[SPECULATION: We need to steal your biometric facial data to sell it on the open market to the government, intel agencies, Israel, China, and non-state actors and scammers, so we've come up with these tricks. Pick one. How about we predict what your soulmate is going to look like or age progress your face? It's fun. Tell all your friends so we can build a network and connect the dots between all of your contacts. Do it for national security before China takes TikTok back from the nice Zionist Jewish American capitalist billionaire Larry Ellison and his network of operatives like his son David Ellison and his installed CBS News Boss Zionist Bari Weiss, who captures media assets with Trump's help.]
(Mindova) Why spiritually awakened people look younger than their age: Carl Jung
Here "awakened" should not be conflated with Buddhist "enlightenment" (bodhi) since every spiritual tradition will have its own definition of what it is calling the peak realization, moksha, liberation. And even if they use the same words for it (like "nirvana"), it is not the same. For example, Hinduism and Buddhism are VERY different in all the subtle details, but in the West think they're just about identical with some name changes. There would be no need for Buddhism if it were saying what Hindus want to believe and hear. Another example is Jainism. Jains are much closer to Buddhists than Hindus, but they are still worlds apart. Both are wandering ascetic traditions, but Mahavira's insights and explanations did not hold up to the Buddha's scrutiny. Mahavira understood much, attained much, but did not become an arahant (enlightened one in the Buddhist sense of the word). That should show anyone that details matter, differences matter. We can all agree and hold hands and talk about our commonalities on our spiritual quest, but for goodness sakes we have to talk about the contrasts and differences to really benefit one another.
Kennewick Man: 'most important' face revealed after 8,500 years (Cicero Moraes).
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Meet the Kennewick Man: Face of "most important" ancient Native American revealed after 8,500 years
Strong and resilient ancestor of current residents
The face of one of the most significant skeletons ever unearthed in North America has been reconstructed for the first time -- more than 8,000 years after the man's death.
The individual, known as the Kennewick Man, was approximately 40 years old when he died during the early Holocene period, which started roughly 11,700 years ago following the conclusion of the last major ice age.
Columbia River, Washington, USA
His remains were discovered along the banks of the Columbia River in 1996, close to Kennewick City in Washington state, from which he derived his name.
The find represented one of the most intact specimens from this era and offers proof of Native American habitation in the region for more than 8,000 years. The skeleton has been pivotal in academic discussions surrounding the earliest inhabitants of the North American continent.
Scientists have now created a reconstruction of his living facial features using his skull, providing insight into the man's history, reports the Express US.
Lead researcher Cicero Moraes described the reconstruction as depicting a "strong and resilient man," whose characteristics reflected "a life marked by continuous physical effort and survival."
He continued: "First, the skull is analyzed using known averages of soft-tissue thickness and anatomical guidelines to position key features such as the eyes, nose, lips, and ears. More
(BBC) Hidden mere meters under Mexico's modern capital, a series of temples, royal palaces, and mysterious artifacts from an ancient kingdom are being unearthed.
As we descended 7 meters (21 feet) below Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral, I could feel my heart race. I had heard whisperings about the temples buried under this iconic cathedral – one of the largest and oldest in Latin America – but since their discovery in the 1970s, it had not been possible to see them.
We the Mexica [of Mexico] are not "Aztecs"
Now, I was part of a public tour that lets visitors explore the ancient secrets that lie just below this [Catholic] church’s depths.
Nearly 500 years after Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés toppled the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán [the "Place of Nopal Cactuses"], the remains of the ancient metropolis continue to lay hidden mere meters under modern-day Mexico City.
The Spanish [invaders from Spain] started building the Metropolitan [Catholic] Cathedral in 1573 above on top of the sacred Aztec (the “Mexica” as they called themselves) temples as a symbol of conquest. More
Shroud of Turin analysis concludes face is not human
Why don't you do some miracles, M'Lord?
(Amaze Lab) The Shroud of Turin is a centuries-old linen cloth imprinted with the faint image of a [undistorted] man’s [face and] front and back.
Housed in [Catholic] Turin, Italy, it has long been venerated as [a holy relic and] the burial shroud of Jesus [the Nazarene] Christ.
One of the Veronica's Sweatcloths
In 1898, the artifact gained international attention when photographer Secondo Pia developed a negative image that appeared startlingly lifelike.
That haunting face helped spark global fascination, turning the cloth into both a religious relic and a scientific mystery.
