(no subject)
A refresher course with Joseph Campbell has helped clarify why I find aversion at those who follow an eastern form of religion. Follow, not learn from, mind you. Who literalize just as the misguided western faiths have a tendency to.
The western mentality values the individual, and the individual finding, through ego and learning, et al... how their individual self fits into the scheme of things. Finding onesself, so to speak.
The eastern mentalities have no such concept, when followed to a "t". Their way is doing what one is told, and of placing no value on individualization.
As usual... the path I find to be most beneficial lies somewhere in between. I don't really feel there is such a thing as a true "individual"... we all ride similar paths in one way or another. But we all have many different paths to choose from and to merge to create the self and it's ways. Whether or not "individual" means anything... it's about making a conscious decision about who you are and where and how you should fit. It's about questing and finding, searching and learning.
Vs the way for most eastern faiths, which is to take the place in society that you're told. To follow the religious/spiritual manners in a specific way.
Slightly related:
Chakras. I think what they talk about is most valid, and always have... but taken too literally. Find the levels and the steps they speak of, for they are there. But to feel the need to speak of them as "this many lotus flowers" et al, to me... is just the same thing the bible does. It gives analogies and some humans somehow feel they must be taken literally.
I suppose some people simply want to belong, and to have the way set out for them. For it is easier. But full of less understanding and learning... and yes, even questioning. In my opinion, of course.
I find it most humoruous, how the east is so fascinated with the way of the west, and vice versa. And when I see folks from either culture trying to "take on" the other, I simply feel they are missing the most important part. Focusing too much on the path and not where it leads.
Another point of humor: tribe.net, where I see countless denizens yammering on about such matters in a literalist sense... who dote upon chakras and the like. Who claim enlightenment, or at least the search of it.
Yet most are stuck, to use their own learnings, in the second chakra.
Seemedly unable to move beyond, in what I have experienced and continue to observe. Using the literalized learnings to move to one level, then staying in it and progressing little further.
Burning Man is another perfect example. 98 percent of the folks there are still stuck in the 2nd, the physical... although they almost all proclaim a level of enlightenment above "the masses"... they act the same way, simply with different reason.
Yet not so different reasoning, really. They're all just following a preordained path. Following the letter, and not seeking the intent.
This is by no means meant as an "everyone" sort of comment. Simply far too many.
Myself, I'll continue to study, compare, contrast, find similarities et al. To not get stuck in using terminology which constrains, but to study the terminology and see what it speaks of, and look there instead.
Individualistic? not so much. Simply learning and understanding. Maybe it's better to be a follower. It's certainly easier. But better is subjective to the individual, it would seem. So that's what's right for me.
The western mentality values the individual, and the individual finding, through ego and learning, et al... how their individual self fits into the scheme of things. Finding onesself, so to speak.
The eastern mentalities have no such concept, when followed to a "t". Their way is doing what one is told, and of placing no value on individualization.
As usual... the path I find to be most beneficial lies somewhere in between. I don't really feel there is such a thing as a true "individual"... we all ride similar paths in one way or another. But we all have many different paths to choose from and to merge to create the self and it's ways. Whether or not "individual" means anything... it's about making a conscious decision about who you are and where and how you should fit. It's about questing and finding, searching and learning.
Vs the way for most eastern faiths, which is to take the place in society that you're told. To follow the religious/spiritual manners in a specific way.
Slightly related:
Chakras. I think what they talk about is most valid, and always have... but taken too literally. Find the levels and the steps they speak of, for they are there. But to feel the need to speak of them as "this many lotus flowers" et al, to me... is just the same thing the bible does. It gives analogies and some humans somehow feel they must be taken literally.
I suppose some people simply want to belong, and to have the way set out for them. For it is easier. But full of less understanding and learning... and yes, even questioning. In my opinion, of course.
I find it most humoruous, how the east is so fascinated with the way of the west, and vice versa. And when I see folks from either culture trying to "take on" the other, I simply feel they are missing the most important part. Focusing too much on the path and not where it leads.
Another point of humor: tribe.net, where I see countless denizens yammering on about such matters in a literalist sense... who dote upon chakras and the like. Who claim enlightenment, or at least the search of it.
Yet most are stuck, to use their own learnings, in the second chakra.
Seemedly unable to move beyond, in what I have experienced and continue to observe. Using the literalized learnings to move to one level, then staying in it and progressing little further.
Burning Man is another perfect example. 98 percent of the folks there are still stuck in the 2nd, the physical... although they almost all proclaim a level of enlightenment above "the masses"... they act the same way, simply with different reason.
Yet not so different reasoning, really. They're all just following a preordained path. Following the letter, and not seeking the intent.
This is by no means meant as an "everyone" sort of comment. Simply far too many.
Myself, I'll continue to study, compare, contrast, find similarities et al. To not get stuck in using terminology which constrains, but to study the terminology and see what it speaks of, and look there instead.
Individualistic? not so much. Simply learning and understanding. Maybe it's better to be a follower. It's certainly easier. But better is subjective to the individual, it would seem. So that's what's right for me.