It is only a matter of time before those interested or totally enthralled in Astronomy ask questions about the origin of the Cosmos. And nearly every time, religion gets intertwined into the discussion – a sometimes very heated discussion. The origins of life are one of the grandest equations one could attempt to solve. With an open mind we must learn from both scripture and lore, coupled with understanding the most current scientific laws and theories. Ignorance is our biggest enemy and living with an open mind is our friend.
Western Christian biblical references Psalm 93:1, Psalm 96:10, and 1 Chronicles 16:30 include (depending on translation) text stating that "the world is firmly established, it cannot be moved." In the same tradition, Psalm 104:5 says, "the LORD set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved." Further, Ecclesiastes 1:5 states that "And the sun rises and sets and returns to its place, etc." The medieval church accepted the Ptolemaic view of the Earth as the center of the Universe for over two thousand years. So it is rather clear that the European Church and State weighed in on such ideas early on. Galileo Galilei, a famous astronomer in the 1600s, defended heliocentrism, and claimed it was not contrary to those Scripture passages. In regard to Scripture, he warned not to take every passage literally, particularly when the scripture in question is a book of poetry and songs, not a book of instructions or history. Galileo is just one of a handful of new age scientists famous for questioning the scientific authority of the church – a heated debate that raged for hundreds of years. On October 31st, 1992, Pope John Paul II expressed regret for how the Galileo affair was handled, and officially conceded that the Earth was not stationary, as the result of a study conducted by the Pontifical Council for Culture 350 years later!
We still see plenty of controversy with modern science and current church leaders. Evolution and creationism is still a hot button issue today. At least people are not tortured or exiled by church and state officials; though, we still see plenty of religious unrest and holy wars all across the world. Religion has a messy history.
It is clear now, that the Earth was not made in 7 days. Yes the idea of seven days could be construed as an analogy for a longer period of time. Yet, based on the chronology of Genesis, that would mean that the Dinosaurs did not exist millions of years ago? Clearly fossil records prove otherwise. As you add up all of the dates, and accepting that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to Earth almost 2000 years ago, we come to the conclusion that the creation of the Earth and animals (including the dinosaurs) occurred only thousands of years ago (perhaps only 6000), not millions of years. Thus, if the Bible is right, dinosaurs must have lived within the past thousands of years with Humans? Clearly carbon dating, a proven science for determining the approximate age of a carbon based object like a fossil, proves otherwise. In fact, current science notes that the Earth is approximately 4 to 4.5 Billion years old. That is a huge spread as well and clearly science is still a young and expanding offering. Yet, it is amazing to me that we are still debating the Bible as if it were a piece of scientific literature that weighs in on the theories of Quantum Physics. Clearly, I am one of many to blame. We have come along way in understanding, but we have a long way to go.
What we do know is that the Universe is expanding. This has been proven by Red Shift and the Doppler Effect. Other Stars and Galaxies are moving outward from some undetermined center point. Also, we understand that the basic building blocks of life are Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, even Methanimine among other simple atoms and molecules. These sub-micron particles are the building blocks of life and are the main composition of Stars and all that exists in the Universe in its most rudimentary form. In the right environment coupled with a form of energy (I.E. lightning) which is also found in the Cosmos, life in the simplest form can spring forth. We have already made basic amino acids in a laboratory setting using basic cosmic ingredients including Hydrogen and a little energy in the form of electricity or lightning. Though basic, we have already created life as it may have flourished billions of years ago on Earth. Evolution, though still a theory does give very good evidence that we have evolved for Billions of years into the humans we are today. And we are still evolving!
Sure science is not perfect. Science has a large learning curve and it is certainly not cut and dry. We are continually updating theories and debunking others with new understanding. There are plenty of missing links in the evolution pattern and in general our combined knowledge of the universe. In regard to knowledge and understanding, look how far we have come since Galileo. Imagine how far science will progress the next 1000 years.
Now, keep in mind, I am not an Atheist. I believe in God as the creator of the Universe. True, I am not swayed by organized religion and their many close minded offerings we unfortunately have to pick from. If I were to pick, I would say Buddhism has the best grasp on reality. In Buddhism one does not rely solely on God. Enlightenment falls square on our own shoulders. You could say that God is in us already since he created us. But as intelligent humans it is up to us to find enlightenment within ourselves – where our souls reside. This resonates better for me. I can’t deny that the complexities of the universe are so grand and amazing that their must be an omnipresent hand involved somewhere. What made that incredibly dense mathematical point that in theory created the Big Bang? Stepping back a bit: What created all the matter in the Universe? There are so many stars and galaxies out there in the universe that there may not be enough zeros in our numerical system to fully count or equate them. To me, respectfully, that is God – everything we do not understand.
