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heretic888 10-16-2002 10:28 PM

tmnt and religio-spirituality
 
tell me..... what do you guys think the tmnt are involved in religiously??

im inclined to think they are Buddhist of some sort, in that they were raised by a Japanese... perhaps with a rich smattering Tantra, Shinto, and Taoism with the Buddha Dharma.

what do you think???

Skeletoncrew 10-17-2002 12:18 AM

I'd say that they're all finding their own ways. In some ways I think they may have trouble relating to human religion. Especially with creation myths. Humans are often put on the top of the heap in those stories, how would a turtle feel about that? I don't think Raph would like to be told that any species has dominion over him.

Lanagirl 10-17-2002 07:41 AM

i agree
 
I think that turtles are buddhists... But i can't say they are following their Dharma to become human next life:-) I'm joking.
By the way:Is shredder american or japanese? And where is his father?
His brother's name is not Oroku Nagi in the cartoon though. I'm afraid to make a mistake but in russian version i heard Kacu Osaki-sounds very strange
oh those russian translations:-)))))

Serena 10-17-2002 08:13 AM

Re: i agree
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanagirl
By the way:Is shredder american or japanese?

Shredder's an Asian guy. :)

Kali 10-17-2002 08:48 AM

I agree with SC, that they are trying to find their own way. They probably learned from the religions mentions, but as with everything they had, it probably had to be adapted to fit their situation.

Then again, I'm not relgious myself, so I have no idea what I'm talking about.

heretic888 10-17-2002 08:55 AM

hmmm
 
"I'd say that they're all finding their own ways. In some ways I think they may have trouble relating to human religion. Especially with creation myths. Humans are often put on the top of the heap in those stories, how would a turtle feel about that? I don't think Raph would like to be told that any species has dominion over him."
-----
But, you have to take into account that several religions, such as Buddhism and some forms of Hinduism, are experiential in nature and the most popular form of religion, such as Islam and Christianity, is based on blind, unquestioning belief. "Relating to" a religion wouldnt be a problem if it is based on experiential processes. And, like I said, the Turtles are most likely Buddhists of some kind.

Humans are only usually 'put on top' in the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman religions. This is not the case in most indigenous and Asian systems of belief. Besides, in a lot of those religions, human beings are 'put on top' because we have a more highly developed/evolved consciousness. This advanced consciousness would apply to the turtles as well, so they too would be 'put on top' because of their humanoid awareness/intelligence.

I doubt Raphael would like ANY religion whatsoever because he is mostly egocentric in reference and wouldnt like anything requiring disciplined concentration (such as meditation) or sociocentric subservience (such as 'following the church').
---------------------------------
"I think that turtles are buddhists... But i can't say they are following their Dharma to become human next life"
------
The goal of Buddhism is to transcend the Wheel of Dharma not to 'get promoted' in it. :P Seriously though, the Turtles probably are Buddhists.
---------------------------------
"By the way:Is shredder american or japanese? And where is his father?"
---------
Oroku Saki is a native of Japan, yes. His brother (in mirage) is Oroku Nagi. Saki's father is never named or mentioned in any tmnt universe.....

HorseTechie 10-17-2002 11:56 AM

The canon Mirage TMNT I see as beleive in Confucianism... or what ever popular belief that Hamaoto Yoshi and Splinter had. Could also might have been Shintoism, the native religion of Japan. Shintoism is a worship of the gods in Nature. It can appear to be like Buddhism in the ways they worship. But since I hadn't seen Splinter or the Turtles possess a shrine, I'd say they are followers of Confucius. This teaches a moral philosophy and code of behavior based on peace, order, humanity, courage, wisdom, and fidelity. Confucius refused to consider the question if there is a God, but his believers state now of a heavenly harmony which one can attain by nurturing virtues of Knowledge, Patience, Sincerity, Obedience, and the Fulfillment of Obligations between children and parents, subjects and ruler.

Then later during City at War, Leo was leaning toward Buddism and Zen concepts. And Don... he was contemplating God. Nothing was said, but you're left wondering if he was for or against.