But what is this image, and could modern science finally unravel how it came to be? [Was an artist hired to create it? Did some faithful servant of the Church fabricate it to deceive the world and his fellow ci-religionists?]
What state is biggest? Tallest? Flattest?
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Number 1 problem with this cloth and image is a very simple and straight forward fact. If one drapes a 2D cloth over a 3D object, what gets imprinted on the cloth will be distorted, monstrous looking when laid flat again. It is just like asking, What is the biggest state in the US's lower 48 (which means not counting formerly-Russian Alaska) if all states were first rolled flat? One might think it's giant Texas, but it is actually Colorado. Why? Colorado is enormous in 3D (length, width, and height) and only comes in seventh in terms of length and width. Similarly, lay out a cloth and draw on it, and the image will look like what was drawn. But put ink on a body then spread a white cloth on it, and when that cloth is flattened out again, the image will be entirely distorted and bigger than its 2D measurements. But remember, this is "God," so it's magic, and therefore it doesn't need to make sense.
The battle to prove the Shroud’s origin
Church would never fabricate relics
Since its discovery, the Shroud has been fiercely debated. Early forensic studies pointed to blood patterns and wound markings that seemed to mirror Gospel accounts of crucifixion [a Roman form of torture to cause suffering and a slow death by drowning in one's own fluids within a week].
But in 1989, radiocarbon dating published in Nature dated the linen between 1260 and 1390 AD [far short of the 2,025-years-old], placing it firmly in medieval Europe.
This revelation sparked backlash, with critics claiming the tested area may have come from a repaired section.
As more sophisticated tools became available, researchers renewed efforts to determine whether the Shroud was a miracle or a masterwork of medieval craftsmanship. More
Ava J, Amaze Lab, Oct. 17, 2025, via MSN.com; Sheldon S., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
(Aina | Expat in China) Why Chinese girls want to look like children: Infantilization is the prolonged treatment of one who is not a child as though that person were a child [1]. Studies have shown that an individual, when infantilized, is overwhelmingly likely to feel disrespected. Such individuals may report a sense of transgression akin to dehumanization. It may even have a racist dimension. Infantilization is an important concept pivotal to maintaining slavery. Children of enslaved women would also be enslaved because both belonged to the master. More
Why do the Ainu people seem to have Caucasian features? (vrogue.co)
The fascinatingly mysterious origins of the Ainu
(TREY the Explainer) This is TTE's first video on human diversity and evolution. It discusses ancient and prehistoric human migration and evolution into East Asia, specifically Japan. [Did the Ainu, Emishi, or Jōmon people come from mating with nearby Russians, Koreans, Tartarians?]
We examine the strange and somewhat mysterious case of the Ainu tribe [with possible origins in Africa as "Black Asians," as happened with many groups like the early blue-eyed Blacks of Ireland and British Isles, or even the Australian aboriginals and ubiquitous Polynesians] and other members of Y-Haplogroup D. In doing so it breaks down what exactly happened in Asia during prehistory.
(EarthCam) April 22, 2025: 🌍 Celebrate Earth Day with EarthCam. 🌿 Watch stunning views of our planet in real-time, captured by EarthCam’s cameras across the globe. From breathtaking landscapes to vibrant cityscapes, let’s appreciate the beauty of our earthly world. 🌱
It's a miracle. It's a miracle how anyone holds onto faith in Catholicism in the face of insults like this, a "third-class relic," by the church's own description, "a replica of the cloth Veronica wiped Jesus’ face with" that "has been touched to Veronica's Veil, the True Wood of the Cross, and the Lance," oy vey. By this rationale, the original could fall on the floor (be touched to) and thereby bless the whole earth, ushering in world peace, blind faith, and worldwide allegiance to Rome and the Vatican. Has the Church tried that? If they did, it hasn't worked. Blessed are the meek, for they [shall believe and] inherit the earth. What they'll do with it only the God knows. When is the Rapture again? All we can think of is Alanis Morissette and her Catholic sentiments: "We all needed something to cling to, so we did. We all had delusions in our heads. We all had our minds made up for us. We had to believe in something, so we did."
*Christian Carnival Barker Voice* Get out of the bars, boys and girls, and into Catholic church to see the Holy Kerchief, the Vernicle (Sudarium or "Sweat Cloth"), Veil of Veronica or simply Veronica, the "Face of Jesus" relic.
Yes, just this one time, it may never come round to your neck of the woods again! You were wowed by the Holy Hand of St. Judas last year in Pasadena, but did you know the Creator's own son, drenched in blood, sweat, and tears while being whipped and beaten at the sixth Station of the Cross, had a kindness shown to him?
