Posted on: November 19, 2024, 11:54 am

I was watching a TikTok this morning, and it mentioned that narcissists lack love. Hearing this brought a lot of perspective to people from my past.

A famous wizard once said, “You're the one who is weak. You will never know love or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.”

Posted on: November 5, 2024, 11:38 am

The idea of God as Universal Consciousness is a concept found in various mystical and metaphysical traditions, as well as in some interpretations of Christianity, particularly mystical or esoteric Christianity. This view interprets God not as a separate, anthropomorphic being but as an all-pervading, infinite consciousness that underlies and connects everything in existence. Here’s a look at what I believe at this point in my journey and what this concept entails:

1. God as the Ground of Being

The Source of All Life: In the Universal Consciousness view, God is not a “person” in the conventional sense but the very ground of existence itself. This idea resonates with mystics who describe God as the “source” or “ground of being.” The philosopher-theologian Paul Tillich used this phrase to describe God as the foundation of all that exists, beyond the confines of form, name, or personality.

Beyond Dualism: Rather than viewing God as separate from creation, this perspective sees God as present within and through all things. This is a form of nondualism, where the distinction between God and creation, spirit and matter, or divine and human is understood as an illusion. Instead, everything is seen as an expression of a single, universal consciousness.

2. Consciousness as the Essence of God

Universal Mind: In this view, consciousness is the very nature of God, and all individual consciousnesses are seen as expressions of this one, infinite mind. Each person is a “drop” in the vast ocean of Universal Consciousness. This interpretation suggests that our individual awareness, the “I” or “self” we experience, is ultimately an extension of God’s consciousness.

God Within and God Without: The idea that “God is within you” aligns with this view, where the divine presence is seen as internal, accessible within each person. Many mystics across traditions describe the realization of divine presence as an inward journey, recognizing that the divine and human are connected through consciousness.

3. Jesus and Universal Consciousness

Christ Consciousness: In mystical Christianity, Jesus is sometimes seen not only as a historical figure but also as an embodiment of “Christ Consciousness”—a term that refers to a state of divine awareness or universal love accessible to all. This consciousness is the recognition of oneness with God and, by extension, with all beings. Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and unity can be seen as guidance on how to access this divine awareness.

Teachings on Unity with God: In passages like John 17:21 (“that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you”), Jesus speaks about a profound unity with God, which can be interpreted as an invitation for humanity to experience that same oneness. Rather than setting Jesus apart, this perspective suggests he exemplified a path to experiencing God as Universal Consciousness, achievable by living in alignment with divine principles.

4. Inner Realization and Spiritual Awakening

Path of Self-Realization: The path toward recognizing God as Universal Consciousness is often described as one of inner realization, where individuals “wake up” to their true, divine nature. This awakening process involves transcending ego or the individual self to experience a direct connection with the divine. It’s a shift from identifying with the “self” as a separate being to recognizing oneself as part of the greater whole.

Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation: Practices like meditation, prayer, and contemplation are often used in mystical traditions to quiet the mind and open up to this universal awareness. Through these practices, individuals seek to experience God directly, not as a concept or distant deity, but as a living presence within and around them.

5. God as Love, Light, and Universal Energy

Divine Love as Universal Energy: In many interpretations, Universal Consciousness is equated with divine love, seeing it as an all-encompassing, boundless force that animates and connects everything. This is sometimes described as the “light” or “energy” that sustains all life and transcends all limitations.

Interconnectedness of All Life: From this perspective, the concept of God is synonymous with life itself, and God’s presence is experienced in the interconnectedness of all beings. This view suggests that when we act with compassion, love, and kindness, we are in harmony with the divine consciousness.

6. God as Transcendent and Immanent

Beyond and Within All: Universal Consciousness implies both transcendence (existing beyond time, space, and the material world) and immanence (existing within and as part of everything). God, as Universal Consciousness, is both the source that exists beyond our world and the presence that fills it. This dual aspect aligns with descriptions of God as both utterly beyond human understanding and closer to us than our own breath.