The Universe is defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter, energy and momentum, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. What ever was or is the source of the Universe is the answer to God – something humans can barely grasp. Yet, you feel on occasion that we are special. There is a deep down knowing feeling that we do have souls. That there is a afterlife in some form because humans are made of cosmic energy and we all know that Energy cant be destroyed, it just changes form. Yet God must be more complex and must not have intimate and reaching hands over Earth. As a species, we are too flawed; Plagued with disease, war and extinction through natural selection. If there was a god as depicted in the Bible, it would seem he is too flawed for all the mistakes made over the last couple millennia; The failed species including the dinosaurs and our inability to get along and work for the common goal of humanity. The definition of god should be everything but flawed characteristics.
It will be well beyond my life that science and or faith can prove without a doubt the working mechanics of the Universe. We may never fully comprehend the entire picture. The immensity of the Cosmos points to the possibility of other life out there – possibly more intelligent life that could in turn find us. Possibly educate us? In the Universe, whether designed or not, Earth is incredibly unique. Just looking up into the stars at night, makes one wonder and amazed and you cant help feeling special. I know I do….
Sources from: From Wikipedia
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Circle Theory
Quantum Physics? The power of positive thinking? Internal Balance? How do these theories relate to us as individuals? One could explain that a Quantum energy force flows through the Universe. It is a positive flow of power that exists everywhere. It pulses through the Cosmos and creates new life. We can manifest our own positive reactions through positive thought and actions, thus creating a new dynamism that echoes through our lives. This dynamism helps us recognize our souls and nurture them. A helpful model to understanding this premise is what I call the Circle Theory.
Imagine a circle. In the center of the circle is a form of self-actualization (remember self- actualization differs for each individual). By being centered, or self-actualized, you can attain new knowledge by thinking and living with an open mind. You are able to think for yourself and can successfully weed through societal conformity and be a true individual. To be centered is to have an intimate faith in God and or believe in your own principles based upon your own life conclusions. To be centered is to understand your childhood and upbringing, so that when you make new actions in your life, they are not based on earlier negative models of behavior. To be centered is to tap into positive energy –creating good Karma and positive thoughts. By channeling positive energy into your life, you will create a feeling of bliss and even euphoria. On the outsides of this circle, lie the ills waiting in the shadows to knock you off balance and away from the center, away from self-actualization. These ills include low self-esteem, addiction, hate, greed, jealousy, and conflict.
As we wrestle with daily life, challenges repeatedly confront us—stress, relationship frustrations, loss, conflict with a co-worker, credit card debt—the list can be endless. Every negative issue pulls you away from your center in the circle and drags you closer to the edge where chaos and mediocrity reign supreme. At the edge of the circle, quality of life suffers. We must all strive to remain centered. Remaining centered is a constant journey that does not end until we exhale our last breath of oxygen from our lungs. Being conscious of where we are in our circle and working toward being centered is an extremely rewarding journey, even in early adulthood.
To be centered is to be relaxed and confident in one’s self. It requires each of us to stop what we are doing for as long as it takes to find our centers. It means focusing on something that comforts and relaxes us and allowing our bodies to accept positive energy from the environment, ridding us of the stresses and negative issues that plague our days. Often times, focusing on our centers acts as a diversion from the hectic world we live in. It may sound bizarre, but try to focus on a geological or scenic form in nature. It could be the group of trees that line your hometown, or a small stream that looks dazzling in the afternoon sun. Perhaps it is a far off mountain or an ocean, a lake or an endless horizon. It could even be the smell of pine trees or sage from a nearby field. It could be a soothing melody or the memory of an intriguing conversation with someone. The idea is to take in this positive energy and let it course through your body and mind. Regulate your breathing so that you take continuous deep relaxing breaths and exhale all of the stress and negativity that looks you in the face every day. Try this several times a day for just a few minutes, and you will soon discover you have a fresher outlook on life. Once you are relaxed, confident, and centered, you can make better decisions in life that move you further and further from the edge of your circle. By focusing on being centered on a daily basis, you are creating a new sequence of events – Positive actions and thoughts that will return as positive reactions.
