let alone happiness and joy. Finally, when I was ground down to a nub by the pressures and demand of life, there came an epiphany of sorts. I credit the teachings of Joseph Campbell for the realization that each one of us should go deep inside our being and find the things that bring us happiness and fulfillment. His saying, "Follow Your Bliss", has often been quoted, and is intended to assist us in making the necessary changes in our life.  I think that all of us have had a similar epiphany, at one point or other in our life. 

The question for each of us is: "What would make us cross the road?" What are we looking to change in life? Have we found our bliss, or are we just going through the motions and acting out what we think will bring us happiness and meaning? Sure, there are many role models to choose from out in the world. We can act like any number of "successful" people. Many of us have become very good actors. Some of us have been "successful" in attaining affluence. The question we should ask ourself is: "Have we truly demonstrated the art that is deep within ourself, or are we merely acting out someone else's conception?" To truly create, we must find our personal bliss and have the courage to follow it.

God has given us all the ability to connect with the energy of the Universe; to find the inspiration to create the art that lies deep inside ourselves. Thomas, the craftsman, has found his bliss. He doesn't find his identity solely in his daily work. He goes beyond, and has also become a teacher and guru to those of us who still need to find our meaning and happiness. Everything that we create is the manifestation of our art. How we demonstrate our art is a personal matter. We don't all have to be masters of our chosen media, this is not the point. The main thing is that we find the courage to let our own light shine by doing the things that make us sing with joy! 

Blessings,

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.

Our Spiritual Lighthouse

Cape May Point Lighthouse, New Jersey

Let Your Inner Light Shine!

At the start of 2012, there was the realization that this year would hold new opportunities and changes. I asked for, and received, the benefit of inner vision. I meditated and used Karma yoga to assist me in connecting with the universe. I was patient, waiting for each moment to reveal its own special lesson and guide me along life's path. During my younger years, I didn't have the discipline of patience and often "took the bull by the horns", so to speak. I forced issues in my public, work and private aspects of  life, changing course quite frequently. I followed what the impatience of youth told me was the road to success. I was fortunate and for a time things worked in my favor. I could quit one job and find another within a very short period. I was on the fast track to the corner office and my future looked great. I was the first member of my family to go to college and receive an advanced degree. I found the energy to work full days and go to classes at night. I graduated with honors and it looked like I could realize two dreams at once: earning an annual salary over $100,000 and moving up in management. It was the mid 1980s and the future looked extremely bright!

By the end of that decade, however, the housing bubble burst and forced the economy to take a downward turn. Manufacturing jobs were being shipped overseas and I was laid off. I didn't know at the time, but my job as a certified Production and Inventory Control Manager would be harder and harder to come by. In fact, I haven't worked in that sector since the end of the 1980s. I found whatever jobs were available at the time and questioned where my future would take me. The wonderful up side of this questioning was my journey through the spiritual realm. I took the time to study and research every religious tradition available in my locale. I met lots of folks, many of which continue to be my dear friends today. My quest didn't lead me down any dead ends, even though I constantly questioned my path and had many concerns about the future. In 1993, I finished my masters degree in Metaphysical Science and finally found my spiritual base. I am grateful to all the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish (Cabalistic), Catholic, Christian (all denominations) and Metaphysical professionals (either in person or through their books) who assisted me on my journey. I count them among my many angels!  

September is Fashion Month, with New York City's festivities being a highlight of the American scene. There are many such weeks still to come, as the 2013 styles are unveiled and released throughout the world. It may seem a bit odd, but I always look forward to buying Vogue Magazine's September issue and leafing through the over 900 pages. This morning, I performed my yearly ritual of reading Vogue, often bookmarking the pages that caught my interest. Observing the creativity of others inspires me. Even though I am a writer and blogger, I get inspiration from all forms of art and cultural exhibitions. So, as I looked at the offerings of fashion luminaries and read some of the articles, I got the inspiration necessary to make some changes in the remaining days of 2012. Remarkably, there was even an article, titled "El Dorado" and a layout of photos taken on a trip to Peru. As many of my readers know, I have written about my travels throughout the Andes of South America. So, to say the least, I was delighted to see current creations inspired by the Incas and to realize that fashion, art and culture are indivisible.

