This is an open-comment theology blog where I will post various theological musings, mostly in sermon or essay form, for others to read and comment on. If what I say here interests you, you may want to check out some of my books. Feel free to criticize, to critique, to comment, but keep comments to the point and respectful. Many of these posts have been published elsewhere, but I wanted them collected and made available to a wider audience.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Question of the Day
If you see great potential in someone for spiritual achievement (say, in mysticism), but you know that developing it will involve great danger and risk, should you encourage that in them or not?
I could be wrong, but I think that mysticism is practiced by a lot of Eastern Religions and philosophies and they seemed to operate just fine. I guess it depends on the person and the culture about how much they have the potential to have nihilism or egoism and even how they would react to mysticism in the first place.
Speaking only for myself: if there was something you saw you thought might help, hearing about it would be appreciated. This person may well wish to be informed of a path or paths that may help them.
So long as the idea can be shared in a caring, open manner, I would recommend sharing the idea. The results of an idea are not necessarily reflected upon you. Too many choices and influences beyond the initial idea.
What do you mean by "great danger and risk?"
ReplyDeleteMysticism can lead to nihilism or egoism. It can make life harder to live, too.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, but I think that mysticism is practiced by a lot of Eastern Religions and philosophies and they seemed to operate just fine. I guess it depends on the person and the culture about how much they have the potential to have nihilism or egoism and even how they would react to mysticism in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI think mysticism in the east is apt to fall into the same traps.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking only for myself: if there was something you saw you thought might help, hearing about it would be appreciated. This person may well wish to be informed of a path or paths that may help them.
ReplyDeleteSo long as the idea can be shared in a caring, open manner, I would recommend sharing the idea. The results of an idea are not necessarily reflected upon you. Too many choices and influences beyond the initial idea.