Yoga and Pop culture:
The 70's, saw a huge interest, in the Western world, of Asian, spiritual systems, especially, made so, by the likes, of the Beatles. The Beatles, once coined, the greatest rock band, in the world, and probably, in history, by an overzealous, British Media, decided, to get deeper, in thought probably, by introducing, the Western world, to Asian, spiritual systems, especially those, of the Indian, persuasion. Yoga, and other, similar practises, began, to become, really popular, in the, Western world, as with, regards, to the search, for intimacy, and especially, as to, the personal identity. First, it was, Asian food, followed by, Asian dance, and culminating, in Asian martial arts movies [and other movies]. However, one of the most, popularized, Asian spiritual figures, is the, Laughing Buddha. While unknown, to most, the Laughing Buddha, can be seen, placed, somewhere noticeable, in an, Asian restaurant, here and there. It is believed, that rubbing, the tummy, of such, a figurine, can probably, bring one, lots, of good luck. In other regions, the Laughing Buddha, has become, a popular name, for restaurants, themselves. While the introduction, of Asian culture, into, the Western world, has been, a failure, at most, in one area, it has, somewhat, largely, succeeded: Cali. It is in California, that a certain, small segment, of the population, adopted, the Laughing Buddha, as a, spiritual figure, giving, to the rise, of a culture, most, would not, associate, with religion, or spirituality.
OG: Original Gangster
In 1991, Ice-T, a rapper, from Newark NJ, released, an album, by the name of, OG (Original Gangster). The album, became, quite the hit, not only, due, to the rise, in popularity, of gangsta rap, but also, due, to the fact, that, within the album, was a song, that made, references, to killing, the cops. It caused, quite a stir, in the Media, and the American senate, even, got involved. Many, had heard, of the so called, gangsta culture, and gangsta music, as parlayed, by the likes, of NWA. To many out there, who followed, this trend, NWA, symbolized, what was probably wrong, in America. When Ice-T, released, OG (Original Gangster), in 1991, many believed him, to be, the real deal, and not, NWA, as he seemed, rather tougher, in size, than Eazy-E, and his cohorts.
Gangsta culture, consists, at its heart, of three levels, unknown, to many, outside, America. You have, the Gangstas [such as NWA], the Vatos [or commonly known, as the Mexicalis], and at the top, of this assumingly, political hierarchy, are, the OG's. Most people, know nothing, about, the OG's, but their image, can probably, be represented, by the photo seen above, of Ice Cube, Mack 10, and WC. Thats, the OG image, made popular, by the Media [or Ice Cube really]. OG's, are often, confused, with Gangstas, mainly due, to the efforts, of Ice Cube himself. Gangstas, were once, feared, in America, as they apparently, did not, fear, getting, into brawls, with just, about anyone, out there; including the police. They became, rather, infamous, when they managed, to get themselves, into LAPD, official reports. However, many appeared, to have, a natural born fear, of their mothers, as they dreaded, any news, of their exploits, reaching, their mothers ears. "Mum heard, what you did!", were words, that Gangstas, apparently, did not, want to hear. When Ice-T though, released, OG (Original Gangster), many, felt betrayed, by Ice Cube, and his fellow members, in NWA, and believed them, to be, a bunch, of fakes; they were not, as hardcore, as they pertained, themselves, to be. Due to this, fallout, in image, Ice Cube [on a solo mission, without, any actual guidance], decided, to up, the ante, by taking on, the system, itself; by the system here, it is mainly referred, to, the FCC. Before Ice Cube, many in America, had never heard, of the FCC, and probably believed it, to be, a secret organisation, of sorts.
