Month: October 2024

Spiritual War

/ Tunnel Vision 8

Wisdom can protect us.

The world is becoming a dangerous place. Not because of potential wars or world conflicts. It’s because computers/internet (mainly phones) are making people into narcissists. I have dealt with a narcissistic person. It’s a huge problem. The phone is tailored to the person, especially with algorithms. It’s only going to get worse with AI technology. 

We are at a crossroads with AI technology. There are so many fundamental questions and concerns. My main concern is how AI/computers will change our children’s brains. What kind of humans are developing?

It’s scary. I am limiting my time on my phone or any screen/computer. I may have to buy a flip phone if tracking and algorithms get bad.  

The sad thing is people are becoming brainwashed, and they don’t even know it. The new AI technology can hypnotize people. And their minds are becoming clouded with distraction, anxiety, and addiction.

It’s a strange time to be alive. I must protect my energy, mind, and sanity as a spiritual person. With AI, it will be challenging to determine what is real and what is not. It’s not a war outside of ourselves somewhere far away – it’s a spiritual war.

It’s time to wake up.

https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/05/30/what-excessive-screen-time-does-to-the-adult-brain/

What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain

The Solo Journey

/ Tunnel Vision 8

October 2024 Full Moon – Photo by Brent Garens

My patient, Joan, who thought she was going to die during the full moon, died today. I felt a sense of relief. She was a kind and considerate woman. I think she had a conscious death. According to Buddhism, it’s beneficial to have a conscious death. Then you are “awake” to the transition and not in delusion.

After finding out Joan died, I thought about my life as I walked my dog around the fairgrounds. The warm breeze reminded me of the summer weather that is slowly fading. The stars blinked, and the sky was calm.

As I walked, I said, “I’m not ready to die. I have too much work to do.” Every day, I feel the importance of a spiritual life—my yogi life. I must continue meditating and practicing yoga, use my time wisely, and read spiritual books in my free time. I can create a life with awareness and higher consciousness.

I also understand that the journey is solo. No one told me this when I was younger! I was told to go to church—everything was about the church. But when I think about it, everything is solo. We are born solo, think solo, live solo, and die solo. Even Buddha asked, “One is one’s own refuge, who else could be the refuge?”

I wish human beings would take their lives more seriously. Just thinking about it makes my heart swell. We all need to wake up from our delusions and put away our phones. It’s a spiritual battle!

It’s time to wake up and understand we are golden – so precious. We cannot take our time for granted. We need to examine all earthly things that keep us trapped. We are so valuable that everything in the world wants our attention. Now, we need to decide what will help us grow spiritually.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! I’m sending you words of love, appreciation, and bright guiding light.

Spirit, by GG
spiritual message 
from beyond 
a signal 
to be
me

The Treads of My Being (Poem)

/ Tunnel Vision 8

“Frequency” By Leo Fortune (leofortuneart.com)

The Treads of My Being
By Gina M. Gafford
Magical, Mystical and Just Plain Cool
Ekphratic Reading (writing something inspired by one of the art pieces)
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC)
Sower Gallery (Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, Chaska, Minnesota)
October 13, 2024, 12:00-2:00 p.m.

The Threads of My Being
Where are the threads of my being?

I feel winter coolness.
My stiff limbs reach out with sharp edges of imperfection.

Am I in tune?

I feel barren and naked.
Alone and scared.

Slowly, I hear the distant drumbeat of spring.
The threads of my being flow with the colors of the rainbow.
The hidden pulse echoes around me.

I come back to my center.
The summer of my heart. 
I connect with the roots of my ancestors.
I feel the vibrations of wisdom and acceptance.

I must embrace change.
And heal my wounds.
Transformation from the inside out.

I burst with colors – yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.
The musty earth begs for my offering.
I let go – once again.
Another chance to fall back into love.

Refuge in the 3 Jewels (Buddhism)

/ Tunnel Vision 8

Gina at a Buddhist temple in Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand (Feb. 2023).

Refuge in the 3 Jewels:

  • Buddham Saranam Gacchami – I take refuge in the Buddha.
  • Dhammam Saranam Gacchami – I take refuge in the Dhamma.
  • Sangham Saranam Gacchami – I take refuge in the Sangha.

Quotes by Sharon Salzberg (from her book, “Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience”):

I TAKE REFUGE IN THE BUDDHA.

For devotional Buddhists, the Buddha is a refuge because they perceive him as a living energy, capable of providing loving shelter.

The word Buddha (Pali language) means one who has completely awakened from ignorance, one who has fulfilled his or her vast potential for wisdom and compassion.

A human being with human capacities. He asked the kind of questions any of us might ask about the nature of our existence: Born into a human body, vulnerable and helpless. To grow old, get sick and die. To have a human mind that can careen thru anger, joy, lust, pride in the space of a morning? Is there a quality of freedom and happiness that won’t disappear as the conditions of our lives change? It is taught that the Buddha discovered answers not through revelation from a supreme being, but through the power of awareness that is inherent in all of us. For some he is refuge by virtue of this inspiration.

I TAKE REFUGE IN THE DHAMMA.

Taking refuge in the dharma, we are taking refuge in a vision of life that extends beyond our usual, limited sense of who we are and what we are capable of.

The more clearly we see the dharma, the way things are, the more clearly we see the inevitability of impermanence.

I TAKE REFUGE IN THE SANGHA.

The community of those who, throughout history, have sought freedom from suffering and have come to a real and personal awareness of that freedom.

I began to understand that those who are committed to realizing the truth can animate potential within us that might otherwise lie dormant. Taking refuge in the sangha, I could feel the force of life itself.

The voice of the sangha was reminding me that I was not traveling alone.

(For more information on Buddhism: triplegem.org)

Tango with Technology (Poem)

/ Tunnel Vision 8 
Tango with Technology 
Swimming to God
Behind the Shaman's Curtain 
By Gina M. Gafford
Open Mic (Poetry Reading)
Chanhassen Farmer’s Market
City Center Park Plaza
7700 Market Blvd., Chanhassen, Minnesota
September 28, 2024, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.


Tango with Technology
You offered your hand with a gentleman’s grin.
Without hesitation, I put my hand into yours. 

The smell of sandalwood enveloped me.

You said, “Let’s dance.”
I stepped into the unknown to the known.
Temptation was at every turn.

As I twirled, the lights flashed into my eyes.
I was memorized.
I’m addicted to the rhythm of the music.
My brain is full of you.

You whispered, “Follow me.”
I danced until my head spun.
Until it was no longer fun. 

Finding my balance – I let go.
The delusions disappeared.
I no longer danced on glass.
I walked away - seeking a new a paradise.

Swimming to God
I am swimming to God. I see the bright sun in front of me. The rays make their way to my heart. I am swimming to God. My love for God is in my veins, the pathways out from my center. I am swimming to God. I feel light and cool, my body forming with the waves. “I am here, God,” I say in a whisper. "I make my way to you."

Behind the Shaman’s Curtain 
Close your magical eyes. 
Connect with dreamtime ties. 
Use your vast imagination. 
Stop life’s stagnation.

Go behind the Shaman’s curtain. 
Seeing the truth is certain. 
A new reality awaits. 
Do you have what it takes? 

Be strong and brave. 
Meet your guide in a cave. 
See the vision. 
Make it a mission. 

Go behind the Shaman’s curtain. 
Your life is not certain. 
Open your “I.” 
Because soon you’ll see why.