Mick:

I have been a practicing ZEN BUDDHIST for well over 15 years now, and I also am a SPIRITUALIST who belongs to the LILY DALE community here in the Buffalo area. (In fact, both my wife and I briefly appear in the new book on LILY DALE by author and now friend CHRISTINE WICKER. Paula and I appear on pages 80 and 81).

When researchers like Alex, David or myself discuss control, we are talking about giving into DOGMATIC RELIGIOUS CONTROL --- which occurs when the acolytes fall under the spell of the PRIESTS (I use that term in general and with no reference to any religion).

Perhaps the worst thing religions do to people is make them afriad of death. This is the reason for all the wakes and viewings and funeral homes and crying at the casket. However, on May 5, 1980 I myself died of alcohol poisioning. I was dead for a total of ten minutes before coming back with a very special mission. in exchange I was protected from somethng that killed 99% of my infected fellow BROTHERS-IN- BLOOD with HEMOPHILIA.

I discovered that life is actually and truly INFINITE --- just as the scientific laws of THERMODYNAMICS tell is. Namely, that no energy can be DESTROYED --- but merely converted to another form of energy.

I write about all this in my book --- and this is because I believe that it is extremely important --- and fundemental to whom we TRULY are, and not what we THINK we are.

Buddhism has given me the discipline --- and Spirituality has given me the factual representation of what I truly am --- and does so in a believable manner.

Anyone who BLINDLY FOLLOWS any religion is a person who is being led down the garden path to their own FICTION and FALSE REALITY.

GOD does not require a MIDDLE MAN!

Peace and Prayers,

Kent Daniel Bentkowski Buffalo, New York USA