Suppose you are enlightened. Whether it was because you were born into it, stumbled into it, or worked at it, no matter. Perhaps you ate some magic mushrooms. Perhaps you had an epiphany on a park bench. Perhaps you spent decades meditating in a monastery. Perhaps you read a self-help book or attended a retreat or some high-end executive workshops. How do you translate the experience or insight into the wider world?
Hi Zohar! I'm coming to this late but I just found this blog through a comment on Astral Codex Ten.
I'm really enjoying reading through your whole back catalogue, but this post in particular really resonated with me!
I'm a grad student studying meta-ethics/practical philosophy, specifically the work of Christine Korsgaard. But the question that drew me to grad school as opposed to a monastery was this: 'why did the Buddha cross the road?'
In other words, when the housebuilder has been seen and builds houses no more (!), when the self has been uprooted, by what roots are we connected to the practical world? Even supposing our embodied practical knowledge continues to reproduce a world of ends, tools, and obstacles, what principle would regulate our navigation through this world, if we have ceased to identify with our principles?
I've been trying to develop an answer to this question, and I have some ideas, but it sure is a stinker of a question!
Great read Rabi. Thanks for offering these important considerations. They actually inspired me to write an article of my own, somewhat in response to yours but with an “alternative” angle. Would be super interested if you’d read it and let me know your thoughts. Best wishes!
This is a post that's close to my heart. I've pondered about many of these same questions myself - for years in some cases. We live at the forefront of so many great and challenging changes to mankind's ethics, morals, priorities, and, most importantly, spiritual awareness.
Indeed, if enlightened and/or helping others to become enlightened, what is the best way to navigate through this impending chaos? You've posed some excellent questions for both contemporary and ancient spiritual organizations.
I'm looking forward to your refreshing dialogue on spiritual awareness.
Hi Zohar! I'm coming to this late but I just found this blog through a comment on Astral Codex Ten.
I'm really enjoying reading through your whole back catalogue, but this post in particular really resonated with me!
I'm a grad student studying meta-ethics/practical philosophy, specifically the work of Christine Korsgaard. But the question that drew me to grad school as opposed to a monastery was this: 'why did the Buddha cross the road?'
In other words, when the housebuilder has been seen and builds houses no more (!), when the self has been uprooted, by what roots are we connected to the practical world? Even supposing our embodied practical knowledge continues to reproduce a world of ends, tools, and obstacles, what principle would regulate our navigation through this world, if we have ceased to identify with our principles?
I've been trying to develop an answer to this question, and I have some ideas, but it sure is a stinker of a question!
Great read Rabi. Thanks for offering these important considerations. They actually inspired me to write an article of my own, somewhat in response to yours but with an “alternative” angle. Would be super interested if you’d read it and let me know your thoughts. Best wishes!
—— https://gatelessgate.substack.com/p/are-you-not-enlightened
Shalom Zohar.
This is a post that's close to my heart. I've pondered about many of these same questions myself - for years in some cases. We live at the forefront of so many great and challenging changes to mankind's ethics, morals, priorities, and, most importantly, spiritual awareness.
Indeed, if enlightened and/or helping others to become enlightened, what is the best way to navigate through this impending chaos? You've posed some excellent questions for both contemporary and ancient spiritual organizations.
I'm looking forward to your refreshing dialogue on spiritual awareness.
Warm regards, Greg
This made me laugh out loud several times. 😂