In my Vedic Tarot I have the Wheel of Karma as the Dance of Shiva. Shiva performs the apocalypse and creation since one cannot exist without the other. Shiva’s foot that is grounded in the dance quells the small winged demon Apasmara who represents ignorance to keep him firmly in place. Ignorance must live so that Divine Knowledge could be achieved with effort and not become valueless. Perhaps it is not along the same lines but it is the world of duality I see in that form. We cannot exist without that duality when in human form. I agree with everything you have written as a philosopher although my understanding is taken from symbolism. The other limbs in the dance refer to humans being released from illusion. Thank you for your well-chosen posts that resonate with us…
Thank you for your comments. I can't wait to see your tarot! My post is a reaction to too much unhelpful dismissal of dualism. I am also always a bit sceptical when people talk about Buddhism or Eastern ways of thinking as non-dual. They are certainly dual. The question for me is why they are dual in some ways and choose not to be dual in others. This is a question that may reveal some insight and wisdom.
"In everyday life, we distinguish between good and bad behavior. For example, killing someone for pleasure is recognized as bad, immoral behavior. On the other hand, showing compassion to a child who has been hurt is recognized as good behavior." This might have been very different in Sparta, if the dead person was not a Spartan, or not without good reason. Different views can co-exist so long as they allow for the other to exist.
You are right about the difference in moral views in space and time. That is definitely a good point. But I am sure you will agree that our space-time is a little better in this respect!
Am reading a book on English history from 1000 to 1066. The sheer brutality, the immense desire to rise in hierarchy, to gain power, to trod on any and all who were beneath one, makes the present look quite lovely, for all of its faults.
In my Vedic Tarot I have the Wheel of Karma as the Dance of Shiva. Shiva performs the apocalypse and creation since one cannot exist without the other. Shiva’s foot that is grounded in the dance quells the small winged demon Apasmara who represents ignorance to keep him firmly in place. Ignorance must live so that Divine Knowledge could be achieved with effort and not become valueless. Perhaps it is not along the same lines but it is the world of duality I see in that form. We cannot exist without that duality when in human form. I agree with everything you have written as a philosopher although my understanding is taken from symbolism. The other limbs in the dance refer to humans being released from illusion. Thank you for your well-chosen posts that resonate with us…
Thank you for your comments. I can't wait to see your tarot! My post is a reaction to too much unhelpful dismissal of dualism. I am also always a bit sceptical when people talk about Buddhism or Eastern ways of thinking as non-dual. They are certainly dual. The question for me is why they are dual in some ways and choose not to be dual in others. This is a question that may reveal some insight and wisdom.
"In everyday life, we distinguish between good and bad behavior. For example, killing someone for pleasure is recognized as bad, immoral behavior. On the other hand, showing compassion to a child who has been hurt is recognized as good behavior." This might have been very different in Sparta, if the dead person was not a Spartan, or not without good reason. Different views can co-exist so long as they allow for the other to exist.
You are right about the difference in moral views in space and time. That is definitely a good point. But I am sure you will agree that our space-time is a little better in this respect!
Am reading a book on English history from 1000 to 1066. The sheer brutality, the immense desire to rise in hierarchy, to gain power, to trod on any and all who were beneath one, makes the present look quite lovely, for all of its faults.
Your book looks interesting. It is more or less the same when we look at the history of other parts of the world (at least as far as I know).
So far, alas, peaceful places or civilizations, do not survive the meeting of others in this world.