It can be dangerous, Sunya; I agree. The danger mostly lies within those that preach without truly understanding what they are preaching. Although I am not a Christian, I do believe that Jesus was a man, and a very wise one at that. Imagine being an enlightened individual trying to enlighten the unenlightened... Obviously, much of the message is going to be distorted and mistranslated. That doesn't mean that it isn't possible to discover reality for what it really is and that those that try to explain their message are automatically wrong just because others around them aren't getting it right. I think it's very important to consider these prophets message - There is definitely something to it. I just tend to ignore the silliness of the translations. And you can definitely say that it is me being subjective, but I don't think so - There is something there, keep looking. People see the silliness of religious leaders, then make the mistake that all religiousness is silly. There is an error being made of cause and effect, and that really has to be recognized. The way I see it; There are levels of awareness; Moments in time when you actually KNOW something, not that you have the data stored inside your brain, but that you have come to a realization. To me, blind faith is the first. Skepticism is the second/science. And understanding of a higher presence, of understanding that science limits what is real, and that reality is whatever we make of it, is the third. If you look at scientific theories of today (and when I say theories, theories that are backed up by what we consider to be fact), you can see that they are pretty similiar to metaphysical ideas thousands of years ago. It is almost as if science caught up to metaphysics, and I find this fascinating. People tell me that there were great minds in ancient times and believed in a transcendental being, yet they say that the only reason they believed in such a thing is because they didn't know what we know now. But really, what is really the difference between the generations? Ideas seems to be pretty similar throughout the centuries. I contend that ancient people were just as intelligent and knowledgeable as we are today, excluding today's technological advancements, obviously. Although, as I have read, the Egyptians may have discovered electricity and didn't use it for whatever reason (Perhaps they didn't see the significance for their culture at the time.) Just imagine, the ideas of the internet, of computers, 1000 years ago would be incredibly unique concepts. Imagine what could be possible in another thousand years. It really makes you wonder what is science fiction, and if there is such a thing as science fiction, insofar as nature is somehow restrained by our limited knowledge of it that we must exclude theories present in science fiction. I must say that fiction is no such thing, and that everything that we imagine can be real, and it is only a matter of time before it can be real and that we can implement it. Insofar that it isn't already real and is already currently occurring under our very noses. Time doesn't exist and nothing yet everything is real. Eternity is now, and reality is up to us to design. If you can sum up what I believe in, then you can say that I am a pantheist/nihilist/existentialist/theist. Original Star Trek, and TNG both really sum up what I believe.
i'll get some acid within a few days(unless i get ripped off), and i never have used any before. as of now, i am largely atheistic. in regards to agnostics, my problem is that they see no reason to disbelieve in God, since using the same logic, they shoudnt disbelieve anything in existence that has not been disproven. perhaps, because of the infinite nature of the universe, one could say the anything could exist, but practically this has little weight. i do not deny the possibility of higher conciousness, and unseen forces at play in the vast universe, but i see no reason arbitrarily name them "god", as god is simply a construct of man, a construct probably vastly different than the higher forces that may exist. i see acid as a way to perceive the world in new ways, and for the experience i see no reason to call any "spiritual experience" i encounter a connection to God, but simply a connection with a higher mode of perception. again, i am still an lsd virgin, so ill get back to this after my trip
Well now, that really will depend on just how much you are allowed to see once you get around to trying this LSD And how can we assume that space is infinite like you claim? Isnt this the same thing as a belief in that which has no physical proof? Hmm.....very iteresting!