Being centered is a long road with a rewarding destination—self-actualization. You first must strip your mind of all preconceptions buried in the billions of neurons in your brain. Preconceptions and preoccupations are any number of issues that lurk in your mind and frequently cause you stress. Temporarily push aside these worries—your day at work, all the static around you. Visualize yourself alone, free of concern. Take your time; this needs to be a moment that is not rushed. Let your mind journey to the beginning of time. Establish faith in what you believe in and in what feels right to you as an individual. Praise yourself for the positive things that have transpired over the last few days or weeks. Think of those around you who have affected you in a positive way. If you get mentally sidetracked, be patient and start again. Once you feel comfortable, relaxed and centered, try to dissect the various elements of stress and unhappiness in your life and figure out why happiness sometimes eludes you. Certain aspects of this journey will take time. Even after days or years of toiling with childhood issues, the idea of God, and daily stresses, you may still feel perplexed. Deep inner thinking is difficult and is a measured process that can be exhausting. By performing these mental exercises, you will evolve as a human being and come closer to a new, meaningful way of living. With continued involvement in your own personal and emotional health, you will begin to better understand yourself and the world around you. Understanding why we are being dragged to the edge of the circle, will allow us to determine the best ways to tackle stressful and negative issue in our daily life. Once you put your finger on the source of negativity, you can make constructive changes to find your center again. By opening yourself to the healing qualities of positive energy, you are creating a positive medium for the future. Even in the busy world we live; complicated by career, family and personal issues, it is critical that we reserve time to find our centers and focus on being relaxed and satiated with positive mental and physical patterns of thought and actions.
Imagine a circle. In the center of the circle is a form of self-actualization (remember self- actualization differs for each individual). By being centered, or self-actualized, you can attain new knowledge by thinking and living with an open mind. You are able to think for yourself and can successfully weed through societal conformity and be a true individual. To be centered is to have an intimate faith in God and or believe in your own principles based upon your own life conclusions. To be centered is to understand your childhood and upbringing, so that when you make new actions in your life, they are not based on earlier negative models of behavior. To be centered is to tap into positive energy –creating good Karma and positive thoughts. By channeling positive energy into your life, you will create a feeling of bliss and even euphoria. On the outsides of this circle, lie the ills waiting in the shadows to knock you off balance and away from the center, away from self-actualization. These ills include low self-esteem, addiction, hate, greed, jealousy, and conflict.
As we wrestle with daily life, challenges repeatedly confront us—stress, relationship frustrations, loss, conflict with a co-worker, credit card debt—the list can be endless. Every negative issue pulls you away from your center in the circle and drags you closer to the edge where chaos and mediocrity reign supreme. At the edge of the circle, quality of life suffers. We must all strive to remain centered. Remaining centered is a constant journey that does not end until we exhale our last breath of oxygen from our lungs. Being conscious of where we are in our circle and working toward being centered is an extremely rewarding journey, even in early adulthood.
To be centered is to be relaxed and confident in one’s self. It requires each of us to stop what we are doing for as long as it takes to find our centers. It means focusing on something that comforts and relaxes us and allowing our bodies to accept positive energy from the environment, ridding us of the stresses and negative issues that plague our days. Often times, focusing on our centers acts as a diversion from the hectic world we live in. It may sound bizarre, but try to focus on a geological or scenic form in nature. It could be the group of trees that line your hometown, or a small stream that looks dazzling in the afternoon sun. Perhaps it is a far off mountain or an ocean, a lake or an endless horizon. It could even be the smell of pine trees or sage from a nearby field. It could be a soothing melody or the memory of an intriguing conversation with someone. The idea is to take in this positive energy and let it course through your body and mind. Regulate your breathing so that you take continuous deep relaxing breaths and exhale all of the stress and negativity that looks you in the face every day. Try this several times a day for just a few minutes, and you will soon discover you have a fresher outlook on life. Once you are relaxed, confident, and centered, you can make better decisions in life that move you further and further from the edge of your circle. By focusing on being centered on a daily basis, you are creating a new sequence of events – Positive actions and thoughts that will return as positive reactions.
