#imagine the sort of person who would teach a class called the sexuality of Jesus Christ

[sadisopodhours]

The class I took was entirely based around that book and so I would always say that I had Jesus Penis class. After spending a whole term on that topic I was definitely experiencing penis ennui as the reviewer of the book put it.

I fully understand why "character A is astounded at the sight of character B's penis" is a specific kink that gets tagged for, but the fact that some platforms choose to tag this kink as "penis awe" is unintentionally very funny. Now I'm picturing penis experience kink tags for all those other allegedly transcendent emotions in the glossary of your Philosophy 101 textbook. Penis faith. Penis Weltschmerz. Penis apprehension of the absurd.

[mostlybats-partiallyrats]

I'm just getting endless memories of my younger Christian days...

Like when I was baptised at nine years old bc I felt left out. I shit you not. My parents took a fucking picture of it and everything. It's the screensaver on the family computer and I hate it.

Or that time, which was just after I'd abandoned my 'faith' when I was still being forced to go to services, one of the women from our church took out all the teenagers and gave us a sex talk. It was about as informative as you'd expect. Including the little ditty of 'you leave a piece of your soul with every person you have sex with, so if you do it with too many people you'll end up with a broken, horrible soul'. I just sat there the whole time being like 'is this seriously happening to me? Am I actually hearing these words right now? Is this what my fucking life has come to?’ Like seriously? Lighten up, lady. (She was young too, like 26. Fucking priorities, my dude)

And when LONG after I left the church and my parents had stopped forcing me to go to services, an old preacher came and SUBBED AT MY FUCKING SCHOOL IN MY FUCKING CLASS. SHE REPEATEDLY DREW ATTENTION TO ME FOR A WHOLE WEEK AT EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE FUCKING MORNING, CALLING ME MY DEADNAME AND ASKING ME TO RUN SHITTY LITTLE ERRANDS FOR HER.

"oh, [REDACTED], could you help me log into this computer you're such a cLEVeR yOUnG LaDy"

"[REDACTED], do you remember the time when *embarrassing memory from my days off repression and fear*"

"class! Do you remember when I used to teach you all! [REDACTED] was my favourite student! So devoted to [REDACTED] faith."

IN FRONT OF MY WHOLE CLASS, THANK YOU LISA YES I'M NAMING YOU, YOU BITCH

Or the time this 20-year-old girl I had a teensy crush on from my church set me back 5 million steps in figuring out my sexual orientation by indirectly calling me (see also, calling the whole LGBTQ+community) an abomination and an affront to her morals. It broke my little gay heart too because this girl was the personification of the lesbian aesthetic.

Minimum wage customer service job

Several cats

Outlandishly dyed hair (new colour every couple weeks)

Mostly black wardrobe

Sort of edgy makeup

FLANNEL FUCKING FLANNEL

Vans/converse

PLAYED FUCKING BASS GUITAR

Like, either she's gay and got a serious case of internalised homophobia, or I just fucking imagined her.

The lady who made a good few of my birthday cakes is a homophobe to this day, and so is her daughter who is a friend of Homophobic Lesbian-Look-Alike.

I once made a cross necklace using loom bands, and I still have it years later but the cross is upside-down now.

I burned a Bible once with my friends, it was one of like 3 that I owned.

I still get emails from an old Bible app but they all go straight to my spam folder so I never see them.

That one fucking song that compared Jesus to a bunch of superheroes. Still makes me blanch.

This fucking shit.

Also the time we paired up with a Texan church and a bunch of people from there would come over once a year for like 4 years. They made us one of those America Cakes, with the layers arranged to look like the flag when u cut it. Eugh.

That's all I can take for one day.

[yogacertification42-blog]

Exactly what is Yoga?

click on this web-site for more understanding The word pilates can often be interpreted as "union" or maybe a method of self-control from the Sanskrit concept "yuj" (to yoke or even bind). A males practitioner or healthcare provider is called a yogi, a female practitioner, any yogini. The Postures....

