Angelina Jolie learned to embrace 'spirituality' from War II hero Louis Zamperini

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Angelina Jolie has credited late World War II hero Louis Zamperini for teaching her to embrace spirituality.

According to People magazine, the mom-of-six said that the World War II hero, who's the inspiration for her film Unbroken, taught her that one should rise from the obstacles they face in life instead of being weighed down by it since "we're not alone in the world". Jolie added that people may call it religion or faith, but it's just that there was something greater than everything which was "uniting and beautiful".

Zamperini, who became close friends with Jolie while they worked on the film, called Brad Pitt's wife, 39, a "human dynamo", before his death in 2014 at age 97. Jolie had said in a statement at the time of his death that it was an indescribable loss and it was an honour to have known him.

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Angelina Jolie learned to embrace 'spirituality' from War II hero Louis Zamperini

Spiritual tool to alleviate poverty

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14 June 2014| last updated at 11:44PM

Nonetheless, compare that to the total number of Muslim population in this country, there is still room for improvement, especially on the need to spread the message that zakat is not only one of the means to provide for the poor and needy but also a commandment that can purify and cleanse one's wealth, as well as soul.

Islam preaches its believers to pursue worldly happiness, as well as to seek the blessings of Allah for the sake of life in the hereafter. The balance between the two has been emphasised in the Quran. This inevitably rejects the notion held by some Muslims and non-Muslims, who believe that Islam abhors those who work hard to gain worldly material wealth. There are also Muslims who think that living in poverty is something that is natural and "Islamic" as long as they devote themselves to the cause of Allah.

As far as Islamic historical facts are concerned, the wealth of Muslim nations in the past, when the glorious Muslim empires were in existence, shows that Islam puts much emphasis on wealth creation. Those who work hard to achieve economic independence are viewed as following the true teachings of Islam and must be commended. But, at the same time, Islam also provides a unique way for a person to purify his or her soul, so as not to be "overwhelmed" by worldly gains and temptations. That way is through paying zakat.

This obligation is reiterated in many of the verses in the Quran to show its significance. More importantly, the injunctions for Muslims to pay zakat are usually associated with the command to perform the daily prayer, which is the second pillar of Islam after professing syahadah (admission of the oneness of Allah). Thus, one can say that after prayer, paying zakat is the second most important obligation in Islam for those who have the capacity and means to perform it.

When it comes to soul purification, one needs to firmly believe that by paying zakat, it will cleanse the wealth that he or she gains. This is a very important element of zakat. That a person will receive Allah's blessings, as well as forgiveness, should be considered as the strongest pull factor for people to pay zakat. In other words, Islam views sharing of wealth as significant to achieve social harmony and through it, the poor and needy can be helped through zakat distribution.

At the same time, zakat can provide spiritual comfort for those who pay it. Spiritual enlightenment can only be attained by those who are truly convinced that by paying zakat, they are following the command of Allah without hesitation or reluctance.

The zakat authorities should intensify efforts to promote payment of zakat among the Muslim community, especially the younger generation. In this regards, social media is one of the most effective ways to promote zakat. The more zakat is collected, it is believed that the incidence of poverty can be reduced, if not eliminated.

Nevertheless, admittedly in Malaysia, there is a growing demand for zakat authorities to show transparency, especially when it comes to zakat distribution. It is a fair demand since those who pay zakat deserve to be informed of the way their money is being spent. To this, zakat authorities must provide their annual report to the public.

Ahmad Azhan Mohd Noh,Putrajaya

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Spiritual tool to alleviate poverty

Kwan Yin Healing Announces Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey

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Munnsville, NY (PRWEB) December 30, 2014

When Tim Emerson designed Kwan Yin Healings signature program, the Kwan Yin Journey, he knew he was on to something right from the start, and judging from the testimonials, so did his clients. As he explains, People were changed. Their perspectives broadened, and with those energetic shifts, their peace expanded as well. Results followed. Plans came together. Relationships matured. Past pains healed. They set out on new paths, with new options, new excitement, new hope and new successes.

At the same time, he noticed that people would tend to plateau after a certain point. That in itself is natural we grow, we integrate, we consolidate, we grow again, notes Emerson. But I could see a need for help starting that next step. Thats why I created Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey, to both help people forward and to address various stumbling points I noticed from time to time. The new program serves both as a sequel to the Kwan Yin Journey program and as a service for people further along their spiritual development. Participants receive weekly modules of recorded and transcribed material, as well as individual support.

Here are six of the themes that sparked the creation of the new program.

1) Our gifts are not for us.

I first heard Michael Beckwith say this, shares Emerson. Its a key point, especially after all the work with The Heros Journey we do in the Kwan Yin Journey. That Ultimate Boon, that eventual reward for the Road of Trials, is for the heros village, not the hero(ine). And what of the gifts, our Jewel as the Sufis say, we brought into this life? Sure, these can be the basis of a successful career, and thats finebut are we best serving the world? Are we as well-functioning cells in a larger organism? One, we were single-cell organisms gradually becoming more evolved creations. That process continues. How do we best align ourselves with that process?

2) What about good and evil?

The stories and theories about good and evil go back millennia. Weve moved on, though, explains Emerson, from that understanding. This isnt the Middle Ages. How do we reconcile divine peace and order and purpose with negative occurrences? Emerson turns to an example from C.S. Lewis novel Perelandra. The inhabitants of the planet have never heard of evil, he explains. The closest word they have to it is bent. And thats a good way to understand itthe good, pure energies diverted temporarily from their true and eventual place in cosmology.

3) Whats the role of the Oversoul?

At the level of the Oversoul, we arent individualwe are bundles of individuals, parts of a larger creation, notes Emerson. When we get caught up in our individual spiritual journeys, we can tend to compare ourselves to others, hoping to be more advanced. However, as soon as we separate ourselves this way, we are headed not up the scale, but rather missing the point. Individual realization in this sense is meaningless.