Fanfics, on the other hand... :evilgrin: Boy, I have fun there...

heretic888 10-18-2002 08:58 AM

confucianism?
 
i dont think so.......

The concepts and principles you refer to are pretty much common to ALL Asian belief systems, particularly martial arts. The philosophical/spiritual backdrop of higher martial arts in Japan is referred to as budo (martial way) and for the ninja it is referred to as ninpo.

Besides, the idea that 'in all the universe, change is the only constant' is specifically Taoist and Buddhist in nature in that it seems to be advocating achieving formless consciousness and natural sponataneous adaptability.... not following a set of rules as seen in Cofucianism and bushido.

And, during the City at War story-arch the major theme was of growing PAST restriciting rules and laws..... both Splinter's 'cannibalism' and the turtles' allying with Karai demonstrated this..... the idea of transcending the sociocentric level altogether.... that is most definitely not Confucianist in nature. Besides, the Turtles (with the possible exception of Leonardo) never really seemed to me as guys that would just shut up and follow the status quo.

And besides, Confucians dont meditate......

HorseTechie 10-18-2002 10:12 AM

Okay... I see Leo and Splinter being THE Buddhists. Those two do more things, but I don't see them also carry prayer beads or worship to a shrine regularly to be fully deticated Buddhists. The other turtles seem less as such, with Raph being the least religious. That's MY opinion on the matter, since in reality I really think the creators just used a mish-mash of popular asian beliefs for this.

Yes, Confuscianism is more of a way of living, and not truly a religion. My husband grew up in a Buddhist family, but yet they also believed in the way of Confucious too. At least this is how it is for Korean and Chinese buddhists.

I also I didn't say City at war was Confuscius in idealology. I was referring to the way they lived in the movies and the early comics. For City at War, I was pointing out Leo's growing interest in Zen there. No reason to get yourself worked up in a knot about it. *shrug*

Splinter: You will listen now. My master Yoshi's first rule was: "Possess the right thinking. Only then can one receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace." I have tried to channel your anger, Raphael. But more remains. Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy....

Splinter: I am proud of you, my sons. Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the ninja...that ultimate mastery comes not of the body...but of the mind. Together, there is nothing your four minds cannot accomplish. Help each other...draw upon one another. And always remember the true force that bonds you, the same as that which brought me here tonight...that which I gladly return with these words: I love you all, my sons.

heretic888 10-19-2002 10:37 AM

ahem (longish!)
 
"Okay... I see Leo and Splinter being THE Buddhists. Those two do more things, but I don't see them also carry prayer beads or worship to a shrine regularly to be fully deticated Buddhists. The other turtles seem less as such, with Raph being the least religious. That's MY opinion on the matter, since in reality I really think the creators just used a mish-mash of popular asian beliefs for this."
----------
Leonardo is probably the most 'religious' (dealing with sociocentric belief and subservience to an 'order' or 'law' or 'code') in the sense you are referring to; Michelangelo being the most 'spiritual' (dealing with personal intuitive sensitivity and compassion and the 'transcension' of rules). Raphal is most definitely the least religious AND the least spiritual (being pre-conventional and largely ego-centric in reference), however.

The Buddhism with 'prayer beads' and 'worship to a shrine' that you are referring to is a form of popular, layman Buddhism. Its mostly to provide conciliatory services (in this respect it is very similar to many forms of Christianity) to the largely ignorant masses. "True" Buddhism, however, involves meditative awareness and the evolution of consciousness. The Turtles and Splinter do not seemed to be involved in popular Buddhism, but rather the meditative form.

