On to Roeker's comment: that is: that we think too much about what the truth is - that this causes most, if not all, of our problems; that we should stop thinking and accept what is.
As this is taken from Marilyn of Northern Exposure, I suppose I should just shut up and end this blog! (such, if you know her character, she would probably demand). Now, in this classic drama-comedy, Dr. Fleishman was the epitome of the man of words, of pure rationalization. This is who his secretary, Marilyn, typically was chastising. But he was NOT a man of thought or over analysis - he was rather a man of this world, as unreflective in his scientific view of medicine as he was in his need for money and prestige. He needed, I would say, a good talking too - and a few hard experiences to shake him up (which he did get often enough). And that is the question we have concerning the mind of today: is it really too caught up in analysis, or not concerned ENOUGH with trying to figure itself out? I would say the latter - like Flieshman, the common mind set is caught in a vicious cycle of need that is seldom satisfied by what it thinks it needs - and so continues needing. A decent self-analysis might help break this cycle. But certainly, not challenging the status quo in some manner will lead not to the Eagle's flight, but rather to a whole lot of useless wind, signifying nothing.
To continue with Northern Exposure, we had over-analytical Chris, who WAS trying to find out what it was all about. He was interesting and annoying, but he was trying - and slowly, getting somewhere (he had been a career criminal who had done hard time). Then there was Minifield, the big-boss who relied upon the staus quo for his power - and was almost beyond any self-analysis and knowledge. Marilyn was one of the few characters who seemed to be as this Eagle was - and in no need of inner help. Everyone else was - and telling them to do nothing about it - to let it flow - would not have helped.
I read someone recently who said that getting someone to sit down and meditate for any amount of time was more painful to the average person than real pain itself. One may tell them that they have to quiet themselves down to find their Buddha nature, but they will not. Instead, as Jesus knew, we need parables - lessons on the nature of life. In other words, words, and analysis of words for their meaning. It is through them that we might come to know that which is beyond words and analysis. It is, as the mystics know, what religion is about - the format is to train the mind to accept certain non-ordinary premises (through various forms of persuasion) - leaving it to the more serious minded to go beyond words. But those people are few. For most of us, words - and analysis - of and by the wise help. Otherwise, when left on our own, we often do not find our true nature, but rather are enslaved by common nature, the superficial winds of need and desire. FK
As this is taken from Marilyn of Northern Exposure, I suppose I should just shut up and end this blog! (such, if you know her character, she would probably demand). Now, in this classic drama-comedy, Dr. Fleishman was the epitome of the man of words, of pure rationalization. This is who his secretary, Marilyn, typically was chastising. But he was NOT a man of thought or over analysis - he was rather a man of this world, as unreflective in his scientific view of medicine as he was in his need for money and prestige. He needed, I would say, a good talking too - and a few hard experiences to shake him up (which he did get often enough). And that is the question we have concerning the mind of today: is it really too caught up in analysis, or not concerned ENOUGH with trying to figure itself out? I would say the latter - like Flieshman, the common mind set is caught in a vicious cycle of need that is seldom satisfied by what it thinks it needs - and so continues needing. A decent self-analysis might help break this cycle. But certainly, not challenging the status quo in some manner will lead not to the Eagle's flight, but rather to a whole lot of useless wind, signifying nothing.
To continue with Northern Exposure, we had over-analytical Chris, who WAS trying to find out what it was all about. He was interesting and annoying, but he was trying - and slowly, getting somewhere (he had been a career criminal who had done hard time). Then there was Minifield, the big-boss who relied upon the staus quo for his power - and was almost beyond any self-analysis and knowledge. Marilyn was one of the few characters who seemed to be as this Eagle was - and in no need of inner help. Everyone else was - and telling them to do nothing about it - to let it flow - would not have helped.
I read someone recently who said that getting someone to sit down and meditate for any amount of time was more painful to the average person than real pain itself. One may tell them that they have to quiet themselves down to find their Buddha nature, but they will not. Instead, as Jesus knew, we need parables - lessons on the nature of life. In other words, words, and analysis of words for their meaning. It is through them that we might come to know that which is beyond words and analysis. It is, as the mystics know, what religion is about - the format is to train the mind to accept certain non-ordinary premises (through various forms of persuasion) - leaving it to the more serious minded to go beyond words. But those people are few. For most of us, words - and analysis - of and by the wise help. Otherwise, when left on our own, we often do not find our true nature, but rather are enslaved by common nature, the superficial winds of need and desire. FK
RSS Feed