Being centered is a long road with a rewarding destination—self-actualization. You first must strip your mind of all preconceptions buried in the billions of neurons in your brain. Preconceptions and preoccupations are any number of issues that lurk in your mind and frequently cause you stress. Temporarily push aside these worries—your day at work, all the static around you. Visualize yourself alone, free of concern. Take your time; this needs to be a moment that is not rushed. Let your mind journey to the beginning of time. Establish faith in what you believe in and in what feels right to you as an individual. Praise yourself for the positive things that have transpired over the last few days or weeks. Think of those around you who have affected you in a positive way. If you get mentally sidetracked, be patient and start again. Once you feel comfortable, relaxed and centered, try to dissect the various elements of stress and unhappiness in your life and figure out why happiness sometimes eludes you. Certain aspects of this journey will take time. Even after days or years of toiling with childhood issues, the idea of God, and daily stresses, you may still feel perplexed. Deep inner thinking is difficult and is a measured process that can be exhausting. By performing these mental exercises, you will evolve as a human being and come closer to a new, meaningful way of living. With continued involvement in your own personal and emotional health, you will begin to better understand yourself and the world around you. Understanding why we are being dragged to the edge of the circle, will allow us to determine the best ways to tackle stressful and negative issue in our daily life. Once you put your finger on the source of negativity, you can make constructive changes to find your center again. By opening yourself to the healing qualities of positive energy, you are creating a positive medium for the future. Even in the busy world we live; complicated by career, family and personal issues, it is critical that we reserve time to find our centers and focus on being relaxed and satiated with positive mental and physical patterns of thought and actions.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Universal Love
The power of God created the Universe. Further, the light of God—the power of creation, life and beauty—is universal love. Love of God and creation is the positive Quantum energy that flows through the Universe. Positive energy, the denominator of the Universe, is love. Life in the mortal world is part of a divine “university” of higher learning where love is what life is all about. Love is the power that holds all things in the Universe together. In essence, love is where we come from and where we will return. Love is the law of the Universe.
Understanding Love in universal terms allows us to see that everything comes from one source—a natural order of life based on love. God is that source. Love and God are interwoven in the beauty we see all around us, in humans, in nature, and in all the elements of our environments. Following the laws of Karma and regulating your energy levels so that you stay centered allows you to embrace love in all its forms. Love improves the quality of your life in your work place and in your personal affairs. Love builds strong self-esteem, breeds intelligence, and, most importantly, feeds your soul positive Quantum energy.
Understanding Love in universal terms allows us to see that everything comes from one source—a natural order of life based on love. God is that source. Love and God are interwoven in the beauty we see all around us, in humans, in nature, and in all the elements of our environments. Following the laws of Karma and regulating your energy levels so that you stay centered allows you to embrace love in all its forms. Love improves the quality of your life in your work place and in your personal affairs. Love builds strong self-esteem, breeds intelligence, and, most importantly, feeds your soul positive Quantum energy.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Manifestation of Positive Energy
The power of prayer and positive thinking comes from taking pure, concentrated thoughts and channeling them through the brain where they radiate out into the world in which we live. Through various kinds of meditation, we can take positive thoughts and channel them into potential positive manifestations. A manifestation is an outward, perceptible materialization perceived through human eyes and understanding. Through the power of an open mind, we can strip a thought of all convoluted issues, including the past or religious confusion that plagues us, leaving the mind free from adulterated and biased imagery. This idea is powerful. It is the basis of faith and is a higher level of intelligent reasoning. This type of thinking can cause countless positive reactions in our environment.
Positive reactions dominate the Universe. The Universe is an expanding bundle of energy that coalesces and forms new energy from old energy. For example, stars in the night sky die and exhale their tired gases to form nebulae, the birthplace of new stars. Life and death, in cosmic terms, constitutes a revolving door. Positive energy is based on this same premise. Everything is relative in universal terms. Whatever is put out into the world, will return to the source of action.
With this knowledge ingested, we can imagine that invisible positive actions and reactions flow throughout the world. Positive actions can be equated with energy. Living elements take in this energy, and our own minds can manufacture it and diffuse it into our surroundings. Einstein described the world as a place of matter and form dictated by a Quantum field of energy that comprises everything. Other notable scientists and psychologists including Dossey, Byrd, Bohr, and Heisenberg, however, have proven that we no longer live in a Newtonian or mechanical Universe. Instead, matter as enormous as a Red Giant Star or as minute as an atom have an invisible energy pulsing through them. Quantum physics shows that startling results are found when we study patterns of energy on smaller levels. Experiments reveal that when elementary particles are broken apart and observed, the act of observation itself alters the results. It is as if the elementary particles are influenced by the positive expectations of the observer. In a mechanical Universe, this theory would not be possible.
Positive energy flows through the air we breathe like invisible ripples on a quiet pond. This energy is the tireless vehicle for everything in life. It pulses through the Cosmos in the form of noble gases that form both distant galaxies and the charged particles of lightning that rock our backyards on a stormy night. This energy also constitutes the axiomatic antenna to theology and faith. God and the Universe create all things in the form of positive energy. By channeling our thoughts through positive thinking, we produce a new energy capable of causing positive reactions to ripple through our surroundings based on the scientific laws of the Universe.
