Hello Case,
> [Case]
> It was not my intent to engage in biblical exegesis but if it suites you the
> ideas still hold. Consider 'the word' or any idea as a nugget of
> possibility. It too dies or thrives based on the environment into which it
> falls. Is a hard hearted person born hard hearted? There is a genetic
> component certainly. Each individual is uniquely tuned from the sensitivity
> of their nerves to the rate of their metabolism to integrate sensation. Two
> individuals may respond differently to similar stimulation.
Yes. But unlike a seed most people are capable of choosing their response
to their environment. The transformation of Scrooge in Dickens' A Christmas
Carol is one example of a person who chose to act responsibly.
> But the environment throws unique stimulation to each of us. Our angle of
> view, our distance from a heat source... Both our internal makeup and the
> space we occupy influence what we sense and how we respond. All Jesus is
> pointing out is that our internal make up and our histories predispose us to
> understand new ideas differently from one another. If an idea does not
> resonate with our existing structure it will not "take root" if it does it
> will bear fruit "an hundredfold".
Yes. And he's asking us which person do we intend to be.
> One gets the impression from the Parable of the Sower that Jesus is only
> talking about the "Good News" in his parable. In just the same way the
> Pirsig paints us a picture of Quality has aiming toward "betterness." But
> Jesus' parable applies equally well to "bad" ideas. National Socialism
> planted in the stony hearts of post WWI Germans took root and threatened to
> over run the world. The randomly flung seeds of racism, nationalism, and
> chauvinism are as likely to find fertile soil as are their more hopeful
> opposites.
Yes. And because post WWI Germany chose to follow Hitler's lead many
suffered the consequences. And it's because post WWII Germans took
responsibility for their actions that they were able to transform their country.
> [Case]
> To see the light is a beautiful thing. But does being born again mean that
> one should no longer question the meaning of scripture? Does this experience
> demand that one accept the political stance of the religious right? Does the
> revelation of Nirvana mean that all of the Hindu and Buddhist doctrine
> attached to it are automatically validated?
All authority should always be questioned, imo.
> A religious revelation is not a free pass into wonderland. Its insights must
> still be integrated into the world of samsara. Much has been made of the
> idea of "higher consciousness" and yet what can be made of such a term?
> "Higher" at least in Wilber's account means levels of emergence out of lower
> levels. Reason, rational thought is said to be a later development. We have
> every reason to suppose that mystical revelations are common to our most
> primitive ancestors and yet we call these "higher" states of consciousness?
The human experience involves mystic revelation, rational thought and biological
instinct. So when truth presents itself it's a good idea to discern its source.
> I am suggesting that this is reversed. Rational thought is the higher level.
> And from it expand even higher levels, the spoken word, the written word.
> Not the word made flesh but the word digitized.
And I would respectfully disagree. Rationality is good. But when elevated
above other sources of truth it will become a source of evil. Ask Scrooge.
Kevin
---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
moq_discuss mailing list
Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
Archives:
http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
