Habbo and Bernadette Roberts: Difference between pages
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
Jenniferrrrr (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Inappropriate tone|date=December 2007}} |
|||
{{Infobox Website |
|||
{{POV|date=December 2007}} |
|||
| name = Habbo |
|||
| logo = [[Image:Habbo logo.png]] |
|||
| screenshot = [[Image:Habbohomepage2.png|300px]] |
|||
| caption = The home page of the social networking website, Habbo. |
|||
| url = See [[Habbo#Current services|Current services]] below |
|||
| commercial = Yes |
|||
| type = [[Social network service]] |
|||
| language = [http://www.sulake.com/habbo/ Multilingual] |
|||
| registration = Required |
|||
| owner = [[Sulake Corporation]] |
|||
| author = [[Sampo Karjalainen]]<br />[[Aapo Kyrölä]] |
|||
| launch date = {{flagicon|Finland}} August 2000 <br /> {{flagicon|UK}} January 2001 <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} September 2004 <br /> {{flagicon|Australia}} November 2004 |
|||
| current status = Active |
|||
| revenue = |
|||
| slogan = Where else?<br />Hangout for teens |
|||
| alexa = 4,050 (Depending on hotel domain name.) |
|||
| current version: = 26.0 as of September 2008 |
|||
}} |
|||
'''Bernadette Roberts''' (born 1931) is a former Carmelite nun and a [[Contemplation|contemplative]] in the [[Catholic]] tradition. |
|||
'''Habbo''', formerly '''Habbo Hotel''', is a [[social networking]] [[website]] owned and operated by [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation]]. Aimed at teenagers, Habbo features [[chat room]]s rendered by [[isometric projection]] in the form of virtual [[hotel]] rooms. User pages on the website are linked to these rooms and allow users to share content and create groups with [[discussion forum]]s. Each user, called a Habbo, has a customizable [[avatar (computing)|avatar]] to represent him or herself. The service gains revenue from credits bought with real-life currency. Credits are used to buy products such as virtual furniture for the virtual hotel rooms and stickers for user pages. |
|||
==Life== |
|||
The service began in 2000 and has expanded to include 32 online communities (or "hotels").<ref name="habstats">{{cite news |
|||
Since early childhood Bernadette Roberts had a number of [[Mysticism|mystical]] or contemplative revelations of God — as present in nature, as within her, and as entirely transcendent. Roberts entered the [[Carmelites|Carmelite]] order in her early teens. Soon after entering the Carmelites, she experienced the spiritual deepening of the "dark nights" described by [[Saint]] [[John of the Cross]]. She also experienced what has been described by Saint [[Teresa of Ávila]] as [[contemplative prayer]]. Roberts recounts that when she was 18, a new novice mistress asked her about her prayer life, "so I told her: I do nothing; there is just silence. This astounded and upset her" (''Path to No-Self'', p. 57). Her superior believed Bernadette to be deceived, possibly even to be under the influence of [[Satan]] and falling into the [[heresy]] of [[Quietism (Christian philosophy)|Quietism]]. But her reading of [[John of the Cross]] convinced her that her experiences were valid, and that she could trust in the journey so carefully described by the saint. |
|||
|url=http://www.sulake.com/habbo |
|||
|title=Habbo - Where else? - Sulake |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd]] |
|||
|accessdate=2008-01-03 |
|||
|date=January 2007}}</ref> As of June 2008 over 100 million avatars have been registered, there are an average 8 million unique visitors monthly,<ref name="habstats" /> and 75,000 avatars are being created every day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2007-10-25-80_million_Avatars|title=Habbo's Avatar Count Rises To 80 million |publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation]]|accessdate=2007-11-13|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> |
|||
Roberts distinguishes between the mystic's journey to God and the contemplative path, saying of Teresa of Ávila, "she was a mystic and I, a common contemplative" (''Path to No-Self'', p. 62). Teresa of Ávila's writings did not resonate as much with Roberts as the writings of John of the Cross who emphasized the path of naked faith, and warned contemplatives to be wary of mystical visions and revelations. In this sense she distinguishes between a mysticism based on [[Precognition|vision]]s, [[Religious ecstasy|ecstasies]], and other fascinating and [[paranormal]] experiences, and the contemplative journey, in which transformation comes about through the silent and non-experiential working of God's grace in the soul. While grace comes only from God, the contemplative must follow up on this grace to make any progress. The first responsibility is to do all we can to reform our lives and pursue God with single-minded focus. When we have done all we can, God steps in, and the breakthrough of the "dark nights" begins. |
|||
== History == |
|||
Habbo's original concept came from Mobiles Disco, a 1999 project by [[Sampo Karjalainen]] and [[Aapo Kyrölä]] for the band Mobiles. The idea was successful, and so Karjalainen and Kyrölä created Hotel Goldfish.<ref name="efinlandarticle">{{cite web|url=http://e.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=20699|title=Making Business with Virtual Furniture|accessdate=2007-08-04|date=2004-01-30|author=Helsinki|publisher=eFinland}}</ref> That name was scrapped and replaced with Habbo Hotel, which was launched in August 2000 to [[Finland]].<ref name="history-sulake">{{cite web|url=http://www.sulake.com/company/history?navi=1.4|title=History | Sulake Corperation|accessdate=2007-08-05|publisher=Sulake}}</ref> |
|||
After spending 10 years as a [[cloistered]] nun, Bernadette left the Carmelite order, with permission from her superiors. She married, raised four children, and lived an ordinary life with God "in the marketplace". She remarks that this particular stage of life is characterized most of all by the intense and outward leap of the "living flame" within. |
|||
In January 2001, a beta version Habbo Hotel was launched in the United Kingdom as its popularity started to increase amongst the English speaking countries; a central office was also established in [[London]], [[UK]]. From 2001, up until 2004, Habbo United Kingdom was effectively the international English service for Habbo and was soon followed in August 2001 by its other European neighbour, Habbo Switzerland.<ref name="habbo-updates">{{Cite web|url = http://habboages.110mb.com/Habbo%20Ages%20-%20Update%20History.htm|title = Habbo - 2001 & 2002 Information|publisher=Habbo Ages|accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> It has since been expanded to over 31 countries in five continents,<ref name="habstats" /> and has been invested in by venture capitalists.<ref>{{cite news |
|||
| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-104810073.html |
|||
| title = Venture Capital Checks In To Habbo Hotel |
|||
| author = Leslie Walker |
|||
| work = [[The Washington Post]] |
|||
| date = [[2005-01-27]] |
|||
| accessdate = 2008-01-18 |
|||
| format = fee required |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
