Posted by: almaas
in Diamond Approach on Dec 9, 2009
The Libidinal Soul as the Primary Barrier to Spiritual Development
In Spacecruiser Inquiry you refer to the libidinal soul as "the primary barrier to spiritual development." The spiritual traditions I have studied offer very little practical teaching about this critical barrier, and the consequences can be disastrous. Can you say more about the actual process of transforming the animal soul? More specifically, how do we confront our most primal and powerful drives, which are usually distorted and damaged by inner and outer coercion, and hold the ground of truth? What are the dynamics of this transformation? How is this different from sublimation?
Actually, the ancient traditions deal with the animal soul in a major way, but within their own cultures and contexts. It is usually done through renunciation, ascetism, moral discipline and monastic rules of conduct. Also, through the relationship between teacher and student. When these traditional teachings are taught in our modern culture the cultural norms and contexts are not present, and hence there is no good way to deal with such deep and central obstacle to realization.
Posted by: almaas
in Diamond Approach on Oct 4, 2009
Working with the Animal Soul
In Spacecruiser Inquiry you refer to the libidinal soul as "the primary barrier to spiritual development." The spiritual traditions I have studied offer very little practical teaching about this critical barrier, and the consequences can be disastrous. Can you say more about the actual process of transforming the animal soul? More specifically, how do we confront our most primal and powerful drives, which are usually distorted and damaged by inner and outer coercion, and hold the ground of truth? What are the dynamics of this transformation? How is this different from sublimation?
