Thursday, June 30, 2011

the nature of truth

The Truth is far more all-encompassing than the mind could ever comprehend. No thought can encapsulate the Truth. At best, it can point to it. For example, it can say: "All things are intrinsically one." That is a pointer, not an explanation. Understanding these words means feeling deep within you the truth to which they point.

- Eckhart Tolle

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

planet watch: greenland ice sheet melting faster

Greenland's ice sheet melted the most it has in over a half century last year, US government scientists said Tuesday in one of a series of "unmistakable" signs of climate change.

"The world continues to warm," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a briefing paper for reporters.

"Multiple indicators, same bottom-line conclusion: consistent and unmistakable signal from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the oceans."

- AFP via Yahoo News 

photo of the day


A view from the Big Beach. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Monday, June 27, 2011

shoutout to michael and ellen

It was so awesome having you Camarillo, CA folks at Paya again. All the best to you! Thanks for being such wonderful people. Love and light.

:)

100 things a day to be grateful for

To understand the power and the magic of gratitude, you have to experience it for yourself. So why not begin by deciding to find 100 things a day to be grateful for?

If you practice gratitude every day it won't take long before gratitude is your natural state of being, and when that happens you will have unlocked one of the greatest secrets to life.

- lessons from The Secret

We are "creatures of habit," after all. Gratitude is a beautiful and powerful habit to adopt. My maternal grandmother, Doris Cooper, always advised me, "Davi, my child, count your many blessings, name them one by one." I don't recall my grandmother ever having anything but a smile on her face. She obviously knew one of life's greatest secrets.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

the sky trail

The Sky Trail is now 99% complete! Like many of our trails, this one was built through what is pretty much a solid rock terrain. It took quite some time and lots of hard work. The construction guys will be joining the two segments (started from opposite directions) this coming week. Here are some of the views and scenery on this magnificent trail.





Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Friday, June 24, 2011

nonreaction to the ego

Nonreaction to the ego in others is one of the most effective ways not only of going beyond ego in yourself but also of dissolving the collective human ego. But you can only be in a state of nonreaction if you can recognize someone's behavior as coming from the ego, as being an expression of the collective human dysfunction. When you realize it's not personal, there is no longer a compulsion to react as if it were.

- Eckhart Tolle

Thursday, June 23, 2011

après yoga

Special guests Ellen, Diana, and Hans take a dip in the plunge pool on Bliss Beach after the afternoon yoga session.



Kinda like heaven. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

to be rooted in Being

Unconscious people – and many remain unconscious, trapped in their egos throughout their lives – will quickly tell you who they are: their name, their occupation, their personal history, the shape or state of their body, and whatever else they identify with. Others may appear to be more evolved because they think of themselves as an immortal soul or living spirit. But do they really know themselves, or have they just added some spiritual sounding concepts to the content of their mind? Knowing yourself goes far deeper than the adoption of a set of ideas or beliefs. Spiritual ideas and beliefs may at best be helpful pointers, but in themselves they rarely have the power to dislodge the more firmly established core concepts of who you think you are, which are part of the conditioning of the human mind. Knowing yourself deeply has nothing to do with whatever ideas are floating around in your mind. Knowing yourself is to be rooted in Being, instead of lost in your mind.

- Eckhart Tolle

marine life facing 'major extinctions'


Marine life is under severe threat from global warming, pollution and habitat loss, with a high risk of "major extinctions" according to a panel of experts.

These are the conclusions of a distinguished group of marine scientists who met at Oxford University, England, in April to discuss the impact of human activity on the world's oceans.

Source: CNN

This is the kind of news that makes me want to say, "Stop this planet, I want to get off!" We humans are screwing up the environment so horribly with our greed, carelessness, shortsightedness, and stupidity. For being the Earth's so-called "master species," we leave a lot to be desired. Hopefully we'll correct our foolish ways before everything unravels.

Since getting off the planet is not an option, I have to believe in a New Earth (Earth 2.0?), and a humanity-wide shift in consciousness. I and many others see signs of this shift happening already, but there are times I wish it was occurring faster (a revolution in consciousness, if I may). Perhaps the whole global warming thing will be the event that will force humans to finally realize how truly connected everything is. I have to believe we can rise and be a benevolent species, not the slash/burn/pollute/destroy idiots we have been so far.

trail to ananda

The beautiful section of the Sky Trail leading to the Ananda Pavilion. The vegetation in this area of the property is so amazing.