Positive reactions dominate the Universe. The Universe is an expanding bundle of energy that coalesces and forms new energy from old energy. For example, stars in the night sky die and exhale their tired gases to form nebulae, the birthplace of new stars. Life and death, in cosmic terms, constitutes a revolving door. Positive energy is based on this same premise. Everything is relative in universal terms. Whatever is put out into the world, will return to the source of action.
With this knowledge ingested, we can imagine that invisible positive actions and reactions flow throughout the world. Positive actions can be equated with energy. Living elements take in this energy, and our own minds can manufacture it and diffuse it into our surroundings. Einstein described the world as a place of matter and form dictated by a Quantum field of energy that comprises everything. Other notable scientists and psychologists including Dossey, Byrd, Bohr, and Heisenberg, however, have proven that we no longer live in a Newtonian or mechanical Universe. Instead, matter as enormous as a Red Giant Star or as minute as an atom have an invisible energy pulsing through them. Quantum physics shows that startling results are found when we study patterns of energy on smaller levels. Experiments reveal that when elementary particles are broken apart and observed, the act of observation itself alters the results. It is as if the elementary particles are influenced by the positive expectations of the observer. In a mechanical Universe, this theory would not be possible.
Positive energy flows through the air we breathe like invisible ripples on a quiet pond. This energy is the tireless vehicle for everything in life. It pulses through the Cosmos in the form of noble gases that form both distant galaxies and the charged particles of lightning that rock our backyards on a stormy night. This energy also constitutes the axiomatic antenna to theology and faith. God and the Universe create all things in the form of positive energy. By channeling our thoughts through positive thinking, we produce a new energy capable of causing positive reactions to ripple through our surroundings based on the scientific laws of the Universe.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Uncover the truths in thoughts, ideals, and theories...
The popular nature vs. nurture argument explains that we are a product of both our genetic traits and the environment in which we were raised. The biggest difference between the two developmental factors is that we can change our nurture while our nature remains the same. Despite the influx of information stored in our brains over time, we can question the authorities in our lives. We can decide how opinions other than our own influence us. We can listen to others, but we possess the power to reason and think for ourselves. Too often we become comfortable with habitual ways of reacting to events and experiences. Our attitudes and feelings become so second-hand, they are almost as impossible to break and escape as the situations that originally generated them. This is precisely why we must learn to make effective, lasting changes in our lives. To do this, we must open our minds and seek the truths in lessons and opinions offered to us, truths unclouded by perspectives other than our own.
In order to uncover the truths in thoughts, ideals, and theories outside influences expose us to, we must find the root of that idea’s creation. We must peel away layers of differing perspectives and reveal the pure, unadulterated concept that can breed fresh wisdom and enlightenment. Consider early philosophical studies and religious thinking. Just as the sands of time and our own technological influences have radically changed the geography of the earth, theories and beliefs birthed centuries ago have changed and evolved to conform to society’s changing needs. The parables in the New Testament, for example, are lessons in living life wisely. Such legendary parables, however, deal with wisdom as it relates to a specific culture at a specific time. As cultures change over time, these legendary parables transform to better fit their present context. Church officials will translate biblical verses by using colorful analogies that help reverberate a modern understanding to today’s problems. The interpretation of the United States Constitution is another example. The founding fathers drafted the document to provide the framework for freedom and choice in the late 1700’s. To date, society has redefined and amended the Constitution countless times as our needs and reality changes.
Just like biblical parables and old legal creeds, the belief systems that form the framework of our childhood may not take us smoothly into our adulthood. Where we always hope that changes made in law and society are positive and for the betterment of humankind, changes made in the interest of money and power often can be negative. In much the same way, we must always be wary of how outside influences affect the growth and development of our belief systems over time. It is often wise to step back and reevaluate such influences; to strip down the layers of varnish that years and years of living and learning has spread in order to find the original meaning of legendary parables, of legal systems, and of our own thought processes. If we don’t revisit that single closet containing the relics of time past and discard the things that have colored and decayed beyond recognition, we will be weighed down by the archaic and unnecessary; by old memories, ideas, and opinions we no longer value, even though we adopted them as our own long ago.
