The problem is that there are many layers to reality

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   DasEngelposted 8 years ago

   It would have been much easier if what we call truth, or reality, had only one total character. But that's not the case: it has many layers. And that makes it increasingly difficult to formulate any universal spiritual principle that fits all of the people. If anyone does, they're most likely being hypocrite or dishonest, ignoring the elusiveness and fleeting character of real life.
   
   Life is beautiful, though and still.

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      Ruth Angelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Life is beautiful. BECAUSE of the diversity in the world.  So agreed.

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         DasEngelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Correct!

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      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      There is great complexity in the universe but as we look deeper and deeper into what things are made of, we find that there is also great similarity and simplicity. Below the atomic level, in the tiny realm of the infinitesimal quark, all the bits seem to be the same, whether in a human being, a sea slug, a mountain, or a supernova.
      
      I believe the way to deal with great complexity is to self-apply rules of great simplicity. I think many religions become too complex and thus cause people to become obsessed with the thousands of rules rather than the application of the very few that actually matter. People have so many rules to remember about who and what to disapprove of and what harmless things they are or are not allowed to do that they tend to forget that their neighbors are living, breathing pieces of the universe incredibly similar to themselves, with their own thoughts, desires, and needs.
      
      The spiritual principle I try to live by is just two words, be loving. Obviously, I don't always succeed, but when I keep it firmly in mind and judge my own potential actions by it, I find I seldom do things I dislike myself for later.

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         DasEngelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Lovely comment! When the solution is simple God is answering, someone said. So then God either loves simplicity or maybe he has better eyesight.

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      Jewelsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Such a profound statement.  If there were to be one statement or universal principle I would say it is integrity.  Yet paradoxes exist within this statement also.  Depending on what level of consciousness you are tapping into, truth/integrity is a matter of individual perspective.  Love in spiritual realms differs greatly from human terms because we are such a fallen beast collectively  Love of pizza is not the same as pure Love as a state of being.  And love is not something you do, it is something you be and emanate as an essence of the Self.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         "Love is something you be."
         Good bumper sticker.
         "Integrity is something you be,"
         Not a good bumper sticker.
         
         Love is the essence of Self.
         Well, yes! And UNIVERSALLY so!

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         DasEngelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Couldn't have said more clearly myself. And thank you for coming down to the forums to share your thoughts. I really appreciate. I've checked your profile and you tapped into spirituality way earlier. Hope we can all do something together to make the world a better place.

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            Jewelsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            For sure, there is a lot to be done

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      janesixposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What "layers"? Describe them please. Otherwise, I will just have to assume you're making stuff up,and talking nonsense.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe, layers refers to all the ways life manifests. Life is illusive due to physical death. If I swat a fly and it dies, I have practically affected the fly, but I have not affected its source of life which is the "real life" of the fly. It reincarnates into a fly egg and begins another life. Unless its source of life desires/chooses to evolve and become a bee …

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   Max Harmonposted 8 years ago

   How about this?  Less than reality equals not reality.  No layers if indeed one is realer, higher, purer, which "layers" would suggest, for that renders the other(s) less than reality.  Such formerly viewed as reality is a problem with perceptivity that is always being reality driven albeit a viewpoint from mere physicality made in bodies designed to perceive a miniscule amount of even just physical stimuli is always sorely lagging.  Our perception of reality doesn't change it.  Truth is the same.  If one source says a particular table has four legs and another says the very same piece of furniture has three, then at least one of those sources is untrue.  If we state the opinions that a table standing on four legs is a three legged table our opinions do not affect the table's condition.  We could break off a leg to change the truth but reality exists where we do not govern.  If there is a truth about everything and that truth about all matters goes all the way to the top, then we are powerless to affect practically reality at all.

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What is practical reality?
      How is practical reality affected?
      Where is practical reality located?
      When does practical reality manifest?
      Who mentioned the ability to affect practical reality?

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         wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         The reality not defined by perceptions?

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            Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            … or defined by perceptions?