In reality, I think the creators researched extensively when they created the characters and storyline and it shows in many respects. You may notice that in the second and first issues, some of the books shown in the lair include Bruce Lee's "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" (big Taoist influence), Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (more Taoism), Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" (Taosim incarnate), Miyamoto Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" (a good Buddhist/Taoist martial resource) and one of Stephen Hayes "Ninja" book series (mostly Tantric Buddhist teachings with some elements of Taoism). Splinter's teachings appear more Zen/Taoist than anything else. And, like I said, Confucians dont meditate. :P
-------------------------------------------
"Yes, Confuscianism is more of a way of living, and not truly a religion."
-----------
Confucianism is a set of rules and beliefs intended to encourage social harmony and order. Buddhism and Taoism, in their 'true' forms, are not concerned with rules or beliefs but rather the evolution of consciousness via meditative practice. You dont have to beleive in a deity or god to be a 'religion'. Confucianism and Marxism are both religions, for example, where Taoism and Buddhism (in their true forms) are not.
---------------------------------------------------
"I also I didn't say City at war was Confuscius in idealology. I was referring to the way they lived in the movies and the early comics. For City at War, I was pointing out Leo's growing interest in Zen there."
-------
The way the Turtles lived during the early comics was a stage of development. They were, on the whole, mostly geared towards obeying a set of rules and codes Splinter set forth. It wasnt necessarily Confucian in nature, although there was undoubtedly Confucian influences in the philosophy. In ninpo, this is referring to as the 'omote' level of development, meaning 'outer' or 'shown'.

Later, however, the ninjutsu initiate learns to grow past restricting laws and rules altogether to true spontaneous right action (as it is called in Zen). This is referred to as the 'ura', which means 'inner' or 'hidden', level of development. Both levels take about 20 years to learn (so during City at War the Turtles were beginning to learn the ura level).

I am speaking about the Turtles as a whole here. Michelangelo, for example, however is a bit more postconventional and 'spiritual' than his other brothers so he didnt show as much growth during the City at War storyarch. Leonardo (and to a lesser degree, Donatello), being the most conventional and sociocentric, showed the most change. Raphael never really grasped conventional/sociocentric levels to begin with, so he never could really reach the postconventional.

I should add that Leonardo is more "Buddhist" in words and ideals... whereas Michelangelo is more "Buddhist" in thinking and behavior. One is more 'religous' and one is more 'spiritual'
------------------------------
"Splinter: You will listen now. My master Yoshi's first rule was: "Possess the right thinking. Only then can one receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace." I have tried to channel your anger, Raphael. But more remains. Anger clouds the mind. Turned inward, it is an unconquerable enemy....

Splinter: I am proud of you, my sons. Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the ninja...that ultimate mastery comes not of the body...but of the mind. Together, there is nothing your four minds cannot accomplish. Help each other...draw upon one another. And always remember the true force that bonds you, the same as that which brought me here tonight...that which I gladly return with these words: I love you all, my sons."
---------
These quotes by Splinter are pretty much common to all higher martial arts, Confucian or not. 'Right thinking' is a specifically Buddhist concept (it is part of the nobel Eightfold path). Disciplining the mind is almost universal among the martial arts (especially so in ninpo). The 'force' which binds them is alien to Confucianism, but well known among more 'internal' martial arts. In Japanese it is usually referred to as kotsu (essence) or ki (spirit). It is what motivates, guides, protects, and binds all spiritual
warriors.
--------------------------
laterz

HorseTechie 10-19-2002 11:23 AM

:goofygri:

Has anyone told you, you'd make a good lawyer?

heretic888 10-19-2002 11:30 AM

hee!
 
you're the first. :wink:

Kali 10-19-2002 11:42 AM

I think you sound like a text book. :D *ducks baps*

heretic888 10-19-2002 11:43 AM

hmmmm
 
i'll take that as a compliment and assume you're saying im smart.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

HorseTechie 10-19-2002 06:42 PM

Well.. ya sure like to argue a point into the ground, with supporting evidence. :wink:

In all honesty, I actually do agree with the bit that Mike has spiritual potentual.

While I like to stay true to TMNT form in my fanfics, I also like to take their personality and expand on it a little more. Since I'm a Christian, and more familar with it's background than Buddhism... I had reasoned with myself how I could make Mike a someone interested in Chrisitanity. It seemed like an odd thing to other people, that Mike of all of them would go in that direction. But they are only considering his superfical side.

But Mike's not 100% sure about it yet in my fanfic. He's just looking into the Bible, to get ideas on the war of the angels for a story he was writing there. Then it would confuse him. Many of these religious are designed for Human kind, or bent on conquest. No say about animals (like in Zulli's excellent triology). Do they even have the soul, or the chance to also be saved or enlightened by a higher power?

