a reply to:
_damon
Good post, I agree for the most part. I think there should be a balance between materialism and spirituality, or low path and high path.
Low path is cynical, objective, grounded, rational, concrete and more linear thinking. High path is divinity, spirituality, creativity, and
abstraction. Obviously for practical reasons we should have some low path sentiments for the sake of survival.
I think one of the pitfalls to extreme spiritualism is that a person may neglect or even reject our physical needs. We use nature's resources to
create materials and these materials help us do things like build homes, hospitals, create water supplies, crop vegetation etc. People shouldn't
think its evil to have these materialist pursuits as they are necessary for survival. In fact these materials can help facilitate us to more
spiritual and philosophical thinking.
Think the computer and internet for example. A computer is made of various forms of plastics, transistors, silicon, and metal for components, then
the hardware combines with software which is made of cables, switches, and data packets which ultimately creates the PC and internet. The information
on the internet can be used to change our perspective, to learn more religious concepts, research peer reviews and studies of the supernatural which
goes back to as you stated the criteria sometimes needed to fully understand and develop things like the third eye.
The internet, which is a material product, can help us develop mentally and spiritually. The only time there is a problem with materialism is when we
neglect spiritual development, which for many is a choice. This can lead to excessive obsession of materials which is never truly satisfying.
And I would argue that too much high path can be unhealthy as well. You can have people living in fantasies, delusions, even dissociating from
reality. Too much meditation or spiritual work is dangerous if not equally grounded.
At any rate you're still right that modern America is a heavily consumer based, marketing world for which many find industrialization to be increasing
depression. There is more emphasis on money and status than anything else. The education system and media is extremely secular as well which doesn't
help for anyone trying to find a sense of spirituality.
It's about having a balance between high path and low path, thus the middle path being ideal.
edit on 15-5-2016 by supermilkman because: (no
reason given)
edit on 15-5-2016 by supermilkman because: (no reason given)