findingblanks wrote: ↑Fri Nov 05, 2021 6:50 pm "1 - How do you think of this forum? I know you commented once it is like a "front porch" with people relaxing, chatting about this and that, etc. Do you feel there is any deeper value to be gained, in terms of personal spiritual evolution and/or philosophical-spiritual knowledge to be imparted to larger communities of people?"
I do like the porch analogy. I believe these sorts of spaces can be creatively used in countless ways, depending on the unique needs of an individual and, more importantly, the unique individuals they meet in these context and, most importantly, how well they can all communicate those needs and their best ideas of how to enact them together freshly. For me one way of recognizing the unique demands and opportunities of the era of the Consciousness Soul is how it manifests in online communities. People get so angry and frustrated in these contexts in ways they simply wouldn't if they were sharing a tea on a porch.
And, again for me, my life moves in different speeds and rhythems (being single, married, different jobs, growing child) and my needs and abilities regarding what an online community means and can be change all the time. I have a few highly cultivated online contexts in which we have consciousnly worked to created our norms and expectations regarding time/conversation flow and all the tricky things that come with online life. I mean, many people get angry just if there is a few days of no comments or if somebody doesn't respond to specific comments, as if there had been a shared and conscious understanding of how these contexts are to be used. In the online contexts where we've consciously cultivated our purpose and norms and modes of feedback, yes, it can bet very deep and meaningful. However, there is still great value for many of us when we are in a simple forum devoted to a thinker that we find relevant or interesting or important. That's what brought me here. I never expect that my reasons and ways of being here should be generalized. It's one reason I try not to go in other threads and take them over with a concern or interest I have. That said, sometimes a host can make it clear that they have no problem letting the conversation go wherever it wants to go. That can be wonderful, too!
"2 - Do you feel that you personally have concrete knowledge to teach or learn. By "concrete", I mean like precise and detailed philosophical or scientific claims or perspectives that others here may be lacking. So I am not really interested in any strictly "psychological" benefits to people interacting on the forum at the moment, although I do recognize those exist as well."
I don't think of it in those terms, but there are context where I work mutually with people in a philosophical/spiritual context. I don't bring that here because it simply doesn't work for what I dive into this group for. I mainly read random people's comments and hardly comment. And, of course, you are aware of the context here when I do comment
"3 - Can you see yourself writing a post which details the thought-system of a person like Gendlin, which I am sure most, including me, are unfamilair with? I am sure we could all learn a lot from such a post, even if we disagree with the core concepts. Again, I am just generally curious why your posts never make those attempts and rather focus on deemphasizing the thought-systems of others. I know you don't perceive it as "deemphasizing", but that's genuinely how they read to me. You offer a lot of flattering remarks for Steiner, Barfield, etc., but I am wondering about more in-depth sharing of their specified ideal content with myself and others."
Maybe, but I gain value in my work with Gendlin in other contexts, mostly in real life with people I'm working with face to face. A few online contexts but those have been very carefully and intentionally cultivated. I like many of the people who chat here but I never feel this is a place where that aspect of my life needs to take time up. I'm not inherently against it, but there are only so many hours in the day.
This place is wonderful for me because I can find specific conversations about specific aspects of BK's work.
Because I explore aspects of BK's communications that I find perplexing, beautiful, problematic or just remarkable.
I gotta run now. I'll finish my last thought asap. Thanks and bye for now.
Thanks, FB. I will just say in response that my general rule of thumb is, if I ever feel like I am acting without underlying motivations and purposes to steer thought in one direction or another, then that is when I am probably acting under the influence of those subconscious motivations the most. Many of your posts here read to me personally as a directed goal of convcing others how little they know about whatever they think they know, and therefore convincing others not to take any 'metanarratives' too seriously. And I actually wrote an essay series about that precise topic, "What Do 'I' Know?", so I know where you are coming from, but I also highlighted that our realization of how little we know will impel us to seek out and expand our deep, concrete, and living spiritual knowledge IF we allow that realization to naturally unfold in us. I feel one of the biggest threats to integral spiritual evolution in modern society is the lack of trust in one's own Thinking and the corresponding lack of responsibility, ambition, and impulse to Self-determination. Based on your responses here, it doesn't seem you like have much desire to emphasize that aspect of the 'equation'. Or you feel this forum is not a suitable place for that sort of emphasis. That's fine... at least we have a better understanding of our respective approaches now.
I will conclude with a quote from Steiner 100 years ago which I think is even more poignant today. There is surely a fine line of truth between the abysses of materialistic, secular apathy and religious fanaticism on either side - "strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life" - but we must still try to walk it to the best of our ability, because the alternatives have already proven far worse.
Steiner wrote:...humanity needs to be given something today that truly changes the present state of soul to the same extent as the dreamer's state of soul changes to being fully awake and alive for the day, when he wakes in the morning.
People hear of deeply significant things that must inevitably lead to ruin, to decline and fall, and they do not even feel indignation. Things are going on in the world, intentions are alive in German lands that should horrify people — yet they do not. Anyone incapable of being horrified at these things also lacks the power to develop a sense of truth.
It has to be pointed out that healthy indignation over things that are not healthy should be the source and origin of enthusiasm, of the new truths that are needed. It is actually less important to convey truths to people than it is to bring fiery energy into their lethargic nervous systems. Fiery energy is needed today, not mystical sleep.
- Steiner, Polarities in Evolution (1920)