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Post by a on Mar 20, 2005 21:59:53 GMT
Ruff
Seriously if you can make it down to England on a specific date later this year I will (if I can I would need to check) take you absailing with me.
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Post by leonardo on Mar 20, 2005 22:06:50 GMT
What is Enlightenment? If you don't believe someone can become enlightened at the drop of a hat, you probably don't understand what being enlightened is. It's an event which occurs in the intellect, but which can't easily be tricked apart logically. It simultaneously happens in "the heart", that is, the irrational and emotional side of one's personality. It may also make you light-headed, excited, calm and nervous at once. Bursting into spontaneous laughter is quite common, too. The whole body experiences Enlightenment, there are no divisions or dichotomies, no mind/body, mind/brain, mind/soul. Really? Well, if it happens to me I'll be sure to let you know.
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 21, 2005 11:13:13 GMT
"Do you really believe all that stuff we are taught".
Thus asks Stewart. My answer, in a word NO! In Life I have been taught many things since the age of 5 as far as formal education is concerned so that is nearly 47 years now. Some has been solid fact, The Periodic Table, Ohms Law, Double Entry Book-keeping, you can't really argue with those. Some have been a mixture of facts and opinion, Religious Studies, History, some purely subjective e.g Political Discussions of various types. From my teens I started to weed out and discard the opinions from the facts, and form my own viewpoint on the information given and my personal outlook and ethics. So I don't believe something simply because I have been taught it whatever the source or whoever the teacher. I also look to the Practice in Real Life and not to the Theory however noble it may be.
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Post by a on Mar 21, 2005 11:22:17 GMT
For clarity.
I did not ask that question, it was asked of me.
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 21, 2005 12:13:04 GMT
My answer would be the same whoever asked that question. I am very reluctant these days to accept anything without putting it to the test. As I said some matters are simply facts and are not open to dispute but when any degree of subjectivity, interpretation, spin can be put on a matter then I try to strip that away and ask "Does this seem right to me?"
As an example, why do I believe in God? Like many teenagers I gave up on belief in God in my youth, many do at that age and for about 10 years would have considered myself an Agnostic. Eventually however from reading and research I came to the conclusion that such a situation was not logical and that the existance of a Controling Power within the Universe, call that the Supreme Being if you wish, made sense of things for me. Now note I say "for me" I do not seek to impose my beliefs on others nor claim that they will work for them or that they are "The Answer" I am simply not interested in making converts, I'm not a Missionary. Similarly my being a Christian. Part of that is no doubt cultural but I again I am personally prepared to accept Christ as being a manifestation of God. I do have issues with many of the teachings, doctrines and dogmas of the Organised Christian Religions and simply reject some these as I feel many are purely man-made using Christ as a "rubber stamp" to give authority to the policies of man.
There are of course Rules in most parts of Life that I have to follow, we all do. I do not however have to agree with these and often I don't. So I would repeat my original answer to the question, whoever asked it of whom.
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 21, 2005 12:31:00 GMT
As regards Ruff's remarks about fearing Death or otherwise.
Most of us fear the Unknown , it's a powerful self preservation instinct and Death is the Greatest Unknown of all. Yes we know what happens to the body after death, in most cases it will rot or be burned. However what happens to the personality, spirit, soul, whatever it is called which once animated that body, that is the question.
We are all sure of Death, it is the only thing that all of us can certainly look forward to in Life, the Great Leveler of all.
So for me I know I will die and that has not of itself bothered me . The issues would be the manner of my dying and the time. I would rather it didn't happen for 25 to 30 years, and it would be very inconvenient for me and whoever had to deal with my affairs if I was to die at this time, although I would not be there to worry about it. The manner of dying does concern me, I freely admit that I have a low threshold of pain and cannot tolerate a lot thereof. Last week a friend of mine informed me that his Mother had died at the age of 91. She had a bad heart and had been in poor health although reasonably comfortable. She died peacefully in her sleep in her own bed with calm and dignity. For my own part I would wish to die in my armchair at home after returning from a Masonic Meeting where I had enjoyed the Ceremony , the Company and the Festive Board but hope this will be as I say at least 30 years hence.
