Kali Activated for May Day

April 30, 2016. Realizing that the spiritual mojo which we have collectively brought into the peace & justice/radical environmental movement over the past 40 years has run its course, I spent today in New York City paradigm shifting.  Made a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and spent the whole afternoon in the Asian art area on floor two.  

For an hour or so, I hung out with various Buddhas, Guan Yin, temple attendants, and assorted bodhisattvas.  It was fun, considering how much they've contributed to contemporary society's enlightenment while introducing an ethical and moral compass.  But sad to say that this does not address the fact of a planet earth in peril, nor the global political chaos.

     Venturing into the Indian section, I hobnobbed with primary deities, particularly Shiva, Vishnu, and the celestial flute player Krishna; all of them dancing to the tune of the mrdanga drummers.  But again, not really mojo enough for the ecodefense necessary in an era of extreme energy and global climate destabilization.  And then I met an horrific goddess garlanded with severed heads, her eyes bulging, a smiley icon in her crown, a scorpion on her stomach, and teeth...lots of teeth.  Mother Kali in all of her divine magnificence!  I began chanting her mantram "Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce" over and over, as a paradigm shift was taking place on the eve of May Day.

     Leaving the museum, I went down to the East Village, and while chanting "Om Sri Kali Ma", found a cluttered Indian gift shop on 2nd Avenue, and inside bought a small framed picture of Mother Kali dancing on the chest of Shiva (who once laid down on the battle field in an attempt to calm her down during her victory dance, because she was throwing the planet earth off of its axis with her intensity).  It is now on the electrical light box above my head where I sleep on a lower bunk at the Hostelling International travel hostel at 103rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue.  I'm going to be here until my exit date of May 9th, so I will be going to goddess temples in other boroughs, continuing to 
energize the performance of this critical sadhana.

     I invite everyone to bring in their own spiritual mojo, in the face of serious national and international political confusion, global ecological implosion, and your own fragile existence on the edge.  Beyond May 9th I have no plans, so you might contact me 
at CraigStehr@inbox.com or just come find me wandering the side streets of the lower east side chanting to the dark mother.  I'm ready.  Are you ready?  ~HAPPY MAY DAY~

Wandering the NYC Chinatown Alleyways...

April 29, 2016 Am presently at a public library in NYC's Chinatown...just enjoyed a ginseng (root in the bottle) drink, and then will soon be off to the Guan Yin places...she is just loved here!  I bought a small figure of her astride a guardian lion at the Mahayana Temple recently; she is perched on the electric light box above my head where I sleep at the travel hostel. 

Paid for 8 more nights at Hostelling International this morning...exit date is May 9th.  As always, I've no idea what is going to happen in the next five minutes.  Keep singing,  ;-)

Dear Mostly Confused Postmodern America

April 28, 2016 Warmest spiritual greetings, Please know that I have enjoyed a week of sheer unscheduled pleasure in New York City, which has given me time to reflect.  Previously, I was in Washington, D.C. protesting (with Beyond Extreme Energy) the irrational, probably criminal, and definitely ecologically stupid policies of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  

My question after being in D.C. three times doing this is: "Why don't the landowners who are being invaded by armed government agents protecting pipeline installation workers who are in association with energy companies, who are using "eminent domain" as a legal argument to realize a pipeline from the fracked gas site to a processing plant, to create the final product of liquefied natural gas for export to India and Japan, to increase domestic profits, just kill the trespassers as an act of self defense?"  Earth First!ers responded to my query by saying that radical environmentalism is basically committed to "non-violence", although there is an ongoing debate about this apparently, particularly when one's survival is at stake.
  
   Eco-defense does not have any tenets inherent which somehow prevent anyone from taking necessary protective action.  It's that simple.  Pacifism is ridiculous in a context of ecological self defense.  It is the height of stupidity for American political leftists, who have been glorifying revolutionary historical figures for years, and praising global contemporary anarcho-revolutionary efforts, to adopt an ineffective dissent approach domestically.  This is especially true in view of the demented anti-earth presidential primaries, the scientifically proven destabilized global climate, the hole in the ozone layer, a worldwide garbage dump oceanic situation, species decline, unhealthy air and water quality, and feel free to add your own concerns to the list.

