posted June 29, 2004 09:47 AM         

Interesting, yeah.. it's possibly the hypodermic syringe theory, as most things filter through the general subconscious and sometimes what you're told repeatedly as a child become your own belief systems. I guess that's down to what kinda person you are, as to whether you feel comfortable with sticking to it, or exploring new ideas to recreate yourself?

It is sad, however when people close their third eye shut tight. I'm don't know what you're friend was talking in relation to so I couldn't possibly comment on that.

Intriging / puzzling string of thought thought Paras

posted June 29, 2004 01:26 PM         

I am most certainly a product of the environment I was raised in. I look at my painful childhood as a blessing in disguise, and an example of how NOT to raise children.

posted June 29, 2004 06:06 PM         

Here is my ultimate reaction, Randall, to the things I was "raised" to be; a decision I made long ago, before I had ever even heard this parable (forgive me if my retelling of it isn't the greatest):

...

A young man was sent to a Buddhist temple to learn Zen. He met first with the head Master, who invited him into his room so they could get to know each other. The young man was eager and went on and on telling the Master everything he knew about Zen, everything he had learned in his prior years of study, hoping to make a good impression. The Master listened politely, only stopping him once to ask if he would like a cup of tea, which the young man accepted without thinking. He continued to talk, and when the Master brought the tea-pot over he dutifully held out his cup. The Master continued listening to the boy as he poured the tea. The young man's voice began to falter as the tea reached the top of the cup -- the Master continued to pour! The tea overflowed the cup, spilling onto the floor, and still the Master continued to pour.

"Master-?" the young man started.

"Like this cup," said the old man, "you are so full of your own ideas that there is no room for any more. How can I teach you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

---

Around the age of 16 I started having a spiritual identity crisis, and I realized I was more or less a "full cup" -- full mostly of other people's ideas, ideas that had been foisted upon me from every direction in life -- my parents, the Church, my peers, school, the government... society at large. I decided then to empty my cup, and to be very careful in what I refilled it with! This is why I still carry so many doubts, why so much of the ground that I stand on (mentally) is still uncertain. I do not want to become such a full cup that I cannot learn new and useful things. And I try to remain willing to empty my cup at any time, if it seems necessary. I have no problem with throwing out my entire world-view should I find one that makes better sense.

posted June 29, 2004 06:07 PM         

Once we become adults surely we should be able to think things out on our own?