http://www.samharris.org
My comments on his 2 articles.... Free Will - when he says there's no free will, an alternative would be that it's a "genuine" paradox. ... On the abuses of religious ecstasy, he's objecting to the abusive practices that go along with fundamentalist belief systems, not the core of pure Spiritual ecstasy brought on by certain practices such as Sufi dancing and chanting. ...However, I object to what he believes is an extended conclusion to the abuse part. He seems to be saying that it might be wise to separate out the belief systems from the experiential Spiritual ecstacy engendered by the practices, but independent of the many belief systems that he finds objectionable. ... I maintain - that as a matter of experience and observation; even among those religions not declaring you as a mortal enemy, the often irrational belief systems act as carriers for the Shakti energy. Then, no Shakti, no genuine Spiritual ecstasy. ... The belief systems might be useless/dangerous baggage to some, but just try separating out and discarding those religious coverings from the core experiences of Spiritual ecstasy (Bliss). Nobody has yet succeeded in accomplishing this feat thus far. ... Example - the TM puja is steeped in religious beliefs, and it's here to stay as a vehicle for the transmission of Shakti. I challenge Harris to come up with a Bliss-generator that is totally independent if the religious coverings that act as transmitting mechanisms for the Shakti. . Possible example : mindfulness and Dr. Bensson's relaxation response - clearly second rate in comparison to TM.
