I just came across material related to this thread in Outside Feeds, above, (kenwilber.com).

The link is to "Who wrote this?", and the piece is entitled,"Culture, Ethnicity, and Typology within the Integral Framework".

kcd

Daibhidh,

While there are so many variables in the development of a person, looking at the broadest of general patterns that can be considered universal throughout humanity, I wondered if, or not, that fairly recent pattern noticed in Japan might point to an appropriate, congruent embrace of ritual across the conventional divides of formal religion.

Or, is that recent practice merely an egalitarian Green approach, from within a culture with highly developed aesthetic lines, to an aesthetic appeal of the available ceremonies ?

If it is, then I would say that this non-committed, uninitiated exercise is more a liability than an asset, coming not from the Divine gift of freedom but from superficial liberty.

However, if this practice is a genuine, if intuited, response to the Stage(s) at which the celebrated person(s) are likely at or near durring the ceremony, then I would expect to find that more examples of this timely engagement of available ceremonies exist.

Likewise, if a healthy congruence is revealed, I can imagine a mature culture routinely harmonizing the person with the practice by virtue of a recognition of what we all have in common.

Be well,

kcd 

I've heard that in recent Japan the same family might go to a Shinto temple for their "baptism"/ infant's ceremonies, to a Catholic church for their weddings, and to a Zen temple for their funerals.

Might this be a stage appropriate ceremonializing ?

If so, are there further examples ?

kcd