Pedestals and gurus
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:21 am
Pedestals and guru's.
Idolitry is a necesary part of human nature. A child exhibits unquestioning belief in messages received from thier primary care giver for a variety of reasons directly related to biological survival instincts.
The idea of unquestioning belief as an adult however can present a myriad of issues that for the most part are not in opposition to survival, but will at least cause a knawing doubt and discontent in the afflicted individual.
History has repeatadly demonstrated the results of blind faith on both an individual and mob level. and there are any number of reputable institutions who are aware of and actively pursueing techniques to acheive that very thing. It comes in many shapes and sizes with a common thread being the inability to stand scrutiny.
In the end I was unable to appreciate the clay feet of others until I could appreciate my own. Once the value judgements that where such a feature of my internal dialogue were replaced by a knowledge and understanding of developmental, evolutionary and biological processes, the idea of having anyone on an unconditional pedestal made no sense. The hows, whys and where fors of why I had idolised some in the past became clear and any need to do so again faded.
As I became human so did everyone else.
A side benefit is I have noticed a marked reduction in expectations, something that makes for a more peaceful existence.
Cheers,
David
Idolitry is a necesary part of human nature. A child exhibits unquestioning belief in messages received from thier primary care giver for a variety of reasons directly related to biological survival instincts.
The idea of unquestioning belief as an adult however can present a myriad of issues that for the most part are not in opposition to survival, but will at least cause a knawing doubt and discontent in the afflicted individual.
History has repeatadly demonstrated the results of blind faith on both an individual and mob level. and there are any number of reputable institutions who are aware of and actively pursueing techniques to acheive that very thing. It comes in many shapes and sizes with a common thread being the inability to stand scrutiny.
In the end I was unable to appreciate the clay feet of others until I could appreciate my own. Once the value judgements that where such a feature of my internal dialogue were replaced by a knowledge and understanding of developmental, evolutionary and biological processes, the idea of having anyone on an unconditional pedestal made no sense. The hows, whys and where fors of why I had idolised some in the past became clear and any need to do so again faded.
As I became human so did everyone else.
A side benefit is I have noticed a marked reduction in expectations, something that makes for a more peaceful existence.
Cheers,
David