And what is truth, myth, or acceptable? I planned to have Mike then look into Christian history, to understand better the turmoild of evil against good. About the Crusade and martyring. About how Japan was strongly against the missionaries. And then Mike's apprehension of admitting to Splinter he was interested in Christianity.. but feared that Splinter would later betray him.

Then I have my FourHorse man supernatural theory that the whole story is based off of. Damn.. I'll admit I get headaches trying to reason out that theory so it all ties in with Buddhism and martial arts law, etc. :dead:

GreenWillow 10-20-2002 09:06 AM

~Methinks Heretic has done his homework.

Heretic wrote: In reality, I think the creators researched extensively when they created the characters and storyline and it shows in many respects. You may notice that in the second and first issues, some of the books shown in the lair include Bruce Lee's "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" (big Taoist influence), Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (more Taoism), Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" (Taosim incarnate), Miyamoto Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" (a good Buddhist/Taoist martial resource) and one of Stephen Hayes "Ninja" book series (mostly Tantric Buddhist teachings with some elements of Taoism). Splinter's teachings appear more Zen/Taoist than anything else. And, like I said, Confucians don't meditate. icon_razz.gif

~I remember turning the comic sideways and reading all those titles on the bookshelf in #2 and thinking "Oh, wow....these guys know their schtuff!"
And of course, recall in the new TMNT comic that Mike was ribbing Leo about having read _The _Art of_ War_ 20 times or something....
I know several fanfic authors have tried to work one or more turtles into Christanity somehow, but I just don't see how they get there. The "species-centricism" (?) of the "book" religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity) pretty much rules out any hope of "salvation" for non-humans. All the "beasts" exist only to serve Mankind in that paradigm. Well, so do the women, but that's another issue ...<ducks baps>

Anyway, yeah. What Heretic said. :wink:

~GW

GreenWillow 10-20-2002 09:19 AM

Re: confucianism?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by heretic888
And, during the City at War story-arch the major theme was of growing PAST restriciting rules and laws..... both Splinter's 'cannibalism' and the turtles' allying with Karai demonstrated this..... the idea of transcending the sociocentric level altogether.... that is most definitely not Confucianist in nature. Besides, the Turtles (with the possible exception of Leonardo) never really seemed to me as guys that would just shut up and follow the status quo.

.

~YES! Everyone was changed by the end. But Leo also challenged his own beliefs in City at War. He was the first to accept Karai as a potential ally -- an expediant move perhaps, but certainly a sign he was letting go of the blood feud and battle for Honor which had informed their entire existence from day one. When Raphael asked him "What about Honor?" he said something very uncharacteristic like, "I'm not sure there is any place for Honor in this world." (That may not be the exact quote, but it's close) And he also tells his brothers that he'd gladly die for Splinter, but he's not sure he is willing to give him his life.
That's *growth*, folks! :P

~GW

heretic888 10-21-2002 01:56 PM

in response to HT
 
Your fanfiction sounds like a very interesting read, but I must add that Michelangelo, as the most developed out of the four of them, would probably be the least interested in a dogmatic religion that defines itself on proper belief (such as mainline Christianity or Islam) as opposed to an experiential religion concerning a deepening of oneself (such as Buddhism or Tantra). Out of the four of them, Leonardo would be the most likely candidate for Christendom (although he would probably refuse it due to his upbringing).

The animal vs humans thing would also prove a difficulty fo Mike. That is also probably why he would be more likely to embrace a Buddhism or Taoism philosophy, because "all things are buddha things". That includes turtles. In most forms of Christianity, turtles dont even have souls.

If Michelangelo was to embrace a form of Christianity, it would most likely be some form of mysticism or Gnosticism. He would probably find more inspiration in the writings of John of the Cross or Meister Eckhart as opposed to the synoptics or the myths of the old testament and revelations. He might also have an affinity for the AUTHENTIC letters of Paul (such as Galatians and Romans, as opposed to Timothy and Titus), which mostly deal with spiritual experience as opposed to religous laws ("The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life").

