Did Leonardo da Vinci fool history?

Would Leonardo da Vinci have risked his life to fake the ultimate Christian relic, the Turin Shroud,if he was, as believed, so opposed to Christianity? What if it was discovered some of the artifacts that confirm your own personal beliefs weren't what you thought them to be? Would increasing arguments about fraudulent artifacts or associated stories influence your specific faith?

Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince set out to investigate whether da Vinci had the means, the motive and the opportunity, and whether the verdict on this Shroud would call into question the perceived authenticity of other historical relics.

Consider that da Vinci's work on optics and alchemical pursuits provided him with the means, and he definitely had the opportunity. His unorthodox beliefs for his era gave him the necessary motive. His strength of character and rebellious streak would have enabled the sheer audacity required to produce such a fraud.

Modern scientific techniques suggest the Shroud doesn't reveal an image of Christ as originally believed. At the era of supposed events, risks of creating such a relic and being found out would've resulted in being accused of sorcery and conceivably being burned at the stake.

Back in the 1980s, Lillian Schwartz of Bell Laboratories and Dr. Digby Quested of London's Maudsley Hospital demonstrated the Mona Lisa was a self-portrait of da Vinci. Increasingly, many scholars and other people believe the image on the Shroud is da Vinci's self- portrait. Leonardo worked on optics, lenses and projected images. He also worked on a secret machine of mirrors to concentrate light and heat, and both are required to produce an image such as on the Shroud.

Let's say da Vinci was at the right place at the right time.  If he did fake the Shroud, he may not have accepted a commission. What would be his possible underlying motives? Theories exist that include promoting the world's first known photograph, but we may never know. By using his then innovative photographic technique to create the ultimate Christian relic, he may have given the invention what he thought would be the best chance of surviving through the centuries. If he did refer to a photograph of himself for the self-portrait, this was hundreds of years before the acknowledged birth of photography.

Step back and reflect on your own understandings of controversy in your belief systems. What have you come to accept as truth? What or whom do you believe and why? Consider why so many questions are being raised about the legitimacy and authenticity of varied belief systems. This may cause you to question or doubt yourself. Regardless of your background or belief system, the strength of your faith in yourself determines whether you willingly heed your senses or begin to doubt.

Just what you needed

A woman I know told me how guardian angels seem to be her saviour. One example was where she recently had a hospital appointment to get an x-ray of her knee. She arrived later than planned because of having been caught behind an accident on the road. She got a number from a dispenser and sat down to wait to be called.

As it happened, there were over 20 people ahead of her.  She was a bit frustrated because as a physician, she had morning meetings to attend and this waiting line was preventing her from caring for her own patients. She wasn't the type of person who would've pulled rank and budded in front of the other patients. So, she chose instead to sit patiently and go through some of her unopened mail. Imagine her surprise when less than 5 minutes later, her number was called. She jumped up to the registration desk. The receptionist herself was astonished. "I've never seen the machine skip 20 people before," she exclaimed, before going speechless. The female physician simply felt she had support from above. She had an x-ray and arrived at her meeting only 5 minutes late.

On other occasions, this same woman has wondered aloud how she would make time to phone a colleagues about patients between her overwhelming case load. Then, she would repeatedly find herself in the same place as these fellow physicians in a parking lot, in a grocery store or another setting where she could freely pose the questions that had been on her mind.

A similar occasion involved an auctioneer she wished to contact on behalf of her aging father, yet her late hours had forced her to keep postponing it. Low and behold, she found herself in the same resturant and was able to talk to him about the business that had been on her mind. He wasn't even sure why he'd chosen a restaurant on that particular evening. She thought it was her guardian angel who had intervened. Episodes such as these strongly reinforce her belief in Higher Forces. People simply continue to show up and good things happen just when needed.

Listen closer to whom you know

The next time you interact with someone you know, rather than listen to what you're thinking, turn instead to your focus to what you're feeling.  The depth and intensity of your communication will change considerably.  Words you choose may be inadequate to clarify the indescribable. An angel  can be an earthly messenger who provides us with information just when we could really use it, reminding us how well we really know ourselves.