Typically the fashionable western approach to be able to yoga is absolutely not based in any particular idea or perhaps religion, however Yoga exercises does indeed has its beginnings inside Hinduism and Brahmanism. Pilates was developed by seers or ascetics living generally in the southern pieces of China. The seers observed mother nature and enjoyed as in close proximity as many people could to the the planet, studying the many features of dynamics, the wildlife and their selves. By seeing and emulating the distinct postures and behaviors connected with the animal kingdom these folks were able to develop style, toughness and wisdom.

The idea was via these incredibly disciplined day-to-day lives that typically the practice of the meditation postures were developed. It turned out necessary to develop some sort of series of forme for you to keep the body lithe as well as able to manage long periods associated with quietness when in meditation. Often the Writings....

Brahmanism dates rear to help containing sacred scriptures referred to as "the Vedas". These kind of scriptures contained instructions and also incantations. It was throughout the oldest text message "Rg-Veda" from the scriptures the fact that word Yoga first seemed, this was nearly 5k a long time ago. The fourth wording called "Atharva-Veda" contains largely spells to get magical règles and health and fitness cures quite a few of which use medicamentoso plants. This text given the average person together with the spells along with incantations to use in all their everyday activities and this train of "Veda" can nevertheless be seen in often the pavement of India currently. The actual Bhagavad-Gita, another early improve spiritual life represents themselves as a yoga exercise treatise, while it uses the actual word Yoga for a faith based means. It was because of this literature that Patanjali's "eight limbs of yoga" were being developed. Yoga Sutra's are generally primarily concerned with getting the particular "nature of typically the mind" i will reveal more of this kind of with the next section.

The particular Range....

The vratyas, a new group of libido priests who worshipped Rudra, lord of the wind will attempt to imitate often the sound on the wind by means of their vocal skills. They observed that they may make the sound through the actual control over their breath in addition to by way of this practice regarding breath of air control was made "Pranayama". Pranayama is the particular practice of air handle in yoga.

Typically the Walkways....

The Upanishads, some of the holy revelations of historical Hinduism developed the two martial arts disciplines of karma yoga, the road of action and jnana yoga, the path involving knowledge. Often the paths ended up developed to support the scholar liberate from hurting as well as eventually gain enlightenment. The actual teaching from the Upanishads differed from that connected with the Vedas. The particular Vedas demanded external attractions in order to the gods in get to have an enormous, content life. The Upanishads by the practice of Karma yoga focused on typically the internal give up of often the ego in order to be able to free from suffering. On the other hand of the lose associated with crops and pets or animals (external) it was the forfeit of the inner confidence which would become the essential philosophy, so yoga evolved into known as the way regarding renunciation.

Yoga gives you a number of characteristics also with Yoga that can be tracked back via history. While in the sixth centuries F. C., Buddhism in addition worries the importance of Introspection along with the practice of actual physical poses. Siddharta Gautama seemed to be the initially Buddhist for you to actually study Meditation.

What exactly is Yoga Sutra and also the did the Philosophy involving Yoga develop?

Yoga Sutra is a compilation connected with 195 statements which in essence supply an ethical guide with regard to lifestyle a moral existence and also incorporating the scientific disciplines of yoga exercises into that. An Indian sage identified as Patanjali was shown to have got collated this through 2200 years ago and the idea has end up being the cornerstone regarding classical pilates philosophy.

Typically the word sutra suggests basically "a thread" and is particularly employed to denote a special way of written and verbal transmission. Because of the actual brusque style the particular sutras are written from the university student must rely on the guru to interpret typically the philosophy contained within each. The meaning within each one of the sutras could be tailored to often the present student's particular needs.

Often the Yoga exercise Sutra is any system of meditation even so there is not some sort of single brief description of a new posture or asana within it! Patanjali developed information for living the suitable lifestyle. The core associated with his / her teachings is the actual "eightfold way of yoga" or "the eight arms and legs of Patanjali". These usually are Patanjali's suggestions for dwelling a better life by means of yoga exercise.

