Distinctive Dharma

  I’ve been in contemplation of my life as a hindu vis-à-vis the teachings of Osho. Sri Krishna clearly presents the idea of distinctive dharma in the Gita, that being that all individuals have their own unique sacred duty and pathway in this universe. In my attempts to connect deeper to Sri Krishna I printed out some instructions on how to do proper pooja. I think deeper about this and it’s clear I’m recycling back into that problem of the Westerner embracing the ways of the East. To quote that ancient Chinese alchemical text, The Secret of the Golden Flower, “if the wrong man uses the right means the right means work in the wrong way.” 

  Carl Jung explores this theme deeply in his essays which can be found in “Psychology & The East”. Essentially, Jung looks at the Westerners who embrace the religions (as distinct from spirit) of the East as pitiful imitators. He goes onto say that these ideals never originated in the Western mind and therefore can never be profitably grafted upon them. Jung’s perspective here is relative to the context in which he writes; the truth is that the Westerner has a lot to learn from the East. The actual problem arises when the Westerner blindly surrenders his lifeways those those of the East at the expense of his own being. Through my own experience I’m against such blind adoption of religion and adamantly believe the wholeness of the individual should never be sacrificed to philosophies or teachings that possess no living substance.

  The rebellious spirit of Osho encourages us to move beyond the limitations of religion and tradition so that we can situate our lives in awareness and understanding. We should ask ourselves how can we bring Sri Krishna into 2008 or the Japanese tea ceremony into the twenty first century. The basic tenet of the I Ching reveals the intrisnic law of perennial change which stands in stark contradistinction to  the static nature of religion. Too often religion breeds cynicism and fails to appropriate respect and even reverence for alternative spiritual paths. . This contradicts the emphasis of selflessness and love that seemingly is the bedrock of the world’s greater religions. Mahatama Gandhi once said, “What have I to take to them other than my nakedness, rather than have them join in my prayer I would join in theirs”. This is spiritual harmony.

  This respect and reverence is foreign to the religions of today. We live in a world divided by religion and these ideals of division are subsequently pushed forward through the ideal of family and education via teachers who are unwise. Sri Krishna says in Gita, “If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, or a fruit, or water. I will accept it”. So in this way I intend to show love and devotion to Sri Krishna in a way which is true to my own intrinsic sacred being. And when I have children I will tell them from my heart that Sri Krishna is my conception of god, but you have to find out what makes sense to you my child. Ultimatley love and devotion is what is key and not lifeless scriptures and not teachers who are secretly our on evangelical conquests. Acceptance, understanding and love is real living that teakes place right here, right now. Use the scriptures insofar that they inspire you to live a loving and harmonious life. Remember that from the beginning to the end love is love. And from the beginning to the end you are your own unique blossoming in this universe.

Krushed

  I don’t even live in Israel and already I am tired of the war. I’m in no position to realize the distress it has caused to both Palestine and Israel alike. I can only imagine that my own feelings are intensified and there is undeniable suffering. Where’s all the love at?

  Krushed. Back to the program. I’m currently looking forward to Hiroki’s arrival on the 31st. I find the Japanese spirit to be one of the most amazing and sacred in this universe. A place where the aesthetic of everydayness lives.  

 I’m happy there’s love in some of us… you know who you are

Rory Contra Nietzsche

  It’s Mor’s 19th birthday and I found myself in the level 599 graduate course titled Contra Nietzsche. Professor Wurzer elected me to present the second part of Untimely Meditations next Thursday and immediatley anxieties, headaches and fears set in as I realized that with no history in Western philosophy or German culture I am asked to present Nietzsche’s ideas  to a well-versed audience. From my perspective I just want to pass this class so I can leave Duquesne University with a degree in psychology. I talked with Wurzer after class and he reassured me not to worry, and that my presentation should be purely textual. So I’m a bit relieved.

  There was a sign exiting the night class as I walked pass a seminar room. I was intrigued at how many elderly people were  listening to the speaker. I tried to catch wind of what was being discussed but was too far away to really gather anything. Then I caught sight of George Yancy my philosophy professor in critical race theory last semester. He saw my curious gazes through the door into the lecture hall. He smiled, and I smiled back…

  The key to Rory contra Nietzsche is breath. As Nietzsche once proclaimed, “if you come with me, come with yourself”. And that is what I intend to do… So, I’m going to wrestle with the text and have faith that I will making a meaningful contribution to the class. Somehow Yancy was the omen.

   Yom Holedet Tov, Morile!