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- 1.
- The Language of Orthodoxy From: Kenaz Filan
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- 1.
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The Language of Orthodoxy
Posted by: "Kenaz Filan" kenazfilan@gmail.com houngancoquilledumer
Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:14 pm (PDT)
[from http://kenazfilan.blogspot. ]com
Many feel that organized
religion<http://www.amazon.com/Organized- >isreligions- dogma-Sleeve- T-shirt/dp/ B000HVLMSQ? ie=UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969
a barrier to spiritual attainment, not a way to heaven. The old slurs
against "Popish
tyranny<http://www.amazon.com/Annals- >"Progress- Persecutions- Reformed- Churches/ dp/1146031408? ie=UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969
are now thrown at all creeds: grasping superstitious bureaucracies that
impede freedom, innovation and one's personal relationship with the Higher
Power. Hating on orthodoxies has become a favorite new orthodoxy: heresy
for heresy's sake is preferred to rigid and exclusive proclamations.
There are good reasons for these concerns. Any organization is liable to
fall prey to groupthink<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >andUTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= groupthink
CYA behaviors. Rote memorization can replace passionate devotion:
political
jockeying and corporate in-fighting may serve its leaders better than
piety<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >.UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= a%20man%20for% 20all%20seasons
But I wonder if we aren't missing the role organized religion can play in
grounding and effectuating the spiritual experience. Its rigidity and
conservatism can provide a powerful structure within which Ecstasy can be
transmuted into the Word and from there into the Deed.
Every language must have an underlying
grammar<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >,UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= noam%20chomsky
a structure upon which sounds, characters and gestures are combined in
certain constrained and predictable ways. Mystics may experience the Divine
in a lightning flash which transcends all language - but in its aftermath of
their vision they must try to incorporate the vision into their daily life.
To describe it to themselves - and later to others - they will use the words
and symbols of their culture. Of course, this incorporates a chance for
error. It also offers a way of communicating, however imperfectly, the
vision of the ineffable.
Since Freud<http://www.amazon.com/Dream- >andPsychology- Psychoanalysis- Beginners- ebook/dp/ B002RKSQKC? ie=UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969
Jung<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >weUTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= jung
have concentrated on personal interpretations of dreams: we focus on
what
the symbols mean to the dreamer. A similar focus prevails in many spiritual
and theological circles. Faced with the immanence of the Gods, we ask what
impact Their presence has on the seer. Pantheons are recast as images and
reflections of some nebulous undifferentiated Divine Force, or as
psychodramas playing out inside the shaman's skull. Their role as protectors
and progenitors of the clan, the city or the people is subjugated to their
new role as therapist: They become a resource to be tapped for
self-improvement, something to be exploited rather than worshipped.
A living tradition provides us a different lens for viewing our experience
and a different language for communicating it. It gives us access to the
teachings of others who have been touched by the
Gods<http://www.amazon.com/Drawing- >,Down-Spirits- Traditions- Techniques/ dp/159477269X? ie=UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969
to their techniques and their coping mechanisms: it provides information
which is vetted by centuries of profitable use. It also gives us goals and
guideposts against which we may measure our visions. This can help us to
separate the spiritual experience from wish-fulfillment. The line between
enlightenment and self-delusion can be a fine one: having history to draw
upon can provide useful checks and balances.
Orthodoxy<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >forcesUTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= orthodoxy
us to deal with uncomfortable issues in its taboos, restrictions and
moral requirements. We may approach its strictures as reformers or as
reactionaries: we may follow its rules with varying degrees of adherence.
But we must engage with and be shaped by them nonetheless: we must allow its
worldview to color our own. We must address problems we would rather avoid
and account for transgressions we might prefer to bury. In a self-led
spiritual quest, we may never find our way outside our comfort zones and may
never account for difficult questions.
Eliade<http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie= >referredUTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969&search- alias=aps& field-keywords= Eliade
to shamans as "technicians
of the sacred<http://www.amazon.com/Technicians- >."Sacred-Poetries- America-Expanded /dp/0520049128? ie=UTF8&tag= kenfil-20& link_code= btl&camp= 213689&creative= 392969
A similar label might be applied to those who serve in a priestly rather
than a mystical capacity. They apply the principles of their religion to
their faith-community and serve as earthly representatives of their God/s.
Their technology is their vocabulary, their mythology, their philosophy,
their skills in dealing with their congregation - the tools with which they
bring together the divine and the sacred. If their approach is less direct
and spectacular than the shamanic one, it is no less effectual. By
preserving the language of their faith, they help to ensure its
continuation.
--
kenaz filan
kenazfilan @ gmail.com | 917 267 7469
kenazfilan.blogspot.com | www.kenazfilan. com
author:
the haitian vodou handbook
vodou love magic
drawing down the spirits (w/raven kaldera)
vodou money magic
the power of the poppy (forthcoming)
the new orleans voodoo handbook (forthcoming)
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ø¤º°` Earthwise ø¤º°`
<:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]]======0
The Worldwide Spirit of Paganism
in Australia, America & Worldwide!
Take a Look at Our Huge EBay Store
For all your Magickal & Ritual Supplies
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Astarte-Earthwise
___________________________________________________________________________
This Earthwise Book of Shadows group holds the expectation
that a tolerant, mature and respectful dialogue be strived
for in our communications with each other. Members are
encouraged to challenge anyone not adhering to these
principles and to notify the list owner Astarte if you are
offended by a posting, write to me at
earthwise@bigpond.com
Thank you.
___________________________________________________________________________
Earthwise is a world wide group.
We are based in Western Sydney, NSW. Australia.
Located in the valley before the beautiful Blue Mountains were
we hold sacred rituals, workshops, social events and outings,
for more information see our calendar of events at Witches Meetup
http://witches.meetup.com/1293/
___________________________________________________________________________
Astarte also works full time as a Psychic Counsellor, Medium,
Clairvoyant, Healer and Teacher.
If she can be of assistance to you, please see her home page at
www.earthwise.net.au
___________________________________________________________________________
ARE YOU CREATIVE?
Astarte is always sourcing new suppliers of quality pagan
related items, to purchase wholesale or even put on consignment,
she willing to purchase worldwide items for the Earthwise Store.
If you have something of interest please contact Astarte
earthwise@bigpond.com
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