Andrew responded to my last post: The lower road avoids condemnation because it doesn't know any better; the higher road avoids condemnation because it's able to discern. Maybe?
Such is the general subject of today's ramblings, and I invite the you to add your own thoughts/interconnections/questions/observations.
The suggestion holds merit. I note that the distinction places value on what's driving the action, not merely the action, of itself.
These days, I think that, as in the Vietnam era, some very spiritually, politically, intellectually intelligent people were opposed to [what's going on in the world] and trying to find a better way of being in the world.
By "better" I mean a way that more closely reflects our values. Both groups of alter-culturalists were doing so, really. What outsiders lacked was an insight into the peoples' motivation. I suspect that both kinds of people (seeking a better way and seeking a hedonistic good time) show up at Burning Man, too. Small wonder that Christians tend to condemn the event.
I think it's pretty common that people judge what they see without understanding the rest of the iceberg. I wonder if that'll ever change.
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4 comments:
"I think it's pretty common that people judge what they see without understanding the rest of the iceberg. I wonder if that'll ever change."
Well, you can't blame the ego for doing what egos do...
I think the real question is how to transcend the ego.
Jon; I certainly don't blame anybody for it or claim that people "should" have some empathy, or try to form a balanced, well-educated, or impartial view. Some people do that out of habit, some don't.
Your comment appears to suggest a change, among whose outcomes might be empathy. Maybe going beyond the ego (small self?) would help - just the same, I wonder if that'll become a widespread thing.
I think it will become a widespread thing--if human beings are to survive as a species.
And I DO think people "should" have empathy, and be balanced, well educated, and impartial. Those are natural parts of growing up, of evolving, and if most people aren't there yet, that's no reason not to make it a goal. And there are ways to learn all of that--ways to learn the virtues!
Even if we're meant to transcend the ego, and I don't dispute that at all, the ego is capable of some good, isn't it? And that capacity for good should be encouraged, developed?
Just another point of view...
My Uncle paraphrased another wise man who said, only Truth endures. Everyone is trying to get some where at some time some how. This is true for physical, emotional, or psycho-spiritual quests. Take care of yourself first. Tolle says to fix the inside and the outside will fix itself. I take that to mean that if you are doing what's right, then others' may take notice and follow your example, or not. Either outcome is fine because you yourself are not furthering your own or any one else's suffering.
People seek pleasure. It's practically hardwired into us. A lot of traditional religions seek to curb those appetites and desires, sometimes excessively. It's the egoic desire to control others in order to control your environment and gain advantage. True spiritual leaders don't seek a leadership role to control people. The Tao speaks quite eloquently about the different kinds of leaders, their methods, and that the best ones guide people to take the "best" action, and that the people take credit for it themselves. Jesus stated that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Whether Burning Man is hedonistic is open to subjective interpretation. One person who attends may just be there for the fellowship or the atmosphere, while another may have a more hedonistic agenda. It's the same as attending a cocktail party. Some go to get drunk. Some go to have sex or get lucky and others go to socialize. Is the cocktail party evil or hedonistic? Is any "normal" gathering? Wouldn't it depend upon what the whole group is doing collectively as to whether it's wrong or not, otherwise, you are condemning the individual for attending an event. I mean, if I go to a concert to have a good time and a riot breaks out, that's bad, but does that make me evil for being at the wrong place at the wrong time? I would only be doing evil if I participated in the riot. The same goes for the Christians who condemn Burning Man. Not all Christians condemn the event and I'll bet that a lot of Christians attend. But really, none of this matters. What matters is that you do the right thing right this instant. That action will endure even if it is only localized to your person, but if you are a concentrated source of sanity or being, a light or beacon say, then quite likely others will take notice and contribute to your light by letting their light shine.
One cannot know the outcome for the human race. The future is not writ. We may go onto great things. We may extinguish ourselves through stupidity and greed, or an asteroid may kill 90% of the biosphere including us. The future will only happen through the Now. What you do now matters because you are the only person who can control your actions and your genes. The same goes for everyone else. But do not be concerned about humanity's future. We are just one cosmic experiment of many and forms evolve into other forms. Another species of human is destined to replace us should we survive in any event. If we don't survive, then some other form will arise to take our place. Such is the history of this world whose history dwarfs our own short history. Just ask the rocks.
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