Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00026)

Sophia TenBroeck wrote:
>
> The whole Western world is so permissive regarding, hand shaking
> (originally designed to show you did not have a weapon); kissing, on one
> cheek, both cheeks, and on the lips, for any meeting and parting; now
> you introduce the concept of hugging whenever.

Hugging has already been around for a while. It's not really anything
new. (I sense a little East/West tension here.)

> The East on the otherhand has always recognised the sanctity of the
> persons aura, and touching is nearly totally taboo, except between
> certain relationships, and occassions.

I don't know that I would agree with you that the entire "East" is as
you say it is. Maybe where you are it is so, but I know lots of Chinese,
Japanese, Vietnamese, Indians, Laotians, Koreans, Cambiodians, Thai,
Tibetans, etc. who are all very generous huggers.

> Once ones starts a "fashion" of hand shaking, kissing, now hugging, it starts to become
> insulting to avoid such contact.

You are free to choose to avoid it if you like. There are other ways to
skillfully and politely interact with people if close contact offends or
is uncomfortable to you. Different cultures have different customs, and
any one of us might be a culture of one. What works for somebody might
not work for another. We have to be aware that we live nowadays in a
multi-cultural world and accept the ways of others while respecting our
own.

> If one could see the aura, and the effect such
> close contact can have in transmitting psychological infections,
> uncleanliness and diseases; one would return to the Eastern habit of
> welcoming with joined palms--the namaste.

If you can see those effects but not see the effects of a good, warm,
loving hug, I think it might time for a third-eye exam.

> The spread of the feeling of love and compassion does not have to be
> done by means of physical contact.  The plane of the feelings and the
> thought plane are far more productive and powerful.

There are numerous, well researched studies that disagree with you in
favor of physical touch.

> Sometimes people do not realize how invasive the social need to shake
> hands, kiss (and now you would add hug) is.  Some people have to learn to
> protect themselves, by placing barriers up when faced with the social
> need to engage in such activities. When young many have not yet learned
> the art to protect themselves, and therefore become the victims of
> social custom.

I assure you, love and faith in the god within you is protection enough
to survive a hug.

> Do you know how abhorant contact may be to some people?
> And that has absolutely no relationship with their ability to radiate
> feeling of charity, love and kindliness.

Like I said above, if personal contact isn't your cup of tea, there are
other social skills you can maneuver about with. Just please don't
expect the rest of the world to change what feels perfectly natural to
them.

> Remember that Chelas are not expected to engage in too much physical
> contact, have you wondered why?  Why the Masters find it intolerable to
> move in the world at large; Masters though they be, the psychic polution
> is so dark and vile, that it is avoided as much as possible.

Not much of a Master in my opinion then.

> Please think this over.

I did. I disagree.
Egad, no wonder the Theosophical Society is withering on the vine, it
needs a big hug!

Mark
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