Therefore, whatever or wherever we choose to create, be it down the Jersey shore in Cape May, or in the canyons of Manhattan, for example, we are intrinsically part of the universe's creative energy. Just as I love to admire the creativity of others, I also value my own efforts, be they ever so humble compared with the masters. The lesson to be learned in all this is to realize that even during dry periods when we think we are not being creative, we are soaking up ideas and planting the seeds for our own future creativity by enjoying and blessing the works of others. Being grateful for all these blessings of life opens us up to the unlimited flow of energy from the universe. It's up to us, as individuals, to find the things that "turn us on" and inspire us to continually follow our bliss. This inspiration will also allow us to identify the areas in our life that need change. This journey of discovery is our birthright. Being patient and listening to the "still, small voice" within us, will motivate to pursue our bliss...and let our inner light shine for the world to see. :-)

Blessings!

Alfred

New Year's Greetings

New York City, viewed from Hoboken, NJ

2012 - A year of Hope
Ready, get set...Go! Many different thoughts and prophecies point to the New Year; some positive, others negative. January 1 has traditionally been a time to make resolutions for the coming year. Personally, I have already put my game plan into effect. I didn't wait for the ball to drop in Times Square, for me the New Year will be one of peace, prosperity and doing the things that I have already started doing. I am already experiencing love and abundance in my life, so much that my cup is running over with joy! During the waning hours of 2011, I made a fearless evaluation of my life. Not surprisingly, I could remember the times when I entered a new year with fear and apprehension. Questions always arose, like would I ever succeed in whatever job I had at the time, or would the economy improve? Perhaps people go out and drink on New Year's Eve to keep themselves from worrying too much about the future. At the end of the evening, however, one question must be answered: Do we find meaning to our life?

The person who has found the meaning to their life has found the treasure buried in plain sight. Whatever we need to succeed has always been inside us all along. The times when we felt that we weren't good enough were just clouds keeping us from glimpsing the true power within. Or, perhaps the reverse was true; maybe we were scared by the unlimited possibilities welling up inside us. Maybe we were so conditioned by a society that has a scarcity mentality that we forgot that our true power comes from the universe, where there is no scarcity, only abundance! 

Do we face life with abundant Love, which is our birthright, or do we let Fear rule the day? If we are true to our creator's design for us, we should develop a new perspective; to shift from being guided by fear, and instead, allow love to lead us into a prosperous and joyous future. To do this, a paradigm shift is necessary. We must be willing to accept change as being necessary in a successful life, and we should stand up and go forward. One person with great conviction can overcome a multitude of negative thinkers. The important thing is to keep going forward with great courage and eradicate negativity with the power of positive thinking. We must also take control and responsibility for our progress into our own hands. By letting others define us, we are giving up our freedom to reach for our true potential in life. 

We must also strive for transparency; to say what we mean and mean what we say. We must not duck and cover, but have the courage to speak our convictions. Flying under the radar is fine for a person with no vision of their potential, but for us who believe we possess the unlimited resources of the universe, this is not an option. The universe will always accept what we believe about ourselves, and will reward us accordingly. The Law of Attraction is perhaps the best example of this. We will attract people and things to us that mirror our true beliefs about ourselves. My advice is to listen to your heart's desire and let Love be your guide. If your heart is filled with joy and love, then you are well on your way to following your bliss!

I have had the privilege of meeting like-minded people, who truly believe in themselves and are willing to share the love and compassion necessary to lead others. Let us all agree that 2012 will be a true reflection of ourselves - our authentic selves. Let's support each other in making the necessary paradigm shift to lead our nation back to a mentality of prosperity and abundance. There will be a tipping point, when we reach critical mass and profess a new era of peace and love. If we listen to our hearts, prosperity and abundance will surely follow! :-)

Happy New Year,

Alfred

NO RECOVERY

News Flash!

