demagogue on 13/9/2023 at 17:28
I always really liked the philosophy or mysticism built into the design of Egyptian temples, also the model for the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. It's broken up into stages, with each stage progressively smaller, less lit-up, and more exclusive. A larger-than-life public square up front in the sunlight, then a smaller complex for the priests and staff, then a still smaller area just for the top priests, and in the back a single tiny dark room, the holiest place that only one person, the high priest or pharaoh, could enter once a year, and even that is shrouded in mystery and danger.
It fits with a mystical outlook on life. At the root of any spiritual movement or religion is the very intimate religious experience of a single person in a moment, and on that edifice is built a worldview, then a set of rituals, and finally a massive public facade. But all of it is built on those intimate spiritual moments that support the whole thing.
That's always how I liked to look at religion and spirituality. You have to look at the experiences behind the larger-than-life facade to see what's supporting and driving the thing, and that's the true meaning.
I mean it works in two directions. At the source of any religious or spiritual movement is a moment of enlightenment by an individual that progressively grows in scope to some larger-than-life public facade. But when one begins on the spiritual path, you take that path in reverse, starting with the rituals and beliefs of the public facade to gradually develop in discipline and reflection to the more intimate and individual moments of reflection and enlightenment.
Well I think that's the best way to look at spiritual and religious practice and life, or anyway the one I find the most value in.
Edit: For the visual learners (and (
https://www.memphis.edu/hypostyle/meaning_function/model-universe.php) the story that goes with it)...
Inline Image:
https://i.ibb.co/ky4Cq30/typicaltemple.jpgAzaran on 13/9/2023 at 19:41
Quote Posted by demagogue
It fits with a mystical outlook on life. At the root of any spiritual movement or religion is the very intimate religious experience of a single person in a moment, and on that edifice is built a worldview, then a set of rituals, and finally a massive public facade. But all of it is built on those intimate spiritual moments that support the whole thing.
Well said. Go back far enough, and all religion began as the means of interaction between humans and the spiritual (whether it's real, or a byproduct of the human brain is irrelevant).
Once it became institutionalized, and eventually watered down, stripped of its essential ritual elements and weaponized (e.g. in evangelicalism, Wahhabism), it lost touch with its roots.
Many today see in religion a set of moral/ethical principles that need to be followed, couched in a thin veneer of divine revelation, when this is far removed from the essence
mxleader on 14/9/2023 at 23:29
Reminds me of those Rubik's cube triangle snake puzzles from the 1980's.
hopper on 16/9/2023 at 18:36
Reminds me of a Mechanist stronghold.
mxleader on 17/9/2023 at 22:45
Yep, those are the ones. :laff:
taffernicus on 18/9/2023 at 01:21
This is one of the most unique building in indonesia capital city. The building name is intiland tower. I thought it was an apartment at first glance but turned out to be office building. This building catch my eyes instantly when i happen to pass by the road(sudirman road) near that building. I should note that i am not an architecture buff by any means :D.
Inline Image:
https://ibb.co/9qMmfP7