Posture and breathing command, the two regular practices regarding yoga tend to be described as your third along with fourth limbs inside Patanjali's eight-limbed path to self-realisation. The third practice involving the posture make right up today's modern yoga exercises. If you join a pilates class you may come across that is everything you should fit with your lifestyle.

The nine limbs of yoga

one The yamas (restraints),

These are definitely like "Morals" you dwell your lifetime by: Your societal carryout:

o non-violence (ahimsa) : To not injure a living person

to Truth and reliability (satya) - To not are located

o Nonstealing (asteya) rapid To not steal

a Nonlust (brahmacharya) - keep away from incomprehensible sexual encounters instructions small amounts in sex in addition to all stuff.

o Nonpossessiveness or non-greed (aparigraha) -- don't set, free by yourself from avarice and content desires

minimal payments niyamas (observances),

These are the way we cure ourselves, our intrinsic willpower:

o Purity (shauca). Reaching purity through the exercise of the five Yamas. Your body as the temple and looking out after the item.

o Peace of mind (santosha). Come across happiness about what you get and what you accomplish. Have responsibility for everywhere you are, find enjoyment in the moment as well as tend to grow.

o Austerity (tapas): Develop self control. Indicate discipline in entire body, dialog, and mind to help prefer a higher psychic purpose.

e Study connected with the sacred written text (svadhyaya). Education. Study guides specific to you which really encourage and teach you.

i Living alongside an awareness associated with the Divine (ishvara-pranidhana). Possibly be devoted to whatever is the best god or whatever anyone find as the work.

3. asana (postures) :

These are the particular mine of yoga:

to To help create a supple physique as a way to sit for any lengthy time and continue to the mind. If you actually can control the system a person can also control typically the mind. Patanjali and different ancient yogis made use of asana to prepare the human body intended for meditation.

Just often the practice with the yoga forme can benefit your well being. It can be commenced every time and any grow older. As we grow aged most of us stiffen, do an individual remember a final time anyone may have squatted up to pick something up and exactly how you felt? Imagine because you age into your 50's, 60's, seventies and about being able to nonetheless touch your toes or maybe balance on one limb. Did you know the majority regarding injuries sustained by aged are from crumbles? Most of us tend to lose each of our sense of balance as we raise older and to training an issue that will help that is surely a bonus.

The actual fourth limb, breath management is a good auto to use when you are attracted in learning meditation and also relaxation.......

4. pranayama (breathing) - the control involving inhale:

inhalation, retention connected with breath of air, and exhalation

a The particular practice of inhaling helps to ensure profound results to concentrate along with meditate. Prana is the actual energy in which exists everywhere you go, it is the lifetime force that flows by way of each of us by all of our breath.

5. pratyahara (withdrawal of senses),

e Pratyahara is a resignation of the feels. The item occurs during relaxation, breathing in exercises, or the process of yoga postures. After you master Pratyahara you will probably be able to concentrate in addition to concentrate and not possibly be distracted by outward physical.

6. dharana (concentration), rapid teaching the mind in order to focus.

i When take up there is no impression of time. The are directed is to even now the particular mind e. g. solving the mind on 1 object as well as pushing almost any thoughts. Accurate dharana is definitely when the head can certainly concentrate effortlessly.

6. Dhyani (meditation), - your deep breathing

o Concentration (dharana) sales opportunities to the state associated with meditation. With meditation, one particular has a heightened good sense of awareness and is actually a single with the market. It is staying uninformed of any distractions.

main. samadhi (absorption), - definite bliss

o Absolute paradise is the ultimate purpose regarding meditation. This will be a state involving institute with yourself and your own personal jesus or the devine, this is when you actually and the universe are usually just one.

All eight hands or legs join hands: The first all 5 are with regards to the body and also brain- yama, niyama asana, pranayama, along with pratyahara instructions these are typically the skin foundations of yoga and gives some sort of platform for a non secular life. The last several are generally about reconditioning often the mind. These folks were developed to be able to help the doctor for you to attain enlightenment or oneness with Spirit.

How complete you find the type connected with yoga right for a person?

