The Journey

Goin' home

Druben — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:18:17 GMT

Its going to be hard leaving Baltimore. This city has been very good to me. I have made some wonderful friends here. Last night was my going away party and the gathered group was phenomenal. But going back to New Orleans does feel like going home. It is a completion of the full circle of the Katrina exodus. I did things in Baltimore I could never do in NOLA and these experiences will be foundational as I set up the school and my projects down there.

Off to Berlin

Druben — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:35:11 GMT

My "July abroad" this year is to Berlin. I have rented an apartment and have connected with old and new friends with whom I will visit. I look forward to great culture, naked in the parks, long stroll and beer (and bear) gardens.

A news feature on my program

Druben — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:54:44 GMT

Here is another news story on my arts program at Mercy Hospital http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/19168670/detail.html

Why does the heart open?

Druben — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:27:09 GMT

I had an experience last night that seemed to touch the deep core of existence, at least for me in this life. I had not been meeting men for a number of weeks, having grown tired of the quick zipless fucks with no real connection. I don't know why I got on line last night. I wasn't particularly horny or needing company. I connected with a guy who I had never seen on line before in the unusual "What's up, man?" manner. Nothing special. We arranged for him to come by. Nothing special. He arrived and DAMN but my heart just opened. I could fell it instantaneously even before we fell into bed. Our physical dance all came from a place in me that was not centered on my genitals and it was not linear or narrative but it sent me into that zone of timelessness and pure REAL NAKED encounter. He was completely participating in this and seemed to love it but, he wasn't there like I was. There was nothing special for him. Yes, he was a good lover, but it didn't send him over any edges. I was a good lover too, but was having an overwhelming ego shattering experience. We came down slowly and began to talk. And talked for the next two hours curled up with each other and we shared much intimacy and I heard his life and tried to share mine but he wasn't all that interested. He had already started to withdraw and move to the next scene in this comedy of life. I think he knew that something had touched me very deeply and though he enjoyed that I had giving myself to him and the experience so fully, I think he wanted to make sure there were "no strings attached." He was a rambling man. He was kind but it was clear I would never see him again. So, why does the heart open? Afterwards I had this incredible feeling of longing and humility and tearful gratitude and I felt open to God in the way I most treasure. There was both a fullness in me and an emptiness. There was both an acute sense of my limitedness and a sense of my eternal boundless nature. Our physical heating up of the soul was a preparation for this, perhaps consummation with God. Because maybe there is only God. And all of us are merely the psychopomps to the one real encounter. The man left and I doubt if he was blown over as I was. He probably went home and went to bed and didn't give me or our encounter another thought. He functioned as some kind of angel for me and I am learning this strange lesson in life that the best human couplings lead to raw exposure to the Divine. Its sad for me because I also want the enclosed human circuit of love. I want the emptiness to be filled with a lover so that we circulate our energies between us, but I am being taught that this life is not about that but is about some intense openings and emptying out which then allow Spirit to reside. Its not my choice but its also the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced.

My Lagniappe Project Featured on the 5:00 News here in Baltimore

Druben — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:15:48 GMT

Here is a link to the interview with the Lagniappe artist who works with cancer patients at Mercy Hospital. http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/19168670/detail.html

I may be going back

Druben — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:48:49 GMT

This Thursday I go back to New Orleans for my yearly teaching gig at the school I started there, The New Orleans Lyceum. It is doing really well, has its own building and a large mailing list. I am seriously considering moving back and resuming leadership of the school. Katrina interrupted a rich, full life down there and a very successful school, which I have not been able to establish here. There is something about that place, its dysfunction, its humor , its craziness and my dear friends who have weathered the recover that draws my back there on a soul level. I am doing an archetypal amplification workshop on the nature of desire through the story of the Sirens using yoga and art, a philo-cafe on the philosophical aspects of projections, a film discussion on "The Life of David Gale," and a screening of the film on Sabina Spielrein who Jung slept with, who then moved on the Freud - shown at the psychoanalytic center. We will also do a lot of eating, drinking, dancing listening to great music and even a voudou ceremony in the Quarter...Gawd, I miss that place!

