click for larger view
Saint Jerome -- Patron Saint of Writers, first class relic, apparently a bone fragment,
in brass reliquary surrounded by rhinestones, c.1890 / from the Kardas Collection
close-up of relic in sealed holder
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Opening Meditation
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About Professor Kardas
Much of his life and activities have already been available on the Internet since the mid 1990s, when he actively began openly sharing himself and his thoughts in this then new cyber medium -- several main links are provided below. Some of the material may appear blunt and to the point, but he always attempted to use his own spontaneous language and, frequently, his own brand of humor, even in seriously challenging matters, creatively attempting to make a point, as in an easily understood parable, so that everyone might understand his thought processes and ideas -- his use of words and how he plays with them to make a point delights some readers, while annoying others.
Here, then, is a simplified overview of some of his background for easy reference --
He was brought up in a loving, practicing Roman Catholic home, attended Church regularly, and had a public as well as Catholic education, from grade school through university level. In his pre-teen years he thought of becoming a Jesuit, and sometimes played the role of priest, as some kids might play doctor, with his brother, sister and friends. He constantly studied Natural History, observed and collected specimens, and had many pet of all kinds -- he was an active cave explorer, fossil and mineral collector, beach comber, and attended lectures and other activities at the Franklin Institute and The Academy of Natural Sciences in his home town, Philadelphia, almost on a weekly basis. He was meticulous in how he did things, and he always did them at his own pace. His approach was always intuitive, finding out things on his own, seeking reasons for the whys and hows of what he observed, and frequently had flashes of insight which seemed to come from some higher source, that suggested a different way of approaching many things and offering connections which he hadn't noticed before. His Mom's Mother was well known for her ability as a channel for unexplained precognitive sources of information.
At Villanova University, he not only took the necessary courses for his degree in science, but also many electives in philosophy, psychology, art, religion, languages and other subjects which interested him. In his first term of graduate work and teaching assistant at the State University of Buffalo, he obtained a grant to go to Europe to attend an international symposium on climates of the past, which led to over a decade of studies and teaching abroad, something he never dreamed of or even thought might be possible. He published several research studies in American and Spanish science journals. In his research work in Iceland, Germany, Spain, Israel and elsewhere, he discovered not only a new subspecies of Ice Age walrus, but also a different way of seeing things, of living, of leisure, spirituality, coping with adversity and everything else that makes up what daily life is all about -- he became more introspective in his mid 20s, and more playful, resourceful and thirsty for knowledge. He obtained his Licenciado (Masters degree) in Palaeontology at the Universidad de Madrid, Spain.
His father died in 1970, while Sigmund was teaching in the Canary Islands, located off the north west coast of Africa (they are Spanish possessions) -- he had premonitions of the event the day they occurred -- he was not able to return home for the funeral.
In about 1972, with the help of some friends, he was able to acquire a small home nestled in a mountain village on the island of Tenerife while working on his doctorate, furthering his research and teaching at the nearby university. He called the refuge, La Atlántida, after Atlantis, the lost continent (which some say was located in that area of the Atlantic Ocean, with the Canary Islands being the remaining higher parts). He began to notice that the setting was unusually conducive to his ideas and work, and thought of establishing his compound as a meeting place and retreat for others in their research in the natural sciences, contemplative studies, self knowledge and fulfillment. It is said, by the locals, that the island is a major focus point for cosmic energies, allowing one's inner powers to manifest themselves and flourish with ease. Some neighbors thought that Sigmund was a medium, or curandero, and frequently consulted him for his insights, and even asked for herbal recipes for various purposes, but he was not active in that traditional curative field, quite popular in the islands. During those years he had many dreams and had innumerable insights, which some might call visions, inner voices or by some other spiritual or parapsychological term.
His brother and sister had married in the meantime, and his Mother was alone with her Boston Bull Terrier back in the United States, which she didn't seem to mind because she was always a very self-sufficient person. Sigmund, once again stimulated by a vision, left his retreat and returned home to be with her -- he began teaching science at a local high school, while restoring the modest family summer home at the southern New Jersey shore, where she wanted to move from her row house in Philadelphia. That Christmas the work was completed, she loved it and decided to begin actively working on the move -- some two months later, in 1981, after a brief hospitalization in Philly, she died. His sister demanded that the 2 properties be sold, and Sigmund was virtually left out in the street.
He passed a civil service exam for FORTRAN programmer trainee (before the present day personal computers appeared on the scene!) at a State agency in Trenton, and began working with computers for six months -- he then obtained a science teaching post with the Trenton public schools, where he remained for over 10 years. During this time the Wanaisa Ministry was established at his inner city home in Trenton. He played with the simple computers of the time, although not as a programmer -- when the Apple II appeared, he began his continuing interest in the puter as a potential medium of communication on a much larger scale than his previous teaching provided.
