#PutADentOnTheWorld Human Rights: 14th Dalai Lama #Quote

Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighboring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. True peace with oneself and with the world around us can only be achieved through the development of mental peace. The other phenomena mentioned above are similarly interrelated. Thus, for example, we see that a clean environment, wealth or democracy mean little in the face of war, especially nuclear war, and that material development is not sufficient to ensure human happiness.

Material progress is of course important for human advancement. In Tibet, we paid much to little attention to technological and economic development, and today we realize that this was a mistake. At the same time, material development without spiritual development can also cause serious problems. In some countries too much attention is paid to external things and very little importance is given to inner development. I believe both are important and must be developed side by side so as to achieve a good balance between them. Foreign visitors as being a happy, jovial people always describe Tibetans. This is part of our national character, formed by cultural and religious values that stress the importance of mental peace through the generation of love and kindness to all other living sentient beings, both human and animal. Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility. In that state of mind you can deal with situations with calmness and reason, while keeping your inner happiness. This is very important. Without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed or unhappy because of circumstances.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

A True Friend

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down...

Going for the cool "no-smile" image... We were and are and always will be true friends and truly connected. A true friend is true and I probably have more true friends that I would otherwise believe... I'm finding them. I'm finding them.

...True friendship.

This photo is one of true friendship. It's one of my true friends with me, on the day we wrote our flagship song for Schizophrenic and Caregiver band; a fun song called "Pound Puppies." The album is on iTunes under the band name "Schizophrenic and Caregiver."

My true friends inspire me. Inspire me, to be a better person each and every day. They don't quit. They don't leave. And in my otherwise solitude as I post this, I think of my true friends and the true friend that I am becoming with myself.

I have schizophrenia, and am on a new medication which has, so far, taken away the voices that have been a part of my life (many friendly voices and hallucinations, too) for years. It's hard to not have those "imaginary" friends, but I'm learning to cope better and  better without them as I heal every day.

I think we could all heal. And we all are OK to heal. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to hide. It's a good thing, in fact. A very good thing. Healing helps.

I think that my Life Purpose is to communicate (through words and art) for others. And you all do so much for me.

Thank You, Friends of Mine

I'd like to declare this as my "That's a True Friend Day," even if  just for myself.

I am learning that I am generally a "shame based" person, and so to combat that, I am learning to enjoy time with myself, and the universe; with nature, too.

To all those who feel so alone, it might seem that way, and it might cause a feeling of sadness inside you, perhaps one that hurts beyond words. But I believe, wholeheartedly, that if you can be OK with befriending yourself, you will learn that you really are never alone. And further, that the silence is actually the most peaceful and blissful place to find yourself in, so as to Enjoy the Silence, like the song goes.

If you don't know how it goes, then please join me, in finding out...

Hope works.

True Friendship

'unless you happen to be going down...?'

But I'm not going down. Not with this ship. I'm on board all the way!

All aboard! And ships away...

Jonathan Harnisch

#PutADentOnTheWorld - Human Rights: R.F. Kennedy #Quote

Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity that our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.

Robert F. Kennedy

I am Jonathan Harnisch - HOME

I am Jonathan - HOME

"I'm sure some of you will find it hard to watch this video. I can only say for me, I found it very eye opening as to the confusion and what must feel like hell to live at times as a schizophrenic. I would HIGHLY recommend reading some of Jonathan’s writing before you watch the film. Why, you may ask? Because he is ONE hell of an inspiration and shares words of hope along with positive thinking. The man has MORE guts and determination than I can imagine." 

Jonathan Harnisch, Porcelain Utopia

 

#SCHIZOPHRENIARAW The Meeting Of Our Beautiful Minds

#SCHIZOPHRENIARAW The Meeting Of Our Beautiful Minds

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8c9zpslBB0?list=UUr5fjrP2SO_Z0IIWbwvnSuw]

A conversation between two paranoid schizophrenic friends Jonathan Harnisch and Josh Luten on mental health recovery from substance abuse.

The Tears of a Clown: Feeling Left Out

Daily Thoughts

I have been in tears all day having lived my entire life so far feeling completely alone, unheard, unseen, abandoned, neglected, taken advantage of, ignored and slanted.

Suffering is an inevitable part of life—the most comforting phrase, "this, too, shall pass..."

My doctor's words alone often plant many seeds of either recovery or relapse in my mind as her patient.

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
—Buddha

When people love someone, they love even when their loved one might not be all that lovable.

...To try just one more time.

Speak for those who can’t. Someone who’s defenseless or just not able to communicate effectively; speak up and speak out they need your help.

I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in between. People will either love or hate me for it.

I let others say and do what they want — I just continue being myself, and I never give up.

I definitely believe in both all that I fear and all that I want.

Onward bound heroically through this perpetual seven-hour long anxiety attack. I'm still here, learning and seeking; resilient and alone in the entire enterprise. My M.D. says it's a delusion; a lie. I call her out: disability abuse and stigma. By law, I'm so-called 'stuck' with her—$400/visit and I still send her my unselfish prayers that she'd find her own peace and love. For real, what's to lose?

To count my night by its stars—not shadows; to count my life with smiles, not tears... [Trail off]

Jonathan Harnisch

Limitless Transformation

Love yourself and be awake—today, tomorrow, always.

First establish yourself in the way, then teach others, and so defeat sorrow. To straighten the crooked you must first do a harder thing, straighten yourself. You are the only master. Who else?

Subdue yourself, and discover your master.

—Buddha