Disrespecting Modernity

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by regular.joe

Quieting the mind has been around a lot longer then modern convenience. Paying attention to right now, not to the fantasy world in our mind has it's advantages. Especially when we might be eaten, or attacked.

I believe a large problem with modern society is that we've come to believe that we are separate, apart from, and somehow above the world. Because of this we have no need to seek the spiritual. We live in a false sense of reality where the trivial is now important.

Truer words have not been spoken on this subject.

[regular.joe]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

This I agree with.

This I definitely don't.
The spiritual is a hangover from a superstitious past and doesn't aid us in any way apart from imposing random "rules" and the belief that something controls us and our actions. After all, if "everything happens for a reason" then we are not fully responsible for our actions. How can that possibly be a positive thing?

Sundae, I really am not into convincing others that my spiritual life is the way for them. All I can tell you is that it is very positive for me.

[Undertoad]

I appreciate and respect your beliefs (really)

but

To me, using spirituality to feel connected to the world is like playing pop music to feel connected to Britney Spears.

The most spiritual people on the planet are in Saudi Arabia. They believe in predestination so deeply that the weathermen cannot tell you it will be a certain temperature tomorrow without adding "if God (Allah) wills it". Compared to other societies they have little to no understanding of the world. I'm sure they feel connected. But there is no connection. We are far more connected to the world than they are, because we have taken the time to work on it and understand it.

[Juniper]

Well, here's the way I see it.

Life has always sucked. Life has always been glorious. It's all a matter of your personal perspective, how lucky you've been to start with, and how hard you've worked.

What's especially fabulous about living NOW is that we have a choice. We can live a totally modern, gadget-oriented, automated life, or we can leave it behind and do the rustic, primitive thing. Or any combo along that continuum.

I love learning about history, particularly early American, colonial through the Depression, that's my little niche. It's cool to do some things like early settlers did, just to see how it felt, but then I want to go home to my a/c and hot running water.

I've had friends in the SCA (society for creative anachronism...I think that's it) and my one friend described it as "re-enacting the past, with benefit of modern conveniences."

Kind of like those PBS shows, 1900's house, Pioneer House, or whatever...those families knew that when their month was up they could go back to their ordinary lives, what a relief.

If someone offered me a trip on a time machine, I'd politely decline.

[DanaC]

If someone offered me a trip on a time machine, I'd politely decline.

Oh, I wouldn't. I would jump at the chance. And the first trip would be to Doggerland.

[skysidhe]

Whenever you mention Doggerland I think of those Jean Auel novels.

[DanaC]

Clan of the Cave Bear?

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Griff

As much as I like the idea of pulling a Jerimiah Johnson and disappearing into the wilderness with a good knife and a bag of salt...~snip~

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Wait, can I bring beer?)

[Juniper]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

Whenever you mention Doggerland I think of those Jean Auel novels.

Ew. Isn't it sad that I know exactly what this refers to?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Sad? Why sad?

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Juniper

Ew. Isn't it sad that I know exactly what this refers to?

EW? prehistoric man and the lack of soap?

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Sad? Why sad?

I'm confused too.