Daniel’s Blog

When I finished my GCSEs, I looked at the A Levels that my school was offering. They did not offer ‘Computing’ A Level at the time, they did offer ‘IT’ but I was sure that I wanted to do things to do with proper Computer Science, some proper software development. So I went to my local college and did some Diplomas and Certificates in Computing and Software Development.

When I started these courses at college, I thought “which A Levels would I have chosen”, and back then I thought I would have done: Maths, Physics, IT and Spanish.

Now after all of the college, and nearly finished at Uni, what would I do if I decided to do A Levels after Uni? (and not if I went back in time, I actually mean what would I want to do now)

If I had the full choice of A Levels and had to choose 4, I would probably do the following:

• Mathematics (Probability would be one of my major interests in this)
• Psychology (Particularly anything to do with Mysteries of the Brain)
• Philosophy (Particularly Logic)
• Religious Studies

I would obviously not choose Computing now, as it would just be too simple and not worth it.

The interesting one here is Religious Studies, back when I was choosing my GCSEs, I had no interest in Religion, so I didn’t choose it for GCSE - but thinking back at it now, I was actually reasonably good at it… and I am very interested in Religion now. Maybe I should have chosen it over History, probably would have got a better grade for it.

You may notice that the above subjects are actually quite interlinked: Philosophy is linked with Maths by logic, the brain uses logic so psychology is linked in there. Philosophy and Religion are quite obviously linked, Religion and Belief are Psychological things in a way…. all linked, all nice. But also Computing is also linked with all of them too, it is obviously mathematical, it also deals with logic. Artificial Intelligence has philosophical issues. Artificial Intelligence is also to do with Psychology. I also believe that Computing has links to Religion, for a start Computing can help religious debates, Computing can also help decode some very complex philosophical statements in religious texts. But also many people in Computing are religious (two of my lecturers spring into mind, one is a Christian reverend and another is an open Celtic Christian) (and also my girlfriend is a strong Anglican Christian, and she is a Computing Student) - there just must be a link really.
I am thinking about this because I might actually do an A Level or two, and maybe evening classes in something. Thats only if I don’t manage to get to do a masters in the next academic year, then I will probably reapply to do a masters.

So, I am asking you this. If you could do A Levels now what would you do? and are they different to what you did choose (if you did A Levels) or would have chosen (if you did not do A Levels and did something else)? (Please comment, I am genuinely interested in your thoughts)
Daniel

I am not going to say much about this, Quotes:

Thomas (66):

“Jesus said, ‘Show me the stone which the builders have rejected. That one is the cornerstone.’”

Matthew (21:42):

“Jesus told them, ‘Have you never read in the Book, that The stone rejected by the builders, became the chief cornerstone, …it was thus the will of the Lord, and a miracle for our eyes to behold?”

Mark (12:10):

“And did you not even read the Book?
‘The stone that was rejected by the builders,
became the cornerstone’?”

Luke (20:17):

“[Jesus] gazed at them and said, What is that which is written,
‘The stone that was rejected by the builders,
…is the very one that became the cornerstone?’ ”

Psalm (118:22):

“The stone the builders didn’t accept
has become the most important stone of all.”
Me:

I find the importance of this cornerstone very interesting today, maybe it means something. Maybe today is a cornerstone for me, a key to my future, or maybe I am being too philosophical???

I have an amazon wish list now, its available HERE

I was just discussing with Beki, it would be nice to get into the real world… a solid income, being able to buy things without worrying about money as much. I would love to buy the books on my amazon list.

Anyways, talk later. Daniel.

Here I go again, me and my crazy ideas. I have gone and created an online shop (powered by ZenCart), for selling Postcards, Birthday cards, Holiday cards etc that are somehow religious inclined.

Anyone think this is a good idea? Anyone want to create some graphics for such an idea? Get in touch.

