Copper Chronicles

Usurpers Like Me

May 23rd, 2025

The religious professional at the local parish did not like being questioned. Unfortunately, claiming to be a religious authority invites questions. Discouraging them creates an environment where no one may know anything or say anything without his approval. The environment was controlling.

If a priest has the final say on truth, why bother asking any more questions? Does he know all the truth there is to know? Jesus’ words were not a primary, authoritative source in his mind. He was. So, a little cultish I am sad to say.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life.” Not priests.

A good way to remedy my disappointment is by thinking what I am grateful for. My reward will be learning to live within the confines of my inner guide, my conscience; also, my sensory perception. Plus, I have the cumulated experiential knowledge from my Copper Chronicles education.

The Law of Love, Love God, love your neighbor as you love yourself, essentially, creates a kind of three-fold accountability system. Respect for self, others, and God (as the source of Truth) makes sense. The object then, is to continue seeking the Great Source of All happiness as I learn to fly.

I remember one story Jesus said: “There is coming a day when people will worship Me in Spirit and in Truth.” So, not confining us to a geographic location, or building, or denomination necessarily was my understanding. He sends us the Holy Spirit as Our Guide, Comforter, and Teacher to help us.

Rick Renner is a Greek scholar. He says the Greek word “help” means something closer to: everything we need- strength, guidance, comfort, wisdom, protection; including joy and peace in adversity. The Holy Spirit bears you up in uncertainty and weakness; never giving up on you and not letting you fail.

That makes sense Jesus would give us supernatural assistance! A priest doesn’t have the ability to be present everywhere I go. A man can’t be my Teacher, Guide, and Help for me all the time.

If I joined the local parish, the priest’s head might explode from my many questions. That would be unloving of me to subject him to that. I would not be able to ask questions. That would be unloving to me.

That’s two red flags in that situation. Time to go!
Kaleidoscope

May 22nd, 2025

After escaping my tightly controlled environment, my “conditioning” is wearing off. The kaleidoscope of my mind, being shattered, very colorful, and illuminated with all kinds of thoughts and ideas jumbled about, is the result of not being allowed to speak, think, or believe freely for nearly my whole life.

Social scientists try to ‘condition’ us how to think through education, media, and government. All our institutions have been populated by people who believe human beings need to be “controlled.” Not very nice people, actually. Very bad; very bad people.

We will tell you how to think and what to believe! You have no agency- no say in the matter, they vainly imagine.

A mechanism of social control I noticed is called “intermittent reinforcement”. If I obey my controller – I will be rewarded. If I disobey (or try to think and act independently) I will be punished. Alfred B. Skinner’s experiments of the twentieth century prove my claim. His work was integral to public education, I am told by reliable sources.

Control requires that my agency is denied: my will to act independently is bludgeoned, battered, abused over and over and over, until I surrender. Then, I am easy to control. It’s like that dream I had about priests, grinding proselytes into powder.

Twentieth century scientists are responsible for the pandemic of narcissism we are experiencing in this nation, I believe. Narcissistic abuse is like ‘social conditioning’ on steroids.

The good news is: when I experienced a worship ceremony at the local parish I wrote about a couple days ago, the frequency of the sounds and music was very harmonious and beautiful. ‘As if the music had color and light and soared around in a dance above me.

I describe social engineering as scrambling my brains with a blender and making me inoperable- making me a mindless automation. On the contrary, the frequency of heaven I experienced during an Orthodox worship service had the opposite effect. It seemed like all the pieces of my fragmented mind fell into place.

I am myself for the first time- free of fear and confusion. Whole.

The healing effect of harmonious sounds seems very real. Although, I have experienced a warning in my being before, that even experiences may not be what they appear- like priests and like reality itself.
The Crush

May 21st, 2025

I don’t know whether people use the word “crush” anymore for when you see someone handsome and your heart lights up like a Christmas Tree. Then, you spend hours and days trying pretend you’re fine. Even when your heart is racing and it’s difficult to concentrate or to think of anything else.

But, that’s happening. Again. I am getting good at managing it. It may have something to do with the God particle in the news.