But her experience took her beyond the union with God into a terrain where both the experience of God and the experience of self would fall away. This final event reveals that the human journey goes beyond self. It is a journey that follows Christ's own journey to the very end. |
|||
During 2001, many new services and updates were applied to Habbo, e.g. Secure-Trading, Guest Rooms and the Habbo Catalogue. Sometime after, on 17 December 2002, Habbo released its premium subscription service under the name of 'Habbo Club', often abbreviated 'HC',<ref name="habbo-updates" />. At a cost of 25 Habbo Credits per month, subscribers were given monthly gifts and had access to more furniture, room layouts, tools and a broader selection of avatar clothing and hair styles. |
|||
==Importance== |
|||
Since then, many new services have been implemented e.g. Homes, Groups, Help Tool and more gaming. On the contrary, services such as [[SMS]] Text Messaging have since been removed.<ref name="habbo-updates" /> |
|||
Roberts writes about her journey to foreground an event that she refers to as "no-self" — the ending of all "consciousness" and the revelation of what remains beyond self. She distinguishes between two major milestones in the spiritual journey. |
|||
The first of these, the "unitive" state, is the breakthrough of God at the center, followed by a permanent and abiding union in which God becomes the "other half" that completes a person as a human being. This milestone is well known in the Catholic contemplative literature, as well as in other religious traditions, and marks the beginning of a person's mature life as a human being. |
|||
During the years, Habbo has changed its web design and appearance drastically, the latest change occurred in November 2007.<ref name="habbo-design">{{Cite web|url = http://habboages.110mb.com/Habbo%20Ages%20-%20Homepage%20Layout%202001.htm|title = Habbo - Website Design & Changes|publisher=Habbo Ages|accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> |
|||
According to Roberts, this first milestone is often mistaken for the end of the spiritual journey. What the "no-self" event reveals is that union with God is not the end but the beginning of our life with God. The end of the journey comes many years after union. The years on between are marked above all by a way of life that is selfless. With years of selfless giving, the self is literally eroded away as God consumes more and more of the human being. Roberts is very careful to note that the self that is eroded away beyond union is not the fragile, egotistical self that was the center of existence before union. Rather the self that slowly vanishes is a self-centered in God: beautiful, holy, and strong. The no-self event is a surprise, and it reveals a second, and final milestone in the journey with God. The self ceases forever and with it all human experience. What remains now is the mystery of [[Resurrection]], of Christ and the [[Trinity]]. |
|||
In May 2006, the service, along with its [[domain name]]s, were renamed to Habbo. |
|||
In August 2007, Habbo's [[China|Chinese]] community closed down temporarily, the first time a Habbo website has closed. The challenging Chinese market and high operational costs led to the decision of closing the service. Customers in China were redirected to other Habbo communities.<ref name="china-close">{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2007/08/habbo-hotel-chi.html|title=Virtual World News: Habbo Hotel: Chinese Market Too Challenging to Be Worthwhile|accessdate=2007-08-31|publisher=Virtual World News}}</ref> |
|||
The most important element of Roberts' discovery is that there is a further stage in the contemplative journey beyond that of the unitive state. Roberts describes this passage as heading into the complete unknown. This is where the map ends as far as the well worn path of Catholic mysticism is historically described. Roberts discovered this passage — "the path to no-self" — accidentally and describes it as a "falling away" of the unitive centre. However, she believes that other contemplatives, perhaps John of the Cross himself, also walked the path of the dissolution of self, but was unable to speak of it. Her book ''The Experience of No-Self'' describes the journey through this passage in an experiential and autobiographical way, while the following two books are attempts to describe and unpack the experience of no-self for the reader. |
|||
=== Other Information === |
|||
"What is Self?" Roberts has understood the answer to this perennial question experientially. She describes the experiences as the process of human maturation but a maturity that is only possible through God's grace. The ego and Self are both self-reflexive and [[Dualism|dualistic]] modes of psychological functioning based on the subtle process of mental discriminating judgment, a process that is inherently built into the structure of the psyche. Her understanding of the spiritual path can been seen as the relationship between self and God, but it is the unveiling of the truth of this relationship where the profoundity lies. For the Western tradition in general, Roberts is quite radical: unlike Eastern traditions, there was no human Master or Teacher to introduce her to this state. |
|||
In December 2004, a 36-year-old man was imprisoned after persuading a 13-year-old girl over Habbo to visit him.<ref>{{cite news |
|||
| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18264946_ITM |
|||
| title = Paedophile jailed for grooming girl, 13, on Internet |
|||
| work = [[Hull Daily Mail]] |
|||
| date = [[2004-12-16]] |
|||
| accessdate = 2008-01-18 |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
On 14 November 2007, a 17-year-old was arrested by police for allegedly stealing virtual furniture bought with real money worth up to €4000. Five 15-year-olds were brought in for questioning.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7094764.stm 'Virtual theft' leads to arrest], BBC [[2007-11-14]].</ref> |
|||
==Brief overview of the Journey== |
|||
== The website == |
|||
The ego, matured through life experience and spiritual practice, falls away to reveal the unitive state, the oneness or wholeness of the self in unity with God, a state characterized by the feelings of love and subtle ecstasy. This was the end of the Christian journey — or so Roberts initially believed — and from this point we can see where Roberts travels beyond the limits of [[Doctrine|doctrinal]] Christianity. The Self, the mature human in a state of union with God, also falls away. This is the import of Roberts' work. So what does this mean and what is left when there is no-self? Fundamentally the unitive state is still a form of dualism — Self and God — it means that an idea or archetype of God is still captured by the psyche. Fundamentally this unitive state is nondualistic - in which the self and God ''are'' One, not two - "I and my Father ''are'' One," one without a second, without even the concept of one. Roberts experiences the falling away of the idea of God simultaneously with the experience of the falling away of self — when there is no self, there is no God. For someone wholly devoted to the spiritual life and to God, to discover that there is no God, not one iota of subtle conception of God left to grasp at or attach to, was a particularly horrendous and terrible experience and is described in detail in "the experience of no-self". The experience is of a raw, pure and unadulterated reality without the imposition of concepts and ideas. Gradually this state, this initial loss, cleared to become a profound understanding of reality itself. In place of "unity" with God comes identity with God — a state she calls seeing with God's own eyes. But neither the ego-based sense nor the spiritualized self is "God". Instead, God is Reality itself, of which the human person is a single cell. |
