Greetings, all Friends near & far!

This blog is designed as an archive for many of my* thoughts & musings on the various practical ways we can all employ to live lives that are far more full of Meaning & Joy & Peace. To make using it a bit easier, all of its entries have been sorted into one of the categories that follow (with links thereto found in the right-hand margin of this page) …

Please NOTE: While I do endorse the contents of all the entries herein, many of them were edited (and thereby “improved”) while uploading them into their corresponding hardcopy-ready pdfs (most of which can be found on the Writings Page of this website). As such, please realize that if there is any discrepancy between the contents of the posts found here online and the relevant pdf compilations thereof, know that the pdf writings are the more recent versions thereof, and as such — at least as far as I am concerned — should take precedence over any & all other possible versions.

And now, a brief description of the Blog’s aforementioned categories:

366 Days of Kindness — a daily account of my personal journey through the first 91 days of the “Selfless Service Calendar”; a 365 day trek along a road of Radical Kindness.

40 Days of Gratitude — a compilation of essays providing 40 alternative views of everyday things for which we can all be grateful every day.

100 Answers to 99 Questions — 100 different “deep” Answers to 99 even “deeper” Questions.

A few favorite Religionators (Vol 01) — a collection of memes, images, and commentaries that shed great Light upon the Bible, the development & manifestation of the modern-day Christian Church, and indeed the nature of religion in general; showing subtly yet clearly that no one needs to be subservient in any to man-maintained creeds or dogmas to live full &/or fully spiritual lives.

A few Wonderfunnies — a set of images & sayings intended to amuse &/or amaze; inspiring readers to know moments of awe &/or laughter while simultaneously reminding them of their small-yet-incredibly-significant place in this, our ever beautiful Universe.

A Tribute to Todd — a collection of quotes, images, and stories that remind me of the magnificence that was my brother, Todd A. Hilbers; a beautiful Soul who passed away & onward in the wilderness outside Silver City (New Mexico) sometime between late-2010 and early-2011 … RIP, my dear Friend!

A Year of Love & Wonder — a daily calendar of inspirational Beauty & profoundly practical Wisdom; a series of quotes & images & commentaries intended to unveil the Majesty of what it means to live as a Human Being … (Please NOTE that this blog-version of this particular calendar is not the final version thereof – the version that can be found either via the pdf embedded in the Writings Page of this website or via any of the other online publishing platform links listed in the verbiage Vault page of this blog.)

ACPS: emPowering one’s True Self — a chronological synopses of the 11-week course I offered on radical Kindness (entitled “A Course in Practical Selflessness”) to the Chattanooga (Tennessee) community in the early Fall of 2010; including links both to the live mp3 recordings of each class and pdfs of all class handouts as well.

Avant Garde Bible Study (AGBS) — a chronological synopses of the 14-week course on many of the more profound alternative teachings found in the ancient manuscripts of the Bible; a course I offered the Chattanooga (Tennessee) community in the Spring of 2010; including links to the live mp3 recordings of each class, to each week’s supplemental mp3 course recordings, and to all the class handout pdfs as well.

Burnishing Bigotry — a literal Labor-of-Love that provides its readers (Christian & non-Christian alike) a multi-voiced, in-depth conversation about what the Bible actually says about homosexuality, gay marriage, and how heterosexual Christians are called (by Jesus himself, no less) to treat members of the LGBTQ community.

Crushing Covid — a few mentions and memes related to (&/or expositive of) the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic … (Please NOTE that, due to the still-fluid nature of the science surrounding both the Coronavirus and its various vaccines, this category remains officially “under construction.”)

Defrocking the Democrats — an extremely important category that thoroughly exposes the evils embedded in the current Democratic Party; a party that sells itself as a viable opponent of its blatantly neo-fascistic counterpart (the Republicans of the GOP), and yet a party that in actuality is even more wicked than the same; for decades selling out the poor at home in favor of the already wealthy, and for decades murdering the innocent abroad in the name of corporate conquest & expanding empire. Indeed, despite what the American mass media purports to the contrary, the United States government is now a full-blown oligarchy, one in which Republicans & Democrats both only act like competing sides of its one & only coin.

Eavesdropping in on Jesus & Paul — written in a “fly on the wall” format, this category “eavesdrops” in on what a casual conversation between Jesus Christ & Paul of Tarsus would have sounded like, and thereby provides an accurate portrayal of the stark differences (& mild-mannered similarities) between the beliefs of Paul & the teachings of Jesus.

Eleven Last Wishes — a collection of short commentaries about what, were I to be laying on my deathbed, I would wish for all with my last eleven breaths.

Enlightening Enlightenment — While the supposedly arduous “road to enlightenment” has been discussed at length by many “self-help” gurus, religious authors, and spiritual pundits, and while it is true that longer periods of disciplined behavior can indeed help us to awaken to what many have labeled as “inner peace”, an experience of something that is actually far more profound is available to us all in every moment of our lives. Just as importantly, it only takes one instant for us all to arrive at this more fully Enlightened state of being. With this in mind, these posts look into not only many of the myths surrounding “self help”, “enlightenment”, and “personal growth”, but also offer more than few practical tips for instantly experiencing how it feels to be truly Enlightened – fully at Peace & deeply Joy-full.