Any type of yoga you pick out to practice is usually altogether an individual preference therefore why we are hunting into the following to guide you start. Some forms hold the postures extended, many move through these individuals quicker. Many styles concentration on body place, other individuals differ in the groove and selection of poses, yoga and spiritual acknowledgment. Each is adaptable to the actual student's bodily situation. You actually therefore ought to determine precisely what Yoga style of your unique psychological and actual desires. You may just wanna vigorous workout, want to help consider developing your mobility as well as balance. Do an individual want more provide for introspection or just the wellbeing areas? Some schools coach comfort, some focus with strength in addition to agility, as well as others are more exercise.

I suggest you test a few several sessions in your area. My partner and i have observed that even concerning teachers with a certain model, there can be locations how the student relishes your classmates. It is critical to find a professor you feel comfortable using to truly enjoy and as a consequence create longevity in what exactly anyone practice.

Once you actually start finding out the posture and establishing them to get your body you could really feel to do train at home likewise! All of yoga types include sequences that can be applied to the office different parts associated with your body. To A new 16 minute practice throughout the morning could possibly be your personal start to the morning. Your entire body will feel robust and lithe within not any time and with know-how, the choice is at this time there for you to build your own routines.

The Important Programs of Yoga

Typically the two important systems regarding yoga usually are Hatha and also Yoga Hendidura Yoga. Rajadura yoga draws on the "Eight Limbs involving Yoga" formulated by Pananjali inside Yoga exercises Sutras. Raja is definitely element of the classical American native indians Approach to Hindu Philosophy.

Hatha meditation, also Hatha vidya is often a particular system connected with Yoga created by Swatmarama, a yogic sage associated with the 15th centry with India. Swatmarama produced the particular "Hatha Yoga Pradipika", which will introduced the system regarding Hatha Yoga. Hatha yoga exercise is derived from a new number of different practices. It is about from the heritage of Yoga which include things like the Hinayana (narrow path) and Mahayana (great path). It also comes by typically the traditions of Tantra together with Sahajayana (spontaneous path) along with Vajrayana (concerning is important involving sexuality). Within Hatha yoga exercises there are a variety of branches or kinds of pilates. This form of meditation works through the real medium sized of the system using mine, breathing physical exercises and detoxification practices.

Often the Hatha Pilates of Swatmarama differs from Raja Meditation of Patanjali in this it focuses on Shatkarma, "the purification of often the physical" as a course leading to "purification connected with the mind" and "vital energy". Patanjali begins having "purification of the imagination in addition to spirit" and in that case "the body" through forme and air.

[rootbeergoddess]

Songbird

Somehow, a cure for the zombie sickness has been found and slowly, the world is starting to be rebuilt. You live in Woodbury with Rick, Andrea and many others. One of those people is Merle Dixon. And he enjoys teasing you about your singing. The Walking Dead AU in which everyone lives and things are getting better. Thanks to @multi-villain-imagines , @rookerstash , @kimqueenofhell and proustianrecall for the help. Edited by Grammarly so all mistakes are mine!

Songs used are Would You? from Singing in the Rain and King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki Me O

He holds her in his arms

Would you? Would you?

He tells her of her charms

Would you? Would you?

You sang as you finished up the laundry. Now all you had to do was hang it up. Gathering it up all in a basket, you went over to the hanging line before you started to continue your song.

They met as you and I

And they were only friends

But before the story ends

He’ll kiss her with a sigh

Would you? Would you?

Before the whole infection started, you had been a singer. Despite your current situation, you still sang. Why not? You loved to sing. Sure, you weren’t famous, and you were in a world with zombies, but it could be worse. In fact, things had gotten better since a cure had been discovered and people were distributing it. You were alive. Life at Woodbury was good. You weren’t much of a fighter, but you could cook, clean, help with the children, and you even started a garden. Heck, you were even teaching some of the others how to garden. With a steady supply of food, hunting wouldn’t be the only option.

And if the girl were I

Would you? Would you?

And would you dare to say

Let’s do the same as they?

I would, would you?

 “Whoo! Sing it Beyonce, sing it!”