     The masses of humanity need to understand that they are fucked.  With the only exception of cultivating a spiritual life, the future on planet earth is pointless.  You know it, and I know it.

     I am chillin' at Poets House today in lower Manhattan.  Feel free to contact me if you like, atCraigStehr@inbox.com


Craig Louis Stehr
April 28, 2016

NYC Dakimakura

April 27, 2016 Meanwhile in Manhattan, It's kind of surrealistic here, what with the mild weather and the not-so-huddled masses happily shopping in midtown, and costumed children all going to Planet Hollywood, and the Super Hero characters (in costume) being photographed hugging them in Times Square, with its towering advertisements changing every second, and huge billboards for musicals, and everything here oversized except for a poet reading E.E. Cummings's "In Just Spring".  

Spent the early evening enjoying Holy Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and then stayed late for the benediction in the Mary Chapel behind the altar area.  Lovely, just lovely.  Left at closing, and ducked into Saks Fifth Avenue to use a restroom, and was suddenly immersed in high end couture with a groovy jazz trio performing on the first floor.  Images, images, images!!!  

Everybody hereabout is voting for Trump.  Hey, he's a New Yorker.  What do you expect?  They "fuckin' can't stand Hillary", okay?  Thank God that there's a cathedral to take refuge in, amidst this magnificent consuming chaos.
Nota bene: Judith Malina once told me that in reality, it's ALL the Living Theatre!

Crucial Swami Krishnananda Quotation

"The dissatisfaction with limitedness in life directs the soul to catch the fullness of perfection in the truth of its Integrality, with which the individualized condition is not endowed."

~Swami Krishnananda, General Secretary of the Divine Life Society for over 60 years, who foretold the day that he would leave the earth plane, and subsequently went into mahasamadhi in Muni-Ki-Reti, India, dropped the body-mind complex, and effortlessly went up!

The Moon's Reflection in B Flat

Dropped by Loewe's theater on 34th Street yesterday in Manhattan, and took in the "Miles Ahead" motion picture.  A wonderful tribute (and graphically accurate) portrayal of the music icon post 1975 until he resurfaced anew.  It's a real treat that musicians who recorded with Miles Davis are featured.  This flick is not for the faint of heart.

     Later, met with my friend Genea Barnes who moved to Brooklyn from San Francisco, where she had managed the Crow Bar in North Beach.  Her book about ghost bicycles has been published, and seriously needs to get out to the general public.  If you can help with distribution please contact her atgeneabarnes@gmail.com.  We divine anarchists are duty bound to assist one another, ya know.

     After having an enjoyable reunion with her at Floyd in Brooklyn Heights (which has indoor bocce ball), I headed off in the dark using an inadequate subway map in search of a means of returning to Hostelling International.  On a dark street, I did quickly take a pee next to a small tree.  Looking up, there was a Brooklyn police car with two officers looking straight at me.  I was asked to explain what I was doing.  So, I replied that I was returning to my travel hostel.  The curt response was: "I'm not asking you where you are going.  Why are you urinating here?"  I quickly said: "I'm sorry about this, officer.  I apologize."  And the response from law and order was: "You need to get going where you need to go", and they drove away.  Two blocks later, I discovered that I was on the street which is home to the police station.  The cops were probably more surprised to see me there, than I was in being caught.  Fortunately, two Lagunitas IPAs and a hearty Glenfiddich scotch whiskey on the rocks enabled me to handle the delicate situation without it turning into a complete disaster.


     Will spend today at Poets House writing, having now acquired a better subway map.  Realizing that we are not these bodies nor these minds, but the immortal Absolute which is working through them, I recommend that everybody be established in the continuous superconscious state of Sahaj Samadhi Avastha.

Craig Louis Stehr
April 25, 2016
Email: CraigStehr@inbox.com

Leaving the Beast's Intestine

This being the afternoon before I leave Washington, D.C. to go to New York City, I am jotting down a few impressions to share.  First and foremost, since my arrival from California to participate with Beyond Extreme Energy's anti-fracking campaign, the overall experience here in the "belly of the beast" has been satisfactory.  And it is not because we generally accomplished short term goals, insofar as confronting the stupidity of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and its energy company masters, nor because my subsequent participation with Democracy Spring (which transitioned into Democracy Awakening April 16th) was also generally successful.

