DOCSLIB.ORG

Images of Healing: Spontaneous Mental Imagery and Healing Process of the Barquinha, a Brazilian Ayahuasca Religious System

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Images of Healing: Spontaneous Mental Imagery and Healing Process of the Barquinha, a Brazilian Ayahuasca Religious System ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info IMAGES OF HEALING: SPONTANEOUS MENTAL IMAGERY AND HEALING PROCESS OF THE BARQUINHA, A BRAZILIAN AYAHUASCA RELIGIOUS SYSTEM A dissertation to the Faculty of Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Sciences by Marcelo S. Mercante San Francisco, California June 2006 ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info © 2006 by Marcelo S. Mercante ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info Approval of the Dissertation IMAGES OF HEALING: SPONTANEOUS MENTAL IMAGERY AND HEALING PROCESS OF THE BARQUINHA, A BRAZILIAN AYAHUASCA RELIGIOUS SYSTEM This dissertation by Marcelo S. Mercante has been approved by the committee members bellow, who recommended it be accepted by the faculty of Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center in partial fulfillment of requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Sciences Dissertation Committee: ___________________________________ ________________ Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Chair Date ___________________________________ ________________ Jeanne Achterberg, Ph.D. Date ___________________________________ ________________ Jodi Lang, Ph.D. Date ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info ii Abstract IMAGES OF HEALING: SPONTANEOUS MENTAL IMAGERY AND HEALING PROCESS OF THE BARQUINHA, A BRAZILIAN AYAHUASCA RELIGIOUS SYSTEM Marcelo S. Mercante Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center This dissertation investigated the hypothesized interdependent nature of subjective and objective elements of conscious experience within a spiritual context. This was done by studying the spontaneous mental imagery (the mirações) of people under treatment in the Centro Espírita Obras de Caridade Príncipe Espadarte (the Center). The Center is a congregation of the Barquinha, a Brazilian syncretic religious system that uses the psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca (locally called Daime) as a sacrament. The ethnographic method, involving experiential observation of the religious and symbolic universe of the Center, was used for investigating the Center’s history, the healing techniques implemented during rituals, the concepts of healing and sickness among healers and patients, and the relationship between mirações and the healing process. Several narratives about mirações and healing experiences were collected on site, and five were analyzed more carefully. The conjunction of ingestion of Daime and the participation in the ceremony appeared to reliably promote the occurrence of the mirações. These were considered by the participants as a process of inner perception, the moment when different entities (physical body, thoughts, feelings, culture, emotions, mind, soul, spiritual space, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info iii become connected within their conscious awareness. The experience of mirações was considered to be the source of healing. At the Center, sickness is considered to have a spiritual source, being understood as an unbalance of forces. Healing is considered to be accomplished when one puts oneself into a hypothetical “current of healing energy” that is felt during the ceremonies. Mirações mediated and made conscious a coherent and workable whole that encompassed the ritual, the Daime, the processes of self-transformation/ knowledge/exploration, elements of the individual’s consciousness and physiological condition, and factors in a spiritual space. Mirações were believed to occur in a spiritual space, thought to be nonmaterial and multidimensional, nesting and informing the material world. This spiritual space is perceived as basic, generating dispositions, intentions, and meanings, and as containing within it the physical and psychological levels of existence. The exploration of that space during a ceremony was considered to accelerate one’s spiritual development. ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info To Marileda (in memoriam), For nourishing my dreams And to my great friend Mario Lopes Guimarães Junior (in memoriam) May the Light of God keep guiding you through spiritual heights ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info iv Acknowledgements This present work was a long project. From the initial dreaming, through to concluding this dissertation, I spent almost 7 years. Naturally, the list of those to whom I am extremely thankful is not short. First of all, I am very thankful to Madrinha Francisca and Padrinho Francisco. I still clearly remember being at the Casinha, during my first visit in 1999, siting on a stool, and trying to explain that I would return, three (and in fact, almost four) years later for doing fieldwork: “Can I do it Madrinha?” “Yes, my son, you can.” Thank you Madrinha, from the bottom of my heart. Also, as Madrinha Francisca would agree, nothing would be done without the spiritual authorization of Frei Daniel Pereira de Mattos. Thank you Frei Daniel. Thank you Professor Stanley Krippner: as my advisor, you understood and supported my work more than any other person. Thanks also to Jeanne Achterberg and Jodi Lang, for the dedication, attention, and sharp