I'm in a weird space

Druben — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:54:09 GMT

This painting by the Norwegian, Od Nordrum, captures the way I have been feeling lately. My projects and vision and aspirations have been drying up and I feel I am in the wasteland. I am empty but not in a good "fertile void" or "center of being" way but more of a needy, fill me up sort of ennui. There is a lack of initiative, creativity, energy for social engagement so I am prone to internet fantasy and living in the simulacra. I know that is too is part of the human condition. A psychic friend told me that in her networks many people who had previously been quite active in transformational work are experiencing this deterioration of what had worked before and that nothing has taken hold yet to reform the new work. She says that is because the old forms are quickly disappearing and some of us have not invested very much in the old forms and so we are the first to feel the emptying out. It makes sense to me. My supereGO says GO GO GO, do more, fill that void with productive selfless service. But another part of me says, suffer (the root of passion) through this dark night, for acting now will only be acting for the wrong reasons. (thank you T. S. Eliot). So, I wait and wonder as I wander....

Palestinian blood is on US.

Druben — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:50:17 GMT

Remember: The Palestinian people are Semitic, so supporting their rights against the barbarism of the Israelis is actually supporting Semitic causes. Its been way overdue that the knee jerk reaction of "Anti-semitic" for any criticism of Israeli's injustices (which all the human rights organizations have clearly revealed) be ignored and laughed at as just another ploy to keep Amerika in some kind of trance about who is ultimately responsible for this. Do any of you seriously think Israel actually produces enough funds to pay for its arsenal? Its all American money. This is the big secret that no one wants to face - Israel is totally dependent on the US tax payers money. Israel's actions against Arab countries puts us at the greatest risk of terrorist attacks - much more than all the airport security issues or issues with immigrants. This is the big secret. If the US government was serious about reducing the threat of terrorism to this country they would completely revise their stance on Israel. But when we unconditionally support Israel bombing the shit out of the Lebanese, the Palestinians and doing nothing to stop it as the world watches in horror, of course the Arab world hates us. The Arab world knows that the only way to force us to revise our view of Israel is to go to the source of its support - the USA and you and I. So we are implicated in this up to our eyeballs. Its a shame its through terrorism. But they basically get ignored as more and more illegal Israeli settlements get set up on Palestinian lands. Israel would love the Palestinians to just settle down and behave so they can slowly take over the entire region. I completely understand these freedom fighters cause. I don't endorse terrorism but I do affirm that there is a good reason for it. Long Standing injustice and oppression which we do nothing to address.

Israel is such a humane and just country! And its all because of US backing!

Druben — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:59:05 GMT

More than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Dec. 27, including 346 children, according to the U.N. and Gaza health officials. The death toll rose by three dozen on Friday, including 25 people whose bodies were unearthed from rubble, Gaza health officials said. Thirteen Israelis have been killed, four by rocket fire, according to the military. It happened in Lebanon and we did nothing. Are we ever going to wake up! And, of course, you heard about Israel's bombing of mosques, hospitals and UN schools. What a great people!

When is America going to wake up - Israel is the problem

Druben — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:44:39 GMT

Israel's aggressive and brutal policies have been dictating American foreign policies and put the American people at risk for further terrorist action against our country. The world and the Muslim world rightly sees that whatever destructive and invasive action taken by Israel is fully endorse, supported, financed by the United States. We could easily stop Israel from driving the Middle East to the desperate means they are going to through simply not paying for all those weapons of mass destruction. The power to bring peace to the middle east is in our hands. We don't really want peace there. WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush rejected a plea from Israel last year to help it raid Iran's main nuclear complex, opting instead to authorize a new U.S. covert action aimed at sabotaging Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, The New York Times reported. Israel's request was for specialized bunker-busting bombs that it wanted for an attack that tentatively involved flying over Iraq to reach Iran's major nuclear complex at Natanz, where the country's only known uranium enrichment plant is located, the Times reported Saturday in its online edition. The White House deflected requests for the bombs and flyover but said it would improve intelligence-sharing with Israel on covert U.S. efforts to sabotage Iran's nuclear program. The covert efforts, which began in early 2008, involved plans to penetrate Iran's nuclear supply chain abroad and undermine electrical systems and other networks on which Iran relies, the Times said, citing interviews with current and former U.S. officials, outside experts and international nuclear inspectors who spoke on condition of anonymity. The covert program will be handed off to President-elect Barack Obama, who will deciding whether to continue it. Things changed in South Africa. Things can change in Israel too but we need to not ignore our part in sanctioning the oppression of the Palestinian people.