In order to uncover the truths in thoughts, ideals, and theories outside influences expose us to, we must find the root of that idea’s creation. We must peel away layers of differing perspectives and reveal the pure, unadulterated concept that can breed fresh wisdom and enlightenment. Consider early philosophical studies and religious thinking. Just as the sands of time and our own technological influences have radically changed the geography of the earth, theories and beliefs birthed centuries ago have changed and evolved to conform to society’s changing needs. The parables in the New Testament, for example, are lessons in living life wisely. Such legendary parables, however, deal with wisdom as it relates to a specific culture at a specific time. As cultures change over time, these legendary parables transform to better fit their present context. Church officials will translate biblical verses by using colorful analogies that help reverberate a modern understanding to today’s problems. The interpretation of the United States Constitution is another example. The founding fathers drafted the document to provide the framework for freedom and choice in the late 1700’s. To date, society has redefined and amended the Constitution countless times as our needs and reality changes.
Just like biblical parables and old legal creeds, the belief systems that form the framework of our childhood may not take us smoothly into our adulthood. Where we always hope that changes made in law and society are positive and for the betterment of humankind, changes made in the interest of money and power often can be negative. In much the same way, we must always be wary of how outside influences affect the growth and development of our belief systems over time. It is often wise to step back and reevaluate such influences; to strip down the layers of varnish that years and years of living and learning has spread in order to find the original meaning of legendary parables, of legal systems, and of our own thought processes. If we don’t revisit that single closet containing the relics of time past and discard the things that have colored and decayed beyond recognition, we will be weighed down by the archaic and unnecessary; by old memories, ideas, and opinions we no longer value, even though we adopted them as our own long ago.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
meditation 101
Have you every stopped – tuned everything out and tried to clear your mind? I can’t believe the mindless drool that will sometimes pop in my head: “I wonder if the first Super Bowl commercial after kick off will be Budweiser”…. “What’s the deal with French fries? How can something so right be so bad for you???” Or more importantly, what is the meaning of life? Meditation is the practice of not so much clearing the mind, but focusing on each thought that passes through and not reacting positive or negative – Naturally add a neutral label and let it pass on – slowly after much practice, your mind will clear and become stronger with clarity and space. Soon your inner voice will speak – wisdom from the soul – it takes time and practice, but meditation is a wonderful way to find peace and enlightenment in this sometimes chaotic life. Try it; keep at it, and soon the benefits will reveal themselves.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ignorance is Bliss?
Sometimes I think life would be easier if I were more ignorant. Pretty dumb statement huh? I have always thought that the more intelligent one becomes the greater mental burden one endures. A person with above average smarts tends to look life at a more elevated level. Intelligent, educated people tend to peel back the various perspectives of a thought and scrutinize it with more intense analysis. We tend to question god and authority. We tend to stick up for our own rights and the rights of others. With this contemplation comes more questions and fewer answers.
In Buddhism, a common thread illustrates that it is difficult to achieve enlightenment until others around us cease to suffer; yet this world is consumed with suffering! Once one fully comprehends the magnitude of trying to end world suffering, a massive burden is realized – at least for me. How does one not become overwhelmed? What happens when you find that the right direction in life is completely the opposite of society? That in itself is suffering. It is almost as if we suffer many times by our own actions through ego and then suffer more trying to dig out of our own bad habits. Then comes the moral obligation to help others suffer less… well, it has been said that ignorance is bliss…
In Buddhism, a common thread illustrates that it is difficult to achieve enlightenment until others around us cease to suffer; yet this world is consumed with suffering! Once one fully comprehends the magnitude of trying to end world suffering, a massive burden is realized – at least for me. How does one not become overwhelmed? What happens when you find that the right direction in life is completely the opposite of society? That in itself is suffering. It is almost as if we suffer many times by our own actions through ego and then suffer more trying to dig out of our own bad habits. Then comes the moral obligation to help others suffer less… well, it has been said that ignorance is bliss…
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Killing in the name of God?
Have you ever taken a closer look at world religions and the similarities they all share? When you look at the larger sects like Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism and Christianity, there are many parallels that can be made. Most religions cast the image of man into their belief systems as an iconic messiah or idol. Most religions have their own set of spiritual laws based on a particular culture and the moral needs of that society. In fact, many of these religions are traced back thousands of years ago when geography mostly isolated man and yet these religious similarities exist on their own accord? It is interesting that though many of these cultures were isolated they created religion as a human response to the unknown: How did we come to be? Where do we go when we die? Good vs Evil, etc… These are the same questions a monk in the Far East may have asked thousands of years ago and a Jew in Palestine pondered as well. I understand that explorers long ago and newly forged trade routes have facilitated the modest sharing of ideals but you can look back to the ancient religions and see the same parallels:
From the beginning of humankind, various isolated societies have constructed religious belief systems based mostly on physiological needs. Prehistoric environments and subsistence strategies birthed ancient religions. As cultures matured and developed into modern societies, a revolution in religious belief systems was born. This renaissance developed caste systems, karma, enlightenment, and the four noble truths in the East. Western Civilization saw the birth of Christ and the Ten Commandments. Instead of worshiping prehistoric environments, subsistence strategies, and polytheism, modern religion transformed into deeper thought processes Ancient religions evolved over time due to education and increased self-awareness. Religious thought progressed along with their cultures, becoming more concerned with philosophy, science, politics, history, war, corruption, and promised roads to salvation.