eyes. I am very thankful for all of those who taught, shared, and revealed so much to me at the Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, and especially for David Lukoff and Annemarie Welteke. Two other friends that had a very special participation in the development of this dissertation require mention, as I am sure that without them I would not have been able to complete this work. They are Kathleen Huston and Lynne Little. Thank you, for your friendship and for your support. I extend a profound gratitude to all the spiritual guides of the Barquinha: all the Pretos-velhos and Pretas-velhas, Caboclos, Encantos, and Missionários, and specially Dom Simeão, Vó Maria da Calunga, Vó Maria Clara, Vó Benedita das Almas, Vó Maria ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info v do Rosário, Vó Benedito, Pai José, and Vô Leôncio. Gratitude as well for my own spiritual guides; may God allow you to keep guiding my steps. I have all the people from the Centro Espírita Obras de Caridade Príncipe Espadarte within my heart. They all received me as a friend (even when disagreeing with me), and I too hold them all dearly as very special friends. Here I must mention a few persons for their special participation in the development of my work: Jairo Lima, Mira, Izabel, Gilberto, João Guedes, Carlos Renato, Kleymani and Neide, Gianne and Xandão, Alcimar and Silvana, Nazário, Hita and Roberta, Charles, Darci, Salu, Feliz and Alana, Gilson, and Mana. Thanks to my friends Neville Rose, Elder Lannes (“Man, you have to visit Madrinha Chica’s church in Rio Branco”), Eduardo Cunha, Benki Ashaninka (for opening my eyes), Edna Yawanawa, Adrian Yabar, Ali Zeitoun, and Stephani Cooper. Thank you to Eurythmy Spring Valley and Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Community, and specially Christiane Landowne, Barbara Schneider-Serio, Marcia Rulfs, Ann Scharf, Bill Linderman, and Gerald Karnow. Thank you Rodrigo Grünewald, Jean Langdon, and Christian Frenopoulo. Thank you Mário Guima (in memoriam), I wish you had the opportunity to read this dissertation. I am deeply thankful for the grant I received for three years from the CNPq (Brazilian National Council of Research) and for those who made it possible within the institution especially Carlos Kawamura, “Seu” Clóvis, Eli Ribeiro, and Angela Maria Cunico for your memorable assistance during my process of returning to the United States. ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info vi Finally, I am, with all my soul, thankful for my wife Daniela and my son Yuri, for being by my side during all the moments, even those of bad mood, anxiety, fear, and doubts, for giving me joy and pleasure, and for supporting my life. Thank you grandma Alayde, my father Jurandir (in memoriam), my mother Marly, and my brother Leonardo, my aunt Marcia, and my aunt Marileda (in memoriam): you made me who I am. Thanks Lucy, for being, above all, my friend, and not only my mother-in-law. Above and beyond all, thank you God, for giving me Light, Life, Strength, Love, and the chance of doing this wonderful Work. ________________________________________________________________________________________________www.neip.info vii Table of Contents List of Tables....................................................................................................................... x List of Figures ....................................................................................................................xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Ayahuasca ........................................................................................................................... 3 Neurochemicals, Emotions, and Causation......................................................................... 5 Neurophysiology of Ayahuasca .......................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Middle Years (6-9) 2625 Books
    South Australia (https://www.education.sa.gov.au/) Department for Education Middle Years (6-9) 2625 books. Title Author Category Series Description Year Aus Level 10 Rules for Detectives MEEHAN, Adventure Kev and Boris' detective agency is on the 6 to 9 1 Kierin trail of a bushranger's hidden treasure. 100 Great Poems PARKER, Vic Poetry An all encompassing collection of favourite 6 to 9 0 poems from mainly the USA and England, including the Ballad of Reading Gaol, Sea... 1914 MASSON, Historical Australia's The Julian brothers yearn for careers as 6 to 9 1 Sophie Great journalists and the visit of the Austrian War Archduke Franz Ferdinand aÙords them the... 1915 MURPHY, Sally Historical Australia's Stan, a young teacher from rural Western 6 to 9 0 Great Australia at Gallipoli in 1915. His battalion War lands on that shore ready to... 1917 GARDINER, Historical Australia's Flying above the trenches during World 6 to 9 1 Kelly Great War One, Alex mapped what he saw, War gathering information for the troops below him.... 1918 GLEESON, Historical Australia's The story of Villers-Breteeneux is 6 to 9 1 Libby Great described as wwhen the Australians held War out against the Germans in the last years of... 20,000 Leagues Under VERNE, Jules Classics Indiana An expedition to destroy a terrifying sea 6 to 9 0 the Sea Illustrated monster becomes a mission involving a visit Classics to the sunken city of Atlantis... 200 Minutes of Danger HEATH, Jack Adventure Minutes Each book in this series consists of 10 short 6 to 9 1 of Danger stories each taking place in dangerous situations.
