--- In [email protected], "Robert Gimbel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > *In the mystic business, ones ways and means must appeal to the > > > mystic and unknown. > > > > > > That's the mystic business. > > > > > > This other stuff is the actuality, but the mysticism must > > > remain ever beyond. > > > > That's actually well said and perceived. For those who > > are given to the formulaic approach to self discovery, > > there is formula, and the belief that the mystery of > > life yields to formula. For the mystic, the mystery > > rules. You try your best to surf it and stay on the > > board, not to understand it. * > > So, the thing is, how do you integrate these two opposite values. > The corporate mind and attitude, is pretty rational and focused > on 'That which can be structured' > How do you sturcture a mystical approach in an enviornment, that is > opposed general to this vibration; > Which is why people like Maharishi, needed to retreat to Uttar > Kashi, in the Himalayas... > So, how do you structure that kind of purity in the midst of > impurity?
Good questions all. I don't have "answers," being more of a mystic myself, and thus not really tempted to search for "answers," but here are a few things that have worked in the past that seemed to improve my ability to surf. ** "How do you integrate these two opposite values?" -- Stop perceiving them as opposites? ** "How do you sturcture a mystical approach in an enviornment, that is opposed general to this vibration?" -- Again, stop dwelling on "opposition," and focus on the underlying unity? Alternatively, drop the need for "structure." ** "how do you structure that kind of purity in the midst of impurity?" -- Give up the notions of "pure" and "impure" and, again, focus on unity. And again, be less attached to the idea of "structuring" something. IMO, the seeming contradictions and oppositions you comment on are just that -- seeming. They don't really exist, because each pair of seeming opposites is *already* fully "structured" in the same underlying unity, which supports and creates and sustains both seeming "poles." Carlos Castaneda coined a term that is sometimes useful in dealing with this seeming quandary between the desire for structure and formula and the realization that the world just ain't gonna submit to our desire for structure and formula, and is going to do its thing the way it wants to do it anyway. The term is "controlled folly." You still practice structure -- that which you feel might be useful to you in your self discovery, whether that "usefulness" is thought of in terms of self discipline or purification or whatever. But you try your damndest to practice structure in an unstructured manner, and without attachment to the theoretical "results" of the structure. If the attempt at structure seems to "work," cool...you surf that. If the attempt at structure seems to "not work," and creates even more chaos and seeming opposition, cool...you surf that. A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not content on arriving -- Lao-tzu Or, alternatively, just go with your own predilection and what seems to make you happiest. If pursuing structure and the formulaic approach to self discovery makes you smile, keep to that approach until it no longer seems to make you smile as much. If the more free-form mystical controlled folly or "crazy wisdom" approach makes you smile, keep to that until it doesn't make you smile as much. It seems to me that when long-term spiritual seekers start to see more opposition in the world around them than they see unity, perhaps they've taken their current path (forumulaic or mystical) about as far as it'll take them right now, and maybe should consider "switching camps" and trying the...uh... opposite approach for a while. Then when that seems to not be as effective, "switch back." Or just do both and don't worry about it too much... Unc ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
