i just..*let the word_count..*tell me..when i reatch..350
it takes more time...but thats/what..its job is.

mine..is to*..quote

so..here we go..again*

''even while it revolted me,..the majestic power of this man's intellect..and will...The kingly sense of power..
over even such a motley crew..as these,..the feeling that even in Hell..*he reigned as-if..by a right,..seemed to
minister to his pride..and love of dominion..even in the midst of his awful surroundings.

Looking at him..I beheld him for one brief moment,..not as I saw him and..as he saw*..these disgusting-creatures round him,saw him....but as he still appeared*..in his own*..eyes.. which even after all these centuries..were not opened..to his*..true state,..*his real_self*.

I saw him..as a haughty handsome-man,..with cruel clear-cut features,
hard expression,..and eyes like a wild vulture,..yet withal possessing a certain beauty of form.. a certain
power to charm.

All that was repulsive and vile was hidden by the earthly envelope, not revealed..as now in
all the nakedness..of the spirit.

I saw his court..and his companions change back to the likeness of their earthly lives,..and I knew*..that to
each..and all they appeared..just the same in their*..own eyes,

all were alike unconscious of the horrible change
in themselves,..*yet perfectly conscious..of the change in each of their companions.

Were all unconscious?..No!
not quite..all.

There was one man crouching in a corner,..his mantle drawn
over his disfigured face,..whom I perceived to be..fully conscious of his own vileness..as well as the vileness
of all who surrounded him.

And..in this man's heart..there had sprung up a desire,..hopeless,as it seemed to himself,..*for better things,..for a path to open before him..which,..however hard and thorny,..*might lead him from this night of Hell..and
give him even at this eleventh hour..the hope*..of a life removed from the horrors of this place..and these
associates;

and..as I looked I knew it was to this man..that I was sent,..though how I was to help him I knew
not,..I could not guess.

I only felt that the power
which had led me so far
would open up my path..and show me the way.

*Jinny* doesn't sound confused *Philo* but mayhaps she is at risk of losing her abode and place of refuge for her and her cubs.

(Oh, the Animal <-> Human bond and the potential therapeutic benefits that can potentially flow from healthy relationships in this area is well recognised I believe, to the extent that a variety of people suffering a variety of pathologies have been matched up with say dogs with great benefits - and not just dogs of course.)

and mayhaps she is merely taking a breather from having her mind full of the often intrusive and invasive mechanations of the legal process.

And mayhaps she is not 100% certain on how best to proceed and or how, when and where she may land on her feet again if she receives an adverse finding.

..

There is a nice expression in Indonesian - "Kasihan" - which I am familiar with which doesn't really have a single word translation into English, but encapsulates ideals such as empathy, best wishes, to feel concerned for.

Of course, in much more closely knit societies like Indonesia, *Jinny's* place would be full of well intentioned neighbors, reli's and friends until such point as some "reasonable" solution could be reached.

They are in many ways a far more open and "extended family" orientated people than we in Oz are and I strongly suspect that they have far fewer people that leave the earth for reason of loneliness, isolation or broken heart.

jinny,

I surely hope that you don't lose your home, especially your children. Unfortunately, the government seem to use a set of points which has no relevance to the reality of a specific situation. One size does not fit all. On the other hand, the government also have a bad record of not 'seeing' abuse/neglect.

I don't think I said that I didn't believe in an afterlife. It is that I just don't know; I tend to lean toward skepticism ... would like proof.

There have been many reports of Near-death Experiences (NDEs) ... enough to result in scientific enquiry. A joint scientific US/UK study into near-death experiences begun two years ago is to be completed in 2011.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7621608.stm

I am a little surprised that writers here haven't mentioned Julian Jaynes' Bicameral Mind. This phenomenon still exists and is not related to mental illness.

DreamOn, For Jinny I certainly agree she needs - "Kasihan" - which encapsulates ideals such as empathy, best wishes, and feel concerned for.

Danielle,
On three occasions I have had near death experiences. The first one when I was 11 years suffering from high temperatures from measles and my mother bathing my head in ice water. It was the middle of the day and I was screaming at her to turn off the light. She insisted the light was not on.For several minutes I was looking down on my body about 2.5 meters below, and I was pushing at the light.

The light is the focus occurring in the conscious mind and my out of body experience was my consciousness leaving my body.

“Rather cryptic. However, like many fairytales and old poems, this is based on fact. The "pied piper" (a charismatic figure) entered a German village and sold the idea of a better life elsewhere to many of the young people, "rats". Many joined him in this venture, however, the ship sunk and all perished.”

Jinny I did not. :)

Dan: ”Is there a “Nether World” of evil spirits?”

In my opinion? Nope. Boring, but nope. I don’t think man is evil, not real “Hollywood Evil” ... just cruel and stupid at times. I would like to believe there is, I try hard and fail. Similar to trying to believe in a deity – any would do. But again my opinion is that it is man just being good and compassionate at times or just plain mental.

Blue” A story comes to mind about the pied piper, ( and the rats did die ) and what a weak attempted action to display such small and out of date thinking..”

Never happened. And I am seriously considering bringing slander charges.

Not true of a good many Australians Dream On.

There are many families who take on other families kids and relatives for short and long term periods. I assisted raising my nephew with my children for many years when he was younger.

People get on with it and do not discuss the assistance they give to their extended families Dream On until the issue is raised in conversation. A friend of mine I'd not seen for a year had been there for her niece this past year [her niece lives with her] and a working colleague has just finished raising her friend's child after many years.

I could not count the number of kids I have assisted in raising and teenagers of all ages fed and clothed over 7 years. Many returning every second year until they got their licences and lives on track.

Sure, there are many insulated Aussie families who do not keep in touch with their relatives or assist them in times of need, however, there are many families who do assist their extended families over many years. I hear the first hand stories in workplaces. Many Aussies get on with it and prefer, for privacy reasons and out of respect to their adult sisters and brothers, not to advertise that they are raising their nieces, nephews, cousins or friends' kids.