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This is likely to be quite a provocative idea for some, but it appears Vedic-based concepts of spirituality have deeply penetrated American culture as a set of folk theories. I've been making a list of these. I don't believe any of these folk theories speak to nonduality as it is expounded in the Upanishads, but if anyone knows different, I'd be delighted to know about it.
The folk theory of the transmission of enlightenment
The folk theory of enlightenment being the culmination of something
The folk theory of powers, that being God means having some or all of "God's" powers
The folk theory of manifestation (a), that because you are God, you can affect things by thought alone
The folk theory of manifestation (b), that because you are connected to everything, you can affect things by thought alone
The folk theory of everything being connected
The folk theory of ancient wisdom
The folk theory of holiness
The folk theory of karma, that you'll get back every good and bad thing you do
The folk theory of sex being a loss to the spirit
The folk theory of harmful technology
The folk theory that only the heart knows what is true
The folk theory that the mind is an enemy of the spirit
Any additions would also be appreciated.
The folk theory of the transmission of enlightenment
The folk theory of enlightenment being the culmination of something
The folk theory of powers, that being God means having some or all of "God's" powers
The folk theory of manifestation (a), that because you are God, you can affect things by thought alone
The folk theory of manifestation (b), that because you are connected to everything, you can affect things by thought alone
The folk theory of everything being connected
The folk theory of ancient wisdom
The folk theory of holiness
The folk theory of karma, that you'll get back every good and bad thing you do
The folk theory of sex being a loss to the spirit
The folk theory of harmful technology
The folk theory that only the heart knows what is true
The folk theory that the mind is an enemy of the spirit
Any additions would also be appreciated.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Tue, January 13, 2009 - 8:34 PMAnother one:
the folk theory that personality survives death
And a bit more about what exactly a folk theory is:
A folk theory is any set of "common sense" beliefs about something we experience together in our lives. The idea that our personalities can survive death is a folk theory. To a great majority of folks, the idea that we'll survive death—going to heaven, hell, or who knows where—is simple common sense. But there is no proof of life after death beyond personal anecdote, and neuroscience is now showing us that these experiences of the supernatural can be reproduced in a lab with magnetic fields, deep brain stimulation, and simple tricks of perception. -
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Tue, January 27, 2009 - 7:16 PMAdded to and edited:
Folk Theory of Guru-Based Spirituality
• Enlightenment can be transmitted supernaturally
• Enlightenment is the culmination of something
• Enlightenment entails knowing everything
• Enlightenment causes all thought to cease
• Only a guru can bestow enlightenment
• The guru is within yourself
• Being God means having some or all of "God's" powers
• Because you are God, you can affect things by thought alone
• Because you are connected to everything, you can affect things by thought alone
• Everything is connected
• You are guided by a higher self
• You create your own reality
• Everything in the world is an illusion
• Divinity can be subverted by the flesh
• Good and evil are forces locked in an eternal struggle
• Good always prevails
• Things will be better in the future
• Things were better in the past
• People and things can be holy
• Ancient wisdom is better
• A just, omnipotent God exists
• Everything happens according to a Plan
• You'll get back every good and bad thing you do
• Sex is a loss to the spirit
• Sex is a boon to the spirit
• Technology is harmful
• Only the heart knows what is true
• The mind is an enemy of the spirit
• The spirit is an energy
• Personality survives death
Please note that a folk theory can reflect a truth just as much it may a superstition. Personally, I accept some of these ideas as my own spiritual truth, but I find many others to be particularly noxious and grave hindrances to the establishment of spiritual clarity. Of course, many folks' mileage is gonna vary. If anyone has any additions to this list, I'll add them as they come in. -
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Mon, February 2, 2009 - 7:43 PMThey have a saying in India:
"Sometimes it take a thorn to remove a thorn" (you know, like tweezers in a pre-technological world)
So lots of limited things may take people further down a road until they know "where' they are going.
Peace
Karl -
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Mon, February 2, 2009 - 9:56 PM>. So lots of limited things may take people further down a road until they know "where' they are going.
*****
Certainly. Magical thinking clearly has its uses. However, only up to a point. You can decide to believe in God, give your God a face, pray to your God, communicate with Him/Her, and even be enlightened by God, but if you believe that enlightenment comes with all the powers of your God, you are going to be sadly disappointed.
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Tue, February 3, 2009 - 12:41 AM"...but if you believe that enlightenment comes with all the powers of your God, you are going to be sadly disappointed. "
Once a person gets close enough to realize "Enlightenment" isn't a higher form of ego fulfillment, they are close enough to get over that disappointment.
Some may simply choose a less dysfunctional form of personality
All part of the perfection.
Peace
Baba -
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Re: Folk theories of Vedic-based spirituality
Tue, February 3, 2009 - 7:27 AM> All part of the perfection.
*****
Like phosphorous bombs in Gaza, it may be a part of "perfection," but we may still find a reason to do away with it.
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