East or West? Which is your Tendancy?

We had an explanation of our symbol from Master Wes where he stated that it combines symbolic elements together that join East with West. In the spirit of this joining up of different philosophies, we tend to favor one personally. Which way do you "lean?" Do you lean towards the Eastern elements of philosophy, religion, martial arts, etc. Or, do you find yourself aligned with Western thoughts of philosophy, religion, etc. I imagine most of us are some mish-mash of the two, (or even other influences that aren't incorporated into these two classifications). Which way do you lean though, and how does that influence your action?

I was raised in Western philosophy, mostly dominated by Christianity and Capitalism. As I've grown older, I tend to lean more Eastern now, specifically toward the Tao and Bushido, but some Buddhism as well. I meditate rather than pray and I practice Tai Chi which contributes to my Eastern leanings.

I was raised a Catholic and grew up in love with science. I very much had a western upbringing. Several years back, I was stationed in South Korea and was introduced to Buddhism. A couple of years later I had a chance to see the Dalai Lama in Chicago, and I was hooked, at least on Buddhism. It has had a tremendous impact on how I see the world and am only recently coming into some of the other aspects of Eastern Culture (like Bushido). I definitely lean to the East

I'd define the 180 degrees between 45 and -135 as 'East', and so I think I'm a bit of toppling compass hehe, and I'd say the compass is made in Europe but the magnetic field is Eastern
Which means my focus tends to Eastern, but I'm Western.

I was raised in a Judeo Christian society, the West. But there was always something about it that didn’t seem right, or complete.

Most people don’t realize that Texas is a hodgepodge of different peoples and cultures and we all get along pretty darn well. On one street you will have a Roman Catholic church, a Vietnamese Baptist church, a Buddhist Monastery and a Mosque. Granted, there are probably more Christian communities and churches per square foot than probably any other place in the world. LOL But the point is that everyone seems to, for the most part and most of the time, get along. This also allows for opportunities to gather very interesting perspectives.

I have discovered that there is a lot of wisdom to be gathered from Eastern religions and philosophies. But I have a hard time reconciling their moralistic principles or ideals. I do identify with the moral system of the western societies. But only in accordance to what can actually be found in the Bible. Not the churches sad interpretation where they use people’s ignorance to manipulate their standing and loyalty.

For instance, the bible only mentions male homosexuality once, in the Old Testament, and it merely states that a man should not lay as he lays with his wives. Says nothing about loving or being with. And if it were important, seeing how Jesus spent his life around the Romans who openly practiced homosexuality and orgies, you think he would have said something about it if were an “abomination.”

When reading the New Testament and the Hagakure one can find many similarities in moral law where the words of description are only slightly varying but the concept is similar. There are major differences as well though.

I believe in a singular higher power that can easily be seen as manifest in multiple instances or entities in other cultures. I believe the truth in the story or the blind men and the elephant. I believe the Hermetic teachings shows us the underlying truth behind the basic moral structures of most well natured religions. And that only in blending the truths found in the world’s religions and philosophies gives us enough of the picture to be able to recognize what the universal truths are and how the Hermetic Teachings can be found in them and their influence on us.

Where I was a child born to the Western religions and later exposed to the Eastern, I like to think I am a person of the world’s religions and a seeker of universal truth.

You raise a good point about the New Testament and Hagakure, Wes. It goes back to the monomyth/hero's journey and Joseph Campbell. When we study mythology and moral codes from all over the planet and from different times, we can still always find the common thread. As humans, there are certain themes that are universal and this, to me, is the evidence of a single higher power, regardless of what we call it.

Jesus is an interesting figure to study for this reason. While many of his teachings were not original, he managed to combine ideas from a number of influences and stories and cultures into a religious philosophy that rang true with a wide variety of people and cultures. We know each Apostle added their own flavor to their gospels as well, creating the Bible that appeals to a wide range of followers despite the contradictions.

So, what we call "western" based on Christianity really has a lot of "eastern" influence in it, just as Hagakure has some "western" ideas that are prominent.

Wescli Wardest wrote:


I have discovered that there is a lot of wisdom to be gathered from Eastern religions and philosophies. But I have a hard time reconciling their moralistic principles or ideals. I do identify with the moral system of the western societies. But only in accordance to what can actually be found in the Bible. Not the churches sad interpretation where they use people’s ignorance to manipulate their standing and loyalty.

What moralistic principles or ideals do you have trouble reconciling?