06-10-2011, 12:00 AM
Yes, Lex, this explanation helps me to understand your
viewpoint in a clearer manner. I
responded to your PM—I’m available to speak with you via Skype at any time
convenient for you.
Until then, I will respond to your comments here. Since this is not your intention (to
speak with me about tennis when you want to be talking football) I will respond
here with an analogy of my own and then I will let it go. Since this is not what you want to be
discussing, please don’t feel you need to respond, but at this point I want to
round out my perspective---despite you calling it “distracting”---for myself
here in this public setting as that is where I started it to begin with.
Picture two (or more) people staring at a map. They are intent on understanding the
figures and signs on the map as an exercise to gain clarity for their
journey. They are searching
for a treasure in true pirate mode.
Meanwhile, there are pirates close by, within eyesight of those studying
the map. They’ve opened the very
same treasure chest found on the map with a large “X” and they are taking out
the priceless gems found inside!
The map-studiers are entirely engrossed with the map and miss that
they’re within arms length of the treasure they seek.
Those that have found the treasure cry out to those studying
the map, “Here it is!” Those studying the map rebuke them,
“Quiet! We’re looking for
treasure!”
I’m sure both of us could present any number of analogies to
support our POV---and they would all be good ones from our individual perspectives.
Here’s another one from my perspective:
Picture an object---let’s say it is a bubble. You are standing at the north end of
the bubble exclaiming about its properties looking forward to arriving at it. I am standing at the south end of the
bubble exclaiming about its properties as I look back at it. There is value in both directions. The danger in looking ahead at the
bubble is in never actually arriving at it, always seeking via description and
explanation; the danger in looking back at the bubble is to minimize its
impact; “Oh that! Yeah, saw
it.”
You are saying:
This fascinates me!
Don’t you agree this is fascinating? Let’s study this.
We need to pull this apart and study it carefully. It holds secrets of great value that we
need to know.
I’m saying:
Be careful not to stare at it too closely. Detail traps! Look a bit off center, it’s easier to see what you’re
looking for that way.
Exegesis is culturally bound and keeps the seeker within the
bounds of their own worldview. And
there’s a real danger in not being able to break the bounds of our own
worldview. There is such a desire
to map out that worldview---it’s tantalizing! It’s the “staring” that I’m talking about.
It sounds as though I’m saying two opposing things, and I
am! (Earlier I said: Staring at the Sorcerer’s Explanation as a means of
understanding it is a trap---and yet,
it isn’t----and that’s the mystery,
the nagual.) There is also the North view and
there is the South view, to complicate matters. (Lord
help us when East and West speak up! lol) The paradoxes within sorcery/nagualism
are evident although that doesn’t make them any less maddening!
This is how we can “resolve” our differences, Lex. You’ve stated clearly that you want to
do “exegesis”. I’ve stated clearly
the danger in doing so. It’s now a
matter of “Buyer beware!” Every person will decide where to invest his or her energy.
viewpoint in a clearer manner. I
responded to your PM—I’m available to speak with you via Skype at any time
convenient for you.
Until then, I will respond to your comments here. Since this is not your intention (to
speak with me about tennis when you want to be talking football) I will respond
here with an analogy of my own and then I will let it go. Since this is not what you want to be
discussing, please don’t feel you need to respond, but at this point I want to
round out my perspective---despite you calling it “distracting”---for myself
here in this public setting as that is where I started it to begin with.
Picture two (or more) people staring at a map. They are intent on understanding the
figures and signs on the map as an exercise to gain clarity for their
journey. They are searching
for a treasure in true pirate mode.
Meanwhile, there are pirates close by, within eyesight of those studying
the map. They’ve opened the very
same treasure chest found on the map with a large “X” and they are taking out
the priceless gems found inside!
The map-studiers are entirely engrossed with the map and miss that
they’re within arms length of the treasure they seek.
Those that have found the treasure cry out to those studying
the map, “Here it is!” Those studying the map rebuke them,
“Quiet! We’re looking for
treasure!”
I’m sure both of us could present any number of analogies to
support our POV---and they would all be good ones from our individual perspectives.
Here’s another one from my perspective:
Picture an object---let’s say it is a bubble. You are standing at the north end of
the bubble exclaiming about its properties looking forward to arriving at it. I am standing at the south end of the
bubble exclaiming about its properties as I look back at it. There is value in both directions. The danger in looking ahead at the
bubble is in never actually arriving at it, always seeking via description and
explanation; the danger in looking back at the bubble is to minimize its
impact; “Oh that! Yeah, saw
it.”
You are saying:
This fascinates me!
Don’t you agree this is fascinating? Let’s study this.
We need to pull this apart and study it carefully. It holds secrets of great value that we
need to know.
I’m saying:
Be careful not to stare at it too closely. Detail traps! Look a bit off center, it’s easier to see what you’re
looking for that way.
Exegesis is culturally bound and keeps the seeker within the
bounds of their own worldview. And
there’s a real danger in not being able to break the bounds of our own
worldview. There is such a desire
to map out that worldview---it’s tantalizing! It’s the “staring” that I’m talking about.
It sounds as though I’m saying two opposing things, and I
am! (Earlier I said: Staring at the Sorcerer’s Explanation as a means of
understanding it is a trap---and yet,
it isn’t----and that’s the mystery,
the nagual.) There is also the North view and
there is the South view, to complicate matters. (Lord
help us when East and West speak up! lol) The paradoxes within sorcery/nagualism
are evident although that doesn’t make them any less maddening!
This is how we can “resolve” our differences, Lex. You’ve stated clearly that you want to
do “exegesis”. I’ve stated clearly
the danger in doing so. It’s now a
matter of “Buyer beware!” Every person will decide where to invest his or her energy.