Essay below is Authored By Jonathan Aryeh Wayne

To see more of Jonathan’s work visit his site at:

https://www.jonathanaryehwayne.com/

Dan Wilcox is a simple, well-intentioned farmer and musician who has helped facilitate Native American healing ceremonies and other spiritual gatherings on his wildlife refuge for over 30 years. Dan is an ex-hippie who grew up in the heyday of the counter culture movement back in the 1960s and now lives on 70 acres of land he inherited from his family when he was much younger. His wildlife refuge is a thing of beauty. He built a “sunken home” on the side of a mountain in the early 1980s, complete with renewable materials, green technology (before anyone knew about it) and a self-sustainable ecosystem via a natural mineral spring he has connected to his home. He is a shiitake mushroom nursery grower and sells his high quality mushrooms to fine dining restaurants in Pittsburgh. Dan is a musician and plays the harp and piano and writes his own songs and music.

What makes Dan so special is his extraordinary connection to the land and nature he lives on. With his outstanding spirituality and big heart, he has extended his land to those young and old that who search for meaning in their lives. His land is for healing, and the Lakota Native Americans blessed his land and helped teach him to construct sweat lodges and medicine lodges when he was much younger. Every year, Dan holds sweat lodge ceremonies and has changed people’s lives with Shamans who come in to hold ceremonies on his land.

Baila and I have a dream to travel to Hawaii and enjoy the beauty of the land and people. We keep it in our spirits and it motivates us. I thought doing a spotlight on Native Hawaii would be fitting. We just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. May it be for many more.

Enjoy this spotlight Lumin!

From Source:
https://ainaaloha.wordpress.com/who-are-native-hawaiians/

Marked by ingenuity and resourcefulness, the indigenous Hawaiian culture is internationally celebrated for its artistry and sophistication. While excelling in such arts as poetry, dance and sculpture, Hawaiians also established a well-developed judicial system and instituted complex scientific and agricultural methods.

But, who are Native Hawaiians?

Congress defines “Native Hawaiian” as “any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now constitutes the State of Hawai‘i.” (U.S. Public Law 103-150)

However, Native Hawaiians are so much more. We define ourselves by our relationships with each other, our ancestors and our land. Without these bonds of interconnectedness, we are incomplete.

Being Hawaiian involves nurturing and honoring these ties. In the Hawaiian society, one is expected to know and understand what it means to be a contributing member of the community. Everyone has a kuleana, responsibility, to use his or her talents to the benefit of the entire ‘ohana (literally, family). By fulfilling our duties to the ‘ohana and recognizing the accomplishments of others, Hawaiians increase their mana or spirituality.

Built upon the foundation of the ‘ohana, Hawaiian culture ensures the health of the community as a whole. The Western concept of “immediate family” is alien to indigenous Hawaiians. The Hawaiian ‘ohana encompasses not only those related by blood, but all who share a common sense of aloha (love and compassion). It is common to hear Native Hawaiians who are meeting for the first time ask “Who is your family?” and then joke we must be related “because we are all related.”

The ties that bind ‘ohana together cannot be broken, even by death. As loved ones pass, they continue to fulfill their obligations to the rest of the ‘ohana from the next realm. Hawaiians cherish their ancestors, committing to memory generation upon generation of lineage and composing beautiful chants heralding our ancestors’ abilities.

A lo‘i of kalo

The most important ancestor for all Hawaiians is the land itself. Legend names the first Hawaiian as the kalo (taro) plant. Therefore, as the Hawaiian progenitor, it is every Hawaiians obligation to care for their elder brother, the land.

The Creation

In the beginning, there was Papa (Earth mother) and Wākea (sky father). From these gods descended a still-born child, Hāloa (literally, long stem). Papa and Wākea buried their child, and watched as he changed and grew into the Hawaiian staff of life, kalo (the taro plant).

After Hāloa, another child was born, the first Hawaiian was born. Also named Hāloa in honor of his older brother, the first human to inhabit these islands was inextricably linked to the land that gave birth to him. As the younger siblings, Hawaiians understood their duty to care for their ‘āina, their land, so that it would in turn sustain them.

The Native Hawaiian people cherish their connection to the land. Our language is resonant with allusions to our heritage as kama‘āina, children of the land. The word for “family,” ‘ohana, literally translates as “from the kalo stem.” In acknowledging their interdependence with their ‘āina, Hawaiians created a unique culture, vibrant, sophisticated and efficient in its perceptiveness of the natural world.

To see more please visit:

https://ainaaloha.wordpress.com/who-are-native-hawaiians/

Hallucinogen Honey Hunters – Hunting mad honey

Japan: A Journey Between Tradition And Modernity

How do you handle your life between your traditions and Modernity? What do you hold fast to, what do you keep, what do you preserve? How do you live the balance of Life and stay true to who you are? We all must come to our own understanding and yet see the traditions and culture of our life passed down from family to family are so precious and dear. Walk the balance of life and hold on to what you believe in. Hold on to YOU!!

