Minutus

Dear Colleagues

I appreciate that each of us may have a different view of what
'enlightenment' may be.

However Hahnemann in Aph 9 writes:
"In the healthy condition of man, the spiritual vital force (autocracy), the
dynamis that animates the material body (organism), rules with unbounded
sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious,
vital operation, as regards both sensations and functions, so that our
indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy
instrument for THE HIGHER PURPOSE OF OUR EXISTENCE."

I would regard "the higher purpose of our existence" as achieving
enlightenment - The discussion on achieving enlightenment through the
understanding of what is happening to the vital force etc is therefore very
much ON TOPIC please.

The aim of achieving 'enlightenment' is to desire the 'light' that shines on
the path we take and enables us to clearly distinguish Right from Wrong.
It enables us to separate dogma out of reality.

Rgds
Soroush

I guess this might develop into a huge linguistic discussion but when
you use words such as dogma and reality you would have to ask why the
world needs so much religion and to what extent religious dogma effects
one's healthy outlook on life vis right and wrong, morals and the like.
For me the higher purpose of our existence is health as 'good health'
is more observable than so called enlightenment. best, Joy
http://www.homeopathicmateriamedica.com
http://www.homeopathicmateriamedica.blogspot.com
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Dear Joy

Of course health is important in all its aspects, physical, mental and
emotional.
However, that is in the 'physical' realm.
As I believe men and women are 'spiritual' beings presently in a physical
body, we need spiritual guidance from those who are truly enlightened.

Sadly a lot people regarded as enlightened are not!

The world needs guidance because like any appliance we need a guide book or
user's manual as how to use it most efficiently.
The most perfect guide book should cover all eventualities.

Sadly most of the people cannot read, or if they can read they do not learn
the lessons well and great number are easily led (as we see around us) and
as Mr Rumsfeld said, if you say a lie often enough, it becomes fact. There a
dogma sets in.

Rgds
Soroush

Enlightment is very spiritual, according to Kent the higher purpose of life
is to become wise.

Kind regards, Piet

I prefer Shannon's post but have to ask about your thoughts regarding
oppression that comes with all that 'guidance' and the after effects of
that. Joy

http://www.homeopathicmateriamedica.com
http://www.homeopathicmateriamedica.blogspot.com
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Dear Joy

I am not sure which of Shannon's posts you are referring to.

Oppression - This is a very interesting point.

Let us take Freedom. Freedom is not absolute. It is limited by the ethical
point of not interfering with the legitimate activities/wishes of others
within certain criteria. So some repression of one's wishes are definitely
involved. I cannot proceed selfishly as I wish. I have to respect the wishes
of others.

When it comes to some religions, they appear to be repressive. But some
times this feeling of repression comes out ignorance.
It is like some one who knows little about cars, reading the Ford manual for
a car and then feeling repressed because it says you must not put water in
the brake fluid reservoir. Or petrol in the radiator.

If one believes (and I agree that to a great degree it is an act of faith
(and sometimes that is blind)) that the 'holy' book they believe in is the
Life manual from the Almighty as the Creator, then they would be foolish to
go against its instructions.
However, anything taken to extremes is harmful - even the worship of a deity
for the believer.

Rgds
Soroush

Guidance / oppression I think is a really important topic! And
(grinning) one we've made *full* acquaintance with here, time and
again! Maybe one difference is that "guidance" offers information and
options, and lets the guidee make his/her choice accordingly; whereas
"oppression" presents the conclusions, the "thou shalts" as fait
accompli, no discussion, no reasons, just do it. Which, come to think,
many parents and teachers find indispensable at certain points, hm...

When I've read in various places about student / mentor or seeker /
guru relationships (etc.), it seems they can be of either
variety--except that in those situations, the guidee can leave, if s/he
chooses, if they feel the price is not worth it.

Sometimes you have to take your guidance on faith--the music teacher
can't meaningfully describe that all the hours and years of practice
are worth it, toward the day when "the music plays itself thru your
hands"; the spiritual guide can't describe why enlightenment is "worth
it", what it feels liks, or how long it will take; teachers of various
sorts can't give their students much taste of what future flashes of
"ah-ha!", visions of elegance and comprehension will feel like, or
when--or whether--they might come.

Maybe in the end it just comes down to determining for oneself, as best
one is able, when and whether the strictures of the guidance are "worth
it", whether they seem to be leading toward a place one wants to go.
Maybe it's not a call that can really be made by anyone else. But I
think it's a topic that's *very* worth giving thought to, so thank you!
Cheers,
Shannon