What if these falls aren’t anomalies or unfortunate exceptions? What if they’re revealing something fundamentally flawed in the very systems that enable the visionary archetype itself?
“I experienced a profound reclamation of my sovereignty. Rather than feeling abandoned or directionless, I began to trust my own inner knowing more deeply. Learning to listen to the voice of wisdom that speaks so clearly when I make space for it. I found myself more discerning, less susceptible to getting swept up in charismatic personalities or promising spiritual movements.”
I had almost exactly this experience living in an intentional community (based, supposedly, on the Rule of Benedict) led by a very dominant controlling person. He kind of had everyone under a spell, but really we allowed him to enchant / bewitch us. It was all quite mild (not Wild Wild Country at all), but very educational😂
The point is, we enable and create them, and they in turn succumb. Alan Watts was very good about this 60 years ago. And Christians do exactly the same with Jesus (and, yes, Buddhists with the Buddha). It’s very human to want to surrender yourself to a saviour.
Really, everyone and everything is our teacher, if we pay attention.
I love this. It very much parallels my experience, and the conclusions I've reached. Except you're putting it much better than I could! Thank you. I believe that shift is gaining momentum, and that it will be for the better (understatement :))
I was introduced to Osho work on a weekend workshop in the Negev desert some years ago. Dynamic meditation I still think is really great and the only thing directly available for moving through anger. Thanks Osho - nice contribution. I loved the show Wild Wild Country. I found it unreal - especially when they decided to buy all those guns and make a little army. What? So, I agree with your sentiments in this article. The time for charismatics is passing. They are full of ego. What would it say about me if needed some 'king' to follow. I'm a big boy... I'm part of the Triratna Buddhist community. In Triratna it is all about Sangha. So I believe you are right there. I love the Sangha - it's not perfect (of course not) - but I am beyond grateful to have found it. There are no leaders here. The group founder, dead now, was involved in a sex scandal though. (Like all of them). They are very open about it. I struggled with it and then I didn't. He was certainly not enlightened - but he was human. His photo reminds me that I am human too...
Thank you for sharing your journey so vulnerably Peter, what you're touching on here- the witnessing of humanity as it is, within all, is such a powerful practice of compassion. Something I'm still learning to do
Ma Anand Sheela...I was part of a studio audience for a San Francisco talk show featuring her (this probably in 1983). She wore a peculiar lilac-colored leather jumpsuit and was extremely brassy and intimidating. This photo suggests she may have mellowed a bit.
How interesting. She was still quite feisty from what I recall- when I asked her what keeps her going, she responded unashamedly with a smile; "my rudeness"
“I experienced a profound reclamation of my sovereignty. Rather than feeling abandoned or directionless, I began to trust my own inner knowing more deeply. Learning to listen to the voice of wisdom that speaks so clearly when I make space for it. I found myself more discerning, less susceptible to getting swept up in charismatic personalities or promising spiritual movements.”
I had almost exactly this experience living in an intentional community (based, supposedly, on the Rule of Benedict) led by a very dominant controlling person. He kind of had everyone under a spell, but really we allowed him to enchant / bewitch us. It was all quite mild (not Wild Wild Country at all), but very educational😂
The point is, we enable and create them, and they in turn succumb. Alan Watts was very good about this 60 years ago. And Christians do exactly the same with Jesus (and, yes, Buddhists with the Buddha). It’s very human to want to surrender yourself to a saviour.
Really, everyone and everything is our teacher, if we pay attention.
I love this. It very much parallels my experience, and the conclusions I've reached. Except you're putting it much better than I could! Thank you. I believe that shift is gaining momentum, and that it will be for the better (understatement :))
Insightful and thought provoking thank you for putting this into form
I was introduced to Osho work on a weekend workshop in the Negev desert some years ago. Dynamic meditation I still think is really great and the only thing directly available for moving through anger. Thanks Osho - nice contribution. I loved the show Wild Wild Country. I found it unreal - especially when they decided to buy all those guns and make a little army. What? So, I agree with your sentiments in this article. The time for charismatics is passing. They are full of ego. What would it say about me if needed some 'king' to follow. I'm a big boy... I'm part of the Triratna Buddhist community. In Triratna it is all about Sangha. So I believe you are right there. I love the Sangha - it's not perfect (of course not) - but I am beyond grateful to have found it. There are no leaders here. The group founder, dead now, was involved in a sex scandal though. (Like all of them). They are very open about it. I struggled with it and then I didn't. He was certainly not enlightened - but he was human. His photo reminds me that I am human too...
Thank you for sharing your journey so vulnerably Peter, what you're touching on here- the witnessing of humanity as it is, within all, is such a powerful practice of compassion. Something I'm still learning to do
Ma Anand Sheela...I was part of a studio audience for a San Francisco talk show featuring her (this probably in 1983). She wore a peculiar lilac-colored leather jumpsuit and was extremely brassy and intimidating. This photo suggests she may have mellowed a bit.
How interesting. She was still quite feisty from what I recall- when I asked her what keeps her going, she responded unashamedly with a smile; "my rudeness"
It definitely appears to be her strong point.