"Back, you know, a few generations ago, people didn't have a way to share information and express their opinions efficiently to a lot of people. But now they do. Right now, with social networks and other tools on the Internet, all of these 500 million people have a way to say what they're thinking and have their voice be heard."
~ Mark Zuckerberg
I think the death of (organized) religions is very near. The rate at which people are interacting with each other throughout the world (through Facebook, Google, etc, and even through HubPages) - if we combine that with what's happening in cloud computing and in the developments of easy-to-use computing devices (iPad & others) - it's pretty clear that 50 years from now - humanity would enter a new consciousness about the reality that they live in.
I think what we had been experiencing throughout the previous centuries - can be compared to the phenomenon of, say, four cats forming a nation in your house, then another four cats forming another nation somewhere in the neighborhood - and then, within a month - you get an entire nationally divided 'feline world' in your locality.
The cats may fancy that they are different from each other - but they're not!
Cosmically speaking, we are like a small family of sentient beings who are inhabiting this planet. And the internet would definitely bring us a lot closer during the next fifty years.
As we plumb the depths within ourselves, and as we touch the spiritual depths within others, we would discover, with a delighting surprise, that nationality, language, gender, attributes, money - all these are utterly superficial barriers that we, the spirits, have formed around ourselves out of disconnection and egoistic ignorance. And that we all have spiritual resources within ourselves to remove those barriers - and to create a world which would be as good as we can imagine it to be.
Do you view this "reality" we live in as a computer chip? What does computing power have to do with a new consciousness of the reality we live in? Or even a passing connection with a stranger across the world with whom we will never speak again?
And above all, what is new or different about reality? It has always been there, always been the same, and does not include another "place" where our "spirituality" resides or exists. While 50 years will certainly see a change in our perception and understanding of the reality around us, it is quite unlikely to include any spiritual understandings; those always come from the imagination inside us and are different for every person.
Where does any of your imaginations come from?
Inside my brain. Where do you think it comes from?
neural pathways and electron flows. What did you think it is made of?
Collectively.
Are you attempting to insert a God Done It here? Are you asserting God Done It because you don't understand it?
I understand what God shet is saying. There is a collective consciousness which is past brain, neurons and individuality. This is where 'imagination' emanates. There is a non-material realm of reality that is constantly speaking to us, individually and collectively, it wants to tell us its secrets.
"I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking" ~ Albert Einstein
Yes, we have a sub-conscious. Please don't pretend it's something else.
Rad Man...very good. Sub-conscious...If our consciousness resides in the neurons and neuro-transmitters of the brain. Then where is the sub-conscious located?
If there is an individualized 'sub-conscious' then there is a 'super-conscious', an overarching consciousness that is accessible by a multitude 'spiritual' techniques. Hell, even daydreaming is at it's core is a spiritual practice.
Come on. Do you need basic psychology explained to you? You can pretend that there is a super consciousness if you like, but you can't demonstrate that you've communicated with it can you? Are you able to get any information from it that isn't in your own mind?
Sure! And if there are 3 forms of "conscious" then there are 4 by the same reasoning. And if there are 4, there are 5. In fact, there are enough forms of conscious to make each and every one of us a god in our own right.
Nonsense. Imagination does not emanate from anything external to ourselves. There is nothing speaking to us from outside ourselves.
I never said anything was 'external' to our perception. There is no 'other'. We are part of the fabric of beingness, a universal fabric. Some of us think our totality is limited to one thread of this fabric, they don't or won't see past that. Others however can perceive much more of the fabric, can feel the connection to a greater reality.
This deeper (or higher) perception is available to everyone, everyone that is willing to seek it.
If you choose not to then no sweat. Many people, dare I say the majority of people that have passed through this world have chosen not to seek any further than their 5 senses.
Prove it. Much as I am impressed with your "higher" perception - this must be external.
"Never explain yourself to anyone that is committed to misunderstanding you" ~ Somebody that was smart
It's like a fish living in the ocean, the fish thinks that water is the whole of reality.
For any sensible fish, it is. Unless you are suggestion that religion is like a deadly void where we will die an agonizing death for no good reason.
All my fault then? You just understand much better than me.
Now you think you know what a fish thinks?
