Howard
McCord is a poet, teacher, and adventurer of note.
Willem Larsen is head
instructor at Urban
Tribes, School of Native Science. On the surface, it may appear to be
a school that teaches tracking...you know, how to trail and find animals
by the marks they leave on the ground. However, the story is much deeper
than that. Tracking is not simply following and finding, it's the
reconstruction of events in the life of the animal you're studying. And
the school teaches much more than just tracking...Willem is deeply
involved in bringing to education an element that has been missing for
thousands of years: how to survive well no matter where you are, and how
to recognize and keep your place in the world. This isn't taught in our
public school systems, and what he teaches works well in the jungle or in
the city, because it's fundamental. It's fundamental knowledge; it's
fundamental wisdom, and it's fundamental to us as human beings, because
it's what we evolved with over millions of years.
You can also learn a tad more about what Willem is all about by visiting
the EDUCATION Forum on our site and reading his messages about The
Invisible School.
John Kurmann is very concerned
about what we, as a culture, are doing to the world. In his thoughtful
manner, John writes essays, talks to people, and does what he knows how to
convince others that maybe the course we're on isn't all it's cracked up
to be. Maybe we can do better, easily. Maybe we can live as a part of this
world rather than trying to lord over it and in the process, destroying
ourselves. Does he sound radical? Perhaps radical is knowing that what we
do day by day is destructive in many ways -- and continuing to do it
anyway. Read and judge for yourself at Tide
Turning, where John teams with Bill Gresham to explore why we can live
well -- and why we're not doing it now. While you're there, check out what
else this site has to offer. It'll make you think. And wonder.
John
Worman: I think sometimes that I most
appreciate those who are exploring our existence on a cultural level. It
seems to be widely accepted that our way of doing things en masse is a
harmful way to live, but no one seems to know what to do about it. Some
people, though, have an inkling of an idea. They know where to start, at
least. Check out John Worman's site: Planetary
Vision Quest, and also look into his book, The Highest Mountain, which
you can read about on his site or at Amazon.
Gregory
Smith: There's always talk about making the world a better
place for our children. Well, what would you think if the
children took the reins themselves and actively worked to make
this world a better place for everyone? Meet Gregory Smith, who
started public school at the age of 5 and finished his 12-year
education at the age of nine. Get to know this young man, who
entered his freshman year of college at ten and completed 33
college credits that year alone.
We've all heard about prodigies, but how many are willing to
dedicate their lives to protecting the children of the world?
You may have seen him on Oprah, on news magazine shows, or read
about him in newspapers or magazines, but you can find out what
he's all about here: Saving
the world for our children.
Bob
Conrad: Here's someone who has things to say. From the books
of Daniel Quinn to the duality of our thinking to punk music,
Bob cuts straight to the essence of the matter, focusing on
problems on a cultural level. In “A Systemic View of
Vegetarianism,” for example, Bob shows why a lifestyle that is
assumed to be morally right and healthy is actually an outgrowth
of our cultural viewpoint. In “When Opposites Connect,” he
explores how we are connected to this things we despise the
most. His main hope is that we can reconnect to the world of
which we’re already a part; accept our true place in the
scheme of things, which is as members of the world, not as
stewards or rulers. His writing is clear and plain, and it's
hard to overlook the warm heart that is the cause of it all –
a man who cares deeply for the world. It’s all a Second
Guess, isn’t it?
Puce: There's a core
group of young people out there. They're not kids any more, and they're not like you and I
were when we were that age. They question, they probe, they explore. They journal, they
write poems, they expose their feelings and angst in the hopes that answers will present
themselves. They're remarkably talented and beautiful, and they're searching for a path
and meaning. Check out what is perhaps the epitome of Generation Next: Puce.
Take a trip to Willyworx!
Once in a while you come across someone whose ability with The Visual truly astonishes
people. We think Willy Felix is just such a guy. He's an artist and web designer. His site
is well worth visiting, both from a web design standpoint [how does he DO that wild
stuff?!] and as a reminder of what artists are capable of doing [be sure to check out his
art!]