Miguel Padilla and his construction team are currently building the stone stairs that lead from the Sky Trail up to the pavilion.

The new stairs from another perspective.

Fascinating tropical flora abounds. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Monday, June 20, 2011

intend great health

Most people only think to ask for health when they don't have it, but you can intend great health at any time. Use the power of your intention every single day and see yourself healthy and well.

Intend health for you and intend health for others.

- lessons from The Secret

Friday, June 17, 2011

the secret meeting

Below I've translated the 'diplomatic cable' sent by Ariel Vargas, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy in Tegucigalpa summarizing his secret meeting with Honduran President Porfirio Lobo. While it's rather lengthy, it is a good read as it paints a detailed picture of the unenviable position Lobo finds himself in. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lobo is trying to maneuver between very powerful interests, while always making sure he's looking out for himself.

Is there a "secret pact" between Lobo and Hugo Chavez? After reading this, I see how that argument could be made, but you be the judge. What really bothers me is that President Lobo, like Zelaya before him, seems much too enthusiastic about undermining and scuttling the Constitution he was elected under and which he swore before the entire nation to abide by, uphold, and defend. We've already seen multiple examples where Chavez and his ALBA flunkies have used constitutional rewrites to entrench themselves in power under the guise of "democracy."

I've highlighted a few eyebrow-raising statements and I added [some comments].

-------
Tegucigalpa, May 15, 2011

In accordance with that reported in our communication-EC No. II2.H2.E1 023/2011 and subsequent to authorization received from the above Office, late in the afternoon I met with President Porfirio Sosa in his private residence, located in the community of El Chimbo, a few minutes from Tegucigalpa. The meeting was informal, in strict reservation, without press, and with no more attendees besides Lobo Sosa and myself.

After the initial formalities, in which I conveyed the greetings of [Venezuelan Foreign Relations Minister Nicolás] Maduro, Lobo Sosa told me that this morning he tried to speak with President Chavez to directly convey his position on the points raised by the Former President Zelaya in mediation, but taking advantage of the call I made as instructed by my Foreign Minister, he decided to propose this meeting so that through this Embassy these considerations could be promptly forwarded to Minister Maduro and President Chavez.

Lobo began referring to the precarious stability of his Government, indicating that in his country there are very powerful groups, being of a "recalcitrant right," that oppose any political, economic and social transformation affecting their class interests. [Here Lobo -- elected recently as a right of center leader, mind you -- appears to be using the language of the Left. The way I see it, these "powerful groups" Lobo refers to are just Hondurans opposed to our President handing our country on a silver platter to a maniac like Chavez. I would say the vast majority of Hondurans make up this "group." I think the word patriots is a more appropriate for these actors than "recalcitrant right," as I've found that these Honduran patriots exist on both sides of the ideological spectrum. It's truly disturbing that Lobo would use this divisive language. It's like he's saying to Chavez, "You and I may have more in common than you realize..."]

These sectors are indeed a threat to his government, as a result he is forced to act with great caution any attempt to improve the present political and economic situation. [The only reason patriots would be a "threat" to his government is if his government was acting unpatriotically. That says a lot.  Also, there is no group of people in Honduras opposed to the government improving the "economic situation." That simply makes no sense. Claims to the contrary are pure ridiculous leftist propaganda aimed at creating class resentment and dividing the Honduran people.]

He said the course he has always followed has been to avoid confrontation and try to negotiate between the parties in order to move forward his ideas and projects. As an example he said this was what it made possible to adopt the amendment of Article 5 of the Honduran Constitution on referendums and plebiscites.

He said that at present the only real support he can count on is from the Armed Forces, because even though it might not seem that way, most of the Honduran military do not oppose the changes that Honduras needs. He made it clear that he would lose this support if he tries to advance these reforms in ways that violate existing laws and in an atmosphere of conflict and confrontation. [Is this an invitation, as Roger Noriega suggested, for Chavez to bribe the upper echelons of the Honduran Armed Forces into agreeing to a constituent assembly? After all, at the end of the day, these officers are employees of the state earning what amounts to Third World military salaries. I bet it would be a difficult decision for some of these officers to turn down a few million narcopetrodollars. Once you got the guys with the guns on board, then it doesn't matter what the "recalcitrant right" says, now does it? Please see Exhibit A: Venezuela.]

