conclusion. killing jar “academic religion is the killing jar of spirit.”

ConclusionConclusion

Killing JarKilling Jar

“Academic religion is the killing jar of Spirit.”

“Academic religion is the killing jar of Spirit.”

Common WisdomCommon Wisdom

One of the first things you notice is that underneath all of the differences, there seems to be a common wisdom.

One of the first things you notice is that underneath all of the differences, there seems to be a common wisdom.

UniversalUniversal

It’s called ‘perennial’ or ‘universal’ because it shows up in virtually all cultures across the globe & across the ages.

It’s called ‘perennial’ or ‘universal’ because it shows up in virtually all cultures across the globe & across the ages.

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

One, Spirit exists.One, Spirit exists.

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

One, Spirit exists.Two, Spirit is found within.Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

Five, if we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within,

Three, we are living in a fallen or illusory state.

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

Five, if we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within,

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

Five, if we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within.

Six, which marks the end of sin and suffering,

Four, there is a Path to our liberation.

Five, if we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within.

Six, which marks the end of sin and suffering,

Perennial PhilosophyPerennial Philosophy

Six, which marks the end of sin and suffering.

Seven, which issues in social action of mercy and compassion on behalf of all sentient beings.

Six, which marks the end of sin and suffering.

Seven, which issues in social action of mercy and compassion on behalf of all sentient beings.

Spectrum of ConsciousnessSpectrum of

ConsciousnessThis is interesting because Wilber combines the understanding of modern developmental psychology with the insights of the mystical traditions of the world.

This is interesting because Wilber combines the understanding of modern developmental psychology with the insights of the mystical traditions of the world.

ArchaicArchaic

This is the lowest stage of development, & while perfectly normal & acceptable, it becomes a problem when a baby doesn’t move beyond this stage.

This is the lowest stage of development, & while perfectly normal & acceptable, it becomes a problem when a baby doesn’t move beyond this stage.

MagicMagic

In short, because subject & object aren’t clearly differentiated, the magical ego treats the world as an extension of itself & imbues that world with its own egoic traits.

In short, because subject & object aren’t clearly differentiated, the magical ego treats the world as an extension of itself & imbues that world with its own egoic traits.

MythMyth

Myth is the beginning of realization that the ego can’t itself magically push the world around; it’s thus a lessening of narcissism, a diminution of egocentrism.

Myth is the beginning of realization that the ego can’t itself magically push the world around; it’s thus a lessening of narcissism, a diminution of egocentrism.

RationalRational

The Rational stage is a highly differentiated function of the mind that dispenses with concrete-literal myths & attempts to secure its needs through evidence & understanding.

The Rational stage is a highly differentiated function of the mind that dispenses with concrete-literal myths & attempts to secure its needs through evidence & understanding.

Mythic vs. RationalMythic vs. Rational

Many of the arguments among religious people are between “mythic” and “rational” thinkers. They are dealing with the same material (for example, the Bible), but coming up with very different interpretations.

Many of the arguments among religious people are between “mythic” and “rational” thinkers. They are dealing with the same material (for example, the Bible), but coming up with very different interpretations.

PsychicPsychic

“Psychic” is the beginning of the transpersonal or spiritual realms. It gives us “that sense of wonder and awe” that may be one source of our religious feelings.

“Psychic” is the beginning of the transpersonal or spiritual realms. It gives us “that sense of wonder and awe” that may be one source of our religious feelings.

SubtleSubtle

“The subtle realm proper is the home, not of gross-realm mythological god and goddess figures focused on your ego, but of directly cognized, vividly intense, and ontologically real Forms of your own highest Self.”

“The subtle realm proper is the home, not of gross-realm mythological god and goddess figures focused on your ego, but of directly cognized, vividly intense, and ontologically real Forms of your own highest Self.”

CausalCausal

Those who speak of God often are relating their knowledge from the subtle level. Those who say we can’t speak of God (because they realize how limited our words and language are) are often relating their knowledge from the causal level.

Those who speak of God often are relating their knowledge from the subtle level. Those who say we can’t speak of God (because they realize how limited our words and language are) are often relating their knowledge from the causal level.

NondualNondual

By “nondual,” Wilber means the state of consciousness where there is no longer subject and object. There is not that sense of “me” in a relationship with “God,” but rather a unity that cannot be spoken of.

By “nondual,” Wilber means the state of consciousness where there is no longer subject and object. There is not that sense of “me” in a relationship with “God,” but rather a unity that cannot be spoken of.

Qualitative Difference?Qualitative Difference?

Is there something qualitatively different about the world’s holy people? Can we study this? Is there evidence for these higher levels that a scientific person would respect? These are the types of philosophical questions I find very intriguing!

Is there something qualitatively different about the world’s holy people? Can we study this? Is there evidence for these higher levels that a scientific person would respect? These are the types of philosophical questions I find very intriguing!

Spiritual UnfoldingSpiritual Unfolding

“There are 4 major stages of spiritual unfolding: belief, faith, direct experience, & permanent adaptation: you can believe in Spirit, you have faith in Spirit, you can directly experience Spirit, & you can become Spirit.”

“There are 4 major stages of spiritual unfolding: belief, faith, direct experience, & permanent adaptation: you can believe in Spirit, you have faith in Spirit, you can directly experience Spirit, & you can become Spirit.”

TransformationTransformation

Mere belief might have provided you with a type of translative meaning, but not with an actual transformation, & this slowly, painfully, becomes obvious.

Mere belief might have provided you with a type of translative meaning, but not with an actual transformation, & this slowly, painfully, becomes obvious.

FaithFaith

Lacking dogmatic beliefs, it has no sense of security; not yet having direct experience, it has no sense of certainty. Faith is thus a no-man’s land-a thousand questions, no answers-it possesses only a dogged determination to find its spiritual abode.