     The reason that this has been satisfying is because the district and the people who actually live here year around are wonderful!  I have had blissful times at the Catholic basilica during easter season, and regularly made use of the lower Crypt Church for silent meditation, plus going to the Franciscan monastery and chillin' out on its spacious grounds.  As well, countless hours have been spent at the 35 year young anti-nuclear vigil in front of the White House, with the volunteers who keep this continuously going, regardless of the weather, 24/7/365.  It is always a joy to be at "the igloo"...the dome-like structure wrapped in clear plastic so that volunteers may sleep there at nights...which has faced off with the ever-changing residents across the way at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  And once in awhile I even run into some of my old Catholic Worker crew, as they once again arrive en masse to speak truth to power.

     More commonly, the district has countless uptempo friendly places for breakfast, and there's lots of entertainment because this is the place where Chuck Brown invented Go-Go Music.  And the jazz is hot at Blues Alley.  And Hard Rock Cafe shows endless vintage and current videos.  And the Rocket Bar on 8th Street near the Chinatown arch, below the sidewalk, has big screens for basketball game viewing with a festive crowd; they even have California brews like Sierra Nevada and Lagunitas...and lots of pool tables...need info on what's happening at regional gambling casinos?...the Preakness odds at Pimlico?  And then there is Busboys and Poets and Kramer's Books for everything else.  And ya, you can go to the Smithsonian Mall.

     So, as I leave the Beast's Intestine tomorrow, I do so with a sublime fondness for the real Washington, D.C., which is separate from the United States Federal Government.  Maybe the D.C. Statehood advocate whom I spoke with is right.  Maybe it would be appropriate to move the seat of the federal government to Saint Louis, declare the District of Columbia the 51st state, keep the tourist attractions to finance local social programs, and let's see if the politicians and their corporate masters can make it in the midwest.

Craig Louis Stehr
April 18, 2016
Washington, D.C.
EMAIL: CraigStehr@inbox.com

Climate Justice Activists Sit-in for Democracy Spring on Day 6...

...as cumulative arrests reach 1,000.  Details at http://www.dcindymedia.org/node/1102.
Democracy Awakening frontlines April 16-18.  Details at http://www.democracyawakening.org

Onward and Upward

April 16, 2016 Blisteringly hot socio-political and steaming mulch radical environmental greetings to you,  Democracy Spring continues to occupy the Capitol in Washington, D.C. as best that it can (without getting shot!), and will continue doing so to deliver the message that a corrupted, bought by global capitalism and run by a psychotic consumerist international freak show, will no longer be accepted by the American people.  

The prevailing attitude in front of the White House is that it would be preferable to padlock it after the Obamas move out rather than let the Clintons move back in.  Majority opinion is that the Republicans will not advance beyond the convention in late July in Cleveland, where anarchists plan to take dissent to a higher level.  Also, the Democratic convention in Philadelphia in late July is perceived by some of the Democracy Spring marchers to be even more necessary to be shut down, because the Democrats represent a greater and possibly longer lasting insidious problem in terms of a lack of transparency, and general pandering to special interests.  Also, the foreign policies of the two parties are an ongoing environmental death knell, specifically in terms of the extractive industries which are run by multinational corporations.  Obviously, climate destabilization is scary and needs to be addressed, regardless of the stupidity of American politicians and their corporate masters.

     A sense of frustration is being felt by protesters in Washington, D.C. insofar as credible third party candidates are concerned, since corporate media, for example, is not allowing the Green Party into the televised debates, and also the miracle which would be required to have Uncle Bernie prevail does not appear to be happening, although supporters are hopeful.  This is fueling a growing sense of futility, as the possibility of a Republican administration with either the NYC billionaire rookie or the fracking evangelical Texan moving into the oval office becomes more likely.

