Just the reading of this subject may bring murmurs of “Yes Please!” from the audience.
There seems to be something within the human spirit that does not want to be contained
or controlled.
I think we can be in some kind of agreement that Taboos are cultural or social agreements
as to what is acceptable or unacceptable.
What are the concequences if you break a taboo?
Someone might not talk to you again. They might tell all their friends and they might not
talk to you again.
A taboo seems to be some collective idea that we agree apon whether it is explicit or
implicit in our language or behaviour.
As I see it there are 4 distinctive spheres of influence in our lives:
External
Principles - Natural laws that do not change regardless of the situation. e.g. The law of
auce and effect.
Laws - Legislation laid down by the government of the particular country. This list basically
defines lawful behaviour in the country. Some of these we all agree on.
Internal
Values - These are the states of mind and beoing that we value and seek out to have in
our lives. Health, happiness, feeling correct or validated etc.
Rules - These are the specific things that our brain tells us have to happen in order to
experience or or avoid partiular states.
It seems clear to me at least that Taboos fall into the rules category that also requires
some collective agreement with others.
So taboos are social rules thaty do not necessarily fit into our laws at all. They may be in
correlation but often they break from them in some way.
Inquire as to why some people might say “donʼt talk about Politics or Religion”
This in itself is a taboo that defines another taboo.
Now its not against the law to talk about religion, at least not in this country but it does
reveal something deeper.
Across the board you could say that it is generally taboo to question other peoples beliefs,
whether they be religious, personal, or
And yet in some philosphical and intellectual circles it is encouraged within the context of
debate or even normal conversation.
The tibetan monks have a very resilient process in which being challenged is a highly
prized state, and being able to inquire into their own ideas is a great gift.
Zoom to Jordan or Syria and it seems someone can be publicly flogged for even implying
that someones beliefs (specifically religious ones) are wrong. Even naming your teddy
bear muhammad can get you in trouble. Sadly in countries like these their laws even
reflect their taboos. A strange externalizing of an internal rule that is sanctioned by their
religion.
Intellectually it is useful to have your beliefs questioned by others. It can open the door to
new ideas, fresh behavior and therefore new results.
It should be mentioned that obviously some taboos are useful and serve to contain the
behaviour of people, but it does nothing to train their mind and in some ways unless these
rules are called into question the climate of our debate or conversation may degenerate
into silent expectation rather that wise agreement both internally and externally.
As human beings we need to reach a place where what we consider to be taboo are more
fundamental things. Like for example it could be taboo to try to stop someone from
speaking about their ideas even if they are challenging to hear.
This takes us back to the human desire to break free and have freedom.
We could encourage each other to test the boundaries of social expectation but with
wisdom and respect to the higher spheres of Principle and our Internal values.
Boldy go my friends!