The four horseman tie-in is interesting though..... keep going...

heretic888 10-21-2002 02:06 PM

in response to Greenwillow
 
Wow, GW you noticed the books just like I did, neh? :P

I am inclined to agree with your ideas about Christianity and the TMNT. The 'beasts' serve mankind in the Bible, nothing any of the turtles are inclined to agree to....

Your thoughts about Leonardo seem to be right-on, GW. Becuase Leo was primarily at the sociocentric level, he received the most character growth with the City at War theme of throwing off restrictions. Michelangelo grew probably the least in that he was probably already at a postconventional level to begin with, so a 'throwing off rules' theme would have the least to offer him. Unfortunately, Mike is often depicted as a background character and this level of his growth is rarely addressed (something Laird should work on, methinks.....)

Alas, poor Raphael never really entered the sociocentric level to begin with so he received little in the way of growth. I really dont want to piss anybody off by saying this, but Raphael would receive the most growth if he would just be a little bit more like Leo: disciplined, conformist, and sociocentric. Only after embracing sociocentrism and conventionalism can one hope to transcend it (like Mike and, to a lesser degree, Don have).

I loved the City at War.... deep.......

HorseTechie 10-21-2002 03:29 PM

Re: in response to HT
 
Ack... just make it harder for me to get this story finsihed, will ya? :P

Actually, I had Don thinking in the way as you described as for Mike. But that's me... since I had seen more Mirage referances of Don possibly contemplating that mre than the others. (Twilight of the Ring and Mirage Vol 2) The reasoning I had for Mike being the way I imagined him, was from a near death experience from a previous story. So in a sense, he's out of Logical Mirage Context by the time this present fic I'm speaking of comes along.

As far a Leo goes, yeah, I agree. I have read a fic by an adult fan, Aignatious, that shown her unique view of Leo in the future. He had a son that was into Christianity (Seth) visit him... and then his deeper insanities come out. Very intriqueing.

I also have many answers for the forementioned questions I posed above. Romans 10:10-14... this implies that it doesn't matter if you are human, as long as you have a soul that confesses your acceptiance and obedience to Christ. Other answers I'm not admitting here... cause then that'll just ruin the plot! :wink: :P

As for the four horseman theory.. yes. I am stuck in finding a believable theory for this. I wasn't comparing them to the beasts though. But to the four archangelic riders that represent famine, pestilence, war, and the false messiah (antichrist). I named the four Turtles with one of these... and then I speculated that they are like a spirit in a spirit. When they die a supernatural way, they become one of theses dreaded demons.

That was my first idea... it's changing now, the more I think of it. I may just end up making this a crossover with the Lord of the Rings concept. Just have an omnipresent evil that is taking over the world... and it craves especially the TMNT, for they possess a special something the evil wants back.

Yeah.. something like that... :goofygri:

GreenWillow 10-22-2002 08:27 AM

Re: in response to Greenwillow
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by heretic888
Wow, GW you noticed the books just like I did, neh? :P

~Hai, soo desu ne...Perhaps those of us who are interested in transpersonal psych have a natural tendency to turn whatever they are reading sideways? :P
Gives ya a different perspective.....

Oh, and HT, that's pretty interesting where you are going with your writing-- we seem to be convergng on at least one concept (Should be fun-- since you and I are often so diametrically opposed philosophically-- to see how we each look at this "Evil" thing) Let me know when you get more written, ok? .

~GW

HorseTechie 10-22-2002 11:09 AM

Sure GW.

(And people think I'm merely contemplating the word of God during Bible Study. :P )

GreenWillow 10-22-2002 11:26 AM

~Heheh... :twink:

~GW

HorseTechie 10-22-2002 11:29 AM

Yeah.. and from this, comes interesting things like Dogma, The Seventh Sign, The Prophecy, Ghostbusters, etc... so much wicked fun. :evilgrin:

heretic888 10-22-2002 11:56 AM

my response to HT again
 
Donatello, I believe, is probably the most philosophical and idealistic of the brothers (in the postconventional sense, anyway). Personally, although I enjoy the TMNT stories written by others, I dont tend to regard them as protraying the 'authentic' characters unless written by Eastman and/or Laird (that's basically 1-12, 19-21, and 48-62 of volume 1, the Tales of the TMNT series, volume 2 to a lesser degree, and the newly created volume 4). Thus, even on truly intriguing storyarchs such as Twilight of the Rings, I do not usually tend to regard them as expressing the 'real' Mike or the 'real' Don.