Science I believe, now remarks on a phenomenon when a “particle” is split from the rest of its being, it can be separated by a whole universe. But, the particle finds itself. That is, the part that was missing.

So, when I said the universe may have been looking for as well while I was trying to find myself in it (a couple posts back), it may be true. I am part of the universe. Perhaps, I possess a God particle. And, God was seeking me- eager to find me- to be united because He loved me and couldn’t live without me anymore.

That’s a beautiful story. The religious experts may not want to hear my story- or believe me because well, what do I know? I like my story, I believe it’s true, too.

Its seems appropriate that Love manifest in its full form, should be so eager for us and our well-being that we may be swallowed up in it. In a state of Love, perhaps. Sort of like Virginia, only bigger.

That makes the priest’s offer very stingy by comparison. Any how, its possible I have a God particle and the handsome man I met at the gym has a God particle which is why I am experiencing heightened energy levels.

Now being a part-icle in a universe with many other particles requires that I stay in the orbit of everything I’ve learned so far: Being in a hot tub with a glass of bourbon is fun. Any more than that, I may swoon and set back the women’s equality movement a century.
Village People

May 21st, 2025

For a large part of my existence, I was unable to detect a person from a pretender. A steady diet of TV watching as a young person without parental guidance kind of blurred the boundaries between fantasy of Hollywood and reality.

For example, I went to visit a local parish to see whether what I discovered to be true was related to the broader world of religious belief. Let’s just say I was consulting the religious professionals.

I know now, after much rigorous examination of reality, that every person dressed as a priest isn’t necessarily a priest. A fireman may be other things besides a fireman. You can pretend your an Indian, but that is not necessarily so.

After experiencing a grand ceremony worthy of a Being I consulted in my Chronicles, the priest invited everyone for meal and discussion afterwards. I asked him what made his denomination different than Protestantism, which is rooted deeply in American culture.

He said: His denomination has “the correct” interpretation of Jesus’ words. “Jesus needs an interpreter?”

The Being I’ve been talking to seems to not require interpretation. He’s pretty reasonable and clear. What kind of God can’t speak to people in their own language? Is this guy’s god Greek?

He roared at me that I may not interpret scripture (the words of Jesus) myself. I needed help!

That I needed help was not in dispute. That’s why I was asking him a question. Why his denomination (according to him) superior to all others? How does he know his is “Correct?” He said, “Trust me.”

Then he laid out the prerequisites for my soul being saved: A lifelong commitment to his denomination, to obey (him -as God representative on earth), and to do it with joy. To spend my entire life immersed in religious exercises – awash in his denomination’s interpretation (which may or may not be correct) and I will never know because I cannot know God for myself.

Then, I realized I could listen to this guy the rest of my life and still not know what he’s talking about. At the end of which, it’s not clear whether I may then ‘know’ God for myself or not. Neither have I any way of measuring what he is saying is actually true or not because (according to him) that is a special gift only he possesses.

My bullsh**-o- meter is throbbing right now. He lost me at: “Jesus needs an interpreter.
One Journey Ends

May 20th, 2025

And another one begins. This time with less baggage. Less anxiety. And, less concern for my safety. My existence makes sense. I am uniquely made individual that is highly valued by the universe. I am part. ‘Just a bit of light perhaps among many. But, I am part none the less.

I always wanted to be a part of something. Maybe in fact, the universe requires my participation in order for ‘it’ to be complete. So, I was looking for my place to be complete, my place was looking for me, too. It’s like finishing a multifaceted puzzle, and I was the last piece in it.

The experience is like conversing with the southern gentleman in a hot tub. But, about ten thousand times more satisfying and elating.

The universe is pleased with my arrival, I believe, because a kind lady offered me a 7 room furnished condo in the nicest neighborhood in town. Lyle can come, too!

The lady is a professional decorator with lovely taste! It has a dining room, a living room, a sun room. Two bedrooms, a great wardrobe. Storage. It’s in a beautiful antique building that is well preserved.

There’s a university, an art museum, a park, walking trails and a nice restaurant all nearby. She offered it to me for what I was able to pay: $700/month including utilities.

