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24791 |
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Date: December 20, 2023 at 10:12:07
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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An Incarnational Worldview
Richard Rohr describes the transformative power of an
incarnational worldview:
I have concluded that there are four basic worldviews,
though they might be expressed in many ways and are not
necessarily separate.
Those who hold a material worldview believe that the
outer, visible universe is the ultimate and “real”
world. People of this worldview have given us science,
engineering, medicine, and much of what we now call
“civilization.” A material worldview tends to create
highly consumer-oriented and competitive cultures,
which are often preoccupied with scarcity, since
material goods are always limited.
A spiritual worldview characterizes many forms of
religion and some idealistic philosophies that
recognize the primacy and finality of spirit,
consciousness, the invisible world behind all
manifestations. This worldview is partially good too,
because it maintains the reality of the spiritual
world, which many materialists deny. But the spiritual
worldview, taken to extremes, has little concern for
the earth, the neighbor, or justice, because it
considers this world largely as an illusion.
Those holding what I call a priestly worldview are
generally sophisticated, trained, and experienced
people that feel their job is to help us put matter and
Spirit together. The downside is that this view assumes
that the two worlds are actually separate and need
someone to bind them together again.
In contrast to these three is an incarnational
worldview, in which matter and Spirit are understood to
have never been separate. Matter and Spirit reveal and
manifest each other. This view relies more on awakening
than joining, more on seeing than obeying, more on
growth in consciousness and love than on clergy,
experts, morality, scriptures, or prescribed rituals.
In Christian history, we see an incarnational worldview
most strongly in the early Eastern Fathers, Celtic
spirituality, many mystics who combined prayer with
intense social involvement, Franciscanism in general,
many nature mystics, and contemporary eco-spirituality.
Overall, a materialistic worldview is held in the
technocratic world and areas its adherents colonize; a
spiritual worldview is held by the whole spectrum of
heady and esoteric people; and a priestly worldview is
found in almost all of organized religion.
An incarnational worldview grounds Christian holiness
in objective and ontological reality instead of just
moral behavior. This is its big benefit. Yet, this is
the important leap that so many people have not yet
made. Those who have can feel as holy in a hospital bed
or a tavern as in a chapel. They can see Christ in the
disfigured and broken as much as in the so-called
perfect or attractive. They can love and forgive
themselves and all imperfect things, because all carry
the Imago Dei equally, even if not perfectly.
Incarnational Christ Consciousness will normally move
toward direct social, practical, and immediate
implications. It is never an abstraction or a theory.
It is not a mere pleasing ideology. If it is truly
incarnational Christianity, then it is always “hands-
on” religion and not solely esotericism, belief
systems, or priestly mediation.
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Responses:
[24794] [24805] [24795] [24801] [24803] [24792] [24793] |
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24794 |
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Date: December 20, 2023 at 13:18:30
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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For christians, this looks like a healthy path.
Except I take issue with this,
But the spiritual worldview, taken to extremes, has little concern for the
earth, the neighbor, or justice, because it considers this world largely as an
illusion.
While buddhist philosophy/thought (in its extreme) suggests the world is an
illusion, it certainly doesn't suggest one treat the world around one's self,
neighbors, planet, etc with little concern. To the contrary. It suggests an
inclusivity with requires as much care for the outer world as for the inner
world, since they are one and the same. The very perspective the author
seems to be advocating.
So it seems the author is suggesting a Christian incarnational
worldview is superior to other christian & non-christian
philosophies/religions/traditions. I think that's a mistake. Buddhism has
been there all along.
just an opinion...
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Responses:
[24805] [24795] [24801] [24803] |
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24805 |
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Date: December 21, 2023 at 17:23:45
From: chaskuchar@stcharlesmo, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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my wife opened up a box of rolls and i wanted one. she
put three on a plate and i asked her if those were for
her. she said no, they were for the Buddhist. she
keeps an altar in the spare bedroom. not a problem
because she is very religious and we respect each other.
and as i go to daily mass, she said say prayer for her
and the family...
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Responses:
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24795 |
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Date: December 20, 2023 at 14:27:31
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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To the contrary. It suggests an inclusivity which
requires as much care for the outer world as for the
inner world, since they are one and the same. The very
perspective the author seems to be advocating.
akira, as I indicated to ao's reply, I actually agree
with you totally. The Zen critter ranch out at the
lake I've helped create fits in perfectly with what you
just said. It's an environment that feeds both our
inner and outer needs that resonates equally with
Christians that I know as well as Buddhists, Hindus,
Jews or Atheists.
