ALL-FAITH Coordination Thread

[RoseArienh]

Welcome to to the All-Faith Coordination Thread.

Here, we will compile faith-related facts and information as well as brain storming ideas. All are welcome to contribute to the discussion and/or to ask questions about faith-related aspects of the game.

If you are new to the game or this forum, Truffula's The LOST WEBMAZE - Map and Travel Guide (Vol 2) (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18384) will be the perfect place to catch up on things.

Please make sure to read Lab's Rules and Guidelines (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18344).
Highlights:
Keep all discussion of the game in this sub forum.
Respect your fellow posters.
Keep on topic (friendliness is always allowed, but socialize in the BBR (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12123)).
Consider carefully and use Search before starting a thread.
Use the search feature; it is not only courteous, it is your friend.

Please reference all sources of materials. No plagiarizing, please!

Please feel free to send me a PM if I can be of assistance.

[RoseArienh]

All websites that we have found useful in research will be listed here. As always, suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Symbols
A Visual Glossary of Religious Symbols (http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/blsymbols.htm)
This site has thumbnails of hundred of religious symbols with links to explanations.

Literature
The Internet Sacred Text Archive (http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm)
This site contains a truly amazing collection of religious, mythological and legendary literature.

Mythology
The Encyclopedia Mythica (http://www.pantheon.org/mythica.html)
A good general source of information mythology from many cultures. It has a nice quick search that's very helpful.

Philosophy
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Comprehensive source by name, theories, key words; a great research tool! Contributor: lametterey

[RoseArienh]

Reserved for further reference

[RoseArienh]

This post will be reserved for references of unknown importance. If a symbol of faith or a casual reference to faith (by any stretch of the imagination) appears as part of a clue, I will list it here with a brief definition or explanation and the clue to which it relates. If it appears, over time, that an item is important to solving clues, it will be moved appropriately. Suggestions for additions and corrections are always welcome.

The Flower of Life (DJDan podcast)
The Flower of Life is a geometrical figure composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles, that are arranged so that they form a flower-like pattern with a six-fold symmetry like a hexagon. In other words, the center of each circle is on the circumference of six surrounding circles of the same diameter.
Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_of_Life)
Check posts 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, and 20 --- for much more detail.
Contributors: lametterey and PandoraX

Namaste - Hanso (phone)
A South Asian greeting originating in India, which is used when both hello and goodbye would be used in English. The meaning is quite different, however. ... It is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with the hands pressed together, palms touching, in front of the chest. ... In other words, it recognizes the equality of all, and pays honor to the sacredness and interconnection of all, as well as to the source of that interconnection. Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste). Contributor: PandoraX

Persephone - Hanso Web Site
From Greek mythology. Goddess of the underworld. Daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Wife of Hades. Symbolisms and Associations: Pomegranate (seeds), Life and Rebirth. Encyclopdia Mythica and Wikipedia agree that Persephone means "she who destroys the light." Roman mythology equivalent: Proserpine or Proserpina.
Source: Encyclopedia Mythica (http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/persephone.html)

While researching Persephone, I found some interesting things at Wikipedia.
Thus, Persephone lived a peaceful life before she became the goddess of the underworld, which, according to Olympian mythographers, did not occur until Hades abducted her and brought her into the underworld. She was innocently picking flowers with some nymphs -- and Athena and Artemis, the Homeric hymn says --, or Leucippe, or Oceanids
Many modern scholars have argued that Persephone's cult was a continuation of Neolithic or Minoan goddess-worship. Among classicists, this thesis has been argued by Gunther Zuntz (Zuntz 1973) and cautiously included by Walter Burkert in his definitive Greek Religion.
More daringly, the mythologist Karl Kerenyi has identified Persephone with the nameless "mistress of the labyrinth" at Knossos.
Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone)

Yin Yang - Hanso Logo
The concept of yin and yang originates in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, which describes two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe. Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, light, masculine, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day. Yin is often symbolized by water, while yang is symbolized by fire. Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_yang) Contributor: 3-Putt

http://i2.tinypic.com/x21eo7.jpg

[rottenralf]

"mistress of the labyrinth"

Appropiate for a webmaze I would say.

[~G~]

This is a great resource; I hope it is helpful here. It's cool reading about J. Locke. http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html

How the @%!*&? do I get pix on here? I have an idea, a comparison, b/w the blast door map, and a bhuddist mandala, but can't get the pix to show up.

