--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Alex Stanley" <j_alexander_stanley@...> wrote: > > > > > I'm not selling anything. I stated an opinion based on my observations of having lived in FF for almost 29 years. In the TM world, enlightenment is always this exalted state of future perfection that requires endless years of doing program twice a day. The TM model of tiptoeing around sleeping elephants perfectly demonstrates the TM world escapism of not being here now and directly addressing what is. A few years ago, the Hare Krishnas paraded around the farmers market, handing out pamphlets. I looked at one, and it was all about how we need to be celibate vegetarians and chant the maha-mantra so that we can have better lives in future incarnations. Other traditions are focused on cultivating futures full of esoteric experiences, rainbow bodies, states of samadhi, etc. Which is not to say that self-improvement is wrong, but it can be every bit an awakening-obstructing attachment as sex, food, drugs, money, etc. >
Well yes that's true but I wouldn't associate this behavior with the true essence of the Eastern spirituality which is well captured in scriptures like Tripura Rahasya which makes clear that the outer doesn't have any relation to the inner. It describes a city full of jivanmuktas engaged in their daily activity according to their samskara and dharma. Its quite for a common for seekers to make enlightenment in to an achievement or a goal and into confusing outer spiritual disciplines to be indicative of the inner transformation but I would never say this is all Eastern Spirituality is about. The life-abnegating focus of Hinduism is only of a more modern origin with the likes of Buddhism, Gandhi/Catholics and the like. The only complete avatar in Hinduim is Lord Krishna who enjoyed life in its all glory.
