The Cyclic Nature of Our Lives

» shiloh - interesting comparison

These are interesting comparisons to draw. If you're right about the impact of "artificial" celebrations, why wouldn't they suffice on their own? Why add organized religious celebrations at all?

The answer might lie in the concrete nature of artificiality. The tax man definitely brings the refund; the doctor's visit definitely occurs. Nothing definite happens in a religious celebration. Arguably nothing happens at all -- except that time is taken to do it. There is no physically palpable reward for taking the time -- no money is gained, no sickness medicated, no errand discharged. It seems to me religious celebrations basically boil down to taking time out of one's day to accomplish nothing, and perhaps that is important.

Shiloh

-- posted by shiloh

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» Myrrha - Time to Zone

You're right Shiloh. I find it important in my
day to day life, to have an opportunity to plan to
do nothing or to plan to do something not of the
regular order of things. Looking forward to the
day off from work, or looking forward to the day
for working on a special project provides that
little bit of recreation necessary to rekindle
the spirit or keep from becoming burned out. I
like in particular, being able to determine when
those days will be. I guess that goes with
knowing what my own particular needs and rhythms
are.

Blessings,

-- posted by Myrrha

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