When the Internet, as we presently know it, began to flourish, he registered his first domain name, and presented himself and his ideas to the world at large on a scale hitherto unimagined. One domain led to another in an attempt to centralize certain topics of interest, and each web site focused on different subject areas.
At this point, Sigmund was involved in a freak traffic accident, which left his vehicle demolished, and him with a fractured hip and other complications -- he is permanently disabled, uses a cane in public, had to prematurely retire from teaching, and is living basically day to day on his considerably reduced teacher pension due to the early retirement. At about the same time he was diagnosed with colon cancer, and was treated over several months with radiation and chemo therapy, apparently eliminating the tumors. Although he has not returned to his previous levels of activity, his continued deep faith, ability to cope with adversity, striving for stability and perfection under now changed conditions, and an absolute dedication to complete that which he started many years ago seem to keep him going.
In early 2004 he had another vision -- the threads connecting all of what we call Life seemed to be much clearer now than they had been in the past -- different threads were seemingly being woven together to produce a meaningful fabric -- there appeared a resulting single living cloth, with many designs which seemed to make more sense now. He began connecting the threads in two new domains, his TAO Book and Bio Cycles, linked below, although some of this material is already in his original Kardas.net -- they are all still works in progress at this juncture, continued and built upon as time and inspiration allows -- and they all point back to the four keywords found on the welcome page of the Wanaisa Ministry -- awareness, resolve, action and responsibility -- his activities progress along these same lines as guides, and he attempts to help others by his experience. He believes that the relic of Saint Jerome (shown below the header of this page), the 4th century hermit who spent years of contemplation in the desert, Patron of Writers, which is always within arms reach on his desktop, has guided him in his work over the years, and through his adversity -- he can sense and feel its energy -- it is close to one of two quartz crystals, known for their balancing effects on mind, spirit and body, which a remarkably insightful friend gave him over 20 years ago. They were taken by his friend to the temples of ancient Egypt, where their power was enhanced by the energies of the sacred places in the temples during specific ritual times. Sigmund, or Sonny, as his family and friends call him, keeps one of the two crystals in his pocket, and is able to intuit its vibratory influences. He has been working for over two years to find a way to share this amazing crystal power with others, and seems to be getting closer to finally resolving the remaining issues.
He is an ordained non-denominational minister, something which he has, up until now, never revealed -- Rev. Kardas preferred simply being known as Sonny, without the perhaps distracting aura of officiality which his ordination and title might evoke in those who know him.
Wanaisa.org is, thus, a final synthesis, or bringing together of Sigmund's life's work, stated goals and unconscious dreams dating back 50 years -- to unselfishly help others in their times of need, hopefully allowing them to lead more positive, productive lives, thus benefiting society as a whole. Although his refuge still remains waiting for him in the Canaries, Sigmund has not had the financial means to return more than about 4 times to La Atlántida since he came back to the States some 20+ years ago -- he misses it and might like to retire there to continue his research and outreach ministry, God willing. Unlike many business people and realtors, he does not believe that oft quoted phrase, "location is everything" -- the physical place where one resides, is close to family or has a business, matters little -- most importantly, it is what you make of your home and immediate surroundings, as with most things in Life. Truth and personal fulfillment is everywhere, no matter what your station in Life, if you know how to search with an open mind -- seek and ye shall find.
Content * Index
My vision is that Wanaisa will eventually contain sections which may be read in a spare moment, returned to as the individual need arises, either written by me or submitted by my readers, on subjects ranging from : how to relax, children, health, marriage, school and learning, parenting, food and recipes, leisure time and hobbies, sex, on retirement, and potentially other topics leading to spiritual and functional self improvement, a more complete understanding of the world around us and how we are influenced by it, yet can overcome much of the negativity encountered along the road.
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Wanaisa Home Page * Welcome |
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Helping Others * Prayer Requests |
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other topics |
in the planning stages |
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about Professor Kardas |
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The Festivities of Christmas * |
The Festivities of Easter
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About This Web Site |
Wanaisa Links
Wanaisa is the synthesis or coming together of much of my thoughts and writings already present on other web sites which I developed over the years -- I shall not duplicate what you can easily find there, and I am providing the Links to these sources, below.
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The TAO of Life |
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The Time of Your Life |
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My Memoirs |
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Curriculum Vitae |
All three are still works in progress, and the content changes and is expanded as my personal time permits.
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If you find a simpler or better way to present my thoughts and ideas, have other suggestions on how to make this Wanaisa Virtual Ministry more rewarding, have prayer requests, or would like to make a donation to the Church, please do not hesitate to contact me at the link, below. Questions
and comments may be emailed to Rev. Kardas at * GOD BLESS * |
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The Wanaisa Ministry is registered since 1981 by the IRS as a non profit religious organization * donations are tax deductible COPYRIGHT © 1996 - 2007 by * My Other |
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