One of the aims of MR is to connect readers with the challenge of Transcendence, regardless of their position in the human picking order or their current aspirations in the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs.
It has been said that for mankind to survive, it must form a sustainable civilization on Earth. In order to do so it must, first of all, lay down its arms and reduce the amount of cultural conflicts.
Secondarily it must embrace a philosophy in which human life is subordinate to nature's interests, seeing that human beings are a part of nature and dependent on the survival and thrift of the eco-system.
Thirdly, in order to produce a sustainable culture, every individual must transcend whatever selfish and sensual needs that are not a requirement, but a product of illusory desires based on jealousy and mimetic desire1)
Enlightened Hedonism and Moderation
Overcoming the burden of extraordinary selfish gain is the meaning of transcendence as the term is used on MR. It is not something that should be imposed on anyone as a duty, but rather encouraged as a method of freeing the human spirit from the pursuit of illusory rewards and unachievable gratification.
Even hedonism, in its arcane form, was a philosophy that pointed to the necessity of moderation - sophrosyne - in order to consistently maintain the ability to derive pleasure. Enlightened hedonism was a philosophical school that argued that, since pleasure is the obvious goal for every human, one should first and foremost be careful not to indulge the senses to a point, where the body could no longer experience pleasure by common means.
Transcendence as Simple Living
Transcendence is not a far away goal that demands stark individual sacrifices, but attainable to every human being, much like it was expressed in a Zen Buddhist koan:
A student asked his teacher what the meaning of life is, and the teacher told him: Go wash your bowl.
Similarly, AA and other programs to teach people to overcome addiction, instructs before any other thing its members to observe the rule: One day at the time. This is also an essential part of the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and a part that is easily applicable to life by almost everyone.
Hinduism, in accordance with core tenets of Taoism, teach that material human existence is illusory, and that people vex themselves in pursuit of a mirage.
At the heart of every spiritual doctrine lies the finality of things, the transient nature of every phenomenon and the certainty of death and oblivion. The only requirement to reach transcendence is to realize, acknowledge and accept this as a fact.
1) Rene Girard: Violence and Mimesis
"Astrology is but an arcane language that allows the human mind to tap into forgotten ressources and powers from an age, where shamanism was the primary instrument of survival"
