"Does this light me up, or is it just a placeholder?" I love these questions. I've been asking the first question for a long time, but never Part B. I really appreciate that additional reflection. Many years ago, I attended a lecture with Gary Zukav. To this day, I remember walking away with this question he suggested we ask ourselves, "What's my underlying agenda?" It seems to complement what you're pointing to in this post. And again, the confluence of Tantra and the Tao feels so valuable for these times we're living in.
Eastern spiritualism is often sold as a kind of magic entrance to more reality, whatever that means. It's the same kind if deeper experience that sells certain Christianity. It also is what sells drugs. The hope for more intense feeling about whatever captures the attention at the moment. It's what drove Peggy Lee as she sang, "Is That All There Is." I very much understand that, because I have felt it nearly all my life, sometimes quite intently. But, like with drugs, it always disappoints. The youth culture that has driven almost everyone insane for nearly a century now. In truth it has always driven insanity.
There's really no difference between the dull sense of disappointment that nearly everyone (maybe everyone) experiences, from a mild let down to the intense disappointment Peggy Lee expressed. It may be what killed Alexander the Great. We know his complaint that there was no other kingdoms for him to conquer. I think it's to some extent what's behind the depression that many soldiers experience after they return home after fighting in wars.
I want that feeling of satisfaction from Tantrism. But I deep down know that it's bound to be an empty promise. The reason Mick Jager's sone, "Can't get no satisfaction," was so popular was that it's so common to people.
"Does this light me up, or is it just a placeholder?" I love these questions. I've been asking the first question for a long time, but never Part B. I really appreciate that additional reflection. Many years ago, I attended a lecture with Gary Zukav. To this day, I remember walking away with this question he suggested we ask ourselves, "What's my underlying agenda?" It seems to complement what you're pointing to in this post. And again, the confluence of Tantra and the Tao feels so valuable for these times we're living in.
Eastern spiritualism is often sold as a kind of magic entrance to more reality, whatever that means. It's the same kind if deeper experience that sells certain Christianity. It also is what sells drugs. The hope for more intense feeling about whatever captures the attention at the moment. It's what drove Peggy Lee as she sang, "Is That All There Is." I very much understand that, because I have felt it nearly all my life, sometimes quite intently. But, like with drugs, it always disappoints. The youth culture that has driven almost everyone insane for nearly a century now. In truth it has always driven insanity.
There's really no difference between the dull sense of disappointment that nearly everyone (maybe everyone) experiences, from a mild let down to the intense disappointment Peggy Lee expressed. It may be what killed Alexander the Great. We know his complaint that there was no other kingdoms for him to conquer. I think it's to some extent what's behind the depression that many soldiers experience after they return home after fighting in wars.
I want that feeling of satisfaction from Tantrism. But I deep down know that it's bound to be an empty promise. The reason Mick Jager's sone, "Can't get no satisfaction," was so popular was that it's so common to people.
When I'm driving in my car
And a man talks on the radio
He's telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
This post resonates with me. I hope to continue to move toward that light throughout life. Thanks for sharing.