   You tensed slightly. Alright, there was only one bad thing about Woodbury, and its name was Merle Dixon. Or as you liked to call him, the Redneck Asshole. If you looked up the word asshole in a dictionary, you would see his face.  For some reason, Merle went out of his way to annoy everybody. The only person who genuinely liked him was his brother. How Daryl put up with Merle was beyond you. You were a polite person, you really were, but Merle made it so hard for you to be nice to him. You just wanted to smack him.

   “We have been over this Mr. Dixon,” You said politely. “I have a name, and it’s definitely not Beyonce.” 

“Aw come on my little songbird,” Merle grinned. “Don’t play hard to get.”

  Oh, that was another thing. For some reason, instead of trying to court Andrea, he was now trying to get you into bed with him. When you first showed up at Woodbury, he ignored you. But then you caught him staring at you. You ignored that, but you couldn’t ignore the dirty looks and gestures. So since Merle had decided to court you, that meant tons of nicknames and sexual advances. His favorite nickname to call you was ‘songbird.’ Despite telling him at least three different times you weren’t interested, he kept coming back.

Great just great.

“I am not playing hard to get,” You continued to be polite as you hung up the clothing. “I’ve told you before Mr. Dixon, I am not interested.”

“That’s what they all say,” Merle approached you. “But I know better. Girls can’t resist me.”

“I assure you,” You moved to the other side of the laundry line. “Resiting you is very easy for me.”

“C’mon,” He grabbed your arm. “Why don’t you sing for me huh? I could make you sing all night if you let me.”

“Mr. Dixon,”

“It’s Merle baby,” You pulled you closer. “None of this Mr. Dixon shit.”

“Alright then Merle,” You pushed him away. “I’m going to make this as clear as I possibly can. I am not interested. Maybe if you get a personality change or possibly find a new brain, I would consider it. But I am not interested in sleeping with a man who treats other people like crap. Now if you excuse me, I have laundry to hang up.”

   With that, you turned back to the laundry and began to hang up the rest. There was a pause, and then Merle started to laugh.

   “God, you are so fucking adorable when you’re angry! Just you wait songbird,” Merle chuckled. “You’re going to be mine.”

   You rolled your eyes but said nothing. You had to finish hanging up the clothing.

“I’m telling you Carol, I don’t understand men. I really don’t.”

“I don’t think anyone does Y/N,” Carol sighed as she planted some seeds. “Let me guess, Merle again?”

“Yep,” You wiped sweat away from your brow. “I have told him at least three times I am not interested and he still keeps at it! I remember when I longed for a man to chase me and now, I hate it.”

“That’s probably why he does it,” Carol shrugged. “Merle likes to get under people’s skin.”

“Yeah,” You sighed. “Okay, I'm going to check on the apple tree. I’ll be back.”

The apple tree was one of the first things you planted as soon as you got to Woodbury. The tree was big, strong and beautiful. Out of all the things you had planted, the tree was your greatest achievement. Picking up a basket, you started whistling. Another good thing about music that it took your mind off things. Right now, you were trying to take your mind off Merle.

Merle was an attractive man. You hated admitting that, but he was. He had a sense of rugged charm. Well, he could have rugged charm if he just stopped being an ass. It seemed like he never had anything to say. How could one man just be so full of hate? It was depressing to think about it. So you were going to sing instead of think about it. You started singing as you climbed up the ladder.

Froggie went a courting and he did ride

King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o

With a sword and a pistol by his side

King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o

Merle perked up as he heard your voice and he grinned. You lived up to your nickname. Coming around the corner, he saw you picking apples from the tree you had planted. While you placed apples into the bucket, his eyes were glued to your ass. God, you really were a little hottie. And the fact that you were so feisty made you all the more desirable. Merle wasn’t a man who gave up easily. The more you rejected him, the more he wanted you.

Feeling a bit more cruel than usual, Merle walked over to the ladder and tipped it over. You screamed as you fell back but Merle caught you in his arms.

“Careful there Madonna,” He grinned at you.

“Ow Merle! Watch your arm,” You tried to stand up. “It’s poking me.”

