Buddha and Myth
(posted originally at Hokai’s Blogue in February 2007)
One of special features of Buddhism is the function of myth. When Shakyamuni Buddha aka Siddhartha Gautama set in motion the wheel of doctrine in 6th century BC, his approach to myth was revolutionary for that time anywhere. And it still is for many minds today.
(1) The Buddha did not dispense with myth, but instead pointed out we need not be limited by mythical narratives, nor should we
Mutuality
(posted originally in three parts at Hokai’s Blogue in February-March 2006 )
One of more popular misconceptions in spiritual and especially meditative communities is the notion of incommensurability of individual experiences. You know, “everyone experiences things their own way”. This uniqueness of personal experience is somehow attractive to many. Along with that we often find a disturbed idea that only enlightened people can really understand each other. Insistence on the uniqeness of personal perception, however, has