With all of these apparent similarities, it seems Man for thousands of years has sensed or yearned for something greater than ordinary life. These parallels suggest a common thread for morality and a need for spirituality. What this leads to is that religion is merely an antenna trying to communicate with something larger than our paltry existence on Earth. In theory, religions are just windows to a bigger picture: What is God and who or what created the Universe? Until we understand the origins of the Cosmos how can we even attempt to understand God? Something as neatly packaged as Christianity and the Bible is nice and convenient, but aren't we talking about something bigger - more vast? And despite our petty religious differences, we fight holy wars and live in fear of religious terrorism on a daily basis. How ignorant are we as a common global culture? How egotistical are some to think one major religion is superior than another? And the ignorant ass holes that kill indiscriminately in the name of “their god”… If there is blissful afterlife or re-birth (and I believe there is in some capacity), those thugs are not going there in 1st Class.
From the beginning of humankind, various isolated societies have constructed religious belief systems based mostly on physiological needs. Prehistoric environments and subsistence strategies birthed ancient religions. As cultures matured and developed into modern societies, a revolution in religious belief systems was born. This renaissance developed caste systems, karma, enlightenment, and the four noble truths in the East. Western Civilization saw the birth of Christ and the Ten Commandments. Instead of worshiping prehistoric environments, subsistence strategies, and polytheism, modern religion transformed into deeper thought processes Ancient religions evolved over time due to education and increased self-awareness. Religious thought progressed along with their cultures, becoming more concerned with philosophy, science, politics, history, war, corruption, and promised roads to salvation.
With all of these apparent similarities, it seems Man for thousands of years has sensed or yearned for something greater than ordinary life. These parallels suggest a common thread for morality and a need for spirituality. What this leads to is that religion is merely an antenna trying to communicate with something larger than our paltry existence on Earth. In theory, religions are just windows to a bigger picture: What is God and who or what created the Universe? Until we understand the origins of the Cosmos how can we even attempt to understand God? Something as neatly packaged as Christianity and the Bible is nice and convenient, but aren't we talking about something bigger - more vast? And despite our petty religious differences, we fight holy wars and live in fear of religious terrorism on a daily basis. How ignorant are we as a common global culture? How egotistical are some to think one major religion is superior than another? And the ignorant ass holes that kill indiscriminately in the name of “their god”… If there is blissful afterlife or re-birth (and I believe there is in some capacity), those thugs are not going there in 1st Class.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Blue sky symbolizes our true nature
This statement sounds odd and even contradicting at first: You have to feel bad in order to feel good.... Otherwise, how would you be able to differentiate between the two emotions? So, the million dollar question is: Is a feeling of depression or the element of suffering intrinsic to life? The answer is yes! We need to first suffer in order to eventually find bliss and enlightenment. Humans suffer at birth and at death. We even suffer when we are cold, hungry, sad or even stressed or injured. The important factor here is to understand that the sky is always blue and yes, clouds do sometimes obscure the sunshine. Yet eventually like clouds, suffering will clear away and again reveal blue sky again. The element of true nature is that even though it might be stormy and dreary, even behind that grey, there always sits blue sky.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Your thoughts and ideals or someone else's?
As complex as the human brain is, it can work in very simplistic ways. A colorful working analogy is that hallway closet you have in your home or apartment that is filled with tattered old photographs, unique mementos and gifts of yester-year. You get the idea. This closet contains a collection of items from years past that you rarely use, yet somehow it survives the annual garage sale and that monumental move when you vowed to throw it away. You continue to hold on to old record albums in spite of not even owning a record player. You have clothing so vintage your children ask to haul it out for Halloween. You keep family heirlooms and souvenirs because they are visual records of your past. They are tangible evidence of who you are, where you come from, and where you’ve been. You may even sometimes rummage though the items and take a trip down memory lane.
