Edgar,
Wisdom is carried, through the work of the traditions.
They are vessels, vehicles, and delivery-systems of methods, techniques.
It's the teaching ways of the traditions that changes, nimbly, to suit the time
and place. I think little basis changes.
That is my view!
No one but a practitioner in a tradition can say that the tradition no longer
has "the best truth". That's apples and oranges. Just because video games
have been invented and have become popular with a certain set, that does not
mean that Baseball is to be criticized, deprecated, or rejected. Both are
systems of having fun, probably. One is also good physical exercise, social,
and sportsman-ly.
When I speak about "practice" in the Wisdom traditions, I mean specifically in
the mystical wings or branches of the traditions. It's these I give my
attention to, and my view is that it is through the mystical wings or branches
of practice that Wisdom is contained, carried, and stimulated to be discovered,
in PRACTITIONERS.
I view Zen Buddhism as a particularly purified (in the sense of distilled and
concentrated to a nearly neutral elixir, almost generically applicable by
Humans of any culture) system of practice. Sufism is close to this, I feel.
And certain streams of Christian Contemplative practice. I know too little
about Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Hinduism, and have not myself practiced in
their mystical wings.
By the way, Elders and Teachers in the Wisdom traditions receive "new
knowledge", just as you and I do. And those folks roll with the times, too,
and can incorporate the new knowledge into skilful means with which to continue
to help students. My old Tai Chi teacher Da Liu was still doing this late into
his 90's: he'd recite some articles in "The Science Times" section of THE NEW
YORK TIMES to us during rest breaks between repetitions of the Tai Chi form,
and always tied-in Taoist views with the new revelations of Medical science,
etc., in the newspaper I'd say that the "New" invigorated the "Old", and cast
it in a "local" and "contemporary" light; and, I'd say the Old is never old
when it's alive in a sincere practitioner. Wisdom does not go out of date, if
it is Wisdom.
Thanks!, for a good question.
--Joe
> Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote:
>
> First you say that ancient traditions as they were are to be respected. Then
> you say they are constantly changing implying they are different now.
>
> These are two clearly contradictory views. So which is it in your view?
>
> Actually I have a different take on it but which is largely in agreement.
>
> Ancient traditions are to be respected because they were the best truth of
> their times. However they are not to be slavishly adulated as if they still
> are the ultimate truth. This is because much has been learned in the couple
> thousand or so years since they were first formulated so they must be brought
> up to date and rethought in light of that new knowledge.
>
> Edgar
>
>
> On Jun 30, 2013, at 5:41 PM, Joe wrote:
>
> > Mike,
> >
> > I agree, sir.
> >
> > Religions are Wisdom-Traditions.
> >
> > Wisdom Traditions use the tools they have available. Then, and now.
> >
> > That, too, is what makes them "Wise".
> >
> > They utilize fully what they have available, in service of True Compassion.
> > For their times, and future times.
> >
> > Religions are not "nonsense", as some hasty-pudding kitchen-workers say.
> > Maybe they're just hopped-up on instant (soluble) Coffee.
> >
> > The wisdom-traditions purvey and convey wisdom, and preserve wisdom, and
> > the path to it.
> >
> > As traditions, they also keep on changing, as generations pass, and come.
> >
> > That's another part of what makes them Wise.
> >
> > Hasty people live for the next thing, not for Now. And don't see where Now
> > has *graciously* come from.
> >
> > But, they are to be forgiven!
> >
> > That's why Wisdom and Compassion are preserved, and transmitted. For them,
> > and fo all.
> >
> > Anyway, a new generation is born TODAY.
> >
> > --Joe
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