narratives

[Sojourner]

At 04:46 PM 9/8/97 -0400, Jeremy Osner wrote:

>(I, Sojourner)  wrote:
>> 
>> Many religions which use "mind-altering" drugs believe the exact opposite,
>> that you are hallucinating most of your life until you come to a point of
>> clarity (whether with drugs or with fasting etc.) and you are NOT
>> hallucinating
>> and therefore can see the "lines of the world". 
>
>The notion of "hallucinating" vs. "not hallucinating" (i.e. "seeing
>unreal things" vs. "seeing real things") doesn't seem useful to me. I do
>Zen meditation and have been told by teachers in the Zendo that one
>should not cloud one's mind with drugs. I also smoke pot occasionally
>and find that it alters my perceptions in interesting ways. I am not
>really interested in Zen or Pot as an avenue to the "truth" but more as
>a means for finding "inner peace". So the question that I deal with more
>frequently is, does it help me see the "lines of my own consciousness."
>
>One could argue that the search for "inner peace" involves a search for
>"understanding" for which "true reality" and knowledge of same is a
>necessary ingredient. However even accepting this argument, "truth" is
>not the primary goal of the search.

Depends on what your definition of Truth is.  If Truth is some sort
of thing that lawyers seek so they can prove a point or agenda, then
yes I can see your point.  But if the world and universe (which means
one world) is One, then inner peace = truth.  Or, inner peace is life
without conflict, or One without Many, or Universe as Is, without
contradiction or misunderstanding.

And yes, drugs can/do "cloud" the mind.  Its why TV can be argued
to be a drug every much as alcohol or marijuana can.  If meditation
allows you to see the see the inner lines of your own consciousness,
then that is Clarity, and Clarity, as you pointed out so wonderfully,
is Truth Without Conflict, or "inner peace".

Wow.. ok now as for the TRP reference:

Imagine a hazy, fractured dream, which seems disjointed and full
of dissimilar images, approaches and perspectives.  You see these
and your mind balks, and yet you pull back far enough, and soon
you are amazed as a whole image comes through.  And then you
are overwhelmed by it, and you say thanks T.R., thanks for
giving us your damn good books!


	"I am born again!"

	   --Radiohead