Robert Scott, 49 - 
New Jersey court worker found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning. An apparent suicide, the deceased had consumed a large volume of alcohol prior to closing the garage door, connecting a hose to the exhaust pipe and sealing the windows with plastic wrap. A neighbor heard the vehicle’s engine running for an undetermined period of time before calling the police.

Predeceased by both parents, Mr. Scott lived alone and has no immediate family. Funeral arrangements include no viewing; the body will be cremated and the ashes scattered to the four winds at Point Pleasant, NJ.

 Ω

   I didn’t want to leave Earth before writing the following story. The above obituary is correct, for the most part, but doesn’t talk about the deep regret I had prior to implementing my exit strategy. As in many other facets of my life, alcohol made it easier to overcome emotion and kill myself before this regret grew to the point of making it impossible to commit the inevitable, final act.

   As Monsieur L’Oiseau would say, “Faite Accompli, le beau geste!” My old and best friend said many marvelous things during our time together. But, as he gained in popularity and success, I descended into a destructive romance with the bottle. While he traveled the world to enrich himself, I stayed at home and enjoyed the magic of Bombay . . . gin.

  I died expecting the fires of Hell to engulf my soul as the fires of the crematorium had consumed my flesh. Instead, my figurative eyes have been opened to the expanse of time and space only revealed to those who have passed beyond the pale of earthly life. As I seek to review my life through the prism of a newly bestowed spiritual perception, I must also try to reconcile my feelings for Monsieur L’Oiseau and the intense bittersweet friendship we shared.

   In order to do this, I must chronicle the events and recount a few stories that occurred before our first meeting until the point when the embers died. This I must do to help myself and possibly assist you, dear reader, to gain insight and metaphorically solve the riddle of the Sphinx, so to speak. To paraphrase the Bible: For once I saw through a glass, darkly; but now I am face to face with the truth. To put it another way: The curtain is pulled back and has revealed Oz to be a fraud!

Ω

THE OISEAU EMERGES

   My friend Jean Vauteau has had many incarnations, In this life and in previous lives during diverse historical periods. The Vauteau name is significant because it bridges many centuries of Norman conquest, including the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies - most significantly Naples and the territory surrounding Salerno, Italy. Monsieur L’Oiseau is not his real name, nor is it to be found in any official record on this planet. But, it came to become a sort of spiritual appellation acquired during my friend’s formative years. I met Jean in Madame Granat’s fifth period French class at Fairmount Junior High School

   To understand this phenomenon we must return to the year 1950 and the birth of my dear friend Jean Vauteau. To comprehend the underlying reason why he acquired the name Monsieur L’Oiseau is to go back to the first moments of Jean’s life. Back to a very turbulent time, indeed.

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting.

—William Wordsworth

   There was a distant rumble of thunder when Jean’s mother and father left the house that August night. Jean was left alone in bed, only his teddy bear to keep him company. Jean was often left alone, even though he was an infant. Teddy had already queued Jean into the fact that life was not eternal, that, in fact, life would eventually come to an end. Jean was able to reach back to his prior life and indeed understand this concept.

The bardo state is that period which exists immediately after death—until the soul decides to pass along into another existence. This is a time when the soul reflects on its past life, evaluates what it needs to spiritually progress, and chooses whether to stay disembodied or to reincarnate. The conditions of such a return to the physical plane are laid out before the return, based on a plan that would benefit the soul’s eventual enlightenment—which ultimately leads to Nirvana: the final goal—and a life of eternal bliss.

