PHIL 3310. Exploring the philosophical, ethical, spiritual, existential, social, and personal implications of a godless universe, and supporting their study at Middle Tennessee State University & beyond.
So apparently my video was too long to post on this blog, so here is a link to the video I posted on YouTube. Also, I will be uploading my power-point presentation of it ASAP.
I was not familiar with Sadhguru, Makayla, thanks for introducing me. I'm generally wary of gurus, but I note his statement that “You cannot choose a Guru. Deepen your longing and the Guru will choose you.” Not sure I want a guru to choose me, but it does sound like a less submissive and thus more enlightened posture. In fact, to be enlightened just is to "grow up" and think for oneself (in the Kantian sense, expressed in "What is Enlightenment?" "Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. [2] Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another." https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/files/Kant--What%20Is%20Enlightenment_.pdf
To the notion of religion as an inward turn, I think the religious impulse (which need not embrace any particular faith tradition) is to turn in AND out, to connect with others and with the wider world. (The root of the word religion is "religare," to bind or connect.) Otherwise we could all just start our own churches and be the only active members. But that would seem to defeat the purpose of spiritual thinking, somehow.
On the point that "good vs. evil" is better expressed as just one belief vs. another, I'm afraid that sounds too much like relativism to me. There IS evil in the world, in the form of hatred and injustice and viral disease and sadly so much more... though as a naturalist and pragmatist I don't assign it to a supernatural or mystical source), and it's our task to subdue and transform it. I don't think that's something we can accomplish only "inwardly"...
But as I say, I don't know Sadhguru and I may be missing something important in his message. His call for humility and mutual support is incontestable, and good.
And so is this statement of his, which I also found:
“Your body is on loan from the planet. All the countless numbers of people who have lived on this planet before you and me have all become topsoil, and so will you. This planet will collect back atom by atom what it has loaned to you.”
And this:
“Sunlight comes into your house not because you want it. It happens because you open the windows.” Reminds me of something Dumbledore said about happiness always being available to those who remember to switch on the lights.
I love the part about admitting what we don't know. I identify as an atheist, but I still acknowledge that a god or higher power MAY exist, but I simply don't think it is plausible based on the information we have at this moment in time. At the end of the day, we only know what we know so there are lots of mysteries about the world to uncover. If we don't maintain some level of humility and curiosity, we will not be able to deepen our understanding of such things. Great report!!
Just copied & pasted the embed code...
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with Sadhguru, Makayla, thanks for introducing me. I'm generally wary of gurus, but I note his statement that “You cannot choose a Guru. Deepen your longing and the Guru will choose you.” Not sure I want a guru to choose me, but it does sound like a less submissive and thus more enlightened posture. In fact, to be enlightened just is to "grow up" and think for oneself (in the Kantian sense, expressed in "What is Enlightenment?" "Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. [2] Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another." https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/files/Kant--What%20Is%20Enlightenment_.pdf
ReplyDeleteTo the notion of religion as an inward turn, I think the religious impulse (which need not embrace any particular faith tradition) is to turn in AND out, to connect with others and with the wider world. (The root of the word religion is "religare," to bind or connect.) Otherwise we could all just start our own churches and be the only active members. But that would seem to defeat the purpose of spiritual thinking, somehow.
On the point that "good vs. evil" is better expressed as just one belief vs. another, I'm afraid that sounds too much like relativism to me. There IS evil in the world, in the form of hatred and injustice and viral disease and sadly so much more... though as a naturalist and pragmatist I don't assign it to a supernatural or mystical source), and it's our task to subdue and transform it. I don't think that's something we can accomplish only "inwardly"...
But as I say, I don't know Sadhguru and I may be missing something important in his message. His call for humility and mutual support is incontestable, and good.
And so is this statement of his, which I also found:
“Your body is on loan from the planet. All the countless numbers of people who have lived on this planet before you and me have all become topsoil, and so will you. This planet will collect back atom by atom what it has loaned to you.”
And this:
“Sunlight comes into your house not because you want it. It happens because you open the windows.” Reminds me of something Dumbledore said about happiness always being available to those who remember to switch on the lights.
I love the part about admitting what we don't know. I identify as an atheist, but I still acknowledge that a god or higher power MAY exist, but I simply don't think it is plausible based on the information we have at this moment in time. At the end of the day, we only know what we know so there are lots of mysteries about the world to uncover. If we don't maintain some level of humility and curiosity, we will not be able to deepen our understanding of such things. Great report!!
ReplyDelete