The Odyssey is a 2026 epic action fantasy film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Produced by Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas, it is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem Odyssey. Its ensemble cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. In the film, Odysseus (Damon), the Greek king of Ithaca, undergoes a long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War and encounters mythical beings as he attempts to reunite with his wife Penelope (Hathaway). Nolan began writing the script in March 2024 and secured the project by October.
Catholic converts drew stories to colonial priests
The Aztec religion is a polytheistic and monistic pantheism in which the Nahua (Nahuatl, the indigenous language of Mexico) concept of teotl was construed as the supreme god Ometeotl, as well as a diverse pantheon of lesser gods and manifestations of nature [1].
The popular religion tended to embrace the mythological and polytheistic aspects, and the Aztec Empire's state religion sponsored both the monism of the upper classes and the popular heterodoxies [2].
The codices were made by Catholic priests
The most important deities were worshiped by priests in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), particularly Tlaloc and the god of the Mexica (the tribe from which the word "Mexico" derives), Huitzilopochtli, whose shrines were located on the Templo Mayor ("Main Temple").
Their priests would receive special dispensation from the empire. When other states were conquered the empire would often incorporate practices from its new territories into the mainstream religion [3].
The Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl (Nahuatl/Mexicano for "Constructed Mountain"), is a complex located in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. It is the world's largest pyramid (by volume) and archeological site of a pyramid (temple) in the world confirmed to exist on Earth today [1, 2], not counting massive artificial "mountains" in Bosnia, Buddhist Indonesia, Cambodia, and China, California (not lake but possibly on Colorado), Missouri (Cahokia), dark Alaska, which is four times larger than Giza, and Pyramid Peak. The adobe brick pyramid stands 82 feet (25 meters) [3] above the surrounding plain, which is significantly shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza's height of 481 feet (146.6 meters), but much wider, measuring 984 by 1,033 feet (300 by 315 meters) in its final form [3], compared to the Great Pyramid's base dimensions of 756 by 756 feet (230.3 by 230.3 meters) [4]. This holy pyramid is a temple that traditionally has been viewed as having been dedicated to the feathered serpent (naga) god Quetzalcoatl [5]. The architectural style of the building was linked closely to that of Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico, with influence from the Gulf Coast evident as well, especially from El Tajín [6]. More
In common with many other indigenous Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs put great ritual emphasis on calendrics, and scheduled festivals, government ceremonies, and even war around key transition dates in the Aztec calendar [4].
Public ritual practices could involve food, storytelling, and dance, as well as ceremonial warfare, the Mesoamerican ballgame (precursor of football, soccer, and basketball), and human sacrifice (a tribute to appease bloodthirsty gods of military service and slaughter) [5].
The cosmology of Aztec religion divides the world into 13 heavens and nine earthly layers or netherworlds [6]. The first heaven overlaps with the first terrestrial layer, so that heaven and the terrestrial layers meet at the surface of the Earth, where we are.
The celestial entities of "shining ones" (sky devas)
Each level is associated with a specific set of deities and astronomical objects. The most important celestial entities in Aztec religion are the Sun, the Moon, and the planet Venus (as both "Morning Star" and "Evening Star") [7].
Convert or die: Become Catholic
After Conquest by Spain, Aztec people were forced to convert to Catholicism, and the two religions syncretized.
In this religion, your black magic blood sacrifice will come from a scapegoat, who is the God Himself disguised as a human to pay Himself a ransom for your eternal soul washed in blood: You have to accept it, or we'll kill you. And let our priests molest your kids because they don't have wives. The Vatican orders it. Don't worry. His Mom is very nice and will do lots of favors for you.
(Death and Dairy Girl aka Steak and Butter Gal) Fake eggs? Farmer exposes what they are now quietly putting in eggs to increase profits and destroy our health
The Buddha told this birth story (jataka) at Jetavana Monastery about a pious lay follower.
One evening, when this faithful disciple came to the bank of the Aciravati River on his way to Jetavana to hear the Buddha, there was no ferryboat at the landing. The ferrymen had all pulled their boats onto the farther shore and had themselves gone to hear the Buddha speak.
