Many people outwardly profess belief in the possibility of a Marghdeen world to manifest. But I sense that there is nonetheless a present but unspoken incredulousness that is a point beyond which many modern people just refuse to go. It's as if pessimism has become so widespread that it's infected people to the point of blindness. And this active, though disguised, distrust is, essentially, flipping the order from "Thy Will be done" to "My will be done." There is then, at least as I'm thinking of it now, an active, though subtly quiet doubt, that refuses to really, truly believe in the literal real-ness of the Divine. And of course, to harbor doubts along these lines is also to harbor doubts as to just what level of beauty and integrity is able to come through (all) human beings. The doubting of the Divine involves a simultaneous doubting of the sanctity of human beings.
This kind of pseudo-connection to God (i.e., doubting the literal real-ness of the Divine) is a constricted connection, and essentially puts a human-driven limit on the Divine. I sense it is *the* obstacle in need of being overcome. It is like trusting the Divine only so far, and reaching a point beyond which faith is not allowed to go. The trust is, really, counterfeit all along. This is essentially just another face of, and being one and the same with, being captive to an inner idol, this idol being that which denies the truly-existing reality of The Unseen at the root and crown of humanity. A lack of sincere belief in the Unseen is a crippling disease for humanity.
There is a great deal of so-called belief in "human potential." In my opinion, however, a lot (not all) of this is relegated to the understandings of western psychology which still today are extremely limited in their acknowledgement and understanding of states of awareness outside of consensually agreed-upon states. The fact that subtle states of consciousness are most often pathologized by most of modern psychology is indicative of its (i.e., psychology) adolescent understanding of subtle states of awareness and an Unseen Root to humanity.
As long as the model that Iqbal offers the world is forced to adhere to pre-existing models of understanding, the r-e-a-l vitality of the keys he shares will remained veiled from humanity. Until the younger understandings take a seat at the foot of Allama Iqbal - who offers an older, perennial wisdom based entirely in a Quranic understanding - what he offers will remain hidden.
A choice must be made. One is attractive and addictive. One leads to another land, a land called Marghdeen.
Robert this is very interesting and I would like to know more on this from you specially the below passage:
ReplyDelete"There is a great deal of so-called belief in "human potential." In my opinion, however, a lot (not all) of this is relegated to the understandings of western psychology which still today are extremely limited in their acknowledgement and understanding of states of awareness outside of consensually agreed-upon states. The fact that subtle states of consciousness are most often pathologized by most of modern psychology is indicative of its (i.e., psychology) adolescent understanding of subtle states of awareness and an Unseen Root to humanity."
Greetings Sir,
DeleteThank you for your visit.
My opinions on psychology are not always popular. I share more of them here with you, though, as you have asked me to do so.
It is my opinion that much (not necessarily all) of what we call psychology touches mostly on the surface levels of human thought, feelings, etc. Psychology does an admirable job at studying the skin of the heart, while the depth of the heart (which may be qualitatively different than anything acknowledged as "real" by a psychologist) is ignored.
If this depth is noticed, its reality is often minimized or dismissed. This is precisely when it can be pathologized, often with the use of the widely accepted "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM), or something similar. In many older cultures, or ones still in possession of more ancient wisdom traditions, manifestations of religious experience were (are) more accurately understood.
There is more than one world. This is major metaphysical premise, and one which psychology does not allow to be true.
Psychology may be the love-child of materialism and orthodox religion. If this is the case, then, it can only touch on the most superficial reflections of the spiritual worlds within the brain and the isolated and self-imprisoned individual.
Iqbal writes (in chapter VII of The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam): "Modern psychology has not yet touched even the outer fringe of religious life, and is still far from the richness and variety of what is called religious experience." I think he was speaking to some of these same points (this being said, I certainly don't pretend that this understanding of Iqbal is wholly accurate or definitive...it's simply my grasp of things as this moment).
