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Epigallo
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Initiation into adulthood
#6831187 - 04/25/07 08:59 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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I have recently been watching the Power of Myth series with Joseph Campbell. In Part II Campbell talks about how in other cultures they have very traumatic initiations into adulthood for adolescent males. The men of the tribe will come dressed as spirits and steal the boy away from his mother, then basically scare him, torture him, perform genital mutilation, etc. The point is that he learns he is no longer protected by the mother, and he has come out changed with a different body (e.g. teeth knocked out or whatever).
Then he goes on about how we have so many problems in our society because there is no such initiation for most of us into adulthood, therefore we don't make the switch to independency, and commit crimes, steal, etc.
Does such a traditional approach not seem overly harsh though? It seems that it would imprint the mind with suspicion and fear. Is there a better ritual for us today that will make us realize we have switched roles?
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MushroomTrip
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: Epigallo]
#6831214 - 04/25/07 09:09 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Does such a traditional approach not seem overly harsh though? It seems that it would imprint the mind with suspicion and fear. Is there a better ritual for us today that will make us realize we have switched roles?
Having some aware parents would help... no need for brutal initiation  Having a healthier social imprint would do good too. Regarding the parents issues, some of them tend to be overprotective so... here goes.
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   All this time I've loved you And never known your face All this time I've missed you And searched this human race Here is true peace Here my heart knows calm Safe in your soul Bathed in your sighs
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SampaJasli
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: Epigallo]
#6831217 - 04/25/07 09:09 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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You should check out the Sambia tribe's rituals for entrance into manhood. The Sambia tribe of New Guinea. Do a google or wikipedia search.
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Epigallo
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: MushroomTrip]
#6831238 - 04/25/07 09:15 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
MushroomTrip said:
Quote:
Does such a traditional approach not seem overly harsh though? It seems that it would imprint the mind with suspicion and fear. Is there a better ritual for us today that will make us realize we have switched roles?
Having some aware parents would help... no need for brutal initiation  Having a healthier social imprint would do good too. Regarding the parents issues, some of them tend to be overprotective so... here goes.
Well, their parents weren't necessarily bad, the ritual serves a different purpose than merely teaching someone how to do things. It is done to provoke a change in the sense of one's identity...sort of like moving off to college, although that doesn't seem to work too well.
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Epigallo
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: SampaJasli]
#6831248 - 04/25/07 09:18 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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SampaJasli said: You should check out the Sambia tribe's rituals for entrance into manhood. The Sambia tribe of New Guinea. Do a google or wikipedia search.
Yeah, more of the same...the page I found admits that the boys are taught to be hateful so that they will treat the next generation the same way.
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fireworks_god
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: Epigallo]
#6831262 - 04/25/07 09:21 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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bradleycny said: I have recently been watching the Power of Myth series with Joseph Campbell. In Part II Campbell talks about how in other cultures they have very traumatic initiations into adulthood for adolescent males. The men of the tribe will come dressed as spirits and steal the boy away from his mother, then basically scare him, torture him, perform genital mutilation, etc. The point is that he learns he is no longer protected by the mother, and he has come out changed with a different body (e.g. teeth knocked out or whatever).
I much prefer the initiation ceremony of some of the Native American tribes. They would be sent out into the wilderness on their own, and they could not return until they had received their vision. I can't recall if they would eat or not. I think that often they would find their "spirit animal", and this would have a great effect on their personality as an adult.
It seems to be much more a path of awareness than the shock and suffering of what you describe. It seems like an act of violence, not of consciousness.
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Epigallo
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Hey, that does sound better. When faced with the alternative, I would gladly go out into the wilderness to find my spirit animal.
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fireworks_god
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: Epigallo]
#6831295 - 04/25/07 09:31 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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I think that one naturally experiences "initiation rites" into adulthood. From what I recall about the rites of passage of these Native Americans, not everyone would have their vision or find their spirit animal. This would dramatically affect their societal status and etc. I think it is simply a question of whether or not one is susceptible to becoming an adult.
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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MushroomTrip
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Quote:
fireworks_god said: I think that one naturally experiences "initiation rites" into adulthood. From what I recall about the rites of passage of these Native Americans, not everyone would have their vision or find their spirit animal. This would dramatically affect their societal status and etc. I think it is simply a question of whether or not one is susceptible to becoming an adult.
Haha I like that
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   All this time I've loved you And never known your face All this time I've missed you And searched this human race Here is true peace Here my heart knows calm Safe in your soul Bathed in your sighs
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fireworks_god
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: MushroomTrip]
#6831380 - 04/25/07 09:58 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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It certainly was inspired.
I personally think that we need to take a long, hard look at our education system. If we were to invest in ourselves by paying for better education, it would dramatically improve the state of the world. Children are not truly taught to think. I contemplate the role that psychadelics could have in rites of passage into adulthood. I definitely think, though, that this type of education and path would be on the level of the family, but the education system could play a huge role as well.
Damn.
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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Epigallo
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^ Cool dog, yours?
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demiu5
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I'm sorry, but the education system being improved won't happen. They are institutions established to pump out money earning productive citizens and little more
-------------------- channel your inner Larry David
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MushroomTrip
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Obviously there is enough room for improvement, but it looks like this education issue is being caught in a vicious circle just like anything else  People tend to bond themselves to old educational patterns and they find the most stupid reasons to do that, stuff like showing "respect" to the old ways, there a big confusion created between the concept of "old school" style and sick school lol. I have friends who are so unsatisfied with education and which is high school were "rebels" but still, they think that this kind of education is the best for when they will have children. Parents come and add to that experience. Some people like to behave as victims of society and circumstances instead of taking life in their own hands.
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   All this time I've loved you And never known your face All this time I've missed you And searched this human race Here is true peace Here my heart knows calm Safe in your soul Bathed in your sighs
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fireworks_god
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: demiu5]
#6831430 - 04/25/07 10:07 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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demius said: I'm sorry, but the education system being improved won't happen. They are institutions established to pump out money earning productive citizens and little more
The education system being improved won't happen because people do not care enough about their education system that they are paying for. They could decide to bring focus into paying more taxes into it and having a say in the nature of the education system. People don't care, people don't think of what more they could give their children, they do not realize the vast opportunity for growth that could be there if we decided for it to be.
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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fireworks_god
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Re: Initiation into adulthood [Re: Epigallo]
#6831442 - 04/25/07 10:09 AM (16 years, 9 months ago) |
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bradleycny said: ^ Cool dog, yours?
Yes, he is a Norwegian Elkhound.
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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