The silver lining of all the strife is that it does force us to pursue the spiritual path if we want to be able to derive any meaningful satisfaction from our lives. I would like for a spiritual awakening to then lead to a restoration of material wealth, however. That would be nice. I like my nice things still and want my progeny to not have to struggle too much. Maybe we can't have it both ways. Maybe struggle and strife is necessary for the development of character and an awakening to faith. Thank you for writing this, it gives me some confidence that I am appreciating the underlying message of Ashworth's book so far.
I think it would be foolish to be "against" material things. But it becomes a problem if that is all you ever perceive. The spiritual perspective transcends all possessions, status, hardships etc. - it is always there; you can always work on that front and find meaning. Those who are solely attached to material comfort will literally lose their minds when these things go away, or even just diminish. But perhaps some of them will wake up to the higher perspective. In any event, this reality as it is cannot continue; it must end, one way or another. I guess at some level we do have some influence over how bad the transition will be.
Oct 14, 2022·edited Oct 14, 2022Liked by L.P. Koch
> Timothy and Titus are most likely inauthentic, as are various passages even in some of the authentic letters. It would be naive to think that later authors and compilers shouldn’t have attempted to alter Paul’s message, especially in light of Paul himself warning us of constant persecution and misunderstanding of his gospel.
> Paul’s letters are a true treasure. And precisely because of the instinctual hostile reaction by those who have “no eyes to see”—the people of the flesh—have they been partly tempered with, their meaning warped, and their messages distorted
Because of this, I've begun studying the allegedly best-available English translation:
I've just finished reading you're piece now (it's been open and half-dead in my tabs for many days). This speaks to me in ways I hadn't really imagined before (or, at least, hadn't been able to put into words). Thank you.
Earlier today, I published an account of my recent experience with the Catholic Low Mass. My approach is very different than yours, I think (I am no theologian, or anything close to one, and my grasp of the Gospels is lay at best). Still, I think it would be helpful to hear your thoughts, including what you think Paul might have made of it. Thanks in advance.
Thanks, Mark. I shared a few thoughts over at your substack. I found your post extremely well written, and your contrast between the vibe of the Latin mass and the "demon" entering it really brought home the insanity of our times. (BTW, I had been to a Latin mass a few months ago by accident, and I was really taken by it. There was a special atmosphere not present in other masses, plus the organist and choir were absolutely gorgeous.)
I appreciate your writing. I have read SOTT for many years. I also watch all the shows. Mind Matters is one of my go too favorites. Objective Health, Laura's recent videos about the Kindom of God. Pretty much any thing produced by the SOTT team. I have the book from Paul to Mark... just a few chapters in. Lots to absorb and think about. Again... keep up the good work!!!!
Words can be stumbling blocks because they have so much historical baggage attached, much of it negative, like "sin" and "moral". In my view, we need to translate these into something more connected to the moment, which would be "choices". A choice that is a sin, is more a mistake in valuation; we choose immediate pleasure rather than long term goals for example Morals relate to relationships and behaviors; in the moment, do we stand up for truth, or do we say "It doesn't matter" or "It is a small thing." The mystics of all religious traditions give us a taste of the moment. Kabir:
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine
rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding
around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly-
This article lays out Paul's message very clearly - thank you for writing it!
The silver lining of all the strife is that it does force us to pursue the spiritual path if we want to be able to derive any meaningful satisfaction from our lives. I would like for a spiritual awakening to then lead to a restoration of material wealth, however. That would be nice. I like my nice things still and want my progeny to not have to struggle too much. Maybe we can't have it both ways. Maybe struggle and strife is necessary for the development of character and an awakening to faith. Thank you for writing this, it gives me some confidence that I am appreciating the underlying message of Ashworth's book so far.
I think it would be foolish to be "against" material things. But it becomes a problem if that is all you ever perceive. The spiritual perspective transcends all possessions, status, hardships etc. - it is always there; you can always work on that front and find meaning. Those who are solely attached to material comfort will literally lose their minds when these things go away, or even just diminish. But perhaps some of them will wake up to the higher perspective. In any event, this reality as it is cannot continue; it must end, one way or another. I guess at some level we do have some influence over how bad the transition will be.
> Timothy and Titus are most likely inauthentic, as are various passages even in some of the authentic letters. It would be naive to think that later authors and compilers shouldn’t have attempted to alter Paul’s message, especially in light of Paul himself warning us of constant persecution and misunderstanding of his gospel.
> Paul’s letters are a true treasure. And precisely because of the instinctual hostile reaction by those who have “no eyes to see”—the people of the flesh—have they been partly tempered with, their meaning warped, and their messages distorted
Because of this, I've begun studying the allegedly best-available English translation:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18654476-the-first-new-testament
I've just finished reading you're piece now (it's been open and half-dead in my tabs for many days). This speaks to me in ways I hadn't really imagined before (or, at least, hadn't been able to put into words). Thank you.
Earlier today, I published an account of my recent experience with the Catholic Low Mass. My approach is very different than yours, I think (I am no theologian, or anything close to one, and my grasp of the Gospels is lay at best). Still, I think it would be helpful to hear your thoughts, including what you think Paul might have made of it. Thanks in advance.
Thanks, Mark. I shared a few thoughts over at your substack. I found your post extremely well written, and your contrast between the vibe of the Latin mass and the "demon" entering it really brought home the insanity of our times. (BTW, I had been to a Latin mass a few months ago by accident, and I was really taken by it. There was a special atmosphere not present in other masses, plus the organist and choir were absolutely gorgeous.)
I appreciate your writing. I have read SOTT for many years. I also watch all the shows. Mind Matters is one of my go too favorites. Objective Health, Laura's recent videos about the Kindom of God. Pretty much any thing produced by the SOTT team. I have the book from Paul to Mark... just a few chapters in. Lots to absorb and think about. Again... keep up the good work!!!!
Words can be stumbling blocks because they have so much historical baggage attached, much of it negative, like "sin" and "moral". In my view, we need to translate these into something more connected to the moment, which would be "choices". A choice that is a sin, is more a mistake in valuation; we choose immediate pleasure rather than long term goals for example Morals relate to relationships and behaviors; in the moment, do we stand up for truth, or do we say "It doesn't matter" or "It is a small thing." The mystics of all religious traditions give us a taste of the moment. Kabir:
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine
rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding
around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly-
you will find me in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God?
He is the breath inside the .breath.