Art or the Pulpit? The two Pronged Approach to Spirituality.

[andrasnm]

"We are facing unsettling times when peace of mind and harmony are much sought after conditions. Unfortunately, where there is a need often the snake oil salesmen appear from the woodwork.

I am talking about the mysterious “Ancient Wisdom” often enough to get emails that asks; ”Ok, where can I learn this Ancient Wisdom, reliably and for FREE?”

People have natural instincts, well from the few obvious gullible, who know and realize that God’s consciousness and peace of mind is not something they would have to BUY.”

I have three recommendations for them;

Agni Yoga Society on the Internet (free books to download) a Yahoo group to visit.
Vedanta Centers around the US are also great who like their style and delivery.
Theosophical Society (books, videos and lectures)
Now these three are a good start. I have used two out of the three, and I can vouch for them. I have yet to visit the Vedanta Center in Sacramento.

The concept of the Vedanta is very simple. There is a world wide organization of Swamis (teachers) who dedicate their life to God. They are poor and depend on fundraisings but their heart is of gold.

The Theosophical Society has split into two groups and the real one (i.e. the one I find better) is in Wheaton Ill, and India. Also the Agni Yoga group is somewhat tainted with some dubious characters and so called “gurus”, but all in all,it is a good source. BE DISCRIMINATING, that is the key.

If you need a live teacher you might find one or you might not; it will depend on your locale.

Spirituality could be disseminated via a two pronged method. They are the myriads of experts, book taught mystics, etc. who either learned some Reiki or counseling via a “course” and afterwards they became experts and counsel people. OK, there is nothing wrong with that except that the fish starts rotting from the head. If you are a “certified” anything, massage therapist, Reiki expert, or lifestyle “coach” you likely paid for your school and hence you teachers might have been less than an “expert” himself. Remember, the best is always free? Spirituality is not like book taught schools of a Business School, despite the West’s confusion about it. This is why my teacher always said if the “expert” is certified run to the nearest exit.

Sadly, a decent teacher is the hardest to find as most people make a business from the whole experience.

The bottom line where I am driving is, western Spirituality is over commercialized and often very pricy. They have the retreats, the seminars, the whole nice yard and you can spend thousands before you realize that you were duped.

So what is this two pronged way to Bliss?

One is meditation and study. The other is Art. You can accomplish more with a piece of music or a fine painting than hours, days or month in a lecture hall or reading books from self proclaimed “gurus”. Nicholas Roerich was a consummate artist but he was also a Lawyer, Explorer and Peace maker. He was a giant of a man......"
partly reposted from my blog, to see the whole thing and leave a comment, please click below. Comments posted here may or may not be ignored......
http://www.andras-nagy.com/wordpress/?p=321

[headheart]

The bottom line where I am driving is, western Spirituality is over commercialized and often very pricy. They have the retreats, the seminars, the whole nice yard and you can spend thousands before you realize that you were duped.

So what is this two pronged way to Bliss?

One is meditation and study. The other is Art. You can accomplish more with a piece of music or a fine painting than hours, days or month in a lecture hall or reading books from self proclaimed “gurus”.

Yes, and Yes-and.

Having been in the discipline of art, music and creative writing since I was fourteen years of age. I am now fifty one and still continue.
There however is definitely a profound energizing of these three, which results from the efforts of elementary childlike prayer.

Sincerely,
HH.

[one_lost_coin]

what?

[technomage]

what?

I didn't understand it either. To me, it seems that andrasnm is going around his tailbone to get to his elbow.