Commitment to extermination

Druben — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:14:23 GMT

It seems clear that the Israelis are committed to a violent extreme blood revenge against the Palestinians and their plea that they only want to feel safe is about ethnic cleansing. I think that Israel wont feel safe until every Palestinian is exterminated. Apologists for Israel say, "oh no, there is a peace movement in Israel" but where is it? I don't see its effects at all. And its all sooooo stupid because you kill one potential terrorist and 10 more are created as the Arab worlds hates Israel even more. and with good cause. First of all they move into territory that is not their (40 years of occupation with no rights given to the people in the invaded lands they occupy, c'mon). They control all the resources of Gaza so that it can never thrive or survive on its own. they did this incredible overkill and over reaction in Lebanon not so many years ago which Amerika conveniently forgets and our administration speaks up against any actions of Israel while the world is horrified. We block any sanctions or condemnation of Israel in the United Nations, so its clear that that international body is just meant to be a cover for US imperialism. Israel moves into a house that isn't theirs and then screams "terrorism" when the occupants of the house want the invaders out and then when the occupants take action (which regretably is violent because no one has really come in and established justice from the start, requiring Israel to remove its occupation 40 years ago). then not only are the occupants of the house annihilated but the whole neighborhood is blown up. And the blame falls squarely on Amerika who completely supports Israel. The truth about Israel is that it is a totally artificial state. It is completely supported by US tax dollars. Where do you think they get their weapons of mass destruction? Where do you think they get the resources to have the huge military that they have? They have no industry, they are NOT self sufficient - Israel is completely a US colony. Folks, we've been sold down the river with these claims of an independent Jewish State - it just ain't so. And the Muslim world, as well as the rest of the world is mad at us for creating a base for violence and oppression. The United Nations should move its headquarters and no member of the security council should be able to veto the resolutions passed by the majority and if Amerika ignores the world community, sanctions should be set up against us. Is the unconditional support of Israel really worth this?

Back from Glorious New Mexico - the ancient lands in the New World

Druben — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:09:30 GMT

Ed and I had a fantastic trip to New Mexico at perhaps the peak of the fall colors there. We were especially moved by the Navaho Nation and it is someplace I would like to live at some point in my life. I found that everything had changed in Albuquerque in terms of the dispersion of the pagan gay community I was a part of ten years ago. The old saying is true, "You can't go back again." I had sort of held out New Mexico as an ideal to which I would return, as my soul mirror, as the place I wanted to die. And maybe that is all still true but I see that, if I move back, it will be to form a completely different life, nor resume the one I had.

My transformation

Druben — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:40:43 GMT

This picture does not quite convey what I have been experiencing but it does capture elements. I remember going to a Jain temple in an isolated central region of India and learning about how the devotees come naked to worship the Divine, that they feel it important to strip away all barriers between themselves and the Divine presence and they do this literally with sacred nakedness. Whats going on for me is that I am longing to bring my spirituality and my sexuality into one juicy, passionate, energetic whole. I don't want to do this as a hermit or a monk. I have done that too much in my life. I have been always very attracted to monastic life, but the denial of the body and sexuality is just not the right path for me. I also have been exploring group sexual expression and find that there is a lack of spiritual intention or transpersonal expansion in that. I think the spiritual possiblities could be much greater with the right group of men. So I am putting out to my networks that I want to do this kind of work and seeing who will come forward for vulnerable, deeply affectionate, broadly defined sexual celebrations where boundaries dissolve and it goes well beyondfucking or the orgasm. I am extending this to men in the Baltimore area with th hopes that a group will want to work regular at this at this point. If all goes well I can see extending this to women too in that mixed gender groups could do similar work and having the female energy would be very powerful too.

