The premise of this Japanese film is that after death, people spend one week with a film crew and they have to choose one memory to live with for eternity within three days. This memory will then be recreated for them on film.
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I am deeply appalled by the police response to peaceful protesters in Sydney last night, who were demonstrating against the invitation of Israel's Prime Minister Herzog. The cross-party support for this visit – from Labor, the Coalition parties, and One Nation – proceeded despite significant public concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the potential for civil unrest. The Greens' principled opposition and their warnings about possible disruption have proved prescient. The scenes we witnessed raise serious questions about the proportionality of the police response and the judgement of those responsible for these decisions. I believe history will judge this decision harshly for Prime Minister Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns, and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. When peaceful democratic protest – a cornerstone of our society – is met with such brutal force, we must ask ourselves what kind of precedent we are setting. This moment has crystallised for me the importance of supporting representatives whose values align with protecting civil liberties and pursuing ethical foreign policy. The Greens and certain Independents have demonstrated moral clarity on this issue, and they will have my considered support. I encourage everyone to become politically astute and informed. Democracy requires us to hold our elected officials accountable, particularly when their decisions impact fundamental rights and our nation's moral standing. We must support politicians whose policies reflect our deepest values, not simply vote along traditional party lines. As a lifelong Labor supporter, this decision represents a breaking point. While Labor has delivered excellent policies in many areas, its recent choices – particularly on matters of human rights and civil liberties – have compromised the values I believed it stood for. Meanwhile, the political landscape offers little comfort elsewhere: The Liberal-National Coalition remains fractured and directionless. One Nation's leader openly embraces Trump's divisive politics and cultivates relationships with billionaire elites, yet commands significant popular support even though they consistently vote against support for ordinary Australians. In this vacuum of principled leadership, only the Greens and select Independents are consistently championing the humanitarian values and democratic freedoms that should be non-negotiable in Australian politics. They have earned not just my vote, but my active support. The question before us is clear: do we reward parties that take our votes for granted, or do we vote for the Australia we actually want to see? Cedar Rivers Spiritual growth often deepens in stages: Early stirrings begin with a sense that life is more than the material world. There is curiosity about meaning, a desire to explore, and perhaps enthusiasm for new ideas or practices. Much of the understanding at this stage is thoughtful and heartfelt, though still developing. Growing maturity brings steadiness. Insights begin to shape everyday choices, relationships, and values. You become more willing to look honestly at your own patterns, including the parts you would rather avoid. This can be challenging but also freeing. Practice becomes something you return to regularly, not only when it feels easy or inspiring. Deeper maturity invites acceptance of life’s paradoxes. You learn to live with both knowing and not knowing. There is less concern with appearing 'spiritual' and more emphasis on living with compassion, humility, and presence. The sense of a fixed self softens, and helping others arises more naturally. Profound depth, described by many mystics, points towards a felt unity with life itself. The boundary between self and world grows thinner. There can be a deep inner freedom, and wisdom arises quietly from stillness rather than constant thought. Everyday life becomes the practice. At every stage, spiritual maturity is shown less by beliefs and more by ordinary actions: how you respond to difficulty, how you treat those who challenge you, how you sit with uncertainty, and whether your inner life nurtures genuine peace, kindness, and steadiness.   Such wonderful, thoughtful responses. Thank you ALL. Questions like this help us reflect on what truly matters and support one another as we each navigate our personal paths. May you discover and master exactly what your soul seeks to learn at this stage of your life.
My own passions centre on the soul's eternal journey: living well, dying well, and more fully understanding this earthly experience with all its chaos, confusion, creativity, joys and challenges. I often find myself asking: Why would my soul choose to incarnate in this particular body, this family, this place, at this pivotal moment in human evolution? As we witness many people unconsciously perpetuating violence, division, greed and harm, I'm working diligently to understand my own role and purpose during this transitional age – what some might call the end of an epoch. I'm completing old patterns, becoming more conscious and discerning, and preparing myself for what wants to emerge: a more compassionate world, creative co-creation of healing possibilities, and a deeper sense of myself as a cosmic citizen connected to something far greater than this single lifetime. It is demanding, beautiful work, and I am constantly learning in the process. Please keep sharing your responses. Knowing what matters most to each of you helps us support, encourage and learn from one another. We are truly in this together. Cedar When the most powerful person on the planet posts a video on his social media platform depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, and other political figures and commentators as pigs, monkeys, hyenas, warthogs, and hippopotamuses, casting himself as the lion king, it is more than poor judgment. It is a deliberate and outrageous act of racist imagery and dehumanising caricature that has no place in leadership.
