ShreveportMaster
Posts: 898
Joined: 10/6/2004
From: Dallas, Tx
Status: offline
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Tal and greetings,
Those of you who know Me know I do a column on Gor from a Christian Perspective. I've read such a number of posts on "what do Goreans believe" on CM lately, that I thought one of those columns could be benificially posted here. Now, despite the title, this one is not religious, it simply seeks to sum up 10 of the most important beliefs of the Gorean Free Man. (I do not say Master, because only one of them is actually specifically directed only to those who desire to own slaves) If there is sufficient interest, perhaps we might do a kajira's 10 Commandments.
These do not by any stretch of the imagination cover all of what it is to be Gorean, they are only a foundation, and doubtless there will be some who will say that this or that principle should have been added. I chose what are, in My belief the 10 most important. By all means feel free to post other relavant ones here. This thread could, with the proper direction and contribution become a starting point to be used to show what Goreans believe to those who are just learning, and have not gotten hold of the books yet.
Anyway, here are...
The Ten Commandments of Gor...
1.Be true to Yourself, and to what you believe.
This is certainly one of the most important traits of Goreans. Goreans, though each may have different codes, are true to them, and to what we believe in. Some are Christians; some are Jews, some Muslim, some Pagans, and some Agnostic. But each is required by their own integrity to follow their chosen beliefs, and uphold their principles. We must strive to do always what we believe to be right.
2.Take responsibility for Your actions, and their consequences.
This goes hand in hand with the above commandment. Goreans are not "victims". We do not try to pass the responsibility for our actions onto someone, or something else. Goreans have the courage of their convictions. This does not mean we never make mistakes, but when we do, we freely admit them, and accept the consequences of them; and sometimes even when One is right, their actions bring consequences that are undesired. Goreans accept this, and strive to do that which is right, as best as we can see it at that time, regardless of the cost.
3.Your words are important, but Your actions are more so.
Pretty self-explanatory. Others can, and will, and indeed should judge as much by what they see, as to what they hear. If someone can spout quotations from the novels at the drop of a hat, that is good, and shows them to be a serious student of the philosophy, but if their life does not reflect said Philosophy, they are not very good examples of Goreans.
4.Be cautious, but always treat others with Honor, and as having Honor...until they prove otherwise.
Goreans tend to view outsiders with a jaundiced eye at times, and if you saw what goes on in a lot of so-called "Gorean" chat rooms, etc... You’d understand why. Nonetheless, Stranger does not automatically equal Enemy. (Yes, it's true that in the Gorean
language the same word used for stranger also means enemy, just as the Japanese word gohan is used both for eat, and rice. This does not mean that the stranger is always an enemy anymore than the Japanese means that you can only eat rice)
5.You can be both strong and gentle at the same time.
While strength can, and on occasions must be expressed in harshness, it can also, and sometimes should be expressed in gentleness. The Man who can't be gentle is not strong, merely a bully. Just as a blade must be tempered to be able to endure, so Power must be tempered with gentleness and compassion to become true strength.
6.Always be willing to teach those who truly desire to learn our ways.
Norman gave the world a great gift when he set down the codes and philosophies of Gor in the chronicles. While he did make a substantial amount of money from these efforts, that is not why he undertook them. He desired to share with the world a Philosophy of living in harmony with One's true nature, and not of denying who and what we are. While it takes study and effort to learn all the truths of this way of living, the information is there. Freely you have received, freely give.
7.Be strong and self-reliant, but do not be too proud to accept help when needed.
No Man is an island. Each of us, no matter how talented we may be, or what gifts we have been given, will sooner or later need the help of another. This is reality, and there is no shame whatsoever in admitting this, or accepting help when needed. Remember, while it is better to give than to receive, someone has to receive.
8.Appreciate beauty, wherever you find it.
The most battle-hardened warrior on Gor could be moved to tears by the beauty of a single wildflower. Beauty is all around you, in many different forms, and nourishes the soul. The Samurai for example, believed that no one who did not have an appreciation of art and poetry was a complete person.
9.Seek and encourage Greatness, in yourself and in others.
The mentality of the weak says, "we are all alike, and all equal" The mentality of the great says, "No, we all start out in life on equal footing, but as adults we are not alike. Become great, become as I am, and then we will be alike and equal" This is the attitude we should seek to hold at all times. To always strive to be more than we are, and to encourage, indeed by our example, demand the same of others. Nature is not static, that which does not move and grow, weakens, and dies. No matter how good you are now, you can become better.
10.Master yourself, and your surroundings before you attempt to Master another.
This is related to the preceding commandment, and is not limited to Those who desire to own a slave. (In the chronicles only about 5% of free actually owned slaves) In anything, before you attempt to step in, make sure that you can do whatever it is you are trying to do, better than the person who is already doing it. (Authority by virtue of ability) Now, specifically as related to keeping slaves... If you are not Master of your own body, passions, etc… How can you seek to Master another’s? You must lead, you must show the way, and you must be stronger than the one(s) serving you. If a truly devoted slave fails her Master, often it is the Master who failed to train her properly. You must remain firmly in command of Yourself.
Until next time...
I wish you well,
Shreve
_____________________________
"And to sooth the Bosk, there was found a Singing Cowboy. To soothe the Cowboy, a kajira is needed."
Riders of Gor
Book 37, Pg 298 ;-)
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The Ten Commandments of Gor - 
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Thank you kindly, Master. And you're most welcome! -Cav's ally
Well wishes and again, thank you. Cav's ally
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