|||
Many activities and features that do not appear on the Hotel itself, are available on Habbo's website. The community section of the website features regularly updated news and events regarding the service. Recommended chat rooms, popular group pages and user pages are also accessible from the website. However, the websites main focus is the following two features: |
|||
''"Beyond self, the revelation is not of an immaterial soul or spirit but, rather, the revelation of the true nature of the body as part and parcel of Christ's eternal Mystical Body. This Mystical Body dwells in the glory of the Father and its enlightenment is the Holy Spirit"'' (from the preface of ''The Path to No-Self''). |
|||
=== User pages === |
|||
This is a feature allowing users to customise their own web page displayed on the website, colloquially named ''Habbo Home''. The web page can be accessed from inside the hotel,<ref> |
|||
{{cite web|title = Sulake Press Releases |
|||
|url = http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2007-02-01-Habbo_takes_creativity_and_self_expression_to_a_new_level|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]]|date=2007-02-01}}</ref> and allow for user interaction with the home page of the user, as well as interaction within the Hotel. The web pages are displayed with the user's character appearance and motto. Users can customise their web page with a selection of widgets, stickers and backgrounds. Various widgets, stickers and backgrounds can be purchased with credits to add to the small default range of features.<ref name="habhome"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|title = Habbo Club: For Your Habbo Home |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.co.uk/club/benefits/home |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
|accessdate = 2007-05-13}}</ref> |
|||
== |
==Summary== |
||
Western [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] may find it easy to relate to Roberts' realisation of no-self, particularly those who are from Catholic backgrounds. Roberts had not realized that there was a spiritual conception of "no-self" until after she had the experience and decided to research the phenomenon in other spiritual traditions. She discusses her discovery of the Buddhist concept of the [[skhandas]] in ''What is Self?'', where she agrees with the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] that these portals of the senses are the structures of [[consciousness]] itself. Roberts also equates the Self with the totality of consciousness — the self IS consciousness — which is different from the work of [[Carl Gustav Jung|Jung]] and others (she compares her discovery to Jung's work in ''What is Self?''). |
|||
Users can create groups and design a badge to display on their ''Habbo Home'' next to their avatar while in the Hotel. Each group also has a homepage which acts similarly to a ''Habbo Home'', but the group owner and group administrators can only edit it. The majority of the website's content and promotions organised by the site's management is now displayed in groups.<ref name="habgroups"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|title = Get Into Habbo Groups! |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.co.uk/news/article181.html |
|||
|date = 2007-04-26 |
|||
|accessdate = 2007-04-26}}</ref> |
|||
== Online Interview == |
|||
===Raiding === |
|||
The text of a 1986 interview with Bernadette Roberts can be found here [http://lightgate.net/boards/viewtopic.php?topic_view=threads&p=1019&t=180&sid=16cf15a5378657d6a1ca231e31e4bdaa] |
|||
Habbo has been a recent target for organized raids, mostly by the members of [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]]. The "Great Habbo Raid of '06" occurred during 2006. In the raid (and most others), users signed up to the Habbo site dressed in avatars of an [[African American]] wearing a suit and [[Afro]] and blocked entry to the pool declaring that it was "closed due to [[AIDS]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Net users insist 'racist' sign is joke |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Net_users_insist_its_joke.html |publisher=[[KENS-TV]]}}</ref> |
|||
In yet another raid by the group, several of these avatars were strategically placed on the beach in the shape of a [[swastika]]. |
|||
==Works== |
|||
Habbo UK has also been a victim of major scripting in August, all rooms being errored, requiring the user to reload the hotel. Also, paper-bag-headed Habbos raided several rooms. This was deadened a few days after, due to Sulake patching the latest Encryption Algorithm. Also, Habbo China was a victim of scripting, with scripts now patched and the hotel closed. The infamous scripting raid, using bots, all steamed from a scripting site known as "Script-o-matic", using the recently cracked encryption by "Office.Boy" and Applications also by "Office.Boy" and "Jeax". |
|||
Roberts has written three books about the spiritual journey. |
|||
*Her first book is ''The Experience of No-Self: A Contemplative Journey'' State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-1694-1 (revised edition March, 1993) (the first edition was published by Iroquois House (1982) ISBN 0-931980-07-0 ) |
|||
It was then released that the two Habbo's WierdFox and .Grapefruit. had planned the great 06 raid. The two Habbo's still remain at large as there wasn't enough proof they had anything to do with it. WierdFox and .Graperuit. have recently spoke about a great 08 raid is being planned. |
|||
*Her second book is ''The Path to No-Self: Life at the Center'' (1985) Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-394-72999-4 |
|||
== Scripting == |
|||
Scripting has caused great disruptions to Hotel activity along the years. Scripting communities, such as "Script-o-matic.net" and "sngforum.info" exist to offer exploits, tools/applications and tutorials on how to script the hotel. |
|||
*The third book is ''What is Self?: A Study of the Spiritual Journey in Terms of Consciousness'' (2005) Sentient Publications ISBN 1-59181-026-4 |
|||
=== Encryption === |
|||
Around 2006? The Encryption was first broken by a guy named Stephen (Totov). This is the first time the real algorithm was ever broken, beforehand workarounds were used to bypass the encryption. However, in 2008 (And after the "bot raid" Habbo implemented Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange into their encryption. This has however since, been broken - but not publicly released. |
|||
