And Besides, it’s FUN!!!

I know you’ll appreciate where we’re heading with all this poetry and songwriting stuff, and I know that it’s a potentially rich and evocative idea! Expanding poetry and songwriting into a course of study with a spiritual and artistic purpose opens up countless possibilities. Besides, it’s fun!!!

1. Structured Course Themes

“Poetry as the Mirror of the Soul”: Start with exercises to help students uncover personal truths. Journaling, guided meditations, or “stream-of-consciousness” free writing could prime the creative pump.
“Setting Words to Music”: Learn how rhythm and melody shape emotional resonance, with examples from folk traditions to modern hits, showing how music amplifies poetic meaning.
“The Mind of God in Verse”: Dive into sacred poetry (Rumi, Hafiz, Blake, Psalms, Shakespear’s Sonnets) and analyze how spiritual longing and connection are expressed poetically. Students can create their own spiritual works, aiming to express universal themes.
“Conversations with Angels”: Introduce chants, mantras, and symbolic imagery in lyrics to explore higher planes of consciousness.

2. Workshops and Practical Exercises

“Soul Reflection Writing”: A daily prompt where students write a short poem based on a question like, “What is my deepest longing today?” or “What would I say to an angel?”
“Musical Interpretation”: Students pick a poem (their own or a classic) and experiment with turning it into a song. Encourage them to explore different genres, from chant to blues.
“Listening to Silence”: Exercises in deep listening to uncover the rhythm of their internal world and the messages within it.

3. Collaborative Projects

Group Composition: Collaborate to create a shared “angelic dialogue” in verse, weaving their individual voices into a communal masterpiece.
Performance Nights: Virtual or in-person poetry-and-music showcases to share and celebrate their works.
Soul Album Creation: Produce a short album or EP, perhaps mixing spoken word and song, as a tangible outcome of their study.

4. Spiritual Connections

Learn how poetry and songwriting can be a form of prayer or invocation.
Use metaphors as gateways to divine understanding (e.g., comparing God’s presence to light, water, or wind).
Introducing the concept of “automatic writing” or “inspired dictation,” where students invite angelic messages into their work.

5. Expanding to Technology

Experimentation with tools like AI or sound design software to create ethereal music that feels “otherworldly,” perfect for setting angelic poetry.
Students gain access to resources like the Suno system.

This could become more than a course—it could be a movement!

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Back in 2016 I offered a number of extremely unusual checker sets, using ancient, medieval and modern rare coinage. Here’s a link to that blog:

The Zen of Checkers

Owning one of those ancient checkers sets comes with a range of specific advantages, blending historical, aesthetic, and practical value. Here’s what you get:

1. A Tangible Connection to History

Authenticity at Your Fingertips: You’re not just holding a game piece—you’re holding a piece of ancient civilization. Each coin represents real moments from history, whether it’s Roman, Greek, or Phoenician.
Personal Ownership of the Past: These coins might have been in the hands of emperors, traders, or warriors. Now, they’re part of your story.

2. A Unique Investment

Value Beyond Currency: Because the pricing isn’t tied to the American dollar, these sets hold intrinsic value as historical artifacts, making them a unique addition to your portfolio.
Everlasting Worth: Unlike most items, their historical significance doesn’t depreciate—it only grows as they become rarer over time — they’re taken off the market when they go to a museum or library permanent collection.

3. Aesthetic and Artistic Appeal

Stunning Craftsmanship: These sets are meticulously designed to combine the beauty of ancient coins with modern functionality.
Display-Worthy: Even when not in use, these sets make for exquisite decor—perfect for your coffee table, bookshelf, or office.

4. A One-of-a-Kind Gaming Experience

Play with History: Imagine the thrill of strategizing your moves with pieces that once traded hands in bustling marketplaces or on the battlefield.
Conversation Starter: No other checkers set carries the weight of thousands of years of history, sparking curiosity and admiration from anyone who sees or plays it.

5. A Legacy to Pass Down

Heirloom Quality: This isn’t just a game—it’s a treasure you can pass on to future generations, along with its stories.
Timeless Appeal: The history and artistry of these sets transcend trends and remain meaningful across ages.

6. Inspiration for Creativity and Learning

Educational Value: Use the set as a tool to teach history, culture, and art to your family or community.
Creative Inspiration: Let the stories behind the coins fuel your poetry, songwriting, or any other creative endeavor.

7. A Rare and Exclusive Item

Limited Availability: Each set is unique and cannot be replicated. Owning one means joining an exclusive group of people who treasure history in this way.
Collector’s Pride: Few collectibles combine gaming, history, and art so seamlessly.

In short, owning one of these sets means you’re not just playing a game—you’re preserving and celebrating human history while enjoying a unique, functional piece of art.

In addition, it’s a great way to hide valuable items, such as Lincoln 1909s VDB pennies, which are often valued at many hundreds and even thousands of dollars, and since they’re mounted in air-tight capsules, the coins are totally protected, and they look just like ordinary checkers, with ordinary looking pennies!

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