1st Video by AmnesiArt http://amnesiart.com

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baka_people_(Cameroon_and_Gabon)

The Baka people, known in the Congo as Bayaka (Bebayaka, Bebayaga, Bibaya), are an ethnic group inhabiting the southeastern rain forests of Cameroon, northern Republic of Congo, northern Gabon, and southwestern Central African Republic. They are sometimes called a subgroup of the Twa, but the two peoples are not closely related. Likewise, the name “Baka” is sometimes mistakenly applied to other peoples of the area who, like the Baka and Twa, have been historically called pygmies, a term that is no longer considered respectful.

The Baka people are hunter-gatherers, formerly called Pygmies, located in the Central African rain forest. Having heights of 1.52 meters (5 feet) in average as well as a semi-nomadic lifestyles, the Baka are often discriminated against and marginalized from society.

The tropical rain forest in Gabon, Central Africa where some of the Baka reside
They reside in south-eastern Cameroon, northern Gabon and in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Congo, the Baka people are otherwise known as the Bayaka. Some Baka are also found in the Southwestern African Republic. Although, the Baka people are located throughout the Central African rain forest, they are mainly concentrated in Cameroon as the Baka community of Cameroon represents roughly 30 000 individuals.

The Baka are a semi-nomadic people, like other hunter-gatherers such as the Bagyeli and the Twa. However, they are slowly becoming a more sedentary people due to the intensive deforestation of the Central African Rainforest. Pressures from their taller and more dominant neighbors, the Bantu, have also slowed the Baka people’s mobility.

The Baka have successfully maintained their language, also called Baka. Unlike their neighbors’ languages (Koozime, Bakoum and Bangandou) which have Bantu roots, Baka comes from a different language family, Ubangian.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baka_people_(Cameroon_and_Gabon)

From:
http://www.bedawi.com/Bedouin_Culture_EN.html

Origins of nomadic peoples are difficult to trace as they leave little evidence behind for archaeologists…

The term ‘Bedu’in the Arabic language refers to one who lives out in the open, in the desert. The Arabic word ‘Badawiyin’is a generic name for a desert-dweller and the English word ‘Bedouin’ is the derived from this.

In ancient times, most people settled near rivers but the Bedouin people preferred to live in the open desert. Bedouins mainly live in the Arabian and Syrian deserts, the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and the Sahara Desert of North Africa.

There are Bedouin communities in many countries, including Egypt, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq in the Middle East and Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya in North Africa. Altogether, the Bedouin population numbers about 4 million.

The Bedouins are seen as Arab culture’s purest representatives and the Bedouins continue to be hailed by other Arabs as “ideal” Arabs, especially because of their rich oral poetic tradition, their herding lifestyle and their traditional code of honour.

The Egyptians refer to the Bedouins as ‘Arab’, but Bedouins are distinct from other Arab’s because of their extensive kinship networks, which provide them with community support and the basic necessities for survival. Such networks have traditionally served to ensure safety of families and to protect their property.

The term ‘A’raab’ has been synonymous with the term ‘nomad’ since the beginning of Islam.

The Bedouins are recognized by their (nomadic) lifestyles, special language, social structures and culture. Only few Bedouins live as their forefathers did in camel- and goat hair tents, raising livestock, hunting and raiding. Their numbers are decreasing and nowadays there are approx. only 5% of Bedouins still live as pastoral nomads in all of the Middle East. Some Bedouins of Sinai are still half-nomads.

Bedouins have different facial features by which they can be distinguished from other Egyptians and also they generally dress differently.

The Bedouin men wear long ‘djellabaya’ and a ‘smagg’ (red white draped headcover) or ‘aymemma’ (white headcover) or a white small headdress, sometimes held in place by an ‘agall’ (a black cord).

The Bedouin women usually wear brightly coloured long dresses but when they go outside they dress in an ‘abaya’ (a thin, long black coat sometimes covered with shiny embroidery) and they will always cover their head and hair when they leave their house with a ‘tarha’ (a black, thin shawl). Traditionally a woman’s face was hidden behind a highly decorated ‘burqa’ah’ but this is now only seen with the older generations. The younger generations cover their face simply with their ‘tarha’ (shawl).

The Bedouins have a rich culture and their own Arabic ‘Bedawi’ language, which has different dialects depending on the area where they live.

In former days they emphasised on the strong belief in its tribal superiority, in return to the tribal security – the support to survive in a hostile environment.

‘The Bedouin’ is aristocratic and they tend to perceive the Arabian nation as the noblest of all nations, purity of blood, way of life and above all noble ancestry. They often trace their lineage back to the times of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and beyond.