Experiencing Oneness with God: Many mystics describe moments of profound union with God as moments when they experience themselves as part of this consciousness. It is a felt sense of unity with everything—a state where the boundaries of self dissolve, and they feel deeply connected to all life and to the divine presence.

7. Alignment with Other Mystical Traditions

Universal Consciousness in World Religions: This concept has parallels in other spiritual traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sufism, where God or the divine is understood as a universal consciousness or ultimate reality. For instance, in Hinduism, Brahman is the ultimate reality, the source and essence of everything, often equated with consciousness itself. Similarly, in Sufism (Islamic mysticism), there is a focus on experiencing God’s presence within oneself, often described as a journey toward unity with the Divine.

Viewing God as Universal Consciousness transforms one’s spiritual understanding from worshiping an external deity to recognizing the divine presence within oneself and in everything. It suggests that spiritual growth is a process of aligning with this consciousness, realizing that each of us is an expression of God’s infinite mind, and experiencing God not as a distant being but as the life, love, and awareness permeating all existence. This view encourages living with compassion, mindfulness, and a sense of deep unity with all of creation, as an expression of the universal, divine presence that sustains everything.

This may be the most profound message I ever share, and I hope it guides others on their journey.

Posted on: November 4, 2024, 1:49 pm

Jim Carrey is not only an actor and comedian but also a profound thinker whose life journey and speeches offer lessons in living with purpose, resilience, and authenticity. Despite his fame, fortune, and success, Carrey has always emphasized that true happiness comes from within and from living authentically. Here are some of the lessons we can take from Jim Carrey’s life and words.

1. Follow Your Dreams, Not Just Security

In his famous commencement speech at Maharishi University, Jim Carrey shared a story about his father, who gave up on his dream of being a comedian to take a “safe” job as an accountant. But life threw a curveball, his father was laid off. Carrey learned early on that even the “safe” path has risks, leading him to a powerful conclusion: "You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love."

2. Define Yourself Beyond Success and Material Wealth

Jim Carrey achieved wealth and fame, yet he often speaks about how these achievements didn’t bring lasting happiness. One of his famous quotes, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer,” is a testament to this truth.

3. Visualize Your Goals to Inspire Action

Early in his career, Jim Carrey wrote himself a check for $10 million for “acting services rendered,” dating it for Thanksgiving 1995. He kept it in his wallet and worked relentlessly toward his goal. By 1994, he had earned that exact amount for his role in Dumb and Dumber. This visualization practice is now legendary, showing how goal-setting and belief can make a real difference.

4. Embrace Fear as a Catalyst for Growth

Carrey openly discusses the fear and self-doubt he’s encountered, whether in his career or personal life. Instead of letting fear paralyze him, he uses it as fuel to grow and push boundaries, recognizing that discomfort is part of the journey to success.

5. Value Humor and Laughter as a Path to Connection

Through his career, Carrey has shown that humor is more than just entertainment. It’s a way to bring joy, connect with others, and help people cope with pain. His comedy, often rooted in empathy, reminds us of the power of laughter in helping us see life through a brighter lens.

6. Find Meaning in Service to Others

One of Carrey’s most powerful statements is, “The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.” Despite all his achievements, he emphasizes that a life of purpose goes beyond personal success. His words remind us to focus on the positive impact we can have on others.

7. Be Authentic and Don’t Fear Judgment

Carrey speaks passionately about the importance of being true to oneself. He encourages people to live authentically and express themselves fully rather than conforming to societal expectations or fearing judgment.

Jim Carrey’s life is a reminder that fulfillment comes from within and is built on authenticity, purpose, and passion. His journey teaches us that success without self-awareness is hollow, but when we live with intention, we can find real joy and meaning. I hope these lessons inspire you as they do me.

