Skeptical Buddhists Sangha

I've been teaching a meditation course at Uni all semester so I thought it might be a good idea to get some practice in and teach one in Second Life too. I decided to check out what was around before I got underway. My search took me to the Skepical Buddhists Sangha. Imagine my surprise once I arrived, to find the sim was actually named after my hometown of Toowoomba. I was just there (at the real one) on the weekend visiting my mother!

The premise of the SBS (Skepitcal Buddhists Sangha) is that the original teachings of the Buddha were corrupted by their contact with other religions. And really what the Buddha said was that a seeker shouldn't believe anything that he or she hadn't tested and tried for themselves.

You're given a mala and a prayer mat on arrival. It's a pleasant and peaceful build. But more than just a nice place to go, there's also some discussions happening too. You can participate in a discussion group that meets every Sunday (12:30pm and 6pm SLT) or a meditation group also on Sundays at 7pm. These events take place in a skybox which you can teleport to from outside the main building.

Once there you can meditate by yourself quietly (outside of class times) but there are also class notes if you're engaged on a more serious exploration of Buddhism.

Overall, a pleasant and a relaxing place to spend some time. I've made a note to return when there is a discussion going on!

Cathedral of the Lost

As part of the creation of the 'new' Rupert, I bought lots of groovy clothes. I didn't set out with a look in mind but Rupert took control and created his own look. He tended to like outfits that were Gothic: dark and sumptuous, rather ornate with lots of swishing of coat tails. Once so clothed, I set out to find somewhere to wear my new clobber.

I came across a role-play sim called Cathedral of the Lost (Kawishiwi 224, 123, 176) which sounded right up my alley with lots of mythical creatures promised. I teleported there and landed before a large wooden door. I walked into a beautifully ornate cathedral-like space with filtered light coming through the stained-glass windows.

I walked towards what looked to be an altar (but which I suspect was a coffin) with hover text 'sacrifice'. Suddenly, I was thrust into the air and tossed back. I approached it again and was thrown back once more. This time I saw a poseball and clicked on it. I assumed the role of a victim and a vampire (who was really there) mysteriously appeared and fell on my neck. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I felt lifeless and violated. (I had a quick look and thank goodness the vampire didn't leave any marks on my pretty new neck). The vampire disappeared and I tried the role of the vampire but alas there was no victim.

There was a big gothic-looking organ so I sat down to play. I felt devilish and Bach's Toccata in D-Minor rang through this eerie building as my hands raced up and down across the keyboard.

I wandered away and found a staircase to a lower level. There was a corridor and I turned left at the first turn into a small room with an altar with candles either side. A shaft of light passed through the room and then a '666' sign appeared above my head. A bat or something spectral passed by me. The vampire who bit me appeared and stood on the altar and then left without saying a word. And I was too scared to say a word.

I left the room and continued up the hall which opened into a large room with a swimming pool. There were vampire and victim poseballs but I stayed right away from them this time. There were also pose balls in the pool. So I floated a while, looking to all the world like a dead body. I could hear the water lapping against the sides. I found the steps out of the pool and saw a door.

I entered into a room with a bed. Sex wasn't mentioned in the description of this area but I'm thinking that's what happens there. Oh, the devil has arrived. She sat on the bed and whispered an invitation. I'd better leave quickly beacuse suddenly she's turning into a person! I teleport to Epiphany Island - far better for my soul.

So lots of great graphics and well-designed as an environment, great effects but not G-rated! The name of the place may have religious connotations but it's not necessarily so!

The new Rupert

I'd been thinking about changing my appearance for a while. Up until this point I had just slightly modified one of the standard avis you get to choose when you first come into SL. It was now time to make a bigger commitment.

I faithfully read How to do Everything with Second Life by Richard Mansfield and set out in search of a new skin, new hair, groovy new clothes and a new walk to set it all off. The best thing about SL is that you can have a huge shopping spree and it only costs you a few dollars.

I decided to do this because we have a big project underway in SL and I want to look serious about it. Just as I'd worry about my apperance and the impression I make in real life, I worry about the impression I make in SL too.

I hope you like the new look. I have the original Rupert safely stowed in a folder should I need to get him out.

Second Life, Second Chances

I just found this article at: http://www.secondlifeinsider.com/2007/09/29/second-life-second-chances/ about the Churches Advertising Network (CAN) beginning a poster campaign about overcoming regret about past mistakes and beginning life again. They also have an island called Patmos in Second Life which supposedly resembles first-century Palestine.

So, I decided to go and check it out. It was certainly an interesting spot to visit. Though its does kinda resemble first-century Palestine (there are camels in the streets), the activities are very definitely 21st century. It's a mixture of SL orientation and Christian information.

I headed down Gethsemane Road to see what I could see. On my right there was the 'Sacred Space' and a sign that invited me to enter to escape from life for a bit. So I did and found myself in a desolate garden with a few rocks around a pond. I sat there and duly contemplated life before I decided to set off and explore the rest of the island.

Gethsemane Road joined Fig Tree Road and there were some fairly authentic-looking and atmospheric buildings but they were empty. I kept on going, past the camel stop, past the graffiti referencing Monty Python's Life of Brian ('Romanes eunt domus' - hilarious!) and came upon some police camels - at least someone has a sense of humour. I hit Galilee Avenue and there was a big colosseum-like building, so in the spirit of adventure, I went in. I was instructed to press play at the bottom of my screen and I heard the testimonial of someone who had taken a 'Second Chance'. I was told that if I needed a second chance, all I needed to do was visit a Christian church.