Back from Spain

Druben — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:56:30 GMT

I'm back after five weeks in Spain. It was generally a good trip. I did a lot more teaching than I expected but that was ok because I was so much older than the group (17 mostly undergraduate girls on a University of Florida study abroad program). I liked very much the woman withwhom I co-taught. The kids were, well, kids; full of their developmental issues and wanting to party, stay out late, shop, more than take in very deeply the rich culture of southern Spain. Jill and I tried to get them stimulated but I think we were both disappointed that they didn't seem to "get it." It convinced me again that I am glad I am not teaching undergraduates now. There is a sort of universal youth culture controled by the internet and youtube where everything is MacDonaldized. The kids were more interested in finding American musical groups touring Europe than in immersing themselves in the culture. The best part was my visit up to Catalonia to visit my philosopher friend, Jaume, and his family in small villages about an hour outside of Barcelona. This opened up the true Catalonia without the tourist bullshit. Also had a wild time in Madrid, but that will have to wait for another installment.

Off to Spain

Druben — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:20:12 GMT

In one week I leave for five weeks in Andalusia, the heavily Moorish province of outhern Spain. I will be teaching Arab philosophy and medicine and shamanism in a program given by the University of Florida on the history of the arts in healing from prehistoric times through the middle ages. We are centering on Cordoba but will do trips into Morocco and other parts of Spain. I have been engulfed in the writings of Avicenna and Averroes and have recently been reading about Flamenco and Lorca. Its with the program in which I did the training last summer in bringing the arts into hospitals (which, by the way, I am doing now at a cancer treatment center at Mercy Hospital here). This is going to be an incredible experience!

Albert Hoffmann: Rest in Psychedelic Peace

Druben — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:27:46 GMT

Dr. Albert Hofmann - January 11 1906 - April 29 2008 (Netherlands) 4 views since posting on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Location Netherlands enlarge photo It saddens us to confirm that Dr. Albert Hofmann passed away at his home in Burg outside of Basel, Switzerland today, April 29 2008 at the age of 102 years. Dr. Hofmann was at his home with two of his caretakers, he passed away at 9am local time. Dr Hofmann follows his late wife Anita, who passed away this past December. We do not have much more information at the moment but we will update this note once more becomes available. We send out condolences to his family and friends and as you all to join us in celebrating the life of one of the most important scientists of the last 102 years. Dr Hofmann's discoveries have touched countless people and brought tremendous change to the world in more ways than can be counted. We are very glad that Dr Hofmann could still witness the early stages of new studies with LSD that will start in Switzerland in the near future. This matter was very important to him, we are grateful to all that were involved in getting approval for this study. We thank you for all you have done dear Dr Hofmann, may your ways be blessed and peaceful. We will keep your spirit alive and will continue with our work. The Albert Hofmann Foundation April 29 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Albert Hofmann, father of drug LSD, dies in Switzerland GENEVA (AP) — Albert Hofmann, the father of the mind-altering drug LSD whose medical discovery inspired — and arguably corrupted — millions in the 1960s hippie generation, has died. He was 102. Hofmann died Tuesday at his home in Burg im Leimental, said Doris Stuker, a municipal clerk in the village near Basel where Hofmann moved following his retirement in 1971. For decades after LSD was banned in the late 1960s, Hofmann defended his invention. "I produced the substance as a medicine. ... It's not my fault if people abused it," he once said. The Swiss chemist discovered lysergic acid diethylamide-25 in 1938 while studying the medicinal uses of a fungus found on wheat and other grains at the Sandoz pharmaceuticals firm in Basel. He became the first human guinea pig of the drug when a tiny amount of the substance seeped onto his finger during a laboratory experiment on April 16, 1943. "I had to leave work for home because I was suddenly hit by a sudden feeling of unease and mild dizziness," he subsequently wrote in a memo to company bosses. "Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror," he said, describing his bicycle ride home. "I had the impression I was rooted to the spot. But my assistant told me we were actually going very fast." Upon reaching home, Hofmann began experiencing what he called "wonderful visions." Three days later, Hofmann experimented with a larger dose. The result was the world's first scientifically documented bad trip. "The substance which I wanted to experiment with took over me. I was filled with an overwhelming fear that I would go crazy. I was transported to a different world, a different time," Hofmann wrote. Hofmann and his scientific colleagues hoped that LSD would make an important contribution to psychiatric research. The drug exaggerated inner problems and conflicts and thus it was hoped that it might be used to recognize and treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia. For a time, Sandoz sold LSD 25 under the name Delysid, encouraging doctors to try it themselves. It was one of the strongest drugs in medicine — with just one gram enough to drug an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people for 12 hours. LSD was elevated to international fame in the late 1950s and 1960s thanks to Harvard professor Timothy Leary who embraced the drug under the slogan "turn on, tune in, drop out." But away from the psychedelic trips, horror stories emerged about people going on murder sprees or jumping out of windows while hallucinating. Heavy users suffered permanent psychological damage. The U.S. government banned LSD in 1966 and other countries followed suit. Hofmann maintained this was unfair, arguing that the drug was not addictive. He repeatedly argued for the ban to be lifted to allow LSD to be used in medical research. Last December, Swiss authorities decided to allow LSD for psychotherapy in exceptional cases. "For me, this is a very big wish come true. I always wanted to see LSD get its proper place in medicine," he told Swiss TV at the time. Hofmann himself took the drug — purportedly on an occasional basis and out of scientific interest — for several decades. "LSD can help open your eyes," he once said. "But there are other ways — meditation, dance, music, fasting." Even so, the self described "father" of LSD readily agreed that the drug was dangerous if in the wrong hands. This was reflected by the title of his 1979 book: "LSD - my problem child." In it he wrote that, "The history of LSD to date amply demonstrates the catastrophic consequences that can ensue when its profound effect is misjudged and the substance is mistaken for a pleasure drug." Hofmann retired from Sandoz in 1971 and devoted his time to travel, writing and lectures. "This is really a high point in my advanced age," Hofmann said at a ceremony in Basel honoring him on his 100th birthday. "You could say it is a consciousness-raising experience without LSD." Funeral arrangements were not immediately available. By FRANK JORDANS – 3 hours ago Posted by