     The usually quiet under-the-table discussion of using tactics other than "non-violent" is becoming more openly advocated by participants out of the cameras eye, as the Capitol police lead away an endless line of handcuffed Capitol steps occupiers.  Even historically pacifistic groups who are here look more indrawn that usual, and I am referring to the religious.  Catholic workers and Pax Christie, Jewish middle east peace advocates, Muslim moderate types, inter-faith council members such as Unitarians, and neopagans of various types are all part of the Democracy Spring group, which is evident at the early assembly in front of Union Station where the free breakfast is being served.

     The collective gossip over morning coffee is in regard to the quicksand sinking feeling that most are experiencing this week, and that the global ecological situation is approaching implosion; which is irrelevant to global capitalism, which requires inflation for its necessary growth, and has a more critical need of constant war to spur the global economy.  The fact that this is insane is not comprehended by either main political party's current front runner, which is resulting in a reconsideration by Democracy Spring activists of the basic intelligence of continuing with an essentially "non-violent" and in some cases pacifistic approach by protesters.  Intimations that collaboration with other tendencies at the late July conventions, for example, and certainly before that at scheduled bioregional gatherings, is a definite possibility.  The elderly who led one of the Capitol step occupations are being tight lipped in response to a younger generation's advocacy of a return to tactics of previous anarchist blocs, such as what was seen at the Republican convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 2000, and some of the eighty year olds are recalling a certain police riot in Chicago in 1968.

     The Earth First! annual Round River Rendezvous will take place in Michigan this year in early July, and a lot of the philosophical questions will be answered then.  Radical environmentalism has been pushed against the wall, so to speak, by years of fascist political regimes worldwide, with recent murders in central America being the latest examples of how far global capitalism is willing to go to ensure its own continuance.  None of this is lost on the Democracy Spring assemblage on the Capitol hill steps this week, which will go on through Monday April 18th.

Craig Louis Stehr
April 16, 2016
Washington, D.C.

Democracy Spring update

  The April 12th 2016 sit-in on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C. was led by senior citizens, the first arrestees all being over 80 years of age.  Surrounded by participants of Democracy Spring, cheering the elders on, the messages on banners and placards were focused on the lack of genuine democracy in American political life.  The recurring theme of dissent is critical of the fact that corporate media "creates the news", that large moneyed interests have bought the democratic process, and that there is no transparency anymore.  

  (see April 11th arrests  Indymedia coverage )

The primary message of today's protest is that the will of the American people is no longer being heard, replaced by servitude to global capitalism and consumerism, which themselves depend upon constant growth and inflation.  This results in an increasingly dangerous world which requires war.  Indeed, the protesting elders asked, what is the rest of the society doing right now, and why aren't there thousands more here with us?

     I'd like to offer this as a reply:  Most Americans are so caught up in their mundane daily soap operas, and with increasing debt, that they don't have time to do anything wise, such as cultivate a spiritual life and put their meditation into direct action.  Most of the postmodern population might as well hang a sign around their necks which reads: "Twilight Zone Captive".  And as for the miniscule number of participants on the front lines of peace & justice and radical environmentalism, the tediousness of endless protesting will be changed by circumstances which originate far beyond the ordinary. 

Please note that the prevailing feeling in front of the White House this afternoon is that it would be preferable to padlock it after the Obamas move out, rather than let the Clintons move back in.  Awaiting Divine Intervention, Craig Louis Stehr  Email: CraigStehr@inbox.com

April 12, 2016
5:45 P.M. ET
Washington, D.C. USA

DemocracySpring!

Hundreds Arrested at Capitol on the First Day of Democracy Spring

Click here: http://www.dcindymedia.org/node/1096

Concluding Lines fr. Emerson's "Nature"

"Build therefore your own world.  As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its great proportions.  A correspondent revolution in things will attend the influx of the spirit.  So fast will disagreeable appearances, swine, spiders, snakes, pests, madhouses, prisons, enemies vanish; they are temporary and shall be no more seen....as when the summer comes from the south the snowbanks melt and the face of the earth becomes green before it, so shall the advancing spirit create its ornaments along its path, and carry with it the beauty it visits and the song which enchants it; it shall draw beautiful faces, warm hearts, wise discourse, and heroic acts, around its way, until evil is no more seen." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson, concluding lines from his essay, "Nature"

Democracy Spring

April 11, 2016. The Democracy Spring marchers from Philadelphia 104 miles away arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday, and are presently occupying the east steps of the Capitol building. Local media is reporting, (particularly the anarchist videographer Luke of DC's Indymedia.org) which is resulting in a steady inflow of participants.  Common themes in regard to the shortcomings of the democratic process are the norm. 

