In hopes of opening some minds. Maybe clear away some obstacles for some one. Any one.

The idea is to give you all of the information you need to create your own world-view. An informed and accepting world-view, completely your own. Creating a philosophical, theosophical, ethical, and moral system that makes you happy. Your ideology.

Is that too lofty? Maybe.

Jack
I Listen.

Basic Ideology 101
Lesson #26
The Battle of Purpose

In this lesson, we’ll talk about Humanism, using the information that is generally available across the net, and some of the remarks Ryan made.

Humanism has several off-shoots, with a variety of beliefs. Some are based in religion, others in atheism, but agnosticism seems to be most prevalent. The basic ideas involved with Humanism do not require a religious concept of God, or laws laid down by a religion.

So, let’s set out the base of Humanism in bullets.

• Democratic
• Humane Action
• Human Reason
• Ethics
• Justice
• Rejection of Superstition.
• Charity and Philanthropy

So, when we take a look at these aspects, we can see a lot of what Ryan was talking about in his email.

Humane action and ethics play the most important part in this, to my view point. The way we treat other people should be with kindness and understanding. Whether or not there is a God(or gods) should have no effect on how we treat each other. Most Humanists take this a step further and volunteer, work for charity, or donate money to charitable organizations.

I’d like to take a moment, and focus on a couple of things Ryan said.

Do what is right because it’s right and there may be nobody else to do it.

That is a powerful statement. Doing what is right, when you are in the position to do so.

If we want to see good in the world we have to do it ourselves.

Again, there is a lot to this statement. Responsibility. I think that is what it really boils down to; human responsibility. It’s not just a responsibility to ourselves, but to society, and our world.

So, looking back on Humanism, I think it’s easy to see that, at its very core, it is merely the idea of treating people well and doing what we believe is right. Doesn’t sound so different from many other ideologies or religions, does it?

Jack
I Listen.

Basic Ideology 101
Lesson #24
The Battle of Responsibility

We will talk about philosophies, religious views, politics, and cultures. Along with ideologies you may already be familiar with, I will be creating some new ideologies, and speculating on how ideologies could improve, or adapt to fit certain situations.

I’ve struggled with how to make this set of articles(Basic Ideology 101) appealing and helpful to the average reader since the start of the series. So, it’s time that we, together, bungled into the mesh-work that is ideology is practice. Here’s to Luck.

Jack
I (might) Listen.

Basic Ideology

Future Imperfect

“It not infrequently happens that something about the earth, about the sky, about other elements of this world, about the motion and rotation or even the magnitude and distances of the stars, about definite eclipses of the sun and moon, about the passage of years and seasons, about the nature of animals, of fruits, of stones, and of other such things, may be known with the greatest certainty by reasoning or by experience, even by one who is not a Christian. It is too disgraceful and ruinous, though, and greatly to be avoided, that he [the non-Christian] should hear a Christian speaking so idiotically on these matters, and as if in accord with Christian writings, that he might say that he could scarcely keep from laughing when he saw how totally in error they are. In view of this and in keeping it in mind constantly while dealing with the book of Genesis, I have, insofar as I was able, explained in detail and set forth for consideration the meanings of obscure passages, taking care not to affirm rashly some one meaning to the prejudice of another and perhaps better explanation.”

– Saint Augustine of Hippo: The Literal Interpretation of Genesis 1:19–20, Chapt. 19 [AD 408]

Saint Augustine’s ideas on the nature of truth and science are essential to modern understanding and have influenced many great teachers and philosophers of all ilks.

-Jack
I Listen.
I do that Travel thing sometimes, too.

Basic Ideology 101

Lesson #2
Saint Augustine and the Reconciliation of Science and Scripture

We are going to talk just a very little about the idea of “Gnosis.” Gnosis is the state of enlightenment that some believe can be achieved through knowledge. At one time, there were many Gnostic sects for many religions, but in present day, very few still exist. We are not going to concern ourselves with where they are and what they do. Instead, we will focus on the idea alone.

The idea of Gnosis, or enlightenment though knowledge, is similar to other things we have talked about, such as Zen and Existentialism. I often find that these three philosophies are more closely tied that most would like to admit.

Gnosis encourages learning and compassion. And as such it also encompasses the “Live in the Now” ideas of Zen and Existentialism.

So, let’s add this brief part of the ideas to our shamanic thoughts. Knowledge is power. That has always been true. Living in the Now gets rid of things that stop human advancement, such as anxieties. If you live in this present moment, and realize that was has past is just a story book, and what is to come is merely science fiction, it becomes easier to make this, and every, moment count.

There are hundreds of ways to say this, and it has been said over and over for centuries, but really understanding the idea is what matters. Understand that the you that is reading this is only you for that moment. After this moment has passed, it is not you anymore. You are already on the next moment, gleaning more information further down the page.

Convert your idea of time into still frames, or seconds, or motions. You can break it down to the most basic thought, and then when you run through all of those thoughts it becomes the flipbook that we call memory. And just like a real flipbook or film reel, sometimes pages, or slides become lost or damaged.