Such conduct would warrant immediate censure in any credible institution. Yet the silence from colleagues and allies compounds the offence, suggesting complicity through inaction. Leadership demands more than the pursuit of power or popularity. It requires moral responsibility, restraint, wisdom, and recognition of the humanity of all people, including one's opponents. When public figures normalise cruelty and division instead, they corrode the standards their offices are meant to uphold and betray the people they serve.
A nation’s strength is not measured by its willingness to follow others into conflict, but by its courage to stand for peace with clear eyes and a long memory. History has shown, again and again, that wars entered in haste or loyalty to powerful allies can leave generations carrying grief, trauma, and debt long after the rhetoric fades. Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and the Gulf War each remind us that the cost of war is paid not only in strategy rooms and budgets, but in human lives, families, and futures.
Before aligning Australia with any new military venture, pause and look beyond the immediate horizon. Consider the second and third consequences. Consider the children who will inherit the outcomes of decisions made today. Consider the soldiers—our sons and daughters—whose courage and loyalty deserve the highest level of care, wisdom, and restraint from those who command their service. True leadership asks difficult questions: Would I send my own child to the front line of this conflict? Is every peaceful avenue exhausted? Will this action genuinely secure a safer future, or merely prolong cycles of violence? Australia’s role in the world can be one of principled independence, diplomacy, and peace-building. We are capable of strengthening alliances without surrendering moral judgement. We are capable of defending our nation without abandoning our deepest values. We are capable of choosing dialogue, foresight, and humanity over reflex and pressure. Nearly 29 million citizens, and many beyond our shores, live with the consequences of your decisions. Lead with conscience. Lead with memory. Lead with the kind of wisdom that protects life wherever possible and honours it always. A 'Deep Emotional Detox session' that uses ancient Zulu-inspired vocals, rhythmic drums tuned to 432Hz - a frequency often promoted for relaxation and healing, and atmospheric sounds to help release trapped pain, anxiety, negative energy, and emotional heaviness. The idea is to let the rhythms and chants 'wash the burden away,' sometimes through crying or deep letting go. Tracklist (with English translations): 00:00:00 Umoya Onganqotshwa [Unbroken Spirit] 00:02:53 Amazwi Asekhaya [Voices from Home] 00:04:58 Izithunzi Zayizolo [Shadows of Yesterday] 00:07:56 Isililo Esingcwele [The Sacred Cry] 00:10:42 Hlanza Ubuhlungu [Wash Away the Pain] 00:13:23 Ilanga Elisha [New Sun] 00:16:03 Izinyembezi Zibe Yimvula [Tears Become Rain] 00:18:24 Ukubiza Amadlozi [Calling the Ancestors] 00:20:42 Umfula Wezinyembezi [River of Tears] 00:24:15 Ukuthula Ekugcineni [Peace at Last] 00:27:33 Umoya Wokwelapha [Spirit of Healing] The progression moves from resilience and ancestral connection through emotional release - sacred cries, washing pain, tears as rain - to eventual peace and healing.  'Walk for Peace' is currently underway across the United States, led by a devoted group of Vietnamese Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centre in Fort Worth, Texas. This sacred pilgrimage began on 26 October 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in Washington, D.C., in early 2026, covering roughly 2,300 miles (about 3,700 kilometres). As they pass through towns, cities, and open landscapes, they carry a simple yet powerful message of peace, compassion, loving-kindness, and mindfulness. They walk slowly and with great presence, often in silence, embodying the peace they wish to see in the world. Their journey is not political; it arises from Buddhist teachings that emphasise compassionate awareness and inner peace as the true foundation for harmony within families, communities, and nations. Along the way, they pause to meet people, offer small blessings such as handmade bracelets, and walk in the gentle company of Aloka, a rescued dog who has become a much-loved and symbolic companion on their path.
Trio Reunion - Frank Jacob, Gregg Braden, and Penny Kelly'Welcome to the first Trio Reunion conversation with Frank Jacob, Gregg Braden, and Penny Kelly. In this episode, Frank, Gregg, and Penny, speak at length about ongoing efforts to create a new world - what it requires, what it looks like in daily life, and how we can participate with clarity, courage, and intention. Presidents with Dementia or Alzheimer's
Dementia is an umbrella term; Alzheimer’s is one specific form. Most diagnoses in presidents are retrospective or speculative, based on medical records, observed behaviour, or later-life diagnoses. Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921) Suffered a major stroke in 1919 during his presidency. Resulted in severe neurological and cognitive impairment (mixed dementia). Effectively incapacitated for the remainder of his term. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) Showed signs of vascular mild cognitive impairment late in his presidency. Cognitive decline was evident by the Yalta Conference (1945). Died shortly after from a stroke; impairment is viewed as a precursor to dementia. Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) Exhibited suspected cognitive decline during his second term. Formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994, after leaving office. Symptoms during presidency included word-finding issues and confusion. George H. W. Bush (1989–1993) Developed mixed dementia later in life, after his presidency. Diagnosis occurred around 2015; not during his term. Joe Biden (2021–2025) No confirmed diagnosis of dementia. Ongoing public and expert speculation based on observed verbal and memory issues during his term. Speculation contributed to his withdrawal from the 2024 reelection race. Donald Trump (2017–2021; 2025–present) Suspected dementia or cognitive decline (undiagnosed) During first term (speculated); during second term (ongoing speculation as of 2026) Speculation includes family history (his father had Alzheimer's), verbal slips, forgetting words (e.g., "Alzheimer's" in a 2026 interview), and expert analyses suggesting probable dementia. Trump has claimed to "ace" cognitive tests, but former aides and doctors have raised alarms about mental fitness. Overall takeaway: Cognitive decline has affected several U.S. presidents, sometimes during office and sometimes years later, with certainty ranging from well-documented medical evidence to ongoing public speculation. Summarised from Grok. Australian politics has shifted significantly. Many voters are unaware of how much the landscape has changed. Before voting, it is wise to visit the official websites of each party and read their current policies yourself.
