Class inquires • • mto mystertes
THE TELESC@PE Palomar College . Volume 25 Number 33 · A Publication of the Associated Students ·
of meditation
. San Marcos, Calif.
92069
Everest conquerer retells climb story
By Richard Sola Metaphysics and meditation. These two words conjure up images of the mystical, the occult, and the deep philosophi es of the Far East. Although much has been said about the two topics, little Information has been available to the general public. Until now. The two subjects are being discussed in a night extension course at Palomar called "Meditation and Metaphysics ." Meeting every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., the eight week course is conducted by Elaine Peick, program director of the Escondido Philosophical and Religious Library. Conducted in room C- 7, the class begins with yoga exercises by the students. On the first night of the class, the idea of exercising was greeted with some r eluctance by many of the class, but all excePt a handfull joined in. CASUAL ATMOSPHERE
By Dave Fetzer "It was very pleasant in the evening."
Simple yoga positions are assumed at first, then the class begins slow, rocking motions with a recording of a flutist at the Taj Mahal playing in the background. The atmosphere of the class rapidl y became casual, with the more experienced me mbe r s sugges ting the next yoga posture to be practiced. The purpose of the brief exercise period is to relax the mind and body, thus preparing a person for meditation. The discussions begin after everyone straightens up, realizes how out of shape he is, and settles back to a more conventional sitting position in a chair. Each week the topics of discussion vary, with consideration during thi s eight-week session given to the physical aspects of meditation, ESP, Atlantis, black and white magic, the Great Pyramid of Giseh, color, and how animals evolve. FAR EAST DISCUSSED The class, according to Mrs. P e ick, is a combination of various philosophies and teachings, with heavy emphasis on Hinduism and other Far Eastern philosophies. Also included are the teachings of the Rosicrucians and the "hierarchy," a small group of highly-developed minds, of which Christ and Bhudda are considered among the higher members. The hierarchy are also referred to as masters. The first session was about the interrelations between metaphysics and meditation. Since one of the goals ofthe class is ''to make contact with your higher self through mediation toward guidance in you r life," gre at emphasis is put on the abilities of the mind ans spirit. Mrs. Peick explains that "Meditation and service to others are two basic principals of metaphysics." She goes on to tell of the different dimensions in our life. The obvious are the physical and the mental. These can be observed easily. However, said Mrs. Peick, there is a third major dimension which is often less obvious, the Astra Body. The Astra Body concept is linked to various theories of meditation, r ei nvarnation, and· numerous other aspects of metaphysics. Briefly, the Astra Body is the pary of everyone which contains the spiritual portion of your being. METAPHYSICS EXPLAINED Through Astra projec tion, a phenomenon which is used by many students of metaphysics to explain such common things as types of dreams, the Astra Body leaves the physical and mental bodies and travels elsewhere. Or more simply, "You leave the body and are having out-of-the-body experiences." Another important facet of the class is the consideration of "chakras" or energy centers located basically in the spinal region. Chakras, says Mrs. Peick, are where energy from the higher world comes into the body. In most people, these chakras are poorly developed and are of little constructive use. However, through meditation, they can be highly developed. After one chakra has been developed, the next one is triggered into action. In the masters of the hierarchy, all the chakras are totally developed. This Is used to explain the presence of circles of light or halos around the heads of religious figures in many paintings. Mrs. Peick also told that the highly-developed chakra is represented in statues of Bhudda by coils on his head. The lecture went on to discuss the fundamentals of meditation, and soon, the whole class was practicing. The group first formed a circle on the floor in modified lotus positions. Then, led by Mrs. Peick, the class began chanting in the now-darkened room. Different chants were used, and soon a relaxing sense of well-being came over the class. One's sense of time rapidly became lost in the tranquility of the droning sounds. (Continued next page)
April14, 1972
Pictured is one of the exhibitions currently being shown at Boehm Art Gal-
lery. This
display ends April 17. (Photo by Chris Czech)
This is how Tenzing Nor gay described climbing Mt. Everest and so it was for the large crowd that came to hear the famed Sherpa guide and explorer Wednesday night in the Student Union. The lecture , as Dr. Theodore Kilman, director of continuing education and community services, described it was "a true community project." Norgay was introduced by Mr. Larry Pugsley, a fellow explorer from Escondido. Pugsley's introduction was rather hypesuch praise. Opening by saying that he was "honored'' to have been selected as a guide for the Everest mission, Norgay proceed to describe the "many things" they had to face. At one point, Norgay said, "For three months we (the explorers) never (saw) green, always the snow". Throughout his description of the great hardships Norgay retained a charming sense of humor. He humorously described a fellow explorer who tried to scale Mt. Everest alone as "illiterate,'' combining it with pointing at his brain. Norgay proved to be a very animated speaker as well, gesticulating colorfully as he described crossing bridges and glaciers ·and the lesser problems of communicating with men who "could not speak English, but could French" and vice versa. The explorer's favorite story was of reaching the spot known as the "Mountain Desert." Norgay claimed he "had never seen anything like this place, such wind ." He described the crew at this point as "very exhausted" when they refreshed themselves with
