Not believing in Santa Claus is also a belief. Many of those who
don't believe in Santa are like religious fanatics. They try to shove
their faith down other people's throats. Neither Pol Pot, Stalin or
Hitler believed in Santa. Isn't that telling?
Friday, May 8, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Beliefs
Some believe they have been saved, others believe they are spiritually awake. Some think they are wonderful, others are convinced they
are worthless and that they ought to kill themselves. Some believe they are superior, not because they are stronger or smarter, no, just
because they happened to be born into a family with money; others believe they are
inferior. You are not the one you think you are.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Pluralism
We must learn to respect all the different religious faiths.
Religious faiths remain extremely important to virtually all people on earth. To question someone's beliefs is to question their soul.
We must learn to respect the IS, al-Shabab, and Boko Haram. We must learn to respect the Hindus' ideas about caste and the right-wing bigotry of the Christian fundamentalists. We must respect the Catholic Church's opposition to condoms. We must understand that if someone loses their faith, they are like a skipper without charts.
We must learn to respect the IS, al-Shabab, and Boko Haram. We must learn to respect the Hindus' ideas about caste and the right-wing bigotry of the Christian fundamentalists. We must respect the Catholic Church's opposition to condoms. We must understand that if someone loses their faith, they are like a skipper without charts.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Spiritual knowlede
In The Roman Empire, in the second century, there were almost a
hundred different Gnostic sects. All these sects were at loggerheads.
All were convinced that they had unique knowledge about how the world is designed. Everyone else was wrong. There were also many
other competing sects, mystery orders and philosophical schools.
If you're looking for ancient words of wisdom to
give weight to your spiritual beliefs, it doesn't matter what
spiritual beliefs you have, you can find what you're looking for in the second century Rom.
You can also, of course, find proof that your beliefs are valid in ancient India and China. You can find spiritual wisdom everywhere in the ancient world, but you can't find it here, in your own world.
You can also, of course, find proof that your beliefs are valid in ancient India and China. You can find spiritual wisdom everywhere in the ancient world, but you can't find it here, in your own world.
Gurus
If you are listening to a guru, do not listen to what
he is saying. Pay attention to what
he forgets to mention. What do you expect to get from an Indian guru
who forgets to mention the horrors of the caste system and the misogyny in Indian spirituality?
This applies also to western spiritual teachers who
change their names to Hindu names. There is no perennial wisdom.
There is only perennial nonsense.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
A relaxed mind
Almost all people here on earth define themselves in ethnic, religious or political terms. Moreover, many of those who have no
interest in ethnicity, religion or politics, nonetheless live
according to a belief system, a belief system that they are not aware
of. For example, they can be convinced that they have to climb the
career ladder and become something great in the eyes of others, or
they may be convinced of that life is utterly pointless. Not
many people have begun to wake up yet. Almost all the people are in some kind of mesmerized state of mind.
To consciously opt out to be a follower of any religion or political ideology is extremely offensive to some people. In many Muslim countries this is a serious crime. You can be sentenced to death. It is better to keep this position for yourself, also here in the western world
*
It can be enormously painful to leave a religious cult. Many former cult members can bear witness to how painful it is to lose all friends. Sometimes they also lose their family. The emptiness and loneliness can be overwhelming. It can also be very painful to abandon a political or a philosophical ideology. It can be painful to abandon a destructive lifestyle. Even abandoning common everyday assumptions what life is all about can be painful. It is painful to wake up.
Why abandon a belief, an idea, a habit or an assumption if it is so painful? Isn't it better to follow the line of least resistance? Isn't it better to stay in your sect, church, or political party? Why complicate life so much? Why not just keep your beliefs, your drinking buddies and your family? Why not just stay in the warmth of your community?
Because, if you've come this far, there are no options. You simply can't stand to hear more drivel. You simply have to get out and get some fresh air.
To consciously opt out to be a follower of any religion or political ideology is extremely offensive to some people. In many Muslim countries this is a serious crime. You can be sentenced to death. It is better to keep this position for yourself, also here in the western world
*
It can be enormously painful to leave a religious cult. Many former cult members can bear witness to how painful it is to lose all friends. Sometimes they also lose their family. The emptiness and loneliness can be overwhelming. It can also be very painful to abandon a political or a philosophical ideology. It can be painful to abandon a destructive lifestyle. Even abandoning common everyday assumptions what life is all about can be painful. It is painful to wake up.
Why abandon a belief, an idea, a habit or an assumption if it is so painful? Isn't it better to follow the line of least resistance? Isn't it better to stay in your sect, church, or political party? Why complicate life so much? Why not just keep your beliefs, your drinking buddies and your family? Why not just stay in the warmth of your community?
Because, if you've come this far, there are no options. You simply can't stand to hear more drivel. You simply have to get out and get some fresh air.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
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