tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post5475114981672313421..comments2022-05-07T17:54:10.719-07:00Comments on Unenrolled Baha'i: Restless SoulsKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915968995957299554noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post-807063938810585552008-08-11T22:19:00.000-07:002008-08-11T22:19:00.000-07:00Sorry, the URL got chopped.The book is:EsalenAmeri...Sorry, the URL got chopped.<BR/><BR/>The book is:<BR/><BR/>Esalen<BR/>America and the Religion of No Religion<BR/>Jeffrey J. Kripal<BR/> <BR/>ISBN: <BR/>978-0-226-45369-9 <BR/>(ISBN-10: 0-226-45369-3)<BR/><BR/>"Set against the heady backdrop of California during the revolutionary 1960s, Esalen recounts in fascinating detail how these two maverick thinkers sought to fuse the spiritual revelations of the East with the scientific revolutions of the West, or to combine the very best elements of Zen Buddhism, Western psychology, and Indian yoga into a decidedly utopian vision that rejected the dogmas of conventional religion. In their religion of no religion, the natural world was just as crucial as the spiritual one, science and faith not only commingled but became staunch allies, and the enlightenment of the body could lead to the full realization of our development as human beings."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post-29934927302629546932008-08-11T22:05:00.000-07:002008-08-11T22:05:00.000-07:00Karen &all,This book on Esalen (a new age spir...Karen &all,<BR/><BR/>This book on Esalen (a new age spiritual commune and think tank in Big Sur, California) might be of interest:<BR/><BR/>http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/453699.html<BR/><BR/>Esalen was at least partly influenced by the Sri Aurobindo variant of Integral Thought/Theory.<BR/><BR/>Integral Thought contains most of what introvert ex/bahais are probably interested in. It embraces both rational inquiry and "trancendence". <BR/><BR/>Integral thought contains the main thing missing from bahai: it not only accepts scientific evolution, it makes it central to understanding how spirituality has developed in various cultures.<BR/><BR/>Integral thought replaces the sloppy thinking of Progressive Revelation with a postmodernish perspective on psychosocial developmental "stages".<BR/><BR/>Integral theory has been applied in business, science, social activism, social justice and many of the leaders of peace movements throughout the world support integralism.<BR/><BR/>Integral community is more new age and has more Buddhist/Yogic/Hindu influences than some ex/bahais might be comfortable with.<BR/><BR/>Integralists are very concerned with spirituality and capitalism, something that bahai tends to be lacking in.<BR/><BR/>Bye!<BR/>Eric P.<BR/>Sacramento<BR/>(ex-bahai, after 30+ years)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post-3371716370277641012008-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:002008-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:00I'm one of those unsocial types who became a Baha'...I'm one of those unsocial types who became a Baha'i but was never really able to fit into the community (or any community.) But my goal is to eventually become active in the local Baha'i group. But I know I can't force myself to do it because I tried before and it just doesn't work. I've started meditating (I don't like that word but don't have another one to use. I'm not trying to reach any spiritual state but rather am trying to step aside from my body to be able to identify more with my spiritual side) in hopes that it will help me deal with a personal weakness that I think makes me more of a hindrance than a help in any group. I do have a real sense now that God is leading me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post-38455506890379139502008-08-08T11:02:00.000-07:002008-08-08T11:02:00.000-07:00Of particular interest to me are the words of 'Abd...Of particular interest to me are the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha in his correspondence with Farmer:<BR/><BR/>"The mouldered, two thousand years old superstitions of the heedless, ignorant peoples, whether of Europe or Asia should not be spread in that revered gathering place," written with reference to "the spurious, decayed and unproductive trees" of the "old sects."<BR/><BR/>It seems 'Abdu'l-Baha identified certain (unspecified) components of the "old sects" as superstitions that should be abandoned. Is it necessary to feed an idol in order to enter into the practice of meditation? Most devout Hindus (some of my friends among them) would answer with an unqualified "yes."<BR/><BR/>I imagine that, while the Brahmins would argue that one cannot separate external devotion from internal practice, 'Abdu'l-Baha might argue that one cannot separate external practice from internal devotion. The shift in emphasis is subtle but critical; the devil (or the idol) is indeed in the details.<BR/><BR/>AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657047121415401044.post-45080740188417429642008-08-08T04:58:00.000-07:002008-08-08T04:58:00.000-07:00"Green Acres" -- I loved that programme. Eva Gabor..."Green Acres" -- I loved that programme. Eva Gabor as Lisa Douglas, saying "Dahling" all the time and that hilarious Arnold the pig!<BR/> <BR/><B>Green acres is the place to be<BR/>Farm living is the life for me<BR/>Land spreading out,<BR/>so far and wide<BR/>Keep Manhattan, <BR/>just give me that countryside.<BR/> <BR/>New York<BR/>is where I'd rather stay<BR/>I get allergic smelling hay<BR/>I just adore a penthouse view<BR/>Darling, I love you,<BR/>but give me Park Avenue. <BR/><BR/>The Chores <BR/>The Stores <BR/>Fresh air <BR/>Times Square <BR/> <BR/>You are my wife. Goodbye city life. <BR/>Green Acres, we are there!</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com