Dominique Johnson

The Solace of Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” (No. 8: Part II & “Resurrection” Mov. 5: Part III and IV) | A Short Drama

10 Dec 201810 Dec 2018No Comments

The last of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2: Mov. 5 always brings the sounds of wedding bells, or a crowning of royalty, which brings solace. It is placed after Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major “Symphony of a Thousand”: Part II, Final Scene from Goethe’s “Faust”, Part II, Gustav Mahler (1860-1911). This is meant to be … Continue reading The Solace of Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” (No. 8: Part II & “Resurrection” Mov. 5: Part III and IV) | A Short Drama

Carl Orff: Ecce Gratum (“Behold, the Pleasant”)

10 Dec 201810 Dec 2018No Comments

“Behold, the Pleasant” “They gloryand rejoicein honeyed sweetnesswho striveto make use ofCupid’s prize;at Venus’ command…” ECCE GRATUM Ecce gratumet optatumver reducit gaudia,purpuratumfloret pratum,Sol serenat omnia.Iam am cedant tristia!Estas redit,nunc receditHyemis sevitia. Iam liquescitet decrescitgrando, nix et cetera,bruma fugit,et iam sugitVer estatis ubera;illi mens est misera,qui nec vivit,nec lascivitsub Estatis dextera. Glorianturte letanturin melle dulcedinis,qui conantur,ut … Continue reading Carl Orff: Ecce Gratum (“Behold, the Pleasant”)

Carl Orff: Circa Mea Pectora

4 Dec 201810 Dec 2018No Comments

Circa Mea Pectora (“In My Heart”) is a love song in Latin and Middle High German, and the singing is put in the mouth of a man whose intentions were clearly not honorable. In a humorous and dramatic way as usual, lets say this represents an impure candidate’s ambitious and selfish intentions in their aspirations to … Continue reading Carl Orff: Circa Mea Pectora

“They Shall Not Perish” (1918) Poster, American Propaganda | Artist Douglas Volk

30 Nov 20186 Dec 2018No Comments

1918 Poster (Publ. N.Y. : American Lithographic Co., 1918) titled “They Shall Not Perish,” by Artist Douglas Volk (1856-1935), depicts a girl who symbolized the Near East, clinging to woman (Columbia, Minerva, Marianne, Lady Liberty) with sword and U.S. flag, symbolizing America (Republicanism—against oppression). American Committee for Relief in the Near East campaign to raise money … Continue reading “They Shall Not Perish” (1918) Poster, American Propaganda | Artist Douglas Volk

“Heaven has cast us off” – Tsu-li to King Zhou of Shang in the Shujing

27 Nov 201827 Nov 2018No Comments

Tsu-li announces to king Zhou-xin (the last emperor of Shang dynasty), that Heaven has abandoned him, because of his dissolute way. “Heaven is bringing an end to the Mandate of our dynasty. (…) It is not that the former kings do not aid us, but by your dissoluteness and sport you bring on the end … Continue reading “Heaven has cast us off” – Tsu-li to King Zhou of Shang in the Shujing

The Septenary Principles of Man: Zurvanite (Zoroastrianism) and Theosophical Classification

19 Nov 201819 Nov 2018No Comments

R. C. Zaehner, Zurvan. A Zoroastrian Dilemma, Oxford, 1955, pp. 323, 334) demonstrates, that the Zurvanite Zoroastrian (a now extinct school of thought) classification (referring to levels of being or existence) is near identical to the Tāraka Rāja Yoga classification. However, as the Theosophical [esoteric] classification show, that the septenary division of man is explained in … Continue reading The Septenary Principles of Man: Zurvanite (Zoroastrianism) and Theosophical Classification

The Four Modes of Birth in the Abhidharmakosa of Buddhism

19 Nov 201810 Dec 2018No Comments

In the ancient mythologies and literature of these traditions we find accounts of human creation, or modes of birth, found in both Buddhist and Zoroastrian texts. David Reigle details the Modes of Birth in the Abhidharmakosa, and its connection to the Stanzas (Dzyan) in The Secret Doctrine (1888). We find similar doctrines in the Zoroastrian … Continue reading The Four Modes of Birth in the Abhidharmakosa of Buddhism

Himmler’s Witches Library and Eric Kurlander talks Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich

18 Nov 201826 Nov 2018No Comments

Last year’s Hallows’ Eve special program, “Hitler’s Monsters” explored occult ideas, esoteric sciences, and pagan religions touted by Nazi Germany in the service of power. “The Nazi fascination with the occult is legendary, and in reality the supernatural was an essential part of the Nazi project. The regime enlisted astrology and the paranormal, paganism, Indo-Aryan mythology, … Continue reading Himmler’s Witches Library and Eric Kurlander talks Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich

The Psychology behind Globalism, Nationalism & Political Tribalism – Jonathan Haidt | Intelligence²

17 Nov 201818 Nov 2018No Comments

Jonathan Haidt speaking at Intelligence² event “The Rise of Populism and the Backlash against the Elites.” Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. His academic specialization is the psychology of morality and the moral emotions. He is author of The Righteous Mind: Why … Continue reading The Psychology behind Globalism, Nationalism & Political Tribalism – Jonathan Haidt | Intelligence²

The Irony of an Anti-Liberal Republican Party: Synthesis of Republicanism and Conservatism, not Possible

15 Nov 20188 Dec 2018No Comments

U.S. conservative movement in its early history did not even like the Republican Party. “…if you read David Brooks’s columns, what he espouses could be called conservative but is certainly very different than what William F. Buckley has espoused. And Buckley has written that if the Republicans want to be a governing party they need … Continue reading The Irony of an Anti-Liberal Republican Party: Synthesis of Republicanism and Conservatism, not Possible