Exhuming Easter — a theological work that initially harmonizes the six different (and seemingly contradictory) biblical accounts of the last days of Jesus Christ, and then concludes with an analysis of what the Bible itself infers actually took place on that very first “Easter weekend.”

God of wrath; GOD of LOVE — a scripturally-sound defense of The Divine (a celestial essence called many names, among them God, Allah, Adonai, and the Source); one that clearly shows why the texts of the Bible provide copious evidence for a celestial “Father” whose Love is indeed perfect: given without limitation and ever offered without condition.

Heeding the Homeless — a series of posts reminding us all that it is not enough for us to merely “care” of “have compassion” for the downtrodden in our midst; that we are actually all called to regularly & humbly & courageously (i.e. actively & wholeheartedly & self-sacrificially) CARE for them instead.

In LOVE with Humanity — a collection of posts paying homage to 153 Human Heroes; a few of the devoutly kind individuals who both inspire & encourage us all to both unconditionally Love & selflessly Serve all our fellow Beings (human & nonhuman alike) every single day.

Jesus & the Cult of Paul —a highly relevant (and as such extremely important) work that both examines & exposes the starkly contrasting lives, values, and theologies of Jesus Christ & Paul of Tarsus; the latter being essentially the father of the modern-day Christian Church, a man who was seemingly Jesus’ most zealous “apostle” but who in actuality was his most avid opponent.

Jesus Christ: a most Holy Heretic — an important tome that both examines & illuminates the incontrovertible fact that Jesus Christ was not so much an avid supporter of the 613 Old Testament laws of his day (including the Ten Commandments) as he was a radically thorough reformer (i.e. a brazenly noble editor) thereof.

Knowing God’s Will — a look both scholarly & practical into what the Bible has to say about rediscovering & re-enlivening God’s Will for your life & in your living thereof.

Lessening the Lies of LOVE — a few brief glimpses into the deeper Truths behind a few of the more common misconceptions many people have about LOVE — including what it is, what it does, and how it can be enlivened & maintained.

Licking the Razor’s Edge — While alcoholics and drug-users are popularly branded as “addicts”, this tome reminds us all that we would be wise to remember that we are all addicted to a diverse array of substances &/or behaviors. In this vein, these particular entries take a deeper look into not only life’s more obvious addictions like alcohol, nicotine and coffee, but also the more insidiously subtle addictions that plague many of us as well — with each chapter first identifying a particular addiction, and then offering a few simple-yet-effective methods for cleansing the same from your life.

Maximizing the Maxims — a collection of 366 statements that serve to amend (and thereby “purify” – and thereby strengthen) many of the world’s more beloved idioms, proverbs, and wise sayings.

Minimizing the Myths of Meat — a poignant look into the cruel world of the nonvegan animal consumer, including factually neutral exposés of 83 of the most popular arguments nonvegans (i.e. meat& milk & egg consumers) make against the patently ethical (i.e. compassionate & caring & just) lifestyle alternative that is Veganism.

My Favorite Verses — a collection of a few of my favorite verses from the Bible, along with a brief commentary on the deeper Meaning(s) of each.

My Life in Pictures — a collection of images illustrating many of the “important places” & a few of the “important people” from the first 55+ years of my life (1967 – 2023).

Outing the Oligarchy — a collection of posts & memes that illuminate the still little-known fact that the United States (and indeed, much of the rest of the “developed” world) is not a representative democracy at all, but is rather a full-blown oligarchy; wholly controlled by an elitist conglomeration of billionaires & corporations; a highly devolved gaggle of (mostly caucasian) men who are hiding in very high places while doing very low deeds.

Peace Pilgrimage #01:  Adventures of a Numinous Nomad (2011) — dozens of stories from the 900+ mile Peace Pilgrimage I walked in the spring of 2011 from Wildwood (Georgia) to Lighthouse Point (Florida). Over 650 miles of this Journey were traveled on foot, and the entire trip was made without the use of money; with me simply fasting until offered food and walking until offered shelter. To this day it serves as an inspirational testimony to the innate Goodness of Humanity, and the latent brilliance that rests within each & every one of us.

Peace Pilgrimage #02:  Walking HOME (2019) — a series of words & images that chronologically chronicle the massive Peace Pilgrimage I walked from April to September of 2019; treading some 3000+/- miles from Stuttgart (Germany) to Chattanooga (Tennessee), and doing so purely “on faith” – using no money, carrying neither personal ID nor sleeping bag nor tent, humbly accepting whatever shelter was freely offered, and never once asking for food along The Way.