“I have something else that could poke you,” He said with a grin.

“Jesus Christ on a cracker,” You pushed him away and stood up. “Will you knock it off?”

“Aw, did I embarrass you?” He cooed. “What’s the matter pumpkin? You shy or something?”

“Merle, I’m trying to work,” You started picking up the apples that had fallen. “Unlike someone I know! Can you please leave me alone?”

“Nah,” Merle scratched his chin, grinning at you. “Come on, what’s the deal, Adele? Why do you keep resisting me?”

“Because I’m trying to make sure everyone here has enough food and that we don’t starve,” You replied. “We’re trying to build the world back, remember? There is finally a cure for the disease. We might be able to fix this planet. Things are getting better and I can’t have you distracting me!”

“Me? A distraction? What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Ever since I’ve heard that golden voice of yours, I can’t get it out of my head,” He said, stepping closer to you. “It’s like listening to an angel. Makes me wonder why God placed one his children on this here Earth instead of keeping her up in heaven.”

That took you by surprise. Instead of being cocky, Merle looked sincere. It was okay. Merle Dixon was not known for his kind words. He was harsh and blunt. But at that moment, he stared at you with such a gaze you believed him. As odd as it was, you were flattered. Many people had told you were a great singer back in the day. You forgot how nice it was to hear it.  Even if it was coming from an asshole redneck.

“I--have to go.” You managed to say.

You pushed past him, your heart beating like mad.

Merle sighed. Angrily, he punched a nearby wall. He wasn’t a person who shared his feeling so what had just happened? How did he just spill his guts?

“Why in the fuck did I say that?” He asked himself.

“I can’t believe you said that,” Daryl chuckled.

“I came to you for advice, not to be laughed at,” Merle grumbled.

“It sounds like you have it bad,” Daryl shrugged. “I suggest just being honest. Women prefer it from what I understand.”

“And make an ass of myself? No thank you.”

“You already did that.”

“You are no help,” Merle sighed. “I guess you’re right though. I can’t keep doing this. All I do is think about her.”

“Out of all the girls you fall for, you chose Y/N. It’s like you’re trying to make things harder for yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Merle, come on. She’s classy. You know she was an opera singer back in the day right? She toured and shit. Went to England, Italy, all sorts of places.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Not only that but she even went to college and graduated top of her class. She apparently plays piano too.”

“Damn, she’s talented.”

“More talented than your sorry ass.”

“Shut up Daryl.”

“Make me.”

For the rest of the day, you seemed distracted. It was hard for you to focus thanks to Merle. After his outburst, you didn’t know what to think. There was no way it would work between you two. You just couldn’t picture the two of you together. He was rough and you were delicate. But despite knowing this, you couldn’t help but get the thought of him out of your head. Sighing, you returned to peeling the potatoes.

“Ahem.”

You looked over to see Merle.

“I know you’re busy but---I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, okay.”

You placed the potato and the peeler down.

“Alright, here I go. I know I’m not the definition of Prince Charming but--damn, I can’t help loving you girl. I don’t know how or why I fell in love with you but I did. You’re so fucking pretty, your voice is heavenly and when I hear you sing, I feel like things are going to be alright. But I know the chances of you being with a fuckwad like me are slim. I just had to tell you.”

For a second, you didn’t say anything. You were in shock. Never in your life did you think Merle Dixon would say such things. Never in your life had someone had something so sweet. You stared at Merle. His confident demeanor had vanished. Right now, he looked nervous and unsure of himself. Smiling, you walked towards him. When you reached him, you pulled him forward and kissed him. Merle closed his eyes as he kissed you back.

“You are a fuckwad,” You said after you stopped kissing him. “But we can try to fix that.”

“See? Told you’d come around sooner or later,” His familiar cocky grin appeared.

“Don’t ruin the moment Dixon.”

[consciousowl]

Would You Die For Me?