Bernie Siegel's new site (a great-looking one,
by the way) has been established and is up and running, courtesy of Dr. Barry Bittman and
his wife, Karen. It's the ECaP website, which stands for "Exceptional Cancer
Patients." While the site is geared toward those who are challenged with surviving
cancer, it's really about dealing with anything, and anyone is welcome to visit. Here you
will find people helping each other learn and grow, assisted by Bernie himself with his
unique and brilliant style of loving others.
Barbara
Kingsolver: Lance has been raving to everyone about Barbara Kingsolver's best-selling novel, THE
POISONWOOD BIBLE. Check out our review of her book on our Recommended Books page, and be
sure to check out her website at http://www.kingsolver.com!
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE was recently made one of Oprah's first picks, and with good, good
reason.
Genie
Webster: Explore some real goddess wisdom. Our friend Genie
Webster knows how to WALK THE DREAM--which also happens to be the title of her fine
CD, by the way. Genie's a singer - songwriter -goddess! Be sure to listen to sample cuts
from her CD and read her thoughtful words. Get inspired! Genie Land is a place of soul-shifting
spirituality.
The Holy Ranger is our
friend Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum. Recording artist. Musician. Songwriter. Poet. Scholar
and historian. Former university professor. Martial artist. Biker. Marty is one of the
most brilliant, generous, and egoless people we know. Learn about him by visiting his web
site above. You can learn even more about him if you download---for FREE!---his DOWN ON THE SPIRIT
FARM compact disc. You can download it song by song, or in its entirety. It's music
from the heart and soul of a man who knows how to create the spark that ignites the
bonfire that warms the spirit. Forget that canned formulaic crappola you hear on the
radio---this is real music by a real Renaissance Man.
Betsy Barnum - Taking
Responsibility for the Earth: This is Betsy's website devoted to matters of survival
and sustainability. It's one of the more extensive sites we've seen, particularly of
those designed by one person! From Betsy's Home Page:
We are living at a critical time in Earth history. Humans are using
our evolved intelligence and skills in ways that are bringing our biosphere to the verge
of collapse. Will we have a future on Earth? Or will we cause our own extinction--and take
most other life on the planet with us?
This site reflects the central concern of my life: taking responsibility for the Earth
at this critical time. It contains information about grassroots efforts to turn Western
Civilization from its destructive path, and organizations, movements and ideas to help you
live sustainably.
Dr. Fiorella Terenzi has been described by Dennis
Miller as "a cross between Carl Sagan and Madonna." This Italian astrophysicist
also composes music by converting the light energy of distant stars into audible tones.
Besides the CDs, she's also written some neat books. Forget your image of the frumpy lady
scientist with her hair done up in a bun; that's not Fiorella's style!
The Night Cabbie
is just that...a guy who
drives a hack in San Francisco, and writes a bi-weekly column about his adventures for The
Examiner. He reminds me of a cross between Damon Runyon and Charles Bukowski; real slice
of life stuff. Recommended by John.
Gary R. Smith's VISION RIVER: Our
friend Gary publishes THE VISION RIVER GUIDE, an exhaustive compendium of useful
information in the form of excerpts from what we here at MoonShadow would call
"Visionary Books." He has just released Volume 2 of the Guide. It warrants a
close look...
Biker Billy: An honest to God East Coast biker
with an honest to God syndicated cooking program. His book, BIKER BILLY COOKS WITH FIRE,
is the Bible of spicy cuisine. Billy is a character, and a guy who likes hot food. So, we
like him. No great spiritual awakening, just good grub. Feel the heat.
The Robert Anton Wilson Home Page: Author and
explorer of Everything, Wilson can "reverse every mental polarity," according to
Philip K. Dick. Bob will get you thinking about things.