However, the disciple's mind was so full of delightful thoughts about the Buddha that even though he walked onto the river, his feet did not sink below the surface: He walked across the water as if on dry land.
But when he noticed the waves as he reached the middle of the river, his ecstasy [absorption] subsided and his feet began to sink.
As soon as he again focused his mind on the qualities of the Buddha, his feet rose [levitated, floated] and he was able to continue walking filled with rapture over the water.
When he arrived at Jetavana, he paid his respects to the Buddha and took a seat respectfully to one side.
"Good layman," the Buddha said to that disciple, "I hope you had no mishap on your way here."
"Venerable sir," the disciple recounted, "while on my way here, I was so absorbed in thoughts of [the excellent qualities of] the Buddha that, when I came to the river, I was able to walk across it as though it were solid."
"Friend," said the Blessed One, "you're not the only one who has been protected in this way. In olden days pious lay followers were shipwrecked mid-ocean and saved themselves by remembering the virtues of the Buddha."
At the man's request, the Buddha told this story of the past:
Long, long ago, at the time of the Buddha Kassapa [3], a lay disciple who had already entered the path [who had become a stream enterer] booked passage on a ship along with one of his friends, a rich barber. The barber's wife asked this disciple to look after her husband.
A week after the ship left port, it sank mid-ocean. The two friends saved themselves by hanging onto a wooden plank until they were cast onto a deserted island.
Killing eggs and birds
Famished, the barber took eggs from nests [the island being a rookery], killed some birds, cooked them, and offered a share of his meal to the follower of the Buddha Kassapa.
"No, thank you," that [partially enlightened disciple] answered, "I'm fine." Then he thought to himself, "In this isolated place, there is no help for us except the Three Gems[the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Enlightened/NobleSangha]."
As he sat meditating on the Three Gems, a naga king (naga-raja, reptilian, dragon, royal serpent) who had been reborn on that island transformed himself into a beautiful ship filled with the seven precious things [4]. Its three masts were made of sapphire, the planks and anchor of gold, and the ropes of silver.
The helmsman, who was a spirit of the sea, stood on the deck and cried, "Any passengers for Jambudīpa?"
"Yes," the lay disciple answered. "That's where we're bound!"
"Then come onboard," the sea spirit told him.
The layman climbed aboard the beautiful ship and turned to call his friend the barber.
"You may come," the sea spirit said, "but he may not."
"Why not?" the disciple asked.
"He is not a follower of the pure life," answered the sea spirit. "I brought this ship for you, but not for him."
"In that case," the layman announced, "all the gifts I have given, all the virtues I have practiced, all the powers I have developed — I give the fruit of all of them to him!"
"Thank you, Master!" cried the barber.
"Very well," said the sea spirit, "now I can take you both onboard."
The ship carried the two men over the sea and up the Ganges River. After depositing them safely at their home in Baranasi [Varanasi], the sea spirit used his magic power to create enormous wealth for both of them. Then, poising himself mid-air, he instructed the men and their friends: "Keep company with the wise and good."
"If this barber had not been in company with this pious layman, he would have perished in the middle of the ocean." Finally, the sea spirit returned to his own abode, taking the naga king with him.
Having finished this discourse, the Buddha identified the birth tale (jataka) and taught the Dhamma, after which the pious layman in front of him entered the fruit of the second path.
"On that occasion," the Buddha said, "that faithful disciple attained the fruit of the fourth path (arahantship). Sariputta was the naga king, and I myself was the spirit of the sea." Source
Seclusion is for those in meditative absorption (jhana).
As monsoon winds drive the clouds during the rainy season,
so thoughts concerning seclusion
impel me.
A black crow, making its home in a charnel ground
[of corpses], inspires within me
mindfulness
—
rooted in dispassion for —
the body [2].
One whom others guard not,
who do not guard others,
such a monastic who lies down in ease,
unconcerned
with sensual passions.