    [Show full text]
  • Islamic Psychology
    Islamic Psychology Islamic Psychology or ilm an-nafs (science of the soul) is an important introductory textbook drawing on the latest evidence in the sub-disciplines of psychology to provide a balanced and comprehensive view of human nature, behaviour and experience. Its foundation to develop theories about human nature is based upon the writings of the Qur’an, Sunnah, Muslim scholars and contemporary research findings. Synthesising contemporary empirical psychology and Islamic psychology, this book is holistic in both nature and process and includes the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of human behaviour and experience. Through a broad and comprehensive scope, the book addresses three main areas: Context, perspectives and the clinical applications of applied psychology from an Islamic approach. This book is a core text on Islamic psychology for undergraduate and postgraduate students and those undertaking continuing professional development courses in Islamic psychology, psychotherapy and counselling. Beyond this, it is also a good supporting resource for teachers and lecturers in this field. Dr G. Hussein Rassool is Professor of Islamic Psychology, Consultant and Director for the Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology/Centre for Islamic Psychology, Pakistan. He is accountable for the supervision and management of the four psychology departments, and has responsibility for scientific, educational and professional standards, and efficiency. He manages and coordinates the RICPP/Centre for Islamic Psychology programme of research and educational development in Islamic psychology, clinical interventions and service development, and liaises with the Head of the Departments of Psychology to assist in the integration of Islamic psychology and Islamic ethics in educational programmes and development of research initiatives and publication of research.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catholic Minority Church in a World of Seekers, Final
    Tilburg University A Catholic minority church in a world of seekers Hellemans, Staf; Jonkers, Peter Publication date: 2015 Document Version Early version, also known as pre-print Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): Hellemans, S., & Jonkers, P. (2015). A Catholic minority church in a world of seekers. (Christian Philosophical Studies; Vol. XI). Council for Research in Values and Philosophy. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 24. sep. 2021 Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change Series IV. Western Philosophical Studies, Volume 9 Series VIII. Christian Philosophical Studies, Volume 11 General Editor George F. McLean A Catholic Minority Church in a World of Seekers Western Philosophical Studies, IX Christian Philosophical Studies, XI Edited by Staf Hellemans Peter Jonkers The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Copyright © 2015 by The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Box 261 Cardinal Station Washington, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Shipwreck Traditions and Treasure Hunting on Oregon's North Coast
    Portland State University PDXScholar Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations Anthropology Summer 2018 The Mountain of a Thousand Holes: Shipwreck Traditions and Treasure Hunting on Oregon's North Coast Cameron La Follette Oregon Coast Alliance Dennis Griffin Oregon State Historic Preservation Office Douglas Deur Portland State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/anth_fac Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, and the Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Citation Details Cameron La Follette, Dennis Griffin, & Douglas Deur. (2018). The Mountain of a Thousand Holes: Shipwreck Traditions and Treasure Hunting on Oregon's North Coast. Oregon Historical Quarterly, 119(2), 282-313. This Article is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. The Mountain of a Thousand Holes Shipwreck Traditions and Treasure Hunting on Oregon’s North Coast CAMERON LA FOLLETTE, DENNIS GRIFFIN, AND DOUGLAS DEUR EURO-AMERICANS in coastal communities conflated and amplified Native American oral traditions of shipwrecks in Tillamook County, increasingly focusing the stories on buried treasure. This focus led to a trickle, and then a procession, of treasure-seekers visiting the northern Oregon coast, reach- ing full crescendo by the mid to late twentieth century. The seekers’ theo- ries ranged from the fairly straightforward to the wildly carnivalesque, with many bizarre permutations. Neahkahnie Mountain and its beaches became the premier treasure-hunting sites in Oregon, based on the mountain’s prominence in popular lore, linked to unverified stories about the wreck of a Spanish ship.
