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a cache of usenet and other text files pertaining
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To: tariqas@europe.std.com From: nagasiva@luckymojo.com (haramullah) Subject: Stature and Attainment 50000317 IVom assalam alaykum, my kin. a correspondent writes: > The problem I have is this: The phrase "hierarchy is dead" usually means > "I'm pissed because I'm not getting the recognition as an adept I think I > deserve in this organization" and/or "I'll call myself a student in a > spiritual school but I'm for damn' sure not letting anyone, least of all a > teacher, tell me what to do." what are the characteristics of an "adept"? if I meet a complete stranger on the street, perhaps we walk together and have lunch before noontime prayers, what should I watch for in their behaviour, in how they treat me, in how they react to me and others, that would indicate their adeptship, in comparison to someone who is 'merely' a devout believer without adeptship? are adepts due different treatment than "ordinary folks"? if so, why? > The first time I heard the term "synarchy" was from Pir Vilayat, about twenty > years ago. He probably coined it. It's one thing for a being of his > stature, who has paid his dues as a student and is the head of a worldwide > spiritual school with thousands of active members, to speak of synarchy. is being a part of a social group as an underling or lower-ranking member a kind of "dues payment"? does one stop being a student as one moves into a position of social responsibility? what are the absolute differences between students and other people? from what I can see you speak of a spectrum of personal development here: * uninvolved, unaware, ignorant 'ordinary folks' * students beginners learned * adepts unknown statured is there something beyond this, like "scholars" or "imams", "saints" or "messengers", "prophets", and even "final messengers"? if you're going to recognize an absolute hierarchy of development, then let's make it very clear of what you think this consists. > Coming from anyone of lesser attainment, it's really a little silly. does attainment always occur simultaneous with social stature? are there those of social stature without attainment or those who have personal attainment but lack social stature? if there are the latter, are there means, as I have asked above, to identify them should they deem it important to grace us with their presence? and likewise are there means to identify those who have social stature who are lacking in personal development? > At the very least, it's not helpful to the new seekers who are > looking for direction. are there means of directing new seekers to sources of inspiration outside of an hierarchy? what about referrals? could I not say to them "if you need help in finding direction, I would recommend that you consult with my sister Fatima, whose attainment I can attest as being sufficient to handle your course of development"? this does not appear to require a diversification into organizations, status, separation based on personal characteristics such as gender or social connections, etc. I find the subject of authority to be a very important one, often overlooked or over-emphasized for the purposes of loyalty. I think it is valuable to try to create social systems without rigid forms of authority and simultaneously to recognize stratification of experience and insight as we see them. at times these two become confused and identified rather than seen as different categories of status (i.e. social role and personal development). thank you for your time. peace be with you, haramullah
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