With clear waters and massive boulders,
frequented by monkeys and deer,
covered with moss and water weeds,
such rocky crags
refresh me.
I have lived in wildernesses,
canyons, and caves,
isolated dwellings
frequented by predator and prey,
but never have I known
an ignoble, aversive resolve:
"May these beings
be destroyed,
be slaughtered,
fall into pain."
The Teacher has been served by me;
The Awakened One's bidding I have done;
This heavy load I have laid down;
The guide to becoming [3] uprooted.
And the goal for which I set forth
from the home life into the left-home life
I have reached:
the end
of all fetters.
I delight not in death, delight not in living.
I await my time
like a worker his wages.
I delight not in death, delight not in living.
I await my time
mindful, alert.
NOTES
1.
Ujjuhaana. The Commentary offers two interpretations for this word. The first is that it is a hill covered with jungle and many streams that tend to overflow during the rainy season. The other is that it is the name of a bird that can stay comfortable even when exposed to cold, wind, and rain. The second alternative has been chosen here. K.R. Norman speculates that the term could be written ujjahaana, in which case it would be the present participle for a verb meaning "abandoned or cast off." However, none of the manuscripts support this speculation.
2.
In other words, the sight of the crow taking up residence in skulls and other body parts provided a chastening perspective on how the mind takes up residence in the body [for each rebirth in the sensual sphere].
3.
The guide to becoming [rebirth, relinking, rearising, reappearing, being reborn] is craving.
...“When he was reborn, [the being-bent-on-supreme-enlightenment] the Bodhisattva’s voice was clear, gentle, and harmonious like the voice of a kalaviṅka bird.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“He was like the bird of the Himalayas
That drinks flower nectar and sings.
The most exalted of bipeds [the Buddha]
Had a voice that was just as clear.
“When he was reborn, the Bodhisattva’s vision could see clearly as far away as a yojana.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“As a result of practicing pure deeds [good karma],
“When he was reborn, the Bodhisattva grew up to adulthood and was educated in the way [of governing] in the royal hall. His favor reached the common people, and his reputation for virtue was heard [about] far away.”
The Buddha then spoke in verse:
“In the royal hall, that young man
Educated the world with the way.
He made a variety of decisions,
So he was called Vipaśyin.
His pure knowledge was vast
And deep like the ocean.
He delighted the mass of beings
And improved their wisdom.
Gandhara=Scythia=Saka Land
“At that point, the Bodhisattva wanted to go out sight-seeing, so he ordered his driver to prepare a chariot and horses to go tour a forest park. Once the chariot and horses were ready, the driver returned and said, ‘Now is a good time.’ The prince then rode in the precious chariot to the scenic park. While they were on the road, they saw an elderly man. His hair was white, his teeth had fallen out, and his wrinkled body was bent. He walked wearily with a cane and was short of breath.
“The prince asked his aide, ‘What sort of man is that?’
“He answered, ‘This is an old man.’
“The prince also asked, ‘What is “old”?’
“He answered, ‘Old age happens as the end of one’s life approaches. When there aren’t many years left, it’s called being old.’
“The prince asked, ‘Will I be likewise? Will I not escape this hardship [inherent defect in rebirth]?’
“He answered, ‘Yes, anyone born is sure to become old. It doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor.’
“The prince was disturbed and unhappy at that point. He told his driver to turn the chariot around and go back to the palace. He silently thought to himself, ‘To think I’ll also have to suffer being old!’”
Thus have I heard: One time, the Buddha was at the Flowering Grove Hut in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī [Savatthi]. He was accompanied by a large assembly of 1,250 monastics.
It was then that the monastics gathered in the Flowering Grove Hall after gathering alms. They engaged in a discussion with each other: “Venerables, the unsurpassed sage is so extraordinary! His miraculous powers are far-reaching, and his authority is tremendous. He has come to know the countless buddhas [supremely enlightened beings] of the past who have entered nirvāṇa, broken the bonds [of death], and eliminated idle speculation.”