I’m starting to ramble a bit, so let’s pull this together. It’s hard for me not to ramble, knowing this is the end of a class that I’ve taught for more than a year now.

So, if we can gain knowledge, and remain fully aware of our past and future, without letting it hinder our abilities here in the Now, we might reach that state of Gnosis or enlightenment. Sounds pretty difficult, right? Well, you’re the one that wanted to be a shaman. :p

-Jack
I Listen.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #52 – End of Class

Let’s break away these walls and join each other.  I am no more teacher than I am student.  Richard Bach once wrote, “We teach best what we need to learn the most.”  Nothing could be more true.  So, here I am, on the cusp of something extraordinary, and I want all of you to join me.

Some secrets may change hands.  Life may transform as we evolve both physically and spiritually.  The adoption of technology to the shaman’s path is of utmost imprtance.  The shaman can no longer be just about nature.  The shaman has to grow with the culture, and the culture is growing rapidly.  Never has the shaman had the chance he does now.  The chance to be everywhere at once, literally.

As saplings we all start, but soon we grow into trees that devour our surroundings.  Be the oak tree.  Give something back for what you are taking.  Do not be the weeping willow, who takes all of the water it can, but offers nothing in return.

It’s time that we began to think globally.  There is more out there than your own backyard.  Jump for it.  Strive for it.  Become other worldly with me.   We cannot forgive those you have never reached for something greater.  The fate of mankind is in each of your hands.  Can you make it better?

-Jack
I Listen.
I Travel.

An important lesson here is about community. Many people think that the shamanic journey is an introspective, private one. And it is. To an extent.

You see, once the shaman has mastered his inner self, he can begin his truly great work, and start building bonds within a community. Now this social aspect of the shaman does not meaning telling everyone you’ve found God and you are completely right. Just the opposite really. The shaman should never force beliefs or ideals on others. They have their own shamanic journey that may be entirely different from yours, and that’s ok.

A shaman builds healthy bonds and relationships with the people he or she cares about. Shamanism is not solitary. You must go into the world and help. Make this a stronger place. Make this a better, cleaner place. Make this a spiritual place again. Our old Mother misses her children.

Use the green darts. Connect the dots.

Loki.
I Listen.
I Travel.
I Remember.

Universal consciousness is only the long term goal.

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Tags: theology, ideology, religion, philosophy, shaman, shamanic, shamanism, culture, duty, tolerance

We cannot forgive those that have never reached for something greater. That is the basis of the shaman’s power and ability, constantly striving for something more. There is something out there. Can you dare to reach for it?

Loki
I’m Listening.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #47

Walk the walk.

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Tags: theology, ideology, religion, action, shaman, shamanism, works, walls, walking

——–

Odin saw that the storm was getting closer. He looked me in the eye, grabbing my chin.

“You’re our only hope, my son. Show them what you know to be true. Show them magic. Show them dreams. Show them shamans!” Odin was screaming at me by the end.

“Show who?” Dangling by one foot, upside down on the ancient, gnarled tree, Yggdrasil. The blood has full in my face. I was fairly certain I had an eye hanging loose(This is something that often happens around Odin-One-Eye).

“Dammit all! Show them, boy! The ones that have forgotten!” He held his arms wide and I could suddenly see the people of the world with my dangling eye. Odin was gone completely now. Disappeared as fast as he showed up. And I’m sitting in front of my computer, a little crossed, but no worse for the wear. I’ve gotten kind of used to being the Hanged Man.

———————————

I’m stepping things up a bit with DT089 because I believe more and more people are starting to grasp these concepts. So things may get slightly more complex. As your hopefully soon-to-be spiritual leader(j/k), I have faith in you. I speak of Odin a lot, by many different names, and I encourage you to do research on the themes I talk about.

So today, we’re gonna talk about some basic stuff. Very basic. But somehow we never seem to get it right. It’s time we changed that. The Chamber of Guf is almost empty. There is very little time left to make this the world we need.

1. Don’t Kill People! This is the most basic law, yet we have not been able to master it.
2. Don’t Kill People. See above.
3. Friends are found where we need them most. Soul Magnetism is a profound thing.
4. Don’t ever give up! (The hardest one of all.)
5. Time does not exist. It is a human concept for measurement. Without humans there would be no Time at all.
6. Laugh as much as you possibly can! If you cannot laugh at a situation that situation does not exist!
7. Just be fucking nice people. Come on.
8. There is no Tragedy and there is no Joy. Only impressions of emotional highs and lows.
9. Pick up a book! Read. Knowledge = Power.
10. Listen to good advice. Listen to bad advice. Try your best not to take either.

That’s all for now. I’ll expound upon these ideas more in the future.

Loki.
I Listen.
DT089
Lesson #46
Associated Content

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Tags: ideology, philosophy, theology, odin, norse, Guf, religion, judaism

Loki
I Listen.
Associated Content

Blogged with Flock

Tags: ideology, religion, sufi, sufism, rumi, poetry, sanity, philosophy, theology