|
| On 2006-07-29 14:45:50 -0700, "Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> said:
> Prepare, initiate, and followup, huh? 
>
> I can see, in part, the need for guidance and what you might call
> uniformity. If you want to see "Incorrect usage" of a meditative
> discipline you need only to point your newsreader to alt.zen, or google
> "zen" on amazon.com. I think we just take the good with the bad and
> hope that what is being taught out there is doing more harm than good.
>
> I am positive the Maharishi was well intended. I don't suppose you
> blame me for being cynical.
I know people who were with him when he was just a poor guru type in
India. He did seem well intended. Though does not appear too good at
running organizations. There is a philosopher named Ken Wilber who has
an interesting take on this phenomenon. He has a theory we don't
simply develop and grow along one line. Some may have great
development in the area of spiritual awareness, but not be developed in
other lines. Like having great people skills, or business acumen.
Wilber uses as an example the mad scientist, who may be very advanced
in scientific applications but is fixated as a sociopath in other areas.
The late Ram Dass told a story of a monk he met in Asia who wanted to
burn himself in political protest. After some time talking to the monk
Mr. Dass learned that the monk fell in love with a women who visited
the monastery and he could not deal with this love. It was then that
he realized that the Buddhist path does not fully respond to all
psychology. He made it his life's goal to integrate western psychology
with eastern practices.
This skepticism towards gurus does not mean we throw the baby out with
the bathwater. Guru's are humans as well. Even though there are
clearly flaws in some of the Indian holymen who imported yoga to the
west, (Maharishi, Osho, Sri Chinmoy, Swami Satchidananda come to mind)
I am convinced they started with good intention. They certainly have
left me with a perspective allowing me to discern some of our more
destructive Western notions. And at the same time realize some of our
more alluring cultural values, such as self-determination and
independence are more advanced than the ancient rigid societies of the
East.
--
~Stu
|
|