*A short biography and excerpt from ''The Path to No-Self'' is included in ''Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages'' by Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman. (2001) ISBN 1-57324-507-0 |
|||
== The Hotel == |
|||
The virtual Hotel is the [[chat room]] of Habbo. The Hotel consists of a client made using [[Adobe Shockwave]] technologies, also having updates to the hotel. Once logged in, the Hotel can be accessed via a [[popup window]] on the website. When a user accesses the Hotel they are brought to a screen colloquially known as ''Hotel View''. From this screen, members can contact another user via the ''Habbo Chat'' (Formerly know as''Habbo Console''), which acts as the main form of communication throughout all areas of the Hotel and use the ''Navigator'' to navigate their way to a chat room. In a recent update, the ''Habbo Console'' was taken out, and replaced by ''Habbo Mail'' accessible via the Habbo Homepage and ''Habbo Chat'' accessible within the hotel. |
|||
*An unpublished account of the early years of her spiritual journey is available at a site established by some of her friends [http://www.bernadettesfriends.blogspot.com Bernadette's Friends] |
|||
=== Community === |
|||
Habbo is home to a wide community of people all around the world. Many within the hotel spend their time meeting new people but some prefer to try and trade their items to make a profit. Habbos also play user run games which include: Falling Furniture, Cossie Change, Mazes and even board games! Although there is a risk that the owner of the game could scam you. |
|||
=== Navigation === |
|||
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Habbo publicroom widescreen.png|thumb|200px|right|The Hotel interface; pictured is a widescreen public room.]] --> |
|||
The centre for all navigation within the Hotel is the ''Navigator''. The Navigator allows users to travel from chat room to chat room around the virtual Hotel. Along as being a means of transportation it also shows basic information a chat room, such descriptions, online users and privacy settings. |
|||
==== Chat rooms ==== |
|||
There are two types of chat rooms within the virtual Hotel. The interface of both chat rooms remains the same, however, the designs portrayed as rooms themselves differ. |
|||
* Public Rooms are rooms which are available to all members, they often depict scenes such as restaurants, cinemas and dance clubs. Most Public Rooms contain an automated [[robots]] which shout pre-recorded messages and can give members drinks and food items. Public rooms are designed by Sulake and are not customisable by users. There are two types of public rooms: widescreen and regular size. Users with a higher screen resolution will see the widescreen rooms, where users with a smaller screen resoloution will see smaller size rooms. The expansion on a widescreen room is unable to be walked into, but is just for scenery. |
|||
* Guest Rooms are rooms which users can customise to endless lengths with virtual furniture, wallpaper and floor patterns, which can be purchased with ''credits''. Users can also choose from a range of room templates that determine what shape the room is. Guest rooms can be created by any member and can be locked to allow access to specific users. |
|||
=== Currency === |
|||
Credits, also known as Coins in other websites, are the currency used in Habbo. Credits can be purchased using a variety of different services, such as [[credit card]], a [[telephone]] service and via [[Short message service|SMS]]. Credits are often given out as prizes for competitions held in the community. The Credits are stored in the user's ''purse'' accessible in any public or private room as well as on the Hotel view and while logged in on the website. Credits can also be redeemed into ''Exchange'', which displays the Credits as an item of virtual furniture, the furniture can then be traded among users, and redeemed back into Credits. |
|||
Credits for a variety of different features within Habbo, these features are listed below. |
|||
==== Virtual furniture ==== |
|||
Virtual furniture can be purchased inside the Hotel from the Catalogue using Credits. Users then can use the furniture to decorate and furnish their Guest Room. The furniture can be traded among users using a trading dialogue. Many users strive to collect more rare and exclusive furniture. Rare furniture is often sold in the Catalogue, but for a limited amount of time, and thus increasing it's value after it leaves the Catalogue. Sulake has now scrapped the Rares and now inplaced a new furniture system called Collectibles. Collectibles are sold for only one month and then never sold on the website again. This increases the value of the Collectible. Users can also now purchase Windows which make their room seem more realistic. Furniture can also be won by competitions held on the website. Users can also win furniture by playing games of skill, similar to traditional video games. |
|||
==== Habbo Club ==== |
|||
Habbo Club, also abbreviated HC, is a premium subscription that offers many additional benefits which can be purchased using Credits. All subscribers receive a badge, that is placed next to their avatar, and can be seen by all other users. Users also have the option to "hide" their badge. Every month an item of virtual furniture is delivered to every subscriber which varies monthly. Subscribers also gain access to a separate queue when attempting to enter full Public Rooms and access to special Public Rooms which are not accessible to non-subscribers. Along with this, they also get access to special clothing and accessories, more Guest Room layouts, no website advertisements, a larger friend list capacity and special room commands. <ref name="habboclub">{{cite web|title = Habbo ~ Habbo Club|url = http://www.habbo.com/club|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]]|accessdate = 2008-01-10|}}</ref> After remaining as a "Habbo Club" member for more then a year (12 Months) The Habbos Habbo Club Badge will be changed to the "Gold HC" badge, denoting over a year as a Habbo Club Member. (Note: This does not have to be consecutive, it's just overall) |
|||
==== Accessories ==== |
|||
User and group page accessories can be purchased on the website using the user page interface with Credits. Although there are free accessories available, additional accessories such as stickers, notes, widgets and backgrounds can be dropped from the Inventory onto a [[drag and drop]] interface in which users can design and save their page. Accessories cannot be traded among users. |
|||
==== Games ==== |
|||
In free guest rooms, the games typically consist of; |
|||
* Falling Furni - The game is played with an array of Furniture items. People gather in an enclosed area within a guest room, the Admin of the room then "drops" furni into the area and the habbos scramble to sit on the items. When all is done, one habbo will remain standing, this habbo has lost. They usually have the option to "P2S (Pay to stay)" Which allows the person to continue on and act as if they didn't lose or "Rev (Revenge)" Which allows the player to Automatically make whichever habbo they choose lose. These options usually cost Furni. |
