What I have read was mostly done when I was commuting and had no worries about livelihood. Or, I had time without worries to read. That was spread out over decades including occasional homelessness.
Just existing is utterly depressing. To add to that, "loneliness and the illusion of connection", or give up enlightenment until all souls are free, is more than I can endure.
Problems with communities is more of a problem for me at 60, than it was at 20, maybe. I don't know much, but this seems like where I have been lead.
I read your article as comparing two approaches to self-knowledge, as well as how communities associated with two approaches can be characterized. I'm commenting on the article, not claiming to have broad knowledge of either type, or communities associated with either type.
Devotional practices are inherently community-centered, which is both a boon and a hindrance. There is conformity with a community as a premise.
Or, at least, what you wrote about devotional practice, matches my experience, attempting to do Buddhist practice in a group, or going to the Ashram.
From the article, Thelema focuses on self-reliance and inner power. So, while community is still helpful, practitioners would be focused on inner power, rather than borrowed power.
For me, I don't have time to conform to a purely devotional community and to fit in. A practice that focuses on inner power, and not group conformity is both appealing for those reasons, and where my attention has been drawn.
What I have read was mostly done when I was commuting and had no worries about livelihood. Or, I had time without worries to read. That was spread out over decades including occasional homelessness.
Just existing is utterly depressing. To add to that, "loneliness and the illusion of connection", or give up enlightenment until all souls are free, is more than I can endure.
Problems with communities is more of a problem for me at 60, than it was at 20, maybe. I don't know much, but this seems like where I have been lead.
I am not sure I understand the connection. Can you explain it to me?
I read your article as comparing two approaches to self-knowledge, as well as how communities associated with two approaches can be characterized. I'm commenting on the article, not claiming to have broad knowledge of either type, or communities associated with either type.
Devotional practices are inherently community-centered, which is both a boon and a hindrance. There is conformity with a community as a premise.
Or, at least, what you wrote about devotional practice, matches my experience, attempting to do Buddhist practice in a group, or going to the Ashram.
From the article, Thelema focuses on self-reliance and inner power. So, while community is still helpful, practitioners would be focused on inner power, rather than borrowed power.
For me, I don't have time to conform to a purely devotional community and to fit in. A practice that focuses on inner power, and not group conformity is both appealing for those reasons, and where my attention has been drawn.
Thank you 🤘🏻