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Post by jhananda on May 5, 2011 9:04:53 GMT -5
Comparative religions and mysticism I
A comparative religions approach to the study of mysticism and shamanism I
Comparing mainstream religions to contemplative religions, to mystical traditions.
Mystics generally do not come from mainstream religions
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Post by Michael Hawkins on May 5, 2011 9:31:30 GMT -5
Hello dear friend Jeffrey,
I agree that mainstream religion has a tendency to marginalize its mystics. While Islam has its Sufis, they have come under persecution from time to time, and in some areas today must remain underground. Eastern Orthodoxy is very much based on a mystical approach, and its monasteries are known as repositories for truly accomplished contemplatives (although this may have more to do with perception than true attainment -- who can tell?). The Eastern Orthodox monastic tradition has also undergone severe persecution through the years, most recently in Soviet Russia. These mystical expressions of mainstream religion -- Sufism and Eastern Orthodoxy -- are initiatory and exclusive, since the mystical teachings are what tend to lead to persecution of mystics by their very own religious hierarchies. Mystics within mainstream religion are in the unenviable position of needing to fear persecution within and without their traditions, and this has led to a long-held policy of keeping the deepest teachings hidden from everyone except the initiated. At some point, one must ask if there are any true contemplatives left within these traditions, due to this reluctance to speak out about the process of enlightenment/salvation through mystical means.
Much love,
Michael
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Post by jhananda on May 6, 2011 7:23:53 GMT -5
Hello dear friend Jeffrey, ...one must ask if there are any true contemplatives left within these traditions, due to this reluctance to speak out about the process of enlightenment/salvation through mystical means. Much love, Michael Hello dear friend Michael, and thank-you for posting your response to this video. I particularly agree with your above statement. Another problem with mainstream religion is it simply does not tend to understand or value the practice of meditation, which we both know leads to direct communion with sacred. This suggests that there might be a problem with how the doctrine of such a religion might just be translated and interpreted with mainstream values and instead of contemplative values. |
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Post by jhananda on May 17, 2011 17:07:45 GMT -5
Mainstream religions verses mysticism
Comparing the four mainstream religions of the world, Mainstream Christianity, Vaishnava Hinduism, PureLand Buddhism, and mainstream Islam to the study of mysticism, Sufism and shamanism.
Comparing mainstream religions to contemplative traditions, mysticism and shamanism.
Love to all, Jeffrey
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Post by jhananda on May 25, 2011 16:50:30 GMT -5
The etymological origins of the term ‘shaman’
We find greater understanding of shamanism, mysticism and Buddhism by using Linguistic Anthropology to examine the etymological origins of the term ‘shaman’.
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Post by jhananda on Jun 22, 2011 12:46:38 GMT -5
Charismatic religious movements verses mysticism
Charismatic, apostolic and evangelical religious movements that manifest hysterical religious behavior, verses mysticism.
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Post by Michael Hawkins on Jun 22, 2011 23:45:56 GMT -5
Well done, Jeffrey. As my father comes from a Pentecostal background and was present during many a charismatic tent meeting, you're talking about something that runs in the family blood -- but both my father and I agree that (as you say) that there are a lot of hysterics and role-playing going on, and whatever "ecstasy" is there, it's of the "mountain top" variety: they have to come down at some point, which is not true with contemplatives who arrive at genuine charisms multiple times each day -- who become saturated at a baseline level of absorption and are always one foot into contemplation (if not two).
That said, it is amazing what can happen in the midst of a roomful of people maintaining a high level of devotional fervor. There is a palpable "field" of energy that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Blessings to all,
Michael
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Post by jhananda on Jun 23, 2011 7:57:17 GMT -5
Hello dear friend, Michael, and thank-you for posting your comments regarding charismatic movements. Yes, I agree that there is definitely an energy that can be felt in the midst of a room full of devotees. I have often thought a chanting or hymn session before meditation would help people "lift-off" into the first jhana before practicing meditation to get beyond.
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Post by jhananda on Jun 29, 2011 14:09:35 GMT -5
Contemplative religious movements verses mysticism
Contemplative religious movements and meditation groups that seek peace and equanimity, verses mysticism,
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Post by jhananda on Jul 21, 2011 19:01:17 GMT -5
Authenticity verses Pretentiousness
Priests are pretentiousness, while mystics are authentic
Love to all, Jeffrey
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Post by jhananda on Aug 9, 2011 14:55:32 GMT -5
the contemplative life and the spiritual community
Unpacking life in monasteries, convents, tarikas, ashrams, viharas, and zendos.
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Post by jhananda on Aug 24, 2011 17:38:16 GMT -5
Mystics verses the occult
Overcoming the confusion between mystics and the occult
The essential difference between the mystics and the occult is while the occultist is method-driven; the mystic is driven by surrender, submission and self-annihilation in the sacred. The occultist, on the other hand, looks to techniques and methods to acquire mystical powers, the journey of which is building the ego, not dismantling it.
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Post by jhananda on Sept 8, 2011 14:54:48 GMT -5
Contemplatives verses Mystics
A comparative religions approach to placing contemplative within the context of mainstream religion verses mystics.
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Post by jhananda on Nov 11, 2011 21:46:06 GMT -5
Understanding Western Buddhism A dialog between Jeffrey S. Brooks and Stuart Skadden at the GWV Fall Retreat 2011 in the Gila Box Wilderness youtu.be/0C5y_-md86Q |
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Post by jhananda on Nov 16, 2011 10:24:43 GMT -5
Jhana and Western Buddhism Jhana and Western Buddhism, a Dialog between Jeffrey S. Brooks and Stuart B. Skadden at the GWV Fall retreat 2011 in the Gila Box Wilderness youtu.be/vYtgOlzZAOA |
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