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Kwan Yin Healing Announces Beyond the Spiritual PathThe Advanced Spiritual Journey

What do they really care about?

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By TAY TIAN YAN Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE Sin Chew Daily

I have no doubt of PAS' ruling objective.

Son of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, rising star Pasir Mas MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz wrote on his Facebook, "The flood is a reminder to all Muslims to return to Allahs ways and stay away from His wrath. It necessitates the perseverance of the Kelantan government to implement hudud laws."

The remarks brought us back to the theocracy era before the Middle Age.

In that era, humans were useful. Human lives were as little as ant's lives and to survive, they must rely on God's mercy.

However, how did humans know whether God wanted them to live or die?

Then there was a group of people, who might be kings or priests, said,"My power comes from God and I speak on behalf of God, so you must listen to me."

They said it was God's decree when they wanted others to go to war, or serve as slaves.

In short, humans were not allowed to think or doubt as all were God's arrangement. If you did not follow or dared to oppose, then God would punish you.

I thought that today, a thousand years later, theocracy has become a part of myth. The enlightenment of human history has turned human minds from ignorance into rationality, while human's ability and values have been retrieved.

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What do they really care about?

Deborah King Launches New Website, Reinvents Energy Healing

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Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) December 30, 2014

Deborah King, a New York Times best-selling author and a global icon in the field of energy healing, is excited to announce the launch of an all-new website devoted to energy medicine, http://www.DeborahKing.com.

Deborah Kings new website is the latest inspirational project to be developed by the popular speaker, author, and on-air TV personality. Devoted to encouraging people around the world to heal, thrive, and grow, the site offers a vast new selection of free content to users.

Deborahs warm and compassionate message of spiritual hope has been developed over nearly three decades of study and professional practice. Now, a wealth of free content will offer the practical advice, tools and training readers need to achieve powerful personal transformations.

Deborah Kings engaging, passionate take on how to apply ancient energy healing techniques to modern life has connected deeply with the public. Deborah is a regular guest speaker on prime time network news shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, as well as popular entertainment programming like Access Hollywood and E! Entertainment Television. Her growing social media presence reaches more than 180,000 Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram followers, and incorporates appearances on spirituality-themed web venues like Gaiam TV and Veria.

Heal: Deborah Kings New York Times best-selling book, Be Your Own Shaman, has already inspired millions to heal their own lives with the power of energy, courage, and personal truth. Now, visitors to http://www.DeborahKing.com will find the tools they need to continue that journey, healing from past trauma, abuse, addictions, and emotional pain.

Thrive: Deborahs call to compassionate self-empowerment encourages thriving in all parts of life. Her spiritual guidance and practical training opens the door to reaching and exceeding career goals, allowing more love and intimacy in, looking great, feeling wonderful, and leading a happy and fulfilling life.

Grow: The dynamic coursework, informative blogs, and interactive community experience found at http://www.DeborahKing.com motivates readers to grow into their potential as creative, loving, and intuitive beings. Deborahs students learn how to put dreams into action, by tapping into deep universal wisdom. Understanding the use of energy is the key.

The capacity for energy healing resides within. With practice and training, we can reawaken these innate abilities, says Deborah King. "I am excited about the launch of our new website and the opportunity to spread our message of healing to millions around the globe."

Deborah is currently working on her next book, a definitive guide to energy healing, which addresses the awakening of consciousness that is taking place in the world today and will be an enlightening resource for those who want to learn to heal themselves, seek enlightenment or become energy healers.

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Deborah King Launches New Website, Reinvents Energy Healing

International Space Station (ISS) Over Gandhinagar, Gujart (29.12.2014 18.52 IST) – Video

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International Space Station (ISS) Over Gandhinagar, Gujart (29.12.2014 18.52 IST)
Captured by High Resolution Camera Over Sky of Gandhinagar, Gujart. International Space station Travels Across Gujarat (29.12.2014 18.52 IST)

By: HITENDRA ZALA

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International Space Station (ISS) Over Gandhinagar, Gujart (29.12.2014 18.52 IST) - Video

Cosmic ray impacts on International Space Station camera at South Atlantic Anomaly – Video

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Cosmic ray impacts on International Space Station camera at South Atlantic Anomaly
Recorded on December 30, 2014, at 1:40am Central European Time from Ustream Live ISS stream and ISStracker.com. More info here: ...

By: Paolo Attivissimo

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Cosmic ray impacts on International Space Station camera at South Atlantic Anomaly - Video

NASA Astronaut Celebrates a Very Space-y Birthday (Video)

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How do you celebrate a birthday in space? A NASA astronaut on the International Space Station found out how to have a cosmic birthday party Monday (Dec. 29).

NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore celebrated his 52nd birthday from his post on the space station yesterday. Mission Controllers on the ground sang "Happy Birthday" to Wilmore in honor of the special day. You can watch a video of NASA officials singing to Wilmore as well.

"That was fantastic. You ought to consider going on tour," Wilmore joked with the flight controllers after the song. Wilmore flew to the space station for his approximately 6-month-mission in September with cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova. NASA astronaut Terry Virts, European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov also join the three crewmembers on the station.

Cosmic Quiz: Do You Know the International Space St...

The International Space Station is the largest structure in space ever built by humans. Let's see how much you know about the basics of this science laboratory in the sky.

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Cosmic Quiz: Do You Know the International Space St...

The International Space Station is the largest structure in space ever built by humans. Let's see how much you know about the basics of this science laboratory in the sky.

Follow Miriam Kramer @mirikramer. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookand Google+. Original article on Space.com.

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NASA Astronaut Celebrates a Very Space-y Birthday (Video)