[LostEmissary]

This is a great resource; I hope it is helpful here. It's cool reading about J. Locke. http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html

How the @%!*&? do I get pix on here? I have an idea, a comparison, b/w the blast door map, and a bhuddist mandala, but can't get the pix to show up.If the pitcure is uploaded somewhere, just put the URL between the [img] tags.

If it's on your PC, you can upload it as an attachment, just click on "manage attachments" down below the text box when you're typing up a reply.

[~G~]

Thanks for pointing me in the rigth direction. I am a technical neophyte. ;)

[PandoraX]

Oh, and just a small suggestion/addition as well. Might want to add the word Namaste to the glossary. A lot of people just consider it to be a Hindu greeting, but it has a lot of religious overtones, and is a little more complex than that. I know this has been discussed in the past, but just thought I'd revisit it, since it seems pretty heavily used on the site (and Peter Thompson says it with some wicked sarcasm after his threat on the phone message). Wiki with details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

[trailgoat]

At Rose's request, I am posting this here to (thanks Rose).

I am probably reaching here, but in the Rudyard Kipling poem, Hymn of Breaking Strain, there are themes and keywords that stand out to me. There are probably more ties I am missing.:)

The careful text books measure (we have the book Bad Twin, could be
(Let all who build beware!) considered a text book for the LE)
The load, the shock, the pressure
Material can bear.
So, when the buckled girder
Lets down the grinding span,
The blame of loss, or murder,
Is laid upon the man.
Not on the Stuff -- the Man!

But in our daily dealing
With stone and steel, we find
The Gods have no such feeling (multiple Gods, as in Greek Mythology)
Of justice toward mankind.
To no set gauge they make us, --
For no laid course prepare --
And presently o'ertake us
With loads we cannot bear.
Too merciless to bear.

The prudent text-books give it
In tables at the end --
The stress that shears a rivet
Or makes a tie-bar bend --
What traffic wrecks macadam --
What concrete should endure --
But we, poor Sons of Adam,
Have no such literature,
To warn us or make sure!

We hold all Earth to plunder --
All Time and Space as well -- (time/space travel perhaps)
Too wonder-stale to wonder
At each new miracle; <---(our hidden keyword)

Till, in mid-illusion
Of Godhead 'neath our hand,
Falls multiple confusion
On all we did or planned.
The mighty works we planned.

We only of Creation
(Oh, luckier bridge and rail!)
Abide the twin-damnation --
To fail and know we fail.
Yet we -- by which sole token
We know we once were Gods --
Take shame in being broken
However great the odds --
The Burden or the Odds.

Oh, veiled and secret Power
Whose paths we seek in vain, (we seek Alvar's paths)
Be with us in our hour
Of overthrow and pain;
That we -- by which sure token
We know thy ways are true --
In spite of being broken,
Because of being broken,
May rise and build anew.
Stand up and build anew!

[Zoecb]

I like the bit about 'twin-damnation', eh?!

[RoseArienh]

Flower of Life - from DJDan podcast of 6/21
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9223/floweroflife2tz.jpg
The Flower of Life is a geometrical figure composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles, that are arranged so that they form a flower-like pattern with a six-fold symmetry like a hexagon. In other words, the center of each circle is on the circumference of six surrounding circles of the same diameter.

The Temple of Osiris at Abydos, Egypt contains the oldest to date example. it is carved in granite and may possibly represent the Eye of Ra a symbol of the authority of the pharaoh.

Other examples can be found in Phoenician, Assyrian, Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, and medieval art.

A Flower of Life pattern can be constructed with a pen, compass and paper, by creating multiple series of interlinking circles.

In some renditions, the rosette on the unofficial flag of Padania is a partial version of the "flower of life" pattern (see also the flag of the "Conceyu Xoven" youth movement of Leon).

The Flower of Life pattern contains the basis of Metatron's Cube. From this pattern, all five of the Platonic solids can be derived.

Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_of_Life)

[PandoraX]

Rose, that's interesting... the wiki doesn't have much on the actual meaning and significance of the symbol, though... curious what the meaning in egyptology was?

[~G~]

http://www.floweroflife.org/toverview1.htm

Pan- this seems a good primer, if you stay away from the "cultish" pitch to join. I have an uncle living in Egypt right now, who is an Egyptologist; I'm going to email him right now, and see what he has to say.

[RoseArienh]

Thanks, G! Pan, the phrase "flower of life" was nagging me as something I'd read/heard about. I really stuck it in just in case.

