From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #715 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Friday, May 17 2002 Volume 01 : Number 715 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 14:25:07 -0600 From: "Clark Goble" Subject: RE: [AML] LDS Box Office Report May 12, Part 2 ___ | Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Actor Total Gross Theaters Days | --- ----------------------------- ----------- ----- ---- | 3 The New Guy (NEW) 9,007,833 2,687 3 | Eliza Dushku (actor) 9,007,833 | ___ She's not Mormon any more, is she? I remember reading an interview with her where she basically said it didn't "work" for her anymore. If I recall she is more a theist now. (i.e. takes some aspects of the church she likes, like a higher power, etc.) - -- Clark Goble --- clark@lextek.com ----------------------------- - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 10:47:35 -0500 From: "Angela Hallstrom" Subject: Re: [AML] Good Young Adult Lit I just wanted to write and update everybody on the Enrichment Meeting that I did on choosing good adolescent literature. So many of you took a lot of time putting together lists and examples of your favorite novels, and I owe a lot of the success of the night to your assistance. I live in Minnesota, so most of my friends who are real readers don't understand the whole Mormon dynamic, and most of my friends who are Mormon don't spend a lot of time thinking about the world of literature in general. Finding this list and using so many of you as a resource has been invaluable. Thank you. Before I tell you a little about the night, I wanted to respond to Harlow Clark, who wrote with some questions for me way back on April 13th. I've had some problems with my Internet access lately, so I apologize for not getting back sooner. Harlow wrote: > > I can rattle off a good list, but before I do, I'm struck by this > comment. Why can't you recommend books that you love? Would you stand up > and recommend, say, a book about a serial murderer who dismembers the > bodies of his victims, college girls, who ties them down and paints their > naked bodies in two colors right down the center before killing them? > Would you stand up in testimony meeting and say that the Lord guided you > to read such a book? Me neither. I approached it differently when I told > my ward members I was grateful the Lord had led me to Louis Owens' _Bone > Game_ (also to _The Sharpest Sight_). I told them I was moved by the > scene in the sweat lodge ceremony where the Shaman says, "Like Jesus, we > got to forgive everybody. That's real important." I told them that was > particularly moving because the spirit of evil in the novel is a corrupt > Catholic priest of two centuries earlier who would whip the Indians with > wire whips, and defile their women. The priest's lusts and confusions are > mirrored in the killer's. For the whole novel we're anticipating this > sweat lodge ceremony, so the shaman's message is very important > thematically--and not at all what I thought he would say. > > Of course, I can say something like that confident that no one in the > ward is going to seek out Louis Owens' novels--and if someone comes and > asks me what books I was talking about, I can prepare them for the read. > Unless you've had some bad experience where someone read a book you > recommended and, say, you suddenly found yourself released from your > calling, it might be possible to teach a bit about literary theory, > particularly the theory that the reader is responsible for her > interpretation. The author cannot force us to interpret a work in a > particular way, and if we choose to interpret something as uplifting we > might gain experience from it. You chose to interpret certain novels that > way, why can't you teach the RS sisters the same? At least I think > that's an implication of the disclaimer you want to give, "that each > parent needs to decide for herself what's best for her kids, and none of > my choices are 'church endorsed' in any way." This email started me thinking hard about why I had approached this night with some trepidation, and I think I've hit on it. It was important to me to get the sisters in my ward thinking and talking about literature in a way beyond the issue of "what's dirty and what's not." Although I definitely DID want to open their minds to why good literature must contain conflict, sometimes ends unhappily, and exposes us to "evil" behavior. I just needed to come at it sideways so it didn't degenerate into an argument about how righteous people shouldn't read books with swear words in them. So often Relief Society conversations about books or movies revolve around how to protect ourselves from them, to shield our children from their evil influences. Knowing my audience as I do (having been a Mormon female for my entire life :-) I knew if I came out of the gate seeming too pushy or like I had an agenda to get them to "change their minds" (or understand why their thinking is wrong), I would get a lot of people's dander up and we would end up--once again--with an argument about what good, moral Mormon people should