|||
* Defend your Pod - Often referred to as DYP, there will be two of each colour of pod placed in a room. The players will then have to try to get up from their seat, sit on another players pod, and return to their own, before someone does the same to them. If they're successful, the colour of pod which the player sat on would lose. This is repeated until there are only one team left. Teams usually consist of two players and each team is a different colour of pod. (Pod = Habbo Furniture item) |
|||
* Racing - The game is played with six chairs. The admin will roll a number on a dice, and the user of that number moves a space, reaching the end typically means the player has won. |
|||
* Quiz - People answer questions and try to win furniture prizes. |
|||
* Find the exit/TARDIS game - People walk into teleporters and try and find the exit to the room, this typically leads to a generic prize room. |
|||
As well as the user created games, some games are found in the swimming pools: |
|||
* Wobble Squabble — Players must nudge, slap and push their opponents off the inflatables and into the water using various keys on the keyboard. |
|||
* Diving — Users use the diving board to complete their own unique diving sequences. Moves include: stars, flips, and air punches. Points (up to 10) are awarded by other users and the divers ultimate score is displayed on the video screen. |
|||
[[Image:BattleBall1005.PNG|thumb|200px|right|The Hotel interface; pictured is a game of Battle Ball.]] |
|||
The two main games can be found by clicking the joystick icon found in the toolbar with the navigator. These games are free to play, Experience Points (XP) are given to users and added to the High Scores. |
|||
* Snow Storm — Players must throw snowballs at the opposing team. More snowballs thrown by a player that hit, the more points that player gains for their team. There are also many different scenarios and maps that players can choose to play in. |
|||
* Battle Ball — a game played on "space hoppers". Teams of a minimum of 2 must try and "claim" as many squares as possible, by bouncing on them with their individual space hopper within the time limit set. When a square is bounced on by a player, it changes the colour to the team's colour. A recent update to the game was released to some hotels, including many new features.<ref name="bb2">{{cite web|title = BattleBall: How To Play|url = http://www.habbo.com.sg/games/battleball/how_to_play.html|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]]|accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref> |
|||
Different hotels may have different rules. |
|||
==Habbo Big Brother== |
|||
Habbo Big Brother is a virtual series of the reality television show, [[Big Brother (TV series)]] inside the [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[Habbo|Habbo Hotel]], a virtual game for teenagers. The first series was launched on 17 July 2008, and ran for 2 weeks until August 1st 2008. Auditions were held virtually in the game from 21-25 June 2008. The show, was presented by [[Sulake]] Staff, during various days of the week, with live highlights being streamed into the hotel twenty-four hours a day. A second series is planned for 2009. |
|||
== Moderation and management == |
|||
[[Image:Scott606.gif|left|thumb|An example of a Habbo avatar.]] |
|||
There are 18 office branches globally operated by Sulake employees; these office branches are the workplace of the respective Habbo's senior staff.<ref name="sulake-offices">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sulake.com/contact/local_offices?navi=6.2|title=Local Offices - Sulake|publisher=Sulake|accessdate=2007-08-09}}</ref> These staff generally include a "Hotel Manager", or Content Manager, who oversees the community as a whole by communicating with users through newsletters, creating competitions, and managing the content of the website; a Community Manager, who is responsible for moderation and guidance throughout the virtual community by managing [[#Moderator staff|in-game Moderators]], [[#Habbo eXperts|Habbo eXperts]]; and a Country Manager, who manages the business side of the community such as sales, finance and administration. |
|||
Office staff may also consist of customer support staff, who respond to queries sent via contact forms by users; and graphic designers who create the vast amounts of [[Pixel art|pixel imagery]] used both in-game and on the community's website. |
|||
Automatic moderation exists in Habbo's language filter, the "Bobba Filter", which replaces offensive text with the simple word "bobba". Replacement applies anywhere from mild to highly offensive words, phrases, and even websites. In this way, the filter assists in moderation of Habbo. A new feature was added on February 27, 2008 that makes users able to turn the Bobba Filter on and off. However, with this feature enabled users cannot report other users to Moderators who are using offensive language. |
|||
Recently there has been a automatic 10-minute mute-a-thon on .com.au, with players getting banned and muted for saying midly offensive words. IP Bans have become extremly common, causing Habbo's popularity to decline. |
|||
Habbo's moderation is covered by paid [[Forum moderator|moderator]] staff; police vetted [[Sulake]] employees.<ref name="moderators"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.com.au/help/faqs?faq_1_categoryId=5 |
|||
|title = Habbo Hotel Australia - FAQs - "Moderating" |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
|accessdate = 2006-12-17}}</ref> Tools utilised by moderator staff allow them to send messages to individual Habbos in the hotel, which appear as in-game [[popups]]. As well as this ability, moderator staff can also ''kick'' Habbos from any room, mute them (prevent them from speaking) and ban them from the hotel entirely.<ref name="moderators" /> |
|||
===Moderators & History=== |
|||
From August 2000, up until 31 December 2005, there existed a programme for experienced members of each Habbo community to become a "Hobba". Hobbas were non-paid, volunteer moderators with limited powers that acted as Hotel Guides. On December 31, 2005, [[Sulake]] suspended the Hobba programme due to major security issues and the rapidly growing Habbo community. It was decided that Habbo needed a stronger, more professional moderator team, that would be employees of [[Sulake]].<ref name="hobba-archive">{{Cite web|url = http://habboages.110mb.com/Habbo%20Ages%20-The%20Hobba%20Archive.htm |title = Hobba - Information and Archives|publisher=Habbo Ages|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref> |
|||
===Criticism=== |
|||
The structured support network on Habbo is often criticzised by its users who regard it as undemocratic, with moderators given too much power, sometimes banning users without sufficient proof they've broken any rules. Many users who break rules are permanently banned from the site, usually for 11 years. Since actual currency is used to purchase in game credits, often large amounts of money is lost when players are banned from the community. Users are given the option to appeal against bans, however the staff members read thousands of appeals every month, creating an environment reducing sympathy, which many users find unprofessional since Sulake's target market is children.<ref>[http://habbo.co.uk/groups/unban 'An example of criticism within the Habbo community regarding unfair bans',]].</ref> |