“He also knows how many aeons [kalpas] ago those buddhas lived as well as their names, surnames, the clans to which they were reborn, the meals they had, the length of their lives, and what disappointment and happiness they experienced.”
“He also knows that those buddhas possessed such precepts, such principles, such wisdom, such liberation, and such abodes.”
“What do you think, friends? Does the Tathāgata [the Wayfarer, the Thus Come One, the Well Gone One, the Buddha] know this by discerning well the nature of things, or does he know these things because the gods (devas) come and tell him about them?”
The Bhagavān [the Blessed One, the Buddha] was in a quiet place at the time and clearly overheard the monastics having that discussion with his divine ear. He rose from his [meditation] seat, went to the Flowering Grove Hall, prepared a seat, and sat down.
He knew the answer, but the Bhagavān still asked them, “Monastics, what have you been discussing after gathering here?” The monastics then related to him what it had been.
The Bhagavān told them, “Good, good! With correct faith [saddha, confidence, conviction], you’ve left home to cultivate the path [to enlightenment and liberation], and you practice as you should. All of you have two types of conduct. The first is noble discussion of the Teaching, and the second is noble silence.
“This discussion of yours is as it should be: ‘The Tathāgata’s miraculous powers [are far-reaching,] and his authority are tremendous. He fully knows the events of countless aeons in the past. He knows it because he understands well the nature of things and because the gods come and tell him.’”
He again asked the monastics, “Would you like to hear about the circumstances of past buddhas that the Tathāgata knows with the knowledge of past lives? I’ll tell you about them.”
The monastics said: “Bhagavān, now would be a good time for it.” “We’d be glad to hear it.” “Excellent, Bhagavān!” “If there’s time for a discourse (sutra), we’ll approve of it.”
The Buddha told the monastics, “Listen closely! Listen closely, and consider it well. I’ll discern and explain.” The monastics then accepted the teaching and listened.
The Buddha told the monastics, “Ninety-one aeons ago, there was a buddha named Vipaśyin who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat [fully enlightened], who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, thirty-one aeons ago, there was a buddha named Śikhin who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat, who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, thirty-one aeons ago, there was another buddha named Viśvabhū who was the Tathāgata, the Arhat, who arose in the world. Furthermore, monastics, during this present fortunate aeon, there was a buddha named Krakucchanda, another who was named Kanakamuni, and another who was named Kāśyapa. [It is called a "fortunate aeon" for having four buddhas.] Now, I’ve also achieved the supreme and complete awakening during this present aeon of fortune.”
Fledge? Fledging is the stage in a flying animal's life between birth (hatching) and becoming capable of flight. This term is most frequently applied to birds...
Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest - Cam 1
(FOBBV CAM) Started streaming on Sept. 15, 2021: BIG BEAR LAKE, Southern California. This live feed is owned and operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), a 501c3 nonprofit. Any public use of the live video or screen captures requires prior approval and credit to the organization. No re-streaming (creating a live copy on other websites or social media) of content. Questions/permissions: friendsofbigbearvalley.org. Thanks.
Ancient Aliens: The Forbidden Zones of the World (S10, E10) | full episode
(HISTORY)
May 21, 2025: Due to [mostly American and CIA-funded] warfare, instability, and inaccessibility, there are specific regions of the world that are off-limits to exploration.
See more in Season 10, Episode 10, "The Forbidden Zones."
Watch full episodes and stay up to date on all favorite shows on The HISTORY Channel website at history.com/schedule.
#AncientAliens
BIG BEAR LAKE, Southern California - When, O, when will our birds fly above the foothills, above the City of Lights that is Los Angeles? Jackie and Shadow have gone through so much already, losing baby Brutus, selling off the naming rights to the others. It's time to take to the air and become fledglings.
Sonny 'n Gizmo at 10 Weeks, it's time to fly
Bald eaglets Sonny and Gizmo getting ready to spread wings and fly from Big Bear nest
(KCAL News) May 9, 2025: Nicole Comstock reports from Big Bear, where wildlife enthusiasts say that the bald eaglets are getting ready to spread their wings and fly from the nest for the first time.
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