be reading or listening to or watching. People would start feeling either self-righteous or embarrassed or offended, and then the whole thing would be blown. The key, for me, was to allow them into the conversation comfortably by allowing for the fact that it *is* valid to be concerned about what our children--and we--read, and I took the responsibility to be mindful of each woman's individual sensibility seriously. Relief Society can sometimes have a hair trigger when it comes to what offends people (I've had looong talks with my husband about this when he's taught a particular lesson in Elder's Quorum and it ended up being about how much the Elders need to change and get better and repent, and I've taught the exact same lesson in R.S. and the comments ended up being about how we all had to feel better about ourselves and not give ourselves such a hard time and allow ourselves room to fail. Priesthood--even Sunday School--and Relief Society can be very different entities.) Anyway, I ended up with a great list of adolescent lit, classics and contemporary pieces and novels by Mormon authors, and a nice "disclaimer" at the top explaining that everyone has a different definition of appropriateness, and it's up to each sister to look at a book before she brings it home. I also had a list of great quotes by prophets and my great Grandmother from Tropic, Utah (who loved to read and felt guilty about it and wrote about it constantly in her journal), and literary figures like Flannery O'Connor. I lifted a few quotes directly from the Eugene England issue of Irreantum (so thanks). I used the list and the quotes as a way to have a "conversation" about literature, instead of having me standing up and pontificating about what I think these women should be reading. The best part of the conversation came when we discussed this quote by Brigham Young: "'Shall I sit down and read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Covenants all the time?' says one. Yes, if you please, and when you have done, you may be nothing but a sectarian after all. It is your duty to study, to know everything upon the face of the earth, in addition to reading those books. We should not only study good, and its effect upon our race, but also evil, and its consequences." I told a story about when I was teaching English at Bingham High School in South Jordan and (as happened quite often) a student refused to read an assigned book. (I think it was ). Only this time, the student--who was on Seminary Council--wanted permission to read only the scriptures and write papers on them. (He even wanted me to make up quizzes. Isn't this a great story????) We used this experience as a springboard to talk about why a prophet like Brigham Young thinks it's a bad thing to only read scripture, and why *fiction* (not just books on history or financial management or marital relationships, and other concrete, "practical" books) falls under them umbrella of what we should be reading in this life. A lot of women talked about how fiction has enlarged their world, has given them empathy, has helped them to understand more fully the multitude of different lives lived by God's children. Fiction has made them think about themselves and about things greater than themselves. It has allowed them to escape, too (which we all agreed was a worthy attribute of fiction). Then a sister raised her hand and said, "I don't think Brigham Young would have asked us to read about evil and its consequences in this day and age. He lived in a different time. It's so dangerous now. I think it's better if we avoid these things altogether." The tone in the room was good enough that I was able to respectfully disagree and start a conversation about how it is our responsibility in this life to understand the nature of evil. How, in fact, fiction was probably one of the safest places to come to understand evil because we are able to experience different choices and consequences vicariously. We went on to talk about why some important books may not be "uplifting" in a narrow definition of the word. Some of the women admitted that if a book made them uncomfortable or angry or sad, they sometimes saw that as a signal that the book was "bad" and shouldn't be read--but then some other women brought up examples of scripture stories that ended badly (and even Shakespearean stories that General Authorities quote. One woman said, "Because they sound like the King James Bible we assume it's somehow more moral than contemporary stuff." Good comment.) Anyway, it was a very good night. One woman started taking down titles of people's favorite books which she intended to hand out on Sunday, and many of the sisters now want to start a book club. I appreciate so much the contribution of many of you who sent me suggestions. Thanks for your help in making this a successful, interesting night. Angela Hallstrom - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 14:32:45 -0600 From: "Clark Goble" Subject: RE: [AML] Money and Art ___ Thom ___ | When the Church stops paying the professional architects, | contractors, and builders who erect our temples, I'll