|||
===Bicycles and Sketchn=== |
|||
These Habbo's on Habbo Australia are the coolest :) |
|||
===Habbo eXperts=== |
|||
''Habbo eXperts'' (often shortened to just ''Habbo Xs'' – although names differ throughout many websites) were experienced users who volunteered to welcome newer users to Habbo and explain its features.<ref name="habboX"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.com.au/help/faqs?faq_1_categoryId=26 |
|||
|title = Habbo Hotel Australia - FAQs - "Habbo X" |
|||
|accessdate = 2006-12-17 |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
}}</ref> They were not employees of Sulake and had no powers or abilities except for being able to enter rooms that had reached their occupant limit.<ref name="habboX_SG"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://ww.habbo.com.sg/help/faqs?faq_1_categoryId=28 |
|||
|title = Habbo Hotel Singapore - FAQs - "Habbo X" |
|||
|accessdate = 2006-12-17 |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
The Habbo X program was abolished on all hotels to introduce the new 'Habbo Guides' system.<ref name="Habbo X Evolves (UK)"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.co.uk/articles/227-habbo-x-evolves |
|||
|title = Habbo X Evolves |
|||
|accessdate = 2008-07-14 |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
===Habbo Guides=== |
|||
''Habbo Guides'' (often shortened to just ''Guides'' – although names differ throughout many websites) are users who volunteer to welcome newer users to Habbo and explain its features. They are not employees of Sulake and have no powers or abilities except for the ability to accept 'New User Requests' which notifys the guides of a new user in need of help, the guides will then accept or decline to join the Habbo and help them out! Habbo Guides are the new version of 'Habbo eXperts'. It is a more open group, and anyone who's played longer then one month can join. Habbo Guides receive level badges, the more a habbo helps, the higher level of badge the habbo receives.<ref name="Habbo X Evolves (UK)"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.co.uk/articles/227-habbo-x-evolves |
|||
|title = Habbo X Evolves |
|||
|accessdate = 2008-07-14 |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
==Sponsorship== |
|||
As a website geared towards teenagers, Habbo often attracts sponsorship from outside entities. This sponsorship includes visits by musicians <ref name="ukcelebarch"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|title = Habbo: Celebrity Visits |
|||
|url = http://www.habbo.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity_visits/ |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
|accessdate = 2007-05-13}}</ref> (such as [[The Veronicas]], [[Gorillaz]],<ref name="gorillaz"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|title = Sulake Press Releases - "Gorillaz live at Habbo Hotel" |
|||
|url = http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-08-17-Gorillaz_live_at_Habbo_Hotel |
|||
|date = 2007-08-17 |
|||
|accessdate = 2006-07-03 |
|||
|publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Ltd.]] |
|||
}}</ref> [[Skye Sweetnam]],<ref name="skye"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
|url = http://www.skyesweetnam.com/index.aspx#6138 |
|||
|title = SkyeSweetnam.com - "Skye Chats LIVE on Habbo Hotel" |
|||
|accessdate = 2006-07-03 |
|||
}}</ref> [[Little Birdy]], [[Stephanie McIntosh]], [[Operator Please]] and [[Evermore (band)|Evermore]]), as well as various corporate giants. |
|||
As ''Habbo'' is targeted at teenagers, and 90% of its users are between the age of 13 and 18,<ref name="habstats" /> it receives much attention from youth organisations, who educate players about many topics such as Internet safety, and [[drug education]].<ref>An example of an organisation educating users about drug education on the UK's website, can be found [http://www.habbo.co.uk/help/infobus/frank_faq.html here]. [accessed August 5, 2007]</ref> |
|||
==Reception== |
|||
In November 2001, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' listed Habbo as a top-10 chat and instant messaging site, describing it as "great-looking" and "proving popular with teenagers."<ref name="tdt"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
| title = Top 10 sites: chat and instant messaging |
|||
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2001/11/01/ecrtop01.xml |
|||
| accessdate = 2007-05-18 |
|||
| month = November | year = 2001 |
|||
| publisher = Telegraph Media Group Limited}}</ref> |
|||
In 2005 and 2006, Habbo [[Australia]] received the [[NetGuide]] Online Web Award for "Best kids’/youth website".<ref name="netguide">{{cite news |
|||
| title = NetGuide Australian Web Awards |
|||
| url = http://www.netguide.com.au/v2/webawards/06winners.php |
|||
| work = [[NetGuide]] |
|||
| accessdate = 2007-05-14 |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
In September 2006, [[Sulake]] won [[Deloitte]]'s Fast 50 competition.<ref name="deloitte">{{cite web |
|||
| url = http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,cid%253D130581%2526pv%253DY,00.html |
|||
| title = Technology Fast 50/500 |
|||
| publisher = Deloitte |
|||
| quote = {{fi icon}} |
|||
}}</ref><ref name="deloitte2">{{cite web |
|||
| title = Sulake wins Deloitte's Technology Fast50 competition |
|||
| url = http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-09-15-Sulake_wins_Deloittes_Technology_Fast50_competition |
|||
| publisher = [[Sulake|Sulake Corporation Oy.]] |
|||
| date = 2005-09-15 |
|||
| accessdate = 2006-10-12 |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
Habbo has been victim to various [[Troll (Internet)|Internet troll]] groups, which "raid" public rooms (technically [[flash mobs]]) by forming groups of avatars to block other users from entering rooms and using vulgar or abusive comments. A group called "[[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]]" (which is also the group responsible for [[Project Chanology]]) "raided" Habbo in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with an annual "raid" being held on the 12th July.<ref name="raids">{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=3894628 |
|||
|title=FOX 11 Investigates: 'Anonymous'|publisher=[[Fox Interactive Media]]|accessdate=2007-09-07 |
|||
|date=2007-07-26|author=Phil Shuman}}</ref> These trolls collectively customize their avatars as black men with afros wearing [[Giorgio Armani S.p.A.|Armani]] suits.<ref>{{cite news |
|||
| url = http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/16-02/mf_goons |
|||
| title = Mutilated Furries, Flying Phalluses: Put the Blame on Griefers |
|||
| author = Julian Dibbell |
|||
| work = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |
|||
| pages = 1 |
|||
| date = [[2008-01-18]] |
|||
| accessdate = 2008-01-18 |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
==Current services== |
|||