When I first began work on the project I felt it was
coming from the "inner Buddha" in me although one of my
friends that has helped me over the years is a very
devout conservative Christian.
As time went on I knew beyond a doubt this project was
much larger than just "me" and after a particularly
inspiring day of creating thought patterns in the
desert landscape I took a break to sit and admire "my"
handiwork, I looked into the evolving work of art and
was amazed to see a very large wooden "cross" that
definitely was not in my plans or intentions. I knew
it was "creator" that had placed it there because it
was never my intent to put it there intentionally.
I soon discovered that the "cross" was an optical
illusion "visible" only from a certain angle, that if
you were standing three feet in front of it it was
impossible to see because in "reality", it was not even
remotely a cross but two separate pieces of wood
several feet from one another.
I asked my Christian friend to stand in front of it and
tell me if he noticed anything interesting. Other than
he enjoyed the view, he didn't notice anything unusual.
When I had him sit in the chair about 20 feet away he
immediately noticed the very large cross that "hadn't
been there" when he was just a couple feet away.
Obviously some aspect of "creation" led me to add that
feature that I wouldn't have added "knowingly.
My takeaway from all of this is that we are all in this
life together, at our own speed and direction but all,
ultimately, with a similar and compatible goals.
When I first began feeding the "critters" in the
garden, they were very competitive with each, fighting
for space and running others out. As time went on they
became friendlier and much less "dominating". I also
figured out ways to make the garden more protective and
nurturing. As time went on the critters that came for
"nourishment" and water, stayed for the atmosphere and
comradely.
Meanwhile, out in the "real WORLD" humans seem to be
seeking the same "goals" through bombs, missiles, and a
lot of rather divisive and hurtful rhetoric.
All in a good days work I suppose.
Thank you for all you do akira. I admire you from this
side of the digital wall.
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[24801] [24803] |
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24801 |
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Date: December 21, 2023 at 04:36:09
From: akira, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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Sounds like you're involved in a very cool project...
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Responses:
[24803] |
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24803 |
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Date: December 21, 2023 at 10:50:46
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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Thank you akira.
My life has almost always been full of "very cool"
projects with more going on at present than ever.
It's all about learning, growth, understanding,
compassion, and making adjustments to cope with
occasional "failures".
Without a compassionate and forgiving Creator it would
have been very different.
I'm grateful that you and others here have occasionally
chosen to participate in my journeys.
It has meant a lot.
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24792 |
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Date: December 20, 2023 at 12:17:24
From: ao, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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Heynow, Nev. Interesting article, ‘world view,’ though I would suggest the
author misplaced science..
The way I see it is that science is a spiritual pursuit. More so than all the
religions in the world, actually.
Now, were religious leaders to actually work to expand man’s concepts of
god I would say otherwise. But as I see it religions in general have failed
in their mandate to bring us closer to god. But rather they use their
practitioner’s attention to limit, not expand, their relationship with
creation (my word for god in this instance). Whereas I think faith based
religions should teach a far greater expanded concept of the actual
power of faith.. and man’s use of such a tool as creators ourselves. As
the gods we actually are. They hint at it, but omg man, it’s such a
powerful tool.. if only it was taught to be..
I might go into that further, but my main point is science is a spiritual
pursuit.. an effort by those engaged to define, come to know, and
become one with, god. Science, at its current state of development, is
man learning the ways of creation and becoming more in tune with our
place as creators ourselves. Science is more active, more focused on
god than religion has ever been.
Sorta like the way the Tibetans, in their system of ashrams, were
studying the various aspects of god, numbers, sounds, prayer, scientists
study the various aspects of god.. of god’s creation.. in search of a more
harmonious existence with all and everything. And in doing so they carry
all of us closer to being one with the universe around us.
Anyways.. just a thought.. enjoy brah.
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Responses:
[24793] |
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24793 |
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Date: December 20, 2023 at 13:12:12
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: An Incarnational Worldview: beholding the all in one... |
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Sorta like the way the Tibetans, in their system of
ashrams, were studying the various aspects of god,
numbers, sounds, prayer, scientists study the various
aspects of god.. of god’s creation.. in search of a
more harmonious existence with all and everything. And
in doing so they carry all of us closer to being one
with the universe around us.
Bingo ao!
Same was also true in part of India. I agree with
everything you just posted and have felt that way for
over 50 years.
I also believe that each of us has an important path in
life and they don't have to be the "same" path to have
a valid and productive lifetime here on earth.
I am so pleased you stopped by ao. Lee
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