Lacking dogmatic beliefs, it has no sense of security; not yet having direct experience, it has no sense of certainty. Faith is thus a no-man’s land-a thousand questions, no answers-it possesses only a dogged determination to find its spiritual abode.

Impossible to Dismantle?

Impossible to Dismantle?

Religious fanaticism of such ilk is almost impossible to dismantle, because it’s an intense mixture of higher truth with lower delusion.

Religious fanaticism of such ilk is almost impossible to dismantle, because it’s an intense mixture of higher truth with lower delusion.

Spiritual Unfolding Spiritual Unfolding

From this point on in spiritual unfolding, we find only those who are involved in sustained, intense, prolonged, profound spiritual practice.

From this point on in spiritual unfolding, we find only those who are involved in sustained, intense, prolonged, profound spiritual practice.

Spiritual ExerciseSpiritual Exercise

One way of looking at this is to see it as a developmental problem. The priest exercises certain muscles (prayer, fasting), but doesn’t deal with psychological problems that need counseling or therapy.

One way of looking at this is to see it as a developmental problem. The priest exercises certain muscles (prayer, fasting), but doesn’t deal with psychological problems that need counseling or therapy.

Spiritual PracticeSpiritual Practice

The point is simple: If you are interested in genuine transformative spirituality, find an authentic spiritual teacher & begin practice.

The point is simple: If you are interested in genuine transformative spirituality, find an authentic spiritual teacher & begin practice.

TranslationTranslation

This function of religion doesn’t usually or necessarily change the level of consciousness in a person; it doesn’t deliver radical transformation. Nor does it deliver a shattering liberation from the separate self altogether. Rather, it consoles, fortifies, defends and promotes the self.

This function of religion doesn’t usually or necessarily change the level of consciousness in a person; it doesn’t deliver radical transformation. Nor does it deliver a shattering liberation from the separate self altogether. Rather, it consoles, fortifies, defends and promotes the self.

TransformationTransformation

This function of religion doesn’t fortify the separate self, but utterly shatters it-not consolation but devastation, not entrenchment but emptiness, not complacency but explosion, not comfort but revolution.

This function of religion doesn’t fortify the separate self, but utterly shatters it-not consolation but devastation, not entrenchment but emptiness, not complacency but explosion, not comfort but revolution.

Radical TransformationRadical Transformation

With typical translation, the self (or subject) is given a new way to think about the world (or objects); but with radical transformation, the self itself is inquired into, looked into, grabbed by its throat and literally throttled to death.

With typical translation, the self (or subject) is given a new way to think about the world (or objects); but with radical transformation, the self itself is inquired into, looked into, grabbed by its throat and literally throttled to death.

No BoundariesNo Boundaries

The boundaries between the self & the world aren’t transcended, but instead begin to crumble. This isn’t breakthrough, but breakdown; not transcendence but disaster.

The boundaries between the self & the world aren’t transcended, but instead begin to crumble. This isn’t breakthrough, but breakdown; not transcendence but disaster.

Transformative Religion

Transformative Religion

Where translative religion offers legitimacy, transformative religion offers authenticity.

Where translative religion offers legitimacy, transformative religion offers authenticity.

RebellionRebellion

Teenagers are made to feel bad for rebelling from their religion, when more often than not, what they are rebelling against is translative religion, not transformative religion.

Teenagers are made to feel bad for rebelling from their religion, when more often than not, what they are rebelling against is translative religion, not transformative religion.

Quiet and SecureQuiet and Secure

The discovery of this witnessing center is very much like diving from the calamitous waves on the surface of a stormy ocean to the quiet and secure depths of the bottom.

The discovery of this witnessing center is very much like diving from the calamitous waves on the surface of a stormy ocean to the quiet and secure depths of the bottom.

No Longer a ThreatNo Longer a Threat

To the extent that you actually realize that you aren’t, for example, your anxieties, your anxieties no longer threaten you.

To the extent that you actually realize that you aren’t, for example, your anxieties, your anxieties no longer threaten you.

TranscendenceTranscendence

Because you are willing to witness them, to look at them impartially, you’re able to transcend them.

Because you are willing to witness them, to look at them impartially, you’re able to transcend them.

Choiceless AwarenessChoiceless Awareness

Abide as ‘choiceless-awareness’ in the midst of all distresses. This is possible only when we understand that none of them constitute our real self.

Abide as ‘choiceless-awareness’ in the midst of all distresses. This is possible only when we understand that none of them constitute our real self.

Mind-and-BodyMind-and-Body

In other words, your relationship to your mind-and-body becomes the same as your relationship to all other objects.

In other words, your relationship to your mind-and-body becomes the same as your relationship to all other objects.

Dzogchen BuddhismDzogchen Buddhism

Therefore, Spirit has to be completely present, right here, right now, in your own awareness.

Therefore, Spirit has to be completely present, right here, right now, in your own awareness.

Spirit and EnlightenmentSpirit and

EnlightenmentRather, Spirit & enlightenment has to be something that you are fully aware of right now. Something you are already looking at right now.

Rather, Spirit & enlightenment has to be something that you are fully aware of right now. Something you are already looking at right now.

“Who is Not Enlightened?”“Who is Not

Enlightened?”As an old Zen Master used to say, “You hear the birds? You see the sun? Who is not enlightened?”

As an old Zen Master used to say, “You hear the birds? You see the sun? Who is not enlightened?”

Already EnlightenedAlready Enlightened

You’re already aware; you’re already enlightened. You might not be always already mindful, but you’re always already enlightened.

You’re already aware; you’re already enlightened. You might not be always already mindful, but you’re always already enlightened.