The (temporary-and-quickly-designed) is available here: https://www.vanirsystems.co.uk/religiouscards/

Technorati Tags: vanirsystems, religion, postcards

“the essence of the yogic practice of seeing the Divine within all of creation…Anjali mudra is used as a posture of composure, of returning to one’s heart, whether you are greeting someone or saying goodbye, initiating or completing an action. As you bring your hands together at your center, you are literally connecting the right and left hemispheres of your brain. This is the yogic process of unification, the yoking of our active and receptive natures. In the yogic view of the body, the energetic or spiritual heart is visualized as a lotus at the center of the chest. Anjali mudra nourishes this lotus heart with awareness, gently encouraging it to open as water and light do a flower.” - YogaJournal.com

I have been reading my Meditation book and watching the DVD that came with it, tis a very good book that focuses on Meditation with Buddhist Principles (It is a Hinkler Book Gift Box). The DVD is presented by a nice Australian man (but not too Australian sounding). You can sense his calm and contentedness just through his voice and posture - something definately good when learning Buddhist principles (and meditation). I would really recommend meditation, especially with Buddhist concepts, it is all very interesting - and you don’t have to convert to Buddhism to be able to understand it, in fact Buddhism was not created to be a religion, it was supposed to be a philosophy and has been laid over many other faiths since its creation.

In other news:

* I am going to Bekis tomorrow (ooh, which is actually today) - seeing Beki again Makes me happy :)Â - Got to give her Christmas andd Birthday presents, she is going to like ‘em
* Christmas has been pretty good, was good to spend it with the family again. Also have seen my cousins and aunties/uncles and grandparents too. Twas all good
* You’ll be noticing that my posts have been infested with Buddhist, Christian and Pagan things… I did promise a while ago to go deeper into them didn’t I!

Right, I need to be up at 7am tomorrow… so I am off to bed. (feel free to comment - except you spammers!)

Daniel

We shall start with a poem by Gertrude Farwell - taken from A Homily for Christmas by Rev. Steven Marshall

“For whatever you say in the dark, will be heard in the light. And that which you whisper in the ears, shall be preached from the rooftops.” Gospel of Luke 12 3

“Jesus said, ‘Don’t lie, and don’t do what you hate, because all things are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that won’t be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain undisclosed.’” Gospel of Thomas 6

“You who were in silence, speak, for your mouth has been opened.” Odes of Solomon - Ode 8

“Lift up your eyes and look at the cloud and the light within it and the stars
surrounding it. The star that leads the way is your star” Gospel of Judas

“Speak of the truth with those who search for it, and (of) knowledge to those who have committed sin in their error” Gospel of Truth

“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Pistis Sophia Book 1 Chapter 43

“Our tongues shall relate thy might, we will sing and praise thy wondrous works” Book Of Jasher 89 20
There we go. We must spread our knowledge, our beliefs, our perceptions… not just religious thoughts, but your other thoughts too. The books above are mostly Gnostic and/or Apocryphal and/or Pseudopigraphical Judeo/Christian (many thanks to the linked resources).

Tonight Channel 4 showed “The Lost Gospal of Judas”, I found the program quite inspirational. They made some very valid points about why Gnosticism was lost, mainly one person on the program said something like: “the Gnostics taught that knowledge can be found within, so the church fathers did not like this because followers could look inside themselves for answers”. I feel that Gnosticism should probably be looked at again, a modern perspective on this meditational and mystical denomination of Christianity cannot do harm.

A message to religions and religious denominations and believers: Please, please, please let yourself/your-followers read books of other religions and paths, even if they are considered apocryphal or gnostic or mystic or even blasphemic… sometimes there is value. Christians - pick up the apocryphal texts and the gnostic texts, Jews - pick up the Kabbalah, Pagans - carry on reading (including Christian texts), Buddhists - read about Taoism or Confusionism, and Non-believers - pick up something! (Windows users - use a Mac or Linux)
Really useful website is Sacred-Texts: https://www.sacred-texts.com/

For now, goodnight. Take it easy, think, relax… and if I don’t write a post before Christmas (Hannukah and Yule/Litha and Feast of Stephen and Hajj and Zarathosht Diso and Holy Innocents and any other holiday that is appearing around this time) - have a good one.

Daniel