4:58 PM |
Author: Tucker Plumlee
“Every Microcosm, every inhabited region, has a Centre; that is to say, a place that is sacred above all.” —Mircea Eliade
An “axis mundi” (lit. “axis of the world”) can be found in almost every culture, worldview or religious tradition, regardless of place, time or other distinction; it is one of those rare symbols that is truly universal. And whether it be a mountain (Calvary in the Christian tradition, Mount Fuji in Japanese culture or Mount Olympus
in Greek Mythology) a tree (the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment or Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse mythology) or the human body itself (as with the ideas of Chakra and Yoga in Hindu thought and Sephirot in Jewish mysticism) the function and place of the axis mundi is always the same—it is that point where all things meet, the center of all meaning, holy and blessed.
An axis mundi is the manifestation of man’s desire to create a link between the heavens and earth, to connect human existence in the temporal world with our similar, yet all too intangible, existence in the metaphysical. It becomes the center of the universe, the pole around which existence is constantly turning, the unshakable and constant link with higher meaning and existence.
This is my own, digital, axis mundi; where pixels and bytes become a place of “sacred retreat”, where I attempt to connect not only with my own place of higher meaning, but with others who are taking a similar journey. I hope this will be a place of careful commentary and concerned dialogue on topics ranging from religious pluralism and interfaith encounter to engaged activism and social justice; a place of private encounter and public dialogue.
Do not mistake me-I am no expert in my various areas of interest or on anything that might appear on this site, nor do I suppose that I might be one at any certain point in the near future; I am only a curious student and my only claim to any sort of pertinent knowledge or wisdom is my relevant experience and ongoing process of discovery and exploration.
With that brief disclaimer, I hope that you enjoy what is offered herein. If you have comments, concerns or suggestions, please e-mail me and I will be happy to respond as soon as is convenient.
Namasté, Shalom, As-Salamu Alaykum…Cheers!
An “axis mundi” (lit. “axis of the world”) can be found in almost every culture, worldview or religious tradition, regardless of place, time or other distinction; it is one of those rare symbols that is truly universal. And whether it be a mountain (Calvary in the Christian tradition, Mount Fuji in Japanese culture or Mount Olympus
in Greek Mythology) a tree (the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment or Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse mythology) or the human body itself (as with the ideas of Chakra and Yoga in Hindu thought and Sephirot in Jewish mysticism) the function and place of the axis mundi is always the same—it is that point where all things meet, the center of all meaning, holy and blessed.An axis mundi is the manifestation of man’s desire to create a link between the heavens and earth, to connect human existence in the temporal world with our similar, yet all too intangible, existence in the metaphysical. It becomes the center of the universe, the pole around which existence is constantly turning, the unshakable and constant link with higher meaning and existence.
This is my own, digital, axis mundi; where pixels and bytes become a place of “sacred retreat”, where I attempt to connect not only with my own place of higher meaning, but with others who are taking a similar journey. I hope this will be a place of careful commentary and concerned dialogue on topics ranging from religious pluralism and interfaith encounter to engaged activism and social justice; a place of private encounter and public dialogue.
Do not mistake me-I am no expert in my various areas of interest or on anything that might appear on this site, nor do I suppose that I might be one at any certain point in the near future; I am only a curious student and my only claim to any sort of pertinent knowledge or wisdom is my relevant experience and ongoing process of discovery and exploration.
With that brief disclaimer, I hope that you enjoy what is offered herein. If you have comments, concerns or suggestions, please e-mail me and I will be happy to respond as soon as is convenient.
Namasté, Shalom, As-Salamu Alaykum…Cheers!
Category:
blogging about blogging,
introduction,
my axis
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