Democracy works best when citizens are informed. Read policies carefully, question media narratives, and vote with clarity, conscience, and care for the future we are shaping together. In broad terms, Australia’s major parties now sit along the following spectrum: Australian Greens – Left-wing Focuses on environmental protection, social justice, grassroots democracy, stronger social support payments, rent freezes, higher taxes on billionaires, dental care within Medicare, ending coal and gas extraction, decisive climate action, universal healthcare, and Indigenous rights. Australian Labor Party (ALP) — Centre-right ruling party Once a strong social-democratic party, Labor now occupies a more centrist to centre-right position on many economic and social policies. Liberal Party of Australia – Right-wing Emphasises market-driven economics, smaller government, and conservative social values. National Party of Australia – Centre-right, socially conservative Traditionally represents rural interests, with increasingly conservative positions. One Nation – Far right (now the second most popular party in Australia!) Populist, nationalist, and socially reactionary policies. We must educate ourselves - our lives depend on it. The extreme weather we are living through is deeply taxing for so many people. While millions across the world are enduring bitterly freezing conditions, millions here in Australia are struggling through searing heat — temperatures reaching 45–48°C (113–118°F). It’s a powerful reminder of our shared vulnerability, and of the care we need to extend to one another during these challenging times. Please check on your loved ones, neighbours and animals while these conditions persist.  Petitions, letters, marches, and discussions may comfort participants, but they do not change the behaviour of a malignant narcissist whose only allegiance is to wealth, power, and self-preservation. Think: Venezuela, (Piracy.) Next? Greenland, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Canada. History shows that such figures respond to only one thing: the interruption of business as usual.
That is why a mass, peaceful walkout from workplaces — followed by a walk-in to local congressional offices demanding impeachment — is the strategy that can no longer be ignored. When billions of dollars are at stake, attention is guaranteed. Economic disruption speaks the language power understands. IT IS PAST TIME. On Tuesday January 20, the one-year anniversary of this illegal administration, we are demanding that it come to an end. In partnership with @womensmarch and #FreeAmerica, we call on people nationwide to WALK OUT — and then WALK IN — to their local congressional offices, peacefully and firmly demanding impeachment as part of the first nationwide #RemoveTheRegime action. Lip service is no longer acceptable. Congress has a sworn constitutional duty to remove a tyrant from office. We are demanding that they do their job. This means: Not symbolic gestures Not selective accountability Not quiet compliance Donald Trump must be explicitly named in the articles of impeachment. And members of Congress who advance them must force a vote. Democracy does not defend itself. It requires citizens willing to act. Organisers report hundreds of events planned across all 50 states (with some sources mentioning over 500–600 events). Actions include rallies, marches, sit-ins, and lobbying visits, with specific gatherings in places like Washington, D.C. (e.g., at Pershing Park or Freedom Plaza for "Walk Out on Fascism"). Sign up, access sample articles of impeachment, and locate your local congressional office at: www.removetheregime.com Australia is fortunate to have been shaped by compassionate advocates: patients, families, clinicians, elders, and lawmakers – who have worked with courage and care to ensure that Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is available to terminally ill people experiencing unbearable suffering. Their efforts honour dignity, choice, and mercy at the end of life, recognising that compassion must extend to a person’s final breath.