I’m not your lover

I’m not your friend

I am something that you’ll never comprehend

No need to worry

No need to cry

I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why

‘Cause you, I would die for you, yea

Darling if you want me to

Prince, “I Would Die 4 U”

Have you ever fallen so totally in love with someone that to be without her is death, and to be with her life eternal? You cherish the ground she walks upon. Night and day, you think only of her. You would do anything for her… you would even die for her!

This is what every woman wants to hear from her man, like Juliet for her Romeo. Yes, you would truly die for her, but what about the world?​

How Prince Electrified the World

In 1984, Prince Roger Nelson stunned America as he introduced a breathtaking new form of fusion. The son of two jazz musicians out of Minneapolis, Prince captured our imagination with his movie and soundtrack, “Purple Rain.” It broke all records, selling 13 million albums, with the film grossing $68 million. At one time, Prince had America’s No. 1 single, No. 1 album and No. 1 film.

Prince was already a master musician, playing dozens of instruments. His passion outshone both Michael Jackson and Madonna, his principal rivals. He threatened to relegate them to the sidelines. Prince radiated intense sex appeal and an indefinable spirituality at one and the same time. He introduced the Gospel in an idiom to which people of any persuasion could profoundly resonate.​

While Prince initially flaunted his sexuality, he spoke at a much deeper, archetypal level. The year 1984 was the height of the Cold War, and it didn’t look like we would make it. Even the very year “1984” was ominous, as the title of George Orwell’s dystopian novel. Prince chanted “1999,” affirming he would celebrate in the face of devastation and ruin. He pointed to a self-sacrificing love. He would, like the Messiah, “Die for you.”

How could I possibly die for someone else? Prince forced us to ask that question.​

The Lifeboat Exercise

You may remember back in school taking a humanities class dealing with values clarification. If so, you very likely got to play the most intriguing forced-choice quiz you are ever likely to encounter. Let’s say you have just bailed out from the Titanic, and there are 11 people in your boat, with only room for 10. Which one shall the group throw overboard to sink into the oceanic abyss?

This exercise can inspire the most vigorous discussions, especially when it dawns upon the participants that they have no choice. One of them has to go.

Should we save a Nobel Prize recipient and humanitarian, like Muhammad Yunus? A gorgeous, accomplished starlet, like Jennifer Lawrence? A young and promising world leader, such as France’s President Emmanuel Macron? Or a freaky but brilliant Terrence McKenna?

With any hope, the lifeboat game forces you to the realization that every human life is precious, if not sacred.

What Would Make You Actually Die for Someone Else?

Many people feel that they have only one life, and that they should give it all they’ve got. Why throw it away for anyone else, husband, wife, lover, mother or father? Just think of Uncle Sam in stripes pointing, “I want you!” In the Vietnam era, the preferred response was, “Hell no! We won’t go!”

However, there may be at least one person, and possibly more than one, who, were they gone, you would feel life wasn’t worth living. Perhaps you are supremely grateful to him or her, mother or father. Perhaps your man is the only person in the world who truly understands you. Perhaps your woman is the only person who could possibly make you happy.​

Mothers and fathers would feel this way toward a son or daughter who loves them, depends upon them and has a full life ahead. You can already see it: he has built into him everything you dreamed for yourself. You’ve lived a full life up to this point, “Sure, I’ll give my life for my kids.”

Are You Ready to Meet Your Maker?

The great 20th Century evangelist, Billy Graham, used to ask his audiences before the alter call, “Are you ready to meet God?” Billy started out with fire and brimstone, but in his later years chose to emphasize an eternity without Christ, the very man who died for them. Dozens of people with tears in their eyes would make their way to the center of the stadium.

Billy had a point. Most of us in America feel that there is something after this life, whether in a vague spirit world, a glorious eternity in heaven (which has been suggested by such skeptics-turned-believers as Dr. Eben Alexander), or, God forbid, endless suffering for making other lives miserable.