stop | expecting to be paid for my professional services toward the | Church. (I don't mind donating time in other areas, but I | no longer donate time when it comes to things theatrical). ___ The difference is that the architect *firms* and contracting *firms* do more than simply give time. You are hiring entire organizations, many of whom are non-Mormon. Further you are requiring resources beyond a few hours a week. Now if those with theatrical talents were being asked to quit their day job to help out with some talent show, I'd see the problem. But if the time asked is no different from what a Bishop, Relief Society President, Elder's Quorum President or so forth give, then you are suggesting a double standard for artists. Now if the ward expected you to supply equipment or the like, then that is clearly wrong. But your own time? Well. Once again, why are artists different from those of us with other skills? - -- Clark Goble --- clark@lextek.com ----------------------------- - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 15:03:05 -0600 From: Kellene Adams Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing D. Michael Martindale wrote: Here's someone blatantly giving lip service to the idea that sex is sacred, but her actions obviously show she is ashamed of it. What other sacred thing would she nervously titter at the mention of? My question: Does nervous laughter always equal shame? Or can someone genuinely believe that sex is sacred and beautiful but, for whatever reason, be uncomfortable about discussing it? Kellene - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 09:19:08 -0700 From: Elizabeth Hatch Subject: [AML] Re: Frankness in Mormon Writing "We have observed that wives married to kind and gentle husbands and fathers ARE interested in sex and do not seek to avoid it. Women who are accused by their husbands of being uninterested in sex or wives who profess that sex is only for the purpose of having children are often women who have been mistreated by their husbands." -Stephen E. Lamb, M.D. -Douglas E. Brinley, Ph.D. BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE: GOSPEL PERSPECTIVES ON MARITAL INTIMACY - --Beth Hatch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 15:50:08 -0600 From: Barbara Hume Subject: Re: [AML] DeAne NEILSON, _Perfect Neighbors_ (Review) At 09:06 PM 5/14/02, you wrote: >No great literature, but a clever look at families and the role >of women in Mormonism. I always enjoy the Hatrack River books. But I hope they're not supposed to exemplify the only "role of women in Mormonism." The lives these women live would be hell on wheels to me. As Melissa Proffitt (I think) once said on this list about buttermilk, shudder shudder ugh. Barbara R. Hume Provo, Utah - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 15:54:11 -0600 From: "Eric R. Samuelsen" Subject: RE: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing Kim Madsen, responding to Brother X: >"OH-MY-HECK!" Well said. >I can only imagine the discomfort >level of the missionaries, not to mention everyone else in the room. And = >I >can just see Brother X blah-blah-blahing away in the front of the room, = his >back to the class as he sketches on the chalkboard, oblivious to the >emotional pain he's causing. Not to mention physical pain. Trying not to laugh out loud, I was in = agony. >Brother >X certainly couldn't distinguish those boundaries. His behavior would = cause >me to be highly suspicious of his sexual/emotional "health". I have too = much >work of my own to do to be learning at the hands of an unbalanced = >person. Well put. I quite agree. I obviously don't know details of Brother X's = emotional health, but he was a very odd man.=20 >Eric, I hope you're using that memory in a story somewhere. It's too = >good to >let languish. If not, can I have it?? I am using it, but of course, if you want to use it, go ahead. I think a = great story is common property. Eric Samuelsen - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 16:31:38 -0600 From: "J. Scott Bronson" Subject: Re: [AML] LDS Box Office report May 12, Part 1 On Tue, 14 May 2002 17:10:07 -0700 (PDT) "R.W. Rasband" writes: > Is Eliza Dushku LDS? The psychopathic Faith of "Buffy the Vampire > Slayer" is a nice Mormon girl? She is the niece of a friend of mine and she is a Mormon girl. And I suppose she may be quite a nice girl as well. But when you put the words together the way you did the collective meaning alters slightly and I'm not sure that Eliza would be exactly comfortable with that description. scott - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 17:32:56 -0600 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: Re: [AML] Money and Art > I had the same reaction Larry did when I read Thom's post. I've been in > several wards where members were asked to donate their professional skills. > Just last week my bishop asked the members of the PEC if there was anyone in > the ward who had enough construction experience to install some handrails in > the home of a brother who recently suffered a stroke. No mention was made of > compensation, yet several men volunteered