I am bursting with excitement and very relaxed, too. Like, this is all part of some great plan. Happy!
I, Automaton

May 19th, 2025

There’s a curious phenomenon afoot called “I.” In writing, we are told to avoid sounding egocentric. Me, me, me makes for boring conversation and writing. My favorite subject is myself!

But, myself is in need of finding a purpose, one worth living for. It’s an idea that is innate, it must be built inside me, like my hens had a built-in ‘code’ of what to do.

According to all previous posts observing nature, there must be laws that govern my inner being- just like laws keep stars in orbit, and make flowers sprout forth in spring.

It’s a “me”-vision or ideal version of me and what my life could be like (unlike a you vision that is unique to you and coded into your being). There will be no room for distractions that drain my life like energy vampires in my new life.

The whole concept of purpose being coded into our being speaks to how valuable we are. I am not saying I am more valuable than anybody else. That would be egotistical and ugly. But, the evidence of our natural world suggests human beings are extremely valuable.

So, how do we appreciate our innate value and be good stewards of our potential? How do we discover what is coded into our being? It has something to do with what makes our heart beat, like when Automaton saw the orchids in the market window yesterday.

Also, how do we avoid being egomaniacs and tyrants? An ugly thing in nature are those who have nothing but their own high opinion of themselves to justify their actions.

But, understanding we are uniquely made inheritors of the earth, (with no agency outside of that reality to justify our actions) we should be humble. This gift of life is not of ourselves. We can just say “yes” to the Giver and begin our journey to our ideal selves.

And, a valuable lesson yesterday with Automaton is: we need to learn to love ourselves. The Commandment is to love God, love others as we love ourselves.

Weirdly, religion and communists both seem to negate the idea of self, or the individual. Priests say: “Love God, love others…” which is a quasi version of what Jesus actually says. As if to say: You don’t matter!

Love God, love others as we love ourselves (the real version of what Jesus says) helps us understand our place in the universe. It is a humble existence in a beautiful place. That’s as close to finding happiness as I can get for today. It’s second coffee time!
Automaton

May 17th, 2025

Sometimes, my brain works really hard to solve a problem. Then finally, a solution emerges. Not always, but often. And sometimes in the middle of the night.

The Bible says when we sleep at night our conscience sorts through things and processes them (Psalm 16:7). So, that the garbag-y thoughts fall to the wayside and we keep the good ones.

After sleeping and waking up and reading yesterday’s post, I realized I kind of am an automaton. I can’t just outcast myself that I became in the matrix like a frightened villager casts out Frankenstein. I am still me, perhaps a quasi-automaton. But, there’s hope for me.

Neuroscientists like Dr. Caroline Leaf say a brain is like a super computer. It can be programmed poorly by our experiences, it can ‘catch viruses’ or be hacked by malicious agents. But, we can reprogram our minds by identifying the problem thoughts and building new ones into our mind. Just like a computer.

So, automaton: compile list of human beings’ needs I’ve compiled so far in Copper Chronicles to help me survive outside matrix of my past life.

Human beings need to feel valued (Christ). Need to be feel useful. Need food and shelter. Need justice. Need to listen to their consciences to sort out useful from useful thoughts. Need to be kind to those who are different not frustrated and angry with them. We need to be kind to ourselves. We need to not dominate others or allow ourselves to be dominated. We need to listen to cues from our environment.

Also, human beings need real food.* Affection. Imagination. Freedom to explore existence in a way much broader than the matrix of the modern world. We need quiet for our nervous systems to ‘reset.’ We need filters to process what we see and hear.

We need to filter what we speak and what we choose to believe. Human beings need to feel safe. Need to master things, learn, challenge ourselves, grow to our fullest potential. Make use of difficult circumstances to learn new things. (Like embracing Automaton).

Automaton has difficultly speaking and being understood in social situations. I have difficulty understanding other people, too. But, unlike Data, the lovable Ai character on Star Trek, I have a heart. I know that because when I saw orchids blooming inside the Fresh Market yesterday, and my heart lit up like a Christmas tree. Then, I forget what I was doing, because they were so beautiful.

