For their ritual, the Valeria rescue squad have the Bible and the "Poimanderes," (p. 226) open at appropriate passages.
I can't always find posts that I know are somewhere on the blog. In one post, which I might still find but not right now, I summarized three traditions in European civilization:
philosophy and science from Thales;
prophetic monotheism from Abraham;
occultism from Hermes.
(Later: Found it. See here.)
I know a guy who has a Bachelor's degree in physics and a Master's in Hermeticism. His Doctorate might be a synthesis.
Since Hermeticism involves alchemy and astrology, maybe science has superseded it? - although not in the goetic timeline. But I think that it is good that there is a third strand, a tradition recognizing spiritual practice, other than imported Abrahamism.
10 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
But we have no need for Hermeticism, astrology, alchemy, etc., because the superiority of notions like the lawfulness of the universe and sciences like astronomy and chemistry is OBVIOUS.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Yes but Hermeticism would draw some people towards spiritual practice.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
"Spiritual practice" toward what end or goal? It not for seeking God, then it seems pointless.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
It seems pointless to you! People formulate their end or goal if they have one in many ways: to be one with all things, one with the ultimate reality however conceived, free from suffering, free from rebirth (not that I personally believe in that!) etc, etc.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I know. But that kind of "spiritual practice" looks more like putting the cart before the horse.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
It seems that way to you! Because you believe in God in a particular sense, you believe that God in that sense should come first. We can't even start a debate if you speak on the basis that your belief is true when the other person does not agree with that. My practice of Zen meditation does not put any cart before any horse. It is awareness of the nature of thought processes.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I am sorry if I have offended you. That was not my wish. It still seems strange to meditate on or contemplate merely processes of thought.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Nevertheless, it is beneficial. The worst thing is thoughts that are never reflected on, e.g., an apparently random memory of an unpleasant childhood experience generating negative emotions like resentment, malice, self-justification etc. We cannot prevent the memory from arising but we can learn to let it arise and pass, let go of it, not remain attached to the negative emotions. This is a helpful practice for anyone whatever beliefs they hold. It might open consciousness to the approach or presence of a deity if there is a deity but we don't have to believe that to start meditating.
Paul.
Sean,
The discussion ceases to be abstract or academic because it is partly about our own practices so some personal feeling sometimes becomes apparent! But we can continue to state the reasons why we follow one practice rather than another. I think that, if a sincerely practiced "way" has its limits, then the sincere practice will eventually uncover those limits and enable the practitioner to move on to something better but this takes time. I practiced something else before Zen but a long time ago.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
A reasonable argument or statement of your view, and one I accept.
Ad astra! Sean
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