It's my firm view that while there is a higher power, we dont have the mental capabilities to preceive such entities, therefore we give it a name like God, Allah and Yaweh (spelling?), and forumlate tall tales and creation stories to appease our desperate need for a creator. Yet, i dont think thats what 'God' is at all. I think God is pure energy, the force that started the big bang, that sent this massive cosmos in which we dwell into motion. The universe is so vast the we cant even comprehend it with our miniscule complacent brains. People still think the Earth is the center of the universe (figuratively speaking). According to my astronomy book, the Milky Way galaxy, which is hundreds of millions of light years across, is the equivalent of less than one grain of sand out of all the beaches on the Earth...that's so fucking huge, yet we cant perceive it unless its laid out with a nice simple metaphor. Knowing this, I have one question which can never be answered...what is beyond the universe? There could be an entire seperate state of being quadrupadittlebilliontrillion light years away...with new elements, new forms of matter, and an entirely new set of laws that govern physics...that my friends is God to me.
Admitting that we know nothing and are put in place by a higher sort of consciuosness is the first step to recovery from the human condition :tongue: Thank you for sharing Myke, I like what you have to say. Pardon me for my love of God's many names, She is my life, literally, and though people may allow their preconceived notions as to what God is describing pour into the forefront of their minds, I throw Her name around all day everyday with only good intentions. Im in love!! Bliss for you cool kids, namaste
To me, this is a very true statement. Simple and to the point. I've become so tired of all the contemplative philisophical bullshit in this forum. Many thanks for posting something so refreshing and honest. The amount of time that people waste on these forums peddling their philisophical ideals and existential theories astonishes me. In fact, I think it has become a psychological addiction for some people. I'm sure I'll catch some flack for this, but if you have posts numbering in the several thousands on here, then you should ask yourself, is this really the best use of my time on this earth? Have i become somewhat obsessive about all of this? Food for thought.
Yeah, I'm an atheist and while LSD has given me loads of fun times staring at nature and thinking about how neato it is, it's never made me question my atheism for a second.
Lol, you're a fool good sir A close minded, smug, arrogant fool. I'm not bashing your beliefs, I more or less agree with you, but everything you just said is so rediculous. I come on here and talk to people who explore the possibility of a higher consiousness due to the use of psychedelic drugs (or lack there-of) because that's what this forum is for. Productive conversation. It's interesting to hear the beliefs of others from different walks of life. If you have a problem with what's said, or how often it's said than go back to the MDMA forum and talk about pill cuts and other insignificant subject matter. And also i think many of you need to look up the definition of atheism in a dictionary. I, by definition, am an atheist...I deny the existence of God as this specter with giant hands with which to open the equally giant gates of heaven for his 'lost sheep'. It's my theory that 'God' (for lack of a better term) is the force that initiated the big bang... are you denying that something started the big bang? Because if you are you're denying a well accepted scientific theory. Whatever that force may be...it obviously exists, seeing as we are here right now, our planet being suspended in the cosmos as is. Regardless of that...you're a little out of line to come into an INTERNET FORUM and condemn people for posting too much...lol
I consider myself an atheist as well, but only in the sense that I don't believe in an all-powerful invisible deity, or in fact, any deities. I'm quite open minded and I figure, if there IS something after this life, if I'm good and kind, then surely that'll be my best bet. Plus it makes this existence more gratifying. While I've only done shrooms for psychedelics so far, I think my personal beliefs will hold water through an LSD trip. I am open to a lot of stuff, just not any kind of god.
wow, i sure struck a chord with you. you don't know whether to agree with me or insult me. i guess the truth stings a bit.
What truth? lol. Myke seems a little hurt, it's true, but you are coming off as a bit smug and rude - but you're definitely entitled to your views and opinions, I guess - Also, you can't really assume why Myke is upset. Because by doing so, you're just projecting your interpretation of what his hidden motive is, and I contend that no one really knows of that knowledge, possibly not even the individual. To me, it's a pretty neurotic tendacy to always think that there is a hidden motive for something. Don't fool yourself into thinking that your atheism isn't part of those theories that many others have posted about a thousand times on these boards. You have your own philisophical ideals and views on reality - Don't just say it's some kind of psychological addiction, because... well, where do you get that from? Anyway, you can spin that over to yourself, honestly. You can say that you are addicted to your sense of truth, and sense of knowing what reality is all about by holding onto your philosophical ideals. In other words, you get a sense of comfort from no longer exploring reality, because you have it already figured out. Now, I can be wrong about that, just like how you can be wrong about Mykes 'hidden motives' for beliefs. Don't be so quick to point fingers. It's best to keep an open mind with ideas, otherwise your mind just passes out from all the inactivity. P.s. Don't tell anyone else how to spend their time, because no one else should tell anyone how they should live their lives. No one activity is more worth the time spent than another - It's all in your head. We'll do what we enjoy and love, thanks.
