The Post-Spiritual Era
Some hazy thoughts after the ISC weekend: for one, I'm starting to feel
more and more inauthentic the more I talk, read, or think about
spirituality, spiritual concepts, spiritual truths, compassionate
this-n-that. In other words, I'm starting to avert my nose to the
"stink of zen" I find all around (that, or I just need to take more
than 1 shower a week). On the one hand, I deeply resonate with 99% of
all of it: I almost (at least believe), but on the other, it makes me
roll my eyes. "The world IS emptiness". Funk dat. "You must achieve
enlightenment so you can help all beings." Yawn.
But it still all seems like--what's the word?--showing off, to even
address these topics. Spirituality doesn't even seem like an
appropriate pursuit for a young man. What deep existential pain does
someone in his 20s from a middle family really have compared to, say,
Fred Kofman, who once waited every day at a bus stop in Argentina built
directly over a subterranean torture chamber? Maybe spirituality, as it
was in ancient times, is a pursuit befitting old men and women.
Youngsters still might need to fuck around.
Of course, none of this is to deny the importance of spirituality.
However, my feeling now is that, if you completely suppress, ignore,
and deny it, its crucial, undeniable components may just push their way
into your life anyways (i.e. perhaps the universal experience of
Love?), while all the baggage, bullshit, clinging, posturing, and pride
does not.
"You shall know them by the fruits of their labors." Yes, and not by
the fruits of them TALKING about their labors.
Sheesh, good thing I write for GenSit.
posted by Paul S. at
6:40 PM
3 Comments:
this is a great post. Should post it some place where it will actually get read!
Hi Paul,
I have a friend who moved to Boulder from Santa Barbara, CA back in 2000. She has been there ever since. The irony is that she wanted to live closer to the 'hub of conscious evolution' --or some such thing! Anywho, it has struck me that over the years she has become increasingly cynical towards spiritual pursuits. It is like she became 'over-exposed' to spirituality (and all the attendant baggage that comes with it).
Anyways, it just struck me that for some people a little distance is a good thing. Not to get too close. Not to immerse one's self too deep into such an environment. That way one's authentic path can stay fresh and alive.
Something I read from Paramahansa Yogananda's book Man's Eternal Quest when I was about 20 has stuck with me ever since. He spoke about imbalances in terms of spiritual pursuits and this thing he called 'spiritual indigestion.' Our soul can literally become sick... ill... from too much spiritual nourishment--i.e.. Boulder could be a 'all-you-can-eat buffet-line of spiritual paths and discourses.' Leaving one wanting to literally barf at the end of the day! ; o )
It is strange that my friend confessed to me that Boulder was 'making her sick' and she was 'getting sick of being there.' But she is still there.
It just strikes me as ironic that someone could move to Boulder to 'be more spiritual' and 'get turned off' to spiritual matters.
And then say, in some place like Atlanta, Cleveland, Milwaukee, or Minneapolis there could be a 'less overtly spiritual vibe' and not the impediments to practice and nourishment--precisely because the community emphasis on spiritual concerns is not so great.
It is wierd to me how for some people a seemingly non-spiritual cultural environment could be the best place for the flowering of soul and spirit. Again, ironic.
Genuinely,
David Jon
that mike harris dude is funny as hell (but he's right). you guys should team up and do a stand-up.
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