their services. To me, this was a > beautiful example of consecreation at work -- members of the ward doing for > someone what he couldn't do for himself. I would have no problem with this at all. True volunteer help I do not object to. It's when a wealthy Church having the means might require a person to donate some time that would otherwise require compensation. The Church at large doesn't do this. Why should a local ward do the same? > The principle of consecration should apply to everyone equally, artists and > plumbers alike. Isn't that the point of consecration? Scott Bronson can speak to this more exactly but just the other day he and I were talking about this thread. He mentioned, iirc, the Church-commissioned musical _Barefoot to Zion_. Arlen Card was "called" to write the music. He had to audition but was eventually called. And he was paid in cold, hard cash for his services. Truman Angel who designed the Tabernacle was paid for his work. All the architects who've designed LDS temples are paid for their work as are the artisans who do the actual building. Are they guilty of not adhering to the Law of Consecration? Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 01:24:03 -0600 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing Susan Malmrose wrote: > The scriptures admonish us to be temperate in all things. Things forbidden > in the WoW are (for many) addictive and difficult to use in moderation. It's > not hard to see why someone would say the WoW is encouraging moderation in > all things. I'll need to be a stickler on this one and ask for some examples of where "moderation in all things" is taught anywhere in the scriptures. I had one fellow claim it wasn't, and I can't think of an example off the top of my head. I think "moderation in all things" is another one of those folk doctrines that everyone accepts as genuine doctrine because it's been repeated so much that no one questions it. Well, I'm questioning it. If you can verify it as official doctrine, then I'd be very interested in finding that out. It may not be hard to see why someone says the Word of Wisdom teaches moderation in all things because it gets repeated so often. But that doesn't make it true. Read section 89--see if you can see anything taught in there except moderation in eating meat. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 02:57:34 -0500 From: "kumiko" Subject: [AML] Lance Williams, Producer of _Charly_ [The following profile of filmmaker Lance Williams was sent to LDSFilm.com by the film's publicity agents. We are fowarding it to AML-List with their express permission.] Lance Williams LOS ANGELES--May 8th, 2002 -- After a lifetime in the entertainment industry, Lance Williams' ship has finally come in. Not because he is currently producing another feature film, but because he is producing the screen adaptation of Jack Weyland's best selling novel "Charly." While Charly the movie is the latest foray into the emerging genre of LDS films and is targeted primarily at LDS audiences, Williams notes that it is designed to have crossover appeal to a more general audience. For Williams, Charly is a first in two ways. It is the first LDS novel to be adapted for the silver screen. It is also the first of many LDS films Williams hopes to create. "I have prepared all my life for a chance to make films with a Latter-day Saint theme," Williams said. "For me, this is a dream come true and I intend to dedicate myself to its advancement and success." Williams began his career at age eight working in front of the cameras doing commercials and daytime television. After several turns with legitimate theater, he focused on the television and film side of the entertainment industry, noting that he was better suited to the fluidity of film and TV. Acting his way through high school, Williams was involved with such films as Airport '75, Harry in Your Pocket, and Birds of Prey. He also appeared as a regular on the popular morning television show, "Hotel Balderdash." Williams won the Sydney award for best actor as Adam in the principal role in "The Apple Tree." National Independent Pictures in Hollywood quickly snapped up Williams after he graduated from high school. He soon acquired a taste for working behind the cameras as well as in front of them. Working his way up to associate producer for NIP, Williams helped develop and produce works for network television and feature films. NIP also assigned Williams to produce corporate film and video throughout California. One of his best jobs at the studio was instructing acting at the studio's training division in Newport Beach. Working with new and established talent is a passion that continues with Williams today. After serving an LDS mission to Thailand and receiving a B.A. in film and television from Brigham Young University, Williams continued to have a successful career as an actor, writer, producer and director. He has appeared in major motion pictures as well as small indie films, television programs and commercials. As a producer, he has produced four feature films, a long-running television series, and many corporate, educational