It is interesting to observe people, either during the holiday season, or after a major disaster, such as an 8.6 earthquake. People are much nicer, more human and compassionate than you ever imagined. You might say that they are on their best behavior for Christmas. I choose to believe that they are in touch with what truly matters, and their have-it-together attitude is just a facade.​

A Salute to the Men and Women in Uniform

Think of the millions of men and women around the globe under every possible flag, serving in the armed forces, as well as in the police or fire departments. These people routinely place themselves in the line of fire. No matter what your political convictions, or your sentiments about wars and military actions that are so often unwarranted and even pointless; we must deeply admire their courage.

These people are willing to die, not only for their loved ones, but also for a much larger sphere of concern. They are willing to risk their lives to protect you. Should they die in the process, as did many of the firemen in the Twin Towers, their widows and children might be left to fend for themselves, on the edge of poverty.​

Many of these men and women, beyond the elusive glory of patriotism, find a profound sense of fulfillment in serving their country, protecting what they believe in and giving back all that has been given to them. As Jesus Christ put it, “He that seeks to save his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for My sake shall save it.” We can’t be fulfilled on the highest level until we live for something much greater than ourselves.

Die for You? YES. Kill for You? NO.

Since the 2000’s, Americans have been acutely aware of the Islamic doctrine of “Jihad,” which actually means struggle, not murder. Mohammad counseled the early Muslims that the “Greater Jihad” is an internal battle with one’s own darker impulses. War and violence, for Mohammad, were the “Lesser Jihad.” Nothing to brag about. However, a few Islamic countries, have recently appropriated Jihad to justify all kinds of questionable, and downward dastardly acts.

When I was in high school, I had a brilliant Jewish-Christian history teacher who kept asking his students, “Is violence ever justified?” That was in an era when America was fighting a futile war that lost the confidence of its youth. I have given much thought to this. If one were to take the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount to heart, we never have a license to kill. After seeing Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, I actually saw how we need not resort to violence.

We are now at a turning point where can choose NOT to kill, no matter what societal influences are brought to bear. True, you could face punishment for not bearing arms. It is also true that if whole groups of people, such as the nation of Costa Rico, which has no standing army, renounce standard notions of defense, the price might be great. They will certainly have it no easier than did Gandhi, and perhaps much harder.​

Would You Die for Even Your Enemy?

Supreme love is to, not only forgive your enemies and refuse to defend yourself against them, but to actually die for them, to wake them up, if you will. This was, of course, perfectly illustrated by Jesus of Nazareth on the cross when the Pharisees mocked him, and Christ prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Some time ago, on the island of Hawaii, a despairing teenager went up to its highest peak, and was about to jump beyond the guardrail. A couple of cops following him, slammed on the brakes. One of them ran from the car and grabbed the boy’s legs as he took the plunge. His partner grabbed him, as the cop himself was clearly about to go with the boy off the cliff. This created quite a sensation and was written up in the local papers. The cop was interviewed as to why he held on to the boy, when he was about to lose everything. He said, “If I had let go of that boy, I couldn’t have lived with myself another day.”

The great mythologist, Joseph Campbell, who recounted this story, related the insight of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. When we give our lives for someone else, maybe someone we don’t even know, we do so because we realize in a metaphysical burst of insight that we and that other person are ONE.​

I Would LIVE for You!

Today, most of us are not called to DIE for someone else. However, we are most definitely called to LIVE for other people, to be the light of the world, to reduce their suffering and give them joy. In an ironic sort of way, it easier to die for your wife and children than to live for them. One glorious act of selflessness and you are done. To live for your family and friends requires moment-by-moment giving.

While Prince died alone in an elevator in Paisley Park, he left behind millions whose lives he touched. Right to the end, he pushed himself with a broken hip taking constant medication. Prince entertained people while being sober himself. He kept living in the moment, opening up the envelope in musical and artistic innovation. As an ultracool Jehovah’s Witness, Prince had total confidence he would be well-taken-care-of at the other end.

We can choose to live, not only for those closest to us, but also for our Mother, Planet Earth. We can choose to look into the eyes of everyone we meet and see a uniquely precious soul. Living this way is as great as dying that way. If we love enough people with that kind of love, we may succeed in saving this Planet, as well ourselves.​

Would You Die For Me? appeared first on http://consciousowl.com.