Serenity Quest

Anthropologist Malek Chebel has assembled a "Le Kama-sutra arabe", an anthology of erotic texts from Islamic history. In an interview with Catherine Golliau, he cites erotic passages from the Koran and calls the puritanism of contemporary Islam, unislamic. "The rejection of the flesh and sexuality amounts to a rejection of the self. But how should someone who rejects himself be able to love anyone else, including God? Islam emphasizes the importance of profane happiness as a passage and invitation to spiritual happiness. Those who see these two forms of happiness as oppositions are 'emotionally illiterate.'"

Taken from signandsight.com

Further reading about Malek Chebel and his book:

Malek Chebel, une voix libérale de l'islam [French] - Yahoo

Algerian Reformist Malek Chebel: 27 Propositions for Reforming Islam [English] - The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)

It's Mother's Day in some parts of the world.

I salute all you lovely, caring, tender, nuturing, strong, uncompromising mothers who support us yet give us enough room to be us!

Happy Mother's Day!

Writing is an excellent way to exercise the brain. I write at least one hand-written letter per month. Just like in class while taking notes the brain is registering the info. The reason why attending, no participating in class makes a good pupil – strange word “pupil” isn’t it? I was curious as to it’s etymology, check here. I was always a very present student which made the teachers love me and the other students hate me. Often the same doesn’t reproduce itself amongst the elite I learned later in life, you’re welcomed to be different, eccentric, odd. Sometimes the odder the better! Are you thinking what I’m thinking…artists. We’re all artists in some way or another, some in love and others in deception. I’m a pleasure artist, I live to give others pleasure. A smile here, a hug there. Goodness is my drug. What type of artist are you?

It has been eventful. A college friend contacts me after 10 years, amazing…we have so much to catch up on. A friend calls to give me bad news that a colleague we used to work with was murdered by her husband in her sleep and her 9 year old son found his parents bodies, the father shot himself afterwards. I learned that my nephew may have cystic fibrosis and his lifespan may be shortened.

I was listening to a sermon the other night about how God hasn’t bestowed holiness upon any human being and we must strive to be holy. It is a daily struggle. We are all responsible for the holiness of others, as a community. Perhaps this was not the first I had heard this but it hit me like a brick – my constant inner struggle between good and evil is normal, we all have this conflict within us, you, me even the holiest of humans. The only blameless being is God and we must strive to be like Him.

It’s difficult for me to admit that I’m not perfect, maybe my greatest flaw because I try so very hard with all my body, spirit and soul to be a good person. But, you know, no matter how hard I try I am human and will always make mistakes. I have learned to accept that and be less harsh on myself. Learn to love yourself and as a result you will love others.

Whitney Hosuton, sister, if you read this know that you are loved and missed! You are so gifted baby, come back and share your talent with us. Honey, leave all your troubles behind and don't look back. "I'm every woman, it's all in me...."

Was watching a TV interview, can't even remember who of, but what struck me is her reaction to the question “Do you feel guilty when others suffer?” and her answer was something like this: No, why should I? God places us in certain places and we must maximize the qualities He’s bestowed upon us.

Interesting way of looking at it, I suppose.

I used to spend night after night crying for the miserable of the world and today, although I still hurt for them I found that I am most effective and useful to them when I act on their behalf. My strengths are their strengths.

Why is that some religions forbid performing cunnilingus? Would it be beneath a man to give a women such unexplicable pleasure? In reality it is a form of domination in and of itself, a real man grasps that and enjoys the fruits of his harvest. Well it's their loss if they neglect to understand that they can have their cake and eat it too!

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I enjoy sex, I do and always have. I find that knowing your partner, their desires and wants amplifies the sexual relationship and stimulates experimentation that both feel comfortable with. What a novel concept, staying with someone long enough to get to know them and fully enjoy sex!

The problem is that no matter how much money we send it always winds up in the pockets of the greedy criminal politicians and never reaches the starving, diseased, slave population. Why?! Why can’t we just love one another!!! We feel the need to dominate others, “I’m smarter than he is”, “I’m prettier than she is”, competition all the time. TIRING.

Look at lovely Angelina Jolie she has adopted several children from impoverished areas of the world and is even giving birth in Namibia wanting her child to have a real connection to Africa. Even Prince Harry is making a difference there. We are citizens of the world and should rise up against injustice everywhere on our planet!