Push for Deep Understanding (Day 24)

Marcus Aurelius says that from his teacher, Quintus Junius Rusticus, he“... learned to read carefully and not be satisfied with a rough understanding of the whole, and not to agree too quickly with those who have a lot to say about something.” (Meditations 1.7.3)

According to Paul Johnson, acclaimed historian and biographer, one should read books, “... as if the author were on trial for (their) life.” (Intellectuals) 

Lots of modern pagan and polytheist folx believe themselves to be pursuing this kind of deep understanding, myself included. But, are we? 

To what teachers and authors do we “give a pass”? Who do we accept the word of without critical examination? What teachings do we get lost in because they serve our own internal agendas? 

Scholars? Religious leaders? Organizational leaders? 

We must seek to deepen not only our understanding of study material, but of ourselves as well. 

No one wants to be a rube, or a sucker, or a bumpkin, hayseed, or hick, or a hillbilly, or a yokel, right? 

I know I don’t. 

But… don’t the words “pagan” and “heathen” mean exactly those things mentioned above? 

Hmmm… *returns to seeking deeper understanding*

(See y’all tomorrow)