taijasi
Gnōthi seauton
Message appreciated, Bandit. The devotional path of approach to God is a valid one, imho, and is certainly not without its rewards (vide Mrs. Robinson, by Simon & Garfunkel). I know something of it, but less so from practice, and more from shared experiences with many who are on that path. It is, however, not for everyone.
Geoffrey Hodson wrote a book called The Seven Human Temperaments, a favorite book of mine, and by one of my favorite authors. In it, he describes the seven main personality types. In short, they are the politican, the educator, the philosopher, the artist/actor, the scientist, the religious devotee, and the statesman/diplomat/financier. This doesn't mean that everyone fits neatly into one of these categories, but it's a good starting point.
In simple terms, I would just say that God made people of all types, and there are very good reasons why not everyone is a Christian, or even religious. Many people prefer the term spiritual, and this, in itself, helps identify the distinction between people who are natural devotees, and those who fall under one of the other six temperaments. Unfortunately, I've observed again & again that the devotee types often misunderstand folks of the other temperaments, and most certainly vice versa. It's a shame that people can't just accept that all roads lead to Rome, even if, alas, some take a more circuitous path.
The teachings I have studied for many years, suggest that only the precious few will respond to the Higher Calling (of the Soul, the Christ within). The average person, Christian or otherwise, is thus "not on the path," esoterically speaking. They are considered Christ's sheep, purely symbolically speaking. The few who are able to walk the Higher Way (the narrow, Razor-Edged path), are the goats - able to scale the mountain heights directly. And then, as the sheep wind their way more casually around the mountain, there are also wolves. Usually though, even wolves are not intentionally so, being but sheep who have strayed ... and most of whom will return, given time (to learn the errors of their ways).
As I say, I have had the good fortune, and blessing, to have known many goats ... and for a time, I perhaps made the effort to climb the mountain directly. It is not easy. And thus I have the greatest respect for those who are able thus to ascend, while I am also learning much respect for my fellow sheep ... since life presents its challenges to us all. We are wise to be thankful for every difficulty that comes our way, and wiser still if we meet these tests gratefully, and pass them joyously.
Andrew
Geoffrey Hodson wrote a book called The Seven Human Temperaments, a favorite book of mine, and by one of my favorite authors. In it, he describes the seven main personality types. In short, they are the politican, the educator, the philosopher, the artist/actor, the scientist, the religious devotee, and the statesman/diplomat/financier. This doesn't mean that everyone fits neatly into one of these categories, but it's a good starting point.
In simple terms, I would just say that God made people of all types, and there are very good reasons why not everyone is a Christian, or even religious. Many people prefer the term spiritual, and this, in itself, helps identify the distinction between people who are natural devotees, and those who fall under one of the other six temperaments. Unfortunately, I've observed again & again that the devotee types often misunderstand folks of the other temperaments, and most certainly vice versa. It's a shame that people can't just accept that all roads lead to Rome, even if, alas, some take a more circuitous path.
The teachings I have studied for many years, suggest that only the precious few will respond to the Higher Calling (of the Soul, the Christ within). The average person, Christian or otherwise, is thus "not on the path," esoterically speaking. They are considered Christ's sheep, purely symbolically speaking. The few who are able to walk the Higher Way (the narrow, Razor-Edged path), are the goats - able to scale the mountain heights directly. And then, as the sheep wind their way more casually around the mountain, there are also wolves. Usually though, even wolves are not intentionally so, being but sheep who have strayed ... and most of whom will return, given time (to learn the errors of their ways).
As I say, I have had the good fortune, and blessing, to have known many goats ... and for a time, I perhaps made the effort to climb the mountain directly. It is not easy. And thus I have the greatest respect for those who are able thus to ascend, while I am also learning much respect for my fellow sheep ... since life presents its challenges to us all. We are wise to be thankful for every difficulty that comes our way, and wiser still if we meet these tests gratefully, and pass them joyously.
Andrew