Capitol police are casually arresting the step occupiers, who are being led away smiling.  It is almost surreal. Directly across from the east steps is a permitted protest area, which of course has set up a back and forth chant.  Thundering DEMOCRACY on one side is responded to with SPRING!!! on the other side, with a stoic line of Capitol police in the middle.  For more information: http://www.democracyspring.org

Bread and Puppet Theater Wakes Yo Tranced Situation Up!

April 9, 2016. The Bread and Puppet Theater has a new production, written and directed by founder Peter Schumann.  Entitled "The Public Access Center for the Obvious Presents: The Situation", more information is obtainable at http://www.breadandpuppet.org.  

This musical and dark clown-show features cardboard horses, an anti-extinction angel, proletariat broom dancers, a 100 watt lightbulb, a ship of fools, and a swinging brass band: all of whom are urging the Not-Yet-Existing-Upriser-Masses into reality.  

The situation of sweeping up the debris of this civilization while awakening the postmodern population from its consumer trance, before all hell breaks loose, more or less describes the basic plot; and the performance is artistically fantabulous, which is what we expect from the puppetistas.  

THIS PROVES ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE TELEVISION WILL NOT BE REVOLUTIONIZED, SO REVOLUTIONIZE YOURSELF!!

American Capital Stupid

April 8, 2016.  I'm sitting here at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library in Washington, D.C., this being my 66th year in a spiritually pointless, materialistically desperate society, (lately with bizarre technological lifestyles), and everybody I meet is complaining. Nobody wants to die lacking knowledge of what they ultimately are, beyond the body and the mind.  
This is in addition to the deranged local environmental situation, beginning with fracked gas activity being forced on east coast landowners, so that U.S. energy companies can keep their market share in other countries where the liquified natural gas end product is being exported.  

I wonder: why doesn't a landowner here just open fire with an automatic weapon and kill the energy company and pipeline company employees, who are being accompanied by armed government agents, when they show up to install the pipelines using the ridiculous legal argument of "eminent domain"?  Just a simple philosophical inquiry this morning, before I check in with the 35 year old anti-nuclear vigil in front of the White House.  

Last thought: most of the passersby yesterday are unsure if it would be better to padlock the building after the Obama's move out, or vote for the Clintons to move back in.  Not ignorantly stuck in postmodern America, Craig Louis Stehr

Craig Louis Stehr
April 8, 2016
EMAIL: CraigStehr@inbox.com

Free Flowing Dao, Taiko Drums, Cherry Blossoms, Time of Reckoning

The Sakura Taiko Fest Sunday April 3rd at the University of Maryland's Hoff Theater was a powerful, colorful, festive, and profound mixture of thundering Japanese drums, sprightly flute notes, and bells, gongs, and other traditional instruments.  Today's performance continues to reinforce the feeling that a reckoning time is here, in lieu of the cartoonish political primaries circus, the ongoing protests at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission against the gas fracking industry, the recent nuclear conference (which necessitated walling off with high interlocking metal barriers, plus installing military police in humvees at every intersection, the entire area in the center of the Shaw neighborhood), the stoic 35 year antinuclear protest maintained by Philippo and others directly across from the White House; which vigil continues to be subject to harrassment from the Park Service Police, and indeed, everything else that is on the table in Washington D.C. at the moment.
     The National Cherry Blossom Festival will continue with a Fireworks Festival at the southwest waterfront on Saturday April 9th, the huge parade is on Sunday April 16th on Constitution Avenue, which concludes at the South Ellipse, and is immediately followed by the Sakura Matsuri street festival, and on and on and on as the delicate pink and white cherry tree blossoms flutter in the gentle wind, in stark contrast to the United States Federal Government's iron metal face of hopelessness.
     If spiritual rituals and non-interference of the Dao flowing through you is appreciated, contact me atCraigStehr@inbox.com.  I am at the Harrington Hotel room 601 until April 5th, and then will be at DUO Travel Hostel located at 11th & N St. NW until April 19th.  Beyond that, I have no idea whatsoever about anything at all, which is just fine with me.  KWAAATZ!


