It is interesting to know that a movie based on this trilogy is coming out soon (no date set yet) with Emma Watson as Kelsea. Honestly, I can’t imagine a better fit.

All in all, I would definitely recommend The Queen of the Tearling for all fiction/fantasy fans. It is very well written and developed. However, you will have to be patient with it in the beginning as it might seem a bit confusing. But, I promise you that it will make more sense as you go along.  However, the ending of the trilogy, though victorious, is both unexpected and bittersweet. Regardless, Erika Johansen is a great author nonetheless.

Originally posted on April 10, 2020 @ 9:14 pm

Since over eight thousand years ago, one of the first widely and officially recognized religions on Earth appeared. Its original name is “Sanatana Dharma” which, in the ancient Sanskrit language, means “The Eternal Truth” or “The Eternal Principle”. However, its official name is Hinduism. Unlike many other ancient religions which have fallen into disuse, this religion remains one of the most widespread religions today. Currently, it has almost a billion followers worldwide mostly spread in the Far East and especially in India. However, due to the overshadowing by monotheistic religions, many believe that Hinduism isn’t a practical path because of the huge number of divine deities prevailing in its many scriptures. Among these deities, we can name the most famous gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma and the avatars Rama and Krishna. In this article, we seek to delve deeper into the simplicity of this complex, yet beautiful religion.

According to Hindu scriptures, divinity is in everything. There is no such thing as divine and not-divine since everything is the divine and the divine is everything. This is the basic tenet upon which the Hindu path is carved: once spiritual seekers break through the prevalent veil of duality and realize oneness with the divine, these seekers become enlightened and help in guiding others along the way. However, there is no single path towards this enlightened state; each seeker has his own destiny and his own way towards enlightenment and liberation, which is the ultimate release from human sorrow and suffering through embracing the divine in everything. Since Hinduism embraces all paths as roads to the divine, no one is required to change his religion. Moreover, it is highly discouraged and even proclaimed unrighteous for someone to turn his back to the faith he was born to. It is encouraged that, no matter what religion the seeker is born to, he should look in it to find the eternal truth he was born to find.

The Paths Within Hinduism

Amma’s Teachings

Originally posted on April 5, 2020 @ 7:36 pm

Having been through a wild adventure with leukemia out of which most individuals get out broken, if they get out at all, Charif got out much stronger than he got in…and he’s not the only one. Charif got together with five other survivors burning with potential, and they founded Revive: an association working on the moral, financial and psychological support of cancer survivors-to-be.

And now, Revive is running the Beirut Marathon on November 12, 2017 to raise awareness and gain support for cancer survivors-to-be, and, even if you can’t physically “Run for Revive”, you can still be a part of the campaign. Here’s how:

#1: Tell your friends

If you have friends who are running in the marathon independently or plan to run, tell them about Revive and ask them to run for them. Even if they don’t run with Revive, you will still have helped in raising awareness about the existence of Revive Association.

#2: Volunteer

If you are in Lebanon but can’t run (or simply don’t enjoy running), you can still be a part of the event and volunteer with Revive to help the runners and spread awareness about Revive. Just get in touch with them on Facebook or through the website to do so.

#3: Social Media Campaign

If, like me, you are not in Lebanon for the marathon, you can share posts about the marathon from the Revive Facebook page. You can also share this article on any of your social media outlets. Additionally, you can get in touch with Revive and see what else you can do or share if you have interesting talents or skills. Make sure to use the hashtag #Run_for_Revive.

#4: Media Connections

If you are connected with someone on TV or on the radio, you can help tremendously by getting them to interview one of the founding members of Revive. Be it before or after the marathon, media appearances are highly encouraged and welcome.

#5: Donate

Just like all NGOs, Revive needs donations to achieve its goals. If you have the capability to do so, then by all means donate. Even if you can’t donate money, you can still donate your skills, your time, your connections, and anything else you can think of or which may be helpful to the mission of Revive Association.

In the end, the Run for Revive is not only about running the marathon, it’s about running for a cause which is greater than any individual alone. It’s about crushing cancer and creating a sanctuary for cancer survivors-to-be!

Originally posted on April 16, 2020 @ 5:42 am

“It’s offensive!” is perhaps the word that summarises recent times most accurately. If you call someone by his nationality, you offend him; if you describe a person by her hair color, you offend her; if you refer to some people by their gender – guess what – you offend them. What’s even more ludicrous is that governments are using this “offended” movement to divert people’s attention from causes which actually matter.