I found a site with some interesting info (a jewelry site, of all things, so grain of salt...) http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/p-articles/flower-of-life.php

Goodie!:) - just the kind of research Rose needs on a slow Sunday afternoon. I'll see what I find and summarize.

[rottenralf]

Rose - Interesting. Also that top picture on the right, doesn't that resemble a sunflower even though it isn't mentioned? There was something about sunflowers in "Calendar Girls", I may have to rewatch that to see what they said, but it was about life and renewal or something.

[RoseArienh]

After some research, the definitions I found on the jewelry site were the clearest and most comprehensive. Someone had trouble with the link, so I will post the entire article. (And by the way, if anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday, save that jewelry link)

The information below is copied from: KA-Gold-Jewelry.Com (http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/p-articles/flower-of-life.php). It is used here for information only.
Flower of life
The blueprint of creation

Flower of life - symbol of all major religion
The "Flower of Life" can be found in all major religions of the world. In Egypt, the source of all the monotheistic religions, the "Flower of Life" can be found in the ancient Temple of Abydos. In Israel it can be found in ancient synagogues in the Galilee and in Mesada. The "Flower of Life" contains the patterns of creation as they emerged from the "Great Void". Everything is made from the Creator's thought.

Flower of life creation
After the creation of the Seed of Life (See the article about the seed of life) the same vortex's motion was continued, creating the next structure known as the Egg of Life (diagram 8). In three dimensional forms it looks like diagram 4. This structure forms the basis for music, as the distances between the spheres is identical to the distances between the tones and the half tones in music.

It is also identical to the cellular structure of the third embryonic division (The first cell divides into two cells, then to four cells then to eight). Thus this same structure as it is further developed, creates the human body and all of the energy systems including the ones used to create the Merkaba. If we continue creating more and more spheres we will end up with the structure shown in diagram 8a. This structure is called the Flower of Life.

Fruit of life inside the flower of life
The flower of life holds a secret symbol created by drawing 13 circles out of the Flower of Life as shown in diagram 8b. By doing this, one can discover the most important and sacred pattern in the universe. This is the source of all that exists; it's called the Fruit of Life. It contains 13 informational systems. Each one explains another aspect of reality. Thus these systems are able to give us access to everything ranging from the human body to the galaxies. In the first system, for example, it's possible to create any molecular structure and any living cellular structure that exists in the universe. In short every living creature.

Platonic solids
By connecting all the middle points of the 13 circles to each other, one gets the pattern shown in diagram 8c. This is known as the Metatron Cube. Inside it are five three- dimensional shapes known as the Platonic Solids. These five shapes and all their combinations create all the possible structures in the universe, such as the embryonic cell division existing in every living creature.

This is only the first informational system within the "Fruit of Life", which is derived from the Flower of Life. The Ancient Egyptians used to hide this way of producing the "Fruit of Life" from the "Flower of Life" by drawing the "Flower of Life" without some of its outer circles and drawing two circles around the inner circles. This is similar to the inner and outer membranes of the ovum surrounding the embryonic cells.

King Akhenaton Flower of Life
The special qualities within the Flower of Life were taught in Egypt in the 18th Dynasty, during the reign of King Akhenaton. He established three schools of mysticism:
The Right Eye of Horus
dedicated to the left (masculine) side of the brain. This side controls logic, calculation as well as the ability to understand geometry and spatial relations. Its aim was to prove the existence of one spirit that exists everywhere and in everything.
The Left Eye of Horus
dedicated to the right (feminine) side of the brain (emotion and sensitivity side).
The Middle Eye of Horus
dedicated to life itself.

The Egyptians were aware of dimensions and referred to a higher level of existence called "The Fourth Dimension", known as the "after life". The aim of the schools was to reinstate the knowledge of the "One true force - the almighty" that exists everywhere and in everything. This knowledge which came from the advanced Atlantean race was lost 13,000 years ago with the destruction of Atlantis. This loss resulted in "good and evil", duality consciousness.

King Akhenaton, as a messenger of the ascended masters, reintroduced monotheism to his subjects whom, due to the long passage of time had forgotten this Atlantean knowledge. The Egyptian idols were only symbols of the one true God, the "Neter Neteru", that which is beyond definition. Egyptian mythology was transformed into a form of symbolic calculus, by which the sages interpreted the evolution of spiritual states and psychic landscapes. Her religious teachings promoted unity and monotheism but it was never defined beyond the simplistic "Neter Neteru". This Pharaoh's death left behind a legacy that was the source of all the modern monotheistic religions.