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Post by atarnaris on Mar 21, 2005 22:32:34 GMT
Added: An understanding and belief in reincarnation probably also helps. Stewart, Have you ever thought that your feeling of reincarnation might be the ACTUAL life of someone else? The memories that come through hypnosis or meditation are the mere glimpses in the memory (Consciousness) of your OTHER half. And I bet this OTHER half will be female for you Stewart (see Double Headed Eagle, Sun & Moon etc)
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Post by a on Mar 22, 2005 7:21:39 GMT
Andrew
Funnily enough I have no feelings of reincarnation. Though I can sypathise with certain events and people of past periods. It just to me seems to be sensible and makes the meaning of life make more sense. Besides which I do have a strong feeling that I am going to move on in my next incarnation - or at least I have the opportunity to do so.
Mind you I am not all that interested in who I may have been in a previous life, though I do poke a little fun at this at times, what is important is who I am today and what I am doing here and now.
I do however find it quiently amusing who some of your brothers think that I was in a previous life. I have had all sorts proposed to me. Some have been stated on this forum.
Re the female side, well I would have to admit that I have a strong feminine side, but then again balance is ever so important. A little more balance in this world and it would be much more stable and secure methinks.
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ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
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Post by ruffashlar on Mar 25, 2005 8:48:02 GMT
"Seriously if you can make it down to England on a specific date later this year I will [...] take you absailing with me"
In a pig's anus, thanks all the same ;D
People who aren't acrophobic have no idea what it's like. A really bad episode can reduplicate the anxiety level of having been raped. You are left emotionally shattered, feeling utterly destroyed and spiritually bankrupt.
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 25, 2005 8:54:48 GMT
So you won't be going up the tower at the Science Park on the south bank of the Clyde near Kinning Park then Ruff, assuming the thing ever works that is!
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ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
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Post by ruffashlar on Mar 25, 2005 9:17:03 GMT
The Broken Syringe?
Combined with the foil-wrapped Baked Potato (the iMax 3D cinema) and the Lemon Segment (the Science Museum), you are left wondering where the Blackened S p o o n* might be in all this.
Or asking, "Is This the Way to the Armadillo?"
*[What on earth can "p o o n" mean? If you try to post it on here, as in "s p o o n", the forum turns it to "thingy"]
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ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
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Post by ruffashlar on Mar 25, 2005 9:27:31 GMT
Oh, apparently it's short for "p o o n t a n g", which means s e x, usually with a prozzy (French, putain hwore).
God this forum is silly. FPHUCKING PI55FLAPS ;D
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Post by taylorsman on Mar 25, 2005 9:36:32 GMT
Ruff, see my PM for the alternate explanation I read in Alex Comfort's famous book and in "Forum" many years ago. I hadn't thought of that derivation but it would fit I suppose..
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Post by a on Mar 25, 2005 20:27:43 GMT
" Seriously if you can make it down to England on a specific date later this year I will [...] take you absailing with me" In a pig's anus, thanks all the same ;D People who aren't acrophobic have no idea what it's like. A really bad episode can reduplicate the anxiety level of having been raped. You are left emotionally shattered, feeling utterly destroyed and spiritually bankrupt. Ruff Well for me, facing my fears has helped me grow enormously, in what people often call an esoteric way. Sort of practice versus theory so to speak I guess. I know that you have studied a lot of esoteric theory, and you mentioned in some of your posts about your earlier dabbling in groups. If you could find a safe way of doing some individual fear facing work, you may find that it becomes a little more real. Oh and you may also find that you can face life with much fewer fears as well. Small steps can make big differences. Anyway, subject to me being able to arrange it, the offer stands.
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