What if you're missing the purpose? (page 10)

journey-on

Cog

I'm going to slip back in here for a minute just to say that I have a friend that takes antidepressants and what she calls "nerve pills". One day while watching a movie, I started crying at one of the sad parts. I looked over at her and there was no emotion on her face! I whispered, "I can't believe you don't find this part sad!" She told me the medicines she takes keep her from being able to cry. THAT made ME want to cry. I really think life is about the hills and valleys and you should experience them with your "God-given" (there I go again using the G-word) ability to empathize, sympathize, and any other "ize" you feel like. I'm not saying these medicines should never be taken, but I do believe they are way over-prescribed by doctors.

After reading all these posts over again this morning, all I know is that we are each and every one on our own unique spiritual path whether we choose to call it spiritual or not. Even those who want to just live day by day without thought to "the meaning of Life" are themselves following their own unique path. Narkissos commented on this and I think he was dead-on.

I seek because I'm turned that way. I guess I was destined to leave the JW way because they discourage speculation and free thought.

At this particular phase of my journey, I'm inclined to think that the so-called "fall of man" was intentional. It was the Eternal's "gift" to his creation --- free will. Only in this way could the Eternal experience "other". And we are supposed to think/feel, cry/laugh, be sad/happy, and a million other dualities in Life's expression. I have taken JamesThomas', Poppers', and Nvrgnbk's very eloquent explanations to heart and do think the answer may be to allow the experience but not be defined by it.

But, I, nevertheless, think man only goes forward because of the mystery and his desire TO KNOW! It's what drives us.

Thank you all for replying to this post. It was most helpful and thought provoking......As someone once said: "It's not the destination, it's the journey.".............Journey-on

quietlyleaving

journey-on

I have taken JamesThomas', Poppers', and Nvrgnbk's very eloquent explanations to heart and do think the answer may be to allow the experience but not be defined by it.

Yes I agree.

But, I, nevertheless, think man only goes forward because of the mystery and his desire TO KNOW! It's what drives us.

bigdreaux

cog, sorry, i didn't know you were a sister. lol my bad.

cognizant dissident

And we are supposed to think/feel, cry/laugh, be sad/happy, and a million other dualities in Life's expression. I have taken JamesThomas', Poppers', and Nvrgnbk's very eloquent explanations to heart and do think the answer may be to allow the experience but not be defined by it.

I think this comment really takes us back full circle to our JW days. We learned from them that we "should" always be happy because we are in a "spiritual paradise". We learned that we "should not" grieve as others do when our loved ones die. We "should not" get too carried away with passion and sexual pleasure. We learned not to ask questions, not to seek, not to inquire, only to recite mind numbingly boring childish rehetoric. We learned to walk around with false perkiness and friendliness to keep up the image. We learned to numb our grief and sadness with alcohol and antidepressants. We defined ourselves by that religion to the point where we couldn't feel the full gamut of human emotions and experience true spirituality. We actually learned that there was something "wrong" with us the way we are. That we were "fallen". What if we are not "fallen"? What if we are "perfect" just the way we are, experiencing all the highs and lows of being human? What if there is no "higher" plane to attain to? Can we be at peace with that? Can we be at peace with ourselves and each other, just the way we are, right now?

Thanks for starting this thread, Journey - On. We may not have solved the greater purpose of life, but I think that we have shown by example that is possible for atheists and believers, or any people of differing opinions to discuss openly and candidly without insult or disrespect. IMO, love and respect solve 99.9% of the world's problems.

Cog

JamesThomas

Journey-on:

the answer may be to allow the experience but not be defined by it.
But, I, nevertheless, think man only goes forward because of the mystery and his desire TO KNOW! It's what drives us.

I may be wrong, but there seems to be a bit of a sense here that to know one's true being is to some how subtract from or deaden the mystery and desire to advance in the sciences and artistic expressions of life. Actually awakening to our reality, is not an end, but rather a beginning. The beginning of an evolution that is guided by acute awareness that is in harmony with the endless wisdom within the nature all existence.

It's simply the difference between living a dream or living for real. In which, are we going to get the most accomplished?

j

journey-on

Good evening, JT

to know one's true being

There's that expression again, the one that confuses me. I'm going to keep working on it. But I continue to be baffled as to how one peels away the layers of the onion to get to core of one's true self. Is the true self your spirit (who/what you are sans personality)? Is it the intelligent creative force manifesting through your individual body temple?

I think it's the individuality that IS important. If you strip away this, then what is left is nothing unique.

cognizant dissident

The beginning of an evolution that is guided by acute awareness that is in harmony with the endless wisdom within the nature all existence.

It's simply the difference between living a dream or living for real. In which, are we going to get the most accomplished?

Beautifully put JT. Being aware of the reality of the present moment, accepting of it, without attempting to add meaning, does not preclude asking questions, planning for the future, being creative, being inventive. I think it is not so much a question of in which are we going to get the most accomplished. People get much accomplished every day, but of how much benefit is it, short term or long term? How much harm do we inadvertently cause when we are not aware of reality. This ties in perfectly with the butterfly story. The man had intention to be of benefit but because he was not aware of the true nature of the butterfly and the purpose of its cocoon, his actions were of no benefit at all, but only produced harm.

cog

nvrgnbk

Hi real people.

Just got back from a very real experience.

I lived in the moment.

I was rewarded for it.

Peace!

cognizant dissident

Hey nvrgnbk.

Who did you see in concert?

Cog

nvrgnbk

The Decemberists.( Portland, Oregon)

They were supported by a symphony orchestra.

Very nice.

What if you're missing the purpose?

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