Why is it that you're drawn to certain people to strike up conversation and not others? Why is it that you connect and keep in touch with people you hardly ever see, yet, barely talk to people you've known for years through school, work or social activities? Listen closer to whom you know.  They may have entered your life to allow you to discover that feelings, inclinations, knowledge and energy you seek consciously or unconsciously aren't all accessible or perceptible at the same time.

You may have known a friend for a year or more and only just discover a shared belief you didn't know you shared.  Why didn't you learn about this source of common interest sooner? Maybe you weren't ready.  Maybe you didn't ask the proper questions. Maybe it didn't really matter before. Maybe your senses weren't sharp enough. Maybe you weren't as attentive then as you have become.

Over the years, old friends and acquaintances have contacted me unexpectedly and sent me books and flyers which responded to issues on my mind at the time. I have met people with notable specialisations who turn out to be 'a friend of friend' and kindly offer timely advice without being asked. I've attended functions where I've been drawn to guests I initially felt were strangers but turn out to know me or be linked to important areas of my life. Such experiences may seem a bit quirky, but they're true. As you listen closer to yourself, you'll feel more attuned to people you know.

You may have also had experiences where you've met people who confirm things you've been thinking.  I recently spoke with an engineer I know about interpretations of specific circumstances.  He astonished me by finishing some of my sentences in ways that gave me a physical, 'real world' confirmation of what my intuition was already telling me.  Was he a earthly guardian angel? Maybe. Similar experiences remind me I don't struggle to recall specifics. A profound truth is awe-inspiring.

12 tips to rediscover success

Neale Donald Walsch offers 12 ideas to encourage each of us to reflect and rediscover success. According to him, we already know how to tap into success principles.  The more you repeat these concepts in your mind, the more you will create uplifting, harmonious realities. His key message is, "stop trying to decide what to do, and start choosing what you wish to be."

1) avoid negative thoughts.

2) change your mind consciously and immediately if negatives seep in.

3) begin to understand who you are, and honor and demonstrate that in choices and evolution.

4) love yourself completely, just as you are.

5) love everyone else fully, just as they are.

6) appreciate and be grateful for life as it is.

7) forgive everyone for everything.

8) never deliberately hurt another person /creature again (emotionally, physically or other ways).

9) never mourn the death of another person again (you might temporarily mourn your loss).

10) never fear or mourn your own death.

11) tune in to raise awareness that everything is vibration; all you think, perceive, say and do.

12) do whatever it takes to adjust your inner energy and life energy you create around you to create the most meaningful experiences you can possibly imagine.

When enough is enough

When you take risks to make decisions, you base your position on a level of satisfaction. If you ask yourself whether you've had enough of something, you question whether your patience has reached its limits, whether your stomach is full, whether your mind is content with the answers it receives. Take a risk to go further.

Consider your pain threshold. How many times will you allow yourself to touch a hot stove when you have already learned doing so results in a burn? How many times will you permit someone to hurt you physically or emotionally before you choose to get out of a situation? How frequently will you accept harsh criticism in a setting before you decide its too self-destructive? Enough is enough!Establish your limits!

Consider your ego. If someone is sacrificing a lot for you, and abandoning a pursuit would be disrespectful or do this person a disservice, would you still be willing to act on pure self-interest? If you convince yourself your self-image and personal control are more important, enough is enough! Think of others' interests too.

Consider your patience. Are you being impatient? Some people wait years or even a lifetime believing relationships will work out or lost loved ones will reappear. Some people also have unwavering faith rain will relieve drought, that business downturns will experience an upswing, that environmental disasters will restabilize equilibrium, that sudden illness will trigger changes in self-defeating habits. Is nurturing faith hurting anyone? Have no faith or patience? Enough is enough! Patience is always within reach.

Consider your sources of sustenance. How is your behaviour influencing your own level of sustenance? If lazing around isn't helping you pay bills or to deal effectively to obtain necessities of life, then you would benefit from a change in attitude and activity. Apathy and lack of self-care can be destructive.  Enough is enough! Decide you'll find a way to improve your situation and do it!

Consider your readiness. You may be preparing for some experience. Learn to give yourself pep talks. What holds you back? Why hesitate to jump out of the plane? Why not speak in front of people or express your opinion openly? If you permit fear to control you, you could lie to yourself about not being ready forever. Enough is enough! You'll be ready when you decide you're ready.