Category Archives: Philosophy

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The purpose of reincarnation

I will style myself to the practice of the Stoic philosophers by taking one notion and expanding on that notion specifically. My thoughts were dwelling around the theme of reincarnation this morning. Reincarnation is the idea that we continue our spiritual evolution of the triune self by connecting with a doer within the physical domain. My purpose is not to argue the case for reincarnation but accept it as a departure point and argue for a logical reason behind the concept of reincarnation.

Within the physical body we get an amalgamation of all the planes of existence and the conditions for our spiritual evolution. Many traditions with a view of reincarnation see the soul as perfect. I maintain that if the soul was perfect then there would have been no need for any spiritual evolution.  The soul merges into the physical plane for a reason…one of the distinct results of this emergence is a sense of identity or self. In fact we feel isolated and often alone within the confinement of the body as if it is some type of prison.  The soul in its own state does not have that type of sense of unity…it experience itself only as part of the universal soul. As a result my logical, given acceptance of the presumptions, is that the soul is developing identity where the all is ALL and the ALL is within the all of the soul. Contradictory to other beliefs I have always been objecting to the idea of a blissful re-emergence of the soul into the universal soul like a drop of water that falls into the ocean and simply disperse into an identityless form of existence.

My logic holds that we grow in being or inner togetherness.  It is a process where the universal becomes the personal and the personal is integrated into universal without losing its own identity. That is why we walk a distinct individual path through life…we can never share our experience fully with other human beings. The soul is isolated in context of the body with the purpose of developing a healthy sense of identity.  In the body that identity might be express in negative terms like greed, ambition or a search for fame…or any other desire that is selfishly oriented.  That however is not in harmony with spiritual law and usually will result in negative experiences in the physical world.  Reflecting on those experiences teaches the soul the value of its unity and to become whole in itself and to become part of the Whole. Reintegration is not about reintegrating with the Universal soul through some abstract fusion but rather through finding its own unity within the universal soul where consciousness can expand to even more refined levels of awareness.

I thought that our body is much like clothing that we decided to get rid of in order to wear new clothes. We soon forget the old clothes. Why should we remember our old bodies and experiences? Rather we should carry forward the quality of our being. It is the one who wear the clothes that is of more importance in terms of continuity rather than the clothes itself. Just looking over our life time we might remember here and there a piece of clothing that was really special but most is forgotten and of no concern for us anymore. It is the clothes we wear today that is of concern for we want to know if today’s clothes will give us the warmth and protection we need. The clothes does not evolve…it is the wearer that evolves in the wearer’s mind where the concept of clothes are refined.

 

 

 

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The ideal philosopher

I read in the letters of Pliny his respect for the philosopher Euphrates and he describes him in the following manner: “He reasons with much force, acuteness, and elegance; and frequently rises into all the sublime and luxuriant eloquence of Plato. His style is varied and flowing, and at the same time so wonderfully captivating that he forces the reluctant attention of the most unwilling hearer. For the rest, a fine stature, comely aspect, long hair, and a large silver beard; circumstances which, through they may probably be thought trifling and accidental,  contribute however to gain him much reverence. There is no negligence in his dress and appearance; his countenance is grave but not austere; and his approach commands respect without creating awe. Distinguished as he is by the perfect blamelessness of his life, he is no less so by the courtesy and engaging sweetness of his manner. He attacks vices, not persons, and, without severity, reclaims the wanderer from the path of virtue. You follow his exhortations with rapt attention, hanging, as it were, upon his lips; and even after the heart is convinced, the ear still wishes to listen to the harmonious reasoner”  Off course Pliny himself was an eloquent writer but this description does contain much of how I would see the ideal of a philosopher.
Contradictory to many philosopher’s in a modern day that is simply out to show prowess in their thinking the true philosopher for me must still stand on the grounds of distinguishing himself in the expression of virtue. If anything I have received from the moral letters of Seneca then it is to be impressed upon myself that virtue is not jus something to talk about nor even to marvel about but something that must be put into action by word and deed. When I put this measure of excellence up against my own life I have failed in many ways to give expression to a sublime testimony of a true philosopher. Since I have started to craft my own life philosophy this  ideal picture of the true philosopher has become ever more important. Itself has become the philosopher’s stone that motivated me to at least apply effort in my own life to lift my life one step closer to the ideal. Pliny’s description sounds almost like a typical evaluation at a toastmaster’s meaning. There are certainly many styles of philosophers but the one that can reason and give expression to philosophy through distinguished speech with all the right components are closer to my ideal of a philosopher.
A philosopher can not just retain ideas about knowledge, truth and the meaning of life but actually needs to live it as an example that entice people to yearn for a more noble expression of themselves.  There is no pretence of importance in a true philosopher but simply an easy reasoned approach that can be easily understood and that is convincing and impactful to those who hears his words. It is by no means an easy feat to be such a philosopher but it is certainly for me worth trying to emulate the ideal even if I do fail to live up to the standard I set for myself. There is hope in the continuous striving to become a better man who embraces a philosophy that yearns for excellence in human nature. The journey of a philosopher must begin with drawing closer to virtue and an abhorrence of vice.
So the philosopher is a man well looked after, neither espousing lack nor excess. There is no ego that raises him above others nor lower himself below others. He is not acting as superior but also not as inferior. He inspires those who raise him up to raise themselves up and he is a warning to those who see themselves as superior that  their superiority is their own illusion. His life is an expression of virtue in act and word. He might possess much knowledge on other matters but they are all born from a fulcrum of understanding what depicts the best of human nature.
As I read this my heart lament the loss of virtue in modern day society. Where will I go in today’s world to see that true philosopher that lives up to the ideal set by the stoic philosophers. Maybe the Zeal4Living project should not be about esotericism but truly to reignite the flame of virtue in humanity. Virtue is universal, it does not discriminate against race, sex or religion but serves the broader humanity. How do we express virtue in the workplace? In politics and in our homes? These are the questions that will resolve many of the problems we face as humans. When compassion replaces greed, when egoism is replaced by a universal wisdom or when self interest is replaced by industriousness would we not dramatically change the world? Should virtue and vice not be the top priority to teach at schools? These are the questions that ramble through my brain as I confronted myself with the question of what a philosopher truly is. For I believe that when we have an answer for that question then we also have an answer that can make a difference to the world we live in.