Lachrymology

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Lachrymology is a pseudophilosophy or pseudoreligion invented by the American progressive rock band Tool. The word itself literally translates to "the study of crying." The central teaching is that only through physical and mental pain (and that pain's subsequent release, as in crying) can one become a higher being.

In the early 90s, Tool released this official statement on lachrymology:

In the summer of 1948, Ronald P. Vincent, a crop-spray contractor, moved from Kansas to Hollywood after his wife had been dismembered in a bizarre snow plough accident. Inspired by the unrelenting pain he felt, Vincent penned his first and only book, 'A Joyful Guide to Lachrymology'.

It is difficult to find any information about lachrymology without the context of Tool. A book called The Joyful Guide to Lachrymology, written by Ronald P. Vincent in 1949, supposedly inspired the band in several ways early on. However, this book cannot be found in the Library of Congress or anywhere online, and it has been widely suggested that the entire story was simply a joke started by the band for their own amusement and publicity. They no longer talk about lachrymology.

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[edit] For spiritual growth

Blair Blake, in his article about lachrymology, suggests that the philosophy is not a literal reference to emotional and physical growth through overcoming emotional and physical hardship (as symbolized by crying tears from the eyes), but rather to grow spiritually through experiencing the entheogenic secretions (DMT) of the pineal gland, or the "third eye".[1] "Third Eye" is the final track of Tool's 1996 album Ænima.

[edit] As satire against scientology

Some feel that the reason for lachrymology's existence was to mock L. Ron Hubbard and scientology.[2] Tool cited scientology as a factor in lachrymology's hidden nature, saying that while L. Ron Hubbard found success in his movement, his following was drawn away from Ronald P. Vincent. Of note is the fact that both their names have an initial and a form of "Ron". This comparison of the two movements supports the idea that lachrymology is fundamentally an elaborate satire.

[edit] In modern science

Although the field does not go by the nomenclature of lachrymists, there are scientists working on the physiological connection between emotions and tears, unique to humans only, with research having been conducted for the past 20+ years.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Blair MacKenzie Blake, "Let Not My Tears Fall Unnoticed: Being the Secret Joys of a Lachrymist"
  2. ^ Tool have done this with the line "fuck L. Ron Hubbard and fuck all his clones" in their 1997 song "Ænema".
  3. ^ Scientific American Mind, p. 44-51 December 2006/January 2007 Writer: Chip Walker

[edit] External links

  • The Tool FAQ contains a brief overview and quotes about lachrymology in Sections C6 and C7.
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