Hypothetical Reasons for Us All - Theosophy.Net2024-03-28T08:49:51Zhttps://theosophy.net/forum/topics/hypothetical-reasons-for-us-all?id=3055387%3ATopic%3A132609&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree that we are all a par…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-08:3055387:Comment:1324622014-01-08T01:39:35.070ZSeth Edwardshttps://theosophy.net/profile/SethEdwards
<p>I agree that we are all a part of the greater whole, and that the best we can do is make a positive difference in the lives of others, but I must add (and with the sincerest respect to you and your views) that the rest of the way of you view reality seems to be unnecessarily bleak. How could one know what the universe thinks, and whether or not it notices if we are gone? It's just an assumption. And, if we are going to be making assumptions about how this existence of ours' works, why not…</p>
<p>I agree that we are all a part of the greater whole, and that the best we can do is make a positive difference in the lives of others, but I must add (and with the sincerest respect to you and your views) that the rest of the way of you view reality seems to be unnecessarily bleak. How could one know what the universe thinks, and whether or not it notices if we are gone? It's just an assumption. And, if we are going to be making assumptions about how this existence of ours' works, why not make those assumptions the most positive they can be? Believing that the universe knows and cares about us and our lives and our loves will only help us in the end, even if that belief is false. It makes us brighter and happier beings, and by being brighter and happier, we are much more able to help our fellow man. And just because change is the only constant, it does not mean that the temporal and ephemeral things around us are empty and meaningless. Surely, if its here, it must have some use, it must have some meaning. </p>
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<p>And last, I'd like to add, if your mission is to live a life of compassion, your mission is absolutely beautiful. You and your kind are elevating this world. Thank you.</p> I think about this. One day I…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1325802014-01-07T19:28:46.252ZAlfred V.https://theosophy.net/profile/AlfredV
<p>I think about this. One day I will die. The sun will not stop shining. The earth will not stop spinning. The stars will continue to flicker in the sky. The birds will keep singing. Very few will notice and of the few who notice, they will forget about it within a week and go about their lives. Perhaps family will feel the loss for a longer time but then they too will move on. This is the impermanence of all things. This is the emptiness of all things, anatta. Is there a purpose for me being…</p>
<p>I think about this. One day I will die. The sun will not stop shining. The earth will not stop spinning. The stars will continue to flicker in the sky. The birds will keep singing. Very few will notice and of the few who notice, they will forget about it within a week and go about their lives. Perhaps family will feel the loss for a longer time but then they too will move on. This is the impermanence of all things. This is the emptiness of all things, anatta. Is there a purpose for me being here? That is for me to make happen. At one time I slaved over questions like this, then I decided to just live my life, and my life would let me know why I am here and what I am to do. No-one's mission is any better or more important than anyone else's. I am enjoined to do but one thing, live a life of compassion. We humans tend to think we are so important,that our "reason" for being here is so important. But the universe did not notice when we came into the world and it will not notice when we leave it. We are all part of the greater whole. We are just a part of the comings and goings of the Tao. The best we can do is make a difference in the lives of others, somehow.And if we don't, don't worry, someone else will.</p> Would there be any way to kno…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1323492014-01-07T02:40:12.251ZSeth Edwardshttps://theosophy.net/profile/SethEdwards
<p>Would there be any way to know without first understanding <em>all</em> phenomena? Perhaps that's why philosophers tend to ignore it- philosophers are typically the ones to believe that there is more to this life than meets the eye. Randomness seems to take away from that feeling of purpose in existence. </p>
<p>Would there be any way to know without first understanding <em>all</em> phenomena? Perhaps that's why philosophers tend to ignore it- philosophers are typically the ones to believe that there is more to this life than meets the eye. Randomness seems to take away from that feeling of purpose in existence. </p> When considering evolution we…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1325792014-01-07T02:32:30.784ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p>When considering evolution we usually tend to miss one key component - Randomness. While mathematicians have delved into it, philosophers have generally ignored it. Is it a catchall word for the phenomena we do not understand or does it really exist?</p>