    [Show full text]
  • The Circumcision Decision
    Parent Empowerment Newsletter LA Kelley Communications, Inc. inside 3 As I See It: Don’t Fear Heights 4 Inhibitor Insights: Resources 5 Richard’s Review: A Mummy with Hemophilia 6 YOU: No Matter How You Cut It... Just A Snip? The Circumcision Decision Paul Clement reparing for the birth of a baby boy is a time of many decisions. Along with choosing a Pdoctor, a car seat and a stroller, setting up the nursery, buying baby clothes, arranging for childcare and a hundred other things, you must make this important decision: Should you circumcise your child with hemophilia? Neonatal circumcision, or surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis of a newborn, is the most commonly performed neonatal surgery in the US. It’s also the focus of spirited debate over ethics and medical necessity. Is circumcision beneficial, necessary, or harmful? How do you decide what’s best for your son? Circumcision in the US This may surprise you, but most of the world’s males are uncircumcised, about 70%. Of the 30% who are circumcised, 70% are circumcised as part of a religious ritual of Islam and 1% of Judaism. Aside from the US, most of the developed world does not perform routine neonatal circumcisions for nonreligious purposes. In the US, circumcision for nonreligious reasons dates back only to 1870, when Dr. Lewis Sayre, an eminent New York physician, campaigned for the procedure as a treatment for myriad diseases and disorders. Sayre advocated circumcision for both sexes to “prevent” masturbation. In Victorian times, page 7 Danelle Humphreys and family August 2015 • Volume 25 • Issue 3 welcome Laurie Kelley otta love opinions.
    [Show full text]
  • PLU Class of 1968 Memory Book
    PLU Class of 1968 Memory Book 1964-65: Freshman Year Our freshman year began in early September 1964. The bewilderment of college classes, new living quarters, and new roommates was quickly replaced by the inevitable—beanies! Did you wear a bib? Or carry a pillow around all day? Or play some dumb part in the freshman initiation skits in Eastvold? PLU's campus was in transition to what it would later become. Many old buildings on lower campus, since demolished, were still in place then. Remember Clover Creek Hall? It sat where Tinglestad does now. Pflueger Hall was about the newest thing on campus. Later that year, what would eventually be Foss Hall first took shape as a muddy swamp on lower campus. Elsewhere on lower campus, the swimming pool was completed during the school year and opened for student use. On upper campus, a street still ran in front of the Administration Building and the CUB. Many of today's large trees were just being planted. And other than Harstad, the main women's dorms still sported their old nondescript directional names—North, South, and West. We went to chapel, where attendance was required four days a week. Many of us began our chapel careers in the balcony of Eastvold, where we liked the first chapel talks so much we applauded for them. About a week later, a note signed by Dr. Mortvedt, PI-I-I's President, appeared in the daily chapel bulletin. The note pointed out in no uncertain terms that applause was not part of chapel.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Luke's, Buffalo
    St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Seeking to know and grow in Christ June, 2021 178 South Main Street—P.O. Box 909 through education, dedication, and service. Buffalo, WY 82834 T HE S EEKERS “ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES” In the absence of Fr. Doug’s usual article, we’ve decided to share a piece that first appeared in the July, 1986, issue of St. Luke’s Newsletter (before it became “The Seekers.” ) It was written by Bishop Vernon Strickland, then Rector of St. Luke’s. We think you’ll agree that it still speaks to us today. Portus is the Latin word for “harbor,” the place where ships and boats can be sheltered from storms. When “ob” (towards) is placed in front of the word portum, it means “going toward a port, a harbor.” A ship waited for the opportune moment when the wind would aid it in entering the harbor. From that background, “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be the Latin word opportunus, meaning “favorable,” passed into English as the word strong. Let all that you do be “opportunity.” Henry Kaiser once said, “A problem is only an opportunity in work done in love.” clothes.” He’s absolutely right! ...1 Cor. 16:13 There are opportunities in the problems you are facing. You don’t have to INSIDE THIS ISSUE: lie down and play dead, they don’t have to get the best of you! Peter Marshall reminded us how an oyster handles a problem. Into the oyster’s life one day there 2 Karen Walker to be came an intruder, a tiny grain of sand.