Special thanks to all my critics who show me how they continue to fail to get it, to receive what I'm communicating. So I'm going to get a little remedial here.
The previous post, "Bardo Readings", had nothing to do, and is not connected with any Organized or Unorganized Religion whatsoever. I know what you're going to say, that this was EXPLICITLY STATED in the post:
The reading instructions very clearly outline when and what to read, without any limitation of belief system--the practice is presented as non-denominational, not requiring Buddhist or Christian or Jewish prayers, but also not in conflict with any of these.
The part where it says, " without any limit of belief system" means that no particular belief system is required, at all, at all. You don't even have to believe that the readings are doing anything for dead people, but if you are reading, the existential fact is that you are reading at least for yourself and so could stumble upon something of value like you might with any other book.
Since this seems quite clear, I figured that the comparison to the Catholic Church could have come from an automatic, mechanical, Pavlovian reaction to how I signed off - the word "Blessings" is used by Christians ... as well as Pagans. At least I know the critics hang on my every word.
The post also had no intention of indoctrination into any strange cult or philosophical ideology. My philosophy holds that everyone has the liberty and right to choose for themselves what to do with their life in the spirit of Crowley's "Do what thou wilt." Or like Joseph Campbell's, "follow your bliss," or Timothy Leary's exhortation for everyone to "start your own religion" - uh oh, there's that word again, religion. Sorry if it freaks anyone out. Leary meant something like making your daily life sacred in however you as an individual choose to do so.
I only intended to present and suggest methods for dealing with/coping with death because I personally experienced a great deal of death at the time of the post. I've been working in this area since about 1980 when I randomly opened to it in Carl Jung's Collected Works. I've picked up a few things along the way and felt it necessary to pass some of it along yesterday.
To review, these methods include:
- learning how to do formal readings from The American Book of the Dead
- reading from any inspired text that feels right
- practicing Magick which can involve learning Qabalah. Mysticism appears identical to Theurgic Magick, so meditative activities could work as a method of bardo service.
- listening/ playing music with a particular intention or focus.
- writing
Intellectuals and cynics who take this as a bunch of nonsense have my permission to maintain their status quo and continue to tell lies about something they lack any understanding of. This is for a few people who might be interested.
There is no way I can prove any of this works. The only way to find out is to try it. At first, it might take a little time before you feel a strong contact with the bardo. However, you'll sense pretty quickly what effect practicing any of these methods has on you.
I also advocate the Gurdjieffian advice: DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING I SAY. Verify everything for yourself.
Reading this post, I'm reminded of a quote from a Michael Tsarion documentary called "Architects of Control". Tsarion writes and lectures on the Irish origins of civilization, Tarot symbolism, mind control conspiracies, etc. Apparently, he is also a Rosicrucianist. At one point in this film he is describing peoples' reactions to the concept of freeing the mind. They ask him to tell them how they can do this...is there a book they can read? A religion to follow?
ReplyDeleteHe scoffs a bit to himself and says, "Tell you how? The point is that YOU figure it out for YOURSELF..."
;-)