OG's, are relatively unknown, to most, but are, in fact, not drug dealers, or drug takers, but actually, spiritually motivated. Most, don't know much, about, the Laughing Buddha, and actually, believe it, to be, associated, with Chinese culture. The Laughing Buddha, has its origins, in Japanese, Shin Buddhism. In this case, it is, a very political, spiritual divinity. It is, in fact, associated, with the, Japanese, Imperial Family. The Laughing Buddha, as a, political entity, is associated, with metting out, justice. Thats what, the Laughing Buddha does. OG's, who have been, associated, with the Laughing Buddha, did, the very same job, in California, metting out, justice, to figures, who broke the law, and could somehow, get away, with it. At one time, the political hierarchy, in California, was very much, like as follows: the Governors office, OG's, the Police. But what makes, the Laughing Buddha, especially powerful, is its association, with what, scientists, out there, call, the Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect, is the belief, that some, relative, small motion [such as the flattering of a butterflys wings], somewhere out there, can cause, a great, disturbance, elsewhere [such as a tornado]. Those who engage, in the worship, of the Laughing Buddha, eventually, develop, a deep understanding, of the Butterfly Effect. They are capable, of creating order, by simple motions, such as, finger signs, and signals. They can stop, riots, on the streets, of a city, by the way, they walk, or even, by simple, hand motions [those who have developed a deep understanding of the Laughing Buddha].
The Laughing Buddha, is also, culturally, and religiously, associated, with the High Arts. Those, who engage, in its worship, often, will find themselves, interested, in the High Arts [such as being, a classically trained pianist, or a Gourmet Chef]. They basically, create, a life, based around, these High Arts [kind of Materialists]. The Laughing Buddha worshiper, who privately trains, to be a classical pianist, will also, probably, enjoy, attending, a Luciano Pavarotti, concert. That, who becomes, a Gourmet Chef, might decide, to open up, a Hotel, serving, his cookings. Some OG's, who worship, the Laughing Buddha, and are not, culture oriented (High Arts), might find, themselves, probably, developing, a split personality. Mack 10, was such, an individual, who eventually, fell, onto, the decadent side, of Californian society [Mack 10, never did really, receive, his OG medallion].
For those, who don't know, much, about, OG's, here is something, one would call, the OG sound [gone pop, with Akon and Rick Ross], and shows somewhat, how artistically oriented, the Laughing Buddha, really is.
Thats OG, not Gangsta.
For a second retake, of the OG sound, gone Metal, check out, Slash's Promise.
The 70's, saw a huge interest, in the Western world, of Asian, spiritual systems, especially, made so, by the likes, of the Beatles. The Beatles, once coined, the greatest rock band, in the world, and probably, in history, by an overzealous, British Media, decided, to get deeper, in thought probably, by introducing, the Western world, to Asian, spiritual systems, especially those, of the Indian, persuasion. Yoga, and other, similar practises, began, to become, really popular, in the, Western world, as with, regards, to the search, for intimacy, and especially, as to, the personal identity. First, it was, Asian food, followed by, Asian dance, and culminating, in Asian martial arts movies [and other movies]. However, one of the most, popularized, Asian spiritual figures, is the, Laughing Buddha. While unknown, to most, the Laughing Buddha, can be seen, placed, somewhere noticeable, in an, Asian restaurant, here and there. It is believed, that rubbing, the tummy, of such, a figurine, can probably, bring one, lots, of good luck. In other regions, the Laughing Buddha, has become, a popular name, for restaurants, themselves. While the introduction, of Asian culture, into, the Western world, has been, a failure, at most, in one area, it has, somewhat, largely, succeeded: Cali. It is in California, that a certain, small segment, of the population, adopted, the Laughing Buddha, as a, spiritual figure, giving, to the rise, of a culture, most, would not, associate, with religion, or spirituality.
OG: Original Gangster
In 1991, Ice-T, a rapper, from Newark NJ, released, an album, by the name of, OG (Original Gangster). The album, became, quite the hit, not only, due, to the rise, in popularity, of gangsta rap, but also, due, to the fact, that, within the album, was a song, that made, references, to killing, the cops. It caused, quite a stir, in the Media, and the American senate, even, got involved. Many, had heard, of the so called, gangsta culture, and gangsta music, as parlayed, by the likes, of NWA. To many out there, who followed, this trend, NWA, symbolized, what was probably wrong, in America. When Ice-T, released, OG (Original Gangster), in 1991, many believed him, to be, the real deal, and not, NWA, as he seemed, rather tougher, in size, than Eazy-E, and his cohorts.