[~G~]

From my uncle:
Hi, Greg.


Yes, I have lots. I taught an introductory lecture on the Flower of Life in Japan to help promote the full course.


The best source is Drunvalo Melchizedek, who created the course. There is a 2-volume book by Drunvalo, edited by Livea Cherish.


Drunvalo seems not to be teaching the course any more, but has turned it over to others who teach it now, using the video material he created. The one I recommend is Ron Holt, who taught me. I don't know Ron's e-mail address, but you can perhaps find it by googling Ron or a Flower of Life website that leads to him.


I sympathize with your wheat-and-chaff metaphor. Some authorized FoL teachers are better than others, and there are mere pirates ripping Drunvalo off.


There is no substitute, I believe, for actually taking the course, though the books will provide the basic information. Drunvalo designed the course to overload the left brain with so much information that the left brain is forced to call on the right brain for help, and when it does, as it did for me, there's a moment when the hypothalamus wakes up and the two brains fuse. If you can take the course, I highly recommend it.

THis is a link to his website: http://www.hermes3.net/aboutdf.htm

[RoseArienh]

Interesting, G - also to note that your uncle recommends Drunvalo Melchizedek, who is referenced in the link you provided in post 30 in this thread (http://www.floweroflife.org/toverview1.htm). It also seems that he at least approves of the organization to which the site belongs.

[PandoraX]

Thanks for all the cool info on the Flower of Life symbol... that's really neat.

I've got something for you, Rose.. entered this in hanso thread, but it fits here, too. I created this Lostpedia page on the dharmacakra, since it's now made 3 appearances (1 in show and 2 in game). Since this is almost all my writing (with some borrowing from the wikipedia entry also), I won't feel so bad if I cut and paste the whole thing in here...


Dharmacakra

From LostPedia


http://www.lostpedia.com/images/thumb/3/38/Wheel.gif/180px-Wheel.gif (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:Wheel.gif) http://www.lostpedia.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:Wheel.gif)
One version of the Dharmacakra


[edit (http://www.lostpedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmacakra&action=edit&section=1)]
In Religion

This 8-spoked wheel is a Buddhist symbol for teaching the path to enlightenment. According to the teachings of Buddha, the hub stands for the stability of discipline. The rim of the wheel symbolizes the state of consciousness which holds everything together. Each spoke represents one of the 8 paths to enlightened thought:
Wisdom (Sanskrit: prajñā, Pāli: paññā)
1. Right understanding
2. Right thought
Ethical conduct (Sanskrit: śīla, Pāli: sīla)
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
Mental discipline (Sanskrit and Pāli: samādhi)
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration
According to Buddhism, reaching a state of dharma (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Dharma) through the turnings of the wheel can rescue one if one is spiritually LOST (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/LOST).
Wikipedia Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmacakra)
[edit (http://www.lostpedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmacakra&action=edit&section=2)]
Appearance

http://www.lostpedia.com/images/thumb/1/1c/IssacsWall-small.jpg/180px-IssacsWall-small.jpg (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:IssacsWall-small.jpg) http://www.lostpedia.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:IssacsWall-small.jpg)
Isaac's wall with dharmacakras circled

Similar to a Compass Rose
Similar to a ship's steering wheel[edit (http://www.lostpedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmacakra&action=edit&section=3)]
On LOST (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/LOST)

The dharmacakra first appears on Isaac (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Isaac)'s wall, on two identical green cards.[edit (http://www.lostpedia.com/index.php?title=Dharmacakra&action=edit&section=4)]
In The Lost Experience (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/The_Lost_Experience)

http://www.lostpedia.com/images/thumb/b/b8/Dharmawheel.jpg/180px-Dharmawheel.jpg (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:Dharmawheel.jpg) http://www.lostpedia.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:Dharmawheel.jpg)
Dharmacakra seen in the last scene before The Hanso Foundation site shut down


http://www.lostpedia.com/images/thumb/9/94/18wheel.jpg/180px-18wheel.jpg (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:18wheel.jpg) http://www.lostpedia.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:18wheel.jpg)
Dharmacakra seen flashing by in Psychology Test Orientation Video

Makes its first appearance in June 16 Life Extension Project update as one of the images which flashes by just before The Hanso Foundation website shuts down.
Makes its second appearance in June 19 Psychology Test Orientation Video (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Psychology_Test_Orientation_Video) as one of the images that flashes by (image #18 in montage).Retrieved from "http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Dharmacakra (http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Dharmacakra)"