Memes, myths & traditions

[meeno8]

I think we can make the following assumptions:

Myths are based on the memes that are their foundation as those propagate from one generation to the next.

Traditions incorporate the myths of a culture to a large extent.  The ideal of democracy is also based on the myth of a utopia, despite the historical fact that every democratic republic in every century and in every geographic locale has been blended with an oligarchy.  The myth of the Ramayana epic is about a utopian monarchy, i.e. Rama-rajya:  The reign of the deity (or divine couple in Sita-Rama) is that ideal utopia under that type of autocratic government, but it is predicated upon rule by a divine entity that does not have human shortcomings.  The divine right of kings has been an underlying meme as much as tripartite government hasa been a meme of democratic regimes with a parliament or congress with 2 houses.

Sadhana in CV under the above assumptions would be another meme.  The difference is that it is a living, breathing meme.  Strip it of myth, and it stands alone for the sadhaka.  The tradition is sadhana as prescribed in the diksha lineages.  Whether or not a sadhaka chooses to buy into the myths should really be immaterial, IMO.

[meeno8]

Our understanding should be that we navigate our way through a progression where we are engaged in sadhana 24/7. However, that should not necessarily be restricted to just the 64 limbs of bhakti delineated in BRS. It should be all of our activities, whether that be placing paint on a canvas with a brush, notes on a musical score with a software package, throwing ingredients into a pot in the kitchen, or weeding our gardens. As long as we have the same intense focus as we would counting the maha-mantra on a mala, the same engagement of those areas of our brains will be involved, and the circuitry therein will light up. Our five senses could be involved, or they could be disengaged as they would be in a sensory deprivation tank. We are creating new memes right here on this forum. That should be our perspective and attitude. I see that is is senseless to cling to all the memes of the past, when we have an opportunity to add to that collection with fresh ones. I see a lack of creativity here, and there is no excuse for that. Yeah, sure - parrot all the Sanskrit texts you want, and that is fine. But what do you have to offer based on your own experiences? Those should be shared, assuming you have some worth sharing. Sorry to be so blunt, but life can be harsh, and we must adapt (either that or maybe just perish when we fail to).