Think about it, which is more important: spending money to create transgender safe toilets or using that money to fund aids research? Spending money to raise awareness about gender-fluid people or using that money to shelter the homeless? Making messages more and more complex in order to avoid various forms of offensive language or clarity and communicative speed?

I have no problem against any people of any race, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc… and frankly, I don’t care much because they are all the same… as they should be. No person’s rights are more important than another’s, and any form of bias is not acceptable. However, we are now finding ourselves in the age of reverse bias. Take the example of the recent show on Channel 7 (Sydney) called “All Together Now” whose finale was just a few weeks ago. One of the contestants who was in no way better than any of the other contestants (and even made a mess of himself by forgetting the words) actually made it to the top three for a simple reason: he identified as an aboriginal. I reiterate that I have nothing but respect to the aboriginals and to their culture and their esteemed status as custodians to the land we live on; however, when someone is given more chances because he identifies as a part of the minority, it still counts as bias: bias against people who have more talent and more skill.

Yes, the world may not be a fair place and bias still creeps up here and there; it’s human nature and, as much as we try to control it, it still eludes us sometimes. Unfortunately, when someone is granted a position or a status because of his affiliation with a certain group, we are only creating chaos. Consider Lebanon’s case for example: most government officials and employees are granted their positions due to their religious affiliations. Just because 50% of  acertain ministry have to be Muslim, it doesn’t matter if these 50% lack the skill to do the work even if they could be replaced by more skilled Christians. Just because the president has to be Christian, it doesn’t matter whether he is wise or skilled enough to take the mantle; what matters is what religion is on his official documents (regardless of whether he is devout or not).

Even worse than that is gender bias. I have honestly lost count of how many genders we now have. Again, don’t get me wrong because I firmly believe that where a person sticks his private parts is none of my business as long as it is consensual. However, having to wonder whether to refer to someone as a “he”, “she”, “it”, or whatever other pronouns they will come up with is just plain nonsense. If my choice of gender pronoun for you offends you, it’s not my problem. On the contrary, we need to start paying attention to the essense of the message and not the style of delivery; otherwise, we will all end up as a bunch of offended good-for-nothings waiting for some authority to agree with us, regardless whether this authority is actually honest or useful.

After that we get the various anti-bias and awareness movements such as the feminist movement and the LGBTQ (and a bunch of other letters after that) movement. Using your gender or sexual orientation to get ahead in life or to get things your way is not okay; it’s even worse than the bias you are trying to eliminate. I am not saying that you shouldn’t talk about it, but I am just saying that the way you are going about it is counter-productive. Instead of using it as a sword that you poke into other people whether they mean to offend you or not, I suggest you use it as an open hand. Which is a better headline: “LGBTQ movement blocks roads in protest for rights” or “The Feminist movement raises funds to sponsor cancer research”? Isn’t it better to show that you are a good person and a productive member of society while being a woman, gay, black, Muslim, whatever… than to be perceived as an annoyance?

In conclusion, offending someone is at the bottom of my list of cares. I’m autistic, so the way I see the world is slightly different then yours, and I always call it as I see it. If you decide to be offended because I think your taking offense is ridiculous, then by all means, be offended. On the other hand, if you believe that this “Offended Movement” has been blown entirely out of proportion, then leave a comment and share this article!

Originally posted on April 15, 2020 @ 5:20 am

Vile one of demonic race

Working in my mind since long

Confusing all right and wrong

Painful painless I can’t know

Blinded by a demonic show

Stabbed with every poisoned knife

Not knowing what is real life

A demon working in the veil

Rendering life a treacherous fail

Puncturing all hopes of cure

Trapped by the devil’s lure

Blinding all what is light

Binding me to an endless fight

Where winning is a pointless game

And losing makes all the blame

“I want release at once now

To you demon I won’t bow”