"We are all One" gag me.

Druben — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:49:46 GMT

I'm sorry, but I have had my fill of this platitude which to me is merely another pretty story created in the new age community with the hopes that if we tell ourselves a falsehood, then it will become real as soon as enough people believe it. There is a strong dominating force in phrases such as this - It implys that you, or whoever, is speaking for me. You are making claims by saying "we." If I don't feel that we are all one then please leave me out of your "all' - fairly you can then say, "We are all One, except for David," and then when other people speak up and say, "you know, I don't feel that I am part of the one to which you are attributing me," then the only fair statement can be: "We are all one except for David, and Betty and Helen, and Joe." Then as more people come out of the wood work and question this new age platitude the list grows and so fairly, all those people who are not comfortable being part of the supposed oneness then form enough counter examples that it becomes a meaningless phrase, which is where it belongs. Sure people can say, "Gosh, I feel that I am one with all things and the universe." People can make claims about their own reality all they want but don't appropriate my reality into your statement. This is domination. Emmanuel Levinas is my favorite ethicist because he insists that we are stop our tendency to always make the Other conform to our wishes and fantasies and models of reality and that the truly most non-oppressive stance is a radical respect for the otherness of the Other, so that I refrain from including them in my ALL. I let them have the freedom of self-definition and self-determination. Much of what I read in liberal and new age materials make unwarranted assumptions on the ALL and force paradigms like "we are all one" on to everyone - this is as disrepectful as any evangelical right winger.

10,000 views today!

Druben — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:42:04 GMT

Thanks to everyone for stopping by. I appreciate the connections I have made on Tribe and the new friends withwhom I share some of my life. Tribe was very important to me during the Katrina exodus as it was sometimes my only social access. Now, it is less significant, but I still enjoy dropping by.

I'm going to start dating again.