There are currently 19 websites in operation, serving 30 local communities .<ref name="habstats" /> |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
!Country |
|||
!URL |
|||
!Opening date |
|||
!Country |
|||
!URL |
|||
!Opening date |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Australia}}||[http://www.habbo.com.au habbo.com.au]||November 2004||{{flag|Malaysia}} <small>(links to Habbo Singapore)</small>||[http://www.habbo.com.my habbo.com.my]||July 2006 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Austria}} <small>(links to Habbo Switzerland)</small>||[http://www.habbo.at habbo.at] ||May 2006||{{flag|Mexico}} <small>(links to Habbo Spain)</small>||[http://www.habbo.com.mx habbo.com.mx] ||July 2006 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Belgium}} <small>(links to Habbo Netherlands)</small>||[http://www.habbo.be habbo.be] ||May 2006||{{flag|Netherlands}}||[http://www.habbo.nl habbo.nl]||February 2004 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Brazil}}||[http://www.habbo.com.br habbo.com.br]||February 2006||{{flag|New Zealand}} <small>(links to Habbo Australia)</small>||[http://www.habbo.co.nz habbo.co.nz]||August 2006 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Canada}}||[http://www.habbo.ca habbo.ca]||June 2004||{{flag|Norway}}||[http://www.habbo.no habbo.no]||June 2004 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Chile}} <small>(links to Habbo Spain)</small>||[http://www.habbo.cl habbo.cl] ||July 2006||{{flag|Poland}}||[http://habbo.po habbo.po]||Unknown |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|China}} <small>(temporarily closed<ref name="china-close" />)</small>||[http://www.habbo.cn habbo.cn]||January 2006||{{flag|Portugal}}||[http://www.habbo.pt habbo.pt]||March 2006 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Colombia}} <small>(links to Habbo Spain)</small>||[http://www.habbo.com.co habbo.com.co] ||July 2006||{{flag|Russia}}||[http://www.habbo.ru habbo.ru]||October 2006 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Denmark}}||[http://www.habbo.dk habbo.dk]||December 2004||{{flag|Singapore}}||[http://www.habbo.sg habbo.com.sg] ||December 2004 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Finland}}||[http://www.habbo.fi habbo.fi]||August 2000||{{flag|Spain}}||[http://www.habbo.es habbo.es]||September 2003 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|France}}||[http://www.habbo.fr habbo.fr]||November 2004||{{flag|Sweden}}||[http://www.habbo.se habbo.se]||December 2003 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Germany}} ||[http://www.habbo.de habbo.de]||March 2004||{{flag|Switzerland}}||[http://www.habbo.ch habbo.ch]||August 2001 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Ireland}} <small>(links to Habbo UK)</small>||[http://www.habbo.ie habbo.ie] ||July 2006||{{flag|United Kingdom}}||[http://www.habbo.co.uk habbo.co.uk]||January 2001 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Italy}}||[http://www.habbo.it habbo.it]||September 2003||{{flag|United States}} ||[http://www.habbo.com habbo.com]||September 2004 |
|||
|- |
|||
|{{flag|Japan}}||[http://www.habbo.jp habbo.jp]||February 2003||{{flag|Venezuela}} <small>(links to Habbo Spain)</small>||[http://www.habbo.com.ve habbo.com.ve]||July 2006 |
|||
|} |
|||
==See also== |
|||
*[[List of social networking websites]] |
|||
*[[Sulake]] |
|||
* Habbo Toolbar by [[Conduit (Web site)|Conduit]] |
|||
==References== |
|||
<!-- How to add a footnote: |
|||
NOTE: There is a new reference system on Wikipedia, which should be easier to use. For details, please see "Wikipedia:Footnotes" and http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite.php |
|||
--> |
|||
{{reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
*[http://www.nonduality.com/berna.htm Nonduality] — outline of ''The Experience of No-Self'' |
|||
*[http://www.sulake.com/ Sulake Corporation] |
|||
*[http://www.bernadettesfriends.blogspot.com Bernadette's Friends] A website established by some friends of Bernadette Roberts. |
|||
*[http://www.sulake.com/press/?navi=4 Sulake Press Room] |
|||
[[Category:Community websites]] |
|||
[[Category:Finnish brands]] |
|||
[[Category:Online social networking]] |
|||
[[Category:Virtual reality communities]] |
|||
[[Category:Web 2.0]] |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Bernadette}} |
|||
[[ca:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[Category:American Roman Catholic nuns]] |
|||
[[da:Habbo]] |
|||
[[ |
[[Category:Carmelite nuns]] |
||
[[ |
[[Category:Carmelites]] |
||
[[Category:Roman Catholic writers]] |
|||
[[es:Habbo]] |
|||
[[ |
[[Category:1931 births]] |
||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[ga:Habbohotel]] |
|||
[[it:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[hu:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[nl:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[no:Habbo]] |
|||
[[pl:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[pt:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[ru:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[fi:Habbo]] |
|||
[[sv:Habbo Hotel]] |
|||
[[zh:哈宝]] |
|||
Revision as of 17:32, 10 October 2008
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (December 2007) |
 |
Bernadette Roberts (born 1931) is a former Carmelite nun and a contemplative in the Catholic tradition.
Life
Since early childhood Bernadette Roberts had a number of mystical or contemplative revelations of God — as present in nature, as within her, and as entirely transcendent. Roberts entered the Carmelite order in her early teens. Soon after entering the Carmelites, she experienced the spiritual deepening of the "dark nights" described by Saint John of the Cross. She also experienced what has been described by Saint Teresa of Ávila as contemplative prayer. Roberts recounts that when she was 18, a new novice mistress asked her about her prayer life, "so I told her: I do nothing; there is just silence. This astounded and upset her" (Path to No-Self, p. 57). Her superior believed Bernadette to be deceived, possibly even to be under the influence of Satan and falling into the heresy of Quietism. But her reading of John of the Cross convinced her that her experiences were valid, and that she could trust in the journey so carefully described by the saint.
Roberts distinguishes between the mystic's journey to God and the contemplative path, saying of Teresa of Ávila, "she was a mystic and I, a common contemplative" (Path to No-Self, p. 62). Teresa of Ávila's writings did not resonate as much with Roberts as the writings of John of the Cross who emphasized the path of naked faith, and warned contemplatives to be wary of mystical visions and revelations. In this sense she distinguishes between a mysticism based on visions, ecstasies, and other fascinating and paranormal experiences, and the contemplative journey, in which transformation comes about through the silent and non-experiential working of God's grace in the soul. While grace comes only from God, the contemplative must follow up on this grace to make any progress. The first responsibility is to do all we can to reform our lives and pursue God with single-minded focus. When we have done all we can, God steps in, and the breakthrough of the "dark nights" begins.
