Re: When Druids Meet
Luis Felipe Morales
luis@pacifica.edu
Fri Nov 10 19:59:05 2000
I think I'll actually take the time to reply, too.*p*>1. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by detailing the truth of the inner *nature* that caused them to seek to become Druids.*p*As Daven said, 'life stories'; more to the point, this is a good litmus test for 'authenticity', I should think.*p*>2. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by providing the *traditions* of the studies that formed them into Druids.*p*Sort of along the lines of providing their rationales for their personal philosophies and bringing these into the community of Druids for communal examination.*p*>3. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by describing their *rank* of attainment in their chosen specialties of DraÌocht.*p*This doesn't have to be bragging, so much as a bit of information on what actual skills a Druid may be expected to have. For instance, though the analogy ain't perfect, a first-gup student in Tang Soo Do knows something like two basic punches, six or eight kicks, four blocks, a few specific applications and the first 'form' or kata. Likewise a grade one student in the American Wing Tsun Assn. knows the first form all the way through plus certain applications of its movements plus specific other blocks, strikes, kicks etc. This information provides someone who knows what it means with a quick inventory of the other's skills.*p*>4. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by itemizing the *skills* in the art of Druids that they practice as Druids.*p*This is just unpacking the info in #3.*p*>5.Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by outlining the *goals* that they've set for themselves as Druids.*p*The goals of Druids are another useful thing to be brought into the community for communal study and use.*p*>6. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by detailing their *accomplishments* in their life as Druids.*p*Accomplishments are another decent litmus test of dedication. 'So, how have YOU put your money where your mouth is lately, young Druid?' and the like.*p*>7. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by tracing the Druidic *lineage* of their teachers.*p*Lineage is fine, as long as you don't get snooty about it. It's another useful way to tell someone in the know what your philosophical bent may be, or what knowledge or skills your own path emphasizes. Another martial-arts analogy is that if I study under Colin Silverman who studies under Emin Boztepe who learned from Keith Kernspecht and Leung Ting who learned from Yip Man, this means my wing chun gung fu is going to be different from someone's who studied under Augustine Fong. My stance will be a little different, I'll have a different idea of the first form, I'll use stuff from Filipino escrima and he won't, etc. It tells him how I do my thing.*p*>8. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by performing *prophecy* that is inspired through imbas.*p*Well, insofar as prophecy/imbas are marks of a druid, yes. And insofar as the individual druid or student is able to do it....		*p*>9. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by *acknowledging truth* when they see it..*p*Yeah, fair enough.*p**br*>1. Can we ignore these nine points of being a Druid when we seek to be Druids ourselves?*p*Yeah, sure we can ignore ALL of it. But doing that won't help us enter a community of Druids or a druidic community, as you like it.  I am thinking here of teh strictures that define the sangha in Buddhism.*p*>2. Can we afford to ignore discovering them in others who say they are Druids?*p*Yes, again. But we won't be learning much from each other. (there again, nor will we if we misapply them.)*p*>3. Can we demonstrate them to the world through the truth of our own actions?*p*Sure. Most people do. And in fact it beats verbal harangues on how great draiocht is.*p*--Luis*p*
Re: When Druids Meet
Daven
736
Fri Nov 10 15:31:03 2000