--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Patrick Gillam" > <jpgillam@> wrote: > > > > We talk a lot around here about the reasons behind > > actions and beliefs. What this article does is talk > > about how some reasons are just more persuasive > > than others by their very nature. For example, stories > > seem to be more persuasive than technical accounts, > > even if those technical accounts come from authorities. > > > > Hence, I may be willing to believe in a Golden Age of > > Sat Yuga simply because it makes a good story. Or > > I'll believe TM research when I've heard Skip Alexander > > tell a story behind it, but I'll be more circumspect about > > studies otherwise. > > Thanks for posting the link to that story, Patrick. > > (http://tinyurl.com/rmmfc) > > It's a fascinating subject. I found myself thinking > of Carlos Castaneda's books when reading it, and > how he is regarded by different people. > > Factually -- a 'technical account' -- Carlos played > fast and loose with the truth from Day One. He lied > about his name, his age, what country he was from, > his academic credentials, the fact that he deserted > a wife and kids back home, and many other things, > *years* before he started writing his books. The > contents of the books have been challenged by almost > every anthropologist and sociologist in the biz, > because they can find zero evidence that most of the > things Carlos claimed were part of Yaqui tradition > really were. He is widely regarded -- in 'technical > accounts' -- as a charlatan. > > And yet. In the wider field of people who like to > read about spiritual things because they find them > entertaining or uplifting, he's still considered > a completely reputable source. His books continue > to get published, and bought, year after year. > > Why?
Interestingly enough, after the Carlos Casteneda books came out, anthropologists found the Yaqui were refusing to talk to outsiders for a long time because they thought all of them would end up like Casteneda: telling lies for money. I look on his popularity like the popularity of the New Ager practice of swimming with captive dolphins: who cares what the reality of the situation is? It makes people feel spiritual to abuse animals that way, so go for it. ------------------------ 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/
