Earlier this week I was listening to an interview with the religious scholar Jeffrey Kripal. I’m a big fan of Kripal’s because he’s one of the few academics taking the more disreputable corners of the spiritual scene— psychics, past life rememberers, PSI researchers, UFO experiencers— seriously. While all the other eggheads are off re-interpreting Buddhism as a kind of tech-bro secular neurohacking, perfectly rational and unthreatening to the exclusively materialist status quo, Kripal is not afraid to get weird.
"While all the other eggheads are off re-interpreting Buddhism as a kind of tech-bro secular neurohacking, perfectly rational and unthreatening to the exclusively materialist status quo, Kripal is not afraid to get weird..." THIS IS HILARIOUS and accurate!
More to the point -
I've been really enjoying reading your work and reflections, RB! You're an articulate writer and your unique contributions to the greater conversation is very timely and needed!!
I also took a listen to the recommended podcast. It's encouraging to know he's helping represent the future of spirituality in his realms of influence.
I love this following of desire and the possibilities of where it can lead, which are beyond anything we could conjure with our own will. I've also had similar occurrences - a bunch to follow a bird in the woods, which led me to some hikers in need of directions , for example.
Are you familiar with what is known as the "Left-hand path"? It's along the same lines - in opposition to spiritual paths focused on the transcendence and renunciation of our physical existence and desires, it's an embracing and celebrating of the material plane and the fulfillment of our desires for the same purpose of spiritual enlightenment. As you can imagine, It's been given a bad reputation through the centuries that follows it still today. It's not exactly what you're writing about here, but there's definitely some parallels.
Here here! I also arrived at the same threshold myself-- feeling that after 20 years of teaching / practicing yoga and then 7 years studying western magick-- I felt like it was so heavily focused on asceticism. That is one way, withdrawal of the senses has it's place and is a great practice, but I want to luxuriate in the throbbing, pulsing gooey-ness of life too! I decided to get creative with my expression of devotion and keep my sexuality baked into it. Can't wait to hear you speak on the Shift Network event-- you mention so many I love like Kripal and Hildegarde! Cheers!
"While all the other eggheads are off re-interpreting Buddhism as a kind of tech-bro secular neurohacking, perfectly rational and unthreatening to the exclusively materialist status quo, Kripal is not afraid to get weird..." THIS IS HILARIOUS and accurate!
More to the point -
I've been really enjoying reading your work and reflections, RB! You're an articulate writer and your unique contributions to the greater conversation is very timely and needed!!
I also took a listen to the recommended podcast. It's encouraging to know he's helping represent the future of spirituality in his realms of influence.
I love this following of desire and the possibilities of where it can lead, which are beyond anything we could conjure with our own will. I've also had similar occurrences - a bunch to follow a bird in the woods, which led me to some hikers in need of directions , for example.
Are you familiar with what is known as the "Left-hand path"? It's along the same lines - in opposition to spiritual paths focused on the transcendence and renunciation of our physical existence and desires, it's an embracing and celebrating of the material plane and the fulfillment of our desires for the same purpose of spiritual enlightenment. As you can imagine, It's been given a bad reputation through the centuries that follows it still today. It's not exactly what you're writing about here, but there's definitely some parallels.
Here here! I also arrived at the same threshold myself-- feeling that after 20 years of teaching / practicing yoga and then 7 years studying western magick-- I felt like it was so heavily focused on asceticism. That is one way, withdrawal of the senses has it's place and is a great practice, but I want to luxuriate in the throbbing, pulsing gooey-ness of life too! I decided to get creative with my expression of devotion and keep my sexuality baked into it. Can't wait to hear you speak on the Shift Network event-- you mention so many I love like Kripal and Hildegarde! Cheers!