I wonder how to balance this notion with maintaining an appreciation for the value of collected, wisdom, tradition, or even hierarchy? In the cooking example, we have the luxury of having a recipe handed down to us, and we have the opportunity to improvise upon it. human beings have been grappling with the same questions as us for millennia now. thoughts?
Absolutely. I'm so glad you brought this up. You're right...there's value in inherited wisdom, tradition, and even structure and hierarchy when it's consciously chosen or engaged with. The problem isn't necessarily the recipe, or the guru, or the scientific method, or even the hierarchy itself. It's when we follow them uncritically, unconsciously, or out of fear of losing belonging or identity.
In the cooking metaphor... you're spot on. Having a recipe passed down is a gift. The danger comes when we never question if that recipe works for our current palate, our health, or our values. Or if we blindly shame ourselves for deviating from it. Same goes for spiritual teachings, scientific paradigms, or cultural norms. They’re tools. But tools often become prisons when we forget we can put them down or modify them.
And you're right again! Humans have been grappling with these questions forever. That's part of why individuation isn’t about rejecting all tradition, but about entering into relationship with it and blending it with our own unique experience. Like: does this serve me? Can I honor the passed-down message, while also making it my own?
So maybe it’s not either/or, recipe or intuition, tradition or reinvention...but a both/and with awareness as the bridge.
Would love to hear how you personally navigate that space!
I wonder how to balance this notion with maintaining an appreciation for the value of collected, wisdom, tradition, or even hierarchy? In the cooking example, we have the luxury of having a recipe handed down to us, and we have the opportunity to improvise upon it. human beings have been grappling with the same questions as us for millennia now. thoughts?
Hey Tim!
Absolutely. I'm so glad you brought this up. You're right...there's value in inherited wisdom, tradition, and even structure and hierarchy when it's consciously chosen or engaged with. The problem isn't necessarily the recipe, or the guru, or the scientific method, or even the hierarchy itself. It's when we follow them uncritically, unconsciously, or out of fear of losing belonging or identity.
In the cooking metaphor... you're spot on. Having a recipe passed down is a gift. The danger comes when we never question if that recipe works for our current palate, our health, or our values. Or if we blindly shame ourselves for deviating from it. Same goes for spiritual teachings, scientific paradigms, or cultural norms. They’re tools. But tools often become prisons when we forget we can put them down or modify them.
And you're right again! Humans have been grappling with these questions forever. That's part of why individuation isn’t about rejecting all tradition, but about entering into relationship with it and blending it with our own unique experience. Like: does this serve me? Can I honor the passed-down message, while also making it my own?
So maybe it’s not either/or, recipe or intuition, tradition or reinvention...but a both/and with awareness as the bridge.
Would love to hear how you personally navigate that space!