In this context, Lobo Sosa asked for the understanding of our government the delicate position in which he is in.

This instability prevents him from complying with some of the proposals that are now on the table of mediation, specifically those that deal with the convocation of a constituent assembly and punishment for those involved in the coup. With regard to the constituent assembly he explained that the conditions under which his government finds itself he can not commit to convening a meeting of this nature without serious political conflict breaking out in Honduras.

He expressed agreement with the need for a constituent assembly to approve the changes needed in Honduras and, to prove that statement, he said that when in 2009 Zelaya began to speak of a fourth ballot box for a survey, he proposed in Congress a "fourth constitutional ballot box" as a mechanism set in the law to carry out the referendum Zelaya wanted. [The only untouchable items in the Honduran Constitution are the definition of its territory, the form of government (republican), and the prohibition on presidential reelection. So, why this urgent need to rewrite a constitution that is 95% amendable? The leftists can never answer this question without resorting to ridiculous demagoguery. Bottom line: they want to get rid of the presidential one-term limit, so that if they manage to get in power (anything is possible when the narcopetrodollars spigot is open and flowing), they have no legal restrictions on staying there. (Not that they would pay attention to legal constraints anyway. Please see Exhibit B: Nicaragua, where the Daniel Ortega-controlled Supreme Court has ruled that constitutional term limits don't apply to him!)]

However, under present circumstances he cannot commit in an agreement with Zelaya to provide for a constituent assembly as he would risk having an end identical to the former president. On this point he recalled that in Cartagena President Chavez had agreed with him that he could not take up the flag of a constituent assembly without endangering his tenure in government.

In his view, the question of the constituent assembly should be treated with much prudence and tact to achieve its realization, and he agrees to help this purpose, but cannot announce it in the public as an agreement. [In other words, the Chavista Venezuelans are setting the agenda of Lobo's administration. Our President will "help them" get a constituent assembly in Honduras (and in the process give full backing and support to the nefarious goals Chavez has for our country), and... he'll take these actions behind the backs and against the will of the majority of the Honduran people. WTF?! I can see why Roger Noriega argues that in this meeting Porfirio Lobo, the President of a country, completely capitulated in his own home to a third- or fourth-level Chavez diplomat. Mr. Lobo shouldn't be surprised if, given these revelations, the Honduran people start questioning his moral character and/or, even more crucially, if he still has the moral authority and stature to be our head of state.] 

He said that in this sense is he's "working" the congressmen of his party and some [opposition] congressmen from the Liberal party. The President Lobo went even further noting that even Zelaya's goal of reelection would be easier to handle by way of the constitutional Article 5 than by way of a re-founding constitutional assembly. [So, this confirms (a) Lobo knows that back in June 2009 Manuel Zelaya was definitely aiming to force through reelection to benefit himself, and (b) that Article 5 was recently amended in the Lobo administration to pave the way for presidential reelection through a referendum or plebiscite. Could it also be a signal to Chavez that "working" these congressmen would be a lot easier with some of his narcopetrodollars to sweeten the deals? Who knows.]

Here he noted that another of the key areas on which he must work to build support for the constituent assembly was the church, both Catholic and Protestant.

He said that if he signed an agreement that mentioned the commitment to a constituent assembly, the Honduran churches (actors with strong political and social influence in his country) would object as they did with Zelaya and the project would collapse, whereas if it is not mentioned in writing but he's given a timeframe to work the idea with the churches, Lobo estimates he could achieve the same result as when he convinced the church to support reform of Article 5 of the Constitution. [I guess everyone has a price, even the clergy.]

Thursday, June 16, 2011

enlightenment

The word enlightenment conjures up the idea of some superhuman accomplishment, and the ego likes to keep it that way, but it is simply your natural state of felt oneness with Being. It is a state of connectedness with something immeasurable and indestructible, something that, almost paradoxically, is essentially you and yet is much greater than you. It is finding your true nature beyond name and form.

