Disqus - Latest Comments for W. Smoke

Re: A Pagan Buddhist?

W. Smoke — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:44:52 -0000

Hi Al,

An interesting post you have here. Would you say most ex-magicians who get involved in Buddhism are pulled toward the Vajrayana schools? I've always seen the esoteric Tibetan practices as being rather similar to Hermetic practices, and you've hinted at your own views on the subject. Would you say most magicians-gone-Buddhist share your propensities for the rituals and go Vajra?

On the other hand, I feel like the western people who are most drawn to Zen or Theravada are probably drawn to the surface values of minimalism and simplicity; a lack of esoteric ritual which are seemingly emphasized in the aforementioned Vajrayana schools. That's probably a welcome change for people who have had negative experiences with Judeo-Christian dogma.

I actually have no firsthand experience with tantric rituals in a Vajra school, but what is interesting to me-- from the books I've read and people I've talked to whom are involved directly with Tibetan schools-- is that the tantric practices seem very... "intellectual" in their ornate ritualism. I wonder if that is your perception? If so, the magic-Vajra connection is not so surprising.

Re: The Suits

W. Smoke — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:51:30 -0000

Suits strike me as people who are either unimaginative or have not really thought about the direction they are taking things.

But then again, suits are like every other group or denomination of people: the majority of them don't really know what they're doing or why they do it, and the top-tier are really in control of the direction of their lives.

I think the people who have mid-life crises are often suits with no genuine interests outside of finance or business goals. I say suits because they're often the only ones wealthy enough to afford a mid-life crisis.

Re: Soto Zen Priests Suing E-sangha

W. Smoke — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:23:28 -0000

Crazy stuff. It sounds like a slippery slope because E-Sangha isn't some official site of any specific group, but a privately owned forum by a few individuals. I agree it is cult-ish in moderation, but why is it legally obligated to admit/approve of any opinions but those of the owners? Would a satisfactory settlement be that E-Sangha provide a disclaimer as to moderation policy?

Re: Nine Inch Nails in Concert

W. Smoke — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:18:19 -0000

That display looks phenomenal. I heard that Coil would put on pretty intense live performances when they rarely did so. Are/were you a Coil fan, Al? I figured you'd be aware of them considering the connections to Austin Spare and Trent Reznor.