I personally view much of psychology as, while perhaps worthy, essentially being shards of an original understanding. It is a piecing-together in an attempt to reach a whole. It often contributes, however, to only a cobbled-together hodgepodge. Psychology, nonetheless, puts itself forward as superior to more ancient understandings of consciousness and awareness, attempting to supplant and distort those ancient understandings (to which I strongly believe Iqbal points).
A lot of this, for me, has to do with the issue of how we attempt to track light. Do we track it as it skitters through the personality? Or do we track it to its source?
All good wishes,
robert
Greetings Sir,
DeleteA point worth noting (which might be unclear so far) is that, while I am critical of many of modern psychology's declarations about subtle states of awareness, I am not wholly anti-psychology. I am a big proponent, for instance, of the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) of Dr. Albert Ellis. I also admire the writings (fiction and non-fiction) of Dr. Irvin Yalom which are inspired from his work in psychiatry.
Psychology has its place. The issue that I have with it is that many of its proponents have sought (sometimes with force, sometimes very slowly) to supplant the older traditions of understanding that address the totality of a human being. I see Iqbal as pointing to this totality, and offering extremely deep arguments for turning toward it.
Placing one's trust in western academic disciplines has potential. But not all of it is admirable. It's a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
I see psychology as a field that can contribute to keeping people blinded to the light. Some say, though, that perhaps its also a guardian of sorts that stands at a threshold.
All good wishes,
robert
Thanks robert for this excellent and detailed explanation and insight.
DeleteYour distinction of choices of Addiction or a Much Better Place we can begin living NOW where we are -- reminds me of someone experienced and expert in addiction who says that true Passion is life-giving while addiction is death-giving. I also note your reminder that "flipping the order from "Thy Will be done" to "My will be done." is a far cry from what we need to be on that path of light and life.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so full of light for all of us -- so well composed. Thanx so much for every word and the deeper meaning.
How beautiful also this remark here: "There is then, at least as I'm thinking of it now, an active, though subtly quiet doubt, that refuses to really, truly believe in the literal real-ness of the Divine."
Hi Connie,
DeleteThanks for visiting and for your comments.
All good wishes,
robert
I really like what you have to say about psychology as well, Robert. I need to keep coming back and re-read this post. Thanx for asking the question, AWD
ReplyDeleteHi Connie,
DeleteI value psychology, as it reflects an aim to reclaim wholeness. But I think it fails by underestimating, undervaluing, and delimiting genuine human potential. It is straitjacketed with assumptions that stand apart from the perennial traditions.
All good wishes,
robert
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteI've arrived here after following the link you kindly provided at the MLC blog. Thanks for sharing your thought-provoking insights. I agree with you when you suggest that for many of us, our stated belief in human potential nevertheless is tainted by doubt - self-doubt, and doubt in others.
I was talking to someone yesterday who believes in human potential, but is plagued by self-doubt and pessimism. He was saying to me that he didn't *really* believe that any good work he does will ultimately pay off - at least, not soon enough. I asked him how many people he estimated *truly* believed in the possibility of an ideal society or Marghdeen, even after studying the greats, such as Iqbal. He smiled and said: 'Maybe one or two'. I said: 'Exactly.' :) When there are so few willing to make that intellectual leap, it's little wonder that the world appears not to change perceptibly at all. In reality it does change, but it takes a while because so few are presently involved in the process. The caveat is that belief in the 'unseen' is absolutely essential. This is something a lot of us are missing. So I think your choice of word 'trust' is spot on. And yes, modern psychology is presently thwarted to an extent by its limitations in scope.
Greetings Saleena,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this visit.
I really appreciate your comments.
It's funny, isn't it, that so few people are (apparently) willing to turn the dogs of doubt on doubt itself, thus unmasking the source from which their fear, hopelessness, and pessimism springs.
Your comments are inspiring. Thank you for them.
All good wishes,
robert
Robert, these insights were profound. As a student of Psychology, I have much to learn here. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Noor,
DeleteThanks so much for your visit. I too have so much to learn.
All good wishes,
robert