Some people see and hear other people or things that aren't really there, it's a very serious disorder. The mind can do amazing things sometimes in error and sometimes in order to calm or hide us from reality.
If that what gets you through life then go ahead, but I prefer reality.
The 'fish' thing was metaphorical...hence the quote I used about trying to explain yourself to those committed to misunderstanding. They're not seeking to understand, they're fixated on their myopic vision...life is a learning exercise above all things.
Except some people think they already have it figured out.
I have learned that conversing/discussing things with the fundamentally religious and the atheist is essentially the same experience. Both are very selective in what they actually hear...they're not looking to learn, they solely want to 'prove' their point.
Unlike yourself. You just want to teach. And claim higher understanding of course. Anyone that does not agree with you simply lacks understanding. The sort of higher understanding you have.
Maybe you have got it wrong. Maybe this "higher understanding," is simply internal and you simply don't understand that.
I have learned that people who claim esoteric knowledge invariably ends in them getting frustrated that their higher understanding is dismissed. You have no idea what I understand and any understanding I have is 100% internal.
You made some claims. Back them up.
That's telling. I guess you think you are the teacher and we are your students, are you at all willing to learn anything from any of us?
What have you actually shared here that could even remotely be considered as proof? All I saw was an idea presented with nothing to really back it up.
If I told you that I have a super cat next to me that can do cartwheels on command and juggle fire sticks, would you believe me no questions asked? Would I be correct in assuming that you were simply not interested in my proof of the super cat if you were to ask for proof of my super cat?
Personal experiences do not serve as proof of anything. They can certainly lead you places and be used as a reference point, but when asked to prove something to be even remotely possible, personal experiences are not the way to go.
You have to think non-linearly. I presume that circularly works best...
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/125147#post2642340
Sorry Righteous Atheist.
YOU do not get to define MY experience. You don't believe what I relate here?
Fine.
MY experience, or how and where I share it is not dependent on YOUR belief or approval.
Have a nice life living in your box.
And vice versa, right? We should respect *each others* beliefs.
Ah - holier than thou. Gotcha. That is usually where it goes. Sorry you didn't understand.
Collective with whom or what? What is "past brain, neurons and individuality" and where is it? Where is the nom-material realm of reality and how did you detect it to verify it's presence? How do you know what the collective wants?
In other words I think you're making an irrational claim without anything at all to substantiate it. Unless or until you CAN provide evidence of this non-material realm, there is no reason to believe it exists, let along wants to tell us secrets.
Wilderness...
You won't understand it by linear thinking.
That's why trying to 'prove' non-linear, non-material concepts to linear thinkers won't work.
In other words you don't have any evidence whatsoever for the claims you make. Why make them then? Just because you want your personal imaginings to be considered real?
Don't forget that we're ALL linear thinkers, even when that line of thinking goes in a circle back to where it began.
No. I didn't imply any of those things that you have suggested that I did. You heard a lot of sounds which weren't there.
"Some people see and hear other people or things that aren't really there, it's a very serious disorder. The mind can do amazing things sometimes in error and sometimes in order to calm or hide us from reality."
http://hubpages.com/forum/post/2642273
God shet...
If your reply was addressed to me. I based my comment on your statement -
"As we plumb the depths within ourselves, and as we touch the spiritual depths within others, we would discover, with a delighting surprise, that nationality, language, gender, attributes, money - all these are utterly superficial barriers that we, the spirits, have formed around ourselves out of disconnection and egoistic ignorance. And that we all have spiritual resources within ourselves to remove those barriers - and to create a world which would be as good as we can imagine it to be."
Yes, I saw universal conscious awareness in your words.
It wasn't addressed to you. I replied to Mr. Rad Man there.
Well God shet...looks like I stepped right into your statement.
"Some people see and hear other people or things that aren't really there, it's a very serious disorder. The mind can do amazing things sometimes in error and sometimes in order to calm or hide us from reality."
LOL
Have a good one my friend. Over the years I've found that arguing with materialists is fruitless.
The same way bacteria have digestion and neurons have pain.
Now that's a silly question - you're deteriorating here. Can you answer no questions, just supply meaningless ones we all already know the answer to?
Yep...just as I said above.
Conversing with the fundamentally religious and the atheist is the same experience.
Ah - more holier than thou. Well done. You must have a much, much higher understanding than the rest of us.
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