   “You’re really screwed, aren’t you?” Teddy spoke telepathically, inside Jean’s head. Without knowing words or meanings, Jean received visions of his past life—the one he had just discarded. Teddy was able to look inside Jean’s soul, to a place that was filled with darkness and regret. Jean had chosen to leave his past life and move on to a new one. The end was abrupt, with the stroke of a knife. In fact, Teddy and Jean cried a lot, due to this complex understanding.

   Was Teddy real, or merely the twisted thoughts inside Jean’s head? Traumatized by the final hour of his previous life, Jean was unable to still the voices emanating from this obvious “gremlin” that was masquerading as a toy. The darkness of Jean’s soul would ultimately be cleansed, but he must first pass through troubled waters on his current life’s voyage. The noise inside his head was deafening, as Jean faded deeper and deeper into despair. He found himself sandwiched between two worlds—the one ahead looking darker than the one he just left.

   The storm came closer, as the air in Jean’s bedroom grew heavy. The sun was setting, and the shadows of the night enveloped the room with a copper haze. Thunder increased, as the spiritual realm descended. This is when the curtain between the natural and spiritual world was parted, letting in a creature that seemed to resemble a dove. Shortly, though, the bird’s appearance cast a dark shadow over both Jean and Teddy.

    Jean’s thoughts swirled out of control, creating a vortex of evil around the bed. Jean swooned, as the great bird grew to gargantuan size. Overwhelmed, Jean almost passed out from the vision. The dove of peace—or so Jean thought—glided down and, gnawing on Teddy’s head, plucked out the right eye from the ragged toy. Blinded, Teddy rolled off the bed and vanished from sight. The winged creature now morphed into the true symbol of the Vauteau family—the vulture. “I guess we’re both screwed now,” Jean thought, as he gazed on the limp body of Teddy that laid lifeless on the floor beside the bed.

   Perched on the headboard, the vulture stood guard above the young boy. An electric-blue thought entered into Jean’s psyche. The choice to morph into either a dove or a vulture would be the gift given Jean by the spiritual realm—this was the message transmitted from the great bird. Armed with this ability, the choice to either love or hate would trigger the events of his life. Like any spiritual gift, it was up to Jean to choose wisely—the pathway would twist and turn according to his choices.

   Jean chuckled to himself as his troubled mind was stilled with the knowledge that, for good or evil, he held control over his destiny. At that very moment, the door to his previous life slammed shut—the memories of the past were sealed forever. The only time that existing was the present, and that time was eternally—Now!

 Ω

Sizzlin' Summer - Noches Milagrosas!

At home in Kilometro Veintiseis, Ecuador When I was growing up back in the 1950s, my father would take me on the bus into Guayaquil for the major horse races and national days of celebration. On the way home, the bus driver would always shout out "Veintiseis" when approaching our town at the junction of Highway 25 and the road to El Triunfo. Our town was named Kilometro Veintiseis because it is 26 kilometers on the main road from Quayaquil. Our house is just up the road, halfway to the town of Milagro. These were happy times, as the house was always filled with laughter. On Sundays, when there was a futbol game on Canal 4, especially if it was between Cuenca and Guayaquil, the whole family would come over. Now, returning home for a short weekend trip, the house seems quite empty and devoid of life. As an adult, the fantasies of childhood are often replaced with the cares of day-to-day life. My father taught me the importance of storytelling and taking time out to sit and talk with friends. My father had many friends, as his ability to weave a tale were renown and his job as a barber brought many men into the theater of his small shop. I remember the hot summer days when school was closed and I would spend time in my father's company at his barbershop. Besides being a barber, my father ran a thriving parimutuel business from his shop. Many sportsmen came in for a shave and to also place their bets. My mother didn't approve of my father's gambling pursuits, but I don't believe she really appreciated his storytelling skill either. Even back then, I decided to always give storytelling a prominent place in my life, and to keep a secret place for my father's stories in my heart.