Regardless, Donatello is still the most philosophical and idealistic of the four in my opinion. Michelangelo, however, is the most spiritual I believe. By 'spiritual' i am referring more to a state of consciousness and mode of identity-reference, as well as source of personal motivation. In other words, Mike doesnt necessarily have to talk about 'being spiritual' in order to have a large level of spiritual development. It shines through in his words, actions, and thoughts (when the thoughts are actually revealed, that is). He is clearly the most postconventional, selfless, and compassionate of the four. And this all does not seem to come from a system of rules, beliefs, or ideals such as that demonstrated by Leo or Don, but out of Mike's own nature. It's the difference of being 'moral' and 'spiritual' because you have to think about it (Leo and Don) and being 'moral' and 'spiritual' because it is your own spontaneous nature. In Zen, it is called 'sponataneous right action' and sometimes 'mushin' or 'no-mind'.

The near-death experience angle is interesting for Michelangelo. I think he is the one most likely to experience a peak experience as well (due to his high level of development). But, you may want to consider that a peak experience involving Judeo-Christian imagery might not necessarily invovle the mythic-literal interpretation most Christians would give it. Beings and gods experienced in visions are in fact 'archetypes', symbols for one's own very Self. Perhaps you could tie that into the story, that Mike comes to realize that the Christ persona he experiences is a symbol for his own potential. Just a thought...

Seth, Leo's insane fundamentalist son?? My... how.... biblical. :D

That quote from Romans is interesting, but I still believe Michelangelo would find it exceedingly difficult to simply 'beleive' and 'obey' a mythic figure just because a book in front of him tells him to. An extreme religiosity for Biblical religion would be a regression for Mike's character, nor a progression.....

The four horseman theory is still interesting.... the tmnt battled the four horseman (and won!) in the Archie tmnt.. you might want to use that as source material or inspiration. I beleive each of them supposedly aligned with a horseman: Leo=Death, Don=War, Raph=Pestilince, and Mike=Famine. Then again, i might have that wrong.....

[/quote]

HorseTechie 10-22-2002 02:24 PM

Re: my response to HT again
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by heretic888
The four horseman theory is still interesting.... the tmnt battled the four horseman (and won!) in the Archie tmnt.. you might want to use that as source material or inspiration. I beleive each of them supposedly aligned with a horseman: Leo=Death, Don=War, Raph=Pestilince, and Mike=Famine. Then again, i might have that wrong.....

Heh... I have heard of that one too.. but still have yet to find the issue to read. *sai*

It's a tougher call pairing the TMNT to the four horsemen than the elements or horoscope. I have it figured as Don=Death (who is also Cyborg Don in my fic), Leo=Justice (aka Famine/Pestilence), Raph=War, and Mike=the False Messiah.

heretic888 10-22-2002 02:29 PM

eh?
 
Mike the Antichrist, eh?? interesting.....

I have tried to align the tmnt to the four elements or different elemental chakra levels, and it doesnt really seem to work. It seems to me that Raph is something of a water/fire hybrid; Leo is a fire/wind hybrid; Don is wind (but open to some elements of earth); and Mike is a fifth elemental (because he seems to include traits from ALL four elements and seems to transcend their 'lower' manifestations [example: negative of earth is stubborness and close-mindedness]). Splinter also seems to be a fifth elemental.

gah, i dunno.....

HorseTechie 10-22-2002 04:15 PM

*lol* Why not...? Mike is rather charismatic. :P Or this... you are a Mikey fan, and then, look at your quote. World domination does seem to be a thing amongst you guys. (FOGU, Mangos, caffeine... ) :wink:

Though, I was baffled with the pairing of Don to War in Archie, since he's the pacifist. Unless they were going by 'opposites attract' there. But that's the thing... the guys are not exactly the perfect stereotypes that many versions make them out to be.

heretic888 10-23-2002 11:14 AM

hmmm
 
i really dont think the tmnt line up that well to the four horseman. even in four element/zodiac systems the turtles are defined that well, primarily because one of them, Michelangelo, is closest to the fifth element than anything else. Thats the point, i think. The turtles are NOT stereotypes and they are NOT any kind of metaphoric archetype. They are in-depth, unique characters.