Gangsta culture, consists, at its heart, of three levels, unknown, to many, outside, America. You have, the Gangstas [such as NWA], the Vatos [or commonly known, as the Mexicalis], and at the top, of this assumingly, political hierarchy, are, the OG's. Most people, know nothing, about, the OG's, but their image, can probably, be represented, by the photo seen above, of Ice Cube, Mack 10, and WC. Thats, the OG image, made popular, by the Media [or Ice Cube really]. OG's, are often, confused, with Gangstas, mainly due, to the efforts, of Ice Cube himself. Gangstas, were once, feared, in America, as they apparently, did not, fear, getting, into brawls, with just, about anyone, out there; including the police. They became, rather, infamous, when they managed, to get themselves, into LAPD, official reports. However, many appeared, to have, a natural born fear, of their mothers, as they dreaded, any news, of their exploits, reaching, their mothers ears. "Mum heard, what you did!", were words, that Gangstas, apparently, did not, want to hear. When Ice-T though, released, OG (Original Gangster), many, felt betrayed, by Ice Cube, and his fellow members, in NWA, and believed them, to be, a bunch, of fakes; they were not, as hardcore, as they pertained, themselves, to be. Due to this, fallout, in image, Ice Cube [on a solo mission, without, any actual guidance], decided, to up, the ante, by taking on, the system, itself; by the system here, it is mainly referred, to, the FCC. Before Ice Cube, many in America, had never heard, of the FCC, and probably believed it, to be, a secret organisation, of sorts.
OG's, are relatively unknown, to most, but are, in fact, not drug dealers, or drug takers, but actually, spiritually motivated. Most, don't know much, about, the Laughing Buddha, and actually, believe it, to be, associated, with Chinese culture. The Laughing Buddha, has its origins, in Japanese, Shin Buddhism. In this case, it is, a very political, spiritual divinity. It is, in fact, associated, with the, Japanese, Imperial Family. The Laughing Buddha, as a, political entity, is associated, with metting out, justice. Thats what, the Laughing Buddha does. OG's, who have been, associated, with the Laughing Buddha, did, the very same job, in California, metting out, justice, to figures, who broke the law, and could somehow, get away, with it. At one time, the political hierarchy, in California, was very much, like as follows: the Governors office, OG's, the Police. But what makes, the Laughing Buddha, especially powerful, is its association, with what, scientists, out there, call, the Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect, is the belief, that some, relative, small motion [such as the flattering of a butterflys wings], somewhere out there, can cause, a great, disturbance, elsewhere [such as a tornado]. Those who engage, in the worship, of the Laughing Buddha, eventually, develop, a deep understanding, of the Butterfly Effect. They are capable, of creating order, by simple motions, such as, finger signs, and signals. They can stop, riots, on the streets, of a city, by the way, they walk, or even, by simple, hand motions [those who have developed a deep understanding of the Laughing Buddha].
The Laughing Buddha, is also, culturally, and religiously, associated, with the High Arts. Those, who engage, in its worship, often, will find themselves, interested, in the High Arts [such as being, a classically trained pianist, or a Gourmet Chef]. They basically, create, a life, based around, these High Arts [kind of Materialists]. The Laughing Buddha worshiper, who privately trains, to be a classical pianist, will also, probably, enjoy, attending, a Luciano Pavarotti, concert. That, who becomes, a Gourmet Chef, might decide, to open up, a Hotel, serving, his cookings. Some OG's, who worship, the Laughing Buddha, and are not, culture oriented (High Arts), might find, themselves, probably, developing, a split personality. Mack 10, was such, an individual, who eventually, fell, onto, the decadent side, of Californian society [Mack 10, never did really, receive, his OG medallion].
For those, who don't know, much, about, OG's, here is something, one would call, the OG sound [gone pop, with Akon and Rick Ross], and shows somewhat, how artistically oriented, the Laughing Buddha, really is.
Thats OG, not Gangsta.
For a second retake, of the OG sound, gone Metal, check out, Slash's Promise.