After spending 10 years as a cloistered nun, Bernadette left the Carmelite order, with permission from her superiors. She married, raised four children, and lived an ordinary life with God "in the marketplace". She remarks that this particular stage of life is characterized most of all by the intense and outward leap of the "living flame" within.
But her experience took her beyond the union with God into a terrain where both the experience of God and the experience of self would fall away. This final event reveals that the human journey goes beyond self. It is a journey that follows Christ's own journey to the very end.
Importance
Roberts writes about her journey to foreground an event that she refers to as "no-self" — the ending of all "consciousness" and the revelation of what remains beyond self. She distinguishes between two major milestones in the spiritual journey.
The first of these, the "unitive" state, is the breakthrough of God at the center, followed by a permanent and abiding union in which God becomes the "other half" that completes a person as a human being. This milestone is well known in the Catholic contemplative literature, as well as in other religious traditions, and marks the beginning of a person's mature life as a human being.
According to Roberts, this first milestone is often mistaken for the end of the spiritual journey. What the "no-self" event reveals is that union with God is not the end but the beginning of our life with God. The end of the journey comes many years after union. The years on between are marked above all by a way of life that is selfless. With years of selfless giving, the self is literally eroded away as God consumes more and more of the human being. Roberts is very careful to note that the self that is eroded away beyond union is not the fragile, egotistical self that was the center of existence before union. Rather the self that slowly vanishes is a self-centered in God: beautiful, holy, and strong. The no-self event is a surprise, and it reveals a second, and final milestone in the journey with God. The self ceases forever and with it all human experience. What remains now is the mystery of Resurrection, of Christ and the Trinity.
The most important element of Roberts' discovery is that there is a further stage in the contemplative journey beyond that of the unitive state. Roberts describes this passage as heading into the complete unknown. This is where the map ends as far as the well worn path of Catholic mysticism is historically described. Roberts discovered this passage — "the path to no-self" — accidentally and describes it as a "falling away" of the unitive centre. However, she believes that other contemplatives, perhaps John of the Cross himself, also walked the path of the dissolution of self, but was unable to speak of it. Her book The Experience of No-Self describes the journey through this passage in an experiential and autobiographical way, while the following two books are attempts to describe and unpack the experience of no-self for the reader.
"What is Self?" Roberts has understood the answer to this perennial question experientially. She describes the experiences as the process of human maturation but a maturity that is only possible through God's grace. The ego and Self are both self-reflexive and dualistic modes of psychological functioning based on the subtle process of mental discriminating judgment, a process that is inherently built into the structure of the psyche. Her understanding of the spiritual path can been seen as the relationship between self and God, but it is the unveiling of the truth of this relationship where the profoundity lies. For the Western tradition in general, Roberts is quite radical: unlike Eastern traditions, there was no human Master or Teacher to introduce her to this state.
Brief overview of the Journey
The ego, matured through life experience and spiritual practice, falls away to reveal the unitive state, the oneness or wholeness of the self in unity with God, a state characterized by the feelings of love and subtle ecstasy. This was the end of the Christian journey — or so Roberts initially believed — and from this point we can see where Roberts travels beyond the limits of doctrinal Christianity. The Self, the mature human in a state of union with God, also falls away. This is the import of Roberts' work. So what does this mean and what is left when there is no-self? Fundamentally the unitive state is still a form of dualism — Self and God — it means that an idea or archetype of God is still captured by the psyche. Fundamentally this unitive state is nondualistic - in which the self and God are One, not two - "I and my Father are One," one without a second, without even the concept of one. Roberts experiences the falling away of the idea of God simultaneously with the experience of the falling away of self — when there is no self, there is no God. For someone wholly devoted to the spiritual life and to God, to discover that there is no God, not one iota of subtle conception of God left to grasp at or attach to, was a particularly horrendous and terrible experience and is described in detail in "the experience of no-self". The experience is of a raw, pure and unadulterated reality without the imposition of concepts and ideas. Gradually this state, this initial loss, cleared to become a profound understanding of reality itself. In place of "unity" with God comes identity with God — a state she calls seeing with God's own eyes. But neither the ego-based sense nor the spiritualized self is "God". Instead, God is Reality itself, of which the human person is a single cell.
"Beyond self, the revelation is not of an immaterial soul or spirit but, rather, the revelation of the true nature of the body as part and parcel of Christ's eternal Mystical Body. This Mystical Body dwells in the glory of the Father and its enlightenment is the Holy Spirit" (from the preface of The Path to No-Self).
Summary
Western Buddhists may find it easy to relate to Roberts' realisation of no-self, particularly those who are from Catholic backgrounds. Roberts had not realized that there was a spiritual conception of "no-self" until after she had the experience and decided to research the phenomenon in other spiritual traditions. She discusses her discovery of the Buddhist concept of the skhandas in What is Self?, where she agrees with the Buddha that these portals of the senses are the structures of consciousness itself. Roberts also equates the Self with the totality of consciousness — the self IS consciousness — which is different from the work of Jung and others (she compares her discovery to Jung's work in What is Self?).
Online Interview
The text of a 1986 interview with Bernadette Roberts can be found here [1]
Works
Roberts has written three books about the spiritual journey.
- Her first book is The Experience of No-Self: A Contemplative Journey State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-1694-1 (revised edition March, 1993) (the first edition was published by Iroquois House (1982) ISBN 0-931980-07-0 )
- Her second book is The Path to No-Self: Life at the Center (1985) Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-394-72999-4
- The third book is What is Self?: A Study of the Spiritual Journey in Terms of Consciousness (2005) Sentient Publications ISBN 1-59181-026-4
- A short biography and excerpt from The Path to No-Self is included in Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages by Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman. (2001) ISBN 1-57324-507-0
- An unpublished account of the early years of her spiritual journey is available at a site established by some of her friends Bernadette's Friends
External links
- Nonduality — outline of The Experience of No-Self
- Bernadette's Friends A website established by some friends of Bernadette Roberts.