Ashutosh--Thank you for writing about this ceremony. May I ask what benefit such extreme asceticism brings that cannot be found more easily on the “Middle Way”? For example, you bring up intermittent fasting. This seems more practical for everyone and very reasonable compared to the extremes of primal culture ascetics, such as those that hook themselves, whether in India or America (A Man Called Horse). What is the ultimate goal?
I once met a man once, from India, who taught meditation. Devotees asked him if he went deep in meditation and travelled with his astral body to India. He said, “No, I take Air India.” They asked if he used special breathing techniques and mental focus to heat up his body when cold. He said, “No, I put on a sweater!”
Ultimately, of what benefit would the extreme bring any of us that cannot be found on the Middle Way?
I love that answer, "I take Air India". I'd totally imagine the wit that that person might have.
I whole-heartedly agree with you about the 'Middle Way', I am a practitioner as well.
I don't believe in the extremities and ascetic practices but by writing this I am only trying to shed light on this festival - which btw I find fascinating. I guess we all have to go through our extremities, even Buddha did before he found the Middle Way.
Looks very like an initiation ritual practiced by the plains Indians in America (Sioux, Cheyenne etc) for young men becoming warriors. It featured in the film A Man called Horse, only they used lots of hooks, not just one.
How incredible is this, David. These cultures are oceans apart and still they have something so common that drives the fundamental spirit of life forward.
I am coming back from watching that scene, and the words cannot be more powerful!!
"Speak the truth with humility to all people, only then can you be a true man and free of your chains."
I just came to tell you about the sundancers of the Northern Plains tribes of US but someone already did. During Sundances only people who are invited can watch it but many participate from various tribes and occasionally a white person is allowed as well (chosen by the elders). This area of US is sparsely populated.
David just mentioned this, but that is such a fascinating thing!! These cultures were so far off from each other and they have something that is so similar. Makes you wonder if it had a similar starting point in history.
Ashutosh--Thank you for writing about this ceremony. May I ask what benefit such extreme asceticism brings that cannot be found more easily on the “Middle Way”? For example, you bring up intermittent fasting. This seems more practical for everyone and very reasonable compared to the extremes of primal culture ascetics, such as those that hook themselves, whether in India or America (A Man Called Horse). What is the ultimate goal?
I once met a man once, from India, who taught meditation. Devotees asked him if he went deep in meditation and travelled with his astral body to India. He said, “No, I take Air India.” They asked if he used special breathing techniques and mental focus to heat up his body when cold. He said, “No, I put on a sweater!”
Ultimately, of what benefit would the extreme bring any of us that cannot be found on the Middle Way?
Again, thank you for writing about this festival!
I love that answer, "I take Air India". I'd totally imagine the wit that that person might have.
I whole-heartedly agree with you about the 'Middle Way', I am a practitioner as well.
I don't believe in the extremities and ascetic practices but by writing this I am only trying to shed light on this festival - which btw I find fascinating. I guess we all have to go through our extremities, even Buddha did before he found the Middle Way.
Looks very like an initiation ritual practiced by the plains Indians in America (Sioux, Cheyenne etc) for young men becoming warriors. It featured in the film A Man called Horse, only they used lots of hooks, not just one.
Thanks for sharing that. I have put that movie in my watch-list.
How incredible is this, David. These cultures are oceans apart and still they have something so common that drives the fundamental spirit of life forward.
I am coming back from watching that scene, and the words cannot be more powerful!!
"Speak the truth with humility to all people, only then can you be a true man and free of your chains."
I just came to tell you about the sundancers of the Northern Plains tribes of US but someone already did. During Sundances only people who are invited can watch it but many participate from various tribes and occasionally a white person is allowed as well (chosen by the elders). This area of US is sparsely populated.
David just mentioned this, but that is such a fascinating thing!! These cultures were so far off from each other and they have something that is so similar. Makes you wonder if it had a similar starting point in history.