So, I continued on my way and found an outhouse which advised me that if I sprinkled while I tinkled to please wipe the seat, followed by the sound of flushing. I kept on, trying to find a way into the stadium but came upon a Wethreekingsoforient arebucks which I think is supposed to be a Starbucks for believers. There are tables and food and a roaring fire. Suitably refreshed, I go off in search of the stadium entrance once more. This time I'm successful.

I pass the Box Office (fortunately all shows are free today) and go inside. I grab some refreshments on my way in (a Pepsi, chocolate icecream, a blueberry icecone and some popcorn) and head in. Nothing's happening. There's a big screen but nothing on it, so I eat my stuff and go. There's an annoying popcorn eating animation that just won't quit so I amble on stuffing invisible popcorn into my mouth.

By this stage I'm on Heavenly Way and moving into Narrow Way. Another room, another testimonial. This time from Kenny. Another outhouse - must be all that tea the English drink. So, I'm about where I started. There's an orientation garden that gives you the basics on Second Life. Across the Way is the Everlasting Arms - another place to drink in front of a blazing fire.

I'm back on Gethsemane Road and decide to pass on the Golgotha Mountain Crazy Golf. I can't see the point in RL let alone in SL. So about the place you can touch a glowing question mark and you'll receive a notecard about scenes or people from the Bible. I see a sign for the Dead Sea Surf School but can't find it. Just as well, I couldn't possibly surf while I'm stuffing imaginary popcorn into my mouth!

There's a large church with lots of advertising in it. I'm imagining the posters will dispense notecards but also you can open a url which will provide further info and resources. Overall, this is a well-built and interesting region. Humour is used to good effect. I can't help but think that the testimonials are too short to be of any real value. I get the impression the area is still under development but it's well worth a look.

Here's the Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Patmos/131/159/36/?title=Gat%20a%20Second%20Chance%20at%20Life

Thursday's Fiction

This is a place that I have heard lots about. It's still under construction but already it's a wildly moody and atmospheric build. Upon arrival, a series of text quotes quietly appear at the bottom of your screen; thought-provoking and mysterious they set the scene for your journey. There are bare trees with the wind rattling through them. It's always dark and an ominous mist swirls around the bare ground.

A sign directs me to my 'Next Incarnation' and I follow its direction. Mysterious sounds and music emerge from the bare forest, giving me the uncanny impression that I'm being watched. I find myself in a dead end with my only option to press a sign to be transported to purgatory.

This environment is as disturbing as the last. The area is bounded on one side by a metal fence, with ravens flying lazily by. A red moon sits on the horizon. Just to be contrary I try and fly over the fence - no go. I turn the other way and there is a dark old building that looks like a church. I enter in.

This is an experience to be taken slowly. The mist urges you on and a beam from a skylight falls on the dark ground. On the wall is the inscription 'Karma is certain. Whatever you do will come back to you.' And you can't help but think back hurriedly to what you might have done that would compromise your next incarnation which is immanent. In the meantime the Purgatory Threshhold is whispering to you: 'Why are you so apprehensive?' and you know, I can't help but be apprehensive!

Once through the threshold I have three options and I resolve to try and come back to explore each of them. I start with the one on the left: The Path of the Mind. And my progress triggers a written commentary. On my right I pass a book shelf labeled, Books of Truth.

I pass through into a large hall, dark and mysterious. Mist still swirling around my feet. This is going to take some exploration. There are a series of alcoves each with a theme: the Alcove of the Search for God, the Alcove of Meditation, the Alcove of the Search for Love, and the Alcove of Change. You can go into each of these. Again, the text encourages you to contemplate and reflect.

On the other side of the hall there are a series of gates. One is labelled 'Now' and the rest correspond to days of the week, but all but 'Friday' are under construction. So this is the way I head. There is a train track with a drop on either side. I fall off the track and fall into complete darkness. I turn and see a door and enter into a room full of wheels and cogs like some cosmic machinery. One wall is taken up by a mirror and I get the feeling I should enter into the mirror.

I finally get through the mirror with some camera fancy work but it's just the same as the other side. On the back wall is a lift to the second floor. Aaagh! I touch the lift but I don't have time to get in and it goes without me! I eventually get it right but there is a trick!

I'm up on the second floor and it is a warm, friendly but deserted room. Again, there's a mirror and I try and get through it. It's not so hard now I know what to do. A board tells me to find Thursday's trunk and click on it. There are stairs in the corner and it seems logical to try up there.

The stairs lead to an attic full of old cartons and wardrobes, even a gallows! I find Thursday's trunk and a tunnel opens. I walk along the tunnel that is glary but beautiful. I walk out of the end of the tunnel and it's black. There's a doorway and I walk through it. I find myself back in the hall where I originally had to make a choice from three. I don't seem to be able to move from here.

The whole thing is very thought-provoking. You are urged to move on with subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) signs and markers. There's lots of subtle movement, sounds, and text which gives you the feeling of being watched.

Apparently, it's based on a movie and a book of the same title so I must track those down. This was a very beautiful experience, at times disturbing but well worth a look! I'm also looking forward to it being completed. Amost forgot! Here's the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Esperance/239/41/22/?title=Thursday%27s%20Fiction

Here's a link to another blog posting about Thursday's Fiction: http://npirl.blogspot.com/2007/09/karma-in-second-life-is-certain.html

The Aim of the Game

Second Life is a wonderful, diverse and fascinating environment full of bizarre and interesting people, richly textured envioronments and opportunities for learning. I will be using this blog to describe some of the wonderful religious spaces and groups I encounter on my virtual journeys!