and commercial productions. Williams has directed both film and television as well as legitimate theatre. In addition to writing for the industry, he is the author of three published books, including the novel adaptation of the hugely popular LDS play "Promised Valley." Williams continues as the director of the Professional Actors Workshop where he has trained actors for film and television for over twelve years. In addition to producing Charly, Williams is also finishing work on a Masters of Fine Arts degree at UCLA in the Producers Program. Of his career Williams said, "It's been a great ride so far and the best part is all roads have lead to the production of Charly." Williams doesn't plan to slow down any time soon, however. "I plan to continue producing high quality films for both the major and LDS markets," he said, "but if I never made another film in my life, Charly would be a great personal triumph." Lance Williams is based in Los Angeles and is the president of American International Media, Inc. The feature film shingle of Williams' company, Focused Light Films, has partnered with the Utah-based Kaleidoscope Pictures in a co-venture to produce Charly and other LDS-themed productions. For more information, email Starbase Media at schocktaw@hotmail.com. - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 03:08:32 -0600 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing Kim Madsen wrote: > One interesting thing to note: As the spouse of a recovered sex-addict, and > having experienced both sides of the fence, I've learned that people who are > sexually dysfunctional generally have problems distinguishing appropriate > boundaries of "sharing" sexual information. > Brother X certainly couldn't distinguish those boundaries. His behavior would > cause me to be highly suspicious of his sexual/emotional "health". I have too > much work of my own to do to be learning at the hands of an unbalanced person. There's a scary leap of deduction. It reminds me of someone who heard that sexual predators often have more than sex as something out of control in their lives, for example eating too much. So this person started wondering if each fat person he encountered was a sexual predator. It's a logical fallacy that if A implies B, then B must imply A. Maybe sex addicts have a hard time distinguishing boundaries of appropriateness in speaking about sex, but it's very dangerous to assume that all people who have a hard time distinguishing the boundaries are sexual addicts. > If there is something you are uncomfortable with, > whether inside or outside of marriage, those feelings are a warning signal > that ought to be heeded. I can't accept this either. Otherwise, the woman who refuses to ever have sex with her husband is justified because she feels uncomfortable about it, or the parent who never talks to his or her children about sex for the same reason is in the right. Sex is just too deeply emotional a subject and too fraught with miseducation in our society to ever be able to trust our feelings about it this completely. Uncomfortable feelings _may_ be a warning sign, but it requires a healthy dose of thinking to make sure. Most of the problems Mormons have with sex are based on heeding uncomfortable feelings about it. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 03:22:36 -0600 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing Kellene Adams wrote: > My question: Does nervous laughter always equal shame? Or can someone > genuinely believe that sex is sacred and beautiful but, for whatever reason, > be uncomfortable about discussing it? If you like, I'll substitute "embarrassment" for "shame." I think a nervous laugh pretty much always communicates embarrassment. But isn't embarrassment just a form of shame? Uncomfortable is too broad a word to replace for either "shame" or "embarrassment." I feel uncomfortable talking in detail about the endowment ceremony outside the temple, but I don't feel any kind of embarrassment over it, nor do I laugh nervously if the subject comes up. I just think it shouldn't be done. Someone can think sex is sacred and beautiful and decide they don't want to talk much about it. I wouldn't agree with them, but that's their perogative. By why is embarrassment mixed in there? That comes from somewhere else. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 10:25:12 -0600 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing > "We have observed that wives married to kind and gentle husbands and > fathers ARE interested in sex and do not seek to avoid it. Women who > are accused by their husbands of being uninterested in sex or wives who > profess that sex is only for the purpose of having children are often > women who have been mistreated by their husbands." > > -Stephen E. Lamb, M.D. > -Douglas E. Brinley, Ph.D. > BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE: > GOSPEL PERSPECTIVES ON MARITAL INTIMACY > > > --Beth Hatch Lest we misunderstand, let's consider carefully the word "often" in the last sentence. Notice it does not say "always." Mistreatment by their husbands certainly is ONE of the reasons why women might not be interested in sex. Other reasons: they may have been sexually abused as a child; they may be one of the minority of persons cursed with a low libido; they may also be lesbian. All these factors and more may influence a woman's disinterest in sex. Let's not let allow this carefully worded statement to slip into the "one-size-fits-all" school of thought. Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 10:17:24 -0700 From: Julie Kirk Subject: [AML] Las Vegas Cow Parade [MOD: I never cease to be amazed at the range of things I learn about on AML-List...] I've kind of gotten involved with a project called "Cow Parade". If you've been to NYC, Chicago, Houston or Kansas City at the same time they were having their cow parades, you might be familiar with it already - basically, they put a call out to artists to submit design ideas for painting a large (not quite life size, but close) fiberglass cow. These cows are then put on display throughout the city, and auctioned off once the project is done with a portion of the proceeds given to various charities. I know this idea has been repeated in a number of cities using other things besides cows, such as lizards, pigs and horses. Well, Las Vegas is having one, and that is the one I've been working with. It occurred to me this morning that there might be other artists on the list interested in participating, so I figured I would pass on the website info. On the website you can find details on rules, download applications, and, even if you aren't interested in painting a cow, you can look through the many cows - some of which are very whimsical and fun, others beautiful paintings, etc - that have been done in the other cities. the web address is: http://www.cowparade.net julie - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 13:36:27 -0600 From: "Paris Anderson" Subject: Re: [AML] Frankness in Mormon Writing Kathy Tyner wrote: Do we care enough to talk to our kids about this? I challenge everyone to sit down with their kids . . . OK . . . I'm going to e-sit down with a bunch of e-adults and talk about S-E-X. There is a HUGE metaphysical component to sex. And not just to actual intercourse or to thinking about intercourse or physical contact. Everyone has an amount of sexual energy in their bodies, whether it is expressed in the act of sex or whether expressed through art, athletics, business, philosophy, politics or just in the joy of being. This energy, if channeled correctly, can be used for spiritual evolution. I'm sure everyone knows what the meridians are so I won't bore anyone by explaining (They are the tiny rivuletes by which bioenergy travels around the body. Acupunturist stick needles in specific points along these meridians to clear out blockages and let energy flow correctly.) Well, before the meridians existed there existed a very primative set of rivulets called "Strange Flows." The very most primative and the very most important of these is the Main Central Channel. It ocurres early in the life of the fertilized egg--when it is at four to eight cells. In people who have been born it goes from an area slightly in front of the anus, up through the spinal column (occupying the same space as the spinal cord) to the crown of the head (the spot where Mormons put oil when giving blessings.) It then goes down the front of the body, midline, to the origination point. The front half of this flow is called "The Conception Vessel" and the back Half is called the governing Vessel. (Actually, energy can travel either direction through this channel. Or both directions at once--that why these flow are called strange.) When Bio-energy flows up the Governing Vessel into the head strange, magnificent things can happen. Very ordinary things can happen too. A feeling of peace and tranquility is the most common (I haven't decided whether to call that is ordinary or magnificent.) A feeling of being one with God, or one with the Universe or one with all of creation or of melting into everything around are also common sensations. These feelings give rise to spiritual evolution. When these feelings are repeated, they will become more long lasting (awkward sentence) and eventually become perminant. Enlightenment achieved. One method of causing energy to flow up the Governing Vessel is through repeatedly contracting the adductors, the anus and the muscles of the pelvic diaphram. These things happen during sexual intercourse. There are types of massage that are non-sexual, but have the same effect. There are types of exersize that --can-- (maybe) cause this to happen. Acts of charity also cause this to happen. I'm sure most of you have felt a warm, tingling sensation in your spine after sex. That's what I'm talking about. That's your passport to the Universe. And you thought you were just having fun. (I pieced together this view of esoteric human anatomy from texts on various types of massage--Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do, Jin shin Juytsu, Reiki, Taoist massage--along with T'ai Ch'i.) Paris Anderson - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #715 ******************************