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel Reaching out Volume 9, Number 1 Department of Library Special Collections Western Kentucky University, [email protected]
    Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® Gospel Reaching Out Kentucky Library - Serials 1-1981 Gospel Reaching Out Volume 9, Number 1 Department of Library Special Collections Western Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/gospel_ro Part of the Christianity Commons, Cultural History Commons, Music Performance Commons, Other Music Commons, Public History Commons, Social History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Department of Library Special Collections, "Gospel Reaching Out Volume 9, Number 1" (1981). Gospel Reaching Out. Paper 139. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/gospel_ro/139 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gospel Reaching Out by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. /-/ Non-Profit Organization 0 Third Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid eOSPEL Permit No. 13 Q Munfordville, Ky. 42765 oQ Reachina Out ' 'GOSPELMUSICNEWS FROM THE 'HART OFKENTUCKY' Vol. 9. No. 1 MUNFORDVILLE, KENTUCKY 42765 JANUARY. 1981 Old Ern's Dream Marches on • j Moy your New Yeor be chock full of sunshine! Hart County Singing The Hart County Singing will be held at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church at Uno. Ky., on January 3, 1981 at 7:00 CST. Guest singers will be the Faith Singers, from Edmonton, Ky. Courtney Spradlin is President. Rev. David South is the pastor. Watch Night Service The Cavelanders will sing at the Cave Springs Baptist Church on December 31 for their Watch Night'Service. The church is located near Horse Cave, Ky. Rev. Gary Talley is the new pastor.
    [Show full text]
  • T/Iedelphi an an a N N U a L Published by the S T U D E Nt S O F the N E W Philadelphia High School, H UNDER the SUPERVISION O F the SENIOR CLASS O F 1 9 2 0 - -
    T/ieDELPHI AN an A N N U A L published by the S t u d e nt s o f the N e w Philadelphia High School, H UNDER the SUPERVISION o f the SENIOR CLASS o f 1 9 2 0 - - - VOLUMEVIII 3 8ft 8 8 n P R E F A C E After graduation our class will be separated « forever. Some will perhaps, be near each other u but others will journey far into the unknown world in search of success. And, as the long 8 year roll by, the memory of their High School days will gradually pass away unless they pos H ;tess something which, will keep their Iligjli School lfe ever before them. With a desire to provide something which will help to retain the memory of our school days and which 8 8 will give the general public a view of our school ♦♦ 8 life, we present to' you the Delphi a n of 8 § Nineteen hundred twenty. 8 ♦♦8 8 » 8 8 § jm «:8888i888888m 8t8888:8m:8888888mn88U8:88888888J888m888888 ttiuxm tuxxttttm txi As a token of our affection for one who is always a true friend to her scholars, who is always cheerful and happy, and who makes the Latin road a pleanant one to travel, we cheerfully dedicate this Annual to « H B ♦♦» +»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»• 5 m m n m W llr STUFF! RUSSELL CHRISTIE— ’20 Editor MARY LOOMIS—’21 Assistant Editor RUSSELL KXISELY—’20 Business Manager MARCUS SCHEAR— ’21 Asst. Business Man. MARIAN STOCK WELL Fac. Advisory Editor Associate Editors 'LIAMARLOWE—’20 Literary Editor tN WENGER— ’20 Athletic Editor MARGUERITE McDERMOTT— ’20 Art Editor VICTOR MARSH—’21 Humorous Editor MARY GETZ— ’20 Stenographer MARY SNYDER—-’20 Stenographer Class Historians MARY W HITE FOR I)— ’20 11ELEX E .A 1ER SO X— ’21 ELIZABETH AUGIIINBAUGH— ’22 GLADYS DAVIS— ’23 “ The Delphi a n is a great invention, The school gets all the fame, The printer gets the money, And the staff gets all the blame!” 6 DR.