lol yes, im truely hurt. I agree with your philosophy on religon. Not your philosophy on internet forums. If you read my early posts you'll see that our views align to an extent. But the way you present them is portentious and arrogant.
i wasnt assuming that the universe is infinite, just juggling around the idea. besides i said it was of "infinite nature" , and being so big compared to us, it sures seems infinite even if it isnt.
Although it can't be proven, scientists have hypothesized that the universe does have boarders somewhere in deep deep DEEEEP space.
I believe that this is most likely the case. Not because my weak, fragile spiritual mind has trouble accepting infinitiy, but because I am of the belief that the universe will swallow itself up at some point, the expansion will eventually start to retract. I also think there are many many universes contained within something not exactly material in substance. Who knows really, it makes sense to me when I reflect on it. namaste
^ great post man...check this out. Came up with this while i was tripping. I remember this one scene in the Men In Black movie with Will Smith, where at the end it zoomed out, and our entire unvierse was actually this little marble being used by this giant alien entity. That's not where i came up with my theory, it's just a good visual representation. So assuming that the universe will end at some point in deep space...what's beyond that. There may be all kinds of theories, but they realyl arnt theories at all, because a theory is something that can be tested, directly or indirectly...its really just a guess. Then think about the subatomic world, how we have found that the smallest form of matter are atoms and what not. Well, we had no idea atoms existed until we could actual see them with high powered microscopes. So how do we know that there isn't an entirely different 'sub'atomic world that we can't see or percieve with our current technology. Our entire universe...our vast near infinite cosmos could be the subatomic or atomic structure of an entirely different entity. We could be one universe out of trillions of universes acting as atoms, which coalesce into the fingernail on some other form of life. Just a cool trippy concept to entertain. It blew my mind when I though about it. Because it is equally as possible as any other theory on here just because it can't be proven one way or another! haha, i love that shit.
Actually Myke, the Nyaya and Vaisheshika schools in India had elabroate explanations for the structure of atoms as early as the 6th century BCE, and Greek philosophers pondered the same concept not long afterwards. The valance electron shell of an isolated atom is the energy plane, this haze we mentioned before. The outermost layer of creation reflects that which it is a sum total of, a mirror if you will. The macrocosmic most likely works much the same way as the microcosmic. The inner workings of an atom should reflect the outer working of the productive universe, naturally. What you mention about the inner core mechanics of subatomic particles is not exactly so far fetched, not only because we cant prove it but because when we measure we are using our own concept of size and depth perception, but to a tau lepton, what is an atom? Of course tau leptons dont have eyes but you see what I mean Im sure. I believe, being that the multiverse, or the macrocosmic form of God, moves in the same manner as the subatomic universe, that the subatomic universe is also circular in form, that it is not infinite in depth but exists (apparently infinite due to the nearsighted nature of human comprehension) for an preordained amount of time, i.e. God pulls the plug to the operating system and the whole situation shuts down until Brahma is reborn out from the mind of Krishna in the Absolute Form. namaste
Myke i thought about that too. What if solar systems are like atoms in a greater universe, and galaxies are cells and our universe makes up a being in the bigger universe, who knows it might be an ant and everyone is killing each other over their belief about how great a god it is. In Hinduism i heard this universe is 2 days old in god years so that could mean that being isnt born yet, the big bang could be its conception. And who knows we could be a universe where each electron is a whole world the universe below us and above us could have totally different physics.