The Timothy Leary Home Page: Uncle Tim was often
dismissed as a guy who took too many drugs and lost his teaching position at Harvard. In
fact, he was one of the most forward-thinking individuals of our time.
Daniel Quinn and ISHMAEL Home Page: Daniel's
groundbreaking book ISHMAEL won the Turner Tomorrow Award and has become a classic among
those who want to save the world. Visit, and see what all the fuss is about!
Scout Cloud
Lee:
Our friend Cloud is a singer, songwriter, motivational trainer, and a
Shaman of Fun. Truly a person you'd want to know! And check out the article about Cloud in the ILLUSIONS Archives!
Are you
a thinker or a follower? Read this: "For a person to
become what they are--rather than what society makes them out to
be--individual responsibility and courage are required. To
become what you really are, you can't just go along with the
flow and do what seems to be the most popular. Certainly, good
ideas and such should be borrowed and incorporated into one's
personal philosophy. To find those good ideas, however, requires
a willingness to think, a willingness to change, and courage to
explore. So what's it going to be? Are you going to take my (or
someone else's) word for it, or are you going to live your own
thoughtful
existence?"
Oh, man
is some of this stuff funny! For current events parody, you
can't do much better than The
Onion. And if you think religion isn't funny, you haven't
been to the Landover
Baptist Church and you haven't come across America's
favorite Christian, Ms.
Betty Bowers.
Survival
International is an organization dedicated to protecting
tribal peoples the world over. From what, you ask? From US.
Is it possible to
open new circuits in your mind simply by paying attention to the way you
phrase your words? No, I'm not talking
about NLP. It's called E-Prime
and you may find it fascinating...
Compassion
in Dying:
One of my personal heroes is Sheila Cook, whom we first got to know while we were
publishing a little magazine called ILLUSIONS:
A Journey Through Ideas and Spirit. Sheila
(pronounced SHY-LA) was first a subscriber and then a contributor. You see, she's a key
figure in a non-profit organization called Compassion In Dying. Not like your
run-of-the-mill right-to-life group, Compassion In Dying also works very hard to bring
about changes in medical care for the terminally ill.
Sheila is a wonderfully warm person, and her involvement with
Compassion In Dying speaks
not so much as to how she spends her time but to who she is. I think most of us would be
hard pressed to actually sit with a family and assist them in the process of saying
goodbye to a loved one. Yet, this is one of the services Compassion In Dying offers:
personal assistance with the difficult transition caused by a death in the family...
before, during, and after. You can read more about this in her story, “Somewhere Over the
Rainbow,” and in another story written by John Lee, also with Compassion In
Dying, titled “Anatomy
of a Good Death.”
Compassion In Dying. Help them out if you can. At the very least, visit their
website and see what these
courageous people are doing. We can all learn from them.
The Ishmael Community Forum (on Delphi):
This is Jeff Angelovich's site where people can discuss any and all aspects of Daniel
Quinn's books, world visions, and solutions for our culture to live a sustainable
lifestyle. There are thousands of messages here on all topics!
Soulutions Now: Barry Thiessen's organization,
for those of us who have been concerned with the problems of our world and flustered by
the question, "What can I do?" Soulutions Now is a site dedicated to
providing a forum for exploration and direction in trying times.
A More Natural Way: Diane Olson and Tom
Heuerman are organizational consultants committed to learning and helping others learn a
more natural, creative, and productive way of working together. They help others discover
and live an ecological worldview, learn new ways to think, new ways to relate to oneself
and others, and new core competencies appropriate for each person's role in the
organization.
The Deoxyribonucleic Hyperdimension: I don't know
where to start, except to say you better fasten your seatbelts if you drive through this
place. WIRED Magazine said of it: "A conceptual offering of philosophic
technoshamanism, the site known as The Deoxyribonucleic Hyperdimension is the last word on
evolutionary ideas and knowledge." Well, maybe the 2nd-to-the-last-word, after this
humble site!
