| Awaken Bharata |
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| Books By David Frawley |
| DEVIC AND ASURIC FORMS OF MYSTICISM | |
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an inflation of one's personal worth usually leads to a
corresponding diminution of others, which is the second
characteristic of Asuric mysticism. An Asuric mystic, with his
claims for exclusivism, will be intolerant of other forms of
spirituality. He looks upon those who do not accept his claims to
holiness as a sign that they are fallen or evil. Just as he
divinizes his own ego, he demonizes other spiritual groups as the
enemy to be overcome.
Generally this demonization proceeds according to superficial external characteristics. It usually condemns others according to their religious beliefs but can occur according to cultural or racial biases, marking some particular group as especially sinful and unholy. This creation of an enemy is an easy means of discrediting potential competition and setting up a final claim to truth. By creating an external scapegoat it further marshals the minds, hearts and resources of the faithful. Asuric mysticism therefore polarizes the mind into self-glorification on one side and the denigration of others on the other. This is a volatile combination that easily erupts into violence and can infect the collective mind with powerful emotions of love and hate. The result of Asuric mysticism is that it ends up promoting conflict and war, both internally and externally. It is usually trapped in some duality of good and evil, the believers versus the non-believers. |
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