Oh not again another trap

Set in you: devil’s lap

This pain I feel is your might

You want to hear all my plight

I have to resist I must endure

But if I do I can’t be sure

That you will leave forevermore

Or you will stay as inner war

Tearing me apart to shreds

Showing up in countless heads

You’re not me and yet you are

In my soul you’re a scar

I have to be rid of you

Yet if I try to really do

What I’ll do is more harm

To my heart: the demon’s farm

Creating all little devils around

An infestation built to confound

And to plant the mind with pains

Disabling all form of worthy gains

I am confused at what to do

To get rid of all forms of you

Maybe I will just ignore

All your presence forevermore

Originally posted on April 7, 2020 @ 8:27 pm

Yet another series set to inflame religious backlash on Netflix; all the more reason to binge-watch Messiah. The show follows the story of CIA Agent Eva Gellar who is investigating the background of a person claiming to have divine powers. The “Messiah” initially shows up in war-torn Damascus and presumably delivers over 2,000 refugees from the grasp of ISIL by bringing about a devastating sandstorm. They then follow him through the desert to the Israeli border where he gets detained by the Mossad.

Between doing background research on his Iranian background & discovering that he was raised by a con-artist and getting mesmerised by his short speeches and his sharing of very private and personal information that no one should have, the viewer is torn between whether he is the true Messiah or just another false prophet (Al Masih al Dajjal according to scriptures).

Messiah is a must-watch thriller; however, religious fanatics should approach it with an open mind, as Netflix does warn that it is not based on any true people or events whatsoever. Despite that, just like with Lucifer and other shows which take liberties with religious ideologies and mythologies, a petition to remove it was started on change.org claiming that it holds anti-Islamic propaganda; however, all I could honestly see in it was that it holds anti-terrorist messages showing how terrorists are brainwashed and incited, which is something that true Muslims abhor anyway.

In conclusion, I definitely recommend this show for the fun of it. You will defiitely not learn anything new; however, it will make you think about many things. Political conspiracy buffs would definitely enjoy it, as well as anyone who is into the whole End-of-the-world and Antichrist scene. The show ends inconclusively, which leads us to believe that there is a chance Netflix would be bringing Messiah in season 2 in 2021.

Originally posted on April 11, 2020 @ 10:20 pm

I am neither judge nor jury, and I am, like any reasonable person, absolutely against any form of child abuse; however, I feel the need to point out that the line needs to be drawn somewhere: Pell does not represent Christianity, and Jackson does not represent Pop.

Most often, people rush to bundle the messenger and the message in an ad hominem sort of way claiming that if the messenger is corrupt, then so is the message. Of course, there is more controversy surrounding the sentencing of Cardinal Pell than around Michael Jackson because Pell is seen as an extension of the Catholic church. While the church is doing all it can to help people see the difference between the actions of one man and the actions of the whole church, it is also worth pointing out that the church’s own history is full of such controversies such as the Crusades and other wars. Therefore, it is wise to also point out that George Pell does not represent the Catholic Church, just like the Catholic Church – despite all its attempts – does not represent the truth of Christianity as it should be.

On the other hand, Michael Jackson does not represent Pop Music, nor does Pop Music represent music in general. It struck me as quite funny how some radio stations stopped playing Michael Jackson’s songs after the release of the documentary. Following the same reasoning, would you stop using electricity if Edison was accused of theft (which is actually true as he stole ideas from Nikola Tesla), or would you stop all physics research if Newton was accused of child harrassment?

This also takes us a few years back to when Dan Brown released The DaVinci Code and caused a huge uproar about Jesus being married. Again, it was a case of separating the messenger from the message: if Jesus was, in fact, married, would whatever he said and preached change? While for Christian philosophers it may change the dogmatic side of the faith, for any normal person, the principles that Jesus talked about remain the same whether the guy was married or not. There was also the Zeitgeist movement after that claiming that Christ never existed to begin with. Even in that situation, the message would not change. If Harry Potter was made to say “forgive one another”, would the value of the message change because it is coming from a fictional character?

In conclusion, we really need to stop being swayed by stories whether they are distorting facts or not. The main question that we should ask ourselves when we are confronted with any story is “what difference would knowing this make in my own personal life and in my own personal beliefs?”

Originally posted on March 25, 2020 @ 2:36 pm

Other than the general investigation conducted by the DIBP about your background and your history, the most important thing they look at and ask you about is your Statement of Purpose (SoP). In this article, we will be discussing how to write and what you need to include in your SoP to make it the best it can be. 

1- Be honest and realistic

If you really are coming to study in Australia, then you must have a good reason for it, so make sure to detail these reasons. However, keep the “more is less” rule in mind: do not be over-eager with information. Share enough information to prove that you are a GTE but don’t add anything too much. Additionally, make sure that the information you discuss is realistic and not over the top. Your education agent should be able to advise you on the matter. 