GreenWillow 10-26-2002 12:11 AM

~Well, no, neither a fictional character, nor any RL person, IS an archetype. An archetype is a thought form that exists in the collective unconscious- something we alll share cross-culturally which is why certain themes recur across all cultures in folklore and myths. But I think that certain characters or people stir our unconscious recognition of those forms. Examples: John F. Kennedy (the Good King--or King Arthur of Camelot), Marilynn Monroe(the innocent seductress). The Beatles, the four core StarTrek characters were both quaternities, and in the case of Kirk, Spock, Bones and Scotty their elemental aspects were obvious. Superman is another King Arthur image--representing the status quo, while Spiderman was a misunderstood Anti-Hero, and arrived on the scene at the birth of the 60's, (and the fall of "Camelot") heralding a cultural revolution.
And while I also really like Ken Wilbur, his analysis of psychospiritual growth is but one of many systems, and like all of them, purely theoretical. These are models to work from to help us understand our interior landscape, but just like the the lines delineating different nations on a map, they don't really exist. It's just a tool for communicating ideas.
Have you studied the Enneagram, Heretic? I actually find that system more useful than many because the types dovetail so sweetly into the DSM IV, you can actually use it as a diagnostic tool.
I'm thinking Raph is an Eight point, Leo a Three (or a One, haven't really decided), Mike a perfect Seven, and Donatello a Five..... No ranking in terms of spiritual development here-- each has their own challenges and virtues.

~GW (as everyone else mutters, "what the hell is she talking about...?")

HorseTechie 10-26-2002 10:29 AM

:blanksta:

Yeah... all the more reason why I'm going with a Lord of the Rings theme for Higure.

GreenWillow 10-26-2002 11:32 AM

~Because of the heavy archetypal content?
I read somewhere that the Great Evil --Sauron and his minions -- was largely based on Hitler and the rising power of the Nazi Party.
Today we get our Dark Lords out the Middle East. From the purely symbolic standpoint-- (and maybe specifically for North America and Northern and Western Europe) these guys all have the same function:
The Shredder
Darth Vader
Adolf Hitler
Osama Bin Ladin
Lex Luthor
Satan
Saddham Hussein
Sauron
(My own Alexander Skylord :evilgrin:)
The Boogie Man.....

~GW... (apologies to anyone of Middle Eastern descent or nationality-- I'm speaking from a Western culture perspective, not judging anyones' actual politics)

HorseTechie 10-26-2002 12:49 PM

(Oo.. you forgot Megatron too ;p )

True... though, I really wasn't saying that Mike to be like the False Messiah equals him as being an evil Anti-Christ in that sense. I was thinking more along the lines of the disguised crusader, who strikes silently and reruits many without them not even knowing it. Like how the entertainment industry today is making many think it's cool for teenagers to submit to sex, violence, and drugs... subliminal messages. But of course, then the biggest political debate starts all over again on who's standard of morals the country should best take after.

But relax... I wasn't going to make him that kind of malevoilent spirit. Just saying it usually takes the charisma and appeal he has to make an effective evil lord (cause the ones that act like outright SOB's get knocked off quicker)

GreenWillow 10-26-2002 01:34 PM

~Ohh--like an accidental helper of the Dark Side? Remember that one pic at the end of the Vol 2 run, with Mike wearing a gold chain and looking like some entertainment mogul-- big producer or something... those pics were supposed to be like sneak peeks into a (possible?) future. Media mogul leading the innocent children astray...heh
I was thinking about them when someone here--Karpo I think-- mentioned that he couldn't imagine the TMNT fighting with Splinter and of course there is that one pic of a very defeated (dead???) Splinter and a bloodied Turtle standing in front of him....

