We have truth, and then we have theology. Big difference. A theology can point to truth or not. Most of it is bullshit. I come from a long line of Christian ministers, theologians and seminary presidents. I know the prejudices of theology.
I have nothing against the intellect. It is a useful tool. But when theology is based on false assumptions, all the intellectual endeavor after that failure is nonsense. That is why the mystics say "We have to become as children."It seems to me that the intellect has to confirm the heart, or intuition, not try to get the heart to conform to the intellect. This is why most theology goes off track, becomes useless and dry. The mystics of all religions kick off the dregs of tradition and get to the heart of it. Most theologians are trying to fit the heart into a system they've adopted. Therefore most of it is not helpful.
You can feel the overly intellectual and convoluted justifications in most theology. Compare theology to Meister Eckhart, J. Krishnamurti, or Christ. They spoke simply. There is more subtlety in their simple words than theology's convoluted complexity.
It is fruitless to try and explain the mystic sensibility to academy. They are two different worlds. You will be frustrated your whole life trying to make headway in their world. They will never understand the mystic.
What is the place of the heart and intuition in relationship to the intellect? I gave up on graduate school in the education department because of the intellectualism. Kids will get educated if they are loved, not because of the correct educational theory. Same difference when it comes to truth and religion, truth and theology.
"Truth is something so noble that if God could turn aside from it, I could keep the truth and let God go." ~ Meister Eckhart: A Modern Translation (1941) by Raymond Bernard Blakney, p. 240
3 comments:
Great points ~ thank you
Thank you Maury . I recently read a blog post that explained Miester Eckhart's history and philosophy, the 6 centuries through which he was forgotten, before being rediscovered in the 19th century
What you say about the clarity and simplicity of a mystic is so true . They all resonate with the force of intuitive conviction and a vibration of great peace
Thanks Ananda. Ah yes, I would guess you would be familiar with Meister Eckhart. Wow, in so few words he could give you the world. He had contact with Brahman for sure. I am an intellectual, and you know I love the Advaita Vedanta Jnani insights. The heart will know something it can't explain. It is the job of the intellect to break through its prejudices and come to understand what the heart is saying. When the intellect does this, it comes to rest. Seeking is over.
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