From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Sun May 04 2003 - 00:58:01 BST
Phyllis and all:
Phyllis said:
Just a quick comment on the peyote trip. The way I regard the use of the
drug, and many other traditions and rituals that accompany religious
activity is that it clears the mind, of static patterns which restrict,
perhaps, so that the mystic experience or ,MoQ'ishly, dynamic quality
experience can be attained. But, mystic experience, which, personally, I'm
not sure exists, is only one form of DQ.
dmb says:
Pirsig puts it very much like that. The mystic is one who abandons all
static patterns is favor of DQ. And peyote is seen as a quicker, safer and
more certain way of attaining this state than the traditonal ways, which was
dangerous as it required extreme physical stresses. Finally, Pirsig says,
when we associate the mystical experience with DQ, it produces an avalanche
of information as to the nature of DQ. So, it might be true that there are
other ways to see DQ operate in the world, but I'd say mystical experience
is an extremely important, if not THEE most important encounter.
Phyllis said:
The idea that we need a Jesus, prophet, etc.today is an interesting one in
that it is impossible. And perhaps this is the saddest part of
postmodernity - any direct experience like that of hearing a true prophet
would either be ignored or co-opted - and we've lost spontaneity. If
ignored, a minor happening. If co-opted, rendered meaningless and mediated,
like protestors confined to a certian "legal" time and area to protest from,
literally, a sideshow. "I saw the Lord on TV" - could this ever be a mystic
experience? As one comedian said, Mary would do shampoo commericals and
Joseph would be on the Tonight Show.
dmb says:
Right. And John the Baptist would be working on the unauthorized biography.
Judas would be selling photos to the tabloids and Jesus himself would appear
shirtless and drunk, ranting about the money-changers on "COPS". But
seriously, that's not at all what I had in mind. It would do no good to
simply rerun all the stories we've already heard. I think the idea that
Joseph and Mary would be reduced to second-rate media personalities if they
were to appear again is about right. I think this speaks to the idea that
the original message is no longer understood, respected or taken seriously.
What I had in mind, the new messiah would have to be almost completely novel
to break through. I think the next saviour will be a working class
intellectual lesbian from Brazil or some such outsider. It'll be somebody
who embodies an archetype that is already within us. She will answer
questions we have not yet thought to ask. She'll define things that haven't
yet been named. I don't think this is immpossible so much as it is
impossible to imagine - until it arrives.
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