The Active Enzyme Lemon-Freshened Junior High School Witch--Part 2

This "New Age" of information and misinformation overload poses special challenges. In the metaphysical and philosophical world, there are thousands of competing verbalizations with contradictory pronouncements. If you gulp down lots of metaphysics, unless you're an exceptionally well-rounded and clever individual, you're apt to wind up with fine case of muddle-de-physics.

Naturally, many of us think, prematurely, that we're exceptionally well rounded and clever, and so are quick to get into trouble. Which brings us the next related aspect of human weakness: ego. Knowledge of a special language makes us feel special. Familiarity with lofty terms seems to elevate us, set us apart from the crowd. We may become part of a world saving "in" group. We are trying to be less lonely and be recognized for our knowledge and status. Salvation of the world is, of course, an essential and admirable pursuit. And it would benefit all of us if more of those enthusiastically engaged in this activity did know what they were talking about.

The next thing about high-flying language is its emotional appeal. It is glamorous. First, it often touches on matters of very real importance: God, love, death, humanity, finding the right path, our place in cosmos, our true nature, etc. These are so important, so luminous in the depth of our consciousness, that even when badly expressed and mixed with invented balderdash, we find them compelling. Even when we encounter a truth that is distorted, watered-down, and morphed with extraneous material of all sorts-even then, we may find pseudo-truth attractive and absorbing.

"It is inherent in our intellectual activity that we seek to imprison reality in our description of it. Soon, long before we realize it, it is we who become prisoners of the description." (Aneurin Bevan)