Victoria – Legal since June 2019, the first jurisdiction in Australia to enact VAD. Western Australia – Legal since July 2021. Tasmania – Legal since October 2022. Queensland – Legal since January 2023. South Australia – Legal since January 2023. New South Wales – Legal since November 2023. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) — Legal since November 2025. Where VAD Is Not Yet Legal Northern Territory (NT) — VAD remains illegal. Although the federal prohibition was lifted in 2022, enabling the Territory to legislate, a bill is not expected to be introduced until mid-2026 and has not yet been passed or commenced. This national journey reflects a growing recognition that end-of-life care must include not only medical skill, but deep humanity – listening to suffering, respecting autonomy, and responding with tenderness rather than fear. The work is not yet complete, yet the direction is clear: towards greater compassion, equity, and respect for those nearing life’s threshold. - Cedar Every evening, people around the world are coming together in a powerful, shared intention for peace. Take one minute of silence with us — a moment of calm, unity and hope. 📍 At 6 pm (West Coast USA) 📍 At 9 pm (East Coast USA) …join millions in pausing for one minute of silence, prayer or focused intention for peace in the world. No matter where you are or what you believe, your one minute of stillness adds to a global field of shared goodwill and compassion. Together, in silence, we cultivate peace in our hearts — and in the world. ✨ ▶️ Watch and join here: Australia what have you become? We might expect LNP and other right-wing parties to align themselves with powerful Israeli/Zionist interests — but when Labor leaders like @AlboMP and @PMalinauskasMP do the same, it becomes deeply troubling. It undermines our national sovereignty, weakens independent decision-making, and erodes public trust in who our leaders truly serve.
A list of some writers and major figures who have publicly decided not to participate in the 2026 Adelaide Writers Festival / Writers’ Week following the controversy over the disinvitation of Palestinian-Australian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. Because the situation has been evolving rapidly and more than 180 participants withdrew, this list reflects the most widely reported names so far — not every single withdrawal. Authors and Public Figures Who Withdrew Jacinda Ardern – former Prime Minister of New Zealand pulled out in protest. Zadie Smith – internationally acclaimed British novelist. Percival Everett – Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Helen Garner – highly respected Australian writer. Michelle de Kretser – celebrated Australian novelist. Trent Dalton – bestselling Australian author. Evelyn Araluen – poet and Stella Prize winner. Peter Greste – Walkley Award–winning journalist and author. Chloe Hooper – journalist and author. Sarah Krasnostein – author and journalist. Drusilla Modjeska – author and cultural commentator. Melissa Lucashenko – novelist and Miles Franklin Award–winner. Other Cultural Figures / Some Commentators Who Withdrew Jane Caro – writer and social commentator. Peter FitzSimons – author and columnist. Hannah Ferguson – co-founder of Cheek Media. Peter Greste – withdrew in protest. Amy Remeikis – political columnist and author. Yanıs Varoufakis – economist and writer. Chelsea Watego – First Nations academic and author. Bri Lee and Madeleine Gray – (noted as conditional withdrawers). Amy McQuire, Clare Wright, Bernadette Brennan Louise Adler is a prominent Australian literary figure and publisher. Born in Melbourne to Jewish parents who emigrated from Paris after World War II, she built a distinguished career in publishing and the arts. Adler served as CEO of Melbourne University Publishing for many years and later became Publisher-at-Large at Hachette Australia. She has also been editor of the Australian Book Review, arts editor for The Age, a presenter on ABC Radio National, and President of the Australian Publishers Association. In 2022 she was appointed Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week, one of Australia’s leading literary festival programs, a role she held from 2023 until her resignation in January 2026 in protest against a decision by the Adelaide Festival board that she saw as undermining free speech. Adler is known for her deep commitment to literature, public discourse, and the principle of open dialogue, and is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, a heritage that has informed her engagement with cultural and political issues. A Pattern of Intervention: Since World War II, the United States has repeatedly employed military force, covert operations, and political pressure to shape or control other nations' affairs. Historical Precedent: The 1953 CIA-backed coup in Iran established a template for Cold War era regime change that continues to fuel global distrust and resentment. Ongoing Military Support: Since October 7, 2023, the U.S. has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel, directly enabling continued warfare in Gaza, the West Bank, and throughout the region. International Condemnation: Recent U.S. actions, including the 2026 operation in Venezuela and sustained involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, have drawn widespread criticism for violating national sovereignty and international law. Domestic Contradictions: Aggressive enforcement policies at home, such as ICE operations, combined with military interventions abroad, severely undermine USA's moral authority on human rights and democratic governance. Eroding Global Standing: Increasingly, the international community views the U.S. not as a defender of freedom, but as an aggressive, self-interested power pursuing dominance over partnership. Perhaps now even the world's pariah. A Critical Distinction: Many US citizens oppose these policies, yet limited international awareness of domestic dissent can obscure the gap between government actions and public sentiment. The Path Forward: Genuine leadership demands humility, respect for sovereignty, robust diplomacy, and commitment to peace; not the pursuit of dominance through force. - Cedar 
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Cedar Rivers
However, if you would like to make a contribution, your kindness and generosity will go towards the self-publication of my forthcoming guidebook on death, grief and the afterlife, which I have been working on for many years. Due late 2026
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