Microfilmed newspapers made available Care to read a contemporary account of the Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876), the assassination of Lincoln (1865) or the Lindbergh kidnapping (1932)? The Phil H. Putnam Memorial Library has a source to answer these questions and many more, in the form of the complete New York Times newspaper on microfilm back to the paper's beginning in September of 1851. The microfilmed newspaper was acquired in the fall and made available to the student in the library. The New York Times index lists all the articles printed in the newspaper
under the general subject the article is about. _. Between September, 1851 and December, 1862, the index just tells the issue number of the story. But from January, 1863 to the present, the index lists the date, page number, and column number of each article. "Palomar is one of 50 colleges in the state to own the complete collection of the New York Times. It is one of the few libraries in the nation to purchase the complete set at one time,'' &lad Mrs. Bonnie Smith, reference librarian. "The collection will be updated as papers of the current years are filmed." Library staff members are available to
help students with the indexes and with the machines. "The microfilm copy of the newspaper contains the complete paper, classified ads, book review magazine, New York Times magazine, stock market reports, obituaties, etc. Advertisement in the paper show the ehanging styles of fashions, price changes and advertising methods," Mrs. Smith explained. "Remember that as you read theN. Y. Times, you are reading a report of the event soon after it occurred, its impact on the nation and people at that time. The microfilm and viewer are in the library reading room.
"some coffee and (some) tea." This, Norgay said was part of his job, "cooking ... to keep it warm." Eventually, like Sir Edmund Hillary and crew, Norgay made it to the summit in his talk. His final description was a poignant "very tricky, but very nice.'' The lectu1:e was lollowed by some excellent slides of Nepal and the surrounding area near Everest. The slides captured such diversities as the people of the land, their customs, ways of worship, and modes of dress and transportation. One of the more interesting was a shot of a wooden bridge leading to Everest built by Hillary himself. A surprisingly brief question-and-answer period followed, the most interesting answer being Norgay's claim that scaling the peak entirely without oxygen "might be possible "
Woman's award being offered A $250 scholarship is being offered by the Escondido City Panhellenic Association to a Palomar woman student. The award will be granted to a student who plans to continue her education next year at a four year college or university. Application forms are available in the Financial Aid office. Freshman and Sophomores who are r esidents of the Palomar College District are eligible to apply. This scholarship, which is nonrenewable, may be used to pay for tuition, fees, and books. It will be presented at the end of this semester. Applications should be submitted directly to the Dean of Women by the May 1 deadline. Entries will be screened and candidates may be personally interviewed. Sincerity of purpose, grade quality, social and community activities will be considered in the awarding of the scholarship. An alumna organization, the Panhellenic Association is composed offormer members of college sororities.
Students sponsor bloodmobile drive As part of a blood drive being sponsored by the Business Club, the Bloodmobile will be on campus Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in R-3 (ASG Office). Anyone who contributes to Palomar's Blood Bank may then withdraw blood for himself or for any member of his immediate family. He may even withdraw blood for himself (but not for his fam ily) after he has left Palomar. A person may give blood once in an eight week period, and can have eaten immediately before giving blood. Coffee tea, juice and donuts will be fed free to donors. The Business Club is striving for a goal of 100 pints of blood, and urges Palomar students to volunteer.
News Briefs
I
A citizen's group attempting to construct a master plan for badly-needed bicycle paths in the city of Escondido is inviting all concerned persons to attend their upcoming meetings and become involved in the bicycle path plans. The next meeting is to be he ld today at 10 a.m. in the Escondido City Council Chambers. After this, a meeting will be held at 3 p .m. Thursday, April 20, in the same location. Questions or suggestions may be directed c / o Bob Garr, City Hall, 100 Valley Blvd., Escondido, Ca., 92025.
***
Metaphysics and Meditation students observe as instructor Elaine Peick
asumes one of the various yoga positions taught in her Wednesday night class
which meets from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in room C- 7. (Photo by Jim Nance)
"Are Decisions Your Hang-up?" This will be the subject of a lecture given by Mr. Andrew Kenneth Cline C.S.B., a teacher of Christian Science in the San Diego area. The lecture will be presented April 19 at ll a.m. in room CH-2, sponsored by the Christian Science Organization at Palomar College.