Veronica holding face of Jesus on her veil after wiping him
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, St. Veronica was kind enough to use her hanky on the lord, and with no time to emanate an entire life-size photocopy like he would with the Shroud of Turin, he left a headshot.
NOTE: While it may sound as if Wisdom Quarterly is mocking the idea of relics, sacred objects, particular religions, or those invested in their faith, a closer examination reveals that what is being mocked and made fun of is commercialization, corruption, and greed in the name of religion. This is what Mr. Show is aiming at, as well as taking on conservatives in government, Christianity, and hypocrisy in general. It is our confirmed belief that some objects are holy, sacred, divine, supernatural, extraordinary and miraculous. This may or may not be them, but such things exist. The Buddhist tradition, which preceded Christianity by six centuries, spoke of relics (sariras).*
Put down the pints of St. Paddy's Day Guiness and join us as we go out to see them on tour just as we went out to see various stops of the worldwide Relic Tour by Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhists years ago in LA. Wisdom Quarterly will be at each stop as part of our ongoing "Adventures in Church" series.
ALL religions are beautiful. They may not be true, but they are all beautiful.
Those who wish to be spiritual should not let commercialized religion stand in the way.
It may look like a splotch, but with FAITH, it becomes a holy face.
Think about it. You loved the Blood Moon, a mere sideshow, you loved snow in LA's mountain tops in spring, you think fire, rain, and chilling cold are spectacles, but how about the authentic miraculous face of the creator-savior incarnate?
Yes, leggys and germs, this is gonna be a really big shoe. This may be your only opportunity to stand up close to a real relic (as recognized in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, though Protestant not so much).
Hieronimus Bosch painted these hideous nutters, including Veronica's Veil in lower left.
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Artist enhanced version of image
It's authorized by your children's friends at the Vatican, within the fortress city-state, inside the vestigial heart of the Holy Roman Empire (not merely Rome, Italy, but the tiny, independent country known as the Holy See once dedicated entirely to the worship of the solar son-God Mithra and his mysteries), under CEO Francis, while he yet hangs on by the power of prayer and modern medicine.
Sudarium: Holy Sweat Towel
Price? Priceless! Donations? Solicited.
Cost? What is money but the seed of Mammon, the joy of Shaytan(Shaitan), the love of which is the root of all evil? It's free. But buy paraphernalia at the concessions stand with plastic bottled water, sugary drinks, plastic trinkets, tchotchkes, Catholic bling, and curios. Booklets and stickers too. Why not invest in an "I Saw It 2025" tour t-shirt to wear on your deathbed or any future surface where you might meet G Almighty? Might score some leniency points with St. Pete.
But Satan (Shayatin) and the Iblisneed me in a bar on Saint Patrick's Day to part and turn the toilet water green. Fiducia supplicans blesses gay Catholic marriages?
This is no joke, so don't dream of laughing (Alicante).
They made Veronica a saint for it
Need an indulgence (for the remission of sin by the Church for money)? Why not get a set of authentic wood simulated plastic rosary beads laced together with plastic twine to carry in your pocket, wear around your neck, or dangle from your rearview?! Now available in child and adult sizes. Please allow time for a long line of penitents and curiosity seekers ahead of you in the queue. No photography please as this relic replica may be very delicate and light sensitive.
True meaning of St. Pat's Day
Drive "snakes" out = kill pagans for Jesus - "Nazis" of the first Reich (Rome)
Earlier the same day, St. Patrick's Feast Day to the secular world of imbibers and intemperate drinkers, see the Vernicle travel from the small town of Monrovia, a foothill community in the SGV, to neighboring Alhambra for a stop at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Shamrock, just off of Foothill Blvd. (the famous Route 66):
Fortunately, St. Therese Catholic Church has something to say about this event in advance so parishioners might choose a St. Pat's party instead: "This year, being the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Therese,* we are having a special visit of a Holy Face relic on MONDAY, MARCH 17, FROM 6:00 TO 10:00 P.M.
"This third-class relic is a replica of the cloth Veronica wiped Jesus’ face with and has been touched to Veronica's Veil, the True Wood of the Cross, and the Lance that pierced Christ's side.
St. Patrick's Day celebration, Lenten Mission
Since this image was touched to the instruments of Our Lord's Passion, which were drenched in His Blood, it has therefore been touched to the Blood of Christ. And so is considered a “Living Image of Jesus Christ.”