A Hub of Activity The days might seem to be quiet and dull but, during the evenings, Veintiseis bustles with activity. At the junction of major highways from the coast to the vast Andean Highlands, the town is a transfer point of comestibles from fincas and small farms, including vegetables and fruits, as well as sugar from Ingenio Valdez, a large refinery in Milagro. Ecuador has three growing seasons due to its location on the Equator, so there is never any shortage of fresh food from the garden. It is also interesting to note that Ecuador is a major exporter of both bananas (Bonita brand) and cassava and has some of the largest Brahma Bull ranches in South America.

Growing up in the Guayas Region was such an adventure. On a class trip to Ingenio Valdez, I learned that sugar cane can be put to a variety of uses. We all know that sugar is one of the basic ingredients found in any kitchen, but I bet you didn't realize that the cane is first made into molasses and then refined into the white crystals. Molasses can be used to coat the dusty dirt roads found all around the Ecuadorian coast, making the "hardtop" glisten in the sun. The rough Bagasse fibers of the sugar cane can also be used to make toilet paper which is biodegradable and compostable. This has cut down on air pollution from the burning of the discarded cane after the refining process.

Babahoyo Nights Some folks think that the city of Guayaquil has the best nightlife, but I'm sure they have never gone up the river, to Babahoyo! There is always a carnival atmosphere in Los Rios Province, with many feasts, fairs and events to attend during the hot equatorial nights. The best way to get there is by boat, and it's always a pleasure to have my good friend, author and raconteur Jaime Huerta, pick me up in his private watercraft. (Read my blog Book Fair On The Equator for background.) Jaime and I go back to more youthful days when we hiked into the Andes and camped out beneath the summit of Mount Chimborazo. Now, it's good to have Jaime along to celebrate the good times of publishing books, writing tales and spinning yarns. Jaime is also an accomplished storyteller and I have to admit that his silver tongue is often much better than mine, even though he doesn't attend storytelling festivals like I do. But, a night with friends brings out the best of my abilities, and the lights of Babahoyo glisten on the evening tide as we enter the harbor. The docks are lined with bars and other amusement areas, but Jaime and I always go to a bar by the name of La Tortuga which is a haven for poets and writers and whose owner, Juan Rojas, offers the coldest beer and a wide selection of whiskey and scotch to loosen our tongues. We won't be drinking the local brand called Trago; tonight we will drink the good booze! Oh, I must tell you one thing: What happens in Babahoyo, stays in Babahoyo. So, good reader, I must say "Adios," see you another day.

SEND E-MAIL INQUIRIES OR COMMENTS: alvoto@aol.com

Hope Springs Eternal in the City of Poets, Scholars and Storytellers

A Spring Day in Dublin Landing in Dublin, Ireland, we immediately headed for the CIE Tours counter at the far end of the airport baggage carousel area to get a taxi to take us to the Camden Court Hotel. CIE is a leader in Irish tourism, and we were able to book a very attractive package that let us pay in advance using US Dollars instead of risking the rising valuation of the Euro. The package included transfers to and from the airport, which made the 45 minute trip to our hotel both easy and carefree. Our driver, Patrick, was exceptionally brilliant and gave us a running commentary as we traveled through Dublin. At the hotel, we gave the reception clerk our prepaid voucher and were up in the room within five minutes. To my delight, the hotel didn't require a credit card to be applied to the stay. Also, since our package included an Irish breakfast daily, we didn't spend any money whatsoever at the hotel. It was already 11 o'clock in the morning, so we hit the streets to do as much sightseeing as possible. Immediately outside on the corner is the Bleeding Horse Pub, where I stopped to get a taste of a Dublin-poured glass of Guinness draught. This is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin, and was frequented by many noted literary greats of Ireland, including James Joyce, who occupied a booth in the back of the pub where he wrote about life in Dublin. The first picture we took in Dublin is the one of me in front of a billboard advertising Book Month 2009. Each year, a noted Irish author is featured and this year's book choice is Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stoker, who attended Trinity College, wrote this book without ever visiting Transylvania. Stoker researched all material used in the book from volumes found in libraries.