The first converts to Islam came from the Bedouin tribes and therefore (Sunni) Islam is embedded and deeply rooted in the Bedouin culture. Prayer is an integral part of Bedouin life. As there are no formal mosques in the desert, they pray were they are, facing the Ka’aba in Mecca and performing the ritual washing, preferably with water but if not available they ‘wash’ with sand instead.

‘The Bedouin’ is generally open-minded and interested in what is going on in his close and far surroundings since this kind of knowledge has always been a vital tool of survival.

At the same time, the Bedouins are quite suspicious and alert keeping a low profile about their personal background.

Modern Arab states have a strong tendency to regulate their Nomadic lifestyle and modern society has made the traditional Bedouin lifestyle less attractive, since it is demanding and often dangerous, so many Bedouins have settled in urban areas and continue to do so.

The Bedouin people are faced with challenges in their lifestyle, as their traditional Islamic, tribal culture has begun to mix with western practices.

Men are more likely to adjust and interact with the modern cultures, but women are bound by honour and tradition to stay within the family dwelling and therefore lack opportunity for advancement.

Today unemployment amongst Bedouin people is very high. Only few obtain a high school degree and even fewer graduate from college.

However, for most people the word Bedouin still conjures up a much richer and more mysterious and romantic image…

Source :
http://www.bedawi.com/Bedouin_Culture_EN.html

Bajau – the real water world people

“Peace in the World”

Music and Vocals by Michelle Kaye with surround vocals by Divincemoore – lyrics by Joel Pirchesky, founder of One World Blue Media

This is the True joy in Life.

The Being used for a Purpose

Recognized by yourself as a mighty one.

The being a force of nature

instead of a feverish, selfish

little clod of ailments and grievances

complaining that the world will not

devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life

belongs to the whole community,

and as long as I live,

it is my privilege to do for it

whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly

used up when I die,

for the harder I work the more I live.

I rejoice in life for its own sake.

Life is no brief candle to me.

It is a sort of splendid torch

which I’ve got a hold of

for the moment

and I want to make it burn

as brightly as possible before

handing it on to future generations.

George Bernard Shaw

Jadav “Molai” Payeng (Assamese: যাদৱ পায়েং) (born 1963) is a Mishing tribe[1] environmental activist[2] and forestry worker from Jorhat, India.[3][4] Over the course of several decades, he planted and tended trees on a sandbar of the river Brahmaputra turning it into a forest reserve. The forest, called Molai forest after him,[5] is located near Kokilamukh of Jorhat, Assam, India and encompasses an area of about 1,360 acres / 550 hectares.[6][7]

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadav_Payeng.Retrieved on 12/15/14

Dear Dr. Maya Angelou, I am so very very honored to create this spotlight for you on our Blupela Social Good Network. Your life and legacy Dr. Angelou lives on through your teachings and works you have left us. As I look back on my life and see how fortunate I am to have known such honorable, wise, lofty and inspiring souls as yourself and my dear mentor Dr. Bishop Reginald Kelly, I humbly and deeply realize that our Father in Heaven always has and always will have His Holy Hand on this precious Earth and guide its destiny thru His will, deep deep within His own mysteries.

Our Creator places people together in the right places and times to make things happen such that His will be done. We are only His chariots to do such as all leaders as yourself and Dr. Bishop Reginald Kelly, of blessed memory, fought so very hard on a daily level to seek out and carry out what needs to be done in being of service to a greater community and world. Dr. Angelou you. along with Bishop Kelly OBM, have inspired so many and given each person who has come to know both of you through your works, the strength and courage to fight and persevere to carry on in life each in their own path and way.

I am uplifted to fully begin more to understand, appreciate and be inspired by the wisdom our Creator bestowed upon you in life to know and understand things on a much deeper level.

I conclude by asking myself and sharing with our online audience the statement you made to me right here in Pittsburgh in the early 1990s after I met you following your appearance at Carnegie Music Hall. How was it and how did you know to say to me what you said to me then? I was only 19 years old at the time and still by no means achieved in personal self development, but nonetheless you looked right in my eyes then and said, “My dear child, G-d has such great things in store for you and He in turn expects great things of you”. Thank you Auntie so very very much. Those words at that moment carried me for many years so very far and now I am pleased to bring you One World Blue. We love you and Bishop Kelly very very much. Heavens Blessings upon you and may your special souls shine on forever.

My very very best. Joel Pirchesky Founder and CEO of One World Blue, LLC

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dr. MAYA ANGELOU

Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American woman. In 1971, Angelou published the Pulitzer Prize-nominated poetry collection Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die. She later wrote the poem “On the Pulse of Morning”—one of her most famous works—which she recited at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993. Angelou received several honors throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009. She died on May 28, 2014.

http://www.biography.com/people/maya-angelou-9185388#synopsis. Retrieved on October 22, 2014

Disc Jockey Tom Clay 1971 Remix Version of What the World Needs Now

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