<p>I guess it is time for John Mead to join in this discussion. It is his territory.</p>
<p>When considering evolution we usually tend to miss one key component - Randomness. While mathematicians have delved into it, philosophers have generally ignored it. Is it a catchall word for the phenomena we do not understand or does it really exist?</p>
<p>I guess it is time for John Mead to join in this discussion. It is his territory.</p> In order to configure our que…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1324602014-01-07T02:26:16.556ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p>In order to configure our question properly, THE WHY, one may consider defining the words like "consciousness", intelligence", "sentience", "life" etc. These words are understood differently by people from different cultural backgrounds.</p>
<p>Further, our linear time dependent concepts can scarcely address the question. Is there an "infinite past"?</p>
<p>In order to configure our question properly, THE WHY, one may consider defining the words like "consciousness", intelligence", "sentience", "life" etc. These words are understood differently by people from different cultural backgrounds.</p>
<p>Further, our linear time dependent concepts can scarcely address the question. Is there an "infinite past"?</p> What if we consider "the infi…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1324592014-01-07T02:05:32.224ZDavid Allenhttps://theosophy.net/profile/DavidAllen
<p>What if we consider "the infinite past" as consciousness, and our current experiences as emerging intelligence?</p>
<p>What if we consider "the infinite past" as consciousness, and our current experiences as emerging intelligence?</p> I don't see a problem with th…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1324582014-01-07T01:24:47.052ZSeth Edwardshttps://theosophy.net/profile/SethEdwards
<p>I don't see a problem with that, however. We have just as much proof to support intelligence at the start, as we do to support nothing at all at the start. Or, instead of the word "start," you could substitute "from the infinite past," it's just an issue of syntax in this case. I'd say, from my point of view, it looks even more logical than not to assume intelligence was at work from the start. If not intelligent, then how else would you describe evolution? Or, better yet, how would you…</p>
<p>I don't see a problem with that, however. We have just as much proof to support intelligence at the start, as we do to support nothing at all at the start. Or, instead of the word "start," you could substitute "from the infinite past," it's just an issue of syntax in this case. I'd say, from my point of view, it looks even more logical than not to assume intelligence was at work from the start. If not intelligent, then how else would you describe evolution? Or, better yet, how would you describe the seemingly infinite progression upward that seems to be taking place all around us? </p> Yes. It would.tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-07:3055387:Comment:1323482014-01-07T01:02:20.584ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p>Yes. It would.</p>
<p>Yes. It would.</p> If you are looking for reason…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-06:3055387:Comment:1323452014-01-06T21:18:24.652ZDavid Allenhttps://theosophy.net/profile/DavidAllen
<p>If you are looking for reasons beyond cause, wouldn't this presuppose intelligence?</p>
<p>If you are looking for reasons beyond cause, wouldn't this presuppose intelligence?</p> Thanks Seth.
even if our exis…tag:theosophy.net,2014-01-06:3055387:Comment:1324552014-01-06T02:20:14.468ZCapt. Anand Kumarhttps://theosophy.net/profile/CaptAnandKumar
<p>Thanks Seth.</p>
<blockquote><p>even if our existence itself is the cause, can we not still ask why that is so?</p>
<p>I'm asking for what reason, not for what caused it</p>
</blockquote>
<p>One cannot find the answer within the cause and consequence principle. One has to stop at either "causeless cause" or "unknowable cause".</p>
<p>If I become the question itself there may not be scope for any further questions. If I am the reason can there be any other reason? That is how some minds have…</p>
<p>Thanks Seth.</p>
<blockquote><p>even if our existence itself is the cause, can we not still ask why that is so?</p>
<p>I'm asking for what reason, not for what caused it</p>
</blockquote>
<p>One cannot find the answer within the cause and consequence principle. One has to stop at either "causeless cause" or "unknowable cause".</p>
<p>If I become the question itself there may not be scope for any further questions. If I am the reason can there be any other reason? That is how some minds have either circumvented the question or found the answer to the eternal question. Perhaps you may enjoy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita_Vedanta" target="_blank">Advaita</a>.</p>