Peter E. Pflaum - Golden Globe -

The Synergy Network

Wiredbrain home site Pflaump@wiredbrain.com

RE: Traditional and modern Spiritual Development.

Ancient ascetic methods clash with the whole idea of the

modern world.

The practice of repentance, abstinence,

poverty, trust-in-God, patience, and a other-worldly saintly

character is foreign to our experience and culture.

Are there methods suited to our time for progress toward ancient

wisdom?

There are seven stages in the traditions of Sufi and other mystic

religions - the modern form often exists.

The question of orthodox religion should not apply.

The path to

knowledge must be based on science not on proscribed theology.

This is clearly and repeatedly stated by Idries Shah and many

others.

There is still on the other hand, a strong tradition that Sufi is

Islam and part of a specific religion and dogma. If that is true

then it is of no particular interest to secular thinkers.

Is there a non-religious Sufi practice of general interest as a

way to wisdom - flexible and suited to conditions or are Sufi's a

Moslem mystic cult similar to Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish

mystics. Does it include astrology, alchemy, black magic, fortune

telling, tricks, and momo-jumbo is clear conflict with the

"spirit of the modern world." While our society is full of

"cults" the basic of the culture is secular and based on evidence

not the "word", charismatic leaders and mind bending practices.

Rationality is the critical difference.

The truth can not be

found by appeal to prophets, holy text, but scientific evidence

and theory. Perhaps the most critical issue are Evolution and

physics. While Shah states absolutely that Sufi's existed before

Islam and just pretended to be Moslems. He states that Sufi is a

theory of psychology, evolution and science - i.e. modern

knowledge, traditional scholars and religious Moslems claim it is

mystic Islam.

That part of Sufi which is a Moslem cult it is of no interest to

me and many non-Moslem, Christian, Jewish, and secular scientist

but a part of long standing internal disputes within the Islamic

community.

Traditions Modern Terms

1. Blue Contact with mineral, vegetative and animal self

(Nafs) Attention and observation - (WARA)

Breath Repentance Bio-energies Id contact

2. Yellow Abstinence Accusing - Guilt Shame -

returning Gestalt - encounter - (quab)

Voice nearness EGO - (empty the cup of old)

3.) Red Renunciation Super-ego (Zuhd, fagr,

Inspired Meditation passing through

OM passions - Calm center Hatha Yoga

3b.) Brown (Sarb) Nearness Security Acceptance

Nature Grounded

Outward - bound

4. White Poverty LOVE Patience

Music Transcendence Self-

actualization

5.) Green Khizar, Fana, Intimacy Ecstatic

Passing away Visionalization States

6.) Black Trust-in-God Certainty Fulfilling

Hypnosis Rida, Ahwal, Experience death - beyond-self

7.) Clear Grace Inspiration Quintessence

Mind Fawatih, Baga Survival Contentment

Control Power Charisma

The Commanding Self.

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Peter E. Pflaum Ph.D. *INSTUTUTE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES*

225 Robinson Road, New Smyrna Beach * IN THE WORLD -

FL 32169-2176 (904) 428-9609 * BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

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