- Eckhart Tolle

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

photo of the day


Full moon at Paya. The Good Energy Tree can be seen on the right. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras. A magical place.

you are connected

You are not just a meaningless fragment in an alien universe, briefly suspended between life and death, allowed a few short-lived pleasures followed by pain and ultimate annihilation. Underneath your outer form, you are connected with something so vast, so immeasurable and sacred, that it cannot be spoken of - yet I am speaking of it now. I am speaking of it now not to give you something to believe in but to show you how you can know it for yourself.

- Eckhart Tolle

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

butters


Meet the latest member of the McNab-Cooper family. My niece, Michelle, received this little chihuahua puppy as a gift. She named him "Butters" after the South Park character. I can sort of see where she's going with that.

the roger noriega interview (continued)


Part 2 of El Heraldo's very revealing recent interview with Roger Noriega (a former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States). Part 1 here.

EH: It's said, "there is no free lunch." How will Hugo Chavez get payback for the favor? 
RN: Yes. Well, I think the same as what the others who are part of the Chavez network have done. [Honduran President Porfirio Lobo] will have to sacrifice some sovereignty, he has to align his foreign policy with Chavez and his group of countries, this implies a decision, in some cases, to work against U.S. interests, which is Chavez's main enemy, [and] receive the Iranians and others who are part of the Chavez network. 

Highlighting something you just said: the presence of Iranians, is that going to happen in Honduras? 
I do not know, I'm telling you what has happened in other countries. 

Will we see Honduras taking positions against the United States? 
I think the best answer is to observe what happens in the coming years. 

What role can the political and military leadership take against Chavez's intentions for Honduras? 
You have to see what they will say, nobody has said anything, but they are probably considering their next steps, and how they will respond. If it is the will of Honduras to change policy in such a profound way, so be it, but if you follow the model of Chavez, what has happened in other countries is corruption, corruption of political institutions, and the destruction of democratic institutions. That is what happened in Venezuela, Bolivia, each day more and more in Ecuador, there are not much [independent democratic institutions left] in Nicaragua. It would be a shame, in my opinion, if Honduras continues on this path. 

The former U.S. ambassador to Honduras, Charles Ford, said Zelaya had some dubious connections. What do you think? 
I do not know what Ford was talking about and I do not I have more information about it. What I heard about the links between drug traffickers and Zelaya (and Zelaya's family and the drug traffickers), has been from my Honduran friends more than anything, rather than U.S. sources. 

Has Chavez requested that Lobo directly help entrench drug trafficking further into the country or is that something that will simply be a result of the pressure that Chavez is placing on Lobo? 
Not to Lobo, I have not heard that [Chavez] has requested something in terms of the presence of drug traffickers. I have heard of the efforts of Chavez directly with Zelaya for licensing Venezuelan airline pilots suspected of having links with drug trafficking. 

In the short term, what is the next step in Chavez's interference in Honduras plan? 
What we will see, in my opinion, is two important things:  one is the destruction of the balance, of the balance of powers, concentration of power in the hands of the President and all that. But if he does it in a transparent way President Lobo could have "the will" of the Honduran people, because the reality is that he (Chavez) uses money to organize the society to implement his plans. 

Does Chavez want to sponsor a presidential candidate? 
Probably yes, he'll probably want to sponsor the National Front for Popular Resistance as a formal actor in politics. 

If Chavez sponsors the front, will it be to support Zelaya? 
Not necessarily because according to our sources in Venezuela, they have lost faith in Zelaya. 

Is there reduced contact between Venezuela and Zelaya? 
Not necessarily, but they do not perceive Zelaya as a reliable man. 

Zelaya does not instill confidence in the Venezuelans? 
According to our sources there are some in the Venezuelan government who believe that they must seek another protagonist in Honduras, because they have the impression Zelaya is a clown, at least that is their impression. 

Zelaya knew of the intentions of Chavez to increase the strength of drug trafficking in Honduras? 
I will not draw conclusions, but when Chavez requested support in the case of the aviation licenses (licensing Venezuelan aviation aircraft personnel), Zelaya delivered, I do not know why, but Zelaya delivered.

Translated from and photo courtesy of El Heraldo.

I think any patriotic Honduran with two brain cells to rub together would agree with Mr. Noriega's alarming assessment of Chavez's intentions. I know that 95% of Hondurans do not want the economic destruction, social chaos, and democratic disruption that would occur if Chavez gets control of our country. If there is a time we Hondurans need strong allies to help us protect our democracy from this maniac, it's NOW. Please help spread the word.

