I understand your sentiments Phantom. Sad how the Witnesses' misuse of the word "truth" has bastardized it for us, and separated it from what we would consider "good". When I use the word I am not in any way referring to a teaching or belief; but rather a living reality discovered within your own consciousness and sense of being. You're not allergic to yourself are you? j
Meditation for health and spiritual development
by logansrun 27 Replies latest jw friends
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logansrun
What's so wrong with the word "truth"?
B.
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hungerartist
James,
I take it you have probably read Krishnamurti's work. I really like his approach to mindfulness...he keeps pointing out that it is not something you 'do'.
By the way, I have a friend who was involved in what I now believe to be a yoga/meditation cult. She told me that she had lingering feelings of love for an older man who was 'more than a teacher' to her. The level of dependency as she described it was frightening.
I have heard (on the radio) of one particular man who abused women who came for guidance and enlightenment in a yoga community. Women who have suffered sexual violence are particularly vulnerable to this type of manipulation. The women were told by the teacher or guru to 'be celibate', or conserve their sexual energy, by refraining from any type of sexual activity. (This reminded me much of what my friend told me about her celibacy...even masturbation is avoided.) As seems obvious, the women developed powerful feelings of sexual dependency for the teacher. Instead of being monogamously married, as he told them, he was having multiple affairs with the women.
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Phantom Stranger
I was simply referring to the clash between the Truth and the Good back in pre-Socratic Greece...
For a "popular" rendition of what happened then, see Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Note that it's not a history book, it's a narrative, so the tale supports the author's acknowledged ax-grinding - but it's a great way to see if you care to read the histories.
The Sophists got a bum rap.
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MegaDude
Phantom,
You may not like Goleman's books, but his tape "The Art of Meditation" is an excellent introduction for a first-time meditator.
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JamesThomas
Hungerartist, You are really beginning to abuse the forum, I mean 19 posts in only two years! I imagine you are referring to J. Krishnamurti, I am familiar with his writings. Also there is U.G. Krishnamurti, no relation yet he knew J.. U.G., is a pretty radical guy, and I recommend checking him out if you're interested here: http://www.well.com/user/jct/ Phantom, Well, so much for me understanding your sentiments. I read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" way back when and am certain there is a copy about here somewhere. As I recall it was too intellectual for me (I am very much the simpleton). I have a certain brotherly fondness towards Socrates though. Can't help but love the guy. j
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Phantom Stranger
Aw, I was just whining about his writing, while giving props to a book of his at the same time. I didn't expect a sort of <door is smashed open> no one expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise! <We interrupt this post because it is very silly. Sorry.>
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logansrun
Phantom,
I fart in your general direction.
B.