(*Note: When she was still in the Carmel in Lisieux, France, our patroness’ religious name was Sr. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. She was first given the name “Therese of the Child Jesus” when she entered, and she added “and the Holy Face” when she took the veil.) The evening will begin with a talk at 6:00 p.m., by Vicki Schreiner, author of Chronology of the Holy Face Devotion, followed by Mass at 7:15 p.m., and then veneration of the Holy Face relic until 10:00 p.m." Source: Church bulletin, sttheresechurchalhambra.org).
Eve Libertine/Crass "Reality Asylum"
WARNING: Not suitable for anyone under 70. Vile, vulgar, crass, obscene
(Why is Crass SO angry at British/Irish Christian religious oppression?)
Atheist/Agnostic point of view
Mr. Show exposes hypocrisy, ripping it a new hole
Once upon a time in the Valley of Los Angeles, California, HBO gave Bob Odenkirk and David Cross the money to develop a comedy sketch show for cable TV: Mr. Show with Bob and David. They ran with it and filmed one of the funniest and smartest shows (right up there with Amy Sedaris' Strangers with Candy) ever created for basic cable. It has only gotten funnier with time, having introduced the world to many actors who went on to stellar comedy careers like Sarah Silverman, Jack Black, and that shy bald guy. In this 30-minute episode entitled "What to Think" (S1E02), they brilliantly satire the U.S. government's censorship attempts, the hypocrisy of the Christian church (at least the televangelist wing of it), and greedy transnational corporations, while cussing a lot.
*Relics (sarira) are real in Buddhism
Śarīra is a generic term referring to Buddhist relics, although in common usage it usually refers to pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects [which Wisdom Quarterly has determined to most likely be silica] that are found among the cremated ashes of the Buddha, chief disciples, and other Buddhist spiritual masters (aka "noble ones," the Aryans).
Relics of the Buddha after cremation are termed dhātu ("elements") in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta [1]. Śarīra are held to emanate or incite "blessings" and "grace" (Sanskrit adhiṣṭhāna) within the mindstream and experience of those connected to them [2].
Mind here refers to streams of cittas ("mind-moments")
Sarira are also believed to ward off evil in the Himalayan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition.
The Buddha, beloved figure of Thailand, SE Asia
Terminology
Cremation pyre relics of Shakyamuni Buddha
Śarīra (pronounced /ɕɐɽiːɽɐh/) means "body" in Sanskrit. When used in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit texts to mean "relics," it is always used in the plural: śarīrāḥ.
The term ringsel is a loanword from the Tibetan རིང་བསྲེལ (ring bsrel). Both of these terms are ambiguous in English; they are generally used as synonyms, although according to some interpretations, ringsels are a subset of śarīras.
Śarīra can refer to:
Dharmakāya śarīra, which are sutras as told by the Buddha. According to Ding Fubao's Dictionary of Buddhist Terms, a "Dharma body" śarīra is "the Sutra as told by the Buddha: That which is unchanging in what is told by the Buddha, is of the same property as the essence of the Buddha himself, hence it is called the 'dharma body śarīra.'"
Remains of the Buddha or other spiritual masters, either cremated remains or other pieces, including a finger bone or a preserved body, similar to the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox incorruptibles.
Broken-body śarīras refers specifically to cremated remains.
When used without qualification, it generally refers to the pearl-like remnant of a master left after cremation.
Pearl-like śarīras
Mass market holy Buddhist relic container
Although the term śarīra can be used to refer to a wide variety of Buddhist relics, as listed above, it is generally used to refer to pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters.
These objects are considered relics of significant importance in many sects of Buddhism since they are believed to embody the spiritual knowledge, teachings, realizations, or living essence of spiritual masters.
They are taken as evidence of the masters' enlightenment and spiritual purity. Some believe that śarīras are deliberately left by the consciousness of a master for veneration, and that the beauty of the śarīras depends on how well the masters had cultivated their mind and morals.
Śarīra come in a variety of colors, and some are even translucent.
Sariras are typically displayed in a glass bowl inside small gold urns or stupas (burial mound reliquaries) as well as enshrined inside the master's statue.
Śarīras are also believed to mysteriously multiply while inside their containers if they have been stored under favorable conditions.
Saffron threads are sometimes placed within or around the bowl containing individual śarīra as an offering. More
The Catholic Church; Mr. Show with Bob and David; Team Recovering Catholics (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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