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Old 07-08-2010, 02:14 PM   #19 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru
warrior bodhisattva
 
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Location: East-central Canada
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idyllic View Post
Who's worrying? (and I love the way they cover their asses with the whole probably, why not just say, "There is no God" and be done with it, maybe there is the worry.... make me laugh)
They seem take the position I do, which is essentially an agnostic atheist. I don't believe there is a God, but there is nothing I can do to prove it otherwise. I do not claim to know that God does not exist. There probably isn't a God.

Quote:
What meaning did you or have you found so far in life that those who do believe in an afterlife or a god have not? (I really would like to know, enlighten me, seriously I am not asking this in a smart ass manner)
I cannot know this for certain, and neither can you. I do not claim to know things that others don't. Any human being can have the same experiences as I've had regardless of their beliefs. Though I will say that the sum of my experiences and my reflections upon them are unique. Others may share similarities, and common themes may emerge, but the universe has too many variables for a Unified Experience.

As one aspect of my beliefs/values, if you want to know the closest thing resembling religion that I would ascribe to/accept, read the Dhammapada if you haven't already. There are many things in there that relate to life experience, observation, and reflection.

Quote:
Do you know the meaning of life? What do you think the meaning of life is? I recognize you as a learned man, a book educated and very well read man so I ask these questions with a curious mind as you may know things I could use to help my travels in this life.
I don't believe in a singular Meaning of Life. I don't look at meaning in life as a quest for a Holy Grail. I don't expect to have an aha! moment and be at peace when I've finally found the Answer to Life. (The answer is not "42," though I think we're a bit closer with, "Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.")

In life we suffer; we feel better about it if we can alleviate it in ourselves and in others. There are things that distract us from this, there are other things that shine light on this. That's a start.

Quote:
How can you be so certain you won't find any answers in death? (just asking)
I can't be absolutely certain. What I'm quite certain of, however, is that upon my death my "earthly senses" will cease to function. I currently depend on these for my life experiences.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot
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