Posted on: October 30, 2024, 11:23 am

I’m happy to announce RBLProxy, a public DNSBL proxy available at rblproxy.clientnshosting.net. RBLProxy acts as a DNSBL scoring system—a feature missing from most email software. RBLProxy can be used as a single, streamlined solution, replacing the need for multiple individual DNSBLs in your configuration.

Here’s how it works:

When you query rblproxy.clientnshosting.net with an IP address (in reverse format), RBLProxy checks the IP against several reputable DNSBLs like Spamhaus, Spamcop and others. If multiple lists flag the IP, indicating a high-risk consensus, RBLProxy will block it by returning an A record of 127.0.0.2 and a TXT record stating, “IP is blacklisted due to presence on multiple RBLs”. If the IP doesn’t meet the high-risk threshold, the response will show NXDOMAIN, meaning the IP is likely safe.

This scoring approach ensures that only IPs flagged by multiple sources are blocked, which drastically reduces false positives while maintaining strong protection against spam. RBLProxy is free and open for integration with low volume email servers, spam filters, or custom security scripts. It’s super easy to use and highly effective — try it out, and feel free to share your feedback!

This is a personal project I developed and am sharing to help make the internet a safer place. It’s provided openly and, of course, as-is.

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Updates - November 4, 2024:

Implemented validation checks and scoring for PTR hostnames.

Integrated domain blacklist checks and scoring on PTR hostnames.

Added a scoring mechanism for spammy TLDs (Top-Level Domains) associated with PTR hostnames.

These updates provide more robust filtering and improve the accuracy.

Posted on: October 28, 2024, 5:25 am

The Harry Potter series is full of lessons that resonate with people of all ages. Here are some real-life lessons we can learn from the characters, stories, and challenges they face:

1. Love and Sacrifice: The entire story is driven by the love Harry's mother, Lily, showed by sacrificing herself for him. It reminds us that love, especially selfless love, is one of the most powerful forces and can leave a lasting impact.

2. Friendship and Loyalty: Harry, Hermione, and Ron show that true friends stand by each other through thick and thin. Their loyalty, trust, and support are key to overcoming their challenges. It's a reminder that genuine friendship is invaluable.

3. Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear: Characters like Neville and even Hermione show that being brave doesn't mean you're fearless; it means you face your fears to do the right thing. Courage is often about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.

4. Embrace Your Uniqueness: Characters like Luna Lovegood, Hagrid, and even Snape are unapologetically themselves, showing us that our differences are strengths. Embracing who you are, quirks and all, is essential for self-respect and happiness.

5. People Aren’t Always as They Seem: Snape's character reminds us not to judge others too quickly. People have complexities and histories that might surprise us. It teaches compassion and the importance of looking beyond first impressions.

6. Stand Up Against Injustice: Hermione’s activism for the rights of house-elves and Harry's insistence on calling out wrongs, even at great risk, show that standing against injustice matters, even when others don’t agree or listen.

7. Loss is Part of Life: Harry faces tremendous loss, from his parents to friends like Sirius and Dobby. The series doesn’t shy away from grief, showing that loss shapes us, and moving forward while remembering loved ones is part of living.

8. Prejudice is Destructive: The prejudice of the "pure-blood" wizard families against Muggles and "Muggle-borns" highlights the harm in bigotry. The series teaches respect and acceptance for others, regardless of background or differences.

9. The Power of Choice: Dumbledore tells Harry that it is our choices, rather than our abilities, that show who we truly are. This underscores the importance of making decisions aligned with our values and ethics.

10. Help Comes When You Ask: Harry often gets help from others, be it friends, mentors, or magical objects, and it's often because he seeks it. The lesson here is that it’s okay to ask for help and rely on the support of others in difficult times.

11. Learning Is Lifelong: Hermione’s love for learning and Dumbledore's wisdom show that knowledge and self-improvement are ongoing. Curiosity and learning open doors and prepare us for challenges.

12. Believe in the Goodness of People: Despite everything he faces, Harry consistently believes in the goodness of others and gives them second chances, a trait that builds trust and fosters change in others.