*not faux food
Happy

May 16th, 2025

I am enjoying myself quite a bit more now that I am certain I am not an automaton- a machine- programmed for others’ purposes. The hens had purpose and enjoyed being hens. But, somehow I knew I had a purpose. But, I didn’t know what it was- neither was I free to pursuit it.

In another post, I discovered I needed to contribute to something meaningful to be happy. Other than – eat, sleep, work. SHOP. Repeat. A person needs to feel useful and to feel valued, says some guy named Kevin on YouTube.

The automaton I mentioned earlier is a precursor to our modern Ai machines, or digital ‘beings.’ Programmable. So, they look like human beings, and act like human beings. But….🤔

I am a fan of the Artificial character, Data, on Star Trek Next Generation. But, there are needs inside a human being (made of flesh and blood) that beings made in a lab do not possess.

In a post I removed I explored hostile feelings towards a person who betrayed me. So, human beings need justice.

Being in a matrix -like world where there are things designed to distract me, make use of me, or get my money has been distressing, demoralizing. How do I be a free person after being a cog in a machine? A nameless, faceless, (almost genderless) foot soldier in an existence that felt like a war.

What exactly was that war about? I don’t even know. I was not a fan of doing what I was told growing up. So, I made a good effort to play my part to save myself from being outcast. Human beings need justice. But, they also need food and a place to live.

I guess that’s my purpose today. Find some food. Real food, hopefully.
Masculinity Southern Style

May 15th, 2025

I am trying a new thing southerners do well, which is unlike my life up North. It’s called “relaxing.”

I sat in a hot tub today at the Y and had a conversation with a southern gentlemen, I would say, after which I felt like I drank a warm glass of bourbon.

It wasn’t the hot tub, because I have been in a hot tub regularly. He personified affection and duty- wrapped up in a pleasant smile. Like he was enjoying my rather nervous inquisition by comparison. He was like 80. I am looking forward to old age!

He was very obliging to answer my questions about pool laps and mileage for my ambitious Tuesday and Thursday quad- athlon idea: Elliptical machine, weights, swimming, and walking.

There’s lots of healthy people here doing miraculous feats of fitness. I am young at heart, I told the warm glass of bourbon in the hot tub, I mean the man. I got that going for me.

One young man I saw at the gym was carrying one kid on his shoulders, another gently nestled in his arm, two massive packs of family stuff on his back, equipment, mats, gym bags, etc. He was telling his wife a funny story while holding a door open for an old lady going into the YMCA.

His wife looked relaxed and happy. She was smelling flowers planted outside the door of the Y while I was entering. He looked happy, too.

I told the man in the hot tub perhaps precipitously, that I was from up north. So, I don’t always understand the warm, friendliness and habits of social etiquette southerners possess. Massachusetts particularly, the home of equality for women gone awry perhaps a tiny bit.

I worried he may think it necessary NOT to hold the door open for me, because I am perfectly capable of doing it myself. According to me being kinda of arrogant and full of myself.

Fortunately, there was no door. So, I escaped that awkward scenario. If there was a door, I’d be glad if he held it open for me. After all, I am doing a quad-lathon here!
Pity or Compassion?

May 15th, 2025

My sister says the word “pity” can mean pretending to care about something but not actually doing the work of compassion. If I meant to pay lip service, for example, to priests in my recent post, Pontificating Priests, I’d say “pity”.

This is further evidence of my theory that the world is full of ‘real’ or authentic things which prove to be what they appear to be. Then, there’s imitations of those same things.

People pretending to be compassionate; people pretending to be priests; pressed-board pretending to be plywood. We are awash in fake things!

Furious was a more accurate expression of how I felt. I’d be lying outright if I said I meant to express compassion for such a fake.

Compassion means to suffer with. Christ suffered with us- I learned lately at a Catholic Church with my sister. He experienced every pain, humiliation, rejection, and abuse- the whole totality of awfulness a human may endure- so that He could say genuinely: I know you and I love you. And, be believed.

It’s very sad and beautiful. Now, I understand why Catholics love Him so much. He is not paying lip service. Jesus is authentic. He expresses love that no fake can mimic. It’s love above and beyond all our imagination. World Without End. Amen.