Viking Dublin Before the invasion of the Vikings, Dublin City was a backwater village. In fact, the Vikings gave Dublin its name, which in Norse means "Black Pool". Dublin was established as a trading center, which even included the exportation of the native Irish peoples as slaves to other areas of Europe. The exhibit "Dublinia," adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral, is very informative in teaching the early history of Dublin. It wasn't until the Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century that the Irish peoples first gained a limited self determination. Down through the ages, the people of Ireland have been governed by foreign powers, including the British, who finally handed over control of Ireland in 1922. Indeed, most of the historic sites of Dublin hearken back to British control of Ireland. Trinity College and Saint Patrick's Cathedral are still Anglican. Even the most famous Irish exports, Guinness stout and Jameson whiskey, are owned by British families. The largest monument in Dublin, The Wellington Testimonial, honors the Duke, a native-born Dubliner who, after being honored by the British Crown, is quoted as saying "Just because someone is born in a stable, doesn't make him a horse," in reference to his Irish roots. But, like any true-born Dubliner, after the victory at Waterloo where he defeated Napoleon's army, he ordered kegs of Guinness stout be brought onto the battlefield for the celebration of his troops.

Trinity College and the Book of Kells Since we only had a couple of days to visit Dublin, we concentrated on the most historic and literary venues. Trinity College satisfied both aspects. Throughout the Christian world, the Book of Kells is perhaps the most noted manuscript. Created in Ireland by four Celtic monks during the 9th century, the four gospels were reproduced in Latin and Illuminated on calf vellum before being bound. The Trinity College Library also contains the Brian Boru harp, named after the famed High King of Ireland. It is the oldest surviving wire-strung frame harp in existence and is considered the official symbol of Ireland. The Long Room of the College contains the most famous volumes in the English language, and is a must-see on any visit of Dublin.

Drinking It All In A whole day can be spent touring the exhibits at either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery. The Irish take their drinking very seriously, so you can imagine the excitement of touring the factory where Guinness Stout is brewed. It took us about four hours to just walk through the exhibits which cover every aspect of the brewing of beer. Also, the exhibits on the famous Guinness advertisements contain ads from almost every country on the globe. The highlight of the tour is being taken to the observation deck on top, where you can sample a "Perfect Pint of the Black Stuff" while getting a panoramic view of the entire city of Dublin. The serious side of Guinness are the many philanthropic activities of the Guinness family. At one time, every mother in Dublin wished that her daughter married a Guinness employee; such were the benefits of working for the family. At the Old Jameson Distillery, which is no longer the distillery of the famous whiskey, the entire history of Irish whiskey production is displayed in depth. Of course, the highlight of the tour is the whiskey tasting, where Jameson is compared to both Scotch and American products. After a few rounds, you will agree that Jameson is the best whiskey on the planet!

What follows is perhaps the most famous recipe in Dublin. In almost every restaurant in Dublin, there is at least one dish made with Guinness beer. You can't escape a visit to a pub without being offered a pint, so it's quite logical that it will find its way into the Irish Cuisine.

Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage
4 pounds corned beef brisket
2 heads of cabbage
1 cup brown sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Guinness

Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Rinse the beef completely and pat dry.
2 Place the brisket on rack in a roasting pan or Dutch oven. Rub the brown sugar on the corned beef to coat entire beef, including the bottom. Pour the bottle of Guinness around, and gently over the beef to wet the sugar.
3 Cover, and place in preheated oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours. Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing.

During the last hour, you may put the cabbage in the roasting pan as well, along with new potatoes, onion, carrots, etc. You may feel free to add a pint more of Guinness (for the cook) :-)

Sliante!