The mind works in much the same way. Your brain has billions of neurons that are storage facilities for everything that has transpired in your life—classroom studies, late night television, old girlfriends or boyfriends. Everything that has entered your mind through schooling, parenting, and your own personal adventures directly relate to who you are today. Yet, while it is relatively easy to discard old items from the closet when ambition strikes, old memories are far more permanent. They constitute the growing archives that influence your life by regulating your self-esteem and creating control patterns; hard-wired behaviors we adopt unconsciously through the actions and reactions of others around us. Social immersion can clutter your mind with memories, beliefs, and opinions so vast and contradictory that it blurs the boundary between what is and is not real. Most of us believe we have an unbridled grasp of what is real and true, yet the majority of what we learned at a young age was taught to us by others. How can we be confident that the knowledge presented to us is the truth untainted by someone else’s perspective?
The mind works in much the same way. Your brain has billions of neurons that are storage facilities for everything that has transpired in your life—classroom studies, late night television, old girlfriends or boyfriends. Everything that has entered your mind through schooling, parenting, and your own personal adventures directly relate to who you are today. Yet, while it is relatively easy to discard old items from the closet when ambition strikes, old memories are far more permanent. They constitute the growing archives that influence your life by regulating your self-esteem and creating control patterns; hard-wired behaviors we adopt unconsciously through the actions and reactions of others around us. Social immersion can clutter your mind with memories, beliefs, and opinions so vast and contradictory that it blurs the boundary between what is and is not real. Most of us believe we have an unbridled grasp of what is real and true, yet the majority of what we learned at a young age was taught to us by others. How can we be confident that the knowledge presented to us is the truth untainted by someone else’s perspective?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Maybe ignorance should be a religion?
I believe in God but I do not claim to know or understand God. I find myself to not possess enough egotism to claim one religion is far superior than another or that one religion or faith encompasses all that is God – by which a path to salvation can be sought. I do not claim to be intelligent enough to understand the mechanics of the universe which holds the secrets to an all encompassing omnipresent force. Yet, I have faith that I am a product of the Universe – an appendage of God no matter how small or insignificant. No matter what religious faith or affiliation, there is one clear and present path for all of us. It is to love and do good. It is as simple as that. I have enough confidence in love to not fear death and what is truly unknown.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
A path less traveled?
People have two sources of empowerment in them. One source clings to safety and familiarity out of fear. This source causes one to regress, hanging onto the past and reluctant to grow, to take chances, and to destroy what one already has. The other source compels us to use our abilities and confidence to strive for what we believe in and what we want from our lives. The first source, due to pure inertia, is easy to follow, yet it can lead to an empty life full of unanswered questions and mediocrity. The second path, on the other hand, is more difficult to follow, for it requires an open and questioning mind. The fruits of this path, however, are rewarding. Following this road can lead you to enlightenment and self-discovery, your own personal utopia. In order to walk this path, one must tear down current foundations built of false perceptions mostly handed to us by others and rebuild using a fresh blueprint continually evolving into an open-minded future.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A New Year...
Happy New Years!
How can we all make a difference in 2008? If each person in this world made an effort in 2008 to do one or two extra positive actions in life - nothing terribly out of our normal existence - but something more than the average mediocrity many of us waddle in. Is there room to find compassion for our enemies? Is there room in our busy life to simply acknowledge the fact that we are all humans and political, racial and religious differences are nothing more than trivial contrasts? Can we work on limiting our carbon print on the environment? Maybe lose a little weight? Can we hug our children a little more and read an extra bedtime book every other week this year? Can we give a little more to charity? Maybe smile at a stranger walking by? Yes, we can make a difference… Everyone one of us… Even the smallest giving’s and gestures will add up and on a global level to create an amazing dynamism.
The following quote from his Holiness the Dalai Lama rings true for the New Year:
"Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities".
How can we all make a difference in 2008? If each person in this world made an effort in 2008 to do one or two extra positive actions in life - nothing terribly out of our normal existence - but something more than the average mediocrity many of us waddle in. Is there room to find compassion for our enemies? Is there room in our busy life to simply acknowledge the fact that we are all humans and political, racial and religious differences are nothing more than trivial contrasts? Can we work on limiting our carbon print on the environment? Maybe lose a little weight? Can we hug our children a little more and read an extra bedtime book every other week this year? Can we give a little more to charity? Maybe smile at a stranger walking by? Yes, we can make a difference… Everyone one of us… Even the smallest giving’s and gestures will add up and on a global level to create an amazing dynamism.
The following quote from his Holiness the Dalai Lama rings true for the New Year:
"Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities".
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