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Religion Unplugged
January 23, 2014
— 4 Comments
Changing Hands Bookstore
book signing
A reformation of religion is happening before our very eyes. As the formal religions loose members and believers the souls are still out there wandering around seeking some meaning in life. This is an era of very lost souls grasping at self help, self hypnosis, and the usual self delusion. I am lucky my parents did not really introduce religion into my life. They attempted, obviously out of guilt, to send me to the Presbyterians when I was about 11, but they told me it was for punishment. Maybe they let it slip, but I had the big picture which was that I was bad and the people at the Presbyterian church could whip me into shape. That was my initiation into fake religion and it did have deep meaning in my formative years. I saw the lack of ethical standards, and besides, that church had a God awful choir. I had no positive reinforcement that would incline me to want to ever go to church. I felt perfectly righteous to rebel, and saw myself as something of a martyr whenever I had to go to any religious service. I have something like the opposite of Catholic guilt. However, I have studied religion and read more books on the subject that most people, I think.
Last night in Tempe at The Changing Hands Bookstore I heard Thomas Moore speak to a crowd about his new book, A Religion of One’s Own, which I read and think is a grand opus…not a long and dry one…a deeply profound work that will change minds and souls. Tom Moore is to religion what Andrew Weil is to medicine. He has the education and credentials that are needed to start a reformation. I was surprised to hear the word reformation in his speech last night, but he knows of what he speaks. He talked about changing the world in the same way Pope Francis does when he makes his own breakfast. Since he spent years as a monk his piety can’t be questioned. Since he has a doctorate in world religion his knowledge of scripture, doctrines, and history are impeccable. Perhaps most important in our current soul crisis is his experience as a Jungian therapist. His direct experience with the suffering of his patients has shown him the sad results of religion served up with a side of hypocrisy and shame.
He asks the readers not to take this book lightly. I can’t imagine the kind of person who would do that, but they surely exist. He is sharing insight and wisdom that can extricate tortured souls from their day to day pain. He suggests that laborare est orare applies to all of us. In other words, each moment on earth has big potential in a sacred context. Every act, chopping wood, carrying water, or washing dishes provides an opportunity to make life a joyous celebration. Bliss and mysticism are states to which we can aspire and attain. We are supposed to be happy, weird, and free. So…here we have it, permission to go be free, from a verified expert in academic knowledge. I hope we will all take him up on this offer, and predict the book will change the world in a very positive way. (Read it.)
A Religion of One’s Own, Review
January 11, 2014
— 6 Comments
A Religion of One’s Own
I just read A Religion of One’s Own by Thomas Moore, an author I admire. I met him in person last May when he had recently completed the book and was in the editing process. The workshop I took with him then was about soul, spirit, and the distinction between the two. This new book goes into detail on this subject. Like his other books I have enjoyed the subject matter is easily accessible although the reader becomes highly aware of Tom’s deep background and knowledge of world religions, art, music, history, and natural magic. He spent many years as a monk learning languages and music composition as he studied to be ordained as a priest. His knowledge of Greek and Latin always add depth to his concepts because he carefully traces true meanings in words. The words I learn from him stay in a special memory bank of super charged, precious possessions. They are magic words for me, with mystical value.
I read the book almost non stop on my Kindle paperwhite, a new gadget I now think is excellent. One feature of Kindle reading is the ability to look up words within the device as you read. The words you look up are added to your ongoing vocabulary list. Since I learn new words every time I read his work, this was fabulously useful. Here is my new vocabulary from this book:
- pleroma
- pusillanimous
- constellate
- canonical
- inchoate
- detrius
Normally I would take the meaning from context and go on, but now I am a real vocabulary builder. What Thomas Moore is asking us all to do is to develop a much broader vocabulary and understanding of religion. The mystical and mysterious is essential to our fulfillment and happiness. Without soul, spirit, and practices that maintain the health and vigor of both in our lives we can become dead to the pleasure of being alive. Churches and formal religion have lost the leadership role they once maintained without question. Now it is important not to discard the sacred and the meaningful, but to make a unique personal system that is true to our own natures. Dogma and deterioration from institutions can be replaced by practices that feed our souls and our spirits, and nurture harmony in our communities.
I know all of Tom’s many fans will be happy to read this latest edition of his teaching. If you have not had the pleasure of meeting him in person or in writing you are missing a very special treat. He is a Renaissance Man in that he is honestly creating a renaissance vortex and map for his readers to follow. He is asking no less than a rebirth and re-empowerment of our sacred traditions so as not to loose the beauty and significance of them. He gives concrete suggestions and guidance to achieve this goal by treating all the religious traditions as one’s own. Personal wisdom and satisfaction are essential to living a blissful, peaceful life. Thomas Moore has once again created a meaningful and significant lesson we can all easily grasp. The book is short, compelling, and will leave you in a new frame of mind. It is worth reading, and even more worth practicing.
