Re: When Druids Meet
TopazOwl

Fri Nov 10 19:13:55 2000
Daven wrote,*br*: One would assume from this that they trade life stories?*p*     Something like that, yes.*p*:2. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by providing the*br*: *traditions* of the studies that formed them into Druids.*br*: IE Talking about what they learned?*p*     And how they learned it.*p*: 3. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by describing*br*: their *rank* of attainment in their chosen specialties of Draíocht.*br*: This strikes me as bragging.*p*     Bragging is boastful or arrogant talk, usually exaggerated. To say honestly what is one's rank of attainment does not seem to me to be bragging, but simply stating the facts.*p*: 4. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by itemizing the*br*: *skills* in the art of Druids that they practice as Druids.*br*: More bragging, but it can be done with some humility.*p*:6. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by detailing   *br*: *accomplishments* in their life as Druids.*br*: Strikes me as bragging again.  But once again, it can be done *br*: with some humility.*p*     You seem to think that every time one is called upon to explain what they are, what they do, and what they have achieved, it's "bragging." Tell me, isn't this what you might have to do at a job interview? Or writing a resume?*p*     I'd also like to point out that boasting is a rather time-honored*br*Celtic trait. ;-)*p*:7. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by tracing the*br*: Druidic *lineage* of their teachers.*br*: Too much like the Wiccan "you aren't a *real* Wiccan because you*br*: weren't initiated by so-and-so".*p*     How so? You either say if you have a certain lineage or not. Is there an implied judgement there? Yes, perhaps the other Druid will judge your credentials. Is that a bad thing? Only if they're found lacking, I suppose...*p*:1. Can we ignore these nine points of being a Druid when we seek *br*:to be Druids ourselves?*p*: It makes me wonder if some of these nine can be used in this day and*br*: age.  I can trace my Druidic lineage through about 5 people, but not*br*: any further.  And what is to say that the first Druid I can trace my*br*: lineage back to was any more qualified to be called a Druid*br*: than I am?*p*      Do you think s/he was? Are you a reflection of the fact that s/he was? That is what is important here.*p*: I think some intelligence needs to be exercised in using these*br*: as 'measuring sticks' for themselves and others.*p*     And I think that intelligent people know that.*p*:: 2. Can we afford to ignore discovering them in others who say *br*: they are  Druids?*br*:*br*: Like I say, we need to exercise common sense.  I don't object *br*: to this being used, but sense needs to be exercised.*p*     See above.*p*:: 3. Can we demonstrate them to the world through the truth of our own actions?*br*:*br*: We probably could, but I don't think it would matter to a *br*: majority of humanity.  Some of the populace would be ineresed*br*: in how *real* we are, if we are ordained, and so on, but most*br*: I don't think would care.  It could be demonstrated, but once*br*: again, we would look like Catholic Priests who are more*br*: concerned with proving ourselves to each other, and society,*br*: to be concerned with taking care of our "flocks".*p*     Is there something wrong with looking like Catholic priests, who know their own without a doubt and can trace their lineage all the way back to the start of their tradition?*p*     Actually, it *does* matter what we demonstrate to the world, whether we are called Druids or not. If we are to be taken seriously, we must actually be what we say we are, and we must demonstrate such through the truth of our actions.*p*: I would actually like to see some kind of measuring stick for Druids*br*: and Wiccans as well as Witches to denote who is serious about their*br*: path, and who is qualified to teach and preach, and to separate the*br*: fluff-bunnies out, but as long as there is no central authority*br*:  to any of our paths, this may be a pipe dream.*p*     Tradition is the central authority, and tradition has always been the measuring stick. That is why it is so important to understand what the tradition actually is -- because we *don't* have any grand high poobahs to tell us how it should be. Nor are any poobahs necessary, once the tradition is understood. Then, somehow, we all recognize each other.*p*Leigh*br*
Re: When Druids Meet
Daven
736
Fri Nov 10 15:31:03 2000