SEND E-MAIL INQUIRIES OR COMMENTS: alvoto@aol.com

Metaphysics Aboard The 159R Bus

Sanity starts early with NJ Transit When it comes to commuting to work, it's not the norm to find like-minded fellow passengers to engage in conversation. At 6:15 a.m., most folks prefer to sink low in their seat and even take in an extra forty winks before dealing with their work routine. So, to find a group of convivial bus mates taking the early express into NYC at such an early hour is serendipity, to say the least. To start, I'd like to give a "shout out" to my small group of fellow commuters: Mitch, who, like myself, works in the publishing industry; Sheila, a bond market reporter; Rita, a chemist, who, at 60 years, has more vitality and beauty than the average 30-something; Leroy, a purveyor of fine wines and spirits; Paula, an urban archaeologist; Vivian, a nursing administrator; Carolina, who always has such a lovely smile; Debbie, who works for a company that is a leader in the maintenance of outstanding NYC buildings; Dot and Val, who are married and travel together on the bus as far as the Light Rail station at Port Imperial. Dot, a bookkeeper at a food emporium, continues her commute with me on the West Side Avenue train to Jersey City, while Val, an accountant, continues on into the City. Dot has overcome great obstacles in her life, and is a source of inspiration to those she comes in contact with due to her many accomplishments. Each of my bus mates offers something uniquely special at our daily meetings. Also, we are fortunate to have a good-natured bus driver, Fernando, who keeps to the schedule and allows us to arrive on time.

Living in the Moment Many agree that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you consider fellowship as being "the meat that nourishes our soul," then it's fair to say that sharing positive thoughts before the start of the work day is also important. As Eckhart Tolle mentions in his book The Power of Now, it's important to realize that while our use of time has a practical aspect, most people are lost in time, usually dwelling in the past or future, and are only peripherally aware of the present moment, or the "Now". On the 159R bus, however, each one of us is fully engaged in the present, able to share a few minutes of ourself with the rest. Indeed, our daily meeting can be compared to the monastic prayer service of Lauds, as we most definitely are a community of souls beginning the day, in the pre-dawn hours, searching for meaning and harmony in life. We often take turns lifting each other up and lending support to those who need a gentle word of encouragement. Other times, we rejoice in the beauty of life and the great possibilities that each new day brings. Some of my greatest moments of inspiration have come during this daily meeting; and, I believe that many seeds were planted that have already bloomed into miracles!

The Beauty of NOW As the bus continues its route down Gorge Road, the bus driver turns off the overhead lights in the cabin. A gentle darkness enfolds us, as we gaze out the windows to behold a truly lovely scene: the skyline of Manhattan, with many glistening lights, illuminated from behind by the colorful hues of the not-yet-risen sun! I have often compared this vision to the "Amen" at the end of a prayer, and confirmation that we are all given many other such visions during the day which we often overlook. The glistening lights of pre-dawn also remind me that each of us has the power to merge our talents together to become "A Thousand Points of Light". I truly believe that each of us carries this hope with us to our individual workplace; I know that I do!

Variations on a Theme All too soon, our bus arrives at Port Imperial, where I exit to catch the train to Jersey City. I use these moments to contemplate the phrase from the Bhagavad Gita: "Witness the Diversity, but understand the Unity." Each one of us brings our own special talents with us each day. Some of these talents lay dormant, beaten down by the trials of day-to-day living. The truth is often clouded by needless pressures we actually inflict on ourselves. If we understood the truth, we would manifest our talents constantly, which is the true meaning of "Living in the Now". When I began my life in Metaphysics over twenty years ago, one of my first mentors was Marianne Williamson. In her book, A Return to Love, there is a wonderful chapter on "Work". If each one of us envisioned our job, our office and our coworkers, as our "ministry," we could sanctify our workplace and share our talents openly without worry. Why worry? After all, we are all variations on a theme; and this theme is the great At-one-ment. We are all on different paths in life, each one with different spiritual talents. By sharing our talents, we can indeed do miracles. Our smile, our energy and our spirit, empower us and permit us to truly be the light of the world. Each one of us has our unique place, our unique value to the whole. Without each one of us, the light would become much dimmer.

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