2- Talk about yourself and your situation in your country

In this section, you need to show the DIBP officers that you have strong ties with your country and that what you are doing (going to study in Australia) will ultimately serve you in your home country. It’s good to share specific events in the future that would require you to come back such as a job you hold, a business you are working on, or a family member’s wedding. Also discuss your economic situation and show the DIBP officer that you are well off in your country and are living a good life. If not, then your visa may be refused because you really have nothing to come back to in your country. 

3- Explain your educational choice

There are three things you need to show in this section. The first thing is your reason for choosing this education provider and not another. Show the DIBP that you’ve done your research about the education provider and why you think you would fit in. And while you are doing research, we move on to the second item to include, which is your reason for choosing this specific course or major. Discuss your reasons for choosing this industry and don’t be afraid to share facts and figures that show that you’ve done your research. Also, if you can connect this research to show even more how it will help you in your own country, it would be even better. The third thing to do in this section is to compare between the education in your country and in Australia concerning the same major to explain to immigration why it is better for you to study this course in Australia and not in your home country. 

4- Explain your travel and immigration history

This section is especially important for onshore students because they will need to show the DIBP that they are not just doing the course so that they could stay longer in Australia. As for offshore students, talk about where you have previously travelled and what were your main reasons for it, especially if you have studied abroad before. 

5- Support, support, support

The most important thing to remember in your SoP is that talk is cheap and lies get you nowhere. Whatever you write in the SoP, you must be able to prove it. You can add reference letters from your employers, recommendations from your teachers, evidence that you have enough money to live and study in Australia, evidence of ownership of things in your home country (such as cars, land, houses, businesses, etc…), and anything else that might serve to support your claim. Your education consultant should be able to advise you on the best things to include in your SoP. 

6- Write it yourself

Immigration wants to know you, not your education agent. It is common malpractice for education agents to write the SoP on behalf of the applicant, but this is bad for many reasons. First, no one knows you or your reasons better than yourself. Second, it is very easy for immigration to know that someone else wrote yur SoP for you especially if their English or way of communicating is different from yours. And third, when education agents write SoP letters for many students, immigration will know their style and will know that they are doing this, so they will be more picky with their students’ visas and will refuse them more often. 

In conclusion, the SoP may be the most important document that you will be handing immigration for your visa application, so treat it with care and don’t take it lightly. If you need any help, we at Edustralia are always ready to assist you, just contact us!

Originally posted on April 6, 2020 @ 8:04 pm

Regardless how people are divided

Regardless of faith, gender or race

Regardless of each one’s case

I dream of a world where everyone can be

True to themselves and truly free

True in expressing their deepest feelings

True in all of their varied dealings

I dream of a world where everyone will give

All of their best to all who live

All of themselves to the greater good

All of their energy and be understood

I dream of a world where true love rules

Not in romance but in schools

Not as lust but as boundless giving

Not to self but to those found needing

I dream of a world where there is balance

So true teachers work without defiance

So people can reach their highest selves

So arsenals are replaced by bookshelves

I dream of a world where dreams come true

Where people are trusted to pull through

Where people connect with synchronicity

Where friendship is not just an act of pity

I dream of such a world and know

That if I can teach another to follow the flow

And he teaches another to do the same

We can finally heaven reclaim

Originally posted on April 3, 2020 @ 6:48 pm

Following a shepherd even more asleep

Promising you bountiful meadows

Transforming your spouses into widows

Go f*** yourself, mislead horse

Driven by a rider on an endless course

It may seem like a battle or even a race

But in truth, it’s a grave disgrace

Go f*** yourself, overused donkey

Plowing the fields like a lifeless zombie

Expecting to get endless feasts and respect

Yet all you’re earning is neglect

Go f*** yourself, herded goat

Looking for leaders who’ll buy your vote

Enjoying the earnings for a little while

Then getting discarded in the garbage pile

Go f*** yourself, fattened pig

Full of self-importance, feeling big

Carving your path with petty crime

Sooner or later will come your time

Go f*** yourself, lost person

Wake up now before things worsen

Your leaders are an image of your self

So only you can F*** FREE YOURSELF

Originally posted on April 12, 2020 @ 10:49 pm