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Mar 22nd 2021

Half a star

    As a half-star rated Buddhist, I'm not locked into the Judaeo-Christian One God system. The way it's presented just doesn't jibe with my temperament, but I don't mind it either. Same with Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, but I don't mind them either. So what does jibe? I tell you, I find pagan myths very compelling. If I'm inclined to view these as metaphors rather than rambling sagas—and I am so inclined—they are powerful and provocative. Take Odysseus' encounters with Calypso and with the Sirens; both episodes distract the hero from getting home. For me, personally, if the Buddhist oneness is 'home' then I am repeatedly held back from returning 'there'; distracted, an artist roaming this realm of illusion, seduced by its beauty and its promises of love and fulfillment.
    Furthermore (should you accept the mission), you could link the Odyssey myth to the Epic of Gilgamesh...and on and so on. Like the ear-plug cords all tangled (for us Luddites, that is, still not equipped with cordless ear-pieces—cool).