Nature religions and poor culture. (Earth, tradition, beliefs, blood)

[painted wolf]

ps... I find the idea that we as a society are 'without the need to hunt or plant food' really amusing... We still do these things but in a more detached (and in my view immoral) sort of way. Modern people have become just as domesticated as thier food. (and just as incapable of fending for themselves)

wa:do

[Master Vigil]

People are trying to reach back to the roots because they are figuring out that the modernized ways aren't working. The idea of the earth as sacred is as old as people are, but the idea of a higher god, one that is detached from the physical or anything spiritual on earth, is much newer than nature based religions. And it doesn't seem to be working. And its true painted wolf, we do still do these things, but it is not completely and utterly neccessary for us to hunt or plant. The neighborhood giant eagle has all we need. Which completely disgusts me. I wonder how a selfish, lazy, and egotistical culture weighs on the enlightenment scale.

[Damori]

I wonder how a selfish, lazy, and egotistical culture weighs on the enlightenment scale.

Quite a few in that culture are too busy with their makeup and other such things to even think of enlightenment.

[Mephideus]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

But my general question was... does the egotistical idea of being above nature hinder enlightenment and peace?

Yes. One feels as if they must "live up" to an image--whether consciously or subconciously. Realising you are no different from the beings that crawl beneath your feet tends to give people a sort of reassurance after a time...sounds weird? Maybe. But it makes perfect sense.

[Master Vigil]

It's funny how this basic concept shows up in buddhism, toaism, (a little of hinduism), shinto, shamanism, etc... Perhaps it is a smart idea? Or is that just an understatement? hehe

[Dayv]

I strongly agree with you, Master Vigil, these newer religions have become very disconected with the earth and are incredibly selfish and arrogant in their views of humanity vs. nature. There was an Economy professor sitting in on my philosophy class last semester, and he said that he didn't believe that people could really have wisdom unless they were close to the earth (this coming from an economy professor!).
Modern religions that put God as transcended from earth also then put themselves above nature and see it as only something to be controlled or removed in there pursuit of their own desires. But true wisdom, true spirituality, and true happiness originate from the earth (or nature in general), as it is were we originated from, too.

[Master Vigil]

And many people in those faiths don't even realize that even their traditions come from nature based religions. At the heart of every religion is the link to nature. If only the ego would just humble itself and understand its insignificance in this world.

[SaraLee]

Master Vigil,

Is this quote of your own making or from another source? If another source, I'd love to know where it is.... It's great. Thanks.

If you put the bible out in the wind and rain, the words will soon decay, fall apart, and blow away. My bible is the wind and rain.

SaraLee

[painted wolf]

This is a Native American quote.

"If you take the Christian bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible is the wind and the rain."
- Herbalist Carol McGrath as told to her by a Native American woman

unfortunatly (/fortunatly?) the woman who origionally gave the quote is unnamed.

wa:do

[Master Vigil]

Yeah thats the one. I didn't remember it fully, word for word when I used it. But it is not mine. I relly love it though.