Will you people get your mind out of gutter?
There is a lot of talk about freedom in paganism. The restrictions of Christianity are as much social as they are Biblical. I once asked an evangelical what would happen if I walked into his church with long hair and wearing a gown. He said that I would be asked to leave. I told him that if Jesus walked into his church, dressed as he was at the time, his church would ask him to leave. I made the point that what they call holy and acceptable behavior has little to do with god and much to do with enforcing current social norms. We are not under the same restrictions as the dominant religion of the West or are we?
I know a very famous pagan who was chastised by his local community for not being polyamorous. After all, all real pagans are. I have heard this same thing being held against the less famous as well. I know several woman that have a measure of the sight. They tend towards seeing the unpleasant and negative. Many people in these two woman's different communities shy away because 'they are not real'. Yet, someone with the sight that sees the positive is very welcome. I don't think one talent is more holy than the other but I do feel that the first two women are not as free to share their visions as is the one that sees positive things. I have been in communities were skyclad is more or less the norm, even at pool parties. I have been in communities that may shower fully clothed. However, the two seldom mix. Does this sound free to you?
To me, it sounds like the social rules that have nothing to do with our beliefs and everything to do with our fears. If they are naked, it will turn into a sex party! If they are not polyamorous, they think what we are doing is wrong. If she speaks of the negative things she sees, we can't pretend all is light. Boo!
This is fear based-hooha. Doubly negative because some pagans would like to be on the other side of these socially imposed rules but fear the social retribution and rightfully so. We live in bondage, just like the Christians do. If it is b.s. for them, it is b.s. for us. This is not good. We are pandering to our lower natures. We are making up rules which eventually allow us to say, "We are better than them." It doesn't matter if they are Christians or fellow pagans. We have created the same silly social dynamic.
There is a positive side to bondage. Sheesh, no, I am not talking about THAT.
A laser gains power by focusing diffuse light into a tight beam. Women have the power of birth because they can contain the fetus in an enclosed nurturing space. So too, does the Will of our soul manifest by staying within its own parameters. The fully expressed soul does not wander free but stays bound to its purpose.
Buddha was bound by his drive toward enlightenment. The fully realized artist is bound to create their art. These people would die sitting behind an accountants desk. My work appears to revolve around the manifestation meditation. I will stick close to that. If you are lucky enough to have found what your soul calls you to do, do it. Do not stray from it and weaken yourself, no matter what the social rules.
7 comments:
Your last paragraph speaks to my condition. So many people have told me that I shouldn't be doing a PhD - and yet I know that it's the right thing for me at this time. It takes drive, especially when there isn't much support around, so I shall try and be like the laser, more powerful for my intense focus.
I am glad you found some inspiration in my words. Good luck.
Very enlightening post with great and true observations.
Also If you want to participate you've been tagged. http://treegoldandbeegold.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-was-tagged-and-multiple-times.html
The figure of carcer in geomancy speaks to the power of bondage — in the sense of limitation or boundary. Without boundaries, it's very difficult to get anything done, really. Hence the Roman interest in and dedication to both Janus and Terminus — divinities concerned with boundaries and barriers, and keeping on the right side of them.
I completely agree.
You know, just so I could read your blog faster, I used the Google translator, and the German version did not translate "bondage" using the word one usually associates with whips, chains & sweaty latex. In used the word "Unfreiheit" or "un-freedom".
I think you made a good point. We are social animals living in a poly-social society, and essentially we cannot and will not attempt to escape these bounds; these limits of being accepted by your fellow man. That's why I can understand your views of self-constraint in religion. One has to accept that despite all the "traditions" and "respect for the old ways" we simply cannot turn the clock backwards for the sake of purity of religion. If we did that, that would be nothing short that accepting ripping the hearts out of living human captives to offer to the Gods (as the Aztecs did) something perfectly acceptable.
I love this comment! Unfreedom! that is exactly the right way to put it.
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