Peace Pilgrimage #03:  Out & Up & Back again (2023-2024) — a series of short vignettes & images from my third Peace Pilgrimage — one that started Chattanooga (Tennessee) in the early fall of 2023 and ended in that same city in the spring of 2024. Like my previous peace journeys, this one was also made to further the cause of Kindness, and this one was also made “on faith” — that is to say: using no money at all, carrying neither ID nor sleeping bag nor tent, walking until offered shelter and fasting until offered vegan sustenance.

 

Peace-full Poetry — a collection of some of my favorite poems & verses of poetry; all of which enliven at least one portion of the higher truths that I feel pave what I like to call the Road to Self-emPowerment (or The Way of Self re-Discovery).

Practical tips for Peace-full Living — a collection of sayings, essays & memes that provide a panoply of practical considerations we can all use to live for more Power-full (& thereby far more Peace-filled) lives.

Preserving Paradise — a scripturally sound and spiritually neutral examination of what both reason & the Bible have to say about the concepts of damnation & salvation (including an exposé of the practical, fully non-religious consequences of each – what some folks like to call Heaven & Hell).

Purifying Patriotism — a few fresh thoughts on what it means to ostensibly “love your country”, and how it would look if you truly Loved the same.

Questions for Christians — After not only studying the Bible’s deeper mysteries for many thousands of hours, but also having finally had the courage to put its teachings into radical practice for many years (in order to see for myself what “Spiritual Fruit” the various scriptural interpretations bring/brought forth), I offer herein several of my my answers to many of Christianity’s more profound conundrums … EnJOY!

Re-Vealing Revelation — a deeper, gentler look into the Bible’s final “chapter” (the book of Revelation); what it actually says, what the Jesus of the Gospels would think about the same, and what its deeper meanings could indeed come to mean for you & yours.

Reconciling the Religions — a comparative analysis of what various world religions have to say about some of Life’s primary spiritual themes and essential moral standards.

Renouncing Racism — an examination of discrimination & bigotry in all its disturbing forms; not only the insidious form of systemic racism, but also sexism, ableism, lookism, homophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, classism, and speciesism as well.

Sanctifying Sentience — various essays & memes dedicated to by far the most important cause on our planet in this day & age: namely, animal rights & animal liberation; the assurance of an unconditional respect for the full palate of inalienable rights possessed by all sentient species, procured fist & foremost by the active protest against (and one day the complete dismantling of) the animal agriculture industry (and all other industries of animal enslavement &/or commodification).

Selfless Service Calendar — a daily guide to living radically Peace-fully, and thereby truly Power-fully; a daily reintroduction to True Self: 366+ activities that remind anyone who is courageous enough to engage them how Power-full they truly are and how thereby how Peace-full life can truly become … (Please NOTE that the first 3 months of this calendar were blogged by the author and posted under the 366 Days of Kindness category above.)

Simple Answers to tough Questions — my responses to some of the various “Bigger Questions” that have been asked me over the years … (Please NOTE that if your particular Question is not to be found herein, feel free to contact me and pose the same. I would be truly honored to in any way become a sounding board for the rediscovery of your own True Self thereby.)

Some thoughts on Cops & Guns — a collection of thoughts & memes that shed a bit of brighter light on the topics of law enforcement, police brutality, gun violence, and gun control.

The Inalienable Eleven — a refreshed Bill of Rights. That is to say: a modern sharing of the innate Human Freedoms harbored by us all since birth; rights that can never be lost or limited, no matter what — no matter by whom.

The war on War (Vol 01) — a collection of images & brief commentaries on nation-vs-nation violence; why war began in the first place, why wars continue to this day, and how we might one day collectively (or at least locally) enliven the all-too-simple solution thereto.

Unmasking the Mass Media — a collection of essays & memes illuminating & exposing the lies, manipulations, and inaccuracies of (mostly) America’s modern day, corporation-controlled, and propaganda-parsing mass media machine.

Waking UP — a brief series of illustrated revelations about what it means to truly Awaken to one’s True Self, and as such about what it means to be truly Alive in this amazing life.

Walking The Camino’s Way — a collage of pictures & journal entries from my 555+ mile trek along the Camino de Santiago; a pilgrimage I made on foot from St. Pied du Port (in France) to Finisterre (on the NW coast of Spain) in the Fall of 2008.

Wisdoms from the Journey — a collection of favorite quotes (alongside a few short commentaries on the same) that I have either heard or read during my life’s travels.

z Whereabouts of mySelf — posts that document where I currently am (approximately) & where I have recently been; including what services I engaged or am engaging at said locations, and including mention of a few of the wonders I experienced (or am still experiencing) while residing there.

In conclusion, please NOTE that, though I am often “on the road” in a place or manner where Internet access isn’t readily accessible, I want you all to feel free to send me questions &/or comments related to the blog, the website, or even Life itself (my personal email address is rediscoveringpeace99@protonmail.com). I will try to respond to any & all correspondence that is sent my way (though I cannot promise that I will be able to do so quickly). I would truly be honored to hear from you — and would feel privileged to be able to assist any one of you in any way I can …

Until then, Be Now — and Be in Peace!

Numinous
(a.k.a Scaughdt)