Hmm, following up on that makes for interesting reading.
Politics and religion always make for an interesting mix. In many ways life is much easier for a head of a country when they don't have the actual country to worry about :-)
Re: interesting mixesminus9June 6 2007, 02:59:35 UTC
Absolutely :-)
I realised in a 10 day Vipassana retreat a few years ago that getting to mystical experiences in a manner that meant I was away from the world wasn't for me. I don't begrudge monks and nuns the pleasure of seclusion, but I think the practice of people who are deeply inside the world is of much more benefit, both to the practitioner and to the world.
Getting away from it all and taking it all with yourawmrJune 6 2007, 08:04:21 UTC
A little insomnia right now. I think it fair that one can feel they've had enough of the world to be done with it, yet still care deeply about that world. Cloistered monks, I should think if they were not just killing time, contemplate abstract principle. I draw a parallel here with the Internal Boxing methods, such as Tai Chi, were strength is increased by eliminating adverse tension. Dion Fortune I recall referred to them as centers of spiritual power and inspiration. And having that image in my mind anyways does have a centering affect on me.
While us roving monks try our hand at applying such principle, maintaining whatever stillness we can amidst the turmoil. Being constantly assailed by opposing sense impressions all lusting after a life of their own, yet succeding as we can in their unification by abstracting their essence, which can be harmoniously combined to create new forms.
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Politics and religion always make for an interesting mix. In many ways life is much easier for a head of a country when they don't have the actual country to worry about :-)
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I realised in a 10 day Vipassana retreat a few years ago that getting to mystical experiences in a manner that meant I was away from the world wasn't for me. I don't begrudge monks and nuns the pleasure of seclusion, but I think the practice of people who are deeply inside the world is of much more benefit, both to the practitioner and to the world.
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While us roving monks try our hand at applying such principle, maintaining whatever stillness we can amidst the turmoil. Being constantly assailed by opposing sense impressions all lusting after a life of their own, yet succeding as we can in their unification by abstracting their essence, which can be harmoniously combined to create new forms.
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