--- In [email protected], "jim_flanegin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <no_reply@> > wrote: > > > > > This common usage of the term "tradition" has the added > > side benefit of enabling the TB who wields it of putting > > down those who *have* had spiritual experiences.
> > > > This common usage of the term "tradition" has the added > > side benefit of enabling the TB who wields it of putting > > down those who *have* had spiritual experiences. I am sure that is true sometimes. But it appears to be an abstract point. I don't see anyone putting down eperiences. Rather there is discussion of the disvalue of using terms defined in one tradition to label experiences in some ad hoc fashion, disregardng the "source" traditions' definitions (at least without clafification). This, at best is weak writing and communicatons. At worst, it can be a slight-of-hand tool used by charlatans to hoodwink people. Perhaps my view of "tradition" is traditonal and not "common". Regardless that doesn't diminish the points made that a system of knowledge (aka "tradition") provides: i) consistent terminology (not always or often intechangable with other systems), ii) a database of experiences resulting from various practices by varied subjects, culminating in a sort of roadmap, iii) a set of practices to realize such experinces, iv) a means of validating experiences (s ubjective reflection is not always accurate) > Because > > those experiences don't necessarily jibe with what the > > "tradition" told the TB to expect, I suppose thats true in some circles, but is an out of the blue abstract point not appearing relevant or at least related to the discussion at hand. There are many "traditions" aka systems of development -- each with internaly consistent terminology, methods, and means of validation. A key point is that not all terms, techniques and means of validation are interoperable between traditions. Your term "TB" appears to refer to a TM true believer, a sort of calcified mind-type stemming from a single traditon. Not really relevant to the discussion at hand, but I am sure its would a valid point in a discussion of that context. > the TB can use the > > word "tradition" to attempt to discredit the person who > > has actually had a few experiences, Ok. I suppose so. A point not related to any recent post that I can see, but a good point. My post on "tradition", which you appear to be referecing had nothing to do with such. Perhaps you are seeing mirages on the page reflected from the brilliance of sandunes in your mind. No one that I can see is trying to discredit experiences, but rather to seek clarity on peoples interpretions of them -- and the tightening of misleading non-interoperarble vocabulary across traditions to describe such experiences. Its kind of like trying to seek clarity in the language of someone who sees a home run in baseball and shouts "great touchdown! You really jammed that puck down their throat. What a slam dunk! A terrific ace. You really slammed that one in the corner pocket. What a fabulous strike". ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/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/