Monday, June 13, 2011

photo of the day


The full moon is approaching. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

visualize and imagine

The process of creation is the same for all things, whether you want to bring something to you or remove something negative from your life.

If you have a habit you wish to break, or anything negative you wish to remove from your life, you must focus on what you want. That means you visualize and imagine yourself in that negative-free state right now. Imagine yourself in as many scenes as you possibly can where the negative situation is completely absent. Imagine yourself happy and free. Eliminate any picture from your mind of you with the negative situation. Just imagine yourself in the state you want to be in, and feel that you are that, right now.

- lessons from The Secret

the roger noriega interview


Honduran daily El Heraldo recently interviewed Roger Noriega, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS). The revelations are shocking! 

EH: President Porfirio Lobo qualified as "nonsense" your words that he made a secret deal with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. What do you think of that response? 
RN: Well, it is a fact. Maybe what Venezuela is trying to do may seem like nonsense to him, but in my opinion he has to tell the Honduran people what he's saying in private to the Venezuelans. Hondurans have sacrificed so much to defend their sovereignty and their democratic institutions, and so he has an obligation as a democratically elected leader to tell his people what his plan is, what he's going to do. In my opinion, he has the intention to be Chavez's new Zelaya. 

Zelaya was accused of wanting to get reelection approved so that he could remain in power. Do you think that is what Lobo seeks?
I do not know. In my opinion, if he's made that decision, it is his decision, as it is the opposite position of the political class in Honduras in recent years. I do not want to add more to the rhetoric, I am a private citizen, he is President of a country. For me, President Lobo's conversation with his people is more important that any exchange between him and me. 

What is the true intention of Chávez in Honduras? 
Well, Chavez is a caudillo in Venezuela who has implemented a model for the destruction of the democratic institutions of his country and to establish a network in Latin America of leaders who share his vision. The reality is that Chavez has close relationships with drug traffickers in Mexico, and everyone knows that in Honduras he was involved with Zelaya in constructing an arrangement within the government to informally facilitate the work of drug traffickers in Honduras. 

This is what Chavez and Zelaya were doing in Honduras? 
Well, yes, yes. I heard that from many Hondurans. Hondurans who were authorities in the government of Micheletti and others.

What is the risk for Honduras of the agreement between Lobo and Zelaya? 
In my opinion, it is a question of whether they will follow the path of Honduras or the path of Chavez. If they will defend its sovereignty, democracy, or follow the path of populist caudillo. 

Does Chavez want Honduras to be a narco-state? 
Well, a weak state or a state in chaos. A society facing chaos because of division or political polarization is good news for drug dealers because they can operate with impunity and the authorities are unable to confront the threat. 

Does president Lobo have the ability to say no to Chavez or is he already too compromised? 
Well, (pause of several seconds) ... That is a good question, because the reality is that Honduras is under a lot of Chávez pressure, through his network of countries. They are pushing not only President Lobo, but also Honduran society with violence, strikes, support for agents working in Honduras to disrupt the society. This Chavez policy over the last few years has generated a split in the Honduran people and now they have had to accept an unsavory deal to be reinstated in the OAS, the latest action in the campaign against Honduran society. 

Has there been more meetings with officials of President Lobo and President Chavez? 
Yes, several conversations. Some have been public. 

But there have been more private meetings like the one mentioned? 
Yes. Interestingly, in my opinion, it is rare for a President to talk to a foreign diplomat in this way in his own country, as if he is pleading for a favor. Begging, yielding. Such examples are rare. 

Was there direct pressure from Chavez to annul the corruption trials against Zelaya? 
I think it was all part of the campaign, the rehabilitation of Zelaya from the political point of view. But it is more or less public knowledge they were pushing for that. 

Lobo pleaded with Chavez to help him to return Honduras to the OAS? 
In brutal terms, that's what happened. 

[Read Part 2]

Translated from and photo courtesy of El Heraldo

Wow. Shit, meet fan.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

abundance




Twice a year the sea palms put out their flower shoots, inundating the property with their sweet fragrance, and providing tons of nectar for the bees and hummingbirds. Over the course of a few weeks the flowers transform into thousands of small edible white berries that the birds and iguanas gorge on.