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   So you are proclaiming that the character of real life is elusive and fleeting?
   - and if we don't agree with you we're dishonest and hypocritical?
   Is this a debate thread or an agreement thread?
   Dare I disagree?

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      Max Harmonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It looks like you are talking about my post, but it is difficult to tell for sure because your distillation of the wordage didn't match anything said except for a couple of words, of which even those you missed.  The suffix "ly" makes a word an adverb which modifies an action.  I am uncertain who mentioned a practical reality unless it was you, so again it's tricky to tell to what you refer.  But just in case, "practically" means in a practical manner or in this case, virtually affect.  Also, in using the word, "we" one is including oneself.   You mentioned disagreeing with someone.  But I mentioned only people disagreeing with reality in the context of perception, myself included.  (?)  What thread?  I want some of what you're having.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Dear Max:
         
         That response (of mine) was to the original post and not to one of yours. I hope this clears things up a bit.
         
         I zeroed in on the last sentence of YOUR post.
         
         <"If there is a truth about everything and that truth about all matters goes all the way to the top, then we are powerless to affect practically reality at all.">

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            Max Harmonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            right, practically affect would have been better.  Now you're just making fun of the way I write which is something I can get.

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               Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               No I was not making fun of it.
               I was trying hard to distillate. I am a nerd in this way.
               <"If there is a truth about everything and that truth about all matters goes all the way to the top, then we are powerless to practically affect "reality" at all.">
               
               Q.  What is reality?
               
               I would say "reality" is the source of life. It alone is definite, but its manifestation is elusive.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   I would say the latter.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   I think the following issue is what is being discussed:
   
   The tendency (we humans seem to have) to attempt to "formulate" a single universal spiritual principle.
   
   
   formulate: verb
   1 devise, conceive, work out, think up, lay, draw up, put together, form, produce, fashion, concoct, contrive, forge, hatch, prepare, develop; dream up.
   2 express, phrase, word, put into words, frame, couch, put, articulate, convey, say, state, utter.
   
   The word "affect" is not included ...
   at all.
   
   affect: verb
   1 have an effect on, influence, act on, work on, have an impact on, impact; change, alter, modify, transform, form, shape, sway, bias.
   2 move, touch, make an impression on, hit (hard), tug at someone's heartstrings; upset, trouble, distress, disturb, agitate, shake (up).
   3 attack, infect; hit, strike.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   For instance, maybe we should let words mean whatever we want them to mean?
   That would be beautiful too …
   
   right?

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   <"It would have been much easier if what we call truth, or reality, had only one total character. But that's not the case:"> 
   
   I believe beyond "character(s)" there is one Single Spirit. The fact that it manifests in all, (in It's vast myriad of ways,) is very significant. Significant enough to formulate a universal spiritual principle.
   
   So, I dare to disagree.
   
   (- and I am not hypocritical or dishonest.)
   
   
   TWISI

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   colorfuloneposted 8 years ago

   Its kind of like this maybe? 
   
   
   
   
   He was a smart man!   

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   ~ definitely ahead of his time!

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

    Ubiquity:
    Here is a word some guy in the jacuzzi at my health club was yakking about to us just last night.
    He said this ubiquitous force is so powerful that no one can affect it.
    I don't know if this is true or not.
    I think not. I think we can affect it.
    He was talking about its power of destruction as well as construction.

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       Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe we can only stop it or allow it to manifest.
       On or off. 1 and 0

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          DasEngelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          You're doing a good job.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

    

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    Oztinatoposted 8 years ago

    The concept of Truth has been clarified by ancient Hindu philosophers. "Reality" is relative but Truth (capital T) is unchangeable and eternal by it's very definition. Even physicists agree that "reality" is relative. The Truth on the other hand is permanent and is equated with God.

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       Jewelsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       One that hits the heights.  This level of truth is beyond dispute, though many have no understanding of the concept and therefore rely on perception according to the ordinary minds ability to cognize it.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

    Objective reality + Subjective reality = Truth.

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