Right Thinking

The Eight-fold Path consists of eight practices: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi (‘meditative absorption or union’). Wikipedia.

I had a delightful morning over a cup of coffee with some acquaintances I had been meaning to get to know better.  These people are “Right Thinkers”.

It is just the sort of experience I need. A world away from bankers (isn’t that spelled with a “w”?), salesmen and the modern world. A return to ancient values and cultures; people who recognize the validity of different modes of thought. People who know that the Tao is a philosophy rather than a washing powder.

Much to my amazement, there appear to be like minded cranks in this world who think as I do.  The rejection of materialism (so far as is possible), the disgust with business aims and methods, a distaste for the capitalist economic model, a yearning for transcendence and for an opening of the doors of perception.

I recognize now that I have always thought this way and that I caused myself much distress and angst by attempting to fit into a mould for which I was never designed.

Interestingly they came up with a political system called “communalism” which I had not come across before. I am not a true socialist and certainly not a communist. I loathe politics since I suspect “some” will always be “more equal than others”. But I guess we need some sort of society to prevent us slipping back into bestiality.

Perhaps this is it. Yet my preference would still be to inherit a vast estate on some far flung habitable planet (or preferably the whole planet) and keep everyone else out.

Not to be mean or elitist – just to ensure silence and privacy.  And given the infinitude that is out there, hey! Everyone can have their own Goldilocks planet.

We had very interesting discussions on consciousness and the nature of reality and I was fascinated to hear my new friends’ views on psychedelics.

How nice to meet open, un-stuffy people with new views and a healthy distaste for dull convention.