posted December 03, 2003 08:06 PM         

This site was set up by Randall to remember Linda as the inspiring person she was, not to attempt to deify or to attempt to force any beliefs on anyone. Linda herself flat out tells her readers to question everything that she said, and do not take her word for it. She said that if you find some of the things she said to be true, great, but if not, then hopefully it will help to lead you to your own truth. This very thing is perhaps one of her greater qualities. She did not try to force anyone to believe anything, she simple told what she found true advised everyone that they should test everything that she said before choosing to believe it.

In many cases, truth is relative. It can be very largely based on perspective. And perspective is different for every person, therefore would it not be logical to assume that truth can be different for every person as well?

I will not name names, but with only a few exceptions, nearly all those who posted in the threads I saw were wrong to post in the way they did. I am especially ashamed of some of the posts by a few of the moderators in these threads. This is exactly the type of thing that should be discouraged. Some of the posts place were almost like egging it on, if not at least condoning the actions take by those involved. I know I am no saint, I am prone to getting angry myself, but that does not excuse it.

posted December 03, 2003 08:28 PM         

Our belief systems often polarize us...many of us have difficulty being objective about what touches us deeply and spiritually. I've read through the threads of which you speak, and it's unfortunate that they sometimes degenerated. But LL is the Phoenix that always rises from its own ashes.

Sometimes, I think we just need to see the other side, so it shows up. Perspective perspective perspective!

posted December 04, 2003 11:52 AM         

Your concern is understood. There is a light in each and every one of us. One of the things that Linda did was show us that where there is a Truth that cannot be seen by others, we must shine a light constantly into the darkness, a beacon to guide those who cannot see. Linda herself was the subject of such "attacks." Linda didn't, just sit around and take the attacks. No, she persistantly repeated her understanding and pointed out the fallacy in the opposing perspective. She was, after all, Arian. Linda also had a great admiration for those who defended understanding and Truth against the attacks by the uninitiated. On at least one occasion in Love Signs, she mentions (I'm probably going to get myself into trouble for indulging Libran laziness here) Alan Leo's brilliant defense of astrology agains the skeptics. Linda understood something very profound:

Those that do not see Truth are still our brothers and sisters who wander blind through the garden. They attempt to cover their blindness with a mask of pretense, pretending superiority, or pretending that there are many versions of "the Truth" which although they disagree entirely are equally valid. Linda knew that you cannot convince a person against their will. She understood that the Creator is the only gardener, and that the rest of us may only plant seeds. She also understood the great power of Love and the great Light that Truth possesses. For her blind brothers and sisters..(yours truly to be counted among them at one time, and still removing the blindfold a knot at a time) Linda stood in the middle of the garden returning their cries of "Marco" with a gentle, persistant "Polo!" Eventually, some of us came to the center of the garden where Linda was, and her work has been as though her hands were helping to untie the knots that bind the blindness to our minds and our hearts.

Remember, Linda was patient, but Linda was PERSISTANT. Linda was tolerant, but Linda was FIRM in announcing her understanding to the world. Linda was hopeful, but Linda was also ACTIVE in planting the seeds that would bear the fruit of hope.

When our siblings walk in the garden blind, calling a skunk "flower" as Bambi did, we can shake our heads and correct them, or we can love them and smile for them. We can appreciate the happiness that they find in each new "flower" and perhaps keep repeating, (while holding a bouquet of actual flowers) "aren't these a lovely bunch of flowers?"

Someday, perhaps it will click, and then they will understand the difference between skunks and flowers.

Thank you so much for the lesson that you have provided here. It has taught so much and for that you are a dear teacher.

Love, from your brother, one drop, an endless ocean,

posted December 04, 2003 01:58 PM         

There is a crowd of children, gathered in a circle watching and taunting one who is different from them. The different one fights back, with much bitterness and hurt apparent in his voice, for he is the attacked although he appears to be the attacker. There are many spectators, and there are active participants in his taunting. They point at his bitter words and say, "See how agressive you are? What is your problem?" His response is to defend himself and to point out their flaws in order to draw attention away from his own.

In the end, the division between them grows until there is no reconciliation, for these children are of the sort that attach themselves to the past and relive it, allow it to become the basis for their perception. They capture the moments passed and drag them into today's reality.

There are children outside the crowd who hear the harsh words and see the rift that is growing between their brothers and sisters. One of them breaks through the circle and points to the taunters and the taunted on both sides saying, "You! How lovely you are. You have always brought joy to my heart with your sparkling laughter! And YOU! Your sober advice has saved me many weary hours of work! How lucky I am to have known a caring person such as you!" And to both, "Your harsh words cause me pain, for with each word, my dear friends have been injured. Will you put aside your differences to spare me this broken heart?"

In the end, though they may harbor bitterness toward one another, they all feel love for this third child. He is their brother and the tie that binds them all.

Here then is your lesson to us:

Be that third child.

Thank you for your wisdom, we are blessed by your presence here.

Love from your brother,