tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278115441557880568.post871918964419496277..comments2024-03-18T16:29:17.369-07:00Comments on Inverted Alchemy: An Integral Economy: Not Worth LivingDavid Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775270821108542258noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278115441557880568.post-14478704754962738932013-12-18T06:36:53.694-08:002013-12-18T06:36:53.694-08:00Denise, what a beautiful expression! You couldn&#...Denise, what a beautiful expression! You couldn't be more spot on with respect to the fact that we've surrogated our own capacity to live in liberty by falling for the paradoxical acceptance of fear. David Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01775270821108542258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278115441557880568.post-85922061645882210112013-12-17T19:10:59.032-08:002013-12-17T19:10:59.032-08:00David, while I agree the requirement is to take ba...David, while I agree the requirement is to take back the control of "power," an inculcated fear many do not realize they have governs them and it ultimately acts as a barrier. That fear can be almost palpable at times. <br /><br />However, the point I really wanted to make as I continued to read was that your words crystallized the nebulous phrases and words that have been swimming in my head after reading the Pope's recent Evangelii Gaudium. I believe he pointedly charged each person, whatever your religion or spiritual position (at least as far as I am concerned) to step back and think for themselves as they assess their physical and spiritual external and internal surroundings. Many have said its just to help the poor but I think he demands more. I think he also means intellectually as well. As you have suggested that would require we take charge and relieve the surrogate of the responsibility. Relieving the surrogate of the responsibility (whether they want to be relieved or not) will be to our benefit. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15865142185986413167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278115441557880568.post-54540402536529267952013-12-15T17:02:37.370-08:002013-12-15T17:02:37.370-08:00The mercenary surrogacy that allows us to have the...The mercenary surrogacy that allows us to have the "other" do our spiritual, social, ethical, or educational work for us is the consensus elixir that's keeping us from advancing.<br />David Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01775270821108542258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6278115441557880568.post-10595973532779785282013-12-15T16:50:04.000-08:002013-12-15T16:50:04.000-08:00Intriguing thoughts, Dave. I think there's an...Intriguing thoughts, Dave. I think there's another element to what you described ... one that complements and extends what you have correctly observed. I refer to the process of creating priests and investing them with the duty to guard, perpetuate, and mediate the sacred knowledge. Whether the Brahmans you observed, the theolgians and bishops of Western faith, the Socrates of Plato's Apology, or the central bankers of the capitalist temple, too often we the people demand that others hold the keys and appease the powers on our behalf. And sadly there is no end to the lovers of power and influence who will gladly assume the role we so blithely consign to them.<br /><br />Until common (I do not say "normal") people assume the responsibility to engage on these planes, not only on their own behalf but on each other's, and renounce the clergy-laiety dichotomy on things both "spiritual" and "material," the error you so rightly decry will be perpetuated. Dan Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01635080266346679464noreply@blogger.com