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cult, Kabbalah & Western Hermetic Tradition, Kabbalist, New Religious Movement, Nine of Swords, NRM, Osho Zen Tarot, Religion, Religion & Spirituality, REM, Shaul Youdkevitch, Socrates, Tarot, The Hermit, Thomas Aquinas, William Blake
“Each man must create his own system or else he is a slave to another mans” ― William Blake
At point or another, all “new religious movements” or whatever fancy word of a day for a sect is – become even worse for the follower than most organized religions. In words of Shaul Youdkevitch, a kabbalist of prominence, the difference between a cult and a religion is merely… hundred years. In my experience, much less than that. I’ve been around the NRM block couple of times by now and i got a lot and i lost a lot on the go. I got acquainted with the ideas that are not available – or at least weren’t available at the time – in mass media and popular books; i made friends – kind of friends that i can only compare to what i’ve read of people fighting wars together, so far so good – but what i (almost) lost there almost outweighs the gains… I almost lost any kind of faith i ever had and at certain points i felt i was downright loosing my soul and turning into some kind of insensitive monster who parrots the learned by heart jargon of the movement.
Now, i must digress. I’ve seen many people who are perfectly happy in various cults (as well as many people who suffered and many who simply fell apart) and it seems that to find happiness in such environment one needs to be in possession of qualities that will basically enable him to find happiness pretty much anywhere: the golden rule is not to dig too dip, so to find inconsistencies in teachings as well as the agendas of the people who are pushing them. Keeping a distance, taking only what you need, turning a blind eye to the rest. Of course, there are many pro’s to that approach and i guess no one is that stupid to expect perfectionism and infallibility from the fragile human nature… But what i absolutely insist on is the virtue of honesty – being honest in one’s search, being honest about one’s motivation, being honest about one’s goals and , in the first place, being honest about one’s mistakes. Sadly, there is a severe shortage of honesty.
Think of Socrates. His life and philosophy are continuous source of inspiration since the dawn of humanity for two reasons: firstly, unlike Thomas Aquinas and other scholastic philosophers – he didn’t presume he knew better and wasn’t set to patronizingly persuade you into certain pre-existing truths , he was on the adventure of finding the truth with you, whichever that truth might be and whether it existed in the first place; secondly – he lived his own truth and he died for it.
No contemporary martyrs that i know of – most of the our-days- Gurus are (too) well fed, flying around in private jets and basically are not significantly different from (any other) Hollywood Celebrity. Don’t get me wrong – i don’t believe in suffering , not at all. But some fake and spoiled brat parroting the new-age lines is not exactly an answer to my prayers either.
Now, the logical question would be – wtf i was looking for in all those sects and cults, right? A companionship. Kindred souls. The quest gets overbearingly lonely at times… at the end of things, for myself i concluded i am better of alone on my own, then confused and alone in a group.
More on the topic of the Nine of Swords. The Swords as a Suit in Tarot are related to the mind, to the thinking processes and the thoughts itself. I think its a common knowledge by now that its the thought that’s at the root of our emotions – Buddhist have said it, Kabbalists have said it. Grab a hold of your thought process – and you are holding the key to your emotional stability. (Of course, its easier said than done.)
Nines are related to the Nineth Major Arcanum of Tarot – the Hermit – symbolizing an endless variety of concepts, but commonly being related to the quality of Solitude.
It seems that most of the folks who really contributed to our kind have spent prolonged times on their own. There is something in the crowd that prevents us from hearing our own thoughts, something that prevents us from being true to our own selves… the herd mentality or whatever its called. Observe any kind of group – very soon you’ll spot the leaders – and chances are they won’t be the most moral ones and the ones who are the most concerned with common good; more so – the bigger the group, the bigger the takes are – chances are that the brave leader has many of the psychopathic traits.