The abundance of the Universe is mine.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

fills you with happiness

When "Germany's first hiking trail for nudists" opened on May 29, 2010, near the town of Dankerode, enthusiasm was running high — and not just among those who enjoy braving nature in the buff. Mayor Monika Rauhut hailed the trail as "the latest attraction here in beautiful Wippertal." The trail was an instant hit, which got us wondering if such a thing might be a good idea in Switzerland, where the issue of nude hiking will soon be taken up by the Supreme Court. The "unofficial spokesperson" for Swiss lovers of the outdoor activity isn't so sure. But Puistola Grottenpösch (not his real name) does see some upsides. A sanctioned trail would give many people an opportunity to experience the "bodily freedom" that only hiking in the nude offers — an experience that "fills you with happiness," he says.

Source: Time

To learn more about naturism at Paya Bay, click here.

photo of the day


A Roatan fisherman tows his dorey (cayuco) along as he searches for protein. Doreys are carved on mainland Honduras from a single tree trunk.

my hero speaks

The Honduran Congress elected Mr. Roberto Micheletti as Interim President of Honduras after Manuel Zelaya was removed from power (by order of the Supreme Court) in June 2009 for ignoring Supreme Court rulings and attempting to illegally abort the country's constitution and remain in power. President Micheletti stood firm and never flinched in the face of tremendous and unprecedented international pressure orchestrated by Hugo Chavez to reinstate the rogue Zelaya. Chavez was so rabidly upset to see his plan to take control of Honduras thwarted that he even threatened an invasion to reinstall his puppet. Mr. Micheletti saw the country through the scheduled general elections of November 2009 which international observers declared the cleanest and most well attended elections in the country's history. In January 2010, he turned power over to Porfirio Lobo, the winner of the elections. Roberto Micheletti is the savior of Honduran democracy. Had he relented one inch, the dark side would have crushed him. This truly amazing man courageously led my country through one of its most harrowing moments. He is an example to follow and he is my hero. Usted tiene todo mi respeto y mi gratitud Señor Presidente.

The people are not interested at all in a constituent assembly. I think we Hondurans are smart enough to realize where the bad is and where the good is. There is a group of communists who want to seize power in the nation and a group of politicians who intend to continue the game that benefits the people of ALBA and, especially, the interests of Chavez. I do not support any constituent assembly, no matter how they paint it.

[...and...]

Hopefully there is no commitment that [President Porfirio Lobo] has made with Chavez, a dictator in his country and, logically, [a person who] does not bring positive consequences for any country in Latin America that has close ties with him. We have seen how he operates. We all know that Chavez does not take one step without having already calculated his political interests.

[...and...]

I'm not inclined to visit the U.S. [where Mr. Micheletti was invited to testify before Congress] simply to avoid being in the same room with [U.S. Ambassador to Honduras] Hugo Llorens, a disrespectful man, a liar, and someone who I think is even more communist than all others. I have many truths to tell because we have learned through WikiLeaks of Llorens's inventions, which did so much damage to Honduras in the past and continues to do so now.

When asked what importance the return of [exiled former President] Manuel Zelaya might have for Honduras, Mr. Micheletti said, "Who is that? I do not remember him. I do not know him. I really believe his presence in the country is irrelevant."

Translated from and photo courtesy of La Prensa

ego vs. awareness

The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking no longer the ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern. Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.

- Eckhart Tolle

Thursday, June 9, 2011

republika paya 2011


Thanks to the support of our wonderful clients, the development of Paya Bay Resort continues at a steady yet sane, balanced, and eco-conscious pace. Here's the latest resort map showing the accomplishments up until June 2011. Visit the Resort Map page on Paya's Web site to learn more.

the egocentric ego

If you identify with a mental position, then if you are wrong, your mind-based sense of self is seriously threatened with annihilation. So you - as the ego - cannot afford to be wrong. To be wrong is to die. Wars have been fought over this, and countless relationships have broken down.

- Eckhart Tolle 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

geocaching


Special guests Debbie and Steve - avid geocachers - are creating a geocache here at Paya Bay.

consciousness created the brain

The brain does not create consciousness, but consciousness created the brain, the most complex physical form on earth, for its expression. 

- Eckhart Tolle

Monday, June 6, 2011

the law only operates in the present

There is no past or future for the law of attraction, only the present, so stop referring to your life in the past as very difficult, or full of hardship and pain, or in any other negative way.