Druben — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:45:49 GMT

Maybe this happens about every six months, but I begin to look around my well-ordered life and feel there is something missing - someone missing. That special man who would really be as attentive to me as I would be to him. Someone who I would grow with and learm from, who would help me build a future together. Aww, the romantic energies have hit again. I am trying a new approach - internet dating. Yikes! I have subscribed to a number of sites including dudes nude which is probably my favorite. I make it clear that I am not into quick hookups. I am centering in on Baltimore because long distance relationships can be challenging, but not impossible for the right guy. Yes, I think I make a great partner: I am loving and kind, intellegent and interesting and a very attentive lover. But being an introvert, I am not inclinded to go out looking. The best evening for me is curling up with that special guy watching some edgy European flick and all that follows... Any interest out there? I'm open.

Florida for July - Am I nuts?

Druben — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:41:37 GMT

Its actually great here. I'm in Gainesville for a three week intensive at the University of Florida learning about setting up arts programs in hospitals. The program is good, but I'm not sure I want to add this dimension to my work in Baltimore because of all the hospital regulations and institutional redtape one has to go through to get to work with patients. It is also very short-term and "light," since the patients are there for other purposes and this sort of work is more like an activities program rather than art as transformation and healing which is more what I am interested in. But its interesting all the same and I can use a lot of what I learn with other settings in Baltimore (like rehab abd disablities work which is quite different from the short term intensive treatment in hospitals. I want to look at larger paradigms of healing beyond the medical model and it seems that you ahve to endorse that model in working in these institutions. I'm staying out of town a bit in the northern Florida lush jungley country with great night sounds. The pool doesn't hurt for a little R&R.

Return from New Orleans

Druben — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:58:20 GMT

I spent the last week in the BIG UNEASY. Its still so sad. People are angry by the lack of real help or response from our govermnment. What that fuck is a government for anyway? For corruption, increasing congressional salaries, war profiteering? There is a five billion dollar shortfall with Bush's promises -oops, guess it went to Iraq. It was good to see my friends but they are in bad shape. I'm so glad not be there where contractors flake out, rebuilding expenses are astronomical (no regulation on this -thank you selfish Capitalism), insurance and utilities have tripled. I downloaded some pictures of my house taken by a friend when I first walked in after weeks underwater in 100 plus degree temperatures. Enjoy.

found a gem!

Druben — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:30:33 GMT

I have found a new house, this time in Charles Village, which is a great neighborhood three blocks from Hopkins. I already know a good number of people that live within walking distance, so it will be great visiting friends while stolling around. I really don't want to use my car very much and prefer as much walking for shopping, restaurants, museums, visiting, and Quaker meeting as possible. I will move in the middle of May.

Still lookin'

Druben — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 18:55:30 GMT

Well, the house deal fell through because there was dteriorating bricks bricks and mortar that needed to be attended to and the owners were not willing to do so. so Now I am back to the drawing board. I like getting to know my new city of Baltimore this way because there are some very interesting old neighborhoods here and I'm trying to expand my vision of what kind of life I want. I've been looking in Fells Point and really like the feel there. The picture is of Bolton Hill, where I live now, for which I will feel sad about leaving.

The house hunt

Druben — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:21:48 GMT

My offer on a townhouse in Bolton Hill has been accepted and, though lots can happen before closing, it looks like I have a dandy place both for myself and the school. The picture is not of my block but is two blocks away. It shows the type of housing in the neighborhood. I am very happy with Bolton Hill. It's one of the most interesting neighborhoods of Baltimore, within walking distance of Penn Station, the symphony and opera and theatre district as well as much of downtown. It will be good to get settled, as this is another phase of the recovery process. I will close in late April.

Light and Darkness

Druben — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:10:00 GMT

I want to be an enlightened humanist. Its partly what motivated me to study philosophy for five years. I want to believe that people can be reached through rational discourse. But my experiences on Tribe lately have only shown me that some people can create lies that they tell themselves over and over again so they begin to believe them and this then justifies their hatred and nastiness. At the same time, the angels come out who offer me some real kindness, perhaps because they know that I have hit that edge of reality when we see Light and Darkness, in a more pure form. Life is more intense but in some ways more tragic because of the great gulf between these two realms. I love Blake's notion of the marriage of heaven and hell. But what I have seen on tribe is that people cluster around their own kind and feel connected to one another when there is an enemy to hate. I guess we will never end this.