Money Sex War Karma (notes for a buddhist revolution) by David R. Loy

Just picked this up today, and the introduction resonated with what I've bee saying for the last six weeks, that organizations exist only to perpetuate themselves, regardless of the great work that may have inspired them.
Loy says, "As religions begin to develop so too do tensions between the founder's salvific message and the institution that arises to preserve that message. Although an organization is necessary, it's not easy to avoid a shift in focus from the original message to preserving and enhancing the status of the institution."
So, although that's just from the introduction, I'm hooked. Has anyone else read this book?
Which also brings up the question: Should we have a specific area for book reviews?

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Permalink Reply by Jenn on April 6, 2009 at 7:21am

I like the idea of book reviews because often in the past some of the best books I've ever read have come on recommendations from friends or friends' book reviews.

As for the idea that organizations exist to perpetuate themselves, that makes perfect sense ... I think part of what happens is they are so fixated on preserving their founder's message/vision/idea that naturally their way of being in the world will be a stance of us versus world, preservation (or in some cases evangelizing) versus integration.

It's a perfectly 'reasonable' response, one that derives from our need to individuate. But if we get stuck in an undeveloped ego (with its vicious need for survival), then things start to go a bit pear shaped and no wonder so many people in our societies are acting like toddlers and teenagers!

In one sense, organizations perhaps are not so much to blame as the people behind them. And the only way that we can 'fix' the organizations is for the people behind them to make significant strides in the direction of personal development, in all areas.

If the people involved are mindful and evolving (including being open to new ideas, new interpretations, etc), then perhaps we might start seeing some organizations that can actually do something meaningful in the world.

I think the TS should also be aware of this. I certainly wouldn't want to see TS fulfilling Loy's quotation. It's a fine line. From my sheltered experiences of the TS, I think that we're doing fine .... but there will always be exceptions.

Thanks for sharing this. Another book to add to my list!

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Permalink Reply by Susan Thomas on April 6, 2009 at 8:48am

Thank you. You will like the book, but it sounds like you already know his basic premises. He is just trying to help us frame a "revolution" to help us go beyone the undeveloped ego to which you refer. I still have not finished the tiny book because I had a special project for work that took the whole weekend to prepare. I think it is a book that would be a good topic for discussion and when I finish it, I will start a book review forum. (unless someone beats me to it!)
Again, thanks
Keep the link unbroken
ST