~GW

HorseTechie 10-26-2002 03:31 PM

YES! :evilgrin:

Or something like that. But you'll also find the lastest chapters of Sean's Legacy fic going along these devilish lines too. *goes off to plug*

GreenWillow 10-26-2002 03:40 PM

~OH oh! I've fallen behind on that since I was trying to read all those others. Cool!
Also will help keep me distracted from what I've decided I HAVE to be doing today which is writing! :goofygri:
Ok, I am writing, but boy, can I find ways to distract myself-- like these dern forums!


~GW...home alone with no kids for a few hours...ahhhhhh.....

heretic888 10-28-2002 12:45 PM

hmmmm
 
Quote:

And while I also really like Ken Wilbur, his analysis of psychospiritual growth is but one of many systems, and like all of them, purely theoretical. These are models to work from to help us understand our interior landscape, but just like the the lines delineating different nations on a map, they don't really exist. It's just a tool for communicating ideas.
Perhaps theory, but unlike some other systems, KW's has a whole assload of empirical evidence supporting it!!! :D They dont exist in the external, physical sense--- but that is not to say they are imaginary. I find it rather odd that all of creation seems to follow an evolutionary growth pattern that 'doesnt exist'.

Quote:

Have you studied the Enneagram, Heretic? I actually find that system more useful than many because the types dovetail so sweetly into the DSM IV, you can actually use it as a diagnostic tool.
I'm thinking Raph is an Eight point, Leo a Three (or a One, haven't really decided), Mike a perfect Seven, and Donatello a Five.....
No, i havent studied the system you are referring to. Could you clarify it a bit, or direct me to a site or resource that does??? What does a 'perfect seven' and all that mean exactly???? I am intrigued.....

Quote:

No ranking in terms of spiritual development here-- each has their own challenges and virtues.
Well, there IS a ranking in spiritual development. Some people ARE more developed than others. I, for example, am less developed than, say, the Dalai Lama but more developed than a five year old. This is NOT to say that some people are instrinsically better than others, only that some people have realized more of their psychological potential than others and are more 'awake'. All lives have equal worth, though.

Quote:

as everyone else mutters, "what the hell is she talking about...?
heh, welcome to the club, babe. :P

GreenWillow 10-28-2002 07:13 PM

~Well, one of the best references is Mary Palmer's _The_ Enneagram_, but I found a pretty good website here: http://www.lessons4living.com/enneagram.htm

And a simple overview of the individual points here: http://www.lessons4living.com/overview.htm

Click on a number to read the type. What's nice about the Enneagram is that it takes into account ones level of development, so one can be a highly evolved version, or still struggling with very basic issues, in any of the points. It's an ancient system, supposedly originally based upon the Seven Deadly Sins plus two more. It was revived in the past 100 years by a couple of Catholic monks, and G.I. Gurdjieff (with whom I have issues but I still like the system.) :P
The cool thing about the Enneagram is how it works with the DSM IV. F'rinstance, pathology in a Four- point would show up as depressive or bi-polar disorder. An Eight-point moved to the extreme is an antisocial personality disorder. Yes, I actually use it in my work.
And upon review I will say Leonardo is definitely a One, not a Three. Read the high functioning Seven and see if that isn't our boy Mikey. (At the pathological end of the Seven point scale is Narcissistic PD...)
Cool stuff, neh?

~GW.....Four Point, all the way....:D

Anonymous 10-29-2002 12:28 AM

Gnnh, I got a seven point. I can't be that happy... there's too many happy words in that description! *reads down the bottom...*

Adjectives for Low Functioning Sevens

Materialistic
Hyperactive
Impulsive
Excessive
Acts out anxiety
Escapist
Superficial
Rebellious
Fears Depth
More is Better
Seeks Immediate gratification
Runs from here to there

Now those words describe me better. but this thing here in the type descriptions link on that results page I was worrying about.

The Busy, Fun-Loving Type:
Spontaneous, Versitle, Acquisitive, and Scattered
(The Manic-Depressive and Histrionic Personality Disorders)

Amanda (cool test tho GW, there any more of these you know of?)

Skeletoncrew 10-29-2002 01:44 AM

BTW, this is sort of random...but I was interested to read recently that St. Christopher is said to have had the head of a dog before his conversion to Christianity.


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