The leaders – political, religious, CEO’s – know your soft spots, they know your fears; they also know how to cheer you up and how to appeal to your most profound emotions… its not that difficult after all, most of the five years old can do that too… the thing is that we learn with time that its not nice to manipulate others and most of us refrain from it most of the times… not your and my leaders. They mostly use those energies to get a free ride into a careless and abundant existence and that’s about it. Now, there are different kind of leaders – we’ve heard of them, we’ve learned of them … i presume your own experience thought you that, if not – you’ll have to trust me on this one (albeit i hope it never comes to that) – they are the exceptions.
We are on our own, as much as we fear it. Its up to each and everyone of us , according to our believes or the lack of them, to come up with our own system – or to remain in slavery for ever.
Think for yourself, its not illegal yet.
Copyright © 2012 Lena Ruth Stefanovic
All Rights Reserved
Copyright notice: the attached scan is of Edvard Munch’s painting which is in public domain in the United States (first published more than 95 years ago.) The painting is protected by copyright in Norway until 2015 and may also be covered by copyright in the EU countries; source: : http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/munch/
Really like all of what you have written Lena, particularly the last sentence: “Think for yourself, it is not illegal yet”. Sadly, you are so correct in mentioning that there is a severe shortage of honesty, though I do not think this sums up ‘all’ of humanity, though I do think it has a poignant significance within the agendas of those who seek to control….and have their ‘own’ collection of slaves for ‘their own’ purposes.
What you have written makes me think of a song by the band : REM (I think) with the line:
“And there’s me in the spotlight….losing my religion”
Jim, thank you for taking the time to read the essay – and more so for the meaningful notes! You are right – the honesty is lacking more as we move up on the ladder – among the 1%… The remainings of it among us is that, which makes me personally go on; these remnants give me the hope that we, who faced crashing of several ideologies and are facing the crises of the religion – will find the way… if not for us, then for our children who deserved a better reality than the one we are living.
Thank you for writing this, for sharing this. I have been thinking about this issue quite a lot lately. I always find your insight into matters of the soul (and mind) are a bit like stumbling through a dark night and suddenly discovering a lamp post in front of you. And like Jim I also love that last line! Thank you.
Thank you, stardreamer! I believe you and i choose quite similar lessons to learn in this time…I also follow your posts attentively, and i recognize myself and relate to it too!
9 of Swords, Thought in Yesod. I always saw this card as lucid dreaming, or the fear of losing ones grip on what is ‘just in my head’ and what is ‘real’ In the end it is of course all in our heads 😀
I done that whole cult thing myself, and from that moment on it takes some real effort, like a clash like a brick in my head, or some shake-up, judgement trumpets blasting out etc, just to get me to contemplate the idea that someone might be genuine. Then to investigate it that person or club, tribe, organisation etc is worth my time and money – that really has not happened yet.
I prefer my spiritual leaders to be dead, then I know they are not just sweet-talking me into spending money.
Jema, you hit the nail on the head with this comment! I also do kabbalistic meditations to connect to the souls of departed righteous people and receive their guidance – a lot of it is happening in the dream-like state… Remember Song of Solomon ( 5:2) “I slept, but my heart was awake…”
I consider many people to be my teachers currently – and you among them – but i am so over idolizing the Gurus and making golden calves of them…
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Great post and I love “The Scream”.
Friends and I were discussing religion this past week and it was amazing because each of us are of different faiths. When you grow up a specific faith, it is all you know. Then when you attempt to experience different faiths, you may like them but your own keeps you from venturing out–fear of the unknown.. Leaders know this. They know your inner faith will wag the tail sort of speak. Faith will play on your emotions, unless you love and appreciate all faiths. I do appreciate all and have raised my own children to choose their own and/or not when they ready. It wasn’t chosen for them to have to live.
You can have your own traditions year to year that are as spiritual and loving; anywhere!!
These are the words to live by, a golden rule, Judy: “You can have your own traditions year to year that are as spiritual and loving; anywhere!!” Will quote you! Indeed all comes from good will and intent – when there is love – all religions are just perfect.