More than once I’ve heard complaints about apparent violence contained in games that have been recommended as vehicles for spiritual gaming.
“So what’s the deal with all this violence in the video game? I can’t do spiritual gaming with something that contains violence.”
If you have a problem with yucky stuff you might want to take it up with those pesky Tibetans. They might have something clever to say on the topic. For myself, I’d just point to the bardos and ask if you’d like to be prepared for all of the bardos or just part of the bardos.
As mentioned in a previous blog there are games that I find harmful and avoid for myself. Others may not find them objectionable. I don’t play them and I don’t recommend them. If someone stumbles across such a game themselves and decides to play, that is their path — I wouldn’t dream of interfering, other then to give my opinion if it is called for. And as mentioned in the same previous blog, the aspect of these games that I find objectionable has nothing to do with shooting, explosions, and/or flying body parts. I find the infliction of authority on a child by an adult just because they happen to out-weigh the child and can beat the crap out of them to be a form of violence. And yet, this is typically not labeled as violence. Yes, yes, yes there are occasions when it is the responsibility of the adult to take charge and insist on a particular action and/or behavior by a child. Using the attention that is your rightfully heritage you will notice I said “just because they happen to out-weigh the child and can beat the crap out of them”. The world is not black and white. Check out the shades of grey. It will help you sort out this rather complex video game we find ourselves in.
Maya or video game, a world hallucination by any name can be just as seductive.
Any way, back to the part about violence being an apparent contradiction in games used for spiritual gaming.
Do you want to be prepared for all of the bardos or just part of the bardos. Apparent violence is an integral part of the bardos — just as much as apparent non-violence. However, keep in mind neither of these reflect the true unfiltered, unadulterated vision of the void. The Voidness of the Void is beyond words and beyond judgments of G, PG, R, and X ratings.
In the Voyager’s Quatrain, one will read:
- All phenomena is illusion
- Neither attracted nor repelled
- Not making any sudden moves
- My habits will carry me through