Taiko Drumming Links:

www.markhtaiko.com

http://nendaiko.org

www.kyodaiko.com

Cherry Blossoms and washington DC part 2

Am this moment at the MLK Library in central D.C., chillin' until 4 P.M. when I check-in at the Harrington Hotel (11th & E St. NW) for five nights.  I have no idea what is upcoming here in terms of general activism, but the anti-fracking groups have direct actions planned in April and May.  As well, the annual World Bank-IMF protests are expected soon, but I have no knowledge of who or what is involved.  

It's been a long time since A-16 (April 2000) when many of us were here and D.C. was shut down for three days.   Of course the EF! RRR is in Michigan early July.  And the Earth First! Journal is mulling over my suggestion to have a table at the two late July political conventions, in Cleveland and Philadelphia. 

    This may or may not have anything to do with "saltwater issues".  I guess it depends on the various angles one might perceive the preservation of Penobscot Bay from.  But that's the eco-radical roadmap for the next four months in America, as far as I know.  A close friend of mine said that to go on like this year after year is a waste of time...that we need a brand new manifesto...to go after primary causes of problems rather than the  appendages.  How this might happen is undefined.  My response to my friend is that Divine Intervention is needed to neutralize money-military-industrial complexes globally. 

     So I will be in Washington D.C. until at least April 19th.  No certainty beyond that date.  Am enjoying the cherry blossoms,  Craig  ;-)

At the National Cherry Blossom Festival

We've got a break in the environmental direct actions in Washington D.C., with the April-May protestations now being organized, and a lot of the planning is happening outside of the region. This precludes activity at both of the political conventions in July in Cleveland and Philadelphia.  Beyond Extreme Energy needs money, and may be contacted at www.beyondextremeenergy.org.

     Meanwhile, due to errors and significant confusion by local travel hostels, I am going to the Hotel Harrington for five nights, and then to another D.C. travel hostel for fourteen nights.  PART OF THE WASHINGTON D.C. TRAVEL HOSTEL NETWORK INCORRECTLY CONCLUDED THAT I AM A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL USING D.C. TRAVEL HOSTELS FOR MY HOUSING, AND THEREFORE MY ABILITY TO RESERVE SPACE FURTHER INTO APRIL AND MAY IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE!  

     As well, since I am now paying Cherry Blossom Festival prices, I did indeed go to the tidal basin today and enjoy the music, international crowd, and the beautiful pink and white blossoms, which are inspiring poetry, imparting feelings of great joy, and blissful.  My intention is to continue enjoying being in Washington D.C., because there isn't anything else for me to do.  Check this out: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

     As always, I am never obstructing a higher spiritual power from flowing through me, am playing the D.C. lottery six times per week, am expecting Divine Intervention, and am available for just about any creative endeavor.  Postmodernism is finished!  What would you like to do?

Craig Louis Stehr
March 30, 2016
EMAIL: CraigStehr@inbox.com

Revolutionary Ecologists Confront BIG ENERGY in American National Capital

Revolutionary Ecologists Confront BIG ENERGY in American National Capital

Filed Mar 29, 2016

 On Friday, March 25, six of us from BXE went to Duke offices at 325 7th Street NW in Washington (ironically named "Liberty Place") and let Duke know that they are vulnerable in DC as well as all over NC.

Here's a short video of our action in the lobby of the office building. We were not allowed to get close to their offices. That's how scared the big corporations are of we the people and of energy democracy.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byng1pUNmWCkQldTSTV3bXlEQ0U/view

Lee Stewart took the video. From left to right the participants in the action are: Clarke Herbert (Virginia); Kendall Hale (NC);
Ted Glick (NJ); Steve Norris(NC); Craig Stehr (California, DC). Lee Stewart lives in DC.