Living Soul
May 6, 2013
book signing
Kripalu is a yoga school and retreat center in western MA that is leading the way in yoga instruction in the US. With a long background, checkered, then revised, they had the head start on yoga when it hit the competitive mainstream of American fitness. I have several friends who are certified by Kripalu in yoga, and they are all very well versed in the whole system and philosophy. I enjoy yoga practice, but have been out of the habit of taking classes for years. I like my yoga room at home for the freedom and variety that I practice.
My reason for spending a weekend at Kripalu was to be in a workshop taught by an author I really admire. Thomas Moore instructed a group of about 40 students the difference between soul and spirit. This seems like a small technical issue, but it is much more basic. We had about 8 hours of class with him, and a special evening was offered to all Kripalu guests with his wife and daughter. The Kundalini yoga session with live band chanting was a perfect counterbalance for the intellectual work we were doing. They are quite a stunning family, described by Thomas as a kind of monastic group. Each is a monk in a certain personal way. The ladies are Sikhs with turbans and sheepskin mats, the distinctive look of the Yogi Bhajan followers. They teach Kundalini yoga. Tom is an expert in the world of religion who has his own way of practicing reverence. They radiate the power of individualization. If nothing else (and there is plenty) they teach the value of following the individual call to a specific path without regard for anything else.
The alchemy of thought, dreams, poetry, and the ritual of Kundalini yoga were all thrown into the still and worked. The distilled result is wisdom, the kind that sinks in and becomes useful over a long period of time. The time and space expanded to allow a remarkable level of teaching to take place. An artful, and soulful lesson was delivered as if they were translating directly the language of the sky. We now have a lifetime to absorb our new insights. Although in the last few years I have walked out of a couple of workshops I paid for and attended because I felt the teaching was unethical and possibly harmful, this one made up for all of that. I notice that the presence matters more than the material to me.
Gurus in Person
May 2, 2013
— 6 Comments
We can become fans of writers, teachers, artists and performers by watching and reading their work. Sometimes the personality is not even important if the subject being covered is of great interest. Teachers can impart wisdom from both a positive and a shadow style lesson. Sometimes they teach us what we want to avoid. This week I have the priviledge of seeing back to back two people I like because of the work they do. Tonight I will see Anthony Bourdain on stage with another chef, Eric Rippert. Tomorrow I will go to Kripalu to attend a weekend workshop with Thomas Moore.
These teacher/gurus influence me in completely different ways. Bourdain travels and eats on TV. Thomas Moore is my favorite author and modern philosopher. They both inspire new thoughts and ideas for me while exposing me to unknown worlds. They are both very knowledgeable and are recognized by peers as experts in their fields. They both tweet, but with completely different styles. Tonight I will sit in the audience for a show that is repeated on a tour of other cities. I am not sure if any interaction will take place, but it has to be minimal because of the ratio of audience members to talent. For the weekend I will study, meditate and absorb the vibe of Thomas Moore in an intimate setting. They will be distinct and probably incomparable experiences. I will let you know, gentle reader.
Personal Religion
March 12, 2013
— 1 Comment
My favorite author, teacher, and living spiritual expert is Thomas Moore. He is finishing a new book called A Religion of One’s Own. His concept is not to do away with religion, but to inspire and revive it. The Dalai Lama has recently spoken about a similar concept. Institutional religion is having momentum problems in the developed world. Yoga, in all the many forms, is still enjoying a growth in popularity in America. Although yoga was brought to the world by Hindus, yoga is not a religion in itself. It is a philosophy.
The casual way he talks about warming up for the book by translating the Gospels from ancient Greek lets you know what kind of scholar he is. He has taught in full on Latin, composed music, and become a well respected therapist. His own fluid path was probably never suspected by anyone, least of all him, when he became a monk. When is a monk more than a monk? I think we have two excellent living examples today. Both Thomas Moore and the Dali Lama of Tibet teach kindness, meditation, and natural magic. As experts in religion, as scholars, and as holders of the traditions, these men are shining stars. We are lucky that they have both chosen to write books for us, teach us, and even, bless their hearts, tweet us. They are both telling us we need to connect to spirit and each other for quality of life.
I think that worldwide the ways of communication have changed and the drift toward a meaningless existence has increased. Churches and temples reflect this in both a positive and negative way. If people look at their own religion as a sham, but still pay dues in order to just be a member of something, the future of those institutions is bleak. Keeping up the facade has become an expensive, and sometimes self destructive activity in some religious organizations. Personal practice that is designed to cultivate compassion and mindfulness can nourish the soul of the world. We are in need of this kind of responsibility taken and embraced by individuals and communities. We had religious reform, some have had revival. Let us have personal religious renaissance. The book will not be out for a while, but I am already in favor of the whole idea.
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