    [Show full text]
  • Gold Industry Since 1851 YEARS 'In the Eyes of Most Australians, Gold Belongs to the Romantic Past
    Australia's 21st Century Delivering value for Australia 165 RushGold Industry since 1851 YEARS 'In the eyes of most Australians, gold belongs to the romantic past. But as this book shows, it remains a mighty industry.' Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC | Historian Australia's 21st Century Gold Industry + 282t $16b $2.4b 27k $143 k PRODUCTION EXPORTS ROYALTIES EMPLOYMENT HIGH WAGES Australia produced Export earnings in Royalties paid by the More than 27,000 Average wages in the 9 million troy ounces in 2015-16. Australia industry since 2005-06. people were directly gold industry exceed 2015-16, 10 per cent of exports gold to more In 2014-15, the industry employed by the gold $140,000 – 70 per global gold production. than 55 countries. paid $317 million. industry in 2015. cent above average. Cadia Newcrest Mining Limited discovered the Cadia Hill orebody in 1992. Today, Cadia is one of Australia's largest gold mining operations. Since commercial production began in 1999, Cadia has produced more than 9 million ounces of gold. Image courtesy: Newcrest 'In the eyes of most Australians, gold belongs to the romantic past. But as this book shows, it remains a mighty industry.' Gulgong miners Miners try their luck at Gulgong in New South Wales (circa 1870). Records show the area produced 555,205 ounces of gold between 1870 and 1927, although the true figure is thought to be closer to 1 million ounces. Image courtesy: State Library of New South Wales 'The rush for Australian gold, which so excited the world, has never ended.' • Geoffrey Blainey AC Foreword by Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC Delivering value for Australia 165 since 1851 YEARS 165 golden years Australia’s first big rush in search of gold began in 1851.
    [Show full text]
  • Part 4 Australia Today
    Australia today In these pages you will learn about what makes this country so special. You will find out more about our culture, Part 4 our innovators and our national identity. In the world today, Australia is a dynamic business and trade partner and a respected global citizen. We value the contribution of new migrants to our country’s constant growth and renewal. Australia today The land Australia is unique in many ways. Of the world’s seven continents, Australia is the only one to be occupied by a single nation. We have the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre. Australia is one of the world’s oldest land masses. It is the sixth largest country in the world. It is also the driest inhabited continent, so in most parts of Australia water is a very precious resource. Much of the land has poor soil, with only 6 per cent suitable for agriculture. The dry inland areas are called ‘the Australia is one of the world’s oldest land masses. outback’. There is great respect for people who live and work in these remote and harsh environments. Many of It is the sixth largest country in the world. them have become part of Australian folklore. Because Australia is such a large country, the climate varies in different parts of the continent. There are tropical regions in the north of Australia and deserts in the centre. Further south, the temperatures can change from cool winters with mountain snow, to heatwaves in summer. In addition to the six states and two mainland territories, the Australian Government also administers, as territories, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands in the Australian Antarctic Territory, and Norfolk Island.
    [Show full text]
  • The Limits of Expanded Choice: an Analysis of the Interactions Between Express and Implied Contract Terms
    California Law Review VOL. 73 MARCH 1985 No. 2 Copyright © 1985 by California Law Review, Inc. The Limits of Expanded Choice: An Analysis of the Interactions Between Express and Implied Contract Terms Charles J. Goetzt and Robert E. Scottj Although trade and its defining terms lie at the very core of contract law, perceptions of the state's involvement in the exchange process re- main peculiarly incomplete. Everyone understands that the state sup- plies the fundamental property-defining rules for pre-trade endowments. For instance, governmentally provided rules of tort, nuisance, and civil rights establish basic boundaries of what initially belongs to an individual and, hence, what he has to offer in exchange. When an exchange subse- quently takes place, however, the parties themselves assume an impor- tant part of the burden of communicating what rights are being given and received. Although the state's general rules of contract provide a set of standard gap-filling assumptions or implied terms, almost every agree- ment requires the parties to provide some additional individualized con- tent. At one level, the private and state-supplied terms of an executory contract represent an attempted interparty communication of the sub- stantive entitlements intended to be exchanged. Since, however; the t Joseph M. Hartfield Professor of Law, University of Virginia. A.B. 1961, Providence Col- lege; Ph.D. 1965, University of Virginia. t Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Professor of Law, University of Virginia. B.A. 1965, Oberlin College; J.D. 1968, College of William and Mary; LL.M. 1969, S.J.D. 1973, University of Michigan.
    [Show full text]