Remember that the law only operates in the present, so when you speak of your past life negatively the law is receiving your words and sending those things back to you NOW.

- lessons from The Secret

In other words, stop being "a victim." Use language and expressions that are powerful and empowering.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

little stories

Every complaint is a little story the mind makes up that you completely believe in.

- Eckhart Tolle

Friday, June 3, 2011

photo of the day


Secret Cove. Still one of my favorite 'special spots' at Paya. Great place to enjoy the sunsets. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

what is chavez up to now?

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez is moving to consolidate his hold on Honduras, after orchestrating the return last Saturday of his puppet,  Manuel Zelaya. Officials in Chávez’s inner circle are wondering how their cash-strapped government can finance yet another “revolutionary” government in Central America. What they fail to realize is that Chávez’s backup plan is to sow chaos in Honduras so it is hospitable territory for his partners in the illegal drug trade and a headache for the United States  and Mexico.

Sources within the Venezuelan foreign ministry are delighted that Honduran President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo was so quick to pledge his loyalty to Chávez and the same radical reforms that got Zelaya deposed in 2009.

Lobo’s surrender came at a secret meeting in mid-May with Venezuelan envoy Ariel Vargas, held far from the presidential palace at Lobo’s suburban home northeast of the capital. According to sources inside the Venezuelan government, Lobo posed as a fervent revolutionary and begged for Chávez’s patience as he maneuvered around domestic opposition to fundamental constitutional reforms that will allow the people to sweep aside the old order. Lobo suggested to Vargas that he needed help in neutralizing opposition within his own Nationalist Party and the Catholic Church.

Lobo explained a delicate political balance in the country where he could only count on the military for support; officials in Caracas interpreted this as an invitation for Chávez to buy the military’s loyalty to bolster Lobo’s ability to challenge the entrenched power structure. Lobo cautioned that he would lose the military’s backing if he were to label Zelaya’s ouster a coup d'état or call for the punishment of those involved. Indeed, Lobo emphasized this point by joking that if he were to take these particular steps Chávez should be prepared to offer him political exile.

- Roger Noriega (Former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States from 2001-2003 and Assistant Secretary of State from 2003-2005.)  full editorial

Wow. If what Mr. Noriega is alleging is true, it could be argued the Honduran people have yet another traitor President on our hands. These are a very serious accusations being lobbed at Mr. Lobo. I sure hope President Lobo was just feeding Chavez a line of bull. If not, Señor Presidente, you have some 'esplainin' to do.


This map explains why Hugo Chavez is so obsessed with getting his hands on Honduras (for those of you new to this saga: Honduras is smack dab in the center of the northbound narcotics smuggling routes). Again, I pose the question, Why is the U.S. government (apparently) sitting back and allowing the Venezuelan maniac to so grotesquely bully and meddle in the internal affairs of its closest Central American military ally*? The noble Honduran people have already suffered through the wrenching economic trauma that resulted from the political upheaval of June 2009, when our democratic institutions and military were forced to remove from power a president who went rogue after being infected by the Chavez narcopetroviru$. This is starting to look like some kind of twisted rerun of the events of 2009. The Honduran people do not deserve that.

* I know the concept of Honduras being a 'military ally' of the U.S. is laughable at first glance given the vast economic disparity between the two countries. However, Honduras does allow the U.S. military to have a strategic air base on its territory. The only other Latin American country (I'm aware of) that allows U.S. military personnel on its soil is Colombia. Honduras has given the only thing we had to give to this military partnership. The air base is a small but crucial part of our sacred territory that is being used to help protect the American people. In return, we expect the American military to protect us from bullies like Chavez. I don't think that is too much to ask. Hello U.S. Southern Command! Get with the program, guys. Let Chavez know that Honduras is hands off.

photo of the day


Red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

nonresistance, nonjudgement, nonattachment

The story of the Zen Master whose only response was always "Is that so?" shows the good that comes through inner nonresistance to events, that is to say, being at one with what happens. The story of the man whose comment was invariably a laconic "Maybe" illustrates the wisdom of nonjudgment, and the story of the ring points to the fact of impermanence which, when recognized, leads to nonattachment. Nonresistance, nonjudgement, and nonattachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living.

- Eckhart Tolle